Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
The next day came Geraint towards the Court; and there was a watch set on
the ramparts by Gwenhwyvar, lest he should arrive unawares. And one of
the watch came to the place where Gwenhwyvar was. “Lady,” said he,
“methinks that I see Geraint, and the maiden with him. He is on
horseback, but he has his walking gear upon him, and the maiden appears
to be in white, seeming to be clad in a garment of linen.” “Assemble all
the women,” said Gwenhwyvar, “and come to meet Geraint, to welcome him,
and wish him joy.” And Gwenhwyvar went to meet Geraint and the maiden.
And when Geraint came to the place where Gwenhwyvar was, he saluted her.
“Heaven prosper thee,” said she, “and welcome to thee. And thy career
has been successful, and fortunate, and resistless, and glorious. And
Heaven reward thee, that thou hast so proudly caused me to have
retribution.” “Lady,” said he, “I earnestly desired to obtain thee
satisfaction according to thy will; and, behold, here is the maiden
through whom thou hadst thy revenge.” “Verily,” said Gwenhwyvar, “the
welcome of Heaven be unto her; and it is fitting that we should receive
her joyfully.” Then they went in, and dismounted. And Geraint came to
where Arthur was, and saluted him. “Heaven protect thee,” said Arthur,
“and the welcome of Heaven be unto thee. And since Edeyrn the son of
Nudd has received his overthrow and wounds from thy hands, thou hast had
a prosperous career.” “Not upon me be the blame,” said Geraint, “it was
through the arrogance of Edeyrn the son of Nudd himself that we were not
friends. I would not quit him until I knew who he was, and until the one
had vanquished the other.” “Now,” said Arthur, “where is the maiden for
whom I heard thou didst give challenge?” “She is gone with Gwenhwyvar to
her chamber.”
Then went Arthur to see the maiden. And Arthur, and all his companions,
and his whole Court, were glad concerning the maiden. And certain were
they all, that had her array been suitable to her beauty, they had never
seen a maid fairer than she. And Arthur gave away the maiden to Geraint.
And the usual bond made between two persons was made between Geraint and
the maiden, and the choicest of all Gwenhwyvar’s apparel was given to the
maiden; and thus arrayed, she appeared comely and graceful to all who
beheld her. And that day and that night were spent in abundance of
minstrelsy, and ample gifts of liquor, and a multitude of games. And
when it was time for them to go to sleep, they went. And in the chamber
where the couch of Arthur and Gwenhwyvar was, the couch of Geraint and
Enid was prepared. And from that time she became his bride. And the
next day Arthur satisfied all the claimants upon Geraint with bountiful
gifts. And the maiden took up her abode in the palace; and she had many
companions, both men and women, and there was no maiden more esteemed
than she in the Island of Britain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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