"It was the season when trees break into leaf, when fields and woods turn green," "and the birds, in their sweet idiom, sing softly in the morning," "bringing joy to all alive." "That's when the son of the widow lady, who lived in a remote manor-house, arose and without further ado, mounted his horse, taking with him... his 3 spears." "So armed... he set out for the great forest." "He set out for the great forest." "Into the forest he rode." "He rejoiced at the fine weather, and the merrymaking of the birds." "The merrymaking of the birds, all these things pleased him well." "On this splended day, he unbridled his horse, and let it graze on the green grass." "He was skillful with his spears, and threw them:" "One to the rear." "One to the front." "One in the air." "One to the ground." "But in the woods he hears:" "Five knights in full armor." "A terrible clatter did make... those weapons as they neared," "unwittingly colliding with... the limbs of oak and elm." "Lances and shields clashed, chain-mail rustled." "Thud of wood, ring of iron," "clatter of shield and armor." "Upon my faith, my mother is right." "She told me devils are the worst creatures on earth." "And to cross myself in their presence." "No, I'll neglect her advice." "I won't cross myself." "I'll spear the strongest of them, to keep the others away." "But, when he saw them... closer, out in the open, their chain-mail quivering, their helmets glistening, all red and white in the sun..." "My lord God, forgive me!" "They are angels." "I have sinned... by mistaking them for devils." "My mother told no lie:" "Angels are the most beautiful of creatures." "Except God, who is most beautiful of all." "Is that not God I see?" "One is so handsome, the others pale beside him." "My mother told me to worship the lord God, to pray to him and honor him." "I'll worship this one." "And all his angels." "Our father who art in Heaven, who art our Savior, hallowed be Thy holy name, praised may it ever be." "Have no fear, youth." "Fear... have I none, by Christ our Savior." "Are you not God?" "No, upon my faith." "Then who are you?" "I am a knight." "I never met a "knight" before, I never saw one." "Or heard of one." "You outshine God!" "Have you seen 5 knights and 3 damsels?" "Sir knight, what is that you hold?" "What luck!" "I want you to answer my questions." "Now you ask them of me." "I'll tell you: it's my lance." "Is it thrown, like my spears?" "Foolish youth!" "One strikes with it." "It's not as good as my spears." "With them I can kill birds and animals." "Even from afar, as with a crossbow." "Who cares..." "Tell me about the knights!" "Did you see them?" "And the damsels?" "And this?" "What is it for?" "Youth, I expected to learn things from you." "You want me to tell you?" "All right, you seem a pleasant youth." "It's called a shield." "A shield?" "You see, youth... if arrow or lance bears down upon me, it fends them off." "That's its use." "What says that Welshman?" " He's an ignorant lad." "He won't answer my questions." "Yet expects me to answer all of his." "All Welshmen are mad." "You're wasting your time." "The 5 knights and 3 damsels, did you see them?" "Tell me..." "What are you wearing?" "Don't you know?" "My armor." "Heavy as iron." "Is it of iron?" "Can't you see!" "I ignore such things." "It's truly beautiful." "What's it for?" "That's simple to say." "If you threw a spear at me, it couldn't harm me." "Sir knight!" "If God had given deer such armor," "I couldn't kill another one!" "Now tell me about the knights and damsels." "Were you born like that?" "No, youth." "One can't be born like this." "Who put it on you?" "I can tell you that." " Tell me." "A pleasure." "5 years ago, King Arthur gave it to me when he knighted me." "What happened to those 5 knights and the damsels?" "Were they running away?" "You must have seen them!" "Ask those peasants." "They sow and till my mother's land." "If 5 knights came by, and if they saw them, they'll tell you." "Seeing their young lord, the peasants shook with fear." "But do you know why?" "Because of the 5 knights who came with him." "If they told him of their lives... a knight he'd wish to be!" "A knight he'd wish to be!" "His mother would despair." "She'd kept him well away from knights, and tales of knighthood." "Fair son, you were gone so long." "I was so heart-rent by grief... that I am almost dead." "Where were you today?" "Mother, didn't you tell me that God and his angels... are the most beautiful of creatures?" "I did." "If need be, I'll say it again." "Be quiet, mother." "I saw creatures even more beautiful... riding in the forest." "More beautiful than God and all his angels." "Fair son, I have great fear for you." "You saw angels of whom everyone complains." "They kill all in their path." "No, mother." "They weren't like that." ""Knights", so were they named." "Knights!" "Alas..." "Cursed am I!" "I tried to guard you from knighthood... so you'd never hear of it." "Listen fair young friend." "No knight was so feared and esteemed... as was your father." "He, this you do not know, was wounded in the leg, and lost all his wealth." "When you were an infant, you had two handsome brothers." "On the very day they were knighted, both in knightly combat died." "Of grief, your father died." "My life has been bitter since that day." "You were my only comfort." "My joy." "All I had." "I'd lost my closest king." "Only you remained." "You were all God left me." "You're crying?" "I'm going to eat." "I don't know what you mean." "I want to meet the king who makes knights." "I'm determined to go." "3 days later, the youth left his mother's house." "If