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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..df65fbd --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67425 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67425) diff --git a/old/67425-0.txt b/old/67425-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0bc9452..0000000 --- a/old/67425-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11035 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Knightly Legends of Wales, by Sidney -Lanier - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Knightly Legends of Wales - or The Boy's Mabinogion Being the Earliest Welsh Tales of King - Arthur in the Famous Red Book of Hergest - -Author: Sidney Lanier - -Illustrator: Alfred Frederick - -Release Date: February 17, 2022 [eBook #67425] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KNIGHTLY LEGENDS OF -WALES *** - - - - - - KNIGHTLY LEGENDS - _of Wales_ - - OR - - THE BOY'S MABINOGION - - BEING THE EARLIEST WELSH TALES OF KING ARTHUR - IN THE FAMOUS RED BOOK OF HERGEST - - _EDITED FOR BOYS WITH AN INTRODUCTION_ - - BY - SIDNEY LANIER - - EDITOR OF "THE BOY'S FROISSART" AND "THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR" - - _Illustrated by Alfred Frederick_ - - NEW YORK - CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS - 1932 - - COPYRIGHT, 1881, 1884, BY - CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS - - COPYRIGHT, 1909, 1912, BY - MARY D. LANIER - - Printed in the United States of America - - _All rights reserved. No part of this book - may be reproduced in any form without - the permission of Charles Scribner's Sons_ - - -[Illustration: Kai and His Companions at the Castle of the Giant Gwrnach] - - - - - INTRODUCTION. - - -In the library of Jesus College, Oxford, is an ancient Welsh MS. called -_Llyfr[1] Coch[2] O Hergest_;[3] that is, _The Red Book of Hergest_. -This MS. was written in the fourteenth century, though some of the -compositions which it has collected are of a much earlier date. It -contains a number of poems, together with a body of prose romances -called _Mabinogion_.[4] - -[Footnote 1: "Llyfr" means _book_ (compare French _livre_, Latin -_liber_). Perhaps I can partially indicate the impression which -the word makes upon an English ear when pronounced in Welsh, thus: -consider it composed of two syllables, _Lly_ and _fr_; for the first -syllable reproduce the sound of _yie_ in the English word _yield_ with -a strongly lisped or aspirated _l_ before it, and mingled with it, as -_lhyie_, for the second, give the sound of _vre_ in the French word -_livre_; making _lhyie-vre_, accent on the first syllable.] - -[Footnote 2: _Red._ Pronounced _Koch_, with the _ch_ very guttural as -in the Scotch _loch_ or the German _ach_, and the _o_ long.] - -[Footnote 3: _Hergest_ has the _g_ hard, as in English _begin_.] - -[Footnote 4: Pronounced with accent on _o_, which is long and somewhat -drawled; the _a_, as in _man_; the _i_'s short; and the _g_ hard, as in -_give_; about _Mab-bin-o´-gi-on_. "Mabinogion" is the plural form: the -singular is "Mabinogi."] - -In the year 1838 Lady Charlotte Guest published a translation of -these Mabinogion, accompanied by the text of their Welsh originals -and a mass of useful and scholarly notes. Her work bore this gracious -dedication:-- - - TO IVOR AND MERTHYR. - - MY DEAR CHILDREN,--Infants as you yet are, I feel that I - cannot dedicate more fitly than to you these venerable relics of - ancient lore, and I do so in the hope of inciting you to cultivate - the Literature of "Gwyllt Walia," in whose beautiful language you - are being initiated, and amongst whose free mountains you were born. - - May you become early imbued with the chivalric and exalted sense of - honor, and the fervent patriotism for which its sons have ever been - celebrated. - - May you learn to emulate the noble qualities of Ivor Hael, and the - firm attachment to your native country which distinguished that - Ivor Bach, after whom the elder of you was named. - - I am your affectionate mother, - C. E. GUEST. - - DOWLAIS, Aug. 29, 1838. - -Several considerations made me strongly desire to re-edit, upon the -same plan with _The Boy's Froissart_ and _The Boy's King Arthur_, -the curious old products of Welsh fancy thus rendered available to -scholars. The intrinsic charm of the stories themselves in the first -place would easily have secured them a position in this series. Though -not so rich as the _Arabian Nights_, they are more vigorous, and -their fascination is of a more manful quality. Moreover, they are in -comparison open-air tales, and do not move in that close, and, if one -could think such a thing, gas-poisoned, temperature which often renders -the atmosphere of the Eastern tales extremely unwholesome. - -But in the second place the Mabinogion all centre, in one way or -another, about the court of King Arthur, and present us with views of -the domestic life going on in King Arthur's palace, as well as of the -wild adventures of his warriors, which were conceived at a very much -earlier and ruder period than that of Sir Thomas Malory's book; so that -this collection of the earliest Arthurian legends seemed to make a -peculiarly happy companion-book to _The Boy's King Arthur_, which was -last published in this series. Indeed, it is probable that in these -Mabinogion here following we have the original germs of that great -growth of Arthurian romances which overspread Europe after Geoffrey of -Monmouth published his _History of the Britons_, and of which I gave -some account in the Introduction to _The Boy's King Arthur_. Readers -of that Introduction will remember the statement there given, in which -Geoffrey of Monmouth himself declares that his main material consisted -of a Welsh book given him by a certain person since supposed to be -Walter Map (or Mapes). Although several of the following Mabinogion -have probably received additions from foreign sources in the course -of time--an original Welsh story, for example, would be carried by -some traveller into other parts of Europe, would there be retold with -additions and variations, would find its way back in the new form to -Wales, and thus re-appear after a while in Welsh collections; yet -others are in a nearly pure state. In order to bring these two classes -into striking contrast, and to show how much a foreign admixture of -this kind might smooth down the grotesque ruggedness of its Welsh -original, I have changed the order of the Mabinogion as given in Lady -Guest's arrangement, and have placed the story of _Kilhwch and Olwen_, -which is almost hideous in many of its huge fancies and distortions -and is pure Welsh, immediately next to the story of _The Lady of the -Fountain_, whose daintiness, luxury, black savages, and the like, -seem here and there to indicate foreign touches. The general tone and -essential spirit, however, of the whole, are distinctly Welsh, and -old Welsh. I think it curious indeed to note _how_ curious those old -romances, or Mabinogion, seem to us in spite of the long intimacy and -nearness between Welsh and English. They impress most readers with a -greater sense of foreignness, of a wholly different cultus, than even -Chinese or other antipodal tales; and over and above this there is a -glamour and sleep-walking mystery which often incline a man to rub his -eyes in the midst of a Mabinogi, and to think of previous states of -existence. - -It is another feature of this same difference between Welsh and English -modes of thought which forms a third, and to me the most weighty, -reason for bringing these Mabinogion before my young countrymen at -this particular time. I can illustrate this difference most vividly -by asking you to consider the following group of Welsh conceits and -notions which I have assembled from various sources, upon the single -thread of their likeness in extravagance, in wildness beyond all -tolerance of reason, in lawlessness. Of course they are not to be -taken as ordinary representative specimens; and I shall presently -counterbalance them with some very beautiful, moderate, and wise -examples of Welsh art. But they unquestionably show a tendency so -characteristic as to be easily traceable. - -Take, for instance, the following story concerning the famous mantle -of King Ryence. Readers of _King Arthur_ will remember the young -sovereign's manful defiance, when, soon after his elevation to the -throne, a messenger came from King Ryence demanding King Arthur's -beard (though, indeed, he must have been too young to have one) to -complete a mantle which King Ryence was purfling (_bordering_) with -kings' beards,--a demand which Arthur pronounced "the most villainous -and lewdest message that ever man heard sent to a king." The following -version shows what prodigiously different forms the same narrative may -assume. - -Once upon a time two kings of Old Britain were walking together at -night. Their names were Nynniaw and Peibiaw. - -"See," said Nynniaw, "what a beautiful and large field I own!" - -"Where is it?" said Peibiaw. - -"The whole firmament," said Nynniaw. - -"And do thou see," said Peibiaw, "what countless herds of cattle and -sheep _I_ have, feeding in thy field!" - -"Where are they?" said Nynniaw. - -"Why, all the stars which thou seest," replied Peibiaw, "with the moon -for their shepherdess." - -"They shall not graze in my pasture," said Nynniaw. - -"They _shall_," said Peibiaw. - -"They shall _not_," cried Nynniaw. - -And then words arose between these two kings so bitter that they -summoned their soldiers and fell to war wherein they continued until -the armies of both were nearly destroyed. Seeing that such was the -fact, Rhitta the giant, King of Wales (who is Sir Thomas Malory's -King Ryens of North Wales), levied war against both, as being madmen -dangerous to all their neighbors; and, having defeated their forces, he -cut off the beards of kings Nynniaw and Peibiaw. But at this time there -were twenty-eight kings in the Island of Britain, and when the others -heard of these things, they marched all together against King Rhitta to -avenge the insult of the beard. In the battle which followed, however, -Rhitta was again victor. "This field is mine," said he, and cut off the -beards of _those_ kings. These matters being told abroad, the kings of -all the surrounding countries made common cause against Rhitta, and -presently waged a great battle with him. Still, Rhitta conquered all -these. "The great field is mine," he said again; "and," cutting off all -their beards, "these are the herds that fed in my field; but I have -driven them out." Then he made a mantle for himself out of all those -beards, and although he was a giant twice as large as the largest man -ever known, that mantle reached from his head to his heels. - -Or take the exactions of a certain messenger called "The Little -Peacock" (_Y Paun Bach_), who was sent by a certain David, Prince of -North Wales, to fetch Gwgan (_Googan_, nearly) the bard to court. After -a long journey, towards the close of the evening the Little Peacock -heard sounds of the tuning of a harp from a house in a wooded valley -where he had arrived. "The style of playing and the modulation" led -him to suspect that this was Gwgan's house; and in order to be sure -he advances and pours forth a high-flown speech to Gwgan, who replies -in the like lofty vein, finally inquiring what he would have. "I want -lodging," quoth Y Paun Bach, "for to-night ... and that not better than -I know how to ask for.... A lightsome hall, floored with tile, and -swept, in which there has been neither flood nor raindrop for the last -hundred years, dressed with fresh green rushes, laid so evenly that one -rush be not higher than the other the height of a gnat's eye, so that -my foot should not slip either backward or forward the space of a mote -in the sunshine of June;" together with similar superb requirements as -to the cushion beneath him, the pillow under each elbow, the fire, the -supper, the servants' livery, and the quantity of his ale. - -Or this itemized account of a monster, which, though not Welsh, is -Gælic, and shows the general Keltic proclivity. "... they saw a couple -approaching them,--a woman and a man; larger than the summit of ... a -mountain was each ... of their members; sharper than a shaving-knife -the edge of their shins; their heels and hams [were] in front of them; -should a sackful of apples be thrown on their heads not one of them -would fall to the ground, but would stick on the points of the strong, -bristly hair which grew out of their heads; ... whiter than snow their -eyes; a lock of the lower beard was carried round the back of the head, -and a lock of the upper beard descended so as to cover the knees; the -woman had whiskers, but the man was without whiskers." - -Or the King Yspaddaden Penkawr, in the following story of _Kilhwch and -Olwen_, whose eyebrows hung over his eyes to such a degree that they -had to be propped up with forks; as well as the amazing qualifications -of King Arthur's warriors, detailed in the same story,--such as of him -whose dagger was so broad that King Arthur's army was accustomed to use -it for a bridge in passing rivers; or him who could hear the touch of -a gnat's foot on the ground at a great distance, or of him who could -see a mote in a sunbeam at either of the four corners of the earth, -or him whose red beard lay completely along the twenty-eight rafters -of the king's hall, or of him whose lips were so large that he was -accustomed to draw the lower down for an apron and to lift up the other -for a hood; and others still more marvellously absurd. If we compare -these with the wildest flights in Malory's _King Arthur_, nothing -can be clearer than the constant presence in the latter of a certain -reasonable restraint, a sober proportion, a sense of the supreme value -of law, even in the most apparently lawless excursions. It would be -going far beyond proper bounds to discuss here how this subtle feeling -for the beauty of restraint, this underlying perception of the artistic -necessity of law and order, has quietly reigned, not only over the -advance of English literature, but has been also the moving spirit, the -perpetual King Alfred, of the whole of English development in general. -And, as hinted, I have thought this consideration particularly forcible -at the present moment in our own country, where the making of statutes -increases in exact proportion to the decrease in the popular esteem for -them. Daily and endlessly our Legislatures multiply laws and murder -Law. But--may I not add, if only as one of those utterances which a boy -sometimes profitably remembers, though at first dimly understood--the -love of Law beyond all laws would seem to be particularly vital in a -republic; being a principle so comprehensive, that at one extreme, -in contact with certain tendencies, it flowers into that sense of -proportion, of the due relation of all parts of the universe to the -whole, which is the artist's largest perception of beauty, and is the -main outfit of genius in constructing Mabinogion, in literature, in all -art; while at the other extreme, working with certain other tendencies -of character, the same love of Law is at once the root of decorous -behavior on the part of the private citizen, and of large statesmanship -on the part of the public official. - -But while this danger of extravagance certainly exists in the products -of Welsh fancy, they possess many qualities which have wrought with -fine influence upon general English life and literature. Among the -oldest remains of Welsh poetic wisdom that have come down to us are -what were called _The Triads_, in which wise aphorisms and sayings are -effectively grouped together by threes. The four following examples of -this form of composition show an insight and breadth which render them -instructive to the wisest readers of our own time. - - I. - The three qualifications of poetry: Endowment of genius, judgment - from experience, and happiness of mind. - - II. - The three primary requisites of genius: An eye that can see nature, - a heart that can feel nature, and boldness that dares follow nature. - - III. - The three foundations of judgment: Bold design, constant practice, - and frequent mistakes. - - IV. - - The three foundations of learning: Seeing much, suffering much, and - studying much. - -It would be difficult to find more wisdom in fewer words, or loftier -thought in simpler terms; and any young reader of _The Mabinogion_ will -have done a good day's work if he will commit these words so thoroughly -that they will say themselves over to him, day by day, as a noble and -fruitful formula, alike stimulating in every line of life, from the -ploughman's to the president's. Among the Welsh, indeed, as far back -as history can pierce, we find an almost adoring reverence for the -poet. To assume the function of a bard is to assume the function of the -wisest man and best teacher in society; and therefore the utmost pains -are taken with the young bard's education, and he is held bound to know -all that can be known. One supreme name stands out among ancient Welsh -bards, which I will ask you to remember in this connection. This is -TALIESIN, whose name signifies "Shining Brow." He is the hero -of one of the following Mabinogion which bears his name for a title. -Some specimens of his poetry will there be found; and a few facts as -to his life are added in a footnote. The poet of next rank to him is -perhaps Llywarch Hen, who, as well as Taliesin, belongs to the sixth -century. The word "Hen" means _old_; and "Old Llywarch" seems a sort of -expression of endearment. This is a specimen of his more pathetic song. -His youngest son, Gwenn, had been slain in battle. - - "Let the wave break noisily: let it cover the shore when the joined - lances are in battle.... Let the wave break noisily: let it cover - the plain when the lances join with a shock.... Gwenn has been - slain at the ford of Morlas.... Here is the tomb of Gwenn, the son - of the old Llywarch. Sweetly a bird sang on a pear-tree above the - head of Gwenn, before they covered him with turf: that broke the - heart of the old Llywarch." - -I wish there were time to speak of Aneurin, the battle-singer; or to -give the curious triad published among the Iolo Manuscripts, describing -"The Nine Impulsive Stocks of the Baptismal Bards of Britain"; or to -cite some brief beauties of still less-known poets,--such as the wild -Hebrew outcry of the King Gwyddno Garanhir, which swept over the waste -floods covering his plains and cities after the total destruction of -his kingdom by the sea through the drunkenness of Seithenin, who had -been left to watch the embankment on a night of revelry,-- - - "Stand forth, Seithenin, and behold the dwelling of heroes,--the - plain of Gwyddno the ocean covers! - Accursed be the sea guard, who after his carousal let loose the - destroying fountain of the raging deep. - Accursed be the watcher, who after his drunken revelry loosed the - fountain of the desolating sea. - A cry from the sea arises above the ramparts; even to heaven does - its ascend,--after the fierce excess comes the long cessation! - A cry from the sea ascends above the ramparts; even to heaven does - the supplication come!--after the excess there ensues restraint! - A cry from the sea awakens me this night!-- - A cry from the sea arises above the winds! - A cry from the sea impels me from my place of rest this night! - After excess comes the far extending death!" - ---or as the saying of Heinin Vardd, preserved in the fragment,-- - - "Hast thou heard the saying of Heinin, - The Bard of the college of Llanveithan? - _The brave is never cruel._" - -In this connection I will ask you to notice also the intense feeling -for color, which, in some of the following Mabinogion, spreads an -almost Oriental luxuriance of tint over the scenes. _The Lady of -the Fountain_ (the first Mabinogi of the following collection), for -example, shows us King Arthur reclining upon green rushes, with a -cushion of red satin under his elbow, Guenever and her ladies grouped -at the other end of the hall, mantles of flame-colored satin, gilded -bows, gold-headed arrows winged with peacocks' feathers, gold-banded -garments, shoes of variegated leather, twenty-four youths with golden -hair, rooms with all the panels painted in gorgeous colors, the -coal-black savage, white whalebone (ivory of the narwhal's tooth, -probably), and the like. Or we have a quaint extravagant scene like -that in the Mabinogi of _Peredur_ (the modern Percival of the Arthur -series): where, upon a certain occasion, Peredur was observed with his -eyes fixed upon a certain spot, sunken in deep meditation. All attempts -to get his attention failed; he was cuffed, boxed, even overthrown; -until, after a final catastrophe (for which see the story), Peredur -explains that he is studying certain effects of color produced by the -following circumstances; after spending the night in a hermit's cell, -"in the morning he arose, and, when he went forth, behold a shower of -snow had fallen the night before, and a hawk had killed a wild fowl in -front of the cell, and the noise of the horse scared the hawk away, and -a raven alighted upon the bird. And Peredur stood and compared the -blackness of the raven, and the whiteness of the snow, and the redness -of the blood, to the hair of the lady that best he loved, which was -blacker than jet, and to her skin, which was whiter than snow, and to -the two red spots upon her cheeks, which were redder than the blood -upon the snow appeared to be." - -The glowing picture of the young knight starting for Arthur's court in -_Kilhwch and Olwen_; the dainty composition of the maiden Blodeuwedd, -who was constructed by magic out of certain flowers in order to be a -bride for Gwyddion, who was cursed by Arianrod with the curse that he -should never have a wife of the present human race,--these and many -similar bright-colored passages in the Mabinogion will strike the most -cursory reader in confirmation of the feeling for color alleged. While -I am scarcely prepared to attribute so much weight to any foreign -element as to agree with Mr. Henry Morley in believing that but for the -Keltic influence England would not have produced a Shakespere; or with -Mr. Matthew Arnold, that English poetry got nearly all its turn for -catching and rendering the charm of nature in a wonderfully near and -vivid way, beside possibly other qualities, from a Keltic source: yet -I think we can safely say that our literature has certainly enriched -itself with Bard's wisdom, has certainly warmed itself with the fire -and color of Keltic fancy, and has perhaps spiritualized its feeling -for nature with that subtle wood-loneliness which Mr. Arnold calls "the -natural magic" of the Kelt. - -The Welsh proper names are apt to make such an uncouth impression -upon those unacquainted with their true sounds, that perhaps the most -helpful matter to which I can devote the brief remainder of this -Introduction is the pronunciation of Welsh. The following rules, -in which of course all attempt at minute accuracy is sacrificed to -brevity, and only approximate sounds are aimed at, will at least result -in showing such names to be often musical and pleasing, even to the -English ear. The letters which cause most perplexity are _w_, _ll_, -_y_, and _ch_. _W_ is usually sounded like _oo_ in _pool_, as already -explained under the name "Kilhwch," pronounced _Kilhooch_; though where -it precedes a vowel this sound (_oo_) of course practically becomes -the English consonantal _w_; for example, _oo-et_, rapidly pronounced, -would merge into _wet_; and so in "Llywarch" or "Gwyddion," the _w_ -before the _a_ or _y_ may be considered as having simply the force -of the English _w_. Y, if long, is like German _ü_, or French _u_ in -_une_; nearly English _ee_ in _seen_. _Y_ short, much like our short -_u_, except in the last syllable of words, where it is more like our -short _i_. Ll is like Spanish _ll_ in _llanos_, but with an aspirated -sound made by forcing the breath through the back teeth so vigorously -as to impress the English ear with the sound of a strongly-lisped _s_. -If the organs be arranged so as to pronounce the _y_ in _yield_, and -the sound _lh_ vigorously forced upon that position, something like -Welsh _ll_ results. _Ch_ is guttural, as in Scotch _loch_, German -_ach_. The vowels _a_, _e_, _i_, mostly occur in the following names -as short English _a_, _e_, _i_; _o_, as long _o_; and _u_, as a rapidly -pronounced French _u_. The often occurring _aw_ is like _ou_ in English -_our_, or German _au_ in _haus_. _Dd_ is nearly _th_ in _then_, only -with more of _d_ than _t_ blended with the _h_ sound. _C_ is always -_k_, _Cynon_ equals _Kynon_; there is no soft _c_ in Welsh. _F_ is -always _v_; it is only _ff_ which sounds like our _f_ in _fan_. _G_ -always hard, as in _get_. _Th_ as in English _thanks_; never as in -_then_. - -All other letters may be sounded as in English. It is possible, I -should add, that even Welshmen may find theoretical fault with some of -these directions; but they are given here as very nearly reproducing -the practical impression made upon English ears by actual Welsh current -talk. No one need go outside of his own experience to discover how -greatly the sounds of current discourse differ from theoretical methods -of pronunciation. - -Such is the general sound of the Welsh tongue. It will be helpful -if I add--in view of many books which are now appearing as results -of the fresh interest lately aroused in old Gælic language and -literature--that the sounds here given belong to the tongue of that -special division of the Kelts known as the Cymric (pronounced Kymric) -Kelts, in distinction from their neighbors of ancient Ireland and -Scotland, known as the Gædhilic, or Gælic. The derivation of the -names "Wales" and "Welsh" is much disputed, and may be regarded as -unsettled. They are, at any rate, much later than "Cambria" and -"Cymric," which all Welshmen claim to be the true names for their -country and nation, building upon that ancient tradition perpetuated -by Geoffrey of Monmouth, that after the death of Brutus, the original -founder of Britain, his three sons divided the kingdom between them; -the eldest, Locrinus, taking the part now known as England, but called -after him "Locria" (or, variously, "Locgria," "Locris," &c.) in all old -chronicles; the next son, Albanach (Albany), taking the parts north -of the Humber; and the third son, Camber, taking the part between the -Irish seas and the rivers Severn and Dee, whence it was called after -him, "Cambria," now known as Wales. - -Hence the Welsh now call themselves "Cymru," usually reproduced in -English by "Cymry," and their language "Cymraec," or "Cymraeg," usually -reproduced in English by "Cymric." - - * * * * * - -The present work contains nearly all the Mabinogion originally given; -and, as in the other works of this series, the original text is -scrupulously preserved, except occasionally to hasten the long-lagging -action of a story,--in which case the interpolation is always placed -in brackets,--and except where the demands of modern reserve required -excision. An Italicized word in brackets is always the meaning of the -word immediately before it, as in the _Froissart_ and the _King Arthur_. - -In now leaving this beautiful book with my young countrymen, I find -myself so sure of its charm as to feel no hesitation in taking -authority to unite the earnest expression of their gratitude with -that of my own to Lady Charlotte Guest, whose talents and scholarship -have made these delights possible; and I can wish my young readers -few pleasures of finer quality than that surprised sense of a whole -new world of possession which came with my first reading of these -Mabinogion, and made me remember Keats's - - "... watcher of the skies - When a new planet swims into his ken." - - SIDNEY LANIER - - CAMP ROBIN, N.C., June, 1881. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN - - KILHWCH AND OLWEN; OR, THE TWRCH TRWYTH - - PEREDUR THE SON OF EVRAWC - - THE DREAM OF RHONABWY - - PWYLL, PRINCE OF DYVED - - THE STORY OF LLUDD AND LLEVELYS - - THE ORIGIN OF THE OWL - - BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR - - MANAWYDDAN AND THE MICE - - GERAINT THE SON OF ERBIN - - THE DREAM OF MAXEN WLEDIG - - TALIESIN - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - KAI AND HIS COMPANIONS AT THE CASTLE OF THE GIANT GWRNACH - - THE RECOVERY OF OWAIN - - KILHWCH RIDING INTO ARTHUR'S HALL - - PEREDUR AND THE MAIDEN - - PEREDUR AND THE CHESSMEN - - THE ARMY OF RAVENS - - THE BATTLE OF THE DRAGONS - - THE FLIGHT OF BLODEUWEDD AND HER MAIDENS - - PRYDERI HELD FAST BY THE ENCHANTED BOWL - - THE TOURNAMENT OF THE SPARROW-HAWK - - GERAINT AND THE MAIDEN AT THE EDGE OF THE WOOD - - ELPHIN SINGING BEFORE TALIESIN - - - - - THE BOY'S MABINOGION. - - - - - THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN. - - -King Arthur was at Caerlleon-upon-Usk; and one day he sat in his -chamber, and with him were Owain[5] the son of Urien,[5] and Kynon -the son of Clydno, and Kai the son of Kyner, and Gwenhwyvar and her -handmaidens at needle-work by the window. And if it should be said -that there was a porter at Arthur's palace, there was none. Glewlwyd -Gavaelvawr was there, acting as porter, to welcome guests and -strangers, and to receive them with honor, and to inform them of the -manners and customs of the court, and to direct those who came to the -hall or to the presence-chamber, and those who came to take up their -lodging. - -[Footnote 5: This "Owain" is _Owen_, and his father "Urien" is the -"King Uriens of Gore" (Gore is probably _Gower_, in Glamorganshire, -Wales), familiar to all the young readers of "The Boy's King Arthur."] - -In the centre of the chamber King Arthur sat upon a seat of green -rushes, over which was spread a covering of flame-colored satin, and a -cushion of red satin was under his elbow. - -Then Arthur spoke. "If I thought you would not disparage me," said he, -"I would sleep while I wait for my repast; and you can entertain one -another with relating tales, and can obtain a flagon of mead and some -meat from Kai." - -And the king went to sleep. So Kai[6] went to the kitchen and to the -mead-cellar, and returned bearing a flagon of mead, and a golden -goblet, and a handful of skewers upon which were broiled collops of -meat. Then they ate the collops, and began to drink the mead. - -[Footnote 6: This is "Sir Kay the seneschal," who nicknames Beaumains, -and figures everywhere in Malory's _King Arthur_ as a cheerful but -somewhat hasty-witted knight.] - -"Now," said Kai, "it is time for you to give me my story." - -"Kynon," said Owain, "do thou pay to Kai the tale that is his due." - -"Truly," said Kynon, "thou art older, and art a better teller of tales, -and hast seen more marvellous things than I: do thou therefore pay Kai -his tale." - -"Begin thyself," quoth Owain, "with the best that thou knowest." - -"I will do so," answered Kynon. "I was the only son of my mother and -father, and I was exceedingly aspiring, and my daring was very great. -I thought there was no enterprise in the world too mighty for me; and, -after I had achieved all the adventures that were in my own country, I -equipped myself, and set forth to journey through deserts and distant -regions. And at length it chanced that I came to the fairest valley in -the world, wherein were trees of equal growth; and a river ran through -the valley, and a path was by the side of the river. And I followed the -path until mid-day, and continued my journey along the remainder of the -valley until the evening; and at the extremity of a plain I came to -a large and lustrous castle, at the foot of which was a torrent. And -I approached the castle; and there I beheld two youths with yellow, -curling hair, each with a frontlet of gold upon his head, and clad in a -garment of yellow satin, and they had gold clasps upon their insteps. -In the hand of each of them was an ivory bow, strung with the sinews -of the stag; and their arrows had shafts of the bone of the whale, and -were winged with peacock's feathers; the shafts also had golden heads. -And they had daggers with blades of gold, and with hilts of the bone of -the whale. And they were shooting their daggers. - -"And a little way from them I saw a man in the prime of life, with his -beard newly shorn, clad in a robe and a mantle of yellow satin; and -round the top of his mantle was a band of gold lace. On his feet were -shoes of variegated leather, fastened by two bosses of gold. When I -saw him, I went towards him and saluted him; and such was his courtesy -that he no sooner received my greeting than he returned it. And he went -with me towards the castle. Now, there were no dwellers in the castle, -except those who were in one hall. And there I saw four and twenty -damsels embroidering satin at a window. And this I tell thee, Kai, -that the least fair of them was fairer than the fairest maid thou hast -ever beheld in the Island of Britain; and the least lovely of them was -more lovely than Gwenhwyvar, the wife of Arthur, when she has appeared -loveliest at the Offering, on the day of the Nativity, or at the feast -of Easter. They rose up at my coming, and six of them took my horse and -divested me of my armor. And six others took my arms and washed them -in a vessel until they were perfectly bright. And the third six spread -cloths upon the tables and prepared meat. And the fourth six took off -my soiled garments and placed others upon me; namely, an under-vest and -a doublet of fine linen, and a robe, and a surcoat, and a mantle of -yellow satin with a broad gold band upon the mantle. And they placed -cushions, both beneath and around me, with coverings of red linen; and -I sat down. Now, the six maidens who had taken my horse unharnessed him -as well as if they had been the best squires in the Island of Britain. -Then, behold, they brought bowls of silver wherein was water to wash, -and towels of linen, some green, and some white; and I washed. And in a -little while the man sat down to the table. And I sat next to him; and -below me sat all the maidens, except those who waited on us. And the -table was of silver, and the cloths upon the table were of linen; and -no vessel was served upon the table that was not either of gold, or of -silver, or of buffalo-horn. And our meat was brought to us. And verily, -Kai, I saw there every sort of meat and every sort of liquor that -I have ever seen elsewhere; but the meat and the liquor were better -served there than I have ever seen them in any other place. - -"Until the repast was half over, neither the man nor any one of the -damsels spoke a single word to me; but, when the man perceived that -it would be more agreeable to me to converse than to eat any more, -he began to inquire of me who I was. I said I was glad to find that -there was some one who would discourse with me, and that it was not -considered so great a crime at that court for people to hold converse -together. - -"'Chieftain,' said the man, 'we would have talked to thee sooner, but -we feared to disturb thee during thy repast: now, however, we will -discourse.' - -"Then I told the man who I was, and what was the cause of my journey, -and said that I was seeking whether any one was superior to me, or -whether I could gain the mastery over all. The man looked upon me; and -he smiled, and said, 'If I did not fear to distress thee too much, I -would show thee that which thou seekest.' - -"Upon this I became anxious and sorrowful; and, when the man perceived -it, he said, 'If thou wouldst rather that I should show thee thy -disadvantage than thine advantage, I will do so. Sleep here to-night, -and in the morning arise early, and take the road upwards through the -valley until thou reachest the wood through which thou camest hither. -A little way within the wood thou wilt meet with a road branching off -to the right, by which thou must proceed until thou comest to a large -sheltered glade with a mound in the centre. And thou wilt see a black -man of great stature on the top of the mound. He is not smaller in size -than two of the men of this world. He has but one foot, and one eye -in the middle of his forehead. And he has a club of iron; and it is -certain that there are no two men in the world who would not find their -burden in that club. And he is not a comely man, but, on the contrary, -he is exceedingly ill-favored; and he is the woodward of that wood. And -thou wilt see a thousand wild animals grazing around him. Inquire of -him the way out of the glade; and he will reply to thee briefly, and -will point out the road by which thou shalt find that which thou art in -quest of.' - -"And long seemed that night to me. And the next morning I arose and -equipped myself, and mounted my horse, and proceeded straight through -the valley to the wood; and I followed the cross-road which the man had -pointed out to me, till at length I arrived at the glade. And there -was I three times more astonished at the number of wild animals that I -beheld than the man had said I should be. And the black man was there, -sitting upon the top of the mound. Huge of stature as the man had told -me that he was, I found him to exceed by far the description he had -given me of him. As for the iron club which the man had told me was a -burden for two men, I am certain, Kai, that it would be a heavy weight -for four warriors to lift; and this was in the black man's hand. And -he only spoke to me in answer to my questions. Then I asked him what -power he held over those animals. - -"'I will show thee, little man,' said he. - -"And he took his club in his hand, and with it he struck a stag a great -blow, so that he brayed vehemently; and at his braying the animals -came together, as numerous as the stars in the sky, so that it was -difficult for me to find room in the glade to stand among them. There -were serpents, and dragons, and divers sorts of animals. And he looked -at them, and bade them go and feed; and they bowed their heads, and did -him homage as vassals to their lord. - -"Then the black man said to me, 'Seest thou now, little man, what power -I hold over these animals?' - -"Then I inquired of him the way, and he became very rough in his manner -to me: however, he asked me whither I would go. And when I told him who -I was, and what I sought, he directed me. - -"'Take,' said he, 'that path that leads towards the head of the -glade, and ascend the wooded steep until thou comest to its summit; -and there thou wilt find an open space like to a large valley, and -in the midst of it a tall tree, whose branches are greener than the -greenest pine-trees. Under this tree is a fountain, and by the side -of the fountain a marble slab, and on the marble slab a silver bowl -attached by a chain of silver so that it may not be carried away. Take -the bowl and throw a bowlful of water upon the slab, and thou wilt -hear a mighty peal of thunder, so that thou wilt think that heaven and -earth are trembling with its fury. With the thunder there will come a -shower so severe, that it will be scarce possible for thee to endure it -and live. And the shower will be of hailstones; and after the shower -the weather will become fair, but every leaf that was upon the tree -will have been carried away by the shower. Then a flight of birds will -come and alight upon the tree; and in thine own country thou didst -never hear a strain so sweet as that which they will sing. And, at the -moment thou art most delighted with the song of the birds, thou wilt -hear a murmuring and complaining coming towards thee along the valley. -And thou wilt see a knight upon a coal-black horse, clothed in black -velvet, and with a pennon of black linen upon his lance; and he will -ride unto thee to encounter thee with the utmost speed. If thou fleest -from him, he will overtake thee; and, if thou abidest there, as sure as -thou art a mounted knight he will leave thee on foot. And if thou dost -not find trouble in that adventure thou needest not seek it during the -rest of thy life.' - -"So I journeyed on until I reached the summit of the steep, and there I -found every thing as the black man had described it to me. And I went -up to the tree, and beneath it I saw the fountain, and by its side the -marble slab, and the silver bowl fastened by the chain. Then I took -the bowl, and cast a bowlful of water upon the slab; and thereupon, -behold, the thunder came, much more violent than the black man had led -me to expect. And after the thunder came the shower: and of a truth I -tell thee, Kai, that there is neither man nor beast that could endure -that shower and live; for not one of those hailstones would be stopped, -either by the flesh or by the skin, until it had reached the bone. I -turned my horse's flank towards the shower, and placed the beak of my -shield over his head and neck, while I held the upper part of it over -my own head. And thus I withstood the shower. When I looked on the -tree, there was not a single leaf upon it; and then the sky became -clear, and with that, behold the birds lighted upon the tree, and sang. -And truly, Kai, I never heard any melody equal to that, either before -or since. And, when I was most charmed with listening to the birds, lo, -a murmuring voice was heard through the valley, approaching me, and -saying, 'O knight! what has brought thee hither? What evil have I done -to thee, that thou shouldst act towards me and my possessions as thou -hast this day? Dost thou not know that the shower to-day has left in my -dominions neither man nor beast alive that was exposed to it?' - -"And thereupon, behold, a knight on a black horse appeared, clothed -in jet-black velvet, and with a tabard of black linen about him. And -we charged each other; and, as the onset was furious, it was not long -before I was overthrown. Then the knight passed the shaft of his lance -through the bridle-rein of my horse, and rode off with the two horses, -leaving me where I was. And he did not even bestow so much notice upon -me as to imprison me, nor did he despoil me of my arms. So I returned -along the road by which I had come. And, when I reached the glade where -the black man was, I confess to thee, Kai, it is a marvel that I did -not melt down into a liquid pool, through the shame that I felt at the -black man's derision. And that night I came to the same castle where -I had spent the night preceding. And I was more agreeably entertained -that night than I had been the night before; and I was better feasted, -and I conversed freely with the inmates of the castle, and none of them -alluded to my expedition to the fountain, neither did I mention it -to any; and I remained there that night. When I arose on the morrow, -I found ready saddled a dark-bay palfrey, with nostrils as red as -scarlet; and, after putting on my armor and leaving there my blessing, -I returned to my own court. And that horse I still possess, and he is -in the stable yonder; and I declare that I would not part with him for -the best palfrey in the Island of Britain. - -"Now of a truth, Kai, no man ever before confessed to an adventure -so much to his own discredit; and verily it seems strange to me that -neither before nor since have I heard of any person besides myself who -knew of this adventure, and that the subject of it should exist within -King Arthur's dominions without any other person lighting upon it." - -"Now," quoth Owain, "would it not be well to go and endeavor to -discover that place?" - -"By the hand of my friend," said Kai, "often dost thou utter that with -thy tongue which thou wouldst not make good with thy deeds." - -"In very truth," said Gwenhwyvar, "it were better thou wert hanged, -Kai, than to use such uncourteous speech towards a man like Owain." - -"By the hand of my friend, good lady," said Kai, "thy praise of Owain -is not greater than mine." - -With that Arthur awoke, and asked if he had not been sleeping a little. - -"Yes, lord," answered Owain, "thou hast slept a while." - -"Is it time for us to go to meat?" - -"It is, lord," said Owain. - -Then the horn for washing was sounded, and the king and all his -household sat down to eat. And when the meal was ended Owain withdrew -to his lodging and made ready his horse and his arms. - -On the morrow, with the dawn of day, he put on his armor, and mounted -his charger, and travelled through distant lands and over desert -mountains. And at length he arrived at the valley which Kynon had -described to him; and he was certain that it was the same that he -sought. And, journeying along the valley by the side of the river, he -followed its course till he came to the plain and within sight of the -castle. When he approached the castle, he saw the youths shooting their -daggers in the place where Kynon had seen them, and the yellow man, to -whom the castle belonged, standing hard by. And no sooner had Owain -saluted the yellow man than he was saluted by him in return. - -And he went forward towards the castle, and there he saw the chamber; -and when he had entered the chamber he beheld the maidens working -at satin embroidery, in chairs of gold. And their beauty and their -comeliness seemed to Owain far greater than Kynon had represented to -him. And they arose to wait upon Owain, as they had done to Kynon; and -the meal which they set before him gave more satisfaction to Owain than -it had done to Kynon. - -About the middle of the repast, the yellow man asked Owain the object -of his journey. And Owain made it known to him, and said, "I am in -quest of the knight who guards the fountain." - -Upon this the yellow man smiled, and said that he was as loth to point -out that adventure to Owain as he had been to Kynon. However, he -described the whole to Owain, and they retired to rest. - -The next morning Owain found his horse made ready for him by the -damsels; and he set forward, and came to the glade where the black man -was. And the stature of the black man seemed more wonderful to Owain -than it had done to Kynon; and Owain asked of him his road, and he -showed it to him. And Owain followed the road, as Kynon had done, till -he came to the green tree; and he beheld the fountain, and the slab -beside the fountain with the bowl upon it. And Owain took the bowl, -and threw a bowlful of water upon the slab. And, lo, the thunder was -heard; and after the thunder came the shower, much more violent than -Kynon had described; and after the shower the sky became bright. And -when Owain looked at the tree there was not one leaf upon it. And -immediately the birds came, and settled upon the tree, and sang. And, -when their song was most pleasing to Owain, he beheld a knight coming -towards him through the valley; and he prepared to receive him and -encountered him violently. Having broken both their lances, they drew -their swords and fought blade to blade. Then Owain struck the knight a -blow through his helmet, headpiece, and visor, and through the skin, -and the flesh, and the bone, until it wounded the very brain. Then the -black knight felt that he had received a mortal wound, upon which he -turned his horse's head and fled. And Owain pursued him, and followed -close upon him, although he was not near enough to strike him with his -sword. Thereupon Owain descried a vast and resplendent castle. And they -came to the castle-gate. And the black knight was allowed to enter, -and the portcullis was let fall upon Owain; and it struck his horse -behind the saddle, and cut him in two and carried away the rowels of -the spurs that were upon Owain's heels. And the portcullis descended -to the floor. And the rowels of the spurs and part of the horse were -without; and Owain, with the other part of the horse, remained between -the two gates, and the inner gate was closed, so that Owain could not -go thence; and Owain was in a perplexing situation. And, while he was -in this state, he could see through an aperture in the gate a street -facing him, with a row of houses on each side. And he beheld a maiden, -with yellow curling hair, and a frontlet of gold upon her head; and -she was clad in a dress of yellow satin, and on her feet were shoes of -variegated leather. And she approached the gate, and desired that it -should be opened. - -"Heaven knows, lady," said Owain, "it is no more possible for me to -open to thee from hence than it is for thee to set me free." - -"Truly," said the damsel, "it is very sad that thou canst not be -released, and every woman ought to succor thee; for I never saw one -more faithful in the service of ladies than thou. As a friend thou art -the most sincere, and as a lover the most devoted. Therefore," quoth -she, "whatever is in my power to do for thy release, I will do it. Take -this ring, and put it on thy finger with the stone inside thy hand, and -close thy hand upon the stone. And as long as thou concealest it it -will conceal thee. When they have consulted together, they will come -forth to fetch thee in order to put thee to death; and they will be -much grieved that they cannot find thee. And I will await thee on the -horseblock yonder; and thou wilt be able to see me, though I cannot -see thee: therefore come and place thy hand upon my shoulder, that I -may know that thou art near me. And by the way that I go hence do thou -accompany me." - -Then she went away from Owain, and he did all that the maiden had told -him. And the people of the castle came to seek Owain to put him to -death; and, when they found nothing but the half of his horse, they -were sorely grieved. - -And Owain vanished from among them, and went to the maiden, and placed -his hand upon her shoulder; whereupon she set off. And Owain followed -her until they came to the door of a large and beautiful chamber; and -the maiden opened it, and they went in and closed the door. And Owain -looked around the chamber; and behold there was not even a single nail -in it that was not painted with gorgeous colors; and there was not a -single panel that had not sundry images in gold portrayed upon it. - -The maiden kindled a fire, and took water in a silver bowl, and put a -towel of white linen on her shoulder, and gave Owain water to wash. -Then she placed before him a silver table inlaid with gold, upon which -was a cloth of yellow linen, and she brought him food. And of a truth -Owain had never seen any kind of meat that was not there in abundance; -but it was better cooked there than he had ever found it in any other -place. Nor did he ever see so excellent a display of meat and drink -as there. And there was not one vessel from which he was served that -was not of gold or of silver. And Owain ate and drank until late in -the afternoon, when, lo, they heard a mighty clamor in the castle. And -Owain asked the maiden what that outcry was. - -"They are administering extreme unction,"[7] said she, "to the nobleman -who owns the castle." - -[Footnote 7: The last rite of the church to a dying person.] - -And Owain went to sleep. - -And a little after daybreak they heard an exceeding loud clamor and -wailing. And Owain asked the maiden what was the cause of it. - -"They are bearing to the church the body of the nobleman who owned the -castle." - -And Owain rose up and clothed himself, and opened a window of the -chamber, and looked towards the castle. And he could see neither the -bounds nor the extent of the hosts that filled the streets. And they -were fully armed. And a vast number of women were with them, both on -horseback and on foot; and all the ecclesiastics in the city, singing. -And it seemed to Owain that the sky resounded with the vehemence of -their cries, and with the noise of the trumpets, and with the singing -of the ecclesiastics. In the midst of the throng he beheld the bier, -over which was a veil of white linen; and wax tapers were burning -beside and around it, and none that supported the bier was lower in -rank than a powerful baron. - -Never did Owain see an assemblage so gorgeous with satin and silk and -sendal. And following the train he beheld a lady, with yellow hair -falling over her shoulders, and stained with blood, and about her a -dress of yellow satin, which was torn. Upon her feet were shoes of -variegated leather. And it was a marvel that the ends of her fingers -were not bruised, from the violence with which she smote her hands -together. Truly she would have been the fairest lady Owain ever saw, -had she been in her usual guise. And her cry was louder than the shout -of the men or the clamor of the trumpets. No sooner had he beheld the -lady than he became inflamed with her love, so that it took entire -possession of him. - -Then he inquired of the maiden who the lady was. - -"Heaven knows," replied the maiden, "she may be said to be the fairest, -and the most chaste, and the most liberal, and the wisest, and the -most noble, of women; and she is my mistress. And she is called the -'Countess of the Fountain,' the wife of him whom thou didst slay -yesterday." - -"Verily," said Owain, "she is the woman that I love best." - -"Verily," said the maiden, "she shall also love thee not a little." - -And with that the maid arose, and kindled a fire, and filled a pot with -water and placed it to warm; and she brought a towel of white linen -and placed it around Owain's neck; and she took a goblet of ivory and -a silver basin, and filled them with warm water, wherewith she washed -Owain's head. Then she opened a wooden casket and drew forth a razor -whose haft was of ivory, and upon which were two rivets of gold. And -she shaved his beard and she dried his head and his throat with the -towel. Then she rose up from before Owain, and brought him to eat. And -truly Owain had never so good a meal, nor was he ever so well served. - -When he had finished his repast, the maiden arranged his couch. - -"Come here," said she, "and sleep, and I will go and woo for thee." - -And Owain went to sleep; and the maiden shut the door of the chamber -after her, and went towards the castle. When she came there, she found -nothing but mourning and sorrow; and the countess in her chamber could -not bear the sight of any one through grief. Luned came and saluted -her; but the countess answered her not. And the maiden bent down -towards her, and said, "What aileth thee, that thou answerest no one -to-day?" - -"Luned," said the countess, "what change hath befallen thee, that thou -hast not come to visit me in my grief? It was wrong in thee, and I -having made thee rich--it was wrong in thee that thou didst not come to -see me in my distress. That was wrong in thee. As it is, I will banish -thee." - -"I am glad," said Luned, "that thou hast no other cause to do so than -that I would have been of service to thee where thou didst not know -what was to thine advantage. And henceforth evil betide whichever of -us shall make the first advance towards reconciliation to the other; -whether I should seek an invitation from thee, or thou of thine own -accord shouldst send to invite me." - -With that Luned went forth. And the countess arose, and followed her -to the door of the chamber, and began coughing loudly. And, when Luned -looked back, the countess beckoned to her, and she returned to the -countess. - -"In truth," said the countess, "evil is thy disposition; but, if thou -knowest what is to my advantage, declare it to me." - -"I will do so," quoth she. - -"Thou knowest that except by warfare and arms it is impossible for thee -to preserve thy possessions. Delay not, therefore, to seek some one who -can defend them." - -"And how can I do that?" said the countess. - -"I will tell thee," said Luned. "Unless thou canst defend the fountain, -thou canst not maintain thy dominions; and no one can defend the -fountain, except it be a knight of Arthur's household. And I will go to -Arthur's court; and ill betide me if I return thence without a warrior -who can guard the fountain as well as, or even better than, he who -defended it formerly." - -"That will be hard to perform," said the countess. "Go, however, and -make proof of that which thou hast promised." - -Luned set out, under the pretence of going to Arthur's court; but she -went back to the chamber where she had left Owain. And she tarried -there with him as long as it might have taken her to have travelled to -the court of King Arthur. And at the end of that time she apparelled -herself, and went to visit the countess. And the countess was much -rejoiced when she saw her, and inquired what news she brought from the -court. - -"I bring thee the best of news," said Luned, "for I have compassed the -object of my mission. When wilt thou that I should present to thee the -chieftain who has come with me hither?" - -"Bring him here to visit me to-morrow at mid-day," said the countess, -"and I will cause the town to be assembled by that time." - -And Luned returned home. And the next day, at noon, Owain arrayed -himself in a coat and a surcoat and a mantle of yellow satin upon which -was a broad band of gold lace; and on his feet were high shoes of -variegated leather, which were fastened by golden clasps in the form of -lions. And they proceeded to the chamber of the countess. - -Right glad was the countess of their coming, and she gazed steadfastly -upon Owain, and said, "Luned, this knight has not the look of a -traveller." - -"What harm is there in that, lady?" said Luned. - -"I am certain," said the countess, "that no other man than this chased -the soul from the body of my lord." - -"So much the better for thee, lady," said Luned; "for, had he not been -stronger than thy lord, he could not have deprived him of life. There -is no remedy for that which is past, be it as it may." - -"Go back to thine abode," said the countess, "and I will take counsel." - -The next day the countess caused all her subjects to assemble, and -showed them that her earldom was left defenceless, and that it could -not be protected but with horse and arms, and military skill. - -"Therefore," said she, "this is what I offer for your choice: either -let one of you take me, or give your consent for me to take a husband -from elsewhere to defend my dominions." - -So they came to the determination that it was better that she should -have permission to marry some one from elsewhere. And thereupon she -sent for the bishops and archbishops to celebrate her nuptials with -Owain. And the men of the earldom did Owain homage. - -And Owain defended the fountain with lance and sword. And this is the -manner in which he defended it: whensoever a knight came there, he -overthrew him and sold him for his full worth, and what he thus gained -he divided among his barons and his knights; and no man in the whole -world could be more beloved than he was by his subjects. And it was -thus for the space of three years. - - * * * * * - -It befell that as Gwalchmai[8] went forth one day with King Arthur he -perceived him to be very sad and sorrowful. And Gwalchmai was much -grieved to see Arthur in this state, and he questioned him, saying, -"Oh, my lord! what has befallen thee?" - -[Footnote 8: This Gwalchmai--a name which in Old British means _Hawk of -Battle_--is our old friend "Sir Gawaine" of _The Boy's King Arthur_. -The French romancers appear to have transformed his name from the old -legendary "Gwalchmai" to "Gawaine." He was noted in Welsh poetry as one -of the three golden-tongued knights of Arthur's court whose persuasions -none could resist; and this may account for the strange subjection of -Arthur to his influence in leading the king, against the king's will -and desire, to war upon Sir Launcelot during those last days described -in Sir Thomas Malory's book.] - -"In sooth, Gwalchmai," said Arthur, "I am grieved concerning Owain, -whom I have lost these three years; and I shall certainly die if the -fourth year passes without my seeing him. Now I am sure that it is -through the tale which Kynon, the son of Clydno, related, that I have -lost Owain." - -"There is no need for thee," said Gwalchmai, "to summon to arms thy -whole dominions on this account; for thou thyself and the men of thy -household will be able to avenge Owain if he be slain, or to set him -free if he be in prison, and if alive to bring him back with thee." And -it was settled according to what Gwalchmai had said. - -Then Arthur and the men of his household prepared to go and seek Owain; -and their number was three thousand, besides their attendants. And -Kynon, the son of Clydno, acted as their guide. And Arthur came to the -castle where Kynon had been before; and when he came there the youths -were shooting in the same place, and the yellow man was standing hard -by. When the yellow man saw Arthur, he greeted him and invited him -to the castle. And Arthur accepted his invitation, and they entered -the castle together. And, great as was the number of his retinue, -their presence was scarcely observed in the castle, so vast was its -extent. And the maidens rose up to wait on them; and the service of the -maidens appeared to them all to excel any attendance they had ever met -with; and even the pages who had charge of the horses were no worse -served that night than Arthur himself would have been in his own palace. - -The next morning, Arthur set out thence with Kynon for his guide, and -came to the place where the black man was. And the stature of the black -man was more surprising to Arthur than it had been represented to him. -And they came to the top of the wooded steep, and traversed the valley -till they reached the green tree, where they saw the fountain, and the -bowl, and the slab. And upon that Kai came to Arthur, and spoke to him. - -"My lord," said he, "I know the meaning of all this; and my request is -that thou wilt permit me to throw the water on the slab, and to receive -the first adventure that may befall." - -And Arthur gave him leave. - -Then Kai threw a bowlful of water upon the slab, and immediately -there came the thunder, and after the thunder the shower. And such a -thunderstorm they had never known before, and many of the attendants -who were in Arthur's train were killed by the shower. After the shower -had ceased the sky became clear, and on looking at the tree they beheld -it completely leafless. Then the birds descended upon the tree; and -the song of the birds was far sweeter than any strain they had ever -heard before. Then they beheld a knight on a coal-black horse, clothed -in black satin, coming rapidly towards them. And Kai met him and -encountered him, and it was not long before Kai was overthrown. And the -knight withdrew, and Arthur and his host encamped for the night. - -And when they arose in the morning they perceived the signal of combat -upon the lance of the knight. And Kai came to Arthur and spoke to him. - -"My lord," said he, "though I was overthrown yesterday, if it seem good -to thee I would gladly meet the knight again to-day." - -"Thou mayst do so," said Arthur. - -And Kai went towards the knight. And on the spot he overthrew Kai, and -struck him with the head of his lance in the forehead, so that it broke -his helmet and the headpiece, and pierced the skin and the flesh the -breadth of the spear-head, even to the bone. And Kai returned to his -companions. - -After this, all the household of Arthur went forth one after the other -to combat the knight, until there was not one that was not overthrown -by him except Arthur and Gwalchmai. And Arthur armed himself to -encounter the knight. - -"Oh, my lord!" said Gwalchmai, "permit me to fight with him first." - -And Arthur permitted him. And he went forth to meet the knight, having -over himself and his horse a satin robe of honor which had been sent -him by the daughter of the Earl of Rhangyw; and in this dress he was -not known by any of the host. And they charged each other, and fought -all that day until the evening; and neither of them was able to -unhorse the other. - -The next day they fought with strong lances, and neither of them could -obtain the mastery. - -And the third day they fought with exceeding strong lances. And they -were incensed with rage, and fought furiously, even until noon. And -they gave each other such a shock that the girths of their horses were -broken, so that they fell over their horses' cruppers to the ground. -And they rose up speedily and drew their swords and resumed the combat. -And the multitude that witnessed their encounter felt assured that -they had never before seen two men so valiant or so powerful. And, had -it been midnight, it would have been light from the fire that flashed -from their weapons. And the knight gave Gwalchmai a blow that turned -his helmet from off his face, so that the knight knew that it was -Gwalchmai. Then Owain said, "My lord Gwalchmai, I did not know thee -for my cousin, owing to the robe of honor that enveloped thee. Take my -sword and my arms." - -Said Gwalchmai, "Thou, Owain, art the victor. Take thou my sword." - -And with that Arthur saw that they were conversing, and advanced -towards them. - -"My lord Arthur," said Gwalchmai, "here is Owain, who has vanquished me -and will not take my arms." - -"My lord," said Owain, "it is he that has vanquished me and he will not -take my sword." - -"Give me your swords," said Arthur, "and then neither of you has -vanquished the other." - -Then Owain put his arms around Arthur's neck, and they embraced. And -all the host hurried forward to see Owain, and to embrace him; and -there was nigh being a loss of life, so great was the press. - -And they retired that night, and the next day Arthur prepared to depart. - -"My lord," said Owain, "this is not well of thee; for I have been -absent from thee these three years, and during all that time, up to -this very day, I have been preparing a banquet for thee, knowing that -thou wouldst come to seek me. Tarry with me, therefore, until thou and -thy attendants have recovered the fatigues of the journey and have been -anointed." - -And they all proceeded to the castle of the Countess of the Fountain. -And the banquet which had been three years preparing was consumed in -three months. Never had they a more delicious or agreeable banquet. And -Arthur prepared to depart. Then he sent an embassy to the countess, -[beseeching] her to permit Owain to go with him for the space of three -months, that he might show him to the nobles and the fair dames of -the Island of Britain. And the countess gave her consent, although it -was very painful to her. So Owain came with Arthur to the Island of -Britain. And, when he was once more amongst his kindred and friends, he -remained three years, instead of three months, with them. - -And, as Owain one day sat at meat in the city of Caerlleon-upon-Usk, -behold a damsel entered, upon a bay horse with a curling mane and -covered with foam; and the bridle and so much as was seen of the saddle -were of gold. And the damsel was arrayed in a dress of yellow satin. -And she came up to Owain, and took the ring from off his hand. - -"Thus," said she, "shall be treated the deceiver, the traitor, the -faithless, the disgraced, and the beardless." - -And she turned her horse's head, and departed. - -Then his adventure came to Owain's remembrance, and he was sorrowful; -and, having finished eating, he went to his own abode and made -preparations that night. And the next day he arose, [yet] did not go -to the court, but wandered to the distant parts of the earth and to -uncultivated mountains. And he remained there until all his apparel was -worn out, and his body was wasted away, and his hair was grown long. -And he went about with the wild beasts, and fed with them, until they -became familiar with him. But at length he grew so weak that he could -no longer bear them company. Then he descended from the mountains to -the valley, and came to a park that was the fairest in the world and -belonged to a widowed countess. - -One day the countess and her maidens went forth to walk by a lake that -was in the middle of the park; and they saw the form of a man. And they -were terrified. Nevertheless, they went near him, and touched him, and -looked at him. And they saw that there was life in him, though he was -exhausted by the heat of the sun. And the countess returned to the -castle, and took a flask full of precious ointment and gave it to one -of her maidens. - -"Go with this," said she, "and take with thee yonder horse and -clothing, and place them near the man we saw just now. And anoint him -with this balsam, near his heart; and if there is life in him he will -arise through the efficacy of this balsam. Then watch what he will do." - -And the maiden departed from her, and poured the whole of the balsam -upon Owain, and left the horse and the garments hard by, and went a -little way off and hid herself to watch him. In a short time she saw -him begin to move his arms. And he rose up and looked at his person, -and became ashamed of the unseemliness of his appearance. Then he -perceived the horse and the garments that were near him. And he crept -forward till he was able to draw the garments to him from off the -saddle. And he clothed himself, and with difficulty mounted the horse. -Then the damsel discovered herself to him, and saluted him. And he -was rejoiced when he saw her, and inquired of her what land and what -territory that was. - -[Illustration: THE RECOVERY OF OWAIN.] - -"Truly," said the maiden, "a widowed countess owns yonder castle. At -the death of her husband he left her two earldoms; but at this day she -has [only] this one dwelling that has not been wrested from her by a -young earl who is her neighbor, because she refused to become his wife." - -"That is pity," said Owain. - -And he and the maiden proceeded to the castle. And he alighted there; -and the maiden conducted him to a pleasant chamber, and kindled a fire, -and left him. - -And the maiden came to the countess, and gave the flask into her hand. - -"Ha, maiden!" said the countess, "where is all the balsam?" - -"Have I not used it all?" said she. - -"Oh, maiden!" said the countess, "I cannot easily forgive thee this. -It is sad for me to have wasted sevenscore pounds' worth of precious -ointment upon a stranger whom I know not. However, maiden, wait thou -upon him until he is quite recovered." - -And the maiden did so, and furnished him with meat and drink and fire -and lodging and medicaments until he was well again. And in three -months he was restored to his former guise, and became even more comely -than he had ever been before. - -One day Owain heard a great tumult and a sound of arms in the castle, -and he inquired of the maiden the cause thereof. - -"The earl," said she, "whom I mentioned to thee, has come before the -castle with a numerous army, to subdue the countess." - -And Owain inquired of her whether the countess had a horse and arms in -her possession. - -"She has the best in the world," said the maiden. - -"Wilt thou go and request the loan of a horse and arms for me," said -Owain, "that I may go and look at this army?" - -"I will," said the maiden. - -And she came to the countess, and told her what Owain had said. And the -countess laughed. - -"Truly," said she, "I will even give him a horse and arms forever--such -a horse and such arms had he never yet. And I am glad that they should -be taken by him to-day, lest my enemies should have them against my -will to-morrow. Yet I know not what he would do with them." - -The countess bade them bring out a beautiful black steed upon which -was a beechen saddle, and a suit of armor for man and horse. And Owain -armed himself, and mounted the horse and went forth, attended by two -pages completely equipped with horses and arms. And, when they came -near to the earl's army, they could see neither its extent nor its -extremity. And Owain asked the pages in which troop the earl was. - -"In yonder troop," said they, "in which are four yellow standards: two -of them are before, and two behind, him." - -"Now," said Owain, "do you return, and await me near the portal of the -castle." - -So they returned; and Owain pressed forward until he met the earl. And -Owain drew him completely out of his saddle and turned his horse's head -towards the castle, and, though it was with difficulty, he brought the -earl to the portal, where the pages awaited him. And in they came. And -Owain presented the earl as a gift to the countess, and said to her, -"Behold a requital to thee for thy blessed balsam." - -The army encamped around the castle. And the earl restored to the -countess the two earldoms he had taken from her, as a ransom for his -life; and for his freedom he gave her the half of his own dominions, -and all his gold and his silver and his jewels, besides hostages. - -And Owain took his departure. And the countess and all her subjects -besought him to remain; but Owain chose rather to wander through -distant lands and deserts. - -And as he journeyed he heard a loud yelling in a wood. And it was -repeated a second and a third time. And Owain went towards the spot, -and beheld a huge craggy mound in the middle of the wood, on the side -of which was a gray rock. And there was a cleft in the rock, and a -serpent was within the cleft. And near the rock stood a black lion; and -every time the lion sought to go thence the serpent darted towards him -to attack him. And Owain unsheathed his sword, and drew near to the -rock; and, as the serpent sprang out, he struck him with his sword and -cut him in two. And he dried his sword, and went on his way as before. -But, behold, the lion followed him and played about him as though it -had been a greyhound that he had reared. - -They proceeded thus throughout the day until the evening. And when -it was time for Owain to take his rest he dismounted, and turned his -horse loose in a flat and wooded meadow. And he struck fire, and when -the fire was kindled the lion brought him fuel enough to last for three -nights. And the lion disappeared. And presently the lion returned, -bearing a fine large roebuck. And he threw it down before Owain, who -went towards the fire with it. - -And Owain took the roebuck, and skinned it, and placed collops of its -flesh upon skewers around the fire. The rest of the buck he gave to the -lion to devour. While he was doing this, he heard a deep sigh near him, -and a second, and a third. And Owain called out to know whether the -sigh he heard proceeded from a mortal, and he received answer that it -did. - -"Who art thou?" said Owain. - -"Truly," said the voice, "I am Luned, the handmaiden of the Countess of -the Fountain." - -"And what dost thou here?" said Owain. - -"I am imprisoned," said she, "on account of the knight who came from -Arthur's court and married the countess. And he staid a short time -with her; but he afterwards departed for the court of Arthur, and has -not returned since. And he was the friend I loved best in the world. -And two of the pages in the countess' chamber traduced him, and called -him a deceiver. And I told them that they two were not a match for him -alone. So they imprisoned me in the stone vault, and said that I should -be put to death unless he came himself to deliver me by a certain day; -and that is no further off than the day after to-morrow. And I have -no one to send to seek him for me. And his name is Owain, the son of -Urien." - -"And art thou certain that if that knight knew all this he would come -to thy rescue?" - -"I am most certain of it," said she. - -When the collops were cooked, Owain divided them into two parts, -between himself and the maiden; and after they had eaten they talked -together until the day dawned. And the next morning Owain inquired -of the damsel if there was any place where he could get food and -entertainment for that night. - -"There is, lord," said she. "Cross over yonder and go along the side -of the river, and in a short time thou wilt see a great castle in -which are many towers; and the earl who owns that castle is the most -hospitable man in the world. There thou mayst spend the night." - -Never did sentinel keep stricter watch over his lord than the lion that -night over Owain. - -And Owain accoutred his horse, and passed across by the ford, and came -in sight of the castle. And he entered it, and was honorably received. -And his horse was well cared for, and plenty of fodder was placed -before him. Then the lion went and laid down in the horse's manger; -so that none of the people of the castle dared to approach him. The -treatment which Owain met with there was such as he had never known -elsewhere; for every one was as sorrowful as though death had been -upon him. And they went to meat; and the earl sat upon one side of -Owain, and on the other side his only daughter. And Owain had never -seen any more lovely than she. Then the lion came and placed himself -between Owain's feet, and he fed him with every kind of food that he -took himself. And he never saw any thing equal to the sadness of the -people. - -In the middle of the repast the earl began to bid Owain welcome. - -Then said Owain, "Behold, it is time for thee to be cheerful." - -"Heaven knows," said the earl, "that it is not thy coming that makes us -sorrowful; but we have cause enough for sadness and care." - -"What is that?" said Owain. - -"I have two sons," replied the earl, "and yesterday they went to the -mountains to hunt. Now, there is on the mountain a monster who kills -men and devours them; and he seized my sons. And to-morrow is the -time he has fixed to be here; and he threatens that he will then slay -my sons before my eyes unless I will deliver into his hands this my -daughter. He has the form of a man; but in stature he is no less than a -giant." - -"Truly," said Owain, "that is lamentable. And which wilt thou do?" - -"Heaven knows," said the earl, "it will be better that my sons should -be slain against my will than that I should voluntarily give up my -daughter to him to ill-treat and destroy." - -Then they talked about other things; and Owain staid there that night. - -The next morning they heard an exceeding great clamor, which was caused -by the coming of the giant with the two youths. And the earl was -anxious both to protect his castle, and to release his two sons. Then -Owain put on his armor, and went forth to encounter the giant. And the -lion followed him. And, when the giant saw that Owain was armed, he -rushed towards him and attacked him. And the lion fought with the giant -much more fiercely than Owain did. - -"Truly," said the giant, "I should find no difficulty in fighting with -thee, were it not for the animal that is with thee." - -Upon that, Owain took the lion back to the castle and shut the gate -upon him; and then he returned to fight the giant as before. And the -lion roared very loud, for he heard that it went hard with Owain. And -he climbed up till he reached the top of the earl's hall, and thence he -got to the top of the castle; and he sprang down from the walls, and -went and joined Owain. And the lion gave the giant a stroke with his -paw which tore him from his shoulder to his hip, and his heart was laid -bare. And the giant fell down dead. Then Owain restored the two youths -to their father. - -The earl besought Owain to remain with him; and he would not, but set -forward towards the meadow where Luned was. And when he came there he -saw a great fire kindled, and two youths with beautiful curling auburn -hair were leading the maiden to cast her into the fire. And Owain asked -them what charge they had against her. And they told him of the compact -that was between them, as the maiden had done the night before. - -"And," said they, "Owain has failed her: therefore we are taking her to -be burnt." - -"Truly," said Owain, "he is a good knight; and if he knew that the -maiden was in such peril I marvel that he came not to her rescue. But, -if you will accept me in his stead, I will do battle with you." - -"We will," said the youths. - -And they attacked Owain, and he was hard beset by them. And with that -the lion came to Owain's assistance, and they two got the better of the -young men. And they said to him, "Chieftain, it was not agreed that -we should fight, save with thyself alone; and it is harder for us to -contend with yonder animal than with thee." - -And Owain put the lion in the place where the maiden had been -imprisoned, and blocked up the door with stones; and he went to fight -with the young men as before. But Owain had not his usual strength, and -the two youths pressed hard upon him. And the lion roared incessantly -at seeing Owain in trouble. And he burst through the wall until he -found a way out, and rushed upon the young men, and instantly slew -them. So Luned was saved from being burned. - -Then Owain returned with Luned to the dominions of the Countess of the -Fountain. And when he went thence he took the countess with him to -Arthur's court, and she was his wife as long as she lived. - - * * * * * - -And then he took the road that led to the court of the savage black -man, and Owain fought with him; and the lion did not quit Owain until -he had vanquished him. And when he reached the court of the savage -black man he entered the hall, and beheld four and twenty ladies, the -fairest that could be seen. And the garments which they had on were not -worth four and twenty pence, and they were as sorrowful as death. And -Owain asked them the cause of their sadness. And they said, "We are -the daughters of earls, and we all came here with our husbands, whom -we dearly loved. And we were received with honor and rejoicing. And we -were thrown into a state of stupor; and, while we were thus, the demon -who owns this castle slew all our husbands, and took from us our horses -and our raiment and our gold and our silver. And the corpses of our -husbands are still in this house, and many others with them. And this, -chieftain, is the cause of our grief; and we are sorry that thou art -come hither, lest harm should befall thee." - -And Owain was grieved when he heard this. And he went forth from the -castle, and he beheld a knight approaching him, who saluted him in a -friendly and cheerful manner as if he had been a brother. And this was -the savage black man. - -"In very sooth," said Owain, "it is not to seek thy friendship that I -am here." - -"In sooth," said he, "thou shalt not find it then." - -And with that they charged each other, and fought furiously. And Owain -overcame him, and bound his hands behind his back. Then the black -savage besought Owain to spare his life, and spoke thus: "My lord -Owain," said he, "it was foretold that thou shouldst come hither and -vanquish me; and thou hast done so. I was a robber here, and my house -was a house of spoil; but grant me my life, and I will become the -keeper of an hospice, and I will maintain this house as an hospice for -weak and for strong as long as I live, for the good of thy soul." - -And Owain accepted this proposal of him, and remained there that night. - -And the next day he took the four and twenty ladies and their horses -and their raiment and what they possessed of goods and jewels, and -proceeded with them to Arthur's court. And, if Arthur was rejoiced when -he saw him after he had lost him the first time, his joy was now much -greater. And, of those ladies, such as wished to remain in Arthur's -court remained there, and such as wished to depart departed. - -And thenceforward Owain dwelt at Arthur's court, greatly beloved, as -the head of his household, until he went away with his followers; and -those were the army of three hundred ravens[9] which Kenverchyn had -left him. And wherever Owain went with these he was victorious. - -And this is the tale of The Lady of the Fountain. - -[Footnote 9: This strange army of ravens figures in a tale given -presently--"The Dream of Rhonabay."] - - - - - KILHWCH[10] AND OLWEN; OR, THE TWRCH TRWYTH. - - -[Footnote 10: [Pronounced in two syllables "Kil-hooch," the _oo_ sound -prolonged or drawled and the _ch_ very guttural as in the vigorous -utterance of Scotch lo_ch_, German _ach_, etc. So "Twrch Trwyth" like -_Toorch Trooweth_.]] - -[Kilhwch, having grown to be a youth in the palace of his father, was -one day sent for by his stepmother, who said to him], "I declare to -thee that it is thy destiny not to be suited with a wife until thou -obtain Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr." - -And the youth blushed, and the love of the maiden diffused itself -through all his frame, although he had never seen her. And his father -inquired of him, "What has come over thee, my son, and what aileth -thee?" - -"My stepmother has declared to me that I shall never have a wife until -I obtain Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr." - -"That will be easy for thee," answered his father. "Arthur is thy -cousin. Go, therefore, unto Arthur to cut thy hair, and ask this of him -as a boon." - -And the youth pricked forth upon a steed with head dappled-gray, of -four winters old, firm of limb, with shell-formed hoofs, having a -bridle of linked gold on his head, and upon him a saddle of costly -gold.[11] And in the youth's hand were two spears of silver, sharp, -well-tempered, headed with steel, three ells in length, of an edge to -wound the wind and cause blood to flow, and swifter than the fall of -the dewdrop from the blade of reed-grass upon the earth when the dew -of June is at the heaviest. A gold-hilted sword was upon his thigh, -the blade of which was of gold, bearing a cross of inlaid gold of the -hue of the lightning of heaven. His war-horn was of ivory. Before him -were two brindled white-breasted greyhounds, having strong collars of -rubies about their necks reaching from the shoulder to the ear. And the -one that was on the left side bounded across to the right side, and the -one on the right to the left, and like two sea-swallows sported around -him. And his courser cast up four sods with his four hoofs, like four -swallows in the air, about his head, now above, now below. About him -was a four-cornered cloth of purple; and an apple of gold was at each -corner, and every one of the apples was of the value of an hundred -kine. And there was precious gold of the value of three hundred kine -upon his shoes, and upon his stirrups, from his knee to the tip of his -toe. And the blade of grass bent not beneath him, so light was his -courser's tread, as he journeyed towards the gate of Arthur's palace. - -[Footnote 11: A wonderful bracing air seems to blow through this -description. The superb details make up really a typic picture of youth -in all times and countries.] - -Spoke the youth, "Is there a porter?" - -"There is; and, if thou holdest not thy peace, small will be thy -welcome. I am Arthur's porter every first day of January. And, during -every other part of the year but this, the office is filled by Huandaw, -and Gogigwc, and Llaeskenym, and Pennpingyon, who goes upon his head to -save his feet, like a rolling stone upon the floor of the court." - -"Open the portal." - -"I will not open it." - -"Wherefore not?" - -"The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is -revelry in Arthur's hall; and none may enter therein, but the son of a -king of a privileged country, or a craftsman bringing his craft." - -Said the youth, "That will I not do. If thou openest the gate, it is -well. If thou dost not open it, I will bring disgrace upon thy lord, -and evil report upon thee. And I will set up three shouts at this very -gate, than which none were ever more deadly, from the top of Pengwaed -in Cornwall, to the bottom of Dinsol in the north, and to Esgair Oervel -in Ireland." - -"What clamor soever thou mayest make," said Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr, -"against the laws of Arthur's palace, shalt thou not enter therein, -until I first go and speak with Arthur." - -Then Glewlwyd went into the hall. And Arthur said to him, "Hast thou -news from the gate?" - -"Half of my life is past, and half of thine. I was heretofore in Kaer -Se and Asse, in Sach and Salach, in Lotor and Fotor; and I have been -heretofore in India the Great and India the Lesser; and I was in -the battle of Dau Ynyr, when the twelve hostages were brought from -Llychlyn; and I have also been in Europe, and in Africa, and in the -islands of Corsica, and in Caer Brythwch and Brythach and Verthach; and -I was present when formerly thou didst slay the family of Clis the son -of Merin, and when thou didst slay Mil Du the son of Ducum, and when -thou didst conquer Greece in the East; and I have been in Caer Oeth and -Annoeth, and in Caer Nevenhyr; nine supreme sovereigns, handsome men, -saw we there, but never did I behold a man of equal dignity with him -who is now at the door of the portal." - -Then said Arthur, "If walking thou didst enter in here, return thou -running. And every one that beholds the light, and every one that opens -and shuts the eye, let them show him respect, and serve him; some with -gold-mounted drinking-horns, others with collops cooked and peppered, -until food and drink can be prepared for him. It is unbecoming to keep -such a man as thou sayest he is in the wind and the rain." - -Said Kai, "By the hand of my friend, if thou would'st follow my -counsel, thou would'st not break through the laws of the court because -of him." - -"Not so, blessed Kai. It is an honor to us to be resorted to; and the -greater our courtesy the greater will be our renown, and our fame, and -our glory." - -And Glewlwyd came to the gate, and opened the gate before him; and, -although all dismounted upon the horseblock at the gate, yet did he not -dismount, but rode in upon his charger. Then said Kilhwch, "Greeting be -unto thee, sovereign ruler of this island; and be this greeting no less -unto the lowest than unto the highest." - -[Illustration: Kilhwch Riding into Arthur's Hall.] - -"Greeting unto thee, also," said Arthur. "Sit thou between two of my -warriors, and thou shalt have minstrels before thee; and thou shalt -enjoy the privileges of a king born to a throne, as long as thou -remainest here." - -Said the youth, "I came not here to consume meat and drink; but, if I -obtain the boon that I seek, I will requite it thee, and extol thee. -And, if I have it not, I will bear forth thy dispraise to the four -quarters of the world, as far as thy renown has extended." - -Then said Arthur, "Since thou wilt not remain here, chieftain, thou -shalt receive the boon whatsoever thy tongue may name, as far as the -wind dries, and the rain moistens, and the sun revolves, and the sea -encircles, and the earth extends; save only my ship, and my mantle, and -Caledvwlch, my sword, and Rhongomyant, my lance, and Wynebgwrthucher, -my shield, and Carnwenhau, my dagger, and Gwenhwyvar, my wife. Name -what thou wilt." - -"I would that thou bless my hair." - -"That shall be granted thee." - -And Arthur took a golden comb, and scissors whereof the loops were of -silver, and he combed his hair. And Arthur inquired of him who he -was. "For my heart warms unto thee, and I know that thou art come of my -blood. Tell me, therefore, who thou art." - -"I will tell thee," said the youth. "I am Kilhwch, the son of Kilydd, -the son of Prince Kelyddon by Goleuddydd my mother, the daughter of -Prince Anlawdd." - -"That is true," said Arthur. "Thou art my cousin. Whatsoever boon thou -mayest ask, thou shalt receive, be it what it may that thy tongue shall -name." - -"I crave of thee, then, that thou obtain for me Olwen, the daughter -of Yspaddaden Penkawr; and this boon I likewise seek at the hands of -thy warriors. I seek it from Kai, and Geraint the son of Erbin, and -Osla Gylleillvawr (who bore a short, broad dagger: when Arthur and his -hosts came before a torrent, they would seek for a narrow place where -they might pass the water, and would lay the sheathed dagger across the -torrent, and it would form a bridge sufficient for the armies of the -three islands of Britain, and of the three islands adjacent, with their -spoil); and Gilla Coes Hydd (he would clear three hundred acres at one -bound: the chief leaper of Ireland was he); Sol, and Gwadyn Ossol, and -Gwadyn Odyeith (Sol could stand all day upon one foot; Gwadyn Ossol, if -he stood upon the top of the highest mountain in the world, it would -become a level plain under his feet; Gwadyn Odyeith, the soles of his -feet emitted sparks of fire when they struck upon things hard, like the -heated mass when drawn out of the forge: he cleared the way for Arthur -when he came to any stoppage); and Gwevyl, the son of Gwestad (on the -day that he was sad, he would let one of his lips drop below his waist, -while he turned up the other like a cap upon his head); Uchtryd Varyf -Draws (who spread his red untrimmed beard over the eight and forty -rafters which were in Arthur's hall); Brys, the son of Bryssethach -(from the Hill of the Black Fernbrake in North Britain); Clust, the -son of Clustveinad (though he were buried seven cubits beneath the -earth, he would hear the ant fifty miles off rise from her nest in the -morning), Medyr, the son of Methredydd (from Gelli Wic he could, in a -twinkling, shoot the wren through the two legs upon Esgeir Oervel in -Ireland); and Henwas Adeinawg, the son of Erim; and Henbedestyr, the -son of Erim; and Sgilti Yscawndroed, the son of Erim (unto these three -men belonged these three qualities: with Henbedestyr there was not any -one who could keep pace, either on horseback or on foot; with Henwas -Adeinawg, no four-footed beast could run the distance of an acre, much -less could go beyond it; and as to Sgilti Yscawndroed, when he intended -to go upon a message for his lord, he never sought to find a path, -but knowing whither he was to go, if his way lay through a wood, he -went along the tops of the trees); and Hueil, the son of Kaw (he never -yet made a request at the hand of any lord); and Taliesin, the chief -of the bards; and Manawyddan, the son of Llyr; Bwlch and Kyfwlch and -Sefwlch, the sons of Cleddyf Kyfwlch (their three shields were three -gleaming glitterers; their three spears were three pointed piercers; -their three swords were three griding gashers,--Glas, Glessic, and -Gleisad; their three dogs, Call, Cuall, and Cavall; their three horses, -Hwyrdyddwd and Drwgdyddwd and Llwyrdyddwg; their three wives, Och and -Garym and Diaspad; their three grandchildren, Lluched and Neved and -Eissiwed; their three daughters, Drwg and Gwaeth and Gwaethav Oll; -their three handmaids, Eheubryd the daughter of Kyfwlch, Gorascwrn -the daughter of Nerth, Ewaedan the daughter of Kynvelyn Keudawd Pwyll -the half-man); and Morvran, the son of Tegid (no one struck him in -the battle of Camlan by reason of his ugliness; all thought he was an -auxiliary devil; hair had he upon him like the hair of a stag); and -Sandde Bryd Angel (no one touched him with a spear in the battle of -Camlan, because of his beauty; all thought he was a ministering angel); -and Glwyddyn Saer (who constructed Ehangwen, Arthur's hall); for the -sake of the golden-chained daughters of this island--for the sake of -Gwenhwyvar, its chief lady, and Gwennhwyach, her sister, and Rathtyeu, -the only daughter of Clemenhill, and Rhelemon, the daughter of Kai; -Morvudd, the daughter of Urien Rheged; Gwenllian Deg, the majestic -maiden; Creiddylad,[12] the daughter of Lludd Llaw Ereint (she was the -most splendid maiden in the three islands of the mighty, and in the -three islands adjacent; and for her, Gwythyr the son of Greidawl, and -Gwynn the son of Nudd, fight every first of May until the day of doom)." - -[Footnote 12: "Creiddylad" is the old Welsh name out of which the -English tongue has made "Cordelia;" and this lady is no other than -the loving daughter of King Lear. Lear's name in the Welsh originals -lying far back beyond Shakspere's play is sometimes "Llyr" (as -in "Manawyddan, the son of Llyr," who gives name to one of the -Mabinogion), and sometimes, as here, "Lludd Llaw Ereint."] - -And all these[13] did Kilhwch, son of Kilydd, adjure to obtain his boon. - -[Footnote 13: It would be the grossest injustice to the tongue and -the memory of our astounding Kilhwch not to mention carefully at this -point that the names of Arthur's warriors and attendants which I have -here given form but a small portion of the truly surprising list which -he actually pours forth in the original story, as he stands before -the king. These amount to more than two hundred; and there is no risk -whatever in saying that the resources of the English alphabet have -never met with a like strain as in the reproduction of them presented -by Lady Guest. "Uchtryd Ardywad Kad," and "Gwrhyr Gwarthegvras," and -"Esgeir Gulhwch Govynkawn," and "Drustwrn Hayarn," and "Glewlwyd -Gavaelvawr," and "Lloch Llawwynnyawc," may serve as examples. Kihwch -recites most of these without comment. I have selected those, but not -all, to which he adds some parenthetic description. I have given them, -too, in a different order from that of the original.] - -Then said Arthur, "O chieftain! I have never heard of the maiden -of whom thou speakest, nor of her kindred; but I will gladly send -messengers in search of her. Give me time to seek her." - -And the youth said, "I will willingly grant from this night to that at -the end of the year to do so." - -Then Arthur sent messengers to every land within his dominions to seek -for the maiden; and at the end of the year Arthur's messengers returned -without having gained any knowledge or intelligence concerning Olwen, -more than on the first day. Then said Kilhwch, "Every one has received -his boon, and I yet lack mine. I will depart, and bear away thy honor -with me." - -Then said Kai, "Rash chieftain! dost thou reproach Arthur? Go with us, -and we will not part until thou dost confess that the maiden exists not -in the world, or until we obtain her." - -Thereupon Kai rose up. Kai had this peculiarity, that his breath lasted -nine nights and nine days under water, and he could exist nine nights -and nine days without sleep. A wound from Kai's sword no physician -could heal. Very subtle was Kai. When it pleased him, he could render -himself as tall as the highest tree in the forest. And he had another -peculiarity: so great was the heat of his nature that, when it rained -hardest, whatever he carried remained dry for a handbreadth above, and -a handbreadth below, his hand; and, when his companions were coldest, -it was to them as fuel with which to light their fire. - -And Arthur called Bedwyr, who never shrank from any enterprise upon -which Kai was bound. None was equal to him in swiftness throughout -this island, except Arthur and Drych Ail Kibddar. And, although he was -one-handed, three warriors could not shed blood faster than he on the -field of battle. Another property he had: his lance would produce a -wound equal to those of nine opposing lances. - -And Arthur called to Kynddelig the guide, "Go thou upon this expedition -with the chieftain." - -For as good a guide was he in a land which he had never seen as he was -in his own. - -He called Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, because he knew all tongues. - -He called Gwalchmai, the son of Gwyar, because he never returned home -without achieving the adventure of which he went in quest. He was the -best of footmen and the best of knights. He was nephew to Arthur, the -son of his sister and his cousin. - -And Arthur called Menw, the son of Teirgwaedd, in order that if they -went into a savage country he might cast a charm and an illusion over -them, so that none might see them, whilst they could see every one. - -They journeyed until they came to a vast, open plain, wherein they saw -a great castle, which was the fairest of the castles of the world. And -they journeyed that day until the evening; and, when they thought they -were nigh to the castle, they were no nearer to it than they had been -in the morning. And the second and the third day they journeyed, and -even then scarcely could they reach so far. And, when they came before -the castle, they beheld a vast flock of sheep, which was boundless -and without an end. And upon the top of a mound there was a herdsman -keeping the sheep. And a rug made of skins was upon him; and by his -side was a shaggy mastiff, larger than a steed nine winters old. Never -had he lost even a lamb from his flock, much less a large sheep. He let -no occasion ever pass without doing some hurt and harm. All the dead -trees and bushes in the plain he burnt with his breath down to the very -ground. - -Then said Kai, "Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, go thou, and salute yonder -man." - -"Kai," said he, "I engaged not to go farther than thou thyself." - -"Let us go then, together," answered Kai. - -Said Menw, the son of Teirgwaedd, "Fear not to go thither; for I will -cast a spell upon the dog, so that he shall injure no one." - -And they went up to the mound whereon the herdsman was; and they said -to him, "Whose are the sheep that thou dost keep? and to whom does -yonder castle belong?" - -"Stupid are ye, truly. Through the whole world is it known that this is -the castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr." - -"And who art thou?" - -"I am called Custennin, the son of Dyfnedig; and my brother Yspaddaden -Penkawr oppressed me because of my possessions. And ye, also--who are -ye?" - -"We are an embassy from Arthur, come to seek Olwen, the daughter of -Yspaddaden Penkawr." - -"O men! the mercy of Heaven be upon you! Do not that for all the world. -None who ever came hither on this quest has returned alive." - -And the herdsman rose up. And, as he arose, Kilhwch gave unto him a -ring of gold. And he sought to put on the ring, but it was too small -for him: so he placed it in the finger of his glove. And he went home, -and gave the glove to his spouse to keep. And she took the ring from -the glove when it was given her, and she said, "Whence came this ring? -For thou art not wont to have good fortune." - -"I went," said he, "to the sea to seek for fish, and, lo, I saw a -corpse borne by the waves. And a fairer corpse than it did I never -behold. And from its finger did I take this ring." - -"O man! does the sea permit its dead to wear jewels? Show me, then, -this body." - -"O wife! him to whom this ring belonged thou shalt see here in the -evening." - -"And who is he?" asked the woman. - -"Kilhwch, the son of Kilydd, the son of Prince Kelyddon by Goleuddydd, -the daughter of Prince Anlawdd, his mother, who is come to seek Olwen -as his wife." - -And, when she heard that, her feelings were divided between the joy -that she had that her nephew, the son of her sister, was coming to her, -and sorrow, because she had never known any one depart alive who had -come on that quest. - -And they went forward to the gate of Custennin, the herdsman's -dwelling. And, when she heard their footsteps approaching, she ran out -with joy to meet them. And Kai snatched a billet out of the pile. And, -when she met them, she sought to throw her arms about their necks. And -Kai placed the log between her two hands, and she squeezed it so that -it became a twisted coil. - -"O woman!" said Kai, "if thou hadst squeezed me thus, none could ever -again have set their affections on me. Evil love were this." - -They entered into the house, and were served; and, soon after, they all -went forth to amuse themselves. Then the woman opened a stone chest -that was before the chimney-corner, and out of it arose a youth with -yellow curling hair. Said Gwrhyr, "It is a pity to hide this youth. I -know that it is not his own crime that is thus visited upon him." - -"This is but a remnant," said the woman. "Three and twenty of my sons -has Yspaddaden Penkawr slain, and I have no more hope of this one than -of the others." - -Then said Kai, "Let him come and be a companion with me, and he shall -not be slain unless I also am slain with him." - -And they ate. And the woman asked them, "Upon what errand come you -here?" - -"We come to seek Olwen for this youth." - -Then said the woman, "In the name of Heaven, since no one from the -castle hath yet seen you, return again whence you came." - -"Heaven is our witness, that we will not return until we have seen the -maiden." - -Said Kai, "Does she ever come hither, so that she may be seen?" - -"She comes here every Saturday, to wash her head; and, in the vessel -where she washes, she leaves all her rings, and she never either comes -herself, or sends any messengers, to fetch them." - -"Will she come here if she is sent to?" - -"Heaven knows that I will not destroy my soul, nor will I betray those -that trust me. Unless you will pledge me your faith that you will not -harm her, I will not send to her." - -"We pledge it," said they. So a message was sent; and she came. - -The maiden was clothed in a robe of flame-colored silk; and about her -neck was a collar of ruddy gold, on which were precious emeralds and -rubies. More yellow was her head than the flower of the broom; and her -skin was whiter than the foam of the wave; and fairer were her hands -and her fingers than the blossoms of the wood-anemone amidst the spray -of the meadow fountain. The eye of the trained hawk, the glance of the -three-mewed falcon, was not brighter than hers. Her bosom was more -snowy than the breast of the white swan; her cheek was redder than the -reddest roses. Whoso beheld her was filled with her love. Four white -trefoils sprung up wherever she trod. And therefore was she called -Olwen. - -She entered the house, and sat beside Kilhwch, upon the foremost bench. -And as soon as he saw her he knew her. And Kilhwch said unto her, "Ah, -maiden! thou art she whom I have loved. Come away with me, lest they -speak evil of thee and of me. Many a day have I loved thee." - -"I cannot do this; for I have pledged my faith to my father not to go -without his counsel, for his life will last only until the time of my -espousals. Whatever is must be. But I will give thee advice, if thou -wilt take it. Go, ask me of my father, and that which he shall require -of thee, grant it, and thou wilt obtain me; but, if thou deny him any -thing, thou wilt not obtain me, and it will be well for thee if thou -escape with thy life." - -"I promise all this, if occasion offer," said he. - -She returned to her chamber, and they all rose up, and followed her to -the castle. And they slew the nine porters that were at the nine gates, -in silence. And they slew the nine watch-dogs, without one of them -barking. And they went forward to the hall. - -"The greeting of Heaven and of man be unto thee Yspaddaden Penkawr," -said they. - -"And you--wherefore come you?" - -"We come to ask thy daughter Olwen for Kilhwch, the son of Kilydd, the -son of Prince Kelyddon." - -"Where are my pages and my servants? Raise up the forks beneath my two -eyebrows, which have fallen over my eyes, that I may see the fashion of -my son-in-law." And they did so. "Come hither to-morrow, and you shall -have an answer." - -They rose to go forth; and Yspaddaden Penkawr seized one of the three -poisoned darts that lay beside him, and threw it after them. And Bedwyr -caught it, and flung it, and pierced Yspaddaden Penkawr grievously -with it through the knee. Then he said, "A cursed ungentle son-in-law, -truly! I shall ever walk the worse for his rudeness, and shall ever be -without a cure. This poisoned iron pains me like the bite of a gadfly. -Cursed be the smith who forged it, and the anvil whereon it was -wrought! So sharp is it!" - -That night also they took up their abode in the house of Custennin -the herdsman. The next day, with the dawn, they arrayed themselves in -haste, and proceeded to the castle, and entered the hall; and they -said, "Yspaddaden Penkawr, give us thy daughter in consideration of -her dower and her maiden fee, which we will pay to thee and to her two -kinswomen likewise. And, unless thou wilt do so, thou shalt meet with -thy death on her account." - -Then he said, "Her four great-grandmothers and her four -great-grandsires are yet alive: it is needful that I take counsel of -them." - -"Be it so," answered they. "We will go to meat." - -As they rose up, he took the second dart that was beside him, and -cast it after them. And Menw, the son of Gwaedd, caught it, and -flung it back at him, and wounded him in the centre of the breast, -so that it came out at the small of his back. "A cursed ungentle -son-in-law, truly!" said he. "The hard iron pains me like the bite of a -horse-leech. Cursed be the hearth whereon it was heated, and the smith -who formed it! So sharp is it! Henceforth, whenever I go up a hill, I -shall have a scant in my breath and a pain in my chest, and I shall -often loathe my food." And they went to meat. - -And the third day they returned to the palace. And Yspaddaden Penkawr -said to them, "Shoot not at me again, unless you desire death. Where -are my attendants? Lift up the forks of my eyebrows, which have fallen -over my eyeballs, that I may see the fashion of my son-in-law." - -Then they arose; and, as they did so, Yspaddaden Penkawr took the third -poisoned dart, and cast it at them. And Kilhwch caught it, and threw it -vigorously, and wounded him through the eyeball so that the dart came -out at the back of his head. "A cursed ungentle son-in-law, truly! As -long as I remain alive, my eyesight will be the worse. Whenever I go -against the wind, my eyes will water, and peradventure my head will -burn, and I shall have a giddiness every new moon. Cursed be the fire -in which it was forged! Like the bite of a mad dog is the stroke of -this poisoned iron." And they went to meat. - -And the next day they came again to the palace, and they said, "Shoot -not at us any more, unless thou desirest such hurt and harm and torture -as thou now hast, and even more. Give me thy daughter, and, if thou -wilt not give her, thou shalt receive thy death because of her." - -"Where is he that seeks my daughter? Come hither, where I may see -thee." And they placed him in a chair face to face with him. - -Said Yspaddaden Penkawr, "Is it thou that seekest my daughter?" - -"It is I," answered Kilhwch. - -"I must have thy pledge that thou wilt not do towards me otherwise than -is just, and, when I have gotten that which I shall name, my daughter -thou shalt have." - -"I promise thee that willingly," said Kilhwch. "Name what thou wilt." - -"I will do so," said he. "Seest thou yonder vast hill?" - -"I see it." - -"I require that it be rooted up, and that the grubbings be burned for -manure on the face of the land, and that it be ploughed and sown in one -day, and in one day that the grain ripen. And of that wheat I intend to -make food and liquor fit for the wedding of thee and my daughter. And -all this I require done in one day." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though this be easy for thee, there is yet that which will not be so. -No husbandman can till or prepare this land, so wild is it, except -Amaethon, the son of Don; and he will not come with thee by his own -free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,--the -two dun oxen of Gwlwlyd, both yoked together, to plough the wild land -yonder stoutly. He will not give them of his own free will, and thou -wilt not be able to compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The -yellow and the brindled bull yoked together do I require." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,--the -two-horned oxen, one of which is beyond, and the other this side of, -the peaked mountain, yoked together in the same plough. And these are -Nynniaw and Peibiaw,[14] whom God turned into oxen on account of their -sins." - -[Footnote 14: See the story of Nynniaw and Peibiaw in the Introduction.] - -"It will be easy for me to compass this." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Seest -thou yonder red-tilled ground?" - -"I see it." - -"When first I met the mother of this maiden, nine bushels of flax were -sown therein, and none has yet sprung up, neither white nor black; and -I have the measure by me still. I require to have the flax to sow in -the new land yonder, that when it grows up it may make a white wimple -for my daughter's head on the day of thy wedding." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Honey -that is nine times sweeter than the honey of the virgin swarm, without -scum and bees, do I require to make bragget for the feast." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"The vessel of Llwyr, the son of Llwyryon, which is of the utmost -value. There is no other vessel in the world that can hold this drink. -Of his free will thou wilt not get it, and thou canst not compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,--the -basket of Gwyddneu Garanhir. If the whole world should come together, -thrice nine men at a time, the meat that each of them desired would -be found within it. I require to eat therefrom on the night that my -daughter becomes thy bride. He will give it to no one of his own free -will, and thou canst not compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,--the -horn of Gwlgawd Gododin, to serve us with liquor that night. He will -not give it of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel -him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,--the -harp of Teirtu to play to us that night. When a man desires that it -should play, it does so of itself, and when he desires that it should -cease it ceases. And this he will not give of his own free will, and -thou wilt not be able to compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,--the -caldron of Diwrnach Wyddel, the steward of Odgar the son of Aedd, King -of Ireland, to boil the meat for thy marriage-feast." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. It is -needful for me to wash my head, and shave my beard; and I require the -tusk of Yskithyrwyn Benbaedd to shave myself withal, neither shall I -profit by its use if it be not plucked alive out of his head." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. There -is no one in the world that can pluck it out of his head, except Odgar -the son of Aedd, King of Ireland." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. I -will not trust any one to keep the tusk, except Gado of North Britain. -Now the threescore Cantrevs of North Britain are under his sway; and of -his own free will he will not come out of his kingdom, and thou wilt -not be able to compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. I -must spread out my hair in order to shave it, and it will never be -spread out unless I have the blood of the jet black sorceress, the -daughter of the pure white sorceress, from Pen Nant Govid on the -confines of Hell." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -I will not have the blood, unless I have it warm; and no vessels -will keep warm the liquid that is put therein, except the bottles of -Gwyddolwyn Gorr, which preserve the heat of the liquor that is put into -them in the east until they arrive at the west. And he will not give -them of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Some -will desire fresh milk; and it will not be possible to have fresh milk -for all, unless we have the bottles of Rhinnon Rhin Barnawd, wherein no -liquor ever turns sour. And he will not give them of his own free will, -and thou wilt not be able to compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Throughout the world, there is not a comb or scissors with which I -can arrange my hair, on account of its rankness, except the comb and -scissors that are between the two ears of Twrch Trwyth, the son of -Prince Tared. He will not give them of his own free will, and thou wilt -not be able to compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. It -will not be possible to hunt Twrch Trwyth, without Drudwyn, the whelp -of Greid, the son of Eri." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Throughout the world there is not a leash that can hold him, except the -leash of Cwrs Cant Ewin." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Throughout the world there is no collar that will hold the leash, -except the collar of Canhastyr Canllaw." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,--the -chain of Kilydd Canhastyr, to fasten the collar to the leash." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Throughout the world there is not a huntsman who can hunt with this -dog, except Mabon, the son of Modron. He was taken from his mother when -three nights old, and it is not known where he now is, nor whether he -is living or dead." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not -get,--Gwynn Mygdwn, the horse of Gweddw, that is as swift as the wave, -to carry Mabon, the son of Modron, to hunt the boar Trwyth. He will not -give him of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Thou -wilt not get Mabon, for it is not known where he is, unless thou find -Eidoel, his kinsman in blood, the son of Aer. For it would be useless -to seek for him. He is his cousin." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Garselit the Gwyddelian is the chief huntsman of Ireland: the Twrch -Trwyth can never be hunted without him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,--a -leash made from the beard of Dissull Varvawc, for that is the only one -that can hold those two cubs. And the leash will be of no avail, unless -it be plucked from his beard while he is alive, and twitched out with -wooden tweezers. While he lives, he will not suffer this to be done -to him. And the leash will be of no use, should he be dead, because it -will be brittle." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Throughout the world there is no huntsman that can hold those two -whelps, except Kynedyr Wyllt, the son of Hettwn Glafyrawc. He is nine -times more wild than the wildest beast upon the mountains. Him wilt -thou never get, neither wilt thou ever get my daughter." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. It is -not possible to hunt the boar Trwyth without Gwynn, the son of Nudd, -whom God has placed over the brood of devils in Annwn, lest they should -destroy the present race. He will never be spared thence." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. There -is not a horse in the world that can carry Gwynn to hunt the Twrch -Trwyth, except Du, the horse of Mor of Oerveddawg." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Until -Gilennhin, the King of France, shall come, the Twrch Trwyth cannot be -hunted. It will be unseemly for him to leave his kingdom for thy sake, -and he will never come hither." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think it -will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The -Twrch Trwyth can never be hunted without the son of Alun Dyved: he is -well skilled in letting loose the dogs." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The -Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted, unless thou get Aned and Aethlem. They -are as swift as the gale of wind, and they were never let loose upon a -beast, that they did not kill him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not -get,--Arthur and his companions to hunt the Twrch Trwyth. He is a -mighty man, and he will not come for thee, neither wilt thou be able to -compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -The Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted, unless thou get Bwlch and Kyfwlch -[and Sefwlch], the grandsons of Cleddyf Difwlch. Their three shields -are three gleaming glitterers. Their three spears are three pointed -piercers. Their three swords are three griding gashers, Glas, Glessic, -and Clersag. Their three dogs, Call, Cuall, and Cavall. Their three -horses, Hwyrdydwg and Drwgdydwg and Llwyrdydwg. Their three wives, Och -and Garam and Diaspad. Their three grandchildren, Lluched and Vyned -and Eissiwed. Their three daughters, Drwg and Gwaeth and Gwaethav Oli. -Their three handmaids [Eheubryd, the daughter of Kyfwlch; Gorasgwrn, -the daughter of Nerth; and Gwaedan, the daughter of Kynvelyn]. These -three men shall sound the horn, and all the others shall shout, so that -all will think that the sky is falling to the earth." