THE TURKE AND GAWAIN
A terrible brood of giants once lived on the Isle of Man--as anyone
in western England could have told you a hundred years ago, or five
hundred for that matter. To-day this island of Mona in the Irish Sea
produces nothing stranger than Manx tail-less cats and a hard-headed
race of people who cling most obstinately to their old Norse and
Celtic customs, with "deemsters" to judge them and a Legislature and
Lieutenant-governor of their own for their 20,000 inhabitants.
But away back in the days of great King Arthur it was common knowledge
that a horde of giants had driven out the first fairy population of the
island, and, after ruling many generations in the usual discourteous
fashion of giants, had been themselves overpowered by the mighty
enchanter Merlin, and lay spell-bound forever in vast subterranean
chambers beneath their ancient palace.
And if you have any doubts about this, and find it difficult to
verify the tale by consulting a Manxman (or better still an aged
Manxwoman)--why you need only turn to "The History and Description of
the Isle of Man," wherein Mr. Waldron only seventy years ago related
all the facts as to "Curious and Authentick Relations of Apparitions
of Giants that have lived under the castle from time immemorial.
Likewise many comical and entertaining stories of the pranks played by
fairies, &c."
He himself saw beneath Douglas Fort the "very strong and secret
apartment underground, having no passage to it but a hole, which is
covered with a large stone, and is called to this day 'The great
man's chamber.'" Also many wise ones told him how several venturesome
spirits who ventured down to the subterranean chambers at Castleton,
and not one of them ever returned to give an account of what he had
undoubtedly seen--except one foolhardy individual, full of "Dutch
courage," who risked the attempt in spite of the grisly fate of his
predecessors. This lucky person related upon his return that, after
traversing interminable black passages, he at last reached a light and
a magnificent dwelling, in which lay a monster fourteen feet long and
ten or eleven feet around--whereat, like a wise and prudent man, he
retraced his steps without further investigation.
And there is more vivid testimony than this. Probably five or six
centuries back an unknown minstrel made a ballad telling all about this
giant brood and what befell the valiant Sir Gawain upon his adventure
into that dread island.
A few portions of this ballad are lost (they were used to light the
fires by the maids in Humphrey Pitt's house in Shropshire, where
Bishop Percy, about 1760, found the old 17th century manuscript book
containing it!) But the course of the tale is plain, and the romance
stands here essentially as it was written down about 1650, having been
passed on orally for hundreds of years before that.
* * * * *
Listen, lords great and small, what adventures did befall in England,
where hath been the knights that held the Round Table, doughty warriors
and keen.
All England both east and west, lords and ladies of the best, they
busked them and made them bowne, and as King Arthur sate in his
seat,--lords served him at his meat,--there came a man into the hall.
He was not tall, but he was broad, made like a turke (a dwarf) in his
legs and thighs. Said he:
"Is there any will, as a brother, give me a buffet and take another--if
any be so hardy?"
Then spoke that crabbed knight, Sir Kay:
"Man, thou seemest not so strong in wit if thou be not adread, for
there are knights within this hall will fell thee to the ground with
one buffet. Be thou never so stalwart of hand, I dare safely sweare I
shall bring thee to the ground."
Then spake that worthy knight Sir Gawain:
"Cousin Kay, thou speakest unworthily, and rude is thy answer. If this
man wants wit, small honor to thee if thou shouldst kill him."
The dwarf answered threateningly: "Come on, the better of you two,
though ye be fierce as any wild boar."
With that Gawain rose and smote him, but not with his full strength,
lest he slay him outright. But to his surprise the dwarf did not go
down before his blow but withstood it. Then the dwarf looked upon him
menacingly and said:
"Be sure that when the time comes this buffet thou hast given me
shall be well quitted. But before that thou must go with me on an
adventure--and I shall make thee thrice as afraid as ever man was on
this middle earth ere thou see this court again."
"I plight my troth," said Gawain. "I dare go with thee and never fly.
Never will I flee from an adventure, be it jousting or any other
tournament."
