Walter Scott - "Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field"

Mary W. Shelley - "Notes to The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley"

Henry Bore - "The Story of the Invention of Steel Pens"

Ben Macomber - "The Jewel City"

New Philadelphia Book Publisher Highlights Local Talent
Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

Looking for Child to be on Cover of a New Book, 'The Model Child'
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

FlatSigned Press Alleges Don Imus Remarks Damage Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Nathan Yungerberg, an accomplished model scout and professional child photographer is launching a nation-wide casting call to find the cover model for his highly anticipated book release, 'The Model Child: A Parents Guide to the Child Modeling Industry' (ISBN: 978-0-9817018-0-6).

Books: The Mabinogion

U >> Unknown >> The Mabinogion




"So I journeyed on, until I reached the summit of the steep, and
there I found everything 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
can 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, 'Oh, 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 armour, 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 endeavour 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 awhile."

"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 armour, 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 rose 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, head-piece 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 succour
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 colours;
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
clamour in the Castle; and Owain asked the maiden what that outcry
was. "They are administering extreme unction," said she, "to the
Nobleman who owns the Castle." And Owain went to sleep.

The couch which the maiden had prepared for him was meet for Arthur
himself; it was of scarlet, and fur, and satin, and sendal, and fine
linen. In the middle of the night they heard a woful outcry. "What
outcry again is this?" said Owain. "The Nobleman who owned the
Castle is now dead," said the maiden. And a little after daybreak,
they heard an exceeding loud clamour 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 clamour 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." "Truly," said Luned, "I thought thy good sense was
greater than I find it to be. Is it well for thee to mourn after
that good man, or for anything else, that thou canst not have?" "I
declare to heaven," said the Countess, "that in the whole world there
is not a man equal to him." "Not so," said Luned, "for an ugly man
would be as good as, or better than he." "I declare to heaven," said
the Countess, "that were it not repugnant to me to cause to be put to
death one whom I have brought up, I would have thee executed, for
making such a comparison to me. 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 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?" "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 head-piece, 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 honour 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
honour 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.