PEREDUR THE SON OF EFRAWC.
(Translation
by Lady Charlotte Guest)
Earl
Evrawc owned the Earldom of the North. And he had seven
sons. And Evrawc maintained himself not so much by his own
possessions as by attending tournaments, and wars, and
combats. And, as it often befalls those who join in
encounters and wars, he was slain, and six of his sons
likewise. Now the name of the seventh son was Peredur, and
he was the youngest of them. And he was not of an age to go
to wars and encounters, otherwise he might have been slain
as his father and brothers. His mother was a scheming and
thoughtful woman, and she was very solicitous concerning
this her only son and his possessions. So she took counsel
with herself to leave the inhabited country, and to flee to
the deserts and unfrequented wildernesses. And she
permitted none to bear her company thither but women and
boys, and spiritless men, who were both unaccustomed and
unequal to war and fighting. And none dared to bring either
horses or arms where her son was, lest he should set his
mind upon them. And the youth went daily to divert himself
in the forest, by slinging sticks and staves. And one day
he saw his mother's flock of goats, and near the goats two
hinds were standing. And he marvelled greatly that these
two should be without horns, while the others had them. And
he thought they had long run wild and on that account they
had lost their horns. And by activity and swiftness of
foot, he drove the hinds and the goats together into the
house which there was for the goats at the extremity of the
forest. Then Peredur returned to his mother. "Ah, mother,"
said he, "a marvelous thing have I seen in the wood; two of
thy goats have run wild, and lost their horns; through
their having been so long missing in the wood. And no man
had ever more trouble than I had to drive them in." Then
they all arose and went to see. And when they beheld the
hinds, they were greatly astonished.
And one day they saw three knights coming along the
horse-road on the borders of the forest. And the three
knights were Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, and Geneir
Gwystyl, and Owain the son of Urien. And Owain kept on the
track of the knight who had divided the apples in Arthur's
Court, whom they were in pursuit of. "Mother," said
Peredur, "what are these yonder?" "They are angels, my
son," said she. "By my faith," said Peredur, "I will go and
become an angel with them." And Peredur went to the road,
and met them. "Tell me, good soul," said Owain, "sawest
thou a knight pass this way, wither to-day or yesterday?"
"I know not," answered he, "what a knight is." "Such a one
as I am," said Owain. "If thou wilt tell me what I ask
thee, I will tell thee that which thou askest me." "Gladly
will I do so," replied Owain. "What is this?" demanded
Peredur, concerning the saddle. "It is a saddle," said
Owain. Then he asked about all the accoutrements which he
saw upon the men, and the horses, and the arms, and what
they were for, and how they were used. And Owain shewed him
all these things fully, and told him what use was made of
them. "Go forward," said Peredur, "for I saw such a one as
thou enquirest for, and I will follow thee."
Then Peredur returned to his mother and her company, and he
said to her, "Mother, those were not angels, but honourable
knights." Then his mother swooned away. And Peredur went to
the place where they kept the horses that carried firewood,
and that brought meat and drink from the inhabited country
to the desert. And he took a bony piebald horse, which
seemed to him the strongest of them. And he pressed a pack
into the form of a saddle, and with twisted twigs he
imitated the trappings which he had seen upon the horses.
And when Peredur came again to his mother, the Countess had
recovered from her swoon. "My son," said she, "desirest
thou to ride forth?" "Yes, with thy leave," said he. "Wait
then, that I may counsel thee before thou goest."
"Willingly," he answered, "speak quickly." "Go forward,"
then she said, "to the Court of Arthur, where there are the
best, and the boldest, and the most bountiful of men. And
wherever thou seest a church, repeat there thy Paternoster
unto it. And if thou see meat and drink, and hast need of
them, and none have the kindness or the courtesy to give
them to thee, take them thyself. If thou hear an outcry,
proceed towards it, especially if it be the outcry of a
woman. If thou see a fair jewel, possess thyself of it, and
give it to another, for thus thou shalt earn praise. If
thou see a fair woman, pay thy court to her, whether she
will or no; for thus thou wilt render thyself a better and
more esteemed man than thou wast before."
After this discourse, Peredur mounted the horse, and taking
a handful of sharp pointed forks in his hand, he rode
forth. And he journeyed two days and two nights in the
woody wildernesses, and in desert places, without food and
without drink. And then he came to a vast wild wood, and
far within the wood he saw a fair even glade, and in the
glade he saw a tent, and seeming to him to be a church, he
repeated his Paternoster to the tent. And he went towards
it, and the door of the tent was open. And a golden chair
was near the door. And on the chair sat a lovely
auburn-haired maiden, with a golden frontlet on her
forehead, and sparkling stones in the frontlet, and with a
large gold ring on her hand. And Peredur dismounted, and
entered the tent. And the maiden was glad at his coming,
and bade him welcome. At the entrance of the tent he saw
food, and two flasks full of wine, and two loaves of fine
wheaten flour, and collops of the flesh of the wild boar.
"My mother told me," said Peredur, "wheresoever I saw meat
and drink, to take it." "Take the meat, and welcome,
chieftain," said she. So Peredur took half of the meat and
of the liquor himself, and left the rest to the maiden. "My
mother," said he," told me, wheresoever I saw a fair jewel,
to take it." "Do so, my soul," said she. So Peredur took
the ring. And he mounted his horse, and proceeded on his
journey.
After this, behold the knight came, to whom the tent
belonged; and he was the Lord of the Glade. And he saw the
track of the horse, and he said to the maiden, "Tell me who
has been here since I departed." "A man," said she, "of
wonderful demeanor." And she described to him what
Peredur's appearance and conduct had been. "Tell me," said
he, "did he offer thee any wrong?" "No," answered the
maiden, "by my faith, he harmed me not." "By my faith, I do
not believe thee; and until I can meet with him, and
revenge the insult he has done me, and wreak my vengeance
upon him, thou shalt not remain two nights in the same
house." And the knight arose, and set forth to seek
Peredur.
Meanwhile, Peredur journeyed on towards Arthur's Court. And
before he reached it, another knight had been there, who
gave a ring of thick gold at the door of the gate for
holding his horse, and went into the Hall where Arthur and
his household, and Gwenhwyver and her maidens, were
assembled. And he page of the chamber was serving
Gwenhwyver with a golden goblet. Then the knight dashed the
liquor that was therein upon her face, and upon her
stomacher, and gave her a violent blow on the face, and
said, "If any have the boldness to dispute this goblet with
me, and to avenge the insult to Gwenhwyver, let him follow
me to the meadow, and there I will await him." So the
knight took his horse, and rode to the meadow. And all the
household hung down their heads, lest any of them be
requested to go and avenge the insult to Gwenhwyver. For it
seemed to them, that no one should have ventured on so
daring an outrage, unless he possessed such powers, through
magic or charms, that none could be able to take vengeance
upon him. Then, behold Peredur entered the Hall, upon the
bony piebald horse, with the uncouth trappings upon it; and
in this way he traversed the whole length of the Hall. In
the centre of the Hall stood Kai. "Tell me, tall man," said
Peredur, "is that Arthur, yonder?" "What wouldest thou with
Arthur?" asked Kai. "My mother told me to go to Arthur, and
receive the honor of knighthood." "By my faith," said he,
"thou art all too meanly equipped with horse and with
arms." Thereupon he was perceived by all the household, and
they threw sticks at him. Then, behold, a dwarf came
forward. He had already been a year at Arthur's Court, both
he and a female dwarf. They had craved harbourage of
Arthur, and had obtained it; and during the whole year,
neither of them had spoken a single word to any one. When
the dwarf beheld Peredur, "Ha ha!" said he, "the welcome of
Heaven be unto thee, goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc, the
chief of warriors, and flower of knighthood." "Truly," said
Kai, "thou art ill-taught to remain a year mute at Arthur's
Court, with choice of society; and now, before the face of
Arthur and all his household, to call out, and declare such
a man as this the chief of warriors, and the flower of
knighthood." And he gave him such a box on the ear, and he
fell senseless to the ground. Then exclaimed the female
dwarf, "Ha ha! goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc; the welcome
of Heaven be unto thee, flower of knights, and light of
chivalry." "Of a truth, maiden," said Kai, " thou art
ill-bred to remain mute for a year at the Court of Arthur
and then to speak as thou dost as such a man as this." And
Kai kicked her with his foot, so that she fell to the
ground senseless. "Tall man," said Peredur, "show me which
is Arthur." "Hold thy peace," said Kai, "and go after the
knight who went hence to the meadow, and take from him the
goblet, and overthrow him, and possess thyself of his horse
and arms, and then thou shalt receive the order of
knighthood." "I will do so, tall man," said Peredur. So he
turned his horse's head towards the meadow. And when he
came there, the knight was riding up and down, proud of his
strength, and valour, and noble mien. "Tell me," said the
knight, "didst thou see any one coming after me from the
Court?" "The tall man that was there," said he, "desired me
to come, and overthrow thee, and to take from thee the
goblet, and thy horse and thy armour for myself."
"Silence," said the knight; "go back to the Court, and tell
Arthur, from me, either to come himself, or to send some
other to fight with me; and unless he do so quickly, I will
not wait for him." "By my faith," said Peredur, "choose
thou whither it shall be willingly or unwillingly, but I
will have the horse, and the arms, and the goblet." And
upon this the knight ran at him furiously, and struck him a
violent blow with the shaft of his spear, between the neck
and the shoulder. "Ha ha! lad," said Peredur, "my mother's
servants were not used to play with me in the wise;
therefore, thus will I play with thee." And thereupon he
struck him with a sharp pointed fork, and it hit him in the
eye, and came out at the back of his neck, so that he
instantly fell down lifeless.
