The Story of King Arthur and Other Celtic Heroes

by Padraic Colum

  Peredur rode to the castle, 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 was burning before him. And the household and the company arose to meet Peredur, and disarrayed him.

  They placed him beside the owner of the castle, and when it was time to eat, they caused him to sit beside him during the repast. Afterwards 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 Peredur spoke no word and asked no question. And when the clamour had a little subsided, behold two maidens entered, with a large salver between them, in which was a man’s head, surrounded by a profusion of blood. Thereupon the company of the court made so great an outcry that it was irksome to be in the same hall with them. At length they were silent. And still Peredur said no word. When the time came that they should sleep, Peredur was brought into a fair chamber in that strange castle.

  But Peredur spoke no word and asked no question.

  Peredur rode forward next day, and he traversed a vast tract of desert, in which no dwellings were. 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. Peredur came to the place where he heard the serpent was. And angrily, furiously, and desperately fought he with the serpent; and at last he killed it, and took away the ring.

  Thus he was for a long time without speaking a word to any Christian. Therefore 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 towards Arthur’s Court, and on the road 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 recognized him. “Whence comest thou, Chieftain?” asked 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. Then, lest he should be compelled to speak, and to break his vow, Peredur rode 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 turned back to Arthur’s Court. “Lady,” said he to the Queen, “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 medical care before I come back, and I will repay thee the charge.”

  Afterwards Arthur and his household were going to mass, 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 who has raised the signal for combat on a holy day.” Then went the attendants to fetch Arthur’s horse and arms. Peredur met them 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.

  Peredur beckoned with his hand to the knight to commence the fight. The knight thrust at him. 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. Then Peredur went back, and left the horse and the arms with the attendant as before, and he went on foot to Arthur’s Court.

  Then Peredur went by the name of the Dumb Youth. And behold, one day, Angarrad of the Golden Hand met him. “I declare to Heaven, Chieftain,” she said, “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,” said Peredur, “by my faith I also do love thee.” Thereupon it was known that he was Peredur. And then he held fellowship with Gwalchmai, and Owen, the son of Urien, and all the household, and he remained in Arthur’s Court.

  III

  Arthur was in Caerleon upon the River Usk; and he went to hunt, and Peredur went with him. And Peredur let loose his dog upon a stag, and the dog killed the stag in a desert place. Peredur rode hence, 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 wind-mills that he saw. There rode up to 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 a 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. 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. He inquired of the miller wherefore such a multitude was there assembled. And the miller said, “One thing is certain: either thou art a man from afar, or thou art not sensible. The Empress of Cristinobyl the Great is here; and she will have no one but the man who is most valiant; for riches she does not require. And it was impossible to bring food for so many thousands as are here, therefore were all these mills constructed.” That night Peredur took his rest in the miller’s house.

  The next day Peredur arose, and he equipped himself and his horse for the tournament. Amongst 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 the window of the tent, and he had never seen a maiden more lovely than she. Upon her was a garment of satin. He gazed fixedly on her, and he began to love her greatly. He remained there 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.

  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. 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. 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.” Peredur smiled on the miller and went to the tournament.

  At the tournament, 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 stayed at the tournament until all were overthrown, and he sent all the men to the Empress, and the horses and arms to the wife of the miller, in payment of the borrowed money. The Empress sent to the Knight of the Mill to ask him to come and visit her. But Peredur went not for the first nor for the second message.

  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. Peredur fought with them, and caused them to be bound like stags. Then the Empress sought the 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. They went together. And Peredur went and sat down in the outer chamber of the tent, and she came and placed herself by his side. There was but little discourse between them. And Peredur took his leave, and went to his lodging.

  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. They knew not where he would sit. 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. 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. The Empress looked upon Peredur. “Lady,” said he, “bestow on me the goblet.” Peredur drank the wine, and sent 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. 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. Peredur drank the wine, and sent the goblet to the wife of the miller.

  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 besought her to give it to none but him who would fight with him for it. She gave it to Peredur, and he sent it to the miller’s wife. That night Peredur returned to his lodging; and the next day he accoutred himself and his horse, and went to the meadow and fought with and slew the three men, one after the other. Then Peredur proceeded to the tent, and the Empress put her arms around his neck and welcomed him. And Peredur was entertained there by the Empress, as the story relates, for fourteen years.

  IV

  Arthur was in Caerleon upon the River Usk, his principal palace; and in the centre of the floor of the hall were four men sitting on a carpet of velvet—Owen, Gwalchmai, Howel, and Peredur of the Long Lance. And 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. One eye was of piercing mottled grey, and the other was 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. Her back was 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.

  She greeted Arthur and all his household except Peredur. And to him she spoke harsh and angry words. “Peredur, I greet thee not,” she said, “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 she said 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.

  Then Peredur said, “By my faith, I will not rest tranquilly until I know the story and the meaning of the lance whereof the black maiden spoke.” Then he 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. As he traversed the valley he beheld a horseman coming towards him, and wearing the garments of a priest; Peredur besought his blessing. “Wretched man,” said the priest, “thou meritest no blessing, and thou wouldst not be profited by one, seeing that thou art clad in armour on such a day as this.” “And what day is to-day?” asked Peredur. “To-day is Good Friday.” “Chide me not that I knew not this, seeing that it is a year to-day since I journeyed forth from my country.” Then Peredur dismounted, and led his horse.

  He had not proceeded far along the high road before he came to a crossroad, and the crossroad traversed a wood. On the other side of the wood he saw an unfortified castle, which appeared to be inhabited. 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 the priest, “it is more fitting to travel in thy present guise than as thou wast erewhile; and this night thou shalt tarry with me.” So Peredur remained there that night.

  The next day Peredur sought to go forth. “To-day may no one journey,” said the priest. “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, therein the King sojourned during Easter. And if thou mayest have tidings anywhere of the Castle of Wonders, thou wilt have them there.”

  Then Peredur again rode forward. And he came to the valley in which was the river. 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 four 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 on the bench, and one of the maidens looked steadfastly upon Peredur, and wept. 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.” “Howsoever great my danger may be from remaining here, I will listen unto thee.” “This place is owned by him who is my father,” said the maiden, “and he slays everyone who comes hither without his leave.” “What sort of a man is thy father, that he is able to slay everyone thus?” “A man who does violence and wrong unto his neighbours, and who renders justice unto none.”

  Thereupon Peredur saw the youths arise and clear the chess-men from the board. He heard a great tumult; and after the tumult there came in a huge, black, one-eyed man, and the maidens rose 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 he 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 the fire, and partook of food and liquor, and entered into discourse with the maidens. And he said to the Black Man, “It is a marvel to me, so mighty as 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 for a price.” “Lord,” said the maiden, “whatsoever he may say to thee in jest, 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 they were at peace.

  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, eith
er 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.”

  Thereupon one of the maidens 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,” said Peredur, “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 Cairn. There is a mound, which is called the Mound of Mourning, and on the mound there is a cairn, and in the cairn 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. The Black Oppressor I am called.” “Tell me,” said Peredur, “how far hence is the Mound of Mourning?” “The same day that thou settest forth thou wilt come to it.”

  Then Peredur rode forward. 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 Black Serpent that is called the Addanc. 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 everyone who enters, and none sees him; and from behind the pillar he slays everyone with a poisonous dart. But I will give thee a stone by which thou shalt see him when thou goest in, and he shall not see thee.” Then when Peredur looked on her he saw that she was his love, the Empress of Cristinobyl the Great. “When thou seekest me, seek towards India,” she said. And then she vanished, after placing the stone in his hand.