Four Arthurian Romances
or of lineage, that I should not marry her. It is poverty that has
compelled her to wear this white linen garment until both sleeves are
torn at the side. And yet, had it been my desire, she might have had
dresses rich enough. For another damsel, a cousin of hers, wished to
give her a robe of ermine and of spotted or grey silk. But I would
not have her dressed in any other robe until you should have seen her.
Gentle lady, consider the matter now and see what need she has of a
fine becoming gown." And the Queen at once replies: "You have done quite
right; it is fitting that she should have one of my gowns, and I will
give her straightway a rich, fair gown, both fresh and new." The Queen
then hastily took her off to her own private room, and gave orders
to bring quickly the fresh tunic and the greenish-purple mantle,
embroidered with little crosses, which had been made for herself. The
one who went at her behest came bringing to her the mantle and the
tunic, which was lined with white ermine even to the sleeves. At the
wrists and on the neck-band there was in truth more than half a mark's
weight of beaten gold, and everywhere set in the gold there were
precious stones of divers colours, indigo and green, blue and dark
brown. This tunic was very rich, but not a writ less precious, I trow,
was the mantle. As yet, there were no ribbons on it; for the mantle like
the tunic was brand new. The mantle was very rich and fine: laid about
the neck were two sable skins, and in the tassels there was more than an
ounce of gold; on one a hyacinth, and on the other a ruby flashed more
bright than burning candle. The fur lining was of white ermine; never
was finer seen or found. The cloth was skilfully embroidered with little
crosses, all different, indigo, vermilion, dark blue, white, green,
blue, and yellow. The Queen called for some ribbons four ells long, made
of silken thread and gold. The ribbons are given to her, handsome and
well matched. Quickly she had them fastened to the mantle by some one
who knew how to do it, and who was master of the art. When the mantle
needed no more touches, the gay and gentle lady clasped the maid with
the white gown and said to her cheerily: "Mademoiselle, you must change
this frock for this tunic which is worth more than a hundred marks of
silver. So much I wish to bestow upon you. And put on this mantle, too.
Another time I will give you more." Not able to refuse the gift, she
takes the robe and thanks her for it. Then two maids took her aside into
a room, where she took off her frock as being of no further value; but
she asked and requested that it be given away (to some poor woman) for
the love of God. Then she dons the tunic, and girds herself, binding on
tightly a golden belt, and afterwards puts on the mantle. Now she looked
by no means ill; for the dress became her so well that it made her look
more beautiful than ever. The two maids wove a gold thread in amongst
her golden hair: but her tresses were more radiant than the thread of
gold, fine though it was. The maids, moreover, wove a fillet of flowers
of many various colours and placed it upon her head. They strove as best
they might to adorn her in such wise that no fault should be found with
her attire. Strung upon a ribbon around her neck, a damsel hung two
brooches of enamelled gold. Now she looked so charming and fair that I
do not believe that you could find her equal in any land, search as you
might, so skilfully had Nature wrought in her. Then she stepped out of
the dressing-room into the Queen's presence. The Queen made much of her,
because she liked her and was glad that she was beautiful and had such
gentle manners. They took each other by the hand and passed into the
King's presence. And when the King saw them, he got up to meet them.
When they came into the great hall, there were so many knights there who
rose before them that I cannot call by name the tenth part of them, or
the thirteenth, or the fifteenth. But I can tell you the names of some
of the best of the knights who belonged to the Round Table and who were
the best in the world.
(Vv. 1691-1750.) Before all the excellent knights, Gawain ought to be
named the first, and second Erec the son of Lac, and third Lancelot of
the Lake. [116] Gornemant of Gohort was fourth, and the fifth was the
Handsome Coward. The sixth was the Ugly Brave, the seventh Meliant of
Liz, the eighth Mauduit the Wise, and the ninth Dodinel the Wild. Let
Gandelu be named the tenth, for he was a goodly man. The others I shall
mention without order, because the numbers bother me. Eslit was there
with Briien, and Yvain the son of Uriien. And Yvain of Loenel was there,
as well as Yvain the Adulterer. Beside Yvain of Cavaliot was Garravain
of Estrangot. After the Knight with the Horn was the Youth with the
Golden Ring. And Tristan who never laughed sat beside Bliobleheris, and
beside Brun of Piciez was his brother Gru the Sullen. The Armourer sat
next, who preferred war to peace. Next sat Karadues the Shortarmed,
a knight of good cheer; and Caveron of Robendic, and the son of King
Quenedic and the Youth of Quintareus and Yder of the Dolorous Mount.
Gaheriet and Kay of Estraus, Amauguin and Gales the Bald, Grain,
Gornevain, and Carabes, and Tor the son of King Aras, Girflet the son
of Do, and Taulas, who never wearied of arms: and a young man of great
merit, Loholt the son of King Arthur, [117] and Sagremor the Impetuous,
who should not be forgotten, nor Bedoiier the Master of the Horse,
who was skilled at chess and trictrac, nor Bravain, nor King Lot, nor
Galegantin of Wales, nor Gronosis, versed in evil, who was son of Kay
the Seneschal, nor Labigodes the Courteous, nor Count Cadorcaniois, nor
Letron of Prepelesant, whose manners were so excellent, nor Breon the
son of Canodan, nor the Count of Honolan who had such a head of fine
fair hair; he it was who received the King's horn in an evil day; [118]
he never had any care for truth.
