Then they proceeded towards the gate. Said Gurhyr Gwalstat, “Is there a porter?” “There is; wherefore dost thou call?” “Open the gate.” “I will not open it.” “Wherefore wilt3 thou not?” “The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is revelry in the hall of Gwernach the Giant; and except for a craftsman4 who brings his craft, the gate will not be opened to-night.” “Verily, porter,” then said Kay, “my craft bring I with me.” “What is thy craft?” “The best burnisher6 of swords am I in the world.” “I will go and tell this unto Gwernach the Giant, and I will bring thee an answer.”
So the porter went in, and Gwernach said to him, “Hast thou news from the gate?” “I have. There is a party at the door of the gate who desire to come in.” “Didst thou inquire of them if they possessed7 any art?” “I did inquire,” said he, “and one told me that he was well skilled in the burnishing8 of swords.” “We have need of him then. For some time have I sought for some one to polish my sword, and could find no one. Let this man enter, since he brings with him his craft.”
The porter thereupon returned and opened the gate. And Kay went in by himself, and he saluted9 Gwernach the Giant. And a chair was placed for him opposite to Gwernach. And Gwernach said to him, “O man, is it true that is reported of thee, that thou knowest how to burnish5 swords?” “I know full well how to do so,” answered Kay. Then was the sword of Gwernach brought to him. And Kay took a blue whetstone from under his arm, and asked whether he would have it burnished10 white or blue. “Do with it as it seems good to thee, or as thou wouldst if it were thine own.” Then Kay polished one half of the blade, and put it in his hand. “Will this please thee?” asked he. “I would rather than all that is in my dominions11 that the whole of it were like this. It is a marvel12 to me that such a man as thou should be without a companion.” “O noble sir, I have a companion, albeit13 he is not skilled in this art.” “Who may he be?” “Let the porter go forth14, and I will tell him whereby he may know him. The head of the lance will leave its shaft15, and draw blood from the wind, and will descend16 upon its shaft again.” Then the gate was opened, and Bedwyr entered. And Kay said, “Bedwyr is very skilful17, though he knows not this art.”
And there was much discourse18 among those who were without, because that Kay and Bedwyr had gone in. And a young man who was with them, the only son of the herdsman, got in also; and he contrived20 to admit all the rest, but they kept themselves concealed21.
The sword was now polished, and Kay gave it unto the hand of Gwernach the Giant, to see if he were pleased with his work. And the giant said, “The work is good; I am content therewith.” Said Kay, “It is thy scabbard that hath rusted22 thy sword; give it to me, that I may take out the wooden sides of it, and put in new ones.” And he took the scabbard from him, and the sword in the other hand. And he came and stood over against the giant, as if he would have put the sword into the scabbard; and with it he struck at the head of the giant, and cut off his head at one blow. Then they despoiled23 the castle, and took from it what goods and jewels they would. And they returned to Arthur’s court, bearing with them the sword of Gwernach the Giant.
And when they told Arthur how they had sped, Arthur said, “It is a good beginning.” Then they took counsel, and said, “Which of these marvels24 will it be best for us to seek next?” “It will be best,” said one, “to seek Mabon, the son of Modron; and he will not be found unless we first find Eidoel, the son of Aer, his kinsman25.” Then Arthur rose up, and the warriors26 of the island of Britain with him, to seek for Eidoel; and they proceeded until they came to the castle of Glivi, where Eidoel was imprisoned27. Glivi stood on the summit of his castle, and he said, “Arthur, what requirest thou of me, since nothing remains28 to me in this fortress29, and I have neither joy nor pleasure in it, neither wheat nor oats? Seek not, therefore, to do me harm.” Said Arthur, “Not to injure thee came I hither, but to seek for the prisoner that is with thee.” “I will give thee my prisoner, though I had not thought to give him up to any one, and therewith shalt thou have my support and my aid.”
His followers30 said unto Arthur, “Lord, go thou home, thou canst not proceed with thy host in quest of such small adventures as these.” Then said Arthur, “It were well for thee, Gurhyr Gwalstat, to go upon this quest, for thou knowest all languages, and art familiar with those of the birds and the beasts. Thou, Eidoel, oughtest likewise to go with thy men in search of thy cousin. And as for you, Kay and Bedwyr, I have hope of whatever adventure ye are in quest of, that ye will achieve it. Achieve ye this adventure for me.”
