Four Arthurian Romances
invited the King and all his knights to come to lodge with him, saying
they would be doing him great honour in accepting his hospitality. And
the King said that for an entire week he would gladly do him the honour
and pleasure, and would bear him company. And when my lord Yvain had
thanked him, they tarry no longer there, but mount and take the most
direct road to the town. My lord Yvain sends in advance of the company
a squire beating a crane-falcon, in order that they might not take the
lady by surprise, and that her people might decorate the streets against
the arrival of the King. When the lady heard the news of the King's
visit she was greatly pleased; nor was there any one who, upon hearing
the news, was not happy and elated. And the lady summons them all and
requests them to go to meet him, to which they make no objection or
remonstrance, all being anxious to do her will.
(Vv. 2329-2414.) [316] Mounted on great Spanish steeds, they all go to
meet the King of Britain, saluting King Arthur first with great courtesy
and then all his company. "Welcome," they say, "to this company, so full
of honourable men! Blessed be he who brings them hither and presents us
with such fair guests!" At the King's arrival the town resounds with
the joyous welcome which they give. Silken stuffs are taken out and hung
aloft as decorations, and they spread tapestries to walk upon and drape
the streets with them, while they wait for the King's approach. And they
make still another preparation, in covering the streets with awnings
against the hot rays of the sun. Bells, horns, and trumpets cause
the town to ring so that God's thunder could not have been heard. The
maidens dance before him, flutes and pipes are played, kettle-drums,
drums, and cymbals are beaten. On their part the nimble youths leap, and
all strive to show their delight. With such evidence of their joy, they
welcome the King fittingly. And the Lady came forth, dressed in imperial
garb a robe of fresh ermine--and upon her head she wore a diadem all
ornamented with rubies. No cloud was there upon her face, but it was
so gay and full of joy that she was more beautiful, I think, than any
goddess. Around her the crowd pressed close, as they cried with one
accord: "Welcome to the King of kings and lord of lords!" The King could
not reply to all before he saw the lady coming toward him to hold his
stirrup. However, he would not wait for this, but hastened to dismount
himself as soon as he caught sight of her. Then she salutes him with
these words: "Welcome a hundred thousand times to the King, my lord, and
blessed be his nephew, my lord Gawain!" The King replies: "I wish
all happiness and good luck to your fair body and your face, lovely
creature!" Then clasping her around the waist, the King embraced her
gaily and heartily as she did him, throwing her arms about him. I will
say no more of how gladly she welcomed them, but no one ever heard of
any people who were so honourably received and served. I might tell you
much of the joy should I not be wasting words, but I wish to make brief
mention of an acquaintance which was made in private between the moon
and the sun. Do you know of whom I mean to speak? He who was lord of the
knights, and who was renowned above them all, ought surely to be called
the sun. I refer, of course, to my lord Gawain, for chivalry is enhanced
by him just as when the morning sun sheds its rays abroad and lights all
places where it shines. And I call her the moon, who cannot be otherwise
because of her sense and courtesy. However, I call her so not only
because of her good repute, but because her name is, in fact, Lunete.
(Vv. 2415-2538.) The damsel's name was Lunete, and she was a charming
brunette, prudent, clever, and polite. As her acquaintance grows with
my lord Gawain, he values her highly and gives her his love as to his
sweetheart, because she had saved from death his companion and friend;
he places himself freely at her service. On her part she describes and
relates to him with what difficulty she persuaded her mistress to take
my lord Yvain as her husband, and how she protected him from the hands
of those who were seeking him; how he was in their midst but they did
not see him. My lord Gawain laughed aloud at this story of hers, and
then he said: "Mademoiselle, when you need me and when you don't, such
as I am, I place myself at your disposal. Never throw me off for some
one else when you think you can improve your lot. I am yours, and do
you be from now on my demoiselle!" "I thank you kindly, sire," she said.
While the acquaintance of these two was ripening thus, the others, too,
were engaged in flirting. For there were perhaps ninety ladies there,
each of whom was fair and charming, noble and polite, virtuous and
prudent, and a lady of exalted birth, so the men could agreeably employ
themselves in caressing and kissing them, and in talking to them and
in gazing at them while they were seated by their side; that much
satisfaction they had at least. My lord Yvain is in high feather because
the King is lodged with him. And the lady bestows such attention upon
them all, as individuals and collectively, that some foolish person
might suppose that the charming attentions which she showed them were
dictated by love. But such persons may properly be rated as fools for
thinking that a lady is in love with them just because she is courteous
and speaks to some unfortunate fellow, and makes him happy and caresses
him. A fool is made happy by fair words, and is very easily taken in.