ever you see a lady in need, or a damsel in distress, come to her aid." "If ladies and damsels you defend, you'll be esteemed." "If one should strike your fancy." "never force yourself upon her." "A kiss from a damsel is much, if she consents to kiss you." "But anything beyond that, I forbid you." "A kiss!" "If she wears a ring and gives it to you, then you may accept her ring." "Her ring!" "Whether traveling or resting overnight, always ask a man his name." "His name!" "Fair son, associate with worthy men." "Seek out their company." "Worthy men won't give you bad advice." "Worthy men!" "Above all, go into churces and pray." "What is a church?" "A place to serve God." "Who made heaven and earth." "And all creatures." "He rode off at a swift pace, through the forest dark and deep." "He rode from early morning till the fall of night." "He spent that night in the forest," "until the break of day." "Lord God," "I see your house." "I would do wrong not to pray to you." "My mother spoke the truth:" "A church is the most beautiful of things." "She said to pray in every church to the Creator, in whom I trust." "I'll go pray to him." "I hope he gives me my daily bread." "I need it today." "Damsel!" "Greetings!" "As my mother taught me." "She told me to greet... all damsels wherever they may be." "Out, youth!" "On your way!" "Lest my friend see you here." "I shall kiss you." "Whoever it may offend." "That's what my mother said." "I won't kiss you, if I can prevent it." "Go away." "My friend will see you." "If he does, you're dead." "The youth kissed her against her will," "Seven times, according to the tale." "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven." "My mother also said... to take your ring." "But to do no more." "I want that ring!" "My ring!" "The only way you'll get it is by... tearing it off my finger." "Thanks, damsel." "Bless you." "I've been well rewarded." "Your kisses are sweeter than those of the housemaids at home!" "Your lips are tasty." "Youth, listen to me." "Don't take my ring." "I'll be cursed." "And it'll cost you your life, sooner or later," "I swear!" "He ate and drank to his fill, before he took his leave." "Damsel..." "I can't finish all these pies alone." "Come and eat: they're good." "There's one for each of us, and one to spare." "May God be with you." "Don't cry because I took your ring." "Before I die, I'll make up for it." "I beg to take my leave." "She went on crying." "Before long her friend returned from the wood." "By God, damsel, these tracks suggest a knight was here." "No, my lord." "It was no knight, but a foolish Welsh youth, who caused me great grief, drank his fill of your wine, and ate your pies." "Is that a reason to cry?" "Taking food and wine, that won't anger me." "That's not all." "You see, my lord..." "My ring...it's gone." "He took it." "Would that I were dead!" "An insult indeed!" "Let him have it." "He did worse." "Did he not?" "Don't lie to me." "My lord, it's true:" "He kissed me." "Kissed you?" "I assure you it was against my will." "No, it wasn't." "You enjoyed it." "You did not resist." "Liar, you think I don't know you?" "But I do." "I know you too well." "I'm not blind to your lies." "Listen to me:" "Your horse won't be fed oats until I'm avenged, nor be reshod." "If it dies, you'll walk." "You'll wear the same dress." "You'll walk behind me naked." "Until I find this youth... and sever his head... from his body." "The youth rode on and on." "He met a coal-man... with a donkey." "Good man, can you tell me... the road to Carduel?" "That's where King Arthur, they say, makes knights." "Youth, at the end of this road is a castle." "You'll find King Arthur... in a mood both happy and sad." "Why is he happy and sad?" "That I'll tell you:" "King Arthur and his army fought King Rion of the Isles." "King Arthur won." "That made him happy." "But he's sad because many of his knights... went back to their castles." "He knows not how they fare, which grieves him." "The youth dismissed the coal-man's words." "But he remembered... which road to take." "He saw a knight come out, armed and carrying a golden cup." "His lance, his reins and his shield, he held in his left hand." "And the gold cup in his right." "He cut a proud figure in his red armor." "The youth saw the shining weapons." "He liked them." "I'll ask the King for them." "Where are you going?" "To the court." "To ask the King for weapons." "You do well, youth." "Go with all speed." "Tell the sorry King I want my land." "To give it back." "If not I'll take it from him." "It's mine, I say." "To defy him, from his table I took, with the wine in it, this gold cup." "King Arthur sat... at the head of the table, lost in thought." "The knights laughed..." "And made merry." "Vassal, tell me which one is the King." "That's him, there." "Greetings, Sire." "Sire, greetings." "This King never knighted anyone!" "How could he?" "You can't get a word out of him." "Welcome, brother." "Forgive me for not answering your greeting." "I was angered because... my worst enemy, who torments and despises me, wants my land." "He's so mad he wants all of it." "He's called the Red Knight." "A while ago the Queen sat beside me, to bring comfort to the wounded knights." "The Red Knight's words were not what angered me." "He tore my wine cup from my hand, so that on the Queen, all its contents spilled." "This rude gesture... so angered the Queen... that she retired to her chambers... where she now languishes." "The youth had little interest... in what the King told him." "Not in his anger, nor his shame." "He cared not about the Queen." "Make me a knight, Sire!" "So