They went forward until they came to the Ousel of Cilgwri. And Gurhyr adjured31 her, saying, “Tell me if thou knowest aught of Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken when three nights old from between his mother and the wall?” And the Ousel answered, “When I first came here, there was a smith’s anvil32 in this place, and I was then a young bird; and from that time no work has been done upon it, save the pecking of my beak33 every evening; and now there is not so much as the size of a nut remaining thereof; yet during all that time I have never heard of the man for whom you inquire. Nevertheless, I will do that which it is fitting that I should for an embassy from Arthur. There is a race of animals who were formed before me, and I will be your guide to them.”
So they proceeded to the place where was the Stag of Redynvre. “Stag of Redynvre, behold34, we are come to thee, an embassy from Arthur, for we have not heard of any animal older than thou. Say, knowest thou aught of Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken from his mother when three nights old?” The Stag said, “When first I came hither there was a plain all around me, without any trees save one oak sapling, which grew up to be an oak with an hundred branches; and that oak has since perished, so that now nothing remains of it but the withered35 stump36; and from that day to this I have been here, yet have I never heard of the man for whom you inquire. Nevertheless, being an embassy from Arthur, I will be your guide to the place where there is an animal which was formed before I was, and the oldest animal in the world, and the one that has travelled most, the Eagle of Gwern Abwy.”
Gurhyr said, “Eagle of Gwern Abwy, we have come to thee, an embassy from Arthur, to ask thee if thou knowest aught of Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken from his mother when he was three nights old?” The Eagle said, “I have been here for a great space of time, and when I first came hither, there was a rock here from the top of which I pecked at the stars every evening; and it has crumbled37 away, and now it is not so much as a span high. All that time I have been here, and I have never heard of the man for whom you inquire, except once when I went in search of food as far as Llyn Llyw. And when I came there, I struck my talons38 into a salmon39, thinking he would serve me as food for a long time. But he drew me into the water, and I was scarcely able to escape from him. After that I made peace with him. And I drew fifty fish-spears out of his back, and relieved him. Unless he know something of him whom you seek, I cannot tell who may. However, I will guide you to the place where he is.”
So they went thither40; and the Eagle said, “Salmon of Llyn Llyw, I have come to thee with an embassy from Arthur, to ask thee if thou knowest aught of Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken away at three nights old from his mother.” “As much as I know I will tell thee. With every tide I go along the river upward, until I come near to the walls of Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong as I never found elsewhere; and to the end that ye may give credence41 thereto, let one of you go thither upon each of my two shoulders.” So Kay and Gurhyr Gwalstat went upon the two shoulders of the Salmon, and they proceeded until they came unto the wall of the prison; and they heard a great wailing42 and lamenting44 from the dungeon45. Said Gurhyr, “Who is it that laments46 in this house of stone?” “Alas! it is Mabon, the son of Modron, who is here imprisoned; and no imprisonment47 was ever so grievous as mine.” “Hast thou hope of being released for gold or for silver, or for any gifts of wealth, or through battle and fighting?” “By fighting will what ever I may gain be obtained.”
Then they went thence, and returned to Arthur, and they told him where Mabon, the son of Modron, was imprisoned. And Arthur summoned the warriors of the island, and they journeyed as far as Gloucester, to the place where Mabon was in prison. Kay and Bedwyr went upon the shoulders of the fish, whilst the warriors of Arthur attacked the castle. And Kay broke through the wall into the dungeon, and brought away the prisoner upon his back, whilst the fight was going on between the warriors. And Arthur returned home, and Mabon with him at liberty.
On a certain day as Gurhyr Gwalstat was walking over a mountain, he heard a wailing and a grievous cry. And when he heard it, he sprang forward and went towards it. And when he came there, he saw a fire burning among the turf, and an ant-hill nearly surrounded with the fire. And he drew his sword, and smote48 off the ant-hill close to the earth, so that it escaped being burned in the fire. And the ants said to him, “Receive from us the blessing49 of Heaven, and that which no man can give, we give thee.” Then they fetched the nine bushels of flax-seed which Yspadaden Penkawr had required of Kilwich, and they brought the full measure, without lacking any, except one flax-seed, and that the lame43 pismire brought in before night.