That entire week they spent in gaiety; forest and stream offered plenty
of sport for any one who desired it. And whoever wished to see the land
which had come into the hands of my lord Yvain with the lady whom he
had married, could go to enjoy himself at one of the castles which stood
within a radius of two, three, or four leagues. When the King had stayed
as long as he chose, he made ready to depart. But during the week they
had all begged urgently, and with all the insistence at their command,
that they might take away my lord Yvain with them. "What? Will you
be one of those." said my lord Gawain to him, "who degenerate after
marriage? [317] Cursed be he by Saint Mary who marries and then
degenerates! Whoever has a fair lady as his mistress or his wife should
be the better for it, and it is not right that her affection should be
bestowed on him after his worth and reputation are gone. Surely you,
too, would have cause to regret her love if you grew soft, for a
woman quickly withdraws her love, and rightly so, and despises him who
degenerates in any way when he has become lord of the realm. Now ought
your fame to be increased! Slip off the bridle and halter and come to
the tournament with me, that no one may say that you are jealous. Now
you must no longer hesitate to frequent the lists, to share in the
onslaught, and to contend with force, whatever effort it may cost!
Inaction produces indifference. But, really, you must come, for I shall
be in your company. Have a care that our comradeship shall not fail
through any fault of yours, fair companion; for my part, you may count
on me. It is strange how a man sets store by the life of ease which
has no end. Pleasures grow sweeter through postponement; and a little
pleasure, when delayed, is much sweeter to the taste than great pleasure
enjoyed at once. The sweets of a love which develops late are like
a fire in a green bush; for the longer one delays in lighting it the
greater will be the heat it yields, and the longer will its force
endure. One may easily fall into habits which it is very difficult
to shake off, for when one desires to do so, he finds he has lost the
power. Don't misunderstand my words, my friend: if I had such a fair
mistress as you have, I call God and His saints to witness, I should
leave her most reluctantly; indeed, I should doubtless be infatuated.
But a man may give another counsel, which he would not take himself,
just as the preachers, who are deceitful rascals, and preach and
proclaim the right but who do not follow it themselves."
(Vv. 2539-2578.) My lord Gawain spoke at such length and so urgently
that he promised him that he would go; but he said that he must consult
his lady and ask for her consent. Whether it be a foolish or a prudent
thing to do, he will not fail to ask her leave to return to Britain.
Then he took counsel with his wife, who had no inkling of the permission
he desired, as he addressed her with these words: "My beloved lady, my
heart and soul, my treasure, joy, and happiness, grant me now a favour
which will redound to your honour and to mine." The lady at once gives
her consent, not knowing what his desire is, and says: "Fair lord, you
may command me your pleasure, whatever it be." Then my lord Yvain
at once asks her for permission to escort the King and to attend at
tournaments, that no one may reproach his indolence. And she replies:
"I grant you leave until a certain date; but be sure that my love will
change to hate if you stay beyond the term that I shall fix. Remember
that I shall keep my word; if you break your word I will keep mine. If
you wish to possess my love, and if you have any regard for me, remember
to come back again at the latest a year from the present date a week
after St. John's day; for to-day is the eighth day since that feast.
You will be checkmated of my love if you are not restored to me on that
day."
(Vv. 2579-2635.) My lord Yvain weeps and sighs so bitterly that he can
hardly find words to say: "My lady, this date is indeed a long way off.
If I could be a dove, whenever the fancy came to me, I should often
rejoin you here. And I pray God that in His pleasure He may not detain
me so long away. But sometimes a man intends speedily to return who
knows not what the future has in store for him. And I know not what will
be my fate--perhaps some urgency of sickness or imprisonment may keep
me back: you are unjust in not making an exception at least of actual
hindrance." "My lord," says she, "I will make that exception. And yet
I dare to promise you that, if God deliver you from death, no hindrance
will stand in your way so long as you remember me. So put on your finger
now this ring of mine, which I lend to you. And I will tell you all
about the stone: no true and loyal lover can be imprisoned or lose any
blood, nor can any harm befall him, provided he carry it and hold it
dear, and keep his sweetheart in mind. You will become as hard as iron,
and it will serve you as shield and hauberk. I have never before been
willing to lend or entrust it to any knight, but to you I give it
because of my affection for you." Now my lord Yvain is free to go, but
he weeps bitterly on taking leave. The King, however, would not tarry
longer for anything that might be said: rather was he anxious to have
the palfreys brought all equipped and bridled. They acceded at once to
his desire, bringing the palfreys forth, so that it remained only to
mount. I do not know whether I ought to tell you how my lord Yvain took
his leave, and of the kisses bestowed on him, mingled with tears and
steeped in sweetness. And what shall I tell you about the King how the
lady escorts him, accompanied by her damsels and seneschal? All this
would require too much time. When he sees the lady's tears, the King
implores her to come no farther, but to return to her abode. He begged
her with such urgency that, heavy at heart, she turned about followed by
her company.
(Vv. 2639-2773.) My lord Yvain is so distressed to leave his lady that
his heart remains behind. The King may take his body off, but he cannot
lead his heart away. She who stays behind clings so tightly to his heart
that the King has not the power to take it away with him. When the body