The Story of King Arthur and Other Celtic Heroes

by Padraic Colum

  The hoary-headed man and Geraint conversed together while the maiden was in the town. She came back, and a boy with her, bearing on his back a costrel full of mead, and a quarter of a young bullock; in her hands was a quantity of white bread, and she had some manchet bread in her veil. “I could not obtain better than this,” said she, “nor with better should I have been trusted.” “It is good enough,” said Geraint. They caused the meat to be cooked, and when their food was ready, they sat down.

  When they had finished eating Geraint talked with the hoary-headed man, and he asked him, in the first place, to whom belonged the palace that he was in. “Truly,” said he, “it was I that built it, and to me also belonged the town and the castle which thou sawest.” “Alas!” said Geraint, “how is it that thou hast lost them now?” “I lost a great earldom as well as these,” said he, “and this is how I lost them. I had a nephew, the son of my brother, and I took his possessions to myself; and when he came to his strength, he demanded of me his property, but I withheld it from him. So he made war upon me, and wrested from me all I possessed.”

  Then Geraint said, “Good sir, wilt thou tell me wherefore came the knight and the lady and the dwarf just now into the town, and what is the preparation which I saw, and the putting of arms in order?” “I will tell thee.” And then the old earl said:

  “The preparations are for the game that is to be held to-morrow by the young earl, my nephew, which will be in this wise: In the midst of a meadow which is here, two forks will be set up, and upon the two forks a silver rod, and upon the silver rod a Sparrow Hawk, and for the Sparrow Hawk there will be a tournament. To the tournament will go all the array thou didst see in the city, of men, and of horses, and of arms. And with each man will go the lady he loves best; and no man can joust for the Sparrow Hawk, except the lady he loves best be with him. The knight whom thou sawest has gained the Sparrow Hawk these two years; and if he gains it the third year, they will, from that time, send it every year to him, and he himself will come here no more. And he will be called the Knight of the Sparrow Hawk from that time forth.”

  Said Geraint after he had heard all this, “Sir, what is thy counsel to me concerning this knight, on account of the insult which I received from the dwarf, and that which was received by the maiden of Gwenhuivar, the wife of Arthur?” And Geraint told the old earl what the insult was that he had received. “It is not easy to counsel thee, inasmuch as thou hast neither dame nor maiden belonging to thee, for whom thou canst joust. Yet I have arms here which thou couldst have; and there is my horse also, if he seems to thee better than thine own.” “Ah, sir,” said Geraint, “Heaven reward thee. My own horse, to which I am accustomed, together with thy arms, will suffice me. And if, when the appointed time shall come to-morrow, thou wilt permit me to challenge for yonder maiden who is thy daughter, I will engage, if I escape from the tournament, to love the maiden as long as I live.” “Gladly will I permit thee,” said the old earl, “and since thou dost thus resolve, it is necessary that thy horse and arms should be ready to-morrow at break of day. For then the Knight of the Sparrow Hawk will make proclamation, and ask the lady he loves best to take the Sparrow Hawk. ‘For,’ will he say to her, ‘thou art the fairest of women, and thou didst possess it last year, and the year previous; and if any deny it thee to-day, by force will I defend it for thee.’ And therefore,” said the old earl, “it is needful for thee to be there at daybreak; and we three will be with thee.” And thus was it settled.

  Before the dawn they arose, and arrayed themselves; and by the time it was day, they were all four in the meadow. And there was the Knight of the Sparrow Hawk making the proclamation, and asking his lady-love to fetch the Sparrow Hawk. “Fetch it not,” said Geraint, “for there is here a maiden, who is fairer, and more noble, and more comely, and who has a better claim to it than thou.” “If thou maintainest the Sparrow Hawk to be due to her, come forward, and do battle with me.” And Geraint went forward to the top of the meadow, having upon himself and upon his horse armour which was heavy, and rusty, and worthless, and of uncouth shape.

  He and the knight encountered each other, and they broke a set of lances, and they broke a second set, and a third. And thus they did at every onset, and they broke as many lances as were brought to them. And when the young earl and his company saw the Knight of the Sparrow Hawk gaining the mastery, there was shouting, and joy, and mirth amongst them. And the old earl and his wife, and his daughter were sorrowful.

