The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
Children's literature
She told him the
thought that was in her mind, and they talked long together. Then Gawl
said, "Lord, it is meet that I have an answer to my request." "As much
of that thou hast asked as it is in my power to give, thou shalt
have," replied Pwyll. "My soul," said Rhiannon unto Gawl, "as for the
feast and the banquet that are here, I have bestowed them upon the men
of Dyved, and the household and the warriors that are with us. These
can I not suffer to be given to any. In a year from to-night, a
banquet shall be prepared for thee in this palace, that I may become
thy bride."
So Gawl went forth to his possessions, and Pwyll went also back to
Dyved. And they both spent that year until it was the time for the
feast at the palace of Heveydd. Then Gawl, the son of Clud, set out to
the feast that was prepared for him; and he came to the palace, and
was received there with rejoicing. Pwyll, also, the chief of Dyved,
came to the orchard with a hundred knights, as Rhiannon had commanded
him. And Pwyll was clad in coarse and ragged garments, and wore large,
clumsy old shoes upon his feet. And when he knew that the carousal
after the meat had begun, he went toward the hall; and when he came
into the hall he saluted Gawl, the son of Clud, and his company, both
men and women. "Heaven prosper thee," said Gawl, "and friendly
greeting be unto thee!" "Lord," said he, "may Heaven reward thee! I
have an errand unto thee." "Welcome be thine errand, and if thou ask
of me that which is right, thou shalt have it gladly." "It is
fitting," answered he; "I crave but from want, and the boon I ask is
to have this small bag that thou seest filled with meat." "A request
within reason is this," said he, "and gladly shalt thou have it. Bring
him food." A great number of attendants arose and began to fill the
bag; but for all they put into it, it was no fuller than at first. "My
soul," said Gawl, "will thy bag ever be full?" "It will not, I declare
to Heaven," said he, "for all that may be put into it, unless one
possessed of lands, and domains, and treasure, shall arise and tread
down with both his feet the food that is within the bag, and shall
say, 'Enough has been put therein.'" Then said Rhiannon unto Gawl, the
son of Clud, "Rise up quickly." "I will willingly arise," said he. So
he rose up, and put his two feet into the bag. And Pwyll turned up the
sides of the bag, so that Gawl was over his head in it. And he shut it
up quickly, and slipped a knot upon the thongs, and blew his horn. And
thereupon, behold, his knights came down upon the palace. They seized
all the host that had come with Gawl, and cast them into his own
prison, and Pwyll threw off his rags, and his old shoes, and his
tattered array. As they came in, every one of Pwyll's knights struck a
blow upon the bag, and asked, "What is here?" "A badger," said they.
And in this manner they played, each of them striking the bag, either
with his foot or with a staff. And then was the game of Badger in the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account