Chapter Epimenides to Ereenia of E by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Erceldoun (Thomas of), also called “Thomas the Rhymer,” introduced by sir W. Scott in his novel called Castle Dangerous (time, Henry I.).

It is said that Thomas of Erceldoun is not dead, but that he is sleeping beneath the Eildon Hills, in Scotland. One day, he met with a lady of elfin race beneath the Eildon tree, and she led him to an under-ground region, where he remained for seven years. He then revisited the earth, but bound himself to return when summoned. One day, when he was making merry with his friends, he was told that a hart and hind were parading the street; and he knew it was his summons, so he immediately went to the Eildon tree, and has never since been heard of.—Sir W. Scott: Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border.

(This tale is substantially the same as the German one of Tanhäuser, q.v.)

Ercoco or Erquico, on the Red Sea, marks the north-east boundary of the negus of Abyssinia.

The empire of Negus to his utmost port,
Ercoco.
   —Milton: Paradise Lost, xi. 397 (1665).

Ereck, a knight of the Round Table. He marries the beautiful Enite , daughter of a poor knight, and falls into a state of idleness and effeminacy, till Enite rouses him to action. He then goes forth on an expedition of adventures; and after combating with brigands, giants, and dwarfs, returns to the court of king Arthur, where he remains till the death of his father. He then enters on his inheritance, and lives peaceably the rest of his life.—Hartmann von der Aue: Ereck (thirteenth century).

Ereenia , a glendoveer or good spirit, t he beloved son o f Casyapa father of the immortals. Ereenia took pity on Kailyal , daughter of Ladurlad, and carried her to his Bower of Bliss in paradis e (canto vii.). Here Kailyal could not stay, because she was s till a living daughter of earth. On her return to earth, she was chosen for the bride of Jagan-naut, and Arvalan came to dishonour her; but she set fire to the pagoda, and Ereenia came to her rescue. Ereenia was set upon by the witch Lorrimite , and carried to the submerged city of Baly, whence he was delivered by Ladurlad. The glendoveer now craved Seeva for vengeance, but the god sent him to Yamen (i.e.) Pluto), and Yamen said the measure of iniquity was now full. So Arvalan and his father Kehama were both made inmates of the city of everlasting woe; while Ereenia carried Kailyal, who had quaffed the waters of immortality, to his Bower of Bliss, to dwell with him in everlasting joy.—Southey: Curse of Kehama (1809).