  The old earl served Geraint lances as often as he broke them, and the dwarf served the Knight of the Sparrow Hawk. Then the old earl came to Geraint. “Oh! Chieftain,” said he, “since no other will hold with thee, behold, here is the lance which was in my hand on the day when I received the honour of knighthood; and from that time to this I never broke it. And it has an excellent point.” Then Geraint took the lance, thanking the old earl. The dwarf also brought a lance to his lord. “Bethink thee,” said he, “that no knight ever withstood thee before so long as this one has done.” “I declare to Heaven,” said Geraint, “that unless death takes me quickly hence, he shall fare never the better for thy service.”

  Geraint pricked his horse towards him from afar, and warning him, he rushed upon him, and gave him a blow so severe, and furious, and fierce, upon the face of his shield, that he cleft it in two, and broke his armour, and burst his girths, so that both he and his saddle were borne to the ground over the horse’s crupper. Geraint dismounted quickly. And he was wroth, and he drew his sword, and rushed fiercely upon him. Then the knight also arose, and drew his sword against Geraint. They fought on foot with their swords until their arms struck sparks of fire like stars from one another; and thus they continued fighting until the blood and sweat obscured the light from their eyes. When Geraint prevailed, the old earl and his wife, and daughter were glad; and when the knight prevailed, it rejoiced the young earl and his party.

  Then the old earl saw Geraint receive a severe stroke, and he went up to him quickly, and he said to him, “Oh, Chieftain, remember the treatment which thou hadst from the dwarf; and wilt thou not seek vengeance for the insult to thyself, and for the insult to Gwenhuivar, the wife of Arthur?” Geraint was roused by what he said to him, and he called to him all his strength, and lifted up his sword, and struck the knight upon the crown of his head, so that he broke all his head-armour, and cut through even to the skull.

  The knight fell upon his knees, and cast his sword from his hand, and besought mercy of Geraint. “Of a truth,” said he, “I relinquish my overdaring and my pride in craving thy mercy; and unless I have time to commit myself to Heaven for my sins, and to talk with a priest, thy mercy will avail me little.” “I will grant thee grace upon this condition,” said Geraint, “that thou wilt go to Gwenhuivar, the wife of Arthur, to do her satisfaction for the insult which her maiden received from thy dwarf. As for myself, for the insult which I received from thee and thy dwarf, I am content with that which I have done unto thee. Dismount not from the time thou goest hence until thou comest into the presence of Gwenhuivar, to make her what atonement shall be adjudged at the Court of Arthur.” “This will I do gladly. And who art thou?” said he. “I am Geraint. And declare thou also who thou art.” “I am Edeyrn, the son of Nudd.” Then he threw himself on his horse, and went forward to Arthur’s Court, and the lady he loved best went before him and the dwarf, with much lamentation. And thus far this story up to that time.

  Then came the young earl and his party to Geraint, and saluted him, and bade him to his castle. “I may not go,” said Geraint, “but where I was last night, there will I be to-night also.” “Since thou wilt have none of my inviting, thou shalt have abundance of all that I can command for thee, in the place thou wast last night. And I will order ointment for thee, to recover thee from thy fatigues, and from the weariness that is upon thee.” “Heaven reward thee,” said Geraint. And Geraint went with the old earl, and his wife and daughter.

  When they reached the ruined palace, the household serv
ants and attendants of the young earl had arrived, and they arranged all the chambers, dressing them with straw and with fire; and in a short time the ointment was ready, and Geraint came there, and they washed his head. Then came the young earl with forty knights. And when Geraint came from the anointing, the young earl asked him to go to the hall to eat. “Where is the old earl?” said Geraint, “and his wife and his daughter?” “They are in the chamber yonder,” said the earl’s chamberlain, “arraying themselves in the garments which my master has caused to be brought for them.” “Let not the maiden array herself,” said Geraint, “except in her vest and her veil, until she come to the Court of Arthur, to be clad by Gwenhuivar in such garments as she may choose.” So the maiden did not array herself.

