Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
And Peredur went towards the cave. And he took the stone in his left
hand, and his lance in his right. And as he went in he perceived the
Addanc, and he pierced him through with his lance, and cut off his head.
And as he came from the cave, behold the three companions were at the
entrance; and they saluted Peredur, and told him that there was a
prediction that he should slay that monster. And Peredur gave the head
to the young men, and they offered him in marriage whichever of the three
sisters he might choose, and half their kingdom with her. “I came not
hither to woo,” said Peredur, “but if peradventure I took a wife, I
should prefer your sister to all others.” And Peredur rode forward, and
he heard a noise behind him. And he looked back, and saw a man upon a
red horse, with red armour upon him; and the man rode up by his side, and
saluted him, and wished him the favour of Heaven and of man. And Peredur
greeted the youth kindly. “Lord, I come to make a request unto thee.”
“What wouldest thou?” “That thou shouldest take me as thine attendant.”
“Whom then should I take as my attendant, if I did so?” “I will not
conceal from thee what kindred I am of. Etlym Gleddyv Coch am I called,
an Earl from the East Country.” “I marvel that thou shouldest offer to
become attendant to a man whose possessions are no greater than thine
own; for I have but an earldom like thyself. But since thou desirest to
be my attendant, I will take thee joyfully.”
And they went forward to the Court of the Countess, and all they of the
Court were glad at their coming; and they were told it was not through
disrespect they were placed below the household, but that such was the
usage of the Court. For, whoever should overthrow the three hundred men
of her household, would sit next the Countess, and she would love him
above all men. And Peredur having overthrown the three hundred men of
her household, sat down beside her, and the Countess said, “I thank
Heaven that I have a youth so fair and so valiant as thou, since I have
not obtained the man whom best I love.” “Who is he whom best thou
lovest?” “By my faith, Etlym Gleddyv Coch is the man whom I love best,
and I have never seen him.” “Of a truth, Etlym is my companion; and
behold here he is, and for his sake did I come to joust with thy
household. And he could have done so better than I, had it pleased him.
And I do give thee unto him.” “Heaven reward thee, fair youth, and I
will take the man whom I love above all others.” And the Countess became
Etlym’s bride from that moment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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