CHAPTER I. THE ADVENTURE OF THE FOREST.
'Twas {017}on the day of Pentecost, a feast which to Carlisle had drawna host of knights, that Arthur, King of Briton's isle, his crown placedon his brows, and to the old monastic church proceeded to hear mass. Andwith him went a brilliant train, the Knights of the Round Table. Therewere Sir Gawain, Lancelot du Lac, Tristrem, and Ivan bold, Eric frankof heart, and Quex the seneschal, Percival and Calogrant, Cliges theworthy, Coedis the handsome knight, and Caravis short i' the arm; thewhole of his bright court, indeed, was there, and many more whose namesI have forgot.
When mass was done, they to the palace home returned 'mid laughter andloud noise, the thoughts of each on pleasure only bent. Each on arrivalgave his humour play. Some spoke of love, and some of chivalry; {018}andsome of ventures they were going to seek. Quex at this moment came intothe hall, holding a branch of apple in his hand. All made room for him;for there were few who did not fear his tongue and the hard words whichit was wont to utter. This baron bold held nothing in respect. E'en ofthe best he ever said the worst. But this apart, he was a brave stoutknight, in council sage, a valiant man of war, and lord of lineage high;but this, his humour and his biting words took from him much that was ofright his due.
He, going straightway to the king, thus said:
"Sire, an it please you, it is time to dine."
"Quex," replied Arthur, in an angry tone, "sure thou wast born but toawake my wrath, and out of season ever to discourse. Have I not toldthee, ay, a thousand times, naught should induce me to partake of food,when thus my court had met, till some adventure had turned up, someknight were vanquished, or some maid set free. Go sit thee down atbottom of the hall."
Quex went without a word among that joyous throng, where men of allconditions, knights and lords, minstrels and mountebanks, ceased nottheir tricks, their {019}gay discourse, their laughter, till the hour ofnoon. At noon, King Arthur called Sir Gawain, and thus spoke:
"Fair nephew, cause our chargers to be brought; for since adventurecometh not to us, we must fain seek it in the open field; for should welonger stay, our knights, indeed, would have a right to think that itwere time to dine."
"Your will, my lord," Sir Gawain said, "shall be obeyed."
And at the instant he the squires bade to saddle horses and their armourbring. Soon were the steeds prepared, the nobles armed. The king thengirded on his famous sword, and at the head of his bold barons placed,set out for Bressiland, a gloomy wood. Having along its deep and shadypaths awhile proceeded, the good king drew rein, and 'mid the greatestsilence bent his ear. A distant voice was then distinctly heard, callingat intervals for human help, and turn by turn invoking God and saints!
"I will ride yonder," bold King Arthur cried; "but with no company savemy good sword."
"An it please you, my lord," Sir Gawain said, "I fain would ride withyou."
"Not {020}so, fair nephew," the king made reply; "I need no company."
"Since such your wish," said Gawain, "have your will."
Arthur called quickly for his shield and lance, and spurred righteagerly towards the spot whence came the plaintive voice. As he drewnear, the cries the sharper grew. The king pricked on with greaterspeed, and stopped before a stream by which a mill was placed. Just atthe door he saw a woman stand, who wept, and screamed, and wrung hertrembling hands, while she her tresses tore in deep despair. The goodking, moved to pity, asked her why she grieved.
"My lord," she weepingly replied, "oh! help me, in God's name! adreadful beast, come down from yonder mount, is there within devouringall my corn!"
Arthur approached, and saw the savage beast, which truly was mostfrightful to behold.
