It befell that, as Gawain went forth1 one day with King Arthur, he perceived him to be very sad and sorrowful. And Gawain was much grieved to see Arthur in his state, and he questioned him, saying, “O my lord, what has befallen thee?” “In sooth, Gawain,” said Arthur, “I am grieved concerning Owain, whom I have lost these three years; and I shall certainly die if the fourth year pass 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 Gawain, “to summon to arms thy whole dominions2 on this account, for thou thyself, and the men of thy household, will be able to avenge3 Owain if he be slain4 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 Gawain had said.
Then Arthur and the men of his household prepared to go and seek Owain. 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 standing5 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 retinue6, their presence was scarcely observed in the castle, so vast was its extent. And the maidens8 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 stature9 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 slab10. And upon that Kay came to Arthur, and spoke11 to him. “My lord,” said he, “I know the meaning of all this, and my request is that thou wilt12 permit me to throw the water on the slab, and to receive the first adventure that may befall.” And Arthur gave him leave.
Then Kay threw a bowlful of water upon the slab, and immediately there came the thunder, and after the thunder the shower. And such a thunder-storm they had never known before. After the shower had ceased, the sky became clear, and on looking at the tree, they beheld13 it completely leafless. Then the birds descended14 upon the tree. And the song of the birds was far sweeter than any strain they had ever heard before. Then they beheld a knight15, on a coal-black horse, clothed in black satin, coming rapidly towards them. And Kay met him and encountered him, and it was not long before Kay was overthrown16. 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. Then, one by one, all the household of Arthur went forth to combat the knight, until there was not one that was not overthrown by him, except Arthur and Gawain. And Arthur armed himself to encounter the knight. “O my lord,” said Gawain, “permit me to fight with him first.” And Arthur permitted him. And he went forth to meet the knight, having over himself and his horse a satin robe of honor, which had been sent him by the daughter of the Earl of Rhangyr, 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. And so it was the next day; they broke their lances in the shock, but neither of them could obtain the mastery.
And the third day they fought with exceeding strong lances. And they were incensed17 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 all they that witnessed their encounter felt assured that they had never before seen two men so valiant18 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 Gawain a blow that turned his helmet from off his face, so that the knight saw that it was Gawain. Then Owain said, “My lord Gawain, I did not know thee for my cousin, owing to the robe of honor that enveloped19 thee; take my sword and my arms.” Said Gawain, “Thou, Owain, art the victor; take thou my sword.” And with that Arthur saw that they were conversing20, and advanced toward them. “My lord Arthur,” said Gawain, “here is Owain who has vanquished21 me, and will not take my arms.” “My lord,” said Owain, “it is he that has vanquished me, and he will not take my sword.” “Give me your swords,” said Arthur, “and then neither of you has vanquished the other.” Then Owain put his arms around Arthur’s neck, and they embraced. And all the host hurried forward to see Owain, and to embrace him. And there was nigh being a loss of life, so great was the press.
And they retired22 that night, and the next day Arthur prepared to depart. “My lord,” said Owain, “this is not well of thee. For I have been absent from thee these three years, and during all that time, up to this very day, I have been preparing a banquet for thee, knowing that thou wouldst come to seek me. Tarry with me, therefore, until thou and thy attendants have recovered the fatigues23 of the journey, and have been anointed.”
And they all proceeded to the castle of the Countess of the Fountain, and the banquet which had been three years preparing was consumed in three months. Never had they a more delicious or agreeable banquet. And Arthur prepared to depart. Then he sent an embassy to the Countess to beseech24 her to permit Owain to go with him, for the space of three months, that he might show him to the nobles and the fair dames25 of the island of Britain. And the Countess gave her consent, although it was very painful to her. So Owain came with Arthur to the island of Britain. And when he was once more amongst his kindred and friends, he remained three years, instead of three months, with them.
THE ADVENTURE OF THE LION
And as Owain one day sat at meat, in the city of Caerleon upon Usk, behold26 a damsel entered the hall, upon a bay horse,[61] with a curling mane, and covered with foam27; and the bridle28, and as much as was seen of the saddle, were of gold. And the damsel was arrayed in a dress of yellow satin. And she came up to Owain, and took the ring from off his hand. “Thus,” said she, “shall be treated the deceiver, the traitor29, the faithless, the disgraced, and the beardless.” And she turned her horse’s head and departed.
Then his adventure came to Owain’s remembrance, and he was sorrowful. And having finished eating, he went to his own abode30, and made preparations that night. And the next day he arose, but did not go to the court, nor did he return to the Countess of the Fountain, but wandered to the distant parts of the earth and to uncultivated mountains. And he remained there until all his apparel was worn out, and his body was wasted away, and his hair was grown long. And he went about with the wild beasts, and fed with them, until they became familiar with him. But at length he became so weak that he could no longer bear them company. Then he descended from the mountains to the valley, and came to a park, that was the fairest in the world, and belonged to a charitable lady.
One day the lady and her attendants went forth to walk by a lake that was in the middle of the park. And they saw the form of a man, lying as if dead. And they were terrified. Nevertheless they went near him, and touched him, and they saw that there was life in him. And the lady returned to the castle, and took a flask31 full of precious ointment32 and gave it to one of her maidens. “Go with this,” said she, “and take with thee yonder horse, and clothing, and place them near the man we saw just now; and anoint him with this balsam near his heart; and if there is life in him, he will revive, through the efficiency of this balsam. Then watch what he will do.”