"Verily," said Owain the son of Urien to Kai, "thou wert
ill advised, when thou didst send that madman after the
knight. For one of two things must befall him. He must
either be overthrown, or slain. If he is overthrown by the
knight, he will be counted by him to be an honourable
person of the Court, and an eternal disgrace will it be to
Arthur and his warriors. And if he is slain, the disgrace
will be the same, and moreover, his sin will be upon him;
therefore will I go to see what has befallen him." So Owain
went to the meadow and he found Peredur dragging the man
about. "What art thou doing thus?" said Owain. "This iron
coat," said Peredur, "will never come from off him; not by
my efforts, at any rate." And Owain unfastened his armour
and his clothes. "Here, my good soul," said he, "is a horse
and armour better than thine. Take them joyfully, and come
with me to Arthur, to receive the order of knighthood, for
thou dost merit it." "May I never shew my face again, if I
go," said Peredur, "but take thou the goblet to Gwenhwyvar,
and tell Arthur, that wherever I am, I will be his vassal,
and will do him what profit and service I am able. And say
that I will not come to his Court, until I have encountered
the tall man that is there, to avenge the injury he did to
the dwarf and dwarfess." And Owain went back to the Court,
and related all these things to Arthur and Gwenhwyvar, and
to all the household.
And Peredur rode forward. And as he proceeded, behold a
knight met him. "Whence comest thou?" said the knight. "I
come from Arthur's Court," said Peredur. "Art thou one of
his men?" asked he. "Yes, by my faith," he answered. "A
good service, truly, is that of Arthur." "Wherefore sayest
thou so?" said Peredur. "I will tell thee," said he, "I
have always been Arthur's enemy, and all such of his men as
I have ever encountered, I have slain." And without further
parlance, they fought, and it was not long before Peredur
brought him to the ground, over his horse's crupper. Then
the knight besought his mercy. "Mercy thou shalt have,"
said Peredur, "if thou wilt make an oath to me, that thou
wilt go to Arthur's Court, and tell him that it was I that
overthrew thee, for the honour of his service; and say that
I will never come to the Court, until I have avenged the
insult offered to the dwarf and dwarfess." The knight
pledged him the faith of this, and proceeded to the Court
of Arthur, and said as he had promised, and conveyed the
threat to Kai.
And Peredur rode forward. And within that week he
encountered sixteen knights, and overthrew them all
shamefully. And they all went to Arthur's Court, taking
with them the same message which the first knight had
conveyed from Peredur, and the same threat which he had
sent to Kai. And thereupon Kai was reproved by Arthur; and
Kai was greatly grieved thereat.
And Peredur rode forward. And he came to a vast and desert
wood, on the confines of which was a lake. And on the other
side was a fair castle. And on the border of the lake he
saw a venerable hoary-headed man sitting upon a velvet
cushion, and having a garment of velvet upon him. And his
attendants were fishing in the lake. When the hoary-headed
man beheld Peredur approaching, he arose, and went towards
the castle. And the old man was lame. Peredur rode to the
palace, and the door was open, and he entered the hall. And
there was the hoary-headed man sitting on a cushion, and a
large blazing fire burning before him. And the household
and the company arose to meet Peredur, and disarrayed him.
And the man asked the youth to sit on the cushion; and they
sat down, and conversed together. When it was time, the
tables were laid, and they went to meat. And when they had
finished their meal, the man enquired of Peredur, if he
knew well how to fight with the sword. "I know not," said
Peredur, "but were I to be taught, doubtless I should."
"Whoever can play well with the cudgel and shield, will
also be able to fight with a sword." And the man had two
sons; the one had yellow hair, and the other auburn.
"Arise, youth," said he, "and play with the cudgel and the
shield." And so did they. "Tell me, my soul," said the man,
"which of the youths thinkest thou plays best?" "I think,"
said Peredur, "that the yellow-haired youth could draw
blood from the other, if he chose." "Arise thou, my life,
and take the cudgel and the shield from the hand of the
youth with the auburn hair, and draw blood from the
yellow-haired youth, if thou canst." So Peredur arose, and
went to play with the yellow-haired youth; and he lifted up
his arm, and struck him such a mighty blow, that his brow
fell over his eye, and the blood flowed forth. "Ah, my
life," said the man, "come now, and sit down, for thou wilt
become the best fighter with the sword of any in this
island; and I am thy uncle, thy mother's brother. And with
me thou shalt remain a space, in order to learn the manners
and customs of different countries, and courtesy, and
gentleness, and noble bearing. Leave, then, the habits and
the discourse of thy mother, and I will be thy teacher; and
I will raise thee to the rank of knight from this time
forward. And thus do thou. If thou seest ought to cause
thee wonder, ask not the meaning of it; if no one has the
courtesy to inform thee, the reproach will not fall upon
thee, but upon me that am thy teacher." And they had
abundance of honour and service. And when it was time, they
went to sleep. At the break of day, Peredur arose, and took
his horse, and with his uncle's permission, he rode forth.
And he came to a vast desert wood, and at the further end
of the wood was a meadow, and on the other side of the
meadow he saw a large castle. And thitherward Peredur bent
his way, and he found the gate open, and he proceeded to
the hall. And he beheld a stately hoary-headed man sitting
on one side of the hall, and many pages around hi, who
arose to receive and to honour Peredur. And they placed him
by the side of the owner of the palace. Then they
discoursed together; and when it was time to eat, they
caused Peredur to sit beside the nobleman during the
repast. And when they had eaten and drank as much as they
desired, the nobleman asked Peredur, whither he could fight
with a sword? "Were I to receive instruction," said
Peredur, "I think I could." Now, there was on the floor of
the hall a huge staple, as large as a warrior could grasp.
"Take yonder sword," said the man to Peredur, "and strike
the iron staple." So Peredur arose, and struck the staple,
so that he cut it in two; and the sword broke into two
parts also. "Place the two parts together, and reunite
them," and Peredur placed them together, and they became
entire as they were before. And a second time he struck
upon the staple, so that both it and the sword were broke
in two, and as before they reunited. And the third time he
gave it a like blow, and placed the broken parts together,
and neither the staple nor the sword would unite, as
before. "Youth," said the nobleman, "come now and sit down,
and my blessing be upon thee. Thou fightest best with the
sword of any man in the kingdom. Thou hast arrived at
two-thirds of thy strength, and the other third thou hast
not yet obtained; and when thou attainest to thy full
power, none will be able to contend with thee. I am thy
uncle, thy mother's brother, and I am brother to the man in
whose house thou wast last night." Then Peredur and his
uncle discoursed together, and he beheld two youths enter
the hall, and proceed up to the chamber, bearing a spear of
mighty size, with three streams of blood flowing from the
point to the ground. And when all the company saw this,
they began wailing and lamenting. But for all that, the man
did not break off his discourse with Peredur. And as he did
not tell Peredur the meaning of what he saw, he forebore to
ask him concerning it. And when the clamour had a little
subsided, behold two maidens entered, and a large salver
between them, in which was a man's head, surrounded by a
profusion of blood. And thereupon the company of the court
made so great an outcry, that it was irksome to be in the
same hall with them. But at length they were silent. And
when time was hat they should sleep, Peredur was brought
into a fair chamber.
And the next day, with his uncle's permission, he rode
forth. And he came to a wood, and far within the wood he
heard a loud cry, and he saw a beautiful woman with auburn
hair, and a horse with a saddle upon it, standing near her,
and a corpse by her side. And as she strove to place the
corpse upon the horse, it fell to the ground, and thereupon
she made a great lamentation. "Tell me, sister," said
Peredur, "wherefore art thou bewailing?" "Oh, accursed
Peredur, little pity has my ill fortune ever met with from
thee." "Wherefore," said Peredur, "am I accursed?" "Because
thou wast the cause of thy mother's death; for when thou
didst ride forth against her will, anguish seized upon her
heart, so that she died; and therefore art thou accursed.
And the dwarf and the dwarfess that thou sawest at Arthur's
Court, were the dwarfs of thy father and mother; and I am
thy foster-sister, and this was my wedded husband, and he
was slain by the knight that is in the glade in the wood;
and do not thou go near him, lest thou shouldest be slain
by him likewise." "My sister, thou dost reproach me
wrongfully; through my having so long remained amongst you,
I shall scarcely vanquish him; and had I continued longer
it would, indeed, be difficult for me to succeed. Cease,
therefore, thy lamenting, for it is of no avail, and I will
bury the body, and then I will go in quest of the knight,
and see if I can do vengeance upon him." And when he had
buried the body, they went to the place where the knight
was, and found him riding proudly along the glade; and he
enquired of Peredur whence he came. "I come from Arthur's
Court." "And art thou one of Arthur's men?" "Yes, by my
faith." "A profitable alliance, truly, is that of Arthur."
And without further parlance, they encountered one another,
and immediately Peredur overthrew the knight, and he
besought mercy of Peredur. "Mercy shalt thou have," said
he, "upon these terms, that thou take this woman in
marriage, and do her all the honour and reverence in thy
power, seeing thou hast, without cause, slain her wedded
husband; and that thou go to Arthur's Court, and shew him
that it was I that overthrew thee, to do him honour and
service; and that thou tell him that I will never come to
his Court again until I have met with the tall man that is
there, to take vengeance upon him for his insult to the
dwarf and dwarfess." And he took the knight's assurance,
that he would perform all this. Then the knight provided
the lady with a horse and garments that were suitable for
her, and took her with him to Arthur's Court. And he told
Arthur all that had occurred, and gave the defiance to Kai.
And Arthur and all his household reproved Kai, for having
driven such a youth as Peredur from his Court.
Said Owain the son of Urien, "This youth will never come
into the Court until Kai has gone forth from it." "By my
faith," said Arthur, "I will search all the deserts in the
island of Britain, until I find Peredur, and then let him
and his adversary do their utmost to each other."
