Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
Then they all entered the hall, and they washed, and went, and sat down
to meat. And thus were they seated. On one side of Geraint sat the
young Earl, and Earl Ynywl beyond him; and on the other side of Geraint
were the maiden and her mother. And after these all sat according to
their precedence in honour. And they ate. And they were served
abundantly, and they received a profusion of divers kind of gifts. Then
they conversed together. And the young Earl invited Geraint to visit him
next day. “I will not, by Heaven,” said Geraint. “To the Court of
Arthur will I go with this maiden to-morrow. And it is enough for me, as
long as Earl Ynywl is in poverty and trouble; and I go chiefly to seek to
add to his maintenance.” “Ah, chieftain,” said the young Earl, “it is
not by my fault that Earl Ynywl is without his possessions.” “By my
faith,” said Geraint, “he shall not remain without them, unless death
quickly takes me hence.” “Oh, chieftain,” said he, “with regard to the
disagreement between me and Ynywl, I will gladly abide by thy counsel,
and agree to what thou mayest judge right between us.” “I but ask thee,”
said Geraint, “to restore to him what is his, and what he should have
received from the time he lost his possessions, even until this day.”
“That I will do gladly, for thee,” answered he. “Then,” said Geraint,
“whosoever is here who owes homage to Ynywl, let him come forward, and
perform it on the spot.” And all the men did so. And by that treaty
they abided. And his castle, and his town, and all his possessions were
restored to Ynywl. And he received back all that he had lost, even to
the smallest jewel.
Then spoke Earl Ynywl to Geraint. “Chieftain,” said he, “behold the
maiden for whom thou didst challenge at the tournament, I bestow her upon
thee.” “She shall go with me,” said Geraint, “to the Court of Arthur;
and Arthur and Gwenhwyvar they shall dispose of her as they will.” And
the next day they proceeded to Arthur’s Court. So far concerning
Geraint.
* * * * *
Now, this is how Arthur hunted the stag. The men and the dogs were
divided into hunting parties, and the dogs were let loose upon the stag.
And the last dog that was let loose was the favourite dog of Arthur.
Cavall was his name. And he left all the other dogs behind him, and
turned the stag. And at the second turn, the stag came towards the
hunting party of Arthur. And Arthur set upon him. And before he could
be slain by any other, Arthur cut off his head. Then they sounded the
death horn for slaying, and they all gathered round.
Then came Kadyrieith to Arthur, and spoke to him. “Lord,” said he,
“behold, yonder is Gwenhwyvar, and none with her save only one maiden.”
“Command Gildas the son of Caw, and all the scholars of the Court,” said
Arthur, “to attend Gwenhwyvar to the palace.” And they did so.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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