First published in 1859. When the _Idylls of the King_ appeared in their final form, in 1888, the story of _Enid_ was divided into two parts, the first part being entitled _The Marriage of Geraint_, the second, _Geraint and Enid_. The poem here given includes only the part of _Enid_ which is now known as _The Marriage of Geraint_. Tennyson’s story of _Enid_ is based upon the prose version of the story, as it appears in the _Mabinogion_, a famous collection of Welsh fairy stories and legends. Before beginning the study of the poem read the introductory note to _Morte D’Arthur_. 24-5. The Queen, Guinevere, was the daughter of Leodogran, a tributary king. When Leodogran had given his consent to the marriage of his daughter Guinevere to Arthur, the king sent Lancelot, his truest and bravest knight, to bring Guinevere to the court. Guinevere, not having yet seen the king, fell in love with Lancelot, and her love was returned. This secret love was continued, and under its influence, little by little, the ideals of the knights were lowered. The incidents in the story of _Enid_ are supposed to have taken place shortly after the marriage of Arthur and Guinevere. 35. =caitiff.= Base, mean. 39. =common sewer.= This territory in which the bandits and caitiff knights were gathered is compared to a public drain or sewer which carries off the impurities of the city. 41. =marches.= Border country, frontiers. 45. =Severn.= A river of England and Wales, flowing south-west into Bristol Channel. 48. =compass’d her with sweet observances.= Surrounded her with tokens of his regard. 60. =uxoriousness.= Fondness for his wife. 78. If the current were less strong the water would break in striking against the stone. 86. =all-puissant.= All powerful. 93. =liefer.= More gladly. 100. =high.= Bright. 145. =Whitsuntide.= A Church festival which falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter. 146. =Caerleon upon Usk.= A town in Monmouth. The Usk is a tributary of the Severn. 148. =Dean.= A tract of country west of the Severn. 172. =glancing.= Shining. 183. =break covert.= Come out into the open. 189. =vizor.= That part of the helmet which covers the face. 210. =abolish.= Destroy. Generally used of institutions, customs, etc. 213. =Wroth to be wroth.= Angry with himself for being angry. 217. =earths.= Holes in the earth. 220. =for pledge.= Which may be had if security is given for their return. 223. =So that.= Provided that. 235. =at the vile occasion.= Because the cause of this delay was so contemptible. 260. =The Sparrow-hawk.= A term of contempt. The sparrow-hawk is despised as a bird of prey; but it was the emblem of the knight whom Geraint was pursuing. 261. =an ancient churl.= An old peasant. 262. =sloping beam.= The slanting rays of the sun. 273. =sudden spleen.= A burst of anger. 274. =pips.= Diseases. A disease of fowls. 275. =Tits.= The titmouse, or tomtit, a small bird. 296. =frayed.= Worn by rubbing.