Then came Kadyriath to Arthur and spoke3 to him. “Lord,” said he, “behold4, yonder is Guenever, and none with her save only one maiden5.” “Command Gildas, the son of Caw, and all the scholars of the court,” said Arthur, “to attend Guenever to the palace.” And they did so.
Then they all set forth6, holding converse7 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 so they came to the palace. And when Arthur and Guenever heard them disputing about the head of the stag, Guenever 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 Guenever told Arthur what that errand was. “Right gladly shall it be so,” said Arthur. And Guenever caused a watch to be set upon the ramparts for Geraint’s coming. And after midday they beheld8 an unshapely little man upon a horse, and after him a dame9 or a damsel, also on horseback, and after her a knight10 of large stature11, bowed down, and hanging his head low and sorrowfully, and clad in broken and worthless armor.
And before they came near to the gate one of the watch went to Guenever, 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 Guenever; “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 avenged12 the insult to the maiden to the uttermost.” And thereupon, behold, a porter came to the spot where Guenever 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. Miserable13 and broken is the armor that he wears, and the hue14 of blood is more conspicuous15 upon it than its own color.” “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 Guenever went to the gate to meet him and he entered. And Guenever was sorry when she saw the condition he was in, even though he was accompanied by the churlish dwarf16. Then Edeyrn saluted17 Guenever. “Heaven protect thee,” said she. “Lady,” said he, “Geraint, the son of Erbin, thy best and most valiant18 servant, greets thee.” “Did he meet with 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.” “Now where did he overtake thee?” “At the place where we were jousting19 and contending for the sparrow-hawk, in the town which is now called Cardiff. And it was for the avouchment20 of the love of the maiden, the daughter of Earl Ynywl, that Geraint jousted21 at the tournament. 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 them. 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 behooves22 Guenever 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 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 Guenever. 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 chamber23 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 molest24 him, but thyself and thy disciples25, to administer to him remedies.” “I will do so, gladly, lord,” said Morgan Tud. Then said the steward26 of the household, “Whither is it right, lord, to order the maiden?” “To Guenever and her handmaidens,” said he. And the steward of the household so ordered her.
“And rising up, he rode to Arthur’s court,
And there the queen forgave him easily.
And being young, he changed himself, and grew
To hate the sin that seem’d so like his own
Of Modred, Arthur’s nephew, and fell at last
In the great battle fighting for the king.”
—Enid.
The next day came Geraint towards the court; and there was a watch set on the ramparts by Guenever, lest he should arrive unawares. And one of the watch came to Guenever. “Lady,” said he, “methinks that I see Geraint, and a 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 linen27.” “Assemble all the women,” said Guenever, “and come to meet Geraint, to welcome him, and wish him joy.” And Guenever went to meet Geraint and the maiden. And when Geraint came to the place where Guenever was, he saluted her. “Heaven prosper28 thee,” said she, “and welcome to thee.” “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 Guenever, “the welcome of Heaven be unto her; and it is fitting that we should receive her joyfully29.” 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 inasmuch as thou hast vanquished30 Edeyrn, the son of Nudd, thou hast had a prosperous career.” “Not upon me be the blame,” said Geraint; “it was through the arrogance31 of Edeyrn, the son of Nudd, himself, that we were not friends.” “Now,” said Arthur, “where is the maiden for whom I heard thou didst give challenge?” “She is gone with Guenever 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 Guenever’s apparel was given to the maiden; and thus arrayed, she appeared comely32 and graceful33 to all who beheld her. And that day and the 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 Guenever was, the couch of Geraint and Enid was prepared. And from that time she became his wife. And the next day Arthur satisfied all the claimants upon Geraint with bountiful gifts. And the maiden took up her abode34 in the palace, and she had many companions, both men and women, and there was no maiden more esteemed35 than she in the island of Britain.
Then spake Guenever. “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 bestowing37 it. Let it be given to Enid, the daughter of Ynywl, the most illustrious maiden. And I do not believe that any will begrudge38 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 became more in number than before. And Geraint from that time forth loved the hunt, and the tournament, and hard encounters; and he came victorious39 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 Caerleon upon Usk; and behold, there came to him ambassadors, wise and prudent40, full of knowledge and eloquent41 of speech, and they saluted Arthur. “Heaven prosper you!” said Arthur; “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 vassal42 should greet his lord. And he represents unto thee that he waxes heavy and feeble, and is advancing in years. And the neighboring chiefs, knowing this, grow insolent43 towards him, and covet44 his land and possessions. And he earnestly beseeches45 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 divest46 yourselves of your accoutrements, and take food, and refresh yourselves after your fatigues47; and before you go from 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 dominions49 and his boundaries, seeing that his father was unable to do so. No less was the grief and regret of Guenever, 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 told 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 take with thee to accompany thee as many as thou wilt50 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 Guenever, “do I hear between you? Is it of those who are to conduct Geraint to his country?” “It is,” said Arthur. “Then is it 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—Gawain, the son of Gwyar, and Riogoned, 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 the Earl of Brittany, Perceval, the son of Evrawk, Gwyr, a judge in the court of Arthur, Bedwyr, the son of Bedrawd, Kai, the son of Kyner, Odyar, the Frank, and Ederyn, the son of Nudd. Said Geraint, “I think I shall have enough of knighthood with me.” 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 through all the country, concerning Geraint, because of the greatness of their love to 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 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 enjoyment51. 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 an aged52 man, and whilst I was able to maintain the dominion48 for thee and for myself, I did so. But thou art young, and in the flower of thy vigor53 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 homage54 of thy subjects.”
Then said Gawain, “It were better for thee to satisfy those who have boons55 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 Kadyriath came to them to know what were their requests. And every one asked that which he desired. And the followers56 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 bestow36 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 displeasing57 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 honor to them for Geraint to come and receive their homage. So he received the homage of such as were there. 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 Diganwy; there they parted. And Ondyaw, the son of the Duke of Burgundy, said to Geraint, “Go, now, 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 parts 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.
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1
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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2
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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3
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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4
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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5
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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6
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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7
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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8
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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9
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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12
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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13
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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14
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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15
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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16
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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17
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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18
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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19
jousting
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| （骑士）骑马用长矛比武( joust的现在分词 ) | |
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20
avouchment
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| n.断言，保证 | |
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21
jousted
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| （骑士）骑马用长矛比武( joust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22
behooves
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| n.利益，好处( behoof的名词复数 )v.适宜( behoove的第三人称单数 ) | |
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23
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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24
molest
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| vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏 | |
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25
disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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26
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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27
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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28
prosper
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| v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣 | |
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29
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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30
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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31
arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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32
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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33
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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34
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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35
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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36
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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37
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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38
begrudge
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| vt.吝啬，羡慕 | |
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39
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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40
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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41
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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42
vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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43
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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44
covet
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| vt.垂涎；贪图(尤指属于他人的东西) | |
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45
beseeches
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的第三人称单数 ) | |
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46
divest
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| v.脱去，剥除 | |
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47
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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48
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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49
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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50
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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51
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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52
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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53
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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54
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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55
boons
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| n.恩惠( boon的名词复数 )；福利；非常有用的东西；益处 | |
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56
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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57
displeasing
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| 不愉快的，令人发火的 | |
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