  They all entered the hall, and they washed, and went and sat down to meat. They were served abundantly, and they received a profusion of gifts. They conversed together, and the young earl invited Geraint to visit him next day. “I will not,” said Geraint. “To the Court of Arthur will I go with the maiden to-morrow. The maiden’s father is in poverty and trouble, and I go chiefly to gain a maintenance for him.” “Ah, Chieftain,” said the young earl, “it is not by my fault that he is without possessions. And with regard to the disagreement between me and him, I will gladly abide by thy counsel, and agree to what thou mayest judge right between us.” “I but ask thee,” said Geraint, “to restore to him what is his, and what he should have received from the time he lost his possessions, even until this day.” “That I will gladly do, for thee,” answered the young earl. “Then,” said Geraint, “whosoever is here who owes homage to the old earl, let him come forward, and perform it on the spot.” All the men gave their homage to him. And his castle, and his town, and all his possessions were restored to the old earl. And he received back all that he had lost, even to the smallest jewel.

  Then spoke the old earl to Geraint. “Chieftain,” said he, “behold the maiden Enid for whom thou didst challenge at the tournament, I bestow her upon thee.” “She shall go with me,” said Geraint, “to the Court of Arthur.” And the next day they proceeded to Arthur’s Court. So far concerning Geraint.

  Now, this is how Arthur hunted the stag. The men and the dogs were were divided into hunting parties, and the dogs were let loose upon the stag. And the last dog that was let loose was the favourite dog of Arthur, Cavall. He left all the other dogs behind him, and turned the stag. At the second turn, the stag came towards the hunting party of Arthur. And Arthur set upon the stag. Before he could be slain by any other, Arthur cut off the stag’s head. Then they sounded the death horn, and they all gathered around.

  Then came Arthur’s steward, and he said, “Lord, behold, yonder is the Queen, and none with her save only one maiden.” “Command Gildas, the son of Caw, and all the scholars of the Court,” said Arthur, “to attend Gwenhuivar to the palace.” And they did so.

  Then they all set forth, holding converse together concerning the head of the stag, to whom it should be given. One wished that it should be given to the lady best beloved by him, and another to the lady whom he loved best. And all they of the household, and the knights, disputed sharply concerning the head. They came to the palace. And when Arthur and Gwenhuivar heard them disputing about the head of the stag, Gwenhuivar said to Arthur, “My Lord, this is my counsel concerning the stag’s head; let it not be given away until Geraint shall return from the errand he is upon.” And Gwenhuivar told Arthur what that errand was.

  And thus it was settled. The next day Gwenhuivar caused a watch to be set upon the ramparts for Geraint’s coming. And after mid-day they beheld an unshapely little man upon a horse, and after him, as they supposed, a damsel, also on horseback, and after her a knight of large stature, bowed down, and hanging his head low and sorrowfully, and clad in broken and worthless armour.

  Before they came near the gate, one of the watch went to Gwenhuivar, and told her what kind of people they saw, and what aspect they bore. “I know not who they are,” said he. “But I know,” said Gwenhuivar, “this is the knight whom Geraint pursued, and methinks that he comes not here by his own free will.” Thereupon, behold, a porter came to the spot where Gwenhuivar was. “Lady,” said he, “at the gate there is a knight, and I saw never a man of so pitiful an aspect to look upon as he. Miserable and broken is the armour that he wears, and the hue of blood is more conspicuous upon it than its own colour.” “Knowest thou his name?” said she. “I do,” said he, “he tells me that he is Edeyrn, the son of Nudd.”

  Gwenhuivar went to the gate to meet him, and he entered. And Gwenhuivar was sorry when she saw the condition he was in, even though he was accompanied by the churlish dwarf. Then Edeyrn saluted Gwenhuivar. “Heaven protect thee,” said she. “Lady,” said he, “Geraint, thy best and most valiant servant, greets thee.” “Did he meet thee?” she asked. “Yes,” said he, “and it was not to my advantage.” “Sir,” said she, “when thinkest thou that Geraint will be here?” “To-morrow, Lady, I think he will be here.”

  Then Arthur came to him, and he saluted Arthur; and Arthur gazed a long time upon him, and was amazed to see him thus. And thinking that he knew him, he inquired of him, “Art thou Edeyrn, the son of Nudd?” “I am, Lord,” said he, “and I have met with much trouble, and received wounds unsupportable.” Then he told Arthur and Gwenhuivar of all that had befallen him.