that I may leave." "There was a sparkle in the youth's eyes." "To be sure, he wasn't wise." "But all who saw him... found him of noble bearing." "Friend, pray dismount." "Let a servant hold your horse!" "I'll make you a knight." "To my honor and your gain." "The knights I saw never dismounted!" "Why ask it of me?" "I won't dismount." "Hurry, so I can leave." "I told you, friend:" "Gladly will I do it, to your gain and my honor." "By the Creator," "I say to you, Sire:" "I only want to be the Red Knight." "I want his weapons." "The knight at the gate." "Friend, go ahead!" "Take them from him." "They're yours." "Seneschal Kay, you do wrong to make fun of the youth." "It doesn't become a worthy man." "This lad hasn't much wit, but he's well born." "Perhaps he had bad teachers." "He shows great promise." "Young sir, if you survive, the world will never know... a greater knight." "So do I believe." "She hadn't smiled in 6 years!" "They said the day she smiled again... would be the day she met... the finest of all the knights." "Quick!" "Lay down your arms." "It is King Arthur's wish." "What knight is fighting for the King?" "I asked you to lay down your arms." "Do it." "I order you to." "Youth, I said... is the King sending someone to fight me?" "Sir knight, your weapons!" "Before I disarm you." "Another word and I'll strike you." "What are you trying to do?" "Would that I knew!" "The King gave me this armor." "I'll have to cut up this body to remove the armor, so well is it attached, as if the inside and the outside were all of a piece, and refused to be parted." "Yvonet decided to help." "Stripped the body down to its toes, removing chain-mail and breeches, the helmet from the head, and all else." "Yvonet... laced his breeches... and to his boots... attached... the spurs." "And over him put the tunic." "Then he fitted on the armor so fine... and on his head placed the helmet, which suited him well." "The sword... he taught him to wear loosely." "Then placed his foot in the stirrup, and helped him to mount the steed." "For the lad knew nothing of stirrups and spurs." "Friend, take my grey horse." "I'll have no need of it." "It's a good horse and it's for you alone." "Give the King his gold cup with my respects." "Tell the damsel who was cruelly slapped by Kay:" "he'll pay for it." "I'll avenge her before I die." "The youth rode on through the forest... until he reached a plain stretching to the sea." "Veering left, he saw the towers of a castle... that seemed to grow out of the rocky cliffs." "Greetings, worthy man... as my mother taught me to say." "God bless you, brother." "Whence do you come?" "Whence?" "The court of King Arthur." "And did what?" "The King knighted me, blessed may he be." "I thought, by such times he had other things to do... than create new knights?" "Brother, how did you get those arms?" "The King gave them to me." "Gave them?" "How?" "So he told him... a tale we already know." "To tell it once more... would be a bore." "The worthy man asked him... if he'd mastered his new horse." "I gallop through hill and dale, as easily as on the horse I had... when I lived at home." "Can you make good use of your weapons?" "I can put them on and take them off, as Yvonet taught me." "He took them from the dead knight's body." "They're light and comfortable." "Tell me, good friend, what brings you here?" "Kind sir, my mother told me to seek the company of worthy men, to listen to them, for good would come of it." "Do always so." "Your mother gave you good advice." "You wanted to say more?" "What?" "Just this:" "Can you lodge me tonight?" "Gladly." "On one condition, from which great good will come." "Follow not only your mother's advice but also mine." "I'll agree to that." "Then learn about weapons." "To hold your lance, to spur and check your horse." "He unfurled the standard." "Taught him how to hold his shield, so it would rest on the horse's neck," "and how to point and thrust his lance." "Can you so handle lance and shield and so spur and guide your horse?" "I'll speak freely." "I'll have no rest until I can." "You'll learn, if you take pains to understand." "The worthy man told him to mount." "Soon, so well did he master lance and shield, as if he'd spent his life... in tournaments and wars, traveling far and wide to do battle." "It came to him from nature." "With nature as your guide... and a willing heart besides," "all is learned with ease." "All is learned with ease." "Have I done it well?" "If your heart is in it, you'll do well enough." "If a knight charged at you, what would you do?" "I'd charge back." "What if your lance broke?" "If I had no lance..." "I'd use my fists." "I don't advise it." "Then what?" "Take out your sword." "This is how to fight an enemy, and fend him off." "I know of that." "I've had my share of practice... with the cushions in my mother's house, sometimes till I was exhausted." "Let us go to the castle for some rest." "My mother said I should never be long in company... without asking a man his name." "Fair friend:" "Gornemant of Gohort is my name." "So to the castle did they go, walking hand in hand." "As they climbed the steps, a knave ran to them... bringing of his own accord a mantle... which he wrapped around the youth... so that after the heat, cold would not seize him." "Soon a meal was ready, and well-cooked it was." "Of all they supped I won't relate." "The tale just says their fill they ate." "Their fill they ate." "When they had finished their meal, the worthy man, being most hospitable, asked him to stay a month." "A whole year, if he wanted." "He'd learn things that in times of need... would