Editiones Arnamagnæanæ. Series B - 01.10.1965, Side 153

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him (4-), but rhe (+) asks rErex [! cf. note to text] (King
Guimar), his kinsnian, to grant him assistance, if hhere is
need (he needs it). He agrees to that gladly (+ now), and they
part with friendship. THe (the king) is very grieved that he
wishes to have no rmen (man) from his kingdom with him
(+ for the departure), Gs he would have, nevertheless, many
obstacles to pass (4-).
Chapter IX
(+ Slaying of the giant and slaying of many knights.)
Now Erex rides (+ along—or: after this) many days until
he comes to a dense and large desolate forest. They take up
a place for the night there hn a clearing (4-), and at midnight
they hear great weeping and terrible noises. Erex stands up
(+ now) and takes his horse (+ and his armor) and rides in 44
search of hhose (these) noises tuntil (and comes to where)
he sees a woman crying (+ and) running about the forest.
She was tearing off her Tclothes and pulling at her hair (hair
and clothes). THe (Erex) asks Twhat she is weeping about
(her what she is doing). She Tanswers (says): “I was a rich
[powerful?] woman, and I had an excellent husband. We
were riding into this forest with twenty knights and great
merriment, but two giants came upon us yesterday evening
and killed all the knights and fseized (captured) my husband
forcibly and beat him and bound his hands behind him.
But I escaped (+ then). Now I rhave become also (am poor
and miserable and) wretched. iThey also (these giants) took
our horses and Tclothing (goods). They are (+ now) a short
distance from here. Now pity me my grief, although you
fare not able to accomplish (do not do) any more, because
it is impossible (+ for you) to rdeal with them (fight against
these giants).” Erex spoke: “Do not weep, Evoman (4-), and
wait here ffor me (with my sweetheart). Certainly I shall
Tfind (ride to) them and try to see what I can Taccomplish
(get accomplished).”
He takes (+ now his lady) Evida off her horse—(+ very)
sorrowful at her husband's plan (+ but she is able to ac-
complish nothing). He Iruns (charges) away now into the
forest as fast as possible, and soon rhe (now) sees where two 45
giants are going, and one of them is driving many horses
loaded with good weapons and (+ other) precious Tclothing
(treasures). The other rides much farther behind and has a