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,--the -sword of Gwrnach the Giant: he will never be slain except therewith. Of -his own free will he will not give it, either for a price or as a gift; -and thou wilt never be able to compel him." - -"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy." - -"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Difficulties shalt thou meet with, and nights without sleep, in -seeking this, and, if thou obtain it not, neither shalt thou obtain my -daughter." - -"Horses shall I have, and chivalry; and my lord and kinsman Arthur will -obtain for me all these things. And I shall gain thy daughter, and thou -shalt lose thy life." - -"Go forward. And thou shalt not be chargeable for food or raiment for -my daughter while thou art seeking these things; and, when thou hast -compassed all these marvels, thou shalt have my daughter for thy wife." - -All that day they journeyed until the evening, and then they beheld a -vast castle, which was the largest in the world. And lo, a black man, -huger than three of the men of this world, came out from the castle. -And they spoke unto him: "Whence comest thou, O man?" - -"From the castle which you see yonder." - -"Whose castle is that?" asked they. - -"Stupid are ye, truly, O men! There is no one in the world that does -not know to whom this castle belongs. It is the castle of Gwrnach the -Giant." - -"What treatment is there for guests and strangers that alight in that -castle?" - -"O chieftain, Heaven protect thee! No guest ever returned thence alive, -and no one may enter therein, unless he brings with him his craft." - -Then they proceeded towards the gate. Said Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, -"Is there a porter?" - -"There is. And thou, if thy tongue be not mute in thy head, wherefore -dost thou call?" - -"Open the gate." - -"I will not open it." - -"Wherefore wilt thou not?" - -"The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is -revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the Giant, and except for a craftsman -who brings his craft the gate will not be opened to-night." - -"Verily, porter," then said Kai, "my craft bring I with me." - -"What is thy craft?" - -"The best burnisher of swords am I in the world." - -"I will go and tell this unto Gwrnach the Giant, and I will bring thee -an answer." - -So the porter went in; and Gwrnach said to him, "Hast thou any news -from the gate?" - -"I have. There is a party at the door of the gate who desire to come -in." - -"Didst thou inquire of them if they possessed any art?" - -"I did inquire," said he; "and one told me that he was well skilled in -the burnishing of swords." - -"We have need of him, then. For some time have I sought for some one to -polish my sword, and could find no one. Let this man enter, since he -brings with him his craft." - -The porter thereupon returned, and opened the gate. And Kai went in by -himself, and he saluted Gwrnach the Giant. And a chair was placed for -him opposite to Gwrnach. And Gwrnach said to him, "O man! is it true -that is reported of thee,--that thou knowest how to burnish swords?" - -"I know full well how to do so," answered Kai. - -Then was the sword of Gwrnach brought to him. And Kai took a blue -whetstone from under his arm, and asked him whether he would have it -burnished white or blue. - -"Do with it as it seems good to thee, and as thou would'st if it were -thine own." - -Then Kai polished one-half of the blade, and put it in his hand. "Will -this please thee?" asked he. - -"I would rather than all that is in my dominions that the whole of -it were like unto this. It is a marvel to me that such a man as thou -should be without a companion." - -"O noble sir! I have a companion, albeit he is not skilled in this art." - -"Who may he be?" - -"Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him whereby he may know him. -The head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the -wind, and will descend upon its shaft again." - -Then the gate was opened, and Bedwyr entered. And Kai said, "Bedwyr is -very skilful, although he knows not this art." - -And there was much discourse among those who were without, because that -Kai and Bedwyr had gone in. And a young man who was with them, the -only son of Custennin the herdsman, got in also. And he caused all his -companions to keep close to him as he passed the three wards, and until -he came into the midst of the castle. And his companions said unto the -son of Custennin, "Thou hast done this: thou art the best of all men." -And thenceforth he was called Goreu, the son of Custennin. Then they -dispersed to their lodgings, that they might slay those who lodged -therein, unknown to the Giant. - -The sword was now polished, and Kai gave it unto the hand of Gwrnach -the Giant, to see if he were pleased with his work. And the Giant said, -"The work is good: I am content therewith." - -Said Kai, "It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword. Give it to -me, that I may take out the wooden sides of it, and put in new ones." -And he took the scabbard from him, and the sword in the other hand. -And he came and stood over against the Giant, as if he would have put -the sword into the scabbard; and with it he struck at the head of -the Giant, and cut off his head at one blow. Then they despoiled the -castle, and took from it what goods and jewels they would. And again -on the same day, at the beginning of the year, they came to Arthur's -court, bearing with them the sword of Gwrnach the Giant. - -Now, when they told Arthur how they had sped, Arthur said, "Which of -these marvels will it be best for us to seek first?" - -"It will be best," said they, "to seek Mabon, the son of Modron; and -he will not be found, unless we first find Eidoel, the son of Aer, his -kinsman." - -Then Arthur rose up, and the warriors of the islands of Britain with -him, to seek for Eidoel; and they proceeded until they came before the -Castle of Glivi, where Eidoel was imprisoned. Glivi stood on the summit -of his castle, and he said, "Arthur, what requirest thou of me, since -nothing remains to me in this fortress, and I have neither joy nor -pleasure in it, neither wheat nor oats? Seek not therefore to do me -harm." - -Said Arthur, "Not to injure thee came I hither, but to seek for the -prisoner that is with thee." - -"I will give thee my prisoner, though I had not thought to give him up -to any one, and therewith shalt thou have my support and my aid." - -His followers said unto Arthur, "Lord, go thou home: thou canst not -proceed with thy host in quest of such small adventures as these." - -Then said Arthur, "It were well for thee, Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, -to go upon this quest; for thou knowest all languages, and art familiar -with those of the birds and the beasts. Thou, Eidoel, oughtest likewise -to go with my men in search of thy cousin. And as for you, Kai and -Bedwyr, I have hope of whatever adventure ye are in quest of, that ye -will achieve it. Achieve ye this adventure for me." - -They went forward until they came to the Ousel of Cilgwri. And Gwrhyr -adjured her for the sake of Heaven, saying, "Tell me if thou knowest -aught of Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken, when three nights -old, from between his mother and the wall." - -And the Ousel answered, "When I first came here, there was a smith's -anvil in this place, and I was then a young bird. And from that time no -work has been done upon it, save the pecking of my beak every evening; -and now there is not so much as the size of a nut remaining thereof; -yet the vengeance of Heaven be upon me, if, during all that time, I -have ever heard of the man for whom you inquire. Nevertheless I will -do that which is right, and that which it is fitting that I should do -for an embassy from Arthur. There is a race of animals who were formed -before me, and I will be your guide to them." - -So they proceeded to the place where was the Stag of Redynvre. "Stag of -Redynvre, behold, we are come to thee, an embassy from Arthur; for we -have not heard of any animal older than thou. Say, knowest thou aught -of Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken from his mother when three -nights old?" - -The Stag said, "When first I came hither, there was a plain all around -me, without any trees save one oak sapling, which grew up to be an oak -with an hundred branches. And that oak has since perished; so that now -nothing remains of it but the withered stump. And from that day to -this I have been here; yet have I never heard of the man for whom you -inquire. Nevertheless, being an embassy from Arthur, I will be your -guide to the place where there is an animal which was formed before I -was." - -So they proceeded to the place where was the Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd. "Owl -of Cwm Cawlwyd, here is an embassy from Arthur. Knowest thou aught of -Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken, after three nights, from his -mother?" - -"If I knew, I would tell you. When first I came hither, the wide -valley you see was a wooded glen. And a race of men came and rooted -it up. And there grew there a second wood; and this wood is the third. -My wings, are they not withered stumps? Yet all this time, even -until to-day, I have never heard of the man for whom you inquire. -Nevertheless, I will be the guide of Arthur's embassy until you come to -the place where is the oldest animal in this world, and the one that -has travelled most,--the Eagle of Gwern Abwy." - -Gwrhyr said, "Eagle of Gwern Abwy, we have come to thee, an embassy -from Arthur, to ask thee if thou knowest aught of Mabon, the son of -Modron, who was taken from his mother when he was three nights old." - -The Eagle said, "I have been here for a great space of time, and when I -first came hither there was a rock here, from the top of which I pecked -at the stars every evening; and now it is not so much as a span high. -From that day to this I have been here, and I have never heard of the -man for whom you inquire, except once, when I went in search of food -as far as Llyn Llyw. And when I came there, I struck my talons into a -salmon, thinking he would serve me as food for a long time. But he drew -me into the deep, and I was scarcely able to escape from him. After -that, I went with my whole kindred to attack him, and to try to destroy -him; but he sent messengers, and made peace with me, and came and -besought me to take fifty fish spears out of his back. Unless he know -something of him whom you seek, I cannot tell who may. However, I will -guide you to the place where he is." - -So they went thither; and the Eagle said, "Salmon of Llyn Llyw, I have -come to thee with an embassy from Arthur, to ask thee if thou knowest -aught concerning Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken away at three -nights old from his mother." - -"As much as I know I will tell thee. With every tide I go along the -river upwards until I come near to the walls of Gloucester, and there -have I found such wrong as I never found elsewhere. And to the end that -ye may give credence thereto let one of you go thither upon each of my -two shoulders." - -So Kai and Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd went upon the two shoulders of -the salmon, and they proceeded until they came unto the wall of the -prison, and they heard a great wailing and lamenting from the dungeon. -Said Gwrhyr, "Who is it that laments in this house of stone?" - -"Alas! there is reason enough for whoever is here to lament. It is -Mabon, the son of Modron, who is here imprisoned; and no imprisonment -was ever so grievous as mine,--neither that of Lludd Llaw Ereint, nor -that of Greid, the son of Eri." - -"Hast thou hope of being released for gold, or for silver, or for any -gifts of wealth, or through battle and fighting?" - -"By fighting will whatever I may gain be obtained." - -Then they went thence, and returned to Arthur, and they told him where -Mabon, the son of Modron, was imprisoned. And Arthur summoned the -warriors of the island, and they journeyed as far as Gloucester, to -the place where Mabon was in prison. Kai and Bedwyr went upon the -shoulders of the fish, whilst the warriors of Arthur attacked the -castle. And Kai broke through the wall into the dungeon, and brought -away the prisoner upon his back whilst the fight was going on between -the warriors. And Arthur returned home, and Mabon with him at liberty. - - * * * * * - -Said Arthur, "Which of the marvels will it be best for us now to seek -first?" - -"It will be best to seek for the two cubs of Gast Rhymhi." - -"Is it known," asked Arthur, "where she is?" - -"She is in Aber Deu Cleddyf," said one. - -Then Arthur went to the house of Tringad in Aber Cleddyf, and he -inquired of him whether he had heard of her there. - -"In what form may she be?" - -"She is in the form of a she-wolf," said he; "and with her there are -two cubs." - -"She has often slain my herds, and she is there below in a cave in Aber -Cleddyf." - -So Arthur went in his ship Prydwen, by sea, and the others went by -land, to hunt her. And they surrounded her and her two cubs, and God -did change them again for Arthur into their own form. And the host of -Arthur dispersed themselves into parties of one and two. - -On a certain day, as Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl, was walking over a -mountain, he heard a wailing and a grievous cry. And when he heard it -he sprang forward, and went towards it. And when he came there he drew -his sword, and smote off an ant-hill close to the earth, whereby it -escaped being burned in the fire. And the ants said to him, "Receive -from us the blessing of Heaven, and that which no man can give we will -give thee." - -Then they fetched the nine bushels of flaxseed which Yspaddaden Penkawr -had required of Kilhwch, and they brought the full measure without -lacking any, except one flaxseed, and that the lame pismire brought in -before night. - - * * * * * - -As Kai and Bedwyr sat on a beacon cairn on the summit of Plinlimmon, in -the highest wind that ever was in the world, they looked around them, -and saw a great smoke towards the south afar off which did not bend -with the wind. Then said Kai, "By the hand of my friend, behold, yonder -is the fire of a robber!" - -Then they hastened towards the smoke, and they came so near to it that -they could see Dillus Varvawc scorching a wild boar. - -"Behold, yonder is the greatest robber that ever fled from Arthur," -said Bedwyr unto Kai. "Dost thou know him?" - -"I do know him," answered Kai. "He is Dillus Varvawc; and no leash in -the world will be able to hold Drudwyn, the cub of Greid, the son -of Eri, save a leash made from the beard of him thou seest yonder. -And even that will be useless, unless his beard be plucked alive with -wooden tweezers; for if dead it will be brittle." - -"What thinkest thou that we should do concerning this?" said Bedwyr. - -"Let us suffer him," said Kai, "to eat as much as he will of the meat, -and after that he will fall asleep." - -And during that time they employed themselves in making the wooden -tweezers. And when Kai knew certainly that he was asleep he made a pit -under his feet, the largest in the world, and he struck him a violent -blow, and squeezed him into the pit. And there they twitched out his -beard completely with the wooden tweezers; and after that they slew him -altogether. - -And from thence they both went to Gelli Wic in Cornwall, and took the -leash made of Dillus Varvawc's beard with them, and they gave it into -Arthur's hand. Then Arthur composed this Englyn:-- - - Kai made a leash - Of Dillus son of Eurei's beard. - Were he alive, thy death he'd be. - -And thereupon Kai was wroth, so that the warriors of the island could -scarcely make peace between Kai and Arthur. And thenceforth, neither -in Arthur's troubles, nor for the slaying of his men, would Kai come -forward to his aid forever after. - -Said Arthur, "Which of the marvels is it best for us now to seek?" - -"It is best for us to seek Drudwyn, the cub of Greid, the son of Eri." - -A little while before this, Creiddylad, the daughter of Lludd Llaw -Ereint, and Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl, were betrothed. And, before -she had become his bride, Gwyn ap Nudd came and carried her away by -force; and Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl, gathered his host together, -and went to fight with Gwyn ap Nudd. But Gwyn overcame him, and -captured Greid, the son of Eri, and Glinneu, the son of Taran, and -Gwrgwst Ledlwm, and Dynvarth, his son. And he captured Penn, the son of -Nethawg, and Nwython, and Kyledyr Wyllt, his son. - -When Arthur heard of this, he went to the North, and summoned Gwyn ap -Nudd before him, and set free the nobles whom he had put in prison, -and made peace between Gwyn ap Nudd, and Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl. -And this was the peace that was made: that the maiden should remain -in her father's house, without advantage to either of them; and that -Gwyn ap Nudd, and Gwythyr, the son of Griedawl, should fight for her -every first of May, from thenceforth until the day of doom; and that -whichever of them should then be conqueror should have the maiden. - -And, when Arthur had thus reconciled these chieftains, he obtained -Mygdwn, Gweddw's horse, and the leash of Cwrs Cant Ewin. - -And after that Arthur went into Armorica, and with him Mabon, the son -of Mellt, and Gware Gwallt Euryn, to seek the two dogs of Glythmyr -Ledewic. And when he had got them, he went to the west of Ireland in -search of Gwrgi Severi; and Odgar, the son of Aedd, King of Ireland, -went with him. And thence went Arthur into the North, and captured -Kyledyr Wyllt; and he went after Yskithyrwyn Benbaedd. And Mabon, the -son of Mellt, came with the two dogs of Glythmyr Ledewic in his hand, -and Drudwyn, the cub of Greid, the son of Eri. And Arthur went himself -to the chase, leading his own dog, Cavall. And Kaw of North Britain -mounted Arthur's mare, Llamrei, and was first in the attack. Then Kaw -of North Britain wielded a mighty axe, and absolutely daring he came -valiantly up to the boar, and clave his head in twain. And Kaw took -away the tusk. Now the boar was not slain by the dogs that Yspaddaden -had mentioned, but by Cavall, Arthur's own dog. - -And after Yskithyrwyn Benbaedd was killed, Arthur and his host -departed to Gelli Wic in Cornwall. And thence he sent Menw, the son of -Teirgwaedd, to see if the precious things were between the two ears of -Twrch Trwyth, since it were useless to encounter him if they were not -there. Albeit it was certain where he was, for he had laid waste the -third part of Ireland. And Menw went to seek for him, and he met with -him in Ireland, in Esgeir Oervel. And Menw took the form of a bird; and -he descended upon the top of his lair, and strove to snatch away one of -the precious things from him; but he carried away nothing but one of -his bristles. And the boar rose up angrily, and shook himself so that -some of his venom fell upon Menw, and he was never well from that day -forward. - -After this, Arthur sent an embassy to Odgar, the son of Aedd, King -of Ireland, to ask for the caldron of Diwrnach Wyddel, his purveyor. -And Odgar commanded him to give it. But Diwrnach said, "Heaven is my -witness, if it would avail him any thing even to look at it, he should -not do so." - -And the embassy of Arthur returned from Ireland with this denial. And -Arthur set forward with a small retinue, and entered into Prydwen, his -ship, and went over to Ireland. And they proceeded into the house of -Diwrnach Wyddel. And the hosts of Odgar saw their strength. When they -had eaten and drunk as much as they desired, Arthur demanded to have -the caldron. And he answered, "If I would have given it to any one, I -would have given it at the word of Odgar, King of Ireland." - -When he had given them this denial, Bedwyr arose, and seized hold of -the caldron, and placed it upon the back of Hygwyd, Arthur's servant, -who was brother, by the mother's side, to Arthur's servant, Cachamwri. -His office was always to carry Arthur's caldron, and to place fire -under it. And Llenlleawg Wyddel seized Caledvwlch, and brandished it. -And they slew Diwrnach Wyddel and his company. Then came the Irish, and -fought with them. And when he had put them to flight Arthur with his -men went forward to the ship, carrying away the caldron full of Irish -money. And he disembarked at the house of Llwydden, the son of Kelcoed, -at Porth Kerddin in Dyved. And there is the measure of the caldron. - -Then Arthur summoned unto him all the warriors that were in the three -islands of Britain and in the three islands adjacent, and all that were -in France and in Armorica, in Normandy, and in the Summer Country, and -all that were chosen footmen and valiant horsemen. And with all these -he went into Ireland. And in Ireland there was great fear and terror -concerning him. And when Arthur had landed in the country, there came -unto him the saints of Ireland, and besought his protection. And he -granted his protection unto them, and they gave him their blessing. -Then the men of Ireland came unto Arthur, and brought him provisions. -And Arthur went as far as Esgeir Oervel, in Ireland, to the place where -the Boar Trwyth was with his seven young pigs. And the dogs were let -loose upon him from all sides. That day until evening the Irish fought -with him: nevertheless, he laid waste the fifth part of Ireland. And on -the day following, the household of Arthur fought with him, and they -were worsted by him, and got no advantage. And the third day Arthur -himself encountered him, and he fought with him nine nights and nine -days, without so much as killing even one little pig. The warriors -inquired of Arthur what was the origin of that swine; and he told them -that he was once a king, and that God had transformed him into a swine -for his sins. - -Then Arthur sent Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd to endeavor to speak with -him. And Gwrhyr assumed the form of a bird, and alighted upon the -top of the lair, where he was with the seven young pigs. And Gwrhyr -Gwalstawt Ieithoedd asked him, "By him who turned you into this form, -if you can speak, let some one of you, I beseech you, come and talk -with Arthur." - -Grugyn Gwrych Ereint made answer to him. (Now his bristles were like -silver wire; and whether he went through the wood or through the plain, -he was to be traced by the glittering of his bristles.) And this was -the answer that Grugyn made, "By him who turned us into this form, we -will not do so, and we will not speak with Arthur. That we have been -transformed thus is enough for us to suffer, without your coming here -to fight with us." - -"I will tell you. Arthur comes but to fight for the comb, and the -razor, and the scissors, which are between the two ears of Twrch -Trwyth." - -Said Grugyn, "Except he first take his life, he will never have those -precious things. And to-morrow morning we will rise up hence, and we -will go into Arthur's country, and there will we do all the mischief -that we can." - -So they set forth through the sea towards Wales. And Arthur and his -hosts, and his horses and his dogs, entered Prydwen, that they might -encounter them without delay. Twrch Trwyth landed in Porth Cleis in -Dyved, and Arthur came to Mynyw. The next day it was told to Arthur -that they had gone by, and he overtook them as they were killing the -cattle of Kynnwas Kwrr y Vagyl, having slain all that were at Aber -Cleddyf, of man and beast, before the coming of Arthur. - -Now when Arthur approached, Twrch Trwyth went on as far as Preseleu, -and Arthur and his hosts followed him thither, and Arthur sent men to -hunt him,--Eli and Trachmyr leading Drutwyn, the whelp of Greid, the -son of Eri; and Gwarthegyd, the son of Kaw, in another quarter, with -the two dogs of Glythmyr Ledewig; and Bedwyr leading Cavall, Arthur's -own dog. And all the warriors ranged themselves around the Nyver. And -there came there the three sons of Cleddyf Divwlch, men who had gained -much fame at the slaying of Yskithyrwyn Penbaedd; and they went on from -Glyn Nyver, and came to Cwm Kerwyn. - -And there Twrch Trwyth made a stand, and slew four of Arthur's -champions,--Gwarthegyd the son of Kaw, and Tarawc of Allt Clwydd, and -Rheidwn the son of Eli Atver, and Iscovan Hael. And after he had slain -these men he made a second stand in the same place. And there he slew -Gwydre the son of Arthur, and Garselit Wyddel, and Glew the son of -Ysgawd, and Iscawyn the son of Panon; and there he himself was wounded. - -And the next morning, before it was day, some of the men came up with -him. And he slew Huandaw and Gogigwr and Penpingon, three attendants -upon Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr, so that Heaven knows he had not an attendant -remaining, excepting only Llaesgevyn, a man from whom no one ever -derived any good. And together with these he slew many of the men of -that country, and Gwlydyn Saer, Arthur's chief architect. - -Then Arthur overtook him at Pelumyawc; and there he slew Madawc the -son of Teithyon, and Gwyn the son of Tringad, the son of Neved, and -Eiryawn Penllorau. Thence he went to Aberteivi, where he made another -stand, and where he slew Kyflas the son of Kynan, and Gwilenhin, King -of France. Then he went as far as Glyn Ystu, and there the men and the -dogs lost him. - -Then Arthur summoned unto him Gwyn ab Nudd, and he asked him if he knew -aught of Twrch Trwyth. And he said that he did not. - -And all the huntsmen went to hunt the swine as far as Dyffryn Llychwr. -And Grugyn Gwallt Ereint and Llwydawg Govynnyad closed with them, and -killed all the huntsmen; so that there escaped but one man only. And -Arthur and his hosts came to the place where Grugyn and Llwydawg were. -And there he let loose the whole of the dogs upon them; and with the -shout and barking that was set up Twrch Trwyth came to their assistance. - -And from the time that they came across the Irish Sea Arthur had -never got sight of him until then. So he set men and dogs upon him, -and thereupon he started off, and went to Mynydd Amanw. And there one -of his young pigs was killed. Then they set upon him life for life, -and Twrch Llawin was slain; and then there was slain another of the -swine, Gwys was his name. After that, he went on to Dyffryn Amanw, and -there Banw and Bennwig were killed. Of all his pigs, there went with -him alive from that place none save Grugyn Gwallt Ereint and Liwvdawg -Govynnyad. - -Thence he went on to Llwch Ewin; and Arthur overtook him there, and he -made a stand. And there he slew Echel Forddwytwll, and Garwyli the son -of Gwyddawg Gwyr, and many men and dogs likewise. And thence they went -to Llwch Tawy. Grugyn Gwrych Ereint parted from them there, and went to -Din Tywi. And thence he proceeded to Ceredigiawn, and Eli and Trachmyr -with him, and a multitude likewise. Then he came to Garth Gregyn, and -there Llwydawg Govynnyad fought in the midst of them, and slew Rhudvyw -Rhys and many others with him. Then Llwydawg went thence to Ystrad Yw; -and there the men of Armorica met him, and there he slew Hirpeissawg, -the King of Armorica, and Llygatrudd Emys, and Gwrbothu, Arthur's -uncles, his mother's brothers; and there was he himself slain. - -Twrch Trwyth went from there to between Tawy and Euyas. And Arthur -summoned all Cornwall and Devon unto him, to the estuary of the Severn; -and he said to the warriors of this island, "Twrch Trwyth has slain -many of my men, but by the valor of warriors while I live he shall not -go into Cornwall. And I will not follow him any longer, but I will -oppose him life to life. Do ye as ye will." - -And he resolved that he would send a body of knights, with the dogs of -the island, as far as Euyas, who should return thence to the Severn, -and that tried warriors should traverse the island, and force him -into Severn. And Mabon, the son of Modron, came up with him at the -Severn, upon Gwynn Mygddon, the horse of Gweddw, and Goreu the son of -Custennin, and Menw the son of Teirgwaedd. This was betwixt Llyn Lliwan -and Aber Gwy. And Arthur fell upon him together with the champions -of Britain. And Osla Kyllellvawr drew near, and Manawyddan the son -of Llyr, and Kacmwri the servant of Arthur, and Gwyngelli; and they -seized hold of him, catching him first by his feet, and plunged him -in the Severn, so that it overwhelmed him. On the one side Mabon the -son of Modron spurred his steed, and snatched his razor from him; and -Kyledyr Wyllt came up with him on the other side, upon another steed, -in the Severn, and took from him the scissors. But before they could -obtain the comb, he had regained the ground with his feet, and from -the moment that he reached the shore, neither dog, nor man, nor horse -could overtake him until he came to Cornwall. If they had had trouble -in getting the jewels from him, much more had they in seeking to save -the two men from being drowned. Kacmwri, as they drew him forth, was -dragged by two millstones into the deep. And as Osla Kyllellvawr was -running after the boar, his knife had dropped out of the sheath, and he -had lost it; and after that, the sheath became full of water, and its -weight drew him down into the deep as they were drawing him forth. - -Then Arthur and his hosts proceeded, until they overtook the boar in -Cornwall; and the trouble which they had met with before was mere play -to what they encountered in seeking the comb. But from one difficulty -to another, the comb was at length obtained. And then he was hunted -from Cornwall, and driven straight forward into the deep sea. And -thenceforth it was never known whither he went, and Aned and Aethlem -with him. Then went Arthur to Gelliwic in Cornwall, to anoint himself, -and to rest from his fatigues. - -Said Arthur, "Is there any one of the marvels yet unobtained?" - -Said one of his men, "There is,--the blood of the witch Orddu, the -daughter of the witch Owen of Penn Nant Govid, on the confines of Hell." - -Arthur set forth towards the North, and came to the place where was -the witch's cave. And Gwyn ab Nudd, and Gwythyr the son of Greidawl, -counselled him to send Kacmwri and Hygwyd his brother to fight with -the witch. And as they entered the cave, the witch seized upon them, -and she caught Hygwyd by the hair of his head, and threw him on the -floor beneath her. And Kacmwri caught her by the hair of her head, and -dragged her to the earth from off Hygwyd; but she turned again upon -them both, and drove them both out with kicks and with cuffs. - -And Arthur was wroth at seeing his two attendants almost slain, and he -sought to enter the cave; but Gwyn and Gwythyr said unto him, "It would -not be fitting or seemly for us to see thee squabbling with a hag. Let -Hiramreu and Hireidil go to the cave." - -So they went. But if great was the trouble of the first two that went, -much greater was that of these two. And Heaven knows that not one of -the four could move from the spot, until they placed them all upon -Llamrei, Arthur's mare. And then Arthur rushed to the door of the cave; -and at the door he struck at the witch with Carnwennan, his dagger, and -clove her in twain, so that she fell in two parts. And Kaw of North -Britain took the blood of the witch, and kept it. - -Then Kilhwch set forward, and Goreu, the son of Custennin, with him, -and as many as wished ill to Yspaddaden Penkawr. And they took the -marvels with them to his court. And Kaw of North Britain came and -shaved his beard, skin, and flesh clean off to the very bone from ear -to ear. - -"Art thou shaved, man?" said Kilhwch. - -"I am shaved," answered he. - -"Is thy daughter mine now?" - -"She is thine," said he; "but therefor needest thou not thank me, -but Arthur who hath accomplished this for thee. By my free will thou -should'st never have had her; for with her I lose my life." - -Then Goreu, the son of Custennin, seized him by the hair of his head, -and dragged him after him to the keep, and cut off his head, and placed -it on a stake on the citadel. Then they took possession of his castle -and of his treasures. - -And Olwen became Kilhwch's bride, and she continued to be his wife as -long as she lived. And the hosts of Arthur dispersed themselves, each -man to his own country. And thus did Kilhwch obtain Olwen, the daughter -of Yspaddaden Penkawr. - - - - - PEREDUR[15] THE SON OF EVRAWC. - - -[Footnote 15: This "Peredur" is the Welsh original of "Sir Percival" -who figures so finely in the search for the Sangreal along with Sir -Galahad and the rest.] - -Earl Evrawc owned the earldom of the North. And he had seven sons. And -Evrawc maintained himself not so much by his own possessions as by -attending tournaments and wars and combats. And, as it often befalls -those who join in encounters and wars, he was slain, and six of his -sons likewise. Now the name of his seventh son was Peredur, and he -was the youngest of them. And he was not of an age to go to wars and -encounters, otherwise he might have been slain as well as his father -and brothers. His mother was a scheming and thoughtful woman, and she -was very anxious concerning this her only son and his possessions. So -she took counsel with herself to leave the inhabited country, and to -flee to the deserts and unfrequented wildernesses. And she permitted -none to bear her company thither but women and boys and spiritless men, -who were both unaccustomed and unequal to war and fighting. And none -dared to bring either horses or arms where her son was, lest he should -set his mind upon them. And the youth went daily to divert himself in -the forest by flinging sticks and staves. - -And one day they saw three knights coming along the horse-road on the -borders of the forest. And the three knights were Gwalchmai the son -of Gwyar, and Geneir Gwystyl, and Owain the son of Urien. And Owain -kept on the track of the knight who had divided the apples in Arthur's -court, whom they were in pursuit of. - -"Mother," said Peredur, "what are those yonder?" - -"They are angels, my son," said she. - -"By my faith," said Peredur, "I will go and become an angel with them." -And Peredur went to the road, and met them. - -"Tell me, good soul," said Owain, "sawest thou a knight pass this way -either to-day or yesterday?" - -"I know not," answered he, "what a knight is." - -"Such an one as I am," said Owain. - -"If thou wilt tell me what I ask thee, I will tell thee that which thou -askest me." - -"Gladly will I do so," replied Owain. - -"What is this?" demanded Peredur, concerning the saddle. - -"It is a saddle," said Owain. - -Then he asked about all the accoutrements which he saw upon the men, -and the horses, and the arms, and what they were for, and how they were -used. - -And Owain showed him all these things fully, and told him what use was -made of them. - -"Go forward," said Peredur, "for I saw such an one as thou inquirest -for, and I will follow thee." - -Then Peredur returned to his mother and her company, and he said to -her, "Mother, those were not angels, but honorable knights." - -Then his mother swooned away. And Peredur went to the place where they -kept the horses that carried firewood, and that brought meat and drink -from the inhabited country to the desert. And he took a bony, piebald -horse, which seemed to him the strongest of them; and he pressed a -pack into the form of a saddle, and with twisted twigs he imitated the -trappings which he had seen upon the horses. And when Peredur came -again to his mother, the countess had recovered from her swoon. - -"My son," said she, "desirest thou to ride forth?" - -"Yes, with thy leave," said he. - -"Wait, then, that I may counsel thee before thou goest." - -"Willingly," he answered. "Speak quickly." - -"Go forward, then," she said, "to the court of Arthur, where there are -the best and the boldest and the most bountiful of men. And wherever -thou seest a church, repeat there thy Paternoster unto it. And if thou -see meat and drink, and have need of them, and none have the kindness -or the courtesy to give them to thee, take them thyself. If thou hear -an outcry, proceed towards it, especially if it be the outcry of a -woman. If thou see a fair jewel, possess thyself of it, and give it to -another; for thus thou shalt obtain praise. If thou see a fair woman, -pay thy court to her, whether she will or no; for thus thou wilt render -thyself a better and more esteemed man than thou wast before." - -After this discourse, Peredur mounted the horse, and, taking a handful -of sharp-pointed forks in his hand, he rode forth. And he journeyed two -days and two nights in the woody wildernesses and in desert places, -without food and without drink. And then he came to a vast wild wood; -and far within the wood he saw a fair even glade, and in the glade he -saw a tent, and, the tent seeming to him to be a church, he repeated -his Paternoster to it. And he went towards it, and the door of the tent -was open. And a golden chair was near the door. And on the chair sat a -lovely auburn-haired maiden, with a golden frontlet on her forehead, -and sparkling stones in the frontlet, and with a large gold ring on -her hand. And Peredur dismounted, and entered the tent. And the maiden -was glad at his coming, and bade him welcome. At the entrance of the -tent he saw food, and two flasks full of wine, and two loaves of fine -wheaten flour, and collops of the flesh of the wild boar. "My mother -told me," said Peredur, "wheresoever I saw meat and drink, to take it." - -"Take the meat, and welcome, chieftain," said she. - -So Peredur took half of the meat and of the liquor himself, and left -the rest to the maiden. And, when Peredur had finished eating, he -bent upon his knee before the maiden. "My mother," said he, "told me, -wheresoever I saw a fair jewel, to take it." - -"Do so, my soul," said she. - -So Peredur took the ring. And he mounted his horse, and proceeded on -his journey. - -After this, behold the knight came to whom the tent belonged; and he -was the lord of the glade. And he saw the track of the horse, and he -said to the maiden, "Tell me who has been here since I departed." - -"A man," said she, "of wonderful demeanor." And she described to him -what Peredur's appearance and conduct had been. - -"Tell me," said he, "did he offer thee any wrong." - -"No," answered the maiden, "by my faith, he harmed me not." - -"By my faith, I do not believe thee; and, until I can meet with him and -revenge the insult he has done me and wreak my vengeance upon him, thou -shalt not remain two nights in the same house." And the knight arose, -and set forth to seek Peredur. - -Meanwhile Peredur journeyed on towards Arthur's court. And before he -reached it, another knight had been there, who gave a ring of thick -gold at the door of the gate for holding his horse, and went into the -hall where Arthur and his household, and Gwenhwyvar and her maidens, -were assembled. And the page of the chamber was serving Gwenhwyvar with -a golden goblet. Then the knight dashed the liquor that was therein -upon her face, and upon her stomacher, and gave her a violent blow on -the face, and said, "If any have the boldness to dispute this goblet -with me, and to revenge the insult to Gwenhwyvar, let him follow me to -the meadow, and there I will await him." - -So the knight took his horse, and rode to the meadow. And all the -household hung down their heads, lest any of them should be requested -to go and avenge the insult to Gwenhwyvar. For it seemed to them that -no one would have ventured on so daring an outrage, unless he possessed -such powers, through magic or charms, that none could be able to take -vengeance upon him. Then, behold, Peredur entered the hall upon the -bony piebald horse with the uncouth trappings upon it, and in this way -he traversed the whole length of the hall. In the centre of the hall -stood Kai. - -"Tell me, tall man," said Peredur, "is that Arthur, yonder?" - -"What wouldest thou with Arthur?" asked Kai. - -"My mother told me to go to Arthur, and receive the honor of -knighthood." - -"By my faith," said he, "thou art all too meanly equipped with horse -and with arms." - -Thereupon he was perceived by all the household, and they threw sticks -at him. Then, behold, a dwarf came forward. He had already been a -year at Arthur's court, both he and a female dwarf. They had craved -harborage of Arthur, and had obtained it; and during the whole year -neither of them had spoken a single word to any one. When the dwarf -beheld Peredur, "Haha!" said he, "the welcome of Heaven be unto thee, -goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc, the chief of warriors, and flower of -knighthood." - -"Truly," said Kai, "thou art ill taught to remain a year mute at -Arthur's court, with choice of society, and now before the face of -Arthur and all his household, to call out, and declare such a man as -this the chief of warriors and the flower of knighthood." And he gave -him such a box on the ear that he fell senseless to the ground. - -Then exclaimed the female dwarf, "Haha, goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc! -The welcome of Heaven be unto thee, flower of knights, and light of -chivalry." - -"Of a truth, maiden," said Kai, "thou art ill bred to remain mute for a -year at the court of Arthur, and then to speak as thou dost of such a -man as this." And Kai kicked her with his foot, so that she fell to the -ground senseless. - -"Tall man," said Peredur, "show me which is Arthur." - -"Hold thy peace!" said Kai, "and go after the knight who went hence -to the meadow, and take from him the goblet, and overthrow him, and -possess thyself of his horse and arms, and then thou shalt receive the -order of knighthood." - -"I will do so, tall man," said Peredur. So he turned his horse's head -towards the meadow. And when he came there, the knight was riding up -and down, proud of his strength and valor and noble mien. - -"Tell me," said the knight, "didst thou see any one coming after me -from the court?" - -"The tall man that was there," said he, "desired me to come and -overthrow thee, and to take from thee the goblet and thy horse and thy -armor for myself." - -"Silence!" said the knight. "Go back to the court, and tell Arthur, -from me, either to come himself, or to send some other to fight with -me; and, unless he do so quickly, I will not wait for him." - -"By my faith," said Peredur! "choose thou whether it shall be willingly -or unwillingly; but I will have the horse and the arms and the goblet." - -And upon this the knight ran at him furiously, and struck him a violent -blow with the shaft of his spear between the neck and the shoulder. - -"Haha, lad!" said Peredur. "My mother's servants were not used to play -with me in this wise: therefore, thus will I play with thee." And -thereupon he struck him with a sharp-pointed fork, and it hit him in -the eye and came out at the back of his neck, so that he instantly fell -down lifeless. - -"Verily," said Owain the son of Urien to Kai, "thou wert ill advised -when thou didst send that madman after the knight; for one of two -things must befall him. He must either be overthrown, or slain. If -he is overthrown by the knight, he will be counted by him to be an -honorable person of the court; and an eternal disgrace will it be to -Arthur and his warriors. And if he is slain, the disgrace will be the -same, and, moreover, his sin will be upon him: therefore will I go to -see what has befallen him." So Owain went to the meadow, and he found -Peredur dragging the man about. "What art thou doing thus?" said Owain. - -"This iron coat," said Peredur, "will never come from off him; not by -my efforts, at any rate." - -And Owain unfastened his armor and his clothes. "Here, my good soul," -said he, "is a horse and armor better than thine. Take them joyfully, -and come with me to Arthur to receive the order of knighthood; for thou -dost merit it." - -"May I never show my face again, if I go!" said Peredur. "But take thou -the goblet to Gwenhwyvar, and tell Arthur that wherever I am I will be -his vassal and will do him what profit and service I am able. And say -that I will not come to his court until I have encountered the tall man -that is there, to revenge the injury he did to the dwarf and dwarfess." - -And Owain went back to the court, and related all these things to -Arthur and Gwenhwyvar, and to all the household. - -And Peredur rode forward. And as he proceeded, behold a knight met him. - -"Whence comest thou?" said the knight. - -"I come from Arthur's court," said Peredur. - -"Art thou one of his men?" asked he. - -"Yes, by my faith!" he answered. - -"A good service, truly, is that of Arthur." - -"Wherefore sayest thou so?" said Peredur. - -"I will tell thee," said he. "I have always been Arthur's enemy, and -all such of his men as I have ever encountered I have slain." - -And without further parlance they fought, and it was not long before -Peredur brought him to the ground over his horse's crupper. Then the -knight besought his mercy. - -"Mercy thou shalt have," said Peredur, "if thou wilt make oath to me -that thou wilt go to Arthur's court, and tell him that it was I that -overthrew thee for the honor of his service, and say that I will never -come to the court until I have avenged the insult offered to the dwarf -and dwarfess." - -The knight pledged him his faith of this, and proceeded to the court of -Arthur, and said as he had promised, and conveyed the threat to Kai. - -And Peredur rode forward. And within that week he encountered sixteen -knights, and overthrew them all shamefully. And they all went to -Arthur's court, taking with them the same message which the first -knight had conveyed from Peredur, and the same threat which he had sent -to Kai. And thereupon Kai was reproved by Arthur; and Kai was greatly -grieved thereat. - -And Peredur rode forward. And he came to a vast and desert wood on the -confines of which was a lake. And on the other side was a fair castle. -And on the border of the lake he saw a venerable, hoary-headed man, -sitting upon a velvet cushion, and having a garment of velvet upon him. -And his attendants were fishing in the lake. When the hoary-headed -man beheld Peredur approaching, he arose, and went towards the castle. -And the old man was lame. Peredur rode to the palace; and the door -was open, and he entered the hall. And there was the hoary-headed man -sitting on a cushion, and a large blazing fire burning before him. And -the household and the company arose to meet Peredur, and disarrayed -him. And the man asked the youth to sit on the cushion; and they sat -down and conversed together. When it was time, the tables were laid, -and they went to meat. And when they had finished their meal, the man -inquired of Peredur if he knew well how to fight with the sword. - -"I know not," said Peredur; "but were I to be taught, doubtless I -should." - -"Whoever can play well with the cudgel and shield will also be able to -fight with a sword." - -And the man had two sons: the one had yellow hair, and the other auburn. - -"Arise, youths," said he, "and play with the cudgel and the shield." -And so did they. "Tell me, my soul," said the man, "which of the youths -thinkest thou plays best." - -"I think," said Peredur, "that the yellow-haired youth could draw blood -from the other, if he chose." - -"Arise thou, my life, and take the cudgel and the shield from the -hand of the youth with the auburn hair, and draw blood from the -yellow-haired youth if thou canst." - -So Peredur arose, and went to play with the yellow-haired youth; and -he lifted up his arm, and struck him such a mighty blow that his brow -fell over his eye, and the blood flowed forth. - -"Ah, my life," said the man, "come now, and sit down; for thou wilt -become the best fighter with the sword of any in this island. And I am -thy uncle, thy mother's brother. And with me shalt thou remain a space -in order to learn the manners and customs of different countries, and -courtesy, and gentleness, and noble bearing. Leave, then, the habits -and the discourse of thy mother, and I will be thy teacher; and I will -raise thee to the rank of knight from this time forward. And thus do -thou. If thou seest aught to cause thee wonder, ask not the meaning of -it: if no one has the courtesy to inform thee, the reproach will not -fall upon thee, but upon me that am thy teacher." - -And they had abundance of honor and service. And when it was time they -went to sleep. At the break of day Peredur arose and took his horse, -and with his uncle's permission he rode forth. And he came to a vast -desert wood, and at the further end of the wood was a meadow, and on -the other side of the meadow he saw a large castle. And thitherward -Peredur bent his way, and he found the gate open, and he proceeded -to the hall. And he beheld a stately hoary-headed man sitting on one -side of the hall, and many pages around him, who arose to receive and -to honor Peredur. And they placed him by the side of the owner of the -palace. Then they discoursed together; and when it was time to eat, -they caused Peredur to sit beside the nobleman during the repast. And -when they had eaten and drunk as much as they desired, the nobleman -asked Peredur whether he could fight with a sword. - -"Were I to receive instruction," said Peredur, "I think I could." - -Now, there was on the floor of the hall a huge staple, as large as a -warrior could grasp. - -"Take yonder sword," said the man to Peredur, "and strike the iron -staple." - -[Then] Peredur arose, and struck the staple so that he cut it in two; -and the sword broke into two parts also. - -"Place the two parts together, and re-unite them." - -And Peredur placed them together, and they became entire as they were -before. And a second time he struck upon the staple so that both it and -the sword broke in two, and as before they re-united. And the third -time he gave a like blow, and placed the broken parts together, and -neither the staple nor the sword would unite as before. - -"Youth," said the nobleman, "come now, and sit down, and my blessing be -upon thee. Thou fightest best with the sword of any man in the kingdom. -Thou hast arrived at two-thirds of thy strength, and the other third -thou hast not yet obtained; and when thou attainest to thy full power -none will be able to contend with thee. I am thy uncle, thy mother's -brother, and I am brother to the man in whose house thou wast last -night." - -Then Peredur and his uncle discoursed together, and he beheld two -youths enter the hall and proceed up to the chamber, bearing a spear -of mighty size, with three streams of blood flowing from the point to -the ground. And when all the company saw this they began wailing and -lamenting. But for all that the man did not break off his discourse -with Peredur. And as he did not tell Peredur the meaning of what he -saw, he forbore to ask him concerning it. And when the clamor had a -little subsided, behold, two maidens entered, with a large salver -between them, in which was a man's head, surrounded by a profusion of -blood. And thereupon the company of the court made so great an outcry -that it was irksome to be in the same hall with them. But at length -they were silent. And, when time was that they should sleep, Peredur -was brought into a fair chamber. - -And the next day, with his uncle's permission, he rode forth. And he -came to a wood, and far within the wood he heard a loud cry, and he saw -a beautiful woman with auburn hair, and a horse with a saddle upon it -standing near her, and a corpse by her side. And as she strove to place -the corpse upon the horse it fell to the ground, and thereupon she made -a great lamentation. - -"Tell me, sister," said Peredur, "wherefore art thou bewailing?" - -"Oh, accursed Peredur! little pity has my ill fortune ever met with -from thee." - -"Wherefore," said Peredur, "am I accursed?" - -"Because thou wast the cause of thy mother's death; for, when thou -didst ride forth against her will, anguish seized upon her heart so -that she died; and therefore art thou accursed. And the dwarf and the -dwarfess that thou sawest at Arthur's court were the dwarfs of thy -father and mother. And I am thy foster-sister, and this was my wedded -husband, and he was slain by the knight that is in the glade in the -wood. And do not thou go near him, lest thou shouldest be slain by him -likewise." - -"My sister, thou dost reproach me wrongfully. Through my having so -long remained amongst you, I shall scarcely vanquish him; and, had -I continued longer, it would indeed be difficult for me to succeed. -Cease, therefore, thy lamenting, for it is of no avail. And I will bury -the body, and then I will go in quest of the knight, and see if I can -do vengeance upon him." - -And when he had buried the body, they went to the place where the -knight was, and found him riding proudly along the glade; and he -inquired of Peredur whence he came. - -"I come from Arthur's court." - -"And art thou one of Arthur's men?" - -"Yes, by my faith!" - -"A profitable alliance truly, is that of Arthur." - -And without further parlance they encountered one another; and -immediately Peredur overthrew the knight, and he besought mercy of -Peredur. - -"Mercy shalt thou have," said he, "upon these terms: that thou take -this woman in marriage, and do her all the honor and reverence in thy -power, seeing thou hast, without cause, slain her wedded husband; -and that thou go to Arthur's court, and show him that it was I that -overthrew thee, to do him honor and service; and that thou tell him -that I will never come to his court again until I have met with the -tall man that is there, to take vengeance upon him for his insult to -the dwarf and dwarfess." - -And he took the knight's assurance that he would perform all this. -Then the knight provided the lady with a horse and garments that were -suitable for her, and took her with him to Arthur's court. And he told -Arthur all that had occurred, and gave the defiance to Kai. And Arthur -and all his household reproved Kai for having driven such a youth as -Peredur from his court. - -Said Owain the son of Urien, "This youth will never come into the court -until Kai has gone forth from it." - -"By my faith!" said Arthur, "I will search all the deserts in the -island of Britain until I find Peredur, and then let him and his -adversary do their utmost to each other." - -Then Peredur rode forward. And he came to a desert wood, where he saw -not the track either of men or animals, and where there was nothing -but bushes and weeds. And at the upper end of the wood he saw a vast -castle, wherein were many strong towers; and when he came near the -gate he found the weeds taller than he had seen them elsewhere. And he -struck the gate with the shaft of his lance, and thereupon behold a -lean auburn-haired youth came to an opening in the battlements. - -"Choose thou, chieftain," said he, "whether shall I open the gate unto -thee, or shall I announce unto those that are chief, that thou art at -the gateway?" - -"Say that I am here," said Peredur, "and, if it is desired that I -should enter, I will go in." - -And the youth came back, and opened the gate for Peredur. And when he -went into the hall he beheld eighteen youths, lean and red-headed, of -the same height, and of the same aspect, and of the same dress, and of -the same age, as the one who had opened the gate for him. And they were -well skilled in courtesy and in service. And they disarrayed him. Then -they sat down to discourse. Thereupon, behold five maidens came from -the chamber into the hall. And Peredur was certain that he had never -seen another of so fair an aspect as the chief of the maidens. And she -had an old garment of satin upon her, which had once been handsome, -but was then so tattered that her skin could be seen through it. And -whiter was her skin than the bloom of crystal; and her hair and her two -eyebrows were blacker than jet; and on her cheeks were two red spots, -redder than whatever is reddest. And the maiden welcomed Peredur, and -put her arms about his neck, and made him sit down beside her. Not long -after this, he saw two nuns enter; and a flask full of wine was borne -by one, and six loaves of white bread by the other. "Lady," said they, -"Heaven is witness that there is not so much of food and liquor as -this left in yonder convent this night." - -[Illustration: Peredur and the Maiden.] - -Then they went to meat, and Peredur observed that the maiden wished -to give more of the food and of the liquor to him than to any of the -others. - -"My sister," said Peredur, "I will share out the food and the liquor." - -"Not so, my soul," said she. - -"By my faith but I will!" So Peredur took the bread and he gave an -equal portion of it to each. [Then, having eaten, Peredur retired and -slept. And in the night] with the noise of the door opening, Peredur -awoke; and the maiden was [there] weeping and lamenting. - -"Tell me, my sister," said Peredur, "wherefore dost thou weep?" - -"I will tell thee, lord," said she. "My father possessed these -dominions as their chief, and this palace was his; and with it he held -the best earldom in the kingdom. Then the son of another earl sought -me of my father, and I was not willing to be given unto him; and my -father would not give me against my will, either to him or any earl -in the world. And my father had no child except myself. And after my -father's death these dominions came into my own hands, and then was I -less willing to accept him than before. So he made war upon me, and -conquered all my possessions except this one house. And through the -valor of the men whom thou hast seen, who are my foster-brothers, and -the strength of the house, it can never be taken while food and -drink remain. And now our provisions are exhausted; but, as thou hast -seen, we have been fed by the nuns, to whom the country is free. And at -length they also are without supply of food or liquor. And at no later -date than to-morrow the earl will come against this place with all his -forces; and, if I fall into his power, my fate will be no better than -to be given over to the grooms of his horses. Therefore, lord, I am -come to offer to place myself in thy hands, that thou mayest succor me, -either by taking me hence, or by defending me here, whichever may seem -best unto thee." - -"Go, my sister," said he, "and sleep; nor will I depart from thee until -I do that which thou requirest, or prove whether I can assist thee or -not." - -The maiden went again to rest; and the next morning she came to -Peredur, and saluted him. "Heaven prosper thee, my soul; and what -tidings dost thou bring?" - -"None other than that the earl and all his forces have alighted at the -gate, and I never beheld any place so covered with tents, and thronged -with knights challenging others to the combat." - -"Truly," said Peredur, "let my horse be made ready." - -So his horse was accoutred, and he arose and sallied forth to the -meadow. And there was a knight riding proudly along the meadow, having -raised the signal for battle. And they encountered; and Peredur threw -the knight over his horse's crupper to the ground. And at the close -of the day one of the chief knights came to fight with him, and he -overthrew him also, so that he besought his mercy. - -"Who art thou?" said Peredur. - -"Verily," said he, "I am master of the household to the earl." - -"And how much of the countess's possessions is there in thy power?" - -"The third part verily," answered he. - -"Then," said Peredur, "restore to her the third of her possessions in -full, and all the profit thou hast made by them, and bring meat and -drink for a hundred men, with their horses and arms, to her court this -night. And thou shalt remain her captive unless she wish to take thy -life." - -And this he did forthwith. And that night the maiden was right joyful, -and they fared plenteously. - -And the next day Peredur rode forth to the meadow; and that day he -vanquished a multitude of the host. And at the close of the day there -came a proud and stately knight; and Peredur overthrew him, and he -besought his mercy. - -"Who art thou?" said Peredur. - -"I am steward of the palace," said he. - -"And how much of the maiden's possessions are under thy control?" - -"One-third part," answered he. - -"Verily," said Peredur, "thou shalt fully restore to the maiden her -possessions; and, moreover, thou shalt give her meat and drink for two -hundred men, and their horses and their arms. And, for thyself, thou -shalt be her captive." - -And immediately it was so done. - - * * * * * - -And the third day Peredur rode forth to the meadow; and he vanquished -more that day than on either of the preceding. And at the close of -the day an earl came to encounter him, and he overthrew him, and he -besought his mercy. - -"Who art thou?" said Peredur. - -"I am the earl," said he. "I will not conceal it from thee." - -"Verily," said Peredur, "thou shalt restore the whole of the maiden's -earldom, and shalt give her thine own earldom in addition thereto, and -meat and drink for three hundred men, and their horses and arms, and -thou thyself shalt remain in her power." - -And thus it was fulfilled. And Peredur tarried three weeks in the -country, causing tribute and obedience to be paid to the maiden, and -the government to be placed in her hands. - -"With thy leave," said Peredur, "I will go hence." - -"Verily, my brother, desirest thou this?" - -"Yes, by my faith. And had it not been for love of thee, I should not -have been here thus long." - -"My soul," said she, "who art thou?" - -"I am Peredur the son of Evrawc, from the North; and, if ever thou art -in trouble or in danger, acquaint me therewith, and if I can I will -protect thee." - -So Peredur rode forth. And far thence there met him a lady, mounted on -a horse that was lean and covered with sweat. And she saluted the youth. - -"Whence comest thou, my sister?" - -Then she told him the cause of her journey. Now she was the wife of the -lord of the glade. - -"Behold," said he, "I am the knight through whom thou art in trouble, -and he shall repent it who has treated thee thus." - -Thereupon, behold, a knight rode up, and he inquired of Peredur if he -had seen a knight such as he was seeking. - -"Hold thy peace," said Peredur. "I am he whom thou seekest. And by my -faith thou deservest ill of thy household for thy treatment of the -maiden, for she is innocent concerning me." - -So they encountered; and they were not long in combat ere Peredur -overthrew the knight, and he besought his mercy. - -"Mercy thou shalt have," said Peredur, "so thou wilt return by the way -thou camest, and declare that thou holdest the maiden innocent, and so -that thou wilt acknowledge unto her the reverse thou hast sustained at -my hands." - -And the knight plighted him his faith thereto. - -Then Peredur rode forward. And above him he beheld a castle, and -thitherward he went. And he struck upon the gate with his lance, and -then, behold, a comely auburn-haired youth opened the gate, and he had -the stature of a warrior, and the years of a boy. And when Peredur -came into the hall, there was a tall and stately lady sitting in a -chair, and many handmaidens around her; and the lady rejoiced at his -coming. And when it was time they went to meat. And after their repast -was finished, "It were well for thee, chieftain," said she, "to go -elsewhere to sleep." - -"Wherefore can I not sleep here?" said Peredur. - -"Nine sorceresses are here, my soul, of the sorceresses of Gloucester, -and their father and their mother are with them; and unless we can make -our escape before daybreak we shall be slain; and already they have -conquered and laid waste all the country except this one dwelling." - -"Behold," said Peredur, "I will remain here to-night, and if you are -in trouble I will do you what service I can; but harm shall you not -receive from me." - -So they went to rest. And with the break of day Peredur heard a -dreadful outcry. And he hastily arose, and went forth in his vest and -his doublet, with his sword about his neck; and he saw a sorceress -overtake one of the watch, who cried out violently. Peredur attacked -the sorceress, and struck her upon the head with his sword so that he -flattened her helmet and her headpiece like a dish upon her head. - -"Thy mercy, goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc, and the mercy of Heaven!" - -"How knowest thou, hag, that I am Peredur?" - -"By destiny, and the foreknowledge that I should suffer harm from -thee. And thou shalt take a horse and armor of me, and with me thou -shalt go to learn chivalry and the use of thy arms." - -Said Peredur, "Thou shalt have mercy, if thou pledge thy faith thou -wilt never more injure the dominions of the countess." - -And Peredur took surety of this, and with permission of the countess -he set forth with the sorceress to the palace of the sorceresses. And -there he remained for three weeks, and then he made choice of a horse -and arms, and went his way. - -And in the evening he entered a valley, and at the head of the valley -he came to a hermit's cell, and the hermit welcomed him gladly; and -there he spent the night. And in the morning he arose; and when he went -forth, behold, a shower of snow had fallen the night before, and a hawk -had killed a wild fowl in front of the cell. And the noise of the horse -scared the hawk away, and a raven alighted upon the bird. And Peredur -stood, and compared the blackness of the raven and the whiteness of the -snow and the redness of the blood, to the hair of the lady that best he -loved which was blacker than jet, and to her skin which was whiter than -the snow, and to the two red spots upon her cheeks which were redder -than the blood upon the snow appeared to be. - -Now Arthur and his household were in search of Peredur. "Know ye," said -Arthur, "who is the knight with the long spear, that stands by the -brook up yonder?" - -"Lord," said one of them, "I will go and learn who he is." So the youth -came to the place where Peredur was, and asked him what he did thus, -and who he was. And from the intensity with which he thought upon the -lady whom best he loved, he gave him no answer. Then the youth thrust -at Peredur with his lance; and Peredur turned upon him, and struck him -over his horse's crupper to the ground. And after this, four and twenty -youths came to him, and he did not answer one more than another, but -gave the same reception to all, bringing them with one single thrust to -the ground. And then came Kai, and spoke to Peredur rudely and angrily. -And Peredur took him with his lance under the jaw, and cast him from -him with a thrust, so that he broke his arm and his shoulder-blade, -and he rode over him one and twenty times. And while he lay thus, -stunned with the violence of the pain that he had suffered, his horse -returned back at a wild and prancing pace. And when the household saw -the horse come back without his rider, they rode forth in haste to the -place where the encounter had been. And when they first came there they -thought that Kai was slain; but they found that if he had a skilful -physician he yet might live. And Peredur moved not from his meditation, -on seeing the concourse that was around Kai. And Kai was brought to -Arthur's tent, and Arthur caused skilful physicians to come to him. And -Arthur was grieved that Kai had met with this reverse, for he loved him -greatly. - -"Then," said Gwalchmai, "it is not fitting that any should disturb -an honorable knight from his thought unadvisedly; for either he is -pondering some damage that he has sustained, or he is thinking of -the lady whom best he loves. And through such ill-advised proceeding -perchance this misadventure has befallen him who last met with him. And -if it seem well to thee, lord, I will go and see if this knight has -changed from his thought; and, if he has, I will ask him courteously to -come and visit thee." - -Then Kai was wrath, and he spoke angry and spiteful words. "Gwalchmai," -said he, "I know that thou wilt bring him because he is fatigued. -Little praise and honor, nevertheless, wilt thou have from vanquishing -a weary knight who is tired with fighting. Yet thus hast thou gained -the advantage over many. And, while thy speech and thy soft words last, -a coat of thin linen were armor sufficient for thee, and thou wilt not -need to break either lance or sword in fighting with the knight in the -state he is in." - -Then said Gwalchmai to Kai, "Thou mightest use more pleasant words, -wert thou so minded; and it behooves thee not upon me to wreak thy -wrath and thy displeasure. Methinks I shall bring the knight hither -with me without breaking either my arm or my shoulder." - -Then said Arthur to Gwalchmai, "Thou speakest like a wise and prudent -man. Go, and take enough of armor about thee, and choose thy horse." - -And Gwalchmai accoutred himself, and rode forward hastily to the place -where Peredur was. - -And Peredur was resting on the shaft of his spear, pondering the same -thought; and Gwalchmai came to him without any signs of hostility, and -said to him, "If I thought that it would be as agreeable to thee as it -would be to me, I would converse with thee. I have also a message from -Arthur unto thee, to pray thee to come and visit him. And two men have -been before on this errand." - -"That is true," said Peredur, "and uncourteously they came. They -attacked me, and I was annoyed thereat; for it was not pleasing to -me to be drawn from the thought that I was in, for I was thinking of -the lady whom best I love, and thus was she brought to my mind: I -was looking upon the snow, and upon the raven, and upon the drops of -the blood of the bird that the hawk had killed upon the snow; and I -bethought me that her whiteness was like that of the snow, and that -the blackness of her hair and her eyebrows was like that of the raven, -and that the two red spots upon her cheeks were like the two drops of -blood." - -Said Gwalchmai, "This was not an ungentle thought, and I should marvel -if it were pleasant to thee to be drawn from it." - -"Tell me," said Peredur, "is Kai in Arthur's court?" - -"He is," said he. "And, behold, he is the knight that fought with thee -last, and it would have been better for him had he not come; for his -arm and his shoulder-blade were broken with the fall which he had from -thy spear." - -"Verily," said Peredur, "I am not sorry to have thus begun to avenge -the insult to the dwarf and dwarfess." - -Then Gwalchmai marvelled to hear him speak of the dwarf and the -dwarfess. And he approached him, and threw his arms around his neck, -and asked him what was his name. - -"Peredur the son of Evrawc am I called," said he. "And thou--who art -thou?" - -"I am called Gwalchmai," he replied. - -"I am right glad to meet with thee," said Peredur; "for in every -country where I have been I have heard of thy fame for prowess and -uprightness, and I solicit thy fellowship." - -"Thou shalt have it, by my faith; and grant me thine," said he. - -"Gladly will I do so," answered Peredur. - -So they rode forth together joyfully towards the place where Arthur -was; and, when Kai saw them coming, he said, "I knew that Gwalchmai -needed not to fight the knight. And it is no wonder that he should gain -fame: more can he do by his fair words than I by the strength of my -arm." - -And Peredur went with Gwalchmai to his tent, and they took off their -armor. And Peredur put on garments like those that Gwalchmai wore, and -they went together unto Arthur, and saluted him. - -"Behold, lord," said Gwalchmai, "him whom thou hast sought so long." - -"Welcome unto thee, chieftain!" said Arthur. "With me thou shalt -remain; and, had I known thy valor had been such, thou shouldst not -have left me as thou didst. Nevertheless, this was predicted of thee by -the dwarf and the dwarfess, whom Kai ill treated, and whom thou hast -avenged." - -And hereupon, behold, there came the queen and her handmaidens; and -Peredur saluted them. And they were rejoiced to see him, and bade him -welcome. And Arthur did him great honor and respect. And they returned -towards Caerlleon. - -And the first night Peredur came to Caerlleon, to Arthur's court, -and, as he walked in the city after his repast, behold, there met him -Angharad Law Eurawc. - -"By my faith, sister," said Peredur, "thou art a beauteous and lovely -maiden; and were it pleasing to thee I could love thee above all women." - -"I pledge my faith," said she, "that I do not love thee; nor will I -ever do so." - -"I also pledge my faith," said Peredur, "that I will never speak a word -to any Christian again until thou come to love me above all men." - -The next day Peredur went forth by the high road, along a -mountain-ridge, and he saw a valley of a circular form, the confines -of which were rocky and wooded. And the flat part of the valley was -in meadows, and there were fields betwixt the meadows and the wood. -And in the bosom of the wood he saw large black houses of uncouth -workmanship. And he dismounted, and led his horse towards the wood. -And a little way within the wood he saw a rocky ledge, along which the -road lay. And upon the ledge was a lion bound by a chain, and sleeping. -And beneath the lion he saw a deep pit of immense size, full of the -bones of men and animals. And Peredur drew his sword, and struck the -lion, so that he fell into the mouth of the pit, and hung there by the -chain; and with a second blow he struck the chain, and broke it; and -the lion fell into the pit. And Peredur led his horse over the rocky -ledge until he came into the valley. And in the centre of the valley -he saw a fair castle, and he went towards it. And in the meadow by the -castle he beheld a huge gray man sitting, who was larger than any man -he had ever before seen. And two young pages were shooting the hilts of -their daggers, of the bone of the seahorse. And one of the pages had -red hair, and the other auburn. And they went before him to the place -where the gray man was, and Peredur saluted him. And the gray man said, -"Disgrace to the beard of my porter!" Then Peredur understood that -the porter was the lion. And the gray man and the pages went together -into the castle, and Peredur accompanied them; and he found it a fair -and noble place. And they proceeded to the hall, and the tables were -already laid, and upon them was abundance of food and liquor. And -thereupon he saw an aged woman and a young woman come from the chamber; -and they were the most stately women he had ever seen. Then they -washed and went to meat. And the gray man sat in the upper seat at the -head of the table, and the aged woman next to him. And Peredur and the -maiden were placed together, and the two young pages served them. And -the maiden gazed sorrowfully upon Peredur, and Peredur asked the maiden -wherefore she was sad. - -"For thee, my soul; for, from when I first beheld thee, I have loved -thee above all men. And it pains me to know that so gentle a youth as -thou should have such a doom as awaits thee to-morrow. Sawest thou the -numerous black houses in the bosom of the wood? All these belong to -the vassals of the gray man yonder, who is my father. And they are all -giants. And to-morrow they will rise up against thee, and will slay -thee. And the Round Valley is this valley called." - -"Listen, fair maiden: wilt thou contrive that my horse and arms be in -the same lodging with me to-night?" - -"Gladly will I cause it so to be, by Heaven, if I can." - -And when it was time for them to sleep rather than to carouse they -went to rest. And the maiden caused Peredur's horse and arms to be in -the same lodging with him. And the next morning Peredur heard a great -tumult of men and horses around the castle. And Peredur arose, and -armed himself and his horse, and went to the meadow. Then the aged -woman and the maiden came to the gray man. "Lord," said they, "take the -word of the youth that he will never disclose what he has seen in this -place, and we will be his sureties that he keep it." - -"I will not do so, by my faith," said the gray man. - -So Peredur fought with the host; and towards evening he had slain the -one-third of them without receiving any hurt himself. Then said the -aged woman, "Behold, many of thy host have been slain by the youth: do -thou, therefore, grant him mercy." - -"I will not grant it, by my faith," said he. - -And the aged woman and the fair maiden were upon the battlements of the -castle, looking forth. And at that juncture Peredur encountered the -yellow-haired youth, and slew him. - -"Lord," said the maiden, "grant the young man mercy." - -"That will I not do, by Heaven," he replied. - -And thereupon Peredur attacked the auburn-haired youth, and slew him -likewise. - -"It were better thou hadst accorded mercy to the youth before he had -slain thy two sons; for now scarcely wilt thou thyself escape from him." - -"Go, maiden, and beseech the youth to grant mercy unto us, for we yield -ourselves into his hands." - -So the maiden came to the place where Peredur was, and besought mercy -for her father, and for all such of his vassals as had escaped alive. - -"Thou shalt have it on condition that thy father and all that are under -him go and render homage to Arthur, and tell him that it was his vassal -Peredur that did him this service." - -"This will we do willingly, by Heaven." - -"And you shall also receive baptism. And I will send to Arthur, and -beseech him to bestow this valley upon thee and upon thy heirs after -thee forever." - -Then they went in; and the gray man and the tall woman saluted Peredur. -And the gray man said unto him, "Since I have possessed this valley, -I have not seen any Christian depart with his life, save thyself. And -we will go to do homage to Arthur, and to embrace the faith, and be -baptized." - -Then said Peredur, "To Heaven I render thanks that I have not broken my -vow to the lady that best I love, which was, that I would not speak one -word unto any Christian." - -That night they tarried there. And the next day, in the morning, the -gray man, with his company, set forth to Arthur's court. And they did -homage unto Arthur, and he caused them to be baptized. And the gray man -told Arthur that it was Peredur that had vanquished them. And Arthur -gave the valley to the gray man and his company, to hold it of him as -Peredur had besought. And with Arthur's permission the gray man went -back to the Round Valley. - -Peredur rode forward next day, and he traversed a vast tract of desert -in which no dwellings were. And at length he came to a habitation mean -and small. And there he heard that there was a serpent that lay upon -a gold ring and suffered none to inhabit the country for seven miles -around. And Peredur came to the place where he heard the serpent was. -And angrily, furiously, and desperately fought he with the serpent; -and at last he killed it, and took away the ring. And thus he was for -a long time without speaking a word to any Christian. And therefrom he -lost his color and his aspect, through extreme longing after the court -of Arthur, and the society of the lady whom best he loved, and of his -companions. Then he proceeded forward to Arthur's court; and on the -road there met him Arthur's household going on a particular errand, -with Kai at their head. And Peredur knew them all; but none of the -household recognized him. - -"Whence comest thou, chieftain?" said Kai. And this he asked him twice -and three times, and he answered him not. And Kai thrust him through -the thigh with his lance. And lest he should be compelled to speak, and -to break his vow, he went on without stopping. - -"Then," said Gwalchmai, "I declare to Heaven, Kai, that thou hast acted -ill in committing such an outrage on a youth like this, who cannot -speak." - -And Gwalchmai returned back to Arthur's court. "Lady," said he to -Gwenhwyvar, "seest thou how wicked an outrage Kai has committed upon -this youth who cannot speak. For Heaven's sake and for mine, cause him -to have medical care before I come back, and I will repay thee the -charge." - -And before the men returned from their errand, a knight came to the -meadow beside Arthur's palace, to dare some one to the encounter. And -his challenge was accepted; and Peredur fought with him, and overthrew -him. And for a week he overthrew one knight every day. - -And one day Arthur and his household were going to church, and they -beheld a knight who had raised the signal for combat. "Verily," said -Arthur, "by the valor of men I will not go hence until I have my -horse and my arms to overthrow yonder boor." Then went the attendants -to fetch Arthur's horse and arms. And Peredur met the attendants -as they were going back, and he took the horse and arms from them, -and proceeded to the meadow, and all those who saw him arise and go -to do battle with the knight went upon the tops of the houses, and -the mounds, and the high places, to behold the combat. And Peredur -beckoned with his hand to the knight to commence the fight. And the -knight thrust at him; but he was not thereby moved from where he stood. -And Peredur spurred his horse, and ran at him wrathfully, furiously, -fiercely, desperately, and with mighty rage, and he gave him a thrust, -deadly-wounding, severe, furious, adroit, and strong under his jaw, and -raised him out of his saddle, and cast him a long way from him. And -Peredur went back, and left the horse and the arms with the attendant -as before, and he went on foot to the palace. - -Then Peredur went by the name of the Dumb Youth. And, behold, Angharad -Law Eurawc met him. "I declare to Heaven, chieftain," said she, "woful -is it that thou canst not speak; for, couldst thou speak, I would love -thee best of all men. And, by my faith, although thou canst not, I do -love thee above all." - -"Heaven reward thee, my sister," said Peredur. "By my faith I also do -love thee." Thereupon it was known that he was Peredur. And then he -held fellowship with Gwalchmai, and Owain the son of Urien, and all the -household; and he remained in Arthur's court. - - * * * * * - -Arthur was in Caerlleon-upon-Usk; and he went to hunt, and Peredur went -with him. And Peredur let loose his dog upon a hart, and the dog killed -the hart in a desert place. And a short space from him he saw signs of -a dwelling, and towards the dwelling he went, and he beheld a hall, -and at the door of the hall he found bald swarthy youths playing at -chess. And when he entered he beheld three maidens sitting on a bench, -and they were all clothed alike, as became persons of high rank. And -he came and sat by them upon the bench; and one of the maidens looked -steadfastly upon Peredur, and wept. And Peredur asked her wherefore she -was weeping. - -"Through grief that I should see so fair a youth as thou art slain." - -"Who will slay me?" inquired Peredur. - -"If thou art so daring as to remain here to-night, I will tell thee." - -"How great soever my danger may be from remaining here, I will listen -unto thee." - -"This palace is owned by him who is my father," said the maiden; "and -he slays every one who comes hither without his leave." - -"What sort of a man is thy father, that he is able to slay every one -thus?" - -"A man who does violence and wrong unto his neighbors, and who renders -justice unto none." - -And hereupon he saw the youths arise, and clear the chessmen from the -board. And he heard a great tumult. And after the tumult there came in -a huge black one-eyed man, and the maidens arose to meet him. And they -disarrayed him, and he went and sat down. And after he had rested and -pondered a while, he looked at Peredur, and asked who the knight was. - -"Lord," said one of the maidens, "he is the fairest and gentlest youth -that ever thou didst see. And for the sake of Heaven and of thine own -dignity, have patience with him." - -"For thy sake I will have patience, and I will grant him his life this -night." - -Then Peredur came towards them to the fire, and partook of food and -liquor, and entered into discourse with the ladies. And, being elated -with the liquor, he said to the black man, "It is a marvel to me, so -mighty as thou sayest thou art, who could have put out thine eye." - -"It is one of my habits," said the black man, "that whosoever puts to -me the question which thou hast asked shall not escape with his life, -either as a free gift or for a price." - -"Lord," said the maiden, "whatsoever he may say to thee in jest, and -through the excitement of liquor, make good that which thou saidst, -and didst promise me just now." - -"I will do so gladly, for thy sake," said he. "Willingly will I grant -him his life this night." - -And that night thus they remained. - -And the next day the black man got up, and put on his armor, and said -to Peredur, "Arise, man, and suffer death." - -And Peredur said unto him, "Do one of two things, black man: if thou -wilt fight with me, either throw off thy own armor, or give arms to me, -that I may encounter thee." - -"Ha, man!" said he. "Couldst thou fight if thou hadst arms? Take, then, -what arms thou dost choose." - -And thereupon the maiden came to Peredur with such arms as pleased him; -and he fought with the black man, and forced him to crave his mercy. - -"Black man, thou shalt have mercy, provided thou tell me who thou art, -and who put out thine eye." - -"Lord, I will tell thee. I lost it in fighting with the black serpent -of the carn. There is a mound which is called the Mound of Mourning; -and on the mound there is a carn, and in the carn there is a serpent, -and on the tail of the serpent there is a stone, and the virtues of the -stone are such, that whosoever should hold it in one hand, in the other -he will have as much gold as he may desire. And in fighting with this -serpent was it that I lost my eye. And the Black Oppressor am I called. -And for this reason I am called the Black Oppressor, that there is not -a single man around me whom I have not oppressed; and justice have I -done unto none." - -"Tell me," said Peredur, "how far is it hence?" - -"The same day that thou settest forth, thou wilt come to the palace of -the Sons of the King of the Tortures." - -"Wherefore are they called thus?" - -"The Addanc of the lake slays them once every day. When thou -goest thence, thou wilt come to the court of the Countess of the -Achievements." - -"What achievements are there?" asked Peredur. - -"Three hundred men there are in her household, and unto every stranger -that comes to the court the achievements of her household are related. -And this is the manner of it,--the three hundred men of the household -sit next unto the lady, and that not through disrespect unto the -guests, but that they may relate the achievements of the household. And -the day that thou goest thence, thou wilt reach the Mound of Mourning; -and round about the mound there are the owners of three hundred tents -guarding the serpent." - -"Since thou hast, indeed, been an oppressor so long," said Peredur, "I -will cause that thou continue so no longer." So he slew him. - -Then the maiden spoke, and began to converse with him. "If thou wast -poor when thou camest here, henceforth thou wilt be rich through the -treasure of the black man whom thou hast slain. Thou seest the many -lovely maidens that there are in this court: thou shalt have her whom -thou best likest for the lady of thy love." - -"Lady, I came not hither from my country to woo; but match yourselves -as it liketh you with the comely youths I see here. And none of your -goods do I desire; for I need them not." Then Peredur rode forward, -and he came to the palace of the Sons of the King of the Tortures. And -when he entered the palace he saw none but women; and they rose up, -and were joyful at his coming; and, as they began to discourse with -him, he beheld a charger arrive, with a saddle upon it and a corpse in -the saddle. And one of the women arose, and took the corpse from the -saddle, and anointed it in a vessel of warm water which was below the -door, and placed precious balsam upon it. And the man rose up alive, -and came to the place where Peredur was, and greeted him, and was -joyful to see him. And two other men came in upon their saddles; and -the maiden treated these two in the same manner as she had done the -first. Then Peredur asked the chieftain wherefore it was thus. And they -told him that there was an Addanc in a cave, which slew them once every -day. And thus they remained that night. - -And next morning the youths arose to sally forth, and Peredur besought -them, for the sake of the ladies of their love, to permit him to go -with them; but they refused him, saying, "If thou shouldst be slain -there, thou hast none to bring thee back to life again." - -And they rode forward, and Peredur followed after them; and, after -they had disappeared out of his sight, he came to a mound, whereon sat -the fairest lady he had ever beheld. - -"I know thy quest," said she. "Thou art going to encounter the Addanc, -and he will slay thee, and that not by courage, but by craft. He has -a cave, and at the entrance of the cave there is a stone pillar, and -he sees every one that enters, and none see him; and from behind the -pillar he slays every one with a poisonous dart. And, if thou wouldst -pledge me thy faith to love me above all women, I would give thee a -stone by which thou shouldst see him when thou goest in, and he should -not see thee." - -"I will, by my troth," said Peredur; "for, when first I beheld thee, I -loved thee. And where shall I seek thee?" - -"When thou seekest me, seek towards India." And the maiden vanished, -after placing the stone in Peredur's hand. - -And he came towards a valley, through which ran a river; and the -borders of the valley were wooded, and on each side of the river were -level meadows. And on one side of the river he saw a flock of white -sheep, and on the other a flock of black sheep. And whenever one of the -white sheep bleated, one of the black sheep would cross over and become -white; and, when one of the black sheep bleated, one of the white sheep -would cross over and become black. And he saw a tall tree by the side -of the river, one half of which was in flames from the root to the -top, and the other half was green and in full leaf. And nigh thereto he -saw a youth sitting upon a mound, and two greyhounds, white-breasted -and spotted, in leashes, lying by his side. And certain was he that he -had never seen a youth of so royal a bearing as he. And in the wood -opposite he heard hounds raising a herd of deer. And Peredur saluted -the youth, and the youth greeted him in return. And there were three -roads leading from the mound: two of them were wide roads, and the -third was more narrow. And Peredur inquired where the three roads went. - -"One of them goes to my palace," said the youth; "and one of two things -I counsel thee to do,--either to proceed to my palace, which is before -thee, and where thou wilt find my wife, or else remain here to see the -hounds chasing the roused deer from the wood to the plain. And thou -shalt see the best greyhounds thou didst ever behold, and the boldest -in the chase, kill them by the water beside us. And when it is time to -go to meat, my page will come with my horse to meet me, and thou shalt -rest in my palace to-night." - -"Heaven reward thee. But I cannot tarry, for onward must I go." - -"The other road leads to the town, which is near here, and wherein -food and liquor may be bought. And the road which is narrower than the -others goes towards the cave of the Addanc." - -"With thy permission, young man, I will go that way." - -And Peredur went towards the cave. And he took the stone in his left -hand, and his lance in his right. And as he went in he perceived the -Addanc, and he pierced him through with his lance, and cut off his -head. And, as he came from the cave, behold, the three companions were -at the entrance; and they saluted Peredur, and told him that there was -a prediction that he should slay that monster. And Peredur gave the -head to the young men, and they offered him in marriage whichever of -the three sisters he might choose, and half their kingdom with her. - -"I came not hither to woo," said Peredur; "but if, peradventure, I took -a wife, I should prefer your sister to all others." And Peredur rode -forward, and he heard a noise behind him. And he looked back, and saw a -man upon a red horse, with red armor upon him. And the man rode up by -his side, and saluted him, and wished him the favor of Heaven and of -man. And Peredur greeted the youth kindly. - -"Lord, I come to make a request unto thee." - -"What would'st thou?" - -"That thou should'st take me as thine attendant." - -"Whom, then, should I take as my attendant, if I did so?" - -"I will not conceal from thee what kindred I am of. Etlym Gleddyv Coch -am I called, an earl from the East Country." - -"I marvel that thou should'st offer to become attendant to a man whose -possessions are no greater than thine own; for I have but an earldom -like thyself. But, since thou desirest to be my attendant, I will take -thee joyfully." - -And they went forward to the court of the countess, and all they of the -court were glad at their coming; and they were told it was not through -disrespect they were placed below the household, but that such was the -usage of the court. For whoever should overthrow the three hundred men -of her household would sit next the countess, and she would love him -above all men. And Peredur, having overthrown the three hundred men of -her household, sat down beside her; and the countess said, "I thank -Heaven that I have a youth so fair and so valiant as thou, since I have -not obtained the man whom best I love." - -"Who is he whom best thou lovest?" - -"By my faith, Etlym Gleddyv Coch is the man whom I love best, and I -have never seen him." - -"Of a truth, Etlym is my companion; and, behold, here he is, and for -his sake did I come to joust with thy household. And he could have done -so better than I, had it pleased him. And I do give thee unto him." - -"Heaven reward thee, fair youth, and I will take the man whom I love -above all others." And the countess became Etlym's bride from that -moment. - -And the next day Peredur set forth towards the Mound of Mourning. - -"By thy hand, lord, but I will go with thee," said Etlym. Then they -went forward till they came in sight of the mound and the tents. - -"Go unto yonder men," said Peredur to Etlym, "and desire them to come -and do me homage." - -So Etlym went unto them, and said unto them thus "Come and do homage to -my lord." - -"Who is thy lord?" said they. - -"Peredur with the long lance is my lord," said Etlym. - -"Were it permitted to slay a messenger, thou shouldest not go back to -thy lord alive, for making unto kings and earls and barons so arrogant -a demand as to go and do him homage." - -Peredur desired him to go back to them, and to give them their choice, -either to do him homage or to do battle with him. And they chose rather -to do battle. And that day Peredur overthrew the owners of a hundred -tents; and the next day he overthrew the owners of a hundred more; -and the third day the remaining hundred took counsel to do homage to -Peredur. And Peredur inquired of them wherefore they were there. And -they told him they were guarding the serpent until he should die. "For -then should we fight for the stone among ourselves, and whoever should -be conqueror among us would have the stone." - -"Await here," said Peredur, "and I will go to encounter the serpent." - -"Not so, lord," said they: "we will go all together to encounter the -serpent." - -"Verily," said Peredur, "that will I not permit; for if the serpent be -slain I shall derive no more fame therefrom than one of you." Then he -went to the place where the serpent was, and slew it, and came back -to them, and said, "Reckon up what you have spent since you have been -here, and I will repay you to the full." And he paid to each what he -said was his claim. And he required of them only that they should -acknowledge themselves his vassals. And he said to Etlym, "Go back unto -her whom thou lovest best, and I will go forward, and I will reward -thee for having been my attendant." And he gave Etlym the stone. - -"Heaven repay thee and prosper thee," said Etlym. - -And Peredur rode thence, and he came to the fairest valley he had -ever seen, through which ran a river; and there he beheld many tents -of various colors. And he marvelled still more at the number of -water-mills and of windmills that he saw. And there rode up with him a -tall auburn-haired man in a workman's garb; and Peredur inquired of him -who he was. - -"I am the chief miller," said he, "of all the mills yonder." - -"Wilt thou give me lodging?" said Peredur. - -"I will, gladly," he answered. - -And Peredur came to the miller's house, and the miller had a fair and -pleasant dwelling. And Peredur asked money as a loan from the miller, -that he might buy meat and liquor for himself and for the household, -and he promised that he would pay him again ere he went thence. And he -inquired of the miller wherefore such a multitude was there assembled. - -Said the miller to Peredur, "One thing is certain: either thou art a -man from afar, or thou art beside thyself. The Empress of Cristinobyl -the Great is here; and she will have no one but the man who is most -valiant; for riches does she not require. And it was impossible to -bring food for so many thousands as are here, therefore were all these -mills constructed." - -And that night they took their rest. - -And the next day Peredur arose, and he equipped himself and his horse -for the tournament. And among the other tents he beheld one which was -the fairest he had ever seen. And he saw a beauteous maiden leaning -her head out of a window of the tent, and he had never seen a maiden -more lovely than she. And upon her was a garment of satin. And he -gazed fixedly on the maiden, and began to love her greatly. And he -remained there, gazing upon the maiden from morning until mid-day, and -from mid-day until evening; and then the tournament was ended, and he -went to his lodging, and drew off his armor. Then he asked money of -the miller as a loan, and the miller's wife was wroth with Peredur: -nevertheless, the miller lent him the money. And the next day he did -in like manner as he had done the day before. And at night he came to -his lodging, and took money as a loan from the miller. And the third -day, as he was in the same place, gazing upon the maiden, he felt a -hard blow between the neck and the shoulder, from the edge of an axe. -And when he looked behind him, he saw that it was the miller; and the -miller said to him, "Do one of two things: either turn thy head from -hence, or go to the tournament." - -And Peredur smiled on the miller, and went to the tournament; and -all that encountered him that day he overthrew. And as many as he -vanquished he sent as a gift to the empress; and their horses and arms -he sent as a gift to the wife of the miller in payment of the borrowed -money. Peredur attended the tournament until all were overthrown, and -he sent all the men to the prison of the empress, and the horses and -arms to the wife of the miller in payment of the borrowed money. And -the empress sent to the Knight of the Mill to ask him to come and visit -her. And Peredur went not for the first nor for the second message. -And the third time she sent a hundred knights to bring him against his -will, and they went to him and told him their mission from the empress. -And Peredur fought well with them, and caused them to be bound like -stags, and thrown into the mill-dike. And the empress sought advice -of a wise man who was in her counsel; and he said to her, "With thy -permission I will go to him myself." So he came to Peredur and saluted -him, and besought him for the sake of the lady of his love to come and -visit the empress. And they went, together with the miller. And Peredur -went and sat down in the outer chamber of the tent, and she came and -placed herself by his side. And there was but little discourse between -them. And Peredur took his leave, and went to his lodging. - -And the next day he came to visit her, and, when he came into the tent, -there was no one chamber less decorated than the others. And they knew -not where he would sit. And Peredur went and sat beside the empress, -and discoursed with her courteously. And while they were thus, they -beheld a black man enter, with a goblet full of wine in his hand. And -he dropped upon his knee before the empress, and besought her to give -it to no one who would not fight with him for it. And she looked upon -Peredur. - -"Lady," said he, "bestow on me the goblet." And Peredur drank the wine, -and gave the goblet to the miller's wife. And while they were thus, -behold, there entered a black man of larger stature than the other, -with a wild beast's claw in his hand, wrought into the form of a goblet -and filled with wine. And he presented it to the empress, and besought -her to give it to no one but the man who would fight him. "Lady," said -Peredur, "bestow it on me." And she gave it to him. And Peredur drank -the wine, and sent the goblet to the wife of the miller. And while they -were thus, behold, a rough-looking crisp-haired man, taller than either -of the others, came in with a bowl in his hand full of wine; and he -bent upon his knee, and gave it into the hands of the empress, and he -besought her to give it to none but him who would fight with him for -it; and she gave it to Peredur, and he sent it to the miller's wife. -And that night Peredur returned to his lodging; and the next day he -accoutred himself and his horse, and went to the meadow, and slew the -three men. Then Peredur proceeded to the tent; and the empress said to -him, "Goodly Peredur, remember the faith thou didst pledge me when I -gave thee the stone, and thou didst kill the Addanc." - -"Lady," answered he, "thou sayest truth: I do remember it." - -And Peredur was entertained by the empress fourteen years, as the story -relates. - - * * * * * - -Arthur was at Caerlleon-upon-Usk, his principal palace; and in the -centre of the floor of the hall were four men sitting on a carpet -of velvet,--Owain the son of Urien, and Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, -and Howel the son of Emyr Llydaw, and Peredur of the long lance. And -thereupon they saw a black curly-headed maiden enter, riding upon a -yellow mule, with jagged thongs in her hand to urge it on, and having -a rough and hideous aspect. Blacker were her face and her two hands -than the blackest iron covered with pitch; and her hue was not more -frightful than her form. High cheeks had she, and a face lengthened -downwards, and a short nose with distended nostrils. And one eye was of -a piercing mottled gray, and the other was as black as jet, deep sunk -in her head. And her teeth were long and yellow,--more yellow were -they than the flower of the broom. And her back was in the shape of a -crook. And her figure was very thin and spare, except her feet, which -were of huge size. And she greeted Arthur and all his household, except -Peredur. And to Peredur she spoke harsh and angry words. "Peredur, I -greet thee not, seeing that thou dost not merit it. Blind was Fate in -giving thee fame and favor. When thou wast in the court of the Lame -King, and didst see there the youth bearing the streaming spear from -the points of which were drops of blood flowing in streams even to -the hand of the youth, and many other wonders likewise, thou didst -not inquire their meaning nor their cause. Hadst thou done so, the -king would have been restored to health, and his dominions to peace. -Whereas from henceforth he will have to endure battles and conflicts, -and his knights will perish, and wives will be widowed, and maidens -will be left portionless, and all this is because of thee." Then said -she unto Arthur, "May it please thee, lord, my dwelling is far hence, -in the stately castle of which thou hast heard, and therein are five -hundred and sixty-six knights of the order of chivalry, and the lady -whom best he loves with each; and whoever would acquire fame in arms -and encounters and conflicts, he will gain it there, if he deserve it. -And whoso would reach the summit of fame and of honor, I know where he -may find it. There is a castle on a lofty mountain, and a maiden [is] -therein, and she is a prisoner; and whoever shall set her free will -attain the summit of the fame of the world." And thereupon she rode -away. - -Said Gwalchmai, "By my faith I will not rest tranquilly until I have -proved if I can release the maiden." And many of Arthur's household -joined themselves with him. - -Then likewise said Peredur, "By my faith I will not rest tranquilly -until I know the story, and the meaning of the lance whereof the black -maiden spoke." - -And, while they were equipping themselves, behold a knight came to the -gate. And he had the size and strength of a warrior, and was equipped -with arms and habiliments. And he went forward, and saluted Arthur -and all his household, except Gwalchmai. And the knight had upon his -shoulder a shield ingrained with gold, with a fesse of azure blue upon -it, and his whole armor was of the same hue. And he said to Gwalchmai, -"Thou didst slay my lord by thy treachery and deceit, and that will I -prove upon thee." - -Then Gwalchmai rose up. "Behold," said he, "here is my gage against -thee, to maintain, either in this place or wherever else thou wilt, -that I am not a traitor or deceiver." - -"Before the king whom I obey, will I that my encounter with thee take -place," said the knight. - -"Willingly," said Gwalchmai. "Go forward, and I will follow thee." - -So the knight went forth, and Gwalchmai accoutred himself; and there -was offered unto him abundance of armor, but he would take none but his -own. And when Gwalchmai and Peredur were equipped, they set forth to -follow him, by reason of their fellowship and of the great friendship -that was between them. And they did not go after him in company -together; but each went his own way. - -At the dawn of day Gwalchmai came to a valley, and in the valley he saw -a fortress, and within the fortress a vast palace, and lofty towers -around it. And he beheld a knight coming out to hunt from the other -side, mounted on a spirited black snorting palfrey, that advanced at a -prancing pace, proudly stepping and nimbly bounding and sure of foot; -and this was the man to whom the palace belonged. And Gwalchmai saluted -him. - -"Heaven prosper thee, chieftain," said he; "and whence comest thou?" - -"I come," answered Gwalchmai, "from the court of Arthur." - -"And art thou Arthur's vassal?" - -"Yes, by my faith," said Gwalchmai. - -"I will give thee good counsel," said the knight. "I see that thou art -tired and weary: go unto my palace, if it may please thee, and tarry -there to-night." - -"Willingly, lord," said he, "and Heaven reward thee!" - -"Take this ring as a token to the porter, and go forward to yonder -tower, and therein thou wilt find my sister." - -And Gwalchmai went to the gate, and showed the ring, and proceeded to -the tower. And on entering he beheld a large blazing fire, burning -without smoke and with a bright and lofty flame, and a beauteous and -stately maiden was sitting on a chair by the fire. And the maiden was -glad at his coming, and welcomed him, and advanced to meet him. And he -went and sat beside the maiden, and they took their repast. And, when -their repast was over, they discoursed pleasantly together. And while -they were thus, behold, there entered a venerable hoary-headed man. -"Ah, base girl!" said he, "if thou did'st think that it was right for -thee to entertain and to sit by yonder man, thou would'st not do so." -And he withdrew his head, and went forth. - -"Ah, chieftain!" said the maiden, "if thou wilt do as I counsel thee, -thou wilt shut the door, lest the man should have a plot against thee." - -Upon that Gwalchmai arose; and when he came near unto the door the man -with sixty others fully armed was ascending the tower. And Gwalchmai -defended the door with a chessboard, that none might enter until the -man should return from the chase. - -And thereupon, behold, the earl arrived. "What is all this?" asked he. - -"It is a sad thing," said the hoary-headed man. "The young girl yonder -has been sitting and eating with him who slew your father. He is -Gwalchmai, the son of Gwyar." - -"Hold thy peace, then," said the earl: "I will go in." And the earl was -joyful concerning Gwalchmai. "Ha, chieftain!" said he, "it was wrong -of thee to come to my court when thou knewest that thou didst slay my -father; and, though we cannot avenge him, Heaven will avenge him upon -thee." - -"My soul," said Gwalchmai, "thus it is. I came not here either to -acknowledge or to deny having slain thy father; but I am on a message -from Arthur, and therefore do I crave the space of a year until I shall -return from my embassy, and then, upon my faith, I will come back unto -this palace, and do one of two things,--either acknowledge it, or deny -it." And the time was granted him willingly; and he remained there -that night. And the next morning he rode forth. And the story relates -nothing further of Gwalchmai respecting this adventure. - -And Peredur rode forward. And he wandered over the whole island, -seeking tidings of the black maiden, and he could meet with none. [And -after many days, and great deeds of arms and perilous adventures, at -last Peredur met with a certain maiden, and asked her the way to the -Castle of Wonders.] Then she said to him, "Go over yonder mountain, and -thou wilt find a lake, and in the middle of the lake there is a castle, -and that is the castle that is called the Castle of Wonders. And we -know not what wonders are therein, but thus is it called." - -And Peredur proceeded towards the castle, and the gate of the castle -was open. And when he came to the hall, the door was open, and he -entered. And he beheld a chessboard in the hall, and the chessmen were -playing against each other by themselves. And the side that he favored -lost the game, and thereupon the others set up a shout as though they -had been living men. And Peredur was wroth, and took the chessmen in -his lap, and cast the chessboard into the lake. And when he had done -thus, behold, the black maiden came in; and she said to him, "The -welcome of Heaven be not unto thee. Thou hadst rather do evil than -good." - -[Illustration: Peredur and the Chessmen.] - -"What complaint hast thou against me, maiden?" said Peredur. - -"That thou hast occasioned unto the empress the loss of her chessboard, -which she would not have lost for all her empire. And the way in which -thou mayest recover the chessboard is to repair to the Castle of -Ysbidinongyl, where is a black man who lays waste the dominions of the -empress; and, if thou canst slay him, thou wilt recover the chessboard. -But, if thou goest there, thou wilt not return alive." - -"Wilt thou direct me thither?" said Peredur. - -"I will show thee the way," she replied. - -So he went to the Castle of Ysbidinongyl, and he fought with the black -man. And the black man besought mercy of Peredur. - -"Mercy will I grant thee," said he, "on condition that thou cause the -chessboard to be restored to the place where it was when I entered the -hall." - -Then the maiden came to him, and said, "The malediction of Heaven -attend thee for thy work, since thou hast left that monster alive who -lays waste all the possessions of the empress." - -"I granted him his life," said Peredur, "that he might cause the -chessboard to be restored." - -"The chessboard is not in the place where thou didst find it: go back, -therefore, and slay him," answered she. - -So Peredur went back, and slew the black man. And when he returned to -the palace, he found the black maiden there. - -"Ah, maiden!" said Peredur, "where is the empress?" - -"I declare to Heaven that thou wilt not see her now, unless thou dost -slay the monster that is in yonder forest." - -"What monster is there?" - -"It is a stag that is as swift as the swiftest bird; and he has one -horn in his forehead, as long as the shaft of a spear, and as sharp as -whatever is sharpest. And he destroys the branches of the best trees in -the forest, and he kills every animal that he meets with therein; and -those that he doth not slay perish of hunger. And, what is worse than -that, he comes every night and drinks up the fish-pond and leaves the -fishes exposed, so that for the most part they die before the water -returns again." - -"Maiden," said Peredur, "wilt thou come and show me this animal?" - -"Not so," said the maiden; "for he has not permitted any mortal to -enter the forest for above a twelvemonth. Behold, here is a little dog -belonging to the empress, which will rouse the stag, and will chase him -towards thee, and the stag will attack thee." - -Then the little dog went as a guide to Peredur, and roused the stag, -and brought him towards the place where Peredur was. And the stag -attacked Peredur, and he let him pass by him, and, as he did so, he -smote off his head with his sword. And, while he was looking at the -head of the stag, he saw a lady on horseback coming towards him. And -she took the little dog in the lappet of her cap, and the head and -the body of the stag lay before her. And around the stag's neck was a -golden collar. - -"Ha, chieftain!" said she, "uncourteously hast thou acted in slaying -the fairest jewel that was in my dominions." - -"I was entreated so to do. And is there any way by which I can obtain -thy friendship?" - -"There is," she replied. "Go thou forward unto yonder mountain, and -there thou wilt find a grove; and in the grove there is a cromlech: do -thou there challenge a man three times to fight, and thou shalt have my -friendship." - -So Peredur proceeded onward, and came to the side of the grove, and -challenged any man to fight. And a black man arose from beneath the -cromlech, mounted upon a bony horse, and both he and his horse were -clad in huge rusty armor. And they fought. And as often as Peredur cast -the black man to the earth he would jump again into his saddle. And -Peredur dismounted, and drew his sword; and thereupon the black man -disappeared with Peredur's horse and his own, so that he could not gain -sight of him a second time. And Peredur went along the mountain, and -on the other side of the mountain he beheld a castle in the valley, -wherein was a river. And he went to the castle; and as he entered it -he saw a hall, and the door of the hall was open, and he went in. And -there he saw a lame gray-headed man sitting on one side of the hall, -with Gwalchmai beside him. And Peredur beheld his horse, which the -black man had taken, in the same stall with that of Gwalchmai. And -they were glad concerning Peredur. And he went and seated himself on -the other side of the hoary-headed man. Then, behold a yellow-haired -youth came, and bent upon the knee before Peredur, and besought his -friendship. "Lord," said the youth, "it was I that came in the form of -the black maiden to Arthur's court, and when thou didst throw down the -chessboard, and when thou didst slay the black man of Ysbidinongyl, -and when thou didst slay the stag, and when thou didst go to fight -the black man of the cromlech. And I came with the bloody head in the -salver, and with the lance that streamed with blood from the point to -the hand all along the shaft; and the head was thy cousin's, and he was -killed by the sorceresses of Gloucester, who also lamed thine uncle; -and I am thy cousin. And there is a prediction that thou art to avenge -these things." - -Then Peredur and Gwalchmai took counsel, and sent to Arthur and his -household to beseech them to come against the sorceresses. And they -began to fight with them; and one of the sorceresses slew one of -Arthur's men before Peredur's face, and Peredur bade her forbear. And -the sorceress slew a man before Peredur's face a second time, and a -second time he forbade her. And the third time the sorceress slew a man -before the face of Peredur; and then Peredur drew his sword, and smote -the sorceress on the helmet; and all her head-armor was split in two -parts. And she set up a cry, and desired the other sorceresses to flee, -and told them that this was Peredur, the man who had learnt chivalry -with them, and by whom they were destined to be slain. Then Arthur and -his household fell upon the sorceresses, and slew the sorceresses of -Gloucester, every one. And thus is it related concerning the Castle of -Wonders. - - - - - THE DREAM OF RHONABWY. - - -Madawc the son of Maredudd possessed Powys within its boundaries, from -Porfoed to Gwauan in the uplands of Arwystli. And at that time he had -a brother Iorwerth the son of Maredudd, in rank not equal to himself. -And Iorwerth had great sorrow and heaviness because of the honor and -power that his brother enjoyed, which he shared not. And he sought his -fellows and his foster-brothers, and took counsel with them what he -should do in this matter. And they resolved to despatch some of their -number to go and seek a maintenance for him. Then Madawc offered him to -become master of the household, and to have horses and arms and honor, -and to fare like as himself. But Iorwerth refused this. - -And Iorwerth made an inroad into Loegria, slaying the inhabitants, and -burning houses, and carrying away prisoners. And Madawc took counsel -with the men of Powys, and they determined to place an hundred men in -each of the three Commots of Powys to seek for him. And they spread -these men over the plains as far as Nillystwn Trevan. - -Now one of the men who was upon this quest was called Rhonabwy. And -Rhonabwy and Kynwrig Vrychgoch, a man of Mawddwy, and Cadwgan Vras, a -man of Moelvre in Kynlleith, came together to the house of Heilyn Goch, -the son of Cadwgan the son of Iddon. And when they came near to the -house, they saw an old hall, very black and having an upright gable, -whence issued a great smoke; and on entering, they found the floor -full of puddles and mounds; and it was difficult to stand thereon, so -slippery was it with the mire of cattle. And where the puddles were, a -man might go up to his ankles in water and dirt. And there were boughs -of holly spread over the floor, whereof the cattle had browsed the -sprigs. When they came to the hall of the house, they beheld cells full -of dust, and very gloomy, and on one side an old hag making a fire. And -whenever she felt cold, she cast a lapful of chaff upon the fire, and -raised such a smoke, that it was scarcely to be borne as it rose up the -nostrils. And on the other side was a yellow calf-skin on the floor: a -main privilege was it to any one who should get upon that hide. - -And when they had sat down, they asked the hag where were the people -of the house. And the hag spoke not, but muttered. Thereupon behold -the people of the house entered,--a ruddy, clownish, curly-headed man, -with a burthen of fagots on his back, and a pale, slender woman, also -carrying a bundle under her arm. And they barely welcomed the men, and -kindled a fire with the boughs. And the woman cooked something, and -gave them to eat,--barley bread, and cheese, and milk and water. - -And there arose a storm of wind and rain, so that it was hardly -possible to go forth with safety. And being weary with their journey, -they laid themselves down, and sought to sleep. And when they looked -at the couch, it seemed to be made but of a little coarse straw full -of dust, with the stems of boughs sticking up there through; for the -cattle had eaten all the straw that was placed at the head and the -foot. And upon it was stretched an old russet-colored rug, threadbare -and ragged; and a coarse sheet, full of slits, was upon the rug, and -an ill-stuffed pillow, and a worn-out cover upon the sheet. And after -much suffering from the discomfort of their couch, a heavy sleep fell -on Rhonabwy's companions. But Rhonabwy, not being able either to sleep -or to rest, thought he should suffer less if he went to lie upon the -yellow calf-skin that was stretched out on the floor. And there he -slept. - -As soon as sleep had come upon his eyes, it seemed to him that he was -journeying with his companions across the plain of Argyngroeg, and -he thought that he went towards Rhyd y Groes on the Severn. As he -journeyed, he heard a mighty noise, the like whereof heard he never -before; and looking behind him, he beheld a youth with yellow curling -hair, and with his beard newly trimmed, mounted on a chestnut horse, -whereof the legs were gray from the top of the forelegs, and from the -bend of the hindlegs downwards. And the rider wore a coat of yellow -satin sewn with green silk; and on his thigh was a gold-hilted sword, -with a scabbard of new leather of Cordova, belted with the skin of the -deer, and clasped with gold. And over this was a scarf of yellow satin -wrought with green silk, the borders whereof were likewise green. And -the green of the caparison of the horse and of his rider was as green -as the leaves of the fir-tree, and the yellow was as yellow as the -blossom of the broom. So fierce was the aspect of the knight, that fear -seized upon them, and they began to flee. And the knight pursued them. -And when the horse breathed forth, the men became distant from him, and -when he drew in his breath, they were drawn near to him, even to the -horse's chest. And when he had overtaken them, they besought his mercy. - -"You have it gladly," said he: "fear nought." - -"Ha, chieftain! since thou hast mercy upon me, tell me also who thou -art," said Rhonabwy. - -"I will not conceal my lineage from thee. I am Iddawc the son of Mynyo; -yet not by my name, but by my nickname, am I best known." - -"And wilt thou tell us what thy nickname is?" - -"I will tell you. It is Iddawc Cordd Prydain." - -"Ha, chieftain!" said Rhonabwy. "Why art thou called thus?" - -"I will tell thee. I was one of the messengers between Arthur and -Medrawd his nephew, at the battle of Camlan; and I was then a reckless -youth, and through my desire for battle I kindled strife between them, -and stirred up wrath when I was sent by Arthur the emperor to reason -with Medrawd, and to show him that he was his foster-father and his -uncle, and to seek for peace, lest the sons of the Kings of the Island -of Britain and of the nobles should be slain. And whereas Arthur -charged me with the fairest sayings he could think of, I uttered unto -Medrawd the harshest I could devise. And therefore am I called Iddawc -Cordd Prydain, for from this did the battle of Camlan ensue. And three -nights before the end of the battle of Camlan I left them, and went -to the Llech Las in North Britain to do penance. And there I remained -doing penance seven years, and after that I gained pardon." - -And they journeyed over the plain of Argyngroeg as far as the ford of -Rhyd y Groes on the Severn. And for a mile around the ford on both -sides of the road they saw tents and encampments, and there was the -clamor of a mighty host. And they came to the edge of the ford, and -there they beheld Arthur, sitting on a flat island below the ford, -having Bedwini the bishop on one side of him, and Gwarthegyd the son -of Kaw on the other. And a tall, auburn-haired youth stood before -him, with his sheathed sword in his hand, and clad in a coat and cap -of jet-black satin. And his face was white as ivory, and his eyebrows -black as jet, and such part of his wrist as could be seen between his -glove and his sleeve was whiter than the lily, and thicker than a -warrior's ankle. - -Then they beheld another troop coming towards the ford; and these from -their horses' chests upwards were whiter than the lily, and below -blacker than jet. And they saw one of these knights go before the -rest, and spur his horse into the ford in such a manner that the water -dashed over Arthur and the bishop, and those holding counsel with them, -so that they were as wet as if they had been drenched in the river. And -as he turned the head of his horse, the youth who stood before Arthur -struck the horse over the nostrils with his sheathed sword, so that, -had it been with the bare blade, it would have been a marvel if the -bone had not been wounded as well as the flesh. And the knight drew his -sword half out of the scabbard, and asked of him, "Wherefore didst thou -strike my horse? Whether was it in insult, or in counsel unto me?" - -"Thou dost indeed lack counsel. What madness caused thee to ride -so furiously as to dash the water of the ford over Arthur, and the -consecrated bishop, and their counsellors, so that they were as wet as -if they had been dragged out of the river?" - -"As counsel, then, will I take it." So he turned his horse's head round -towards his army. - -"Iddawc," said Rhonabwy, "who was yonder knight?" - -"The most eloquent and the wisest youth that is in this island,--Adaon, -the son of Taliesin." - -"Who was the man that struck his horse?" - -"A youth of froward nature,--Elphin, the son of Gwyddno." - -Then Iddawc took Rhonabwy behind him on his horse, and that mighty -host moved forward, each troop in its order, towards Cevndigoll. And -when they came to the middle of the ford of the Severn, Iddawc turned -his horse's head, and Rhonabwy looked along the valley of the Severn. -And he beheld two fair troops coming towards the ford. One troop there -came of brilliant white, whereof every one of the men had a scarf of -white satin with jet-black borders. And the knees and the tops of the -shoulders of their horses were jet-black, though they were of a pure -white in every other part. And their banners were pure white, with -black points to them all. - -"Iddawc," said Rhonabwy, "who are yonder pure-white troop?" - -"They are the men of Norway; and March, the son of Meirchion, is their -prince. And he is cousin unto Arthur." - -And further on he saw a troop whereof each man wore garments of -jet-black, with borders of pure white to every scarf; and the tops of -the shoulders and the knees of their horses were pure white. And their -banners were jet-black with pure white at the point of each. - -"Iddawc," said Rhonabwy, "who are the jet-black troop yonder?" - -"They are the men of Denmark; and Edeyrn, the son of Nudd, is their -prince." - -And when they had overtaken the host, Arthur and his army of mighty -ones dismounted below Caer Badou, and he perceived that he and Iddawc -journeyed the same road as Arthur. And after they had dismounted, he -heard a great tumult and confusion amongst the host; and such as were -then at the flanks turned to the centre, and such as had been in the -centre moved to the flanks. And then, behold, he saw a knight coming, -clad, both he and his horse, in mail, of which the rings were whiter -than the whitest lily, and the rivets redder than the ruddiest blood. -And he rode amongst the host. - -Thereupon they heard a call made for Kadwr, Earl of Cornwall; and -behold he arose, with the sword of Arthur in his hand. And the -similitude of two serpents was upon the sword in gold. And when the -sword was drawn from its scabbard, it seemed as if two flames of fire -burst forth from the jaws of the serpents, and then, so wonderful was -the sword, that it was hard for any one to look upon it. And the host -became still, and the tumult ceased, and the earl returned to the tent. - -"Iddawc," said Rhonabwy, "who is the man who bore the sword of Arthur?" - -"Kadwr, the Earl of Cornwall, whose duty it is to arm the King on the -days of battle and warfare." - -And they heard a call made for Eirynwych Amheibyn, Arthur's servant, a -red, rough, ill-favored man, having red whiskers with bristly hairs. -And behold he came upon a tall red horse, with the mane parted on -each side, and he brought with him a large and beautiful sumter pack. -And the huge red youth dismounted before Arthur, and he drew a golden -chair out of the pack, and a carpet of diapered satin. And he spread -the carpet before Arthur, and there was an apple of ruddy gold at each -corner thereof, and he placed the chair upon the carpet. And so large -was the chair, that three armed warriors might have sat therein. Gwenn -was the name of the carpet; and it was one of its properties that -whoever was upon it no one could see him, and he could see every one. -And it would retain no color but its own. - -And Arthur sat within the carpet, and Owain the son of Urien was -standing before him. "Owain," said Arthur, "wilt thou play chess?" - -"I will, lord," said Owain. - -And the red youth brought the chess for Arthur and Owain; golden pieces -and a board of silver. And they began to play. - -And while they were thus, and when they were best amused with their -game, behold they saw a white tent with a red canopy, and the figure of -a jet-black serpent on the top of the tent, and red glaring venomous -eyes in the head of the serpent, and a red flaming tongue. And there -came a young page with yellow curling hair, and blue eyes, and a -newly-springing beard, wearing a coat and a surcoat of yellow satin, -and hose of thin greenish-yellow cloth upon his feet, and over his hose -shoes of party-colored leather, fastened at the insteps with golden -clasps. And he bore a heavy three-edged sword with a golden hilt, in -a scabbard of black leather tipped with fine gold. And he came to the -place where the emperor and Owain were playing at chess. - -And the youth saluted Owain. And Owain marvelled that the youth should -salute him, and should not have saluted the Emperor Arthur. And Arthur -knew what was in Owain's thought. And he said to Owain, "Marvel not -that the youth salutes thee now, for he saluted me erewhile; and it is -unto thee that his errand is." - -Then said the youth unto Owain, "Lord, is it with thy leave that the -young pages and attendants of the emperor harass and torment and worry -thy ravens? And, if it be not with thy leave, cause the emperor to -forbid them." - -"Lord," said Owain, "thou hearest what the youth says: if it seem good -to thee, forbid them from my ravens." - -"Play thy game," said he. Then the youth returned to the tent. - -That game did they finish, and another they began, and, when they were -in the midst of the game, behold, a ruddy young man with auburn curling -hair and large eyes, well-grown, and having his beard new-shorn, came -forth from a bright yellow tent upon the summit of which was the figure -of a bright red lion. And he was clad in a coat of yellow satin, -falling as low as the small of his leg, and embroidered with threads of -red silk. And on his feet were hose of fine white buckram; and buskins -of black leather were over his hose, whereon were golden clasps. And -in his hand a huge, heavy, three-edged sword, with a scabbard of red -deer-hide, tipped with gold. And he came to the place where Arthur -and Owain were playing at chess. And he saluted him. And Owain was -troubled at his salutation; but Arthur minded it no more than before. -And the youth said unto Owain, "Is it not against thy will that the -attendants of the emperor harass thy ravens, killing some, and worrying -others? If against thy will it be, beseech him to forbid them." - -"Lord," said Owain, "forbid thy men, if it seem good to thee." - -"Play thy game," said the emperor. And the youth returned to the tent. - -And that game was ended, and another begun. And as they were beginning -the first move of the game, they beheld at a small distance from them -a tent speckled yellow, the largest ever seen, and the figure of an -eagle of gold upon it, and a precious stone on the eagle's head. And -coming out of the tent they saw a youth with thick yellow hair upon his -head, fair and comely, and a scarf of blue satin upon him, and a brooch -of gold in the scarf upon his right shoulder as large as a warrior's -middle finger. And upon his feet were hose of fine Totness, and shoes -of parti-colored leather, clasped with gold; and the youth was of noble -bearing, fair of face, with ruddy cheeks and large hawk's eyes. In the -hand of the youth was a mighty lance, speckled yellow, with a newly -sharpened head; and upon the lance a banner displayed. - -Fiercely angry, and with rapid pace, came the youth to the place where -Arthur was playing at chess with Owain. And they perceived that he was -wroth. And thereupon he saluted Owain, and told him that his ravens had -been killed, the chief part of them, and that such of them as were not -slain were so wounded and bruised, that not one of them could raise its -wings a single fathom above the earth. - -"Lord," said Owain, "forbid thy men." - -"Pray," said he, "if it please thee." - -Then said Owain to the youth, "Go back, and wherever thou findest the -strife at the thickest, there lift up the banner, and let come what -pleases Heaven." - -So the youth returned back to the place where the strife bore hardest -upon the ravens, and he lifted up the banner; and as he did so they -all rose up in the air, wrathful and fierce, and high of spirit, -clapping their wings in the wind, and shaking off the weariness that -was upon them. And recovering their energy and courage, furiously and -with exultation did they, with one sweep, descend upon the heads of -the men who had erewhile caused them anger and pain and damage; and -they seized some by the heads and others by the eyes, and some by the -ears and others by the arms, and carried them up into the air; and in -the air there was a mighty tumult with the flapping of the wings of -the triumphant ravens, and with their croaking; and there was another -mighty tumult with the groaning of the men that were being torn and -wounded, and some of whom were slain. - -And Arthur and Owain marvelled at the tumult as they played at chess; -and, looking, they perceived a knight upon a dun-colored horse coming -towards them. And marvellous was the hue of the dun horse. Bright red -was his right shoulder, and from the top of his legs to the centre of -his hoof was bright yellow. Both the knight and his horse were fully -equipped with heavy foreign armor. The clothing of the horse from -the front opening upwards was of bright red sendal, and from thence, -opening downwards, was of bright yellow sendal. A large gold-hilted -one-edged sword had the youth upon his thigh, in a scabbard of -light-blue, and tipped with Spanish laton. The belt of the sword was of -dark-green leather with golden slides, and a clasp of ivory upon it, -and a buckle of jet-black upon the clasp. A helmet of gold was on the -head of the knight, set with precious stones of great virtue; and at -the top of the helmet was the image of a flame-colored leopard with two -ruby-red stones in its head, so that it was astounding for a warrior, -however stout his heart, to look at the face of the leopard, much more -at the face of the knight. He had in his hand a blue-shafted lance; but -from the haft to the point it was stained crimson-red with the blood of -the ravens and their plumage. - -[Illustration: The Army of Ravens.] - -The knight came to the place where Arthur and Owain were seated at -chess. And they perceived that he was harassed and vexed and weary as -he came towards them. And the youth saluted Arthur, and told him that -the ravens of Owain were slaying his young men and attendants. And -Arthur looked at Owain and said, "Forbid thy ravens." - -"Lord," answered Owain, "play thy game." And they played. And the -knight returned back towards the strife, and the ravens were not -forbidden any more than before. - -And when they had played a while, they heard a mighty tumult, and a -wailing of men, and a croaking of ravens, as they carried the men in -their strength into the air, and, tearing them betwixt them, let them -fall piecemeal to the earth. And during the tumult they saw a knight -coming towards them, on a light-gray horse, and the left foreleg of -the horse was jet-black to the centre of his hoof. And the knight and -the horse were fully accoutred with huge heavy blue armor. And a robe -of honor of yellow diapered satin was upon the knight, and the borders -of the robe were blue. And the housings of the horse were jet-black, -with borders of bright yellow. And on the thigh of the youth was a -sword, long and three-edged and heavy. And the scabbard was of red -cut leather, and the belt of new red deerskin, having upon it many -golden slides, and a buckle of the bone of the seahorse, the tongue of -which was jet-black. A golden helmet was upon the head of the knight, -wherein were set sapphire-stones of great virtue. And at the top of -the helmet was the figure of a flame-colored lion, with a fiery-red -tongue, issuing above a foot from his mouth, and with venomous eyes, -crimson-red, in his head. And the knight came, bearing in his hand a -thick ashen lance, the head whereof, which had been newly steeped in -blood, was overlaid with silver. - -And the youth saluted the emperor. "Lord," said he, "carest thou not -for the slaying of thy pages, and thy young men, and the sons of the -nobles of the Island of Britain, whereby it will be difficult to defend -this island from henceforward forever?" - -"Owain," said Arthur, "forbid thy ravens." - -"Play this game, lord," said Owain. - -So they finished the game, and began another; and as they were -finishing that game, lo, they heard a great tumult, and a clamor of -armed men, and a croaking of ravens, and a flapping of wings in the -air, as they flung down the armor entire to the ground, and the men and -the horses piecemeal. Then they saw coming a knight on a lofty-headed -piebald horse. And the left shoulder of the horse was of bright red, -and its right leg, from the chest to the hollow of the hoof, was pure -white. And the knight and horse were equipped with arms of speckled -yellow, variegated with Spanish laton. And there was a robe of honor -upon him and upon his horse, divided in two parts, white and black; and -the borders of the robe of honor were of golden purple. And above the -robe he wore a sword, three-edged and bright, with a golden hilt. And -the belt of the sword was of yellow goldwork, having a clasp upon it -of the eyelid of a black seahorse, and a tongue of yellow gold to the -clasp. Upon the head of the knight was a bright helmet of yellow laton, -with sparkling stones of crystal in it, and at the crest of the helmet -was the figure of a griffin, with a stone of many virtues in its head. -And he had an ashen spear in his hand, with a round shaft, colored -with azure-blue. And the head of the spear was newly stained with -blood, and was overlaid with fine silver. - -Wrathfully came the knight to the place where Arthur was; and he told -him that the ravens had slain his household, and the sons of the chief -men of this island, and he besought him to cause Owain to forbid his -ravens. And Arthur besought Owain to forbid them. Then Arthur took the -golden chessmen that were upon the board, and crushed them until they -became as dust. Then Owain ordered Gwres, the son of Rheged, to lower -his banner. So it was lowered, and all was peace. - -Then Rhonabwy inquired of Iddawc who were the first three men that came -to Owain to tell him his ravens were being slain. - -Said Iddawc, "They were men who grieved that Owain should suffer loss, -his fellow-chieftains and companions, Selyv the son of Kynan Garwyn -of Powys, and Gwgawn Gleddyvrudd, and Gwres the son of Rheged, he who -bears the banner in the day of battle and strife." - -"Who," said Rhonabwy, "were the last three men who came to Arthur, and -told him that the ravens were slaughtering his men?" - -"The best of men," said Iddawc, "and the bravest, and who would grieve -exceedingly that Arthur should have damage in aught; Blathaon the son -of Mawrheth, and Rhuvawn Pebyr the son of Prince Deorthach, and Hyveidd -Unllenn." - -And with that, behold four and twenty knights came from Osla -Gyllellvawr to crave a truce of Arthur for a fortnight and a month. -And Arthur arose and went to take counsel. And he came to where a tall -auburn, curly-headed man was a little way off, and there he assembled -his counsellors,--Bedwini, the Bishop, and Gwarthegyd the son of Kaw, -Gildas the son of Kaw, Kadyriaith the son of Saidi, and many of the men -of Norway and Denmark, and many of the men of Greece, [and many more -beside]. - -"Iddawc," said Rhonabwy, "who was the auburn-haired man to whom they -came just now?" - -"Rhun the son of Maelgwn Gwynedd, a man whose prerogative it is that he -may join in counsel with all." - -"And wherefore did they admit into counsel with men of such dignity as -are yonder a stripling so young as Kadyriaith the son of Saidi?" - -"Because there is not throughout Britain a man better skilled in -counsel than he." - -Thereupon, behold, bards came and recited verses before Arthur, and no -man understood those verses but Kadyriaith only, save that they were in -Arthur's praise. - -And, lo, there came four and twenty asses, with their burdens of gold -and of silver, and a tired, wayworn man with each of them, bringing -tribute to Arthur from the Islands of Greece. Then Kadyriaith the son -of Saidi besought that a truce might be granted to Osla Gyllellvawr -for the space of a fortnight and a month, and that the asses and the -burdens they carried might be given to the bards to be to them as the -reward for their stay, and that their verse might be recompensed during -the time of the truce. And thus it was settled. - -"Rhonabwy," said Iddawc, "would it not be wrong to forbid a youth who -can give counsel so liberal as this from coming to the councils of his -lord?" - -Then Kai arose, and he said, "Whosoever will follow Arthur, let him -be with him to-night in Cornwall; and whosoever will not, let him be -opposed to Arthur even during the truce." - -And through the greatness of the tumult that ensued, Rhonabwy awoke. -And when he awoke he was upon the yellow calf-skin, having slept three -nights and three days. - -And this tale is called the Dream of Rhonabwy. And this is the reason -that no one knows the dream without a book, neither bard nor gifted -seer, because of the various colors that were upon the horses, and -the many wondrous colors of the arms and of the panoply, and of the -precious scarfs, and of the virtue-bearing stones. - - - - - PWYLL, PRINCE OF DYVED. - - -Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, was lord of the seven Cantrevs of Dyved; and -once upon a time he was at Narberth, his chief palace, and he was -minded to go and hunt, and the part of his dominions in which it -pleased him to hunt was Glyn Cuch. So he set forth from Narberth that -night, and went as far as Llwyn Diarwyd. And that night he tarried -there, and early on the morrow he rose and came to Glyn Cuch, when he -let loose the dogs in the wood, and sounded the horn, and began the -chase. And as he followed the dogs, he lost his companions; and whilst -he listened to the hounds, he heard the cry of other hounds,--a cry -different from his own, and coming in the opposite direction. - -And he beheld a glade in the wood forming a level plain, and as his -dogs came to the edge of the glade, he saw a stag before the other -dogs. And, lo, as it reached the middle of the glade, the dogs that -followed the stag overtook it, and brought it down. Then looked he at -the color of the dogs, staying not to look at the stag; and of all the -hounds that he had seen in the world he had never seen any that were -like unto these. For their hair was of a brilliant shining white, and -their ears were red; and as the whiteness of their bodies shone, so -did the redness of their ears glisten. And he came towards the dogs, -and drove away those that had brought down the stag, and set his own -dogs upon it. - -And as he was setting on his dogs he saw a horseman coming towards him -upon a large light-gray steed, with a hunting-horn round his neck, and -clad in garments of gray woollen, in the fashion of a hunting-garb. And -the horseman drew near, and spake unto him thus: "Chieftain," said he, -"I know who thou art, and I greet thee not." - -"Peradventure," said Pwyll, "thou art of such dignity that thou -shouldest not do so." - -"Verily," answered he, "it is not my dignity that prevents me." - -"What is it, then, O chieftain?" asked he. - -"By Heaven, it is by reason of thine own ignorance and want of -courtesy." - -"What discourtesy, chieftain, hast thou seen in me?" - -"Greater discourtesy saw I never in man," said he, "than to drive away -the dogs that were killing the stag and to set upon it thine own. This -was discourteous, and though I may not be revenged upon thee, yet I -declare to Heaven that I will do thee more dishonor than the value of -an hundred stags." - -"O chieftain!" he replied, "if I have done ill, I will redeem thy -friendship." - -"How wilt thou redeem it?" - -"According as thy dignity may be. But I know not who thou art." - -"A crowned king am I in the land whence I come." - -"Lord," said he, "may the day prosper with thee! And from what land -comest thou?" - -"From Annwvyn," answered he. "Arawn, a king of Annwvyn, am I." - -"Lord," said he, "how may I gain thy friendship?" - -"After this manner mayest thou," he said. "There is a man whose -dominions are opposite to mine, who is ever warring against me, and he -is Havgan, a king of Annwvyn, and by ridding me of this oppression, -which thou canst easily do, shalt thou gain my friendship." - -"Gladly will I do this," said he. "Show me how I may." - -"I will show thee. Behold thus it is thou mayest: I will make firm -friendship with thee; and this will I do. I will send thee to Annwvyn -in my stead, and I will put my form and semblance upon thee, so that -not a page of the chamber, nor an officer, nor any other man that has -always followed me, shall know that it is not I. And this shall be -for the space of a year from to-morrow, and then we will meet in this -place." - -"Yes," said he; "but when I shall have been there for the space of a -year, by what means shall I discover him of whom thou speakest?" - -"One year from this night," he answered, "is the time fixed between him -and me that we should meet at the Ford. Be thou there in my likeness, -and with one stroke that thou givest him, he shall no longer live. And -if he ask thee to give him another, give it not, how much soever he may -entreat thee; for when I did so, he fought with me next day as well as -ever before." - -"Verily," said Pwyll, "what shall I do concerning my kingdom?" - -Said Arawn, "I will cause that no one in all thy dominions, neither man -nor woman, shall know that I am not thou, and I will go there in thy -stead." - -"Gladly then," said Pwyll, "will I set forward." - -"Clear shall be thy path, and nothing shall detain thee, until thou -come into my dominions, and I myself will be thy guide." - -So he conducted him until he came in sight of the palace and its -dwellings. "Behold," said he, "the court and the kingdom in thy power. -Enter the court: there is no one there who will know thee, and when -thou seest what service is done there, thou wilt know the customs of -the court." - -So he went forward to the court, and when he came there he beheld -sleeping-rooms, and halls, and chambers, and the most beautiful -buildings ever seen. And he went into the hall to disarray, and there -came youths and pages and disarrayed him, and all as they entered -saluted him. And two knights came and drew his hunting-dress from about -him, and clothed him in a vesture of silk and gold. And the hall was -prepared, and behold he saw the household and the host enter in, and -the host was the most comely and the best equipped that he had ever -seen. And with them came in likewise the queen, who was the fairest -woman that he had ever yet beheld. And she had on a yellow robe of -shining satin; and they washed and went to the table, and sat, the -queen upon one side of him, and one who seemed to be an earl on the -other side. - -And he began to speak with the queen, and he thought from her speech -that she was the seemliest and most noble lady of converse and of cheer -that ever was. And they partook of meat and drink, with songs and with -feasting; and of all the courts upon the earth, behold this was the -best supplied with food and drink, and vessels of gold and royal jewels. - - * * * * * - -And the year he spent in hunting, and minstrelsy, and feasting, and -diversions, and discourse with his companions, until the night that was -fixed for the conflict. And when that night came, it was remembered -even by those who lived in the furthest part of his dominions, and he -went to the meeting, and the nobles of the kingdom with him. And when -he came to the Ford, a knight arose, and spake thus: "Lords," said he, -"listen well. It is between two kings that this meeting is, and between -them only. Each claimeth of the other his land and territory, and do -all of you stand aside, and leave the fight to be between them." - -Thereupon the two kings approached each other in the middle of the -Ford, and encountered, and at the first thrust the man who was in the -stead of Arawn struck Havgan on the centre of the boss of his shield, -so that it was cloven in twain, and his armor was broken; and Havgan -himself was borne to the ground an arm's and a spear's length over the -crupper of his horse, and he received a deadly blow. - -"O chieftain," said Havgan, "what right hast thou to cause my death? -I was not injuring thee in any thing, and I know not wherefore thou -wouldest slay me. But, for the love of Heaven, since thou hast begun to -slay me, complete thy work." - -"Ah, chieftain," he replied, "I may yet repent doing that unto thee: -slay thee who may, I will not do so." - -"My trusty lords," said Havgan, "bear me hence. My death has come. I -shall be no more able to uphold you." - -"My nobles," also said he who was in the semblance of Arawn, "take -counsel, and know who ought to be my subjects." - -"Lord," said the nobles, "all should be; for there is no king over the -whole of Annwvyn but thee." - -"Yes," he replied, "it is right that he who comes humbly should be -received graciously; but he that doth not come with obedience shall be -compelled by the force of swords." And thereupon he received the homage -of the men, and he began to conquer the country; and the next day by -noon the two kingdoms were in his power. And thereupon he went to keep -his tryst, and came to Glyn Cuch. - -And when he came there, the king of Annwvyn was there to meet him, and -each of them was rejoiced to see the other. - -"Verily," said Arawn, "may Heaven reward thee for thy friendship -towards me! I have heard of it. When thou comest thyself to thy -dominions," said he, "thou wilt see that which I have done for thee." - -"Whatever thou hast done for me, may Heaven repay it thee." - -Then Arawn gave to Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, his proper form and -semblance, and he himself took his own. And Arawn set forth towards the -court of Annwvyn; and he was rejoiced when he beheld his hosts and his -household, whom he had not seen so long; but they had not known of his -absence, and wondered no more at his coming than usual. And that day -was spent in joy and merriment; and he sat and conversed with his wife -and his nobles. And when it was time for them rather to sleep than to -carouse, they went to rest. - - * * * * * - -Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, came likewise to his country and dominions, -and began to inquire of the nobles of the land, how his rule had been -during the past year, compared with what it had been before. - -"Lord," said they, "thy wisdom was never so great, and thou wast never -so kind or so free in bestowing thy gifts; and thy justice was never -more worthily seen than in this year." - -"By Heaven," said he, "for all the good you have enjoyed you should -thank him who hath been with you; for behold, thus hath this matter -been." And thereupon Pwyll related the whole unto them. "Verily, lord," -said they, "render thanks unto Heaven that thou hast such a fellowship, -and withhold not from us the rule which we have enjoyed for this year -past." - -"I take Heaven to witness that I will not withhold it," answered Pwyll. - -And thenceforth they made strong the friendship that was between them, -and each sent unto the other horses and greyhounds and hawks, and all -such jewels as they thought would be pleasing to each other. And by -reason of his having dwelt that year in Annwvyn, and having ruled there -so prosperously, and united the two kingdoms in one day by his valor -and prowess, he lost the name of Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, and was called -Pwyll, chief of Annwvyn, from that time forward. - - * * * * * - -Once upon a time Pwyll was at Narberth, his chief palace, where a feast -had been prepared for him, and with him was a great host of men. And -after the first meal, Pwyll arose to walk, and he went to the top of a -mound that was above the palace, and was called Gorsedd Arberth. - -"Lord," said one of the court, "it is peculiar to the mound that -whosoever sits upon it cannot go thence without either receiving wounds -or blows, or else seeing a wonder." - -"I fear not to receive wounds and blows in the midst of such a host as -this; but as to the wonder, gladly would I see it. I will go therefore -and sit upon the mound." - -And upon the mound he sat. And while he sat there, they saw a lady, on -a pure white horse of large size, with a garment of shining gold around -her, coming along the highway that led from the mound; and the horse -seemed to move at a slow and even pace, and to be coming up towards the -mound. - -"My men," said Pwyll, "is there any among you who knows yonder lady?" - -"There is not, lord," said they. - -"Go one of you and meet her, that we may know who she is." - -And one of them arose; and as he came upon the road to meet her she -passed by, and he followed as fast as he could, being on foot; and the -greater was his speed, the farther was she from him. And when he saw -that it profited him nothing to follow her, he returned to Pwyll, and -said unto him, "Lord, it is idle for any one in the world to follow her -on foot." - -"Verily," said Pwyll, "go unto the palace, and take the fleetest horse -that thou seest, and go after her." - -And he took a horse and went forward. And he came to an open level -plain, and put spurs to his horse; and the more he urged his horse, -the farther was she from him. Yet she held the same pace as at first. -And his horse began to fail; and when his horse's feet failed him, he -returned to the place where Pwyll was. - -"Lord," said he, "it will avail nothing for any one to follow yonder -lady. I know of no horse in these realms swifter than this, and it -availed me not to pursue her." - -"Of a truth," said Pwyll, "there must be some illusion here. Let us go -towards the palace." So to the palace they went, and they spent that -day. And the next day they arose, and that also they spent until it was -time to go to meat. And after the first meal, "Verily," said Pwyll, "we -will go, the same party as yesterday, to the top of the mound. And do -thou," said he to one of his young men, "take the swiftest horse that -thou knowest in the field." And thus did the young man. And they went -towards the mound, taking the horse with them. And as they were sitting -down they beheld the lady on the same horse, and in the same apparel, -coming along the same road. "Behold," said Pwyll, "here is the lady of -yesterday. Make ready, youth, to learn who she is." - -"My lord," said he, "that will I gladly do." And thereupon the lady -came opposite to them. So the youth mounted his horse; and before he -had settled himself in his saddle, she passed by, and there was a clear -space between them. But her speed was no greater than it had been the -day before. Then he put his horse into an amble, and thought, that, -notwithstanding the gentle pace at which his horse went, he should soon -overtake her. But this availed him not: so he gave his horse the reins. -And still he came no nearer to her than when he went at a foot's pace. -And the more he urged his horse, the farther was she from him. Yet she -rode not faster than before. When he saw that it availed not to follow -her, he returned to the place where Pwyll was. "Lord," said he, "the -horse can no more than thou hast seen." - -"I see indeed that it avails not that any one should follow her. And by -Heaven," said he, "she must needs have an errand to some one in this -plain, if her haste would allow her to declare it. Let us go back to -the palace." And to the palace they went, and they spent that night in -songs and feasting, as it pleased them. - -And the next day they amused themselves until it was time to go to -meat. And when meat was ended, Pwyll said, "Where are the hosts that -went yesterday and the day before to the top of the mound?" - -"Behold, lord, we are here," said they. - -"Let us go," said he, "to the mound, to sit there. And do thou," said -he to the page who tended his horse, "saddle my horse well, and hasten -with him to the road, and bring also my spurs with thee." And the youth -did thus. And they went and sat upon the mound. And ere they had been -there but a short time, they beheld the lady coming by the same road, -and in the same manner, and at the same pace. "Young man," said Pwyll, -"I see the lady coming: give me my horse." And no sooner had he mounted -his horse than she passed him. And he turned after her, and followed -her. And he let his horse go bounding playfully, and thought that at -the second step or the third he should come up with her. But he came -no nearer to her than at first. Then he urged his horse to his utmost -speed, yet he found that it availed nothing to follow her. Then said -Pwyll, "O maiden, for the sake of him whom thou best lovest, stay for -me." - -"I will stay gladly," said she, "and it were better for thy horse hadst -thou asked it long since." So the maiden stopped, and she threw back -that part of her head-dress which covered her face. And she fixed her -eyes upon him, and began to talk with him. - -"Lady," asked he, "whence comest thou, and whereunto dost thou journey?" - -"I journey on mine own errand," said she, "and right glad am I to see -thee." - -"My greeting be unto thee," said he. Then he thought that the beauty -of all the maidens, and all the ladies that he had ever seen, was as -nothing compared to her beauty. "Lady," he said, "wilt thou tell me -aught concerning thy purpose?" - -"I will tell thee," said she. "My chief quest was to seek thee." - -"Behold," said Pwyll, "this is to me the most pleasing quest on which -thou couldst have come. And wilt thou tell me who thou art?" - -"I will tell thee, lord," said she. "I am Rhiannon, the daughter of -Heveydd Hên, and they sought to give me to a husband against my will. -But no husband would I have, and that because of my love for thee, -neither will I yet have one unless thou reject me. And hither have I -come to hear thy answer." - -"By Heaven," said Pwyll, "behold this is my answer. If I might choose -among all the ladies and damsels in the world, thee would I choose." - -"Verily," said she, "if thou art thus minded, make a pledge to meet me -ere I am given to another." - -"The sooner I may do so, the more pleasing will it be unto me," said -Pwyll, "and wheresoever thou wilt, there will I meet with thee." - -"I will that thou meet me this day twelvemonth, at the palace of -Heveydd. And I will cause a feast to be prepared, so that it be ready -against thou come." - -"Gladly," said he, "will I keep this tryst." - -"Lord," said she, "remain in health, and be mindful that thou keep thy -promise. And now will I go hence." - -So they parted, and he went back to his hosts and to them of his -household. And whatsoever questions they asked him respecting the -damsel, he always turned the discourse upon other matters. And when -a year from that time was gone, he caused a hundred knights to equip -themselves, and to go with him to the palace of Heveydd Hên. And he -came to the palace, and there was great joy concerning him, with much -concourse of people, and great rejoicing, and vast preparations for his -coming. And the whole court was placed under his orders. - -And the hall was garnished, and they went to meat, and thus did they -sit: Heveydd Hên was on one side of Pwyll, and Rhiannon on the other. -And all the rest according to their rank. And they ate and feasted and -talked, one with another; and at the beginning of the carousal after -the meat, there entered a tall auburn-haired youth, of royal bearing, -clothed in a garment of satin. And when he came into the hall he -saluted Pwyll and his companions. - -"The greeting of Heaven be unto thee, my soul," said Pwyll. "Come thou -and sit down." - -"Nay," said he, "a suitor am I; and I will do mine errand." - -"Do so willingly," said Pwyll. - -"Lord," said he, "my errand is unto thee; and it is to crave a boon of -thee that I come." - -"What boon soever thou mayest ask of me, as far as I am able, thou -shalt have." - -"Ah," said Rhiannon, "wherefore didst thou give that answer?" - -"Has he not given it before the presence of these nobles?" asked the -youth. - -"My soul," said Pwyll, "what is the boon thou askest?" - -"The lady whom best I love is to be thy bride this night: I come to ask -her of thee, with the feast and the banquet that are in this place." - -And Pwyll was silent because of the answer which he had given. - -"Be silent as long as thou wilt," said Rhiannon. "Never did man make -worse use of his wits than thou hast done." - -"Lady," said he, "I knew not who he was." - -"Behold, this is the man to whom they would have given me against my -will," said she. "And he is Gwawl the son of Clud, a man of great power -and wealth; and because of the word thou hast spoken, bestow me upon -him, lest shame befall thee." - -"Lady," said he, "I understand not thine answer. Never can I do as thou -sayest." - -"Bestow me upon him," said she, "and I will cause that I shall never be -his." - -"By what means will that be?" asked Pwyll. - -"In thy hand will I give thee a small bag," said she. "See that thou -keep it well, and he will ask of thee the banquet and the feast, and -the preparations, which are not in thy power. Unto the hosts and the -household will I give the feast. And such will be thy answer respecting -this. And as concerns myself, I will engage to become his bride this -night twelvemonth. And at the end of the year be thou here," said she, -"and bring this bag with thee, and let thy hundred knights be in the -orchard up yonder. And when he is in the midst of joy and feasting, -come thou in by thyself, clad in ragged garments, and holding thy bag -in thy hand, and ask nothing but a bagful of food: and I will cause -that if all the meat and liquor that are in these seven cantrevs were -put into it, it would be no fuller than before. And after a great deal -has been put therein, he will ask thee whether thy bag will ever be -full. Say thou then that it never will, until a man of noble birth and -of great wealth arise and press the food in the bag with both his feet, -saying, 'Enough has been put therein.' And I will cause him to go and -tread down the food in the bag, and when he does so, turn thou the bag, -so that he shall be up over his head in it, and then slip a knot upon -the thongs of the bag. Let there be also a good bugle-horn about thy -neck, and as soon as thou hast bound him in the bag, wind thy horn, and -let it be a signal between thee and thy knights. And when they hear the -sound of the horn, let them come down upon the palace." - -"Lord," said Gwawl, "it is meet that I have an answer to my request." - -"As much of that thou hast asked as it is in my power to give, thou -shalt have," replied Pwyll. - -"My soul," said Rhiannon unto him, "as for the feast and the banquet -that are here, I have bestowed them upon the men of Dyved, and the -household, and the warriors that are with us. These can I not suffer to -be given to any. In a year from to-night a banquet shall be prepared -for thee in this palace, that I may become thy bride." - -So Gwawl went forth to his possessions, and Pwyll went also back to -Dyved. And they both spent that year until it was the time for the -feast at the palace of Heveydd Hên. Then Gwawl the son of Clud set out -to the feast that was prepared for him, and he came to the palace, and -was received there with rejoicing. Pwyll also, the chief of Annwvyn, -came to the orchard with his hundred knights, as Rhiannon had commanded -him, having the bag with him. And Pwyll was clad in coarse and ragged -garments, and wore large clumsy old shoes upon his feet. And when he -knew that the carousal after the meat had begun, he went towards the -hall, and when he came into the hall, he saluted Gwawl the son of Clud, -and his company, both men and women. - -"Heaven prosper thee!" said Gwawl, "and the greeting of Heaven be unto -thee!" - -"Lord," said he, "may Heaven reward thee! I have an errand unto thee." - -"Welcome be thine errand, and, if thou ask of me that which is just, -thou shalt have it gladly." - -"It is fitting," answered he. "I crave but from want; and the boon that -I ask is to have this small bag that thou seest filled with meat." - -"A request within reason is this," said he, "and gladly shalt thou have -it.