The dwarf took leave of the crowned King, and Sir Gawain made ready
his armor and steed. They rode northwards two days and more. By then
Sir Gawain was sore hungered and had great need of meat and drink. The
dwarf knew he needed food and spoke rough words to him, holding his
head high:
"Gawain, where is all thy plenty? The other day thou wast served
with dainties and gave no part to me, but bruised me with a buffet:
therefore thou shalt have mickle care and shalt see adventures. I only
would I had here King Arthur and many of thy fellows in brotherhood
that are wont to strive for mastery."
He led Sir Gawain to a high hill. Suddenly the earth opened and closed
again, and Gawain began to dread; the murk came down and the light
disappeared; and a storm of snow and rain, with thunder and lightning,
broke upon them.
Sir Gawain sighed heavily. "Such weather," said he, "saw I never
before, in no place that I have ever been."
The dwarf paid no attention and led him on for a long journey, till at
last they came in sight of a noble castle standing close beside the
sea. "We shall go in," said the guide, "but take heed that if thou
seest anyone within, thou speak not to man nor woman. Yea, even if they
address thee, on thy peril see thou makest them no answer but only unto
me."
So they rode up to the castle and Sir Gawain lighted off his horse.
The dwarf, being on foot already, led him through the gates. Here they
found chamber, bower and hall, with rich railings and most seemly to
look upon. In the hall a board was spread with all manner of meat and
drink for any grooms that might win thither. Sir Gawain would have
fallen to that fare, but the dwarf bade him leave it alone on his peril
so that he waxed anxious.
Said Gawain: "Man, I marvel that thou mayst spare none of these
victuals when there is such great plenty here. Yet do I marvel more, by
my fay, that I see neither man nor man, woman nor child. I had liever
now be free to eat my fill of this fair meat than to have all the gold
in Christendom."
At that the dwarf went forth and immediately returned, bringing meat
and drink of the finest.
"Eat, Gawain," said he, "and refresh thy spirit. In faith thou shalt
labor and sweat ere thou get more food."
When the knight had drunk ale and wine, he said: "I will, without boast
or threat, be ready at thy bidding. Yet I would pray thee rather to
give me my buffet and let me go my way for I would not longer be in
this place."
The dwarf reminded him of his plighted word, presently, and led him
without again. There lay a boat by the shore; and, obeying his guide,
Sir Gawain turned loose his charger. Indeed there was naught else he
could do.
"I plight my troth to thee," said the dwarf, "he shall be here when
thou comest again."
They sailed across the water for the space of an hour, when there
appeared before them an island whereon stood a fair castle whose like
the knight had ne'er beheld.
Said the dwarf: "Gawain, we have come thus far without scathe; but
now cometh the performance of thine oath. In yonder castle dwells the
King of Man. He is a soldan of heathenesse, and he hath with him such
a hideous rout of giants as one might not match did he seek far and
near as wide as the world. Many adventures are before you; and doubt
not that we shall be assailed before we win hence again. But an ye take
good heed to me I shall help ye in need; and I trow there is none so
strong in stoure that he shall gainsay us."
They landed and came into the great hall, where sat the King of Man,
grim and terrible.
"Ah, Sir Gawain, stiff and stoure," said he, "how fareth thine uncle
King Arthur? And that bishop, Sir Bodwine, that will not let my goods
alone but spiteth them every day? He preaches much of a crown of
thorns; but an ever I catch him he shall think such a crown but play.
Sit down at my board, sir knight."
"Nay, that may not be," said Sir Gawain. "I trow a venturous knight
shall sit down in no king's hall ere he have assayed adventures."
"Fair may it fall ye then, Gawain," said the King. "Go, fetch me forth
my tennis ball," quoth he to those who stood near, "for I will see this
knight play."
So they brought in a huge ball, all of brass; and behind it came a
hideous company of giants. They were seventeen in number, and the least
of them was half as tall again as the knight.
Gawain looked on these monstrous creatures who laughed and showed their
foul teeth in pleasure at the prospect of dashing out his brains in
the course of this strange game. Then he looked at the ball of brass,
and knew there was no man in all England able to so much as carry it,
much less play at hand-ball with it as was proposed. And in his heart
he began to feel great fear that he was here presently to be shamed and
slain. Just then the dwarf spoke privily in his ear.
To the grim King the knight said: "This is too easy a play for a proven
knight. This boy of mine will play for you."