Larger than largest bull, it had a coat of long and russet fur, awhitish neck and head, which bristled with a pile of horns. Its eyeswere large and round, its teeth of monstrous size; its jaws wereshapeless, legs of massive build; its feet were broad and square.A giant elk were not of greater bulk. Arthur observed {021}it for acertain time with wonder in his mind; crossing himself, he then gotoff his horse, drew forth his sword, and, covered with his shield, wentstraight into the mill. The beast, however, far from being scared, didnot so much as even raise its head, but from the hopper still devouredthe corn. Seeing it motionless, the king believed the beast was lack ofspirit, and, to excite it, struck it on the back: but still the creaturemoved not. He then advanced, and standing right in front, lunged at thebeast as though to run it through. It did not even seem to note the act.Arthur then cautiously laid down his shield, replaced his sword, and,being stout and strong, he seized it by the horns, and shook it withgreat force; natheless he could not make it leave the grain. In rage,he was about to raise his fist, so as to deal it on the head a blow; butlo! he could not then remove his hands,--they were as riveted unto itshorns.
Soon as the beast perceived its foe was caught, it raised its head; andissued from the mill, bearing, pendant from its horns, the king, aghast,distracted, and yet wild with rage. It then regained the wood at easypace; when Gawain, who, by good fortune, happed to ride before hisMends, beheld it thus his uncle {022}carrying off,--a sight whichhalf-deprived him of his wits.
"Knights!" he exclaimed aloud, "hie hither! help to our good lord! andmay the laggard never sit at his Round Table more! We should indeeddeserve dishonoured names were the king lost for want of timely aid." Asthus he spoke, he flew towards the beast, not waiting for the rest, andcouched his lance as though to strike at it.
But the king, fearing harm would come to him, addressed him thus:
"Fair nephew, thanks; but e'en for my sake halt. If thou do touch it, Iam surely lost; and if thou spare it, saved. I might have slain it, andyet did not so; something now tells me I held not my hand in vain. Letit, then, go its course; and keep my men from coming on too near."
"My lord," Sir Gawain answered him with tears, "must I, then, let youperish without help?"
"The best of help," the king rejoined, "will be to do my bidding."
Sir Gawain was at this so much incensed, he cast down lance and shield,he tore his cloak and handfuls from his hair.
Just {023}at this time Ivan and Tristrem came, with lances lowered, andat top of speed; Gawain threw up his hands, and loudly cried:
"Strike not, my lords, for his, King Arthur's sake; he's a dead man ifyou but touch the beast."
"What, then, are we to do?" inquired they.
"We'll follow it," quoth Gawain: "if the king be hurt, the beast shalldie."
The monster still kept on its even way, not seeming to remark theknights, until a rock it reached, lofty and round and high. It scaledit, as a swallow, rapidly; and Gawain and his friends, who at a distancefollowed, sad and full of thought, saw it, when thus the summitwas attained, crawl straight towards a peak which overhung. There,stretching out its head, it held the king suspended o'er the abyss.Judge the alarm of Gawain and his friends, who each beside was almostwild with rage! Hearing their cries, they who remained behind came upfull spur, and reached the lofty rock, where, at the summit, they beheldthe king hanging thus helpless from the monster's horns. They thengave loose to the most doleful cries that ever had been heard. I cannotpicture to you their despair. Brave knights and pages then you mighthave {024}seen tearing their hair and rending their attire, that woodreviling and the strange adventure which they had come to seek. And Quexexclaimed, by way of final stroke:
"Alas! fair chivalry, how hard thy lot! this day to cause the death ofour good king, and lose thy valour when 'twas needed most!"
Saying these words he sank upon the ground. The king, however, stillremained suspended in mid air, the beast meanwhile not offering to stir.The monarch feared to drop in that abyss; and in low voice he prayed thesaints and God to save him from this pass. Then Gawain, Tristrem, and Iknow not who beside, took counsel how they might heap up their robes, soas to break the brave King Arthur's fall. Gawain had scarce proposed itto the crowd than each one doffed his garments speedily.