--Bring him food." - -A great number of attendants arose, and began to fill the bag; but for -all that they put into it, it was no fuller than at first. - -"My soul," said Gwawl, "will thy bag be ever full?" - -"It will not, I declare to Heaven," said he, "for all that may be put -into it, unless one possessed of lands and domains and treasure shall -arise, and tread down with both his feet the food that is within the -bag, and shall say, 'Enough has been put herein.'" - -Then said Rhiannon unto Gwawl the son of Clud, "Rise up quickly." - -"I will willingly arise," said he. So he rose up, and put his two feet -into the bag. And Pwyll turned up the sides of the bag, so that Gwawl -was over his head in it. And he shut it up quickly, and slipped a knot -upon the thongs, and blew his horn. And thereupon behold his household -came down upon the palace. And they seized all the host that had come -with Gwawl, and cast them into his own prison. And Pwyll threw off his -rags, and his old shoes, and his tattered array. And as they came in, -every one of Pwyll's knights struck a blow upon the bag, and asked, -"What is here?" - -"A Badger," said they. And in this manner they played, each of them -striking the bag, either with his foot or with a staff. And thus played -they with the bag. Every one as he came in asked, "What game are you -playing at thus?" - -"The game of Badger in the Bag," said they. And then was the game of -Badger in the Bag first played. - -"Lord," said the man in the bag, "if thou wouldest but hear me, I merit -not to be slain in a bag." - -Said Heveydd Hên, "Lord, he speaks truth. It were fitting that thou -listen to him; for he deserves not this." - -"Verily," said Pwyll, "I will do thy counsel concerning him." - -"Behold, this is my counsel then," said Rhiannon. "Thou art now in a -position in which it behoves thee to satisfy suitors and minstrels: -let him give unto them in thy stead, and take a pledge from him that he -will never seek to revenge that which has been done to him. And this -will be punishment enough." - -"I will do this gladly," said the man in the bag. - -"And gladly will I accept it," said Pwyll, "since it is the counsel of -Heveydd and Rhiannon." - -"Such, then, is our counsel," answered they. - -"I accept it," said Pwyll. - -"Seek thyself sureties." - -"We will be for him," said Heveydd, "until his men be free to answer -for him." And upon this he was let out of the bag, and his liege-men -were liberated. "Demand now of Gwawl his sureties," said Heveydd: "we -know which should be taken for him." And Heveydd numbered the sureties. - -Said Gwawl, "Do thou thyself draw up the covenant." - -"It will suffice me that it be as Rhiannon said," answered Pwyll. So -unto that covenant were the sureties pledged. - -"Verily, lord," said Gwawl, "I am greatly hurt, and I have many -bruises. I have need to be anointed: with thy leave I will go forth. I -will leave nobles in my stead to answer for me in all that thou shalt -require." - -"Willingly," said Pwyll, "mayest thou do thus." So Gwawl went towards -his own possessions. - -And the hall was set in order for Pwyll and the men of his host, and -for them also of the palace, and they went to the tables and sat down. -And as they had sat that time twelvemonth, so sat they that night. And -they ate, and feasted, and spent the night in mirth and tranquillity. - -And next morning, at the break of day, "My lord," said Rhiannon, "arise -and begin to give thy gifts unto the minstrels. Refuse no one to-day -that may claim thy bounty." - -"Thus shall it be, gladly," said Pwyll, "both to-day and every day -while the feast shall last." So Pwyll arose, and he caused silence to -be proclaimed, and desired all the suitors and the minstrels to show -and to point out what gifts were to their wish and desire. And this -being done, the feast went on, and he denied no one while it lasted. -And when the feast was ended, Pwyll said unto Heveydd, "My lord, with -thy permission, I will set out for Dyved to-morrow." - -"Certainly," said Heveydd. "May Heaven prosper thee! Fix also a time -when Rhiannon may follow thee." - -Said Pwyll, "We will go hence together." - -"Willest thou this, lord?" said Heveydd. - -"Yes," answered Pwyll. - -And the next day they set forward towards Dyved, and journeyed to the -palace of Narberth, where a feast was made ready for them. And there -came to them great numbers of the chief men and the most noble ladies -of the land, and of these there was none to whom Rhiannon did not give -some rich gift, either a bracelet, or a ring, or a precious stone. And -they ruled the land prosperously both that year and the next. - -[And in the fourth year a son was born to them, and women were brought -to watch the babe at night.] And the women slept, as did also Rhiannon. -And when they awoke they looked where they had put the boy, and behold -he was not there. [And the women were frightened; and, having plotted -together, they accused Rhiannon of having murdered her child before -their eyes.] - -"For pity's sake," said Rhiannon, "the Lord God knows all things. -Charge me not falsely. If you tell me this from fear, I assert before -Heaven that I will defend you." - -"Truly," said they, "we would not bring evil on ourselves for any one -in the world." - -"For pity's sake," said Rhiannon, "you will receive no evil by telling -the truth." But for all her words, whether fair or harsh, she received -but the same answer from the women. - -And Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn arose, and his household and his hosts. -And this occurrence could not be concealed; but the story went forth -throughout the land, and all the nobles heard it. Then the nobles came -to Pwyll, and besought him to put away his wife because of the great -crime which she had done. But Pwyll answered them that they had no -cause wherefore they might ask him to put away his wife. - -So Rhiannon sent for the teachers and the wise men, and as she -preferred doing penance to contending with the women, she took upon -her a penance. And the penance that was imposed upon her was that -she should remain in that palace of Narberth until the end of seven -years, and that she should sit every day near unto a horseblock that -was without the gate; and that she should relate the story to all -who should come there whom she might suppose not to know it already; -and that she should offer the guests and strangers, if they would -permit her, to carry them upon her back into the palace. But it rarely -happened that any would permit. And thus did she spend part of the year. - -Now at that time Teirnyon Twryv Vliant was lord of Gwent Is Coed, and -he was the best man in the world. And unto his house there belonged -a mare than which neither mare nor horse in the kingdom was more -beautiful. And on the night of every first of May she foaled, and no -one ever knew what became of the colt. And one night Teirnyon talked -with his wife: "Wife," said he, "it is very simple of us that our mare -should foal every year, and that we should have none of her colts." - -"What can be done in the matter?" said she. - -"This is the night of the first of May," said he. "The vengeance of -Heaven be upon me, if I learn not what it is that takes away the -colts." So he armed himself, and began to watch that night. Teirnyon -heard a great tumult, and after the tumult behold a claw came through -the window into the house, and it seized the colt by the mane. Then -Teirnyon drew his sword, and struck off the arm at the elbow: so that -portion of the arm, together with the colt, was in the house with him. -And then did he hear a tumult and wailing both at once. And he opened -the door, and rushed out in the direction of the noise, and he could -not see the cause of the tumult because of the darkness of the night; -but he rushed after it and followed it. Then he remembered that he -had left the door open, and he returned. And at the door behold there -was an infant-boy in swaddling-clothes, wrapped around in a mantle of -satin. And he took up the boy, and behold he was very strong for the -age that he was of. - -Then he shut the door, and went into the chamber where his wife was. -"Lady," said he, "art thou sleeping?" - -"No, lord," said she: "I was asleep, but as thou camest in I did awake." - -"Behold, here is a boy for thee, if thou wilt," said he, "since thou -hast never had one." - -"My lord," said she, "what adventure is this?" - -"It was thus," said Teirnyon. And he told her how it all befell. - -"Verily, lord," said she, "what sort of garments are there upon the -boy?" - -"A mantle of satin," said he. - -"He is then a boy of gentle lineage," she replied. - -And they caused the boy to be baptized, and the ceremony was performed -there. And the name which they gave unto him was Gwri Wallt Euryn, -because what hair was upon his head was as yellow as gold. And they -had the boy nursed in the court until he was a year old. And before -the year was over he could walk stoutly; and he was larger than a boy -of three years old, even one of great growth and size. And the boy was -nursed the second year, and then he was as large as a child six years -old. And before the end of the fourth year, he would bribe the grooms -to allow him to take the horses to water. - -"My lord," said his wife unto Teirnyon, "where is the colt which thou -didst save on the night that thou didst find the boy?" - -"I have commanded the grooms of the horses," said he, "that they take -care of him." - -"Would it not be well, lord," said she, "if thou wert to cause him to -be broken in, and given to the boy, seeing that on the same night that -thou didst find the boy, the colt was foaled, and thou didst save him?" - -"I will not oppose thee in this matter," said Teirnyon. "I will allow -thee to give him the colt." - -"Lord," said she, "may Heaven reward thee! I will give it him." So the -horse was given to the boy. Then she went to the grooms and those who -tended the horses, and commanded them to be careful of the horse, so -that he might be broken in by the time that the boy could ride him. - -And while these things were going forward, they heard tidings of -Rhiannon and her punishment. And Teirnyon Twryv Vliant, by reason -of the pity that he felt on hearing this story of Rhiannon and her -punishment, inquired closely concerning it, until he had heard from -many of those who came to his court. Then did Teirnyon, often lamenting -the sad history, ponder within himself; and he looked steadfastly -on the boy, and as he looked upon him, it seemed to him that he had -never beheld so great a likeness between father and son as between the -boy and Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn. Now the semblance of Pwyll was -well known to him, for he had of yore been one of his followers. And -thereupon he became grieved for the wrong that he did in keeping with -him a boy whom he knew to be the son of another man. And the first time -that he was alone with his wife he told her that it was not right that -they should keep the boy with them, and suffer so excellent a lady as -Rhiannon to be punished so greatly on his account, whereas the boy was -the son of Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn. And Teirnyon's wife agreed with -him that they should send the boy to Pwyll. "And three things, lord," -said she, "shall we gain thereby,--thanks and gifts for releasing -Rhiannon from her punishment, and thanks from Pwyll for nursing his -son and restoring him unto him; and, thirdly, if the boy is of gentle -nature, he will be our foster-son, and he will do for us all the good -in his power." So it was settled according to this counsel. - -And no later than the next day was Teirnyon equipped and two other -knights with him. And the boy, as a fourth in their company, went with -them upon the horse which Teirnyon had given him. And they journeyed -towards Narberth, and it was not long before they reached that place. -And as they drew near to the palace, they beheld Rhiannon sitting -beside the horseblock. And when they were opposite to her, "Chieftain," -said she, "go not farther thus: I will bear every one of you into the -palace. And this is my penance for slaying my own son, and devouring -him." - -"Oh, fair lady," said Teirnyon, "think not that I will be one to be -carried upon thy back." - -"Neither will I," said the boy. - -"Truly, my soul," said Teirnyon, "we will not go." So they went forward -to the palace, and there was great joy at their coming. And at the -palace a feast was prepared, because Pwyll was come back from the -confines of Dyved. And they went into the hall and washed, and Pwyll -rejoiced to see Teirnyon. And in this order they sat: Teirnyon between -Pwyll and Rhiannon, and Teirnyon's two companions on the other side -of Pwyll, with the boy between them. And after meat they began to -carouse and to discourse. And Teirnyon's discourse was concerning the -adventure of the mare and the boy, and how he and his wife had nursed -and reared the child as their own. "And behold here is thy son, lady," -said Teirnyon. "And whosoever told that lie concerning thee has done -wrong. And when I heard of thy sorrow I was troubled and grieved. And -I believe that there is none of this host who will not perceive that -the boy is the son of Pwyll," said Teirnyon. - -"There is none," said they all, "who is not certain thereof." - -"I declare to Heaven," said Rhiannon, "that, if this be true, there is -indeed an end to my trouble." - -"Lady," said Pendaran Dyved, "well hast thou named thy son Pryderi, and -well becomes him the name of Pryderi son of Pwyll chief of Annwvyn." - -"Look you," said Rhiannon: "will not his own name become him better?" - -"What name has he?" asked Pendaran Dyved. - -"Gwri Wallt Euryn is the name that we gave him." - -"Pryderi," said Pendaran, "shall his name be." - -"It were more proper," said Pwyll, "that the boy should take his name -from the word his mother spoke when she received the joyful tidings of -him." And thus was it arranged. - -"Teirnyon," said Pwyll, "Heaven reward thee that thou hast reared the -boy up to this time, and, being of gentle lineage, it were fitting that -he repay thee for it." - -"My lord," said Teirnyon, "it was my wife who nursed him, and there is -no one in the world so afflicted as she at parting with him. It were -well that he should bear in mind what I and my wife have done for him." - -"I call Heaven to witness," said Pwyll, "that while I live I will -support thee and thy possessions as long as I am able to preserve my -own. And when he shall have power, he will more fitly maintain them -than I. And if this counsel be pleasing unto thee and to my nobles, it -shall be, that, as thou hast reared him up to the present time, I will -give him to be brought up by Pendaran Dyved from henceforth. And you -shall be companions, and shall both be foster-fathers unto him." - -"This is good counsel," said they all. So the boy was given to Pendaran -Dyved, and the nobles of the land were sent with him. And Teirnyon -Twryv Vliant and his companions set out for his country and his -possessions, with love and gladness. And he went not without being -offered the fairest jewels, and the fairest horses, and the choicest -dogs; but he would take none of them. - -Thereupon they all remained in their own dominions. And Pryderi the son -of Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn was brought up carefully, as was fit, so -that he became the fairest youth, and the most comely, and the best -skilled in all good games, of any in the kingdom. And thus passed years -and years until the end of Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn's life came, and -he died. - -And Pryderi ruled the seven Cantrevs of Dyved prosperously; and he was -beloved by his people and by all around him. And at length he added -unto them the three Cantrevs of Ystrad Tywi and the four Cantrevs of -Cardigan; and these were called the Seven Cantrevs of Seissyllwch. And -when he made this addition, Pryderi the son of Pwyll the chief of -Annwyvn desired to take a wife. And the wife he chose was Kicva, the -daughter of Gwynn Gohoyw, the son of Gloyw Wlallt Lydan, the son of -Prince Casnar, one of the nobles of this island. - - - - - THE STORY OF LLUDD AND LLEVELYS. - - -Beli the Great, the son of Manogan, had three sons, Lludd and -Caswallawn and Nynyaw, and according to the story he had a fourth son -called Llevelys. And after the death of Beli, the kingdom of the Island -of Britain fell into the hands of Lludd, his eldest son; and Lludd -ruled prosperously, and rebuilt the walls of London, and encompassed it -about with numberless towers. And after that he bade the citizens build -houses therein, such as no houses in the kingdoms could equal. And -moreover he was a mighty warrior, and generous and liberal in giving -meat and drink to all that sought them. And though he had many castles -and cities, this one loved he more than any. And he dwelt therein most -part of the year, and therefore was it called Caer Lludd, and at last -Caer London. And after the stranger-race came there, it was called -London, or Lwndrys. - -Lludd loved Llevelys best of all his brothers, because he was a wise -and discreet man. Having heard that the King of France had died, -leaving no heir except a daughter, and that he had left all his -possessions in her hands, he came to Lludd his brother to beseech his -counsel and aid; and that not so much for his own welfare as to seek -to add to the glory and honor and dignity of his kindred, if he might -go to France to woo the maiden for his wife. And forthwith his brother -conferred with him, and this counsel was pleasing unto him. - -So he prepared ships, and filled them with armed knights, and set forth -towards France. And as soon as they had landed, they sent messengers -to show the nobles of France the cause of the embassy. And by the -joint counsel of the nobles of France and of the princes, the maiden -was given to Llevelys, and the crown of the kingdom with her. And -thenceforth he ruled the land discreetly and wisely and happily as long -as his life lasted. - -After a space of time had passed, three plagues fell on the Island of -Britain, such as none in the islands had ever seen the like of. The -first was a certain race that came, and was called the Coranians; and -so great was their knowledge, that there was no discourse upon the -face of the island, however low it might be spoken, but what, if the -wind met it, it was known to them. And through this they could not be -injured. - -The second plague was a shriek which came on every May-eve over every -hearth in the Island of Britain. And this went through people's hearts, -and so scared them, that the men lost their hue and their strength, and -the young men and the maidens lost their senses, and all the animals -and trees, and the earth and the waters, were left barren. - -The third plague was that, however much of provisions and food might -be prepared in the king's courts, were there even so much as a year's -provision of meat and drink, none of it could ever be found, except -what was consumed in the first night. And two of these plagues no one -ever knew their cause, therefore was there better hope of being freed -from the first than from the second and third. - -And thereupon King Lludd felt great sorrow and care, because that he -knew not how he might be freed from these plagues. And he called to -him all the nobles of his kingdom, and asked counsel of them what they -should do against these afflictions. And by the common counsel of -the nobles, Lludd the son of Beli went to Llevelys his brother, King -of France, for he was a man great of counsel and wisdom, to seek his -advice. - -And they made ready a fleet, and that in secret and in silence, lest -that race should know the cause of their errand, or any besides the -king and his counsellors. And when they were made ready, they went into -their ships, Lludd and those whom he chose with him. And they began to -cleave the seas towards France. - -And when these tidings came to Llevelys, seeing that he knew not the -cause of his brother's ships he came on the other side to meet him, and -with him was a fleet vast of size. And when Lludd saw this, he left all -the ships out upon the sea except one only; and in that one he came to -meet his brother, and he likewise with a single ship came to meet him. -And when they were come together, each put his arms about the other's -neck, and they welcomed each other with brotherly love. - -After that Lludd had shown his brother the cause of his errand, -Llevelys said that he himself knew the cause of the coming to those -lands. And they took counsel together to discourse on the matter -otherwise than thus, in order that the wind might not catch their -words, nor the Coranians know what they might say. Then Llevelys caused -a long horn to be made of brass, and through this horn they discoursed. -But whatsoever words they spoke through this horn, one to the other, -neither of them could hear any other but harsh and hostile words. And -when Llevelys saw this, and that there was a demon thwarting them, -and disturbing through this horn, he caused wine to be put therein to -wash it. And through the virtue of the wine the demon was driven out -of the horn. And when their discourse was unobstructed, Llevelys told -his brother that he would give him some insects, whereof he should keep -some to breed, lest by chance the like affliction might come a second -time. And other of these insects he should take and bruise in water. -And he assured him that it would have power to destroy the race of the -Coranians. That is to say, that when he came home to his kingdom, he -should call together all the people, both of his own race and of the -race of the Coranians, for a conference, as though with the intent of -making peace between them, and that when they were all together he -should take this charmed water, and cast it over all alike. And he -assured him that the water would poison the race of the Coranians, but -that it would not slay or harm those of his own race. - -"And the second plague," said he, "that is in thy dominion, behold it -is a dragon. And another dragon of a foreign race is fighting with it, -and striving to overcome it. And therefore does your dragon make a -fearful outcry. And on this wise mayest thou come to know this. After -thou hast returned home, cause the island to be measured in its length -and breadth; and in the place where thou dost find the exact central -point, there cause a pit to be dug, and cause a caldron full of the -best mead that can be made to be put in the pit, with a covering of -satin over the face of the caldron. And then in thine own person do -thou remain there watching, and thou wilt see the dragons fighting in -the form of terrific animals. And at length they will take the form of -dragons in the air. And last of all, after wearying themselves with -fierce and furious fighting, they will fall, in the form of two pigs, -upon the covering, and they will sink in, and the covering with them, -and they will draw it down to the very bottom of the caldron. And they -will drink up the whole of the mead; and after that they will sleep. -Thereupon do thou immediately fold the covering around them, and bury -them in a kistvaen in the strongest place thou hast in thy dominions, -and hide them in the earth. And as long as they shall bide in that -strong place, no plague shall come to the Island of Britain from -elsewhere. - -[Illustration: The Battle of the Dragons.] - -"The cause of the third plague," said he, "is a mighty man of -magic, who takes thy meat and thy drink and thy store. And he, -through illusions and charms, causes every one to sleep. Therefore -it is needful for thee in thy own person to watch thy food and thy -provisions. And lest he should overcome thee with sleep, be there a -caldron of cold water by thy side, and when thou art oppressed with -sleep, plunge into the caldron." - -Then Lludd returned back unto his land. And immediately he summoned to -him the whole of his own race and of the Coranians. And, as Llevelys -had taught him, he bruised the insects in water, which he cast over -them all together, and forthwith it destroyed the whole tribe of the -Coranians, without hurt to any of the Britons. - -And some time after this Lludd caused the island to be measured in -its length and in its breadth. And in Oxford he found the central -point, and in that place he caused the earth to be dug, and in that -pit a caldron to be set full of the best mead that could be made, and -a covering of satin over the face of it. And he himself watched that -night. And while he was there, he beheld the dragons fighting. And when -they were weary they fell, and came down upon the top of the satin, -and drew it with them to the bottom of the caldron. And when they had -drunk the mead they slept. And in their sleep Lludd folded the covering -around them, and in the securest place he had in Snowdon he hid them -in a kistvaen. Now after that, this spot was called Dinas Emreis, but -before that, Dinas Ffaraon. And thus the fierce outcry ceased in his -dominions. - -And when this was ended, King Lludd caused an exceeding great banquet -to be prepared. And when it was ready, he placed a vessel of cold water -by his side, and he in his own proper person watched it. And as he -abode thus clad with arms, about the third watch of the night, lo, he -heard many surpassing fascinations and various songs. And drowsiness -urged him to sleep. Upon this, lest he should be hindered from his -purpose, and be overcome by sleep, he went often into the water. And -at last, behold a man of vast size, clad in strong, heavy armor, came -in, bearing a hamper. And as he was wont, he put all the food and -provisions of meat and drink into the hamper, and proceeded to go with -it forth. And nothing was ever more wonderful to Lludd than that the -hamper should hold so much. - -And thereupon King Lludd went after him, and spoke unto him thus: -"Stop, stop," said he, "though thou hast done many insults and much -spoil erewhile, thou shalt not do so any more, unless thy skill in arms -and thy prowess be greater than mine." - -Then he instantly put down the hamper on the floor, and awaited him. -And a fierce encounter was between them, so that the glittering fire -flew out from their arms. And at the last Lludd grappled with him, and -fate bestowed the victory on Lludd. And he threw the plague to the -earth. And after he had overcome him by strength and might he besought -his mercy. - -"How can I grant thee mercy," said the king, "after all the many -injuries and wrongs that thou hast done me?" - -"All the losses that ever I have caused thee," said he, "I will make -thee atonement for, equal to what I have taken. And I will never do the -like from this time forth. But thy faithful vassal will I be." - -And the king accepted this from him. - - - - - THE ORIGIN OF THE OWL. - - [ENTITLED IN THE ORIGINAL, "MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY."] - - -Once upon a time Gwydion found a yellow-haired child in his chamber, -which had been placed there by magic art. And Gwydion straightway flung -a velvet scarf over the child and hid it. Now the place where he hid -it was the bottom of a chest at the foot of his bed. - -"Verily," said Math the son of Mathonwy, concerning the fine -yellow-haired boy, "I will cause this one to be baptized; and Dylan is -the name I will give him." - -So they had the boy baptized, and as they baptized him he plunged into -the sea. And immediately when he was in the sea, he took its nature, -and swam as well as the best fish that was therein. And for that reason -was he called Dylan, the son of the Wave. Beneath him no wave ever -broke. And the blow whereby he came to his death was struck by his -uncle Govannion. The third fatal blow was it called. - -As Gwydion lay one morning on his bed awake, he heard a cry in the -chest at his feet; and though it was not loud, it was such that he -could hear it. Then he arose in haste, and opened the chest; and when -he opened it, he beheld an infant-boy stretching out his arms from the -folds of the scarf, and casting it aside. And he took up the boy in -his arms, and carried him to a place where he knew there was a woman -that could nurse him. And he agreed with the woman that she should take -charge of the boy. And that year he was nursed. - -And at the end of the year he seemed by his size as though he were two -years old. And the second year he was a big child, and able to go to -the court by himself. And when he came to the court, Gwydion noticed -him, and the boy became familiar with him, and loved him better than -any one else. Then was the boy reared at the court until he was four -years old, when he was as big as though he had been eight. - -And one day Gwydion walked forth, and the boy followed him; and he went -to the Castle of Arianrod, having the boy with him. And when he came -into the court, Arianrod arose to meet him, and greeted him, and bade -him welcome. - -"Heaven prosper thee," said he. - -"What is the name of the boy?" said she. - -"Verily," he replied, "he has not yet a name." - -"Well," she said, "I lay this destiny upon him, that he shall never -have a name until he receives one from me." - -"Heaven bears me witness," answered he, "that thou art a wicked woman. -But the boy shall have a name,[16] how displeasing soever it may be -unto thee." And thereupon he went forth in wrath, and returned to Caer -Dathyl, and there he tarried that night. - -[Footnote 16: And the plot now becomes the artful contrivance by which -Gwydion brings about that Arianrod names the boy in spite of herself, -with other similar achievements.] - -And the next day he arose and took the boy with him, and went to -walk on the seashore between that place and Aber Menei. And there he -saw some sedges and seaweed, and he turned them into a boat. And out -of dry sticks and sedges he made some Cordovan leather, and a great -deal thereof; and he colored it in such a manner that no one ever saw -leather more beautiful than it. Then he made a sail to the boat, and he -and the boy went in it to the port of the Castle of Arianrod. And he -began forming shoes, and stitching them, until he was observed from the -castle. And when he knew that they of the castle were observing him, he -disguised his aspect, and put another semblance upon himself and upon -the boy, so that they might not be known. - -"What men are those in yonder boat?" said Arianrod. - -"They are cordwainers," answered they. - -"Go and see what kind of leather they have, and what kind of work they -can do." - -So they came unto them. And when they came he was coloring some -Cordovan leather, and gilding it. And the messengers came and told her -this. - -"Well," said she, "take the measure of my foot, and desire the -cordwainer to make shoes for me." - -So he made the shoes for her, yet not according to the measure, but -larger. The shoes then were brought unto her, and behold they were too -large. - -"These are too large," said she; "but he shall receive their value. Let -him also make some that are smaller than they." - -Then he made her others that were much smaller than her foot, and sent -them unto her. - -"Tell him that these will not go on my feet," said she. And they told -him this. - -"Verily," said he, "I will not make her any shoes unless I see her -foot." And this was told unto her. - -"Truly," she answered, "I will go unto him." - -So she went down to the boat, and when she came there he was shaping -shoes, and the boy stitching them. - -"Ah, lady," said he, "good day to thee." - -"Heaven prosper thee," said she. "I marvel that thou canst not manage -to make shoes according to measure." - -"I could not," he replied; "but now I shall be able." - -Thereupon behold a wren stood upon the deck of the boat; and the boy -shot at it, and hit it in the leg between the sinew and the bone. Then -she smiled. "Verily," said she, "with a steady hand did the lion aim at -it." - -"Heaven reward thee not; but now has he got a name. And a good enough -name it is. Llew Llaw Gyffes be he called henceforth." - -Then the work disappeared in seaweed and sedges, and he went on with it -no further. And for that reason was he called the third Gold-shoemaker. - -"Of a truth," said she, "thou wilt not thrive the better for doing evil -unto me." - -"I have done thee no evil yet," said he. Then he restored the boy to -his own form. - -"Well," said she, "I will lay a destiny upon this boy, that he shall -never have arms and armor until I invest him with them." - -"By Heaven," said he, "let thy malice be what it may, he shall have -arms." - -Then they went towards Dinas Dinllev, and there he brought up Llew Llaw -Gyffes until he could manage any horse, and he was perfect in features -and strength and stature. And then Gwydion saw that he languished -through the want of horses and arms. And he called him unto him. "Ah, -youth," said he, "we will go to-morrow on an errand together. Be -therefore more cheerful than thou art." - -"That I will," said the youth. - -Next morning, at the dawn of day, they arose. And they took way along -the seacoast, up towards Bryn Aryen. And at the top of Cevn Clydno -they equipped themselves with horses, and went towards the Castle of -Arianrod. And they changed their form, and pricked towards the gate in -the semblance of two youths; but the aspect of Gwydion was more staid -than that of the other. "Porter," said he, "go thou in and say that -there are here bards from Glamorgan." - -And the porter went in. - -"The welcome of Heaven be unto them. Let them in," said Arianrod. - -With great joy were they greeted. And the hall was arranged, and they -went to meat. When meat was ended, Arianrod discoursed with Gwydion -of tales and stories. Now Gwydion was an excellent teller of tales. -And when it was time to leave off feasting, a chamber was prepared for -them, and they went to rest. - -In the early twilight Gwydion arose, and he called unto him his magic -and his power. And by the time that the day dawned, there resounded -through the land uproar, and trumpets and shouts. When it was now -day, they heard a knocking at the door of the chamber, and therewith -Arianrod asking that it might be opened. Up rose the youth and opened -unto her, and she entered, and a maiden with her. "Ah, good men," she -said, "in evil plight are we." - -"Yes, truly," said Gwydion, "we have heard trumpets, and shouts. What -thinkest thou that they may mean?" - -"Verily," said she, "we cannot see the color of the ocean by reason of -all the ships side by side. And they are making for the land with all -the speed they can. And what can we do?" said she. - -"Lady," said Gwydion, "there is none other counsel than to close the -castle upon us, and to defend it as best we may." - -"Truly," said she, "may Heaven reward you. And do you defend it. And -here may you have plenty of arms." - -And thereupon went she forth for the arms, and behold she returned, and -two maidens, and suits of armor for two men, with her. - -"Lady," said he, "do thou accoutre this stripling, and I will arm -myself, with the help of thy maidens. Lo, I hear the tumult of the men -approaching." - -"I will do so gladly." So she armed him fully, and that right -cheerfully. - -"Hast thou finished arming the youth?" said he. - -"I have finished," she answered. - -"I likewise have finished," said Gwydion. "Let us now take off our -arms: we have no need of them." - -"Wherefore?" said she. "Here is the army around the house." - -"Oh, lady, there is here no army." - -"Oh!" cried she. "Whence then was this tumult?" - -"The tumult was but to break thy prophecy, and to obtain arms for thy -son. And now has he got arms without any thanks unto thee." - -"By Heaven," said Arianrod, "thou art a wicked man. Many a youth might -have lost his life through the uproar thou hast caused in this Cantrev -to-day. Now will I lay a destiny upon this youth," she said, "that he -shall never have a wife of the race that now inhabits this earth." - -"Verily," said he, "thou wast ever a malicious woman, and no one ought -to support thee. A wife shall he have notwithstanding." - -They went thereupon unto Math the son of Mathonwy, and complained unto -him most bitterly of Arianrod, Gwydion showed him also how he had -procured arms for the youth. "Well," said Math, "we will seek, I and -thou, by charms and illusion, to form a wife for him out of flowers. He -has now come to man's stature, and he is the comeliest youth that was -ever beheld." - -So they took the blossoms of the oak, and the blossoms of the broom, -and the blossoms of the meadow-sweet, and produced from them a maiden, -the fairest and most graceful that man ever saw. And they baptized her, -and gave her the name of Blodeuwedd. - -After she had become his bride, and they had feasted, said Gwydion, "It -is not easy for a man to maintain himself without possessions." - -"Of a truth," said Math, "I will give the young man the best Cantrev to -hold." - -"Lord," said he, "what Cantrev is that?" - -"The Cantrev of Dinodig," he answered. - -Now it is called at this day Eivionydd and Ardudwy. And the place in -the Cantrev where he dwelt was a palace of his in a spot called Mur y -Castell, on the confines of Ardudwy. There dwelt he and reigned, and -both he and his sway were beloved by all. - -One day he went forth to Caer Dathyl to visit Math the son of Mathonwy. -And on the day that he set out for Caer Dathyl, Blodeuwedd walked in -the court. And she heard the sound of a horn. And after the sound of -the horn, behold a tired stag went by, with dogs and huntsmen following -it. And after the dogs and the huntsmen there came a crowd of men on -foot. "Send a youth," said she, "to ask who yonder host may be." - -So a youth went and inquired who they were. "Gronw Pebyr is this, the -lord of Penllynn," said they. And thus the youth told her. - -Gronw Pebyr pursued the stag, and by the River Cynvael he overtook the -stag, and killed it. And what with flaying the stag, and baiting his -dogs, he was there until the night began to close in upon him. And as -the day departed and the night drew near, he came to the gate of the -court. "Verily," said Blodeuwedd, "the chieftain will speak ill of us -if we let him at this hour depart to another land without inviting him -in." - -"Yes, truly, lady," said they, "it will be most fitting to invite him." - -Then went messengers to meet him, and bid him in. And he accepted her -bidding gladly, and came to the court; and Blodeuwedd went to meet him -and greeted him, and bade him welcome. "Lady," said he, "Heaven repay -thee thy kindness." - -[Now Blodeuwedd, in spite of her descent from the flowers, was at heart -a wicked woman, and so she began to plot with Gronw Pebyr how they -might slay the valiant Llew Llaw Gyffes, and enjoy his possessions. -Then Gronw said to her,] "Converse with him fully, and find out by what -means he may come to his death." - -That night Llew Llaw Gyffes returned to his home. And the day they -spent in discourse and minstrelsy and feasting. And at night they went -to rest, and he spoke to Blodeuwedd once, and he spoke to her a second -time. But for all this he could not get from her one word. "What -aileth thee?" said he. "Art thou well?" - -"I was thinking," said she, "of that which thou didst never think of -concerning me; for I was sorrowful as to thy death, lest thou shouldst -go sooner than I." - -"Heaven reward thy care for me," said he. "But until Heaven take me I -shall not easily be slain." - -"For the sake of heaven, and for mine, show me how thou mightest be -slain. My memory in guarding is better than thine." - -"I will tell thee gladly," said he. "Not easily can I be slain, except -by a wound. And the spear wherewith I am struck must be a year in -the forming. And nothing must be done towards it, except during the -sacrifice on Sundays." - -"Is this certain?" asked she. - -"It is in truth," he answered. "And I cannot be slain within a house -nor without. I cannot be slain on horseback nor on foot." - -"Verily," said she, "in what manner, then, canst thou be slain?" - -"I will tell thee," said he. "By making a bath for me by the side of a -river, and by putting a roof over the caldron, and thatching it well -and tightly, and bringing a buck, and putting it beside the caldron. -Then if I place one foot on the buck's back, and the other on the edge -of the caldron, whosoever strikes me thus will cause my death." - -"Well," said she, "I thank Heaven that it will be easy to avoid this." - -No sooner had she held this discourse than she sent to Gronw Pebyr. -Gronw toiled at making the spear, and that day twelvemonth it was -ready. And that very day he caused her to be informed thereof. - -"Lord," said Blodeuwedd unto Llew, "I have been thinking how it is -possible that what thou didst tell me formerly can be true. Wilt thou -show me in what manner thou couldst stand at once upon the edge of a -caldron and upon a buck, if I prepare the bath for thee?" - -"I will show thee," said he. - -Then she sent unto Gronw, and bade him be in ambush on the hill which -is now called Bryn Kyvergyr, on the bank of the River Cynvael. She -caused also to be collected all the goats that were in the Cantrev, and -had them brought to the other side of the river, opposite Bryn Kyvergyr. - -And the next day she spoke thus: "Lord," said she, "I have caused the -roof and the bath to be prepared, and lo! they are ready." - -"Well," said Llew, "we will go gladly to look at them." - -The day after they came and looked at the bath. "Wilt thou go into the -bath, lord?" said she. - -"Willingly will I go in," he answered. So into the bath he went, and he -anointed himself. - -"Lord," said she, "behold the animals which thou didst speak of as -being called bucks." - -"Well," said he, "cause one of them to be caught and brought here." And -the buck was brought. Then Llew rose out of the bath, and put on his -trowsers, and he placed one foot on the edge of the bath, and the other -on the buck's back. - -Thereupon Gronw rose up from the hill which is called Bryn Cyvergyr, -and he rested on one knee, and flung the poisoned dart, and struck -him on the side, so that the shaft started out, but the head of the -dart remained in. Then he flew up in the form of an eagle, and gave a -fearful scream. And thenceforth was he no more seen. - -And the next day Gronw arose, and took possession of Ardudwy. And after -he had overcome the land, he ruled over it, so that Ardudwy and Penllyn -were both under his sway. - -Then these tidings reached Math the son of Mathonwy. And heaviness and -grief came upon Math, and much more upon Gwydion than upon him. "Lord," -said Gwydion, "I shall never rest until I have tidings of my nephew." - -"Verily," said Math, "may Heaven be thy strength." - -Then Gwydion set forth, and began to go forward. And he went through -Gwynedd and Powys to the confines. And when he had done so, he went -into Arvon, and came to the house of a vassal in Maenawr Penardd. -And he alighted at the house, and staid there that night. The man of -the house and his household came in, and last of all came there the -swineherd. Said the man of the house to the swineherd, "Well, youth, -hath thy sow come in to-night?" - -"She hath," said he, "and is this instant returned to the pigs." - -"Where doth this sow go to?" said Gwydion. - -"Every day, when the sty is opened, she goeth forth, and none can catch -sight of her, neither is it known whither she goeth more than if she -sank into the earth." - -"Wilt thou grant unto me," said Gwydion, "not to open the sty until I -am beside the sty with thee?" - -"This will I do right gladly," he answered. - -That night they went to rest. And as soon as the swineherd saw the -light of day, he awoke Gwydion. And Gwydion arose and dressed himself, -and went with the swineherd, and stood beside the sty. Then the -swineherd opened the sty. And as soon as he opened it, behold she -leaped forth, and set off with great speed. And Gwydion followed her. -And she went against the course of a river, and made for a brook, which -is now called Nant y Llew. And there she halted, and began feeding -under a tree. And Gwydion came under the tree, and looked, and as he -looked he beheld on the top of the tree an eagle. And it seemed to him -that the eagle was Llew. And he sang an Englyn:-- - - "Oak that grows between the two banks; - Darkened is the sky and hill! - Shall I not tell him by his wounds, - That this is Llew?" - -Upon this the eagle came down until he reached the centre of the tree. -And Gwydion sang another Englyn:-- - - "Oak that grows in upland ground, - Is it not wetted by the rain? Has it not been drenched - By ninescore tempests? - It bears in its branches Llew Llaw Gyffes!" - -Then the eagle came down until he was on the lowest branch of the tree, -and thereupon this Englyn did Gwydion sing:-- - - "Oak that grows beneath the steep; - Stately and majestic is its aspect! - Shall I not speak it? - That Llaw will come to my lap?" - -And the eagle came down upon Gwydion's knee. And Gwydion struck him -with his magic wand, so that he returned to his own form. No one ever -saw a more piteous sight, for he was nothing but skin and bone. - -Then he went unto Caer Dathyl, and there were brought unto him good -physicians that were in Gwynedd, and before the end of the year he was -quite healed. - -"Lord," said he unto Math the son of Mathonwy, "it is full time now -that I have retribution of him by whom I have suffered all this woe." - -"Truly," said Math, "he will never be able to maintain himself in the -possession of that which is thy right." - -"Well," said Llew, "the sooner I have my right, the better shall I be -pleased." - -Then they called together the whole of Gwynedd, and set forth to -Ardudwy. And Gwydion went on before, and proceeded to Mur y Castell. -And when Blodeuwedd heard that he was coming, she took her maidens -with her, and fled to the mountain. And they passed through the River -Cynvael, and went towards a court that there was upon the mountain; and -through fear they could not proceed except with their faces looking -backwards, so that unawares they fell into the lake. And they were all -drowned except Blodeuwedd herself; and her Gwydion overtook. And he -said unto her, "I will not slay thee; but I will do unto thee worse -than that. For I will turn thee into a bird. And because of the shame -thou hast done unto Llew Llaw Gyffes, thou shalt never show thy face -in the light of day henceforth; and that through fear of all the other -birds. For it shall be their nature to attack thee, and to chase thee -from wheresoever they may find thee. And thou shalt not lose thy name, -but shalt be always called Blodeuwedd." - -[Illustration: The Flight of Blodeuwedd and her Maidens.] - -Now Blodeuwedd is an owl in the language of this present time; and for -this reason is the owl hateful unto all birds. And even now the owl is -called Blodeuwedd. - -Then Gronw Pebyr withdrew unto Penllyn, and he despatched thence an -embassy. And the messengers he sent asked Llew Llaw Gyffes if he -would take land, or domain, or gold, or silver, for the injury he had -received. - -"I will not, by my confession to Heaven," said he. "Behold this is the -least that I will accept from him: that he come to the spot where I -was when he wounded me with the dart, and that I stand where he did, -and that with a dart I take my aim at him. And this is the very least -that I will accept." - -And this was told unto Gronw Pebyr. "Verily," said he, "is it needful -for me to do thus? My faithful warriors, and my household, and my -foster-brothers, is there not one among you who will stand the blow in -my stead?" - -"There is not verily," answered they. And because of their refusal to -suffer one stroke for their lord, they are called the third disloyal -tribe even unto this day. - -"Well," said he, "I will meet it." - -Then they two went forth to the banks of the River Cynvael; and Gronw -stood in the place where Llew Llaw Gyffes was when he struck him, and -Llew in the place where Gronw was. Then said Gronw Pebyr unto Llew, -"Since it was through the wiles of a woman that I did unto thee as I -have done, I adjure thee by Heaven to let me place between me and the -blow the slab thou seest yonder on the river's bank." - -"Verily," said Llew, "I will not refuse thee this." - -"Ah," said he, "may Heaven reward thee." - -So Gronw took the slab, and placed it between him and the blow. - -Then Llew flung the dart at him, and it pierced the slab, and went -threw Gronw likewise, so that it pierced through his back. And thus -was Gronw Pebyr slain. And there is still the slab on the bank of the -River Cynvael in Ardudwy, having the hole through it. And therefore is -it even now called Llech Gronw. - -A second time did Llew Llaw Gyffes take possession of the land, and -prosperously did he govern it. And, as the story relates, he was lord -after this over Gwynedd. - - - - - BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR. - - -Bendigeid Vran, the son of Llyr, was the crowned king of this island, -and he was exalted from the crown of London. And one afternoon he -was at Harlech in Ardudwy, at his court, and he sat upon the rock -of Harlech, looking over the sea. And with him were his brother -Manawyddan the son of Llyr, and his brothers by the mother's side, -Nissyen and Evnissyen, and many nobles likewise, as was fitting to -see around a king. His two brothers by the mother's side were the -sons of Eurosswydd, by his mother, Penardun, the daughter of Beli son -of Manogan. And one of these youths was a good youth, and of gentle -nature, and would make peace between his kindred, and cause his family -to be friends when their wrath was at the highest; and this one was -Nissyen: but the other would cause strife between his two brothers -when they were most at peace. And as they sat thus, they beheld -thirteen ships coming from the south of Ireland, and making towards -them; and they came with a swift motion, the wind being behind them, -and they neared them rapidly. "I see ships afar," said the king, -"coming swiftly towards the land. Command the men of the court that -they equip themselves, and go and learn their intent." So the men -equipped themselves, and went down towards them. And when they saw the -ships near, certain were they that they had never seen ships better -furnished. Beautiful flags of satin were upon them. And behold one of -the ships outstripped the others. And they saw a shield lifted up above -the side of the ship, and the point of the shield was upwards, in token -of peace. And the men drew near, that they might hold converse. Then -they put out boats, and came towards the land. And they saluted the -king. Now the king could hear them from the place where he was, upon -the rock above their heads. "Heaven prosper you," said he, "and be ye -welcome. To whom do these ships belong? and who is the chief amongst -you?" - -"Lord," said they, "Matholwch, King of Ireland, is here, and these -ships belong to him." - -"Wherefore comes he?" asked the king. "And will he come to the land?" - -"He is a suitor unto thee, lord," said they. "And he will not land, -unless he have his boon." - -"And what may that be?" inquired the king. - -"He desires to ally himself with thee, lord," said they. "And he comes -to ask Branwen the daughter of Llyr, that, if it seem well to thee, the -Island of the Mighty may be leagued with Ireland, and both become more -powerful." - -"Verily," said he, "let him come to land, and we will take counsel -thereupon." - -And this answer was brought to Matholwch. "I will go willingly," said -he. So he landed, and they received him joyfully. And great was the -throng in the palace that night, between his hosts and those of the -court; and next day they took counsel, and they resolved to bestow -Branwen upon Matholwch. Now she was one of the three chief ladies of -this island, and she was the fairest damsel in the world. - -And they fixed upon Aberffraw as the place where she should become -his bride. And they went thence, and towards Aberffraw the hosts -proceeded,--Matholwch and his host in their ships; Bendigeid Vran and -his host by land, until they came to Aberffraw. And at Aberffraw they -began the feast, and sat down. And thus sat they: the King of the -Island of the Mighty and Manawyddan the son of Llyr on one side, and -Matholwch on the other side, and Branwen the daughter of Llyr beside -him. And they were not within a house, but under tents. No house could -ever contain Bendigeid Vran. And they began the banquet, and caroused -and discoursed. And when it was more pleasing to them to sleep than to -carouse, they went to rest; and that night Branwen became Matholwch's -bride. - -And next day they arose, and all they of the court, and the officers -began to equip and to range the horses and the attendants; and they -ranged them in order as far as the sea. - -And behold one day, Evnissyen, the quarrelsome man of whom it is -spoken above, came by chance into the place where the horses of -Matholwch were, and asked whose horses they might be. - -"They are the horses of Matholwch, King of Ireland, who is married to -Branwen thy sister: his horses are they." - -"And is it thus they have done with a maiden such as she, and moreover -my sister, bestowing her without my consent? They could have offered no -greater insult to me than this," said he. And thereupon he rushed under -the horses, and cut off their lips at the teeth, and their ears close -to their heads, and their tails close to their backs, and wherever -he could clutch their eyelids, he cut them to the very bone, and he -disfigured the horses, and rendered them useless. - -And they came with these tidings unto Matholwch, saying that the horses -were disfigured and injured, so that not one of them could ever be of -any use again. "Verily, lord," said one, "it was an insult unto thee, -and as such was it meant." - -"Of a truth, it is a marvel to me, that, if they desire to insult me, -they should have given me a maiden of such high rank, and so much -beloved of her kindred, as they have done." - -"Lord," said another, "thou seest that thus it is, and there is nothing -for thee to do but to go to thy ships." And thereupon towards his ships -he set out. - -And tidings came to Bendigeid Vran that Matholwch was quitting the -court without asking leave; and messengers were sent to inquire of him -wherefore he did so. And the messengers that went were Iddic the son -of Anarawd, and Heveydd Hir. And these overtook him, and asked of him -what he designed to do, and wherefore he went forth. "Of a truth," said -he, "if I had known, I had not come hither. I have been altogether -insulted: no one had ever worse treatment than I have had here. But one -thing surprises me above all." - -"What is that?" asked they. - -"That Branwen the daughter of Llyr, one of the three chief ladies of -this island, and the daughter of the King of the Island of the Mighty, -should have been given me as my bride, and that after that I should -have been insulted; and I marvel that the insult was not done me before -they had bestowed upon me a maiden so exalted as she." - -"Truly, lord, it was not the will of any that are of the court," said -they, "nor of any that are of the council, that thou shouldest have -received this insult; and as thou hast been insulted, the dishonor is -greater unto Bendigeid Vran than unto thee." - -"Verily," said he, "I think so. Nevertheless he cannot recall the -insult." - -These men returned with that answer to the place where Bendigeid Vran -was, and they told him what reply Matholwch had given them. "Truly," -said he, "there are no means by which we may prevent his going away at -enmity with us, that we will not take." - -"Well, lord," said they, "send after him another embassy." - -"I will do so," said he. "Arise, Manawyddan son of Llyr, and Heveydd -Hir, and Unic Glew Ysgwyd, and go after him, and tell him that he shall -have a sound horse for every one that has been injured. And beside -that, as an atonement for the insult, he shall have a staff of silver -as large and as tall as himself, and a plate of gold of the breadth -of his face. And show unto him who it was that did this, and that it -was done against my will; but that he who did it is my brother by the -mother's side, and therefore it would be hard for me to put him to -death. And let him come and meet me," said he, "and we will make peace -in any way he may desire." - -The embassy went after Matholwch, and told him all these sayings in a -friendly manner, and he listened thereunto. "Men," said he, "I will -take counsel." So to the council he went. And in the council they -considered that if they should refuse this, they were likely to have -more shame rather than to obtain so great an atonement. They resolved -therefore to accept it, and they returned to the court in peace. - -Then the pavilions and the tents were set in order after the fashion of -a hall; and they went to meat. And as they had sat at the beginning of -the feast, so sat they there. And Matholwch and Bendigeid Vran began to -discourse; and behold it seemed to Bendigeid Vran, while they talked, -that Matholwch was not so cheerful as he had been before. And he -thought that the chieftain might be sad because of the smallness of the -atonement which he had for the wrong that had been done him. "Oh, man," -said Bendigeid Vran, "thou dost not discourse to-night so cheerfully as -thou wast wont. And if it be because of the smallness of the atonement, -thou shalt add thereunto whatsoever thou mayest choose, and to-morrow I -will pay thee the horses." - -"Lord," said he, "Heaven reward thee." - -"And I will enhance the atonement," said Bendigeid Vran; "for I will -give unto thee a caldron, the property of which is, that if one of thy -men be slain to-day, and be cast therein, to-morrow he will be as well -as ever he was at the best, except that he will not regain his speech." - -And thereupon he gave him great thanks, and very joyful was he for that -cause. - -And the next morning they paid Matholwch the horses as long as the -trained horses lasted. And then they journeyed into another commot, -where they paid him with colts until the whole had been paid; and from -thenceforth that commot was called Talebolion. - -And a second night sat they together. "My lord," said Matholwch, -"whence hadst thou the caldron which thou hast given me?" - -"I had it of a man who had been in thy land," said he, "and I would not -give it except to one from there." - -"Who was it?" asked he. - -"Llassar Llaesgyvnewid. He came here from Ireland with Kymideu -Kymeinvoll, his wife, who escaped from the Iron House in Ireland when -it was made red hot around them, and fled hither. And it is a marvel to -me that thou shouldst know nothing concerning the matter." - -"Something I do know," said he, "and as much as I know I will tell -thee. One day I was hunting in Ireland, and I came to the mound at -the head of the lake, which is called the Lake of the Caldron. And I -beheld a huge yellow-haired man coming from the lake, with a caldron -upon his back. And he was a man of vast size and of horrid aspect, and -a woman followed after him. And if the man was tall, twice as large as -he was the woman; and they came towards me and greeted me. So I took -them with me, and maintained them. And they were with me for a year. -And that year I had them with me not grudgingly. But thenceforth was -there murmuring because that they were with me. For from the beginning -of the fourth month they had begun to make themselves hated, and to -be disorderly in the land, committing outrages, and molesting and -harassing the nobles and ladies. And thenceforward my people rose up -and besought me to part with them, and they bade me to choose between -them and my dominions. And I applied to the council of my country to -know what should be done concerning them; for of their own free will -they would not go, neither could they be compelled against their will, -through fighting. And [the people of the country] being in this strait, -they caused a chamber to be made all of iron. Now, when the chamber -was ready, there came there every smith that was in Ireland, and every -one who owned tongs and hammer. And they caused coals to be piled up as -high as the top of the chamber. And they had the man, and the woman, -and the children, served with plenty of meat and drink; but when it -was known that they were drunk, they began to put fire to the coals -about the chamber, and they blew it with bellows until the house was -red hot all around them. Then was there a council held in the centre of -the floor of the chamber. And the man tarried until the plates of iron -were all of a white-heat; and then, by reason of the great heat, the -man dashed against the plates with his shoulder and struck them out, -and his wife followed him; but, except him and his wife, none escaped -thence. And then I suppose, lord," said Matholwch, unto Bendigeid Vran, -"that he came over unto thee." - -"Doubtless he came here," said he, "and gave unto me the caldron." - -"In what manner didst thou receive them?" - -"I dispersed them through every part of my dominions, and they have -become numerous, and are prospering everywhere, and they fortify the -places where they are with men and arms of the best that were ever -seen." - -That night they continued to discourse as much as they would, and had -minstrelsy and carousing; and when it was more pleasant to them to -sleep than to sit longer, they went to rest. And thus was the banquet -carried on with joyousness; and when it was finished, Matholwch -journeyed towards Ireland, and Branwen with him, and they went from -Aber Menei with thirteen ships, and came to Ireland. And in Ireland was -there great joy because of their coming. And not one great man or noble -lady visited Branwen unto whom she gave not either a clasp, or a ring, -or a royal jewel to keep, such as it was honorable to be seen departing -with. And in these things she spent that year in much renown, and she -passed her time pleasantly, enjoying honor and friendship. - -And behold, in the second year a tumult arose in Ireland, on account -of the insult which Matholwch had received in Cambria, and the payment -made him for his horses. And his foster-brothers, and such as were -nearest unto him, blamed him openly for that matter. And he might have -no peace by reason of the tumult until they should revenge upon him -this disgrace. And the vengeance which they took was to drive away -Branwen from the same chamber with him, and to make her cook for the -court. And they caused the butcher, after he had cut up the meat, to -come to her and give her every day a blow on the ear, and such they -made her punishment. - -"Verily, lord," said his men to Matholwch, "forbid now the ships and -the ferry-boats and the coracles, that they go not into Cambria; and -such as come over from Cambria hither, imprison them that they go not -back for this thing to be known there." And he did so; and t'was thus -for no less than three years. - -And Branwen reared a starling in the cover of the kneading-trough, and -she taught it to speak, and she taught the bird what manner of man her -brother was. And she wrote a letter of her woes, and the despite with -which she was treated; and she bound the letter to the root of the -bird's wing, and sent it towards Britain. And the bird came to this -island; and one day it found Bendigeid Vran at Caer Seiont in Arvon, -conferring there, and it alighted upon his shoulder, and ruffled its -feathers, so that the letter was seen, and they knew that the bird had -been reared in a domestic manner. - -Then Bendigeid Vran took the letter and looked upon it. And when he -had read the letter he grieved exceedingly at the tidings of Branwen's -woes. And immediately he began sending messengers to summon the island -together. And he caused sevenscore and four countries to come unto -him, and he complained to them himself of the grief that his sister -endured. So they took counsel. And in the council they resolved to go -to Ireland, and to leave seven men as princes here, and Caradawc the -son of Bran as the chief of them, and their seven knights. In Edeyrnion -were these men left. And these abode as seven ministers to take charge -of this island; and Caradawc the son of Bran was the chief amongst them. - -Bendigeid Vran, with the host of which we spoke, sailed towards -Ireland, and it was not far across the sea, and he came to shoal water. -It was but by two rivers; the Lli and the Archan were they called; and -the nations covered the sea. Then he proceeded with what provisions he -had on his own back, and approached the shore of Ireland. - -Now the swineherds of Matholwch were upon the seashore, and they came -to Matholwch. "Lord," said they, "greeting be unto thee." - -"Heaven protect you!" said he, "have you any news?" - -"Lord," said they, "we have marvellous news: a wood have we seen upon -the sea in a place where we never yet saw a single tree." - -"This is indeed a marvel," said he. "Saw you aught else?" - -"We saw, lord," said they, "a vast mountain beside the wood, which -moved, and there was a lofty ridge on the top of the mountain, and a -lake on each side of the ridge. And the wood, and the mountain, and all -these things moved." - -"Verily," said he, "there is none who can know aught concerning this, -unless it be Branwen." - -Messengers then went unto Branwen. "Lady," said they, "what thinkest -thou that this is?" - -"The men of the Island of the Mighty, who have come hither on hearing -of my ill-treatment and my woes." - -"What is the forest that is seen upon the sea?" asked they. - -"The yards and the masts of ships," she answered. - -"Alas!" said they, "what is the mountain that is seen by the side of -the ships?" - -"Bendigeid Vran, my brother," she replied, "coming to shoal water: -there is no ship that can contain him in it." - -"What is the lofty ridge with the lake on each side thereof?" - -"On looking towards this island he is wroth; and his two eyes, one on -each side of his nose, are the two lakes beside the ridge." - -The warriors and the chief men of Ireland were brought together in -haste, and they took counsel. "Lord," said the nobles unto Matholwch, -"there is no other counsel than to retreat over the Linon (a river -which is in Ireland), and to keep the river between thee and him, -and to break down the bridge that is across the river; for there is -a loadstone at the bottom of the river that neither ship nor vessel -can pass over." So they retreated across the river and broke down the -bridge. - -Bendigeid Vran came to land, and the fleet with him by the bank of the -river. "Lord," said his chieftains, "knowest thou the nature of this -river, that nothing can go across it, and there is no bridge over it? -What," said they, "is thy counsel concerning a bridge?" - -"There is none," said he, "except that he who will be chief let him -be a bridge. I will be so," said he. And then was that saying first -uttered, and it is still used as a proverb. And when he had lain down -across the river, hurdles were placed upon him and the host passed over -thereby. - -And as he rose up, behold the messengers of Matholwch came to him, -and saluted him, and gave him greeting in the name of Matholwch his -kinsman, and showed how that of his good-will he had merited him -nothing but good. "For Matholwch has given the kingdom of Ireland to -Gwern the son of Matholwch, thy nephew and thy sister's son. And this -he places before thee as a compensation for the wrong and despite -that has been done unto Branwen. And Matholwch shall be maintained -wheresoever thou wilt, either here or in the Island of the Mighty." - -Said Bendigeid Vran, "Shall not I myself have the kingdom? Then -peradventure I may take counsel concerning your message. From this time -until then no other answer will you get from me." - -"Verily," said they, "the best message that we receive for thee we will -convey it unto thee, and do thou await our message unto him." - -"I will wait," answered he; "and do you return quickly." - -The messengers set forth and came to Matholwch. "Lord," said they, -"prepare a better message for Bendigeid Vran. He would not listen at -all to the message that we bore him." - -"My friends," said Matholwch, "what may be your counsel?" - -"Lord," said they, "there is no other counsel than this alone. He was -never known to be within a house, make therefore a house that will -contain him and the men of the Island of the Mighty on the one side, -and thyself and thy host on the other, and give over thy kingdom to his -will, and do him homage. So by reason of the honor thou doest him in -making him a house, whereas he never before had a house to contain him, -he will make peace with thee." So the messengers went back to Bendigeid -Vran, bearing him this message. - -And he took counsel, and in the council it was resolved that he should -accept this; and this was all done by the advice of Branwen, and lest -the country should be destroyed. And this peace was made, and the house -was built both vast and strong. But the Irish planned a crafty device, -and the craft was that they should put brackets on each side of the -hundred pillars that were in the house, and should place a leathern bag -on each bracket, and an armed man in every one of them. Then Evnissyen -came in before the host of the Island of the Mighty, and scanned the -house with fierce and savage looks, and descried the leathern bags -which were around the pillars. "What is in this bag?" asked he of one -of the Irish. - -"Meal, good soul," said he. And Evnissyen felt about it until he came -to the man's head, and he squeezed the head [until he killed the man]. - -And he left that one, and put his hand upon another, and asked what was -therein. "Meal," said the Irishman. So he did the like unto every one -of them, until he had not left alive of all the two hundred men save -one only; and when he came to him he asked what was there. "Meal, good -soul," said the Irishman. And he felt about until he felt the head, -and he squeezed that head as he had done the others. And, albeit he -found that the head of this one was armed, he left him not until he had -killed him. And then he sang an Englyn:-- - - "There is in this bag a different sort of meal, - The ready combatant, when the assault is made - By his fellow-warriors, prepared for battle." - -Thereupon came the hosts unto the house. The men of the Island of -Ireland entered the house on the one side, and the men of the Island -of the Mighty on the other. And as soon as they had sat down there -was concord between them; and the sovereignty was conferred upon the -boy. When the peace was concluded, Bendigeid Vran called the boy unto -him, and from Bendigeid Vran the boy went unto Manawyddan, and he was -beloved by all that beheld him. And from Manawyddan the boy was called -by Nissyen the son of Eurosswydd, and the boy went unto him lovingly. -"Wherefore," said Evnissyen, "comes not my nephew the son of my sister -unto me? Though he were not king of Ireland, yet willingly would I -fondle the boy." - -"Cheerfully let him go to thee," said Bendigeid Vran, and the boy went -unto him cheerfully. - -"By my confession to Heaven," said Evnissyen in his heart, "unthought -of by the household is the slaughter that I will this instant commit." - -Then he arose and took up the boy by the feet, and before any one in -the house could seize hold of him, he thrust the boy headlong into the -blazing fire. And when Branwen saw her son burning in the fire, she -strove to leap into the fire also, from the place where she sat between -her two brothers. But Bendigeid Vran grasped her with one hand, and -his shield with the other. Then they all hurried about the house, and -never was there made so great a tumult by any host in one house as was -made by them, as each man armed himself. Then said Morddwydtyllyon, -"The gadflies of Morddwydtyllyon's Cow!" And while they all sought -their arms, Bendigeid Vran supported Branwen between his shield and his -shoulder. - -Then the Irish kindled a fire under the caldron of renovation, and they -cast the dead bodies into the caldron until it was full, and the next -day they came forth fighting-men as good as before, except that they -were not able to speak. Then when Evnissyen saw the dead bodies of the -men of the Island of the Mighty nowhere resuscitated, he said in his -heart, "Alas! woe is me, that I should have been the cause of bringing -the men of the Island of the Mighty into so great a strait. Evil betide -me if I find not a deliverance therefrom." And he cast himself among -the dead bodies of the Irish, and two unshod Irishmen came to him, and, -taking him to be one of the Irish, flung him into the caldron. And he -stretched himself out in the caldron, so that he rent the caldron into -four pieces, and burst his own heart also. - -In consequence of that the men of the Island of the Mighty obtained -such success as they had; but they were not victorious, for only seven -men of them all escaped, and Bendigeid Vran himself was wounded in the -foot with a poisoned dart. Now the seven men that escaped were Pryderi, -Manawyddan, Gluneu Eil Taran, Taliesin, Ynawc, Grudyen the son of -Muryel, and Heilyn the son of Gwynn Hen. - -And Bendigeid Vran commanded them that they should cut off his head. -"And take you my head," said he, "and bear it even unto the White -Mount, in London, and bury it there, with the face towards France. And -a long time will you be upon the road. In Harlech you will be feasting -seven years, the birds of Rhiannon singing unto you the while. And all -that time the head will be to you as pleasant company as it ever was -when on my body. And at Gwales in Penvro you will be fourscore years, -and you may remain there, and the head with you uncorrupted, until you -open the door that looks towards Aber Henvelen, and towards Cornwall. -And after you have opened that door, there you may no longer tarry, set -forth then to London to bury the head, and go straight forward." - -So they cut off his head, and these seven went forward therewith. And -Branwen was the eighth with them, and they came to land at Aber Alaw, -in Talebolyon, and they sat down to rest. And Branwen looked towards -Ireland and towards the Island of the Mighty, to see if she could -descry them. "Alas," said she, "woe is me that I was ever born: two -islands have been destroyed because of me!" Then she uttered a loud -groan, and there broke her heart. And they made her a four-sided grave, -and buried her upon the banks of the Alaw. - -Then the seven men journeyed forward towards Harlech, bearing the head -with them; and as they went behold there met them a multitude of men -and of women. "Have you any tidings?" asked Manawyddan. - -"We have none," said they, "save that Caswallawn the son of Beli, has -conquered the Island of the Mighty, and is crowned king in London." - -"What has become," said they, "of Caradawc the son of Bran, and the -seven men who were left with him in this island?" - -"Caswallawn came upon them, and slew six of the men, and Caradawc's -heart broke for grief thereof; for he could see the sword that slew -the men, but knew not who it was that wielded it. Caswallawn had flung -upon him the Veil of Illusion, so that no one could see him slay the -men, but the sword only could they see. And it liked him not to slay -Caradawc, because he was his nephew, the son of his cousin. And now he -was the third whose heart had broke through grief. Pendaran Dyved, who -had remained as a young page with these men, escaped into the wood," -said they. - -Then they went on to Harlech, and there stopped to rest, and they -provided meat and liquor, and sat down to eat and to drink. And there -came three birds, and began singing unto them a certain song, and all -the songs they had ever heard were unpleasant compared thereto; and the -birds seemed to them to be at a great distance from them over the sea, -yet they appeared as distinct as if they were close by, and at this -repast they continued seven years. - -And at the close of the seventh year they went forth to Gwales in -Penvro. And there they found a fair and regal spot overlooking the -ocean; and a spacious hall was therein. And they went into the hall, -and two of its doors were open; but the third door was closed,--that -which looked towards Cornwall. "See, yonder," said Manawyddan, "is the -door that we may not open." And that night they regaled themselves and -were joyful. And of all they had seen of food laid before them, and -of all they had heard of, they remembered nothing; neither of that, -nor of any sorrow whatsoever. And there they remained fourscore years, -unconscious of having ever spent a time more joyous and mirthful. And -they were not more weary than when first they came, neither did they, -any of them, know the time they had been there. And it was not more -irksome to them having the head with them, than if Bendigeid Vran had -been with them himself. And because of these fourscore years, it was -called the entertaining of the noble head. The entertaining of Branwen -and Matholwch was in the time that they went to Ireland. - -One day said Heilyn the son of Gwynn, "Evil betide me if I do not open -the door to know if that is true which is said concerning it." So he -opened the door, and looked towards Cornwall and Aber Henvelen. And -when they had looked, they were as conscious of all the evils they had -ever sustained, and of all the friends and companions they had lost, -and of all the misery that had befallen them, as if all had happened in -that very spot; and especially of the fate of their lord. And because -of their perturbation they could not rest, but journeyed forth with the -head towards London. And they buried the head in the White Mount, and -when it was buried this was the third goodly concealment; and it was -the third ill-fated disclosure when it was disinterred, inasmuch as no -invasion from across the sea came to this island while the head was in -that concealment. - - - - - MANAWYDDAN AND THE MICE. - - [ENTITLED IN THE ORIGINAL "MANAWYDDAN THE SON OF LLYR."] - - -When the seven men of whom we spoke [in the foregoing tale] had buried -the head of Bendigeid Vran, in the White Mount in London, with its face -towards France, Manawyddan gazed upon the town of London, and upon his -companions, and heaved a great sigh; and much grief and heaviness came -upon him. "Alas, Almighty Heaven, woe is me!" he exclaimed, "there is -none save myself without a resting-place this night." - -"Lord," said Pryderi, "be not so sorrowful. Thy cousin is king of -the Island of the Mighty, and though he should do thee wrong, thou -hast never been a claimant of land or possessions. Thou art the third -disinherited prince." - -"Yea," answered he; "but although this man is my cousin, it grieveth me -to see any one in the place of my brother Bendigeid Vran, neither can I -be happy in the same dwelling with him." - -"Wilt thou follow the counsel of another?" said Pryderi. - -"I stand in need of counsel," he answered; "and what may that counsel -be?" - -"Seven cantrevs remain unto me," said Pryderi, "wherein Rhiannon my -mother dwells. I will bestow her upon thee, and the seven Cantrevs with -her, and thou couldst not have seven Cantrevs fairer than they. Kicva, -the daughter of Gwynn Gloyw, is my wife; and since the inheritance of -the Cantrevs belongs to me, do thou and Rhiannon enjoy them." - -They set forth, and, however long the journey, they came at length -to Dyved; and a feast was prepared for them against their coming to -Narberth, which Rhiannon and Kicva had provided. Then began Manawyddan -and Rhiannon to sit and to talk together, and from their discourse his -mind and his thoughts became warmed towards her, and he thought in his -heart he had never beheld any lady more fulfilled of grace and beauty -than she. "Pryderi," said he, "I will that it be as thou didst say." - -"What saying was that?" asked Rhiannon. - -"Lady," said Pryderi, "I did offer thee as a wife to Manawyddan the son -of Llyr." - -"By that will I gladly abide," said Rhiannon. - -"Right glad am I also," said Manawyddan. "May Heaven reward him who -hath shown unto me friendship so perfect as this." - -And before the feast was over she became his bride. Said Pryderi, -"Tarry ye here the rest of the feast, and I will go into Lloegyr to -tender my homage unto Caswallawn the son of Beli." - -"Lord," said Rhiannon, "Caswallawn is in Kent: thou mayest therefore -tarry at the feast, and wait until he shall be nearer." - -"We will wait," he answered. So they finished the feast. And they began -to make the circuit of Dyved, and to hunt, and to take their pleasure. -And as they went through the country, they had never seen lands more -pleasant to live in, nor better hunting-grounds, nor greater plenty of -honey and fish. And such was the friendship between those four, that -they would not be parted from each other by night nor by day. - -And in the midst of all this he went to Caswallawn at Oxford, and -tendered his homage; and honorable was his reception there, and highly -was he praised for offering his homage. - -And after his return, Pryderi and Manawyddan feasted, and took their -ease and pleasure. And they began a feast at Narberth; for it was the -chief palace, and there originated all honor. And when they had ended -the first meal that night, while those who served them ate, they arose -and went forth, and proceeded all four to the Gorsedd of Narberth, -and their retinue with them. And as they sat thus, behold a peal of -thunder, and with the violence of the thunderstorm, lo there came a -fall of mist so thick that not one of them could see the other. And -after the mist it became light all around. And when they looked towards -the place where they were wont to see cattle and herds and dwellings, -they saw nothing now,--neither house, nor beast, nor smoke, nor fire, -nor man, nor dwelling, but the houses of the court empty and desert and -uninhabited, without either man or beast within them. And truly all -their companions were lost to them, without their knowing aught of what -had befallen them, save those four only. - -"In the name of Heaven," cried Manawyddan, "where are they of the -court, and all my host beside these? Let us go and see." So they came -into the hall, and there was no man; and they went on to the castle, -and to the sleeping-place, and they saw none; and in the mead-cellar -and in the kitchen there was nought but desolation. Then they began to -go through the land and all the possessions that they had, and they -visited the houses and dwellings, and found nothing but wild beasts. -And when they had consumed their feast and all their provisions, they -fed upon the prey they killed in hunting, and the honey of the wild -swarms. - -"Verily," said Manawyddan, "we must not bide thus. Let us go into -Lloegyr, and seek some craft whereby we may gain our support." So -they went into Lloegyr, and came as far as Hereford. And they betook -themselves to making saddles. And Manawyddan began to make housings; -and he gilded and colored them with blue enamel in the manner that he -had seen it done by Llasar Llaesgywydd. And he made the blue enamel as -it was made by the other man. And therefore is it still called Calch -Lasar [blue enamel], because Llasar Llaesgywydd had wrought it. - -And as long as that workmanship could be had of Manawyddan, neither -saddle nor housing was bought of a saddler throughout all Hereford; -till at length every one of the saddlers perceived that they were -losing much of their gain, and that no man bought of them but him who -could not get what he sought from Manawyddan. Then they assembled -together, and agreed to slay him and his companions. - -Now they received warning of this, and took counsel whether they should -leave the city. "By Heaven," said Pryderi, "it is not my counsel that -we should quit the town, but that we should slay these boors." - -"Not so," said Manawyddan; "for, if we fight with them, we shall have -evil fame, and shall be put in prison. It were better for us to go to -another town to maintain ourselves." So they four went to another city. - -"What craft shall we take?" said Pryderi. - -"We will make shields," said Manawyddan. - -"Do we know any thing about that craft?" said Pryderi. - -"We will try," answered he. There they began to make shields, and -fashioned them after the shape of the good shields they had seen; and -they enamelled them, as they had done the saddles. And they prospered -in that place, so that not a shield was asked for in the whole town, -but such as was had of them. Rapid therefore was their work, and -numberless were the shields they made. But at last they were marked by -the craftsmen, who came together in haste, and their fellow-townsmen -with them, and agreed that they should seek to slay them. But they -received warning, and heard how the men had resolved on their -destruction. "Pryderi," said Manawyddan, "these men desire to slay us. -Let us not endure this from these boors, but let us rather fall upon -them and slay them." - -"Not so," he answered. "Caswallawn and his men will hear of it, and we -shall be undone. Let us go to another town." So to another town they -went. - -"What craft shall we take?" said Manawyddan. - -"Whatsoever thou wilt that we know," said Pryderi. - -"Not so," he replied; "but let us take to making shoes." - -"I know nothing thereof," said Pryderi. - -"But I know," answered Manawyddan; "and I will teach thee to stitch. -We will not attempt to dress the leather; but we will buy it ready -dressed, and will make the shoes from it." - -So he began by buying the best cordwal that could be had in the town, -and none other would he buy except the leather for the soles. And he -associated himself with the best goldsmith in the town, and caused him -to make clasps for the shoes, and to gild the clasps; and he marked how -it was done, until he learned the method. And therefore he was called -one of the three makers of gold shoes; and when they could be had from -him, not a shoe nor hose was bought of any of the cordwainers in the -town. But when the cordwainers perceived that their gains were failing -(for as Manawyddan shaped the work, so Pryderi stitched it), they came -together and took counsel, and agreed that they would slay them. - -"Pryderi," said Manawyddan, "these men are minded to slay us." - -"Wherefore should we bear this from the boorish thieves?" said Pryderi. -"Rather let us slay them all." - -"Not so," said Manawyddan: "we will not slay them, neither will we -remain in Lloegyr any longer. Let us set forth to Dyved and go to see -it." - -So they journeyed along until they came to Dyved, and they went forward -to Narberth. And there they kindled fire, and supported themselves by -hunting. And thus they spent a month. And they gathered their dogs -around them, and tarried there one year. - -And one morning Pryderi and Manawyddan rose up to hunt; and they ranged -their dogs, and went forth from the palace. And some of the dogs ran -before them, and came to a small bush which was near at hand; but as -soon as they were come to the bush they hastily drew back, and returned -to the men, their hair bristling up greatly. "Let us go near to the -bush," said Pryderi, "and see what is in it." And as they came near, -behold, a wild boar of a pure white color rose up from the bush. Then -the dogs, being set on by the men, rushed towards him; but he left the -bush, and fell back a little way from the men, and made a stand against -the dogs, without retreating from them, until the men had come near. -And when the men came up, he fell back a second time, and betook him to -flight. Then they pursued the boar until they beheld a vast and lofty -castle, all newly built, in a place where they had never before seen -either stone or building. And the boar ran swiftly into the castle, and -the dogs after him. Now, when the boar and the dogs had gone into the -castle, they began to wonder at finding a castle in a place where they -had never before then seen any building whatsoever. And from the top of -the Gorsedd they looked and listened for the dogs. But so long as they -were there they heard not one of the dogs, nor aught concerning them. - -"Lord," said Pryderi, "I will go into the castle to get tidings of the -dogs." - -"Truly," he replied, "thou wouldst be unwise to go into this castle -which thou hast never seen till now. If thou wouldst follow my counsel, -thou wouldst not enter therein. Whosoever has cast a spell over this -land has caused this castle to be here." - -"Of a truth," answered Pryderi, "I cannot thus give up my dogs." And -for all the counsel that Manawyddan gave him, yet to the castle he went. - -When he came within the castle, neither man nor beast, nor boar nor -dogs, nor house nor dwelling, saw he within it. But in the centre of -the castle-floor he beheld a fountain with marble work around it, and -on the margin of the fountain a golden bowl upon a marble slab, and -chains hanging from the air, to which he saw no end. - -And he was greatly pleased with the beauty of the gold, and with the -rich workmanship of the bowl, and he went up to the bowl and laid hold -of it. And when he had taken hold of it, his hands stuck to the bowl, -and his feet to the slab on which the bowl was placed, and all his -joyousness forsook him, so that he could not utter a word. And thus he -stood. - -And Manawyddan waited for him till near the close of the day. And late -in the evening, being certain that he should have no tidings of Pryderi -or of the dogs, he went back to the palace. And as he entered, Rhiannon -looked at him. "Where," said she, "are thy companion and thy dogs?" - -"Behold," he answered, "the adventure that has befallen me." And he -related it all unto her. - -"An evil companion hast thou been," said Rhiannon, "and a good -companion hast thou lost." And with that word she went out, and -proceeded towards the castle according to the direction which he gave -her. The gate of the castle she found open. She was nothing daunted, -and she went in. And as she went in she perceived Pryderi laying hold -of the bowl, and she went towards him. "O my lord," said she, "what -dost thou do here?" And she took hold of the bowl with him; and as -she did so, her hands became fast to the bowl, and her feet to the -slab, and she was not able to utter a word. And with that, as it -became night, lo, there came thunder upon them, and a fall of mist, and -thereupon the castle vanished, and they with it. - -[Illustration: Pryderi Held Fast by the Enchanted Bowl.] - -When Kicva, the daughter of Gwynn Gloew, saw that there was no one in -the palace but herself and Manawyddan, she sorrowed so that she cared -not whether she lived or died. And Manawyddan saw this. "Thou art in -the wrong," said he, "if through fear of me thou grievest thus. I call -Heaven to witness that thou hast never seen friendship more pure than -that which I will bear thee as long as Heaven will that thou shouldst -be thus." - -"Heaven reward thee," she said, "and that is what I deemed of thee." -And the damsel thereupon took courage and was glad. - -"Truly, lady," said Manawyddan, "it is not fitting for us to stay here: -we have lost our dogs, and we cannot get food. Let us go into Lloegyr: -it is easiest for us to find support there." - -"Gladly, lord," said she, "we will do so." And they set forth together -to Lloegyr. [But again the cordwainers drove them from their craft. And -Kicva would have fought them; but] - -"Nay," said he, "we will go back unto Dyved." So towards Dyved they set -forth. - -Now Madawyddan, when he set out to return to Dyved, took with him a -burden of wheat. And he proceeded towards Narberth, and there he dwelt. -And then he began to prepare some ground, and he sowed a croft, and a -second, and a third. And no wheat in the world ever sprung up better. -And the three crofts prospered with perfect growth, and no man ever saw -fairer wheat than it. - -And thus passed the seasons of the year until the harvest came. And -he went to look at one of his crofts, and behold it was ripe. "I will -reap this to-morrow," said he. And that night he went back to Narberth. -And on the morrow in the gray dawn he went to reap the croft, and when -he came there he found nothing but the bare straw. Every one of the -ears of the wheat was cut from off the stalk, and all the ears carried -entirely away, and nothing but the straw left. And at this he marvelled -greatly. - -Then he went to look at another croft, and behold that also was ripe. -"Verily," said he, "this will I reap to-morrow." And on the morrow -he came with the intent to reap it, and when he came there he found -nothing but the bare straw. "Oh, gracious Heaven," he exclaimed, "I -know that whosoever has begun my ruin is completing it, and has also -destroyed the country with me." - -Then he went to look at the third croft, and when he came there, finer -wheat had there never been seen, and this also was ripe. "Evil betide -me," said he, "if I watch not here to-night. Whoever carried off the -other corn will come in like manner to take this. And I will know who -it is." So he took his arms, and began to watch the croft. And he told -Kicva all that had befallen. - -"Verily," said she, "what thinkest thou to do?" - -"I will watch the croft to-night," said he. - -And he went to watch the croft. And at midnight, lo, there arose the -loudest tumult in the world. And he looked, and behold the mightiest -host of mice in the world, which could neither be numbered nor -measured. And he knew not what it was until the mice had made their way -into the croft, and each of them, climbing up the straw and bending it -down with its weight, had cut off one of the ears of wheat, and had -carried it away, leaving there the stalk; and he saw not a single straw -there that had not a mouse to it. And they all took their way, carrying -the ears with them. - -In wrath and anger did he rush upon the mice; but he could no more come -up with them than if they had been gnats, or birds in the air, except -one only, which, though it was but sluggish, went so fast that a man -on foot could scarce overtake it. And after this one he went, and he -caught it, and put it in his glove, and tied up the opening of the -glove with a string, and kept it with him, and returned to the palace. -Then he came to the hall where Kicva was, and he lighted a fire, and -hung the glove by the string upon a peg. - -"What hast thou there, lord?" said Kicva. - -"A thief," said he, "that I found robbing me." - -"What kind of thief may it be, lord, that thou couldst put into thy -glove?" said she. - -"Behold, I will tell thee," he answered. Then he showed her how his -fields had been wasted and destroyed, and how the mice came to the -last of the fields in his sight. "And one of them was less nimble than -the rest, and is now in my glove: to-morrow I will hang it. And before -Heaven, if I had them, I would hang them all." - -"My lord," said she, "this is marvellous. But yet it would be unseemly -for a man of dignity like thee to be hanging such a reptile as this. -And if thou doest right, thou wilt not meddle with the creature, but -wilt let it go." - -"Woe betide me," said he, "if I would not hang them all, could I catch -them; and such as I have I will hang." - -"Verily, lord," said she, "there is no reason that I should succor this -reptile, except to prevent discredit unto thee. Do therefore, lord, as -thou wilt." - -"If I knew of any cause in the world wherefore thou shouldst succor it, -I would take thy counsel concerning it," said Manawyddan; "but as I -know of none, lady, I am minded to destroy it." - -"Do so willingly, then," said she. - -And then he went to the Gorsedd of Narberth, taking the mouse with him. -And he set up two forks on the highest part of the Gorsedd. And while -he was doing this, behold he saw a scholar coming towards him in old -and poor and tattered garments. And it was now seven years since he had -seen in that place either man or beast, except those four persons who -had remained together until two of them were lost. - -"My lord," said the scholar, "good day to thee." - -"Heaven prosper thee, and my greeting be unto thee. And whence dost -thou come, scholar?" asked he. - -"I come, lord, from singing in Lloegyr; and wherefore dost thou -inquire?" - -"Because, for the last seven years," answered he, "I have seen no man -here save four secluded persons, and thyself this moment." - -"Truly, lord," said he, "I go through this land unto mine own. And what -work art thou upon, lord?" - -"I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me," said he. - -"What manner of thief is that?" asked the scholar. "I see a creature in -thy hand like unto a mouse; and ill does it become a man of rank equal -to thine to touch a reptile such as this. Let it go forth free." - -"I will not let it go free, by Heaven," said he. "I caught it robbing -me, and the doom of a thief will I inflict upon it, and I will hang it." - -"Lord," said he, "rather than see a man of rank equal to thine at such -a work as this, I would give thee a pound, which I have received as -alms, to let the reptile go forth free." - -"I will not let it go free," said he, "by Heaven; neither will I sell -it." - -"As thou wilt, lord," he answered. "Except that I would not see a man -of rank equal to thine touching such a reptile, I care nought." And the -scholar went his way. - -And as he was placing the crossbeam upon the two forks, behold a priest -came towards him upon a horse covered with trappings. "Good-day to -thee, lord," said he. - -"Heaven prosper thee!" said Manawyddan; "thy blessing." - -"The blessing of Heaven be upon thee! And what, lord, art thou doing?" - -"I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me," said he. - -"What manner of thief, lord?" asked he. - -"A creature," he answered, "in form of a mouse. It has been robbing me, -and I am inflicting upon it the doom of a thief." - -"Lord," said he, "rather than see thee touch this reptile, I would -purchase its freedom." - -"By my confession to Heaven, neither will I sell it nor set it free." - -"It is true, lord, that it is worth nothing to buy. But rather than see -thee defile thyself by touching such a reptile as this, I will give -thee three pounds to let it go." - -"I will not, by Heaven," said he, "take any price for it. As it ought, -so shall it be hanged." - -"Willingly, lord, do thy good pleasure." And the priest went his way. - -Then he noosed the string around the mouse's neck, and as he was -about to draw it up, behold, he saw a bishop's retinue with his -sumpter-horses, and his attendants. And the bishop himself came -towards him. And he stayed his work. "Lord bishop," said he, "thy -blessing." - -"Heaven's blessing be unto thee," said he. "What work art thou upon?" - -"Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me," said he. - -"Is not that a mouse that I see in thy hand?" - -"Yes," answered he. "And she has robbed me." - -"Ay," said he, "since I have come at the doom of this reptile, I will -ransom it of thee. I will give thee seven pounds for it, and that -rather than see a man of rank equal to thine destroying so vile a -reptile as this. Let it loose, and thou shalt have the money." - -"I declare to Heaven that I will not set it loose." - -"If thou wilt not loose it for this, I will give thee four and twenty -pounds of ready money to set it free." - -"I will not set it free, by Heaven, for as much again," said he. - -"If thou wilt not set it free for this, I will give thee all the horses -that thou seest in this plain, and the seven loads of baggage, and the -seven horses that they are upon." - -"By Heaven, I will not," he replied. - -"Since for this thou wilt not, do so at what price soever thou wilt." - -"I will do so," said he. "I will that Rhiannon and Pryderi be free," -said he. - -"That thou shalt have," he answered. - -"Not yet will I loose the mouse, by Heaven." - -"What then wouldst thou?" - -"That the charm and the illusion be removed from the seven Cantrevs of -Dyved." - -"This shalt thou have also: set therefore the mouse free." - -"I will not set it free, by Heaven," said he. "I will know who the -mouse may be." - -"She is my wife." - -"Even though she be, I will not set her free. Wherefore came she to me?" - -"To despoil thee," he answered. "I am Llwyd the son of Kilcoed, and I -cast the charm over the seven cantrevs of Dyved. And it was to avenge -Gwawl the son of Clud from the friendship I had towards him, that I -cast the charm. And upon Pryderi did I revenge Gwawl the son of Clud -for the game of Badger in the Bag that Pwyll Pen Annwn played upon him, -which he did unadvisedly in the court of Heveydd Hên. And when it was -known that thou wast come to dwell in the land, my household came and -besought me to transform them into mice, that they might destroy thy -corn. And it was my own household that went the first night. And the -second night also they went, and they destroyed thy two crofts. And -the third night came unto me my wife and the ladies of the court, and -besought me to transform them. And I transformed them. But since [my -wife] has been caught, I will restore thee Pryderi and Rhiannon; and I -will take the charm and illusion from off Dyved. I have now told thee -who she is. Set her therefore free." - -"I will not set her free, by Heaven," said he. - -"What wilt thou more?" he asked. - -"I will that there be no more charm upon the seven Cantrevs of Dyved, -and that none shall be put upon it henceforth." - -"This thou shalt have," said he. "Now set her free." - -"I will not, by my faith," he answered. - -"What wilt thou furthermore?" asked he. - -"Behold," said he, "this will I have; that vengeance be never taken for -this, either upon Pryderi, or Rhiannon, or upon me." - -"All this shalt thou have. And truly thou hast done wisely in asking -this. Upon thy head would have lighted all this trouble." - -"Yea," said he, "for fear thereof was it that I required this." - -"Set now my wife at liberty." - -"I will not, by Heaven," said he, "until I see Pryderi and Rhiannon -with me free." - -"Behold, here they come," he answered. - -And thereupon behold Pryderi and Rhiannon. And he rose up to meet them, -and greeted them, and sat down beside them. "Ah, chieftain, set now my -wife at liberty," said the bishop. "Hast thou not received all thou -didst ask?" - -"I will release her gladly," said he. And thereupon he set her free. - -Then Llywyd struck her with a magic wand, and she was changed back into -a young woman, the fairest ever seen. - -"Look around upon thy land," said he, "and then thou wilt see it all -tilled and peopled, as it was in its best state." - -And he rose up and looked forth. And when he looked he saw all the -lands tilled, and full of herds and dwellings. "What bondage," he -inquired, "has there been upon Pryderi and Rhiannon?" - -"Pryderi has had the knockers of the gate of my palace about his neck, -and Rhiannon has had the collars of the asses, after they have been -carrying hay, about her neck." - -And such had been their bondage. - -And by reason of this bondage is this story called the Mabinogi of -Mynnweir and Mynord. - - - - - GERAINT THE SON OF ERBIN.[17] - - -[Footnote 17: It is from this tale that Tennyson drew the incidents of -his poem upon Geraint and Enid.] - -Arthur was accustomed to hold his court at Caerlleon-upon-Usk. And -there he held it seven Easters and five Christmases. And once upon a -time he held his court there at Whitsuntide. For Caerlleon was the -place most easy of access in his dominions, both by sea and by land. -And there were assembled nine crowned kings, who were his tributaries, -and likewise earls and barons. For they were his invited guests at all -the high festivals, unless they were prevented by any great hindrance. -And when he was at Caerlleon, holding his court, thirteen churches were -set apart for mass. And thus were they appointed: one church for Arthur -and his kings and his guests; and the second for Gwenhwyvar and her -ladies; and the third for the steward of the household and the suitors; -and the fourth for the franks and the other officers: and the other -nine churches were for the nine masters of the household, and chiefly -for Gwalchmai;[18] for he, from the eminence of his warlike fame, and -from the nobleness of his birth, was the most exalted of the nine. - -[Footnote 18: "Gwalchmai," as before stated, is the "Sir Gawaine" of -Malory's _King Arthur_.] - -Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr was the chief porter; but he did not himself -perform the office, except at one of the three high festivals, for he -had seven men to serve him, and they divided the year amongst them. -And on Whit-Tuesday, as the king sat at the banquet, lo! there entered -a tall, fair-headed youth, clad in a coat and a surcoat of diapered -satin, and a golden-hilted sword about his neck, and low shoes of -leather upon his feet. And he came and stood before Arthur. "Hail to -thee, lord!" said he. - -"Heaven prosper thee," he answered, "and be thou welcome. Dost thou -bring any new tidings?"' - -"I do, lord," he said. - -"I know thee not," said Arthur. - -"It is a marvel to me that thou dost not know me. I am one of thy -foresters, lord, in the Forest of Dean, and my name is Madawe, the son -of Twrgadarn." - -"Tell me thine errand," said Arthur. - -"I will do so, lord," said he: "in the forest I saw a stag the like of -which beheld I never yet." - -"What is there about him," asked Arthur, "that thou never yet didst see -his like?" - -"He is of pure white, lord, and he does not herd with any other animal -through stateliness and pride, so royal is his bearing. And I come to -seek thy counsel, lord, and to know thy will concerning him." - -"It seems best to me," said Arthur, "to go and hunt him to-morrow at -break of day, and to cause general notice thereof to be given to-night -in all quarters of the court." And Arryfuerys was Arthur's chief -huntsman, and Arelivri was his chief page. And all received notice; and -thus it was arranged. And they sent the youth before them. - -Then Gwenhwyvar said to Arthur, "Wilt thou permit me, lord," said she, -"to go to-morrow to see and hear the hunt of the stag of which the -young man spoke?" - -"I will gladly," said Arthur. - -"Then will I go," said she. - -And Gwalchmai said to Arthur, "Lord, if it seem well to thee, permit -that into whose hunt soever the stag shall come, that one, be he a -knight, or one on foot, may cut off his head, and give it to whom he -pleases, whether to his own lady-love, or to the lady of his friend." - -"I grant it gladly," said Arthur, "and let the steward of the household -be chastised, if all are not ready to-morrow for the chase." - -And they passed the night with songs and diversions and discourse, and -ample entertainment. And when it was time for them all to go to sleep, -they went. And when the next day came, they arose; and Arthur called -the attendants who guarded his couch. And these men came to Arthur -and saluted him, and arrayed him in his garments. And Arthur wondered -that Gwenhwyvar did not awake, and did not move in her bed; and the -attendants wished to awaken her. "Disturb her not," said Arthur, "for -she had rather sleep than go to see the hunting." - -Then Arthur went forth; and he heard two horns sounding, one from near -the lodging of the chief huntsman, and the other from near that of the -chief page. And the whole assembly of the multitudes came to Arthur, -and they took the road to the forest. - -And after Arthur had gone forth from the palace, Gwenhwyvar awoke, -and called to her maidens, and apparelled herself. "Maidens," said -she, "I had leave last night to go and see the hunt. Go one of you -to the stable, and order hither a horse such as a woman may ride." -And one of them went, and she found but two horses in the stable; and -Gwenhwyvar and one of her maidens mounted them, and went through the -Usk, and followed the track of the men and the horses. And as they -rode thus, they heard a loud and rushing sound; and they looked behind -them, and beheld a knight upon a hunter-foal of mighty size; and the -rider was a fair-haired youth, bare-legged, and of princely mien, and -a golden-hilted sword was at his side, and a robe and a surcoat of -satin were upon him, and two low shoes of leather upon his feet, and -around him was a scarf of blue purple, at each corner of which was a -golden apple. And his horse stepped stately and swift and proud; and he -overtook Gwenhwyvar, and saluted her. "Heaven prosper thee, Geraint," -said she: "I knew thee when first I saw thee just now. And the welcome -of Heaven be unto thee. And why didst thou not go with thy lord to -hunt?" - -"Because I knew not when he went," said he. - -"I marvel too," said she, "how he could go unknown to me." - -"Indeed, lady!" said he. - -"I was asleep, and knew not when he went. And it may be that I shall -be more amused with the hunting than they; for we shall hear the horns -when they sound, and we shall hear the dogs when they are let loose, -and begin to cry." So they went to the edge of the forest, and there -they stood. "From this place," said she, "we shall hear when the dogs -are let loose." And thereupon they heard a loud noise, and they looked -towards the spot whence it came, and they beheld a dwarf riding upon -a horse, stately, and foaming and prancing, and strong and spirited. -And in the hand of the dwarf was a whip. And near the dwarf they saw a -lady upon a beautiful white horse of steady and stately pace; and she -was clothed in a garment of gold brocade. And near her was a knight -upon a war-horse of large size, with heavy and bright armor both upon -himself and upon his horse. And truly they never before saw a knight, -or a horse, or armor, of such remarkable size. And they were all near -to each other. - -"Geraint," said Gwenhwyvar, "knowest thou the name of that tall knight -yonder?" - -"I know him not," said he; "and the strange armor that he wears -prevents my either seeing his face or his features." - -"Go, maiden," said Gwenhwyvar, "and ask the dwarf who that knight is." -Then the maiden went up to the dwarf; and the dwarf waited for the -maiden when he saw her coming towards him. And the maiden inquired of -the dwarf who the knight was. - -"I will not tell thee," he answered. - -"Since thou art so churlish as not to tell me," said she, "I will ask -him himself." - -"Thou shalt not ask him, by my faith!" said he. - -"Wherefore?" said she. - -"Because thou art not of honor sufficient to befit thee to speak to my -lord." Then the maiden turned her horse's head towards the knight, upon -which the dwarf struck her, with the whip that was in his hand, across -the face and the eyes, until the blood flowed forth. And the maiden, -through the hurt she received from the blow, returned to Gwenhwyvar, -complaining of the pain. - -"Very rudely has the dwarf treated thee," said Geraint. "I will go -myself to know who the knight is." - -"Go," said Gwenhwyvar. And Geraint went up to the dwarf. - -"Who is yonder knight?" said Geraint. - -"I will not tell thee," said the dwarf. - -"Then will I ask him himself," said he. - -"That wilt thou not, by my faith!" said the dwarf. "Thou art not -honorable enough to speak with my lord." - -Said Geraint, "I have spoken with men of equal rank with him." And he -turned his horse's head towards the knight; but the dwarf overtook him, -and struck him as he had done the maiden, so that the blood colored the -scarf that Geraint wore. Then Geraint put his hand upon the hilt of his -sword; but he took counsel with himself, and considered that it would -be no vengeance for him to slay the dwarf, and to be attacked unarmed -by the armed knight: so he returned to where Gwenhwyvar was. - -"Thou hast acted wisely and discreetly," said she. - -"Lady," said he, "I will follow him yet, with thy permission; and at -last he will come to some inhabited place, where I may have arms either -as a loan or for a pledge, so that I may encounter the knight." - -"Go," said she, "and do not attack him until thou hast good arms; and I -shall be very anxious concerning thee until I hear tidings of thee." - -"If I am alive," said he, "thou shalt hear tidings of me by to-morrow -afternoon." And with that he departed. - -And the road they took was below the palace of Caerlleon, and across -the ford of the Usk. And they went along a fair and even and lofty -ridge of ground until they came to a town, and at the extremity of the -town they saw a fortress and a castle. And they came to the extremity -of the town. And as the knight passed through it, all the people arose -and saluted him, and bade him welcome. And when Geraint came into the -town, he looked at every house to see if he knew any of those whom he -saw. But he knew none, and none knew him to do him the kindness to let -him have arms either as a loan or for a pledge. And every house he saw -was full of men and arms and horses. And they were polishing shields, -and burnishing swords, and washing armor, and shoeing horses. And the -knight and the lady and the dwarf rode up to the castle that was in the -town, and every one was glad in the castle. And from the battlements -and the gates they risked their necks through their eagerness to greet -them, and to show their joy. - -Geraint stood there to see whether the knight would remain in the -castle. And when he was certain that he would do so, he looked around -him; and at a little distance from the town he saw an old palace in -ruins, wherein was a hall that was falling to decay. And as he knew not -any one in the town, he went towards the old palace; and when he came -near to the palace he saw but one chamber, and a bridge of marble-stone -leading to it. And upon the bridge he saw sitting a hoary-headed man, -upon whom were tattered garments. And Geraint gazed steadfastly upon -him for a long time. Then the hoary-headed man spoke to him. "Young -man," he said, "wherefore art thou thoughtful?" - -"I am thoughtful," said he, "because I know not where to go to-night." - -"Wilt thou come forward this way, chieftain?" said he, "and thou shalt -have the best that can be procured for thee." So Geraint went forward. -And the hoary-headed man preceded him into the hall. And in the hall he -dismounted, and he left there his horse. Then he went on to the upper -chamber with the hoary-headed man. And in the chamber he beheld an old -decrepit woman sitting on a cushion, with old, tattered garments of -satin upon her; and it seemed to him that he had never seen a woman -fairer than she must have been when in the fulness of youth. And beside -her was a maiden, upon whom were a vest and a veil that were old, and -beginning to be worn out. And truly he never saw a maiden more full of -comeliness and grace and beauty than she. And the hoary-headed man said -to the maiden, "There is no attendant for the horse of this youth but -thyself." - -"I will render the best service I am able," said she, "both to him -and to his horse." And the maiden disarrayed the youth, and then she -furnished his horse with straw and with corn. And she went to the hall -as before, and then she returned to the chamber. - -And the hoary-headed man said to the maiden, "Go to the town," said he, -"and bring hither the best that thou canst find both of food and of -liquor." - -"I will gladly, lord," said she. And to the town went the maiden. And -they conversed together while the maiden was at the town. And behold! -the maiden came back, and a youth with her, bearing on his back a -costrel full of good purchased mead, and a quarter of a young bullock. -And in the hands of the maiden was a quantity of white bread, and she -had some manchet bread in her veil, and she came into the chamber. - -"I could not obtain better than this," said she, "nor with better -should I have been trusted." - -"It is good enough," said Geraint. And they caused the meat to be -boiled; and when their food was ready, they sat down. And it was on -this wise: Geraint sat between the hoary-headed man and his wife, and -the maiden served them. And they ate and drank. - -And when they had finished eating, Geraint talked with the hoary-headed -man; and he asked him, in the first place, to whom belonged the palace -that he was in. - -"Truly," said he, "it was I that built it, and to me also belonged the -city and the castle which thou sawest." - -"Alas!" said Geraint, "how is it that thou hast lost them now?" - -"I lost a great earldom as well as these," said he. "And this is how -I lost them. I had a nephew, the son of my brother, and I took his -possessions to myself; and when he came to his strength, he demanded of -me his property; but I withheld it from him. So he made war upon me, -and wrested from me all that I possessed." - -"Good sir," said Geraint, "wilt thou tell me wherefore came the knight -and the lady and the dwarf just now into the town, and what is the -preparation which I saw and the putting of arms in order?" - -"I will do so," said he. "The preparations are for the game that is to -be held to-morrow by the young earl, which will be on this wise. In the -midst of a meadow which is here, two forks will be set up, and upon the -two forks a silver rod, and upon the silver rod a sparrow-hawk; and for -the sparrow-hawk there will be a tournament. And to the tournament will -go all the array thou didst see in the city, of men and of horses and -of arms. And with each man will go the lady he loves best; and no man -can joust for the sparrow-hawk, except the lady he loves best be with -him. And the knight that thou sawest has gained the sparrow-hawk these -two years; and if he gains it the third year, they will from that time -send it every year to him, and he himself will come here no more. And -he will be called the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk from that time forth." - -"Sir," said Geraint, "what is thy counsel to me concerning this knight, -on account of the insult which I received from the dwarf, and that -which was received by the maiden of Gwenhwyvar, the wife of Arthur?" -And Geraint told the hoary-headed man what the insult was that he had -received. - -"It is not easy to counsel thee, inasmuch as thou hast neither dame nor -maiden belonging to thee for whom thou canst joust. Yet I have arms -here which thou couldest have, and there is my horse also, if he seem -to thee better than thine own." - -"Ah, sir," said he, "Heaven reward thee! But my own horse, to which -I am accustomed, together with thy arms, will suffice. And if, when -the appointed time shall come to-morrow, thou wilt permit me, sir, to -challenge for yonder maiden that is thy daughter, I will engage, if I -escape from the tournament, to love the maiden as long as I live; and, -if I do not escape, she will remain as before." - -"Gladly will I permit thee," said the hoary-headed man. "And since -thou dost thus resolve, it is necessary that thy horse and arms -should be ready to-morrow at break of day. For then the Knight of the -Sparrow-hawk will make proclamation, and ask the lady he loves best to -take the sparrow-hawk. 