Then one of the giants struck the great heavy ball; and the dwarf
struck it back so mightily that it flew clean out of the hall door and
out of sight.
"Of a truth, that is a strong boy you have," said the King. "Now let us
try at casting the axletree."
So they brought forth a monstrous axletree such as only one of the
giants could so much as lift. The tallest of the giants made a cast
from the other end of the hall, so that the tremendous mass crashed
down before the feet of the knight and his companion. Gawain made a
sign; whereat the dwarf picked up the huge axletree and hurled it so
shrewdly that it thrust through one of the giants, and he fell down
with grisly groaning.
"Take away the axletree," said the King. "Such a boy saw I never
before; yet, as I may thrive, he shall be better assayed ere he go.
This third adventure is the last before me at this time."
All turned toward a monstrous brazier which stood in the hall, within
whose great iron bars there blazed coals and wood.
"Gawain," said a giant, "do you begin the play. A great giant lifted
up this brazier and set it down fairly with one hand. When you have
essayed it, one of us shall answer you."
Sir Gawain was never so disturbed since he was a man on middle earth.
Then he bethought him and turned to the dwarf.
"Lift this brazier, boy," said he, "that is so worthily wrought."
At that the dwarf sprang forward, and seized the huge knobs of the iron
brazier which rose far above his head. Then he lifted it clear and
swung it thrice about his head, that the coals and red brands flew out
over the hall floor, and they had much ado to put out the fire.
The King waxed wroth and he bade them lay hands on the knight; and
before he could draw his sword they had disarmed him and bound him
fast. The King had him taken aside and spoke to him privily.
"Ah, Gawain," said the King, "evil was the day for thee that thou
camest hither. Full many a knight, mickle of might and strong in
battle, hath come before thee, and all of them I have slain through my
mastery. Never went there away one to tell the tale. Nor shalt thou go,
fell though thou beest, nor none that belongeth to King Arthur."
The dwarf had drawn on a cloak of invisible gray and followed them,
himself unseen in this weed. He heard all this, and followed still when
the King led Gawain into a fast dungeon where stood a great caldron
of boiling lead. The molten lead bubbled and spattered; and before it
stood a loathly giant with an iron pronged fork in his hand. The giant
looked eagerly upon the captive knight.
The King said to his monster: "Here are none but we two: do what is
best."
But at that instant the dwarf discovered himself in his weed of
invisible gray; and at the sight the giant cried out in fear.
The dwarf leaped upon him, gripped him mightily about the waist, and
cast him all as he was into the caldron of molten lead, holding him
down with the prings till he was scalded to death.
Sir Gawain turned to the King: "But thou agreest to be baptized, thine
hour is come."
The King in anger spat upon him; and the dwarf seized him and hurled
him into the fire to perish. Then he said to Sir Gawain:
"Master, the peril is past. Yet let us not tarry to complete this
adventure."
So they went through the castle and slew all that foul company except
such as were willing to become Christian men. And they found there vast
treasure of gold and silver. Then the dwarf brought a golden basin, fit
for an emperor, and a well-tempered sword, and fell on his knees before
Gawain, and said:
"If ever I did aught for thee, take this keen sword and strike off my
head."
"Now God forfend!" exclaimed Gawain. "Not for all the red gold would I
have thee slain."
"Have done, my master. I have no dread. In this basin let me bleed and
thou shalt see a new play."
Sorrowfully, Gawain took the brand, and with one blow he smote off his
head. And when the blood fell into the golden basin, the dwarf stood up
in his own guise of a stalwart knight. Sir Gromer he was hight.
"Blessed be thou, Sir Gawain. Well hast thou quitted me for my aid."
Then they went throughout the castle and released many a captive knight
and lady who had been held there in dolour. And after they had feasted
they crossed the ocean water and returned to King Arthur's court, where
there was great joy of the seventeen bright ladies thus restored.
Sir Gromer, the former dwarf, went down upon his knee before Arthur:
"Sir King, an it please you, crown Gawain King of Man."
But Gawain kneeled beside him and said: "Nay, lord, not I; give it to
him, for he won it."
Then said Arthur: "Take thou the kingdom, Sir Gromer; for I see that
Gawain will never consent."
And it was so.