Four Arthurian Romances
thought that, if possible, she would get to court before her. At once
she prepared and equipped herself, and without any tarrying or delay,
she proceeded to the court. The other followed her, and made all the
haste she could; but her journey was all in vain, for her eider sister
had already presented her case to my lord Gawain, and he had promised
to execute her will. But there was an agreement between them that if any
one should learn of the facts from her, he would never again take arms
for her, and to this arrangement she gave consent.
(Vv. 4737-4758.) Just then the other sister arrived at court, clad in
a short mantle of scarlet cloth and fresh ermine. It happened to be
the third day after the Queen had returned from the captivity in which
Maleagant had detained her with all the other prisoners; but Lancelot
had remained behind, treacherously confined within a tower. And on that
very day, when the damsel came to court, news was received of the cruel
and wicked giant whom the knight with the lion had killed in battle. In
his name, my lord Gawain was greeted by his nephews and niece, who told
him in detail of all the great service and great deeds of prowess he
had done for them for his sake, and how that he was well acquainted with
him, though not aware of his identity.
(Vv. 4759-4820.) All this was heard by her, who was plunged thereby
into great despair and sorrow and dejection; for, since the best of the
knights was absent, she thought she would find no aid or counsel at the
court. She had already made several loving and insistent appeals to my
lord Gawain; but he had said to her: "My dear, it is useless to appeal
to me; I cannot do it; I have another affair on hand, which I shall
in no wise give up." Then the damsel at once left him, and presented
herself before the King. "O King," said she, "I have come to thee and to
thy court for aid. But I find none, and I am very much mazed that I can
get no counsel here. Yet it would not be right for me to go away without
taking leave. My sister may know, however, that she might obtain by
kindness whatever she desired of my property; but I will never surrender
my heritage to her by force, if I can help it, and if I can find any
aid or counsel." "You have spoken wisely," said the King; "since she is
present here, I advise, recommend, and urge her to surrender to you what
is your right." Then the other, who was confident of the best knight in
the world, replied: "Sire, may God confound me, if ever I bestow on her
from my estates any castle, town, clearing, forest, land, or anything
else. But if any knight dares to take arms on her behalf and desires to
defend her cause, let him step forth at once." "Your offer to her is not
fair; she needs more time," the King replied; "if she desires, she may
have forty days to secure a champion, according to the practice of all
courts." To which the elder sister replied: "Fair King, my lord, you may
establish your laws as it pleases you, and as seems good, nor is it
my place to gainsay you, so I must consent to the postponement, if she
desires it." Whereupon, the other says that she does desire it, and she
makes formal request for it. Then she commended the King to God, and
left the court resolving to devote her life to the search through all
the land for the Knight with the Lion, who devotes himself to succouring
women in need of aid.
(Vv. 4821-4928.) Thus she entered upon her quest, and traversed many
a country without hearing any news of him, which caused her such grief
that she fell sick. But it was well for her that it happened so; for she
came to the dwelling of a friend of hers, by whom she was dearly loved.
By this time her face showed clearly that she was not in good health.
They insisted upon detaining her until she told them of her plight;
whereupon, another damsel took up the quest wherein she had been
engaged, and continued the search on her behalf. So while the one
remained in this retreat, the other rode rapidly all day long, until the
darkness of night came on, and caused her great anxiety. [324] And her
trouble was doubled when the rain came on with terrible violence, as
if God Himself were doing His worst, while she was in the depths of the
forest. The night and the woods cause her great distress, but she is
more tormented by the rain than by either the woods or the night. And
the road was so bad that her horse was often up to the girth in mud; any
damsel might well be terrified to be in the woods, without escort, in
such bad weather and in such darkness that she could not see the horse
she was riding. So she called on God first, and His mother next, and
then on all the saints in turn, and offered up many a prayer that
God would lead her out from this forest and conduct her to some
lodging-place. She continued in prayer until she heard a horn, at which
she greatly rejoiced; for she thought now she would find shelter, if she
could only reach the place. So she turned in the direction of the sound,
and came upon a paved road which led straight toward the horn whose
sound she heard; for the horn had given three long, loud blasts. And she
made her way straight toward the sound, until she came to a cross which
stood on the right side of the road, and there she thought that she
might find the horn and the person who had sounded it. So she spurred
her horse in that direction, until she drew near a bridge, and descried
the white walls and the barbican of a circular castle. Thus, by chance
she came upon the castle, setting her course by the sound which had led
her thither. She had been attracted by the sound of the horn blown by a
watchman upon the walls. As soon as the watchman caught sight of her, he
called to her, then came down, and taking the key of the gate, opened
it for her and said: "Welcome, damsel, whoe'er you be. You shall be
well lodged this night." "I have no other desire than that," the damsel
replied, as he let her in. After the toil and anxiety she had endured
that day, she was fortunate to find such a lodging-place; for she was
very comfortable there. After the meal the host addressed her, and
inquired where she was going and what was her quest. Whereupon, she thus
replied: "I am seeking one whom I never saw, so far as I am aware, and
never knew; but he has a lion with him, and I am told that, if I find
him, I can place great confidence in him." "I can testify to that," the
other said: "for the day before yesterday God sent him here to me in
my dire need. Blessed be the paths which led him to my dwelling. For he
made me glad by avenging me of a mortal enemy and killing him before
my eyes. Outside yonder gate you may see to-morrow the body of a mighty
giant, whom he slew with such ease that he hardly had to sweat." "For
God's sake, sire," the damsel said, "tell me now the truth, if you know
whither he went, and where he is." "I don't know," he said, "as God sees
me here; but to-morrow I will start you on the road by which he went
away from here." "And may God," said she, "lead me where I may hear true
news of him. For if I find him, I shall be very glad."