'For,' will he say to her, 'thou art the fairest -of women, and thou didst possess it last year and the year previous; -and if any deny it thee to-day, by force will I defend it for thee.' -And therefore," said the hoary-headed man, "it is needful for thee to -be there at daybreak; and we three will be with thee." And thus was it -settled. - -And at night, lo! they went to sleep. And before the dawn they arose, -and arrayed themselves; and by the time that it was day, they were all -four in the meadow. And there was the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk making -the proclamation, and asking his lady-love to fetch the sparrow-hawk. - -"Fetch it not," said Geraint, "for there is here a maiden who is -fairer, and more noble, and more comely, and who has a better claim to -it, than thou." - -"If thou maintainest the sparrow-hawk to be due to her, come forward -and do battle with me." And Geraint went forward to the top of the -meadow, having upon himself and upon his horse armor which was heavy -and rusty and worthless, and of uncouth shape. Then they encountered -each other, and they broke a set of lances, and they broke a second -set, and a third. And thus they did at every onset, and they broke -as many lances as were brought to them. And when the earl and his -company saw the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk gaining the mastery, there -was shouting and joy and mirth amongst them. And the hoary-headed man -and his wife and his daughter were sorrowful. And the hoary-headed -man served Geraint lances as often as he broke them; and the dwarf -served the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk. Then the hoary-headed man came -to Geraint. "O chieftain!" said he, "since no other will hold with -thee, behold, here is the lance which was in my hand on the day when I -received the honor of knighthood; and from that time to this I never -broke it. And it has an excellent point." Then Geraint took the lance, -thanking the hoary-headed man. And thereupon the dwarf also brought a -lance to his lord. - -[Illustration: The Tournament for the Sparrow-hawk.] - -"Behold, here is a lance for thee, not less good than his," said the -dwarf. "And bethink thee that no knight ever withstood thee before so -long as this one has done." - -"I declare to Heaven," said Geraint, "that, unless death takes me -quickly hence, he shall fare never the better for thy service." And -Geraint pricked his horse towards him from afar, and warning him, he -rushed upon him, and gave him a blow so severe and furious and fierce, -upon the face of his shield, that he cleft it in two, and broke his -armor, and burst his girths, so that both he and his saddle were borne -to the ground over the horse's crupper. And Geraint dismounted quickly. -And he was wroth, and he drew his sword, and rushed fiercely upon him. -Then the knight also arose, and drew his sword against Geraint. And -they fought on foot with their swords until their arms struck sparks -of fire like stars from one another; and thus they continued fighting -until the blood and sweat obscured the light from their eyes. And when -Geraint prevailed, the hoary-headed man and his wife and his daughter -were glad; and when the knight prevailed, it rejoiced the earl and his -party. - -Then the hoary-headed man saw Geraint receive a severe stroke, and -he went up to him quickly, and said to him, "O chieftain, remember -the treatment which thou hadst from the dwarf; and wilt thou not seek -vengeance for the insult to thyself, and for the insult to Gwenhwyvar -the wife of Arthur?" - -And Geraint was roused by what he said to him, and he called to him all -his strength, and lifted up his sword, and struck the knight upon the -crown of his head, so that he broke all his head-armor, and cut through -all the flesh and the skin, even to the skull, until he wounded the -bone. - -Then the knight fell upon his knees, and cast his sword from his hand, -and besought mercy of Geraint. "Of a truth," said he, "I relinquish my -overdaring and my pride in craving thy mercy; and unless I have time -to commit myself to Heaven for my sins, and to talk with a priest, thy -mercy will avail me little." - -"I will grant thee grace upon this condition," said Geraint, "that thou -wilt go to Gwenhwyvar the wife of Arthur, to do her satisfaction for -the insult which her maiden received from thy dwarf. As to myself, for -the insult which I received from thee and thy dwarf, I am content with -that which I have done unto thee. Dismount not from the time thou goest -hence until thou comest into the presence of Gwenhwyvar, to make her -what atonement shall be adjudged at the court of Arthur." - -"This will I do gladly. And who art thou?" said he. - -"I am Geraint the son of Erbin. And declare thou also who thou art." - -"I am Edeyrn the son of Nudd." Then he threw himself upon his horse, -and went forward to Arthur's court, and the lady he loved best went -before him and the dwarf with much lamentation. And thus far this story -up to that time. - - * * * * * - -Then came the little earl and his hosts to Geraint, and saluted him, -and bade him to his castle. - -"I may not go," said Geraint; "but where I was last night, there will I -be to-night also." - -"Since thou wilt none of my inviting, thou shalt have abundance of all -that I can command for thee in the place thou wast last night. And I -will order ointment for thee, to recover thee from thy fatigues and -from the weariness that is upon thee." - -"Heaven reward thee!" said Geraint, "and I will go to my lodging." And -thus went Geraint, and Earl Ynywl, and his wife, and his daughter. And -when they reached the chamber, the household servants and attendants -of the young earl had arrived at the court, and they arranged all the -houses, dressing them with straw and with fire. And in a short time the -ointment was ready, and Geraint came there, and they washed his head. -Then came the young earl, with forty honorable knights from among his -attendants, and those who were bidden to the tournament. And Geraint -came from the anointing. And the earl asked him to go to the hall to -eat. - -"Where is the Earl Ynywl," said Geraint, "and his wife, and his -daughter?" - -"They are in the chamber yonder," said the earl's chamberlain, -"arraying themselves in garments which the earl has caused to be -brought for them." - -"Let not the damsel array herself," said he, "except in her vest -and her veil, until she come to the court of Arthur to be clad by -Gwenhwyvar in such garments as she may choose." So the maiden did not -array herself. - -Then they all entered the hall, and they washed, and went and sat down -to meat. And thus they were seated: on one side of Geraint sat the -young earl, and Earl Ynywl beyond him; and on the other side of Geraint -were the maiden and her mother. And after these, all sat according -to their precedence in honor. And they ate. And they were served -abundantly, and they received a profusion of divers kind of gifts. Then -they conversed together. And the young earl invited Geraint to visit -him next day. - -"I will not, by Heaven!" said Geraint. "To the court of Arthur will I -go with this maiden to-morrow. And it is enough for me, as long as Earl -Ynywl is in poverty and trouble; and I go chiefly to seek to add to his -maintenance." - -"Ah, chieftain!" said the young earl, "it is not by my fault that Earl -Ynywl is without his possessions." - -"By my faith," said Geraint, "he shall not remain without them, unless -death quickly takes me hence." - -"Oh, chieftain!" said he, "with regard to the disagreement between me -and Ynywl, I will gladly abide by thy counsel, and agree to what thou -mayest judge right between us." - -"I but ask thee," said Geraint, "to restore to him what is his, and -what he should have received from the time he lost his possessions, -even until this day." - -"That I will do gladly for thee," answered he. - -"Then," said Geraint, "whosoever is here who owes homage to Ynywl, let -him come forward, and perform it on the spot." And all the men did so. -And by that treaty they abided. And his castle, and his town, and all -his possessions, were restored to Ynywl. And he received back all that -he had lost, even to the smallest jewel. - -Then spoke Earl Ynywl to Geraint. "Chieftain," said he, "behold the -maiden for whom thou didst challenge at the tournament: I bestow her -upon thee." - -"She shall go with me," said Geraint, "to the court of Arthur; and -Arthur and Gwenhwyvar they shall dispose of her as they will." And the -next day they proceeded to Arthur's court. So far concerning Geraint. - - * * * * * - -Now, this is how Arthur hunted the stag. The men and the dogs were -divided into hunting-parties, and the dogs were let loose upon the -stag. And the last dog that was let loose was the favorite dog of -Arthur. Cavall[19] was his name. And he left all the other dogs behind -him, and turned the stag. And at the second turn, the stag came towards -the hunting-party of Arthur. And Arthur set upon him. And before he -could be slain by any other, Arthur cut off his head. Then they sounded -the death-horn for slaying, and they all gathered round. - -[Footnote 19: We have already become acquainted with Cavall at the -hunting of the great boar in "Kilhwch and Olwen."] - -Then came Kadyriaith to Arthur, and spoke to him. "Lord," said he, -"behold, yonder is Gwenhwyvar, and none with her save only one maiden." - -"Command Gildas the son of Caw, and all the scholars of the court," -said Arthur, "to attend Gwenhwyvar to the palace." And they did so. - -Then they all set forth, holding converse together concerning the head -of the stag, to whom it should be given. One wished that it should be -given to the lady best beloved by him, and another to the lady whom he -loved best. And all they of the household, and the knights, disputed -sharply concerning the head. And with that they came to the palace. -And when Arthur and Gwenhwyvar heard them disputing about the head -of the stag, Gwenhwyvar said to Arthur, "My lord, this is my counsel -concerning the stag's head: let it not be given away until Geraint the -son of Erbin shall return from the errand he is upon." And Gwenhwyvar -told Arthur what that errand was. - -"Right gladly shall it be so," said Arthur. And thus it was settled. -And the next day Gwenhwyvar caused a watch to be set upon the ramparts -for Geraint's coming. And after mid-day they beheld an unshapely little -man upon a horse, and after him, as they supposed, a dame or a damsel, -also on horseback, and after her a knight of large stature, bowed -down, and hanging his head low and sorrowfully, and clad in broken and -worthless armor. - -And before they came near to the gate, one of the watch went to -Gwenhwyvar, and told her what kind of people they saw, and what aspect -they bore. "I know not who they are," said he. - -"But I know," said Gwenhwyvar. "This is the knight whom Geraint -pursued: and methinks that he comes not here by his own free will; but -Geraint has overtaken him, and avenged the insult to the maiden to the -uttermost." - -And thereupon behold a porter came to the spot where Gwenhwyvar was. -"Lady," said he, "at the gate there is a knight, and I saw never a man -of so pitiful an aspect to look upon as he. Miserable and broken is the -armor that he wears; and the hue of blood is more conspicuous upon it -than its own color." - -"Knowest thou his name?" said she. - -"I do," said he. "He tells me that he is Edeyrn the son of Nudd." - -Then she replied, "I know him not." - -So Gwenhwyvar went to the gate to meet him, and he entered. And -Gwenhwyvar was sorry when she saw the condition he was in, even -though he was accompanied by the churlish dwarf. Then Edeyrn saluted -Gwenhwyvar. "Heaven protect thee!" said she. - -"Lady," said he, "Geraint the son of Erbin, thy best and most valiant -servant, greets thee." - -"Did he meet thee?" she asked. - -"Yes," said he, "and it was not to my advantage; and that was not his -fault, but mine, lady. And Geraint greets thee well; and in greeting -thee he compelled me to come hither to do thy pleasure for the insult -which thy maiden received from the dwarf. He forgives the insult to -himself in consideration of his having put me in peril of my life. And -he imposed on me a condition manly and honorable and warrior-like, -which was to do thee justice, lady." - -"Now, where did he overtake thee?" - -"At the place where we were jousting, and contending for the -sparrow-hawk, in the town which is now called Cardiff. And there were -none with him save three persons of a mean and tattered condition. And -these were an aged, hoary-headed man, and a woman advanced in years, -and a fair young maiden clad in worn-out garments. And it was for -the avouchment of the love of that maiden that Geraint jousted for -the sparrow-hawk at the tournament; for he said that that maiden was -better entitled to the sparrow-hawk than this maiden who was with me. -And thereupon we encountered each other, and he left me, lady, as thou -seest." - -"Sir," said she, "when thinkest thou that Geraint will be here?" - -"To-morrow, lady, I think he will be here with the maiden." - -Then Arthur came to him; and he saluted Arthur. And Arthur gazed a long -time upon him, and was amazed to see him thus. And, thinking that he -knew him, he inquired of him, "Art thou Edeyrn the son of Nudd?" - -"I am, lord," said he, "and I have met with much trouble, and received -wounds insupportable." Then he told Arthur all his adventure. - -"Well," said Arthur, "from what I hear, it behooves Gwenhwyvar to be -merciful towards thee." - -"The mercy which thou desirest, lord," said she, "will I grant to him, -since it is as insulting to thee that an insult should be offered to me -as to thyself." - -"Thus will it be best to do," said Arthur. "Let this man have medical -care until it be known whether he may live. And, if he live, he shall -do such satisfaction as shall be judged best by the men of the court; -and take thou sureties to that effect." - -"This pleases me," said Gwenhwyvar. And Arthur became surety for -Edeyrn, and Caradawc the son of Llyr, Gwallawg the son of Llenawg, -and Owain the son of Nudd, and Gwalchmai, and many others with them. -And Arthur caused Morgan Tud to be called to him. He was the chief -physician. - -"Take with thee Edeyrn the son of Nudd, and cause a chamber to be -prepared for him, and let him have the aid of medicine as thou wouldest -do unto myself, if I were wounded, and let none into his chamber -to molest him, but thyself and thy disciples to administer to him -remedies." - -"I will do so gladly, lord," said Morgan Tud. - -Then said the steward of the household, "Whither is it right, lord, to -order the maiden?" - -"To Gwenhwyvar and her handmaidens," said he. And the steward of the -household so ordered her. Thus far concerning them. - -The next day came Geraint towards the court; and there was a watch set -on the ramparts by Gwenhwyvar, lest he should arrive unawares. And -one of the watch came to the place where Gwenhwyvar was. "Lady," said -he, "methinks that I see Geraint, and the maiden with him. He is on -horseback; but he has his walking-gear upon him, and the maiden appears -to be in white, seeming to be clad in a garment of linen." - -"Assemble all the women," said Gwenhwyvar, "and come to meet Geraint, -to welcome him, and wish him joy." And Gwenhwyvar went to meet Geraint -and the maiden. And when Geraint came to the place where Gwenhwyvar -was, he saluted her. "Heaven prosper thee," said she, "and welcome -to thee. And thy career has been successful, and fortunate, and -resistless, and glorious. And Heaven reward thee, that thou hast so -proudly caused me to have retribution." - -"Lady," said he, "I earnestly desired to obtain thee satisfaction -according to thy will; and behold, here is the maiden through whom thou -hadst thy revenge." - -"Verily," said Gwenhwyvar, "the welcome of Heaven be unto her! and it -is fitting that we should receive her joyfully." Then they went in, and -dismounted. And Geraint came to where Arthur was, and saluted him. - -"Heaven protect thee," said Arthur, "and the welcome of Heaven be unto -thee! And since Edeyrn the son of Nudd has received his overthrow and -wounds from thy hands, thou hast had a prosperous career." - -"Not upon me be the blame!" said Geraint. "It was through the arrogance -of Edeyrn the son of Nudd himself that we were not friends. I would not -quit him until I knew who he was, and until the one had vanquished the -other." - -"Now," said Arthur, "where is the maiden for whom I heard thou didst -give challenge?" - -"She is gone with Gwenhwyvar to her chamber." - -Then went Arthur to see the maiden. And Arthur, and all his companions, -and his whole court, were glad concerning the maiden. And certain were -they all, that, had her array been suitable to her beauty, they had -never seen a maid fairer than she. And Arthur gave away the maiden to -Geraint. And the usual bond made between two persons was made between -Geraint and the maiden; and the choicest of all Gwenhwyvar's apparel -was given to the maiden; and thus arrayed, she appeared comely and -graceful to all who beheld her. - -And from that time she became his bride. And the next day Arthur -satisfied all the claimants upon Geraint with bountiful gifts. And the -maiden took up her abode in the palace; and she had many companions, -both men and women, and there was no maiden more esteemed than she in -the Island of Britain. - -Then spake Gwenhwyvar. "Rightly did I judge," said she, "concerning the -head of the stag, that it should not be given to any until Geraint's -return; and behold, here is a fit occasion for bestowing it. Let it -be given to Enid the daughter of Ynywl, the most illustrious maiden. -And I do not believe that any will begrudge it her; for between her -and every one here there exists nothing but love and friendship." Much -applauded was this by them all, and by Arthur also. And the head of -the stag was given to Enid; and thereupon her fame increased, and her -friends thenceforward became more in number than before. And Geraint -from that time forth loved the stag, and the tournament, and hard -encounters; and he came victorious from them all. And a year, and a -second, and a third, he proceeded thus, until his fame had flown over -the face of the kingdom. - - * * * * * - -And once upon a time Arthur was holding his court at -Caerlleon-upon-Usk, at Whitsuntide. And behold, there came to him -ambassadors, wise and prudent, full of knowledge, and eloquent of -speech, and they saluted Arthur. "Heaven prosper you," said Arthur, -"and the welcome of Heaven be unto you! And whence do you come?" - -"We come, lord," said they, "from Cornwall; and we are ambassadors from -Erbin the son of Custennin, thy uncle, and our mission is unto thee. -And he greets thee well, as an uncle should greet his nephew, and as -a vassal should greet his lord. And he represents unto thee that he -waxes heavy and feeble, and is advancing in years. And the neighboring -chiefs, knowing this, grow insolent towards him, and covet his land and -possessions. And he earnestly beseeches thee, lord, to permit Geraint -his son to return to him to protect his possessions, and to become -acquainted with his boundaries. And unto him he represents that it were -better for him to spend the flower of his youth and the prime of his -age in preserving his own boundaries than in tournaments, which are -productive of no profit, although he obtains glory in them." - -"Well," said Arthur, "go and divest yourselves of your accoutrements, -and take food, and refresh yourselves after your fatigues; and before -you go forth hence, you shall have an answer." - -And they went to eat. And Arthur considered that it would go hard with -him to let Geraint depart from him and from his court; neither did -he think it fair that his cousin should be restrained from going to -protect his dominions and his boundaries, seeing that his father was -unable to do so. No less was the grief and regret of Gwenhwyvar, and -all her women, and all her damsels, through fear that the maiden would -leave them. And that day and that night were spent in abundance of -feasting. And Arthur showed Geraint the cause of the mission, and of -the coming of the ambassadors to him out of Cornwall. - -"Truly," said Geraint, "be it to my advantage or disadvantage, lord, I -will do according to thy will concerning this embassy." - -"Behold," said Arthur, "though it grieves me to part with thee, it is -my counsel that thou go to dwell in thine own dominions, and to defend -thy boundaries, and to take with thee to accompany thee as many as thou -wilt of those thou lovest best among my faithful ones, and among thy -friends, and among thy companions in arms." - -"Heaven reward thee! And this will I do," said Geraint. - -"What discourse," said Gwenhwyvar, "do I hear between you? Is it of -those who are to conduct Geraint to his country?" - -"It is," said Arthur. - -"Then it is needful for me to consider," said she, "concerning -companions and a provision for the lady that is with me?" - -"Thou wilt do well," said Arthur. - -And that night they went to sleep. And the next day the ambassadors -were permitted to depart, and they were told that Geraint should follow -them. And on the third day Geraint set forth, and many went with him. -Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, and Riogonedd the son of the King of -Ireland, and Ondyaw the son of the Duke of Burgundy, Gwilim the son of -the ruler of the Franks, Howel the son of Emyr of Brittany, Elivry, and -Nawkyrd, Gwynn the son of Tringad, Goreu the son of Custennin, Gweir -Gwrhyd Vawr, Garannaw the son of Golithmer, Peredur the son of Evrawc, -Gwynnllogell, Gwyr a judge in the court of Arthur, Dyvyr the son of -Alun of Dyved, Gwrei Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, Bedwyr the son of Bedrawd, -Hadwry the son of Gwryon, Kai the son of Kynyr, Odyar the Frank, the -steward of Arthur's court, and Edeyrn the son of Nudd. - -Said Geraint, "I think that I shall have enough of knighthood with me." - -"Yes," said Arthur; "but it will not be fitting for thee to take Edeyrn -with thee, although he is well, until peace shall be made between him -and Gwenhwyvar." - -"Gwenhwyvar can permit him to go with me, if he give sureties." - -"If she please, she can let him go without sureties; for enough of pain -and affliction has he suffered for the insult which the maiden received -from the dwarf." - -"Truly," said Gwenhwyvar, "since it seems well to thee and to Geraint, -I will do this gladly, lord." Then she permitted Edeyrn freely to -depart. And many there were who accompanied Geraint, and they set -forth; and never was there seen a fairer host journeying towards the -Severn. And on the other side of the Severn were the nobles of Erbin -the son of Custennin, and his foster-father at their head, to welcome -Geraint with gladness; and many of the women of the court, with his -mother, came to receive Enid the daughter of Ynywl, his wife. And -there was great rejoicing and gladness throughout the whole court, -and throughout all the country, concerning Geraint, because of the -greatness of their love towards him, and of the greatness of the fame -which he had gained since he went from amongst them, and because he -was come to take possession of his dominions, and to preserve his -boundaries. And they came to the court. And in the court they had ample -entertainment, and a multitude of gifts, and abundance of liquor, and a -sufficiency of service, and a variety of minstrelsy and of games. And -to do honor to Geraint, all the chief men of the country were invited -that night to visit him. And they passed that day and that night in the -utmost enjoyment. - -And at dawn next day Erbin arose, and summoned to him Geraint, and the -noble persons who had borne him company. And he said to Geraint, "I am -a feeble and aged man, and, whilst I was able to maintain the dominion -for thee and for myself, I did so. But thou art young, and in the -flower of thy vigor and of thy youth: henceforth do thou preserve thy -possessions." - -"Truly," said Geraint, "with my consent thou shalt not give the power -over thy dominions at this time into my hands, and thou shalt not take -me from Arthur's court." - -"Into thy hands will I give them," said Erbin; "and this day also shalt -thou receive the homage of thy subjects." - -Then said Gwalchmai, "It were better for thee to satisfy those who have -boons to ask to-day, and to-morrow thou canst receive the homage of thy -dominions." So all that had boons to ask were summoned into one place. -And Kadyrieith came to them to know what were their requests. And every -one asked that which he desired. And the followers of Arthur began to -make gifts, and immediately the men of Cornwall came and gave also. And -they were not long in giving, so eager was every one to bestow gifts. -And of those who came to ask gifts none departed unsatisfied. And that -day and that night were spent in the utmost enjoyment. - -And the next day, at dawn, Erbin desired Geraint to send messengers -to the men to ask them whether it was displeasing to them that he -should come to receive their homage, and whether they had any thing to -object to him. Then Geraint sent ambassadors to the men of Cornwall -to ask them this. And they all said that it would be the fulness of -joy and honor to them for Geraint to come and receive their homage. So -he received the homage of such as were there. And they remained with -him till the third night. And the day after, the followers of Arthur -intended to go away. - -"It is too soon for you to go away yet," said he; "stay with me until I -have finished receiving the homage of my chief men, who have agreed to -come to me." And they remained with him until he had done so. Then they -set forth towards the court of Arthur; and Geraint went to bear them -company, and Enid also, as far as Diganhwy: there they parted. - -Then Ondyaw the son of the Duke of Burgundy said to Geraint, "Go first -of all, and visit the uttermost parts of thy dominions, and see well -to the boundaries of thy territories; and, if thou hast any trouble -respecting them, send unto thy companions." - -"Heaven reward thee!" said Geraint. "And this will I do." And Geraint -journeyed to the uttermost part of his dominions. And experienced -guides, and the chief men of his country, went with him. And the -furthermost point that they showed him he kept possession of. - -And, as he had been used to do when he was at Arthur's court, he -frequented tournaments. And he became acquainted with valiant and -mighty men, until he had gained as much fame there as he had formerly -done elsewhere. And he enriched his court, and his companions, and his -nobles, with the best horses and the best arms, and with the best and -most valuable jewels; and he ceased not until his fame had flown over -the face of the whole kingdom. And when he knew that it was thus, he -began to love ease and pleasure, for there was no one who was worth -his opposing. And he loved his wife, and liked to continue in the -palace, with minstrelsy and diversions. And for a long time he abode -at home. And he took no delight in any thing besides, insomuch that he -gave up the friendship of his nobles, together with his hunting and -his amusements, and lost the hearts of all the host in his court. And -there was murmuring and scoffing concerning him among the inhabitants -of the palace, on account of his relinquishing so completely their -companionship for the love of his wife. And these tidings came to -Erbin. And when Erbin had heard these things, he spoke unto Enid, and -inquired of her whether it was she that had caused Geraint to act thus, -and to forsake his people and his hosts. - -"Not I, by my confession unto Heaven!" said she. "There is nothing -more hateful to me than this." And she knew not what she should do, -for, although it was hard for her to own this to Geraint, yet was it -not more easy for her to listen to what she heard, without warning -Geraint concerning it. And she was very sorrowful. - -And one morning in the summer time, Enid was without sleep in the -apartment which had windows of glass. And the sun shone upon the -couch. And the clothes had slipped from off his arms and his breast, -and he was asleep. Then she gazed upon the marvellous beauty of his -appearance, and she said, "Alas! and am I the cause that these arms -and this breast have lost their glory and the warlike fame which they -once so richly enjoyed?" And as she said this, the tears dropped from -her eyes, and they fell upon his breast. And the tears she shed, and -the words she had spoken, awoke him. And another thing contributed to -awaken him, and that was the idea that it was not in thinking of him -that she spoke thus, but that it was because she loved some other man -more than him. - -And thereupon Geraint was troubled in his mind, and he called his -squire. And when he came to him, "Go quickly," said he "and prepare my -horse and my arms, and make them ready.--And do thou arise," said he -to Enid, "and apparel thyself; and cause thy horse to be accoutred, -and clothe thee in the worst riding-dress that thou hast in thy -possession. And evil betide me," said he, "if thou returnest here until -thou knowest whether I have lost my strength so completely as thou -didst say. And if it be so, it will then be easy for thee to seek the -society thou didst wish for of him of whom thou wast thinking." - -So she arose, and clothed herself in her meanest garments. "I know -nothing, lord," said she, "of thy meaning." - -"Neither wilt thou know at this time," said he. - -Then Geraint went to see Erbin. "Sir," said he, "I am going upon a -quest, and I am not certain when I may come back. Take heed, therefore, -unto thy possessions, until my return." - -"I will do so," said he; "but it is strange to me that thou shouldest -go so suddenly. And who will proceed with thee, since thou art not -strong enough to traverse the land of Lloegyr alone?" - -"But one person only will go with me." - -"Heaven counsel thee, my son!" said Erbin. "And may many attach -themselves to thee in Lloegyr!" - -Then went Geraint to the place where his horse was, and it was equipped -with foreign armor, heavy and shining. And he desired Enid to mount her -horse, and to ride forward, and to keep a long way before him. "And -whatever thou mayest see, and whatever thou mayest hear concerning me," -said he, "do thou not turn back. And unless I speak unto thee, say not -thou one word, either." And they set forward. And he did not choose the -pleasantest and most frequented road, but that which was the wildest, -and most beset by thieves and robbers, and venomous animals. And they -came to a high road, which they followed till they saw a vast forest; -and they went towards it, and they saw four armed horsemen come forth -from the forest. - -When the horsemen had beheld them, one of them said to the others, -"Behold, here is a good occasion for us to capture two horses and -armor, and a lady likewise; for this we shall have no difficulty in -doing against yonder single knight, who hangs his head so pensively and -heavily." - -And Enid heard this discourse, and she knew not what she should do -through fear of Geraint, who had told her to be silent. "The vengeance -of Heaven be upon me," she said, "if I would not rather receive my -death from his hand than from the hand of any other! And though he -should slay me, yet will I speak to him, lest I should have the misery -to witness his death." So she waited for Geraint until he came near -to her. "Lord," said she, "didst thou hear the words of those men -concerning thee?" - -Then he lifted up his eyes, and looked at her angrily. "Thou hadst -only," said he, "to hold thy peace as I bade thee. I wish but for -silence, and not for warning. And though thou shouldest desire to see -my defeat and my death by the hands of those men, yet do I feel no -dread." - -Then the foremost of them couched his lance, and rushed upon Geraint. -And he received him, and that not feebly. But he let the thrust go by -him, while he struck the horseman upon the centre of his shield in -such a manner that his shield was split, and his armor broken, and so -that a cubit's length of the shaft of Geraint's lance passed through -his body, and sent him to the earth the length of the lance over his -horse's crupper. Then the second horseman attacked him furiously, -being wroth at the death of his companion. But with one thrust Geraint -overthrew him also, and killed him as he had done the other. Then the -third set upon him, and he killed him in like manner. And thus also he -slew the fourth. Sad and sorrowful was the maiden as she saw all this. -Geraint dismounted from his horse, and took the arms of the men he had -slain, and placed them upon their saddles, and tied together the reins -of their horses, and he mounted his horse again. "Behold, what thou -must do," said he; "take the four horses, and drive them before thee, -and proceed forward, as I bade thee just now. And say not one word unto -me, unless I speak first unto thee. And I declare unto Heaven," said -he, "if thou doest not thus, it will be to thy cost." - -"I will do, as far as I can, lord," said she, "according to thy desire." - -Then they went forward through the forest; and when they left the -forest, they came to a vast plain, in the centre of which was a group -of thickly tangled copse-wood; and from out thereof they beheld three -horsemen coming towards them, well equipped with armor, both they and -their horses. Then the maiden looked steadfastly upon them; and when -they had come near, she heard them say one to another, "Behold, here -is a good arrival for us: here are coming for us four horses and four -suits of armor. We shall easily obtain them, spite of yonder dolorous -knight, and the maiden also will fall into our power." - -"This is but too true," said she to herself; "for my husband is tired -with his former combat. The vengeance of Heaven will be upon me unless -I warn him of this." So the maiden waited until Geraint came up to -her. "Lord," said she, "dost thou not hear the discourse of yonder men -concerning thee?" - -"What was it?" asked he. - -"They say to one another, that they will easily obtain all this spoil." - -"I declare to Heaven," he answered, "that their words are less grievous -to me than that thou wilt not be silent, and abide by my counsel." - -"My lord," said she, "I feared lest they should surprise thee unawares." - -"Hold thy peace, then!" said he. "Do not I desire silence?" - -And thereupon one of the horsemen couched his lance, and attacked -Geraint. And he made a thrust at him which he thought would be very -effective. But Geraint received it carelessly, and struck it aside; and -then he rushed upon him, and aimed at the centre of his person, and -from the shock of man and horse the quantity of his armor did not avail -him, and the head of the lance and part of the shaft passed through -him, so that he was carried to the ground an arm and a spear's length -over the crupper of his horse. And both the other horsemen came forward -in their turn; but their onset was not more successful than that of -their companion. And the maiden stood by, looking at all this; and on -the one hand she was in trouble lest Geraint should be wounded in his -encounter with the men, and on the other hand she was joyful to see him -victorious. Then Geraint dismounted, and bound the three suits of armor -upon the three saddles, and he fastened the reins of all the horses -together, so that he had seven horses with him. And he mounted his own -horse, and commanded the maiden to drive forward the others. "It is no -more use for me to speak to thee than to refrain; for thou wilt not -attend to my advice." - -"I will do so, as far as I am able, lord," said she; "but I cannot -conceal from thee the fierce and threatening words which I may hear -against thee, lord, from such strange people as those that haunt this -wilderness." - -"I declare to Heaven," said he, "that I desire nought but silence: -therefore hold thy peace." - -"I will, lord, while I can." And the maiden went on with the horses -before her, and she pursued her way straight onwards. And from the -copse-wood already mentioned they journeyed over a vast and dreary open -plain. And at a great distance from them they beheld a wood, and they -could see neither end nor boundary to the wood, except on that side -that was nearest to them, and they went towards it. Then there came -from out the wood five horsemen, eager and bold, and mighty and strong, -mounted upon chargers that were powerful, and large of bone, and high -mettled, and proudly snorting; and both the men and the horses were -well equipped with arms. And when they drew near to them, Enid heard -them say, "Behold, here is a fine booty coming to us, which we shall -obtain easily and without labor, for we shall have no trouble in taking -all those horses and arms, and the lady also, from yonder single knight -so doleful and sad." - -Sorely grieved was the maiden upon hearing this discourse, so that -she knew not in the world what she should do. At last, however, she -determined to warn Geraint: so she turned her horse's head towards him. -"Lord," said she, "if thou hadst heard as I did what yonder horsemen -said concerning thee, thy heaviness would be greater than it is." - -Angrily and bitterly did Geraint smile upon her, and he said, "Thee do -I hear doing every thing that I forbade thee; but it may be that thou -wilt repent this yet." - -And immediately, behold, the men met them; and victoriously and -gallantly did Geraint overcome them all five. And he placed the five -suits of armor upon the five saddles, and tied together the reins of -the twelve horses, and gave them in charge to Enid. "I know not," said -he, "what good it is for me to order thee; but this time I charge thee -in an especial manner." - -So the maiden went forward towards the wood, keeping in advance of -Geraint, as he had desired her; and it grieved him as much as his wrath -would permit to see a maiden so illustrious as she having so much -trouble with the care of the horses. Then they reached the wood, and -it was both deep and vast; and in the wood night overtook them. "Ah, -maiden," said he, "it is vain to attempt proceeding forward!" - -"Well, lord," said she, "whatsoever thou wishest, we will do." - -"It will be best for us," he answered, "to turn out of the wood, and to -rest, and wait for the day, in order to pursue our journey." - -"That will we gladly," said she. And they did so. - -Having dismounted himself, he took her down from her horse. "I cannot -by any means refrain from sleep, through weariness," said he. "Do thou, -therefore, watch the horses, and sleep not." - -"I will, lord," said she. Then he went to sleep in his armor; and thus -passed the night, which was not long at that season. And when she saw -the dawn of day appear, she looked around her to see if he were waking, -and thereupon he woke. "My lord," she said, "I have desired to awake -thee for some time." - -But he spake nothing to her about fatigue, as he had desired her to be -silent. Then he arose, and said unto her, "Take the horses and ride on; -and keep straight on before thee, as thou didst yesterday." - -And early in the day they left the wood, and they came to an open -country, with meadows on one hand, and mowers mowing the meadows. And -there was a river before them, and the horses bent down, and drank the -water. And they went up out of the river by a lofty steep; and there -they met a slender stripling, with a satchel about his neck, and they -saw that there was something in the satchel, but they knew not what it -was. And he had a small blue pitcher in his hand, and a bowl on the -mouth of the pitcher. And the youth saluted Geraint. - -"Heaven prosper thee!" said Geraint. "And whence dost thou come?" - -"I come," said he, "from the city that lies before thee. My lord," he -added, "will it be displeasing to thee if I ask whence thou comest -also?" - -"By no means. Through yonder wood did I come." - -"Thou camest not through the wood to-day." - -"No," he replied. "We were in the wood last night." - -"I warrant," said the youth, "that thy condition there last night was -not the most pleasant, and that thou hadst neither meat nor drink." - -"No, by my faith!" said he. - -"Wilt thou follow my counsel," said the youth, "and take thy meal from -me?" - -"What sort of meal?" he inquired. - -"The breakfast which is sent for yonder mowers; nothing less than bread -and meat and wine. And if thou wilt, sir, they shall have none of it." - -"I will," said he. "And Heaven reward thee for it!" - -So Geraint alighted, and the youth took the maiden from off her horse. -Then they washed, and took their repast. And the youth cut the bread in -slices, and gave them drink, and served them withal. - -And when they had finished, the youth arose, and said to Geraint, "My -lord, with thy permission, I will now go and fetch some food for the -mowers." - -"Go first to the town," said Geraint, "and take a lodging for me in -the best place that thou knowest, and the most commodious one for the -horses, 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 young man, 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. - -And 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 mayest call to thee the woman of the house, -if thou wilt." - -"I will do, lord," said she, "as thou sayest." - -And thereupon the man of the house came to Geraint, and welcomed him. -"O chieftain!" he said, "hast thou taken thy meal?" - -"I have," said he. Then the youth spoke to him, and inquired if he -would not drink something before he met the earl. "Truly I will," said -he. - -So the youth went into the town, and brought them drink. And they drank. - -"I must needs sleep," said Geraint. - -"Well," said the youth. "And whilst thou sleepest, I will go to see the -earl." - -"Go gladly," he said, "and come here again when I require thee." And -Geraint went to sleep; and so did Enid also. - -And the youth came to the place where the earl was, and the earl asked -him where the lodgings of the knight were, and he told him. "I must -go," said the youth, "to wait on him in the evening." - -"Go," answered the earl, "and greet him well from me, and tell him -that in the evening I will go to see him." - -"This will I do," said the youth. So he came when it was time for them -to awake. And they arose and went forth. And when it was time for them -to take their food, they took it. And the youth served them. - -And Geraint inquired of the man of the house whether there were any of -his companions that he wished to invite to him, and he said that there -were. "Bring them hither, and entertain them at my cost with the best -thou canst buy in the town." - -And the man of the house brought there those whom he chose, and feasted -them at Geraint's expense. Thereupon, behold the earl came to visit -Geraint, and his twelve honorable knights with him. And Geraint rose up -and welcomed him. - -"Heaven preserve thee!" said the Earl. 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 my -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 her. So he arose, and took his leave, and went forth with his -attendants. And she told not then to Geraint any of the conversation -which she had had with the earl, lest it should rouse his anger, and -cause him uneasiness and care. - -And at the usual hour they went to sleep. And at the beginning of the -night Enid slept a little; and at midnight she arose, and placed all -Geraint's armor together, so that it might be ready to put on. And -although fearful of her errand, she came to the side of Geraint's bed; -and she spoke to him softly and gently, saying, "My lord, arise, and -clothe thyself; for these were the words of the earl to me, and his -intention concerning me." So she told Geraint [that the earl was coming -with a troop of followers on the morrow to take her away by force]. - -And, although he was wroth with her, he took warning, and clothed -himself. And she lighted a candle, that he might have light to do so. - -"Leave there the candle," said he, "and desire the man of the house to -come here." Then she went, and the man of the house came to him. "Dost -thou know how much I owe thee?" asked Geraint. - -"I think thou owest but little." - -"Take the eleven horses and the eleven suits of armor." - -"Heaven reward thee, lord!" said he. "But I spent not the value of one -suit of armor upon thee." - -"For that reason," said he, "thou wilt be the richer. And now wilt thou -come to guide me out of the town?" - -"I will gladly," said he. "And in which direction dost thou intend to -go?" - -"I wish to leave the town by a different way from that by which I -entered it." So the man of the lodgings accompanied him as far as he -desired. Then he bade the maiden to go on before him. And she did so, -and went straight forward, and his host returned home. And he had only -just reached his house, when, behold, the greatest tumult approached -that was ever heard. And when he looked out, he saw fourscore knights -in complete armor around the house, with the Earl Dwrm at their head. - -"Where is the knight that was here?" said the earl. - -"By thy hand," said he, "he went hence some time ago." - -"Wherefore, villain," said he, "didst thou let him go without informing -me?" - -"My lord, thou didst not command me to do so, else would I not have -allowed him to depart." - -"What way dost thou think that he took?" - -"I know not, except that he went along the high road." - -And they turned their horses' heads that way, and seeing the tracks -of the horses upon the high road, they followed. And when the maiden -beheld the dawning of the day, she looked behind her, and saw vast -clouds of dust coming nearer and nearer to her. And thereupon she -became uneasy, and she thought that it was the earl and his host coming -after them. And thereupon she beheld a knight appearing through the -mist. "By my faith!" said she, "though he should slay me, it were -better for me to receive my death at his hands than to see him killed -without warning him.--My lord," she said to him, "seest thou yonder man -hastening after thee, and many others with him?" - -"I do see him," said he; "and, in despite of all my orders, I see that -thou wilt never keep silence." Then he turned upon the knight, and with -the first thrust he threw him down under his horse's feet. And as long -as there remained one of the fourscore knights, he overthrew every one -of them at the first onset. And from the weakest to the strongest, they -all attacked him one after the other, except the earl. And last of all -the earl came against him also. And he broke his lance, and then he -broke a second. But Geraint turned upon him, and struck him with his -lance upon the centre of his shield, so that by that single thrust the -shield was split, and all his armor broken, and he himself was brought -over his horse's crupper to the ground, and was in peril of his life. -And Geraint drew near to him; and at the noise of the trampling of his -horse the earl revived. - -"Mercy, lord!" said he to Geraint. - -And Geraint granted him mercy. But through the hardness of the ground -where they had fallen, and the violence of the stroke which they had -received, there was not a single knight amongst them that escaped -without receiving a fall mortally severe, and grievously painful, and -desperately wounding, from the hand of Geraint. - -And Geraint journeyed along the high road that was before him, and the -maiden went on first; and near them they beheld a valley, which was -the fairest ever seen, and which had a large river running through it; -and there was a bridge over the river, and the high road led to the -bridge. And above the bridge, upon the opposite side of the river, they -beheld a fortified town, the fairest ever seen. And as they approached -the bridge, Geraint saw coming towards him from a thick copse a man -mounted upon a large and lofty steed, even of pace, and spirited, -though tractable. "Ah, knight!" said Geraint, "whence comest thou?" - -"I come," said he, "from the valley below us." - -"Canst thou tell me," said Geraint, "who is the owner of this fair -valley and yonder walled town?" - -"I will tell thee willingly," said he. "Gwiffert Petit he is called by -the Franks; but the Cymry call him the Little King." - -"Can I go by yonder bridge," said Geraint, "and by the lower highway -that is beneath the town?" - -Said the knight, "Thou canst not go by his tower on the other side of -the bridge, unless thou dost intend to combat him; because it is his -custom to encounter every knight that comes upon his lands." - -"I declare to Heaven," said Geraint, "that I will, nevertheless, pursue -my journey that way." - -"If thou dost so," said the knight, "thou wilt probably meet with shame -and disgrace in reward for thy daring." - -Then Geraint proceeded along the road that led to the town; and the -road brought him to a ground that was hard and rugged and high and -ridgy. And as he journeyed thus, he beheld a knight following him upon -a war-horse strong and large and proudly-stepping and wide-hoofed and -broad-chested. And he never saw a man of smaller stature than he who -was upon the horse. And both he and his horse were completely armed. - -When he had overtaken Geraint, he said to him, "Tell me, chieftain, -whether it is through ignorance or through presumption that thou -seekest to insult my dignity and to infringe my rules." - -"Nay," answered Geraint, "I knew not this road was forbid to any." - -"Thou didst know it," said the other. "Come with me to my court, to -give me satisfaction." - -"That will I not, by my faith!" said Geraint. "I would not go even to -thy lord's court, excepting Arthur were thy lord." - -"By the hand of Arthur himself," said the knight, "I will have -satisfaction of thee, or receive my overthrow at thy hands!" And -immediately they charged one another. And a squire of his came to -serve him with lances as he broke them. And they gave each other such -hard and severe strokes, that their shields lost all their color. But -it was very difficult for Geraint to fight with him on account of his -small size; for he was hardly able to get a full aim at him with all -the efforts he could make. And they fought thus until their horses were -brought down upon their knees. And at length Geraint threw the knight -headlong to the ground; and then they fought on foot, and they gave one -another blows so boldly fierce, so frequent, and so severely powerful, -that their helmets were pierced, and their skullcaps were broken, and -their arms were shattered, and the light of their eyes was darkened -by sweat and blood. At the last Geraint became enraged, and he called -to him all his strength. And boldly angry, and swiftly resolute, and -furiously determined, he lifted up his sword, and struck him on the -crown of his head a blow so mortally painful, so violent, so fierce, -and so penetrating, that it cut through all his head armor, and his -skin, and his flesh, until it wounded the very bone, and the sword flew -out of the hand of the Little King to the furthest end of the plain, -and he besought Geraint that he would have mercy and compassion upon -him. - -"Though thou hast been neither courteous nor just," said Geraint, "thou -shalt have mercy, upon condition that thou wilt become my ally, and -engage never to fight against me again, but to come to my assistance -whenever thou hearest of my being in trouble." - -"This will I do gladly, lord," said he. So he pledged him his faith -thereof. "And now, lord, come with me," said he, "to my court yonder, -to recover from thy weariness and fatigue." - -"That will I not, by Heaven!" said he. - -Then Gwiffert Petit beheld Enid where she stood, and it grieved him to -see one of her noble mien appear so deeply afflicted. And he said to -Geraint, "My lord, thou doest wrong not to take repose, and refresh -thyself a while; for, if thou meetest with any difficulty in thy -present condition, it will not be easy for thee to surmount it." - -But Geraint would do no other than proceed on his journey, and he -mounted his horse in pain, and all covered with blood. And the maiden -went on first, and they proceeded towards the wood which they saw -before them. - -And the heat of the sun was very great, and through the blood and -sweat, Geraint's armor cleaved to his flesh. And when they came into -the wood, he stood under a tree, to avoid the sun's heat; and his -wounds pained him more than they had done at the time when he received -them. And the maiden stood under another tree. And, lo! they heard the -sound of horns, and a tumultuous noise; and the occasion of it was that -Arthur and his company had come down to the wood. And while Geraint was -considering which way he should go to avoid them, behold, he was espied -by a foot-page, who was an attendant on the steward of the household; -and he went to the steward, and told him what kind of man he had seen -in the wood. - -[Illustration: Geraint and the Maiden at the Edge of the Wood.] - -Then the steward caused his horse to be saddled, and he took his lance -and his shield, and went to the place where Geraint was. "Ah, knight!" -said he, "what dost thou here?" - -"I am standing under a shady tree to avoid the heat and the rays of the -sun." - -"Wherefore is thy journey? and who art thou?" - -"I seek adventures, and go where I list." - -"Indeed!" said Kai. "Then come with me to see Arthur, who is here hard -by." - -"That will I not, by Heaven!" said Geraint. - -"Thou must needs come," said Kai. Then Geraint knew who he was; but Kai -did not know Geraint. And Kai attacked Geraint as best he could. And -Geraint became wroth, and he struck him with the shaft of his lance, so -that he rolled headlong to the ground. But chastisement worse than this -would he not inflict on him. - -Scared and wildly Kai arose, and he mounted his horse, and went back to -his lodging. And thence he proceeded to Gwalchmai's tent. "O sir!" said -he to Gwalchmai, "I was told by one of the attendants, that he saw in -the wood above a wounded knight, having on battered armor; and if thou -dost right, thou wilt go and see if this be true." - -"I care not if I do so," said Gwalchmai. - -"Take, then, thy horse, and some of thy armor," said Kai; "for I hear -that he is not over courteous to those who approach him." - -So Gwalchmai took his spear and his shield, and mounted his horse, and -came to the spot where Geraint was. "Sir knight," said he, "wherefore -is thy journey?" - -"I journey for my own pleasure, and to seek the adventures of the -world." - -"Wilt thou tell me who thou art? or wilt thou come and visit Arthur, -who is near at hand?" - -"I will make no alliance with thee, nor will I go and visit Arthur," -said he. And he knew that it was Gwalchmai; but Gwalchmai knew him not. - -"I purpose not to leave thee," said Gwalchmai, "till I know who thou -art." And he charged him with his lance, and struck him on his shield, -so that the shaft was shivered into splinters, and their horses were -front to front. Then Gwalchmai gazed fixedly upon him, and he knew him. -"Ah, Geraint!" said he, "is it thou that art here?" - -"I am not Geraint," said he. - -"Geraint thou art, by Heaven!" he replied; "and a wretched and insane -expedition is this." Then he looked around, and beheld Enid, and he -welcomed her gladly. "Geraint," said Gwalchmai, "come thou and see -Arthur: he is thy lord and thy cousin." - -"I will not," said he; "for I am not in a fit state to go and see -any one." Thereupon, behold one of the pages came after Gwalchmai -to speak to him. So he sent him to apprise Arthur that Geraint was -there wounded, and that he would not go to visit him, and that it was -pitiable to see the plight that he was in. And this he did without -Geraint's knowledge, inasmuch as he spoke in a whisper to the page. -"Entreat Arthur," said he, "to have his tent brought near to the road, -for he will not meet him willingly, and it is not easy to compel him -in the mood he is in." So the page came to Arthur, and told him this. -And he caused his tent to be removed unto the side of the road. And the -maiden rejoiced in her heart. And Gwalchmai led Geraint onwards along -the road, till they came to the place where Arthur was encamped, and -the pages were pitching his tent by the roadside. - -"Lord," said Geraint, "all hail unto thee!" - -"Heaven prosper thee! And who art thou?" said Arthur. - -"It is Geraint," said Gwalchmai; "and of his own free will would he not -come to meet thee." - -"Verily," said Arthur, "he is bereft of his reason." - -Then came Enid, and saluted Arthur. "Heaven protect thee!" said he. And -thereupon he caused one of the pages to take her from her horse. "Alas, -Enid!" said Arthur, "what expedition is this?" - -"I know not, lord," said she, "save that it behooves me to journey by -the same road that he journeys." - -"My lord," said Geraint, "with thy permission we will depart." - -"Whither wilt thou go?" said Arthur. "Thou canst not proceed now, -unless it be unto thy death." - -"He will not suffer himself to be invited by me," said Gwalchmai. - -"But by me he will," said Arthur; "and moreover he does not go from -here until he is healed." - -"I had rather, lord," said Geraint, "that thou wouldest let me go -forth." - -"That will I not, I declare to Heaven!" said he. Then he caused a -maiden to be sent for to conduct Enid to the tent where Gwenhwyvar's -chamber was. And Gwenhwyvar and all her women were joyful at her -coming; and they took off her riding-dress, and placed other garments -upon her. Arthur also called Kadyrieith, and ordered him to pitch a -tent for Geraint and the physicians; and he enjoined him to provide him -with abundance of all that might be requisite for him. And Kadyrieith -did as he had commanded him. And Morgan Tud and his disciples were -brought to Geraint. - -And Arthur and his hosts remained there nearly a month, whilst Geraint -was being healed. And when he was fully recovered, Geraint came to -Arthur, and asked his permission to depart. - -"I know not if thou art quite well." - -"In truth I am, lord," said Geraint. - -"I shall not believe thee concerning that, but the physicians that were -with thee." So Arthur caused the physicians to be summoned to him, and -asked them if it were true. - -"It is true, lord," said Morgan Tud. So the next day Arthur permitted -him to go forth, and he pursued his journey. And on the same day Arthur -removed thence. - -And Geraint desired Enid to go on, and to keep before him, as she had -formerly done. And she went forward along the high road. And as they -journeyed thus, they heard an exceeding loud wailing near to them. -"Stay thou here," said he, "and I will go and see what is the cause of -this wailing." - -"I will," said she. - -Then he went forward unto an open glade that was near the road. And in -the glade he saw two horses, one having a man's saddle, and the other -a woman's saddle upon it. And, behold, there was a knight lying dead -in his armor, and a young damsel in a riding-dress standing over him, -lamenting. "Ah, lady!" said Geraint, "what hath befallen thee?" - -"Behold," she answered, "I journeyed here with my beloved husband, -when, lo! three giants came upon us, and without any cause in the world -they slew him." - -"Which way went they hence?" said Geraint. - -"Yonder by the high road," she replied. - -So he returned to Enid. "Go," said he, "to the lady that is below -yonder, and await me there till I come." - -She was sad when he ordered her to do thus; but nevertheless she went -to the damsel, whom it was ruth to hear, and she felt certain that -Geraint would never return. Meanwhile Geraint followed the giants, and -overtook them. And each of them was greater of stature than three other -men, and a huge club was on the shoulder of each. Then he rushed upon -one of them, and thrust his lance through his body. And having drawn -it forth again, he pierced another of them through likewise. But the -third turned upon him, and struck him with his club; so that he split -his shield, and crushed his shoulder, and opened his wounds anew, and -all his blood began to flow from him. But Geraint drew his sword, and -attacked the giant, and gave him a blow on the crown of his head so -severe and fierce and violent, that his head and his neck were split -down to his shoulders, and he fell dead. So Geraint left him thus, and -returned to Enid. And when he saw her, he fell down lifeless from his -horse. Piercing and loud and thrilling was the cry that Enid uttered. -And she came and stood over him where he had fallen. And at the sound -of her cries came the Earl of Limours, and the host that journeyed with -him, whom her lamentations brought out of their road. And the earl said -to Enid, "Alas, lady! what hath befallen thee?" - -"Ah, good sir!" said she, "the only man I have loved, or ever shall -love, is slain." - -Then he said to the other, "And what is the cause of thy grief?" - -"They have slain my beloved husband also," said she. - -"And who was it that slew them?" - -"Some giants," she answered, "slew my best-beloved; and the other -knight went in pursuit of them, and came back in the state thou seest, -his blood flowing excessively. But it appears to me that he did not -leave the giants without killing some of them, if not all." The earl -caused the knight that was dead to be buried, but he thought that there -still remained some life in Geraint; and to see if he yet would live, -he had him carried with him in the hollow of his shield, and upon a -bier. And the two damsels went to the court; and when they arrived -there, Geraint was placed upon a litter-couch in front of the table -that was in the hall. Then they all took off their travelling-gear, -and the earl besought Enid to do the same, and to clothe her self in -other garments. - -"I will not, by Heaven!" said she. - -"Ah, lady!" said he, "be not so sorrowful for this matter." - -"It were hard to persuade me to be otherwise," said she. - -"I will act towards thee in such wise, that thou needest not be -sorrowful, whether yonder knight live or die. Behold, a good earldom, -together with myself, will I bestow on thee. Be therefore happy and -joyful." - -"I declare to Heaven," said she, "that henceforth I shall never be -joyful while I live." - -"Come, then," said he, "and eat." - -"No, by Heaven, I will not," she answered. - -"But, by Heaven, thou shalt," said he. So he took her with him to the -table, against her will, and many times desired her to eat. - -"I call Heaven to witness," said she, "that I will not eat until the -man that is upon yonder bier shall eat likewise." - -"Thou canst not fulfil that," said the earl. "Yonder man is dead -already." - -"I will prove that I can," said she. - -Then he offered her a goblet of liquor. "Drink this goblet," he said, -"and it will cause thee to change thy mind." - -"Evil betide me," she answered, "if I drink aught until he drink also." - -"Truly," said the earl, "it is of no more avail for me to be gentle -with thee than ungentle." And he gave her a box in the ear. Thereupon -she raised a loud and piercing shriek; and her lamentations were much -greater than they had been before, for she considered in her mind, -that, had Geraint been alive, he durst not have struck her thus. - -But behold, at the sound of her cry, Geraint revived from his swoon, -and he sat up on the bier, and, finding his sword in the hollow of his -shield, he rushed to the place where the earl was, and struck him a -fiercely-wounding, severely-venomous, and sternly-smiting blow upon the -crown of his head, so that he clove him in twain, until his sword was -stayed by the table. Then all left the board, and fled away. And this -was not so much through fear of the living as through the dread they -felt at seeing the dead man rise up to slay them. And Geraint looked -upon Enid, and he was grieved for two causes: one was to see that Enid -had lost her color and her wonted aspect; and the other, to know that -she was in the right. "Lady," said he, "knowest thou where our horses -are?" - -"I know, lord, where thy horse is," she replied; "but I know not where -is the other. Thy horse is in the house yonder." - -So he went to the house, and brought forth his horse, and mounted him, -and took up Enid from the ground, and placed her upon the horse with -him. And he rode forward. And their road lay between two hedges. And -the night was gaining on the day. And lo! they saw behind them the -shafts of spears betwixt them and the sky, and they heard the trampling -of horses and the noise of a host approaching. "I hear something -following us," said he, "and I will put thee on the other side of -the hedge." And thus he did. And thereupon, behold, a knight pricked -towards him, and couched his lance. - -When Enid saw this, she cried out, saying, "O chieftain! whoever thou -art, what renown wilt thou gain by slaying a dead man?" - -"O Heaven!" said he, "is it Geraint?" - -"Yes, in truth," said she. "And who art thou?" - -"I am the Little King," he answered, "coming to thy assistance; for I -heard that thou wast in trouble. And if thou hadst followed my advice, -none of these hardships would have befallen thee." - -"Nothing can happen," said Geraint, "without the will of Heaven, though -much good results from counsel." - -"Yes," said the Little King; "and I know good counsel for thee now. -Come with me to the court of a son-in-law of my sister, which is near -here, and thou shalt have the best medical assistance in the kingdom." - -"I will do so gladly," said Geraint. And Enid was placed upon the -horse of one of the Little King's squires, and they went forward to -the baron's palace. And they were received there with gladness, and -they met with hospitality and attention. And the next morning they went -to seek physicians, and it was not long before they came; and they -attended Geraint until he was perfectly well. And while Geraint was -under medical care, the Little King caused his armor to be repaired, -until it was as good as it had ever been. And they remained there a -fortnight and a month. - -Then the Little King said to Geraint, "Now will we go towards my own -court, to take rest and amuse ourselves." - -"Not so," said Geraint. "We will first journey for one day more, and -return again." - -"With all my heart!" said the Little King. "Do thou go then." And early -in the day they set forth. And more gladly and more joyfully did Enid -journey with them that day than she had ever done. And they came to the -main road. And when they reached a place where the road divided in two, -they beheld a man on foot coming towards them along one of these roads; -and Gwiffert asked the man whence he came. - -"I come," said he, "from an errand in the country." - -"Tell me," said Geraint: "which is the best for me to follow of these -two roads?" - -"That is the best for thee to follow," answered he; "for if thou goest -by this one, thou wilt never return. Below us," said he, "there is a -hedge of mist, and within it are enchanted games; and no one who has -gone there has ever returned. And the court of the Earl Owain is there, -and he permits no one to go to lodge in the town, except he will go to -his court." - -"I declare to Heaven," said Geraint, "that we will take the lower -road." And they went along it until they came to the town. And they -took the fairest and pleasantest place in the town for their lodging. -And while they were thus, behold, a young man came to them, and greeted -them. "Heaven be propitious to thee!" said they. - -"Good sirs," said he, "what preparations are you making here?" - -"We are taking up our lodging," said they, "to pass the night." - -"It is not the custom with him who owns the town," he answered, "to -permit any of gentle birth, unless they come to stay in his court, to -abide here therefore: come ye to the court." - -"We will come gladly," said Geraint. And they went with the page, and -they were joyfully received. And the earl came to the hall to meet -them, and he commanded the tables to be laid. And they washed, and sat -down. And this is the order in which they sat: Geraint on one side of -the earl, and Enid on the other side, and next to Enid the Little King, -and then the countess next to Geraint; and all after that as became -their rank. Then Geraint recollected the games, and thought that he -should not go to them; and on that account he did not eat. Then the -earl looked upon Geraint, and considered; and he bethought him that his -not eating was because of the games, and it grieved him that he had -ever established those games, were it only on account of losing such a -youth as Geraint. And if Geraint had asked him to abolish the games, he -would gladly have done so. - -Then the earl said to Geraint, "What thought occupies thy mind, that -thou dost not eat? If thou hesitatest about going to the games, thou -shalt not go, and no other of thy rank shall ever go, either." - -"Heaven reward thee!" said Geraint. "But I wish nothing better than to -go to the games, and to be shown the way thither." - -"If that is what thou dost prefer, thou shalt obtain it willingly." - -"I do prefer it, indeed," said he. Then they ate, and they were amply -served, and they had a variety of gifts, and abundance of liquor. And -when they had finished eating they arose. And Geraint called for his -horse and his armor, and he accoutred both himself and his horse. And -all the hosts went forth until they came to the side of the hedge; and -the hedge was so lofty, that it reached as high as they could see in -the air; and upon every stake in the hedge, except two, there was the -head of a man, and the number of stakes throughout the hedge was very -great. - -Then said the Little King, "May no one go in with the chieftain?" - -"No one may," said Earl Owain. - -"Which way can I enter?" inquired Geraint. - -"I know not," said Owain. "But enter by the way that thou wilt, and -that seemeth easiest to thee." - -Then fearlessly and unhesitatingly Geraint dashed forward into the -mist. And on leaving the mist he came to a large orchard; and in the -orchard he saw an open space, wherein was a tent of red satin. And -the door of the tent was open, and an apple-tree stood in front of -the door of the tent; and on a branch of the apple-tree hung a huge -hunting-horn. Then he dismounted, and went into the tent; and there -was no one in the tent save one maiden sitting in a golden chair, and -another chair was opposite to her, empty. And Geraint went to the empty -chair, and sat down therein. - -"Ah, chieftain!" said the maiden, "I would not counsel thee to sit in -that chair." - -"Wherefore?" said Geraint. - -"The man to whom that chair belongs has never suffered another to sit -in it." - -"I care not," said Geraint, "though it displease him that I sit in -the chair." And thereupon they heard a mighty tumult around the tent. -And Geraint looked to see what was the cause of the tumult. And he -beheld without a knight mounted upon a war-horse, proudly snorting, -high-mettled, and large of bone; and a robe of honor in two parts was -upon him and upon his horse, and beneath it was plenty of armor. - -"Tell me, chieftain," said he to Geraint, "who it was that bade thee -sit there." - -"Myself," answered he. - -"It was wrong of thee to do me this shame and disgrace. Arise, and do -me satisfaction for thine insolence." - -Then Geraint arose; and they encountered immediately; and they broke a -set of lances, and a second set, and a third; and they gave each other -fierce and frequent strokes. And at last Geraint became enraged; and -he urged on his horse, and rushed upon him, and gave him a thrust on -the centre of his shield, so that it was split, and so that the head of -his lance went through his armor, and his girths were broken, and he -himself was borne headlong to the ground, the length of Geraint's lance -and arm, over his horse's crupper. "Oh, my lord!" said he, "thy mercy, -and thou shalt have what thou wilt." - -"I only desire," said Geraint, "that this game shall no longer exist -here, nor the hedge of mist, nor magic, nor enchantment." - -"Thou shalt have this gladly, lord," he replied. - -"Cause, then, the mist to disappear from this place," said Geraint. - -"Sound yonder horn," said he, "and when thou soundest it, the mist will -vanish; but it will not go hence unless the horn be blown by the knight -by whom I am vanquished." - -And sad and sorrowful was Enid where she remained, through anxiety -concerning Geraint. Then Geraint went and sounded the horn. And at -the first blast he gave, the mist vanished. And all the hosts came -together, and they all became reconciled to each other. And the earl -invited Geraint and the Little King to stay with him that night. And -the next morning they separated. And Geraint went towards his own -dominions; and thenceforth he reigned prosperously, and his warlike -fame and splendor lasted with renown and honor both to him and to Enid -from that time forth. - - - - - THE DREAM OF MAXEN WLEDIG. - - -Maxen Wledig was emperor[20] of Rome; and he was a comelier man, and a -better and a wiser, than any emperor that had been before him. And one -day he held a council of kings; and he said to his friends, "I desire -to go to-morrow to hunt." And the next day in the morning he set forth -with his retinue, and came to the valley of the river that flowed -towards Rome. And he hunted through the valley until mid-day. And with -him also were two and thirty crowned kings, that were his vassals. -Not for the delight of hunting went the emperor with them, but to put -himself on equal terms with those kings. - -[Footnote 20: "Maxen Wledig" is the Emperor Maximus, A.D. 383, who -was in Britain with his army when he obtained the throne. Many Welsh -stories are told about him.] - -And the sun was high in the sky over their heads, and the heat was -great. And sleep came upon Maxen Wledig. And his attendants stood and -set up their shields around him upon the shafts of their spears to -protect him from the sun, and they placed a gold enamelled shield under -his head; and so Maxen slept. - -And he saw a dream. And this is the dream that he saw. He was -journeying along the valley of the river towards its source; and he -came to the highest mountain in the world. And he thought that the -mountain was as high as the sky. And when he came over the mountain, it -seemed to him that he went through the fairest and most level regions -that man ever yet beheld, on the other side of the mountain. And he saw -large and mighty rivers descending from the mountain to the sea, and -towards the mouths of the rivers he proceeded. And as he journeyed thus -he came to the mouth of the largest river ever seen. And he beheld a -great city at the entrance of the river, and a vast castle in the city, -and he saw many high towers of various colors in the castle. And he saw -a fleet at the mouth of the river, the largest ever seen. And he saw -one ship among the fleet: larger was it by far, and fairer, than all -the others. Of such part of the ship as he could see above the water, -one plank was gilded and the other silvered over. He saw a bridge of -the bone of the whale from the ship to the land, and he thought that he -went along the bridge, and came into the ship. And a sail was hoisted -on the ship, and along the sea and the ocean was it borne. Then it -seemed that he came to the fairest island in the whole world, and he -traversed the island from sea to sea, even to the farthest shore of the -island. Valleys he saw, and steeps, and rocks of wondrous height, and -rugged precipices. Never yet saw he the like. And thence he beheld an -island in the sea, facing this rugged land. And between him and this -island was a country of which the plain was as large as the sea, the -mountain as vast as the wood. And from the mountain he saw a river -that flowed through the land, and fell into the sea. And at the mouth -of the river he beheld a castle, the fairest that man ever saw; and the -gate of the castle was open, and he went into the castle. And in the -castle he saw a fair hall, of which the roof seemed to be all gold; -the walls of the hall seemed to be entirely of glittering precious -gems, the doors all seemed to be of gold. Golden seats he saw in the -hall, and silver tables. And on a seat opposite to him he beheld two -auburn-haired youths playing at chess. He saw a silver board for the -chess, and golden pieces thereon. The garments of the youths were of -jet-black satin; and chaplets of ruddy gold bound their hair, whereon -were sparkling jewels of great price, rubies, and gems alternately -with imperial stones; buskins of new Cordovan leather on their feet, -fastened by slides of red gold. - -And beside a pillar in the hall he saw a hoary-headed man in a chair of -ivory, with the figures of two eagles of ruddy gold thereon. Bracelets -of gold were upon his arms, and many rings were on his hands, and a -golden torque about his neck; and his hair was bound with a golden -diadem. He was of powerful aspect. A chessboard of gold was before him, -and a rod of gold, and a steel file in his hand. And he was carving out -chessmen. - -And he saw a maiden sitting before him in a chair of ruddy gold. Not -more easy than to gaze upon the sun when brightest was it to look upon -her by reason of her beauty. A vest of white silk was upon the maiden, -with clasps of red gold at the breast; and a surcoat of gold tissue -upon her, and a frontlet of red gold upon her head, and rubies and gems -were in the frontlet, alternating with pearls and imperial stones. And -a girdle of ruddy gold was around her. She was the fairest sight that -man ever beheld. - -The maiden arose from her chair before him, and they two sat down -together in the chair of gold; and the chair was not less roomy for -them both than for the maiden alone. And behold, through the chafing -of the dogs at their leashing, and the clashing of the shields as they -struck against each other, and the beating together of the shafts of -the spears, and the neighing of the horses and their prancing, the -emperor awoke. - -And when he awoke, nor spirit nor existence was left him, because of -the maiden whom he had seen in his sleep; for the love of the maiden -pervaded his whole frame. Then his household spake unto him. "Lord," -said they, "is it not past the time for thee to take thy food?" -Thereupon the emperor mounted his palfrey, the saddest man that mortal -ever saw, and went forth towards Rome. - -And thus he was during the space of a week. When they of the household -went to drink wine and mead out of golden vessels, he went not with any -of them. When they went to listen to songs and tales, he went not with -them there; neither could he be persuaded to do any thing but sleep. -And as often as he slept, he beheld in his dreams the maiden he loved -best: but except when he slept he saw nothing of her; for he knew not -where in the world she was. - -One day the page of the chamber spake unto him: now, although he was -page of the chamber, he was king of the Romans. "Lord," said he, "all -the people revile thee." - -"Wherefore do they revile me?" asked the emperor. - -"Because they can get neither message nor answer from thee, as men -should have from their lord. This is the cause why thou art spoken evil -of." - -"Youth," said the emperor, "do thou bring unto me the wise men of Rome, -and I will tell them wherefore I am sorrowful." - -Then the wise men of Rome were brought to the emperor, and he spake to -them. "Sages of Rome," said he, "I have seen a dream. And in the dream -I beheld a maiden, and because of the maiden is there neither life, nor -spirit, nor existence within me." - -"Lord," they answered, "since thou judgest us worthy to counsel thee, -we will give thee counsel. And this is our counsel: that thou send -messengers for three years to the three parts of the world to seek for -thy dream. And as thou knowest not what day or what night good news may -come to thee, the hope thereof will support thee." - -So the messengers journeyed for the space of a year, wandering about -the world, and seeking tidings concerning his dream. But when they came -back at the end of the year, they knew not one word more than they did -the day they set forth. And then was the emperor exceeding sorrowful; -for he thought that he should never have tidings of her whom best he -loved. - -Then spoke the King of the Romans unto the emperor. "Lord," said he, -"go forth to hunt by the way thou didst seem to go, whether it were to -the east or to the west." - -So the emperor went forth to the hunt, and he came to the bank of the -river. "Behold," said he, "this is where I was when I saw the dream, -and I went towards the source of the river westward." - -And thereupon thirteen messengers of the emperor's set forth; and -before them they saw a high mountain, which seemed to them to touch -the sky. Now this was the guise in which the messengers journeyed: one -sleeve was on the cap of each of them in front, as a sign that they -were messengers, in order that through what hostile land soever they -might pass no harm might be done them. And when they were come over -this mountain, they beheld vast plains, and large rivers flowing there -through. "Behold," said they, "the land which our master saw." - -And they went along the mouths of the rivers, until they came to the -mighty river which they saw flowing to the sea, and the vast city, and -the many-colored high towers in the castle. They saw the largest fleet -in the world in the harbor of the river, and one ship that was larger -than any of the others. "Behold again," said they, "the dream that our -master saw." And in the great ship they crossed the sea, and came to -the Island of Britain. And they traversed the island until they came to -Snowdon. "Behold," said they, "the rugged land that our master saw." -And they went forward until they saw Anglesey before them, and until -they saw Arvon likewise. "Behold," said they, "the land our master saw -in his sleep." And they saw Aber Sain, and a castle at the mouth of -the river. The portal of the castle saw they open, and into the castle -they went, and they saw a hall in the castle. Then said they, "Behold -the hall which he saw in his sleep." They went into the hall, and they -beheld two youths playing at chess on the golden bench. And they beheld -the hoary-headed man beside the pillar, in the ivory chair, carving -chessmen. And they beheld the maiden sitting on a chair of ruddy gold. - -The messengers bent down upon their knees. "Empress of Rome, all hail!" - -"Ha, gentles," said the maiden, "ye bear the seeming of honorable men, -and the badge of envoys: what mockery is this ye do to me?" - -"We mock thee not, lady; but the Emperor of Rome hath seen thee in his -sleep, and he has neither life nor spirit left because of thee. Thou -shalt have of us therefore the choice, lady,--whether thou wilt go with -us and be made Empress of Rome, or that the emperor come hither and -take thee for his wife?" - -"Ha, lords," said the maiden, "I will not deny what ye say, neither -will I believe it too well. If the emperor love me, let him come here -to seek me." - -And by day and night the messengers hied them back. And when their -horses failed, they bought other fresh ones. And when they came to -Rome, they saluted the emperor, and asked their boon, which was given -to them according as they named it. "We will be thy guides, lord," said -they, "over sea and over land, to the place where is the woman whom -best thou lovest; for we know her name, and her kindred, and her race." - -And immediately the emperor set forth with his army. And these men were -his guides. Towards the Island of Britain they went over the sea and -the deep. And he conquered the island from Beli the son of Manogan, -and his sons, and drove them to the sea, and went forward even unto -Arvon. And the emperor knew the land when he saw it. And when he beheld -the castle of Aber Sain, "Look yonder," said he, "there is the castle -wherein I saw the damsel whom I best love." And he went forward into -the castle and into the hall, and there he saw Kynan the son of Eudav, -and Adeon the son of Eudav, playing at chess. And he saw Eudav the son -of Caradawc sitting on a chair of ivory, carving chessmen. And the -maiden whom he had beheld in his sleep he saw sitting on a chair of -gold. "Empress of Rome," said he, "all hail!" And the emperor threw his -arms about her neck; and she became his bride. - -And the next day in the morning, the damsel asked her maiden portion. -And he told her to name what she would. And she asked to have the -Island of Britain for her father, from the Channel to the Irish Sea, -together with the three adjacent islands, to hold under the Empress of -Rome, and to have three chief castles made for her in whatever places -she might choose in the Island of Britain. And she chose to have the -highest castle made at Arvon. And they brought thither earth from Rome, -that it might be more healthful for the emperor to sleep and sit and -walk upon. After that, the two other castles were made for her, which -were Caerlleon and Caermarthen. - -And one day the emperor went to hunt at Caermarthen, and he came so -far as the top of Brevi Vawr, and there the emperor pitched his tent. -And that encamping place is called Cadeir Maxen, even to this day. -And because that he built the castle with a myriad of men, he called -it Caervyrddin. Then Helen bethought her to make high roads from one -castle to another throughout the Island of Britain. And the roads were -made. And for this cause are they called the Roads of Helen Luyddawc, -that she was sprung from a native of this island; and the men of the -Island of Britain would not have made these great roads for any save -for her. - -Seven years did the emperor tarry in this island. Now, at that time, -the men of Rome had a custom, that whatsoever emperor should remain in -other lands more than seven years should remain to his own overthrow, -and should never return to Rome again. - -So they made a new emperor. And this one wrote a letter of threat to -Maxen. There was nought in the letter but only this: "If thou comest, -and if thou ever comest to Rome." And even unto Caerlleon came this -letter to Maxen, and these tidings. Then sent he a letter to the man -who styled himself emperor in Rome. There was nought in that letter -also but only this: "If I come to Rome, and if I come." - -And thereupon Maxen set forth towards Rome with his army, and -vanquished France and Burgundy, and every land on the way, and sat down -before the city of Rome. - -A year was the emperor before the city, and he was no nearer taking -it than the first day. And after him there came the brothers of Helen -Luyddawc from the Island of Britain, and a small host with them; and -better warriors were in that small host than twice as many Romans. And -the emperor was told that a host was seen halting close to his army, -and encamping, and no man ever saw a fairer or better appointed host -for its size, nor more handsome standards. - -And Helen went to see the hosts, and she knew the standards of her -brothers. Then came Kynan the son of Eudav, and Adeon the son of Eudav, -to meet the emperor. And the emperor was glad because of them, and -embraced them. - -Then they looked at the Romans as they attacked the city. Said Kynan to -his brother, "We will try to attack the city more expertly than this." -So they measured by night the height of the wall, and they sent their -carpenters to the wood, and a ladder was made for every four men of -their number. Now, when these were ready, every day at mid-day the -emperors went to meat, and they ceased to fight on both sides till all -had finished eating. And in the morning the men of Britain took their -food, and they drank until they were invigorated. And while the two -emperors were at meat, the Britons came to the city, and placed their -ladders against it, and forthwith they came in through the city. - -The new emperor had no time to arm himself when they fell upon him, -and slew him, and many others with him. And three nights and three -days were they subduing the men that were in the city, and taking the -castle. And others of them kept the city, lest any of the host of Maxen -should come therein, until they had subjected all to their will. - -Then spake Maxen to Helen Luyddawc. "I marvel, lady," said he, "that -thy brothers have not conquered this city for me." - -"Lord, emperor," she answered, "the wisest youths in the world are my -brothers. Go thou thither, and ask the city of them, and if it be in -their possession thou shalt have it gladly." So the emperor and Helen -went and demanded the city. And they told the emperor that none had -taken the city, and that none could give it him, but the men of the -Island of Britain. Then the gates of the city of Rome were opened, -and the emperor sat on the throne, and all the men of Rome submitted -themselves unto him. - -The emperor then said unto Kynan and Adeon, "Lords," said he, "I have -now had possession of the whole of my empire. This host give I unto you -to vanquish whatever region ye may desire in the world." - -So they set forth and conquered lands and castles and cities. And -they slew all the men; but the women they kept alive. And thus they -continued until the young men that had come with them were grown -gray-headed, from the length of time they were upon this conquest. - -Then spoke Kynan unto Adeon his brother, "Whether wilt thou rather," -said he, "tarry in this land, or go back into the land whence thou -didst come forth?" Now he chose to go back to his own land, and many -with him. But Kynan tarried there with the other part, and dwelt there. - -And this dream is called the Dream of Maxen Wledig, Emperor of Rome. -And here it ends. - - - - - TALIESIN.[21] - - -[Footnote 21: Taliesin is the greatest of Welsh poets, and is called -by his countrymen "the Prince of Song." He became bard at the court of -King Arthur, and was one of the brightest in that glorious assemblage. -The actual man Taliesin appears to have lived in the sixth century, -and poems remain which are believed to be his genuine works. A -curious story of his life appears among the publications of the Welsh -Manuscript Society, which I give here as quoted by Lady Guest:-- - -"Taliesin, Chief of the Bards, the son of Saint Henwg of -Caerlleon-upon-Usk, was invited to the court of Urien Rheged, at -Aberllychwr. He, with Elffin the son of Urien, being once fishing -at sea in a skin coracle, an Irish pirate-ship seized him and his -coracle, and bore him away towards Ireland; but while the pirates were -at the height of their drunken mirth, Taliesin pushed his coracle to -the sea, and got into it himself, with a shield in his hand which he -found in the ship, and with which he rowed the coracle until it verged -the land; but, the waves breaking then in wild foam, he lost his hold -on the shield, so that he had no alternative but to be driven at the -mercy of the sea, in which state he continued for a short time, when -the coracle stuck to the point of a pole in the weir of Gwyddno, Lord -of Ceredigion, in Aberdyvi; and in that position he was found, at the -ebb, by Gwyddno's fishermen, by whom he was interrogated. And when -it was ascertained that he was a bard, and the tutor of Elffin the -son of Urien Rheged, the son of Cynvarch, 'I, too, have a son named -Elffin,' said Gwyddno, 'be thou a bard and teacher to him also, and -I will give thee lands in free tenure.' The terms were accepted, and -for several successive years he spent his time between the courts of -Urien Rheged and Gwyddno, called Gwyddno Garanhir, Lord of the Lowland -Cantred. But after the territory of Gwyddno had become overwhelmed -by the sea, Taliesin was invited by the Emperor Arthur to his court -at Caerlleon-upon-Usk, where he became highly celebrated for poetic -genius, and useful, meritorious sciences. After Arthur's death he -retired to the estate given to him by Gwyddno, taking Elffin, the son -of that prince, under his protection. It was from this account that -Thomas the son of Einion Offeiriad, descended from Gruffydd Gwyr, -formed his romance of Taliesin the son of Cariadwen, Elffin the son of -Goddnou, Rhun the son of Maelgwn Gwynedd, and the operations of the -Caldron of Ceridwen." - -I think it interesting to add in this connection that the old Welsh -bard was not a mere versifier, but was a true, wise man, and knew all -human learning. Hereby hangs a little Welsh story, which has always -seemed to me of great significance. A certain Einigan Gawr saw three -rays of light, on which were inscribed all knowledge and science. And -he took three rods of mountain-ash, and inscribed all the sciences upon -them, as it should seem in imitation of the three rays of light. And -those who saw them deified the rods, which so grieved Einigan, that he -broke the rods, and died. - -It may seem, by the way, absurd to speak of inscribing sciences upon -rods of ash, until one knows that the Bardic alphabet, which I believe -is now generally regarded genuine, would seem to have originated in the -three rays of light seen by Einigan Gawr,--as /|\ for example; being -formed entirely of such lines, which, as easily seen, are easily cut on -wood, since they involve no curves, and are capable of being made with -a single stroke of the knife.] - - -In times past there lived in Penllyn a man of gentle lineage named -Tegid Voel; and his dwelling was in the midst of the Lake Tegid; and -his wife was called Caridwen. And there was born to him of his wife a -son named Morvran ab Tegid, and also a daughter named Creirwy, the -fairest maiden in the world was she; and they had a brother, the most -ill-favored man in the world, Avagddu. Now Caridwen his mother thought -that he was not likely to be admitted among men of noble birth, by -reason of his ugliness, unless he had some exalted merits or knowledge. -For it was in the beginning of Arthur's time and of the Round Table. - -So she resolved according to the arts of the books of the Fferyllt, -to boil a caldron of Inspiration and Science for her son, that his -reception might be honorable because of his knowledge of the mysteries -of the future state of the world. - -Then she began to boil the caldron, which from the beginning of its -boiling might not cease to boil for a year and a day, until three -blessed drops were obtained of the grace of Inspiration. - -And she put Gwion Bach the son of Gwreang of Llanfair in Caereinion, in -Powys, to stir the caldron, and a blind man named Morda to kindle the -fire beneath it, and she charged them that they should not suffer it -to cease boiling for the space of a year and a day. And she herself, -according to the books of the astronomers, and in planetary hours, -gathered every day of all charm-bearing herbs. And one day towards -the end of the year, as Caridwen was culling plants, and making -incantations, it chanced that three drops of the charmed liquor flew -out of the caldron and fell upon the finger of Gwion Bach. And by -reason of their great heat he put his finger to his mouth; and the -instant he put those marvel-working drops into his mouth, he foresaw -every thing that was to come, and perceived that his chief care must be -to guard against the wiles of Caridwen, for vast was her skill. And in -very great fear he fled towards his own land. And the caldron burst in -two, because all the liquor within it, except the three charm-bearing -drops, was poisonous; so that the horses of Gwyddno Garanhir were -poisoned by the water of the stream into which the liquor of the -caldron ran; and the confluence of that stream was called the Poison of -the Horses of Gwyddno from that time forth. - -Thereupon came in Caridwen, and saw all the toil of the whole year -lost. And she seized a billet of wood, and struck the blind Morda on -the head, until one of his eyes fell out upon his cheek. And he said, -"Wrongfully hast thou disfigured me; for I am innocent. Thy loss was -not because of me." - -"Thou speakest truth," said Caridwen. "It was Gwion Bach who robbed me." - -And she went forth after him, running. And he saw her, and changed -himself into a hare, and fled. But she changed herself into a -greyhound, and turned him. And he ran towards a river, and became a -fish. And she, in the form of an otter, chased him under the water, -until he was fain to turn himself into a bird of the air. She, as a -hawk, followed him, and gave him no rest in the sky. And just as she -was about to stoop upon him, and he was in fear of death, he espied a -heap of winnowed wheat on the floor of a barn, and he dropped among the -wheat, and turned himself into one of the grains. Then she transformed -herself into a high-crested black hen, and went to the wheat, and -scratched it with her feet, and found him out. So she wrapped him in -a leathern bag, and cast him into the sea to the mercy of God, on the -twenty-ninth day of April. - -And at that time the weir of Gwyddno was on the strand between Dyvi and -Aberystwyth, near to his own castle; and the value of an hundred pounds -was taken in that weir every May Eve. And in those days Gwyddno had an -only son named Elphin, the most hapless of youths and the most needy. -And it grieved his father sore, for he thought that he was born in an -evil hour. And by the advice of his council his father had granted -him the drawing of the weir that year, to see if good luck would ever -befall him, and to give him something wherewith to begin the world. - -And the next day when Elphin went to look, there was nothing in the -weir. But as he turned back he perceived the leathern bag upon a pole -of the weir. Then said one of the weir-ward unto Elphin, "Thou wast -never unlucky until to-night; and now thou hast destroyed the virtues -of the weir, which always yielded the value of an hundred pounds every -May Eve; and to-night there is nothing but this leathern skin within -it." - -"How now?" said Elphin. "There may be therein the value of an hundred -pounds." Well, they took up the leathern bag; and he who opened it -saw the forehead of the boy, and said to Elphin, "Behold a radiant -brow!"[22] - -[Footnote 22: "Taliesin" means "radiant brow."] - -"Taliesin be he called," said Elphin. And he lifted the boy in his -arms, and, lamenting his mischance, he placed him sorrowfully behind -him. And he made his horse amble gently, that before had been trotting; -and he carried him as softly as if he had been sitting in the easiest -chair in the world. And presently the boy made a Consolation and praise -to Elphin, and foretold honor to Elphin; and the Consolation was as you -may see:-- - - "Fair Elphin, cease to lament! - Let no one be dissatisfied with his own: - To despair will bring no advantage. - No man sees what supports him; - The prayer of Cynllo will not be in vain; - God will not violate his promise. - Never in Gwyddno's weir - Was there such good luck as this night. - Fair Elphin, dry thy cheeks! - Being too sad will not avail, - Although thou thinkest thou hast no gain: - Too much grief will bring thee no good; - Nor doubt the miracles of the Almighty. - Although I am but little, I am highly gifted. - From seas, and from mountains, - And from the depths of rivers, - God brings wealth to the fortunate man. - Elphin of lively qualities, - Thy resolution is unmanly; - Thou must not be over sorrowful: - Better to trust in God than to forebode ill. - Weak and small as I am, - On the foaming beach of the ocean, - In the day of trouble I shall be - Of more service to thee than three hundred salmon. - Elphin of notable qualities, - Be not displeased at thy misfortune; - Although reclined thus weak in my bag, - There lies a virtue in my tongue. - While I continue thy protector - Thou hast not much to fear; - Remembering the names of the Trinity, - None shall be able to harm thee." - -And this was the first poem that Taliesin ever sang, being to console -Elphin in his grief for that the produce of the weir was lost, and, -what was worse, that all the world would consider that it was through -his fault and ill luck. - -Then came Elphin to the house or court of Gwyddno his father, and -Taliesin with him. And Gwyddno asked him if he had had a good haul at -the weir, and he told him that he had got that which was better than -fish. "What was that?" said Gwyddno. - -"A bard," answered Elphin. - -Then said Gwyddno, "Alas, what will he profit thee?" - -And Taliesin himself replied and said, "He will profit him more than -the weir ever profited thee." - -Asked Gwyddno, "Art thou able to speak, and thou so little?" - -And Taliesin answered him, "I am better able to speak than thou to -question me." - -And forthwith Elphin gave his haul to his wife, and she nursed him -tenderly and lovingly. Thenceforward Elphin increased in riches more -and more day after day, and in love and favor with the king. And there -abode Taliesin until he was thirteen years old, when Elphin, son of -Gwyddno, went by a Christmas invitation to his uncle, Maelgwn Gwynedd, -who some time after this held open court at Christmastide in the castle -of Dyganwy, for all the number of his lords of both degrees, both -spiritual and temporal, with a vast and thronged hosts of knights and -squires. And amongst them there arose a discourse and discussion. And -thus was it said:-- - -"Is there in the whole world a king so great as Maelgwn, or one on -whom Heaven has bestowed so many spiritual gifts as upon him? First, -form and beauty and meekness and strength, besides all the powers of -the soul!" And together with these they said that Heaven had given -one gift that exceeded all the others, which was the beauty and -comeliness and grace and wisdom and modesty of his queen, whose virtues -surpassed those of all the ladies and noble maidens throughout the -whole kingdom. And with this they put questions one to another amongst -themselves,--"Who had braver men, who had fairer or swifter horses or -greyhounds, who had more skilful or wiser bards--than Maelgwn?" - -Now at that time the bards were in great favor with the exalted of the -kingdom; and then none performed the office of those who are now called -heralds, unless they were learned men, not only expert in the service -of kings and princes, but studious, and well versed in the lineage and -arms and exploits of princes and kings, and in discussions concerning -foreign kingdoms and the ancient things of this kingdom, and chiefly -in the annals of the first nobles, and also were prepared always with -their answers in various languages,--Latin, French, Welsh, and English. -And together with this they were great chroniclers and recorders, and -skilful in framing verses, and ready in making englyns in every one -of those languages. Now of these there were at that feast within the -palace of Maelgwn as many as four and twenty, and chief of them all was -one named Heinin Vardd. - -When they had all made an end of thus praising the king and his gifts, -it befell that Elphin spoke in this wise: "Of a truth none but a king -may vie with a king; but, were he not a king, I would say that my wife -was as full of virtues as any lady in the kingdom, and also that I have -a bard who is more skilful than all the king's bards." In a short space -some of his fellows showed the king all the boastings of Elphin; and -the king ordered him to be thrown into a strong prison until he might -know the truth as to the virtues of his wife and the wisdom of his bard. - -Now, when Elphin had been put in a tower of the castle, with a thick -chain about his feet (it is said that it was a silver chain, because he -was of royal blood), the king, as the story relates, sent his son Rhun -to inquire into the demeanor of Elphin's wife. Now, Rhun was the most -graceless man in the world, and there was neither wife nor maiden with -whom he had held converse, but was evil spoken of. While Rhun went in -haste towards Elphin's dwelling, being fully minded to bring disgrace -upon his wife, Taliesin told his mistress how that the king had placed -his master in durance in prison, and how that Rhun was coming in haste -to strive to bring disgrace upon her. Wherefore he caused his mistress -to array one of the maids of her kitchen in her apparel; which the -noble lady gladly did; and she loaded her hands with the best rings -that she and her husband possessed. - -In this guise Taliesin caused his mistress to put the maiden to sit -at the board in her room at supper, and he made her to seem as her -mistress, and the mistress to seem as the maid. And when they were -in due time seated at their supper in the manner that has been said, -Rhun suddenly arrived at Elphin's dwelling, and was received with joy, -for all the servants knew him plainly. And they brought him in haste -to the room of their mistress, in the semblance of whom the maid rose -up from supper, and welcomed him gladly. And afterwards she sat down -to supper again the second time, and Rhun with her. Then Rhun began -jesting with the maid, who still kept the semblance of her mistress. -And verily this story shows that the maiden became so intoxicated, that -she fell asleep; and the story relates that it was a powder that Rhun -put into the drink, that made her sleep so soundly that she never felt -it when he cut from off her hand her little finger, whereupon was the -signet-ring of Elphin, which he had sent to his wife as a token a short -time before. And Rhun returned to the king with the finger and the ring -as a proof, to show that he had cut it from off her hand without her -awaking from her sleep of intemperance. - -The king rejoiced greatly at these tidings; and he sent for his -councillors, to whom he told the whole story from the beginning. And -he caused Elphin to be brought out of his prison, and he chided him -because of his boast. And he spake unto Elphin on this wise: "Elphin, -be it known to thee beyond a doubt that it is but folly for a man to -trust in the virtues of his wife further than he can see her. And, that -thou mayest be certain of thy wife's vileness, behold her finger, with -thy signet-ring upon it, which was cut from her hand last night while -she slept the sleep of intoxication." - -Then thus spake Elphin: "With thy leave, mighty king, I cannot deny my -ring; for it is known of many. But verily I assert strongly that the -finger around which it is was never attached to the hand of my wife; -for in truth and certainty there are three notable things pertaining -to it, none of which ever belonged to any of my wife's fingers. The -first of the three is, that it is certain, by your grace's leave, -that wheresoever my wife is at this present hour, whether sitting, or -standing, or lying down, this ring would never remain upon her thumb; -whereas you can plainly see that it was hard to draw it over the joint -of the little finger of the hand whence this was cut. The second thing -is, that my wife has never let pass one Saturday since I have known her -without paring her nails before going to bed, and you can see fully -that the nail of this little finger has not been pared for a month. The -third is, truly, that the hand whence this finger came was kneading -rye-dough within three days before the finger was cut therefrom, and I -can assure your goodness that my wife has never kneaded rye-dough since -my wife she has been." - -Then the king was mightily wroth with Elphin for so stoutly -withstanding him respecting the goodness of his wife: wherefore he -ordered him to his prison a second time, saying that he should not -be loosed thence until he had proved the truth of his boast, as well -concerning the wisdom of his bard as the virtues of his wife. - -In the mean time his wife and Taliesin remained joyful at Elphin's -dwelling. And Taliesin showed his mistress how that Elphin was in -prison because of them; but he bade her be glad for that he would go to -Maelgwn's court to free his master. Then she asked him in what manner -he would set him free. And he answered her [in a song whereof the last -verses are these]:-- - - "I Taliesin, chief of bards, - With a wise Druid's words, - Will set kind Elphin free - From haughty tyrant's bonds. - To their fell and chilling cry, - By the act of a surprising steed, - From the far distant North, - There soon shall be an end. - Let neither grace nor health - Be to Maelgwn Gwynedd, - For this force and this wrong; - And be extremes of ills - And an avenged end - To Rhun and all his race: - Short be his course of life, - Be all his lands laid waste; - And long exile be assigned - To Maelgwn Gwynedd!" - -After this he took leave of his mistress, and came at last to the court -of Maelgwn, who was going to sit in his hall, and dine in his royal -state, as it was the custom in those days for kings and princes to do -at every chief feast. And as soon as Taliesin entered the hall, he -placed himself in a quiet corner, near the place where the bards and -the minstrels were wont to come in during their service and duty to -the king, as is the custom at the high festivals when the bounty is -proclaimed. And so, when the bards and the heralds came to cry largess, -and to proclaim the power of the king and his strength, at the moment -that they passed by the corner wherein he was crouching, Taliesin -pouted out his lips after them, and played "Blerwm, blerwm," with his -finger upon his lips. Neither took they much notice of him as they went -by, but proceeded forward till they came before the king, unto whom -they made their obeisance with their bodies, as they were wont, without -speaking a single word, but pouting out their lips, and making mouths -at the king, playing, "Blerwm, blerwm" upon their lips with their -fingers, as they had seen the boy do elsewhere. This sight caused the -king to wonder, and to deem within himself that they were drunk with -many liquors. Wherefore he commanded one of his lords, who served at -the board, to go to them, and desire them to collect their wits, and to -consider where they stood, and what it was fitting for them to do. And -this lord did so gladly. But they ceased not from their folly any more -than before. Whereupon he sent to them a second time, and a third, -desiring them to go forth from the hall. At the last the king ordered -one of his squires to give a blow to the chief of them named Heinin -Vardd; and the squire took a broom and struck him on the head, so that -he fell back in his seat. Then he arose and went on his knees, and -besought leave of the king's grace to show that this their fault was -not through want of knowledge, neither through drunkenness, but by the -influence of some spirit that was in the hall. - -And after this Heinin spoke on this wise: "Oh, honorable king, be it -known to your grace, that not from the strength of drink, or of too -much liquor, are we dumb, without power of speech like drunken men, but -through the influence of a spirit that sits in the corner yonder in the -form of a child." Forthwith the king commanded the squire to fetch him. -And he went to the nook where Taliesin sat, and brought him before the -king, who asked him what he was, and whence he came. And he answered -the king in verse:-- - - "Primary chief bard am I to Elphin, - And my original country is the region of the summer stars; - Idno and Heinin called me Merddin, - At length every king will call me Taliesin. - - I was with my Lord in the highest sphere, - On the fall of Lucifer into the depth of hell: - I have borne a banner before Alexander; - I know the names of the stars from north to south; - I have been on the galaxy at the throne of the Distributor; - I was in Canaan when Absalom was slain; - I conveyed the Divine Spirit to the level of the vale of Hebron; - I was in the court of Don before the birth of Gwdion. - I was instructor to Eli and Enoc; - I have been winged by the genius of the splendid crosier; - I have been loquacious prior to being gifted with speech; - I was at the place of the crucifixion of the merciful Son of God; - I have been three periods in the prison of Arianrod; - I have been the chief director of the work of the tower of Nimrod; - I am a wonder whose origin is not known. - - I have been in Asia with Noah in the ark, - I have seen the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra; - I have been in India when Roma was built, - I am now come here to the remnant of Troia. - - I have been with my Lord in the manger of the ass; - I strengthened Moses through the water of Jordan; - I have been in the firmament with Mary Magdalene; - I have obtained the muse from the caldron of Ceridwyn; - I have been bard of the harp to Lleon of Lochlin. - I have been on the White Hill, in the court of Cynvelyn, - For a day and a year in stocks and fetters, - I have suffered hunger for the Son of the Virgin. - I have been fostered in the land of the Deity, - I have been teacher to all intelligences, - I am able to instruct the whole universe. - I shall be until the day of doom on the face of the earth; - And it is not known whether my body is flesh or fish. - I was originally little Gwion, - And at length I am Taliesin." - -And when the king and his nobles had heard the song, they wondered -much, for they had never heard the like from a boy so young as he. And -when the king knew that he was the bard of Elphin, he bade Heinin, his -first and wisest bard, to answer Taliesin and to strive with him. But -when he came, he could do no other but play "blerwm" on his lips; and -when he sent for the others of the four and twenty bards, they all did -likewise, and could do no other. And Maelgwn asked the boy Taliesin -what was his errand. And he answered him in song:[23]-- - - "There ought not to be about me - Any bard who may not know - That Elphin the son of Gwyddno - Is in the land of Artro, - Secured by thirteen locks, - For praising his instructor; - And then I Taliesin, - Chief of the bards of the west, - Shall loosen Elphin - Out of a golden fetter." - -[Footnote 23: This song, as well as several others, I have taken the -liberty of omitting, save enough to give a fair idea of it.] - -[And then Taliesin sang a song of the Yellow Plague,[24] which was -afterwards to come up out of the marsh]:-- - - "Be silent, then, ye unlucky rhyming bards, - For you cannot judge between truth and falsehood. - If you be primary bards formed by heaven, - Tell your king what his fate will be. - It is I who am a diviner and a leading bard, - And will tell your king what will befall him. - A most strange creature will come from the sea marsh of Rhianedd - As a punishment of iniquity on Maelgwn Gwynedd; - His hair, his teeth, and his eyes being as gold, - And this will bring destruction upon Maelgwn Gwynedd." - -[Footnote 24: Known as the "Yellow Plague of Rhos," of which Maelgwn -is said to have died in the sixth century. The pestilence originated, -according to Welsh tradition, in the unburied bodies of the slain of -Maelgwn's wars.] - -[And then Taliesin sang a wonderful song of the great wind]:-- - - "Discover thou what is - The strong creature from before the flood, - Without flesh, without bone, - Without vein, without blood, - Without head, without feet; - It will neither be older nor younger - Than at the beginning; - For fear of a denial, - There are no rude wants - With creatures. - Great God! how the sea whitens - When first it comes! - Great are its gusts - When it comes from the south; - Great are its evaporations - When it strikes on coasts. - It is in the field, it is in the wood, - Without hand and without foot, - Without signs of old age, - Though it be coeval - With the five ages or periods; - And older still, - Though they be numberless years. - It is also so wide; - As the surface of the earth; - And it was not born, - Nor was it seen. - It will cause consternation - Wherever God willeth. - On sea, and on land, - It neither sees, nor is seen. - Its course is devious, - And will not come when desired - On land and on sea, - It is indispensable. - It is without an equal, - It is four-sided; - It is not confined, - It is incomparable; - It comes from four quarters; - It will not be advised, - It will not be without advice. - It commences its journey - Above the marble rock. - It is sonorous, it is dumb, - It is mild, - It is strong, it is bold, - When it glances over the land. - It is silent, it is vocal, - It is clamorous, - It is the most noisy - On the face of the earth. - It is good, it is bad, - It is extremely injurious. - It is concealed, - Because sight cannot perceive it. - It is noxious, it is beneficial; - It is yonder, it is here; - It will discompose, - But will not repair the injury; - It will not suffer for its doings, - Seeing it is blameless. - It is wet, it is dry. - It frequently comes, - Proceeding from the heat of the sun, - And the coldness of the moon. - The moon is less beneficial, - Inasmuch as her heat is less. - One Being has prepared it, - Out of all creatures, - By a tremendous blast, - To wreak vengeance - On Maelgwn Gwynedd." - -And while he was thus singing his verse near the door, there arose a -mighty storm of wind, so that the king and all his nobles thought that -the castle would fall on their heads. And the king caused them to fetch -Elphin in haste from his dungeon, and placed him before Taliesin. And -it is said, that immediately he sang a verse, so that the chains opened -from about his feet:-- - - "I adore the Supreme, Lord of all animation,-- - Him that supports the heavens, Ruler of every extreme, - Him that made the water good for all, - Him who has bestowed each gift, and blesses it;-- - May abundance of mead be given Maelgwn of Anglesey, who supplies us, - From his foaming meadhorns, with the choicest pure liquor. - Since bees collect, and do not enjoy, - We have sparkling distilled mead, which is universally praised. - The multitude of creatures which the earth nourishes - God made for man, with a view to enrich him;-- - Some are violent, some are mute, he enjoys them, - Some are wild, some are tame; the Lord makes them;-- - Part of their produce becomes clothing; - For food and beverage till doom will they continue. - I entreat the Supreme, Sovereign of the region of peace, - To liberate Elphin from banishment, - The man who gave me wine, and ale, and mead, - With large princely steeds, of beautiful appearance; - May he yet give me; and at the end, - May God of his good will grant me, in honor, - A succession of numberless ages, in the retreat of tranquillity. - Elphin, knight of mead, late be thy dissolution!" - -[Illustration: Elphin Singing before Taliesin.] - -And afterwards he sang the ode which is called "The Excellence of the -Bards," which ended with the following verses:-- - - "Wherefore should a stone be hard; - Why should a thorn be sharp-pointed; - Who is hard like a flint; - Who is salt like brine; - Who sweet like honey; - Who rides on the gale; - - Why ridged should be the nose; - Why should a wheel be round; - Why should the tongue be gifted with speech - Rather than another member? - If thy bards, Heinin, be competent, - Let them reply to me, Taliesin." - -And after that he sang the address which is called "The Reproof of the -Bards." - -Then sang he the piece called "The Spite of the Bards:" - - "Minstrels persevere in their false custom, - Immoral ditties are their delight; - Vain and tasteless praise they recite; - Falsehood at all times do they utter; - The innocent persons they ridicule; - In idleness without work they feed themselves; - The Church they hate, and the tavern they frequent; - With thieves and perjured fellows they associate; - At courts they inquire after feasts; - Every senseless word they bring forward; - Every deadly sin they praise; - Every vile course of life they lead; - Through every village, town, and country they stroll; - Concerning the gripe of death they think not; - Neither lodging nor charity do they give; - Indulging in victuals to excess. - Psalms or prayers they do not use, - Tithes or offerings to God they do not pay, - On holidays or Sundays they do not worship; - Vigils or festivals they do not heed. - The birds do fly, the fish do swim, - The bees collect honey, worms do crawl, - Every thing travails to obtain its food, - Except minstrels and lazy useless thieves. - I deride neither song nor minstrelsy, - For they are given by God to lighten thought; - But him who abuses them, - For blaspheming Jesus and his service." - -Taliesin having set his master free from prison, and having protected -his wife, and silenced the bards, so that not one of them dared to say -a word, now brought Elphin's wife before them, and showed that she had -not one finger wanting. Right glad was Elphin, right glad was Taliesin. - - * * * * * - - _BY SIDNEY LANIER_ - - POEMS - SELECT POEMS OF SIDNEY LANIER - BOB - LETTERS OF SIDNEY LANIER - RETROSPECTS AND PROSPECTS - MUSIC AND POETRY - THE ENGLISH NOVEL - THE SCIENCE OF ENGLISH VERSE - THE LANIER BOOK - SELECTIONS FROM SIDNEY LANIER - - - _BOY'S LIBRARY OF LEGEND AND CHIVALRY_ - - THE BOY'S FROISSART - THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR - KNIGHTLY LEGENDS OF WALES - THE BOY'S PERCY - - - _CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS_ - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KNIGHTLY LEGENDS OF WALES *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Knightly Legends of Wales</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>or The Boy's Mabinogion Being the Earliest Welsh Tales of King Arthur in the Famous Red Book of Hergest</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Sidney Lanier</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Alfred Frederick</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February 17, 2022 [eBook #67425]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KNIGHTLY LEGENDS OF WALES ***</div> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1><span class="smcap">Knightly Legends</span><br /> -<i>of Wales</i></h1> - -<p>OR</p> - -<h2><span class="smcap">The Boy's Mabinogion</span></h2> - -<p>BEING THE EARLIEST WELSH TALES OF KING ARTHUR<br /> -IN THE FAMOUS RED BOOK OF HERGEST</p> - -<p><i>EDITED FOR BOYS WITH AN INTRODUCTION</i></p> - -<h2>BY SIDNEY LANIER</h2> - -<p>EDITOR OF "THE BOY'S FROISSART" AND "THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR"</p> - -<p><i>Illustrated by Alfred Frederick</i></p> - -<p>NEW YORK<br /> -CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS<br /> -1932</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1881, 1884, <span class="smcap">BY</span><br /> -CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1909, 1912, <span class="smcap">BY</span><br /> -MARY D. LANIER</p> - -<p>Printed in the United States of America</p> - -<p><i>All rights reserved. No part of this book<br /> -may be reproduced in any form without<br /> -the permission of Charles Scribner's Sons</i></p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - <p><a name="illus1" id="illus1"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>Kai and His Companions at the Castle of the Giant Gwrnach</p> - </div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> - - -<p>In the library of Jesus College, Oxford, is an ancient Welsh MS. called -<i>Llyfr<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> Coch<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> O Hergest</i>;<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> that is, <i>The Red Book of Hergest</i>. -This MS. was written in the fourteenth century, though some of the -compositions which it has collected are of a much earlier date. It -contains a number of poems, together with a body of prose romances -called <i>Mabinogion</i>.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> - -<p>In the year 1838 Lady Charlotte Guest published a translation of -these Mabinogion, accompanied by the text of their Welsh originals -and a mass of useful and scholarly notes. Her work bore this gracious -dedication:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>TO IVOR AND MERTHYR.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dear Children</span>,—Infants as you yet are, I feel that I -cannot dedicate more fitly than to you these venerable relics of -ancient lore, and I do so in the hope of inciting you to cultivate -the Literature of "Gwyllt Walia," in whose beautiful language you are -being initiated, and amongst whose free mountains you were born.</p> - -<p>May you become early imbued with the chivalric and exalted sense of -honor, and the fervent patriotism for which its sons have ever been -celebrated.</p> - -<p>May you learn to emulate the noble qualities of Ivor Hael, and the -firm attachment to your native country which distinguished that Ivor -Bach, after whom the elder of you was named.</p> - -<p class="ph2">I am your affectionate mother,<br /> -C. E. GUEST.</p> - -<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Dowlais</span>, Aug. 29, 1838.</p></div> - -<p>Several considerations made me strongly desire to re-edit, upon the -same plan with <i>The Boy's Froissart</i> and <i>The Boy's King Arthur</i>, -the curious old products of Welsh fancy thus rendered available to -scholars. The intrinsic charm of the stories themselves in the first -place would easily have secured them a position in this series. Though -not so rich as the <i>Arabian Nights</i>, they are more vigorous, and -their fascination is of a more manful quality. Moreover, they are in -comparison open-air tales, and do not move in that close, and, if one -could think such a thing, gas-poisoned, temperature which often renders -the atmosphere of the Eastern tales extremely unwholesome.</p> - -<p>But in the second place the Mabinogion all centre, in one way or -another, about the court of King Arthur, and present us with views of -the domestic life going on in King Arthur's palace, as well as of the -wild adventures of his warriors, which were conceived at a very much -earlier and ruder period than that of Sir Thomas Malory's book; so that -this collection of the earliest Arthurian legends seemed to make a -peculiarly happy companion-book to <i>The Boy's King Arthur</i>, which was -last published in this series. Indeed, it is probable that in these -Mabinogion here following we have the original germs of that great -growth of Arthurian romances which overspread Europe after Geoffrey of -Monmouth published his <i>History of the Britons</i>, and of which I gave -some account in the Introduction to <i>The Boy's King Arthur</i>. Readers -of that Introduction will remember the statement there given, in which -Geoffrey of Monmouth himself declares that his main material consisted -of a Welsh book given him by a certain person since supposed to be -Walter Map (or Mapes). Although several of the following Mabinogion -have probably received additions from foreign sources in the course -of time—an original Welsh story, for example, would be carried by -some traveller into other parts of Europe, would there be retold with -additions and variations, would find its way back in the new form to -Wales, and thus re-appear after a while in Welsh collections; yet -others are in a nearly pure state. In order to bring these two classes -into striking contrast, and to show how much a foreign admixture of -this kind might smooth down the grotesque ruggedness of its Welsh -original, I have changed the order of the Mabinogion as given in Lady -Guest's arrangement, and have placed the story of <i>Kilhwch and Olwen</i>, -which is almost hideous in many of its huge fancies and distortions -and is pure Welsh, immediately next to the story of <i>The Lady of the -Fountain</i>, whose daintiness, luxury, black savages, and the like, -seem here and there to indicate foreign touches. The general tone and -essential spirit, however, of the whole, are distinctly Welsh, and -old Welsh. I think it curious indeed to note <i>how</i> curious those old -romances, or Mabinogion, seem to us in spite of the long intimacy and -nearness between Welsh and English. They impress most readers with a -greater sense of foreignness, of a wholly different cultus, than even -Chinese or other antipodal tales; and over and above this there is a -glamour and sleep-walking mystery which often incline a man to rub his -eyes in the midst of a Mabinogi, and to think of previous states of -existence.</p> - -<p>It is another feature of this same difference between Welsh and English -modes of thought which forms a third, and to me the most weighty, -reason for bringing these Mabinogion before my young countrymen at -this particular time. I can illustrate this difference most vividly -by asking you to consider the following group of Welsh conceits and -notions which I have assembled from various sources, upon the single -thread of their likeness in extravagance, in wildness beyond all -tolerance of reason, in lawlessness. Of course they are not to be -taken as ordinary representative specimens; and I shall presently -counterbalance them with some very beautiful, moderate, and wise -examples of Welsh art. But they unquestionably show a tendency so -characteristic as to be easily traceable.</p> - -<p>Take, for instance, the following story concerning the famous mantle -of King Ryence. Readers of <i>King Arthur</i> will remember the young -sovereign's manful defiance, when, soon after his elevation to the -throne, a messenger came from King Ryence demanding King Arthur's -beard (though, indeed, he must have been too young to have one) to -complete a mantle which King Ryence was purfling (<i>bordering</i>) with -kings' beards,—a demand which Arthur pronounced "the most villainous -and lewdest message that ever man heard sent to a king." The following -version shows what prodigiously different forms the same narrative may -assume.</p> - -<p>Once upon a time two kings of Old Britain were walking together at -night. Their names were Nynniaw and Peibiaw.</p> - -<p>"See," said Nynniaw, "what a beautiful and large field I own!"</p> - -<p>"Where is it?" said Peibiaw.</p> - -<p>"The whole firmament," said Nynniaw.</p> - -<p>"And do thou see," said Peibiaw, "what countless herds of cattle and -sheep <i>I</i> have, feeding in thy field!"</p> - -<p>"Where are they?" said Nynniaw.</p> - -<p>"Why, all the stars which thou seest," replied Peibiaw, "with the moon -for their shepherdess."</p> - -<p>"They shall not graze in my pasture," said Nynniaw.</p> - -<p>"They <i>shall</i>," said Peibiaw.</p> - -<p>"They shall <i>not</i>," cried Nynniaw.</p> - -<p>And then words arose between these two kings so bitter that they -summoned their soldiers and fell to war wherein they continued until -the armies of both were nearly destroyed. Seeing that such was the -fact, Rhitta the giant, King of Wales (who is Sir Thomas Malory's -King Ryens of North Wales), levied war against both, as being madmen -dangerous to all their neighbors; and, having defeated their forces, he -cut off the beards of kings Nynniaw and Peibiaw. But at this time there -were twenty-eight kings in the Island of Britain, and when the others -heard of these things, they marched all together against King Rhitta to -avenge the insult of the beard. In the battle which followed, however, -Rhitta was again victor. "This field is mine," said he, and cut off the -beards of <i>those</i> kings. These matters being told abroad, the kings of -all the surrounding countries made common cause against Rhitta, and -presently waged a great battle with him. Still, Rhitta conquered all -these. "The great field is mine," he said again; "and," cutting off all -their beards, "these are the herds that fed in my field; but I have -driven them out." Then he made a mantle for himself out of all those -beards, and although he was a giant twice as large as the largest man -ever known, that mantle reached from his head to his heels.</p> - -<p>Or take the exactions of a certain messenger called "The Little -Peacock" (<i>Y Paun Bach</i>), who was sent by a certain David, Prince of -North Wales, to fetch Gwgan (<i>Googan</i>, nearly) the bard to court. After -a long journey, towards the close of the evening the Little Peacock -heard sounds of the tuning of a harp from a house in a wooded valley -where he had arrived. "The style of playing and the modulation" led -him to suspect that this was Gwgan's house; and in order to be sure -he advances and pours forth a high-flown speech to Gwgan, who replies -in the like lofty vein, finally inquiring what he would have. "I want -lodging," quoth Y Paun Bach, "for to-night ... and that not better than -I know how to ask for.... A lightsome hall, floored with tile, and -swept, in which there has been neither flood nor raindrop for the last -hundred years, dressed with fresh green rushes, laid so evenly that one -rush be not higher than the other the height of a gnat's eye, so that -my foot should not slip either backward or forward the space of a mote -in the sunshine of June;" together with similar superb requirements as -to the cushion beneath him, the pillow under each elbow, the fire, the -supper, the servants' livery, and the quantity of his ale.</p> - -<p>Or this itemized account of a monster, which, though not Welsh, is -Gælic, and shows the general Keltic proclivity. "... they saw a couple -approaching them,—a woman and a man; larger than the summit of ... a -mountain was each ... of their members; sharper than a shaving-knife -the edge of their shins; their heels and hams [were] in front of them; -should a sackful of apples be thrown on their heads not one of them -would fall to the ground, but would stick on the points of the strong, -bristly hair which grew out of their heads; ... whiter than snow their -eyes; a lock of the lower beard was carried round the back of the head, -and a lock of the upper beard descended so as to cover the knees; the -woman had whiskers, but the man was without whiskers."</p> - -<p>Or the King Yspaddaden Penkawr, in the following story of <i>Kilhwch and -Olwen</i>, whose eyebrows hung over his eyes to such a degree that they -had to be propped up with forks; as well as the amazing qualifications -of King Arthur's warriors, detailed in the same story,—such as of him -whose dagger was so broad that King Arthur's army was accustomed to use -it for a bridge in passing rivers; or him who could hear the touch of -a gnat's foot on the ground at a great distance, or of him who could -see a mote in a sunbeam at either of the four corners of the earth, -or him whose red beard lay completely along the twenty-eight rafters -of the king's hall, or of him whose lips were so large that he was -accustomed to draw the lower down for an apron and to lift up the other -for a hood; and others still more marvellously absurd. If we compare -these with the wildest flights in Malory's <i>King Arthur</i>, nothing -can be clearer than the constant presence in the latter of a certain -reasonable restraint, a sober proportion, a sense of the supreme value -of law, even in the most apparently lawless excursions. It would be -going far beyond proper bounds to discuss here how this subtle feeling -for the beauty of restraint, this underlying perception of the artistic -necessity of law and order, has quietly reigned, not only over the -advance of English literature, but has been also the moving spirit, the -perpetual King Alfred, of the whole of English development in general. -And, as hinted, I have thought this consideration particularly forcible -at the present moment in our own country, where the making of statutes -increases in exact proportion to the decrease in the popular esteem for -them. Daily and endlessly our Legislatures multiply laws and murder -Law. But—may I not add, if only as one of those utterances which a boy -sometimes profitably remembers, though at first dimly understood—the -love of Law beyond all laws would seem to be particularly vital in a -republic; being a principle so comprehensive, that at one extreme, -in contact with certain tendencies, it flowers into that sense of -proportion, of the due relation of all parts of the universe to the -whole, which is the artist's largest perception of beauty, and is the -main outfit of genius in constructing Mabinogion, in literature, in all -art; while at the other extreme, working with certain other tendencies -of character, the same love of Law is at once the root of decorous -behavior on the part of the private citizen, and of large statesmanship -on the part of the public official.</p> - -<p>But while this danger of extravagance certainly exists in the products -of Welsh fancy, they possess many qualities which have wrought with -fine influence upon general English life and literature. Among the -oldest remains of Welsh poetic wisdom that have come down to us are -what were called <i>The Triads</i>, in which wise aphorisms and sayings are -effectively grouped together by threes. The four following examples of -this form of composition show an insight and breadth which render them -instructive to the wisest readers of our own time.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="ph1">I.</p> - -<p>The three qualifications of poetry: Endowment of genius, judgment -from experience, and happiness of mind.</p> - - -<p class="ph1">II.</p> - -<p>The three primary requisites of genius: An eye that can see nature, a -heart that can feel nature, and boldness that dares follow nature.</p> - - -<p class="ph1">III.</p> - -<p>The three foundations of judgment: Bold design, constant practice, and -frequent mistakes.</p> - - -<p class="ph1">IV.</p> - -<p>The three foundations of learning: Seeing much, suffering much, and -studying much.</p></div> - -<p>It would be difficult to find more wisdom in fewer words, or loftier -thought in simpler terms; and any young reader of <i>The Mabinogion</i> will -have done a good day's work if he will commit these words so thoroughly -that they will say themselves over to him, day by day, as a noble and -fruitful formula, alike stimulating in every line of life, from the -ploughman's to the president's. Among the Welsh, indeed, as far back -as history can pierce, we find an almost adoring reverence for the -poet. To assume the function of a bard is to assume the function of the -wisest man and best teacher in society; and therefore the utmost pains -are taken with the young bard's education, and he is held bound to know -all that can be known. One supreme name stands out among ancient Welsh -bards, which I will ask you to remember in this connection. This is -<span class="smcap">Taliesin</span>, whose name signifies "Shining Brow." He is the hero -of one of the following Mabinogion which bears his name for a title. -Some specimens of his poetry will there be found; and a few facts as -to his life are added in a footnote. The poet of next rank to him is -perhaps Llywarch Hen, who, as well as Taliesin, belongs to the sixth -century. The word "Hen" means <i>old</i>; and "Old Llywarch" seems a sort of -expression of endearment. This is a specimen of his more pathetic song. -His youngest son, Gwenn, had been slain in battle.