The Story of King Arthur and his KnightsPyle, Howard
General
The Story of King Arthur and his Knights
Pyle, Howard
Arthur, King -- Legends; Arthurian romances -- Adaptations; Folklore -- England; Knights and knighthood -- Folklore
And Sir Pellias said, “This is indeed a very beautiful land into which
we have come.” Whereat the damsel Parcenet was right well pleased, for
she said, “Sir, I am very glad that that which thou seest belikes thee;
for all this region belongeth unto the Lady Ettard, and it is my home.
Moreover, from the top of yonder hill one mayst behold the castle of
Grantmesnle which lieth in the valley beneath.” Then Sir Pellias said,
“Let us make haste! For I am wonderfully desirous of beholding that
place.”
[Sidenote: _They reach Grantmesnle._]
So they set spurs to their horses and rode up that hill at a hand
gallop. And when they had reached the top thereof, lo! beneath them lay
the Castle of Grantmesnle in such a wise that it was as though upon the
palm of a hand. And Sir Pellias beheld that it was an exceedingly fair
castle, built altogether without of a red stone, and containing many
buildings of red brick within the wall. And behind the walls there lay a
little town, and from where they stood they could behold the streets
thereof, and the people coming and going upon their businesses. So Sir
Pellias, beholding the excellence of that castle, said, “Certes, maiden,
yonder is a very fair estate.”
“Yea,” said Parcenet; “we who dwell there do hold it to be a very
excellent estate.”
Then Sir Pellias said to Parcenet: “Maiden, yonder glade of young trees
nigh unto the castle appeareth to be a very cheerful spot. Wherefore at
that place I and my companions in arms will take up our inn. There,
likewise, we will cause to be set up three pavilions for to shelter us
by day and by night. Meantime, I beseech of thee, that thou wilt go unto
the lady, thy mistress, and say unto her that a knight hath come unto
this place, who, albeit he knoweth her not, holdeth that the Lady
Guinevere of Camelot is the fairest lady in all of the world. And I
beseech thee to tell the lady that I am here to maintain that saying
against all comers at the peril of my body. Wherefore, if the lady have
any champion for to undertake battle in her behalf, him will I meet in
yonder field to-morrow at mid-day a little before I eat my mid-day meal.
For at that time I do propose for to enter into yonder field, and to
make parade therein until my friends bid me for to come in to my dinner;
and I shall take my stand in that place in honor of the Lady Guinevere
of Camelot.”
“Sir Pellias,” said the damsel, “I will even do as thou desirest of me.
And, though I may not wish that thou mayst be the victor in that
encounter, yet am I soothly sorry for to depart from thee. For thou art
both a very valiant and a very gentle knight, and I find that I have a
great friendship for thee.”
Then Sir Pellias laughed, and he said, “Parcenet, thou art minded to
give me praise that is far beyond my deserving.” And Parcenet said,
“Sir, not so, for thou dost deserve all that I may say to thy credit.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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