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
Then, after a little time the virtue of that jewel departed from Sir
Pellias and entered into the Lady Ettard, and the Lady Ettard looked
upon Sir Pellias with altogether different eyes than those with which
she had before regarded him. Wherefore she said unto herself: “Hah! what
ailed me that I should have been so enchanted with that knight to the
discredit of my champion who hath served me so faithfully? Hath not this
knight done me grievous discredit? Hath he not come hitherward for no
other reason than for that purpose? Hath he not overthrown mine own true
knight in scorn of me? What then hath ailed me that I should have given
him such regard as I have bestowed upon him?” But though she thought all
this, yet she made no sign thereof unto Sir Pellias, but appeared to
laugh and talk very cheerfully. Nevertheless, she immediately began to
cast about in her mind for some means whereby she might be revenged upon
Sir Pellias; for she said unto herself, “Lo! is he not mine enemy and is
not mine enemy now in my power? Wherefore should I not take full measure
of revenge upon him for all that which he hath done unto us of
Grantmesnle?”
[Sidenote: _The Lady Ettard layeth plans against Sir Pellias._]
So by and by she made an excuse and arose and left Sir Pellias. And she
took Parcenet aside, and she said unto the damsel Parcenet, “Go and
fetch me hither presently a powerful sleeping-draught.” Then Parcenet
said, “Lady, what would you do?” And the Lady Ettard said, “No matter.”
And Parcenet said, “Would you give unto that noble knight a
sleeping-draught?” And the lady said, “I would.” Then Parcenet said,
“Lady, that would surely be an ill thing to do unto one who sitteth in
peace at your table and eateth of your salt.” Whereunto the Lady Ettard
said, “Take thou no care as to that, girl, but go thou straightway and
do as I bid thee.”
Then Parcenet saw that it was not wise for her to disobey the lady.
Wherefore she went straightway and did as she was bidden. So she brought
the sleeping-draught to the lady in a chalice of pure wine, and the Lady
Ettard took the chalice and said to Sir Pellias, “Take thou this chalice
of wine, Sir Knight, and drink it unto me according to the measure of
that good will thou hast unto me.” Now Parcenet stood behind her lady’s
chair, and when Sir Pellias took the chalice she frowned and shook her
head at him. But Sir Pellias saw it not, for he was intoxicated with the
beauty of the Lady Ettard, and with the enchantment of the collar of
emeralds and opal stones and gold which she now wore. Wherefore he said
unto her, “Lady, if there were poison in that chalice, yet would I drink
of the wine that is in it at thy command.”
At that the Lady Ettard fell a-laughing beyond measure, and she said,
“Sir Knight, there is no poison in that cup.”
So Sir Pellias took the chalice and drank the wine, and he said, “Lady,
how is this? The wine is bitter.” To which the Lady Ettard made reply,
“Sir, that cannot be.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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