Then Peredur rode forward. And he came to a desert wood,
where he saw not the track either of men or animals, and
where there was nothing but bushes and weeds. And at the
upper end of the wood he saw a vast castle, wherein were
many strong towers; and when he came near the gate, he
found the weeds taller than he had done elsewhere. And he
struck the gate with the shaft of his lance, and thereupon
behold a lean auburn-haired youth came to an opening in the
battlements. "Choose thou, chieftain," said he. "Whether I
shall open the gate unto thee, or shall I announce unto
those that are chief, that thou art at the gateway?" "Say
that I am here," said Peredur, "and if it is desired that I
should enter, I will go in." And the youth came back, and
opened the gate for Peredur. And when he went into the
hall, he beheld eighteen youths, lean and red-headed, of
the same height and of the same aspect, and of the same
dress, and of the same age as the one who had opened the
gate for him. And they were well skilled in courtesy and in
service. And they disarrayed him. Then they sat down to
discourse. Thereupon, behold five maidens came from the
chamber into the hall. And Peredur was certain that he had
never seen another of so fair an aspect as the chief of the
maidens. And she had an old garment of satin upon her,
which had once been handsome, but was then so tattered,
that her skin could be seen through it. And whiter was her
skin than the bloom of crystal, and her hair and her two
eyebrows were blacker than jet, and on her cheeks were two
red spots, redder than whatever is reddest. And the maiden
welcomed Peredur, and put her arms about his neck, and made
him sit down beside her. Not long after this he saw two
nuns enter and a flask full of wine was borne by one, and
six loaves of white bread by the other. "Lady," said they,
"Heaven is witness, that there is not so much of food and
liquor as this left in yonder Convent this night." Then
they went to meat, and Peredur observed that the maiden
wished to give more of the food and of the liquor to him
than to any of the others. "My sister," said Peredur, "I
will share out the food and the liquor." "Not so, my soul,"
said she. "By my faith, but I will." So Peredur took the
bread, and he gave an equal portion of it to each alike, as
well as a cup full of the liquor. And when it was time for
them to sleep, a chamber was prepared for Peredur, and he
went to rest.
"Behold, sister," said the youths to the fairest and most
exalted of the maidens, "we have counsel for thee." "What
may it be?" she enquired. "Go to the youth that is in the
upper chamber, and offer to become his wife, or the lady of
his love, if it seem well to him." "That were indeed
unfitting," said she. "Hitherto I have not been the lady
love of any knight, and to make him such an offer before I
am wooed by him, that, truly can I not do." "By our
confession to Heaven, unless you actest thus, we will leave
thee here to thy enemies, to do as they will with thee."
And through fear of this, the maiden went forth; and
shedding tears, she proceeded to the chamber. And with the
noise of the door opening, Peredur awoke; and the maiden
was weeping and lamenting. "Tell me, my sister," said
Peredur, "wherefore dost thou weep?" "I will tell thee,
lord," said she, "my father possessed these dominions as
their chief, and this palace was his, and with it he held
the best earldom in the kingdom; then the son of another
earl sought me of my father, and I was not willing to be
given unto him, and my father would not give me against my
will, either to him or any earl in the world. And my father
had no child except myself. And after my father's death,
these dominions came into my own hands, and then was I less
willing to accept him than before. So he made war upon me,
and conquered all my possessions except this one house. And
through the valour of the men whom thou hast seen, who are
my foster brothers, and the strength of the house, it can
never be taken while food and drink remain. And now our
provisions are exhausted; but as thou hast seen, we have
been fed by the nuns, to whom the country is free. And at
length they also are without supply of food or liquor. And
at no later date than tomorrow, the earl will come against
this place with all his forces; and if I fall into his
power, my fate will be no better than to be given over to
the grooms of his horses. Therefore, lord, I am come to
offer to place myself in thy hands, that thou mayest
succour me, either by taking me hence, or by defending me
here, whichever may seem best unto thee." "Go, my sister,"
said he, "and sleep; nor will I depart from thee until I do
that which thou requirest, or prove whether I can assist
thee or not." The maiden went again to rest; and the next
morning she came to Peredur, and saluted him. "Heaven
prosper thee, my soul, and what tidings dost thou bring?"
"None other, than that the earl and all his forces have
alighted at the gate, and I never beheld any place so
covered with tents, and thronged with knights challenging
others to the combat." "Truly," said Peredur, "let my horse
be made ready." So his horse was accoutred, and he arose,
and sallied forth to the meadow. And there was a knight
riding proudly along the meadow, having raised the signal
for battle. And they encountered, and Peredur threw the
knight over his horse's crupper to the ground. And at the
close of the day, one of the chief knights came to fight
with him, and he overthrew him also, so that he besought
his mercy. "Who art thou?" said Peredur. "Verily," said he,
"I am Master of the Household to the earl." "And how much
of the Countess's possessions is there in thy power?" "The
third part, verily," answered he. "Then," said Peredur,
"restore to her the third of her possessions in full, and
all the profit thou hast made by them, and bring meat and
drink for a hundred men, with their horses and arms, to her
court this night. And thou shalt remain her captive, unless
she wish to take thy life." And this he did forthwith. And
that night the maiden was right joyful, and they fared
plenteously.
And the next day Peredur rode forth to the meadow; and that
day he vanquished a multitude of the host. And at the close
of the day, there came a proud and stately knight, and
Peredur overthrew him, and he besought his mercy. "Who art
thou?" said Peredur. "I am Steward of the Palace," said he.
"And how much of the maiden's possessions are under thy
control?" "One third part," answered he. "Verily," said
Peredur, "thou shalt fully restore to the maiden her
possessions, and, moreover, thou shalt give her meat and
drink for two hundred men, and their horses and their arms.
And for thyself, thou shalt be her captive." And
immediately it was so done.
And the third day Peredur rode forth to the meadow; and he
vanquished more that day than on either of the proceeding.
And at the close of the day, an earl came to encounter him,
and he overthrew him, and he besought his mercy. "Who art
thou?" said Peredur. "I am the earl," said he. "I will not
conceal it from thee." "Verily," said Peredur, "thou shalt
restore the whole of the maiden's earldom, and shalt give
her thine own earldom in addition thereto, and meat and
drink for three hundred men, and their horses and arms, and
thou thyself shall remain in her power." And thus it was
fulfilled. And Peredur tarried three weeks in the country,
causing tribute and obedience to be paid to the maiden, and
the government to placed in her hands. "With thy leave,"
said Peredur, "I will go hence." "Verily, my brother,
desirest thou this?" "Yes, by my faith; and had it not been
for love of thee, I should not have been here thus long."
"My soul," said she, "who art thou?" "I am Peredur the son
of Evrawc from the North; and if ever thou art in trouble
or in danger, acquaint me therewith, and if I can, I will
protect thee."
So Peredur rode forth. And far thence there met him a lady,
mounted on a horse that was lean, and covered with sweat;
and she saluted the youth. "Whence comest thou, my sister?"
Then she told him the cause of her journey. Now she was the
wife of the Lord of the Glade. "Behold," said he, "I am the
knight through whom thou art in trouble, and he shall
repent it, who has treated thee thus." Thereupon, behold a
knight rode up, and he enquired of Peredur, if he had seen
a knight such as he was seeking. "Hold thy peace," said
Peredur, "I am he whom thou seekest; and by my faith, thou
deservest ill of thy household for thy treatment of the
maiden, for she is innocent concerning me." So they
encountered, and they were not long in combat ere Peredur
overthrew the knight, and he besought his mercy. "Mercy
thou shalt have," said Peredur, "so thou wilt return by the
way thou camest, and declare that thou holdest the maiden
innocent, and so that thou wilt acknowledge unto her the
reverse thou hast sustained at my hands." And the knight
plighted him his faith thereto.
Then Peredur rode forward. And above him he beheld a
castle, and thitherward he went. And he struck upon the
gate with his lance, and then, behold a comely
auburn-haired youth opened the gate, and he had the stature
of a warrior, and the years of a boy. And when Peredur came
into the hall, there was a tall and stately lady sitting in
a chair, and many handmaidens around her; and the lady
rejoiced at his coming. And when it was time, they went to
meat. And after their repast was finished, "It were well
for thee, chieftain," said she, "to go elsewhere to sleep."
"Wherefore can I not sleep here?" said Peredur. "Nine
sorceresses are here, my soul, of the sorceresses of
Gloucester, and their father and their mother are with
them; and unless we can make our escape before daybreak, we
shall be slain; and already they have conquered and laid
waste all the country, except this one dwelling." "Behold,"
said Peredur, "I will remain here to-night, and if you are
in trouble, I will do you what service I can; but harm
shall you not receive from me." So they went to rest. And
with the break of day, Peredur heard a dreadful outcry. And
he hastily arose, and went forth in his vest and his
doublet, with his sword about his neck, and he saw a
sorceress overtake one of the watch, who cried out
violently. Peredur attacked the sorceress, and struck her
upon the head with his sword, so that he flattened her
helmet and her headpiece like a dish upon her head. "Thy
mercy, goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc, and the mercy of
Heaven." "How knowest thou, hag, that I am Peredur?" "By
destiny, and the foreknowledge that I should suffer harm
from thee. And thou shalt take a horse and armour of me;
and with me thou shalt go to learn chivalry and the use of
thy arms." Said Peredur, "Thou shalt have mercy, if thou
pledge thy faith thou wilt never more injure the dominions
of the Countess." And Peredur took surety of this, and with
permission of the Countess, he set forth with the sorceress
to the palace of the sorceresses. And there he remained for
three weeks, and then he made choice of a horse and arms,
and went his way.
And in the evening he entered a valley, and at the head of
the valley he came to a hermit's cell, and the hermit
welcomed him gladly, and there he spent the night. And in
the morning he arose, and when he went forth, behold a
shower of snow had fallen the night before, and a hawk had
killed a wild fowl in front of the cell. And the noise of
the horse scared the hawk away, and a raven alighted upon
the bird. And Peredur stood, and compared the blackness of
the raven, and the whiteness of the snow, and the redness
of the blood, to the hair of the lady that best he loved,
which was blacker than jet, and to her skin which was
whiter than the snow, and to the two red spots upon her
cheeks, which were redder than the blood upon the snow
appeared to be.