be of use to him." "The youth said:" "I know not if I am near my mother's manor." "I pray God will let me see her again." "I saw her fall in a faint, near the bridge, at the gate." "Is she alive or dead?" "I can't stay long:" "Till tomorrow at dawn." "He embraced him, kissed him," "and bid him serve with his sword, the finest order God had made:" "The order of Chivalry." "The order of Chivalry." "which must never be base." "Remember this:" "Whenever you fight a knight, follow this counsel." "If you have disarmed him, and he can no longer defend himself, you must spare him." "Show mercy, don't kill him." "Don't kill him." "Never talk too much:" "that's for fools." "Worthy men say:" "Who talks too much does wrong." "Who talks too much does wrong." "Should you meet a man, woman or child... in distress, come to their aid." "If you have aid to give!" "And you know what to do!" "Don't forget to go too church." "Pray God to have mercy on your soul." "The youth said to the worthy man:" "By all the apostles of Rome, may you be blessed!" "So did my mother say." "From now on stop saying... your mother taught you this or that." "What should I say?" "Say a worthy man taught you." "The one who instructed you in the use of arms." "Go with God, since leave you must... and care not to tarry." "The knight rode on through the forest." "He knew the forests better than the plains, and rode so well and so far that a town appeared on the horizon." "Who calls there?" "A knight am I... asking to be let in... and lodged for the night." "That I can grant you." "But you won't thank me for it." "Inside it was empty." "Wherever he went, he saw deserted streets and abandoned houses, and neither men nor women." "If ever I'd appraisal made, of the beauty God gave a woman's body, or her face," "I'd have to reconsider." "Forehead smooth and white as if carved by hand, from stone, ivory or wood." "Line of eyebrow fine and straight, likewise her nose." "And smiling eyes that cast off a fiery sparkle." "The young maid took him... gently by the hand." "And said:" "Fair lord, tonight our hospitality will not be worthy of you." "if I told you why we're in this sorry state, you might think I was lying, to make you go away." "Please stay, accept our meager hospitality." "The youth sat by the maiden in silence." "No word did he say." "For he remembered the counsel... the worthy man had given him:" "Who talks too much does wrong." "Can't this knight speak?" "A pity!" "More handsome knight was not of woman born." "He goes so well with my lady, and she so well with him, if both were not transfixed!" "He is so handsome and she so fair, never knight and maiden more suited were." "God surely meant them to be a pair, and destined them to meet." "When she realized... he would not say a word... unless she spoke first... she said gently:" "Whence came you today?" "I was with a worthy man, in his castle, where I was well lodged." "It has five strong towers, one large and four small." "His name is Gornemant of Gohort." "By calling him a worthy man, never spoke you truer words." "I'm his niece and have great fondness for him." "He lodged you and fed you well, for he is powerful and rich." "But I only have a loaf of bread and a small keg of wine... for our supper tonight." "The dinner was humble but taken with great liking." "After dinner, they parted." "Some men stayed and fell asleep:" "They'd kept watch the night before." "Others went off to guard the towers, some were sergeants, some were knights." "He was given a pillow, and embroidered blanket, and smooth white sheets." "All the delights a bed can provide... were given to the knight." "Fine white sheets..." "But not the delight of a maiden, or a lady fair." "For he still knew nothing... of the pleasures of love." "The maiden could not... find sleep in her room." "He slept soundly." "She lay awake, thinking." "She decided to visit... her guest... to give him of her thoughts a clue." "When she had arisen from her bed, and left her room, so taken by fear was she, that her limbs shook, and her body was covered with sweat." "So taken by fear..." "Crying, she went from her room... to the bed where he slept." "Where he slept..." "She moaned and sighed loudly, then leaned over and knelt by the bed." "So much did she weep, with tears she covered his face." "Covered his face." "Wept so many tears that he awoke." "He doesn't understand:" "Why is his face wet?" "Then he sees her kneeling... by his bed," "holding him tightly." "Such courtesy did he display:" "he took her in his arms... and drew her towards him." "He said:" "What is it you wish?" "Why are you here?" "Sweet knight, forgive me." "Don't think me frivolous... if I came here... in this attire." "I had no airy thoughts, or base intentions." "No living creature is there sadder... than am I." "Nothing can make me happy." "Tonight is my last night, tomorrow my last day." "I will kill myself." "Once this castle had 310 knights." "Only 50 remain." "The other 260, by the savage knight Aguingeron, seneschal to cruel Clamadieu, were slain or imprisoned." "He lay siege to us one whole winter and a summer." "As Aguingeron's forces grew, ours dwindled." "Our supplies are spent." "Tomorrow the castle surrenders:" "No one can defend it." "And I must surrender with it." "He won't have me alive, I'll kill myself." "He'll get me dead." "This little case contains a blade of steel." "It's late." "I'll be on my way." "Don't go, dear friend." "Rejoice tonight." "Take heart, weep no more." "Lie down here." "Banish the tears from your eyes." "God willing, you'll have a kinder fate." "Come beside me:" "this bed can