And the maiden7 departed from her, and went and poured of the balsam upon Owain, and left the horse and the garments hard by, and went a little way off and hid herself to watch him. In a short time, she saw him begin to move; and he rose up, and looked at his person, and became ashamed of the unseemliness of his appearance. Then he perceived the horse and the garments that were near him. And he clothed himself, and with difficulty mounted the horse. Then the damsel discovered herself to him, and saluted33 him. And he and the maiden proceeded to the castle, and the maiden conducted him to a pleasant chamber34, and kindled35 a fire, and left him.
And he stayed at the castle three months, till he was restored to his former guise36, and became even more comely37 than he had ever been before. And Owain rendered signal service to the lady, in a controversy38 with a powerful neighbor, so that he made ample requital39 to her for her hospitality; and he took his departure.
And as he journeyed he heard a loud yelling in a wood. And it was repeated a second and a third time. And Owain went towards the spot, and beheld a huge craggy mound40, in the middle of the wood, on the side of which was a gray rock. And there was a cleft41 in the rock, and a serpent was within the cleft. And near the rock stood a black lion, and every time the lion sought to go thence the serpent darted42 towards him to attack him. And Owain unsheathed his sword, and drew near to the rock; and as the serpent sprung out he struck him with his sword and cut him in two. And he dried his sword, and went on his way as before. But behold the lion followed him, and played about him, as though it had been a greyhound that he had reared.
They proceeded thus throughout the day, until the evening. And when it was time for Owain to take his rest he dismounted, and turned his horse loose in a flat and wooded meadow. And he struck fire, and when the fire was kindled, the lion brought him fuel enough to last for three nights. And the lion disappeared. And presently the lion returned, bearing a fine large roebuck. And he threw it down before Owain, who went towards the fire with it.
And Owain took the roebuck, and skinned it, and placed collops of its flesh upon skewers44 round the fire. The rest of the buck43 he gave to the lion to devour45. While he was so employed, he heard a deep groan46 near him, and a second, and a third. And the place whence the groans47 proceeded was a cave in the rock; and Owain went near, and called out to know who it was that groaned48 so piteously. And a voice answered, “I am Luned, the hand-maiden of the Countess of the Fountain.” “And what dost thou here?” said he. “I am imprisoned49,” said she, “on account of the knight who came from Arthur’s court, and married the Countess. And he staid a short time with her, but he afterwards departed for the court of Arthur, and has not returned since. And two of the Countess’s pages traduced50 him, and called him a deceiver. And because I said I would vouch51 for it he would come before long and maintain his cause against both of them, they imprisoned me in this cave, and said that I should be put to death, unless he came to deliver me, by a certain day; and that is no further off than to-morrow, and I have no one to send to seek him for me. His name is Owain, the son of Urien.” “And art thou certain that if that knight knew all this, he would come to thy rescue?” “I am most certain of it,” said she.
When the collops were cooked, Owain divided them into two parts, between himself and the maiden, and then Owain laid himself down to sleep; and never did sentinel keep stricter watch over his lord than the lion that night over Owain.
And the next day there came the two pages with a great troop of attendants to take Luned from her cell, and put her to death. And Owain asked them what charge they had against her. And they told him of the compact that was between them; as the maiden had done the night before. “And,” said they, “Owain has failed her, therefore we are taking her to be burnt.” “Truly,” said Owain, “he is a good knight; and if he knew that the maiden was in such peril52, I marvel53 that he came not to her rescue. But if you will accept me in his stead, I will do battle with you.” “We will,” said the youth.
And they attacked Owain, and he was hard beset54 by them. And with that, the lion came to Owain’s assistance, and they two got the better of the young men. And they said to him, “Chieftain, it was not agreed that we should fight save with thyself alone, and it is harder for us to contend with yonder animal than with thee.” And Owain put the lion in the place where Luned had been imprisoned, and blocked up the door with stones. And he went to fight with the young men as before. But Owain had not his usual strength, and the two youths pressed hard upon him. And the lion roared incessantly55 at seeing Owain in trouble. And he brust through the wall, until he found a way out, and rushed upon the young men and instantly slew56 them. So Luned was saved from being burned.
Then Owain returned with Luned to the castle of the Lady of the Fountain. And when he went thence, he took the Countess with him to Arthur’s court, and she was his wife as long as she lived.
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1
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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2
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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3
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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4
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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5
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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6
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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8
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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9
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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10
slab
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| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
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11
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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12
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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13
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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14
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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15
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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16
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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17
incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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19
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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21
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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22
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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23
fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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24
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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25
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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26
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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27
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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28
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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29
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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30
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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31
flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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32
ointment
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| n.药膏，油膏，软膏 | |
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33
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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34
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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35
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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37
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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38
controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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39
requital
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| n.酬劳；报复 | |
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40
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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41
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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42
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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43
buck
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| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
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44
skewers
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| n.串肉扦( skewer的名词复数 )；烤肉扦；棒v.（用串肉扦或类似物）串起，刺穿( skewer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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45
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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46
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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47
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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48
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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49
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
traduced
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| v.诋毁( traduce的过去式和过去分词 )；诽谤；违反；背叛 | |
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51
vouch
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| v.担保；断定；n.被担保者 | |
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52
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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53
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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54
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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55
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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56
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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