Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr was the chief porter; but he did not himself perform
the office, except at one of the three high festivals, for he had seven
men to serve him; and they divided the year amongst them. They were
Grynn, and Pen Pighon, and Llaes Cymyn, and Gogyfwlch, and Gwrdnei with
Cat's eyes, who could see as well by night as by day, and Drem the son of
Dremhitid, and Clust the son of Clustveinyd; and these were Arthur's
guards. And on Whit Tuesday, as the King sat at the banquet, lo! there
entered a tall, fair-headed youth, clad in a coat and a surcoat of
diapred satin, and a golden-hilted sword about his neck, and low shoes of
leather upon his feet. And he came, and stood before Arthur. "Hail to
thee, Lord!" said he. "Heaven prosper thee," he answered, "and be thou
welcome. Dost thou bring any new tidings?" "I do, Lord," he said. "I
know thee not," said Arthur. "It is a marvel to me that thou dost not
know me. I am one of thy foresters, Lord, in the Forest of Dean, and my
name is Madawc, the son of Twrgadarn." "Tell me thine errand," said
Arthur. "I will do so, Lord," said he. "In the Forest I saw a stag, the
like of which beheld I never yet." "What is there about him," asked
Arthur, "that thou never yet didst see his like?" "He is of pure white,
Lord, and he does not herd with any other animal through stateliness and
pride, so royal is his bearing. And I come to seek thy counsel, Lord,
and to know thy will concerning him." "It seems best to me," said
Arthur, "to go and hunt him to-morrow at break of day; and to cause
general notice thereof to be given to-night in all quarters of the
Court." And Arryfuerys was Arthur's chief huntsman, and Arelivri was his
chief page. And all received notice; and thus it was arranged. And they
sent the youth before them. Then Gwenhwyvar said to Arthur, "Wilt thou
permit me, Lord," said she, "to go to-morrow to see and hear the hunt of
the stag of which the young man spoke?" "I will, gladly," said Arthur.
"Then will I go," said she. And Gwalchmai said to Arthur, "Lord, if it
seem well to thee, permit that into whose hunt soever the stag shall
come, that one, be he a knight or one on foot, may cut off his head, and
give it to whom he pleases, whether to his own ladylove, or to the lady
of his friend." "I grant it gladly," said Arthur, "and let the Steward
of the Household be chastised if all are not ready to-morrow for the
chase."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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