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>"Let the wave break noisily: let it cover the shore when the joined -lances are in battle.... Let the wave break noisily: let it cover the -plain when the lances join with a shock.... Gwenn has been slain at -the ford of Morlas.... Here is the tomb of Gwenn, the son of the old -Llywarch. Sweetly a bird sang on a pear-tree above the head of Gwenn, -before they covered him with turf: that broke the heart of the old -Llywarch."</p></div> - -<p>I wish there were time to speak of Aneurin, the battle-singer; or to -give the curious triad published among the Iolo Manuscripts, describing -"The Nine Impulsive Stocks of the Baptismal Bards of Britain"; or to -cite some brief beauties of still less-known poets,—such as the wild -Hebrew outcry of the King Gwyddno Garanhir, which swept over the waste -floods covering his plains and cities after the total destruction of -his kingdom by the sea through the drunkenness of Seithenin, who had -been left to watch the embankment on a night of revelry,—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Stand forth, Seithenin, and behold the dwelling of heroes,—the plain of Gwyddno the ocean covers!</div> - <div class="verse">Accursed be the sea guard, who after his carousal let loose the destroying fountain of the raging deep.</div> - <div class="verse">Accursed be the watcher, who after his drunken revelry loosed the fountain of the desolating sea.</div> - <div class="verse">A cry from the sea arises above the ramparts; even to heaven does its ascend,—after the fierce excess comes the long cessation!</div> - <div class="verse">A cry from the sea ascends above the ramparts; even to heaven does the supplication come!—after the excess there ensues restraint!</div> - <div class="verse">A cry from the sea awakens me this night!—</div> - <div class="verse">A cry from the sea arises above the winds!</div> - <div class="verse">A cry from the sea impels me from my place of rest this night!</div> - <div class="verse">After excess comes the far extending death!"</div> -</div></div> - -<p>—or as the saying of Heinin Vardd, preserved in the fragment,—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Hast thou heard the saying of Heinin,</div> - <div class="verse">The Bard of the college of Llanveithan?</div> - <div class="verse"><i>The brave is never cruel.</i>"</div> -</div></div> - -<p>In this connection I will ask you to notice also the intense feeling -for color, which, in some of the following Mabinogion, spreads an -almost Oriental luxuriance of tint over the scenes. <i>The Lady of -the Fountain</i> (the first Mabinogi of the following collection), for -example, shows us King Arthur reclining upon green rushes, with a -cushion of red satin under his elbow, Guenever and her ladies grouped -at the other end of the hall, mantles of flame-colored satin, gilded -bows, gold-headed arrows winged with peacocks' feathers, gold-banded -garments, shoes of variegated leather, twenty-four youths with golden -hair, rooms with all the panels painted in gorgeous colors, the -coal-black savage, white whalebone (ivory of the narwhal's tooth, -probably), and the like. Or we have a quaint extravagant scene like -that in the Mabinogi of <i>Peredur</i> (the modern Percival of the Arthur -series): where, upon a certain occasion, Peredur was observed with his -eyes fixed upon a certain spot, sunken in deep meditation. All attempts -to get his attention failed; he was cuffed, boxed, even overthrown; -until, after a final catastrophe (for which see the story), Peredur -explains that he is studying certain effects of color produced by the -following circumstances; after spending the night in a hermit's cell, -"in the morning he arose, and, when he went forth, behold a shower of -snow had fallen the night before, and a hawk had killed a wild fowl in -front of the cell, and the noise of the horse scared the hawk away, and -a raven alighted upon the bird. And Peredur stood and compared the -blackness of the raven, and the whiteness of the snow, and the redness -of the blood, to the hair of the lady that best he loved, which was -blacker than jet, and to her skin, which was whiter than snow, and to -the two red spots upon her cheeks, which were redder than the blood -upon the snow appeared to be."</p> - -<p>The glowing picture of the young knight starting for Arthur's court in -<i>Kilhwch and Olwen</i>; the dainty composition of the maiden Blodeuwedd, -who was constructed by magic out of certain flowers in order to be a -bride for Gwyddion, who was cursed by Arianrod with the curse that he -should never have a wife of the present human race,—these and many -similar bright-colored passages in the Mabinogion will strike the most -cursory reader in confirmation of the feeling for color alleged. While -I am scarcely prepared to attribute so much weight to any foreign -element as to agree with Mr. Henry Morley in believing that but for the -Keltic influence England would not have produced a Shakespere; or with -Mr. Matthew Arnold, that English poetry got nearly all its turn for -catching and rendering the charm of nature in a wonderfully near and -vivid way, beside possibly other qualities, from a Keltic source: yet -I think we can safely say that our literature has certainly enriched -itself with Bard's wisdom, has certainly warmed itself with the fire -and color of Keltic fancy, and has perhaps spiritualized its feeling -for nature with that subtle wood-loneliness which Mr. Arnold calls "the -natural magic" of the Kelt.</p> - -<p>The Welsh proper names are apt to make such an uncouth impression -upon those unacquainted with their true sounds, that perhaps the most -helpful matter to which I can devote the brief remainder of this -Introduction is the pronunciation of Welsh. The following rules, -in which of course all attempt at minute accuracy is sacrificed to -brevity, and only approximate sounds are aimed at, will at least result -in showing such names to be often musical and pleasing, even to the -English ear. The letters which cause most perplexity are <i>w</i>, <i>ll</i>, -<i>y</i>, and <i>ch</i>. <i>W</i> is usually sounded like <i>oo</i> in <i>pool</i>, as already -explained under the name "Kilhwch," pronounced <i>Kilhooch</i>; though where -it precedes a vowel this sound (<i>oo</i>) of course practically becomes -the English consonantal <i>w</i>; for example, <i>oo-et</i>, rapidly pronounced, -would merge into <i>wet</i>; and so in "Llywarch" or "Gwyddion," the <i>w</i> -before the <i>a</i> or <i>y</i> may be considered as having simply the force -of the English <i>w</i>. Y, if long, is like German <i>ü</i>, or French <i>u</i> in -<i>une</i>; nearly English <i>ee</i> in <i>seen</i>. <i>Y</i> short, much like our short -<i>u</i>, except in the last syllable of words, where it is more like our -short <i>i</i>. Ll is like Spanish <i>ll</i> in <i>llanos</i>, but with an aspirated -sound made by forcing the breath through the back teeth so vigorously -as to impress the English ear with the sound of a strongly-lisped <i>s</i>. -If the organs be arranged so as to pronounce the <i>y</i> in <i>yield</i>, and -the sound <i>lh</i> vigorously forced upon that position, something like -Welsh <i>ll</i> results. <i>Ch</i> is guttural, as in Scotch <i>loch</i>, German -<i>ach</i>. The vowels <i>a</i>, <i>e</i>, <i>i</i>, mostly occur in the following names -as short English <i>a</i>, <i>e</i>, <i>i</i>; <i>o</i>, as long <i>o</i>; and <i>u</i>, as a rapidly -pronounced French <i>u</i>. The often occurring <i>aw</i> is like <i>ou</i> in English -<i>our</i>, or German <i>au</i> in <i>haus</i>. <i>Dd</i> is nearly <i>th</i> in <i>then</i>, only -with more of <i>d</i> than <i>t</i> blended with the <i>h</i> sound. <i>C</i> is always -<i>k</i>, <i>Cynon</i> equals <i>Kynon</i>; there is no soft <i>c</i> in Welsh. <i>F</i> is -always <i>v</i>; it is only <i>ff</i> which sounds like our <i>f</i> in <i>fan</i>. <i>G</i> -always hard, as in <i>get</i>. <i>Th</i> as in English <i>thanks</i>; never as in -<i>then</i>.</p> - -<p>All other letters may be sounded as in English. It is possible, I -should add, that even Welshmen may find theoretical fault with some of -these directions; but they are given here as very nearly reproducing -the practical impression made upon English ears by actual Welsh current -talk. No one need go outside of his own experience to discover how -greatly the sounds of current discourse differ from theoretical methods -of pronunciation.</p> - -<p>Such is the general sound of the Welsh tongue. It will be helpful -if I add—in view of many books which are now appearing as results -of the fresh interest lately aroused in old Gælic language and -literature—that the sounds here given belong to the tongue of that -special division of the Kelts known as the Cymric (pronounced Kymric) -Kelts, in distinction from their neighbors of ancient Ireland and -Scotland, known as the Gædhilic, or Gælic. The derivation of the -names "Wales" and "Welsh" is much disputed, and may be regarded as -unsettled. They are, at any rate, much later than "Cambria" and -"Cymric," which all Welshmen claim to be the true names for their -country and nation, building upon that ancient tradition perpetuated -by Geoffrey of Monmouth, that after the death of Brutus, the original -founder of Britain, his three sons divided the kingdom between them; -the eldest, Locrinus, taking the part now known as England, but called -after him "Locria" (or, variously, "Locgria," "Locris," &c.) in all old -chronicles; the next son, Albanach (Albany), taking the parts north -of the Humber; and the third son, Camber, taking the part between the -Irish seas and the rivers Severn and Dee, whence it was called after -him, "Cambria," now known as Wales.</p> - -<p>Hence the Welsh now call themselves "Cymru," usually reproduced in -English by "Cymry," and their language "Cymraec," or "Cymraeg," usually -reproduced in English by "Cymric."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The present work contains nearly all the Mabinogion originally given; -and, as in the other works of this series, the original text is -scrupulously preserved, except occasionally to hasten the long-lagging -action of a story,—in which case the interpolation is always placed -in brackets,—and except where the demands of modern reserve required -excision. An Italicized word in brackets is always the meaning of the -word immediately before it, as in the <i>Froissart</i> and the <i>King Arthur</i>.</p> - -<p>In now leaving this beautiful book with my young countrymen, I find -myself so sure of its charm as to feel no hesitation in taking -authority to unite the earnest expression of their gratitude with -that of my own to Lady Charlotte Guest, whose talents and scholarship -have made these delights possible; and I can wish my young readers -few pleasures of finer quality than that surprised sense of a whole -new world of possession which came with my first reading of these -Mabinogion, and made me remember Keats's</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent2">"... watcher of the skies</div> - <div class="verse">When a new planet swims into his ken."</div> -</div></div> - -<p class="ph2">SIDNEY LANIER</p> - -<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Camp Robin, N.C.</span>, June, 1881.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> - - -<p><a href="#THE_LADY_OF_THE_FOUNTAIN"><span class="smcap">The Lady of the Fountain</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#KILHWCH10_AND_OLWEN_OR_THE_TWRCH_TRWYTH"><span class="smcap">Kilhwch and Olwen; or, the Twrch Trwyth</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#PEREDUR15_THE_SON_OF_EVRAWC"><span class="smcap">Peredur the Son of Evrawc</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#THE_DREAM_OF_RHONABWY"><span class="smcap">The Dream of Rhonabwy</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#PWYLL_PRINCE_OF_DYVED"><span class="smcap">Pwyll, Prince of Dyved</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#THE_STORY_OF_LLUDD_AND_LLEVELYS"><span class="smcap">The Story of Lludd and Llevelys</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#THE_ORIGIN_OF_THE_OWL"><span class="smcap">The Origin of the Owl</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#BRANWEN_THE_DAUGHTER_OF_LLYR"><span class="smcap">Branwen the Daughter of Llyr</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#MANAWYDDAN_AND_THE_MICE"><span class="smcap">Manawyddan and the Mice</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#GERAINT_THE_SON_OF_ERBIN17"><span class="smcap">Geraint the Son of Erbin</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#THE_DREAM_OF_MAXEN_WLEDIG"><span class="smcap">The Dream of Maxen Wledig</span></a></p> -<p><a href="#TALIESIN21"><span class="smcap">Taliesin</span></a></p> - - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> - - -<p><a href="#illus1"><span class="smcap">Kai and his Companions at the Castle of the Giant Gwrnach</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus2"><span class="smcap">The Recovery of Owain</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus3"><span class="smcap">Kilhwch riding into Arthur's Hall</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus4"><span class="smcap">Peredur and the Maiden</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus5"><span class="smcap">Peredur and the Chessmen</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus6"><span class="smcap">The Army of Ravens</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus7"><span class="smcap">The Battle of the Dragons</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus8"><span class="smcap">The Flight of Blodeuwedd and her Maidens</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus9"><span class="smcap">Pryderi held fast by the Enchanted Bowl</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus10"><span class="smcap">The Tournament of the Sparrow-hawk</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus11"><span class="smcap">Geraint and the Maiden at the Edge of the Wood</span></a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus12"><span class="smcap">Elphin singing before Taliesin</span></a></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>THE BOY'S MABINOGION.</h2> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="THE_LADY_OF_THE_FOUNTAIN" id="THE_LADY_OF_THE_FOUNTAIN">THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN.</a></h2> - - -<p>King Arthur was at Caerlleon-upon-Usk; and one day he sat in his -chamber, and with him were Owain<a name="FNanchor_5_5a" id="FNanchor_5_5a"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> the son of Urien,<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> and Kynon -the son of Clydno, and Kai the son of Kyner, and Gwenhwyvar and her -handmaidens at needle-work by the window. And if it should be said -that there was a porter at Arthur's palace, there was none. Glewlwyd -Gavaelvawr was there, acting as porter, to welcome guests and -strangers, and to receive them with honor, and to inform them of the -manners and customs of the court, and to direct those who came to the -hall or to the presence-chamber, and those who came to take up their -lodging.</p> - -<p>In the centre of the chamber King Arthur sat upon a seat of green -rushes, over which was spread a covering of flame-colored satin, and a -cushion of red satin was under his elbow.</p> - -<p>Then Arthur spoke. "If I thought you would not disparage me," said he, -"I would sleep while I wait for my repast; and you can entertain one -another with relating tales, and can obtain a flagon of mead and some -meat from Kai."</p> - -<p>And the king went to sleep. So Kai<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> went to the kitchen and to the -mead-cellar, and returned bearing a flagon of mead, and a golden -goblet, and a handful of skewers upon which were broiled collops of -meat. Then they ate the collops, and began to drink the mead.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Kai, "it is time for you to give me my story."</p> - -<p>"Kynon," said Owain, "do thou pay to Kai the tale that is his due."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Kynon, "thou art older, and art a better teller of tales, -and hast seen more marvellous things than I: do thou therefore pay Kai -his tale."</p> - -<p>"Begin thyself," quoth Owain, "with the best that thou knowest."</p> - -<p>"I will do so," answered Kynon. "I was the only son of my mother and -father, and I was exceedingly aspiring, and my daring was very great. -I thought there was no enterprise in the world too mighty for me; and, -after I had achieved all the adventures that were in my own country, I -equipped myself, and set forth to journey through deserts and distant -regions. And at length it chanced that I came to the fairest valley in -the world, wherein were trees of equal growth; and a river ran through -the valley, and a path was by the side of the river. And I followed the -path until mid-day, and continued my journey along the remainder of the -valley until the evening; and at the extremity of a plain I came to -a large and lustrous castle, at the foot of which was a torrent. And -I approached the castle; and there I beheld two youths with yellow, -curling hair, each with a frontlet of gold upon his head, and clad in a -garment of yellow satin, and they had gold clasps upon their insteps. -In the hand of each of them was an ivory bow, strung with the sinews -of the stag; and their arrows had shafts of the bone of the whale, and -were winged with peacock's feathers; the shafts also had golden heads. -And they had daggers with blades of gold, and with hilts of the bone of -the whale. And they were shooting their daggers.</p> - -<p>"And a little way from them I saw a man in the prime of life, with his -beard newly shorn, clad in a robe and a mantle of yellow satin; and -round the top of his mantle was a band of gold lace. On his feet were -shoes of variegated leather, fastened by two bosses of gold. When I -saw him, I went towards him and saluted him; and such was his courtesy -that he no sooner received my greeting than he returned it. And he went -with me towards the castle. Now, there were no dwellers in the castle, -except those who were in one hall. And there I saw four and twenty -damsels embroidering satin at a window. And this I tell thee, Kai, -that the least fair of them was fairer than the fairest maid thou hast -ever beheld in the Island of Britain; and the least lovely of them was -more lovely than Gwenhwyvar, the wife of Arthur, when she has appeared -loveliest at the Offering, on the day of the Nativity, or at the feast -of Easter. They rose up at my coming, and six of them took my horse and -divested me of my armor. And six others took my arms and washed them -in a vessel until they were perfectly bright. And the third six spread -cloths upon the tables and prepared meat. And the fourth six took off -my soiled garments and placed others upon me; namely, an under-vest and -a doublet of fine linen, and a robe, and a surcoat, and a mantle of -yellow satin with a broad gold band upon the mantle. And they placed -cushions, both beneath and around me, with coverings of red linen; and -I sat down. Now, the six maidens who had taken my horse unharnessed him -as well as if they had been the best squires in the Island of Britain. -Then, behold, they brought bowls of silver wherein was water to wash, -and towels of linen, some green, and some white; and I washed. And in a -little while the man sat down to the table. And I sat next to him; and -below me sat all the maidens, except those who waited on us. And the -table was of silver, and the cloths upon the table were of linen; and -no vessel was served upon the table that was not either of gold, or of -silver, or of buffalo-horn. And our meat was brought to us. And verily, -Kai, I saw there every sort of meat and every sort of liquor that -I have ever seen elsewhere; but the meat and the liquor were better -served there than I have ever seen them in any other place.</p> - -<p>"Until the repast was half over, neither the man nor any one of the -damsels spoke a single word to me; but, when the man perceived that -it would be more agreeable to me to converse than to eat any more, -he began to inquire of me who I was. I said I was glad to find that -there was some one who would discourse with me, and that it was not -considered so great a crime at that court for people to hold converse -together.</p> - -<p>"'Chieftain,' said the man, 'we would have talked to thee sooner, but -we feared to disturb thee during thy repast: now, however, we will -discourse.'</p> - -<p>"Then I told the man who I was, and what was the cause of my journey, -and said that I was seeking whether any one was superior to me, or -whether I could gain the mastery over all. The man looked upon me; and -he smiled, and said, 'If I did not fear to distress thee too much, I -would show thee that which thou seekest.'</p> - -<p>"Upon this I became anxious and sorrowful; and, when the man perceived -it, he said, 'If thou wouldst rather that I should show thee thy -disadvantage than thine advantage, I will do so. Sleep here to-night, -and in the morning arise early, and take the road upwards through the -valley until thou reachest the wood through which thou camest hither. -A little way within the wood thou wilt meet with a road branching off -to the right, by which thou must proceed until thou comest to a large -sheltered glade with a mound in the centre. And thou wilt see a black -man of great stature on the top of the mound. He is not smaller in size -than two of the men of this world. He has but one foot, and one eye -in the middle of his forehead. And he has a club of iron; and it is -certain that there are no two men in the world who would not find their -burden in that club. And he is not a comely man, but, on the contrary, -he is exceedingly ill-favored; and he is the woodward of that wood. And -thou wilt see a thousand wild animals grazing around him. Inquire of -him the way out of the glade; and he will reply to thee briefly, and -will point out the road by which thou shalt find that which thou art in -quest of.'</p> - -<p>"And long seemed that night to me. And the next morning I arose and -equipped myself, and mounted my horse, and proceeded straight through -the valley to the wood; and I followed the cross-road which the man had -pointed out to me, till at length I arrived at the glade. And there -was I three times more astonished at the number of wild animals that I -beheld than the man had said I should be. And the black man was there, -sitting upon the top of the mound. Huge of stature as the man had told -me that he was, I found him to exceed by far the description he had -given me of him. As for the iron club which the man had told me was a -burden for two men, I am certain, Kai, that it would be a heavy weight -for four warriors to lift; and this was in the black man's hand. And -he only spoke to me in answer to my questions. Then I asked him what -power he held over those animals.</p> - -<p>"'I will show thee, little man,' said he.</p> - -<p>"And he took his club in his hand, and with it he struck a stag a great -blow, so that he brayed vehemently; and at his braying the animals -came together, as numerous as the stars in the sky, so that it was -difficult for me to find room in the glade to stand among them. There -were serpents, and dragons, and divers sorts of animals. And he looked -at them, and bade them go and feed; and they bowed their heads, and did -him homage as vassals to their lord.</p> - -<p>"Then the black man said to me, 'Seest thou now, little man, what power -I hold over these animals?'</p> - -<p>"Then I inquired of him the way, and he became very rough in his manner -to me: however, he asked me whither I would go. And when I told him who -I was, and what I sought, he directed me.</p> - -<p>"'Take,' said he, 'that path that leads towards the head of the -glade, and ascend the wooded steep until thou comest to its summit; -and there thou wilt find an open space like to a large valley, and -in the midst of it a tall tree, whose branches are greener than the -greenest pine-trees. Under this tree is a fountain, and by the side -of the fountain a marble slab, and on the marble slab a silver bowl -attached by a chain of silver so that it may not be carried away. Take -the bowl and throw a bowlful of water upon the slab, and thou wilt -hear a mighty peal of thunder, so that thou wilt think that heaven and -earth are trembling with its fury. With the thunder there will come a -shower so severe, that it will be scarce possible for thee to endure it -and live. And the shower will be of hailstones; and after the shower -the weather will become fair, but every leaf that was upon the tree -will have been carried away by the shower. Then a flight of birds will -come and alight upon the tree; and in thine own country thou didst -never hear a strain so sweet as that which they will sing. And, at the -moment thou art most delighted with the song of the birds, thou wilt -hear a murmuring and complaining coming towards thee along the valley. -And thou wilt see a knight upon a coal-black horse, clothed in black -velvet, and with a pennon of black linen upon his lance; and he will -ride unto thee to encounter thee with the utmost speed. If thou fleest -from him, he will overtake thee; and, if thou abidest there, as sure as -thou art a mounted knight he will leave thee on foot. And if thou dost -not find trouble in that adventure thou needest not seek it during the -rest of thy life.'</p> - -<p>"So I journeyed on until I reached the summit of the steep, and there I -found every thing as the black man had described it to me. And I went -up to the tree, and beneath it I saw the fountain, and by its side the -marble slab, and the silver bowl fastened by the chain. Then I took -the bowl, and cast a bowlful of water upon the slab; and thereupon, -behold, the thunder came, much more violent than the black man had led -me to expect. And after the thunder came the shower: and of a truth I -tell thee, Kai, that there is neither man nor beast that could endure -that shower and live; for not one of those hailstones would be stopped, -either by the flesh or by the skin, until it had reached the bone. I -turned my horse's flank towards the shower, and placed the beak of my -shield over his head and neck, while I held the upper part of it over -my own head. And thus I withstood the shower. When I looked on the -tree, there was not a single leaf upon it; and then the sky became -clear, and with that, behold the birds lighted upon the tree, and sang. -And truly, Kai, I never heard any melody equal to that, either before -or since. And, when I was most charmed with listening to the birds, lo, -a murmuring voice was heard through the valley, approaching me, and -saying, 'O knight! what has brought thee hither? What evil have I done -to thee, that thou shouldst act towards me and my possessions as thou -hast this day? Dost thou not know that the shower to-day has left in my -dominions neither man nor beast alive that was exposed to it?'</p> - -<p>"And thereupon, behold, a knight on a black horse appeared, clothed -in jet-black velvet, and with a tabard of black linen about him. And -we charged each other; and, as the onset was furious, it was not long -before I was overthrown. Then the knight passed the shaft of his lance -through the bridle-rein of my horse, and rode off with the two horses, -leaving me where I was. And he did not even bestow so much notice upon -me as to imprison me, nor did he despoil me of my arms. So I returned -along the road by which I had come. And, when I reached the glade where -the black man was, I confess to thee, Kai, it is a marvel that I did -not melt down into a liquid pool, through the shame that I felt at the -black man's derision. And that night I came to the same castle where -I had spent the night preceding. And I was more agreeably entertained -that night than I had been the night before; and I was better feasted, -and I conversed freely with the inmates of the castle, and none of them -alluded to my expedition to the fountain, neither did I mention it -to any; and I remained there that night. When I arose on the morrow, -I found ready saddled a dark-bay palfrey, with nostrils as red as -scarlet; and, after putting on my armor and leaving there my blessing, -I returned to my own court. And that horse I still possess, and he is -in the stable yonder; and I declare that I would not part with him for -the best palfrey in the Island of Britain.</p> - -<p>"Now of a truth, Kai, no man ever before confessed to an adventure -so much to his own discredit; and verily it seems strange to me that -neither before nor since have I heard of any person besides myself who -knew of this adventure, and that the subject of it should exist within -King Arthur's dominions without any other person lighting upon it."</p> - -<p>"Now," quoth Owain, "would it not be well to go and endeavor to -discover that place?"</p> - -<p>"By the hand of my friend," said Kai, "often dost thou utter that with -thy tongue which thou wouldst not make good with thy deeds."</p> - -<p>"In very truth," said Gwenhwyvar, "it were better thou wert hanged, -Kai, than to use such uncourteous speech towards a man like Owain."</p> - -<p>"By the hand of my friend, good lady," said Kai, "thy praise of Owain -is not greater than mine."</p> - -<p>With that Arthur awoke, and asked if he had not been sleeping a little.</p> - -<p>"Yes, lord," answered Owain, "thou hast slept a while."</p> - -<p>"Is it time for us to go to meat?"</p> - -<p>"It is, lord," said Owain.</p> - -<p>Then the horn for washing was sounded, and the king and all his -household sat down to eat. And when the meal was ended Owain withdrew -to his lodging and made ready his horse and his arms.</p> - -<p>On the morrow, with the dawn of day, he put on his armor, and mounted -his charger, and travelled through distant lands and over desert -mountains. And at length he arrived at the valley which Kynon had -described to him; and he was certain that it was the same that he -sought. And, journeying along the valley by the side of the river, he -followed its course till he came to the plain and within sight of the -castle. When he approached the castle, he saw the youths shooting their -daggers in the place where Kynon had seen them, and the yellow man, to -whom the castle belonged, standing hard by. And no sooner had Owain -saluted the yellow man than he was saluted by him in return.</p> - -<p>And he went forward towards the castle, and there he saw the chamber; -and when he had entered the chamber he beheld the maidens working -at satin embroidery, in chairs of gold. And their beauty and their -comeliness seemed to Owain far greater than Kynon had represented to -him. And they arose to wait upon Owain, as they had done to Kynon; and -the meal which they set before him gave more satisfaction to Owain than -it had done to Kynon.</p> - -<p>About the middle of the repast, the yellow man asked Owain the object -of his journey. And Owain made it known to him, and said, "I am in -quest of the knight who guards the fountain."</p> - -<p>Upon this the yellow man smiled, and said that he was as loth to point -out that adventure to Owain as he had been to Kynon. However, he -described the whole to Owain, and they retired to rest.</p> - -<p>The next morning Owain found his horse made ready for him by the -damsels; and he set forward, and came to the glade where the black man -was. And the stature of the black man seemed more wonderful to Owain -than it had done to Kynon; and Owain asked of him his road, and he -showed it to him. And Owain followed the road, as Kynon had done, till -he came to the green tree; and he beheld the fountain, and the slab -beside the fountain with the bowl upon it. And Owain took the bowl, -and threw a bowlful of water upon the slab. And, lo, the thunder was -heard; and after the thunder came the shower, much more violent than -Kynon had described; and after the shower the sky became bright. And -when Owain looked at the tree there was not one leaf upon it. And -immediately the birds came, and settled upon the tree, and sang. And, -when their song was most pleasing to Owain, he beheld a knight coming -towards him through the valley; and he prepared to receive him and -encountered him violently. Having broken both their lances, they drew -their swords and fought blade to blade. Then Owain struck the knight a -blow through his helmet, headpiece, and visor, and through the skin, -and the flesh, and the bone, until it wounded the very brain. Then the -black knight felt that he had received a mortal wound, upon which he -turned his horse's head and fled. And Owain pursued him, and followed -close upon him, although he was not near enough to strike him with his -sword. Thereupon Owain descried a vast and resplendent castle. And they -came to the castle-gate. And the black knight was allowed to enter, -and the portcullis was let fall upon Owain; and it struck his horse -behind the saddle, and cut him in two and carried away the rowels of -the spurs that were upon Owain's heels. And the portcullis descended -to the floor. And the rowels of the spurs and part of the horse were -without; and Owain, with the other part of the horse, remained between -the two gates, and the inner gate was closed, so that Owain could not -go thence; and Owain was in a perplexing situation. And, while he was -in this state, he could see through an aperture in the gate a street -facing him, with a row of houses on each side. And he beheld a maiden, -with yellow curling hair, and a frontlet of gold upon her head; and -she was clad in a dress of yellow satin, and on her feet were shoes of -variegated leather. And she approached the gate, and desired that it -should be opened.</p> - -<p>"Heaven knows, lady," said Owain, "it is no more possible for me to -open to thee from hence than it is for thee to set me free."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said the damsel, "it is very sad that thou canst not be -released, and every woman ought to succor thee; for I never saw one -more faithful in the service of ladies than thou. As a friend thou art -the most sincere, and as a lover the most devoted. Therefore," quoth -she, "whatever is in my power to do for thy release, I will do it. Take -this ring, and put it on thy finger with the stone inside thy hand, and -close thy hand upon the stone. And as long as thou concealest it it -will conceal thee. When they have consulted together, they will come -forth to fetch thee in order to put thee to death; and they will be -much grieved that they cannot find thee. And I will await thee on the -horseblock yonder; and thou wilt be able to see me, though I cannot -see thee: therefore come and place thy hand upon my shoulder, that I -may know that thou art near me. And by the way that I go hence do thou -accompany me."</p> - -<p>Then she went away from Owain, and he did all that the maiden had told -him. And the people of the castle came to seek Owain to put him to -death; and, when they found nothing but the half of his horse, they -were sorely grieved.</p> - -<p>And Owain vanished from among them, and went to the maiden, and placed -his hand upon her shoulder; whereupon she set off. And Owain followed -her until they came to the door of a large and beautiful chamber; and -the maiden opened it, and they went in and closed the door. And Owain -looked around the chamber; and behold there was not even a single nail -in it that was not painted with gorgeous colors; and there was not a -single panel that had not sundry images in gold portrayed upon it.</p> - -<p>The maiden kindled a fire, and took water in a silver bowl, and put a -towel of white linen on her shoulder, and gave Owain water to wash. -Then she placed before him a silver table inlaid with gold, upon which -was a cloth of yellow linen, and she brought him food. And of a truth -Owain had never seen any kind of meat that was not there in abundance; -but it was better cooked there than he had ever found it in any other -place. Nor did he ever see so excellent a display of meat and drink -as there. And there was not one vessel from which he was served that -was not of gold or of silver. And Owain ate and drank until late in -the afternoon, when, lo, they heard a mighty clamor in the castle. And -Owain asked the maiden what that outcry was.</p> - -<p>"They are administering extreme unction,"<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> said she, "to the nobleman -who owns the castle."</p> - -<p>And Owain went to sleep.</p> - -<p>And a little after daybreak they heard an exceeding loud clamor and -wailing. And Owain asked the maiden what was the cause of it.</p> - -<p>"They are bearing to the church the body of the nobleman who owned the -castle."</p> - -<p>And Owain rose up and clothed himself, and opened a window of the -chamber, and looked towards the castle. And he could see neither the -bounds nor the extent of the hosts that filled the streets. And they -were fully armed. And a vast number of women were with them, both on -horseback and on foot; and all the ecclesiastics in the city, singing. -And it seemed to Owain that the sky resounded with the vehemence of -their cries, and with the noise of the trumpets, and with the singing -of the ecclesiastics. In the midst of the throng he beheld the bier, -over which was a veil of white linen; and wax tapers were burning -beside and around it, and none that supported the bier was lower in -rank than a powerful baron.</p> - -<p>Never did Owain see an assemblage so gorgeous with satin and silk and -sendal. And following the train he beheld a lady, with yellow hair -falling over her shoulders, and stained with blood, and about her a -dress of yellow satin, which was torn. Upon her feet were shoes of -variegated leather. And it was a marvel that the ends of her fingers -were not bruised, from the violence with which she smote her hands -together. Truly she would have been the fairest lady Owain ever saw, -had she been in her usual guise. And her cry was louder than the shout -of the men or the clamor of the trumpets. No sooner had he beheld the -lady than he became inflamed with her love, so that it took entire -possession of him.</p> - -<p>Then he inquired of the maiden who the lady was.</p> - -<p>"Heaven knows," replied the maiden, "she may be said to be the fairest, -and the most chaste, and the most liberal, and the wisest, and the -most noble, of women; and she is my mistress. And she is called the -'Countess of the Fountain,' the wife of him whom thou didst slay -yesterday."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Owain, "she is the woman that I love best."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said the maiden, "she shall also love thee not a little."</p> - -<p>And with that the maid arose, and kindled a fire, and filled a pot with -water and placed it to warm; and she brought a towel of white linen -and placed it around Owain's neck; and she took a goblet of ivory and -a silver basin, and filled them with warm water, wherewith she washed -Owain's head. Then she opened a wooden casket and drew forth a razor -whose haft was of ivory, and upon which were two rivets of gold. And -she shaved his beard and she dried his head and his throat with the -towel. Then she rose up from before Owain, and brought him to eat. And -truly Owain had never so good a meal, nor was he ever so well served.</p> - -<p>When he had finished his repast, the maiden arranged his couch.</p> - -<p>"Come here," said she, "and sleep, and I will go and woo for thee."</p> - -<p>And Owain went to sleep; and the maiden shut the door of the chamber -after her, and went towards the castle. When she came there, she found -nothing but mourning and sorrow; and the countess in her chamber could -not bear the sight of any one through grief. Luned came and saluted -her; but the countess answered her not. And the maiden bent down -towards her, and said, "What aileth thee, that thou answerest no one -to-day?"</p> - -<p>"Luned," said the countess, "what change hath befallen thee, that thou -hast not come to visit me in my grief? It was wrong in thee, and I -having made thee rich—it was wrong in thee that thou didst not come to -see me in my distress. That was wrong in thee. As it is, I will banish -thee."</p> - -<p>"I am glad," said Luned, "that thou hast no other cause to do so than -that I would have been of service to thee where thou didst not know -what was to thine advantage. And henceforth evil betide whichever of -us shall make the first advance towards reconciliation to the other; -whether I should seek an invitation from thee, or thou of thine own -accord shouldst send to invite me."</p> - -<p>With that Luned went forth. And the countess arose, and followed her -to the door of the chamber, and began coughing loudly. And, when Luned -looked back, the countess beckoned to her, and she returned to the -countess.</p> - -<p>"In truth," said the countess, "evil is thy disposition; but, if thou -knowest what is to my advantage, declare it to me."</p> - -<p>"I will do so," quoth she.</p> - -<p>"Thou knowest that except by warfare and arms it is impossible for thee -to preserve thy possessions. Delay not, therefore, to seek some one who -can defend them."</p> - -<p>"And how can I do that?" said the countess.</p> - -<p>"I will tell thee," said Luned. "Unless thou canst defend the fountain, -thou canst not maintain thy dominions; and no one can defend the -fountain, except it be a knight of Arthur's household. And I will go to -Arthur's court; and ill betide me if I return thence without a warrior -who can guard the fountain as well as, or even better than, he who -defended it formerly."</p> - -<p>"That will be hard to perform," said the countess. "Go, however, and -make proof of that which thou hast promised."</p> - -<p>Luned set out, under the pretence of going to Arthur's court; but she -went back to the chamber where she had left Owain. And she tarried -there with him as long as it might have taken her to have travelled to -the court of King Arthur. And at the end of that time she apparelled -herself, and went to visit the countess. And the countess was much -rejoiced when she saw her, and inquired what news she brought from the -court.</p> - -<p>"I bring thee the best of news," said Luned, "for I have compassed the -object of my mission. When wilt thou that I should present to thee the -chieftain who has come with me hither?"</p> - -<p>"Bring him here to visit me to-morrow at mid-day," said the countess, -"and I will cause the town to be assembled by that time."</p> - -<p>And Luned returned home. And the next day, at noon, Owain arrayed -himself in a coat and a surcoat and a mantle of yellow satin upon which -was a broad band of gold lace; and on his feet were high shoes of -variegated leather, which were fastened by golden clasps in the form of -lions. And they proceeded to the chamber of the countess.</p> - -<p>Right glad was the countess of their coming, and she gazed steadfastly -upon Owain, and said, "Luned, this knight has not the look of a -traveller."</p> - -<p>"What harm is there in that, lady?" said Luned.</p> - -<p>"I am certain," said the countess, "that no other man than this chased -the soul from the body of my lord."</p> - -<p>"So much the better for thee, lady," said Luned; "for, had he not been -stronger than thy lord, he could not have deprived him of life. There -is no remedy for that which is past, be it as it may."</p> - -<p>"Go back to thine abode," said the countess, "and I will take counsel."</p> - -<p>The next day the countess caused all her subjects to assemble, and -showed them that her earldom was left defenceless, and that it could -not be protected but with horse and arms, and military skill.</p> - -<p>"Therefore," said she, "this is what I offer for your choice: either -let one of you take me, or give your consent for me to take a husband -from elsewhere to defend my dominions."</p> - -<p>So they came to the determination that it was better that she should -have permission to marry some one from elsewhere. And thereupon she -sent for the bishops and archbishops to celebrate her nuptials with -Owain. And the men of the earldom did Owain homage.</p> - -<p>And Owain defended the fountain with lance and sword. And this is the -manner in which he defended it: whensoever a knight came there, he -overthrew him and sold him for his full worth, and what he thus gained -he divided among his barons and his knights; and no man in the whole -world could be more beloved than he was by his subjects. And it was -thus for the space of three years.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It befell that as Gwalchmai<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> went forth one day with King Arthur he -perceived him to be very sad and sorrowful. And Gwalchmai was much -grieved to see Arthur in this state, and he questioned him, saying, -"Oh, my lord! what has befallen thee?"</p> - -<p>"In sooth, Gwalchmai," said Arthur, "I am grieved concerning Owain, -whom I have lost these three years; and I shall certainly die if the -fourth year passes without my seeing him. Now I am sure that it is -through the tale which Kynon, the son of Clydno, related, that I have -lost Owain."</p> - -<p>"There is no need for thee," said Gwalchmai, "to summon to arms thy -whole dominions on this account; for thou thyself and the men of thy -household will be able to avenge Owain if he be slain, or to set him -free if he be in prison, and if alive to bring him back with thee." And -it was settled according to what Gwalchmai had said.</p> - -<p>Then Arthur and the men of his household prepared to go and seek Owain; -and their number was three thousand, besides their attendants. And -Kynon, the son of Clydno, acted as their guide. And Arthur came to the -castle where Kynon had been before; and when he came there the youths -were shooting in the same place, and the yellow man was standing hard -by. When the yellow man saw Arthur, he greeted him and invited him -to the castle. And Arthur accepted his invitation, and they entered -the castle together. And, great as was the number of his retinue, -their presence was scarcely observed in the castle, so vast was its -extent. And the maidens rose up to wait on them; and the service of the -maidens appeared to them all to excel any attendance they had ever met -with; and even the pages who had charge of the horses were no worse -served that night than Arthur himself would have been in his own palace.</p> - -<p>The next morning, Arthur set out thence with Kynon for his guide, and -came to the place where the black man was. And the stature of the black -man was more surprising to Arthur than it had been represented to him. -And they came to the top of the wooded steep, and traversed the valley -till they reached the green tree, where they saw the fountain, and the -bowl, and the slab. And upon that Kai came to Arthur, and spoke to him.</p> - -<p>"My lord," said he, "I know the meaning of all this; and my request is -that thou wilt permit me to throw the water on the slab, and to receive -the first adventure that may befall."</p> - -<p>And Arthur gave him leave.</p> - -<p>Then Kai threw a bowlful of water upon the slab, and immediately -there came the thunder, and after the thunder the shower. And such a -thunderstorm they had never known before, and many of the attendants -who were in Arthur's train were killed by the shower. After the shower -had ceased the sky became clear, and on looking at the tree they beheld -it completely leafless. Then the birds descended upon the tree; and -the song of the birds was far sweeter than any strain they had ever -heard before. Then they beheld a knight on a coal-black horse, clothed -in black satin, coming rapidly towards them. And Kai met him and -encountered him, and it was not long before Kai was overthrown. And the -knight withdrew, and Arthur and his host encamped for the night.</p> - -<p>And when they arose in the morning they perceived the signal of combat -upon the lance of the knight. And Kai came to Arthur and spoke to him.</p> - -<p>"My lord," said he, "though I was overthrown yesterday, if it seem good -to thee I would gladly meet the knight again to-day."</p> - -<p>"Thou mayst do so," said Arthur.</p> - -<p>And Kai went towards the knight. And on the spot he overthrew Kai, and -struck him with the head of his lance in the forehead, so that it broke -his helmet and the headpiece, and pierced the skin and the flesh the -breadth of the spear-head, even to the bone. And Kai returned to his -companions.</p> - -<p>After this, all the household of Arthur went forth one after the other -to combat the knight, until there was not one that was not overthrown -by him except Arthur and Gwalchmai. And Arthur armed himself to -encounter the knight.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my lord!" said Gwalchmai, "permit me to fight with him first."</p> - -<p>And Arthur permitted him. And he went forth to meet the knight, having -over himself and his horse a satin robe of honor which had been sent -him by the daughter of the Earl of Rhangyw; and in this dress he was -not known by any of the host. And they charged each other, and fought -all that day until the evening; and neither of them was able to -unhorse the other.</p> - -<p>The next day they fought with strong lances, and neither of them could -obtain the mastery.</p> - -<p>And the third day they fought with exceeding strong lances. And they -were incensed with rage, and fought furiously, even until noon. And -they gave each other such a shock that the girths of their horses were -broken, so that they fell over their horses' cruppers to the ground. -And they rose up speedily and drew their swords and resumed the combat. -And the multitude that witnessed their encounter felt assured that -they had never before seen two men so valiant or so powerful. And, had -it been midnight, it would have been light from the fire that flashed -from their weapons. And the knight gave Gwalchmai a blow that turned -his helmet from off his face, so that the knight knew that it was -Gwalchmai. Then Owain said, "My lord Gwalchmai, I did not know thee -for my cousin, owing to the robe of honor that enveloped thee. Take my -sword and my arms."</p> - -<p>Said Gwalchmai, "Thou, Owain, art the victor. Take thou my sword."</p> - -<p>And with that Arthur saw that they were conversing, and advanced -towards them.</p> - -<p>"My lord Arthur," said Gwalchmai, "here is Owain, who has vanquished me -and will not take my arms."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said Owain, "it is he that has vanquished me and he will not -take my sword."</p> - -<p>"Give me your swords," said Arthur, "and then neither of you has -vanquished the other."</p> - -<p>Then Owain put his arms around Arthur's neck, and they embraced. And -all the host hurried forward to see Owain, and to embrace him; and -there was nigh being a loss of life, so great was the press.</p> - -<p>And they retired that night, and the next day Arthur prepared to depart.</p> - -<p>"My lord," said Owain, "this is not well of thee; for I have been -absent from thee these three years, and during all that time, up to -this very day, I have been preparing a banquet for thee, knowing that -thou wouldst come to seek me. Tarry with me, therefore, until thou and -thy attendants have recovered the fatigues of the journey and have been -anointed."</p> - -<p>And they all proceeded to the castle of the Countess of the Fountain. -And the banquet which had been three years preparing was consumed in -three months. Never had they a more delicious or agreeable banquet. And -Arthur prepared to depart. Then he sent an embassy to the countess, -[beseeching] her to permit Owain to go with him for the space of three -months, that he might show him to the nobles and the fair dames of -the Island of Britain. And the countess gave her consent, although it -was very painful to her. So Owain came with Arthur to the Island of -Britain. And, when he was once more amongst his kindred and friends, he -remained three years, instead of three months, with them.</p> - -<p>And, as Owain one day sat at meat in the city of Caerlleon-upon-Usk, -behold a damsel entered, upon a bay horse with a curling mane and -covered with foam; and the bridle and so much as was seen of the saddle -were of gold. And the damsel was arrayed in a dress of yellow satin. -And she came up to Owain, and took the ring from off his hand.</p> - -<p>"Thus," said she, "shall be treated the deceiver, the traitor, the -faithless, the disgraced, and the beardless."</p> - -<p>And she turned her horse's head, and departed.</p> - -<p>Then his adventure came to Owain's remembrance, and he was sorrowful; -and, having finished eating, he went to his own abode and made -preparations that night. And the next day he arose, [yet] did not go -to the court, but wandered to the distant parts of the earth and to -uncultivated mountains. And he remained there until all his apparel was -worn out, and his body was wasted away, and his hair was grown long. -And he went about with the wild beasts, and fed with them, until they -became familiar with him. But at length he grew so weak that he could -no longer bear them company. Then he descended from the mountains to -the valley, and came to a park that was the fairest in the world and -belonged to a widowed countess.</p> - -<p>One day the countess and her maidens went forth to walk by a lake that -was in the middle of the park; and they saw the form of a man. And they -were terrified. Nevertheless, they went near him, and touched him, and -looked at him. And they saw that there was life in him, though he was -exhausted by the heat of the sun. And the countess returned to the -castle, and took a flask full of precious ointment and gave it to one -of her maidens.</p> - -<p>"Go with this," said she, "and take with thee yonder horse and -clothing, and place them near the man we saw just now. And anoint him -with this balsam, near his heart; and if there is life in him he will -arise through the efficacy of this balsam. Then watch what he will do."</p> - -<p>And the maiden departed from her, and poured the whole of the balsam -upon Owain, and left the horse and the garments hard by, and went a -little way off and hid herself to watch him. In a short time she saw -him begin to move his arms. And he rose up and looked at his person, -and became ashamed of the unseemliness of his appearance. Then he -perceived the horse and the garments that were near him. And he crept -forward till he was able to draw the garments to him from off the -saddle. And he clothed himself, and with difficulty mounted the horse. -Then the damsel discovered herself to him, and saluted him. And he -was rejoiced when he saw her, and inquired of her what land and what -territory that was.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - <p><a name="illus2" id="illus2"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><span class="smcap">The Recovery of Owain.</span></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Truly," said the maiden, "a widowed countess owns yonder castle. At -the death of her husband he left her two earldoms; but at this day she -has [only] this one dwelling that has not been wrested from her by a -young earl who is her neighbor, because she refused to become his wife."</p> - -<p>"That is pity," said Owain.</p> - -<p>And he and the maiden proceeded to the castle. And he alighted there; -and the maiden conducted him to a pleasant chamber, and kindled a fire, -and left him.</p> - -<p>And the maiden came to the countess, and gave the flask into her hand.</p> - -<p>"Ha, maiden!" said the countess, "where is all the balsam?"</p> - -<p>"Have I not used it all?" said she.</p> - -<p>"Oh, maiden!" said the countess, "I cannot easily forgive thee this. -It is sad for me to have wasted sevenscore pounds' worth of precious -ointment upon a stranger whom I know not. However, maiden, wait thou -upon him until he is quite recovered."</p> - -<p>And the maiden did so, and furnished him with meat and drink and fire -and lodging and medicaments until he was well again. And in three -months he was restored to his former guise, and became even more comely -than he had ever been before.</p> - -<p>One day Owain heard a great tumult and a sound of arms in the castle, -and he inquired of the maiden the cause thereof.</p> - -<p>"The earl," said she, "whom I mentioned to thee, has come before the -castle with a numerous army, to subdue the countess."</p> - -<p>And Owain inquired of her whether the countess had a horse and arms in -her possession.</p> - -<p>"She has the best in the world," said the maiden.</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou go and request the loan of a horse and arms for me," said -Owain, "that I may go and look at this army?"</p> - -<p>"I will," said the maiden.</p> - -<p>And she came to the countess, and told her what Owain had said. And the -countess laughed.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said she, "I will even give him a horse and arms forever—such -a horse and such arms had he never yet. And I am glad that they should -be taken by him to-day, lest my enemies should have them against my -will to-morrow. Yet I know not what he would do with them."</p> - -<p>The countess bade them bring out a beautiful black steed upon which -was a beechen saddle, and a suit of armor for man and horse. And Owain -armed himself, and mounted the horse and went forth, attended by two -pages completely equipped with horses and arms. And, when they came -near to the earl's army, they could see neither its extent nor its -extremity. And Owain asked the pages in which troop the earl was.</p> - -<p>"In yonder troop," said they, "in which are four yellow standards: two -of them are before, and two behind, him."</p> - -<p>"Now," said Owain, "do you return, and await me near the portal of the -castle."</p> - -<p>So they returned; and Owain pressed forward until he met the earl. And -Owain drew him completely out of his saddle and turned his horse's head -towards the castle, and, though it was with difficulty, he brought the -earl to the portal, where the pages awaited him. And in they came. And -Owain presented the earl as a gift to the countess, and said to her, -"Behold a requital to thee for thy blessed balsam."</p> - -<p>The army encamped around the castle. And the earl restored to the -countess the two earldoms he had taken from her, as a ransom for his -life; and for his freedom he gave her the half of his own dominions, -and all his gold and his silver and his jewels, besides hostages.</p> - -<p>And Owain took his departure. And the countess and all her subjects -besought him to remain; but Owain chose rather to wander through -distant lands and deserts.</p> - -<p>And as he journeyed he heard a loud yelling in a wood. And it was -repeated a second and a third time. And Owain went towards the spot, -and beheld a huge craggy mound in the middle of the wood, on the side -of which was a gray rock. And there was a cleft in the rock, and a -serpent was within the cleft. And near the rock stood a black lion; and -every time the lion sought to go thence the serpent darted towards him -to attack him. And Owain unsheathed his sword, and drew near to the -rock; and, as the serpent sprang out, he struck him with his sword and -cut him in two. And he dried his sword, and went on his way as before. -But, behold, the lion followed him and played about him as though it -had been a greyhound that he had reared.</p> - -<p>They proceeded thus throughout the day until the evening. And when -it was time for Owain to take his rest he dismounted, and turned his -horse loose in a flat and wooded meadow. And he struck fire, and when -the fire was kindled the lion brought him fuel enough to last for three -nights. And the lion disappeared. And presently the lion returned, -bearing a fine large roebuck. And he threw it down before Owain, who -went towards the fire with it.</p> - -<p>And Owain took the roebuck, and skinned it, and placed collops of its -flesh upon skewers around the fire. The rest of the buck he gave to the -lion to devour. While he was doing this, he heard a deep sigh near him, -and a second, and a third. And Owain called out to know whether the -sigh he heard proceeded from a mortal, and he received answer that it -did.</p> - -<p>"Who art thou?" said Owain.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said the voice, "I am Luned, the handmaiden of the Countess of -the Fountain."</p> - -<p>"And what dost thou here?" said Owain.</p> - -<p>"I am imprisoned," said she, "on account of the knight who came from -Arthur's court and married the countess. And he staid a short time -with her; but he afterwards departed for the court of Arthur, and has -not returned since. And he was the friend I loved best in the world. -And two of the pages in the countess' chamber traduced him, and called -him a deceiver. And I told them that they two were not a match for him -alone. So they imprisoned me in the stone vault, and said that I should -be put to death unless he came himself to deliver me by a certain day; -and that is no further off than the day after to-morrow. And I have -no one to send to seek him for me. And his name is Owain, the son of -Urien."</p> - -<p>"And art thou certain that if that knight knew all this he would come -to thy rescue?"</p> - -<p>"I am most certain of it," said she.</p> - -<p>When the collops were cooked, Owain divided them into two parts, -between himself and the maiden; and after they had eaten they talked -together until the day dawned. And the next morning Owain inquired -of the damsel if there was any place where he could get food and -entertainment for that night.</p> - -<p>"There is, lord," said she. "Cross over yonder and go along the side -of the river, and in a short time thou wilt see a great castle in -which are many towers; and the earl who owns that castle is the most -hospitable man in the world. There thou mayst spend the night."</p> - -<p>Never did sentinel keep stricter watch over his lord than the lion that -night over Owain.</p> - -<p>And Owain accoutred his horse, and passed across by the ford, and came -in sight of the castle. And he entered it, and was honorably received. -And his horse was well cared for, and plenty of fodder was placed -before him. Then the lion went and laid down in the horse's manger; -so that none of the people of the castle dared to approach him. The -treatment which Owain met with there was such as he had never known -elsewhere; for every one was as sorrowful as though death had been -upon him. And they went to meat; and the earl sat upon one side of -Owain, and on the other side his only daughter. And Owain had never -seen any more lovely than she. Then the lion came and placed himself -between Owain's feet, and he fed him with every kind of food that he -took himself. And he never saw any thing equal to the sadness of the -people.</p> - -<p>In the middle of the repast the earl began to bid Owain welcome.</p> - -<p>Then said Owain, "Behold, it is time for thee to be cheerful."</p> - -<p>"Heaven knows," said the earl, "that it is not thy coming that makes us -sorrowful; but we have cause enough for sadness and care."</p> - -<p>"What is that?" said Owain.</p> - -<p>"I have two sons," replied the earl, "and yesterday they went to the -mountains to hunt. Now, there is on the mountain a monster who kills -men and devours them; and he seized my sons. And to-morrow is the -time he has fixed to be here; and he threatens that he will then slay -my sons before my eyes unless I will deliver into his hands this my -daughter. He has the form of a man; but in stature he is no less than a -giant."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Owain, "that is lamentable. And which wilt thou do?"</p> - -<p>"Heaven knows," said the earl, "it will be better that my sons should -be slain against my will than that I should voluntarily give up my -daughter to him to ill-treat and destroy."</p> - -<p>Then they talked about other things; and Owain staid there that night.</p> - -<p>The next morning they heard an exceeding great clamor, which was caused -by the coming of the giant with the two youths. And the earl was -anxious both to protect his castle, and to release his two sons. Then -Owain put on his armor, and went forth to encounter the giant. And the -lion followed him. And, when the giant saw that Owain was armed, he -rushed towards him and attacked him. And the lion fought with the giant -much more fiercely than Owain did.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said the giant, "I should find no difficulty in fighting with -thee, were it not for the animal that is with thee."</p> - -<p>Upon that, Owain took the lion back to the castle and shut the gate -upon him; and then he returned to fight the giant as before. And the -lion roared very loud, for he heard that it went hard with Owain. And -he climbed up till he reached the top of the earl's hall, and thence he -got to the top of the castle; and he sprang down from the walls, and -went and joined Owain. And the lion gave the giant a stroke with his -paw which tore him from his shoulder to his hip, and his heart was laid -bare. And the giant fell down dead. Then Owain restored the two youths -to their father.</p> - -<p>The earl besought Owain to remain with him; and he would not, but set -forward towards the meadow where Luned was. And when he came there he -saw a great fire kindled, and two youths with beautiful curling auburn -hair were leading the maiden to cast her into the fire. And Owain asked -them what charge they had against her. And they told him of the compact -that was between them, as the maiden had done the night before.</p> - -<p>"And," said they, "Owain has failed her: therefore we are taking her to -be burnt."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Owain, "he is a good knight; and if he knew that the -maiden was in such peril I marvel that he came not to her rescue. But, -if you will accept me in his stead, I will do battle with you."</p> - -<p>"We will," said the youths.</p> - -<p>And they attacked Owain, and he was hard beset by them. And with that -the lion came to Owain's assistance, and they two got the better of the -young men. And they said to him, "Chieftain, it was not agreed that -we should fight, save with thyself alone; and it is harder for us to -contend with yonder animal than with thee."</p> - -<p>And Owain put the lion in the place where the maiden had been -imprisoned, and blocked up the door with stones; and he went to fight -with the young men as before. But Owain had not his usual strength, and -the two youths pressed hard upon him. And the lion roared incessantly -at seeing Owain in trouble. And he burst through the wall until he -found a way out, and rushed upon the young men, and instantly slew -them. So Luned was saved from being burned.</p> - -<p>Then Owain returned with Luned to the dominions of the Countess of the -Fountain. And when he went thence he took the countess with him to -Arthur's court, and she was his wife as long as she lived.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And then he took the road that led to the court of the savage black -man, and Owain fought with him; and the lion did not quit Owain until -he had vanquished him. And when he reached the court of the savage -black man he entered the hall, and beheld four and twenty ladies, the -fairest that could be seen. And the garments which they had on were not -worth four and twenty pence, and they were as sorrowful as death. And -Owain asked them the cause of their sadness. And they said, "We are -the daughters of earls, and we all came here with our husbands, whom -we dearly loved. And we were received with honor and rejoicing. And we -were thrown into a state of stupor; and, while we were thus, the demon -who owns this castle slew all our husbands, and took from us our horses -and our raiment and our gold and our silver. And the corpses of our -husbands are still in this house, and many others with them. And this, -chieftain, is the cause of our grief; and we are sorry that thou art -come hither, lest harm should befall thee."</p> - -<p>And Owain was grieved when he heard this. And he went forth from the -castle, and he beheld a knight approaching him, who saluted him in a -friendly and cheerful manner as if he had been a brother. And this was -the savage black man.</p> - -<p>"In very sooth," said Owain, "it is not to seek thy friendship that I -am here."</p> - -<p>"In sooth," said he, "thou shalt not find it then."</p> - -<p>And with that they charged each other, and fought furiously. And Owain -overcame him, and bound his hands behind his back. Then the black -savage besought Owain to spare his life, and spoke thus: "My lord -Owain," said he, "it was foretold that thou shouldst come hither and -vanquish me; and thou hast done so. I was a robber here, and my house -was a house of spoil; but grant me my life, and I will become the -keeper of an hospice, and I will maintain this house as an hospice for -weak and for strong as long as I live, for the good of thy soul."</p> - -<p>And Owain accepted this proposal of him, and remained there that night.</p> - -<p>And the next day he took the four and twenty ladies and their horses -and their raiment and what they possessed of goods and jewels, and -proceeded with them to Arthur's court. And, if Arthur was rejoiced when -he saw him after he had lost him the first time, his joy was now much -greater. And, of those ladies, such as wished to remain in Arthur's -court remained there, and such as wished to depart departed.</p> - -<p>And thenceforward Owain dwelt at Arthur's court, greatly beloved, as -the head of his household, until he went away with his followers; and -those were the army of three hundred ravens<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> which Kenverchyn had -left him. And wherever Owain went with these he was victorious.</p> - -<p>And this is the tale of The Lady of the Fountain.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="KILHWCH10_AND_OLWEN_OR_THE_TWRCH_TRWYTH" id="KILHWCH10_AND_OLWEN_OR_THE_TWRCH_TRWYTH">KILHWCH</a><a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> AND OLWEN; OR, THE TWRCH TRWYTH.</h2> - - -<p>[Kilhwch, having grown to be a youth in the palace of his father, was -one day sent for by his stepmother, who said to him], "I declare to -thee that it is thy destiny not to be suited with a wife until thou -obtain Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr."</p> - -<p>And the youth blushed, and the love of the maiden diffused itself -through all his frame, although he had never seen her. And his father -inquired of him, "What has come over thee, my son, and what aileth -thee?"</p> - -<p>"My stepmother has declared to me that I shall never have a wife until -I obtain Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr."</p> - -<p>"That will be easy for thee," answered his father. "Arthur is thy -cousin. Go, therefore, unto Arthur to cut thy hair, and ask this of him -as a boon."</p> - -<p>And the youth pricked forth upon a steed with head dappled-gray, of -four winters old, firm of limb, with shell-formed hoofs, having a -bridle of linked gold on his head, and upon him a saddle of costly -gold.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> And in the youth's hand were two spears of silver, sharp, -well-tempered, headed with steel, three ells in length, of an edge to -wound the wind and cause blood to flow, and swifter than the fall of -the dewdrop from the blade of reed-grass upon the earth when the dew -of June is at the heaviest. A gold-hilted sword was upon his thigh, -the blade of which was of gold, bearing a cross of inlaid gold of the -hue of the lightning of heaven. His war-horn was of ivory. Before him -were two brindled white-breasted greyhounds, having strong collars of -rubies about their necks reaching from the shoulder to the ear. And the -one that was on the left side bounded across to the right side, and the -one on the right to the left, and like two sea-swallows sported around -him. And his courser cast up four sods with his four hoofs, like four -swallows in the air, about his head, now above, now below. About him -was a four-cornered cloth of purple; and an apple of gold was at each -corner, and every one of the apples was of the value of an hundred -kine. And there was precious gold of the value of three hundred kine -upon his shoes, and upon his stirrups, from his knee to the tip of his -toe. And the blade of grass bent not beneath him, so light was his -courser's tread, as he journeyed towards the gate of Arthur's palace.</p> - -<p>Spoke the youth, "Is there a porter?"</p> - -<p>"There is; and, if thou holdest not thy peace, small will be thy -welcome. I am Arthur's porter every first day of January. And, during -every other part of the year but this, the office is filled by Huandaw, -and Gogigwc, and Llaeskenym, and Pennpingyon, who goes upon his head to -save his feet, like a rolling stone upon the floor of the court."</p> - -<p>"Open the portal."</p> - -<p>"I will not open it."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore not?"</p> - -<p>"The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is -revelry in Arthur's hall; and none may enter therein, but the son of a -king of a privileged country, or a craftsman bringing his craft."</p> - -<p>Said the youth, "That will I not do. If thou openest the gate, it is -well. If thou dost not open it, I will bring disgrace upon thy lord, -and evil report upon thee. And I will set up three shouts at this very -gate, than which none were ever more deadly, from the top of Pengwaed -in Cornwall, to the bottom of Dinsol in the north, and to Esgair Oervel -in Ireland."</p> - -<p>"What clamor soever thou mayest make," said Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr, -"against the laws of Arthur's palace, shalt thou not enter therein, -until I first go and speak with Arthur."</p> - -<p>Then Glewlwyd went into the hall. And Arthur said to him, "Hast thou -news from the gate?"</p> - -<p>"Half of my life is past, and half of thine. I was heretofore in Kaer -Se and Asse, in Sach and Salach, in Lotor and Fotor; and I have been -heretofore in India the Great and India the Lesser; and I was in -the battle of Dau Ynyr, when the twelve hostages were brought from -Llychlyn; and I have also been in Europe, and in Africa, and in the -islands of Corsica, and in Caer Brythwch and Brythach and Verthach; and -I was present when formerly thou didst slay the family of Clis the son -of Merin, and when thou didst slay Mil Du the son of Ducum, and when -thou didst conquer Greece in the East; and I have been in Caer Oeth and -Annoeth, and in Caer Nevenhyr; nine supreme sovereigns, handsome men, -saw we there, but never did I behold a man of equal dignity with him -who is now at the door of the portal."</p> - -<p>Then said Arthur, "If walking thou didst enter in here, return thou -running. And every one that beholds the light, and every one that opens -and shuts the eye, let them show him respect, and serve him; some with -gold-mounted drinking-horns, others with collops cooked and peppered, -until food and drink can be prepared for him. It is unbecoming to keep -such a man as thou sayest he is in the wind and the rain."</p> - -<p>Said Kai, "By the hand of my friend, if thou would'st follow my -counsel, thou would'st not break through the laws of the court because -of him."</p> - -<p>"Not so, blessed Kai. It is an honor to us to be resorted to; and the -greater our courtesy the greater will be our renown, and our fame, and -our glory."</p> - -<p>And Glewlwyd came to the gate, and opened the gate before him; and, -although all dismounted upon the horseblock at the gate, yet did he not -dismount, but rode in upon his charger. Then said Kilhwch, "Greeting be -unto thee, sovereign ruler of this island; and be this greeting no less -unto the lowest than unto the highest."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - <p><a name="illus3" id="illus3"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>Kilhwch Riding into Arthur's Hall.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Greeting unto thee, also," said Arthur. "Sit thou between two of my -warriors, and thou shalt have minstrels before thee; and thou shalt -enjoy the privileges of a king born to a throne, as long as thou -remainest here."</p> - -<p>Said the youth, "I came not here to consume meat and drink; but, if I -obtain the boon that I seek, I will requite it thee, and extol thee. -And, if I have it not, I will bear forth thy dispraise to the four -quarters of the world, as far as thy renown has extended."</p> - -<p>Then said Arthur, "Since thou wilt not remain here, chieftain, thou -shalt receive the boon whatsoever thy tongue may name, as far as the -wind dries, and the rain moistens, and the sun revolves, and the sea -encircles, and the earth extends; save only my ship, and my mantle, and -Caledvwlch, my sword, and Rhongomyant, my lance, and Wynebgwrthucher, -my shield, and Carnwenhau, my dagger, and Gwenhwyvar, my wife. Name -what thou wilt."</p> - -<p>"I would that thou bless my hair."</p> - -<p>"That shall be granted thee."</p> - -<p>And Arthur took a golden comb, and scissors whereof the loops were of -silver, and he combed his hair. And Arthur inquired of him who he -was. "For my heart warms unto thee, and I know that thou art come of my -blood. Tell me, therefore, who thou art."</p> - -<p>"I will tell thee," said the youth. "I am Kilhwch, the son of Kilydd, -the son of Prince Kelyddon by Goleuddydd my mother, the daughter of -Prince Anlawdd."</p> - -<p>"That is true," said Arthur. "Thou art my cousin. Whatsoever boon thou -mayest ask, thou shalt receive, be it what it may that thy tongue shall -name."</p> - -<p>"I crave of thee, then, that thou obtain for me Olwen, the daughter -of Yspaddaden Penkawr; and this boon I likewise seek at the hands of -thy warriors. I seek it from Kai, and Geraint the son of Erbin, and -Osla Gylleillvawr (who bore a short, broad dagger: when Arthur and his -hosts came before a torrent, they would seek for a narrow place where -they might pass the water, and would lay the sheathed dagger across the -torrent, and it would form a bridge sufficient for the armies of the -three islands of Britain, and of the three islands adjacent, with their -spoil); and Gilla Coes Hydd (he would clear three hundred acres at one -bound: the chief leaper of Ireland was he); Sol, and Gwadyn Ossol, and -Gwadyn Odyeith (Sol could stand all day upon one foot; Gwadyn Ossol, if -he stood upon the top of the highest mountain in the world, it would -become a level plain under his feet; Gwadyn Odyeith, the soles of his -feet emitted sparks of fire when they struck upon things hard, like the -heated mass when drawn out of the forge: he cleared the way for Arthur -when he came to any stoppage); and Gwevyl, the son of Gwestad (on the -day that he was sad, he would let one of his lips drop below his waist, -while he turned up the other like a cap upon his head); Uchtryd Varyf -Draws (who spread his red untrimmed beard over the eight and forty -rafters which were in Arthur's hall); Brys, the son of Bryssethach -(from the Hill of the Black Fernbrake in North Britain); Clust, the -son of Clustveinad (though he were buried seven cubits beneath the -earth, he would hear the ant fifty miles off rise from her nest in the -morning), Medyr, the son of Methredydd (from Gelli Wic he could, in a -twinkling, shoot the wren through the two legs upon Esgeir Oervel in -Ireland); and Henwas Adeinawg, the son of Erim; and Henbedestyr, the -son of Erim; and Sgilti Yscawndroed, the son of Erim (unto these three -men belonged these three qualities: with Henbedestyr there was not any -one who could keep pace, either on horseback or on foot; with Henwas -Adeinawg, no four-footed beast could run the distance of an acre, much -less could go beyond it; and as to Sgilti Yscawndroed, when he intended -to go upon a message for his lord, he never sought to find a path, -but knowing whither he was to go, if his way lay through a wood, he -went along the tops of the trees); and Hueil, the son of Kaw (he never -yet made a request at the hand of any lord); and Taliesin, the chief -of the bards; and Manawyddan, the son of Llyr; Bwlch and Kyfwlch and -Sefwlch, the sons of Cleddyf Kyfwlch (their three shields were three -gleaming glitterers; their three spears were three pointed piercers; -their three swords were three griding gashers,—Glas, Glessic, and -Gleisad; their three dogs, Call, Cuall, and Cavall; their three horses, -Hwyrdyddwd and Drwgdyddwd and Llwyrdyddwg; their three wives, Och and -Garym and Diaspad; their three grandchildren, Lluched and Neved and -Eissiwed; their three daughters, Drwg and Gwaeth and Gwaethav Oll; -their three handmaids, Eheubryd the daughter of Kyfwlch, Gorascwrn -the daughter of Nerth, Ewaedan the daughter of Kynvelyn Keudawd Pwyll -the half-man); and Morvran, the son of Tegid (no one struck him in -the battle of Camlan by reason of his ugliness; all thought he was an -auxiliary devil; hair had he upon him like the hair of a stag); and -Sandde Bryd Angel (no one touched him with a spear in the battle of -Camlan, because of his beauty; all thought he was a ministering angel); -and Glwyddyn Saer (who constructed Ehangwen, Arthur's hall); for the -sake of the golden-chained daughters of this island—for the sake of -Gwenhwyvar, its chief lady, and Gwennhwyach, her sister, and Rathtyeu, -the only daughter of Clemenhill, and Rhelemon, the daughter of Kai; -Morvudd, the daughter of Urien Rheged; Gwenllian Deg, the majestic -maiden; Creiddylad,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> the daughter of Lludd Llaw Ereint (she was the -most splendid maiden in the three islands of the mighty, and in the -three islands adjacent; and for her, Gwythyr the son of Greidawl, and -Gwynn the son of Nudd, fight every first of May until the day of doom)."</p> - -<p>And all these<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> did Kilhwch, son of Kilydd, adjure to obtain his boon.</p> - -<p>Then said Arthur, "O chieftain! I have never heard of the maiden -of whom thou speakest, nor of her kindred; but I will gladly send -messengers in search of her. Give me time to seek her."</p> - -<p>And the youth said, "I will willingly grant from this night to that at -the end of the year to do so."</p> - -<p>Then Arthur sent messengers to every land within his dominions to seek -for the maiden; and at the end of the year Arthur's messengers returned -without having gained any knowledge or intelligence concerning Olwen, -more than on the first day. Then said Kilhwch, "Every one has received -his boon, and I yet lack mine. I will depart, and bear away thy honor -with me."</p> - -<p>Then said Kai, "Rash chieftain! dost thou reproach Arthur? Go with us, -and we will not part until thou dost confess that the maiden exists not -in the world, or until we obtain her."</p> - -<p>Thereupon Kai rose up. Kai had this peculiarity, that his breath lasted -nine nights and nine days under water, and he could exist nine nights -and nine days without sleep. A wound from Kai's sword no physician -could heal. Very subtle was Kai. When it pleased him, he could render -himself as tall as the highest tree in the forest. And he had another -peculiarity: so great was the heat of his nature that, when it rained -hardest, whatever he carried remained dry for a handbreadth above, and -a handbreadth below, his hand; and, when his companions were coldest, -it was to them as fuel with which to light their fire.</p> - -<p>And Arthur called Bedwyr, who never shrank from any enterprise upon -which Kai was bound. None was equal to him in swiftness throughout -this island, except Arthur and Drych Ail Kibddar. And, although he was -one-handed, three warriors could not shed blood faster than he on the -field of battle. Another property he had: his lance would produce a -wound equal to those of nine opposing lances.</p> - -<p>And Arthur called to Kynddelig the guide, "Go thou upon this expedition -with the chieftain."</p> - -<p>For as good a guide was he in a land which he had never seen as he was -in his own.</p> - -<p>He called Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, because he knew all tongues.</p> - -<p>He called Gwalchmai, the son of Gwyar, because he never returned home -without achieving the adventure of which he went in quest. He was the -best of footmen and the best of knights. He was nephew to Arthur, the -son of his sister and his cousin.</p> - -<p>And Arthur called Menw, the son of Teirgwaedd, in order that if they -went into a savage country he might cast a charm and an illusion over -them, so that none might see them, whilst they could see every one.</p> - -<p>They journeyed until they came to a vast, open plain, wherein they saw -a great castle, which was the fairest of the castles of the world. And -they journeyed that day until the evening; and, when they thought they -were nigh to the castle, they were no nearer to it than they had been -in the morning. And the second and the third day they journeyed, and -even then scarcely could they reach so far. And, when they came before -the castle, they beheld a vast flock of sheep, which was boundless -and without an end. And upon the top of a mound there was a herdsman -keeping the sheep. And a rug made of skins was upon him; and by his -side was a shaggy mastiff, larger than a steed nine winters old. Never -had he lost even a lamb from his flock, much less a large sheep. He let -no occasion ever pass without doing some hurt and harm. All the dead -trees and bushes in the plain he burnt with his breath down to the very -ground.</p> - -<p>Then said Kai, "Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, go thou, and salute yonder -man."</p> - -<p>"Kai," said he, "I engaged not to go farther than thou thyself."</p> - -<p>"Let us go then, together," answered Kai.</p> - -<p>Said Menw, the son of Teirgwaedd, "Fear not to go thither; for I will -cast a spell upon the dog, so that he shall injure no one."</p> - -<p>And they went up to the mound whereon the herdsman was; and they said -to him, "Whose are the sheep that thou dost keep? and to whom does -yonder castle belong?"</p> - -<p>"Stupid are ye, truly. Through the whole world is it known that this is -the castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr."</p> - -<p>"And who art thou?"</p> - -<p>"I am called Custennin, the son of Dyfnedig; and my brother Yspaddaden -Penkawr oppressed me because of my possessions. And ye, also—who are -ye?"</p> - -<p>"We are an embassy from Arthur, come to seek Olwen, the daughter of -Yspaddaden Penkawr."</p> - -<p>"O men! the mercy of Heaven be upon you! Do not that for all the world. -None who ever came hither on this quest has returned alive."</p> - -<p>And the herdsman rose up. And, as he arose, Kilhwch gave unto him a -ring of gold. And he sought to put on the ring, but it was too small -for him: so he placed it in the finger of his glove. And he went home, -and gave the glove to his spouse to keep. And she took the ring from -the glove when it was given her, and she said, "Whence came this ring? -For thou art not wont to have good fortune."</p> - -<p>"I went," said he, "to the sea to seek for fish, and, lo, I saw a -corpse borne by the waves. And a fairer corpse than it did I never -behold. And from its finger did I take this ring."</p> - -<p>"O man! does the sea permit its dead to wear jewels? Show me, then, -this body."</p> - -<p>"O wife! him to whom this ring belonged thou shalt see here in the -evening."</p> - -<p>"And who is he?" asked the woman.</p> - -<p>"Kilhwch, the son of Kilydd, the son of Prince Kelyddon by Goleuddydd, -the daughter of Prince Anlawdd, his mother, who is come to seek Olwen -as his wife."</p> - -<p>And, when she heard that, her feelings were divided between the joy -that she had that her nephew, the son of her sister, was coming to her, -and sorrow, because she had never known any one depart alive who had -come on that quest.</p> - -<p>And they went forward to the gate of Custennin, the herdsman's -dwelling. And, when she heard their footsteps approaching, she ran out -with joy to meet them. And Kai snatched a billet out of the pile. And, -when she met them, she sought to throw her arms about their necks. And -Kai placed the log between her two hands, and she squeezed it so that -it became a twisted coil.</p> - -<p>"O woman!" said Kai, "if thou hadst squeezed me thus, none could ever -again have set their affections on me. Evil love were this."</p> - -<p>They entered into the house, and were served; and, soon after, they all -went forth to amuse themselves. Then the woman opened a stone chest -that was before the chimney-corner, and out of it arose a youth with -yellow curling hair. Said Gwrhyr, "It is a pity to hide this youth. I -know that it is not his own crime that is thus visited upon him."</p> - -<p>"This is but a remnant," said the woman. "Three and twenty of my sons -has Yspaddaden Penkawr slain, and I have no more hope of this one than -of the others."</p> - -<p>Then said Kai, "Let him come and be a companion with me, and he shall -not be slain unless I also am slain with him."</p> - -<p>And they ate. And the woman asked them, "Upon what errand come you -here?"</p> - -<p>"We come to seek Olwen for this youth."</p> - -<p>Then said the woman, "In the name of Heaven, since no one from the -castle hath yet seen you, return again whence you came."</p> - -<p>"Heaven is our witness, that we will not return until we have seen the -maiden."</p> - -<p>Said Kai, "Does she ever come hither, so that she may be seen?"</p> - -<p>"She comes here every Saturday, to wash her head; and, in the vessel -where she washes, she leaves all her rings, and she never either comes -herself, or sends any messengers, to fetch them."</p> - -<p>"Will she come here if she is sent to?"</p> - -<p>"Heaven knows that I will not destroy my soul, nor will I betray those -that trust me. Unless you will pledge me your faith that you will not -harm her, I will not send to her."</p> - -<p>"We pledge it," said they. So a message was sent; and she came.</p> - -<p>The maiden was clothed in a robe of flame-colored silk; and about her -neck was a collar of ruddy gold, on which were precious emeralds and -rubies. More yellow was her head than the flower of the broom; and her -skin was whiter than the foam of the wave; and fairer were her hands -and her fingers than the blossoms of the wood-anemone amidst the spray -of the meadow fountain. The eye of the trained hawk, the glance of the -three-mewed falcon, was not brighter than hers. Her bosom was more -snowy than the breast of the white swan; her cheek was redder than the -reddest roses. Whoso beheld her was filled with her love. Four white -trefoils sprung up wherever she trod. And therefore was she called -Olwen.</p> - -<p>She entered the house, and sat beside Kilhwch, upon the foremost bench. -And as soon as he saw her he knew her. And Kilhwch said unto her, "Ah, -maiden! thou art she whom I have loved. Come away with me, lest they -speak evil of thee and of me. Many a day have I loved thee."</p> - -<p>"I cannot do this; for I have pledged my faith to my father not to go -without his counsel, for his life will last only until the time of my -espousals. Whatever is must be. But I will give thee advice, if thou -wilt take it. Go, ask me of my father, and that which he shall require -of thee, grant it, and thou wilt obtain me; but, if thou deny him any -thing, thou wilt not obtain me, and it will be well for thee if thou -escape with thy life."</p> - -<p>"I promise all this, if occasion offer," said he.</p> - -<p>She returned to her chamber, and they all rose up, and followed her to -the castle. And they slew the nine porters that were at the nine gates, -in silence. And they slew the nine watch-dogs, without one of them -barking. And they went forward to the hall.</p> - -<p>"The greeting of Heaven and of man be unto thee Yspaddaden Penkawr," -said they.</p> - -<p>"And you—wherefore come you?"</p> - -<p>"We come to ask thy daughter Olwen for Kilhwch, the son of Kilydd, the -son of Prince Kelyddon."</p> - -<p>"Where are my pages and my servants? Raise up the forks beneath my two -eyebrows, which have fallen over my eyes, that I may see the fashion of -my son-in-law." And they did so. "Come hither to-morrow, and you shall -have an answer."</p> - -<p>They rose to go forth; and Yspaddaden Penkawr seized one of the three -poisoned darts that lay beside him, and threw it after them. And Bedwyr -caught it, and flung it, and pierced Yspaddaden Penkawr grievously -with it through the knee. Then he said, "A cursed ungentle son-in-law, -truly! I shall ever walk the worse for his rudeness, and shall ever be -without a cure. This poisoned iron pains me like the bite of a gadfly. -Cursed be the smith who forged it, and the anvil whereon it was -wrought! So sharp is it!"</p> - -<p>That night also they took up their abode in the house of Custennin -the herdsman. The next day, with the dawn, they arrayed themselves in -haste, and proceeded to the castle, and entered the hall; and they -said, "Yspaddaden Penkawr, give us thy daughter in consideration of -her dower and her maiden fee, which we will pay to thee and to her two -kinswomen likewise. And, unless thou wilt do so, thou shalt meet with -thy death on her account."</p> - -<p>Then he said, "Her four great-grandmothers and her four -great-grandsires are yet alive: it is needful that I take counsel of -them."</p> - -<p>"Be it so," answered they. "We will go to meat."</p> - -<p>As they rose up, he took the second dart that was beside him, and -cast it after them. And Menw, the son of Gwaedd, caught it, and -flung it back at him, and wounded him in the centre of the breast, -so that it came out at the small of his back. "A cursed ungentle -son-in-law, truly!" said he. "The hard iron pains me like the bite of a -horse-leech. Cursed be the hearth whereon it was heated, and the smith -who formed it! So sharp is it! Henceforth, whenever I go up a hill, I -shall have a scant in my breath and a pain in my chest, and I shall -often loathe my food." And they went to meat.</p> - -<p>And the third day they returned to the palace. And Yspaddaden Penkawr -said to them, "Shoot not at me again, unless you desire death. Where -are my attendants? Lift up the forks of my eyebrows, which have fallen -over my eyeballs, that I may see the fashion of my son-in-law."</p> - -<p>Then they arose; and, as they did so, Yspaddaden Penkawr took the third -poisoned dart, and cast it at them. And Kilhwch caught it, and threw it -vigorously, and wounded him through the eyeball so that the dart came -out at the back of his head. "A cursed ungentle son-in-law, truly! As -long as I remain alive, my eyesight will be the worse. Whenever I go -against the wind, my eyes will water, and peradventure my head will -burn, and I shall have a giddiness every new moon. Cursed be the fire -in which it was forged! Like the bite of a mad dog is the stroke of -this poisoned iron." And they went to meat.</p> - -<p>And the next day they came again to the palace, and they said, "Shoot -not at us any more, unless thou desirest such hurt and harm and torture -as thou now hast, and even more. Give me thy daughter, and, if thou -wilt not give her, thou shalt receive thy death because of her."</p> - -<p>"Where is he that seeks my daughter? Come hither, where I may see -thee." And they placed him in a chair face to face with him.</p> - -<p>Said Yspaddaden Penkawr, "Is it thou that seekest my daughter?"</p> - -<p>"It is I," answered Kilhwch.</p> - -<p>"I must have thy pledge that thou wilt not do towards me otherwise than -is just, and, when I have gotten that which I shall name, my daughter -thou shalt have."</p> - -<p>"I promise thee that willingly," said Kilhwch. "Name what thou wilt."</p> - -<p>"I will do so," said he. "Seest thou yonder vast hill?"</p> - -<p>"I see it."</p> - -<p>"I require that it be rooted up, and that the grubbings be burned for -manure on the face of the land, and that it be ploughed and sown in one -day, and in one day that the grain ripen. And of that wheat I intend to -make food and liquor fit for the wedding of thee and my daughter. And -all this I require done in one day."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though this be easy for thee, there is yet that which will not be so. -No husbandman can till or prepare this land, so wild is it, except -Amaethon, the son of Don; and he will not come with thee by his own -free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,—the -two dun oxen of Gwlwlyd, both yoked together, to plough the wild land -yonder stoutly. He will not give them of his own free will, and thou -wilt not be able to compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The -yellow and the brindled bull yoked together do I require."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,—the -two-horned oxen, one of which is beyond, and the other this side of, -the peaked mountain, yoked together in the same plough. And these are -Nynniaw and Peibiaw,<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> whom God turned into oxen on account of their -sins."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Seest -thou yonder red-tilled ground?"</p> - -<p>"I see it."</p> - -<p>"When first I met the mother of this maiden, nine bushels of flax were -sown therein, and none has yet sprung up, neither white nor black; and -I have the measure by me still. I require to have the flax to sow in -the new land yonder, that when it grows up it may make a white wimple -for my daughter's head on the day of thy wedding."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Honey -that is nine times sweeter than the honey of the virgin swarm, without -scum and bees, do I require to make bragget for the feast."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"The vessel of Llwyr, the son of Llwyryon, which is of the utmost -value. There is no other vessel in the world that can hold this drink. -Of his free will thou wilt not get it, and thou canst not compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,—the -basket of Gwyddneu Garanhir. If the whole world should come together, -thrice nine men at a time, the meat that each of them desired would -be found within it. I require to eat therefrom on the night that my -daughter becomes thy bride. He will give it to no one of his own free -will, and thou canst not compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,—the -horn of Gwlgawd Gododin, to serve us with liquor that night. He will -not give it of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel -him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,—the -harp of Teirtu to play to us that night. When a man desires that it -should play, it does so of itself, and when he desires that it should -cease it ceases. And this he will not give of his own free will, and -thou wilt not be able to compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,—the -caldron of Diwrnach Wyddel, the steward of Odgar the son of Aedd, King -of Ireland, to boil the meat for thy marriage-feast."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. It is -needful for me to wash my head, and shave my beard; and I require the -tusk of Yskithyrwyn Benbaedd to shave myself withal, neither shall I -profit by its use if it be not plucked alive out of his head."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. There -is no one in the world that can pluck it out of his head, except Odgar -the son of Aedd, King of Ireland."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. I -will not trust any one to keep the tusk, except Gado of North Britain. -Now the threescore Cantrevs of North Britain are under his sway; and of -his own free will he will not come out of his kingdom, and thou wilt -not be able to compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. I -must spread out my hair in order to shave it, and it will never be -spread out unless I have the blood of the jet black sorceress, the -daughter of the pure white sorceress, from Pen Nant Govid on the -confines of Hell."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -I will not have the blood, unless I have it warm; and no vessels -will keep warm the liquid that is put therein, except the bottles of -Gwyddolwyn Gorr, which preserve the heat of the liquor that is put into -them in the east until they arrive at the west. And he will not give -them of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Some -will desire fresh milk; and it will not be possible to have fresh milk -for all, unless we have the bottles of Rhinnon Rhin Barnawd, wherein no -liquor ever turns sour. And he will not give them of his own free will, -and thou wilt not be able to compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Throughout the world, there is not a comb or scissors with which I -can arrange my hair, on account of its rankness, except the comb and -scissors that are between the two ears of Twrch Trwyth, the son of -Prince Tared. He will not give them of his own free will, and thou wilt -not be able to compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. It -will not be possible to hunt Twrch Trwyth, without Drudwyn, the whelp -of Greid, the son of Eri."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Throughout the world there is not a leash that can hold him, except the -leash of Cwrs Cant Ewin."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Throughout the world there is no collar that will hold the leash, -except the collar of Canhastyr Canllaw."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,—the -chain of Kilydd Canhastyr, to fasten the collar to the leash."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Throughout the world there is not a huntsman who can hunt with this -dog, except Mabon, the son of Modron. He was taken from his mother when -three nights old, and it is not known where he now is, nor whether he -is living or dead."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not -get,—Gwynn Mygdwn, the horse of Gweddw, that is as swift as the wave, -to carry Mabon, the son of Modron, to hunt the boar Trwyth. He will not -give him of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Thou -wilt not get Mabon, for it is not known where he is, unless thou find -Eidoel, his kinsman in blood, the son of Aer. For it would be useless -to seek for him. He is his cousin."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Garselit the Gwyddelian is the chief huntsman of Ireland: the Twrch -Trwyth can never be hunted without him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,—a -leash made from the beard of Dissull Varvawc, for that is the only one -that can hold those two cubs. And the leash will be of no avail, unless -it be plucked from his beard while he is alive, and twitched out with -wooden tweezers. While he lives, he will not suffer this to be done -to him. And the leash will be of no use, should he be dead, because it -will be brittle."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Throughout the world there is no huntsman that can hold those two -whelps, except Kynedyr Wyllt, the son of Hettwn Glafyrawc. He is nine -times more wild than the wildest beast upon the mountains. Him wilt -thou never get, neither wilt thou ever get my daughter."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. It is -not possible to hunt the boar Trwyth without Gwynn, the son of Nudd, -whom God has placed over the brood of devils in Annwn, lest they should -destroy the present race. He will never be spared thence."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. There -is not a horse in the world that can carry Gwynn to hunt the Twrch -Trwyth, except Du, the horse of Mor of Oerveddawg."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Until -Gilennhin, the King of France, shall come, the Twrch Trwyth cannot be -hunted. It will be unseemly for him to leave his kingdom for thy sake, -and he will never come hither."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think it -will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The -Twrch Trwyth can never be hunted without the son of Alun Dyved: he is -well skilled in letting loose the dogs."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The -Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted, unless thou get Aned and Aethlem. They -are as swift as the gale of wind, and they were never let loose upon a -beast, that they did not kill him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not -get,—Arthur and his companions to hunt the Twrch Trwyth. He is a -mighty man, and he will not come for thee, neither wilt thou be able to -compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -The Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted, unless thou get Bwlch and Kyfwlch -[and Sefwlch], the grandsons of Cleddyf Difwlch. Their three shields -are three gleaming glitterers. Their three spears are three pointed -piercers. Their three swords are three griding gashers, Glas, Glessic, -and Clersag. Their three dogs, Call, Cuall, and Cavall. Their three -horses, Hwyrdydwg and Drwgdydwg and Llwyrdydwg. Their three wives, Och -and Garam and Diaspad. Their three grandchildren, Lluched and Vyned -and Eissiwed. Their three daughters, Drwg and Gwaeth and Gwaethav Oli. -Their three handmaids [Eheubryd, the daughter of Kyfwlch; Gorasgwrn, -the daughter of Nerth; and Gwaedan, the daughter of Kynvelyn]. These -three men shall sound the horn, and all the others shall shout, so that -all will think that the sky is falling to the earth."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get,—the -sword of Gwrnach the Giant: he will never be slain except therewith. Of -his own free will he will not give it, either for a price or as a gift; -and thou wilt never be able to compel him."</p> - -<p>"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think -that it will not be easy."</p> - -<p>"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. -Difficulties shalt thou meet with, and nights without sleep, in -seeking this, and, if thou obtain it not, neither shalt thou obtain my -daughter."</p> - -<p>"Horses shall I have, and chivalry; and my lord and kinsman Arthur will -obtain for me all these things. And I shall gain thy daughter, and thou -shalt lose thy life."</p> - -<p>"Go forward. And thou shalt not be chargeable for food or raiment for -my daughter while thou art seeking these things; and, when thou hast -compassed all these marvels, thou shalt have my daughter for thy wife."</p> - -<p>All that day they journeyed until the evening, and then they beheld a -vast castle, which was the largest in the world. And lo, a black man, -huger than three of the men of this world, came out from the castle. -And they spoke unto him: "Whence comest thou, O man?"</p> - -<p>"From the castle which you see yonder."</p> - -<p>"Whose castle is that?" asked they.</p> - -<p>"Stupid are ye, truly, O men! There is no one in the world that does -not know to whom this castle belongs. It is the castle of Gwrnach the -Giant."</p> - -<p>"What treatment is there for guests and strangers that alight in that -castle?"</p> - -<p>"O chieftain, Heaven protect thee! No guest ever returned thence alive, -and no one may enter therein, unless he brings with him his craft."</p> - -<p>Then they proceeded towards the gate. Said Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, -"Is there a porter?"</p> - -<p>"There is. And thou, if thy tongue be not mute in thy head, wherefore -dost thou call?"</p> - -<p>"Open the gate."</p> - -<p>"I will not open it."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore wilt thou not?"</p> - -<p>"The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is -revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the Giant, and except for a craftsman -who brings his craft the gate will not be opened to-night."</p> - -<p>"Verily, porter," then said Kai, "my craft bring I with me."</p> - -<p>"What is thy craft?"</p> - -<p>"The best burnisher of swords am I in the world."</p> - -<p>"I will go and tell this unto Gwrnach the Giant, and I will bring thee -an answer."</p> - -<p>So the porter went in; and Gwrnach said to him, "Hast thou any news -from the gate?"</p> - -<p>"I have. There is a party at the door of the gate who desire to come -in."</p> - -<p>"Didst thou inquire of them if they possessed any art?"</p> - -<p>"I did inquire," said he; "and one told me that he was well skilled in -the burnishing of swords."</p> - -<p>"We have need of him, then. For some time have I sought for some one to -polish my sword, and could find no one. Let this man enter, since he -brings with him his craft."</p> - -<p>The porter thereupon returned, and opened the gate. And Kai went in by -himself, and he saluted Gwrnach the Giant. And a chair was placed for -him opposite to Gwrnach. And Gwrnach said to him, "O man! is it true -that is reported of thee,—that thou knowest how to burnish swords?"</p> - -<p>"I know full well how to do so," answered Kai.</p> - -<p>Then was the sword of Gwrnach brought to him. And Kai took a blue -whetstone from under his arm, and asked him whether he would have it -burnished white or blue.</p> - -<p>"Do with it as it seems good to thee, and as thou would'st if it were -thine own."</p> - -<p>Then Kai polished one-half of the blade, and put it in his hand. "Will -this please thee?" asked he.</p> - -<p>"I would rather than all that is in my dominions that the whole of -it were like unto this. It is a marvel to me that such a man as thou -should be without a companion."</p> - -<p>"O noble sir! I have a companion, albeit he is not skilled in this art."</p> - -<p>"Who may he be?"</p> - -<p>"Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him whereby he may know him. -The head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the -wind, and will descend upon its shaft again."</p> - -<p>Then the gate was opened, and Bedwyr entered. And Kai said, "Bedwyr is -very skilful, although he knows not this art."</p> - -<p>And there was much discourse among those who were without, because that -Kai and Bedwyr had gone in. And a young man who was with them, the -only son of Custennin the herdsman, got in also. And he caused all his -companions to keep close to him as he passed the three wards, and until -he came into the midst of the castle. And his companions said unto the -son of Custennin, "Thou hast done this: thou art the best of all men." -And thenceforth he was called Goreu, the son of Custennin. Then they -dispersed to their lodgings, that they might slay those who lodged -therein, unknown to the Giant.</p> - -<p>The sword was now polished, and Kai gave it unto the hand of Gwrnach -the Giant, to see if he were pleased with his work. And the Giant said, -"The work is good: I am content therewith."</p> - -<p>Said Kai, "It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword. Give it to -me, that I may take out the wooden sides of it, and put in new ones." -And he took the scabbard from him, and the sword in the other hand. -And he came and stood over against the Giant, as if he would have put -the sword into the scabbard; and with it he struck at the head of -the Giant, and cut off his head at one blow. Then they despoiled the -castle, and took from it what goods and jewels they would. And again -on the same day, at the beginning of the year, they came to Arthur's -court, bearing with them the sword of Gwrnach the Giant.</p> - -<p>Now, when they told Arthur how they had sped, Arthur said, "Which of -these marvels will it be best for us to seek first?"</p> - -<p>"It will be best," said they, "to seek Mabon, the son of Modron; and -he will not be found, unless we first find Eidoel, the son of Aer, his -kinsman."</p> - -<p>Then Arthur rose up, and the warriors of the islands of Britain with -him, to seek for Eidoel; and they proceeded until they came before the -Castle of Glivi, where Eidoel was imprisoned. Glivi stood on the summit -of his castle, and he said, "Arthur, what requirest thou of me, since -nothing remains to me in this fortress, and I have neither joy nor -pleasure in it, neither wheat nor oats? Seek not therefore to do me -harm."</p> - -<p>Said Arthur, "Not to injure thee came I hither, but to seek for the -prisoner that is with thee."</p> - -<p>"I will give thee my prisoner, though I had not thought to give him up -to any one, and therewith shalt thou have my support and my aid."</p> - -<p>His followers said unto Arthur, "Lord, go thou home: thou canst not -proceed with thy host in quest of such small adventures as these."</p> - -<p>Then said Arthur, "It were well for thee, Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, -to go upon this quest; for thou knowest all languages, and art familiar -with those of the birds and the beasts. Thou, Eidoel, oughtest likewise -to go with my men in search of thy cousin. And as for you, Kai and -Bedwyr, I have hope of whatever adventure ye are in quest of, that ye -will achieve it. Achieve ye this adventure for me."</p> - -<p>They went forward until they came to the Ousel of Cilgwri. And Gwrhyr -adjured her for the sake of Heaven, saying, "Tell me if thou knowest -aught of Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken, when three nights -old, from between his mother and the wall."</p> - -<p>And the Ousel answered, "When I first came here, there was a smith's -anvil in this place, and I was then a young bird. And from that time no -work has been done upon it, save the pecking of my beak every evening; -and now there is not so much as the size of a nut remaining thereof; -yet the vengeance of Heaven be upon me, if, during all that time, I -have ever heard of the man for whom you inquire. Nevertheless I will -do that which is right, and that which it is fitting that I should do -for an embassy from Arthur. There is a race of animals who were formed -before me, and I will be your guide to them."</p> - -<p>So they proceeded to the place where was the Stag of Redynvre. "Stag of -Redynvre, behold, we are come to thee, an embassy from Arthur; for we -have not heard of any animal older than thou. Say, knowest thou aught -of Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken from his mother when three -nights old?"</p> - -<p>The Stag said, "When first I came hither, there was a plain all around -me, without any trees save one oak sapling, which grew up to be an oak -with an hundred branches. And that oak has since perished; so that now -nothing remains of it but the withered stump. And from that day to -this I have been here; yet have I never heard of the man for whom you -inquire. Nevertheless, being an embassy from Arthur, I will be your -guide to the place where there is an animal which was formed before I -was."</p> - -<p>So they proceeded to the place where was the Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd. "Owl -of Cwm Cawlwyd, here is an embassy from Arthur. Knowest thou aught of -Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken, after three nights, from his -mother?"</p> - -<p>"If I knew, I would tell you. When first I came hither, the wide -valley you see was a wooded glen. And a race of men came and rooted -it up. And there grew there a second wood; and this wood is the third. -My wings, are they not withered stumps? Yet all this time, even -until to-day, I have never heard of the man for whom you inquire. -Nevertheless, I will be the guide of Arthur's embassy until you come to -the place where is the oldest animal in this world, and the one that -has travelled most,—the Eagle of Gwern Abwy."</p> - -<p>Gwrhyr said, "Eagle of Gwern Abwy, we have come to thee, an embassy -from Arthur, to ask thee if thou knowest aught of Mabon, the son of -Modron, who was taken from his mother when he was three nights old."</p> - -<p>The Eagle said, "I have been here for a great space of time, and when I -first came hither there was a rock here, from the top of which I pecked -at the stars every evening; and now it is not so much as a span high. -From that day to this I have been here, and I have never heard of the -man for whom you inquire, except once, when I went in search of food -as far as Llyn Llyw. And when I came there, I struck my talons into a -salmon, thinking he would serve me as food for a long time. But he drew -me into the deep, and I was scarcely able to escape from him. After -that, I went with my whole kindred to attack him, and to try to destroy -him; but he sent messengers, and made peace with me, and came and -besought me to take fifty fish spears out of his back. Unless he know -something of him whom you seek, I cannot tell who may. However, I will -guide you to the place where he is."</p> - -<p>So they went thither; and the Eagle said, "Salmon of Llyn Llyw, I have -come to thee with an embassy from Arthur, to ask thee if thou knowest -aught concerning Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken away at three -nights old from his mother."</p> - -<p>"As much as I know I will tell thee. With every tide I go along the -river upwards until I come near to the walls of Gloucester, and there -have I found such wrong as I never found elsewhere. And to the end that -ye may give credence thereto let one of you go thither upon each of my -two shoulders."</p> - -<p>So Kai and Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd went upon the two shoulders of -the salmon, and they proceeded until they came unto the wall of the -prison, and they heard a great wailing and lamenting from the dungeon. -Said Gwrhyr, "Who is it that laments in this house of stone?"</p> - -<p>"Alas! there is reason enough for whoever is here to lament. It is -Mabon, the son of Modron, who is here imprisoned; and no imprisonment -was ever so grievous as mine,—neither that of Lludd Llaw Ereint, nor -that of Greid, the son of Eri."</p> - -<p>"Hast thou hope of being released for gold, or for silver, or for any -gifts of wealth, or through battle and fighting?"</p> - -<p>"By fighting will whatever I may gain be obtained."</p> - -<p>Then they went thence, and returned to Arthur, and they told him where -Mabon, the son of Modron, was imprisoned. And Arthur summoned the -warriors of the island, and they journeyed as far as Gloucester, to -the place where Mabon was in prison. Kai and Bedwyr went upon the -shoulders of the fish, whilst the warriors of Arthur attacked the -castle. And Kai broke through the wall into the dungeon, and brought -away the prisoner upon his back whilst the fight was going on between -the warriors. And Arthur returned home, and Mabon with him at liberty.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Said Arthur, "Which of the marvels will it be best for us now to seek -first?"</p> - -<p>"It will be best to seek for the two cubs of Gast Rhymhi."</p> - -<p>"Is it known," asked Arthur, "where she is?"</p> - -<p>"She is in Aber Deu Cleddyf," said one.</p> - -<p>Then Arthur went to the house of Tringad in Aber Cleddyf, and he -inquired of him whether he had heard of her there.</p> - -<p>"In what form may she be?"</p> - -<p>"She is in the form of a she-wolf," said he; "and with her there are -two cubs."</p> - -<p>"She has often slain my herds, and she is there below in a cave in Aber -Cleddyf."</p> - -<p>So Arthur went in his ship Prydwen, by sea, and the others went by -land, to hunt her. And they surrounded her and her two cubs, and God -did change them again for Arthur into their own form. And the host of -Arthur dispersed themselves into parties of one and two.</p> - -<p>On a certain day, as Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl, was walking over a -mountain, he heard a wailing and a grievous cry. And when he heard it -he sprang forward, and went towards it. And when he came there he drew -his sword, and smote off an ant-hill close to the earth, whereby it -escaped being burned in the fire. And the ants said to him, "Receive -from us the blessing of Heaven, and that which no man can give we will -give thee."</p> - -<p>Then they fetched the nine bushels of flaxseed which Yspaddaden Penkawr -had required of Kilhwch, and they brought the full measure without -lacking any, except one flaxseed, and that the lame pismire brought in -before night.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As Kai and Bedwyr sat on a beacon cairn on the summit of Plinlimmon, in -the highest wind that ever was in the world, they looked around them, -and saw a great smoke towards the south afar off which did not bend -with the wind. Then said Kai, "By the hand of my friend, behold, yonder -is the fire of a robber!"</p> - -<p>Then they hastened towards the smoke, and they came so near to it that -they could see Dillus Varvawc scorching a wild boar.</p> - -<p>"Behold, yonder is the greatest robber that ever fled from Arthur," -said Bedwyr unto Kai. "Dost thou know him?"</p> - -<p>"I do know him," answered Kai. "He is Dillus Varvawc; and no leash in -the world will be able to hold Drudwyn, the cub of Greid, the son -of Eri, save a leash made from the beard of him thou seest yonder. -And even that will be useless, unless his beard be plucked alive with -wooden tweezers; for if dead it will be brittle."</p> - -<p>"What thinkest thou that we should do concerning this?" said Bedwyr.</p> - -<p>"Let us suffer him," said Kai, "to eat as much as he will of the meat, -and after that he will fall asleep."</p> - -<p>And during that time they employed themselves in making the wooden -tweezers. And when Kai knew certainly that he was asleep he made a pit -under his feet, the largest in the world, and he struck him a violent -blow, and squeezed him into the pit. And there they twitched out his -beard completely with the wooden tweezers; and after that they slew him -altogether.</p> - -<p>And from thence they both went to Gelli Wic in Cornwall, and took the -leash made of Dillus Varvawc's beard with them, and they gave it into -Arthur's hand. Then Arthur composed this Englyn:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">Kai made a leash</div> - <div class="verse">Of Dillus son of Eurei's beard.</div> - <div class="verse">Were he alive, thy death he'd be.</div> -</div></div> - -<p>And thereupon Kai was wroth, so that the warriors of the island could -scarcely make peace between Kai and Arthur. And thenceforth, neither -in Arthur's troubles, nor for the slaying of his men, would Kai come -forward to his aid forever after.</p> - -<p>Said Arthur, "Which of the marvels is it best for us now to seek?"</p> - -<p>"It is best for us to seek Drudwyn, the cub of Greid, the son of Eri."</p> - -<p>A little while before this, Creiddylad, the daughter of Lludd Llaw -Ereint, and Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl, were betrothed. And, before -she had become his bride, Gwyn ap Nudd came and carried her away by -force; and Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl, gathered his host together, -and went to fight with Gwyn ap Nudd. But Gwyn overcame him, and -captured Greid, the son of Eri, and Glinneu, the son of Taran, and -Gwrgwst Ledlwm, and Dynvarth, his son. And he captured Penn, the son of -Nethawg, and Nwython, and Kyledyr Wyllt, his son.</p> - -<p>When Arthur heard of this, he went to the North, and summoned Gwyn ap -Nudd before him, and set free the nobles whom he had put in prison, -and made peace between Gwyn ap Nudd, and Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl. -And this was the peace that was made: that the maiden should remain -in her father's house, without advantage to either of them; and that -Gwyn ap Nudd, and Gwythyr, the son of Griedawl, should fight for her -every first of May, from thenceforth until the day of doom; and that -whichever of them should then be conqueror should have the maiden.</p> - -<p>And, when Arthur had thus reconciled these chieftains, he obtained -Mygdwn, Gweddw's horse, and the leash of Cwrs Cant Ewin.</p> - -<p>And after that Arthur went into Armorica, and with him Mabon, the son -of Mellt, and Gware Gwallt Euryn, to seek the two dogs of Glythmyr -Ledewic. And when he had got them, he went to the west of Ireland in -search of Gwrgi Severi; and Odgar, the son of Aedd, King of Ireland, -went with him. And thence went Arthur into the North, and captured -Kyledyr Wyllt; and he went after Yskithyrwyn Benbaedd. And Mabon, the -son of Mellt, came with the two dogs of Glythmyr Ledewic in his hand, -and Drudwyn, the cub of Greid, the son of Eri. And Arthur went himself -to the chase, leading his own dog, Cavall. And Kaw of North Britain -mounted Arthur's mare, Llamrei, and was first in the attack. Then Kaw -of North Britain wielded a mighty axe, and absolutely daring he came -valiantly up to the boar, and clave his head in twain. And Kaw took -away the tusk. Now the boar was not slain by the dogs that Yspaddaden -had mentioned, but by Cavall, Arthur's own dog.</p> - -<p>And after Yskithyrwyn Benbaedd was killed, Arthur and his host -departed to Gelli Wic in Cornwall. And thence he sent Menw, the son of -Teirgwaedd, to see if the precious things were between the two ears of -Twrch Trwyth, since it were useless to encounter him if they were not -there. Albeit it was certain where he was, for he had laid waste the -third part of Ireland. And Menw went to seek for him, and he met with -him in Ireland, in Esgeir Oervel. And Menw took the form of a bird; and -he descended upon the top of his lair, and strove to snatch away one of -the precious things from him; but he carried away nothing but one of -his bristles. And the boar rose up angrily, and shook himself so that -some of his venom fell upon Menw, and he was never well from that day -forward.</p> - -<p>After this, Arthur sent an embassy to Odgar, the son of Aedd, King -of Ireland, to ask for the caldron of Diwrnach Wyddel, his purveyor. -And Odgar commanded him to give it. But Diwrnach said, "Heaven is my -witness, if it would avail him any thing even to look at it, he should -not do so."</p> - -<p>And the embassy of Arthur returned from Ireland with this denial. And -Arthur set forward with a small retinue, and entered into Prydwen, his -ship, and went over to Ireland. And they proceeded into the house of -Diwrnach Wyddel. And the hosts of Odgar saw their strength. When they -had eaten and drunk as much as they desired, Arthur demanded to have -the caldron. And he answered, "If I would have given it to any one, I -would have given it at the word of Odgar, King of Ireland."</p> - -<p>When he had given them this denial, Bedwyr arose, and seized hold of -the caldron, and placed it upon the back of Hygwyd, Arthur's servant, -who was brother, by the mother's side, to Arthur's servant, Cachamwri. -His office was always to carry Arthur's caldron, and to place fire -under it. And Llenlleawg Wyddel seized Caledvwlch, and brandished it. -And they slew Diwrnach Wyddel and his company. Then came the Irish, and -fought with them. And when he had put them to flight Arthur with his -men went forward to the ship, carrying away the caldron full of Irish -money. And he disembarked at the house of Llwydden, the son of Kelcoed, -at Porth Kerddin in Dyved. And there is the measure of the caldron.</p> - -<p>Then Arthur summoned unto him all the warriors that were in the three -islands of Britain and in the three islands adjacent, and all that were -in France and in Armorica, in Normandy, and in the Summer Country, and -all that were chosen footmen and valiant horsemen. And with all these -he went into Ireland. And in Ireland there was great fear and terror -concerning him. And when Arthur had landed in the country, there came -unto him the saints of Ireland, and besought his protection. And he -granted his protection unto them, and they gave him their blessing. -Then the men of Ireland came unto Arthur, and brought him provisions. -And Arthur went as far as Esgeir Oervel, in Ireland, to the place where -the Boar Trwyth was with his seven young pigs. And the dogs were let -loose upon him from all sides. That day until evening the Irish fought -with him: nevertheless, he laid waste the fifth part of Ireland. And on -the day following, the household of Arthur fought with him, and they -were worsted by him, and got no advantage. And the third day Arthur -himself encountered him, and he fought with him nine nights and nine -days, without so much as killing even one little pig. The warriors -inquired of Arthur what was the origin of that swine; and he told them -that he was once a king, and that God had transformed him into a swine -for his sins.</p> - -<p>Then Arthur sent Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd to endeavor to speak with -him. And Gwrhyr assumed the form of a bird, and alighted upon the -top of the lair, where he was with the seven young pigs. And Gwrhyr -Gwalstawt Ieithoedd asked him, "By him who turned you into this form, -if you can speak, let some one of you, I beseech you, come and talk -with Arthur."</p> - -<p>Grugyn Gwrych Ereint made answer to him. (Now his bristles were like -silver wire; and whether he went through the wood or through the plain, -he was to be traced by the glittering of his bristles.) And this was -the answer that Grugyn made, "By him who turned us into this form, we -will not do so, and we will not speak with Arthur. That we have been -transformed thus is enough for us to suffer, without your coming here -to fight with us."</p> - -<p>"I will tell you. Arthur comes but to fight for the comb, and the -razor, and the scissors, which are between the two ears of Twrch -Trwyth."</p> - -<p>Said Grugyn, "Except he first take his life, he will never have those -precious things. And to-morrow morning we will rise up hence, and we -will go into Arthur's country, and there will we do all the mischief -that we can."</p> - -<p>So they set forth through the sea towards Wales. And Arthur and his -hosts, and his horses and his dogs, entered Prydwen, that they might -encounter them without delay. Twrch Trwyth landed in Porth Cleis in -Dyved, and Arthur came to Mynyw. The next day it was told to Arthur -that they had gone by, and he overtook them as they were killing the -cattle of Kynnwas Kwrr y Vagyl, having slain all that were at Aber -Cleddyf, of man and beast, before the coming of Arthur.</p> - -<p>Now when Arthur approached, Twrch Trwyth went on as far as Preseleu, -and Arthur and his hosts followed him thither, and Arthur sent men to -hunt him,—Eli and Trachmyr leading Drutwyn, the whelp of Greid, the -son of Eri; and Gwarthegyd, the son of Kaw, in another quarter, with -the two dogs of Glythmyr Ledewig; and Bedwyr leading Cavall, Arthur's -own dog. And all the warriors ranged themselves around the Nyver. And -there came there the three sons of Cleddyf Divwlch, men who had gained -much fame at the slaying of Yskithyrwyn Penbaedd; and they went on from -Glyn Nyver, and came to Cwm Kerwyn.</p> - -<p>And there Twrch Trwyth made a stand, and slew four of Arthur's -champions,—Gwarthegyd the son of Kaw, and Tarawc of Allt Clwydd, and -Rheidwn the son of Eli Atver, and Iscovan Hael. And after he had slain -these men he made a second stand in the same place. And there he slew -Gwydre the son of Arthur, and Garselit Wyddel, and Glew the son of -Ysgawd, and Iscawyn the son of Panon; and there he himself was wounded.</p> - -<p>And the next morning, before it was day, some of the men came up with -him. And he slew Huandaw and Gogigwr and Penpingon, three attendants -upon Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr, so that Heaven knows he had not an attendant -remaining, excepting only Llaesgevyn, a man from whom no one ever -derived any good. And together with these he slew many of the men of -that country, and Gwlydyn Saer, Arthur's chief architect.</p> - -<p>Then Arthur overtook him at Pelumyawc; and there he slew Madawc the -son of Teithyon, and Gwyn the son of Tringad, the son of Neved, and -Eiryawn Penllorau. Thence he went to Aberteivi, where he made another -stand, and where he slew Kyflas the son of Kynan, and Gwilenhin, King -of France. Then he went as far as Glyn Ystu, and there the men and the -dogs lost him.</p> - -<p>Then Arthur summoned unto him Gwyn ab Nudd, and he asked him if he knew -aught of Twrch Trwyth. And he said that he did not.</p> - -<p>And all the huntsmen went to hunt the swine as far as Dyffryn Llychwr. -And Grugyn Gwallt Ereint and Llwydawg Govynnyad closed with them, and -killed all the huntsmen; so that there escaped but one man only. And -Arthur and his hosts came to the place where Grugyn and Llwydawg were. -And there he let loose the whole of the dogs upon them; and with the -shout and barking that was set up Twrch Trwyth came to their assistance.</p> - -<p>And from the time that they came across the Irish Sea Arthur had -never got sight of him until then. So he set men and dogs upon him, -and thereupon he started off, and went to Mynydd Amanw. And there one -of his young pigs was killed. Then they set upon him life for life, -and Twrch Llawin was slain; and then there was slain another of the -swine, Gwys was his name. After that, he went on to Dyffryn Amanw, and -there Banw and Bennwig were killed. Of all his pigs, there went with -him alive from that place none save Grugyn Gwallt Ereint and Liwvdawg -Govynnyad.</p> - -<p>Thence he went on to Llwch Ewin; and Arthur overtook him there, and he -made a stand. And there he slew Echel Forddwytwll, and Garwyli the son -of Gwyddawg Gwyr, and many men and dogs likewise. And thence they went -to Llwch Tawy. Grugyn Gwrych Ereint parted from them there, and went to -Din Tywi. And thence he proceeded to Ceredigiawn, and Eli and Trachmyr -with him, and a multitude likewise. Then he came to Garth Gregyn, and -there Llwydawg Govynnyad fought in the midst of them, and slew Rhudvyw -Rhys and many others with him. Then Llwydawg went thence to Ystrad Yw; -and there the men of Armorica met him, and there he slew Hirpeissawg, -the King of Armorica, and Llygatrudd Emys, and Gwrbothu, Arthur's -uncles, his mother's brothers; and there was he himself slain.</p> - -<p>Twrch Trwyth went from there to between Tawy and Euyas. And Arthur -summoned all Cornwall and Devon unto him, to the estuary of the Severn; -and he said to the warriors of this island, "Twrch Trwyth has slain -many of my men, but by the valor of warriors while I live he shall not -go into Cornwall. And I will not follow him any longer, but I will -oppose him life to life. Do ye as ye will."</p> - -<p>And he resolved that he would send a body of knights, with the dogs of -the island, as far as Euyas, who should return thence to the Severn, -and that tried warriors should traverse the island, and force him -into Severn. And Mabon, the son of Modron, came up with him at the -Severn, upon Gwynn Mygddon, the horse of Gweddw, and Goreu the son of -Custennin, and Menw the son of Teirgwaedd. This was betwixt Llyn Lliwan -and Aber Gwy. And Arthur fell upon him together with the champions -of Britain. And Osla Kyllellvawr drew near, and Manawyddan the son -of Llyr, and Kacmwri the servant of Arthur, and Gwyngelli; and they -seized hold of him, catching him first by his feet, and plunged him -in the Severn, so that it overwhelmed him. On the one side Mabon the -son of Modron spurred his steed, and snatched his razor from him; and -Kyledyr Wyllt came up with him on the other side, upon another steed, -in the Severn, and took from him the scissors. But before they could -obtain the comb, he had regained the ground with his feet, and from -the moment that he reached the shore, neither dog, nor man, nor horse -could overtake him until he came to Cornwall. If they had had trouble -in getting the jewels from him, much more had they in seeking to save -the two men from being drowned. Kacmwri, as they drew him forth, was -dragged by two millstones into the deep. And as Osla Kyllellvawr was -running after the boar, his knife had dropped out of the sheath, and he -had lost it; and after that, the sheath became full of water, and its -weight drew him down into the deep as they were drawing him forth.