hold us both." "She said to him:" "If it pleases you, so will I do." "He kissed her... and held her in his arms... and placed her under the blanket... gently, so she felt at ease." "She let him kiss her... and was not displeased." "So they lay all night." "Side by side, mouth to mouth, until morning came." "So much comfort brought this night, that mouth to mouth arms entwined," "they slept until the day broke." "God give you a good day." "I doubt you'll stay long in this town." "Why should you?" "We did not treat you well." "May you find better welcome elsewhere, with more bread and wine than we could offer." "I won't look for other welcome today!" "I want to put your land in peace, if ever I can." "And conquer your foe." "If I'm able to kill him," "I want your love as a reward." "No other wages will I take." "That which you ask, is easy to grant." "But, by God, to become your love, when you are sure to die for me, is too great a pity." "You are too slight and too young," "I assure you, to meet a knight so sturdy and tall... as awaits you outside, and to withstand his blows." "She chides him, but does not refuse his help." "It's best to conceal your true intent when... a man offers, of his own accord, to grant your wish." "It may spur him on, make him yet braver." "Youth, who sent you?" "And what for?" "Bring you peace or war?" "Why are you on this land?" "Answer me first, why did you slay the knights?" "Today, the castle must be surrendered." "I've waited long enough." "My lord wants the maiden." "Cursed be this news." "And he who said it." "It will cost you your life." "I won't relate how each man fared, or describe the battle blow by blow." "It lasted long and the blows rained hard and fast." "He remembered the worthy man:" "He'd told him to spare the life of any knight who... was at his mercy." "Now go... to the castle." "Promise the maiden... you'll never harm her again... and put yourself at her mercy." "Kill me, for she will have my killed!" "She wants my ruin and my death." "I killed her father." "If you have some other friend, send me there." "He ordered him to the castle... of the worthy man... and named his worthy name." "You're sending me to a fate no better:" "I killed that worthy man's brother!" "Kill me yourself, friend, rather than send me to my death." "He condemned him to King Arthur's dungeon." "Kneel to the King." "Ask him to show you the damsel... who was slapped for smiling at me." "Then go to her and... tell her I pray to God for a life long enough... to avenge her." "Of our enemy Aguingeron, why did you not... cut off his head?" "My lords, by my faith," "I would have done wrong, once I'd defeated him, not to spare him." "Then the maiden comes, who makes great joy of him." "She led him to her room." "So he could rest, embrace and kiss her, of this she made him no refusal." "Food and wine, they wanted none." "Instead they played and kissed." "Clamadieu raged." "He sent a message to the castle." "Giving the Red Knight until noon... to do battle with him, if he dared." "When the maiden heard this, great was her sorrow." "When he told her he'd accept the challenge..." "Even sadder did she become." "She begged him all night, a thousand times." "She begged him not to go." "Of no avail." "Which was strange." "Because with each word she gave him a kiss." "Such sweet... such soft kisses... that she put the key of love in the lock of his heart." "They fought at length." "I could describe each blow." "But is it worth your time and mine?" "One word's as good as twenty." "Finally Clamadieu begged for mercy, and asked what was expected of him." "He too, refused to serve... the maiden." "Nor, for all the hills of Rome, would he serve the worthy man." "But agreed to go forthwith... to King Arthur's castle." "To tell the damsel I intend to avenge her, and surely will if God grants me the time." "Listen, Sire, to what I have to say." "It pains me:" "I'm sent by a knight who defeated me." "His armor was red." "He spared me so I could tell the damsel... who smiled at him and was slapped by Sir Kay:" "He says he'll avenge her." "May God bless our lord the King." "The offense will be avenged." "Sir Kay will break his arm in combat, this nothing can prevent." "With the maiden," "Blanchefleur, who gave him her love, he could stay forever." "The conquered land forever could be his." "But he also loved his dear mother." "He'd seen her fall in a faint." "He wants to see her, more than all else." "But how to take his leave?" "Because his love begs him to stay." "He won't hear of it." "He won't hear of it." "But he promises her, if his mother still lives, he'll bring her here, and will become the lord of this land." "And also if she is dead." "The knight rode on through the forest... and met no earthly thing, no Christian man nor woman who could show him the way." "My lords, is there a bridge across this water?" "Nay, friend." "There's neither ferry, nor bridge, nor ford." "For 20 leagues either way, you can't cross on horseback." "Then tell me where I can find shelter?" "I'll lodge you for the night." "Climb up that rocky face." "In a valley you'll see the house where I dwell." "When he'd reached the peak, he looked around." "All he saw was earth and sky." "He said:" "What do I seek?" "Nonsense and folly!" "May God punish that liar!" "Forgive me for not rising." "I am not able to do so." "It matters not." "Come over here." "Sit beside me." "Where did you come from today?" "From the castle of Beaurepaire." "That's a long ride." "You started well before the watchman sounded dawn." "The first hour had already sounded." "While they spoke, a youth