and take thou whichever horse and arms thou choosest, in payment for thy service and thy gift.”  “Heaven reward thee, lord!” said the youth; “and this would be ample to repay services much greater than those I have rendered unto thee.”  And to the town went the youth, and he took the best and the most pleasant lodgings that he knew; and after that he went to the palace, having the horse and armor with him, and proceeded to the place where the earl was, and told him all his adventure.  “I go now, lord,” said he, “to meet the knight, and to conduct him to his lodging.”  “Go, gladly,” said the earl; “and right joyfully shall he be received here, if he so come.”  And the youth went to meet Geraint, and told him that he would be received gladly by the earl in his own palace; but he would go only to his lodgings.  And he had a goodly chamber, in which was plenty of straw and drapery, and a spacious and commodious place he had for the horses; and the youth prepared for them plenty of provender.  After they had disarrayed themselves, Geraint spoke thus to Enid:  “Go,” said he, “to the other side of the chamber, and come not to this side of the house; and thou mayst call to thee the woman of the house, if thou wilt.”  “I will do, lord,” said she, “as thou sayest.”  Thereupon the man of the house came to Geraint and welcomed him.  And after they had eaten and drank, Geraint went to sleep, and so did Enid also.

In the evening, behold, the earl came to visit Geraint, and his twelve honorable knights with him.  And Geraint rose up and welcomed him.  Then they all sat down according to their precedence in honor.  And the earl conversed with Geraint, and inquired of him the object of his journey.  “I have none,” he replied, “but to seek adventures and to follow mine own inclination.”  Then the earl cast his eye upon Enid, and he looked at her steadfastly.  And he thought he had never seen a maiden fairer or more comely than she.  And he set all his thoughts and his affections upon her.  Then he asked of Geraint, “Have I thy permission to go and converse with yonder maiden, for I see that she is apart from thee?” “Thou hast it gladly,” said he.  So the earl went to the place where the maiden was, and spake with her.  “Ah! maiden,” said he, “it cannot be pleasant to thee to journey with yonder man.”  “It is not unpleasant to me,” said she.  “Thou hast neither youths nor maidens to serve thee,” said he.  “Truly,” she replied, “it is more pleasant for me to follow yonder man, than to be served by youths and maidens.”  “I will give thee good counsel,” said he:  “all my earldom will I place in thy possession, if thou wilt dwell with me.”

   “Enid, the pilot star of my lone life,
    Enid, my early and my only love.”

    —­Enid.