Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
And the youth saluted Owain. And Owain marvelled that the youth should
salute him and should not have saluted the Emperor Arthur. And Arthur
knew what was in Owain’s thought. And he said to Owain, “Marvel not that
the youth salutes thee now, for he saluted me erewhile; and it is unto
thee that his errand is.” Then said the youth unto Owain, “Lord, is it
with thy leave that the young pages and attendants of the Emperor harass
and torment and worry thy Ravens? And if it be not with thy leave, cause
the Emperor to forbid them.” “Lord,” said Owain, “thou hearest what the
youth says; if it seem good to thee, forbid them from my Ravens.” “Play
thy game,” said he. Then the youth returned to the tent.
That game did they finish, and another they began, and when they were in
the midst of the game, behold, a ruddy young man with auburn curling hair
and large eyes, well-grown, and having his beard new-shorn, came forth
from a bright yellow tent, upon the summit of which was the figure of a
bright red lion. And he was clad in a coat of yellow satin, falling as
low as the small of his leg, and embroidered with threads of red silk.
And on his feet were hose of fine white buckram, and buskins of black
leather were over his hose, whereon were golden clasps. And in his hand
a huge, heavy, three-edged sword, with a scabbard of red deer-hide,
tipped with gold. And he came to the place where Arthur and Owain were
playing at chess. And he saluted him. And Owain was troubled at his
salutation, but Arthur minded it no more than before. And the youth said
unto Owain, “Is it not against thy will that the attendants of the
Emperor harass thy Ravens, killing some and worrying others? If against
thy will it be, beseech him to forbid them.” “Lord,” said Owain, “forbid
thy men, if it seem good to thee.” “Play thy game,” said the Emperor.
And the youth returned to the tent.
And that game was ended and another begun. And as they were beginning
the first move of the game, they beheld at a small distance from them a
tent speckled yellow, the largest ever seen, and the figure of an eagle
of gold upon it, and a precious stone on the eagle’s head. And coming
out of the tent, they saw a youth with thick yellow hair upon his head,
fair and comely, and a scarf of blue satin upon him, and a brooch of gold
in the scarf upon his right shoulder as large as a warrior’s middle
finger. And upon his feet were hose of fine Totness, and shoes of
parti-coloured leather, clasped with gold, and the youth was of noble
bearing, fair of face, with ruddy cheeks and large hawk’s eyes. In the
hand of the youth was a mighty lance, speckled yellow, with a
newly-sharpened head; and upon the lance a banner displayed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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