(Vv. 4929-4964.) Thus they continued in long converse until at last they
went to bed. When the day dawned, the maid arose, being in great concern
to find the object of her quest. And the master of the house arose with
all his companions, and set her upon the road which led straight to the
spring beneath the pine. And she, hastening on her way toward the town,
came and asked the first men whom she met, if they could tell her where
she would find the lion and the knight who travelled in company. And
they told her that they had seen him defeat three knights in that very
place. Whereupon, she said at once: "For God's sake, since you have said
so much, do not keep back from me anything that you can add." "No," they
replied; "we know nothing more than we have said, nor do we know what
became of him. If she for whose sake he came here, cannot give you
further news, there will be no one here to enlighten you. You will not
have far to go, if you wish to speak with her; for she has gone to make
prayer to God and to hear Mass in yonder church, and judging by the time
she has been inside, her orisons have been prolonged."
(Vv. 4965-5106.) While they were talking thus, Lunete came out from the
church, and they said: "There she is." Then she went to meet her, and
they greeted each other. She asked Lunete at once for the information
she desired; and Lunete said that she would have a palfrey saddled; for
she wished to accompany her, and would take her to an enclosure where
she had left him. The other maiden thanked her heartily. Lunete mounts
the palfrey which is brought without delay, and, as they ride, she tells
her how she had been accused and charged with treason, and how the pyre
was already kindled upon which she was to be laid, and how he had come
to help her in just the moment of her need. While speaking thus, she
escorted her to the road which led directly to the spot where my lord
Yvain had parted from her. When she had accompanied her thus far, she
said: "Follow this road until you come to a place where, if it please
God and the Holy Spirit, you will hear more reliable news of him than
I can tell. I very well remember that I left him either near here, or
exactly here, where we are now; we have not seen each other since then,
and I do not know what he has done. When he left me, he was in sore need
of a plaster for his wounds. So I will send you along after him, and if
it be God's will, may He grant that you find him to-night or to-morrow
in good health. Now go: I commend you to God. I must not follow you any
farther, lest my mistress be displeased with me." Then Lunete leaves her
and turns back; while the other pushed on until she found a house,
where my lord Yvain had tarried until he was restored to health. She saw
people gathered before the gate, knights, ladies and men-at-arms, and
the master of the house; she saluted them, and asked them to tell her,
if possible, news of a knight for whom she sought. "Who is he?" they
ask. "I have heard it said that he is never without a lion." "Upon my
word, damsel," the master says, "he has just now left us. You can come
up with him to-night, if you are able to keep his tracks in sight, and
are careful not to lose any time." "Sire," she answers, "God forbid.
But tell me now in what direction I must follow him." And they tell
her: "This way, straight ahead," and they beg her to greet him on their
behalf. But their courtesy was not of much avail; for, without giving
any heed, she galloped off at once. The pace seemed much too slow to
her, though her palfrey made good time. So she galloped through the mud
just the same as where the road was good and smooth, until she caught
sight of him with the lion as his companion. Then in her gladness she
exclaims: "God, help me now. At last I see him whom I have so long
pursued, and whose trace I have long followed. But if I pursue and
nothing gain, what will it profit me to come up with him? Little or
nothing, upon my word. If he does not join in my enterprise, I have
wasted all my pains." Thus saying, she pressed on so fast that her
palfrey was all in a sweat; but she caught up with him and saluted him.
He thus at once replied to her: "God save you, fair one, and deliver you
from grief and woe." "The same to you, sire, who, I hope, will soon be
able to deliver me." Then she draws nearer to him, and says: "Sire, I
have long searched for you. The great fame of your merit has made me
traverse many a county in my weary search for you. But I continued my
quest so long, thank God, that at last I have found you here. And if I
brought any anxiety with me, I am no longer concerned about it, nor do I
complain or remember it now. I am entirely relieved; my worry has taken