entered... holding a white lance by its middle... and passed between the fire and the two men." "They saw the white lance... and the white metal." "A drop of blood flowed from the tip of the lance." "Down to the youth's hand, the red drop ran." "He saw this marvel." "But it's his first visit:" "he withheld from asking how it could be." "For he remembered the worthy man's counsel, who told him not to talk too much." "He feared that asking would be rude." "So he did not ask." "Then 2 more youths entered... holding candelabra." "Bearing a grail in her hands, a young damsel... followed the youths." "She was fair and finely dressed." "No sooner had she entered... than the grail she held... gave off a light so bright that the candles paled." "As do the stars when the sun rises." "He watched them pass... and dared not ask about the grail." "Because within him he still heard the worthy man's words." "Which is a great pity." "For to remain too silent is no better than talking too much." "but dares not ask tonight." "but dares not ask tonight." "The eating was both fine and good." "Of food suited for kings and emperors... did they partake." "It's time for bed." "I'll retire to my chamber." "Sleep at your convenience." "I've lost all power over this body." "I must be carried." "You who raised the drawbridge, where are you?" "I can't see you." "Show yourself." "I want to... ask you some questions." "Perceval..." "Fortune is bald behind and hairy in front." "Cursed be whoever wishes you well." "You did not seize Fortune when it came your way." "You were at the Fisher King's castle." "Did you see the lance that bleeds but has neither flesh nor veins?" "Did I see it?" "Upon my faith, I did." "Did you ask why it bled?" "I never spoke a word, as God is my witness." "You acted very badly." "Did you see the grail?" "Faith, I did." "Who held it?" "A damsel." "Whence came she?" "From a room." "Where went she?" "Into another room." "Who preceded the grail?" "2 youths." "What held they in their hands?" "Candelabra full of candles." "Who followed the grail?" "Another damsel." "Holding what?" "A small silver platter." "Did you not ask where they were going?" "No word escaped my mouth." "Cursed is he who in fine weather... waits for finer weather still." "That's what you did, wretch." "You knew to speak, yet remained silent." "Though you had occasion enough." "Cursed was your silence!" "If only you had asked, the good king of his illness would have been cured." "Adversity awaits you and your kin:" "You'll lose your way... and errant ride for many years." "When you reach your mother, in the earth she'll lie." "The knight rode on through the forest." "Till, on a path he saw... a horse thin and weary walking ahead." "On it rode a damsel, a miserable sight." "Yet fair she'd seem, if better clad." "So ragged was her dress, not a palm of it was whole." "And it was so torn, her breasts showed through." "Her face was streaked with marks... of endless streams of tears," "that flowed to her bosom, over her dress, down to her knees." "He rides swiftly up to her." "She tries to cover herself, only to reveal more." "Covering up one place, closing one hole, she opened a dozen more." "Fair maid, God bless you." "I'd wish the same to you, if I was allowed to answer." "By God, why can't you?" "I've never seen you, nor done you harm." "You have, friend." "So shamed am I, in such trouble, that none may speak to me." "When I saw you, so unhappy... and so bare," "I knew I'd find no peace until I knew why." "I beg you, leave!" "Go away, hurry!" "Flee!" "Why should I, when none pursues me?" "Don't question me, run for your life." "The Proud Lord of the Heath, who thrives on argument, may come upon us." "If he catches us conversing, he'll kill you." "Woe to you!" "You who addressed the damsel." "You'll die for detaining her by a single step." "And yet," "I won't kill you till I've told you why I keep her in such shame." "Listen to my story:" "One day," "I went into the wood and in my tent left this maiden." "I had great trust in her." "But a Welsh youth happened by." "Whence he came or went I know not, the fact is," "he kissed her." "Against her will!" "But would he only kiss her?" "A woman who yields her mouth, soon yields the rest." "Friend, she has done enough penance." "I am he who kissed her... against her will, and angered her... and took her ring." "But that's all I did." "Then you admit you deserve to die?" "My time has not yet come!" "I'll only show you such mercy as you'll show your lady." "Of all the wrong I did her, is my heart heavy." "Go to a nearby manor." "Bathe your lady, tend to her till she is well." "Then dress her and take her to King Arthur." "Surrender to him." "If he asks why, say the Red Knight sent you, he who was so dubbed on the advice of Kay, the seneschal." "Of the wrong you did to the maiden, you'll tell the whole assembled Court." "Let all hear it, the Queen and her damsels, all of whom are kind and pretty." "You will seek out the one slapped by Kay." "Tell her I won't return to the Court until I've avenged her, and cleansed the offense." "Sir Gawain, who sat to the King's right, asked:" "By God, Sire, what knight is this who singly defeated so great a knight?" "By Saint David, who is worshipped in Wales," "I won't spend another night in this castle, until I know he's alive on sea or earth." "Let us go search for him!" "Blood on the snow... like the complexion of Blanchefleur, his lady." "So did he become lost in thought." "Near the camp, we saw a knight dozing on his steed." "Sir, you must come to the King." "To the King, Sir, you must come." "I tell you, by St. Peter