In haste they brought their cloaks
and mantles gay; stripped off witheagerness their doublets, hose; and in an instant every knight was bare:such was the heap of garments 'neath that rock, the king had fallenwithout deadly risk. When this the beast beheld, it stirred as though itwould draw back, and slightly shook its head. The crowd below, alarmed,at {025}once upraised a cry; and on their bended knees prayed Heavento guard the king, and bear him safe and sound. The beast with mightyspring then leaped below; and setting Arthur free, itself it changedinto a handsome knight, in scarlet richly dad from head to heel. Thisnoble bent his knee before the king, and smiling said:
"My liege, command your men their garments to resume; they now may dinein peace; though somewhat late, the adventure has been found."
Arthur amazed, nay, half-distraught at this adventure strange, nowrecognised the knight,--a courtly guest, esteemed among the brave, thecourteous, and the sage.
Adroit in arms, gay, graceful, and beloved; among the first in strife,yet kind and modest too,--this lord was master of the seven arts, andin all spells was versed. For some time past between him and the king acompact stood, whereby it was agreed, if he himself transformed when allthe court was met, he should as guerdon three good gifts receive--a cupof gold, a charger of great price, and from the fairest damsel a sweetkiss.
Gawain at once ran up, fearing his uncle in his fell {026}was crushed;and you may safely judge of his surprise--finding him thus, in high goodhumour, stand loud laughing with the beast.
"In faith, fair friend," quoth he, "you can indeed enchant poor folks,and force even barons to throw off their clothes."
"You may resume them, good my lord," said the enchanter in the same gaytone; "for lo! the king no longer needs their use."
They did indeed soon put them on again, nor stayed to pick or choose;the court at once returned to fair Carlisle, the monarch and Sir Gawainriding on a-head. The palace-walls soon echoed with their joy. The pagesbrought them wherewithal to wash, and soon the knights were placed aboutthe board. Grand was that court, and rich and brave and good; many apuissant name, full many a king, and many a duke and count, were seatedthere. Gawain the valiant knight and Ivan the well-bred, each holdingthe queen's arm, then led her in, where, at the table, sat she 'neaththe king. Gawain then placed himself the other side, and Ivan by thequeen: at once with laughter they began to tell of the enchanter'sskill; and when Queen Guenever, and they, the knights who were {027}notin the wood, had learned the doings there, they were indeed surprised;and soon loud laughed and chatted with the rest. Meanwhile Sir Quexbefore the king and fair Queen Ghieneyer the golden dishes placed;he then sat down to eat his own good meal, for he did boast a famousappetite, while ready pages served the other knights. Nothing waswanting at that banquet high: the roebuck, kid, and succulent wild-boar;the crane, the bustard, capons, swans, wild-geese; peacocks, and finefat hens and partridges; white bread and purest wine,--of all goodthings the best was there beheld. Served by a host of graceful youthsbeside, the guests did honour to the feast.
Eating and drinking then engaged each thought; when straight thereentered, mounting a fleet horse, with spotted robe, a youthful squire,tall and of noble mien. Never, do I believe, was man more finely-shaped.His shoulders were at least two cubits broad, his features regular, hiseyes were sparkling, full of love and mirth; his hair was shining asthe brightest gold, his arms were large and square, his teeth as ivorywhite. His frame, which tapered at the waist, was well developed,and displayed his strength. His legs were long and straight, and feethigh-arched.
His {028}violet and well-cut robe rested in graceful folds on hose ofthe same hue. A garland of fresh flowers crowned his brows, to which thesun had given a deeper tint, heightening the colour of his ruddy cheeks.
Entering the hall, he alighted from his horse, and came with quick andjoyous step to kneel at the good monarch's feet. He then his purposeopened with these words:
"May He who made this world and all it holds; He who no suzerainhath,--now save the king, and all that 's his!"
"Friend," replied Arthur, "thank thee for those words; if thou dost seeka boon, it shall be thine."
"My liege, I am a squire, come from far unto your court, because I knewso doing I should meet the best of kings; and I conjure you for St.Mary's sake, if you so please, to arm me now a knight."