Now Arthur and his household were in search of Peredur.
"Know ye," said Arthur, "who is the knight with the long
spear that stands by the brook up yonder?" "Lord," said one
of them, "I will go and learn who he is." So the youth came
to the place was Peredur was, and asked him what he did
thus, and who he was. And from the intensity with which he
thought upon the lady whom best he loved, he gave him no
answer. Then the youth thrust at Peredur with his lance,
and Peredur turned upon him, and struck him over his
horse's crupper to the ground. And after this, four and
twenty youths came to him, and he did answer one more than
another, but gave the same reception to all, bringing them
with one single thrust to the ground. And then came Kai,
and spoke to Peredur rudely and angrily; and Peredur took
him with his lance under the jaw, and cast him from him
with a thrust, so that he broke his arm and his shoulder
blade, and he rode over him one and twenty times. And while
he lay thus, stunned with the violence of the pain that he
had suffered, his horse returned back at a wild and
prancing pace. And when the household saw the horse come
back without his rider, they set forth, they rode forth in
haste to the place where the encounter had been. And when
they first came there, they thought that Kai was slain; but
they found that if he had a skilful physician, he yet might
live. And Peredur moved not from his meditation, on seeing
the concourse that was around Kai. And Kai was brought to
Arthur's tent, and Arthur caused skilful physicians to come
to him. And Arthur was grieved that Kai had met with this
reverse, for he loved him greatly.
"Then," said Gwalchmai, "it is not fitting that any should
disturb an honourable knight from his thought unadvisedly;
for either he is pondering some damage that he has
sustained, or he is thinking of the lady whom best he
loves. And through such ill-advised proceeding, perchance
this misadventure has befallen him who last met with him.
And if it seem well to thee, lord, I will go and see if
this knight has changed from his though; and if he has, I
will ask him courteously to come and visit thee." Then Kai
was wrath, and he spoke angry and spiteful words.
"Gwalchmai," said he, "I know that thou wilt bring him
because he is fatigued. Little praise and honour,
nevertheless, wilt thou have from vanquishing a weary
knight, who is tired with fighting. Yet, thus hast thou
gained the advantage over many. And while thy speech and
thy soft words last, a coat of thin linen were armour
sufficient for thee, and thou wilt not need to break either
lance or sword in fighting with the knight in the state he
is in." Then said Gwalchmai to Kai, "thou mightest use more
pleasant words, wert thou so minded; and it behoves thee
not upon me to wreak thy wrath and thy displeasure.
Methinks I shall bring the knight hither with me without
breaking either my arm or my shoulder." Than said Arthur to
Gwalchmai, "Thou speakest like a wise and a prudent man; go
and take enough of armour about thee, and choose thy
horse." And Gwalchmai accoutred himself, and rode forward
hastily to the place where Peredur was.
And Peredur was resting on the shaft of his spear,
pondering the same thought, and Gwalchmai came to him
without any signs of hostility, and said to him, "If I
thought that it would be as agreeable to thee as it would
be to me, I would converse with thee. I have also a message
from Arthur unto thee, to pray thee to come and visit him.
And two men have been before on this errand." "That is
true," said Peredur, "and uncourteously they came. They
attacked me, and I was annoyed thereat, for it was not
pleasing to me to be drawn from the thought that I was in,
for I was thinking of the lady whom best I love; and thus
was she brought to my mind, --I was looking upon the snow,
and upon the raven, and upon the drops of the blood of the
bird that the hawk had killed upon the snow. And I
bethought me that her whiteness was like that of the snow,
and that the blackness of her hair and her eyebrows was
like that of the raven, and that the two red spots upon her
cheeks were like the two drops of blood." Said Gwalchmai,
"This was not an ungentle thought, and I should marvel if
it were pleasant to thee to be drawn from it." "Tell me,"
said Peredur, "is Kai in Arthur's Court?" "He is," said he,
"and behold, he is the knight that fought with thee last;
and it would have been better for him had he not come, for
his arm and his shoulder blade were broken with the fall
which he had from thy spear." "Verily," said Peredur, "I am
not sorry to have thus begun to avenge the insult to the
dwarf and dwarfess." Then Gwalchmai marvelled to hear him
speak of the dwarf and the dwarfess; and he approached him,
and threw his arms around his neck, and asked him what was
his name. "Peredur the son of Evrawc am I called," said he,
"and thou? Who art thou?" "I am called Gwalchmai," he
replied. "I am right glad to meet with thee," said Peredur,
"for in every country where I have been, I have heard of
thy fame for prowess and uprightness, and I solicit thy
fellowship." "Thou shalt have it, by my faith, and grant me
thine," said he. "Gladly will I do so," answered Peredur.
So they rode forth together joyfully towards the place
where Arthur was; and when Kai saw them coming, he said, "I
knew that Gwalchmai needed not to fight the knight. And it
is no wonder that he should gain fame; more can he dor by
his fair words, than I by the stregth of my arm." And
Peredur went with Gwalchmai to his tent, and they took off
their armour. And Peredur put on garments like those that
Gwalchmai wore; and they went together unto Arthur, and
saluted him. "Behold, lord,"said Gwalchmai, "him whom thou
hast sought so long." "Welcome unto thee, chieftain," said
Arthur. "With me thou shalt remain; and had I known thy
valour had been such, thou shouldst not have left me as
thou didst. Nevertheless, this was predicted of thee by the
dwarf and the dwarfess, whom Kai ill treated, and whom thou
hast avenged." And hereupon, behold there came the Queen
and her handmaidens, and Peredur saluted them. And they
were rejoiced to see him, and bade him welcome. And Arthur
did him great honour and respect, and they returned towards
Caerlleon.
And the first night, Peredur came to Caerlleon, to Arthur's
Court, and as he walked in the city after his repast,
behold there met him Angharad Law Eurawc. "By my faith,
sister," said Peredur, "thou art a beauteous and lovely
maiden; and were it pleasing to thee, I could love thee
above all women." "I pledge my faith," said she, "that I do
not love thee, nor will I ever do so." "I also pledge my
faith," said Peredur, "that I will never speak a word to
any Christian again, until thou come to love me above all
men."
The next day, Peredur went forth by the high road, along a
mountain ridge, and he saw a valley of a circular form, the
confines of which were rocky and wooded. And the flat part
of the valley was in meadows, and there were fields betwixt
the meadows and the wood. And in the bosom of the wood he
saw large black houses, of uncouth workmanship. And he
dismounted, and led his horse towards the wood. And a
little way within the wood he saw a rocky ledge, along
which the road lay. And upon the ledge was a lion bound by
a chain, and sleeping. And beneath the lion he saw a deep
pit, of immense size, full of bones of men and animals. And
Peredur drew his sword, and struck the lion, so that he
fell into the mouth of the pit, and hung there by the
chain; and with a second blow he struck the chain, and
broke it, and the lion fell into the pit, and Peredur led
his horse over the rocky ledge, until he came into the
valley. And in the centre of the valley he saw a fair
castle, and he went towards it. And in the meadow by the
castle he beheld a huge grey man sitting, who was larger
than any man he had ever before seen. And two young pages
were shooting the hilts of their daggers, of the bone of
the sea horse. And one of the pages had red hair, and the
other auburn. And they went before him to the place where
the grey man was. And Peredur saluted him. And the grey man
said, "Disgrace to the beard of my porter." Then Peredur
understood that the porter was the lion. And the grey man
and the pages went together into the Castle, and Peredur
accompanied them; and he found it a fair and noble place.
And they proceeded to the hall, and the tables were already
laid, and upon them was abundance of food and liquor. And
thereupon he saw an aged woman and a young woman come from
the chamber; and they were the most stately women he had
ever seen. Then they washed, and went to meat, and the grey
man sat in the upper seat at the head of the table, and the
aged woman next to him. And Peredur and the maiden were
placed together; and the two young pages served them. And
the maiden gazed sorrowfully upon Peredur, and Peredur
asked the maiden wherefore she was sad. "For thee, my soul;
for, from when I first beheld thee, I have loved thee above
all men. And it pains me to know that so gentle a youth as
thou should have such a doom as awaits thee to-morrow.
Sawest thou the numerous black houses in the bosom of the
wood. All these belong to the vassals of the grey man
yonder, who is my father. And they all are giants. And
tomorrow they will rise up against thee, and will slay
thee. And the Round Valley is this valley called." "Listen,
fair maiden, wilt thou contrive that my horse and arms be
in the same lodging with me tonight." "Gladly will I cause
it so to be, by Heaven, if I can."
And when it was time for them to sleep rather than to
carouse, they went to rest. And the maiden caused Peredur's
horse and arms to be in the same lodging with him. And the
next morning Peredur heard a great tumult of men and horses
around the Castle. And Peredur arose, and armed himself and
his horse, and went to the meadow. Then the aged woman and
the maiden came to the grey man, "Lord," said they, "take
the word of the youth, that he will never disclose what he
has seen in this place, and we will be his sureties that he
keep it." "I will not do so, my faith," said the grey man.
