Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
Then spake Gwenhwyvar. “Rightly did I judge,” said she, “concerning the
head of the stag, that it should not be given to any until Geraint’s
return; and, behold, here is a fit occasion for bestowing it. Let it be
given to Enid the daughter of Ynywl, the most illustrious maiden. And I
do not believe that any will begrudge it her, for between her and every
one here there exists nothing but love and friendship.” Much applauded
was this by them all, and by Arthur also. And the head of the stag was
given to Enid. And thereupon her fame increased, and her friends
thenceforward became more in number than before. And Geraint from that
time forth loved the stag, and the tournament, and hard encounters; and
he came victorious from them all. And a year, and a second, and a third,
he proceeded thus, until his fame had flown over the face of the kingdom.
* * * * *
And once upon a time Arthur was holding his Court at Caerlleon upon Usk,
at Whitsuntide. And, behold, there came to him ambassadors, wise and
prudent, full of knowledge, and eloquent of speech, and they saluted
Arthur. “Heaven prosper you,” said Arthur, “and the welcome of Heaven be
unto you. And whence do you come?” “We come, Lord,” said they, “from
Cornwall; and we are ambassadors from Erbin the son of Custennin, thy
uncle, and our mission is unto thee. And he greets thee well, as an
uncle should greet his nephew, and as a vassal should greet his lord.
And he represents unto thee that he waxes heavy and feeble, and is
advancing in years. And the neighbouring chiefs, knowing this, grow
insolent towards him, and covet his land and possessions. And he
earnestly beseeches thee, Lord, to permit Geraint his son to return to
him, to protect his possessions, and to become acquainted with his
boundaries. And unto him he represents that it were better for him to
spend the flower of his youth and the prime of his age in preserving his
own boundaries, than in tournaments, which are productive of no profit,
although he obtains glory in them.”
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