the Apostle, you'll come, like it or not." "Sir knight, on guard!" "My Lord, look at Sagremor!" "Leading the knight back by the rein!" "Against his will!" "Be quiet, Kay." "Just not of worthy men." "We'll see if you can do better." "Vassal, come to the King." "Come at once or... you'll pay dearly for it." "Sire, there's good reason for what occurred." "As you have said yourself, no knight must another knight compel, as did the others, to forsake his thoughts." "But if it pleases you, I'll ask him to come to you." "Sir Gawain!" "Coax him here!" "You excel at that!" "Tame him like a cat." "So men can say:" "Thus fights proud Sir Gawain!" "Sir Kay, how well you choose your words!" "I'll bring this knight to you," "God willing." "My arm won't be broken, nor my shoulder unhinged." "That's too great a price to pay." "Sir knight," "I'd greet you if your heart I knew, as I know mine." "Only let me say this:" "I'm sent by the King, who bids you, through me, to come speak to him." "2 knights there came, who tried to make of me... their prisoner." "I was lost in a thought... that pleased me well:" "3 drops of blood sparkled on the snow." "I thought I saw the face of my beloved, the lady of the castle." "That is no base thought, but a fine and courteous one." "Only a brute would drive you from it." "But it would please me... to know of your intentions." "I want to take you, if you'll agree, to the King!" "First tell me, if Kay, the seneschal is in the royal party?" "to be sure he is there." "It was his right arm you shattered." "And his shoulder unhinged." "Then I've avenged the damsel he slapped." "Fair lord, could you be the knight we seek?" "What is your name?" "Perceval." "And yours?" "Gawain." "Gawain?" "Indeed." "That gives me great pleasure." "I've heard your name, in many places." "I am eager to have your acquaintance, should is so please you." "It pleases me no less." "Sire, here's the knight who, for 2 whole weeks, you've wanted to find." "He it is of whom you often spoke, and for whom you sought." "Welcome, Sir knight." "Tell me by what name I should call you?" "By my faith, I won't hide it longer, Sire." "My name is Perceval of Wales." "Fair one, if you have need, I'll be your knight." "I'll never fail you." "May God honor the fairest and the best of ladies." "Be you all my witnesses." "Perceval, my fair friend." "Now you're part of my court, may you never leave." "May you never leave." "But he feels otherwise, and promises himself, he'll never spend 2 nights in the same bed." "Nor hear of any challenge without meeting it, nor shun combat with any knight worthy of it, until he knows the meaning of the grail, and has found the bleeding lance," "and knows wherefore it bleeds." "Follow him." "Follow him." "Let him roam." "We'll return to him later." "First let me tell you a story, about the knight who was the finest of all, who shone like the sun:" "Sir Gawain." "He enlightened chivalry, as the sun in the morning, brings clarity to all places with its rays." "Perceval!" "So soon?" "No, it's Guingambresil... with his gold and azure shield." "He went to the King, greeted him, as was fit." "But did not greet Gawain." "Accused him of felony, and said:" "Gawain, you slew my sovereign lord, without first challenging him." "Of this dishonor... are you guilty." "It was treason." "Sire, I'd make amends if this accusation... were true." "It's an insult." "I deny it." "Here's my pledge:" "I challenge you to combat at the time and place of your choice." "Before the King of Escavalon, in 40 days." "Gawain has set forth." "One day he passes the castle of Tintaguel, the site of a tournament." "He wants to watch, and stops under a tree." "Tybald's eldest daughter is courted... by Meliant of Lis:" "I cannot accept you, said the damsel, until I've watched you fight so many times that... you have earned my hand." "The things one is given are never as sweet as those... for which one must pay." "With the eldest sister sat the younger." "So modestly were her arms clad, that she was known as the Damsel with Small Sleeves." "She alone wore cuffs so tight." "Ladies..." "Look!" "Marvels such as you've never seen, or heard of." "He's the finest young knight in this land." "He's more handsome and more skilled than all the others." "No, he isn't." "Over there..." "I think I see... one more handsome and more valiant." "You brat!" "How dare you speak ill of someone I praised?" "Here!" "That knight under the tree." "Why is he not armed for battle?" "Maybe he's a man of peace." "He's a tradesman." "His presence at the tournament... is only to sell horses." "He's bartering." "Trading his wares with the poor young knights." "The only handsome thing about him is the profit he's making!" "What evil tongues!" "Would a merchant carry a lance such as his?" "He's more like a jouster, than a tradesman." "I think he's a knight." "Don't believe it." "He may try to look like one." "It's a disguise, to get him across toll-bridges without paying." "It won't fool anyone." "He'll be caught with ease, and unmasked for the thief he is." "And have a rope around his neck!" "Sir Gawain hears the ladies mocking him." "It shames him." "And displeases him." "But he remembers he's also accused of treason." "He has to defend himself." "He must keep his appointment to do battle, or he'll be dishonored." "And all his lineage after him." "To take part in the tournament is unwise." "He may be wounded, or taken prisoner." "Listen to me, bald squire, you who scan the tournament field, looking for the finest spoils." "Haven't you noticed, right next to you, an unguarded treasure?" "You'll see the meekest