So leave we Sir Beaumains riding toward the castle, and speak we of Sir
Gringamore and the dwarf. Anon as the dwarf was come to the castle,
Dame Lionesse and Dame Linet her sister, asked the dwarf where was his
master born, and of what lineage he was come. And but if thou tell me,
said Dame Lionesse, thou shalt never escape this castle, but ever here
to be prisoner. As for that, said the dwarf, I fear not greatly to tell
his name and of what kin he is come. Wit you well he is a king’s son,
and his mother is sister to King Arthur, and he is brother to the good
knight Sir Gawaine, and his name is Sir Gareth of Orkney. And now I
have told you his right name, I pray you, fair lady, let me go to my
lord again, for he will never out of this country until that he have me
again. And if he be angry he will do much harm or that he be stint, and
work you wrack in this country. As for that threatening, said Sir
Gringamore, be it as it be may, we will go to dinner. And so they
washed and went to meat, and made them merry and well at ease, and
because the Lady Lionesse of the castle was there, they made great joy.
Truly, madam, said Linet unto her sister, well may he be a king’s son,
for he hath many good tatches on him, for he is courteous and mild, and
the most suffering man that ever I met withal. For I dare say there was
never gentlewoman reviled man in so foul a manner as I have rebuked
him; and at all times he gave me goodly and meek answers again.
And as they sat thus talking, there came Sir Gareth in at the gate with
an angry countenance, and his sword drawn in his hand, and cried aloud
that all the castle might hear it, saying: Thou traitor, Sir
Gringamore, deliver me my dwarf again, or by the faith that I owe to
the order of knighthood, I shall do thee all the harm that I can. Then
Sir Gringamore looked out at a window and said, Sir Gareth of Orkney,
leave thy boasting words, for thou gettest not thy dwarf again. Thou
coward knight, said Sir Gareth, bring him with thee, and come and do
battle with me, and win him and take him. So will I do, said Sir
Gringamore, an me list, but for all thy great words thou gettest him
not. Ah! fair brother, said Dame Lionesse, I would he had his dwarf
again, for I would he were not wroth, for now he hath told me all my
desire I keep no more of the dwarf. And also, brother, he hath done
much for me, and delivered me from the Red Knight of the Red Launds,
and therefore, brother, I owe him my service afore all knights living.
And wit ye well that I love him before all other, and full fain I would
speak with him. But in nowise I would that he wist what I were, but
that I were another strange lady.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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