So Peredur fought with the host; and towards evening, he
had slain the one-third of them without receiving any hurt
himself. Then said the aged woman, "Behold, many of thy
host have been slain by the youth. Do thou, therefore,
frant him mercy." "I will not grant it, by my faith," said
he. And the aged woman and the fair maiden were upon the
battlements of the Castle, looking forth. And at that
juncture, Peredur encountered the yellow-haired youth, and
slew him. "Lord," said the maiden, "grant the young man
mercy." "That will I not do, by Heaven," he replied; and
thereupon Peredur attacked the auburn-haired youth, and
slew him likewise. "It were better thou hadst accorded
mercy to the youth, before he had slain thy two sons; for
now scarcely wilt thou thyself excape from him." "Go,
maiden, and beseech the youth to grant mercy unto us, for
we yield ourselves into his hands." So the maiden came to
the place where Peredur was, and besought mercy for her
father, and for all such of his vassals as had escaped
alive. "Thou shalt have it, on condition that thy father,
and all that are under him, go and render homage to Arthur,
and tell him that it was his vassal Peredur that did him
this service." "This will we do willingly, by Heaven." "And
you shall also receive baptism; and I will send to Arthur,
and beseech him to bestow this valley upon thee, and upon
thy heirs after thee for ever." Then they went in, and the
grey man and the tall woman saluted Peredur. And the grey
man said unto him, "Since I have possessed this valley, I
have not seen any Christian depart with his life, save
thyself. And we will go to do homage to Arthur, and to
embrace the faith, and be baptized." Then said Peredur, "To
Heaven I render thanks that I have not broken my vow to the
lady that best I love, which was, that I would not speak
one word unto any Christian."
That night they tarried there. And the next day, in the
morning, the grey man, with his company, set forth to
Arthur's Court; and they did homage unto Arthur, and he
caused them to be baptized. And the grey man told Arthur,
that it was Peredur that had vanquished them. And Arthur
gave the valley to the grey man and his company, to hold it
of him as Peredur had besought. And with Arthur's
permission, the grey man went back to the Round Valley.
Peredur rode forward next day, and he traversed a vast
tract of desert, in which no dwellings were. And at length
he came to a habitation, mean and small. And there he heard
that there was a serpent that lay upon a gold ring, and
suffered none to inhabit the country for seven miles
around. And Peredur came to the place where he heard the
serpent was. And angrily, furiously, and desperately,
fought he with the serpent; and at the last he killed it,
and took away the ring. And thus he was for a long time
without speaking a word to any Christian. And therefrom he
lost his colour and his aspect, through extreme longing
after the Court of Arthur, and the society of the lady whom
best he loved, and of his companions. Then he proceeded
forward to Arthur's Court, and on there met him Arthur's
household, going on a particular errand, with Kai at their
head. And Peredur knew them all, but none of the household
recognised him. "Whence comest thou, chieftain?" said Kai.
And this he asked him twice, and three times, and he
answered him not. And Kai thrust him through the thigh with
his lance. And lest he be compelled to speak, and to break
his vow, he went on without stopping. "Then," said
Gwalchmai, "I declare to Heaven, Kai, that thou hast acted
ill in committing such an outrage on a youth like this, who
cannot speak." And Gwalchmai returned back to Arthur's
Court. "Lady," said he to Gwenhwyvar, "seest thou how
wicked an outrage Kai has committed upon this youth who
cannot speak; for Heaven's sake, and for mine, cause him to
have medial care before I come back, and I will repay thee
the charge."
And before the men returned from their errand, a knight
came to the meadow beside Arthur's Palace, to dare some one
to the encounter. And his challenge was accepted; and
Peredur fought with him, and overthrew him. And for a week
he overthrew one knight every day.
And one day, Arthur and his household were going to Church,
and they beheld a knight who had raised the signal for
combat. "Verily," said Arthur, "by the valour of men, I
will not go hence until I have my horse and my arms to
overthrow yonder boor." Then went the attendants to fetch
Arthur's horse and arms. And Peredur met the attendants as
they were going back, and he took the horse and arms from
them, and proceeded to the meadow; and all those who saw
him arise and go to do battle with the knight, went upon
the tops of the houses, and the mounds, and the high
places, to behold the combat. And Peredur spurred his
horse, and ran at him wrathfully, furiously, fiercely,
desperately, and with mighty rage, and he gave him a
thrust, deadly-wounding, severe, furious, adroit and
strong, under his jaw, and raised him out of his saddle,
and cast him a long way from him. And Peredur went back,
and left the horse and the arms with the attendant as
before, and he went on foot to the Palace.
Then Peredur went by the name of the Dumb Youth. And
behold, Angharad Law Eurawc met him. "I declare to Heaven,
chieftain," said she, "woeful is it that thou canst not
speak; for couldst thou speak, I would love thee best of
all men; and by my faith, although thou canst not, I do
love thee above all." "Heaven reward thee, my sister."
Thereupon was it known that he was Peredur. And then he
held fellowship with Gwalchmai, and Owain the son of Urien,
and all the household, and he remained in Arthur's Court.
Arthur was in Caerlleon upon Usk; and he went to hunt, and
Peredur went with him. And Peredur let loose his dog upon a
hart, and the dog killed the hart in a desert place. And a
short space from him he saw signs of a dwelling, and
towards the dwelling he went, and he beheld a hall, and at
the door of the hall he found bald swarthy youths playing
at chess. And when he entered, he beheld three maidens
sitting on a bench, and they were all clothed alike, as
became persons of high rank. And he came, and sat by them
upon the bench; and one of the maidens looked steadfastly
upon Peredar, and wept. And Peredur asked her wherefore she
was weeping. " Through grief, that I should see so fair a
youth as thou art, slain." "Who will slay me?" inquired
Peredur. "If thou art so daring as to remain here to-night,
I will tell thee." "How great soever my danger may be from
remaining here, I will listen unto thee." "This Palace is
owned by him who is my father," said the maiden, "and he
slays every one who comes hither without his leave." What
sort of a man is thy father, that he is able to slay every
one thus?" "A man who does violence and wrong unto his
neighbours, and who renders justice unto none." And
hereupon he saw the youths arise and clear the chessmen
from the board. And he heard a great tumult; and after the
tumult there came in a huge black one-eyed man, and the
maidens arose to meet him. And they disarrayed him, and he
went and sat down; and after he had rested and pondered
awhile, he looked at Peredur, and asked who the knight was.
"Lord," said one of the maidens, "he is the fairest and
gentlest youth that ever thou didst see. And for the sake
of Heaven, and of thine own dignity, have patience with
him." "For thy sake I will have patience, and I will grant
him his life this night." Then Peredur came towards them to
the fire, and partook of food and liquor, and entered into
discourse with the ladies. And being elated with the
liquor, he said to the black man, "It is a marvel to me, so
mighty as thou sayest thou art, who could have put out
thine eye." "It is one of my habits," said the black man,
that whosoever puts to me the question which thou hast
asked, shall not escape with his life, either as a free
gift or foraprice." "Lord," said the maiden, "whatsoever he
may say to thee in jest, and through the excitement of
liquor, make good that which thou saidst and didst promise
me just now." "I will do so, gladly, for thy sake," said
he. "Willingly will I grant him his life this night." And
that night thus they remained.
And the next day the black man got up, and put on his
armour, and said to Peredur, "Arise, man, and suffer
death." And Peredur said unto him, "Do one of two things,
black man; if thou wilt fight with me, either throw off thy
own armour, or give arms to me, that I may encounter thee."
"Ha! man," said he, "couldst thou fight, if thou hadst
arms? Take, then, what arms thou dost choose." And
thereupon the maiden came to Peredur with such arms as
pleased him; and he fought with the black man, and forced
him to crave his mercy. "Black man, thou shalt have mercy,
provided thou tell me who thou art, and who put out thine
eye." "Lord, I will tell thee; I lost it in fighting with
the Black Serpent of the Carn. There is a mound, which is
called the Mound of Mourning; and on the mound there is a
carn, and in the carn there is a serpent, and on the tail
of the serpent there is a stone, and the virtues of the
stone are such, that whosoever should hold it in one hand,
in the other he will have as much gold as he may desire.
And in fighting with this serpent was it that I lost my
eye. And the Black Oppressor am I called. And for this
reason I am called the Black Oppressor, that there is not a
single man around me whom I have not oppressed, and justice
have I done unto none." "Tell me," said Peredur, "how far
is it hence?" "Thesame day that thou settest forth, thou
wilt come to the Palace of the Sons of the King of the
Tortures." "Wherefore are they called thus?" "The Addanc of
the Lake slays them once every day. When thou goest thence,
thou wilt come to the Court of the Countess of the
Achievements." "What achievements are there?" asked
Peredur. "Three hundred men there are in her household, and
unto every stranger that comes to the Court, the
achievements of her household are related. And this is the
manner of it, - the three hundred men of the household sit
next unto the Lady ; and that not through disrespect unto
the guests, but that they may relate the achievements of
the household. And the day that thou goest thence, thou
wilt reach the Mound of Mourning, and round about the mound
there are the owners of three hundred tents guarding the
serpent." "Since thou hast, indeed, been an oppressor so
long," said Peredur, "I will cause that thou continue so no
longer." So he slew him.
Then the maiden spoke, and began to converse with him. "If
thou wast poor when thou camest here, henceforth thou wilt
be rich through the treasure of the black man whom thou
hast slain. Thou seest the many lovely maidens that there
are in this Court; thou shalt have her whom thou best
likest for the lady of thy love." "Lady, I came not hither
from my country to woo; but match yourselves as it liketh
you with the comely youths I see here; and none of your
goods do I desire, for I need them not." Then Peredur rode
forward, and he came to the Palace of the Sons of the King
of the Tortures; and when he entered the Palace, he saw
none but women; and they rose up, and were joyful at his
coming; and as they began to discourse with him, he beheld
a charger arrive, with a saddle upon it, and a corpse in
the saddle. And one of the women arose, and took the corpse
from the saddle, and anointed it in a vessel of warm water,
which was below the door and placed precious balsam upon
it; and the man rose up alive, and came to the place where
Peredur was, and greeted him, and was joyful to see him.
And two other men came in upon their saddles, and the
maiden treated these two in the same manner as she had done
the first. Then Peredur asked the chieftain wherefore it
was thus. And they told him, that there was an Addanc in a
cave, which slew them once every day. And thus they
remained that night.