</p> - -<p>Then Arthur and his hosts proceeded, until they overtook the boar in -Cornwall; and the trouble which they had met with before was mere play -to what they encountered in seeking the comb. But from one difficulty -to another, the comb was at length obtained. And then he was hunted -from Cornwall, and driven straight forward into the deep sea. And -thenceforth it was never known whither he went, and Aned and Aethlem -with him. Then went Arthur to Gelliwic in Cornwall, to anoint himself, -and to rest from his fatigues.</p> - -<p>Said Arthur, "Is there any one of the marvels yet unobtained?"</p> - -<p>Said one of his men, "There is,—the blood of the witch Orddu, the -daughter of the witch Owen of Penn Nant Govid, on the confines of Hell."</p> - -<p>Arthur set forth towards the North, and came to the place where was -the witch's cave. And Gwyn ab Nudd, and Gwythyr the son of Greidawl, -counselled him to send Kacmwri and Hygwyd his brother to fight with -the witch. And as they entered the cave, the witch seized upon them, -and she caught Hygwyd by the hair of his head, and threw him on the -floor beneath her. And Kacmwri caught her by the hair of her head, and -dragged her to the earth from off Hygwyd; but she turned again upon -them both, and drove them both out with kicks and with cuffs.</p> - -<p>And Arthur was wroth at seeing his two attendants almost slain, and he -sought to enter the cave; but Gwyn and Gwythyr said unto him, "It would -not be fitting or seemly for us to see thee squabbling with a hag. Let -Hiramreu and Hireidil go to the cave."</p> - -<p>So they went. But if great was the trouble of the first two that went, -much greater was that of these two. And Heaven knows that not one of -the four could move from the spot, until they placed them all upon -Llamrei, Arthur's mare. And then Arthur rushed to the door of the cave; -and at the door he struck at the witch with Carnwennan, his dagger, and -clove her in twain, so that she fell in two parts. And Kaw of North -Britain took the blood of the witch, and kept it.</p> - -<p>Then Kilhwch set forward, and Goreu, the son of Custennin, with him, -and as many as wished ill to Yspaddaden Penkawr. And they took the -marvels with them to his court. And Kaw of North Britain came and -shaved his beard, skin, and flesh clean off to the very bone from ear -to ear.</p> - -<p>"Art thou shaved, man?" said Kilhwch.</p> - -<p>"I am shaved," answered he.</p> - -<p>"Is thy daughter mine now?"</p> - -<p>"She is thine," said he; "but therefor needest thou not thank me, -but Arthur who hath accomplished this for thee. By my free will thou -should'st never have had her; for with her I lose my life."</p> - -<p>Then Goreu, the son of Custennin, seized him by the hair of his head, -and dragged him after him to the keep, and cut off his head, and placed -it on a stake on the citadel. Then they took possession of his castle -and of his treasures.</p> - -<p>And Olwen became Kilhwch's bride, and she continued to be his wife as -long as she lived. And the hosts of Arthur dispersed themselves, each -man to his own country. And thus did Kilhwch obtain Olwen, the daughter -of Yspaddaden Penkawr.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="PEREDUR15_THE_SON_OF_EVRAWC" id="PEREDUR15_THE_SON_OF_EVRAWC">PEREDUR</a><a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> THE SON OF EVRAWC.</h2> - - -<p>Earl Evrawc owned the earldom of the North. And he had seven sons. And -Evrawc maintained himself not so much by his own possessions as by -attending tournaments and wars and combats. And, as it often befalls -those who join in encounters and wars, he was slain, and six of his -sons likewise. Now the name of his seventh son was Peredur, and he -was the youngest of them. And he was not of an age to go to wars and -encounters, otherwise he might have been slain as well as his father -and brothers. His mother was a scheming and thoughtful woman, and she -was very anxious concerning this her only son and his possessions. So -she took counsel with herself to leave the inhabited country, and to -flee to the deserts and unfrequented wildernesses. And she permitted -none to bear her company thither but women and boys and spiritless men, -who were both unaccustomed and unequal to war and fighting. And none -dared to bring either horses or arms where her son was, lest he should -set his mind upon them. And the youth went daily to divert himself in -the forest by flinging sticks and staves.</p> - -<p>And one day they saw three knights coming along the horse-road on the -borders of the forest. And the three knights were Gwalchmai the son -of Gwyar, and Geneir Gwystyl, and Owain the son of Urien. And Owain -kept on the track of the knight who had divided the apples in Arthur's -court, whom they were in pursuit of.</p> - -<p>"Mother," said Peredur, "what are those yonder?"</p> - -<p>"They are angels, my son," said she.</p> - -<p>"By my faith," said Peredur, "I will go and become an angel with them." -And Peredur went to the road, and met them.</p> - -<p>"Tell me, good soul," said Owain, "sawest thou a knight pass this way -either to-day or yesterday?"</p> - -<p>"I know not," answered he, "what a knight is."</p> - -<p>"Such an one as I am," said Owain.</p> - -<p>"If thou wilt tell me what I ask thee, I will tell thee that which thou -askest me."</p> - -<p>"Gladly will I do so," replied Owain.</p> - -<p>"What is this?" demanded Peredur, concerning the saddle.</p> - -<p>"It is a saddle," said Owain.</p> - -<p>Then he asked about all the accoutrements which he saw upon the men, -and the horses, and the arms, and what they were for, and how they were -used.</p> - -<p>And Owain showed him all these things fully, and told him what use was -made of them.</p> - -<p>"Go forward," said Peredur, "for I saw such an one as thou inquirest -for, and I will follow thee."</p> - -<p>Then Peredur returned to his mother and her company, and he said to -her, "Mother, those were not angels, but honorable knights."</p> - -<p>Then his mother swooned away. And Peredur went to the place where they -kept the horses that carried firewood, and that brought meat and drink -from the inhabited country to the desert. And he took a bony, piebald -horse, which seemed to him the strongest of them; and he pressed a -pack into the form of a saddle, and with twisted twigs he imitated the -trappings which he had seen upon the horses. And when Peredur came -again to his mother, the countess had recovered from her swoon.</p> - -<p>"My son," said she, "desirest thou to ride forth?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, with thy leave," said he.</p> - -<p>"Wait, then, that I may counsel thee before thou goest."</p> - -<p>"Willingly," he answered. "Speak quickly."</p> - -<p>"Go forward, then," she said, "to the court of Arthur, where there are -the best and the boldest and the most bountiful of men. And wherever -thou seest a church, repeat there thy Paternoster unto it. And if thou -see meat and drink, and have need of them, and none have the kindness -or the courtesy to give them to thee, take them thyself. If thou hear -an outcry, proceed towards it, especially if it be the outcry of a -woman. If thou see a fair jewel, possess thyself of it, and give it to -another; for thus thou shalt obtain praise. If thou see a fair woman, -pay thy court to her, whether she will or no; for thus thou wilt render -thyself a better and more esteemed man than thou wast before."</p> - -<p>After this discourse, Peredur mounted the horse, and, taking a handful -of sharp-pointed forks in his hand, he rode forth. And he journeyed two -days and two nights in the woody wildernesses and in desert places, -without food and without drink. And then he came to a vast wild wood; -and far within the wood he saw a fair even glade, and in the glade he -saw a tent, and, the tent seeming to him to be a church, he repeated -his Paternoster to it. And he went towards it, and the door of the tent -was open. And a golden chair was near the door. And on the chair sat a -lovely auburn-haired maiden, with a golden frontlet on her forehead, -and sparkling stones in the frontlet, and with a large gold ring on -her hand. And Peredur dismounted, and entered the tent. And the maiden -was glad at his coming, and bade him welcome. At the entrance of the -tent he saw food, and two flasks full of wine, and two loaves of fine -wheaten flour, and collops of the flesh of the wild boar. "My mother -told me," said Peredur, "wheresoever I saw meat and drink, to take it."</p> - -<p>"Take the meat, and welcome, chieftain," said she.</p> - -<p>So Peredur took half of the meat and of the liquor himself, and left -the rest to the maiden. And, when Peredur had finished eating, he -bent upon his knee before the maiden. "My mother," said he, "told me, -wheresoever I saw a fair jewel, to take it."</p> - -<p>"Do so, my soul," said she.</p> - -<p>So Peredur took the ring. And he mounted his horse, and proceeded on -his journey.</p> - -<p>After this, behold the knight came to whom the tent belonged; and he -was the lord of the glade. And he saw the track of the horse, and he -said to the maiden, "Tell me who has been here since I departed."</p> - -<p>"A man," said she, "of wonderful demeanor." And she described to him -what Peredur's appearance and conduct had been.</p> - -<p>"Tell me," said he, "did he offer thee any wrong."</p> - -<p>"No," answered the maiden, "by my faith, he harmed me not."</p> - -<p>"By my faith, I do not believe thee; and, until I can meet with him and -revenge the insult he has done me and wreak my vengeance upon him, thou -shalt not remain two nights in the same house." And the knight arose, -and set forth to seek Peredur.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Peredur journeyed on towards Arthur's court. And before he -reached it, another knight had been there, who gave a ring of thick -gold at the door of the gate for holding his horse, and went into the -hall where Arthur and his household, and Gwenhwyvar and her maidens, -were assembled. And the page of the chamber was serving Gwenhwyvar with -a golden goblet. Then the knight dashed the liquor that was therein -upon her face, and upon her stomacher, and gave her a violent blow on -the face, and said, "If any have the boldness to dispute this goblet -with me, and to revenge the insult to Gwenhwyvar, let him follow me to -the meadow, and there I will await him."</p> - -<p>So the knight took his horse, and rode to the meadow. And all the -household hung down their heads, lest any of them should be requested -to go and avenge the insult to Gwenhwyvar. For it seemed to them that -no one would have ventured on so daring an outrage, unless he possessed -such powers, through magic or charms, that none could be able to take -vengeance upon him. Then, behold, Peredur entered the hall upon the -bony piebald horse with the uncouth trappings upon it, and in this way -he traversed the whole length of the hall. In the centre of the hall -stood Kai.</p> - -<p>"Tell me, tall man," said Peredur, "is that Arthur, yonder?"</p> - -<p>"What wouldest thou with Arthur?" asked Kai.</p> - -<p>"My mother told me to go to Arthur, and receive the honor of -knighthood."</p> - -<p>"By my faith," said he, "thou art all too meanly equipped with horse -and with arms."</p> - -<p>Thereupon he was perceived by all the household, and they threw sticks -at him. Then, behold, a dwarf came forward. He had already been a -year at Arthur's court, both he and a female dwarf. They had craved -harborage of Arthur, and had obtained it; and during the whole year -neither of them had spoken a single word to any one. When the dwarf -beheld Peredur, "Haha!" said he, "the welcome of Heaven be unto thee, -goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc, the chief of warriors, and flower of -knighthood."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Kai, "thou art ill taught to remain a year mute at -Arthur's court, with choice of society, and now before the face of -Arthur and all his household, to call out, and declare such a man as -this the chief of warriors and the flower of knighthood." And he gave -him such a box on the ear that he fell senseless to the ground.</p> - -<p>Then exclaimed the female dwarf, "Haha, goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc! -The welcome of Heaven be unto thee, flower of knights, and light of -chivalry."</p> - -<p>"Of a truth, maiden," said Kai, "thou art ill bred to remain mute for a -year at the court of Arthur, and then to speak as thou dost of such a -man as this." And Kai kicked her with his foot, so that she fell to the -ground senseless.</p> - -<p>"Tall man," said Peredur, "show me which is Arthur."</p> - -<p>"Hold thy peace!" said Kai, "and go after the knight who went hence -to the meadow, and take from him the goblet, and overthrow him, and -possess thyself of his horse and arms, and then thou shalt receive the -order of knighthood."</p> - -<p>"I will do so, tall man," said Peredur. So he turned his horse's head -towards the meadow. And when he came there, the knight was riding up -and down, proud of his strength and valor and noble mien.</p> - -<p>"Tell me," said the knight, "didst thou see any one coming after me -from the court?"</p> - -<p>"The tall man that was there," said he, "desired me to come and -overthrow thee, and to take from thee the goblet and thy horse and thy -armor for myself."</p> - -<p>"Silence!" said the knight. "Go back to the court, and tell Arthur, -from me, either to come himself, or to send some other to fight with -me; and, unless he do so quickly, I will not wait for him."</p> - -<p>"By my faith," said Peredur! "choose thou whether it shall be willingly -or unwillingly; but I will have the horse and the arms and the goblet."</p> - -<p>And upon this the knight ran at him furiously, and struck him a violent -blow with the shaft of his spear between the neck and the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Haha, lad!" said Peredur. "My mother's servants were not used to play -with me in this wise: therefore, thus will I play with thee." And -thereupon he struck him with a sharp-pointed fork, and it hit him in -the eye and came out at the back of his neck, so that he instantly fell -down lifeless.</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Owain the son of Urien to Kai, "thou wert ill advised -when thou didst send that madman after the knight; for one of two -things must befall him. He must either be overthrown, or slain. If -he is overthrown by the knight, he will be counted by him to be an -honorable person of the court; and an eternal disgrace will it be to -Arthur and his warriors. And if he is slain, the disgrace will be the -same, and, moreover, his sin will be upon him: therefore will I go to -see what has befallen him." So Owain went to the meadow, and he found -Peredur dragging the man about. "What art thou doing thus?" said Owain.</p> - -<p>"This iron coat," said Peredur, "will never come from off him; not by -my efforts, at any rate."</p> - -<p>And Owain unfastened his armor and his clothes. "Here, my good soul," -said he, "is a horse and armor better than thine. Take them joyfully, -and come with me to Arthur to receive the order of knighthood; for thou -dost merit it."</p> - -<p>"May I never show my face again, if I go!" said Peredur. "But take thou -the goblet to Gwenhwyvar, and tell Arthur that wherever I am I will be -his vassal and will do him what profit and service I am able. And say -that I will not come to his court until I have encountered the tall man -that is there, to revenge the injury he did to the dwarf and dwarfess."</p> - -<p>And Owain went back to the court, and related all these things to -Arthur and Gwenhwyvar, and to all the household.</p> - -<p>And Peredur rode forward. And as he proceeded, behold a knight met him.</p> - -<p>"Whence comest thou?" said the knight.</p> - -<p>"I come from Arthur's court," said Peredur.</p> - -<p>"Art thou one of his men?" asked he.</p> - -<p>"Yes, by my faith!" he answered.</p> - -<p>"A good service, truly, is that of Arthur."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore sayest thou so?" said Peredur.</p> - -<p>"I will tell thee," said he. "I have always been Arthur's enemy, and -all such of his men as I have ever encountered I have slain."</p> - -<p>And without further parlance they fought, and it was not long before -Peredur brought him to the ground over his horse's crupper. Then the -knight besought his mercy.</p> - -<p>"Mercy thou shalt have," said Peredur, "if thou wilt make oath to me -that thou wilt go to Arthur's court, and tell him that it was I that -overthrew thee for the honor of his service, and say that I will never -come to the court until I have avenged the insult offered to the dwarf -and dwarfess."</p> - -<p>The knight pledged him his faith of this, and proceeded to the court of -Arthur, and said as he had promised, and conveyed the threat to Kai.</p> - -<p>And Peredur rode forward. And within that week he encountered sixteen -knights, and overthrew them all shamefully. And they all went to -Arthur's court, taking with them the same message which the first -knight had conveyed from Peredur, and the same threat which he had sent -to Kai. And thereupon Kai was reproved by Arthur; and Kai was greatly -grieved thereat.</p> - -<p>And Peredur rode forward. And he came to a vast and desert wood on the -confines of which was a lake. And on the other side was a fair castle. -And on the border of the lake he saw a venerable, hoary-headed man, -sitting upon a velvet cushion, and having a garment of velvet upon him. -And his attendants were fishing in the lake. When the hoary-headed -man beheld Peredur approaching, he arose, and went towards the castle. -And the old man was lame. Peredur rode to the palace; and the door -was open, and he entered the hall. And there was the hoary-headed man -sitting on a cushion, and a large blazing fire burning before him. And -the household and the company arose to meet Peredur, and disarrayed -him. And the man asked the youth to sit on the cushion; and they sat -down and conversed together. When it was time, the tables were laid, -and they went to meat. And when they had finished their meal, the man -inquired of Peredur if he knew well how to fight with the sword.</p> - -<p>"I know not," said Peredur; "but were I to be taught, doubtless I -should."</p> - -<p>"Whoever can play well with the cudgel and shield will also be able to -fight with a sword."</p> - -<p>And the man had two sons: the one had yellow hair, and the other auburn.</p> - -<p>"Arise, youths," said he, "and play with the cudgel and the shield." -And so did they. "Tell me, my soul," said the man, "which of the youths -thinkest thou plays best."</p> - -<p>"I think," said Peredur, "that the yellow-haired youth could draw blood -from the other, if he chose."</p> - -<p>"Arise thou, my life, and take the cudgel and the shield from the -hand of the youth with the auburn hair, and draw blood from the -yellow-haired youth if thou canst."</p> - -<p>So Peredur arose, and went to play with the yellow-haired youth; and -he lifted up his arm, and struck him such a mighty blow that his brow -fell over his eye, and the blood flowed forth.</p> - -<p>"Ah, my life," said the man, "come now, and sit down; for thou wilt -become the best fighter with the sword of any in this island. And I am -thy uncle, thy mother's brother. And with me shalt thou remain a space -in order to learn the manners and customs of different countries, and -courtesy, and gentleness, and noble bearing. Leave, then, the habits -and the discourse of thy mother, and I will be thy teacher; and I will -raise thee to the rank of knight from this time forward. And thus do -thou. If thou seest aught to cause thee wonder, ask not the meaning of -it: if no one has the courtesy to inform thee, the reproach will not -fall upon thee, but upon me that am thy teacher."</p> - -<p>And they had abundance of honor and service. And when it was time they -went to sleep. At the break of day Peredur arose and took his horse, -and with his uncle's permission he rode forth. And he came to a vast -desert wood, and at the further end of the wood was a meadow, and on -the other side of the meadow he saw a large castle. And thitherward -Peredur bent his way, and he found the gate open, and he proceeded -to the hall. And he beheld a stately hoary-headed man sitting on one -side of the hall, and many pages around him, who arose to receive and -to honor Peredur. And they placed him by the side of the owner of the -palace. Then they discoursed together; and when it was time to eat, -they caused Peredur to sit beside the nobleman during the repast. And -when they had eaten and drunk as much as they desired, the nobleman -asked Peredur whether he could fight with a sword.</p> - -<p>"Were I to receive instruction," said Peredur, "I think I could."</p> - -<p>Now, there was on the floor of the hall a huge staple, as large as a -warrior could grasp.</p> - -<p>"Take yonder sword," said the man to Peredur, "and strike the iron -staple."</p> - -<p>[Then] Peredur arose, and struck the staple so that he cut it in two; -and the sword broke into two parts also.</p> - -<p>"Place the two parts together, and re-unite them."</p> - -<p>And Peredur placed them together, and they became entire as they were -before. And a second time he struck upon the staple so that both it and -the sword broke in two, and as before they re-united. And the third -time he gave a like blow, and placed the broken parts together, and -neither the staple nor the sword would unite as before.</p> - -<p>"Youth," said the nobleman, "come now, and sit down, and my blessing be -upon thee. Thou fightest best with the sword of any man in the kingdom. -Thou hast arrived at two-thirds of thy strength, and the other third -thou hast not yet obtained; and when thou attainest to thy full power -none will be able to contend with thee. I am thy uncle, thy mother's -brother, and I am brother to the man in whose house thou wast last -night."</p> - -<p>Then Peredur and his uncle discoursed together, and he beheld two -youths enter the hall and proceed up to the chamber, bearing a spear -of mighty size, with three streams of blood flowing from the point to -the ground. And when all the company saw this they began wailing and -lamenting. But for all that the man did not break off his discourse -with Peredur. And as he did not tell Peredur the meaning of what he -saw, he forbore to ask him concerning it. And when the clamor had a -little subsided, behold, two maidens entered, with a large salver -between them, in which was a man's head, surrounded by a profusion of -blood. And thereupon the company of the court made so great an outcry -that it was irksome to be in the same hall with them. But at length -they were silent. And, when time was that they should sleep, Peredur -was brought into a fair chamber.</p> - -<p>And the next day, with his uncle's permission, he rode forth. And he -came to a wood, and far within the wood he heard a loud cry, and he saw -a beautiful woman with auburn hair, and a horse with a saddle upon it -standing near her, and a corpse by her side. And as she strove to place -the corpse upon the horse it fell to the ground, and thereupon she made -a great lamentation.</p> - -<p>"Tell me, sister," said Peredur, "wherefore art thou bewailing?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, accursed Peredur! little pity has my ill fortune ever met with -from thee."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore," said Peredur, "am I accursed?"</p> - -<p>"Because thou wast the cause of thy mother's death; for, when thou -didst ride forth against her will, anguish seized upon her heart so -that she died; and therefore art thou accursed. And the dwarf and the -dwarfess that thou sawest at Arthur's court were the dwarfs of thy -father and mother. And I am thy foster-sister, and this was my wedded -husband, and he was slain by the knight that is in the glade in the -wood. And do not thou go near him, lest thou shouldest be slain by him -likewise."</p> - -<p>"My sister, thou dost reproach me wrongfully. Through my having so -long remained amongst you, I shall scarcely vanquish him; and, had -I continued longer, it would indeed be difficult for me to succeed. -Cease, therefore, thy lamenting, for it is of no avail. And I will bury -the body, and then I will go in quest of the knight, and see if I can -do vengeance upon him."</p> - -<p>And when he had buried the body, they went to the place where the -knight was, and found him riding proudly along the glade; and he -inquired of Peredur whence he came.</p> - -<p>"I come from Arthur's court."</p> - -<p>"And art thou one of Arthur's men?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, by my faith!"</p> - -<p>"A profitable alliance truly, is that of Arthur."</p> - -<p>And without further parlance they encountered one another; and -immediately Peredur overthrew the knight, and he besought mercy of -Peredur.</p> - -<p>"Mercy shalt thou have," said he, "upon these terms: that thou take -this woman in marriage, and do her all the honor and reverence in thy -power, seeing thou hast, without cause, slain her wedded husband; -and that thou go to Arthur's court, and show him that it was I that -overthrew thee, to do him honor and service; and that thou tell him -that I will never come to his court again until I have met with the -tall man that is there, to take vengeance upon him for his insult to -the dwarf and dwarfess."</p> - -<p>And he took the knight's assurance that he would perform all this. -Then the knight provided the lady with a horse and garments that were -suitable for her, and took her with him to Arthur's court. And he told -Arthur all that had occurred, and gave the defiance to Kai. And Arthur -and all his household reproved Kai for having driven such a youth as -Peredur from his court.</p> - -<p>Said Owain the son of Urien, "This youth will never come into the court -until Kai has gone forth from it."</p> - -<p>"By my faith!" said Arthur, "I will search all the deserts in the -island of Britain until I find Peredur, and then let him and his -adversary do their utmost to each other."</p> - -<p>Then Peredur rode forward. And he came to a desert wood, where he saw -not the track either of men or animals, and where there was nothing -but bushes and weeds. And at the upper end of the wood he saw a vast -castle, wherein were many strong towers; and when he came near the -gate he found the weeds taller than he had seen them elsewhere. And he -struck the gate with the shaft of his lance, and thereupon behold a -lean auburn-haired youth came to an opening in the battlements.</p> - -<p>"Choose thou, chieftain," said he, "whether shall I open the gate unto -thee, or shall I announce unto those that are chief, that thou art at -the gateway?"</p> - -<p>"Say that I am here," said Peredur, "and, if it is desired that I -should enter, I will go in."</p> - -<p>And the youth came back, and opened the gate for Peredur. And when he -went into the hall he beheld eighteen youths, lean and red-headed, of -the same height, and of the same aspect, and of the same dress, and of -the same age, as the one who had opened the gate for him. And they were -well skilled in courtesy and in service. And they disarrayed him. Then -they sat down to discourse. Thereupon, behold five maidens came from -the chamber into the hall. And Peredur was certain that he had never -seen another of so fair an aspect as the chief of the maidens. And she -had an old garment of satin upon her, which had once been handsome, -but was then so tattered that her skin could be seen through it. And -whiter was her skin than the bloom of crystal; and her hair and her two -eyebrows were blacker than jet; and on her cheeks were two red spots, -redder than whatever is reddest. And the maiden welcomed Peredur, and -put her arms about his neck, and made him sit down beside her. Not long -after this, he saw two nuns enter; and a flask full of wine was borne -by one, and six loaves of white bread by the other. "Lady," said they, -"Heaven is witness that there is not so much of food and liquor as -this left in yonder convent this night."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - <p><a name="illus4" id="illus4"></a></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>Peredur and the Maiden.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Then they went to meat, and Peredur observed that the maiden wished -to give more of the food and of the liquor to him than to any of the -others.</p> - -<p>"My sister," said Peredur, "I will share out the food and the liquor."</p> - -<p>"Not so, my soul," said she.</p> - -<p>"By my faith but I will!" So Peredur took the bread and he gave an -equal portion of it to each. [Then, having eaten, Peredur retired and -slept. And in the night] with the noise of the door opening, Peredur -awoke; and the maiden was [there] weeping and lamenting.</p> - -<p>"Tell me, my sister," said Peredur, "wherefore dost thou weep?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell thee, lord," said she. "My father possessed these -dominions as their chief, and this palace was his; and with it he held -the best earldom in the kingdom. Then the son of another earl sought -me of my father, and I was not willing to be given unto him; and my -father would not give me against my will, either to him or any earl -in the world. And my father had no child except myself. And after my -father's death these dominions came into my own hands, and then was I -less willing to accept him than before. So he made war upon me, and -conquered all my possessions except this one house. And through the -valor of the men whom thou hast seen, who are my foster-brothers, and -the strength of the house, it can never be taken while food and -drink remain. And now our provisions are exhausted; but, as thou hast -seen, we have been fed by the nuns, to whom the country is free. And at -length they also are without supply of food or liquor. And at no later -date than to-morrow the earl will come against this place with all his -forces; and, if I fall into his power, my fate will be no better than -to be given over to the grooms of his horses. Therefore, lord, I am -come to offer to place myself in thy hands, that thou mayest succor me, -either by taking me hence, or by defending me here, whichever may seem -best unto thee."</p> - -<p>"Go, my sister," said he, "and sleep; nor will I depart from thee until -I do that which thou requirest, or prove whether I can assist thee or -not."</p> - -<p>The maiden went again to rest; and the next morning she came to -Peredur, and saluted him. "Heaven prosper thee, my soul; and what -tidings dost thou bring?"</p> - -<p>"None other than that the earl and all his forces have alighted at the -gate, and I never beheld any place so covered with tents, and thronged -with knights challenging others to the combat."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Peredur, "let my horse be made ready."</p> - -<p>So his horse was accoutred, and he arose and sallied forth to the -meadow. And there was a knight riding proudly along the meadow, having -raised the signal for battle. And they encountered; and Peredur threw -the knight over his horse's crupper to the ground. And at the close -of the day one of the chief knights came to fight with him, and he -overthrew him also, so that he besought his mercy.</p> - -<p>"Who art thou?" said Peredur.</p> - -<p>"Verily," said he, "I am master of the household to the earl."</p> - -<p>"And how much of the countess's possessions is there in thy power?"</p> - -<p>"The third part verily," answered he.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Peredur, "restore to her the third of her possessions in -full, and all the profit thou hast made by them, and bring meat and -drink for a hundred men, with their horses and arms, to her court this -night. And thou shalt remain her captive unless she wish to take thy -life."</p> - -<p>And this he did forthwith. And that night the maiden was right joyful, -and they fared plenteously.</p> - -<p>And the next day Peredur rode forth to the meadow; and that day he -vanquished a multitude of the host. And at the close of the day there -came a proud and stately knight; and Peredur overthrew him, and he -besought his mercy.</p> - -<p>"Who art thou?" said Peredur.</p> - -<p>"I am steward of the palace," said he.</p> - -<p>"And how much of the maiden's possessions are under thy control?"</p> - -<p>"One-third part," answered he.</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Peredur, "thou shalt fully restore to the maiden her -possessions; and, moreover, thou shalt give her meat and drink for two -hundred men, and their horses and their arms. And, for thyself, thou -shalt be her captive."</p> - -<p>And immediately it was so done.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And the third day Peredur rode forth to the meadow; and he vanquished -more that day than on either of the preceding. And at the close of -the day an earl came to encounter him, and he overthrew him, and he -besought his mercy.</p> - -<p>"Who art thou?" said Peredur.</p> - -<p>"I am the earl," said he. "I will not conceal it from thee."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Peredur, "thou shalt restore the whole of the maiden's -earldom, and shalt give her thine own earldom in addition thereto, and -meat and drink for three hundred men, and their horses and arms, and -thou thyself shalt remain in her power."</p> - -<p>And thus it was fulfilled. And Peredur tarried three weeks in the -country, causing tribute and obedience to be paid to the maiden, and -the government to be placed in her hands.</p> - -<p>"With thy leave," said Peredur, "I will go hence."</p> - -<p>"Verily, my brother, desirest thou this?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, by my faith. And had it not been for love of thee, I should not -have been here thus long."</p> - -<p>"My soul," said she, "who art thou?"</p> - -<p>"I am Peredur the son of Evrawc, from the North; and, if ever thou art -in trouble or in danger, acquaint me therewith, and if I can I will -protect thee."</p> - -<p>So Peredur rode forth. And far thence there met him a lady, mounted on -a horse that was lean and covered with sweat. And she saluted the youth.</p> - -<p>"Whence comest thou, my sister?"</p> - -<p>Then she told him the cause of her journey. Now she was the wife of the -lord of the glade.</p> - -<p>"Behold," said he, "I am the knight through whom thou art in trouble, -and he shall repent it who has treated thee thus."</p> - -<p>Thereupon, behold, a knight rode up, and he inquired of Peredur if he -had seen a knight such as he was seeking.</p> - -<p>"Hold thy peace," said Peredur. "I am he whom thou seekest. And by my -faith thou deservest ill of thy household for thy treatment of the -maiden, for she is innocent concerning me."</p> - -<p>So they encountered; and they were not long in combat ere Peredur -overthrew the knight, and he besought his mercy.</p> - -<p>"Mercy thou shalt have," said Peredur, "so thou wilt return by the way -thou camest, and declare that thou holdest the maiden innocent, and so -that thou wilt acknowledge unto her the reverse thou hast sustained at -my hands."</p> - -<p>And the knight plighted him his faith thereto.</p> - -<p>Then Peredur rode forward. And above him he beheld a castle, and -thitherward he went. And he struck upon the gate with his lance, and -then, behold, a comely auburn-haired youth opened the gate, and he had -the stature of a warrior, and the years of a boy. And when Peredur -came into the hall, there was a tall and stately lady sitting in a -chair, and many handmaidens around her; and the lady rejoiced at his -coming. And when it was time they went to meat. And after their repast -was finished, "It were well for thee, chieftain," said she, "to go -elsewhere to sleep."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore can I not sleep here?" said Peredur.</p> - -<p>"Nine sorceresses are here, my soul, of the sorceresses of Gloucester, -and their father and their mother are with them; and unless we can make -our escape before daybreak we shall be slain; and already they have -conquered and laid waste all the country except this one dwelling."</p> - -<p>"Behold," said Peredur, "I will remain here to-night, and if you are -in trouble I will do you what service I can; but harm shall you not -receive from me."</p> - -<p>So they went to rest. And with the break of day Peredur heard a -dreadful outcry. And he hastily arose, and went forth in his vest and -his doublet, with his sword about his neck; and he saw a sorceress -overtake one of the watch, who cried out violently. Peredur attacked -the sorceress, and struck her upon the head with his sword so that he -flattened her helmet and her headpiece like a dish upon her head.</p> - -<p>"Thy mercy, goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc, and the mercy of Heaven!"</p> - -<p>"How knowest thou, hag, that I am Peredur?"</p> - -<p>"By destiny, and the foreknowledge that I should suffer harm from -thee. And thou shalt take a horse and armor of me, and with me thou -shalt go to learn chivalry and the use of thy arms."</p> - -<p>Said Peredur, "Thou shalt have mercy, if thou pledge thy faith thou -wilt never more injure the dominions of the countess."</p> - -<p>And Peredur took surety of this, and with permission of the countess -he set forth with the sorceress to the palace of the sorceresses. And -there he remained for three weeks, and then he made choice of a horse -and arms, and went his way.</p> - -<p>And in the evening he entered a valley, and at the head of the valley -he came to a hermit's cell, and the hermit welcomed him gladly; and -there he spent the night. And in the morning he arose; and when he went -forth, behold, a shower of snow had fallen the night before, and a hawk -had killed a wild fowl in front of the cell. And the noise of the horse -scared the hawk away, and a raven alighted upon the bird. And Peredur -stood, and compared the blackness of the raven and the whiteness of the -snow and the redness of the blood, to the hair of the lady that best he -loved which was blacker than jet, and to her skin which was whiter than -the snow, and to the two red spots upon her cheeks which were redder -than the blood upon the snow appeared to be.</p> - -<p>Now Arthur and his household were in search of Peredur. "Know ye," said -Arthur, "who is the knight with the long spear, that stands by the -brook up yonder?"</p> - -<p>"Lord," said one of them, "I will go and learn who he is." So the youth -came to the place where Peredur was, and asked him what he did thus, -and who he was. And from the intensity with which he thought upon the -lady whom best he loved, he gave him no answer. Then the youth thrust -at Peredur with his lance; and Peredur turned upon him, and struck him -over his horse's crupper to the ground. And after this, four and twenty -youths came to him, and he did not answer one more than another, but -gave the same reception to all, bringing them with one single thrust to -the ground. And then came Kai, and spoke to Peredur rudely and angrily. -And Peredur took him with his lance under the jaw, and cast him from -him with a thrust, so that he broke his arm and his shoulder-blade, -and he rode over him one and twenty times. And while he lay thus, -stunned with the violence of the pain that he had suffered, his horse -returned back at a wild and prancing pace. And when the household saw -the horse come back without his rider, they rode forth in haste to the -place where the encounter had been. And when they first came there they -thought that Kai was slain; but they found that if he had a skilful -physician he yet might live. And Peredur moved not from his meditation, -on seeing the concourse that was around Kai. And Kai was brought to -Arthur's tent, and Arthur caused skilful physicians to come to him. And -Arthur was grieved that Kai had met with this reverse, for he loved him -greatly.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Gwalchmai, "it is not fitting that any should disturb -an honorable knight from his thought unadvisedly; for either he is -pondering some damage that he has sustained, or he is thinking of -the lady whom best he loves. And through such ill-advised proceeding -perchance this misadventure has befallen him who last met with him. And -if it seem well to thee, lord, I will go and see if this knight has -changed from his thought; and, if he has, I will ask him courteously to -come and visit thee."</p> - -<p>Then Kai was wrath, and he spoke angry and spiteful words. "Gwalchmai," -said he, "I know that thou wilt bring him because he is fatigued. -Little praise and honor, nevertheless, wilt thou have from vanquishing -a weary knight who is tired with fighting. Yet thus hast thou gained -the advantage over many. And, while thy speech and thy soft words last, -a coat of thin linen were armor sufficient for thee, and thou wilt not -need to break either lance or sword in fighting with the knight in the -state he is in."</p> - -<p>Then said Gwalchmai to Kai, "Thou mightest use more pleasant words, -wert thou so minded; and it behooves thee not upon me to wreak thy -wrath and thy displeasure. Methinks I shall bring the knight hither -with me without breaking either my arm or my shoulder."</p> - -<p>Then said Arthur to Gwalchmai, "Thou speakest like a wise and prudent -man. Go, and take enough of armor about thee, and choose thy horse."</p> - -<p>And Gwalchmai accoutred himself, and rode forward hastily to the place -where Peredur was.</p> - -<p>And Peredur was resting on the shaft of his spear, pondering the same -thought; and Gwalchmai came to him without any signs of hostility, and -said to him, "If I thought that it would be as agreeable to thee as it -would be to me, I would converse with thee. I have also a message from -Arthur unto thee, to pray thee to come and visit him. And two men have -been before on this errand."</p> - -<p>"That is true," said Peredur, "and uncourteously they came. They -attacked me, and I was annoyed thereat; for it was not pleasing to -me to be drawn from the thought that I was in, for I was thinking of -the lady whom best I love, and thus was she brought to my mind: I -was looking upon the snow, and upon the raven, and upon the drops of -the blood of the bird that the hawk had killed upon the snow; and I -bethought me that her whiteness was like that of the snow, and that -the blackness of her hair and her eyebrows was like that of the raven, -and that the two red spots upon her cheeks were like the two drops of -blood."</p> - -<p>Said Gwalchmai, "This was not an ungentle thought, and I should marvel -if it were pleasant to thee to be drawn from it."</p> - -<p>"Tell me," said Peredur, "is Kai in Arthur's court?"</p> - -<p>"He is," said he. "And, behold, he is the knight that fought with thee -last, and it would have been better for him had he not come; for his -arm and his shoulder-blade were broken with the fall which he had from -thy spear."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Peredur, "I am not sorry to have thus begun to avenge -the insult to the dwarf and dwarfess."</p> - -<p>Then Gwalchmai marvelled to hear him speak of the dwarf and the -dwarfess. And he approached him, and threw his arms around his neck, -and asked him what was his name.</p> - -<p>"Peredur the son of Evrawc am I called," said he. "And thou—who art -thou?"</p> - -<p>"I am called Gwalchmai," he replied.</p> - -<p>"I am right glad to meet with thee," said Peredur; "for in every -country where I have been I have heard of thy fame for prowess and -uprightness, and I solicit thy fellowship."</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt have it, by my faith; and grant me thine," said he.</p> - -<p>"Gladly will I do so," answered Peredur.</p> - -<p>So they rode forth together joyfully towards the place where Arthur -was; and, when Kai saw them coming, he said, "I knew that Gwalchmai -needed not to fight the knight. And it is no wonder that he should gain -fame: more can he do by his fair words than I by the strength of my -arm."</p> - -<p>And Peredur went with Gwalchmai to his tent, and they took off their -armor. And Peredur put on garments like those that Gwalchmai wore, and -they went together unto Arthur, and saluted him.</p> - -<p>"Behold, lord," said Gwalchmai, "him whom thou hast sought so long."</p> - -<p>"Welcome unto thee, chieftain!" said Arthur. "With me thou shalt -remain; and, had I known thy valor had been such, thou shouldst not -have left me as thou didst. Nevertheless, this was predicted of thee by -the dwarf and the dwarfess, whom Kai ill treated, and whom thou hast -avenged."</p> - -<p>And hereupon, behold, there came the queen and her handmaidens; and -Peredur saluted them. And they were rejoiced to see him, and bade him -welcome. And Arthur did him great honor and respect. And they returned -towards Caerlleon.</p> - -<p>And the first night Peredur came to Caerlleon, to Arthur's court, -and, as he walked in the city after his repast, behold, there met him -Angharad Law Eurawc.</p> - -<p>"By my faith, sister," said Peredur, "thou art a beauteous and lovely -maiden; and were it pleasing to thee I could love thee above all women."</p> - -<p>"I pledge my faith," said she, "that I do not love thee; nor will I -ever do so."</p> - -<p>"I also pledge my faith," said Peredur, "that I will never speak a word -to any Christian again until thou come to love me above all men."</p> - -<p>The next day Peredur went forth by the high road, along a -mountain-ridge, and he saw a valley of a circular form, the confines -of which were rocky and wooded. And the flat part of the valley was -in meadows, and there were fields betwixt the meadows and the wood. -And in the bosom of the wood he saw large black houses of uncouth -workmanship. And he dismounted, and led his horse towards the wood. -And a little way within the wood he saw a rocky ledge, along which the -road lay. And upon the ledge was a lion bound by a chain, and sleeping. -And beneath the lion he saw a deep pit of immense size, full of the -bones of men and animals. And Peredur drew his sword, and struck the -lion, so that he fell into the mouth of the pit, and hung there by the -chain; and with a second blow he struck the chain, and broke it; and -the lion fell into the pit. And Peredur led his horse over the rocky -ledge until he came into the valley. And in the centre of the valley -he saw a fair castle, and he went towards it. And in the meadow by the -castle he beheld a huge gray man sitting, who was larger than any man -he had ever before seen. And two young pages were shooting the hilts of -their daggers, of the bone of the seahorse. And one of the pages had -red hair, and the other auburn. And they went before him to the place -where the gray man was, and Peredur saluted him. And the gray man said, -"Disgrace to the beard of my porter!" Then Peredur understood that -the porter was the lion. And the gray man and the pages went together -into the castle, and Peredur accompanied them; and he found it a fair -and noble place. And they proceeded to the hall, and the tables were -already laid, and upon them was abundance of food and liquor. And -thereupon he saw an aged woman and a young woman come from the chamber; -and they were the most stately women he had ever seen. Then they -washed and went to meat. And the gray man sat in the upper seat at the -head of the table, and the aged woman next to him. And Peredur and the -maiden were placed together, and the two young pages served them. And -the maiden gazed sorrowfully upon Peredur, and Peredur asked the maiden -wherefore she was sad.</p> - -<p>"For thee, my soul; for, from when I first beheld thee, I have loved -thee above all men. And it pains me to know that so gentle a youth as -thou should have such a doom as awaits thee to-morrow. Sawest thou the -numerous black houses in the bosom of the wood? All these belong to -the vassals of the gray man yonder, who is my father. And they are all -giants. And to-morrow they will rise up against thee, and will slay -thee. And the Round Valley is this valley called."</p> - -<p>"Listen, fair maiden: wilt thou contrive that my horse and arms be in -the same lodging with me to-night?"</p> - -<p>"Gladly will I cause it so to be, by Heaven, if I can."</p> - -<p>And when it was time for them to sleep rather than to carouse they -went to rest. And the maiden caused Peredur's horse and arms to be in -the same lodging with him. And the next morning Peredur heard a great -tumult of men and horses around the castle. And Peredur arose, and -armed himself and his horse, and went to the meadow. Then the aged -woman and the maiden came to the gray man. "Lord," said they, "take the -word of the youth that he will never disclose what he has seen in this -place, and we will be his sureties that he keep it."</p> - -<p>"I will not do so, by my faith," said the gray man.</p> - -<p>So Peredur fought with the host; and towards evening he had slain the -one-third of them without receiving any hurt himself. Then said the -aged woman, "Behold, many of thy host have been slain by the youth: do -thou, therefore, grant him mercy."</p> - -<p>"I will not grant it, by my faith," said he.</p> - -<p>And the aged woman and the fair maiden were upon the battlements of the -castle, looking forth. And at that juncture Peredur encountered the -yellow-haired youth, and slew him.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said the maiden, "grant the young man mercy."</p> - -<p>"That will I not do, by Heaven," he replied.</p> - -<p>And thereupon Peredur attacked the auburn-haired youth, and slew him -likewise.</p> - -<p>"It were better thou hadst accorded mercy to the youth before he had -slain thy two sons; for now scarcely wilt thou thyself escape from him."</p> - -<p>"Go, maiden, and beseech the youth to grant mercy unto us, for we yield -ourselves into his hands."</p> - -<p>So the maiden came to the place where Peredur was, and besought mercy -for her father, and for all such of his vassals as had escaped alive.</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt have it on condition that thy father and all that are under -him go and render homage to Arthur, and tell him that it was his vassal -Peredur that did him this service."</p> - -<p>"This will we do willingly, by Heaven."</p> - -<p>"And you shall also receive baptism. And I will send to Arthur, and -beseech him to bestow this valley upon thee and upon thy heirs after -thee forever."</p> - -<p>Then they went in; and the gray man and the tall woman saluted Peredur. -And the gray man said unto him, "Since I have possessed this valley, -I have not seen any Christian depart with his life, save thyself. And -we will go to do homage to Arthur, and to embrace the faith, and be -baptized."</p> - -<p>Then said Peredur, "To Heaven I render thanks that I have not broken my -vow to the lady that best I love, which was, that I would not speak one -word unto any Christian."</p> - -<p>That night they tarried there. And the next day, in the morning, the -gray man, with his company, set forth to Arthur's court. And they did -homage unto Arthur, and he caused them to be baptized. And the gray man -told Arthur that it was Peredur that had vanquished them. And Arthur -gave the valley to the gray man and his company, to hold it of him as -Peredur had besought. And with Arthur's permission the gray man went -back to the Round Valley.</p> - -<p>Peredur rode forward next day, and he traversed a vast tract of desert -in which no dwellings were. And at length he came to a habitation mean -and small. And there he heard that there was a serpent that lay upon -a gold ring and suffered none to inhabit the country for seven miles -around. And Peredur came to the place where he heard the serpent was. -And angrily, furiously, and desperately fought he with the serpent; -and at last he killed it, and took away the ring. And thus he was for -a long time without speaking a word to any Christian. And therefrom he -lost his color and his aspect, through extreme longing after the court -of Arthur, and the society of the lady whom best he loved, and of his -companions. Then he proceeded forward to Arthur's court; and on the -road there met him Arthur's household going on a particular errand, -with Kai at their head. And Peredur knew them all; but none of the -household recognized him.</p> - -<p>"Whence comest thou, chieftain?" said Kai. And this he asked him twice -and three times, and he answered him not. And Kai thrust him through -the thigh with his lance. And lest he should be compelled to speak, and -to break his vow, he went on without stopping.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Gwalchmai, "I declare to Heaven, Kai, that thou hast acted -ill in committing such an outrage on a youth like this, who cannot -speak."</p> - -<p>And Gwalchmai returned back to Arthur's court. "Lady," said he to -Gwenhwyvar, "seest thou how wicked an outrage Kai has committed upon -this youth who cannot speak. For Heaven's sake and for mine, cause him -to have medical care before I come back, and I will repay thee the -charge."</p> - -<p>And before the men returned from their errand, a knight came to the -meadow beside Arthur's palace, to dare some one to the encounter. And -his challenge was accepted; and Peredur fought with him, and overthrew -him. And for a week he overthrew one knight every day.</p> - -<p>And one day Arthur and his household were going to church, and they -beheld a knight who had raised the signal for combat. "Verily," said -Arthur, "by the valor of men I will not go hence until I have my -horse and my arms to overthrow yonder boor." Then went the attendants -to fetch Arthur's horse and arms. And Peredur met the attendants -as they were going back, and he took the horse and arms from them, -and proceeded to the meadow, and all those who saw him arise and go -to do battle with the knight went upon the tops of the houses, and -the mounds, and the high places, to behold the combat. And Peredur -beckoned with his hand to the knight to commence the fight. And the -knight thrust at him; but he was not thereby moved from where he stood. -And Peredur spurred his horse, and ran at him wrathfully, furiously, -fiercely, desperately, and with mighty rage, and he gave him a thrust, -deadly-wounding, severe, furious, adroit, and strong under his jaw, and -raised him out of his saddle, and cast him a long way from him. And -Peredur went back, and left the horse and the arms with the attendant -as before, and he went on foot to the palace.</p> - -<p>Then Peredur went by the name of the Dumb Youth. And, behold, Angharad -Law Eurawc met him. "I declare to Heaven, chieftain," said she, "woful -is it that thou canst not speak; for, couldst thou speak, I would love -thee best of all men. And, by my faith, although thou canst not, I do -love thee above all."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee, my sister," said Peredur. "By my faith I also do -love thee." Thereupon it was known that he was Peredur. And then he -held fellowship with Gwalchmai, and Owain the son of Urien, and all the -household; and he remained in Arthur's court.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Arthur was in Caerlleon-upon-Usk; and he went to hunt, and Peredur went -with him. And Peredur let loose his dog upon a hart, and the dog killed -the hart in a desert place. And a short space from him he saw signs of -a dwelling, and towards the dwelling he went, and he beheld a hall, -and at the door of the hall he found bald swarthy youths playing at -chess. And when he entered he beheld three maidens sitting on a bench, -and they were all clothed alike, as became persons of high rank. And -he came and sat by them upon the bench; and one of the maidens looked -steadfastly upon Peredur, and wept. And Peredur asked her wherefore she -was weeping.</p> - -<p>"Through grief that I should see so fair a youth as thou art slain."</p> - -<p>"Who will slay me?" inquired Peredur.</p> - -<p>"If thou art so daring as to remain here to-night, I will tell thee."</p> - -<p>"How great soever my danger may be from remaining here, I will listen -unto thee."</p> - -<p>"This palace is owned by him who is my father," said the maiden; "and -he slays every one who comes hither without his leave."</p> - -<p>"What sort of a man is thy father, that he is able to slay every one -thus?"</p> - -<p>"A man who does violence and wrong unto his neighbors, and who renders -justice unto none."</p> - -<p>And hereupon he saw the youths arise, and clear the chessmen from the -board. And he heard a great tumult. And after the tumult there came in -a huge black one-eyed man, and the maidens arose to meet him. And they -disarrayed him, and he went and sat down. And after he had rested and -pondered a while, he looked at Peredur, and asked who the knight was.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said one of the maidens, "he is the fairest and gentlest youth -that ever thou didst see. And for the sake of Heaven and of thine own -dignity, have patience with him."</p> - -<p>"For thy sake I will have patience, and I will grant him his life this -night."</p> - -<p>Then Peredur came towards them to the fire, and partook of food and -liquor, and entered into discourse with the ladies. And, being elated -with the liquor, he said to the black man, "It is a marvel to me, so -mighty as thou sayest thou art, who could have put out thine eye."</p> - -<p>"It is one of my habits," said the black man, "that whosoever puts to -me the question which thou hast asked shall not escape with his life, -either as a free gift or for a price."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said the maiden, "whatsoever he may say to thee in jest, and -through the excitement of liquor, make good that which thou saidst, -and didst promise me just now."</p> - -<p>"I will do so gladly, for thy sake," said he. "Willingly will I grant -him his life this night."</p> - -<p>And that night thus they remained.</p> - -<p>And the next day the black man got up, and put on his armor, and said -to Peredur, "Arise, man, and suffer death."</p> - -<p>And Peredur said unto him, "Do one of two things, black man: if thou -wilt fight with me, either throw off thy own armor, or give arms to me, -that I may encounter thee."</p> - -<p>"Ha, man!" said he. "Couldst thou fight if thou hadst arms? Take, then, -what arms thou dost choose."</p> - -<p>And thereupon the maiden came to Peredur with such arms as pleased him; -and he fought with the black man, and forced him to crave his mercy.</p> - -<p>"Black man, thou shalt have mercy, provided thou tell me who thou art, -and who put out thine eye."</p> - -<p>"Lord, I will tell thee. I lost it in fighting with the black serpent -of the carn. There is a mound which is called the Mound of Mourning; -and on the mound there is a carn, and in the carn there is a serpent, -and on the tail of the serpent there is a stone, and the virtues of the -stone are such, that whosoever should hold it in one hand, in the other -he will have as much gold as he may desire. And in fighting with this -serpent was it that I lost my eye. And the Black Oppressor am I called. -And for this reason I am called the Black Oppressor, that there is not -a single man around me whom I have not oppressed; and justice have I -done unto none."</p> - -<p>"Tell me," said Peredur, "how far is it hence?"</p> - -<p>"The same day that thou settest forth, thou wilt come to the palace of -the Sons of the King of the Tortures."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore are they called thus?"</p> - -<p>"The Addanc of the lake slays them once every day. When thou -goest thence, thou wilt come to the court of the Countess of the -Achievements."</p> - -<p>"What achievements are there?" asked Peredur.</p> - -<p>"Three hundred men there are in her household, and unto every stranger -that comes to the court the achievements of her household are related. -And this is the manner of it,—the three hundred men of the household -sit next unto the lady, and that not through disrespect unto the -guests, but that they may relate the achievements of the household. And -the day that thou goest thence, thou wilt reach the Mound of Mourning; -and round about the mound there are the owners of three hundred tents -guarding the serpent."</p> - -<p>"Since thou hast, indeed, been an oppressor so long," said Peredur, "I -will cause that thou continue so no longer." So he slew him.</p> - -<p>Then the maiden spoke, and began to converse with him. "If thou wast -poor when thou camest here, henceforth thou wilt be rich through the -treasure of the black man whom thou hast slain. Thou seest the many -lovely maidens that there are in this court: thou shalt have her whom -thou best likest for the lady of thy love."</p> - -<p>"Lady, I came not hither from my country to woo; but match yourselves -as it liketh you with the comely youths I see here. And none of your -goods do I desire; for I need them not." Then Peredur rode forward, -and he came to the palace of the Sons of the King of the Tortures. And -when he entered the palace he saw none but women; and they rose up, -and were joyful at his coming; and, as they began to discourse with -him, he beheld a charger arrive, with a saddle upon it and a corpse in -the saddle. And one of the women arose, and took the corpse from the -saddle, and anointed it in a vessel of warm water which was below the -door, and placed precious balsam upon it. And the man rose up alive, -and came to the place where Peredur was, and greeted him, and was -joyful to see him. And two other men came in upon their saddles; and -the maiden treated these two in the same manner as she had done the -first. Then Peredur asked the chieftain wherefore it was thus. And they -told him that there was an Addanc in a cave, which slew them once every -day. And thus they remained that night.</p> - -<p>And next morning the youths arose to sally forth, and Peredur besought -them, for the sake of the ladies of their love, to permit him to go -with them; but they refused him, saying, "If thou shouldst be slain -there, thou hast none to bring thee back to life again."</p> - -<p>And they rode forward, and Peredur followed after them; and, after -they had disappeared out of his sight, he came to a mound, whereon sat -the fairest lady he had ever beheld.</p> - -<p>"I know thy quest," said she. "Thou art going to encounter the Addanc, -and he will slay thee, and that not by courage, but by craft. He has -a cave, and at the entrance of the cave there is a stone pillar, and -he sees every one that enters, and none see him; and from behind the -pillar he slays every one with a poisonous dart. And, if thou wouldst -pledge me thy faith to love me above all women, I would give thee a -stone by which thou shouldst see him when thou goest in, and he should -not see thee."</p> - -<p>"I will, by my troth," said Peredur; "for, when first I beheld thee, I -loved thee. And where shall I seek thee?"</p> - -<p>"When thou seekest me, seek towards India." And the maiden vanished, -after placing the stone in Peredur's hand.</p> - -<p>And he came towards a valley, through which ran a river; and the -borders of the valley were wooded, and on each side of the river were -level meadows. And on one side of the river he saw a flock of white -sheep, and on the other a flock of black sheep. And whenever one of the -white sheep bleated, one of the black sheep would cross over and become -white; and, when one of the black sheep bleated, one of the white sheep -would cross over and become black. And he saw a tall tree by the side -of the river, one half of which was in flames from the root to the -top, and the other half was green and in full leaf. And nigh thereto he -saw a youth sitting upon a mound, and two greyhounds, white-breasted -and spotted, in leashes, lying by his side. And certain was he that he -had never seen a youth of so royal a bearing as he. And in the wood -opposite he heard hounds raising a herd of deer. And Peredur saluted -the youth, and the youth greeted him in return. And there were three -roads leading from the mound: two of them were wide roads, and the -third was more narrow. And Peredur inquired where the three roads went.</p> - -<p>"One of them goes to my palace," said the youth; "and one of two things -I counsel thee to do,—either to proceed to my palace, which is before -thee, and where thou wilt find my wife, or else remain here to see the -hounds chasing the roused deer from the wood to the plain. And thou -shalt see the best greyhounds thou didst ever behold, and the boldest -in the chase, kill them by the water beside us. And when it is time to -go to meat, my page will come with my horse to meet me, and thou shalt -rest in my palace to-night."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee. But I cannot tarry, for onward must I go."</p> - -<p>"The other road leads to the town, which is near here, and wherein -food and liquor may be bought. And the road which is narrower than the -others goes towards the cave of the Addanc."</p> - -<p>"With thy permission, young man, I will go that way."</p> - -<p>And Peredur went towards the cave. And he took the stone in his left -hand, and his lance in his right. And as he went in he perceived the -Addanc, and he pierced him through with his lance, and cut off his -head. And, as he came from the cave, behold, the three companions were -at the entrance; and they saluted Peredur, and told him that there was -a prediction that he should slay that monster. And Peredur gave the -head to the young men, and they offered him in marriage whichever of -the three sisters he might choose, and half their kingdom with her.</p> - -<p>"I came not hither to woo," said Peredur; "but if, peradventure, I took -a wife, I should prefer your sister to all others." And Peredur rode -forward, and he heard a noise behind him. And he looked back, and saw a -man upon a red horse, with red armor upon him. And the man rode up by -his side, and saluted him, and wished him the favor of Heaven and of -man. And Peredur greeted the youth kindly.</p> - -<p>"Lord, I come to make a request unto thee."</p> - -<p>"What would'st thou?"</p> - -<p>"That thou should'st take me as thine attendant."</p> - -<p>"Whom, then, should I take as my attendant, if I did so?"</p> - -<p>"I will not conceal from thee what kindred I am of. Etlym Gleddyv Coch -am I called, an earl from the East Country."</p> - -<p>"I marvel that thou should'st offer to become attendant to a man whose -possessions are no greater than thine own; for I have but an earldom -like thyself. But, since thou desirest to be my attendant, I will take -thee joyfully."</p> - -<p>And they went forward to the court of the countess, and all they of the -court were glad at their coming; and they were told it was not through -disrespect they were placed below the household, but that such was the -usage of the court. For whoever should overthrow the three hundred men -of her household would sit next the countess, and she would love him -above all men. And Peredur, having overthrown the three hundred men of -her household, sat down beside her; and the countess said, "I thank -Heaven that I have a youth so fair and so valiant as thou, since I have -not obtained the man whom best I love."</p> - -<p>"Who is he whom best thou lovest?"</p> - -<p>"By my faith, Etlym Gleddyv Coch is the man whom I love best, and I -have never seen him."</p> - -<p>"Of a truth, Etlym is my companion; and, behold, here he is, and for -his sake did I come to joust with thy household. And he could have done -so better than I, had it pleased him. And I do give thee unto him."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee, fair youth, and I will take the man whom I love -above all others." And the countess became Etlym's bride from that -moment.</p> - -<p>And the next day Peredur set forth towards the Mound of Mourning.</p> - -<p>"By thy hand, lord, but I will go with thee," said Etlym. Then they -went forward till they came in sight of the mound and the tents.</p> - -<p>"Go unto yonder men," said Peredur to Etlym, "and desire them to come -and do me homage."</p> - -<p>So Etlym went unto them, and said unto them thus "Come and do homage to -my lord."</p> - -<p>"Who is thy lord?" said they.</p> - -<p>"Peredur with the long lance is my lord," said Etlym.</p> - -<p>"Were it permitted to slay a messenger, thou shouldest not go back to -thy lord alive, for making unto kings and earls and barons so arrogant -a demand as to go and do him homage."</p> - -<p>Peredur desired him to go back to them, and to give them their choice, -either to do him homage or to do battle with him. And they chose rather -to do battle. And that day Peredur overthrew the owners of a hundred -tents; and the next day he overthrew the owners of a hundred more; -and the third day the remaining hundred took counsel to do homage to -Peredur. And Peredur inquired of them wherefore they were there. And -they told him they were guarding the serpent until he should die. "For -then should we fight for the stone among ourselves, and whoever should -be conqueror among us would have the stone."</p> - -<p>"Await here," said Peredur, "and I will go to encounter the serpent."</p> - -<p>"Not so, lord," said they: "we will go all together to encounter the -serpent."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Peredur, "that will I not permit; for if the serpent be -slain I shall derive no more fame therefrom than one of you." Then he -went to the place where the serpent was, and slew it, and came back -to them, and said, "Reckon up what you have spent since you have been -here, and I will repay you to the full." And he paid to each what he -said was his claim. And he required of them only that they should -acknowledge themselves his vassals. And he said to Etlym, "Go back unto -her whom thou lovest best, and I will go forward, and I will reward -thee for having been my attendant." And he gave Etlym the stone.</p> - -<p>"Heaven repay thee and prosper thee," said Etlym.</p> - -<p>And Peredur rode thence, and he came to the fairest valley he had -ever seen, through which ran a river; and there he beheld many tents -of various colors. And he marvelled still more at the number of -water-mills and of windmills that he saw. And there rode up with him a -tall auburn-haired man in a workman's garb; and Peredur inquired of him -who he was.</p> - -<p>"I am the chief miller," said he, "of all the mills yonder."</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou give me lodging?" said Peredur.</p> - -<p>"I will, gladly," he answered.</p> - -<p>And Peredur came to the miller's house, and the miller had a fair and -pleasant dwelling. And Peredur asked money as a loan from the miller, -that he might buy meat and liquor for himself and for the household, -and he promised that he would pay him again ere he went thence. And he -inquired of the miller wherefore such a multitude was there assembled.</p> - -<p>Said the miller to Peredur, "One thing is certain: either thou art a -man from afar, or thou art beside thyself. The Empress of Cristinobyl -the Great is here; and she will have no one but the man who is most -valiant; for riches does she not require. And it was impossible to -bring food for so many thousands as are here, therefore were all these -mills constructed."</p> - -<p>And that night they took their rest.</p> - -<p>And the next day Peredur arose, and he equipped himself and his horse -for the tournament. And among the other tents he beheld one which was -the fairest he had ever seen. And he saw a beauteous maiden leaning -her head out of a window of the tent, and he had never seen a maiden -more lovely than she. And upon her was a garment of satin. And he -gazed fixedly on the maiden, and began to love her greatly. And he -remained there, gazing upon the maiden from morning until mid-day, and -from mid-day until evening; and then the tournament was ended, and he -went to his lodging, and drew off his armor. Then he asked money of -the miller as a loan, and the miller's wife was wroth with Peredur: -nevertheless, the miller lent him the money. And the next day he did -in like manner as he had done the day before. And at night he came to -his lodging, and took money as a loan from the miller. And the third -day, as he was in the same place, gazing upon the maiden, he felt a -hard blow between the neck and the shoulder, from the edge of an axe. -And when he looked behind him, he saw that it was the miller; and the -miller said to him, "Do one of two things: either turn thy head from -hence, or go to the tournament."</p> - -<p>And Peredur smiled on the miller, and went to the tournament; and -all that encountered him that day he overthrew. And as many as he -vanquished he sent as a gift to the empress; and their horses and arms -he sent as a gift to the wife of the miller in payment of the borrowed -money. Peredur attended the tournament until all were overthrown, and -he sent all the men to the prison of the empress, and the horses and -arms to the wife of the miller in payment of the borrowed money. And -the empress sent to the Knight of the Mill to ask him to come and visit -her. And Peredur went not for the first nor for the second message. -And the third time she sent a hundred knights to bring him against his -will, and they went to him and told him their mission from the empress. -And Peredur fought well with them, and caused them to be bound like -stags, and thrown into the mill-dike. And the empress sought advice -of a wise man who was in her counsel; and he said to her, "With thy -permission I will go to him myself." So he came to Peredur and saluted -him, and besought him for the sake of the lady of his love to come and -visit the empress. And they went, together with the miller. And Peredur -went and sat down in the outer chamber of the tent, and she came and -placed herself by his side. And there was but little discourse between -them. And Peredur took his leave, and went to his lodging.</p> - -<p>And the next day he came to visit her, and, when he came into the tent, -there was no one chamber less decorated than the others. And they knew -not where he would sit. And Peredur went and sat beside the empress, -and discoursed with her courteously. And while they were thus, they -beheld a black man enter, with a goblet full of wine in his hand. And -he dropped upon his knee before the empress, and besought her to give -it to no one who would not fight with him for it. And she looked upon -Peredur.</p> - -<p>"Lady," said he, "bestow on me the goblet." And Peredur drank the wine, -and gave the goblet to the miller's wife. And while they were thus, -behold, there entered a black man of larger stature than the other, -with a wild beast's claw in his hand, wrought into the form of a goblet -and filled with wine. And he presented it to the empress, and besought -her to give it to no one but the man who would fight him. "Lady," said -Peredur, "bestow it on me." And she gave it to him. And Peredur drank -the wine, and sent the goblet to the wife of the miller. And while they -were thus, behold, a rough-looking crisp-haired man, taller than either -of the others, came in with a bowl in his hand full of wine; and he -bent upon his knee, and gave it into the hands of the empress, and he -besought her to give it to none but him who would fight with him for -it; and she gave it to Peredur, and he sent it to the miller's wife. -And that night Peredur returned to his lodging; and the next day he -accoutred himself and his horse, and went to the meadow, and slew the -three men. Then Peredur proceeded to the tent; and the empress said to -him, "Goodly Peredur, remember the faith thou didst pledge me when I -gave thee the stone, and thou didst kill the Addanc."</p> - -<p>"Lady," answered he, "thou sayest truth: I do remember it."</p> - -<p>And Peredur was entertained by the empress fourteen years, as the story -relates.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Arthur was at Caerlleon-upon-Usk, his principal palace; and in the -centre of the floor of the hall were four men sitting on a carpet -of velvet,—Owain the son of Urien, and Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, -and Howel the son of Emyr Llydaw, and Peredur of the long lance. And -thereupon they saw a black curly-headed maiden enter, riding upon a -yellow mule, with jagged thongs in her hand to urge it on, and having -a rough and hideous aspect. Blacker were her face and her two hands -than the blackest iron covered with pitch; and her hue was not more -frightful than her form. High cheeks had she, and a face lengthened -downwards, and a short nose with distended nostrils. And one eye was of -a piercing mottled gray, and the other was as black as jet, deep sunk -in her head. And her teeth were long and yellow,—more yellow were -they than the flower of the broom. And her back was in the shape of a -crook. And her figure was very thin and spare, except her feet, which -were of huge size. And she greeted Arthur and all his household, except -Peredur. And to Peredur she spoke harsh and angry words. "Peredur, I -greet thee not, seeing that thou dost not merit it. Blind was Fate in -giving thee fame and favor. When thou wast in the court of the Lame -King, and didst see there the youth bearing the streaming spear from -the points of which were drops of blood flowing in streams even to -the hand of the youth, and many other wonders likewise, thou didst -not inquire their meaning nor their cause. Hadst thou done so, the -king would have been restored to health, and his dominions to peace. -Whereas from henceforth he will have to endure battles and conflicts, -and his knights will perish, and wives will be widowed, and maidens -will be left portionless, and all this is because of thee." Then said -she unto Arthur, "May it please thee, lord, my dwelling is far hence, -in the stately castle of which thou hast heard, and therein are five -hundred and sixty-six knights of the order of chivalry, and the lady -whom best he loves with each; and whoever would acquire fame in arms -and encounters and conflicts, he will gain it there, if he deserve it. -And whoso would reach the summit of fame and of honor, I know where he -may find it. There is a castle on a lofty mountain, and a maiden [is] -therein, and she is a prisoner; and whoever shall set her free will -attain the summit of the fame of the world." And thereupon she rode -away.</p> - -<p>Said Gwalchmai, "By my faith I will not rest tranquilly until I have -proved if I can release the maiden." And many of Arthur's household -joined themselves with him.</p> - -<p>Then likewise said Peredur, "By my faith I will not rest tranquilly -until I know the story, and the meaning of the lance whereof the black -maiden spoke."</p> - -<p>And, while they were equipping themselves, behold a knight came to the -gate. And he had the size and strength of a warrior, and was equipped -with arms and habiliments. And he went forward, and saluted Arthur -and all his household, except Gwalchmai. And the knight had upon his -shoulder a shield ingrained with gold, with a fesse of azure blue upon -it, and his whole armor was of the same hue. And he said to Gwalchmai, -"Thou didst slay my lord by thy treachery and deceit, and that will I -prove upon thee."</p> - -<p>Then Gwalchmai rose up. "Behold," said he, "here is my gage against -thee, to maintain, either in this place or wherever else thou wilt, -that I am not a traitor or deceiver."</p> - -<p>"Before the king whom I obey, will I that my encounter with thee take -place," said the knight.</p> - -<p>"Willingly," said Gwalchmai. "Go forward, and I will follow thee."</p> - -<p>So the knight went forth, and Gwalchmai accoutred himself; and there -was offered unto him abundance of armor, but he would take none but his -own. And when Gwalchmai and Peredur were equipped, they set forth to -follow him, by reason of their fellowship and of the great friendship -that was between them. And they did not go after him in company -together; but each went his own way.</p> - -<p>At the dawn of day Gwalchmai came to a valley, and in the valley he saw -a fortress, and within the fortress a vast palace, and lofty towers -around it. And he beheld a knight coming out to hunt from the other -side, mounted on a spirited black snorting palfrey, that advanced at a -prancing pace, proudly stepping and nimbly bounding and sure of foot; -and this was the man to whom the palace belonged. And Gwalchmai saluted -him.</p> - -<p>"Heaven prosper thee, chieftain," said he; "and whence comest thou?"</p> - -<p>"I come," answered Gwalchmai, "from the court of Arthur."</p> - -<p>"And art thou Arthur's vassal?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, by my faith," said Gwalchmai.</p> - -<p>"I will give thee good counsel," said the knight. "I see that thou art -tired and weary: go unto my palace, if it may please thee, and tarry -there to-night."</p> - -<p>"Willingly, lord," said he, "and Heaven reward thee!"</p> - -<p>"Take this ring as a token to the porter, and go forward to yonder -tower, and therein thou wilt find my sister."</p> - -<p>And Gwalchmai went to the gate, and showed the ring, and proceeded to -the tower. And on entering he beheld a large blazing fire, burning -without smoke and with a bright and lofty flame, and a beauteous and -stately maiden was sitting on a chair by the fire. And the maiden was -glad at his coming, and welcomed him, and advanced to meet him. And he -went and sat beside the maiden, and they took their repast. And, when -their repast was over, they discoursed pleasantly together. And while -they were thus, behold, there entered a venerable hoary-headed man. -"Ah, base girl!" said he, "if thou did'st think that it was right for -thee to entertain and to sit by yonder man, thou would'st not do so." -And he withdrew his head, and went forth.</p> - -<p>"Ah, chieftain!" said the maiden, "if thou wilt do as I counsel thee, -thou wilt shut the door, lest the man should have a plot against thee."</p> - -<p>Upon that Gwalchmai arose; and when he came near unto the door the man -with sixty others fully armed was ascending the tower. And Gwalchmai -defended the door with a chessboard, that none might enter until the -man should return from the chase.</p> - -<p>And thereupon, behold, the earl arrived. "What is all this?" asked he.</p> - -<p>"It is a sad thing," said the hoary-headed man. "The young girl yonder -has been sitting and eating with him who slew your father. He is -Gwalchmai, the son of Gwyar."</p> - -<p>"Hold thy peace, then," said the earl: "I will go in." And the earl was -joyful concerning Gwalchmai. "Ha, chieftain!" said he, "it was wrong -of thee to come to my court when thou knewest that thou didst slay my -father; and, though we cannot avenge him, Heaven will avenge him upon -thee."</p> - -<p>"My soul," said Gwalchmai, "thus it is. I came not here either to -acknowledge or to deny having slain thy father; but I am on a message -from Arthur, and therefore do I crave the space of a year until I shall -return from my embassy, and then, upon my faith, I will come back unto -this palace, and do one of two things,—either acknowledge it, or deny -it." And the time was granted him willingly; and he remained there -that night. And the next morning he rode forth. And the story relates -nothing further of Gwalchmai respecting this adventure.</p> - -<p>And Peredur rode forward. And he wandered over the whole island, -seeking tidings of the black maiden, and he could meet with none. [And -after many days, and great deeds of arms and perilous adventures, at -last Peredur met with a certain maiden, and asked her the way to the -Castle of Wonders.] Then she said to him, "Go over yonder mountain, and -thou wilt find a lake, and in the middle of the lake there is a castle, -and that is the castle that is called the Castle of Wonders. And we -know not what wonders are therein, but thus is it called."</p> - -<p>And Peredur proceeded towards the castle, and the gate of the castle -was open. And when he came to the hall, the door was open, and he -entered. And he beheld a chessboard in the hall, and the chessmen were -playing against each other by themselves. And the side that he favored -lost the game, and thereupon the others set up a shout as though they -had been living men. And Peredur was wroth, and took the chessmen in -his lap, and cast the chessboard into the lake. And when he had done -thus, behold, the black maiden came in; and she said to him, "The -welcome of Heaven be not unto thee. Thou hadst rather do evil than -good."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - <p><a name="illus5" id="illus5"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus5.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>Peredur and the Chessmen.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"What complaint hast thou against me, maiden?" said Peredur.</p> - -<p>"That thou hast occasioned unto the empress the loss of her chessboard, -which she would not have lost for all her empire. And the way in which -thou mayest recover the chessboard is to repair to the Castle of -Ysbidinongyl, where is a black man who lays waste the dominions of the -empress; and, if thou canst slay him, thou wilt recover the chessboard. -But, if thou goest there, thou wilt not return alive."</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou direct me thither?" said Peredur.</p> - -<p>"I will show thee the way," she replied.</p> - -<p>So he went to the Castle of Ysbidinongyl, and he fought with the black -man. And the black man besought mercy of Peredur.</p> - -<p>"Mercy will I grant thee," said he, "on condition that thou cause the -chessboard to be restored to the place where it was when I entered the -hall."</p> - -<p>Then the maiden came to him, and said, "The malediction of Heaven -attend thee for thy work, since thou hast left that monster alive who -lays waste all the possessions of the empress."</p> - -<p>"I granted him his life," said Peredur, "that he might cause the -chessboard to be restored."</p> - -<p>"The chessboard is not in the place where thou didst find it: go back, -therefore, and slay him," answered she.</p> - -<p>So Peredur went back, and slew the black man. And when he returned to -the palace, he found the black maiden there.</p> - -<p>"Ah, maiden!" said Peredur, "where is the empress?"</p> - -<p>"I declare to Heaven that thou wilt not see her now, unless thou dost -slay the monster that is in yonder forest."</p> - -<p>"What monster is there?"</p> - -<p>"It is a stag that is as swift as the swiftest bird; and he has one -horn in his forehead, as long as the shaft of a spear, and as sharp as -whatever is sharpest. And he destroys the branches of the best trees in -the forest, and he kills every animal that he meets with therein; and -those that he doth not slay perish of hunger. And, what is worse than -that, he comes every night and drinks up the fish-pond and leaves the -fishes exposed, so that for the most part they die before the water -returns again."</p> - -<p>"Maiden," said Peredur, "wilt thou come and show me this animal?"</p> - -<p>"Not so," said the maiden; "for he has not permitted any mortal to -enter the forest for above a twelvemonth. Behold, here is a little dog -belonging to the empress, which will rouse the stag, and will chase him -towards thee, and the stag will attack thee."</p> - -<p>Then the little dog went as a guide to Peredur, and roused the stag, -and brought him towards the place where Peredur was. And the stag -attacked Peredur, and he let him pass by him, and, as he did so, he -smote off his head with his sword. And, while he was looking at the -head of the stag, he saw a lady on horseback coming towards him. And -she took the little dog in the lappet of her cap, and the head and -the body of the stag lay before her. And around the stag's neck was a -golden collar.</p> - -<p>"Ha, chieftain!" said she, "uncourteously hast thou acted in slaying -the fairest jewel that was in my dominions."</p> - -<p>"I was entreated so to do. And is there any way by which I can obtain -thy friendship?"</p> - -<p>"There is," she replied. "Go thou forward unto yonder mountain, and -there thou wilt find a grove; and in the grove there is a cromlech: do -thou there challenge a man three times to fight, and thou shalt have my -friendship."</p> - -<p>So Peredur proceeded onward, and came to the side of the grove, and -challenged any man to fight. And a black man arose from beneath the -cromlech, mounted upon a bony horse, and both he and his horse were -clad in huge rusty armor. And they fought. And as often as Peredur cast -the black man to the earth he would jump again into his saddle. And -Peredur dismounted, and drew his sword; and thereupon the black man -disappeared with Peredur's horse and his own, so that he could not gain -sight of him a second time. And Peredur went along the mountain, and -on the other side of the mountain he beheld a castle in the valley, -wherein was a river. And he went to the castle; and as he entered it -he saw a hall, and the door of the hall was open, and he went in. And -there he saw a lame gray-headed man sitting on one side of the hall, -with Gwalchmai beside him. And Peredur beheld his horse, which the -black man had taken, in the same stall with that of Gwalchmai. And -they were glad concerning Peredur. And he went and seated himself on -the other side of the hoary-headed man. Then, behold a yellow-haired -youth came, and bent upon the knee before Peredur, and besought his -friendship. "Lord," said the youth, "it was I that came in the form of -the black maiden to Arthur's court, and when thou didst throw down the -chessboard, and when thou didst slay the black man of Ysbidinongyl, -and when thou didst slay the stag, and when thou didst go to fight -the black man of the cromlech. And I came with the bloody head in the -salver, and with the lance that streamed with blood from the point to -the hand all along the shaft; and the head was thy cousin's, and he was -killed by the sorceresses of Gloucester, who also lamed thine uncle; -and I am thy cousin. And there is a prediction that thou art to avenge -these things."</p> - -<p>Then Peredur and Gwalchmai took counsel, and sent to Arthur and his -household to beseech them to come against the sorceresses. And they -began to fight with them; and one of the sorceresses slew one of -Arthur's men before Peredur's face, and Peredur bade her forbear. And -the sorceress slew a man before Peredur's face a second time, and a -second time he forbade her. And the third time the sorceress slew a man -before the face of Peredur; and then Peredur drew his sword, and smote -the sorceress on the helmet; and all her head-armor was split in two -parts. And she set up a cry, and desired the other sorceresses to flee, -and told them that this was Peredur, the man who had learnt chivalry -with them, and by whom they were destined to be slain. Then Arthur and -his household fell upon the sorceresses, and slew the sorceresses of -Gloucester, every one. And thus is it related concerning the Castle of -Wonders.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="THE_DREAM_OF_RHONABWY" id="THE_DREAM_OF_RHONABWY">THE DREAM OF RHONABWY.</a></h2> - - -<p>Madawc the son of Maredudd possessed Powys within its boundaries, from -Porfoed to Gwauan in the uplands of Arwystli. And at that time he had -a brother Iorwerth the son of Maredudd, in rank not equal to himself. -And Iorwerth had great sorrow and heaviness because of the honor and -power that his brother enjoyed, which he shared not. And he sought his -fellows and his foster-brothers, and took counsel with them what he -should do in this matter. And they resolved to despatch some of their -number to go and seek a maintenance for him. Then Madawc offered him to -become master of the household, and to have horses and arms and honor, -and to fare like as himself. But Iorwerth refused this.</p> - -<p>And Iorwerth made an inroad into Loegria, slaying the inhabitants, and -burning houses, and carrying away prisoners. And Madawc took counsel -with the men of Powys, and they determined to place an hundred men in -each of the three Commots of Powys to seek for him. And they spread -these men over the plains as far as Nillystwn Trevan.</p> - -<p>Now one of the men who was upon this quest was called Rhonabwy. And -Rhonabwy and Kynwrig Vrychgoch, a man of Mawddwy, and Cadwgan Vras, a -man of Moelvre in Kynlleith, came together to the house of Heilyn Goch, -the son of Cadwgan the son of Iddon. And when they came near to the -house, they saw an old hall, very black and having an upright gable, -whence issued a great smoke; and on entering, they found the floor -full of puddles and mounds; and it was difficult to stand thereon, so -slippery was it with the mire of cattle. And where the puddles were, a -man might go up to his ankles in water and dirt. And there were boughs -of holly spread over the floor, whereof the cattle had browsed the -sprigs. When they came to the hall of the house, they beheld cells full -of dust, and very gloomy, and on one side an old hag making a fire. And -whenever she felt cold, she cast a lapful of chaff upon the fire, and -raised such a smoke, that it was scarcely to be borne as it rose up the -nostrils. And on the other side was a yellow calf-skin on the floor: a -main privilege was it to any one who should get upon that hide.</p> - -<p>And when they had sat down, they asked the hag where were the people -of the house. And the hag spoke not, but muttered. Thereupon behold -the people of the house entered,—a ruddy, clownish, curly-headed man, -with a burthen of fagots on his back, and a pale, slender woman, also -carrying a bundle under her arm. And they barely welcomed the men, and -kindled a fire with the boughs. And the woman cooked something, and -gave them to eat,—barley bread, and cheese, and milk and water.</p> - -<p>And there arose a storm of wind and rain, so that it was hardly -possible to go forth with safety. And being weary with their journey, -they laid themselves down, and sought to sleep. And when they looked -at the couch, it seemed to be made but of a little coarse straw full -of dust, with the stems of boughs sticking up there through; for the -cattle had eaten all the straw that was placed at the head and the -foot. And upon it was stretched an old russet-colored rug, threadbare -and ragged; and a coarse sheet, full of slits, was upon the rug, and -an ill-stuffed pillow, and a worn-out cover upon the sheet. And after -much suffering from the discomfort of their couch, a heavy sleep fell -on Rhonabwy's companions. But Rhonabwy, not being able either to sleep -or to rest, thought he should suffer less if he went to lie upon the -yellow calf-skin that was stretched out on the floor. And there he -slept.</p> - -<p>As soon as sleep had come upon his eyes, it seemed to him that he was -journeying with his companions across the plain of Argyngroeg, and -he thought that he went towards Rhyd y Groes on the Severn. As he -journeyed, he heard a mighty noise, the like whereof heard he never -before; and looking behind him, he beheld a youth with yellow curling -hair, and with his beard newly trimmed, mounted on a chestnut horse, -whereof the legs were gray from the top of the forelegs, and from the -bend of the hindlegs downwards. And the rider wore a coat of yellow -satin sewn with green silk; and on his thigh was a gold-hilted sword, -with a scabbard of new leather of Cordova, belted with the skin of the -deer, and clasped with gold. And over this was a scarf of yellow satin -wrought with green silk, the borders whereof were likewise green. And -the green of the caparison of the horse and of his rider was as green -as the leaves of the fir-tree, and the yellow was as yellow as the -blossom of the broom. So fierce was the aspect of the knight, that fear -seized upon them, and they began to flee. And the knight pursued them. -And when the horse breathed forth, the men became distant from him, and -when he drew in his breath, they were drawn near to him, even to the -horse's chest. And when he had overtaken them, they besought his mercy.</p> - -<p>"You have it gladly," said he: "fear nought."</p> - -<p>"Ha, chieftain! since thou hast mercy upon me, tell me also who thou -art," said Rhonabwy.</p> - -<p>"I will not conceal my lineage from thee. I am Iddawc the son of Mynyo; -yet not by my name, but by my nickname, am I best known."</p> - -<p>"And wilt thou tell us what thy nickname is?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell you. It is Iddawc Cordd Prydain."</p> - -<p>"Ha, chieftain!" said Rhonabwy. "Why art thou called thus?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell thee. I was one of the messengers between Arthur and -Medrawd his nephew, at the battle of Camlan; and I was then a reckless -youth, and through my desire for battle I kindled strife between them, -and stirred up wrath when I was sent by Arthur the emperor to reason -with Medrawd, and to show him that he was his foster-father and his -uncle, and to seek for peace, lest the sons of the Kings of the Island -of Britain and of the nobles should be slain. And whereas Arthur -charged me with the fairest sayings he could think of, I uttered unto -Medrawd the harshest I could devise. And therefore am I called Iddawc -Cordd Prydain, for from this did the battle of Camlan ensue. And three -nights before the end of the battle of Camlan I left them, and went -to the Llech Las in North Britain to do penance. And there I remained -doing penance seven years, and after that I gained pardon."</p> - -<p>And they journeyed over the plain of Argyngroeg as far as the ford of -Rhyd y Groes on the Severn. And for a mile around the ford on both -sides of the road they saw tents and encampments, and there was the -clamor of a mighty host. And they came to the edge of the ford, and -there they beheld Arthur, sitting on a flat island below the ford, -having Bedwini the bishop on one side of him, and Gwarthegyd the son -of Kaw on the other. And a tall, auburn-haired youth stood before -him, with his sheathed sword in his hand, and clad in a coat and cap -of jet-black satin. And his face was white as ivory, and his eyebrows -black as jet, and such part of his wrist as could be seen between his -glove and his sleeve was whiter than the lily, and thicker than a -warrior's ankle.</p> - -<p>Then they beheld another troop coming towards the ford; and these from -their horses' chests upwards were whiter than the lily, and below -blacker than jet. And they saw one of these knights go before the -rest, and spur his horse into the ford in such a manner that the water -dashed over Arthur and the bishop, and those holding counsel with them, -so that they were as wet as if they had been drenched in the river. And -as he turned the head of his horse, the youth who stood before Arthur -struck the horse over the nostrils with his sheathed sword, so that, -had it been with the bare blade, it would have been a marvel if the -bone had not been wounded as well as the flesh. And the knight drew his -sword half out of the scabbard, and asked of him, "Wherefore didst thou -strike my horse? Whether was it in insult, or in counsel unto me?"</p> - -<p>"Thou dost indeed lack counsel. What madness caused thee to ride -so furiously as to dash the water of the ford over Arthur, and the -consecrated bishop, and their counsellors, so that they were as wet as -if they had been dragged out of the river?"</p> - -<p>"As counsel, then, will I take it." So he turned his horse's head round -towards his army.</p> - -<p>"Iddawc," said Rhonabwy, "who was yonder knight?"</p> - -<p>"The most eloquent and the wisest youth that is in this island,—Adaon, -the son of Taliesin."</p> - -<p>"Who was the man that struck his horse?"</p> - -<p>"A youth of froward nature,—Elphin, the son of Gwyddno."</p> - -<p>Then Iddawc took Rhonabwy behind him on his horse, and that mighty -host moved forward, each troop in its order, towards Cevndigoll. And -when they came to the middle of the ford of the Severn, Iddawc turned -his horse's head, and Rhonabwy looked along the valley of the Severn. -And he beheld two fair troops coming towards the ford. One troop there -came of brilliant white, whereof every one of the men had a scarf of -white satin with jet-black borders. And the knees and the tops of the -shoulders of their horses were jet-black, though they were of a pure -white in every other part. And their banners were pure white, with -black points to them all.</p> - -<p>"Iddawc," said Rhonabwy, "who are yonder pure-white troop?"</p> - -<p>"They are the men of Norway; and March, the son of Meirchion, is their -prince. And he is cousin unto Arthur."</p> - -<p>And further on he saw a troop whereof each man wore garments of -jet-black, with borders of pure white to every scarf; and the tops of -the shoulders and the knees of their horses were pure white. And their -banners were jet-black with pure white at the point of each.</p> - -<p>"Iddawc," said Rhonabwy, "who are the jet-black troop yonder?"</p> - -<p>"They are the men of Denmark; and Edeyrn, the son of Nudd, is their -prince."</p> - -<p>And when they had overtaken the host, Arthur and his army of mighty -ones dismounted below Caer Badou, and he perceived that he and Iddawc -journeyed the same road as Arthur. And after they had dismounted, he -heard a great tumult and confusion amongst the host; and such as were -then at the flanks turned to the centre, and such as had been in the -centre moved to the flanks. And then, behold, he saw a knight coming, -clad, both he and his horse, in mail, of which the rings were whiter -than the whitest lily, and the rivets redder than the ruddiest blood. -And he rode amongst the host.</p> - -<p>Thereupon they heard a call made for Kadwr, Earl of Cornwall; and -behold he arose, with the sword of Arthur in his hand. And the -similitude of two serpents was upon the sword in gold. And when the -sword was drawn from its scabbard, it seemed as if two flames of fire -burst forth from the jaws of the serpents, and then, so wonderful was -the sword, that it was hard for any one to look upon it. And the host -became still, and the tumult ceased, and the earl returned to the tent.</p> - -<p>"Iddawc," said Rhonabwy, "who is the man who bore the sword of Arthur?"</p> - -<p>"Kadwr, the Earl of Cornwall, whose duty it is to arm the King on the -days of battle and warfare."</p> - -<p>And they heard a call made for Eirynwych Amheibyn, Arthur's servant, a -red, rough, ill-favored man, having red whiskers with bristly hairs. -And behold he came upon a tall red horse, with the mane parted on -each side, and he brought with him a large and beautiful sumter pack. -And the huge red youth dismounted before Arthur, and he drew a golden -chair out of the pack, and a carpet of diapered satin. And he spread -the carpet before Arthur, and there was an apple of ruddy gold at each -corner thereof, and he placed the chair upon the carpet. And so large -was the chair, that three armed warriors might have sat therein. Gwenn -was the name of the carpet; and it was one of its properties that -whoever was upon it no one could see him, and he could see every one. -And it would retain no color but its own.</p> - -<p>And Arthur sat within the carpet, and Owain the son of Urien was -standing before him. "Owain," said Arthur, "wilt thou play chess?"</p> - -<p>"I will, lord," said Owain.</p> - -<p>And the red youth brought the chess for Arthur and Owain; golden pieces -and a board of silver. And they began to play.</p> - -<p>And while they were thus, and when they were best amused with their -game, behold they saw a white tent with a red canopy, and the figure of -a jet-black serpent on the top of the tent, and red glaring venomous -eyes in the head of the serpent, and a red flaming tongue. And there -came a young page with yellow curling hair, and blue eyes, and a -newly-springing beard, wearing a coat and a surcoat of yellow satin, -and hose of thin greenish-yellow cloth upon his feet, and over his hose -shoes of party-colored leather, fastened at the insteps with golden -clasps. And he bore a heavy three-edged sword with a golden hilt, in -a scabbard of black leather tipped with fine gold. And he came to the -place where the emperor and Owain were playing at chess.</p> - -<p>And the youth saluted Owain. And Owain marvelled that the youth should -salute him, and should not have saluted the Emperor Arthur. And Arthur -knew what was in Owain's thought. And he said to Owain, "Marvel not -that the youth salutes thee now, for he saluted me erewhile; and it is -unto thee that his errand is."</p> - -<p>Then said the youth unto Owain, "Lord, is it with thy leave that the -young pages and attendants of the emperor harass and torment and worry -thy ravens? And, if it be not with thy leave, cause the emperor to -forbid them."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Owain, "thou hearest what the youth says: if it seem good -to thee, forbid them from my ravens."</p> - -<p>"Play thy game," said he. Then the youth returned to the tent.</p> - -<p>That game did they finish, and another they began, and, when they were -in the midst of the game, behold, a ruddy young man with auburn curling -hair and large eyes, well-grown, and having his beard new-shorn, came -forth from a bright yellow tent upon the summit of which was the figure -of a bright red lion. And he was clad in a coat of yellow satin, -falling as low as the small of his leg, and embroidered with threads of -red silk. And on his feet were hose of fine white buckram; and buskins -of black leather were over his hose, whereon were golden clasps. And -in his hand a huge, heavy, three-edged sword, with a scabbard of red -deer-hide, tipped with gold. And he came to the place where Arthur -and Owain were playing at chess. And he saluted him. And Owain was -troubled at his salutation; but Arthur minded it no more than before. -And the youth said unto Owain, "Is it not against thy will that the -attendants of the emperor harass thy ravens, killing some, and worrying -others? If against thy will it be, beseech him to forbid them."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Owain, "forbid thy men, if it seem good to thee."</p> - -<p>"Play thy game," said the emperor. And the youth returned to the tent.</p> - -<p>And that game was ended, and another begun. And as they were beginning -the first move of the game, they beheld at a small distance from them -a tent speckled yellow, the largest ever seen, and the figure of an -eagle of gold upon it, and a precious stone on the eagle's head. And -coming out of the tent they saw a youth with thick yellow hair upon his -head, fair and comely, and a scarf of blue satin upon him, and a brooch -of gold in the scarf upon his right shoulder as large as a warrior's -middle finger. And upon his feet were hose of fine Totness, and shoes -of parti-colored leather, clasped with gold; and the youth was of noble -bearing, fair of face, with ruddy cheeks and large hawk's eyes. In the -hand of the youth was a mighty lance, speckled yellow, with a newly -sharpened head; and upon the lance a banner displayed.</p> - -<p>Fiercely angry, and with rapid pace, came the youth to the place where -Arthur was playing at chess with Owain. And they perceived that he was -wroth. And thereupon he saluted Owain, and told him that his ravens had -been killed, the chief part of them, and that such of them as were not -slain were so wounded and bruised, that not one of them could raise its -wings a single fathom above the earth.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Owain, "forbid thy men."</p> - -<p>"Pray," said he, "if it please thee."</p> - -<p>Then said Owain to the youth, "Go back, and wherever thou findest the -strife at the thickest, there lift up the banner, and let come what -pleases Heaven."</p> - -<p>So the youth returned back to the place where the strife bore hardest -upon the ravens, and he lifted up the banner; and as he did so they -all rose up in the air, wrathful and fierce, and high of spirit, -clapping their wings in the wind, and shaking off the weariness that -was upon them. And recovering their energy and courage, furiously and -with exultation did they, with one sweep, descend upon the heads of -the men who had erewhile caused them anger and pain and damage; and -they seized some by the heads and others by the eyes, and some by the -ears and others by the arms, and carried them up into the air; and in -the air there was a mighty tumult with the flapping of the wings of -the triumphant ravens, and with their croaking; and there was another -mighty tumult with the groaning of the men that were being torn and -wounded, and some of whom were slain.</p> - -<p>And Arthur and Owain marvelled at the tumult as they played at chess; -and, looking, they perceived a knight upon a dun-colored horse coming -towards them. And marvellous was the hue of the dun horse. Bright red -was his right shoulder, and from the top of his legs to the centre of -his hoof was bright yellow. Both the knight and his horse were fully -equipped with heavy foreign armor. The clothing of the horse from -the front opening upwards was of bright red sendal, and from thence, -opening downwards, was of bright yellow sendal. A large gold-hilted -one-edged sword had the youth upon his thigh, in a scabbard of -light-blue, and tipped with Spanish laton. The belt of the sword was of -dark-green leather with golden slides, and a clasp of ivory upon it, -and a buckle of jet-black upon the clasp. A helmet of gold was on the -head of the knight, set with precious stones of great virtue; and at -the top of the helmet was the image of a flame-colored leopard with two -ruby-red stones in its head, so that it was astounding for a warrior, -however stout his heart, to look at the face of the leopard, much more -at the face of the knight. He had in his hand a blue-shafted lance; but -from the haft to the point it was stained crimson-red with the blood of -the ravens and their plumage.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - <p><a name="illus6" id="illus6"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus6.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>The Army of Ravens.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>The knight came to the place where Arthur and Owain were seated at -chess. And they perceived that he was harassed and vexed and weary as -he came towards them. And the youth saluted Arthur, and told him that -the ravens of Owain were slaying his young men and attendants. And -Arthur looked at Owain and said, "Forbid thy ravens."</p> - -<p>"Lord," answered Owain, "play thy game." And they played. And the -knight returned back towards the strife, and the ravens were not -forbidden any more than before.</p> - -<p>And when they had played a while, they heard a mighty tumult, and a -wailing of men, and a croaking of ravens, as they carried the men in -their strength into the air, and, tearing them betwixt them, let them -fall piecemeal to the earth. And during the tumult they saw a knight -coming towards them, on a light-gray horse, and the left foreleg of -the horse was jet-black to the centre of his hoof. And the knight and -the horse were fully accoutred with huge heavy blue armor. And a robe -of honor of yellow diapered satin was upon the knight, and the borders -of the robe were blue. And the housings of the horse were jet-black, -with borders of bright yellow. And on the thigh of the youth was a -sword, long and three-edged and heavy. And the scabbard was of red -cut leather, and the belt of new red deerskin, having upon it many -golden slides, and a buckle of the bone of the seahorse, the tongue of -which was jet-black. A golden helmet was upon the head of the knight, -wherein were set sapphire-stones of great virtue. And at the top of -the helmet was the figure of a flame-colored lion, with a fiery-red -tongue, issuing above a foot from his mouth, and with venomous eyes, -crimson-red, in his head. And the knight came, bearing in his hand a -thick ashen lance, the head whereof, which had been newly steeped in -blood, was overlaid with silver.</p> - -<p>And the youth saluted the emperor. "Lord," said he, "carest thou not -for the slaying of thy pages, and thy young men, and the sons of the -nobles of the Island of Britain, whereby it will be difficult to defend -this island from henceforward forever?"</p> - -<p>"Owain," said Arthur, "forbid thy ravens."</p> - -<p>"Play this game, lord," said Owain.</p> - -<p>So they finished the game, and began another; and as they were -finishing that game, lo, they heard a great tumult, and a clamor of -armed men, and a croaking of ravens, and a flapping of wings in the -air, as they flung down the armor entire to the ground, and the men and -the horses piecemeal. Then they saw coming a knight on a lofty-headed -piebald horse. And the left shoulder of the horse was of bright red, -and its right leg, from the chest to the hollow of the hoof, was pure -white. And the knight and horse were equipped with arms of speckled -yellow, variegated with Spanish laton. And there was a robe of honor -upon him and upon his horse, divided in two parts, white and black; and -the borders of the robe of honor were of golden purple. And above the -robe he wore a sword, three-edged and bright, with a golden hilt. And -the belt of the sword was of yellow goldwork, having a clasp upon it -of the eyelid of a black seahorse, and a tongue of yellow gold to the -clasp. Upon the head of the knight was a bright helmet of yellow laton, -with sparkling stones of crystal in it, and at the crest of the helmet -was the figure of a griffin, with a stone of many virtues in its head. -And he had an ashen spear in his hand, with a round shaft, colored -with azure-blue. And the head of the spear was newly stained with -blood, and was overlaid with fine silver.</p> - -<p>Wrathfully came the knight to the place where Arthur was; and he told -him that the ravens had slain his household, and the sons of the chief -men of this island, and he besought him to cause Owain to forbid his -ravens. And Arthur besought Owain to forbid them. Then Arthur took the -golden chessmen that were upon the board, and crushed them until they -became as dust. Then Owain ordered Gwres, the son of Rheged, to lower -his banner. So it was lowered, and all was peace.</p> - -<p>Then Rhonabwy inquired of Iddawc who were the first three men that came -to Owain to tell him his ravens were being slain.</p> - -<p>Said Iddawc, "They were men who grieved that Owain should suffer loss, -his fellow-chieftains and companions, Selyv the son of Kynan Garwyn -of Powys, and Gwgawn Gleddyvrudd, and Gwres the son of Rheged, he who -bears the banner in the day of battle and strife."</p> - -<p>"Who," said Rhonabwy, "were the last three men who came to Arthur, and -told him that the ravens were slaughtering his men?"</p> - -<p>"The best of men," said Iddawc, "and the bravest, and who would grieve -exceedingly that Arthur should have damage in aught; Blathaon the son -of Mawrheth, and Rhuvawn Pebyr the son of Prince Deorthach, and Hyveidd -Unllenn."</p> - -<p>And with that, behold four and twenty knights came from Osla -Gyllellvawr to crave a truce of Arthur for a fortnight and a month. -And Arthur arose and went to take counsel. And he came to where a tall -auburn, curly-headed man was a little way off, and there he assembled -his counsellors,—Bedwini, the Bishop, and Gwarthegyd the son of Kaw, -Gildas the son of Kaw, Kadyriaith the son of Saidi, and many of the men -of Norway and Denmark, and many of the men of Greece, [and many more -beside].</p> - -<p>"Iddawc," said Rhonabwy, "who was the auburn-haired man to whom they -came just now?"</p> - -<p>"Rhun the son of Maelgwn Gwynedd, a man whose prerogative it is that he -may join in counsel with all."</p> - -<p>"And wherefore did they admit into counsel with men of such dignity as -are yonder a stripling so young as Kadyriaith the son of Saidi?"</p> - -<p>"Because there is not throughout Britain a man better skilled in -counsel than he."</p> - -<p>Thereupon, behold, bards came and recited verses before Arthur, and no -man understood those verses but Kadyriaith only, save that they were in -Arthur's praise.</p> - -<p>And, lo, there came four and twenty asses, with their burdens of gold -and of silver, and a tired, wayworn man with each of them, bringing -tribute to Arthur from the Islands of Greece. Then Kadyriaith the son -of Saidi besought that a truce might be granted to Osla Gyllellvawr -for the space of a fortnight and a month, and that the asses and the -burdens they carried might be given to the bards to be to them as the -reward for their stay, and that their verse might be recompensed during -the time of the truce. And thus it was settled.</p> - -<p>"Rhonabwy," said Iddawc, "would it not be wrong to forbid a youth who -can give counsel so liberal as this from coming to the councils of his -lord?"</p> - -<p>Then Kai arose, and he said, "Whosoever will follow Arthur, let him -be with him to-night in Cornwall; and whosoever will not, let him be -opposed to Arthur even during the truce."</p> - -<p>And through the greatness of the tumult that ensued, Rhonabwy awoke. -And when he awoke he was upon the yellow calf-skin, having slept three -nights and three days.</p> - -<p>And this tale is called the Dream of Rhonabwy. And this is the reason -that no one knows the dream without a book, neither bard nor gifted -seer, because of the various colors that were upon the horses, and -the many wondrous colors of the arms and of the panoply, and of the -precious scarfs, and of the virtue-bearing stones.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="PWYLL_PRINCE_OF_DYVED" id="PWYLL_PRINCE_OF_DYVED">PWYLL, PRINCE OF DYVED.</a></h2> - - -<p>Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, was lord of the seven Cantrevs of Dyved; and -once upon a time he was at Narberth, his chief palace, and he was -minded to go and hunt, and the part of his dominions in which it -pleased him to hunt was Glyn Cuch. So he set forth from Narberth that -night, and went as far as Llwyn Diarwyd. And that night he tarried -there, and early on the morrow he rose and came to Glyn Cuch, when he -let loose the dogs in the wood, and sounded the horn, and began the -chase. And as he followed the dogs, he lost his companions; and whilst -he listened to the hounds, he heard the cry of other hounds,—a cry -different from his own, and coming in the opposite direction.</p> - -<p>And he beheld a glade in the wood forming a level plain, and as his -dogs came to the edge of the glade, he saw a stag before the other -dogs. And, lo, as it reached the middle of the glade, the dogs that -followed the stag overtook it, and brought it down. Then looked he at -the color of the dogs, staying not to look at the stag; and of all the -hounds that he had seen in the world he had never seen any that were -like unto these. For their hair was of a brilliant shining white, and -their ears were red; and as the whiteness of their bodies shone, so -did the redness of their ears glisten. And he came towards the dogs, -and drove away those that had brought down the stag, and set his own -dogs upon it.</p> - -<p>And as he was setting on his dogs he saw a horseman coming towards him -upon a large light-gray steed, with a hunting-horn round his neck, and -clad in garments of gray woollen, in the fashion of a hunting-garb. And -the horseman drew near, and spake unto him thus: "Chieftain," said he, -"I know who thou art, and I greet thee not."</p> - -<p>"Peradventure," said Pwyll, "thou art of such dignity that thou -shouldest not do so."</p> - -<p>"Verily," answered he, "it is not my dignity that prevents me."</p> - -<p>"What is it, then, O chieftain?" asked he.</p> - -<p>"By Heaven, it is by reason of thine own ignorance and want of -courtesy."</p> - -<p>"What discourtesy, chieftain, hast thou seen in me?"</p> - -<p>"Greater discourtesy saw I never in man," said he, "than to drive away -the dogs that were killing the stag and to set upon it thine own. This -was discourteous, and though I may not be revenged upon thee, yet I -declare to Heaven that I will do thee more dishonor than the value of -an hundred stags."</p> - -<p>"O chieftain!" he replied, "if I have done ill, I will redeem thy -friendship."</p> - -<p>"How wilt thou redeem it?"</p> - -<p>"According as thy dignity may be. But I know not who thou art."</p> - -<p>"A crowned king am I in the land whence I come."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said he, "may the day prosper with thee! And from what land -comest thou?"</p> - -<p>"From Annwvyn," answered he. "Arawn, a king of Annwvyn, am I."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said he, "how may I gain thy friendship?"</p> - -<p>"After this manner mayest thou," he said. "There is a man whose -dominions are opposite to mine, who is ever warring against me, and he -is Havgan, a king of Annwvyn, and by ridding me of this oppression, -which thou canst easily do, shalt thou gain my friendship."</p> - -<p>"Gladly will I do this," said he. "Show me how I may."</p> - -<p>"I will show thee. Behold thus it is thou mayest: I will make firm -friendship with thee; and this will I do. I will send thee to Annwvyn -in my stead, and I will put my form and semblance upon thee, so that -not a page of the chamber, nor an officer, nor any other man that has -always followed me, shall know that it is not I. And this shall be -for the space of a year from to-morrow, and then we will meet in this -place."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said he; "but when I shall have been there for the space of a -year, by what means shall I discover him of whom thou speakest?"</p> - -<p>"One year from this night," he answered, "is the time fixed between him -and me that we should meet at the Ford. Be thou there in my likeness, -and with one stroke that thou givest him, he shall no longer live. And -if he ask thee to give him another, give it not, how much soever he may -entreat thee; for when I did so, he fought with me next day as well as -ever before."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Pwyll, "what shall I do concerning my kingdom?"</p> - -<p>Said Arawn, "I will cause that no one in all thy dominions, neither man -nor woman, shall know that I am not thou, and I will go there in thy -stead."</p> - -<p>"Gladly then," said Pwyll, "will I set forward."</p> - -<p>"Clear shall be thy path, and nothing shall detain thee, until thou -come into my dominions, and I myself will be thy guide."</p> - -<p>So he conducted him until he came in sight of the palace and its -dwellings. "Behold," said he, "the court and the kingdom in thy power. -Enter the court: there is no one there who will know thee, and when -thou seest what service is done there, thou wilt know the customs of -the court."</p> - -<p>So he went forward to the court, and when he came there he beheld -sleeping-rooms, and halls, and chambers, and the most beautiful -buildings ever seen. And he went into the hall to disarray, and there -came youths and pages and disarrayed him, and all as they entered -saluted him. And two knights came and drew his hunting-dress from about -him, and clothed him in a vesture of silk and gold. And the hall was -prepared, and behold he saw the household and the host enter in, and -the host was the most comely and the best equipped that he had ever -seen. And with them came in likewise the queen, who was the fairest -woman that he had ever yet beheld. And she had on a yellow robe of -shining satin; and they washed and went to the table, and sat, the -queen upon one side of him, and one who seemed to be an earl on the -other side.</p> - -<p>And he began to speak with the queen, and he thought from her speech -that she was the seemliest and most noble lady of converse and of cheer -that ever was. And they partook of meat and drink, with songs and with -feasting; and of all the courts upon the earth, behold this was the -best supplied with food and drink, and vessels of gold and royal jewels.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And the year he spent in hunting, and minstrelsy, and feasting, and -diversions, and discourse with his companions, until the night that was -fixed for the conflict. And when that night came, it was remembered -even by those who lived in the furthest part of his dominions, and he -went to the meeting, and the nobles of the kingdom with him. And when -he came to the Ford, a knight arose, and spake thus: "Lords," said he, -"listen well. It is between two kings that this meeting is, and between -them only. Each claimeth of the other his land and territory, and do -all of you stand aside, and leave the fight to be between them."</p> - -<p>Thereupon the two kings approached each other in the middle of the -Ford, and encountered, and at the first thrust the man who was in the -stead of Arawn struck Havgan on the centre of the boss of his shield, -so that it was cloven in twain, and his armor was broken; and Havgan -himself was borne to the ground an arm's and a spear's length over the -crupper of his horse, and he received a deadly blow.</p> - -<p>"O chieftain," said Havgan, "what right hast thou to cause my death? -I was not injuring thee in any thing, and I know not wherefore thou -wouldest slay me. But, for the love of Heaven, since thou hast begun to -slay me, complete thy work."</p> - -<p>"Ah, chieftain," he replied, "I may yet repent doing that unto thee: -slay thee who may, I will not do so."</p> - -<p>"My trusty lords," said Havgan, "bear me hence. My death has come. I -shall be no more able to uphold you."</p> - -<p>"My nobles," also said he who was in the semblance of Arawn, "take -counsel, and know who ought to be my subjects."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said the nobles, "all should be; for there is no king over the -whole of Annwvyn but thee."</p> - -<p>"Yes," he replied, "it is right that he who comes humbly should be -received graciously; but he that doth not come with obedience shall be -compelled by the force of swords." And thereupon he received the homage -of the men, and he began to conquer the country; and the next day by -noon the two kingdoms were in his power. And thereupon he went to keep -his tryst, and came to Glyn Cuch.</p> - -<p>And when he came there, the king of Annwvyn was there to meet him, and -each of them was rejoiced to see the other.</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Arawn, "may Heaven reward thee for thy friendship -towards me! I have heard of it. When thou comest thyself to thy -dominions," said he, "thou wilt see that which I have done for thee."</p> - -<p>"Whatever thou hast done for me, may Heaven repay it thee."</p> - -<p>Then Arawn gave to Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, his proper form and -semblance, and he himself took his own. And Arawn set forth towards the -court of Annwvyn; and he was rejoiced when he beheld his hosts and his -household, whom he had not seen so long; but they had not known of his -absence, and wondered no more at his coming than usual. And that day -was spent in joy and merriment; and he sat and conversed with his wife -and his nobles. And when it was time for them rather to sleep than to -carouse, they went to rest.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, came likewise to his country and dominions, -and began to inquire of the nobles of the land, how his rule had been -during the past year, compared with what it had been before.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said they, "thy wisdom was never so great, and thou wast never -so kind or so free in bestowing thy gifts; and thy justice was never -more worthily seen than in this year."</p> - -<p>"By Heaven," said he, "for all the good you have enjoyed you should -thank him who hath been with you; for behold, thus hath this matter -been." And thereupon Pwyll related the whole unto them. "Verily, lord," -said they, "render thanks unto Heaven that thou hast such a fellowship, -and withhold not from us the rule which we have enjoyed for this year -past."</p> - -<p>"I take Heaven to witness that I will not withhold it," answered Pwyll.</p> - -<p>And thenceforth they made strong the friendship that was between them, -and each sent unto the other horses and greyhounds and hawks, and all -such jewels as they thought would be pleasing to each other. And by -reason of his having dwelt that year in Annwvyn, and having ruled there -so prosperously, and united the two kingdoms in one day by his valor -and prowess, he lost the name of Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, and was called -Pwyll, chief of Annwvyn, from that time forward.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Once upon a time Pwyll was at Narberth, his chief palace, where a feast -had been prepared for him, and with him was a great host of men. And -after the first meal, Pwyll arose to walk, and he went to the top of a -mound that was above the palace, and was called Gorsedd Arberth.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said one of the court, "it is peculiar to the mound that -whosoever sits upon it cannot go thence without either receiving wounds -or blows, or else seeing a wonder."</p> - -<p>"I fear not to receive wounds and blows in the midst of such a host as -this; but as to the wonder, gladly would I see it. I will go therefore -and sit upon the mound."</p> - -<p>And upon the mound he sat. And while he sat there, they saw a lady, on -a pure white horse of large size, with a garment of shining gold around -her, coming along the highway that led from the mound; and the horse -seemed to move at a slow and even pace, and to be coming up towards the -mound.</p> - -<p>"My men," said Pwyll, "is there any among you who knows yonder lady?"</p> - -<p>"There is not, lord," said they.</p> - -<p>"Go one of you and meet her, that we may know who she is."</p> - -<p>And one of them arose; and as he came upon the road to meet her she -passed by, and he followed as fast as he could, being on foot; and the -greater was his speed, the farther was she from him. And when he saw -that it profited him nothing to follow her, he returned to Pwyll, and -said unto him, "Lord, it is idle for any one in the world to follow her -on foot."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Pwyll, "go unto the palace, and take the fleetest horse -that thou seest, and go after her."</p> - -<p>And he took a horse and went forward. And he came to an open level -plain, and put spurs to his horse; and the more he urged his horse, -the farther was she from him. Yet she held the same pace as at first. -And his horse began to fail; and when his horse's feet failed him, he -returned to the place where Pwyll was.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said he, "it will avail nothing for any one to follow yonder -lady. I know of no horse in these realms swifter than this, and it -availed me not to pursue her."</p> - -<p>"Of a truth," said Pwyll, "there must be some illusion here. Let us go -towards the palace." So to the palace they went, and they spent that -day. And the next day they arose, and that also they spent until it was -time to go to meat. And after the first meal, "Verily," said Pwyll, "we -will go, the same party as yesterday, to the top of the mound. And do -thou," said he to one of his young men, "take the swiftest horse that -thou knowest in the field." And thus did the young man. And they went -towards the mound, taking the horse with them. And as they were sitting -down they beheld the lady on the same horse, and in the same apparel, -coming along the same road. "Behold," said Pwyll, "here is the lady of -yesterday. Make ready, youth, to learn who she is."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said he, "that will I gladly do." And thereupon the lady -came opposite to them. So the youth mounted his horse; and before he -had settled himself in his saddle, she passed by, and there was a clear -space between them. But her speed was no greater than it had been the -day before. Then he put his horse into an amble, and thought, that, -notwithstanding the gentle pace at which his horse went, he should soon -overtake her. But this availed him not: so he gave his horse the reins. -And still he came no nearer to her than when he went at a foot's pace. -And the more he urged his horse, the farther was she from him. Yet she -rode not faster than before. When he saw that it availed not to follow -her, he returned to the place where Pwyll was. "Lord," said he, "the -horse can no more than thou hast seen."</p> - -<p>"I see indeed that it avails not that any one should follow her. And by -Heaven," said he, "she must needs have an errand to some one in this -plain, if her haste would allow her to declare it. Let us go back to -the palace." And to the palace they went, and they spent that night in -songs and feasting, as it pleased them.</p> - -<p>And the next day they amused themselves until it was time to go to -meat. And when meat was ended, Pwyll said, "Where are the hosts that -went yesterday and the day before to the top of the mound?"</p> - -<p>"Behold, lord, we are here," said they.</p> - -<p>"Let us go," said he, "to the mound, to sit there. And do thou," said -he to the page who tended his horse, "saddle my horse well, and hasten -with him to the road, and bring also my spurs with thee." And the youth -did thus. And they went and sat upon the mound. And ere they had been -there but a short time, they beheld the lady coming by the same road, -and in the same manner, and at the same pace. "Young man," said Pwyll, -"I see the lady coming: give me my horse." And no sooner had he mounted -his horse than she passed him. And he turned after her, and followed -her. And he let his horse go bounding playfully, and thought that at -the second step or the third he should come up with her. But he came -no nearer to her than at first. Then he urged his horse to his utmost -speed, yet he found that it availed nothing to follow her. Then said -Pwyll, "O maiden, for the sake of him whom thou best lovest, stay for -me."</p> - -<p>"I will stay gladly," said she, "and it were better for thy horse hadst -thou asked it long since." So the maiden stopped, and she threw back -that part of her head-dress which covered her face. And she fixed her -eyes upon him, and began to talk with him.</p> - -<p>"Lady," asked he, "whence comest thou, and whereunto dost thou journey?"</p> - -<p>"I journey on mine own errand," said she, "and right glad am I to see -thee."</p> - -<p>"My greeting be unto thee," said he. Then he thought that the beauty -of all the maidens, and all the ladies that he had ever seen, was as -nothing compared to her beauty. "Lady," he said, "wilt thou tell me -aught concerning thy purpose?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell thee," said she. "My chief quest was to seek thee."</p> - -<p>"Behold," said Pwyll, "this is to me the most pleasing quest on which -thou couldst have come. And wilt thou tell me who thou art?