Then said Arthur, “Which of the marvels will it be best for us to seek next?” “It will be best to seek for the two cubs50 of the wolf Gast Rhymhi.”
“Is it known,” said Arthur, “where she is?” “She is in Aber Cleddyf,” said one. Then Arthur went to the house of Tringad, in Aber Cleddyf, and he inquired of him whether he had heard of her there. “She has often slain51 my herds19, and she is there below in a cave in Aber Cleddyf.”
Then Arthur went in his ship Prydwen by sea, and the others went by land to hunt her. And they surrounded her and her two cubs, and took them and carried them away.
As Kay and Bedwyr sat on a beacon-cairn on the summit of Plinlimmon, in the highest wind that ever was, they looked around them and saw a great smoke, afar off. Then said Kay, “By the hand of my friend, yonder is the fire of a robber.” Then they hastened towards the smoke, and they came so near to it that they could see Dillus Varwawc scorching52 a wild boar. “Behold, yonder is the greatest robber that ever fled from Arthur,” said Bedwyr to Kay. “Dost thou know him?” “I do know him,” answered Kay; “he is Dillus Varwarc, and no leash53 in the world will be able to hold the cubs of Gast Rhymi, save a leash made from the beard of him thou seest yonder. And even that will be useless unless his beard be plucked out alive, with wooden tweezers54; for if dead it will be brittle55.” “What thinkest thou that we should do concerning this?” said Bedwyr. “Let us suffer him,” said Kay, “to eat as much as he will of the meat, and after that he will fall asleep.” And during that time they employed themselves in making the wooden tweezers. And when Kay knew certainly that he was asleep, he made a pit under his feet, and he struck him a violent blow, and squeezed him into the pit. And there they twitched56 out his beard completely with the wooden tweezers, and after that they slew57 him altogether. And from thence they went, and took the leash made of Dillus Varwawc’s beard, and they gave it into Arthur’s hand.
Thus they got all the marvels that Yspadaden Penkawr had required of Kilwich; and they set forward, and took the marvels to his court. And Kilwich said to Yspadaden Penkawr, “Is thy daughter mine now?” “She is thine,” said he, “but therefore needest thou not thank me, but Arthur, who hath accomplished58 this for thee.” Then Goreu, the son of Custennin, the herdsman, whose brothers Yspadaden Penkawr had slain, seized him by the hair of his head, and dragged him after him to the keep, and cut off his head, and placed it on a stake on the citadel59. Then they took possession of his castle, and of his treasures. And that night Olwen became Kilwich’s bride, and she continued to be his wife as long as she lived.
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1
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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2
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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wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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craftsman
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| n.技工，精于一门工艺的匠人 | |
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burnish
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| v.磨光；使光滑 | |
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burnisher
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| n.磨擦者，磨光器，研磨器 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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burnishing
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| n.磨光，抛光，擦亮v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的现在分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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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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10
burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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11
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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12
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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13
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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20
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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rusted
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| v.（使）生锈( rust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
marvels
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| n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 ) | |
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25
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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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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31
adjured
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| v.（以起誓或诅咒等形式）命令要求( adjure的过去式和过去分词 )；祈求；恳求 | |
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32
anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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34
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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35
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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36
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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37
crumbled
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| （把…）弄碎， （使）碎成细屑( crumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 衰落； 坍塌； 损坏 | |
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38
talons
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| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
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39
salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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40
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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41
credence
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| n.信用，祭器台，供桌，凭证 | |
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42
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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43
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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44
lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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45
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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46
laments
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| n.悲恸，哀歌，挽歌( lament的名词复数 )v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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47
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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48
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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49
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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50
cubs
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| n.幼小的兽，不懂规矩的年轻人( cub的名词复数 ) | |
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51
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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52
scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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53
leash
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| n.牵狗的皮带，束缚；v.用皮带系住 | |
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54
tweezers
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| n.镊子 | |
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55
brittle
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| adj.易碎的；脆弱的；冷淡的；(声音)尖利的 | |
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56
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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57
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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58
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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