And next morning the youths arose to sally forth, and
Peredur besought them, for the sake of the ladies of their
love, to permit him to go with them; but they refused him,
saying, "If thou shouldst be slain there, thou hast none to
bring thee back to life again." And they rode forward, and
Peredur followed after them; and, after they had
disappeared out of his sight, he came to a mound, whereon
sat the fairest lady he had ever beheld. "I know thy
quest," said she; "thou art going to encounter the Addanc,
and he will slay thee, and that not by courage, but by
craft. He has a cave, and at the entrance of the cave there
is a stone pillar, and he sees every one that enters, and
none see him; and from behind the pillar he slays every one
with a poisonous dart. And if thou wouldst pledge me thy
faith to love me above all women, I would give thee a
stone, by which thou shouldst see him when thou goest in,
and he should not see thee." "I will, by my troth," said
Peredur, "for when first I beheld thee I loved thee; and
where shall I seek thee?" "When thou seekest me, seek
towards India." And the maiden vanished, after placing the
stone in Peredur's hand.
And he came towards a valley, through which ran a river;
and the borders of the valley were wooded, and on each side
of the river were level meadows. And on one side of the
river he saw a flock of white sheep, and on the other a
flock of black sheep. And whenever one of the white sheep
bleated, one of the black sheep would cross over and become
white; and when one of the black sheep bleated, one of the
white sheep would cross over, and become black. And he saw
a tall tree by the side of the river, one half of which was
in flames from the root to the top, and the other half was
green and in full leaf. And nigh thereto he saw a youth
sitting upon a mound, and two greyhounds, white-breasted
and spotted, in leashes, lying by his side. And certain was
he that he had never seen a youth of so royal a bearing as
he. And in the wood opposite he heard hounds raising a herd
of deer. And Peredur saluted the youth, and the youth
greeted him in return. And there were three roads leading
from the mound; two of them were wide roads, and the third
was more narrow. And Peredur inquired where the three roads
went. "One of them goes to my palace," said the youth; "and
one of two things I counsel thee to do; either to proceed
to my palace, which is before thee, and where thou wilt
find my wife, or else to remain here to see the hounds
chasing the roused deer from the wood to the plain. And
thou shalt see the best greyhounds thou didst ever behold,
and the boldest in the chase, kill them by the water beside
us; and when it is time to go to meat, my page will come
with my horse to meet me, and thou shalt rest in my palace
to-night." "Heaven reward thee; but I cannot tarry, for
onward must I go." "The other road leads to the town, which
is near here, and wherein food and liquor may be bought;
and the road which is narrower than the others goes towards
the cave of the Addanc." "With thy permission, young man, I
will go that way."
And Peredur went towards the cave. And he took the stone in
his left hand, and his lance in his right. And as he went
in he perceived the Addanc, and he pierced him through with
his lance, and cut off his head. And as he came from the
cave, behold the three companions were at the entrance; and
they saluted Peredur, and told him that there was a
prediction that he should slay that monster. And Peredur
gave the head to the young men, and they offered him in
marriage whichever of the three sisters he might choose,
and half their kingdom with her. " I came not hither to
woo," said Peredur, " but if peradventure I took a wife, I
should prefer your sister to all others."
And Peredur rode forward, and he heard a noise behind him.
And he looked back, and saw a man upon a red horse, with
red armour upon him; and the man rode up by his side, and
saluted him, and wished him the favour of Heaven and of
man. And Peredur greeted the youth kindly. "Lord, I come to
make a request unto thee." "What wouldest thou?" "That thou
shouldest take me as thine attendant." "Whom then should I
take as my attendant, if I did so?" "I will not conceal
from thee what kindred I am of. Etlym Gleddyv Coch am I
called, an Earl from the East Country." "I marvel that thou
shouldest offer to become attendant to a man whose
possessions are no greater than thine own ; for I have but
an earldom like thyself. But since thou desirest to be my
attendant, I will take thee joyfully."
And they went forward to the Court of the Countess, and all
they of the Court were glad at their coming; and they were
told it was not through disrespect they were placed below
the household, but that such was the usage of the Court.
For, whoever should overthrow the three hundred men of her
household, would sit next the Countess, and she would love
him above all men. And Peredur having overthrown the three
hundred men of her household, sat down beside her, and the
Countess said, "I thank Heaven that I have a youth so fair
and so valiant as thou, since I have not obtained the man
whom best I love." "Who is he whom best thou lovest?" "By
my faith, Etlym Gleddyv Coch is the man whom I love best,
and I have never seen him." "Of a truth, Etlym is my
companion; and behold here he is, and for his sake did I
come to joust with thy household. And he could have done so
better than I, had it pleased him. And I do give thee unto
him." "Heaven reward thee, fair youth, and I will take the
man whom I love above all others." And the Countess became
Etlym's bride from that moment.
And the next day Peredur set forth towards the Mound of
Mourning. "By thy hand, lord, but I will go with thee,"
said Etlym. Then they went forwards till they came in sight
of the mound and the tents. "Go unto yonder men," said
Peredur to Etlym, "and desire them to come and do me
homage." So Etlym went unto them, and said unto them
thus,-" Come and do homage to my lord." "Who is thy lord?"
said they. "Peredur with the long lance is my lord," said
Etlym. "Were it permitted to slay a messenger, thou
shouldest not go back to thy lord alive, for making unto
Kings, and Earls, and Barons, so arrogant a demand as to go
and do him homage." Peredur desired him to go back to them,
and to give them their choice, either to do him homage, or
to do battle with him. And they chose rather to do battle.
And that day Peredur overthrew the owners of a hundred
tents; and the next day he overthrew the owners of a
hundred more; and the third day the remaining hundred took
counsel to do homage to Peredur. And Peredur inquired of
them, wherefore they were there. And they told him they
were guarding the serpent until he should die. "For then
should we fight for the stone among ourselves, and whoever
should be conqueror among us would have the stone." "Await
here," said Peredur, "and I will go to encounter the
serpent." "Not so, lord," said they; "we will go altogether
to encounter the serpent." "Verily," said Peredur, "that
will I not permit; for if the serpent be slain, I shall
derive no more fame therefrom than one of you." Then he
went to the place where the serpent was, and slew it, and
came back to them, and said, "Reckon up what you have spent
since you have been here, and I will repay you to the
full." And he paid to each what he said was his claim. And
he required of them only that they should acknowledge
themselves his vassals. And he said to Etlym, "Go back unto
her whom thou lovest best, and I will go forwards, and I
will reward thee for having been my attendant." And he gave
Etlym the stone. "Heaven repay thee and prosper thee," said
Etlym.
And Peredur rode thence, and he came to the fairest valley
he had ever seen, through which ran a river; and there he
beheld many tents of various colours. And he marvelled
still more at the number of water-mills and of windmills
that he saw. And there rode up with him a tall
auburn-haired man, in a workman's garb, and Peredur
inquired of him who he was. "I am the chief miller," said
he, "of all the mills yonder." "Wilt thou give me lodging?"
said Peredur. "I will, gladly," he answered. And Peredur
came to the miller's house, and the miller had a fair and
pleasant dwelling. And Peredur asked money as a loan from
the miller, that he might buy meat and liquor for himself
and for the household, and he promised that he would pay
him again ere he went thence. And he inquired of the
miller, wherefore such a multitude was there assembled.
Said the miller to Peredur, "One thing is certain: either
thou art a man from afar, or thou art beside thyself. The
Empress of Cristinobyl the Great is here; and she will have
no one but the man who is most valiant; for riches does she
not require. And it was impossible to bring food for so
many thousands as are here, therefore were all these mills
constructed." And that night they took their rest.
And the next day Peredur arose, and he equipped himself and
his horse for the tournament. And among the other tents he
beheld one, which was the fairest he had ever seen. And he
saw a beauteous maiden leaning her head out of a window of
the tent, and he had never seen a maiden more lovely than
she. And upon her was a garment of satin. And he gazed
fixedly on the maiden, and began to love her greatly. And
he remained there, gazing upon the maiden from morning
until mid-day, and from mid-day until evening; and then the
tournament was ended, and he went to his lodging and drew
off his armour. Then he asked money of the miller as a
loan, and the miller's wife was wroth with Peredur;
nevertheless, the miller lent him the money. And the next
day he did in like manner as he had done the day before.
And at night he came to his lodging, and took money as a
loan from the miller. And the third day, as he was in the
same place, gazing upon the maiden, he felt a hard blow
between the neck and the shoulder, from the edge of an axe.
And when he looked behind him, he saw that it was the
miller; and the miller said to him, "Do one of two things
either turn thy head from hence, or go to the tournament."
And Peredur smiled on the miller, and went to the
tournament; and all that encountered him that day he
overthrew. And as many as he vanquished he sent as a gift
to the Empress, and their horses and arms he sent as a gift
to the wife of the miller, in payment of the borrowed
money. Peredur attended the tournament until all were
overthrown, and he sent all the men to the prison of the
Empress, and the horses and arms to the wife of the miller,
in payment of the borrowed money. And the Empress sent to
the Knight of the Mill, to ask him to come and visit her.
And Peredur went not for the first nor for the second
message. And the third time she sent a hundred knights to
bring him against his will, and they went to him and told
him their mission from the Empress. And Peredur fought well
with them, and caused them to be bound like stags, and
thrown into the milldyke. And the Empress sought advice of
a wise man who was in her counsel; and he said to her,
"With thy permission, I will go to him myself." So he came
to Peredur, and saluted him, and besought him, for the sake
of the lady of his love, to come and visit the Empress. And
they went, together with the miller. And Peredur went and
sat down in the outer chamber of the tent, and she came and
placed herself by his side. And there was but little
discourse between them. And Peredur took his leave, and
went to his lodging.
And the next day he came to visit her, and when he came
into the tent there was no one chamber less decorated than
the others. And they knew not where he would sit. And
Peredur went and sat beside the Empress, and discoursed
with her courteously. And while they were thus, they beheld
a black man enter with a goblet full of wine in his hand.