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell thee, lord," said she. "I am Rhiannon, the daughter of -Heveydd Hên, and they sought to give me to a husband against my will. -But no husband would I have, and that because of my love for thee, -neither will I yet have one unless thou reject me. And hither have I -come to hear thy answer."</p> - -<p>"By Heaven," said Pwyll, "behold this is my answer. If I might choose -among all the ladies and damsels in the world, thee would I choose."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said she, "if thou art thus minded, make a pledge to meet me -ere I am given to another."</p> - -<p>"The sooner I may do so, the more pleasing will it be unto me," said -Pwyll, "and wheresoever thou wilt, there will I meet with thee."</p> - -<p>"I will that thou meet me this day twelvemonth, at the palace of -Heveydd. And I will cause a feast to be prepared, so that it be ready -against thou come."</p> - -<p>"Gladly," said he, "will I keep this tryst."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said she, "remain in health, and be mindful that thou keep thy -promise. And now will I go hence."</p> - -<p>So they parted, and he went back to his hosts and to them of his -household. And whatsoever questions they asked him respecting the -damsel, he always turned the discourse upon other matters. And when -a year from that time was gone, he caused a hundred knights to equip -themselves, and to go with him to the palace of Heveydd Hên. And he -came to the palace, and there was great joy concerning him, with much -concourse of people, and great rejoicing, and vast preparations for his -coming. And the whole court was placed under his orders.</p> - -<p>And the hall was garnished, and they went to meat, and thus did they -sit: Heveydd Hên was on one side of Pwyll, and Rhiannon on the other. -And all the rest according to their rank. And they ate and feasted and -talked, one with another; and at the beginning of the carousal after -the meat, there entered a tall auburn-haired youth, of royal bearing, -clothed in a garment of satin. And when he came into the hall he -saluted Pwyll and his companions.</p> - -<p>"The greeting of Heaven be unto thee, my soul," said Pwyll. "Come thou -and sit down."</p> - -<p>"Nay," said he, "a suitor am I; and I will do mine errand."</p> - -<p>"Do so willingly," said Pwyll.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said he, "my errand is unto thee; and it is to crave a boon of -thee that I come."</p> - -<p>"What boon soever thou mayest ask of me, as far as I am able, thou -shalt have."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Rhiannon, "wherefore didst thou give that answer?"</p> - -<p>"Has he not given it before the presence of these nobles?" asked the -youth.</p> - -<p>"My soul," said Pwyll, "what is the boon thou askest?"</p> - -<p>"The lady whom best I love is to be thy bride this night: I come to ask -her of thee, with the feast and the banquet that are in this place."</p> - -<p>And Pwyll was silent because of the answer which he had given.</p> - -<p>"Be silent as long as thou wilt," said Rhiannon. "Never did man make -worse use of his wits than thou hast done."</p> - -<p>"Lady," said he, "I knew not who he was."</p> - -<p>"Behold, this is the man to whom they would have given me against my -will," said she. "And he is Gwawl the son of Clud, a man of great power -and wealth; and because of the word thou hast spoken, bestow me upon -him, lest shame befall thee."</p> - -<p>"Lady," said he, "I understand not thine answer. Never can I do as thou -sayest."</p> - -<p>"Bestow me upon him," said she, "and I will cause that I shall never be -his."</p> - -<p>"By what means will that be?" asked Pwyll.</p> - -<p>"In thy hand will I give thee a small bag," said she. "See that thou -keep it well, and he will ask of thee the banquet and the feast, and -the preparations, which are not in thy power. Unto the hosts and the -household will I give the feast. And such will be thy answer respecting -this. And as concerns myself, I will engage to become his bride this -night twelvemonth. And at the end of the year be thou here," said she, -"and bring this bag with thee, and let thy hundred knights be in the -orchard up yonder. And when he is in the midst of joy and feasting, -come thou in by thyself, clad in ragged garments, and holding thy bag -in thy hand, and ask nothing but a bagful of food: and I will cause -that if all the meat and liquor that are in these seven cantrevs were -put into it, it would be no fuller than before. And after a great deal -has been put therein, he will ask thee whether thy bag will ever be -full. Say thou then that it never will, until a man of noble birth and -of great wealth arise and press the food in the bag with both his feet, -saying, 'Enough has been put therein.' And I will cause him to go and -tread down the food in the bag, and when he does so, turn thou the bag, -so that he shall be up over his head in it, and then slip a knot upon -the thongs of the bag. Let there be also a good bugle-horn about thy -neck, and as soon as thou hast bound him in the bag, wind thy horn, and -let it be a signal between thee and thy knights. And when they hear the -sound of the horn, let them come down upon the palace."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Gwawl, "it is meet that I have an answer to my request."</p> - -<p>"As much of that thou hast asked as it is in my power to give, thou -shalt have," replied Pwyll.</p> - -<p>"My soul," said Rhiannon unto him, "as for the feast and the banquet -that are here, I have bestowed them upon the men of Dyved, and the -household, and the warriors that are with us. These can I not suffer to -be given to any. In a year from to-night a banquet shall be prepared -for thee in this palace, that I may become thy bride."</p> - -<p>So Gwawl went forth to his possessions, and Pwyll went also back to -Dyved. And they both spent that year until it was the time for the -feast at the palace of Heveydd Hên. Then Gwawl the son of Clud set out -to the feast that was prepared for him, and he came to the palace, and -was received there with rejoicing. Pwyll also, the chief of Annwvyn, -came to the orchard with his hundred knights, as Rhiannon had commanded -him, having the bag with him. And Pwyll was clad in coarse and ragged -garments, and wore large clumsy old shoes upon his feet. And when he -knew that the carousal after the meat had begun, he went towards the -hall, and when he came into the hall, he saluted Gwawl the son of Clud, -and his company, both men and women.</p> - -<p>"Heaven prosper thee!" said Gwawl, "and the greeting of Heaven be unto -thee!"</p> - -<p>"Lord," said he, "may Heaven reward thee! I have an errand unto thee."</p> - -<p>"Welcome be thine errand, and, if thou ask of me that which is just, -thou shalt have it gladly."</p> - -<p>"It is fitting," answered he. "I crave but from want; and the boon that -I ask is to have this small bag that thou seest filled with meat."</p> - -<p>"A request within reason is this," said he, "and gladly shalt thou have -it.—Bring him food."</p> - -<p>A great number of attendants arose, and began to fill the bag; but for -all that they put into it, it was no fuller than at first.</p> - -<p>"My soul," said Gwawl, "will thy bag be ever full?"</p> - -<p>"It will not, I declare to Heaven," said he, "for all that may be put -into it, unless one possessed of lands and domains and treasure shall -arise, and tread down with both his feet the food that is within the -bag, and shall say, 'Enough has been put herein.'"</p> - -<p>Then said Rhiannon unto Gwawl the son of Clud, "Rise up quickly."</p> - -<p>"I will willingly arise," said he. So he rose up, and put his two feet -into the bag. And Pwyll turned up the sides of the bag, so that Gwawl -was over his head in it. And he shut it up quickly, and slipped a knot -upon the thongs, and blew his horn. And thereupon behold his household -came down upon the palace. And they seized all the host that had come -with Gwawl, and cast them into his own prison. And Pwyll threw off his -rags, and his old shoes, and his tattered array. And as they came in, -every one of Pwyll's knights struck a blow upon the bag, and asked, -"What is here?"</p> - -<p>"A Badger," said they. And in this manner they played, each of them -striking the bag, either with his foot or with a staff. And thus played -they with the bag. Every one as he came in asked, "What game are you -playing at thus?"</p> - -<p>"The game of Badger in the Bag," said they. And then was the game of -Badger in the Bag first played.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said the man in the bag, "if thou wouldest but hear me, I merit -not to be slain in a bag."</p> - -<p>Said Heveydd Hên, "Lord, he speaks truth. It were fitting that thou -listen to him; for he deserves not this."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Pwyll, "I will do thy counsel concerning him."</p> - -<p>"Behold, this is my counsel then," said Rhiannon. "Thou art now in a -position in which it behoves thee to satisfy suitors and minstrels: -let him give unto them in thy stead, and take a pledge from him that he -will never seek to revenge that which has been done to him. And this -will be punishment enough."</p> - -<p>"I will do this gladly," said the man in the bag.</p> - -<p>"And gladly will I accept it," said Pwyll, "since it is the counsel of -Heveydd and Rhiannon."</p> - -<p>"Such, then, is our counsel," answered they.</p> - -<p>"I accept it," said Pwyll.</p> - -<p>"Seek thyself sureties."</p> - -<p>"We will be for him," said Heveydd, "until his men be free to answer -for him." And upon this he was let out of the bag, and his liege-men -were liberated. "Demand now of Gwawl his sureties," said Heveydd: "we -know which should be taken for him." And Heveydd numbered the sureties.</p> - -<p>Said Gwawl, "Do thou thyself draw up the covenant."</p> - -<p>"It will suffice me that it be as Rhiannon said," answered Pwyll. So -unto that covenant were the sureties pledged.</p> - -<p>"Verily, lord," said Gwawl, "I am greatly hurt, and I have many -bruises. I have need to be anointed: with thy leave I will go forth. I -will leave nobles in my stead to answer for me in all that thou shalt -require."</p> - -<p>"Willingly," said Pwyll, "mayest thou do thus." So Gwawl went towards -his own possessions.</p> - -<p>And the hall was set in order for Pwyll and the men of his host, and -for them also of the palace, and they went to the tables and sat down. -And as they had sat that time twelvemonth, so sat they that night. And -they ate, and feasted, and spent the night in mirth and tranquillity.</p> - -<p>And next morning, at the break of day, "My lord," said Rhiannon, "arise -and begin to give thy gifts unto the minstrels. Refuse no one to-day -that may claim thy bounty."</p> - -<p>"Thus shall it be, gladly," said Pwyll, "both to-day and every day -while the feast shall last." So Pwyll arose, and he caused silence to -be proclaimed, and desired all the suitors and the minstrels to show -and to point out what gifts were to their wish and desire. And this -being done, the feast went on, and he denied no one while it lasted. -And when the feast was ended, Pwyll said unto Heveydd, "My lord, with -thy permission, I will set out for Dyved to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said Heveydd. "May Heaven prosper thee! Fix also a time -when Rhiannon may follow thee."</p> - -<p>Said Pwyll, "We will go hence together."</p> - -<p>"Willest thou this, lord?" said Heveydd.</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Pwyll.</p> - -<p>And the next day they set forward towards Dyved, and journeyed to the -palace of Narberth, where a feast was made ready for them. And there -came to them great numbers of the chief men and the most noble ladies -of the land, and of these there was none to whom Rhiannon did not give -some rich gift, either a bracelet, or a ring, or a precious stone. And -they ruled the land prosperously both that year and the next.</p> - -<p>[And in the fourth year a son was born to them, and women were brought -to watch the babe at night.] And the women slept, as did also Rhiannon. -And when they awoke they looked where they had put the boy, and behold -he was not there. [And the women were frightened; and, having plotted -together, they accused Rhiannon of having murdered her child before -their eyes.]</p> - -<p>"For pity's sake," said Rhiannon, "the Lord God knows all things. -Charge me not falsely. If you tell me this from fear, I assert before -Heaven that I will defend you."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said they, "we would not bring evil on ourselves for any one -in the world."</p> - -<p>"For pity's sake," said Rhiannon, "you will receive no evil by telling -the truth." But for all her words, whether fair or harsh, she received -but the same answer from the women.</p> - -<p>And Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn arose, and his household and his hosts. -And this occurrence could not be concealed; but the story went forth -throughout the land, and all the nobles heard it. Then the nobles came -to Pwyll, and besought him to put away his wife because of the great -crime which she had done. But Pwyll answered them that they had no -cause wherefore they might ask him to put away his wife.</p> - -<p>So Rhiannon sent for the teachers and the wise men, and as she -preferred doing penance to contending with the women, she took upon -her a penance. And the penance that was imposed upon her was that -she should remain in that palace of Narberth until the end of seven -years, and that she should sit every day near unto a horseblock that -was without the gate; and that she should relate the story to all -who should come there whom she might suppose not to know it already; -and that she should offer the guests and strangers, if they would -permit her, to carry them upon her back into the palace. But it rarely -happened that any would permit. And thus did she spend part of the year.</p> - -<p>Now at that time Teirnyon Twryv Vliant was lord of Gwent Is Coed, and -he was the best man in the world. And unto his house there belonged -a mare than which neither mare nor horse in the kingdom was more -beautiful. And on the night of every first of May she foaled, and no -one ever knew what became of the colt. And one night Teirnyon talked -with his wife: "Wife," said he, "it is very simple of us that our mare -should foal every year, and that we should have none of her colts."</p> - -<p>"What can be done in the matter?" said she.</p> - -<p>"This is the night of the first of May," said he. "The vengeance of -Heaven be upon me, if I learn not what it is that takes away the -colts." So he armed himself, and began to watch that night. Teirnyon -heard a great tumult, and after the tumult behold a claw came through -the window into the house, and it seized the colt by the mane. Then -Teirnyon drew his sword, and struck off the arm at the elbow: so that -portion of the arm, together with the colt, was in the house with him. -And then did he hear a tumult and wailing both at once. And he opened -the door, and rushed out in the direction of the noise, and he could -not see the cause of the tumult because of the darkness of the night; -but he rushed after it and followed it. Then he remembered that he -had left the door open, and he returned. And at the door behold there -was an infant-boy in swaddling-clothes, wrapped around in a mantle of -satin. And he took up the boy, and behold he was very strong for the -age that he was of.</p> - -<p>Then he shut the door, and went into the chamber where his wife was. -"Lady," said he, "art thou sleeping?"</p> - -<p>"No, lord," said she: "I was asleep, but as thou camest in I did awake."</p> - -<p>"Behold, here is a boy for thee, if thou wilt," said he, "since thou -hast never had one."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said she, "what adventure is this?"</p> - -<p>"It was thus," said Teirnyon. And he told her how it all befell.</p> - -<p>"Verily, lord," said she, "what sort of garments are there upon the -boy?"</p> - -<p>"A mantle of satin," said he.</p> - -<p>"He is then a boy of gentle lineage," she replied.</p> - -<p>And they caused the boy to be baptized, and the ceremony was performed -there. And the name which they gave unto him was Gwri Wallt Euryn, -because what hair was upon his head was as yellow as gold. And they -had the boy nursed in the court until he was a year old. And before -the year was over he could walk stoutly; and he was larger than a boy -of three years old, even one of great growth and size. And the boy was -nursed the second year, and then he was as large as a child six years -old. And before the end of the fourth year, he would bribe the grooms -to allow him to take the horses to water.</p> - -<p>"My lord," said his wife unto Teirnyon, "where is the colt which thou -didst save on the night that thou didst find the boy?"</p> - -<p>"I have commanded the grooms of the horses," said he, "that they take -care of him."</p> - -<p>"Would it not be well, lord," said she, "if thou wert to cause him to -be broken in, and given to the boy, seeing that on the same night that -thou didst find the boy, the colt was foaled, and thou didst save him?"</p> - -<p>"I will not oppose thee in this matter," said Teirnyon. "I will allow -thee to give him the colt."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said she, "may Heaven reward thee! I will give it him." So the -horse was given to the boy. Then she went to the grooms and those who -tended the horses, and commanded them to be careful of the horse, so -that he might be broken in by the time that the boy could ride him.</p> - -<p>And while these things were going forward, they heard tidings of -Rhiannon and her punishment. And Teirnyon Twryv Vliant, by reason -of the pity that he felt on hearing this story of Rhiannon and her -punishment, inquired closely concerning it, until he had heard from -many of those who came to his court. Then did Teirnyon, often lamenting -the sad history, ponder within himself; and he looked steadfastly -on the boy, and as he looked upon him, it seemed to him that he had -never beheld so great a likeness between father and son as between the -boy and Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn. Now the semblance of Pwyll was -well known to him, for he had of yore been one of his followers. And -thereupon he became grieved for the wrong that he did in keeping with -him a boy whom he knew to be the son of another man. And the first time -that he was alone with his wife he told her that it was not right that -they should keep the boy with them, and suffer so excellent a lady as -Rhiannon to be punished so greatly on his account, whereas the boy was -the son of Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn. And Teirnyon's wife agreed with -him that they should send the boy to Pwyll. "And three things, lord," -said she, "shall we gain thereby,—thanks and gifts for releasing -Rhiannon from her punishment, and thanks from Pwyll for nursing his -son and restoring him unto him; and, thirdly, if the boy is of gentle -nature, he will be our foster-son, and he will do for us all the good -in his power." So it was settled according to this counsel.</p> - -<p>And no later than the next day was Teirnyon equipped and two other -knights with him. And the boy, as a fourth in their company, went with -them upon the horse which Teirnyon had given him. And they journeyed -towards Narberth, and it was not long before they reached that place. -And as they drew near to the palace, they beheld Rhiannon sitting -beside the horseblock. And when they were opposite to her, "Chieftain," -said she, "go not farther thus: I will bear every one of you into the -palace. And this is my penance for slaying my own son, and devouring -him."</p> - -<p>"Oh, fair lady," said Teirnyon, "think not that I will be one to be -carried upon thy back."</p> - -<p>"Neither will I," said the boy.</p> - -<p>"Truly, my soul," said Teirnyon, "we will not go." So they went forward -to the palace, and there was great joy at their coming. And at the -palace a feast was prepared, because Pwyll was come back from the -confines of Dyved. And they went into the hall and washed, and Pwyll -rejoiced to see Teirnyon. And in this order they sat: Teirnyon between -Pwyll and Rhiannon, and Teirnyon's two companions on the other side -of Pwyll, with the boy between them. And after meat they began to -carouse and to discourse. And Teirnyon's discourse was concerning the -adventure of the mare and the boy, and how he and his wife had nursed -and reared the child as their own. "And behold here is thy son, lady," -said Teirnyon. "And whosoever told that lie concerning thee has done -wrong. And when I heard of thy sorrow I was troubled and grieved. And -I believe that there is none of this host who will not perceive that -the boy is the son of Pwyll," said Teirnyon.</p> - -<p>"There is none," said they all, "who is not certain thereof."</p> - -<p>"I declare to Heaven," said Rhiannon, "that, if this be true, there is -indeed an end to my trouble."</p> - -<p>"Lady," said Pendaran Dyved, "well hast thou named thy son Pryderi, and -well becomes him the name of Pryderi son of Pwyll chief of Annwvyn."</p> - -<p>"Look you," said Rhiannon: "will not his own name become him better?"</p> - -<p>"What name has he?" asked Pendaran Dyved.</p> - -<p>"Gwri Wallt Euryn is the name that we gave him."</p> - -<p>"Pryderi," said Pendaran, "shall his name be."</p> - -<p>"It were more proper," said Pwyll, "that the boy should take his name -from the word his mother spoke when she received the joyful tidings of -him." And thus was it arranged.</p> - -<p>"Teirnyon," said Pwyll, "Heaven reward thee that thou hast reared the -boy up to this time, and, being of gentle lineage, it were fitting that -he repay thee for it."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said Teirnyon, "it was my wife who nursed him, and there is -no one in the world so afflicted as she at parting with him. It were -well that he should bear in mind what I and my wife have done for him."</p> - -<p>"I call Heaven to witness," said Pwyll, "that while I live I will -support thee and thy possessions as long as I am able to preserve my -own. And when he shall have power, he will more fitly maintain them -than I. And if this counsel be pleasing unto thee and to my nobles, it -shall be, that, as thou hast reared him up to the present time, I will -give him to be brought up by Pendaran Dyved from henceforth. And you -shall be companions, and shall both be foster-fathers unto him."</p> - -<p>"This is good counsel," said they all. So the boy was given to Pendaran -Dyved, and the nobles of the land were sent with him. And Teirnyon -Twryv Vliant and his companions set out for his country and his -possessions, with love and gladness. And he went not without being -offered the fairest jewels, and the fairest horses, and the choicest -dogs; but he would take none of them.</p> - -<p>Thereupon they all remained in their own dominions. And Pryderi the son -of Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn was brought up carefully, as was fit, so -that he became the fairest youth, and the most comely, and the best -skilled in all good games, of any in the kingdom. And thus passed years -and years until the end of Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn's life came, and -he died.</p> - -<p>And Pryderi ruled the seven Cantrevs of Dyved prosperously; and he was -beloved by his people and by all around him. And at length he added -unto them the three Cantrevs of Ystrad Tywi and the four Cantrevs of -Cardigan; and these were called the Seven Cantrevs of Seissyllwch. And -when he made this addition, Pryderi the son of Pwyll the chief of -Annwyvn desired to take a wife. And the wife he chose was Kicva, the -daughter of Gwynn Gohoyw, the son of Gloyw Wlallt Lydan, the son of -Prince Casnar, one of the nobles of this island.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_LLUDD_AND_LLEVELYS" id="THE_STORY_OF_LLUDD_AND_LLEVELYS">THE STORY OF LLUDD AND LLEVELYS.</a></h2> - - -<p>Beli the Great, the son of Manogan, had three sons, Lludd and -Caswallawn and Nynyaw, and according to the story he had a fourth son -called Llevelys. And after the death of Beli, the kingdom of the Island -of Britain fell into the hands of Lludd, his eldest son; and Lludd -ruled prosperously, and rebuilt the walls of London, and encompassed it -about with numberless towers. And after that he bade the citizens build -houses therein, such as no houses in the kingdoms could equal. And -moreover he was a mighty warrior, and generous and liberal in giving -meat and drink to all that sought them. And though he had many castles -and cities, this one loved he more than any. And he dwelt therein most -part of the year, and therefore was it called Caer Lludd, and at last -Caer London. And after the stranger-race came there, it was called -London, or Lwndrys.</p> - -<p>Lludd loved Llevelys best of all his brothers, because he was a wise -and discreet man. Having heard that the King of France had died, -leaving no heir except a daughter, and that he had left all his -possessions in her hands, he came to Lludd his brother to beseech his -counsel and aid; and that not so much for his own welfare as to seek -to add to the glory and honor and dignity of his kindred, if he might -go to France to woo the maiden for his wife. And forthwith his brother -conferred with him, and this counsel was pleasing unto him.</p> - -<p>So he prepared ships, and filled them with armed knights, and set forth -towards France. And as soon as they had landed, they sent messengers -to show the nobles of France the cause of the embassy. And by the -joint counsel of the nobles of France and of the princes, the maiden -was given to Llevelys, and the crown of the kingdom with her. And -thenceforth he ruled the land discreetly and wisely and happily as long -as his life lasted.</p> - -<p>After a space of time had passed, three plagues fell on the Island of -Britain, such as none in the islands had ever seen the like of. The -first was a certain race that came, and was called the Coranians; and -so great was their knowledge, that there was no discourse upon the -face of the island, however low it might be spoken, but what, if the -wind met it, it was known to them. And through this they could not be -injured.</p> - -<p>The second plague was a shriek which came on every May-eve over every -hearth in the Island of Britain. And this went through people's hearts, -and so scared them, that the men lost their hue and their strength, and -the young men and the maidens lost their senses, and all the animals -and trees, and the earth and the waters, were left barren.</p> - -<p>The third plague was that, however much of provisions and food might -be prepared in the king's courts, were there even so much as a year's -provision of meat and drink, none of it could ever be found, except -what was consumed in the first night. And two of these plagues no one -ever knew their cause, therefore was there better hope of being freed -from the first than from the second and third.</p> - -<p>And thereupon King Lludd felt great sorrow and care, because that he -knew not how he might be freed from these plagues. And he called to -him all the nobles of his kingdom, and asked counsel of them what they -should do against these afflictions. And by the common counsel of -the nobles, Lludd the son of Beli went to Llevelys his brother, King -of France, for he was a man great of counsel and wisdom, to seek his -advice.</p> - -<p>And they made ready a fleet, and that in secret and in silence, lest -that race should know the cause of their errand, or any besides the -king and his counsellors. And when they were made ready, they went into -their ships, Lludd and those whom he chose with him. And they began to -cleave the seas towards France.</p> - -<p>And when these tidings came to Llevelys, seeing that he knew not the -cause of his brother's ships he came on the other side to meet him, and -with him was a fleet vast of size. And when Lludd saw this, he left all -the ships out upon the sea except one only; and in that one he came to -meet his brother, and he likewise with a single ship came to meet him. -And when they were come together, each put his arms about the other's -neck, and they welcomed each other with brotherly love.</p> - -<p>After that Lludd had shown his brother the cause of his errand, -Llevelys said that he himself knew the cause of the coming to those -lands. And they took counsel together to discourse on the matter -otherwise than thus, in order that the wind might not catch their -words, nor the Coranians know what they might say. Then Llevelys caused -a long horn to be made of brass, and through this horn they discoursed. -But whatsoever words they spoke through this horn, one to the other, -neither of them could hear any other but harsh and hostile words. And -when Llevelys saw this, and that there was a demon thwarting them, -and disturbing through this horn, he caused wine to be put therein to -wash it. And through the virtue of the wine the demon was driven out -of the horn. And when their discourse was unobstructed, Llevelys told -his brother that he would give him some insects, whereof he should keep -some to breed, lest by chance the like affliction might come a second -time. And other of these insects he should take and bruise in water. -And he assured him that it would have power to destroy the race of the -Coranians. That is to say, that when he came home to his kingdom, he -should call together all the people, both of his own race and of the -race of the Coranians, for a conference, as though with the intent of -making peace between them, and that when they were all together he -should take this charmed water, and cast it over all alike. And he -assured him that the water would poison the race of the Coranians, but -that it would not slay or harm those of his own race.</p> - -<p>"And the second plague," said he, "that is in thy dominion, behold it -is a dragon. And another dragon of a foreign race is fighting with it, -and striving to overcome it. And therefore does your dragon make a -fearful outcry. And on this wise mayest thou come to know this. After -thou hast returned home, cause the island to be measured in its length -and breadth; and in the place where thou dost find the exact central -point, there cause a pit to be dug, and cause a caldron full of the -best mead that can be made to be put in the pit, with a covering of -satin over the face of the caldron. And then in thine own person do -thou remain there watching, and thou wilt see the dragons fighting in -the form of terrific animals. And at length they will take the form of -dragons in the air. And last of all, after wearying themselves with -fierce and furious fighting, they will fall, in the form of two pigs, -upon the covering, and they will sink in, and the covering with them, -and they will draw it down to the very bottom of the caldron. And they -will drink up the whole of the mead; and after that they will sleep. -Thereupon do thou immediately fold the covering around them, and bury -them in a kistvaen in the strongest place thou hast in thy dominions, -and hide them in the earth. And as long as they shall bide in that -strong place, no plague shall come to the Island of Britain from -elsewhere.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - <p><a name="illus7" id="illus7"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus7.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>The Battle of the Dragons.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"The cause of the third plague," said he, "is a mighty man of -magic, who takes thy meat and thy drink and thy store. And he, -through illusions and charms, causes every one to sleep. Therefore -it is needful for thee in thy own person to watch thy food and thy -provisions. And lest he should overcome thee with sleep, be there a -caldron of cold water by thy side, and when thou art oppressed with -sleep, plunge into the caldron."</p> - -<p>Then Lludd returned back unto his land. And immediately he summoned to -him the whole of his own race and of the Coranians. And, as Llevelys -had taught him, he bruised the insects in water, which he cast over -them all together, and forthwith it destroyed the whole tribe of the -Coranians, without hurt to any of the Britons.</p> - -<p>And some time after this Lludd caused the island to be measured in -its length and in its breadth. And in Oxford he found the central -point, and in that place he caused the earth to be dug, and in that -pit a caldron to be set full of the best mead that could be made, and -a covering of satin over the face of it. And he himself watched that -night. And while he was there, he beheld the dragons fighting. And when -they were weary they fell, and came down upon the top of the satin, -and drew it with them to the bottom of the caldron. And when they had -drunk the mead they slept. And in their sleep Lludd folded the covering -around them, and in the securest place he had in Snowdon he hid them -in a kistvaen. Now after that, this spot was called Dinas Emreis, but -before that, Dinas Ffaraon. And thus the fierce outcry ceased in his -dominions.</p> - -<p>And when this was ended, King Lludd caused an exceeding great banquet -to be prepared. And when it was ready, he placed a vessel of cold water -by his side, and he in his own proper person watched it. And as he -abode thus clad with arms, about the third watch of the night, lo, he -heard many surpassing fascinations and various songs. And drowsiness -urged him to sleep. Upon this, lest he should be hindered from his -purpose, and be overcome by sleep, he went often into the water. And -at last, behold a man of vast size, clad in strong, heavy armor, came -in, bearing a hamper. And as he was wont, he put all the food and -provisions of meat and drink into the hamper, and proceeded to go with -it forth. And nothing was ever more wonderful to Lludd than that the -hamper should hold so much.</p> - -<p>And thereupon King Lludd went after him, and spoke unto him thus: -"Stop, stop," said he, "though thou hast done many insults and much -spoil erewhile, thou shalt not do so any more, unless thy skill in arms -and thy prowess be greater than mine."</p> - -<p>Then he instantly put down the hamper on the floor, and awaited him. -And a fierce encounter was between them, so that the glittering fire -flew out from their arms. And at the last Lludd grappled with him, and -fate bestowed the victory on Lludd. And he threw the plague to the -earth. And after he had overcome him by strength and might he besought -his mercy.</p> - -<p>"How can I grant thee mercy," said the king, "after all the many -injuries and wrongs that thou hast done me?"</p> - -<p>"All the losses that ever I have caused thee," said he, "I will make -thee atonement for, equal to what I have taken. And I will never do the -like from this time forth. But thy faithful vassal will I be."</p> - -<p>And the king accepted this from him.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="THE_ORIGIN_OF_THE_OWL" id="THE_ORIGIN_OF_THE_OWL">THE ORIGIN OF THE OWL.</a></h2> - -<p>[ENTITLED IN THE ORIGINAL, "MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY."]</p> - - -<p>Once upon a time Gwydion found a yellow-haired child in his chamber, -which had been placed there by magic art. And Gwydion straightway flung -a velvet scarf over the child and hid it. Now the place where he hid -it was the bottom of a chest at the foot of his bed.</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Math the son of Mathonwy, concerning the fine -yellow-haired boy, "I will cause this one to be baptized; and Dylan is -the name I will give him."</p> - -<p>So they had the boy baptized, and as they baptized him he plunged into -the sea. And immediately when he was in the sea, he took its nature, -and swam as well as the best fish that was therein. And for that reason -was he called Dylan, the son of the Wave. Beneath him no wave ever -broke. And the blow whereby he came to his death was struck by his -uncle Govannion. The third fatal blow was it called.</p> - -<p>As Gwydion lay one morning on his bed awake, he heard a cry in the -chest at his feet; and though it was not loud, it was such that he -could hear it. Then he arose in haste, and opened the chest; and when -he opened it, he beheld an infant-boy stretching out his arms from the -folds of the scarf, and casting it aside. And he took up the boy in -his arms, and carried him to a place where he knew there was a woman -that could nurse him. And he agreed with the woman that she should take -charge of the boy. And that year he was nursed.</p> - -<p>And at the end of the year he seemed by his size as though he were two -years old. And the second year he was a big child, and able to go to -the court by himself. And when he came to the court, Gwydion noticed -him, and the boy became familiar with him, and loved him better than -any one else. Then was the boy reared at the court until he was four -years old, when he was as big as though he had been eight.</p> - -<p>And one day Gwydion walked forth, and the boy followed him; and he went -to the Castle of Arianrod, having the boy with him. And when he came -into the court, Arianrod arose to meet him, and greeted him, and bade -him welcome.</p> - -<p>"Heaven prosper thee," said he.</p> - -<p>"What is the name of the boy?" said she.</p> - -<p>"Verily," he replied, "he has not yet a name."</p> - -<p>"Well," she said, "I lay this destiny upon him, that he shall never -have a name until he receives one from me."</p> - -<p>"Heaven bears me witness," answered he, "that thou art a wicked woman. -But the boy shall have a name,<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> how displeasing soever it may be -unto thee." And thereupon he went forth in wrath, and returned to Caer -Dathyl, and there he tarried that night.</p> - -<p>And the next day he arose and took the boy with him, and went to -walk on the seashore between that place and Aber Menei. And there he -saw some sedges and seaweed, and he turned them into a boat. And out -of dry sticks and sedges he made some Cordovan leather, and a great -deal thereof; and he colored it in such a manner that no one ever saw -leather more beautiful than it. Then he made a sail to the boat, and he -and the boy went in it to the port of the Castle of Arianrod. And he -began forming shoes, and stitching them, until he was observed from the -castle. And when he knew that they of the castle were observing him, he -disguised his aspect, and put another semblance upon himself and upon -the boy, so that they might not be known.</p> - -<p>"What men are those in yonder boat?" said Arianrod.</p> - -<p>"They are cordwainers," answered they.</p> - -<p>"Go and see what kind of leather they have, and what kind of work they -can do."</p> - -<p>So they came unto them. And when they came he was coloring some -Cordovan leather, and gilding it. And the messengers came and told her -this.</p> - -<p>"Well," said she, "take the measure of my foot, and desire the -cordwainer to make shoes for me."</p> - -<p>So he made the shoes for her, yet not according to the measure, but -larger. The shoes then were brought unto her, and behold they were too -large.</p> - -<p>"These are too large," said she; "but he shall receive their value. Let -him also make some that are smaller than they."</p> - -<p>Then he made her others that were much smaller than her foot, and sent -them unto her.</p> - -<p>"Tell him that these will not go on my feet," said she. And they told -him this.</p> - -<p>"Verily," said he, "I will not make her any shoes unless I see her -foot." And this was told unto her.</p> - -<p>"Truly," she answered, "I will go unto him."</p> - -<p>So she went down to the boat, and when she came there he was shaping -shoes, and the boy stitching them.</p> - -<p>"Ah, lady," said he, "good day to thee."</p> - -<p>"Heaven prosper thee," said she. "I marvel that thou canst not manage -to make shoes according to measure."</p> - -<p>"I could not," he replied; "but now I shall be able."</p> - -<p>Thereupon behold a wren stood upon the deck of the boat; and the boy -shot at it, and hit it in the leg between the sinew and the bone. Then -she smiled. "Verily," said she, "with a steady hand did the lion aim at -it."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee not; but now has he got a name. And a good enough -name it is. Llew Llaw Gyffes be he called henceforth."</p> - -<p>Then the work disappeared in seaweed and sedges, and he went on with it -no further. And for that reason was he called the third Gold-shoemaker.</p> - -<p>"Of a truth," said she, "thou wilt not thrive the better for doing evil -unto me."</p> - -<p>"I have done thee no evil yet," said he. Then he restored the boy to -his own form.</p> - -<p>"Well," said she, "I will lay a destiny upon this boy, that he shall -never have arms and armor until I invest him with them."</p> - -<p>"By Heaven," said he, "let thy malice be what it may, he shall have -arms."</p> - -<p>Then they went towards Dinas Dinllev, and there he brought up Llew Llaw -Gyffes until he could manage any horse, and he was perfect in features -and strength and stature. And then Gwydion saw that he languished -through the want of horses and arms. And he called him unto him. "Ah, -youth," said he, "we will go to-morrow on an errand together. Be -therefore more cheerful than thou art."</p> - -<p>"That I will," said the youth.</p> - -<p>Next morning, at the dawn of day, they arose. And they took way along -the seacoast, up towards Bryn Aryen. And at the top of Cevn Clydno -they equipped themselves with horses, and went towards the Castle of -Arianrod. And they changed their form, and pricked towards the gate in -the semblance of two youths; but the aspect of Gwydion was more staid -than that of the other. "Porter," said he, "go thou in and say that -there are here bards from Glamorgan."</p> - -<p>And the porter went in.</p> - -<p>"The welcome of Heaven be unto them. Let them in," said Arianrod.</p> - -<p>With great joy were they greeted. And the hall was arranged, and they -went to meat. When meat was ended, Arianrod discoursed with Gwydion -of tales and stories. Now Gwydion was an excellent teller of tales. -And when it was time to leave off feasting, a chamber was prepared for -them, and they went to rest.</p> - -<p>In the early twilight Gwydion arose, and he called unto him his magic -and his power. And by the time that the day dawned, there resounded -through the land uproar, and trumpets and shouts. When it was now -day, they heard a knocking at the door of the chamber, and therewith -Arianrod asking that it might be opened. Up rose the youth and opened -unto her, and she entered, and a maiden with her. "Ah, good men," she -said, "in evil plight are we."</p> - -<p>"Yes, truly," said Gwydion, "we have heard trumpets, and shouts. What -thinkest thou that they may mean?"</p> - -<p>"Verily," said she, "we cannot see the color of the ocean by reason of -all the ships side by side. And they are making for the land with all -the speed they can. And what can we do?" said she.</p> - -<p>"Lady," said Gwydion, "there is none other counsel than to close the -castle upon us, and to defend it as best we may."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said she, "may Heaven reward you. And do you defend it. And -here may you have plenty of arms."</p> - -<p>And thereupon went she forth for the arms, and behold she returned, and -two maidens, and suits of armor for two men, with her.</p> - -<p>"Lady," said he, "do thou accoutre this stripling, and I will arm -myself, with the help of thy maidens. Lo, I hear the tumult of the men -approaching."</p> - -<p>"I will do so gladly." So she armed him fully, and that right -cheerfully.</p> - -<p>"Hast thou finished arming the youth?" said he.</p> - -<p>"I have finished," she answered.</p> - -<p>"I likewise have finished," said Gwydion. "Let us now take off our -arms: we have no need of them."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore?" said she. "Here is the army around the house."</p> - -<p>"Oh, lady, there is here no army."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" cried she. "Whence then was this tumult?"</p> - -<p>"The tumult was but to break thy prophecy, and to obtain arms for thy -son. And now has he got arms without any thanks unto thee."</p> - -<p>"By Heaven," said Arianrod, "thou art a wicked man. Many a youth might -have lost his life through the uproar thou hast caused in this Cantrev -to-day. Now will I lay a destiny upon this youth," she said, "that he -shall never have a wife of the race that now inhabits this earth."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said he, "thou wast ever a malicious woman, and no one ought -to support thee. A wife shall he have notwithstanding."</p> - -<p>They went thereupon unto Math the son of Mathonwy, and complained unto -him most bitterly of Arianrod, Gwydion showed him also how he had -procured arms for the youth. "Well," said Math, "we will seek, I and -thou, by charms and illusion, to form a wife for him out of flowers. He -has now come to man's stature, and he is the comeliest youth that was -ever beheld."</p> - -<p>So they took the blossoms of the oak, and the blossoms of the broom, -and the blossoms of the meadow-sweet, and produced from them a maiden, -the fairest and most graceful that man ever saw. And they baptized her, -and gave her the name of Blodeuwedd.</p> - -<p>After she had become his bride, and they had feasted, said Gwydion, "It -is not easy for a man to maintain himself without possessions."</p> - -<p>"Of a truth," said Math, "I will give the young man the best Cantrev to -hold."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said he, "what Cantrev is that?"</p> - -<p>"The Cantrev of Dinodig," he answered.</p> - -<p>Now it is called at this day Eivionydd and Ardudwy. And the place in -the Cantrev where he dwelt was a palace of his in a spot called Mur y -Castell, on the confines of Ardudwy. There dwelt he and reigned, and -both he and his sway were beloved by all.</p> - -<p>One day he went forth to Caer Dathyl to visit Math the son of Mathonwy. -And on the day that he set out for Caer Dathyl, Blodeuwedd walked in -the court. And she heard the sound of a horn. And after the sound of -the horn, behold a tired stag went by, with dogs and huntsmen following -it. And after the dogs and the huntsmen there came a crowd of men on -foot. "Send a youth," said she, "to ask who yonder host may be."</p> - -<p>So a youth went and inquired who they were. "Gronw Pebyr is this, the -lord of Penllynn," said they. And thus the youth told her.</p> - -<p>Gronw Pebyr pursued the stag, and by the River Cynvael he overtook the -stag, and killed it. And what with flaying the stag, and baiting his -dogs, he was there until the night began to close in upon him. And as -the day departed and the night drew near, he came to the gate of the -court. "Verily," said Blodeuwedd, "the chieftain will speak ill of us -if we let him at this hour depart to another land without inviting him -in."</p> - -<p>"Yes, truly, lady," said they, "it will be most fitting to invite him."</p> - -<p>Then went messengers to meet him, and bid him in. And he accepted her -bidding gladly, and came to the court; and Blodeuwedd went to meet him -and greeted him, and bade him welcome. "Lady," said he, "Heaven repay -thee thy kindness."</p> - -<p>[Now Blodeuwedd, in spite of her descent from the flowers, was at heart -a wicked woman, and so she began to plot with Gronw Pebyr how they -might slay the valiant Llew Llaw Gyffes, and enjoy his possessions. -Then Gronw said to her,] "Converse with him fully, and find out by what -means he may come to his death."</p> - -<p>That night Llew Llaw Gyffes returned to his home. And the day they -spent in discourse and minstrelsy and feasting. And at night they went -to rest, and he spoke to Blodeuwedd once, and he spoke to her a second -time. But for all this he could not get from her one word. "What -aileth thee?" said he. "Art thou well?"</p> - -<p>"I was thinking," said she, "of that which thou didst never think of -concerning me; for I was sorrowful as to thy death, lest thou shouldst -go sooner than I."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thy care for me," said he. "But until Heaven take me I -shall not easily be slain."</p> - -<p>"For the sake of heaven, and for mine, show me how thou mightest be -slain. My memory in guarding is better than thine."</p> - -<p>"I will tell thee gladly," said he. "Not easily can I be slain, except -by a wound. And the spear wherewith I am struck must be a year in -the forming. And nothing must be done towards it, except during the -sacrifice on Sundays."</p> - -<p>"Is this certain?" asked she.</p> - -<p>"It is in truth," he answered. "And I cannot be slain within a house -nor without. I cannot be slain on horseback nor on foot."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said she, "in what manner, then, canst thou be slain?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell thee," said he. "By making a bath for me by the side of a -river, and by putting a roof over the caldron, and thatching it well -and tightly, and bringing a buck, and putting it beside the caldron. -Then if I place one foot on the buck's back, and the other on the edge -of the caldron, whosoever strikes me thus will cause my death."</p> - -<p>"Well," said she, "I thank Heaven that it will be easy to avoid this."</p> - -<p>No sooner had she held this discourse than she sent to Gronw Pebyr. -Gronw toiled at making the spear, and that day twelvemonth it was -ready. And that very day he caused her to be informed thereof.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Blodeuwedd unto Llew, "I have been thinking how it is -possible that what thou didst tell me formerly can be true. Wilt thou -show me in what manner thou couldst stand at once upon the edge of a -caldron and upon a buck, if I prepare the bath for thee?"</p> - -<p>"I will show thee," said he.</p> - -<p>Then she sent unto Gronw, and bade him be in ambush on the hill which -is now called Bryn Kyvergyr, on the bank of the River Cynvael. She -caused also to be collected all the goats that were in the Cantrev, and -had them brought to the other side of the river, opposite Bryn Kyvergyr.</p> - -<p>And the next day she spoke thus: "Lord," said she, "I have caused the -roof and the bath to be prepared, and lo! they are ready."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Llew, "we will go gladly to look at them."</p> - -<p>The day after they came and looked at the bath. "Wilt thou go into the -bath, lord?" said she.</p> - -<p>"Willingly will I go in," he answered. So into the bath he went, and he -anointed himself.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said she, "behold the animals which thou didst speak of as -being called bucks."</p> - -<p>"Well," said he, "cause one of them to be caught and brought here." And -the buck was brought. Then Llew rose out of the bath, and put on his -trowsers, and he placed one foot on the edge of the bath, and the other -on the buck's back.</p> - -<p>Thereupon Gronw rose up from the hill which is called Bryn Cyvergyr, -and he rested on one knee, and flung the poisoned dart, and struck -him on the side, so that the shaft started out, but the head of the -dart remained in. Then he flew up in the form of an eagle, and gave a -fearful scream. And thenceforth was he no more seen.</p> - -<p>And the next day Gronw arose, and took possession of Ardudwy. And after -he had overcome the land, he ruled over it, so that Ardudwy and Penllyn -were both under his sway.</p> - -<p>Then these tidings reached Math the son of Mathonwy. And heaviness and -grief came upon Math, and much more upon Gwydion than upon him. "Lord," -said Gwydion, "I shall never rest until I have tidings of my nephew."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Math, "may Heaven be thy strength."</p> - -<p>Then Gwydion set forth, and began to go forward. And he went through -Gwynedd and Powys to the confines. And when he had done so, he went -into Arvon, and came to the house of a vassal in Maenawr Penardd. -And he alighted at the house, and staid there that night. The man of -the house and his household came in, and last of all came there the -swineherd. Said the man of the house to the swineherd, "Well, youth, -hath thy sow come in to-night?"</p> - -<p>"She hath," said he, "and is this instant returned to the pigs."</p> - -<p>"Where doth this sow go to?" said Gwydion.</p> - -<p>"Every day, when the sty is opened, she goeth forth, and none can catch -sight of her, neither is it known whither she goeth more than if she -sank into the earth."</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou grant unto me," said Gwydion, "not to open the sty until I -am beside the sty with thee?"</p> - -<p>"This will I do right gladly," he answered.</p> - -<p>That night they went to rest. And as soon as the swineherd saw the -light of day, he awoke Gwydion. And Gwydion arose and dressed himself, -and went with the swineherd, and stood beside the sty. Then the -swineherd opened the sty. And as soon as he opened it, behold she -leaped forth, and set off with great speed. And Gwydion followed her. -And she went against the course of a river, and made for a brook, which -is now called Nant y Llew. And there she halted, and began feeding -under a tree. And Gwydion came under the tree, and looked, and as he -looked he beheld on the top of the tree an eagle. And it seemed to him -that the eagle was Llew. And he sang an Englyn:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Oak that grows between the two banks;</div> - <div class="verse">Darkened is the sky and hill!</div> - <div class="verse">Shall I not tell him by his wounds,</div> - <div class="verse">That this is Llew?"</div> -</div></div> - -<p>Upon this the eagle came down until he reached the centre of the tree. -And Gwydion sang another Englyn:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Oak that grows in upland ground,</div> - <div class="verse">Is it not wetted by the rain? Has it not been drenched</div> - <div class="verse">By ninescore tempests?</div> - <div class="verse">It bears in its branches Llew Llaw Gyffes!"</div> -</div></div> - -<p>Then the eagle came down until he was on the lowest branch of the tree, -and thereupon this Englyn did Gwydion sing:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Oak that grows beneath the steep;</div> - <div class="verse">Stately and majestic is its aspect!</div> - <div class="verse">Shall I not speak it?</div> - <div class="verse">That Llaw will come to my lap?"</div> -</div></div> - -<p>And the eagle came down upon Gwydion's knee. And Gwydion struck him -with his magic wand, so that he returned to his own form. No one ever -saw a more piteous sight, for he was nothing but skin and bone.</p> - -<p>Then he went unto Caer Dathyl, and there were brought unto him good -physicians that were in Gwynedd, and before the end of the year he was -quite healed.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said he unto Math the son of Mathonwy, "it is full time now -that I have retribution of him by whom I have suffered all this woe."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Math, "he will never be able to maintain himself in the -possession of that which is thy right."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Llew, "the sooner I have my right, the better shall I be -pleased."</p> - -<p>Then they called together the whole of Gwynedd, and set forth to -Ardudwy. And Gwydion went on before, and proceeded to Mur y Castell. -And when Blodeuwedd heard that he was coming, she took her maidens -with her, and fled to the mountain. And they passed through the River -Cynvael, and went towards a court that there was upon the mountain; and -through fear they could not proceed except with their faces looking -backwards, so that unawares they fell into the lake. And they were all -drowned except Blodeuwedd herself; and her Gwydion overtook. And he -said unto her, "I will not slay thee; but I will do unto thee worse -than that. For I will turn thee into a bird. And because of the shame -thou hast done unto Llew Llaw Gyffes, thou shalt never show thy face -in the light of day henceforth; and that through fear of all the other -birds. For it shall be their nature to attack thee, and to chase thee -from wheresoever they may find thee. And thou shalt not lose thy name, -but shalt be always called Blodeuwedd."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - <p><a name="illus8" id="illus8"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus8.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>The Flight of Blodeuwedd and her Maidens.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Now Blodeuwedd is an owl in the language of this present time; and for -this reason is the owl hateful unto all birds. And even now the owl is -called Blodeuwedd.</p> - -<p>Then Gronw Pebyr withdrew unto Penllyn, and he despatched thence an -embassy. And the messengers he sent asked Llew Llaw Gyffes if he -would take land, or domain, or gold, or silver, for the injury he had -received.</p> - -<p>"I will not, by my confession to Heaven," said he. "Behold this is the -least that I will accept from him: that he come to the spot where I -was when he wounded me with the dart, and that I stand where he did, -and that with a dart I take my aim at him. And this is the very least -that I will accept."</p> - -<p>And this was told unto Gronw Pebyr. "Verily," said he, "is it needful -for me to do thus? My faithful warriors, and my household, and my -foster-brothers, is there not one among you who will stand the blow in -my stead?"</p> - -<p>"There is not verily," answered they. And because of their refusal to -suffer one stroke for their lord, they are called the third disloyal -tribe even unto this day.</p> - -<p>"Well," said he, "I will meet it."</p> - -<p>Then they two went forth to the banks of the River Cynvael; and Gronw -stood in the place where Llew Llaw Gyffes was when he struck him, and -Llew in the place where Gronw was. Then said Gronw Pebyr unto Llew, -"Since it was through the wiles of a woman that I did unto thee as I -have done, I adjure thee by Heaven to let me place between me and the -blow the slab thou seest yonder on the river's bank."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Llew, "I will not refuse thee this."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said he, "may Heaven reward thee."</p> - -<p>So Gronw took the slab, and placed it between him and the blow.</p> - -<p>Then Llew flung the dart at him, and it pierced the slab, and went -threw Gronw likewise, so that it pierced through his back. And thus -was Gronw Pebyr slain. And there is still the slab on the bank of the -River Cynvael in Ardudwy, having the hole through it. And therefore is -it even now called Llech Gronw.</p> - -<p>A second time did Llew Llaw Gyffes take possession of the land, and -prosperously did he govern it. And, as the story relates, he was lord -after this over Gwynedd.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="BRANWEN_THE_DAUGHTER_OF_LLYR" id="BRANWEN_THE_DAUGHTER_OF_LLYR">BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR.</a></h2> - - -<p>Bendigeid Vran, the son of Llyr, was the crowned king of this island, -and he was exalted from the crown of London. And one afternoon he -was at Harlech in Ardudwy, at his court, and he sat upon the rock -of Harlech, looking over the sea. And with him were his brother -Manawyddan the son of Llyr, and his brothers by the mother's side, -Nissyen and Evnissyen, and many nobles likewise, as was fitting to -see around a king. His two brothers by the mother's side were the -sons of Eurosswydd, by his mother, Penardun, the daughter of Beli son -of Manogan. And one of these youths was a good youth, and of gentle -nature, and would make peace between his kindred, and cause his family -to be friends when their wrath was at the highest; and this one was -Nissyen: but the other would cause strife between his two brothers -when they were most at peace. And as they sat thus, they beheld -thirteen ships coming from the south of Ireland, and making towards -them; and they came with a swift motion, the wind being behind them, -and they neared them rapidly. "I see ships afar," said the king, -"coming swiftly towards the land. Command the men of the court that -they equip themselves, and go and learn their intent." So the men -equipped themselves, and went down towards them. And when they saw the -ships near, certain were they that they had never seen ships better -furnished. Beautiful flags of satin were upon them. And behold one of -the ships outstripped the others. And they saw a shield lifted up above -the side of the ship, and the point of the shield was upwards, in token -of peace. And the men drew near, that they might hold converse. Then -they put out boats, and came towards the land. And they saluted the -king. Now the king could hear them from the place where he was, upon -the rock above their heads. "Heaven prosper you," said he, "and be ye -welcome. To whom do these ships belong? and who is the chief amongst -you?"</p> - -<p>"Lord," said they, "Matholwch, King of Ireland, is here, and these -ships belong to him."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore comes he?" asked the king. "And will he come to the land?"</p> - -<p>"He is a suitor unto thee, lord," said they. "And he will not land, -unless he have his boon."</p> - -<p>"And what may that be?" inquired the king.</p> - -<p>"He desires to ally himself with thee, lord," said they. "And he comes -to ask Branwen the daughter of Llyr, that, if it seem well to thee, the -Island of the Mighty may be leagued with Ireland, and both become more -powerful."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said he, "let him come to land, and we will take counsel -thereupon."</p> - -<p>And this answer was brought to Matholwch. "I will go willingly," said -he. So he landed, and they received him joyfully. And great was the -throng in the palace that night, between his hosts and those of the -court; and next day they took counsel, and they resolved to bestow -Branwen upon Matholwch. Now she was one of the three chief ladies of -this island, and she was the fairest damsel in the world.</p> - -<p>And they fixed upon Aberffraw as the place where she should become -his bride. And they went thence, and towards Aberffraw the hosts -proceeded,—Matholwch and his host in their ships; Bendigeid Vran and -his host by land, until they came to Aberffraw. And at Aberffraw they -began the feast, and sat down. And thus sat they: the King of the -Island of the Mighty and Manawyddan the son of Llyr on one side, and -Matholwch on the other side, and Branwen the daughter of Llyr beside -him. And they were not within a house, but under tents. No house could -ever contain Bendigeid Vran. And they began the banquet, and caroused -and discoursed. And when it was more pleasing to them to sleep than to -carouse, they went to rest; and that night Branwen became Matholwch's -bride.</p> - -<p>And next day they arose, and all they of the court, and the officers -began to equip and to range the horses and the attendants; and they -ranged them in order as far as the sea.</p> - -<p>And behold one day, Evnissyen, the quarrelsome man of whom it is -spoken above, came by chance into the place where the horses of -Matholwch were, and asked whose horses they might be.</p> - -<p>"They are the horses of Matholwch, King of Ireland, who is married to -Branwen thy sister: his horses are they."</p> - -<p>"And is it thus they have done with a maiden such as she, and moreover -my sister, bestowing her without my consent? They could have offered no -greater insult to me than this," said he. And thereupon he rushed under -the horses, and cut off their lips at the teeth, and their ears close -to their heads, and their tails close to their backs, and wherever -he could clutch their eyelids, he cut them to the very bone, and he -disfigured the horses, and rendered them useless.</p> - -<p>And they came with these tidings unto Matholwch, saying that the horses -were disfigured and injured, so that not one of them could ever be of -any use again. "Verily, lord," said one, "it was an insult unto thee, -and as such was it meant."</p> - -<p>"Of a truth, it is a marvel to me, that, if they desire to insult me, -they should have given me a maiden of such high rank, and so much -beloved of her kindred, as they have done."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said another, "thou seest that thus it is, and there is nothing -for thee to do but to go to thy ships." And thereupon towards his ships -he set out.</p> - -<p>And tidings came to Bendigeid Vran that Matholwch was quitting the -court without asking leave; and messengers were sent to inquire of him -wherefore he did so. And the messengers that went were Iddic the son -of Anarawd, and Heveydd Hir. And these overtook him, and asked of him -what he designed to do, and wherefore he went forth. "Of a truth," said -he, "if I had known, I had not come hither. I have been altogether -insulted: no one had ever worse treatment than I have had here. But one -thing surprises me above all."</p> - -<p>"What is that?" asked they.</p> - -<p>"That Branwen the daughter of Llyr, one of the three chief ladies of -this island, and the daughter of the King of the Island of the Mighty, -should have been given me as my bride, and that after that I should -have been insulted; and I marvel that the insult was not done me before -they had bestowed upon me a maiden so exalted as she."</p> - -<p>"Truly, lord, it was not the will of any that are of the court," said -they, "nor of any that are of the council, that thou shouldest have -received this insult; and as thou hast been insulted, the dishonor is -greater unto Bendigeid Vran than unto thee."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said he, "I think so. Nevertheless he cannot recall the -insult."</p> - -<p>These men returned with that answer to the place where Bendigeid Vran -was, and they told him what reply Matholwch had given them. "Truly," -said he, "there are no means by which we may prevent his going away at -enmity with us, that we will not take."</p> - -<p>"Well, lord," said they, "send after him another embassy."</p> - -<p>"I will do so," said he. "Arise, Manawyddan son of Llyr, and Heveydd -Hir, and Unic Glew Ysgwyd, and go after him, and tell him that he shall -have a sound horse for every one that has been injured. And beside -that, as an atonement for the insult, he shall have a staff of silver -as large and as tall as himself, and a plate of gold of the breadth -of his face. And show unto him who it was that did this, and that it -was done against my will; but that he who did it is my brother by the -mother's side, and therefore it would be hard for me to put him to -death. And let him come and meet me," said he, "and we will make peace -in any way he may desire."</p> - -<p>The embassy went after Matholwch, and told him all these sayings in a -friendly manner, and he listened thereunto. "Men," said he, "I will -take counsel." So to the council he went. And in the council they -considered that if they should refuse this, they were likely to have -more shame rather than to obtain so great an atonement. They resolved -therefore to accept it, and they returned to the court in peace.</p> - -<p>Then the pavilions and the tents were set in order after the fashion of -a hall; and they went to meat. And as they had sat at the beginning of -the feast, so sat they there. And Matholwch and Bendigeid Vran began to -discourse; and behold it seemed to Bendigeid Vran, while they talked, -that Matholwch was not so cheerful as he had been before. And he -thought that the chieftain might be sad because of the smallness of the -atonement which he had for the wrong that had been done him. "Oh, man," -said Bendigeid Vran, "thou dost not discourse to-night so cheerfully as -thou wast wont. And if it be because of the smallness of the atonement, -thou shalt add thereunto whatsoever thou mayest choose, and to-morrow I -will pay thee the horses."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said he, "Heaven reward thee."</p> - -<p>"And I will enhance the atonement," said Bendigeid Vran; "for I will -give unto thee a caldron, the property of which is, that if one of thy -men be slain to-day, and be cast therein, to-morrow he will be as well -as ever he was at the best, except that he will not regain his speech."</p> - -<p>And thereupon he gave him great thanks, and very joyful was he for that -cause.</p> - -<p>And the next morning they paid Matholwch the horses as long as the -trained horses lasted. And then they journeyed into another commot, -where they paid him with colts until the whole had been paid; and from -thenceforth that commot was called Talebolion.</p> - -<p>And a second night sat they together. "My lord," said Matholwch, -"whence hadst thou the caldron which thou hast given me?"</p> - -<p>"I had it of a man who had been in thy land," said he, "and I would not -give it except to one from there."</p> - -<p>"Who was it?" asked he.</p> - -<p>"Llassar Llaesgyvnewid. He came here from Ireland with Kymideu -Kymeinvoll, his wife, who escaped from the Iron House in Ireland when -it was made red hot around them, and fled hither. And it is a marvel to -me that thou shouldst know nothing concerning the matter."</p> - -<p>"Something I do know," said he, "and as much as I know I will tell -thee. One day I was hunting in Ireland, and I came to the mound at -the head of the lake, which is called the Lake of the Caldron. And I -beheld a huge yellow-haired man coming from the lake, with a caldron -upon his back. And he was a man of vast size and of horrid aspect, and -a woman followed after him. And if the man was tall, twice as large as -he was the woman; and they came towards me and greeted me. So I took -them with me, and maintained them. And they were with me for a year. -And that year I had them with me not grudgingly. But thenceforth was -there murmuring because that they were with me. For from the beginning -of the fourth month they had begun to make themselves hated, and to -be disorderly in the land, committing outrages, and molesting and -harassing the nobles and ladies. And thenceforward my people rose up -and besought me to part with them, and they bade me to choose between -them and my dominions. And I applied to the council of my country to -know what should be done concerning them; for of their own free will -they would not go, neither could they be compelled against their will, -through fighting. And [the people of the country] being in this strait, -they caused a chamber to be made all of iron. Now, when the chamber -was ready, there came there every smith that was in Ireland, and every -one who owned tongs and hammer. And they caused coals to be piled up as -high as the top of the chamber. And they had the man, and the woman, -and the children, served with plenty of meat and drink; but when it -was known that they were drunk, they began to put fire to the coals -about the chamber, and they blew it with bellows until the house was -red hot all around them. Then was there a council held in the centre of -the floor of the chamber. And the man tarried until the plates of iron -were all of a white-heat; and then, by reason of the great heat, the -man dashed against the plates with his shoulder and struck them out, -and his wife followed him; but, except him and his wife, none escaped -thence. And then I suppose, lord," said Matholwch, unto Bendigeid Vran, -"that he came over unto thee."</p> - -<p>"Doubtless he came here," said he, "and gave unto me the caldron."</p> - -<p>"In what manner didst thou receive them?"</p> - -<p>"I dispersed them through every part of my dominions, and they have -become numerous, and are prospering everywhere, and they fortify the -places where they are with men and arms of the best that were ever -seen."</p> - -<p>That night they continued to discourse as much as they would, and had -minstrelsy and carousing; and when it was more pleasant to them to -sleep than to sit longer, they went to rest. And thus was the banquet -carried on with joyousness; and when it was finished, Matholwch -journeyed towards Ireland, and Branwen with him, and they went from -Aber Menei with thirteen ships, and came to Ireland. And in Ireland was -there great joy because of their coming. And not one great man or noble -lady visited Branwen unto whom she gave not either a clasp, or a ring, -or a royal jewel to keep, such as it was honorable to be seen departing -with. And in these things she spent that year in much renown, and she -passed her time pleasantly, enjoying honor and friendship.</p> - -<p>And behold, in the second year a tumult arose in Ireland, on account -of the insult which Matholwch had received in Cambria, and the payment -made him for his horses. And his foster-brothers, and such as were -nearest unto him, blamed him openly for that matter. And he might have -no peace by reason of the tumult until they should revenge upon him -this disgrace. And the vengeance which they took was to drive away -Branwen from the same chamber with him, and to make her cook for the -court. And they caused the butcher, after he had cut up the meat, to -come to her and give her every day a blow on the ear, and such they -made her punishment.</p> - -<p>"Verily, lord," said his men to Matholwch, "forbid now the ships and -the ferry-boats and the coracles, that they go not into Cambria; and -such as come over from Cambria hither, imprison them that they go not -back for this thing to be known there." And he did so; and t'was thus -for no less than three years.</p> - -<p>And Branwen reared a starling in the cover of the kneading-trough, and -she taught it to speak, and she taught the bird what manner of man her -brother was. And she wrote a letter of her woes, and the despite with -which she was treated; and she bound the letter to the root of the -bird's wing, and sent it towards Britain. And the bird came to this -island; and one day it found Bendigeid Vran at Caer Seiont in Arvon, -conferring there, and it alighted upon his shoulder, and ruffled its -feathers, so that the letter was seen, and they knew that the bird had -been reared in a domestic manner.</p> - -<p>Then Bendigeid Vran took the letter and looked upon it. And when he -had read the letter he grieved exceedingly at the tidings of Branwen's -woes. And immediately he began sending messengers to summon the island -together. And he caused sevenscore and four countries to come unto -him, and he complained to them himself of the grief that his sister -endured. So they took counsel. And in the council they resolved to go -to Ireland, and to leave seven men as princes here, and Caradawc the -son of Bran as the chief of them, and their seven knights. In Edeyrnion -were these men left. And these abode as seven ministers to take charge -of this island; and Caradawc the son of Bran was the chief amongst them.</p> - -<p>Bendigeid Vran, with the host of which we spoke, sailed towards -Ireland, and it was not far across the sea, and he came to shoal water. -It was but by two rivers; the Lli and the Archan were they called; and -the nations covered the sea. Then he proceeded with what provisions he -had on his own back, and approached the shore of Ireland.</p> - -<p>Now the swineherds of Matholwch were upon the seashore, and they came -to Matholwch. "Lord," said they, "greeting be unto thee."</p> - -<p>"Heaven protect you!" said he, "have you any news?"</p> - -<p>"Lord," said they, "we have marvellous news: a wood have we seen upon -the sea in a place where we never yet saw a single tree."</p> - -<p>"This is indeed a marvel," said he. "Saw you aught else?"</p> - -<p>"We saw, lord," said they, "a vast mountain beside the wood, which -moved, and there was a lofty ridge on the top of the mountain, and a -lake on each side of the ridge. And the wood, and the mountain, and all -these things moved."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said he, "there is none who can know aught concerning this, -unless it be Branwen."</p> - -<p>Messengers then went unto Branwen. "Lady," said they, "what thinkest -thou that this is?"</p> - -<p>"The men of the Island of the Mighty, who have come hither on hearing -of my ill-treatment and my woes."</p> - -<p>"What is the forest that is seen upon the sea?" asked they.</p> - -<p>"The yards and the masts of ships," she answered.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said they, "what is the mountain that is seen by the side of -the ships?"</p> - -<p>"Bendigeid Vran, my brother," she replied, "coming to shoal water: -there is no ship that can contain him in it."</p> - -<p>"What is the lofty ridge with the lake on each side thereof?"</p> - -<p>"On looking towards this island he is wroth; and his two eyes, one on -each side of his nose, are the two lakes beside the ridge."</p> - -<p>The warriors and the chief men of Ireland were brought together in -haste, and they took counsel. "Lord," said the nobles unto Matholwch, -"there is no other counsel than to retreat over the Linon (a river -which is in Ireland), and to keep the river between thee and him, -and to break down the bridge that is across the river; for there is -a loadstone at the bottom of the river that neither ship nor vessel -can pass over." So they retreated across the river and broke down the -bridge.</p> - -<p>Bendigeid Vran came to land, and the fleet with him by the bank of the -river. "Lord," said his chieftains, "knowest thou the nature of this -river, that nothing can go across it, and there is no bridge over it? -What," said they, "is thy counsel concerning a bridge?"</p> - -<p>"There is none," said he, "except that he who will be chief let him -be a bridge. I will be so," said he. And then was that saying first -uttered, and it is still used as a proverb. And when he had lain down -across the river, hurdles were placed upon him and the host passed over -thereby.</p> - -<p>And as he rose up, behold the messengers of Matholwch came to him, -and saluted him, and gave him greeting in the name of Matholwch his -kinsman, and showed how that of his good-will he had merited him -nothing but good. "For Matholwch has given the kingdom of Ireland to -Gwern the son of Matholwch, thy nephew and thy sister's son. And this -he places before thee as a compensation for the wrong and despite -that has been done unto Branwen. And Matholwch shall be maintained -wheresoever thou wilt, either here or in the Island of the Mighty."</p> - -<p>Said Bendigeid Vran, "Shall not I myself have the kingdom? Then -peradventure I may take counsel concerning your message. From this time -until then no other answer will you get from me."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said they, "the best message that we receive for thee we will -convey it unto thee, and do thou await our message unto him."</p> - -<p>"I will wait," answered he; "and do you return quickly."</p> - -<p>The messengers set forth and came to Matholwch. "Lord," said they, -"prepare a better message for Bendigeid Vran. He would not listen at -all to the message that we bore him."</p> - -<p>"My friends," said Matholwch, "what may be your counsel?"</p> - -<p>"Lord," said they, "there is no other counsel than this alone. He was -never known to be within a house, make therefore a house that will -contain him and the men of the Island of the Mighty on the one side, -and thyself and thy host on the other, and give over thy kingdom to his -will, and do him homage. So by reason of the honor thou doest him in -making him a house, whereas he never before had a house to contain him, -he will make peace with thee." So the messengers went back to Bendigeid -Vran, bearing him this message.</p> - -<p>And he took counsel, and in the council it was resolved that he should -accept this; and this was all done by the advice of Branwen, and lest -the country should be destroyed. And this peace was made, and the house -was built both vast and strong. But the Irish planned a crafty device, -and the craft was that they should put brackets on each side of the -hundred pillars that were in the house, and should place a leathern bag -on each bracket, and an armed man in every one of them. Then Evnissyen -came in before the host of the Island of the Mighty, and scanned the -house with fierce and savage looks, and descried the leathern bags -which were around the pillars. "What is in this bag?" asked he of one -of the Irish.</p> - -<p>"Meal, good soul," said he. And Evnissyen felt about it until he came -to the man's head, and he squeezed the head [until he killed the man].</p> - -<p>And he left that one, and put his hand upon another, and asked what was -therein. "Meal," said the Irishman. So he did the like unto every one -of them, until he had not left alive of all the two hundred men save -one only; and when he came to him he asked what was there. "Meal, good -soul," said the Irishman. And he felt about until he felt the head, -and he squeezed that head as he had done the others. And, albeit he -found that the head of this one was armed, he left him not until he had -killed him. And then he sang an Englyn:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"There is in this bag a different sort of meal,</div> - <div class="verse">The ready combatant, when the assault is made</div> - <div class="verse">By his fellow-warriors, prepared for battle."</div> -</div></div> - -<p>Thereupon came the hosts unto the house. The men of the Island of -Ireland entered the house on the one side, and the men of the Island -of the Mighty on the other. And as soon as they had sat down there -was concord between them; and the sovereignty was conferred upon the -boy. When the peace was concluded, Bendigeid Vran called the boy unto -him, and from Bendigeid Vran the boy went unto Manawyddan, and he was -beloved by all that beheld him. And from Manawyddan the boy was called -by Nissyen the son of Eurosswydd, and the boy went unto him lovingly. -"Wherefore," said Evnissyen, "comes not my nephew the son of my sister -unto me? Though he were not king of Ireland, yet willingly would I -fondle the boy."</p> - -<p>"Cheerfully let him go to thee," said Bendigeid Vran, and the boy went -unto him cheerfully.</p> - -<p>"By my confession to Heaven," said Evnissyen in his heart, "unthought -of by the household is the slaughter that I will this instant commit."</p> - -<p>Then he arose and took up the boy by the feet, and before any one in -the house could seize hold of him, he thrust the boy headlong into the -blazing fire. And when Branwen saw her son burning in the fire, she -strove to leap into the fire also, from the place where she sat between -her two brothers. But Bendigeid Vran grasped her with one hand, and -his shield with the other. Then they all hurried about the house, and -never was there made so great a tumult by any host in one house as was -made by them, as each man armed himself. Then said Morddwydtyllyon, -"The gadflies of Morddwydtyllyon's Cow!" And while they all sought -their arms, Bendigeid Vran supported Branwen between his shield and his -shoulder.</p> - -<p>Then the Irish kindled a fire under the caldron of renovation, and they -cast the dead bodies into the caldron until it was full, and the next -day they came forth fighting-men as good as before, except that they -were not able to speak. Then when Evnissyen saw the dead bodies of the -men of the Island of the Mighty nowhere resuscitated, he said in his -heart, "Alas! woe is me, that I should have been the cause of bringing -the men of the Island of the Mighty into so great a strait. Evil betide -me if I find not a deliverance therefrom." And he cast himself among -the dead bodies of the Irish, and two unshod Irishmen came to him, and, -taking him to be one of the Irish, flung him into the caldron. And he -stretched himself out in the caldron, so that he rent the caldron into -four pieces, and burst his own heart also.</p> - -<p>In consequence of that the men of the Island of the Mighty obtained -such success as they had; but they were not victorious, for only seven -men of them all escaped, and Bendigeid Vran himself was wounded in the -foot with a poisoned dart. Now the seven men that escaped were Pryderi, -Manawyddan, Gluneu Eil Taran, Taliesin, Ynawc, Grudyen the son of -Muryel, and Heilyn the son of Gwynn Hen.</p> - -<p>And Bendigeid Vran commanded them that they should cut off his head. -"And take you my head," said he, "and bear it even unto the White -Mount, in London, and bury it there, with the face towards France. And -a long time will you be upon the road. In Harlech you will be feasting -seven years, the birds of Rhiannon singing unto you the while. And all -that time the head will be to you as pleasant company as it ever was -when on my body. And at Gwales in Penvro you will be fourscore years, -and you may remain there, and the head with you uncorrupted, until you -open the door that looks towards Aber Henvelen, and towards Cornwall. -And after you have opened that door, there you may no longer tarry, set -forth then to London to bury the head, and go straight forward."</p> - -<p>So they cut off his head, and these seven went forward therewith. And -Branwen was the eighth with them, and they came to land at Aber Alaw, -in Talebolyon, and they sat down to rest. And Branwen looked towards -Ireland and towards the Island of the Mighty, to see if she could -descry them. "Alas," said she, "woe is me that I was ever born: two -islands have been destroyed because of me!" Then she uttered a loud -groan, and there broke her heart. And they made her a four-sided grave, -and buried her upon the banks of the Alaw.</p> - -<p>Then the seven men journeyed forward towards Harlech, bearing the head -with them; and as they went behold there met them a multitude of men -and of women. "Have you any tidings?" asked Manawyddan.</p> - -<p>"We have none," said they, "save that Caswallawn the son of Beli, has -conquered the Island of the Mighty, and is crowned king in London."</p> - -<p>"What has become," said they, "of Caradawc the son of Bran, and the -seven men who were left with him in this island?"</p> - -<p>"Caswallawn came upon them, and slew six of the men, and Caradawc's -heart broke for grief thereof; for he could see the sword that slew -the men, but knew not who it was that wielded it. Caswallawn had flung -upon him the Veil of Illusion, so that no one could see him slay the -men, but the sword only could they see. And it liked him not to slay -Caradawc, because he was his nephew, the son of his cousin. And now he -was the third whose heart had broke through grief. Pendaran Dyved, who -had remained as a young page with these men, escaped into the wood," -said they.</p> - -<p>Then they went on to Harlech, and there stopped to rest, and they -provided meat and liquor, and sat down to eat and to drink. And there -came three birds, and began singing unto them a certain song, and all -the songs they had ever heard were unpleasant compared thereto; and the -birds seemed to them to be at a great distance from them over the sea, -yet they appeared as distinct as if they were close by, and at this -repast they continued seven years.</p> - -<p>And at the close of the seventh year they went forth to Gwales in -Penvro. And there they found a fair and regal spot overlooking the -ocean; and a spacious hall was therein. And they went into the hall, -and two of its doors were open; but the third door was closed,—that -which looked towards Cornwall. "See, yonder," said Manawyddan, "is the -door that we may not open." And that night they regaled themselves and -were joyful. And of all they had seen of food laid before them, and -of all they had heard of, they remembered nothing; neither of that, -nor of any sorrow whatsoever. And there they remained fourscore years, -unconscious of having ever spent a time more joyous and mirthful. And -they were not more weary than when first they came, neither did they, -any of them, know the time they had been there. And it was not more -irksome to them having the head with them, than if Bendigeid Vran had -been with them himself. And because of these fourscore years, it was -called the entertaining of the noble head. The entertaining of Branwen -and Matholwch was in the time that they went to Ireland.</p> - -<p>One day said Heilyn the son of Gwynn, "Evil betide me if I do not open -the door to know if that is true which is said concerning it." So he -opened the door, and looked towards Cornwall and Aber Henvelen. And -when they had looked, they were as conscious of all the evils they had -ever sustained, and of all the friends and companions they had lost, -and of all the misery that had befallen them, as if all had happened in -that very spot; and especially of the fate of their lord. And because -of their perturbation they could not rest, but journeyed forth with the -head towards London. And they buried the head in the White Mount, and -when it was buried this was the third goodly concealment; and it was -the third ill-fated disclosure when it was disinterred, inasmuch as no -invasion from across the sea came to this island while the head was in -that concealment.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="MANAWYDDAN_AND_THE_MICE" id="MANAWYDDAN_AND_THE_MICE">MANAWYDDAN AND THE MICE.</a></h2> - -<p>[ENTITLED IN THE ORIGINAL "MANAWYDDAN THE SON OF LLYR."]</p> - - -<p>When the seven men of whom we spoke [in the foregoing tale] had buried -the head of Bendigeid Vran, in the White Mount in London, with its face -towards France, Manawyddan gazed upon the town of London, and upon his -companions, and heaved a great sigh; and much grief and heaviness came -upon him. "Alas, Almighty Heaven, woe is me!" he exclaimed, "there is -none save myself without a resting-place this night."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Pryderi, "be not so sorrowful. Thy cousin is king of -the Island of the Mighty, and though he should do thee wrong, thou -hast never been a claimant of land or possessions. Thou art the third -disinherited prince."</p> - -<p>"Yea," answered he; "but although this man is my cousin, it grieveth me -to see any one in the place of my brother Bendigeid Vran, neither can I -be happy in the same dwelling with him."</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou follow the counsel of another?" said Pryderi.</p> - -<p>"I stand in need of counsel," he answered; "and what may that counsel -be?"</p> - -<p>"Seven cantrevs remain unto me," said Pryderi, "wherein Rhiannon my -mother dwells. I will bestow her upon thee, and the seven Cantrevs with -her, and thou couldst not have seven Cantrevs fairer than they. Kicva, -the daughter of Gwynn Gloyw, is my wife; and since the inheritance of -the Cantrevs belongs to me, do thou and Rhiannon enjoy them."</p> - -<p>They set forth, and, however long the journey, they came at length -to Dyved; and a feast was prepared for them against their coming to -Narberth, which Rhiannon and Kicva had provided. Then began Manawyddan -and Rhiannon to sit and to talk together, and from their discourse his -mind and his thoughts became warmed towards her, and he thought in his -heart he had never beheld any lady more fulfilled of grace and beauty -than she. "Pryderi," said he, "I will that it be as thou didst say."</p> - -<p>"What saying was that?" asked Rhiannon.</p> - -<p>"Lady," said Pryderi, "I did offer thee as a wife to Manawyddan the son -of Llyr."</p> - -<p>"By that will I gladly abide," said Rhiannon.</p> - -<p>"Right glad am I also," said Manawyddan. "May Heaven reward him who -hath shown unto me friendship so perfect as this."</p> - -<p>And before the feast was over she became his bride. Said Pryderi, -"Tarry ye here the rest of the feast, and I will go into Lloegyr to -tender my homage unto Caswallawn the son of Beli."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Rhiannon, "Caswallawn is in Kent: thou mayest therefore -tarry at the feast, and wait until he shall be nearer."</p> - -<p>"We will wait," he answered. So they finished the feast. And they began -to make the circuit of Dyved, and to hunt, and to take their pleasure. -And as they went through the country, they had never seen lands more -pleasant to live in, nor better hunting-grounds, nor greater plenty of -honey and fish. And such was the friendship between those four, that -they would not be parted from each other by night nor by day.</p> - -<p>And in the midst of all this he went to Caswallawn at Oxford, and -tendered his homage; and honorable was his reception there, and highly -was he praised for offering his homage.</p> - -<p>And after his return, Pryderi and Manawyddan feasted, and took their -ease and pleasure. And they began a feast at Narberth; for it was the -chief palace, and there originated all honor. And when they had ended -the first meal that night, while those who served them ate, they arose -and went forth, and proceeded all four to the Gorsedd of Narberth, -and their retinue with them. And as they sat thus, behold a peal of -thunder, and with the violence of the thunderstorm, lo there came a -fall of mist so thick that not one of them could see the other. And -after the mist it became light all around. And when they looked towards -the place where they were wont to see cattle and herds and dwellings, -they saw nothing now,—neither house, nor beast, nor smoke, nor fire, -nor man, nor dwelling, but the houses of the court empty and desert and -uninhabited, without either man or beast within them. And truly all -their companions were lost to them, without their knowing aught of what -had befallen them, save those four only.</p> - -<p>"In the name of Heaven," cried Manawyddan, "where are they of the -court, and all my host beside these? Let us go and see." So they came -into the hall, and there was no man; and they went on to the castle, -and to the sleeping-place, and they saw none; and in the mead-cellar -and in the kitchen there was nought but desolation. Then they began to -go through the land and all the possessions that they had, and they -visited the houses and dwellings, and found nothing but wild beasts. -And when they had consumed their feast and all their provisions, they -fed upon the prey they killed in hunting, and the honey of the wild -swarms.</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Manawyddan, "we must not bide thus. Let us go into -Lloegyr, and seek some craft whereby we may gain our support." So -they went into Lloegyr, and came as far as Hereford. And they betook -themselves to making saddles. And Manawyddan began to make housings; -and he gilded and colored them with blue enamel in the manner that he -had seen it done by Llasar Llaesgywydd. And he made the blue enamel as -it was made by the other man. And therefore is it still called Calch -Lasar [blue enamel], because Llasar Llaesgywydd had wrought it.</p> - -<p>And as long as that workmanship could be had of Manawyddan, neither -saddle nor housing was bought of a saddler throughout all Hereford; -till at length every one of the saddlers perceived that they were -losing much of their gain, and that no man bought of them but him who -could not get what he sought from Manawyddan. Then they assembled -together, and agreed to slay him and his companions.</p> - -<p>Now they received warning of this, and took counsel whether they should -leave the city. "By Heaven," said Pryderi, "it is not my counsel that -we should quit the town, but that we should slay these boors."</p> - -<p>"Not so," said Manawyddan; "for, if we fight with them, we shall have -evil fame, and shall be put in prison. It were better for us to go to -another town to maintain ourselves." So they four went to another city.</p> - -<p>"What craft shall we take?" said Pryderi.</p> - -<p>"We will make shields," said Manawyddan.</p> - -<p>"Do we know any thing about that craft?" said Pryderi.</p> - -<p>"We will try," answered he. There they began to make shields, and -fashioned them after the shape of the good shields they had seen; and -they enamelled them, as they had done the saddles. And they prospered -in that place, so that not a shield was asked for in the whole town, -but such as was had of them. Rapid therefore was their work, and -numberless were the shields they made. But at last they were marked by -the craftsmen, who came together in haste, and their fellow-townsmen -with them, and agreed that they should seek to slay them. But they -received warning, and heard how the men had resolved on their -destruction. "Pryderi," said Manawyddan, "these men desire to slay us. -Let us not endure this from these boors, but let us rather fall upon -them and slay them."</p> - -<p>"Not so," he answered. "Caswallawn and his men will hear of it, and we -shall be undone. Let us go to another town." So to another town they -went.</p> - -<p>"What craft shall we take?" said Manawyddan.</p> - -<p>"Whatsoever thou wilt that we know," said Pryderi.</p> - -<p>"Not so," he replied; "but let us take to making shoes."</p> - -<p>"I know nothing thereof," said Pryderi.</p> - -<p>"But I know," answered Manawyddan; "and I will teach thee to stitch. -We will not attempt to dress the leather; but we will buy it ready -dressed, and will make the shoes from it."</p> - -<p>So he began by buying the best cordwal that could be had in the town, -and none other would he buy except the leather for the soles. And he -associated himself with the best goldsmith in the town, and caused him -to make clasps for the shoes, and to gild the clasps; and he marked how -it was done, until he learned the method. And therefore he was called -one of the three makers of gold shoes; and when they could be had from -him, not a shoe nor hose was bought of any of the cordwainers in the -town. But when the cordwainers perceived that their gains were failing -(for as Manawyddan shaped the work, so Pryderi stitched it), they came -together and took counsel, and agreed that they would slay them.</p> - -<p>"Pryderi," said Manawyddan, "these men are minded to slay us."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore should we bear this from the boorish thieves?" said Pryderi. -"Rather let us slay them all."</p> - -<p>"Not so," said Manawyddan: "we will not slay them, neither will we -remain in Lloegyr any longer. Let us set forth to Dyved and go to see -it."</p> - -<p>So they journeyed along until they came to Dyved, and they went forward -to Narberth. And there they kindled fire, and supported themselves by -hunting. And thus they spent a month. And they gathered their dogs -around them, and tarried there one year.</p> - -<p>And one morning Pryderi and Manawyddan rose up to hunt; and they ranged -their dogs, and went forth from the palace. And some of the dogs ran -before them, and came to a small bush which was near at hand; but as -soon as they were come to the bush they hastily drew back, and returned -to the men, their hair bristling up greatly. "Let us go near to the -bush," said Pryderi, "and see what is in it." And as they came near, -behold, a wild boar of a pure white color rose up from the bush. Then -the dogs, being set on by the men, rushed towards him; but he left the -bush, and fell back a little way from the men, and made a stand against -the dogs, without retreating from them, until the men had come near. -And when the men came up, he fell back a second time, and betook him to -flight. Then they pursued the boar until they beheld a vast and lofty -castle, all newly built, in a place where they had never before seen -either stone or building. And the boar ran swiftly into the castle, and -the dogs after him. Now, when the boar and the dogs had gone into the -castle, they began to wonder at finding a castle in a place where they -had never before then seen any building whatsoever. And from the top of -the Gorsedd they looked and listened for the dogs. But so long as they -were there they heard not one of the dogs, nor aught concerning them.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Pryderi, "I will go into the castle to get tidings of the -dogs."</p> - -<p>"Truly," he replied, "thou wouldst be unwise to go into this castle -which thou hast never seen till now. If thou wouldst follow my counsel, -thou wouldst not enter therein. Whosoever has cast a spell over this -land has caused this castle to be here."</p> - -<p>"Of a truth," answered Pryderi, "I cannot thus give up my dogs." And -for all the counsel that Manawyddan gave him, yet to the castle he went.</p> - -<p>When he came within the castle, neither man nor beast, nor boar nor -dogs, nor house nor dwelling, saw he within it. But in the centre of -the castle-floor he beheld a fountain with marble work around it, and -on the margin of the fountain a golden bowl upon a marble slab, and -chains hanging from the air, to which he saw no end.</p> - -<p>And he was greatly pleased with the beauty of the gold, and with the -rich workmanship of the bowl, and he went up to the bowl and laid hold -of it. And when he had taken hold of it, his hands stuck to the bowl, -and his feet to the slab on which the bowl was placed, and all his -joyousness forsook him, so that he could not utter a word. And thus he -stood.</p> - -<p>And Manawyddan waited for him till near the close of the day. And late -in the evening, being certain that he should have no tidings of Pryderi -or of the dogs, he went back to the palace. And as he entered, Rhiannon -looked at him. "Where," said she, "are thy companion and thy dogs?"</p> - -<p>"Behold," he answered, "the adventure that has befallen me." And he -related it all unto her.</p> - -<p>"An evil companion hast thou been," said Rhiannon, "and a good -companion hast thou lost." And with that word she went out, and -proceeded towards the castle according to the direction which he gave -her. The gate of the castle she found open. She was nothing daunted, -and she went in. And as she went in she perceived Pryderi laying hold -of the bowl, and she went towards him. "O my lord," said she, "what -dost thou do here?" And she took hold of the bowl with him; and as -she did so, her hands became fast to the bowl, and her feet to the -slab, and she was not able to utter a word. And with that, as it -became night, lo, there came thunder upon them, and a fall of mist, and -thereupon the castle vanished, and they with it.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - <p><a name="illus9" id="illus9"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus9.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>Pryderi Held Fast by the Enchanted Bowl.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>When Kicva, the daughter of Gwynn Gloew, saw that there was no one in -the palace but herself and Manawyddan, she sorrowed so that she cared -not whether she lived or died. And Manawyddan saw this. "Thou art in -the wrong," said he, "if through fear of me thou grievest thus. I call -Heaven to witness that thou hast never seen friendship more pure than -that which I will bear thee as long as Heaven will that thou shouldst -be thus."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee," she said, "and that is what I deemed of thee." -And the damsel thereupon took courage and was glad.</p> - -<p>"Truly, lady," said Manawyddan, "it is not fitting for us to stay here: -we have lost our dogs, and we cannot get food. Let us go into Lloegyr: -it is easiest for us to find support there."</p> - -<p>"Gladly, lord," said she, "we will do so." And they set forth together -to Lloegyr. [But again the cordwainers drove them from their craft. And -Kicva would have fought them; but]</p> - -<p>"Nay," said he, "we will go back unto Dyved." So towards Dyved they set -forth.</p> - -<p>Now Madawyddan, when he set out to return to Dyved, took with him a -burden of wheat. And he proceeded towards Narberth, and there he dwelt. -And then he began to prepare some ground, and he sowed a croft, and a -second, and a third. And no wheat in the world ever sprung up better. -And the three crofts prospered with perfect growth, and no man ever saw -fairer wheat than it.</p> - -<p>And thus passed the seasons of the year until the harvest came. And -he went to look at one of his crofts, and behold it was ripe. "I will -reap this to-morrow," said he. And that night he went back to Narberth. -And on the morrow in the gray dawn he went to reap the croft, and when -he came there he found nothing but the bare straw. Every one of the -ears of the wheat was cut from off the stalk, and all the ears carried -entirely away, and nothing but the straw left. And at this he marvelled -greatly.</p> - -<p>Then he went to look at another croft, and behold that also was ripe. -"Verily," said he, "this will I reap to-morrow." And on the morrow -he came with the intent to reap it, and when he came there he found -nothing but the bare straw. "Oh, gracious Heaven," he exclaimed, "I -know that whosoever has begun my ruin is completing it, and has also -destroyed the country with me."</p> - -<p>Then he went to look at the third croft, and when he came there, finer -wheat had there never been seen, and this also was ripe. "Evil betide -me," said he, "if I watch not here to-night. Whoever carried off the -other corn will come in like manner to take this. And I will know who -it is." So he took his arms, and began to watch the croft. And he told -Kicva all that had befallen.</p> - -<p>"Verily," said she, "what thinkest thou to do?"</p> - -<p>"I will watch the croft to-night," said he.</p> - -<p>And he went to watch the croft. And at midnight, lo, there arose the -loudest tumult in the world. And he looked, and behold the mightiest -host of mice in the world, which could neither be numbered nor -measured. And he knew not what it was until the mice had made their way -into the croft, and each of them, climbing up the straw and bending it -down with its weight, had cut off one of the ears of wheat, and had -carried it away, leaving there the stalk; and he saw not a single straw -there that had not a mouse to it. And they all took their way, carrying -the ears with them.</p> - -<p>In wrath and anger did he rush upon the mice; but he could no more come -up with them than if they had been gnats, or birds in the air, except -one only, which, though it was but sluggish, went so fast that a man -on foot could scarce overtake it. And after this one he went, and he -caught it, and put it in his glove, and tied up the opening of the -glove with a string, and kept it with him, and returned to the palace. -Then he came to the hall where Kicva was, and he lighted a fire, and -hung the glove by the string upon a peg.</p> - -<p>"What hast thou there, lord?" said Kicva.</p> - -<p>"A thief," said he, "that I found robbing me."</p> - -<p>"What kind of thief may it be, lord, that thou couldst put into thy -glove?" said she.</p> - -<p>"Behold, I will tell thee," he answered. Then he showed her how his -fields had been wasted and destroyed, and how the mice came to the -last of the fields in his sight. "And one of them was less nimble than -the rest, and is now in my glove: to-morrow I will hang it. And before -Heaven, if I had them, I would hang them all."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said she, "this is marvellous. But yet it would be unseemly -for a man of dignity like thee to be hanging such a reptile as this. -And if thou doest right, thou wilt not meddle with the creature, but -wilt let it go."</p> - -<p>"Woe betide me," said he, "if I would not hang them all, could I catch -them; and such as I have I will hang."</p> - -<p>"Verily, lord," said she, "there is no reason that I should succor this -reptile, except to prevent discredit unto thee. Do therefore, lord, as -thou wilt."</p> - -<p>"If I knew of any cause in the world wherefore thou shouldst succor it, -I would take thy counsel concerning it," said Manawyddan; "but as I -know of none, lady, I am minded to destroy it."</p> - -<p>"Do so willingly, then," said she.</p> - -<p>And then he went to the Gorsedd of Narberth, taking the mouse with him. -And he set up two forks on the highest part of the Gorsedd. And while -he was doing this, behold he saw a scholar coming towards him in old -and poor and tattered garments. And it was now seven years since he had -seen in that place either man or beast, except those four persons who -had remained together until two of them were lost.</p> - -<p>"My lord," said the scholar, "good day to thee."</p> - -<p>"Heaven prosper thee, and my greeting be unto thee. And whence dost -thou come, scholar?" asked he.</p> - -<p>"I come, lord, from singing in Lloegyr; and wherefore dost thou -inquire?"</p> - -<p>"Because, for the last seven years," answered he, "I have seen no man -here save four secluded persons, and thyself this moment."</p> - -<p>"Truly, lord," said he, "I go through this land unto mine own. And what -work art thou upon, lord?"</p> - -<p>"I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me," said he.</p> - -<p>"What manner of thief is that?" asked the scholar. "I see a creature in -thy hand like unto a mouse; and ill does it become a man of rank equal -to thine to touch a reptile such as this. Let it go forth free."</p> - -<p>"I will not let it go free, by Heaven," said he. "I caught it robbing -me, and the doom of a thief will I inflict upon it, and I will hang it."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said he, "rather than see a man of rank equal to thine at such -a work as this, I would give thee a pound, which I have received as -alms, to let the reptile go forth free."</p> - -<p>"I will not let it go free," said he, "by Heaven; neither will I sell -it."</p> - -<p>"As thou wilt, lord," he answered. "Except that I would not see a man -of rank equal to thine touching such a reptile, I care nought." And the -scholar went his way.</p> - -<p>And as he was placing the crossbeam upon the two forks, behold a priest -came towards him upon a horse covered with trappings. "Good-day to -thee, lord," said he.</p> - -<p>"Heaven prosper thee!" said Manawyddan; "thy blessing."</p> - -<p>"The blessing of Heaven be upon thee! And what, lord, art thou doing?"</p> - -<p>"I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me," said he.</p> - -<p>"What manner of thief, lord?" asked he.</p> - -<p>"A creature," he answered, "in form of a mouse. It has been robbing me, -and I am inflicting upon it the doom of a thief."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said he, "rather than see thee touch this reptile, I would -purchase its freedom."</p> - -<p>"By my confession to Heaven, neither will I sell it nor set it free."</p> - -<p>"It is true, lord, that it is worth nothing to buy. But rather than see -thee defile thyself by touching such a reptile as this, I will give -thee three pounds to let it go."</p> - -<p>"I will not, by Heaven," said he, "take any price for it. As it ought, -so shall it be hanged."</p> - -<p>"Willingly, lord, do thy good pleasure." And the priest went his way.</p> - -<p>Then he noosed the string around the mouse's neck, and as he was -about to draw it up, behold, he saw a bishop's retinue with his -sumpter-horses, and his attendants. And the bishop himself came -towards him. And he stayed his work. "Lord bishop," said he, "thy -blessing."</p> - -<p>"Heaven's blessing be unto thee," said he. "What work art thou upon?"</p> - -<p>"Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me," said he.</p> - -<p>"Is not that a mouse that I see in thy hand?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered he. "And she has robbed me."</p> - -<p>"Ay," said he, "since I have come at the doom of this reptile, I will -ransom it of thee. I will give thee seven pounds for it, and that -rather than see a man of rank equal to thine destroying so vile a -reptile as this. Let it loose, and thou shalt have the money."</p> - -<p>"I declare to Heaven that I will not set it loose."</p> - -<p>"If thou wilt not loose it for this, I will give thee four and twenty -pounds of ready money to set it free."</p> - -<p>"I will not set it free, by Heaven, for as much again," said he.</p> - -<p>"If thou wilt not set it free for this, I will give thee all the horses -that thou seest in this plain, and the seven loads of baggage, and the -seven horses that they are upon."</p> - -<p>"By Heaven, I will not," he replied.</p> - -<p>"Since for this thou wilt not, do so at what price soever thou wilt."</p> - -<p>"I will do so," said he. "I will that Rhiannon and Pryderi be free," -said he.</p> - -<p>"That thou shalt have," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Not yet will I loose the mouse, by Heaven."</p> - -<p>"What then wouldst thou?"</p> - -<p>"That the charm and the illusion be removed from the seven Cantrevs of -Dyved."</p> - -<p>"This shalt thou have also: set therefore the mouse free."</p> - -<p>"I will not set it free, by Heaven," said he. "I will know who the -mouse may be."</p> - -<p>"She is my wife."</p> - -<p>"Even though she be, I will not set her free. Wherefore came she to me?"</p> - -<p>"To despoil thee," he answered. "I am Llwyd the son of Kilcoed, and I -cast the charm over the seven cantrevs of Dyved. And it was to avenge -Gwawl the son of Clud from the friendship I had towards him, that I -cast the charm. And upon Pryderi did I revenge Gwawl the son of Clud -for the game of Badger in the Bag that Pwyll Pen Annwn played upon him, -which he did unadvisedly in the court of Heveydd Hên. And when it was -known that thou wast come to dwell in the land, my household came and -besought me to transform them into mice, that they might destroy thy -corn. And it was my own household that went the first night. And the -second night also they went, and they destroyed thy two crofts. And -the third night came unto me my wife and the ladies of the court, and -besought me to transform them. And I transformed them. But since [my -wife] has been caught, I will restore thee Pryderi and Rhiannon; and I -will take the charm and illusion from off Dyved. I have now told thee -who she is. Set her therefore free."</p> - -<p>"I will not set her free, by Heaven," said he.</p> - -<p>"What wilt thou more?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I will that there be no more charm upon the seven Cantrevs of Dyved, -and that none shall be put upon it henceforth."</p> - -<p>"This thou shalt have," said he. "Now set her free."</p> - -<p>"I will not, by my faith," he answered.</p> - -<p>"What wilt thou furthermore?" asked he.</p> - -<p>"Behold," said he, "this will I have; that vengeance be never taken for -this, either upon Pryderi, or Rhiannon, or upon me."</p> - -<p>"All this shalt thou have. And truly thou hast done wisely in asking -this. Upon thy head would have lighted all this trouble."</p> - -<p>"Yea," said he, "for fear thereof was it that I required this."</p> - -<p>"Set now my wife at liberty."</p> - -<p>"I will not, by Heaven," said he, "until I see Pryderi and Rhiannon -with me free."</p> - -<p>"Behold, here they come," he answered.</p> - -<p>And thereupon behold Pryderi and Rhiannon. And he rose up to meet them, -and greeted them, and sat down beside them. "Ah, chieftain, set now my -wife at liberty," said the bishop. "Hast thou not received all thou -didst ask?"</p> - -<p>"I will release her gladly," said he. And thereupon he set her free.</p> - -<p>Then Llywyd struck her with a magic wand, and she was changed back into -a young woman, the fairest ever seen.</p> - -<p>"Look around upon thy land," said he, "and then thou wilt see it all -tilled and peopled, as it was in its best state."</p> - -<p>And he rose up and looked forth. And when he looked he saw all the -lands tilled, and full of herds and dwellings. "What bondage," he -inquired, "has there been upon Pryderi and Rhiannon?"</p> - -<p>"Pryderi has had the knockers of the gate of my palace about his neck, -and Rhiannon has had the collars of the asses, after they have been -carrying hay, about her neck."</p> - -<p>And such had been their bondage.</p> - -<p>And by reason of this bondage is this story called the Mabinogi of -Mynnweir and Mynord.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="GERAINT_THE_SON_OF_ERBIN17" id="GERAINT_THE_SON_OF_ERBIN17">GERAINT THE SON OF ERBIN.</a><a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></h2> - - -<p>Arthur was accustomed to hold his court at Caerlleon-upon-Usk. And -there he held it seven Easters and five Christmases. And once upon a -time he held his court there at Whitsuntide. For Caerlleon was the -place most easy of access in his dominions, both by sea and by land. -And there were assembled nine crowned kings, who were his tributaries, -and likewise earls and barons. For they were his invited guests at all -the high festivals, unless they were prevented by any great hindrance. -And when he was at Caerlleon, holding his court, thirteen churches were -set apart for mass. And thus were they appointed: one church for Arthur -and his kings and his guests; and the second for Gwenhwyvar and her -ladies; and the third for the steward of the household and the suitors; -and the fourth for the franks and the other officers: and the other -nine churches were for the nine masters of the household, and chiefly -for Gwalchmai;<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> for he, from the eminence of his warlike fame, and -from the nobleness of his birth, was the most exalted of the nine.</p> - -<p>Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr was the chief porter; but he did not himself -perform the office, except at one of the three high festivals, for he -had seven men to serve him, and they divided the year amongst them. -And on Whit-Tuesday, as the king sat at the banquet, lo! there entered -a tall, fair-headed youth, clad in a coat and a surcoat of diapered -satin, and a golden-hilted sword about his neck, and low shoes of -leather upon his feet. And he came and stood before Arthur. "Hail to -thee, lord!" said he.</p> - -<p>"Heaven prosper thee," he answered, "and be thou welcome. Dost thou -bring any new tidings?"'</p> - -<p>"I do, lord," he said.</p> - -<p>"I know thee not," said Arthur.</p> - -<p>"It is a marvel to me that thou dost not know me. I am one of thy -foresters, lord, in the Forest of Dean, and my name is Madawe, the son -of Twrgadarn."</p> - -<p>"Tell me thine errand," said Arthur.</p> - -<p>"I will do so, lord," said he: "in the forest I saw a stag the like of -which beheld I never yet."</p> - -<p>"What is there about him," asked Arthur, "that thou never yet didst see -his like?"</p> - -<p>"He is of pure white, lord, and he does not herd with any other animal -through stateliness and pride, so royal is his bearing. And I come to -seek thy counsel, lord, and to know thy will concerning him."</p> - -<p>"It seems best to me," said Arthur, "to go and hunt him to-morrow at -break of day, and to cause general notice thereof to be given to-night -in all quarters of the court." And Arryfuerys was Arthur's chief -huntsman, and Arelivri was his chief page. And all received notice; and -thus it was arranged. And they sent the youth before them.</p> - -<p>Then Gwenhwyvar said to Arthur, "Wilt thou permit me, lord," said she, -"to go to-morrow to see and hear the hunt of the stag of which the -young man spoke?"</p> - -<p>"I will gladly," said Arthur.</p> - -<p>"Then will I go," said she.</p> - -<p>And Gwalchmai said to Arthur, "Lord, if it seem well to thee, permit -that into whose hunt soever the stag shall come, that one, be he a -knight, or one on foot, may cut off his head, and give it to whom he -pleases, whether to his own lady-love, or to the lady of his friend."</p> - -<p>"I grant it gladly," said Arthur, "and let the steward of the household -be chastised, if all are not ready to-morrow for the chase."</p> - -<p>And they passed the night with songs and diversions and discourse, and -ample entertainment. And when it was time for them all to go to sleep, -they went. And when the next day came, they arose; and Arthur called -the attendants who guarded his couch. And these men came to Arthur -and saluted him, and arrayed him in his garments. And Arthur wondered -that Gwenhwyvar did not awake, and did not move in her bed; and the -attendants wished to awaken her. "Disturb her not," said Arthur, "for -she had rather sleep than go to see the hunting."</p> - -<p>Then Arthur went forth; and he heard two horns sounding, one from near -the lodging of the chief huntsman, and the other from near that of the -chief page. And the whole assembly of the multitudes came to Arthur, -and they took the road to the forest.</p> - -<p>And after Arthur had gone forth from the palace, Gwenhwyvar awoke, -and called to her maidens, and apparelled herself. "Maidens," said -she, "I had leave last night to go and see the hunt. Go one of you -to the stable, and order hither a horse such as a woman may ride." -And one of them went, and she found but two horses in the stable; and -Gwenhwyvar and one of her maidens mounted them, and went through the -Usk, and followed the track of the men and the horses. And as they -rode thus, they heard a loud and rushing sound; and they looked behind -them, and beheld a knight upon a hunter-foal of mighty size; and the -rider was a fair-haired youth, bare-legged, and of princely mien, and -a golden-hilted sword was at his side, and a robe and a surcoat of -satin were upon him, and two low shoes of leather upon his feet, and -around him was a scarf of blue purple, at each corner of which was a -golden apple. And his horse stepped stately and swift and proud; and he -overtook Gwenhwyvar, and saluted her. "Heaven prosper thee, Geraint," -said she: "I knew thee when first I saw thee just now. And the welcome -of Heaven be unto thee. And why didst thou not go with thy lord to -hunt?"</p> - -<p>"Because I knew not when he went," said he.</p> - -<p>"I marvel too," said she, "how he could go unknown to me."</p> - -<p>"Indeed, lady!" said he.</p> - -<p>"I was asleep, and knew not when he went. And it may be that I shall -be more amused with the hunting than they; for we shall hear the horns -when they sound, and we shall hear the dogs when they are let loose, -and begin to cry." So they went to the edge of the forest, and there -they stood. "From this place," said she, "we shall hear when the dogs -are let loose." And thereupon they heard a loud noise, and they looked -towards the spot whence it came, and they beheld a dwarf riding upon -a horse, stately, and foaming and prancing, and strong and spirited. -And in the hand of the dwarf was a whip. And near the dwarf they saw a -lady upon a beautiful white horse of steady and stately pace; and she -was clothed in a garment of gold brocade. And near her was a knight -upon a war-horse of large size, with heavy and bright armor both upon -himself and upon his horse. And truly they never before saw a knight, -or a horse, or armor, of such remarkable size. And they were all near -to each other.</p> - -<p>"Geraint," said Gwenhwyvar, "knowest thou the name of that tall knight -yonder?"</p> - -<p>"I know him not," said he; "and the strange armor that he wears -prevents my either seeing his face or his features."</p> - -<p>"Go, maiden," said Gwenhwyvar, "and ask the dwarf who that knight is." -Then the maiden went up to the dwarf; and the dwarf waited for the -maiden when he saw her coming towards him. And the maiden inquired of -the dwarf who the knight was.</p> - -<p>"I will not tell thee," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Since thou art so churlish as not to tell me," said she, "I will ask -him himself."</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt not ask him, by my faith!" said he.</p> - -<p>"Wherefore?" said she.</p> - -<p>"Because thou art not of honor sufficient to befit thee to speak to my -lord." Then the maiden turned her horse's head towards the knight, upon -which the dwarf struck her, with the whip that was in his hand, across -the face and the eyes, until the blood flowed forth. And the maiden, -through the hurt she received from the blow, returned to Gwenhwyvar, -complaining of the pain.</p> - -<p>"Very rudely has the dwarf treated thee," said Geraint. "I will go -myself to know who the knight is."</p> - -<p>"Go," said Gwenhwyvar. And Geraint went up to the dwarf.</p> - -<p>"Who is yonder knight?" said Geraint.</p> - -<p>"I will not tell thee," said the dwarf.</p> - -<p>"Then will I ask him himself," said he.</p> - -<p>"That wilt thou not, by my faith!" said the dwarf. "Thou art not -honorable enough to speak with my lord."</p> - -<p>Said Geraint, "I have spoken with men of equal rank with him." And he -turned his horse's head towards the knight; but the dwarf overtook him, -and struck him as he had done the maiden, so that the blood colored the -scarf that Geraint wore. Then Geraint put his hand upon the hilt of his -sword; but he took counsel with himself, and considered that it would -be no vengeance for him to slay the dwarf, and to be attacked unarmed -by the armed knight: so he returned to where Gwenhwyvar was.</p> - -<p>"Thou hast acted wisely and discreetly," said she.</p> - -<p>"Lady," said he, "I will follow him yet, with thy permission; and at -last he will come to some inhabited place, where I may have arms either -as a loan or for a pledge, so that I may encounter the knight."</p> - -<p>"Go," said she, "and do not attack him until thou hast good arms; and I -shall be very anxious concerning thee until I hear tidings of thee."</p> - -<p>"If I am alive," said he, "thou shalt hear tidings of me by to-morrow -afternoon." And with that he departed.</p> - -<p>And the road they took was below the palace of Caerlleon, and across -the ford of the Usk. And they went along a fair and even and lofty -ridge of ground until they came to a town, and at the extremity of the -town they saw a fortress and a castle. And they came to the extremity -of the town. And as the knight passed through it, all the people arose -and saluted him, and bade him welcome. And when Geraint came into the -town, he looked at every house to see if he knew any of those whom he -saw. But he knew none, and none knew him to do him the kindness to let -him have arms either as a loan or for a pledge. And every house he saw -was full of men and arms and horses. And they were polishing shields, -and burnishing swords, and washing armor, and shoeing horses. And the -knight and the lady and the dwarf rode up to the castle that was in the -town, and every one was glad in the castle. And from the battlements -and the gates they risked their necks through their eagerness to greet -them, and to show their joy.</p> - -<p>Geraint stood there to see whether the knight would remain in the -castle. And when he was certain that he would do so, he looked around -him; and at a little distance from the town he saw an old palace in -ruins, wherein was a hall that was falling to decay. And as he knew not -any one in the town, he went towards the old palace; and when he came -near to the palace he saw but one chamber, and a bridge of marble-stone -leading to it. And upon the bridge he saw sitting a hoary-headed man, -upon whom were tattered garments. And Geraint gazed steadfastly upon -him for a long time. Then the hoary-headed man spoke to him. "Young -man," he said, "wherefore art thou thoughtful?"</p> - -<p>"I am thoughtful," said he, "because I know not where to go to-night."</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou come forward this way, chieftain?" said he, "and thou shalt -have the best that can be procured for thee." So Geraint went forward. -And the hoary-headed man preceded him into the hall. And in the hall he -dismounted, and he left there his horse. Then he went on to the upper -chamber with the hoary-headed man. And in the chamber he beheld an old -decrepit woman sitting on a cushion, with old, tattered garments of -satin upon her; and it seemed to him that he had never seen a woman -fairer than she must have been when in the fulness of youth. And beside -her was a maiden, upon whom were a vest and a veil that were old, and -beginning to be worn out. And truly he never saw a maiden more full of -comeliness and grace and beauty than she. And the hoary-headed man said -to the maiden, "There is no attendant for the horse of this youth but -thyself."</p> - -<p>"I will render the best service I am able," said she, "both to him -and to his horse." And the maiden disarrayed the youth, and then she -furnished his horse with straw and with corn. And she went to the hall -as before, and then she returned to the chamber.</p> - -<p>And the hoary-headed man said to the maiden, "Go to the town," said he, -"and bring hither the best that thou canst find both of food and of -liquor."</p> - -<p>"I will gladly, lord," said she. And to the town went the maiden. And -they conversed together while the maiden was at the town. And behold! -the maiden came back, and a youth with her, bearing on his back a -costrel full of good purchased mead, and a quarter of a young bullock. -And in the hands of the maiden was a quantity of white bread, and she -had some manchet bread in her veil, and she came into the chamber.</p> - -<p>"I could not obtain better than this," said she, "nor with better -should I have been trusted."</p> - -<p>"It is good enough," said Geraint. And they caused the meat to be -boiled; and when their food was ready, they sat down. And it was on -this wise: Geraint sat between the hoary-headed man and his wife, and -the maiden served them. And they ate and drank.</p> - -<p>And when they had finished eating, Geraint talked with the hoary-headed -man; and he asked him, in the first place, to whom belonged the palace -that he was in.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said he, "it was I that built it, and to me also belonged the -city and the castle which thou sawest."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Geraint, "how is it that thou hast lost them now?"</p> - -<p>"I lost a great earldom as well as these," said he. "And this is how -I lost them. I had a nephew, the son of my brother, and I took his -possessions to myself; and when he came to his strength, he demanded of -me his property; but I withheld it from him. So he made war upon me, -and wrested from me all that I possessed."</p> - -<p>"Good sir," said Geraint, "wilt thou tell me wherefore came the knight -and the lady and the dwarf just now into the town, and what is the -preparation which I saw and the putting of arms in order?"</p> - -<p>"I will do so," said he. "The preparations are for the game that is to -be held to-morrow by the young earl, which will be on this wise. In the -midst of a meadow which is here, two forks will be set up, and upon the -two forks a silver rod, and upon the silver rod a sparrow-hawk; and for -the sparrow-hawk there will be a tournament. And to the tournament will -go all the array thou didst see in the city, of men and of horses and -of arms. And with each man will go the lady he loves best; and no man -can joust for the sparrow-hawk, except the lady he loves best be with -him. And the knight that thou sawest has gained the sparrow-hawk these -two years; and if he gains it the third year, they will from that time -send it every year to him, and he himself will come here no more. And -he will be called the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk from that time forth."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Geraint, "what is thy counsel to me concerning this knight, -on account of the insult which I received from the dwarf, and that -which was received by the maiden of Gwenhwyvar, the wife of Arthur?" -And Geraint told the hoary-headed man what the insult was that he had -received.</p> - -<p>"It is not easy to counsel thee, inasmuch as thou hast neither dame nor -maiden belonging to thee for whom thou canst joust. Yet I have arms -here which thou couldest have, and there is my horse also, if he seem -to thee better than thine own."</p> - -<p>"Ah, sir," said he, "Heaven reward thee! But my own horse, to which -I am accustomed, together with thy arms, will suffice. And if, when -the appointed time shall come to-morrow, thou wilt permit me, sir, to -challenge for yonder maiden that is thy daughter, I will engage, if I -escape from the tournament, to love the maiden as long as I live; and, -if I do not escape, she will remain as before."</p> - -<p>"Gladly will I permit thee," said the hoary-headed man. "And since -thou dost thus resolve, it is necessary that thy horse and arms -should be ready to-morrow at break of day. For then the Knight of the -Sparrow-hawk will make proclamation, and ask the lady he loves best to -take the sparrow-hawk. 'For,' will he say to her, 'thou art the fairest -of women, and thou didst possess it last year and the year previous; -and if any deny it thee to-day, by force will I defend it for thee.' -And therefore," said the hoary-headed man, "it is needful for thee to -be there at daybreak; and we three will be with thee." And thus was it -settled.</p> - -<p>And at night, lo! they went to sleep. And before the dawn they arose, -and arrayed themselves; and by the time that it was day, they were all -four in the meadow. And there was the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk making -the proclamation, and asking his lady-love to fetch the sparrow-hawk.</p> - -<p>"Fetch it not," said Geraint, "for there is here a maiden who is -fairer, and more noble, and more comely, and who has a better claim to -it, than thou."</p> - -<p>"If thou maintainest the sparrow-hawk to be due to her, come forward -and do battle with me." And Geraint went forward to the top of the -meadow, having upon himself and upon his horse armor which was heavy -and rusty and worthless, and of uncouth shape. Then they encountered -each other, and they broke a set of lances, and they broke a second -set, and a third. And thus they did at every onset, and they broke -as many lances as were brought to them. And when the earl and his -company saw the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk gaining the mastery, there -was shouting and joy and mirth amongst them. And the hoary-headed man -and his wife and his daughter were sorrowful. And the hoary-headed -man served Geraint lances as often as he broke them; and the dwarf -served the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk. Then the hoary-headed man came -to Geraint. "O chieftain!" said he, "since no other will hold with -thee, behold, here is the lance which was in my hand on the day when I -received the honor of knighthood; and from that time to this I never -broke it. And it has an excellent point." Then Geraint took the lance, -thanking the hoary-headed man. And thereupon the dwarf also brought a -lance to his lord.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - <p><a name="illus10" id="illus10"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus10.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>The Tournament for the Sparrow-hawk.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Behold, here is a lance for thee, not less good than his," said the -dwarf. "And bethink thee that no knight ever withstood thee before so -long as this one has done."</p> - -<p>"I declare to Heaven," said Geraint, "that, unless death takes me -quickly hence, he shall fare never the better for thy service." And -Geraint pricked his horse towards him from afar, and warning him, he -rushed upon him, and gave him a blow so severe and furious and fierce, -upon the face of his shield, that he cleft it in two, and broke his -armor, and burst his girths, so that both he and his saddle were borne -to the ground over the horse's crupper. And Geraint dismounted quickly. -And he was wroth, and he drew his sword, and rushed fiercely upon him. -Then the knight also arose, and drew his sword against Geraint. And -they fought on foot with their swords until their arms struck sparks -of fire like stars from one another; and thus they continued fighting -until the blood and sweat obscured the light from their eyes. And when -Geraint prevailed, the hoary-headed man and his wife and his daughter -were glad; and when the knight prevailed, it rejoiced the earl and his -party.