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
Now here a very untoward thing befell. To wit, it was this: The Lady
Ettard had come to love that necklace of emeralds and of opal stones and
of gold that she had borrowed from Sir Pellias, and that to such a
degree that she never let it depart from her whether by day or by night.
Wherefore she wore it at that moment hanging about her neck and her
throat. So, as she talked to Sir Gawaine, he looked upon that necklace,
and the enchantment thereof began to take a very great hold upon him.
For he presently began to feel as though his heart was drawn with
exceeding ardency out of his bosom and unto the Lady Ettard; so much so
that, in a little while, he could not at all keep his regard withdrawn
from her. And the more that he looked upon the necklace and the lady the
more did the enchantment of the jewel take hold upon his spirits.
Accordingly, when the Lady Ettard spake so graciously unto him, he was
very glad to accept of her kindness; wherefore he said, gazing very
ardently at her the whiles, “Lady, thou art exceedingly gentle to extend
so great a courtesy unto me; wherefore I shall be glad beyond measure
for to stay with thee for a short while.”
At these words the Lady Ettard was very greatly pleased, for she said to
herself, “Certes, this knight (albeit I know not who he may be) must be
a champion of extraordinary prowess and of exalted achievement. Now, if
I can persuade him to remain in this castle as my champion, then shall I
doubtless gain very great credit thereby; for I shall have one for to
defend my rights who must assuredly be the greatest knight in all the
world.” Wherefore she set forth every charm and grace of demeanor to
please Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gawaine was altogether delighted by the
kindness of her manner.
Now, Sir Engamore was there present at that time, wherefore he was very
greatly troubled in spirit. For in the same degree that Sir Gawaine
received courtesy from the Lady Ettard, in that same degree Sir Engamore
was cast down into great sorrow and distress--so much so that it was a
pity for to see him. For Sir Engamore said to himself, “Aforetime, ere
these foreign knights came hitherward, the Lady Ettard was very kind to
me, and was willing to take me for her champion and lord. But first came
Sir Pellias and overthrew me, and now cometh this strange knight and
overthroweth him, wherefore, in the presence of such a great champion
as this, I am come to be as nothing in her sight.” So Sir Engamore
withdrew himself from that place and went unto his closet, where he sat
himself down alone in great sorrow.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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