"Friend," said the king, "arise, and take thy seat; it shall be donethee even as thou wilt."
"Never, my liege, if you permit, will I uprise from hence till you havegranted me the boon I ask."
"It is conceded," then exclaimed the king.
The squire arose as these fair words were said, and went {029}to takehis place at that rich board. But scarcely was this done, than lo! theguests beheld a knight, well armed, and on a charger fleet, come ridingin. Crossing the hall, he with his lance did strike a lord upon thebreast, and stretched him dying just before the queen. He then rode out,exclaiming as he went:
"This have I done to shame thee, wicked king. If it do grieve thee, andthy boasted knights should care to follow, I am Taulat Lord of Rugimon;and each passing year, on this same day, will I return to do thee thelike scorn."
Good Arthur drooped his head, enraged, yet sad; but then the squirerose, and knelt before the king:
"Sire," he said, "now give me knightly arms, that I may follow up thathaughty lord who casts dishonour on this royal court."
"Friend," exclaimed Quex at this, "your courage will be higher whenyou're drunk. Sit yourself down again, and drink another bout; the heartwill be the merrier, and you can better floor a knight with wine thanwith a sharp-edged sword, however stout!"
The squire to this responded not a word, out of his duty for the worthyking; but for such cause, Quex had {030}for his speech paid dear.Arthur, however, gave his anger vent, and thus exclaimed:
"Wilt thou, then, Quex, ne'er hold that biting tongue until I've driventhee from out my court? What has emboldened thee to speak thus vilely,and to a stranger who a suit prefers? Canst thou not keep within theeall the spite, the envy, wicked words, and slanderous thoughts withwhich thou art swelling o'er?"
"My lord," the squire said, "pray let him have his say; little heedI the flings of his forked tongue, for which I will a noble vengeanceseek. Vile word ne'er sullieth honour. Let me rather have a suit ofarms, to follow him who now has issued hence; for I do feel I shall noteat at ease till he and I have met in deadly fight."
The monarch courteously replied:
"My friend, I willingly will give thee steed, good arms, and knightlyspurs; for thou dost ask these gifts as squire of gentle birth. But thouart all too young to fight with him who now has left this hall. Not fouramong the knights of my Hound Table can dare to meet his blows, or touchhim in the field. Leave, then, this care to others; I should grieve tolose at once so stout and brave a squire."
"Since, {031}sire, you think me stout, and call me brave, 'tiswrongfully or but to jeer you wish to stay my fighting; but in thatyou'll not succeed save you refuse to grant the boon erewhile youpromised me;--and should a king forget his promise made, gone are hislustre and his courtesy."
The monarch answered:
"Friend, I yield me to thy ardent wish; thou shalt be armed a knight."
He then commanded two attendant squires at once go seek his armour,lance, a fine and tempered shield, the casque, the sharp-edged sword,the spurs, and horse of price in full caparison; then, when they broughtthe arms and horse, he caused the squire to put the hauberk on, hebuckled his right spur, girded his sword upon the youth's left flank,and having kissed him gently on the mouth, he asked of him his name.
"Sire, in the land where I was born my name is Jaufry, son of Dovon."
The king, on hearing him speak thus, sighed heavily, and said, whiletears were in his eye:
"Ah! what a knight and lord of mark was this same Dovon! He was of mytable and my court. A {032}brave knight and a learned: never had hesuperior in arms. None were held stouter or more dread in fight. MayGod, if He so will it, grant him grace; since for my sake he died! Anarcher pie
rced his heart with a steel bolt, while he a keep held out onmy domain in Normandy."
Meanwhile a squire brought Jaufry a bay steed. The young knight placedhis hand upon the bow, and leaped upon the horse, all armed as he thenstood, without the use of stirrup; then called he for his shield andlance, consigned the king to God, and having taken leave of all therest, he galloped from that hall.
Jaufry the Knight and the Fair Brunissende: A Tale of the Times of King Arthur Page 4