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.