And he dropped upon his knee before the Empress, and
besought her to give it to no one who would not fight with
him for it. And she looked upon Peredur. "Lady," said he,
bestow on me the goblet." And Peredur drank the wine. and
gave the goblet to the miller's wife. And while they were
thus, behold there entered a black man of larger stature
than the other, with a wild beast's claw in his hand,
wrought into the form of a goblet and filled with wine. And
he presented it to the Empress, and besought her to give it
to no one but the man who would fight with him. "Lady,"
said Peredur, "bestow it on me." And she gave it to him.
And Peredur drank the wine, and sent the goblet to the wife
of the miller. And while they were thus, behold a
rough-looking, crisp-haired man, taller than either of the
others, came in with a bowl in his hand full of wine; and
he bent upon his knee, and gave it into the hands of the
Empress, and he besought her to give it to none but him who
would fight with him for it; and she gave it to Peredur,
and he sent it to the miller's wife. And that night Peredur
returned to his lodging; and the next day he accoutred
himself and his horse, and went to the meadow and slew the
three men. Then Peredur proceeded to the tent, and the
Empress said to him, "Goodly Peredur, remember the faith
thou didst pledge me when I gave thee the stone, and thou
didst kill the Addanc." "Lady," answered he, "thou sayest
truth, I do remember it." And Peredur was entertained by
the Empress fourteen years, as the story relates.
Arthur was at Caerlleon upon Usk, his principal palace; and
in the centre of the floor of the hall were four men
sitting on a carpet of velvet, Owain the son of Urien, and
Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, and Howel the son of Emyr
Llydaw, and Peredur of the long lance. And thereupon they
saw a black curly-headed maiden enter, riding upon a yellow
mule, with jagged thongs in her hand to urge it on; and
having a rough and hideous aspect. Blacker were her face
and her two hands than the blackest iron covered with
pitch; and her hue was not more frightful than her form.
High cheeks had she, and a face lengthened downwards, and a
short nose with distended nostrils. And one eye was of a
piercing mottled grey, and the other was as black as jet,
deep-sunk in her head. And her teeth were long and yellow,
more yellow were they than the flower of the broom. And her
stomach rose from the breast -bone, higher than her chin.
And her back was in the shape of a crook, and her legs were
large and bony. And her figure was very thin and spare,
except her feet and her legs, which were of huge size. And
she greeted Arthur and all his household except Peredur.
And to Peredur she spoke harsh and angry words. "Peredur, I
greet thee not, seeing that thou dost not merit it. Blind
was fate in giving thee fame and favour. When thou wast in
the Court of the Lame King, and didst see there the youth
bearing the streaming spear, from the points of which were
drops of blood flowing in streams, even to the hand of the
youth, and many other wonders likewise, thou didst not
inquire their meaning nor their cause. Hadst thou done so,
the King would have been restored to health, and his
dominions to peace. Whereas from henceforth, he will have
to endure battles and conflicts, and his knights will
perish, and wives will be widowed, and maidens will be left
portionless, and all this is because of thee." Then said
she unto Arthur, "May it please thee, lord, my dwelling is
far hence, in the stately castle of which thou hast heard,
and therein are five hundred and sixty-six knights of the
order of Chivalry, and the lady whom best he loves with
each; and whoever would acquire fame in arms, and
encounters, and conflicts, he will gain it there, if he
deserve it. And whoso would reach the Summit of fame and of
honour, I know where he may find it. There is a Castle on a
lofty mountain, and there is a maiden therein, and she is
detained a prisoner there, and whoever shall set her free
will attain the summit of the fame of the world." And
thereupon she rode away.
Said Gwalchmai, " By my faith, I will not rest tranquilly
until I have proved if I can release the maiden." And many
of Arthur's household joined themselves with him. Then,
likewise, said Peredur, "By my faith, I will not rest
tranquilly until I know the story and the meaning of the
lance whereof the black maiden spoke." And while they were
equipping themselves, behold a knight came to the gate. And
he had the size and the strength of a warrior, and was
equipped with arms and habiliments. And he went forward,
and saluted Arthur and all his household, except Gwalchmai.
And the knight had upon his shoulder a shield, ingrained
with gold, with a fesse of azure blue upon it, and his
whole armour was of the same hue. And he said to Gwalchmai,
"Thou didst slay my lord by thy treachery and deceit, and
that will I prove upon thee." Then Gwalchmai rose up.
"Behold," said he, "here is my gage against thee, to
maintain, either in this place or wherever else thou wilt,
that I am not a traitor or deceiver." "Before the King whom
I obey, will I that my encounter with thee take place,"
said the knight. "Willingly," said Gwalchmai; "go forward,
and I will follow thee." So the knight went forth, and
Gwalchmai accoutred himself, and there was offered unto him
abundance of armour, but he would take none but his own.
And when Gwalchmai and Peredur were equipped, they set
forth to follow him, by reason of their fellowship and of
the great friendship that was between them. And they did
not go after him in company together, but each went his own
way.
At the dawn of day Gwalchmai came to a valley, and in the
valley he saw a fortress and within the fortress a vast
palace and lofty towers around it. And he beheld a knight
coming out to hunt from the other side, mounted on a
spirited black snorting palfrey, that advanced at a
prancing pace, proudly stepping, and nimbly bouncing, and
sure of foot; and this was the man to whom the palace
belonged. And Gwalchmai saluted him. "Heaven prosper thee,
chieftain," said he, "And whence comest thou?" "I come,"
answered Gwalchmai, "from the Court of Arthur." "And art
thou Arthur's vassel?" "Yes, by my faith," said Gwalchmai.
"I will give thee good counsel," said the knight. "I see
that thou art tired and weary; go unto my palace, if it may
please thee, and tarry there tonight." "Willingly, lord,"
said he, "and Heaven reward thee." "Take this ring as a
token to the porter, and go forward to yonder tower, and
therein thou wilt find my sister." And Gwalchmai went to
the gate, and showed the ring, and proceeded to the tower.
And on entering he beheld a large blazing fire, burning
without smoke and with a bright and lofty flame, and a
beauteous and stately maiden was sitting on a chair by the
fire. And the maiden was glad at his coming, and welcomed
him, and advanced to meet him. And he went and sat beside
the maiden, and they took their repast. And when their
repast was over, they discoursed pleasantly together. And
while they were thus, behold there entered a venerable,
hoary-headed man. "Ah! base girl," said he, "if thou didst
think that it was right for thee to entertain and to sit by
yonder man, thou wouldest not do so." And he withdrew his
head, and went forth. "Ah! chieftain," said the maiden, "if
thou wilt do as I counsel thee, thou wilt shut the door,
lest the man should have a plot against thee." Upon that
Gwalchmai arose, and when he came near unto the door, the
man, with sixty others, fully armed, were ascending the
tower. And Gwalchmai defended the door with a chess-board,
that none might enter until the man should return from the
chase. And thereupon, behold the Earl arrived. "What is all
this?" asked he. It is a sad thing," said the hoary-headed
man; "the young girl yonder has been sitting and eating
with him who slew your father. He is Gwalchmai, the son of
Gwyar." "Hold thy peace, then," said the Earl, "I will go
in." And the Earl was joyful concerning Gwalchmai. " Ha!
chieftain," said he, "it was wrong of thee to come to my
court, when thou knewest that thou didst slay my father;
and though we cannot avenge him, Heaven will avenge him
upon thee." "My soul," said Gwalchmai, " thus it is: I came
not here either to acknowledge or to deny having slain thy
father; but I am on a message from Arthur, and therefore do
I crave the space of a year until I shall return from my
embassy, and then, upon my faith, I will come back unto
this palace, and do one of two things, either acknowledge
it, or deny it." And the time was granted him willingly;
and he remained there that night. And the next morning he
rode forth. And the story relates nothing further of
Gwalchmai respecting this adventure.
And Peredur rode forward. And he wandered over the whole
island, seeking tidings of the black maiden, and he could
meet with none. And he came to an unknown land, in the
centre of a valley, watered by a river. And as he traversed
the valley he beheld a horseman coming towards him, and
wearing the garments of a priest; and he besought his
blessing. "Wretched man," said he, " thou meritest no
blessing, and thou wouldest not be profited by one, seeing
that thou art clad in armour on such a day as this." "And
what day is to-day?" said Peredur. "To-day is Good Friday,"
he answered. "Chide me not that I knew not this, seeing
that it is a year to-day since I journeyed forth from my
country." Then he dismounted, and led his horse in his
hand. And he had not proceeded far along the high road
before he came to a cross road, and the cross road
traversed a wood. And on the other side of the wood he saw
an unfortified castle, which appeared to be inhabited. And
at the gate of the castle there met him the priest whom he
had seen before, and he asked his blessing. "The blessing
of Heaven be unto thee," said he, "it is more fitting to
travel in thy present guise than as thou wast erewhile; and
this night thou shalt tarry with me." So he remained there
that night.
And the next day Peredur sought to go forth. "To-day may no
one journey. Thou shalt remain with me to-day and
to-morrow, and the day following, and I will direct thee as
best I may to the place which thou art seeking." And the
fourth day Peredur sought to go forth, and he entreated the
priest to tell him how he should find the Castle of
Wonders. "What I know thereof I will tell thee," he
replied. "Go over yonder mountain, and on the other side of
the mountain thou wilt come to a river, and in the valley
wherein the river runs is a King's Palace, wherein the King
sojourned during Easter. And if thou mayest have tidings
any-where of the Castle of Wonders, thou wilt have them
there."
Then Peredur rode forward. And he came to the valley in
which was the river, and there met him a number of men
going to hunt, and in the midst of them was a man of
exalted rank, and Peredur saluted him. "Choose, chieftain,"
said the man, " whether thou wilt go with me to the chase,
or wilt proceed to my palace, and I will dispatch one of my
household to commend thee to my daughter, who is there, and
who will entertain thee with food and liquor until I return
from hunting; and whatever may be thine errand, such as I
can obtain for thee thou shalt gladly have." And the King
sent a little yellow page with him as an attendant; and
when they came to the palace the lady had arisen, and was
about to wash before meat. Peredur went forward, and she
saluted him joyfully, and placed him by her side. And they
took their repast. And whatsoever Peredur said unto her,
she laughed loudly, so that all in the palace could hear.
