Then said King Arthur unto the damosel Savage: I marvel that your
sister, Dame Lionesse, cometh not here to me, and in especial that she
cometh not to visit her knight, my nephew Sir Gareth, that hath had so
much travail for her love. My lord, said the damosel Linet, ye must of
your good grace hold her excused, for she knoweth not that my lord, Sir
Gareth, is here. Go then for her, said King Arthur, that we may be
appointed what is best to be done, according to the pleasure of my
nephew. Sir, said the damosel, that shall be done, and so she rode unto
her sister. And as lightly as she might she made her ready; and she
came on the morn with her brother Sir Gringamore, and with her forty
knights. And so when she was come she had all the cheer that might be
done, both of the king, and of many other kings and queens.
CHAPTER XXXIV. How Sir Gareth acknowledged that they loved each other
to King Arthur, and of the appointment of their wedding.
And among all these ladies she was named the fairest, and peerless.
Then when Sir Gawaine saw her there was many a goodly look and goodly
words, that all men of worship had joy to behold them. Then came King
Arthur and many other kings, and Dame Guenever, and the Queen of
Orkney. And there the king asked his nephew, Sir Gareth, whether he
would have that lady as paramour, or to have her to his wife. My lord,
wit you well that I love her above all ladies living. Now, fair lady,
said King Arthur, what say ye? Most noble King, said Dame Lionesse, wit
you well that my lord, Sir Gareth, is to me more liefer to have and
wield as my husband, than any king or prince that is christened; and if
I may not have him I promise you I will never have none. For, my lord
Arthur, said Dame Lionesse, wit ye well he is my first love, and he
shall be the last; and if ye will suffer him to have his will and free
choice I dare say he will have me. That is truth, said Sir Gareth; an I
have not you and wield not you as my wife, there shall never lady nor
gentlewoman rejoice me. What, nephew, said the king, is the wind in
that door? for wit ye well I would not for the stint of my crown to be
causer to withdraw your hearts; and wit ye well ye cannot love so well
but I shall rather increase it than distress it. And also ye shall have
my love and my lordship in the uttermost wise that may lie in my power.
And in the same wise said Sir Gareth’s mother.
Then there was made a provision for the day of marriage; and by the
king’s advice it was provided that it should be at Michaelmas
following, at Kink Kenadon by the seaside, for there is a plentiful
country. And so it was cried in all the places through the realm. And
then Sir Gareth sent his summons to all these knights and ladies that
he had won in battle to-fore, that they should be at his day of
marriage at Kink Kenadon by the sands.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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