(Vv. 1751-1844.) When the stranger maiden saw all the knights arrayed
looking steadfastly at her, she bowed her head in embarrassment; nor was
it strange that her face blushed all crimson. But her confusion was so
becoming to her that she looked all the more lovely. When the King saw
that she was embarrassed, he did not wish to leave her side. Taking her
gently by the hand, he made her sit down on his right hand; and on his
left sat the Queen, speaking thus to the King the while. "Sire, in my
opinion he who can win such a fair lady by his arms in another land
ought by right to come to a royal court. It was well we waited for Erec;
for now you can bestow the kiss upon the fairest of the court. I should
think none would find fault with you! for none can say, unless he lie,
that this maiden is not the most charming of all the damsels here, or
indeed in all the world." The King makes answer: "That is no lie; and
upon her, if there is no remonstrance, I shall bestow the honour of the
White Stag." Then he added to the knights: "My lords, what say you? What
is your opinion? In body, in face, and in whatever a maid should have,
this one is the most charming and beautiful to be found, as I may say,
before you come to where Heaven and earth meet. I say it is meet that
she should receive the honour of the Stag. And you, my lords, what do
you think about it? Can you make any objection? If any one wishes to
protest, let him straightway speak his mind. I am King, and must keep
my word and must not permit any baseness, falsity, or arrogance. I must
maintain truth and righteousness. It is the business of a loyal king
to support the law, truth, faith, and justice. I would not in any wise
commit a disloyal deed or wrong to either weak or strong. It is not meet
that any one should complain of me; nor do I wish the custom and the
practice to lapse, which my family has been wont to foster. You, too,
would doubtless regret to see me strive to introduce other customs
and other laws than those my royal sire observed. Regardless of
consequences, I am bound to keep and maintain the institution of my
father Pendragon, who was a just king and emperor. Now tell me fully
what you think! Let none be slow to speak his mind, if this damsel is
not the fairest of my household and ought not by right to receive the
kiss of the White Stag: I wish to know what you truly think." Then they
all cry with one accord: "Sire, by the Lord and his Cross! you may well
kiss her with good reason, for she is the fairest one there is. In this
damsel there is more beauty than there is of radiance in the sun. You
may kiss her freely, for we all agree in sanctioning it." When the King
hears that this is well pleasing to them all, he will no longer delay in
bestowing the kiss, but turns toward her and embraces her. The maid was
sensible, and perfectly willing that the King should kiss her; she would
have been discourteous, indeed, to resent it. In courteous fashion and
in the presence of all his knights the King kissed her, and said: "My
dear. I give you my love in all honesty. I will love you with true
heart, without malice and without guile." By this adventure the King
carried out the practice and the usage to which the White Stag was
entitled at his court.
Here ends the first part of my story. [119]
(Vv. 1845-1914.) When the kiss of the Stag was taken according to the
custom of the country, Erec, like a polite and kind man, was solicitous
for his poor host. It was not his intention to fail to execute what he
had promised. Hear how he kept his covenant: for he sent him now five
sumpter mules, strong and sleek, loaded with dresses and clothes,
buckrams and scarlets, marks of gold and silver plate, furs both vair
and grey, skins of sable, purple stuffs, and silks. When the mules were
loaded with all that a gentleman can need, he sent with them an escort
of ten knights and sergeants chosen from his own men, and straightly
charged them to salute his host and show great honour both to him and to
his lady, as if it were to himself in person; and when they should have
presented to them the sumpters which they brought them, the gold, the
silver, and money, and all the other furnishings which were in the
boxes, they should escort the lady and the vavasor with great honour
into his kingdom of Farther Wales. [120] Two towns there he had promised
them, the most choice and the best situated that there were in all his
land, with nothing to fear from attack. Montrevel was the name of one,
and the other's name was Roadan. When they should arrive in his kingdom,
they should make over to them these two towns, together with their rents
and their jurisdiction, in accordance with what he had promised them.
All was carried out as Erec had ordered. The messengers made no delay,
and in good time they presented to his host the gold and the silver
and the sumpters and the robes and the money, of which there was great
plenty. They escorted them into Erec's kingdom, and strove to serve them
well. They came into the country on the third day, and transferred to
them the towers of the towns; for King Lac made no objection. He gave
them a warm welcome and showed them honour, loving them for the sake
of his son Erec. He made over to them the title to the towns, and
established their suzerainty by making knights and bourgeois swear that
they would reverence them as their true liege lords. When this was
done and accomplished, the messengers returned to their lord Erec, who
received them gladly. When he asked for news of the vavasor and his
lady, of his own father and of his kingdom, the report they gave him was
good and fair.
(Vv. 1915-2024.) Not long after this, the time drew near when Erec was
to celebrate his marriage. The delay was irksome to him, and he resolved
no longer to suffer and wait. So he went and asked of the King that