Then spoke the yellow page to the lady. "By my faith," said
he, "this youth is already thy husband; or if he be not,
thy mind and thy thoughts are set upon him." And the little
yellow page went unto the King, and told him that it seemed
to him that the youth whom he had met with was his
daughter's husband, or if he were not so already that he
would shortly become so unless he were cautious. "What is
thy counsel in this matter, youth?" said the King. "My
counsel is," he replied, "that thou set strong men upon
him, to seize him, until thou hast ascertained the truth
respecting this." So he set strong men upon Peredur, who
seized him and cast him into prison. And the maiden went
before her father, and asked him wherefore he had caused
the youth from Arthur's Court to be imprisoned. "In truth,"
he answered, "he shall not be free to-night, nor to-morrow,
nor the day following, and he shall not come from where he
is." She replied not to what the King had said, but she
went to the youth. "Is it unpleasant to thee to be here?"
said she. "I should not care if I were not," he replied.
"Thy couch and thy treatment shall be in no wise inferior
to that of the King himself, and thou shalt have the best
entertainment that the palace affords. And if it were more
pleasing to thee that my couch should be here, that I might
discourse with thee, it should be so, cheerfully." "This
can I not refuse," said Peredur. And he remained in prison
that night. And the maiden provided all that she had
promised him.
And the next day Peredur heard a tumult in the town. "Tell
me, fair maiden, what is that tumult?" said Peredur. "All
the King's hosts and his forces have come to the town
to-day." "And what seek they here?" he inquired. "There is
an Earl near this place who possesses two Earldoms, and is
as powerful as a King; and an engagement will take place
between them to-day." "I beseech thee," said Peredur, "to
cause a horse and arms to be brought, that I may view the
encounter, and I promise to come back to my prison again."
"Gladly," said she, "will I provide thee with horse and
arms." So she gave him a horse and arms, and a bright
scarlet robe of honour over his armour, and a yellow shield
upon his shoulder. And he went to the combat; and as many
of the Earl's men as encountered him that day he overthrew;
and he returned to his prison. And the maiden asked tidings
of Peredur, and he answered her not a word. And she went
and asked tidings of her father, and inquired who had
acquitted himself best of the household. And he said that
he knew not, but that it was a man with a scarlet robe of
honour over his armour, and a yellow shield upon his
shoulder. Then she smiled, and returned to where Peredur
was, and did him great honour that night. And for three
days did Peredur slay the Earl's men; and before any one
could know who he was, he returned to his prison. And the
fourth day Peredur slew the Earl himself. And the maiden
went unto her father, and inquired of him the news. "I have
good news for thee," said the King; "the Earl is slain, and
I am the owner of his two earldoms." "Knowest thou lord,
who slew him?" "I do not know," said the King. "It was the
knight with the scarlet robe of honour and the yellow
shield." "Lord," said she, " I know who that is." "By
Heaven!" he exclaimed, "who is he?" "Lord," she replied,
"he is the knight whom thou hast imprisoned." Then he went
unto Peredur, and saluted him, and told him that he would
reward the service he had done him, in any way he might
desire. And when they went to meat, Peredur was placed
beside the King, and the maiden on the other side of
Peredur. "I will give thee," said the King, "my daughter in
marriage, and half my kingdom with her, and the two
Earldoms as a gift." "Heaven reward thee, lord," said
Peredur, "but I came not here to woo." "What seekest thou
then chieftain?" "I am seeking tidings of the Castle of
Wonders." "Thy enterprise is greater, chieftain, than thou
wilt wish to pursue," said the maiden, "nevertheless,
tidings shalt thou have of the Castle, and thou shalt have
a guide through my father's dominions, and a sufficiency of
provisions for thy journey, for thou art, O chieftain, the
man whom best I love." Then she said to him, "Go over
yonder mountain, and thou wilt find a Lake, and in the
middle of the Lake there is a Castle, and that is the
Castle that is called the Castle of Wonders; and we know
not what wonders are therein, but thus is it called."
And Peredur proceeded towards the Castle, and the gate of
the Castle was open. And when he came to the hall, the door
was open, and he entered. And he beheld a chessboard in the
hall, and the chessmen were playing against each other, by
themselves. And the side that he favoured lost the game,
and thereupon the others set up a shout, as though they had
been living men. And Peredur was wroth, and took the
chessmen in his lap, and cast the chessboard into the lake.
And when he had done thus, behold the black maiden came in,
and she said to him, "The welcome of Heaven be not unto
thee. Thou hast rather do evil than good." "What complaint
hast thou against me, maiden?" said Peredur. "That thou
hast occasioned unto the Empress the loss of her
chessboard, which she would not have lost for all her
empire. And the way in which thou mayest recover the
chessboard is, to repair to the Castle of Ysbidinongyl,
where is a black man, who lays waste the dominions of the
Empress; and if thou caust slay him, thou wilt recover the
chessboard. But if thou goest there, thou wilt not return
alive." "Wilt thou direct me thither?" said Peredur. "I
will show thee the way," she replied. So he went to the
Castle of Ysbidinongyl, and he fought with the black man.
And the black man besought mercy of Peredur. "Mercy will I
grant thee," said he, "on condition that thou cause the
chessboard to be restored to the place where it was when I
entered the hall." Then the maiden came to him, and said,
"'The malediction of Heaven attend thee for thy work, since
thou hast left that monster alive, who lays waste all the
possessions of the Empress." "I granted him his life," said
Peredur, "that he might cause the chessboard to be
restored." "The chessboard is not in the place where thou
didst find it; go back, therefore, and slay him," answered
she. So Peredur went back, and slew the black man. And when
he returned to the palace, he found the black maiden there.
"Ah! maiden," said Peredur, "where is the Empress?" "I
declare to Heaven that thou wilt not see her now, unless
thou dost slay the monster that is in yonder forest." "What
monster is there?" "It is a stag that is as swift as the
swiftest bird; and he has one horn in his forehead, as long
as the shaft of a spear, and as sharp as whatever is
sharpest. And he destroys the branches of the best trees in
the forest, and he kills every animal that he meets with
therein; and those that he doth not slay perish of hunger.
And what is worse than that, he comes every night, and
drinks up the fish-pond, and leaves the fishes exposed, so
that for the most part they die before the water returns
again." "Maiden," said Peredur, "wilt thou come and show me
this animal?" "Not so," said the maiden, "for he has not
permitted any mortal to enter the forest for above a
twelvemonth. Behold, here is a little dog belonging to the
Empress, which will rouse the stag, and will chase him
towards thee, and the stag will attack thee." Then the
little dog went as a guide to Peredur, and roused the stag,
and brought him towards the place where Peredur was. And
the stag attacked Peredur, and he let him pass by him, and
as he did so, he smote off his head with his sword. And
while he was looking at the head of the stag, he saw a lady
on horseback coming towards him. And she took the little
dog in the lappet of her cap, and the head and the body of
the stag lay before her. And around the stag's neck was a
golden collar. "Ha! chieftain," said she, "uncourteously
hast thou acted in slaying the fairest jewel that was in my
dominions." "I was entreated so to do; and is there any way
by which I can obtain thy friendship?" "There is," she
replied. "Go thou forward unto yonder mountain, and there
thou wilt find a grove; and in the grove there is a
cromlech; do thou there challenge a man three times to
fight, and thou shalt have my friendship."
So Peredur proceeded onward, and came to the side of the
grove, and challenged any man to fight. And a black man
arose from beneath the cromlech, mounted upon a bony horse,
and both he and his horse were clad in huge rusty armour.
And they fought. And as often as Peredur cast the black man
to the earth, he would jump again into his saddle. And
Peredur dismounted, and drew his sword; and thereupon the
black man disappeared with Peredur's horse and his own, so
that he could not gain sight of him a second time. And
Peredur went along the mountain, and on the other side of
the mountain he beheld a castle in the valley, wherein was
a river. And he went to the castle; and as he entered it,
he saw a hall, and the door of the hall was open, and he
went in. And there he saw a lame grey-headed man sitting on
one side of the hall, with Gwalchmai beside him. And
Peredur beheld his horse, which the black man had taken, in
the same stall with that of Gwalchmai. And they were glad
concerning Peredur. And he went and seated himself on the
other side of the hoary-headed man. Then, behold a
yellow-haired youth came, and bent upon the knee before
Peredur, and besought his friendship. "Lord," said the
youth, "it was I that came in the form of the black maiden
to Arthur's Court, and when thou didst throw down the
chessboard, and when thou didst slay the black man of
Ysbidinongyl, and when thou didst slay the stag, and when
thou didst go to fight the black man of the cromlech. And I
came with the bloody head in the salver, and with the lance
that streamed with blood from the point to the hand, all
along the shaft; and the head was thy cousin's, and he was
killed by the sorceresses of Gloucester, who also lamed
thine uncle; and I am thy cousin. And there is a prediction
that thou art to avenge these things." Then Peredur and
Gwalchmai took counsel, and sent to Arthur and his
household, to beseech them to come against the sorceresses.
And they began to fight with them; and one of the
sorceresses slew one of Arthur's men before Peredur's face,
and Pereclur bade her forbear. And the sorceress slew a man
before Peredur's face a second time, and a second time he
forbad her. And the third time the sorceress slew a man
before the face of Peredur; and then Peredur drew his
sword, and smote the sorceress on the helmet; and all her
head-armour was split in two parts. And she set up a cry,
and desired the other sorceresses to flee, and told them
that this was Peredur, the man who had learnt Chivalry with
them, and by whom they were destined to be slain. Then
Arthur and his household fell upon the sorceresses, and
slew the sorceresses of Gloucester every one.
And thus is it related concerning the Castle of
Wonders.