Books: The Mabinogion
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Then they all entered the hall, and they washed, and went, and sat
down to meat. And thus were they 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 honour. 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 favourite dog of
Arthur. Cavall 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.
Then came Kadyrieith 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 armour.
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 armour that he wears, and the hue of
blood is more conspicuous upon it than its own colour." "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 honourable, 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 unsupportable." Then he told Arthur all his
adventure. "Well," said Arthur, "from what I hear, it behoves
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. And if he
die, too much will be the death of such a youth as Edeyrn for an
insult to a maiden." "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 wouldst 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 that day
and that night were spent in abundance of minstrelsy, and ample gifts
of liquor, and a multitude of games. And when it was time for them
to go to sleep, they went. And in the chamber where the couch of
Arthur and Gwenhwyvar was, the couch of Geraint and Enid was
prepared. 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 neighbouring
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 honour 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 vigour 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 anything 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 honour 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 uppermost
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 after that he began to shut himself up in the
chamber of his wife, and he took no delight in anything 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, they were upon their couch, and
Geraint lay upon the edge of it. And 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 that she wished for other
society, 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 armour,
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 armour, 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 armour 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 armour, 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 armour. 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, "dust 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 armour 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 armour 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 labour, 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."
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