</p> - -<p>Then the hoary-headed man saw Geraint receive a severe stroke, and -he went up to him quickly, and said to him, "O chieftain, remember -the treatment which thou hadst from the dwarf; and wilt thou not seek -vengeance for the insult to thyself, and for the insult to Gwenhwyvar -the wife of Arthur?"</p> - -<p>And Geraint was roused by what he said to him, and he called to him all -his strength, and lifted up his sword, and struck the knight upon the -crown of his head, so that he broke all his head-armor, and cut through -all the flesh and the skin, even to the skull, until he wounded the -bone.</p> - -<p>Then the knight fell upon his knees, and cast his sword from his hand, -and besought mercy of Geraint. "Of a truth," said he, "I relinquish my -overdaring and my pride in craving thy mercy; and unless I have time -to commit myself to Heaven for my sins, and to talk with a priest, thy -mercy will avail me little."</p> - -<p>"I will grant thee grace upon this condition," said Geraint, "that thou -wilt go to Gwenhwyvar the wife of Arthur, to do her satisfaction for -the insult which her maiden received from thy dwarf. As to myself, for -the insult which I received from thee and thy dwarf, I am content with -that which I have done unto thee. Dismount not from the time thou goest -hence until thou comest into the presence of Gwenhwyvar, to make her -what atonement shall be adjudged at the court of Arthur."</p> - -<p>"This will I do gladly. And who art thou?" said he.</p> - -<p>"I am Geraint the son of Erbin. And declare thou also who thou art."</p> - -<p>"I am Edeyrn the son of Nudd." Then he threw himself upon his horse, -and went forward to Arthur's court, and the lady he loved best went -before him and the dwarf with much lamentation. And thus far this story -up to that time.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then came the little earl and his hosts to Geraint, and saluted him, -and bade him to his castle.</p> - -<p>"I may not go," said Geraint; "but where I was last night, there will I -be to-night also."</p> - -<p>"Since thou wilt none of my inviting, thou shalt have abundance of all -that I can command for thee in the place thou wast last night. And I -will order ointment for thee, to recover thee from thy fatigues and -from the weariness that is upon thee."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee!" said Geraint, "and I will go to my lodging." And -thus went Geraint, and Earl Ynywl, and his wife, and his daughter. And -when they reached the chamber, the household servants and attendants -of the young earl had arrived at the court, and they arranged all the -houses, dressing them with straw and with fire. And in a short time the -ointment was ready, and Geraint came there, and they washed his head. -Then came the young earl, with forty honorable knights from among his -attendants, and those who were bidden to the tournament. And Geraint -came from the anointing. And the earl asked him to go to the hall to -eat.</p> - -<p>"Where is the Earl Ynywl," said Geraint, "and his wife, and his -daughter?"</p> - -<p>"They are in the chamber yonder," said the earl's chamberlain, -"arraying themselves in garments which the earl has caused to be -brought for them."</p> - -<p>"Let not the damsel array herself," said he, "except in her vest -and her veil, until she come to the court of Arthur to be clad by -Gwenhwyvar in such garments as she may choose." So the maiden did not -array herself.</p> - -<p>Then they all entered the hall, and they washed, and went and sat down -to meat. And thus they were seated: on one side of Geraint sat the -young earl, and Earl Ynywl beyond him; and on the other side of Geraint -were the maiden and her mother. And after these, all sat according -to their precedence in honor. And they ate. And they were served -abundantly, and they received a profusion of divers kind of gifts. Then -they conversed together. And the young earl invited Geraint to visit -him next day.</p> - -<p>"I will not, by Heaven!" said Geraint. "To the court of Arthur will I -go with this maiden to-morrow. And it is enough for me, as long as Earl -Ynywl is in poverty and trouble; and I go chiefly to seek to add to his -maintenance."</p> - -<p>"Ah, chieftain!" said the young earl, "it is not by my fault that Earl -Ynywl is without his possessions."</p> - -<p>"By my faith," said Geraint, "he shall not remain without them, unless -death quickly takes me hence."</p> - -<p>"Oh, chieftain!" said he, "with regard to the disagreement between me -and Ynywl, I will gladly abide by thy counsel, and agree to what thou -mayest judge right between us."</p> - -<p>"I but ask thee," said Geraint, "to restore to him what is his, and -what he should have received from the time he lost his possessions, -even until this day."</p> - -<p>"That I will do gladly for thee," answered he.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Geraint, "whosoever is here who owes homage to Ynywl, let -him come forward, and perform it on the spot." And all the men did so. -And by that treaty they abided. And his castle, and his town, and all -his possessions, were restored to Ynywl. And he received back all that -he had lost, even to the smallest jewel.</p> - -<p>Then spoke Earl Ynywl to Geraint. "Chieftain," said he, "behold the -maiden for whom thou didst challenge at the tournament: I bestow her -upon thee."</p> - -<p>"She shall go with me," said Geraint, "to the court of Arthur; and -Arthur and Gwenhwyvar they shall dispose of her as they will." And the -next day they proceeded to Arthur's court. So far concerning Geraint.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now, this is how Arthur hunted the stag. The men and the dogs were -divided into hunting-parties, and the dogs were let loose upon the -stag. And the last dog that was let loose was the favorite dog of -Arthur. Cavall<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> was his name. And he left all the other dogs behind -him, and turned the stag. And at the second turn, the stag came towards -the hunting-party of Arthur. And Arthur set upon him. And before he -could be slain by any other, Arthur cut off his head. Then they sounded -the death-horn for slaying, and they all gathered round.</p> - -<p>Then came Kadyriaith to Arthur, and spoke to him. "Lord," said he, -"behold, yonder is Gwenhwyvar, and none with her save only one maiden."</p> - -<p>"Command Gildas the son of Caw, and all the scholars of the court," -said Arthur, "to attend Gwenhwyvar to the palace." And they did so.</p> - -<p>Then they all set forth, holding converse together concerning the head -of the stag, to whom it should be given. One wished that it should be -given to the lady best beloved by him, and another to the lady whom he -loved best. And all they of the household, and the knights, disputed -sharply concerning the head. And with that they came to the palace. -And when Arthur and Gwenhwyvar heard them disputing about the head -of the stag, Gwenhwyvar said to Arthur, "My lord, this is my counsel -concerning the stag's head: let it not be given away until Geraint the -son of Erbin shall return from the errand he is upon." And Gwenhwyvar -told Arthur what that errand was.</p> - -<p>"Right gladly shall it be so," said Arthur. And thus it was settled. -And the next day Gwenhwyvar caused a watch to be set upon the ramparts -for Geraint's coming. And after mid-day they beheld an unshapely little -man upon a horse, and after him, as they supposed, a dame or a damsel, -also on horseback, and after her a knight of large stature, bowed -down, and hanging his head low and sorrowfully, and clad in broken and -worthless armor.</p> - -<p>And before they came near to the gate, one of the watch went to -Gwenhwyvar, and told her what kind of people they saw, and what aspect -they bore. "I know not who they are," said he.</p> - -<p>"But I know," said Gwenhwyvar. "This is the knight whom Geraint -pursued: and methinks that he comes not here by his own free will; but -Geraint has overtaken him, and avenged the insult to the maiden to the -uttermost."</p> - -<p>And thereupon behold a porter came to the spot where Gwenhwyvar was. -"Lady," said he, "at the gate there is a knight, and I saw never a man -of so pitiful an aspect to look upon as he. Miserable and broken is the -armor that he wears; and the hue of blood is more conspicuous upon it -than its own color."</p> - -<p>"Knowest thou his name?" said she.</p> - -<p>"I do," said he. "He tells me that he is Edeyrn the son of Nudd."</p> - -<p>Then she replied, "I know him not."</p> - -<p>So Gwenhwyvar went to the gate to meet him, and he entered. And -Gwenhwyvar was sorry when she saw the condition he was in, even -though he was accompanied by the churlish dwarf. Then Edeyrn saluted -Gwenhwyvar. "Heaven protect thee!" said she.</p> - -<p>"Lady," said he, "Geraint the son of Erbin, thy best and most valiant -servant, greets thee."</p> - -<p>"Did he meet thee?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said he, "and it was not to my advantage; and that was not his -fault, but mine, lady. And Geraint greets thee well; and in greeting -thee he compelled me to come hither to do thy pleasure for the insult -which thy maiden received from the dwarf. He forgives the insult to -himself in consideration of his having put me in peril of my life. And -he imposed on me a condition manly and honorable and warrior-like, -which was to do thee justice, lady."</p> - -<p>"Now, where did he overtake thee?"</p> - -<p>"At the place where we were jousting, and contending for the -sparrow-hawk, in the town which is now called Cardiff. And there were -none with him save three persons of a mean and tattered condition. And -these were an aged, hoary-headed man, and a woman advanced in years, -and a fair young maiden clad in worn-out garments. And it was for -the avouchment of the love of that maiden that Geraint jousted for -the sparrow-hawk at the tournament; for he said that that maiden was -better entitled to the sparrow-hawk than this maiden who was with me. -And thereupon we encountered each other, and he left me, lady, as thou -seest."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "when thinkest thou that Geraint will be here?"</p> - -<p>"To-morrow, lady, I think he will be here with the maiden."</p> - -<p>Then Arthur came to him; and he saluted Arthur. And Arthur gazed a long -time upon him, and was amazed to see him thus. And, thinking that he -knew him, he inquired of him, "Art thou Edeyrn the son of Nudd?"</p> - -<p>"I am, lord," said he, "and I have met with much trouble, and received -wounds insupportable." Then he told Arthur all his adventure.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Arthur, "from what I hear, it behooves Gwenhwyvar to be -merciful towards thee."</p> - -<p>"The mercy which thou desirest, lord," said she, "will I grant to him, -since it is as insulting to thee that an insult should be offered to me -as to thyself."</p> - -<p>"Thus will it be best to do," said Arthur. "Let this man have medical -care until it be known whether he may live. And, if he live, he shall -do such satisfaction as shall be judged best by the men of the court; -and take thou sureties to that effect."</p> - -<p>"This pleases me," said Gwenhwyvar. And Arthur became surety for -Edeyrn, and Caradawc the son of Llyr, Gwallawg the son of Llenawg, -and Owain the son of Nudd, and Gwalchmai, and many others with them. -And Arthur caused Morgan Tud to be called to him. He was the chief -physician.</p> - -<p>"Take with thee Edeyrn the son of Nudd, and cause a chamber to be -prepared for him, and let him have the aid of medicine as thou wouldest -do unto myself, if I were wounded, and let none into his chamber -to molest him, but thyself and thy disciples to administer to him -remedies."</p> - -<p>"I will do so gladly, lord," said Morgan Tud.</p> - -<p>Then said the steward of the household, "Whither is it right, lord, to -order the maiden?"</p> - -<p>"To Gwenhwyvar and her handmaidens," said he. And the steward of the -household so ordered her. Thus far concerning them.</p> - -<p>The next day came Geraint towards the court; and there was a watch set -on the ramparts by Gwenhwyvar, lest he should arrive unawares. And -one of the watch came to the place where Gwenhwyvar was. "Lady," said -he, "methinks that I see Geraint, and the maiden with him. He is on -horseback; but he has his walking-gear upon him, and the maiden appears -to be in white, seeming to be clad in a garment of linen."</p> - -<p>"Assemble all the women," said Gwenhwyvar, "and come to meet Geraint, -to welcome him, and wish him joy." And Gwenhwyvar went to meet Geraint -and the maiden. And when Geraint came to the place where Gwenhwyvar -was, he saluted her. "Heaven prosper thee," said she, "and welcome -to thee. And thy career has been successful, and fortunate, and -resistless, and glorious. And Heaven reward thee, that thou hast so -proudly caused me to have retribution."</p> - -<p>"Lady," said he, "I earnestly desired to obtain thee satisfaction -according to thy will; and behold, here is the maiden through whom thou -hadst thy revenge."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Gwenhwyvar, "the welcome of Heaven be unto her! and it -is fitting that we should receive her joyfully." Then they went in, and -dismounted. And Geraint came to where Arthur was, and saluted him.</p> - -<p>"Heaven protect thee," said Arthur, "and the welcome of Heaven be unto -thee! And since Edeyrn the son of Nudd has received his overthrow and -wounds from thy hands, thou hast had a prosperous career."</p> - -<p>"Not upon me be the blame!" said Geraint. "It was through the arrogance -of Edeyrn the son of Nudd himself that we were not friends. I would not -quit him until I knew who he was, and until the one had vanquished the -other."</p> - -<p>"Now," said Arthur, "where is the maiden for whom I heard thou didst -give challenge?"</p> - -<p>"She is gone with Gwenhwyvar to her chamber."</p> - -<p>Then went Arthur to see the maiden. And Arthur, and all his companions, -and his whole court, were glad concerning the maiden. And certain were -they all, that, had her array been suitable to her beauty, they had -never seen a maid fairer than she. And Arthur gave away the maiden to -Geraint. And the usual bond made between two persons was made between -Geraint and the maiden; and the choicest of all Gwenhwyvar's apparel -was given to the maiden; and thus arrayed, she appeared comely and -graceful to all who beheld her.</p> - -<p>And from that time she became his bride. And the next day Arthur -satisfied all the claimants upon Geraint with bountiful gifts. And the -maiden took up her abode in the palace; and she had many companions, -both men and women, and there was no maiden more esteemed than she in -the Island of Britain.</p> - -<p>Then spake Gwenhwyvar. "Rightly did I judge," said she, "concerning the -head of the stag, that it should not be given to any until Geraint's -return; and behold, here is a fit occasion for bestowing it. Let it -be given to Enid the daughter of Ynywl, the most illustrious maiden. -And I do not believe that any will begrudge it her; for between her -and every one here there exists nothing but love and friendship." Much -applauded was this by them all, and by Arthur also. And the head of -the stag was given to Enid; and thereupon her fame increased, and her -friends thenceforward became more in number than before. And Geraint -from that time forth loved the stag, and the tournament, and hard -encounters; and he came victorious from them all. And a year, and a -second, and a third, he proceeded thus, until his fame had flown over -the face of the kingdom.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And once upon a time Arthur was holding his court at -Caerlleon-upon-Usk, at Whitsuntide. And behold, there came to him -ambassadors, wise and prudent, full of knowledge, and eloquent of -speech, and they saluted Arthur. "Heaven prosper you," said Arthur, -"and the welcome of Heaven be unto you! And whence do you come?"</p> - -<p>"We come, lord," said they, "from Cornwall; and we are ambassadors from -Erbin the son of Custennin, thy uncle, and our mission is unto thee. -And he greets thee well, as an uncle should greet his nephew, and as -a vassal should greet his lord. And he represents unto thee that he -waxes heavy and feeble, and is advancing in years. And the neighboring -chiefs, knowing this, grow insolent towards him, and covet his land and -possessions. And he earnestly beseeches thee, lord, to permit Geraint -his son to return to him to protect his possessions, and to become -acquainted with his boundaries. And unto him he represents that it were -better for him to spend the flower of his youth and the prime of his -age in preserving his own boundaries than in tournaments, which are -productive of no profit, although he obtains glory in them."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Arthur, "go and divest yourselves of your accoutrements, -and take food, and refresh yourselves after your fatigues; and before -you go forth hence, you shall have an answer."</p> - -<p>And they went to eat. And Arthur considered that it would go hard with -him to let Geraint depart from him and from his court; neither did -he think it fair that his cousin should be restrained from going to -protect his dominions and his boundaries, seeing that his father was -unable to do so. No less was the grief and regret of Gwenhwyvar, and -all her women, and all her damsels, through fear that the maiden would -leave them. And that day and that night were spent in abundance of -feasting. And Arthur showed Geraint the cause of the mission, and of -the coming of the ambassadors to him out of Cornwall.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Geraint, "be it to my advantage or disadvantage, lord, I -will do according to thy will concerning this embassy."</p> - -<p>"Behold," said Arthur, "though it grieves me to part with thee, it is -my counsel that thou go to dwell in thine own dominions, and to defend -thy boundaries, and to take with thee to accompany thee as many as thou -wilt of those thou lovest best among my faithful ones, and among thy -friends, and among thy companions in arms."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee! And this will I do," said Geraint.</p> - -<p>"What discourse," said Gwenhwyvar, "do I hear between you? Is it of -those who are to conduct Geraint to his country?"</p> - -<p>"It is," said Arthur.</p> - -<p>"Then it is needful for me to consider," said she, "concerning -companions and a provision for the lady that is with me?"</p> - -<p>"Thou wilt do well," said Arthur.</p> - -<p>And that night they went to sleep. And the next day the ambassadors -were permitted to depart, and they were told that Geraint should follow -them. And on the third day Geraint set forth, and many went with him. -Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, and Riogonedd the son of the King of -Ireland, and Ondyaw the son of the Duke of Burgundy, Gwilim the son of -the ruler of the Franks, Howel the son of Emyr of Brittany, Elivry, and -Nawkyrd, Gwynn the son of Tringad, Goreu the son of Custennin, Gweir -Gwrhyd Vawr, Garannaw the son of Golithmer, Peredur the son of Evrawc, -Gwynnllogell, Gwyr a judge in the court of Arthur, Dyvyr the son of -Alun of Dyved, Gwrei Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, Bedwyr the son of Bedrawd, -Hadwry the son of Gwryon, Kai the son of Kynyr, Odyar the Frank, the -steward of Arthur's court, and Edeyrn the son of Nudd.</p> - -<p>Said Geraint, "I think that I shall have enough of knighthood with me."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Arthur; "but it will not be fitting for thee to take Edeyrn -with thee, although he is well, until peace shall be made between him -and Gwenhwyvar."</p> - -<p>"Gwenhwyvar can permit him to go with me, if he give sureties."</p> - -<p>"If she please, she can let him go without sureties; for enough of pain -and affliction has he suffered for the insult which the maiden received -from the dwarf."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Gwenhwyvar, "since it seems well to thee and to Geraint, -I will do this gladly, lord." Then she permitted Edeyrn freely to -depart. And many there were who accompanied Geraint, and they set -forth; and never was there seen a fairer host journeying towards the -Severn. And on the other side of the Severn were the nobles of Erbin -the son of Custennin, and his foster-father at their head, to welcome -Geraint with gladness; and many of the women of the court, with his -mother, came to receive Enid the daughter of Ynywl, his wife. And -there was great rejoicing and gladness throughout the whole court, -and throughout all the country, concerning Geraint, because of the -greatness of their love towards him, and of the greatness of the fame -which he had gained since he went from amongst them, and because he -was come to take possession of his dominions, and to preserve his -boundaries. And they came to the court. And in the court they had ample -entertainment, and a multitude of gifts, and abundance of liquor, and a -sufficiency of service, and a variety of minstrelsy and of games. And -to do honor to Geraint, all the chief men of the country were invited -that night to visit him. And they passed that day and that night in the -utmost enjoyment.</p> - -<p>And at dawn next day Erbin arose, and summoned to him Geraint, and the -noble persons who had borne him company. And he said to Geraint, "I am -a feeble and aged man, and, whilst I was able to maintain the dominion -for thee and for myself, I did so. But thou art young, and in the -flower of thy vigor and of thy youth: henceforth do thou preserve thy -possessions."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Geraint, "with my consent thou shalt not give the power -over thy dominions at this time into my hands, and thou shalt not take -me from Arthur's court."</p> - -<p>"Into thy hands will I give them," said Erbin; "and this day also shalt -thou receive the homage of thy subjects."</p> - -<p>Then said Gwalchmai, "It were better for thee to satisfy those who have -boons to ask to-day, and to-morrow thou canst receive the homage of thy -dominions." So all that had boons to ask were summoned into one place. -And Kadyrieith came to them to know what were their requests. And every -one asked that which he desired. And the followers of Arthur began to -make gifts, and immediately the men of Cornwall came and gave also. And -they were not long in giving, so eager was every one to bestow gifts. -And of those who came to ask gifts none departed unsatisfied. And that -day and that night were spent in the utmost enjoyment.</p> - -<p>And the next day, at dawn, Erbin desired Geraint to send messengers -to the men to ask them whether it was displeasing to them that he -should come to receive their homage, and whether they had any thing to -object to him. Then Geraint sent ambassadors to the men of Cornwall -to ask them this. And they all said that it would be the fulness of -joy and honor to them for Geraint to come and receive their homage. So -he received the homage of such as were there. And they remained with -him till the third night. And the day after, the followers of Arthur -intended to go away.</p> - -<p>"It is too soon for you to go away yet," said he; "stay with me until I -have finished receiving the homage of my chief men, who have agreed to -come to me." And they remained with him until he had done so. Then they -set forth towards the court of Arthur; and Geraint went to bear them -company, and Enid also, as far as Diganhwy: there they parted.</p> - -<p>Then Ondyaw the son of the Duke of Burgundy said to Geraint, "Go first -of all, and visit the uttermost parts of thy dominions, and see well -to the boundaries of thy territories; and, if thou hast any trouble -respecting them, send unto thy companions."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee!" said Geraint. "And this will I do." And Geraint -journeyed to the uttermost part of his dominions. And experienced -guides, and the chief men of his country, went with him. And the -furthermost point that they showed him he kept possession of.</p> - -<p>And, as he had been used to do when he was at Arthur's court, he -frequented tournaments. And he became acquainted with valiant and -mighty men, until he had gained as much fame there as he had formerly -done elsewhere. And he enriched his court, and his companions, and his -nobles, with the best horses and the best arms, and with the best and -most valuable jewels; and he ceased not until his fame had flown over -the face of the whole kingdom. And when he knew that it was thus, he -began to love ease and pleasure, for there was no one who was worth -his opposing. And he loved his wife, and liked to continue in the -palace, with minstrelsy and diversions. And for a long time he abode -at home. And he took no delight in any thing besides, insomuch that he -gave up the friendship of his nobles, together with his hunting and -his amusements, and lost the hearts of all the host in his court. And -there was murmuring and scoffing concerning him among the inhabitants -of the palace, on account of his relinquishing so completely their -companionship for the love of his wife. And these tidings came to -Erbin. And when Erbin had heard these things, he spoke unto Enid, and -inquired of her whether it was she that had caused Geraint to act thus, -and to forsake his people and his hosts.</p> - -<p>"Not I, by my confession unto Heaven!" said she. "There is nothing -more hateful to me than this." And she knew not what she should do, -for, although it was hard for her to own this to Geraint, yet was it -not more easy for her to listen to what she heard, without warning -Geraint concerning it. And she was very sorrowful.</p> - -<p>And one morning in the summer time, Enid was without sleep in the -apartment which had windows of glass. And the sun shone upon the -couch. And the clothes had slipped from off his arms and his breast, -and he was asleep. Then she gazed upon the marvellous beauty of his -appearance, and she said, "Alas! and am I the cause that these arms -and this breast have lost their glory and the warlike fame which they -once so richly enjoyed?" And as she said this, the tears dropped from -her eyes, and they fell upon his breast. And the tears she shed, and -the words she had spoken, awoke him. And another thing contributed to -awaken him, and that was the idea that it was not in thinking of him -that she spoke thus, but that it was because she loved some other man -more than him.</p> - -<p>And thereupon Geraint was troubled in his mind, and he called his -squire. And when he came to him, "Go quickly," said he "and prepare my -horse and my arms, and make them ready.—And do thou arise," said he -to Enid, "and apparel thyself; and cause thy horse to be accoutred, -and clothe thee in the worst riding-dress that thou hast in thy -possession. And evil betide me," said he, "if thou returnest here until -thou knowest whether I have lost my strength so completely as thou -didst say. And if it be so, it will then be easy for thee to seek the -society thou didst wish for of him of whom thou wast thinking."</p> - -<p>So she arose, and clothed herself in her meanest garments. "I know -nothing, lord," said she, "of thy meaning."</p> - -<p>"Neither wilt thou know at this time," said he.</p> - -<p>Then Geraint went to see Erbin. "Sir," said he, "I am going upon a -quest, and I am not certain when I may come back. Take heed, therefore, -unto thy possessions, until my return."</p> - -<p>"I will do so," said he; "but it is strange to me that thou shouldest -go so suddenly. And who will proceed with thee, since thou art not -strong enough to traverse the land of Lloegyr alone?"</p> - -<p>"But one person only will go with me."</p> - -<p>"Heaven counsel thee, my son!" said Erbin. "And may many attach -themselves to thee in Lloegyr!"</p> - -<p>Then went Geraint to the place where his horse was, and it was equipped -with foreign armor, heavy and shining. And he desired Enid to mount her -horse, and to ride forward, and to keep a long way before him. "And -whatever thou mayest see, and whatever thou mayest hear concerning me," -said he, "do thou not turn back. And unless I speak unto thee, say not -thou one word, either." And they set forward. And he did not choose the -pleasantest and most frequented road, but that which was the wildest, -and most beset by thieves and robbers, and venomous animals. And they -came to a high road, which they followed till they saw a vast forest; -and they went towards it, and they saw four armed horsemen come forth -from the forest.</p> - -<p>When the horsemen had beheld them, one of them said to the others, -"Behold, here is a good occasion for us to capture two horses and -armor, and a lady likewise; for this we shall have no difficulty in -doing against yonder single knight, who hangs his head so pensively and -heavily."</p> - -<p>And Enid heard this discourse, and she knew not what she should do -through fear of Geraint, who had told her to be silent. "The vengeance -of Heaven be upon me," she said, "if I would not rather receive my -death from his hand than from the hand of any other! And though he -should slay me, yet will I speak to him, lest I should have the misery -to witness his death." So she waited for Geraint until he came near -to her. "Lord," said she, "didst thou hear the words of those men -concerning thee?"</p> - -<p>Then he lifted up his eyes, and looked at her angrily. "Thou hadst -only," said he, "to hold thy peace as I bade thee. I wish but for -silence, and not for warning. And though thou shouldest desire to see -my defeat and my death by the hands of those men, yet do I feel no -dread."</p> - -<p>Then the foremost of them couched his lance, and rushed upon Geraint. -And he received him, and that not feebly. But he let the thrust go by -him, while he struck the horseman upon the centre of his shield in -such a manner that his shield was split, and his armor broken, and so -that a cubit's length of the shaft of Geraint's lance passed through -his body, and sent him to the earth the length of the lance over his -horse's crupper. Then the second horseman attacked him furiously, -being wroth at the death of his companion. But with one thrust Geraint -overthrew him also, and killed him as he had done the other. Then the -third set upon him, and he killed him in like manner. And thus also he -slew the fourth. Sad and sorrowful was the maiden as she saw all this. -Geraint dismounted from his horse, and took the arms of the men he had -slain, and placed them upon their saddles, and tied together the reins -of their horses, and he mounted his horse again. "Behold, what thou -must do," said he; "take the four horses, and drive them before thee, -and proceed forward, as I bade thee just now. And say not one word unto -me, unless I speak first unto thee. And I declare unto Heaven," said -he, "if thou doest not thus, it will be to thy cost."</p> - -<p>"I will do, as far as I can, lord," said she, "according to thy desire."</p> - -<p>Then they went forward through the forest; and when they left the -forest, they came to a vast plain, in the centre of which was a group -of thickly tangled copse-wood; and from out thereof they beheld three -horsemen coming towards them, well equipped with armor, both they and -their horses. Then the maiden looked steadfastly upon them; and when -they had come near, she heard them say one to another, "Behold, here -is a good arrival for us: here are coming for us four horses and four -suits of armor. We shall easily obtain them, spite of yonder dolorous -knight, and the maiden also will fall into our power."</p> - -<p>"This is but too true," said she to herself; "for my husband is tired -with his former combat. The vengeance of Heaven will be upon me unless -I warn him of this." So the maiden waited until Geraint came up to -her. "Lord," said she, "dost thou not hear the discourse of yonder men -concerning thee?"</p> - -<p>"What was it?" asked he.</p> - -<p>"They say to one another, that they will easily obtain all this spoil."</p> - -<p>"I declare to Heaven," he answered, "that their words are less grievous -to me than that thou wilt not be silent, and abide by my counsel."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said she, "I feared lest they should surprise thee unawares."</p> - -<p>"Hold thy peace, then!" said he. "Do not I desire silence?"</p> - -<p>And thereupon one of the horsemen couched his lance, and attacked -Geraint. And he made a thrust at him which he thought would be very -effective. But Geraint received it carelessly, and struck it aside; and -then he rushed upon him, and aimed at the centre of his person, and -from the shock of man and horse the quantity of his armor did not avail -him, and the head of the lance and part of the shaft passed through -him, so that he was carried to the ground an arm and a spear's length -over the crupper of his horse. And both the other horsemen came forward -in their turn; but their onset was not more successful than that of -their companion. And the maiden stood by, looking at all this; and on -the one hand she was in trouble lest Geraint should be wounded in his -encounter with the men, and on the other hand she was joyful to see him -victorious. Then Geraint dismounted, and bound the three suits of armor -upon the three saddles, and he fastened the reins of all the horses -together, so that he had seven horses with him. And he mounted his own -horse, and commanded the maiden to drive forward the others. "It is no -more use for me to speak to thee than to refrain; for thou wilt not -attend to my advice."</p> - -<p>"I will do so, as far as I am able, lord," said she; "but I cannot -conceal from thee the fierce and threatening words which I may hear -against thee, lord, from such strange people as those that haunt this -wilderness."</p> - -<p>"I declare to Heaven," said he, "that I desire nought but silence: -therefore hold thy peace."</p> - -<p>"I will, lord, while I can." And the maiden went on with the horses -before her, and she pursued her way straight onwards. And from the -copse-wood already mentioned they journeyed over a vast and dreary open -plain. And at a great distance from them they beheld a wood, and they -could see neither end nor boundary to the wood, except on that side -that was nearest to them, and they went towards it. Then there came -from out the wood five horsemen, eager and bold, and mighty and strong, -mounted upon chargers that were powerful, and large of bone, and high -mettled, and proudly snorting; and both the men and the horses were -well equipped with arms. And when they drew near to them, Enid heard -them say, "Behold, here is a fine booty coming to us, which we shall -obtain easily and without labor, for we shall have no trouble in taking -all those horses and arms, and the lady also, from yonder single knight -so doleful and sad."</p> - -<p>Sorely grieved was the maiden upon hearing this discourse, so that -she knew not in the world what she should do. At last, however, she -determined to warn Geraint: so she turned her horse's head towards him. -"Lord," said she, "if thou hadst heard as I did what yonder horsemen -said concerning thee, thy heaviness would be greater than it is."</p> - -<p>Angrily and bitterly did Geraint smile upon her, and he said, "Thee do -I hear doing every thing that I forbade thee; but it may be that thou -wilt repent this yet."</p> - -<p>And immediately, behold, the men met them; and victoriously and -gallantly did Geraint overcome them all five. And he placed the five -suits of armor upon the five saddles, and tied together the reins of -the twelve horses, and gave them in charge to Enid. "I know not," said -he, "what good it is for me to order thee; but this time I charge thee -in an especial manner."</p> - -<p>So the maiden went forward towards the wood, keeping in advance of -Geraint, as he had desired her; and it grieved him as much as his wrath -would permit to see a maiden so illustrious as she having so much -trouble with the care of the horses. Then they reached the wood, and -it was both deep and vast; and in the wood night overtook them. "Ah, -maiden," said he, "it is vain to attempt proceeding forward!"</p> - -<p>"Well, lord," said she, "whatsoever thou wishest, we will do."</p> - -<p>"It will be best for us," he answered, "to turn out of the wood, and to -rest, and wait for the day, in order to pursue our journey."</p> - -<p>"That will we gladly," said she. And they did so.</p> - -<p>Having dismounted himself, he took her down from her horse. "I cannot -by any means refrain from sleep, through weariness," said he. "Do thou, -therefore, watch the horses, and sleep not."</p> - -<p>"I will, lord," said she. Then he went to sleep in his armor; and thus -passed the night, which was not long at that season. And when she saw -the dawn of day appear, she looked around her to see if he were waking, -and thereupon he woke. "My lord," she said, "I have desired to awake -thee for some time."</p> - -<p>But he spake nothing to her about fatigue, as he had desired her to be -silent. Then he arose, and said unto her, "Take the horses and ride on; -and keep straight on before thee, as thou didst yesterday."</p> - -<p>And early in the day they left the wood, and they came to an open -country, with meadows on one hand, and mowers mowing the meadows. And -there was a river before them, and the horses bent down, and drank the -water. And they went up out of the river by a lofty steep; and there -they met a slender stripling, with a satchel about his neck, and they -saw that there was something in the satchel, but they knew not what it -was. And he had a small blue pitcher in his hand, and a bowl on the -mouth of the pitcher. And the youth saluted Geraint.</p> - -<p>"Heaven prosper thee!" said Geraint. "And whence dost thou come?"</p> - -<p>"I come," said he, "from the city that lies before thee. My lord," he -added, "will it be displeasing to thee if I ask whence thou comest -also?"</p> - -<p>"By no means. Through yonder wood did I come."</p> - -<p>"Thou camest not through the wood to-day."</p> - -<p>"No," he replied. "We were in the wood last night."</p> - -<p>"I warrant," said the youth, "that thy condition there last night was -not the most pleasant, and that thou hadst neither meat nor drink."</p> - -<p>"No, by my faith!" said he.</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou follow my counsel," said the youth, "and take thy meal from -me?"</p> - -<p>"What sort of meal?" he inquired.</p> - -<p>"The breakfast which is sent for yonder mowers; nothing less than bread -and meat and wine. And if thou wilt, sir, they shall have none of it."</p> - -<p>"I will," said he. "And Heaven reward thee for it!"</p> - -<p>So Geraint alighted, and the youth took the maiden from off her horse. -Then they washed, and took their repast. And the youth cut the bread in -slices, and gave them drink, and served them withal.</p> - -<p>And when they had finished, the youth arose, and said to Geraint, "My -lord, with thy permission, I will now go and fetch some food for the -mowers."</p> - -<p>"Go first to the town," said Geraint, "and take a lodging for me in -the best place that thou knowest, and the most commodious one for the -horses, and take thou whichever horse and arms thou choosest in payment -for thy service and thy gift."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee, lord!" said the youth. "And this would be ample to -repay services much greater than those I have rendered unto thee."</p> - -<p>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 young man, and to conduct him to his lodging."</p> - -<p>"Go gladly," said the earl; "and right joyfully shall he be received -here, if he so come."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>And 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 mayest call to thee the woman of the house, -if thou wilt."</p> - -<p>"I will do, lord," said she, "as thou sayest."</p> - -<p>And thereupon the man of the house came to Geraint, and welcomed him. -"O chieftain!" he said, "hast thou taken thy meal?"</p> - -<p>"I have," said he. Then the youth spoke to him, and inquired if he -would not drink something before he met the earl. "Truly I will," said -he.</p> - -<p>So the youth went into the town, and brought them drink. And they drank.</p> - -<p>"I must needs sleep," said Geraint.</p> - -<p>"Well," said the youth. "And whilst thou sleepest, I will go to see the -earl."</p> - -<p>"Go gladly," he said, "and come here again when I require thee." And -Geraint went to sleep; and so did Enid also.</p> - -<p>And the youth came to the place where the earl was, and the earl asked -him where the lodgings of the knight were, and he told him. "I must -go," said the youth, "to wait on him in the evening."</p> - -<p>"Go," answered the earl, "and greet him well from me, and tell him -that in the evening I will go to see him."</p> - -<p>"This will I do," said the youth. So he came when it was time for them -to awake. And they arose and went forth. And when it was time for them -to take their food, they took it. And the youth served them.</p> - -<p>And Geraint inquired of the man of the house whether there were any of -his companions that he wished to invite to him, and he said that there -were. "Bring them hither, and entertain them at my cost with the best -thou canst buy in the town."</p> - -<p>And the man of the house brought there those whom he chose, and feasted -them at Geraint's expense. Thereupon, behold the earl came to visit -Geraint, and his twelve honorable knights with him. And Geraint rose up -and welcomed him.</p> - -<p>"Heaven preserve thee!" said the Earl. 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.</p> - -<p>"I have none," he replied, "but to seek adventures, and to follow my -own inclination."</p> - -<p>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 her. So he arose, and took his leave, and went forth with his -attendants. And she told not then to Geraint any of the conversation -which she had had with the earl, lest it should rouse his anger, and -cause him uneasiness and care.</p> - -<p>And at the usual hour they went to sleep. And at the beginning of the -night Enid slept a little; and at midnight she arose, and placed all -Geraint's armor together, so that it might be ready to put on. And -although fearful of her errand, she came to the side of Geraint's bed; -and she spoke to him softly and gently, saying, "My lord, arise, and -clothe thyself; for these were the words of the earl to me, and his -intention concerning me." So she told Geraint [that the earl was coming -with a troop of followers on the morrow to take her away by force].</p> - -<p>And, although he was wroth with her, he took warning, and clothed -himself. And she lighted a candle, that he might have light to do so.</p> - -<p>"Leave there the candle," said he, "and desire the man of the house to -come here." Then she went, and the man of the house came to him. "Dost -thou know how much I owe thee?" asked Geraint.</p> - -<p>"I think thou owest but little."</p> - -<p>"Take the eleven horses and the eleven suits of armor."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee, lord!" said he. "But I spent not the value of one -suit of armor upon thee."</p> - -<p>"For that reason," said he, "thou wilt be the richer. And now wilt thou -come to guide me out of the town?"</p> - -<p>"I will gladly," said he. "And in which direction dost thou intend to -go?"</p> - -<p>"I wish to leave the town by a different way from that by which I -entered it." So the man of the lodgings accompanied him as far as he -desired. Then he bade the maiden to go on before him. And she did so, -and went straight forward, and his host returned home. And he had only -just reached his house, when, behold, the greatest tumult approached -that was ever heard. And when he looked out, he saw fourscore knights -in complete armor around the house, with the Earl Dwrm at their head.</p> - -<p>"Where is the knight that was here?" said the earl.</p> - -<p>"By thy hand," said he, "he went hence some time ago."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore, villain," said he, "didst thou let him go without informing -me?"</p> - -<p>"My lord, thou didst not command me to do so, else would I not have -allowed him to depart."</p> - -<p>"What way dost thou think that he took?"</p> - -<p>"I know not, except that he went along the high road."</p> - -<p>And they turned their horses' heads that way, and seeing the tracks -of the horses upon the high road, they followed. And when the maiden -beheld the dawning of the day, she looked behind her, and saw vast -clouds of dust coming nearer and nearer to her. And thereupon she -became uneasy, and she thought that it was the earl and his host coming -after them. And thereupon she beheld a knight appearing through the -mist. "By my faith!" said she, "though he should slay me, it were -better for me to receive my death at his hands than to see him killed -without warning him.—My lord," she said to him, "seest thou yonder man -hastening after thee, and many others with him?"</p> - -<p>"I do see him," said he; "and, in despite of all my orders, I see that -thou wilt never keep silence." Then he turned upon the knight, and with -the first thrust he threw him down under his horse's feet. And as long -as there remained one of the fourscore knights, he overthrew every one -of them at the first onset. And from the weakest to the strongest, they -all attacked him one after the other, except the earl. And last of all -the earl came against him also. And he broke his lance, and then he -broke a second. But Geraint turned upon him, and struck him with his -lance upon the centre of his shield, so that by that single thrust the -shield was split, and all his armor broken, and he himself was brought -over his horse's crupper to the ground, and was in peril of his life. -And Geraint drew near to him; and at the noise of the trampling of his -horse the earl revived.</p> - -<p>"Mercy, lord!" said he to Geraint.</p> - -<p>And Geraint granted him mercy. But through the hardness of the ground -where they had fallen, and the violence of the stroke which they had -received, there was not a single knight amongst them that escaped -without receiving a fall mortally severe, and grievously painful, and -desperately wounding, from the hand of Geraint.</p> - -<p>And Geraint journeyed along the high road that was before him, and the -maiden went on first; and near them they beheld a valley, which was -the fairest ever seen, and which had a large river running through it; -and there was a bridge over the river, and the high road led to the -bridge. And above the bridge, upon the opposite side of the river, they -beheld a fortified town, the fairest ever seen. And as they approached -the bridge, Geraint saw coming towards him from a thick copse a man -mounted upon a large and lofty steed, even of pace, and spirited, -though tractable. "Ah, knight!" said Geraint, "whence comest thou?"</p> - -<p>"I come," said he, "from the valley below us."</p> - -<p>"Canst thou tell me," said Geraint, "who is the owner of this fair -valley and yonder walled town?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell thee willingly," said he. "Gwiffert Petit he is called by -the Franks; but the Cymry call him the Little King."</p> - -<p>"Can I go by yonder bridge," said Geraint, "and by the lower highway -that is beneath the town?"</p> - -<p>Said the knight, "Thou canst not go by his tower on the other side of -the bridge, unless thou dost intend to combat him; because it is his -custom to encounter every knight that comes upon his lands."</p> - -<p>"I declare to Heaven," said Geraint, "that I will, nevertheless, pursue -my journey that way."</p> - -<p>"If thou dost so," said the knight, "thou wilt probably meet with shame -and disgrace in reward for thy daring."</p> - -<p>Then Geraint proceeded along the road that led to the town; and the -road brought him to a ground that was hard and rugged and high and -ridgy. And as he journeyed thus, he beheld a knight following him upon -a war-horse strong and large and proudly-stepping and wide-hoofed and -broad-chested. And he never saw a man of smaller stature than he who -was upon the horse. And both he and his horse were completely armed.</p> - -<p>When he had overtaken Geraint, he said to him, "Tell me, chieftain, -whether it is through ignorance or through presumption that thou -seekest to insult my dignity and to infringe my rules."</p> - -<p>"Nay," answered Geraint, "I knew not this road was forbid to any."</p> - -<p>"Thou didst know it," said the other. "Come with me to my court, to -give me satisfaction."</p> - -<p>"That will I not, by my faith!" said Geraint. "I would not go even to -thy lord's court, excepting Arthur were thy lord."</p> - -<p>"By the hand of Arthur himself," said the knight, "I will have -satisfaction of thee, or receive my overthrow at thy hands!" And -immediately they charged one another. And a squire of his came to -serve him with lances as he broke them. And they gave each other such -hard and severe strokes, that their shields lost all their color. But -it was very difficult for Geraint to fight with him on account of his -small size; for he was hardly able to get a full aim at him with all -the efforts he could make. And they fought thus until their horses were -brought down upon their knees. And at length Geraint threw the knight -headlong to the ground; and then they fought on foot, and they gave one -another blows so boldly fierce, so frequent, and so severely powerful, -that their helmets were pierced, and their skullcaps were broken, and -their arms were shattered, and the light of their eyes was darkened -by sweat and blood. At the last Geraint became enraged, and he called -to him all his strength. And boldly angry, and swiftly resolute, and -furiously determined, he lifted up his sword, and struck him on the -crown of his head a blow so mortally painful, so violent, so fierce, -and so penetrating, that it cut through all his head armor, and his -skin, and his flesh, until it wounded the very bone, and the sword flew -out of the hand of the Little King to the furthest end of the plain, -and he besought Geraint that he would have mercy and compassion upon -him.</p> - -<p>"Though thou hast been neither courteous nor just," said Geraint, "thou -shalt have mercy, upon condition that thou wilt become my ally, and -engage never to fight against me again, but to come to my assistance -whenever thou hearest of my being in trouble."</p> - -<p>"This will I do gladly, lord," said he. So he pledged him his faith -thereof. "And now, lord, come with me," said he, "to my court yonder, -to recover from thy weariness and fatigue."</p> - -<p>"That will I not, by Heaven!" said he.</p> - -<p>Then Gwiffert Petit beheld Enid where she stood, and it grieved him to -see one of her noble mien appear so deeply afflicted. And he said to -Geraint, "My lord, thou doest wrong not to take repose, and refresh -thyself a while; for, if thou meetest with any difficulty in thy -present condition, it will not be easy for thee to surmount it."</p> - -<p>But Geraint would do no other than proceed on his journey, and he -mounted his horse in pain, and all covered with blood. And the maiden -went on first, and they proceeded towards the wood which they saw -before them.</p> - -<p>And the heat of the sun was very great, and through the blood and -sweat, Geraint's armor cleaved to his flesh. And when they came into -the wood, he stood under a tree, to avoid the sun's heat; and his -wounds pained him more than they had done at the time when he received -them. And the maiden stood under another tree. And, lo! they heard the -sound of horns, and a tumultuous noise; and the occasion of it was that -Arthur and his company had come down to the wood. And while Geraint was -considering which way he should go to avoid them, behold, he was espied -by a foot-page, who was an attendant on the steward of the household; -and he went to the steward, and told him what kind of man he had seen -in the wood.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - <p><a name="illus11" id="illus11"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus11.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>Geraint and the Maiden at the Edge of the Wood.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Then the steward caused his horse to be saddled, and he took his lance -and his shield, and went to the place where Geraint was. "Ah, knight!" -said he, "what dost thou here?"</p> - -<p>"I am standing under a shady tree to avoid the heat and the rays of the -sun."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore is thy journey? and who art thou?"</p> - -<p>"I seek adventures, and go where I list."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" said Kai. "Then come with me to see Arthur, who is here hard -by."</p> - -<p>"That will I not, by Heaven!" said Geraint.</p> - -<p>"Thou must needs come," said Kai. Then Geraint knew who he was; but Kai -did not know Geraint. And Kai attacked Geraint as best he could. And -Geraint became wroth, and he struck him with the shaft of his lance, so -that he rolled headlong to the ground. But chastisement worse than this -would he not inflict on him.</p> - -<p>Scared and wildly Kai arose, and he mounted his horse, and went back to -his lodging. And thence he proceeded to Gwalchmai's tent. "O sir!" said -he to Gwalchmai, "I was told by one of the attendants, that he saw in -the wood above a wounded knight, having on battered armor; and if thou -dost right, thou wilt go and see if this be true."</p> - -<p>"I care not if I do so," said Gwalchmai.</p> - -<p>"Take, then, thy horse, and some of thy armor," said Kai; "for I hear -that he is not over courteous to those who approach him."</p> - -<p>So Gwalchmai took his spear and his shield, and mounted his horse, and -came to the spot where Geraint was. "Sir knight," said he, "wherefore -is thy journey?"</p> - -<p>"I journey for my own pleasure, and to seek the adventures of the -world."</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou tell me who thou art? or wilt thou come and visit Arthur, -who is near at hand?"</p> - -<p>"I will make no alliance with thee, nor will I go and visit Arthur," -said he. And he knew that it was Gwalchmai; but Gwalchmai knew him not.</p> - -<p>"I purpose not to leave thee," said Gwalchmai, "till I know who thou -art." And he charged him with his lance, and struck him on his shield, -so that the shaft was shivered into splinters, and their horses were -front to front. Then Gwalchmai gazed fixedly upon him, and he knew him. -"Ah, Geraint!" said he, "is it thou that art here?"</p> - -<p>"I am not Geraint," said he.</p> - -<p>"Geraint thou art, by Heaven!" he replied; "and a wretched and insane -expedition is this." Then he looked around, and beheld Enid, and he -welcomed her gladly. "Geraint," said Gwalchmai, "come thou and see -Arthur: he is thy lord and thy cousin."</p> - -<p>"I will not," said he; "for I am not in a fit state to go and see -any one." Thereupon, behold one of the pages came after Gwalchmai -to speak to him. So he sent him to apprise Arthur that Geraint was -there wounded, and that he would not go to visit him, and that it was -pitiable to see the plight that he was in. And this he did without -Geraint's knowledge, inasmuch as he spoke in a whisper to the page. -"Entreat Arthur," said he, "to have his tent brought near to the road, -for he will not meet him willingly, and it is not easy to compel him -in the mood he is in." So the page came to Arthur, and told him this. -And he caused his tent to be removed unto the side of the road. And the -maiden rejoiced in her heart. And Gwalchmai led Geraint onwards along -the road, till they came to the place where Arthur was encamped, and -the pages were pitching his tent by the roadside.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Geraint, "all hail unto thee!"</p> - -<p>"Heaven prosper thee! And who art thou?" said Arthur.</p> - -<p>"It is Geraint," said Gwalchmai; "and of his own free will would he not -come to meet thee."</p> - -<p>"Verily," said Arthur, "he is bereft of his reason."</p> - -<p>Then came Enid, and saluted Arthur. "Heaven protect thee!" said he. And -thereupon he caused one of the pages to take her from her horse. "Alas, -Enid!" said Arthur, "what expedition is this?"</p> - -<p>"I know not, lord," said she, "save that it behooves me to journey by -the same road that he journeys."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said Geraint, "with thy permission we will depart."</p> - -<p>"Whither wilt thou go?" said Arthur. "Thou canst not proceed now, -unless it be unto thy death."</p> - -<p>"He will not suffer himself to be invited by me," said Gwalchmai.</p> - -<p>"But by me he will," said Arthur; "and moreover he does not go from -here until he is healed."</p> - -<p>"I had rather, lord," said Geraint, "that thou wouldest let me go -forth."</p> - -<p>"That will I not, I declare to Heaven!" said he. Then he caused a -maiden to be sent for to conduct Enid to the tent where Gwenhwyvar's -chamber was. And Gwenhwyvar and all her women were joyful at her -coming; and they took off her riding-dress, and placed other garments -upon her. Arthur also called Kadyrieith, and ordered him to pitch a -tent for Geraint and the physicians; and he enjoined him to provide him -with abundance of all that might be requisite for him. And Kadyrieith -did as he had commanded him. And Morgan Tud and his disciples were -brought to Geraint.</p> - -<p>And Arthur and his hosts remained there nearly a month, whilst Geraint -was being healed. And when he was fully recovered, Geraint came to -Arthur, and asked his permission to depart.</p> - -<p>"I know not if thou art quite well."</p> - -<p>"In truth I am, lord," said Geraint.</p> - -<p>"I shall not believe thee concerning that, but the physicians that were -with thee." So Arthur caused the physicians to be summoned to him, and -asked them if it were true.</p> - -<p>"It is true, lord," said Morgan Tud. So the next day Arthur permitted -him to go forth, and he pursued his journey. And on the same day Arthur -removed thence.</p> - -<p>And Geraint desired Enid to go on, and to keep before him, as she had -formerly done. And she went forward along the high road. And as they -journeyed thus, they heard an exceeding loud wailing near to them. -"Stay thou here," said he, "and I will go and see what is the cause of -this wailing."</p> - -<p>"I will," said she.</p> - -<p>Then he went forward unto an open glade that was near the road. And in -the glade he saw two horses, one having a man's saddle, and the other -a woman's saddle upon it. And, behold, there was a knight lying dead -in his armor, and a young damsel in a riding-dress standing over him, -lamenting. "Ah, lady!" said Geraint, "what hath befallen thee?"</p> - -<p>"Behold," she answered, "I journeyed here with my beloved husband, -when, lo! three giants came upon us, and without any cause in the world -they slew him."</p> - -<p>"Which way went they hence?" said Geraint.</p> - -<p>"Yonder by the high road," she replied.</p> - -<p>So he returned to Enid. "Go," said he, "to the lady that is below -yonder, and await me there till I come."</p> - -<p>She was sad when he ordered her to do thus; but nevertheless she went -to the damsel, whom it was ruth to hear, and she felt certain that -Geraint would never return. Meanwhile Geraint followed the giants, and -overtook them. And each of them was greater of stature than three other -men, and a huge club was on the shoulder of each. Then he rushed upon -one of them, and thrust his lance through his body. And having drawn -it forth again, he pierced another of them through likewise. But the -third turned upon him, and struck him with his club; so that he split -his shield, and crushed his shoulder, and opened his wounds anew, and -all his blood began to flow from him. But Geraint drew his sword, and -attacked the giant, and gave him a blow on the crown of his head so -severe and fierce and violent, that his head and his neck were split -down to his shoulders, and he fell dead. So Geraint left him thus, and -returned to Enid. And when he saw her, he fell down lifeless from his -horse. Piercing and loud and thrilling was the cry that Enid uttered. -And she came and stood over him where he had fallen. And at the sound -of her cries came the Earl of Limours, and the host that journeyed with -him, whom her lamentations brought out of their road. And the earl said -to Enid, "Alas, lady! what hath befallen thee?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, good sir!" said she, "the only man I have loved, or ever shall -love, is slain."</p> - -<p>Then he said to the other, "And what is the cause of thy grief?"</p> - -<p>"They have slain my beloved husband also," said she.</p> - -<p>"And who was it that slew them?"</p> - -<p>"Some giants," she answered, "slew my best-beloved; and the other -knight went in pursuit of them, and came back in the state thou seest, -his blood flowing excessively. But it appears to me that he did not -leave the giants without killing some of them, if not all." The earl -caused the knight that was dead to be buried, but he thought that there -still remained some life in Geraint; and to see if he yet would live, -he had him carried with him in the hollow of his shield, and upon a -bier. And the two damsels went to the court; and when they arrived -there, Geraint was placed upon a litter-couch in front of the table -that was in the hall. Then they all took off their travelling-gear, -and the earl besought Enid to do the same, and to clothe her self in -other garments.</p> - -<p>"I will not, by Heaven!" said she.</p> - -<p>"Ah, lady!" said he, "be not so sorrowful for this matter."</p> - -<p>"It were hard to persuade me to be otherwise," said she.</p> - -<p>"I will act towards thee in such wise, that thou needest not be -sorrowful, whether yonder knight live or die. Behold, a good earldom, -together with myself, will I bestow on thee. Be therefore happy and -joyful."</p> - -<p>"I declare to Heaven," said she, "that henceforth I shall never be -joyful while I live."</p> - -<p>"Come, then," said he, "and eat."</p> - -<p>"No, by Heaven, I will not," she answered.</p> - -<p>"But, by Heaven, thou shalt," said he. So he took her with him to the -table, against her will, and many times desired her to eat.</p> - -<p>"I call Heaven to witness," said she, "that I will not eat until the -man that is upon yonder bier shall eat likewise."</p> - -<p>"Thou canst not fulfil that," said the earl. "Yonder man is dead -already."</p> - -<p>"I will prove that I can," said she.</p> - -<p>Then he offered her a goblet of liquor. "Drink this goblet," he said, -"and it will cause thee to change thy mind."</p> - -<p>"Evil betide me," she answered, "if I drink aught until he drink also."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said the earl, "it is of no more avail for me to be gentle -with thee than ungentle." And he gave her a box in the ear. Thereupon -she raised a loud and piercing shriek; and her lamentations were much -greater than they had been before, for she considered in her mind, -that, had Geraint been alive, he durst not have struck her thus.</p> - -<p>But behold, at the sound of her cry, Geraint revived from his swoon, -and he sat up on the bier, and, finding his sword in the hollow of his -shield, he rushed to the place where the earl was, and struck him a -fiercely-wounding, severely-venomous, and sternly-smiting blow upon the -crown of his head, so that he clove him in twain, until his sword was -stayed by the table. Then all left the board, and fled away. And this -was not so much through fear of the living as through the dread they -felt at seeing the dead man rise up to slay them. And Geraint looked -upon Enid, and he was grieved for two causes: one was to see that Enid -had lost her color and her wonted aspect; and the other, to know that -she was in the right. "Lady," said he, "knowest thou where our horses -are?"</p> - -<p>"I know, lord, where thy horse is," she replied; "but I know not where -is the other. Thy horse is in the house yonder."</p> - -<p>So he went to the house, and brought forth his horse, and mounted him, -and took up Enid from the ground, and placed her upon the horse with -him. And he rode forward. And their road lay between two hedges. And -the night was gaining on the day. And lo! they saw behind them the -shafts of spears betwixt them and the sky, and they heard the trampling -of horses and the noise of a host approaching. "I hear something -following us," said he, "and I will put thee on the other side of -the hedge." And thus he did. And thereupon, behold, a knight pricked -towards him, and couched his lance.</p> - -<p>When Enid saw this, she cried out, saying, "O chieftain! whoever thou -art, what renown wilt thou gain by slaying a dead man?"</p> - -<p>"O Heaven!" said he, "is it Geraint?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, in truth," said she. "And who art thou?"</p> - -<p>"I am the Little King," he answered, "coming to thy assistance; for I -heard that thou wast in trouble. And if thou hadst followed my advice, -none of these hardships would have befallen thee."</p> - -<p>"Nothing can happen," said Geraint, "without the will of Heaven, though -much good results from counsel."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the Little King; "and I know good counsel for thee now. -Come with me to the court of a son-in-law of my sister, which is near -here, and thou shalt have the best medical assistance in the kingdom."</p> - -<p>"I will do so gladly," said Geraint. And Enid was placed upon the -horse of one of the Little King's squires, and they went forward to -the baron's palace. And they were received there with gladness, and -they met with hospitality and attention. And the next morning they went -to seek physicians, and it was not long before they came; and they -attended Geraint until he was perfectly well. And while Geraint was -under medical care, the Little King caused his armor to be repaired, -until it was as good as it had ever been. And they remained there a -fortnight and a month.</p> - -<p>Then the Little King said to Geraint, "Now will we go towards my own -court, to take rest and amuse ourselves."</p> - -<p>"Not so," said Geraint. "We will first journey for one day more, and -return again."</p> - -<p>"With all my heart!" said the Little King. "Do thou go then." And early -in the day they set forth. And more gladly and more joyfully did Enid -journey with them that day than she had ever done. And they came to the -main road. And when they reached a place where the road divided in two, -they beheld a man on foot coming towards them along one of these roads; -and Gwiffert asked the man whence he came.</p> - -<p>"I come," said he, "from an errand in the country."</p> - -<p>"Tell me," said Geraint: "which is the best for me to follow of these -two roads?"</p> - -<p>"That is the best for thee to follow," answered he; "for if thou goest -by this one, thou wilt never return. Below us," said he, "there is a -hedge of mist, and within it are enchanted games; and no one who has -gone there has ever returned. And the court of the Earl Owain is there, -and he permits no one to go to lodge in the town, except he will go to -his court."</p> - -<p>"I declare to Heaven," said Geraint, "that we will take the lower -road." And they went along it until they came to the town. And they -took the fairest and pleasantest place in the town for their lodging. -And while they were thus, behold, a young man came to them, and greeted -them. "Heaven be propitious to thee!" said they.</p> - -<p>"Good sirs," said he, "what preparations are you making here?"</p> - -<p>"We are taking up our lodging," said they, "to pass the night."</p> - -<p>"It is not the custom with him who owns the town," he answered, "to -permit any of gentle birth, unless they come to stay in his court, to -abide here therefore: come ye to the court."</p> - -<p>"We will come gladly," said Geraint. And they went with the page, and -they were joyfully received. And the earl came to the hall to meet -them, and he commanded the tables to be laid. And they washed, and sat -down. And this is the order in which they sat: Geraint on one side of -the earl, and Enid on the other side, and next to Enid the Little King, -and then the countess next to Geraint; and all after that as became -their rank. Then Geraint recollected the games, and thought that he -should not go to them; and on that account he did not eat. Then the -earl looked upon Geraint, and considered; and he bethought him that his -not eating was because of the games, and it grieved him that he had -ever established those games, were it only on account of losing such a -youth as Geraint. And if Geraint had asked him to abolish the games, he -would gladly have done so.</p> - -<p>Then the earl said to Geraint, "What thought occupies thy mind, that -thou dost not eat? If thou hesitatest about going to the games, thou -shalt not go, and no other of thy rank shall ever go, either."</p> - -<p>"Heaven reward thee!" said Geraint. "But I wish nothing better than to -go to the games, and to be shown the way thither."</p> - -<p>"If that is what thou dost prefer, thou shalt obtain it willingly."</p> - -<p>"I do prefer it, indeed," said he. Then they ate, and they were amply -served, and they had a variety of gifts, and abundance of liquor. And -when they had finished eating they arose. And Geraint called for his -horse and his armor, and he accoutred both himself and his horse. And -all the hosts went forth until they came to the side of the hedge; and -the hedge was so lofty, that it reached as high as they could see in -the air; and upon every stake in the hedge, except two, there was the -head of a man, and the number of stakes throughout the hedge was very -great.</p> - -<p>Then said the Little King, "May no one go in with the chieftain?"</p> - -<p>"No one may," said Earl Owain.</p> - -<p>"Which way can I enter?" inquired Geraint.</p> - -<p>"I know not," said Owain. "But enter by the way that thou wilt, and -that seemeth easiest to thee."</p> - -<p>Then fearlessly and unhesitatingly Geraint dashed forward into the -mist. And on leaving the mist he came to a large orchard; and in the -orchard he saw an open space, wherein was a tent of red satin. And -the door of the tent was open, and an apple-tree stood in front of -the door of the tent; and on a branch of the apple-tree hung a huge -hunting-horn. Then he dismounted, and went into the tent; and there -was no one in the tent save one maiden sitting in a golden chair, and -another chair was opposite to her, empty. And Geraint went to the empty -chair, and sat down therein.</p> - -<p>"Ah, chieftain!" said the maiden, "I would not counsel thee to sit in -that chair."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore?" said Geraint.</p> - -<p>"The man to whom that chair belongs has never suffered another to sit -in it."</p> - -<p>"I care not," said Geraint, "though it displease him that I sit in -the chair." And thereupon they heard a mighty tumult around the tent. -And Geraint looked to see what was the cause of the tumult. And he -beheld without a knight mounted upon a war-horse, proudly snorting, -high-mettled, and large of bone; and a robe of honor in two parts was -upon him and upon his horse, and beneath it was plenty of armor.</p> - -<p>"Tell me, chieftain," said he to Geraint, "who it was that bade thee -sit there."</p> - -<p>"Myself," answered he.</p> - -<p>"It was wrong of thee to do me this shame and disgrace. Arise, and do -me satisfaction for thine insolence."</p> - -<p>Then Geraint arose; and they encountered immediately; and they broke a -set of lances, and a second set, and a third; and they gave each other -fierce and frequent strokes. And at last Geraint became enraged; and -he urged on his horse, and rushed upon him, and gave him a thrust on -the centre of his shield, so that it was split, and so that the head of -his lance went through his armor, and his girths were broken, and he -himself was borne headlong to the ground, the length of Geraint's lance -and arm, over his horse's crupper. "Oh, my lord!" said he, "thy mercy, -and thou shalt have what thou wilt."</p> - -<p>"I only desire," said Geraint, "that this game shall no longer exist -here, nor the hedge of mist, nor magic, nor enchantment."</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt have this gladly, lord," he replied.</p> - -<p>"Cause, then, the mist to disappear from this place," said Geraint.</p> - -<p>"Sound yonder horn," said he, "and when thou soundest it, the mist will -vanish; but it will not go hence unless the horn be blown by the knight -by whom I am vanquished."</p> - -<p>And sad and sorrowful was Enid where she remained, through anxiety -concerning Geraint. Then Geraint went and sounded the horn. And at -the first blast he gave, the mist vanished. And all the hosts came -together, and they all became reconciled to each other. And the earl -invited Geraint and the Little King to stay with him that night. And -the next morning they separated. And Geraint went towards his own -dominions; and thenceforth he reigned prosperously, and his warlike -fame and splendor lasted with renown and honor both to him and to Enid -from that time forth.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="THE_DREAM_OF_MAXEN_WLEDIG" id="THE_DREAM_OF_MAXEN_WLEDIG">THE DREAM OF MAXEN WLEDIG.</a></h2> - - -<p>Maxen Wledig was emperor<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> of Rome; and he was a comelier man, and a -better and a wiser, than any emperor that had been before him. And one -day he held a council of kings; and he said to his friends, "I desire -to go to-morrow to hunt." And the next day in the morning he set forth -with his retinue, and came to the valley of the river that flowed -towards Rome. And he hunted through the valley until mid-day. And with -him also were two and thirty crowned kings, that were his vassals. -Not for the delight of hunting went the emperor with them, but to put -himself on equal terms with those kings.</p> - -<p>And the sun was high in the sky over their heads, and the heat was -great. And sleep came upon Maxen Wledig. And his attendants stood and -set up their shields around him upon the shafts of their spears to -protect him from the sun, and they placed a gold enamelled shield under -his head; and so Maxen slept.</p> - -<p>And he saw a dream. And this is the dream that he saw. He was -journeying along the valley of the river towards its source; and he -came to the highest mountain in the world. And he thought that the -mountain was as high as the sky. And when he came over the mountain, it -seemed to him that he went through the fairest and most level regions -that man ever yet beheld, on the other side of the mountain. And he saw -large and mighty rivers descending from the mountain to the sea, and -towards the mouths of the rivers he proceeded. And as he journeyed thus -he came to the mouth of the largest river ever seen. And he beheld a -great city at the entrance of the river, and a vast castle in the city, -and he saw many high towers of various colors in the castle. And he saw -a fleet at the mouth of the river, the largest ever seen. And he saw -one ship among the fleet: larger was it by far, and fairer, than all -the others. Of such part of the ship as he could see above the water, -one plank was gilded and the other silvered over. He saw a bridge of -the bone of the whale from the ship to the land, and he thought that he -went along the bridge, and came into the ship. And a sail was hoisted -on the ship, and along the sea and the ocean was it borne. Then it -seemed that he came to the fairest island in the whole world, and he -traversed the island from sea to sea, even to the farthest shore of the -island. Valleys he saw, and steeps, and rocks of wondrous height, and -rugged precipices. Never yet saw he the like. And thence he beheld an -island in the sea, facing this rugged land. And between him and this -island was a country of which the plain was as large as the sea, the -mountain as vast as the wood. And from the mountain he saw a river -that flowed through the land, and fell into the sea. And at the mouth -of the river he beheld a castle, the fairest that man ever saw; and the -gate of the castle was open, and he went into the castle. And in the -castle he saw a fair hall, of which the roof seemed to be all gold; -the walls of the hall seemed to be entirely of glittering precious -gems, the doors all seemed to be of gold. Golden seats he saw in the -hall, and silver tables. And on a seat opposite to him he beheld two -auburn-haired youths playing at chess. He saw a silver board for the -chess, and golden pieces thereon. The garments of the youths were of -jet-black satin; and chaplets of ruddy gold bound their hair, whereon -were sparkling jewels of great price, rubies, and gems alternately -with imperial stones; buskins of new Cordovan leather on their feet, -fastened by slides of red gold.</p> - -<p>And beside a pillar in the hall he saw a hoary-headed man in a chair of -ivory, with the figures of two eagles of ruddy gold thereon. Bracelets -of gold were upon his arms, and many rings were on his hands, and a -golden torque about his neck; and his hair was bound with a golden -diadem. He was of powerful aspect. A chessboard of gold was before him, -and a rod of gold, and a steel file in his hand. And he was carving out -chessmen.</p> - -<p>And he saw a maiden sitting before him in a chair of ruddy gold. Not -more easy than to gaze upon the sun when brightest was it to look upon -her by reason of her beauty. A vest of white silk was upon the maiden, -with clasps of red gold at the breast; and a surcoat of gold tissue -upon her, and a frontlet of red gold upon her head, and rubies and gems -were in the frontlet, alternating with pearls and imperial stones. And -a girdle of ruddy gold was around her. She was the fairest sight that -man ever beheld.</p> - -<p>The maiden arose from her chair before him, and they two sat down -together in the chair of gold; and the chair was not less roomy for -them both than for the maiden alone. And behold, through the chafing -of the dogs at their leashing, and the clashing of the shields as they -struck against each other, and the beating together of the shafts of -the spears, and the neighing of the horses and their prancing, the -emperor awoke.</p> - -<p>And when he awoke, nor spirit nor existence was left him, because of -the maiden whom he had seen in his sleep; for the love of the maiden -pervaded his whole frame. Then his household spake unto him. "Lord," -said they, "is it not past the time for thee to take thy food?" -Thereupon the emperor mounted his palfrey, the saddest man that mortal -ever saw, and went forth towards Rome.</p> - -<p>And thus he was during the space of a week. When they of the household -went to drink wine and mead out of golden vessels, he went not with any -of them. When they went to listen to songs and tales, he went not with -them there; neither could he be persuaded to do any thing but sleep. -And as often as he slept, he beheld in his dreams the maiden he loved -best: but except when he slept he saw nothing of her; for he knew not -where in the world she was.</p> - -<p>One day the page of the chamber spake unto him: now, although he was -page of the chamber, he was king of the Romans. "Lord," said he, "all -the people revile thee."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore do they revile me?" asked the emperor.</p> - -<p>"Because they can get neither message nor answer from thee, as men -should have from their lord. This is the cause why thou art spoken evil -of."</p> - -<p>"Youth," said the emperor, "do thou bring unto me the wise men of Rome, -and I will tell them wherefore I am sorrowful."</p> - -<p>Then the wise men of Rome were brought to the emperor, and he spake to -them. "Sages of Rome," said he, "I have seen a dream. And in the dream -I beheld a maiden, and because of the maiden is there neither life, nor -spirit, nor existence within me."</p> - -<p>"Lord," they answered, "since thou judgest us worthy to counsel thee, -we will give thee counsel. And this is our counsel: that thou send -messengers for three years to the three parts of the world to seek for -thy dream. And as thou knowest not what day or what night good news may -come to thee, the hope thereof will support thee."</p> - -<p>So the messengers journeyed for the space of a year, wandering about -the world, and seeking tidings concerning his dream. But when they came -back at the end of the year, they knew not one word more than they did -the day they set forth. And then was the emperor exceeding sorrowful; -for he thought that he should never have tidings of her whom best he -loved.</p> - -<p>Then spoke the King of the Romans unto the emperor. "Lord," said he, -"go forth to hunt by the way thou didst seem to go, whether it were to -the east or to the west."</p> - -<p>So the emperor went forth to the hunt, and he came to the bank of the -river. "Behold," said he, "this is where I was when I saw the dream, -and I went towards the source of the river westward."</p> - -<p>And thereupon thirteen messengers of the emperor's set forth; and -before them they saw a high mountain, which seemed to them to touch -the sky. Now this was the guise in which the messengers journeyed: one -sleeve was on the cap of each of them in front, as a sign that they -were messengers, in order that through what hostile land soever they -might pass no harm might be done them. And when they were come over -this mountain, they beheld vast plains, and large rivers flowing there -through. "Behold," said they, "the land which our master saw."</p> - -<p>And they went along the mouths of the rivers, until they came to the -mighty river which they saw flowing to the sea, and the vast city, and -the many-colored high towers in the castle. They saw the largest fleet -in the world in the harbor of the river, and one ship that was larger -than any of the others. "Behold again," said they, "the dream that our -master saw." And in the great ship they crossed the sea, and came to -the Island of Britain. And they traversed the island until they came to -Snowdon. "Behold," said they, "the rugged land that our master saw." -And they went forward until they saw Anglesey before them, and until -they saw Arvon likewise. "Behold," said they, "the land our master saw -in his sleep." And they saw Aber Sain, and a castle at the mouth of -the river. The portal of the castle saw they open, and into the castle -they went, and they saw a hall in the castle. Then said they, "Behold -the hall which he saw in his sleep." They went into the hall, and they -beheld two youths playing at chess on the golden bench. And they beheld -the hoary-headed man beside the pillar, in the ivory chair, carving -chessmen. And they beheld the maiden sitting on a chair of ruddy gold.</p> - -<p>The messengers bent down upon their knees. "Empress of Rome, all hail!"</p> - -<p>"Ha, gentles," said the maiden, "ye bear the seeming of honorable men, -and the badge of envoys: what mockery is this ye do to me?"</p> - -<p>"We mock thee not, lady; but the Emperor of Rome hath seen thee in his -sleep, and he has neither life nor spirit left because of thee. Thou -shalt have of us therefore the choice, lady,—whether thou wilt go with -us and be made Empress of Rome, or that the emperor come hither and -take thee for his wife?"</p> - -<p>"Ha, lords," said the maiden, "I will not deny what ye say, neither -will I believe it too well. If the emperor love me, let him come here -to seek me."</p> - -<p>And by day and night the messengers hied them back. And when their -horses failed, they bought other fresh ones. And when they came to -Rome, they saluted the emperor, and asked their boon, which was given -to them according as they named it. "We will be thy guides, lord," said -they, "over sea and over land, to the place where is the woman whom -best thou lovest; for we know her name, and her kindred, and her race."</p> - -<p>And immediately the emperor set forth with his army. And these men were -his guides. Towards the Island of Britain they went over the sea and -the deep. And he conquered the island from Beli the son of Manogan, -and his sons, and drove them to the sea, and went forward even unto -Arvon. And the emperor knew the land when he saw it. And when he beheld -the castle of Aber Sain, "Look yonder," said he, "there is the castle -wherein I saw the damsel whom I best love." And he went forward into -the castle and into the hall, and there he saw Kynan the son of Eudav, -and Adeon the son of Eudav, playing at chess. And he saw Eudav the son -of Caradawc sitting on a chair of ivory, carving chessmen. And the -maiden whom he had beheld in his sleep he saw sitting on a chair of -gold. "Empress of Rome," said he, "all hail!" And the emperor threw his -arms about her neck; and she became his bride.</p> - -<p>And the next day in the morning, the damsel asked her maiden portion. -And he told her to name what she would. And she asked to have the -Island of Britain for her father, from the Channel to the Irish Sea, -together with the three adjacent islands, to hold under the Empress of -Rome, and to have three chief castles made for her in whatever places -she might choose in the Island of Britain. And she chose to have the -highest castle made at Arvon. And they brought thither earth from Rome, -that it might be more healthful for the emperor to sleep and sit and -walk upon. After that, the two other castles were made for her, which -were Caerlleon and Caermarthen.</p> - -<p>And one day the emperor went to hunt at Caermarthen, and he came so -far as the top of Brevi Vawr, and there the emperor pitched his tent. -And that encamping place is called Cadeir Maxen, even to this day. -And because that he built the castle with a myriad of men, he called -it Caervyrddin. Then Helen bethought her to make high roads from one -castle to another throughout the Island of Britain. And the roads were -made. And for this cause are they called the Roads of Helen Luyddawc, -that she was sprung from a native of this island; and the men of the -Island of Britain would not have made these great roads for any save -for her.</p> - -<p>Seven years did the emperor tarry in this island. Now, at that time, -the men of Rome had a custom, that whatsoever emperor should remain in -other lands more than seven years should remain to his own overthrow, -and should never return to Rome again.</p> - -<p>So they made a new emperor. And this one wrote a letter of threat to -Maxen. There was nought in the letter but only this: "If thou comest, -and if thou ever comest to Rome." And even unto Caerlleon came this -letter to Maxen, and these tidings. Then sent he a letter to the man -who styled himself emperor in Rome. There was nought in that letter -also but only this: "If I come to Rome, and if I come."</p> - -<p>And thereupon Maxen set forth towards Rome with his army, and -vanquished France and Burgundy, and every land on the way, and sat down -before the city of Rome.</p> - -<p>A year was the emperor before the city, and he was no nearer taking -it than the first day. And after him there came the brothers of Helen -Luyddawc from the Island of Britain, and a small host with them; and -better warriors were in that small host than twice as many Romans. And -the emperor was told that a host was seen halting close to his army, -and encamping, and no man ever saw a fairer or better appointed host -for its size, nor more handsome standards.</p> - -<p>And Helen went to see the hosts, and she knew the standards of her -brothers. Then came Kynan the son of Eudav, and Adeon the son of Eudav, -to meet the emperor. And the emperor was glad because of them, and -embraced them.</p> - -<p>Then they looked at the Romans as they attacked the city. Said Kynan to -his brother, "We will try to attack the city more expertly than this." -So they measured by night the height of the wall, and they sent their -carpenters to the wood, and a ladder was made for every four men of -their number. Now, when these were ready, every day at mid-day the -emperors went to meat, and they ceased to fight on both sides till all -had finished eating. And in the morning the men of Britain took their -food, and they drank until they were invigorated. And while the two -emperors were at meat, the Britons came to the city, and placed their -ladders against it, and forthwith they came in through the city.</p> - -<p>The new emperor had no time to arm himself when they fell upon him, -and slew him, and many others with him. And three nights and three -days were they subduing the men that were in the city, and taking the -castle. And others of them kept the city, lest any of the host of Maxen -should come therein, until they had subjected all to their will.</p> - -<p>Then spake Maxen to Helen Luyddawc. "I marvel, lady," said he, "that -thy brothers have not conquered this city for me."</p> - -<p>"Lord, emperor," she answered, "the wisest youths in the world are my -brothers. Go thou thither, and ask the city of them, and if it be in -their possession thou shalt have it gladly." So the emperor and Helen -went and demanded the city. And they told the emperor that none had -taken the city, and that none could give it him, but the men of the -Island of Britain. Then the gates of the city of Rome were opened, -and the emperor sat on the throne, and all the men of Rome submitted -themselves unto him.</p> - -<p>The emperor then said unto Kynan and Adeon, "Lords," said he, "I have -now had possession of the whole of my empire. This host give I unto you -to vanquish whatever region ye may desire in the world."</p> - -<p>So they set forth and conquered lands and castles and cities. And -they slew all the men; but the women they kept alive. And thus they -continued until the young men that had come with them were grown -gray-headed, from the length of time they were upon this conquest.</p> - -<p>Then spoke Kynan unto Adeon his brother, "Whether wilt thou rather," -said he, "tarry in this land, or go back into the land whence thou -didst come forth?" Now he chose to go back to his own land, and many -with him. But Kynan tarried there with the other part, and dwelt there.</p> - -<p>And this dream is called the Dream of Maxen Wledig, Emperor of Rome. -And here it ends.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="TALIESIN21" id="TALIESIN21">TALIESIN.</a><a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></h2> - - -<p>In times past there lived in Penllyn a man of gentle lineage named -Tegid Voel; and his dwelling was in the midst of the Lake Tegid; and -his wife was called Caridwen. And there was born to him of his wife a -son named Morvran ab Tegid, and also a daughter named Creirwy, the -fairest maiden in the world was she; and they had a brother, the most -ill-favored man in the world, Avagddu. Now Caridwen his mother thought -that he was not likely to be admitted among men of noble birth, by -reason of his ugliness, unless he had some exalted merits or knowledge. -For it was in the beginning of Arthur's time and of the Round Table.</p> - -<p>So she resolved according to the arts of the books of the Fferyllt, -to boil a caldron of Inspiration and Science for her son, that his -reception might be honorable because of his knowledge of the mysteries -of the future state of the world.</p> - -<p>Then she began to boil the caldron, which from the beginning of its -boiling might not cease to boil for a year and a day, until three -blessed drops were obtained of the grace of Inspiration.</p> - -<p>And she put Gwion Bach the son of Gwreang of Llanfair in Caereinion, in -Powys, to stir the caldron, and a blind man named Morda to kindle the -fire beneath it, and she charged them that they should not suffer it -to cease boiling for the space of a year and a day. And she herself, -according to the books of the astronomers, and in planetary hours, -gathered every day of all charm-bearing herbs. And one day towards -the end of the year, as Caridwen was culling plants, and making -incantations, it chanced that three drops of the charmed liquor flew -out of the caldron and fell upon the finger of Gwion Bach. And by -reason of their great heat he put his finger to his mouth; and the -instant he put those marvel-working drops into his mouth, he foresaw -every thing that was to come, and perceived that his chief care must be -to guard against the wiles of Caridwen, for vast was her skill. And in -very great fear he fled towards his own land. And the caldron burst in -two, because all the liquor within it, except the three charm-bearing -drops, was poisonous; so that the horses of Gwyddno Garanhir were -poisoned by the water of the stream into which the liquor of the -caldron ran; and the confluence of that stream was called the Poison of -the Horses of Gwyddno from that time forth.</p> - -<p>Thereupon came in Caridwen, and saw all the toil of the whole year -lost. And she seized a billet of wood, and struck the blind Morda on -the head, until one of his eyes fell out upon his cheek. And he said, -"Wrongfully hast thou disfigured me; for I am innocent. Thy loss was -not because of me."</p> - -<p>"Thou speakest truth," said Caridwen. "It was Gwion Bach who robbed me."</p> - -<p>And she went forth after him, running. And he saw her, and changed -himself into a hare, and fled. But she changed herself into a -greyhound, and turned him. And he ran towards a river, and became a -fish. And she, in the form of an otter, chased him under the water, -until he was fain to turn himself into a bird of the air. She, as a -hawk, followed him, and gave him no rest in the sky. And just as she -was about to stoop upon him, and he was in fear of death, he espied a -heap of winnowed wheat on the floor of a barn, and he dropped among the -wheat, and turned himself into one of the grains. Then she transformed -herself into a high-crested black hen, and went to the wheat, and -scratched it with her feet, and found him out. So she wrapped him in -a leathern bag, and cast him into the sea to the mercy of God, on the -twenty-ninth day of April.</p> - -<p>And at that time the weir of Gwyddno was on the strand between Dyvi and -Aberystwyth, near to his own castle; and the value of an hundred pounds -was taken in that weir every May Eve. And in those days Gwyddno had an -only son named Elphin, the most hapless of youths and the most needy. -And it grieved his father sore, for he thought that he was born in an -evil hour. And by the advice of his council his father had granted -him the drawing of the weir that year, to see if good luck would ever -befall him, and to give him something wherewith to begin the world.</p> - -<p>And the next day when Elphin went to look, there was nothing in the -weir. But as he turned back he perceived the leathern bag upon a pole -of the weir. Then said one of the weir-ward unto Elphin, "Thou wast -never unlucky until to-night; and now thou hast destroyed the virtues -of the weir, which always yielded the value of an hundred pounds every -May Eve; and to-night there is nothing but this leathern skin within -it."</p> - -<p>"How now?" said Elphin. "There may be therein the value of an hundred -pounds." Well, they took up the leathern bag; and he who opened it -saw the forehead of the boy, and said to Elphin, "Behold a radiant -brow!"<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p> - -<p>"Taliesin be he called," said Elphin. And he lifted the boy in his -arms, and, lamenting his mischance, he placed him sorrowfully behind -him. And he made his horse amble gently, that before had been trotting; -and he carried him as softly as if he had been sitting in the easiest -chair in the world. And presently the boy made a Consolation and praise -to Elphin, and foretold honor to Elphin; and the Consolation was as you -may see:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Fair Elphin, cease to lament!</div> - <div class="verse">Let no one be dissatisfied with his own:</div> - <div class="verse">To despair will bring no advantage.</div> - <div class="verse">No man sees what supports him;</div> - <div class="verse">The prayer of Cynllo will not be in vain;</div> - <div class="verse">God will not violate his promise.</div> - <div class="verse">Never in Gwyddno's weir</div> - <div class="verse">Was there such good luck as this night.</div> - <div class="verse">Fair Elphin, dry thy cheeks!</div> - <div class="verse">Being too sad will not avail,</div> - <div class="verse">Although thou thinkest thou hast no gain:</div> - <div class="verse">Too much grief will bring thee no good;</div> - <div class="verse">Nor doubt the miracles of the Almighty.</div> - <div class="verse">Although I am but little, I am highly gifted.</div> - <div class="verse">From seas, and from mountains,</div> - <div class="verse">And from the depths of rivers,</div> - <div class="verse">God brings wealth to the fortunate man.</div> - <div class="verse">Elphin of lively qualities,</div> - <div class="verse">Thy resolution is unmanly;</div> - <div class="verse">Thou must not be over sorrowful:</div> - <div class="verse">Better to trust in God than to forebode ill.</div> - <div class="verse">Weak and small as I am,</div> - <div class="verse">On the foaming beach of the ocean,</div> - <div class="verse">In the day of trouble I shall be</div> - <div class="verse">Of more service to thee than three hundred salmon.</div> - <div class="verse">Elphin of notable qualities,</div> - <div class="verse">Be not displeased at thy misfortune;</div> - <div class="verse">Although reclined thus weak in my bag,</div> - <div class="verse">There lies a virtue in my tongue.</div> - <div class="verse">While I continue thy protector</div> - <div class="verse">Thou hast not much to fear;</div> - <div class="verse">Remembering the names of the Trinity,</div> - <div class="verse">None shall be able to harm thee."</div> -</div></div> - -<p>And this was the first poem that Taliesin ever sang, being to console -Elphin in his grief for that the produce of the weir was lost, and, -what was worse, that all the world would consider that it was through -his fault and ill luck.</p> - -<p>Then came Elphin to the house or court of Gwyddno his father, and -Taliesin with him. And Gwyddno asked him if he had had a good haul at -the weir, and he told him that he had got that which was better than -fish. "What was that?" said Gwyddno.</p> - -<p>"A bard," answered Elphin.</p> - -<p>Then said Gwyddno, "Alas, what will he profit thee?"</p> - -<p>And Taliesin himself replied and said, "He will profit him more than -the weir ever profited thee."</p> - -<p>Asked Gwyddno, "Art thou able to speak, and thou so little?"</p> - -<p>And Taliesin answered him, "I am better able to speak than thou to -question me."</p> - -<p>And forthwith Elphin gave his haul to his wife, and she nursed him -tenderly and lovingly. Thenceforward Elphin increased in riches more -and more day after day, and in love and favor with the king. And there -abode Taliesin until he was thirteen years old, when Elphin, son of -Gwyddno, went by a Christmas invitation to his uncle, Maelgwn Gwynedd, -who some time after this held open court at Christmastide in the castle -of Dyganwy, for all the number of his lords of both degrees, both -spiritual and temporal, with a vast and thronged hosts of knights and -squires. And amongst them there arose a discourse and discussion. And -thus was it said:—</p> - -<p>"Is there in the whole world a king so great as Maelgwn, or one on -whom Heaven has bestowed so many spiritual gifts as upon him? First, -form and beauty and meekness and strength, besides all the powers of -the soul!" And together with these they said that Heaven had given -one gift that exceeded all the others, which was the beauty and -comeliness and grace and wisdom and modesty of his queen, whose virtues -surpassed those of all the ladies and noble maidens throughout the -whole kingdom. And with this they put questions one to another amongst -themselves,—"Who had braver men, who had fairer or swifter horses or -greyhounds, who had more skilful or wiser bards—than Maelgwn?"</p> - -<p>Now at that time the bards were in great favor with the exalted of the -kingdom; and then none performed the office of those who are now called -heralds, unless they were learned men, not only expert in the service -of kings and princes, but studious, and well versed in the lineage and -arms and exploits of princes and kings, and in discussions concerning -foreign kingdoms and the ancient things of this kingdom, and chiefly -in the annals of the first nobles, and also were prepared always with -their answers in various languages,—Latin, French, Welsh, and English. -And together with this they were great chroniclers and recorders, and -skilful in framing verses, and ready in making englyns in every one -of those languages. Now of these there were at that feast within the -palace of Maelgwn as many as four and twenty, and chief of them all was -one named Heinin Vardd.</p> - -<p>When they had all made an end of thus praising the king and his gifts, -it befell that Elphin spoke in this wise: "Of a truth none but a king -may vie with a king; but, were he not a king, I would say that my wife -was as full of virtues as any lady in the kingdom, and also that I have -a bard who is more skilful than all the king's bards." In a short space -some of his fellows showed the king all the boastings of Elphin; and -the king ordered him to be thrown into a strong prison until he might -know the truth as to the virtues of his wife and the wisdom of his bard.</p> - -<p>Now, when Elphin had been put in a tower of the castle, with a thick -chain about his feet (it is said that it was a silver chain, because he -was of royal blood), the king, as the story relates, sent his son Rhun -to inquire into the demeanor of Elphin's wife. Now, Rhun was the most -graceless man in the world, and there was neither wife nor maiden with -whom he had held converse, but was evil spoken of. While Rhun went in -haste towards Elphin's dwelling, being fully minded to bring disgrace -upon his wife, Taliesin told his mistress how that the king had placed -his master in durance in prison, and how that Rhun was coming in haste -to strive to bring disgrace upon her. Wherefore he caused his mistress -to array one of the maids of her kitchen in her apparel; which the -noble lady gladly did; and she loaded her hands with the best rings -that she and her husband possessed.</p> - -<p>In this guise Taliesin caused his mistress to put the maiden to sit -at the board in her room at supper, and he made her to seem as her -mistress, and the mistress to seem as the maid. And when they were -in due time seated at their supper in the manner that has been said, -Rhun suddenly arrived at Elphin's dwelling, and was received with joy, -for all the servants knew him plainly. And they brought him in haste -to the room of their mistress, in the semblance of whom the maid rose -up from supper, and welcomed him gladly. And afterwards she sat down -to supper again the second time, and Rhun with her. Then Rhun began -jesting with the maid, who still kept the semblance of her mistress. -And verily this story shows that the maiden became so intoxicated, that -she fell asleep; and the story relates that it was a powder that Rhun -put into the drink, that made her sleep so soundly that she never felt -it when he cut from off her hand her little finger, whereupon was the -signet-ring of Elphin, which he had sent to his wife as a token a short -time before. And Rhun returned to the king with the finger and the ring -as a proof, to show that he had cut it from off her hand without her -awaking from her sleep of intemperance.</p> - -<p>The king rejoiced greatly at these tidings; and he sent for his -councillors, to whom he told the whole story from the beginning. And -he caused Elphin to be brought out of his prison, and he chided him -because of his boast. And he spake unto Elphin on this wise: "Elphin, -be it known to thee beyond a doubt that it is but folly for a man to -trust in the virtues of his wife further than he can see her. And, that -thou mayest be certain of thy wife's vileness, behold her finger, with -thy signet-ring upon it, which was cut from her hand last night while -she slept the sleep of intoxication."</p> - -<p>Then thus spake Elphin: "With thy leave, mighty king, I cannot deny my -ring; for it is known of many. But verily I assert strongly that the -finger around which it is was never attached to the hand of my wife; -for in truth and certainty there are three notable things pertaining -to it, none of which ever belonged to any of my wife's fingers. The -first of the three is, that it is certain, by your grace's leave, -that wheresoever my wife is at this present hour, whether sitting, or -standing, or lying down, this ring would never remain upon her thumb; -whereas you can plainly see that it was hard to draw it over the joint -of the little finger of the hand whence this was cut. The second thing -is, that my wife has never let pass one Saturday since I have known her -without paring her nails before going to bed, and you can see fully -that the nail of this little finger has not been pared for a month. The -third is, truly, that the hand whence this finger came was kneading -rye-dough within three days before the finger was cut therefrom, and I -can assure your goodness that my wife has never kneaded rye-dough since -my wife she has been."</p> - -<p>Then the king was mightily wroth with Elphin for so stoutly -withstanding him respecting the goodness of his wife: wherefore he -ordered him to his prison a second time, saying that he should not -be loosed thence until he had proved the truth of his boast, as well -concerning the wisdom of his bard as the virtues of his wife.</p> - -<p>In the mean time his wife and Taliesin remained joyful at Elphin's -dwelling. And Taliesin showed his mistress how that Elphin was in -prison because of them; but he bade her be glad for that he would go to -Maelgwn's court to free his master. Then she asked him in what manner -he would set him free. And he answered her [in a song whereof the last -verses are these]:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"I Taliesin, chief of bards,</div> - <div class="verse">With a wise Druid's words,</div> - <div class="verse">Will set kind Elphin free</div> - <div class="verse">From haughty tyrant's bonds.</div> - <div class="verse">To their fell and chilling cry,</div> - <div class="verse">By the act of a surprising steed,</div> - <div class="verse">From the far distant North,</div> - <div class="verse">There soon shall be an end.</div> - <div class="verse">Let neither grace nor health</div> - <div class="verse">Be to Maelgwn Gwynedd,</div> - <div class="verse">For this force and this wrong;</div> - <div class="verse">And be extremes of ills</div> - <div class="verse">And an avenged end</div> - <div class="verse">To Rhun and all his race:</div> - <div class="verse">Short be his course of life,</div> - <div class="verse">Be all his lands laid waste;</div> - <div class="verse">And long exile be assigned</div> - <div class="verse">To Maelgwn Gwynedd!"</div> -</div></div> - -<p>After this he took leave of his mistress, and came at last to the court -of Maelgwn, who was going to sit in his hall, and dine in his royal -state, as it was the custom in those days for kings and princes to do -at every chief feast. And as soon as Taliesin entered the hall, he -placed himself in a quiet corner, near the place where the bards and -the minstrels were wont to come in during their service and duty to -the king, as is the custom at the high festivals when the bounty is -proclaimed. And so, when the bards and the heralds came to cry largess, -and to proclaim the power of the king and his strength, at the moment -that they passed by the corner wherein he was crouching, Taliesin -pouted out his lips after them, and played "Blerwm, blerwm," with his -finger upon his lips. Neither took they much notice of him as they went -by, but proceeded forward till they came before the king, unto whom -they made their obeisance with their bodies, as they were wont, without -speaking a single word, but pouting out their lips, and making mouths -at the king, playing, "Blerwm, blerwm" upon their lips with their -fingers, as they had seen the boy do elsewhere. This sight caused the -king to wonder, and to deem within himself that they were drunk with -many liquors. Wherefore he commanded one of his lords, who served at -the board, to go to them, and desire them to collect their wits, and to -consider where they stood, and what it was fitting for them to do. And -this lord did so gladly. But they ceased not from their folly any more -than before. Whereupon he sent to them a second time, and a third, -desiring them to go forth from the hall. At the last the king ordered -one of his squires to give a blow to the chief of them named Heinin -Vardd; and the squire took a broom and struck him on the head, so that -he fell back in his seat. Then he arose and went on his knees, and -besought leave of the king's grace to show that this their fault was -not through want of knowledge, neither through drunkenness, but by the -influence of some spirit that was in the hall.</p> - -<p>And after this Heinin spoke on this wise: "Oh, honorable king, be it -known to your grace, that not from the strength of drink, or of too -much liquor, are we dumb, without power of speech like drunken men, but -through the influence of a spirit that sits in the corner yonder in the -form of a child." Forthwith the king commanded the squire to fetch him. -And he went to the nook where Taliesin sat, and brought him before the -king, who asked him what he was, and whence he came. And he answered -the king in verse:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Primary chief bard am I to Elphin,</div> - <div class="verse">And my original country is the region of the summer stars;</div> - <div class="verse">Idno and Heinin called me Merddin,</div> - <div class="verse">At length every king will call me Taliesin.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">I was with my Lord in the highest sphere,</div> - <div class="verse">On the fall of Lucifer into the depth of hell:</div> - <div class="verse">I have borne a banner before Alexander;</div> - <div class="verse">I know the names of the stars from north to south;</div> - <div class="verse">I have been on the galaxy at the throne of the Distributor;</div> - <div class="verse">I was in Canaan when Absalom was slain;</div> - <div class="verse">I conveyed the Divine Spirit to the level of the vale of Hebron;</div> - <div class="verse">I was in the court of Don before the birth of Gwdion.</div> - <div class="verse">I was instructor to Eli and Enoc;</div> - <div class="verse">I have been winged by the genius of the splendid crosier;</div> - <div class="verse">I have been loquacious prior to being gifted with speech;</div> - <div class="verse">I was at the place of the crucifixion of the merciful Son of God;</div> - <div class="verse">I have been three periods in the prison of Arianrod;</div> - <div class="verse">I have been the chief director of the work of the tower of Nimrod;</div> - <div class="verse">I am a wonder whose origin is not known.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">I have been in Asia with Noah in the ark,</div> - <div class="verse">I have seen the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra;</div> - <div class="verse">I have been in India when Roma was built,</div> - <div class="verse">I am now come here to the remnant of Troia.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">I have been with my Lord in the manger of the ass;</div> - <div class="verse">I strengthened Moses through the water of Jordan;</div> - <div class="verse">I have been in the firmament with Mary Magdalene;</div> - <div class="verse">I have obtained the muse from the caldron of Ceridwyn;</div> - <div class="verse">I have been bard of the harp to Lleon of Lochlin.</div> - <div class="verse">I have been on the White Hill, in the court of Cynvelyn,</div> - <div class="verse">For a day and a year in stocks and fetters,</div> - <div class="verse">I have suffered hunger for the Son of the Virgin.</div> - <div class="verse">I have been fostered in the land of the Deity,</div> - <div class="verse">I have been teacher to all intelligences,</div> - <div class="verse">I am able to instruct the whole universe.</div> - <div class="verse">I shall be until the day of doom on the face of the earth;</div> - <div class="verse">And it is not known whether my body is flesh or fish.</div> - <div class="verse">I was originally little Gwion,</div> - <div class="verse">And at length I am Taliesin."</div> -</div></div> - -<p>And when the king and his nobles had heard the song, they wondered -much, for they had never heard the like from a boy so young as he. And -when the king knew that he was the bard of Elphin, he bade Heinin, his -first and wisest bard, to answer Taliesin and to strive with him. But -when he came, he could do no other but play "blerwm" on his lips; and -when he sent for the others of the four and twenty bards, they all did -likewise, and could do no other. And Maelgwn asked the boy Taliesin -what was his errand. And he answered him in song:<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a>—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"There ought not to be about me</div> - <div class="verse">Any bard who may not know</div> - <div class="verse">That Elphin the son of Gwyddno</div> - <div class="verse">Is in the land of Artro,</div> - <div class="verse">Secured by thirteen locks,</div> - <div class="verse">For praising his instructor;</div> - <div class="verse">And then I Taliesin,</div> - <div class="verse">Chief of the bards of the west,</div> - <div class="verse">Shall loosen Elphin</div> - <div class="verse">Out of a golden fetter."</div> -</div></div> - -<p>[And then Taliesin sang a song of the Yellow Plague,<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> which was -afterwards to come up out of the marsh]:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Be silent, then, ye unlucky rhyming bards,</div> - <div class="verse">For you cannot judge between truth and falsehood.</div> - <div class="verse">If you be primary bards formed by heaven,</div> - <div class="verse">Tell your king what his fate will be.</div> - <div class="verse">It is I who am a diviner and a leading bard,</div> - <div class="verse">And will tell your king what will befall him.</div> - <div class="verse">A most strange creature will come from the sea marsh of Rhianedd</div> - <div class="verse">As a punishment of iniquity on Maelgwn Gwynedd;</div> - <div class="verse">His hair, his teeth, and his eyes being as gold,</div> - <div class="verse">And this will bring destruction upon Maelgwn Gwynedd."</div> -</div></div> - -<p>[And then Taliesin sang a wonderful song of the great wind]:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Discover thou what is</div> - <div class="verse">The strong creature from before the flood,</div> - <div class="verse">Without flesh, without bone,</div> - <div class="verse">Without vein, without blood,</div> - <div class="verse">Without head, without feet;</div> - <div class="verse">It will neither be older nor younger</div> - <div class="verse">Than at the beginning;</div> - <div class="verse">For fear of a denial,</div> - <div class="verse">There are no rude wants</div> - <div class="verse">With creatures.</div> - <div class="verse">Great God! how the sea whitens</div> - <div class="verse">When first it comes!</div> - <div class="verse">Great are its gusts</div> - <div class="verse">When it comes from the south;</div> - <div class="verse">Great are its evaporations</div> - <div class="verse">When it strikes on coasts.</div> - <div class="verse">It is in the field, it is in the wood,</div> - <div class="verse">Without hand and without foot,</div> - <div class="verse">Without signs of old age,</div> - <div class="verse">Though it be coeval</div> - <div class="verse">With the five ages or periods;</div> - <div class="verse">And older still,</div> - <div class="verse">Though they be numberless years.</div> - <div class="verse">It is also so wide;</div> - <div class="verse">As the surface of the earth;</div> - <div class="verse">And it was not born,</div> - <div class="verse">Nor was it seen.</div> - <div class="verse">It will cause consternation</div> - <div class="verse">Wherever God willeth.</div> - <div class="verse">On sea, and on land,</div> - <div class="verse">It neither sees, nor is seen.</div> - <div class="verse">Its course is devious,</div> - <div class="verse">And will not come when desired</div> - <div class="verse">On land and on sea,</div> - <div class="verse">It is indispensable.</div> - <div class="verse">It is without an equal,</div> - <div class="verse">It is four-sided;</div> - <div class="verse">It is not confined,</div> - <div class="verse">It is incomparable;</div> - <div class="verse">It comes from four quarters;</div> - <div class="verse">It will not be advised,</div> - <div class="verse">It will not be without advice.</div> - <div class="verse">It commences its journey</div> - <div class="verse">Above the marble rock.</div> - <div class="verse">It is sonorous, it is dumb,</div> - <div class="verse">It is mild,</div> - <div class="verse">It is strong, it is bold,</div> - <div class="verse">When it glances over the land.</div> - <div class="verse">It is silent, it is vocal,</div> - <div class="verse">It is clamorous,</div> - <div class="verse">It is the most noisy</div> - <div class="verse">On the face of the earth.</div> - <div class="verse">It is good, it is bad,</div> - <div class="verse">It is extremely injurious.</div> - <div class="verse">It is concealed,</div> - <div class="verse">Because sight cannot perceive it.</div> - <div class="verse">It is noxious, it is beneficial;</div> - <div class="verse">It is yonder, it is here;</div> - <div class="verse">It will discompose,</div> - <div class="verse">But will not repair the injury;</div> - <div class="verse">It will not suffer for its doings,</div> - <div class="verse">Seeing it is blameless.</div> - <div class="verse">It is wet, it is dry.</div> - <div class="verse">It frequently comes,</div> - <div class="verse">Proceeding from the heat of the sun,</div> - <div class="verse">And the coldness of the moon.</div> - <div class="verse">The moon is less beneficial,</div> - <div class="verse">Inasmuch as her heat is less.</div> - <div class="verse">One Being has prepared it,</div> - <div class="verse">Out of all creatures,</div> - <div class="verse">By a tremendous blast,</div> - <div class="verse">To wreak vengeance</div> - <div class="verse">On Maelgwn Gwynedd."</div> -</div></div> - -<p>And while he was thus singing his verse near the door, there arose a -mighty storm of wind, so that the king and all his nobles thought that -the castle would fall on their heads. And the king caused them to fetch -Elphin in haste from his dungeon, and placed him before Taliesin. And -it is said, that immediately he sang a verse, so that the chains opened -from about his feet:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"I adore the Supreme, Lord of all animation,—</div> - <div class="verse">Him that supports the heavens, Ruler of every extreme,</div> - <div class="verse">Him that made the water good for all,</div> - <div class="verse">Him who has bestowed each gift, and blesses it;—</div> - <div class="verse">May abundance of mead be given Maelgwn of Anglesey, who supplies us,</div> - <div class="verse">From his foaming meadhorns, with the choicest pure liquor.</div> - <div class="verse">Since bees collect, and do not enjoy,</div> - <div class="verse">We have sparkling distilled mead, which is universally praised.</div> - <div class="verse">The multitude of creatures which the earth nourishes</div> - <div class="verse">God made for man, with a view to enrich him;—</div> - <div class="verse">Some are violent, some are mute, he enjoys them,</div> - <div class="verse">Some are wild, some are tame; the Lord makes them;—</div> - <div class="verse">Part of their produce becomes clothing;</div> - <div class="verse">For food and beverage till doom will they continue.</div> - <div class="verse">I entreat the Supreme, Sovereign of the region of peace,</div> - <div class="verse">To liberate Elphin from banishment,</div> - <div class="verse">The man who gave me wine, and ale, and mead,</div> - <div class="verse">With large princely steeds, of beautiful appearance;</div> - <div class="verse">May he yet give me; and at the end,</div> - <div class="verse">May God of his good will grant me, in honor,</div> - <div class="verse">A succession of numberless ages, in the retreat of tranquillity.</div> - <div class="verse">Elphin, knight of mead, late be thy dissolution!"</div> -</div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - <p><a name="illus12" id="illus12"></a></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus12.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>Elphin Singing before Taliesin.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>And afterwards he sang the ode which is called "The Excellence of the -Bards," which ended with the following verses:—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Wherefore should a stone be hard;</div> - <div class="verse">Why should a thorn be sharp-pointed;</div> - <div class="verse">Who is hard like a flint;</div> - <div class="verse">Who is salt like brine;</div> - <div class="verse">Who sweet like honey;</div> - <div class="verse">Who rides on the gale;</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">Why ridged should be the nose;</div> - <div class="verse">Why should a wheel be round;</div> - <div class="verse">Why should the tongue be gifted with speech</div> - <div class="verse">Rather than another member?</div> - <div class="verse">If thy bards, Heinin, be competent,</div> - <div class="verse">Let them reply to me, Taliesin."</div> -</div></div> - -<p>And after that he sang the address which is called "The Reproof of the -Bards."</p> - -<p>Then sang he the piece called "The Spite of the Bards:"</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Minstrels persevere in their false custom,</div> - <div class="verse">Immoral ditties are their delight;</div> - <div class="verse">Vain and tasteless praise they recite;</div> - <div class="verse">Falsehood at all times do they utter;</div> - <div class="verse">The innocent persons they ridicule;</div> - <div class="verse">In idleness without work they feed themselves;</div> - <div class="verse">The Church they hate, and the tavern they frequent;</div> - <div class="verse">With thieves and perjured fellows they associate;</div> - <div class="verse">At courts they inquire after feasts;</div> - <div class="verse">Every senseless word they bring forward;</div> - <div class="verse">Every deadly sin they praise;</div> - <div class="verse">Every vile course of life they lead;</div> - <div class="verse">Through every village, town, and country they stroll;</div> - <div class="verse">Concerning the gripe of death they think not;</div> - <div class="verse">Neither lodging nor charity do they give;</div> - <div class="verse">Indulging in victuals to excess.</div> - <div class="verse">Psalms or prayers they do not use,</div> - <div class="verse">Tithes or offerings to God they do not pay,</div> - <div class="verse">On holidays or Sundays they do not worship;</div> - <div class="verse">Vigils or festivals they do not heed.</div> - <div class="verse">The birds do fly, the fish do swim,</div> - <div class="verse">The bees collect honey, worms do crawl,</div> - <div class="verse">Every thing travails to obtain its food,</div> - <div class="verse">Except minstrels and lazy useless thieves.</div> - <div class="verse">I deride neither song nor minstrelsy,</div> - <div class="verse">For they are given by God to lighten thought;</div> - <div class="verse">But him who abuses them,</div> - <div class="verse">For blaspheming Jesus and his service."</div> -</div></div> - -<p>Taliesin having set his master free from prison, and having protected -his wife, and silenced the bards, so that not one of them dared to say -a word, now brought Elphin's wife before them, and showed that she had -not one finger wanting. Right glad was Elphin, right glad was Taliesin.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> "Llyfr" means <i>book</i> (compare French <i>livre</i>, Latin -<i>liber</i>). Perhaps I can partially indicate the impression which -the word makes upon an English ear when pronounced in Welsh, thus: -consider it composed of two syllables, <i>Lly</i> and <i>fr</i>; for the first -syllable reproduce the sound of <i>yie</i> in the English word <i>yield</i> with -a strongly lisped or aspirated <i>l</i> before it, and mingled with it, as -<i>lhyie</i>, for the second, give the sound of <i>vre</i> in the French word -<i>livre</i>; making <i>lhyie-vre</i>, accent on the first syllable.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> <i>Red.</i> Pronounced <i>Koch</i>, with the <i>ch</i> very guttural as -in the Scotch <i>loch</i> or the German <i>ach</i>, and the <i>o</i> long.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <i>Hergest</i> has the <i>g</i> hard, as in English <i>begin</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Pronounced with accent on <i>o</i>, which is long and somewhat -drawled; the <i>a</i>, as in <i>man</i>; the <i>i</i>'s short; and the <i>g</i> hard, as in -<i>give</i>; about <i>Mab-bin-o´-gi-on</i>. "Mabinogion" is the plural form: the -singular is "Mabinogi."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> This "Owain" is <i>Owen</i>, and his father "Urien" is the -"King Uriens of Gore" (Gore is probably <i>Gower</i>, in Glamorganshire, -Wales), familiar to all the young readers of "The Boy's King Arthur."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> This is "Sir Kay the seneschal," who nicknames Beaumains, -and figures everywhere in Malory's <i>King Arthur</i> as a cheerful but -somewhat hasty-witted knight.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> The last rite of the church to a dying person.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> This Gwalchmai—a name which in Old British means <i>Hawk of -Battle</i>—is our old friend "Sir Gawaine" of <i>The Boy's King Arthur</i>. -The French romancers appear to have transformed his name from the old -legendary "Gwalchmai" to "Gawaine." He was noted in Welsh poetry as one -of the three golden-tongued knights of Arthur's court whose persuasions -none could resist; and this may account for the strange subjection of -Arthur to his influence in leading the king, against the king's will -and desire, to war upon Sir Launcelot during those last days described -in Sir Thomas Malory's book.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> This strange army of ravens figures in a tale given -presently—"The Dream of Rhonabay."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> [Pronounced in two syllables "Kil-hooch," the <i>oo</i> sound -prolonged or drawled and the <i>ch</i> very guttural as in the vigorous -utterance of Scotch lo<i>ch</i>, German <i>ach</i>, etc. So "Twrch Trwyth" like -<i>Toorch Trooweth</i>.]</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> A wonderful bracing air seems to blow through this -description. The superb details make up really a typic picture of youth -in all times and countries.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> "Creiddylad" is the old Welsh name out of which the -English tongue has made "Cordelia;" and this lady is no other than -the loving daughter of King Lear. Lear's name in the Welsh originals -lying far back beyond Shakspere's play is sometimes "Llyr" (as -in "Manawyddan, the son of Llyr," who gives name to one of the -Mabinogion), and sometimes, as here, "Lludd Llaw Ereint."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> It would be the grossest injustice to the tongue and -the memory of our astounding Kilhwch not to mention carefully at this -point that the names of Arthur's warriors and attendants which I have -here given form but a small portion of the truly surprising list which -he actually pours forth in the original story, as he stands before -the king. These amount to more than two hundred; and there is no risk -whatever in saying that the resources of the English alphabet have -never met with a like strain as in the reproduction of them presented -by Lady Guest. "Uchtryd Ardywad Kad," and "Gwrhyr Gwarthegvras," and -"Esgeir Gulhwch Govynkawn," and "Drustwrn Hayarn," and "Glewlwyd -Gavaelvawr," and "Lloch Llawwynnyawc," may serve as examples. Kihwch -recites most of these without comment. I have selected those, but not -all, to which he adds some parenthetic description. I have given them, -too, in a different order from that of the original.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> See the story of Nynniaw and Peibiaw in the Introduction.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> This "Peredur" is the Welsh original of "Sir Percival" -who figures so finely in the search for the Sangreal along with Sir -Galahad and the rest.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> And the plot now becomes the artful contrivance by which -Gwydion brings about that Arianrod names the boy in spite of herself, -with other similar achievements.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> It is from this tale that Tennyson drew the incidents of -his poem upon Geraint and Enid.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> "Gwalchmai," as before stated, is the "Sir Gawaine" of -Malory's <i>King Arthur</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> We have already become acquainted with Cavall at the -hunting of the great boar in "Kilhwch and Olwen."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> "Maxen Wledig" is the Emperor Maximus, A.D. 383, who -was in Britain with his army when he obtained the throne. Many Welsh -stories are told about him.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Taliesin is the greatest of Welsh poets, and is called -by his countrymen "the Prince of Song." He became bard at the court of -King Arthur, and was one of the brightest in that glorious assemblage. -The actual man Taliesin appears to have lived in the sixth century, -and poems remain which are believed to be his genuine works. A -curious story of his life appears among the publications of the Welsh -Manuscript Society, which I give here as quoted by Lady Guest:— -</p> -<p> -"Taliesin, Chief of the Bards, the son of Saint Henwg of -Caerlleon-upon-Usk, was invited to the court of Urien Rheged, at -Aberllychwr. He, with Elffin the son of Urien, being once fishing -at sea in a skin coracle, an Irish pirate-ship seized him and his -coracle, and bore him away towards Ireland; but while the pirates were -at the height of their drunken mirth, Taliesin pushed his coracle to -the sea, and got into it himself, with a shield in his hand which he -found in the ship, and with which he rowed the coracle until it verged -the land; but, the waves breaking then in wild foam, he lost his hold -on the shield, so that he had no alternative but to be driven at the -mercy of the sea, in which state he continued for a short time, when -the coracle stuck to the point of a pole in the weir of Gwyddno, Lord -of Ceredigion, in Aberdyvi; and in that position he was found, at the -ebb, by Gwyddno's fishermen, by whom he was interrogated. And when -it was ascertained that he was a bard, and the tutor of Elffin the -son of Urien Rheged, the son of Cynvarch, 'I, too, have a son named -Elffin,' said Gwyddno, 'be thou a bard and teacher to him also, and -I will give thee lands in free tenure.' The terms were accepted, and -for several successive years he spent his time between the courts of -Urien Rheged and Gwyddno, called Gwyddno Garanhir, Lord of the Lowland -Cantred. But after the territory of Gwyddno had become overwhelmed -by the sea, Taliesin was invited by the Emperor Arthur to his court -at Caerlleon-upon-Usk, where he became highly celebrated for poetic -genius, and useful, meritorious sciences. After Arthur's death he -retired to the estate given to him by Gwyddno, taking Elffin, the son -of that prince, under his protection. It was from this account that -Thomas the son of Einion Offeiriad, descended from Gruffydd Gwyr, -formed his romance of Taliesin the son of Cariadwen, Elffin the son of -Goddnou, Rhun the son of Maelgwn Gwynedd, and the operations of the -Caldron of Ceridwen." -</p> -<p> -I think it interesting to add in this connection that the old Welsh -bard was not a mere versifier, but was a true, wise man, and knew all -human learning. Hereby hangs a little Welsh story, which has always -seemed to me of great significance. A certain Einigan Gawr saw three -rays of light, on which were inscribed all knowledge and science. And -he took three rods of mountain-ash, and inscribed all the sciences upon -them, as it should seem in imitation of the three rays of light. And -those who saw them deified the rods, which so grieved Einigan, that he -broke the rods, and died. -</p> -<p> -It may seem, by the way, absurd to speak of inscribing sciences upon -rods of ash, until one knows that the Bardic alphabet, which I believe -is now generally regarded genuine, would seem to have originated in the -three rays of light seen by Einigan Gawr,—as /|\ for example; being -formed entirely of such lines, which, as easily seen, are easily cut on -wood, since they involve no curves, and are capable of being made with -a single stroke of the knife.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> "Taliesin" means "radiant brow."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> This song, as well as several others, I have taken the -liberty of omitting, save enough to give a fair idea of it.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Known as the "Yellow Plague of Rhos," of which Maelgwn -is said to have died in the sixth century. The pestilence originated, -according to Welsh tradition, in the unburied bodies of the slain of -Maelgwn's wars.</p></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="ph1"><i>BY SIDNEY LANIER</i></p> - -<p class="ph1">POEMS<br /> -SELECT POEMS OF SIDNEY LANIER<br /> -BOB<br /> -LETTERS OF SIDNEY LANIER<br /> -RETROSPECTS AND PROSPECTS<br /> -MUSIC AND POETRY<br /> -THE ENGLISH NOVEL<br /> -THE SCIENCE OF ENGLISH VERSE<br /> -THE LANIER BOOK<br /> -SELECTIONS FROM SIDNEY LANIER</p> - - -<p class="ph1"><i>BOY'S LIBRARY OF LEGEND AND CHIVALRY</i></p> - -<p class="ph1">THE BOY'S FROISSART<br /> -THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR<br /> -KNIGHTLY LEGENDS OF WALES<br /> -THE BOY'S PERCY</p> - - -<p class="ph1"><i>CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS</i></p> - - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KNIGHTLY LEGENDS OF WALES ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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