  “Well,” said Arthur, “from what I hear, it behooves Gwenhuivar to be merciful towards thee.” “The mercy which thou desirest, Lord,” said she, “will I grant to him.” Then Arthur caused Morgan Tud to be called to him. He was the chief physician. “Take with thee Edeyrn, the son of Nudd, and cause a chamber to be prepared for him, and let him have the aid of medicine as thou wouldst do unto myself, if I were wounded, and let none into his chamber to molest him, but thyself and thy disciples, to administer to him remedies.” “I will do so gladly, Lord,” said Morgan Tud. Then said the steward of the household, “Whither is it right, Lord, to place the damsel who came with the knight?” “With Gwenhuivar and her maidens,” said Arthur. And the steward of the household so placed her. Thus far concerning them.

  The next day came Geraint towards the Court, and there was a watch set on the ramparts by Gwenhuivar, lest he should arrive unawares. And one of the watch came to the place where Gwenhuivar was. “Lady,” said he, “methinks that I see Geraint, and a maiden with him. He is on horseback, but he has walking gear upon him, and the maiden appears to be in white, seeming to be clad in a garment of linen.” “Assemble all the women,” said Gwenhuivar, “and come to meet Geraint, to welcome him, and wish him joy.” Gwenhuivar went to meet Geraint and the maiden, and when Geraint came to the place where Gwenhuivar was, he saluted her.

  “Heaven prosper thee,” said the Queen to him, “and welcome to thee. Thy career has been successful, and fortunate, and resistless, and glorious. And Heaven reward thee, that thou hast so proudly caused me to have retribution.” “Lady,” said Geraint, “I have earnestly desired to obtain thee satisfaction according to thy will; and, behold, here is the maiden through whom thou hadst thy revenge.” “Verily,” said Gwenhuivar, “the welcome of Heaven be unto her; and it is fitting that we should receive her joyfully.” Then they went in. And Geraint came to where Arthur was and saluted him. “Heaven protect thee,” said Arthur, “and the welcome of Heaven be unto thee. And since Edeyrn, the son of Nudd, has received his overthrow and wounds from thy hands, thou hast had a prosperous career.” “Not upon me be the blame,” said Geraint, “it was through the arrogance of Edeyrn himself that we were not friends.” “Now,” said Arthur, “where is the maiden for whom I heard thou didst give challenge?” “She is gone with the Queen to her chamber.”

  Then Arthur went to see the maiden. And he, and his companions, and his whole Court, were glad concerning the maiden Enid. And certain were they all, that had her array been suitable to her beauty, they had never seen a maiden fairer than she.

  The choicest of all Gwenhuivar’s apparel was given to Enid; and thus arra
yed, she appeared most comely and graceful to all who beheld her. And that day and that night were spent in abundance of minstrelsy, and ample gifts, and a multitude of games. And from that time Enid became the bride of Geraint. She took up her abode in Arthur’s palace; and she had many companions, both men and women, and there was no maiden more esteemed than she in the Island of Britain.

  Then spake Gwenhuivar, the Queen. “Rightly did I judge,” said she, “concerning the head of the stag, that it should not be given to any until Geraint’s return; and, behold, here is a fit occasion for bestowing it. Let it be given to Enid, the most illustrious maiden. I do not believe that any will begrudge it her, for between her and everyone here there exists nothing but love and friendship.” Much applauded was this by all of them, and Arthur also. And the head of the white stag was given to Enid. Thereupon her fame increased, and her friends thenceforward became more in number than before. And Geraint from that time forth loved hunting and the tournament, and hard encounters; and he came victorious from them all. A year, and a second, and a third, he proceeded thus, until his fame had flown over the face of the kingdom.

  II

  In another Whitsuntide Arthur was holding his Court at Caerleon upon Usk, and there came men before him, and they saluted him. “Heaven prosper you,” said Arthur, “and the welcome of Heaven be unto you. And whence do you come?” “We come, Lord,” said they, “from Cornwall, and we are ambassadors from Erbin, the Prince of Cornwall, thy uncle. And he greets thee as well, as an uncle should greet his nephew, and as a vassal should greet his lord. And he represents unto thee that he waxes feeble, and is advancing in years. And the neighbouring chiefs, knowing this, grow insolent towards him, and covet his land and possessions. And he earnestly beseeches thee, Lord, to permit Geraint, his son, to return to him, to protect his possessions, and to become acquainted with their boundaries. And unto him he represents that it were better for him to spend the flower of his youth and the prime of his age in preserving his own boundaries, than in tournaments, which are productive of no profit, although he obtains glory in them.”