knight that ever lived." "Pluck his beard, yet he won't budge." "Hey, you!" "Why won't you fight?" "Are you sick?" "Fight?" "You may ask." "But I won't tell you." "Go about your business!" "You can lodge in my castle for the night." "The first good words I've heard today!" "Here's why I can't fight in the tournament." "I'm accused of treason:" "I can't risk being taken, or wounded, till I've cleared my name." "The eldest sister does all she can to annoy... the younger sister she loathes." "Father, you haven't lost a thing today, and you're about to gain more than you think." "Let me tell you how:" "Have that man arrested." "He won't fight back." "He looks like a knight, but he's only a tradesman." "He carries shield and lance, and rides a bridled horse... to avoid paying taxes on his wares." "I'll go inquire about him myself." "When the younger sister saw what was happening, she left by the back door." "Carefully avoiding being seen, she went to... where Sir Gawain was lodged in the house of Garin, who had two fair daughters." "When they saw her coming, they were delighted." "And did not hide it." "Both took her by the hand, and led her joyfully, kissing her eyes and mouth." "Welcome." "Meet the finest knight that ever lived." "I've come to have him arrested." "He's a tradesman posing as a knight." "You are my liege:" "I'm bound to obey you." "I refuse to." "I'd rather fight you, here and now, than... let my guest be inconvenienced in my house." "God spare me!" "I wish no such harm to your guest or your house." "Then I'm honored to welcome you." "Sir Gawain rose and greeted them." "Tybald asked why he shunned the tournament." "Gawain told him why." "Tybald understood." "Kind sir, please listen to me." "I'm angry because my elder sister hit me." "Please right this wrong for me." "I'm asking you!" "The sister I hate... humiliated me because of you." "Because of me?" "I doubt it." "How can I right this wrong?" "Who told you, daughter, to appeal to this knight?" "She is your daughter?" "Pay no attention to her nonsense." "She's but a child." "It would not be courteous." "First tell me, sweet child, how can I right this wrong?" "Tomorrow, for the love of me, bear arms in the tournament." "Have you ever made such an entreaty... to a knight before?" "Never!" "Pay no heed." "Don't give in to her whims." "It was so sweetly said, by one so young," "I cannot refuse." "Tomorrow I'll be her knight." "Thank you, kind Sir." "They left forthwith, father and daughter riding on one horse." "He asked her how the quarrel arose." "She told the story from beginning to end:" "She's angered because her sister called her a brat and hit her." "Where was my sister, the Damsel with Small Sleeves?" "She's good at turns and tricks." "Where did you find her?" "What's it to you?" "Quiet!" "She is more worthy than you." "You hit her and provoked her, and were discourteous." "Daughter, why not pledge something to the knight?" "A white scarf, or one of your sleeves?" "Gladly, if you allow it." "But my sleeves are so small I wouldn't dare." "They're not worthy of him." "From his coffer the father took... a bolt of silk and ordered than on the spot be made... a sleeve, ample both in length and width." "Sister, see you there:" "the knight you so esteemed, lies on the ground!" "Too much did you esteem him." "I told you yesterday:" "there are better men than he." "Brat, hold your tongue, or I'll slap you to the ground." "Sister, your manners!" "Because I'm young and speak the truth you have no right to hit me." "I saw him knocked down and so did you." "I doubt he has the power to get up." "Even if it bursts you, Sister," "I still say all ladies present can't fail to notice... how flatly he lies there on his back." "Five hundred thanks, my lord." "Old and grey I'll be, damsel, before..." "I tire of serving you, wherever I may be." "The father begged Gawain to spend the night at his house, and asked him his name." "Gawain regretted he could not stay, and said:" "Gawain is my name." "Never did I conceal my name when it was sought." "Nor did I ever say it unless asked." "The little girl who was really very sweet, took his foot and kissed it." "And commended him to God." "He said to her:" "I promise you, sweet friend, if God allows," "I'll never forget you." "I'll never forget you." "I'll never forget you." "For several days had Gawain journeyed towards the Kingdom of Escavalon... when he saw some hunters." "Behind the first knight came 2 more on their steeds." "One was a youth, so handsome and fine." "He greeted Gawain, and took his hand." "He said:" "Sir knight, let me invite you." "Not far from here you'll find my castle." "Accept my hospitality, it's getting late." "I have a most courteous sister, who'll please you." "He'll show you the way." "This town was Escavalon, but Gawain knew it not." "The knight led him to a place where he was hated." "But they had never seen him, so he knows not that he's in danger." "He sees streets full of craftsmen plying their crafts." "How many there are!" "One makes helmets, the other chain-mail," "saddles, escutcheons," "bridles, spurs." "Some burnish swords." "Cloth is fulled, woven," "combed, and trimmed." "Some melt gold and silver, others finely craft it, making cups, goblets and bowls, rings, belts and clasps, and enameled jewels." "Each day is like market day here." "So many goods for sale:" "there's wax, pepper, and grain." "And skins and furs." "And other merchandise." "The knight enters the tower with Sir Gawain." "He leads him to the damsel's room." "And says to her:" "Fair friend, your brother commends... this knight to you." "Treat him as if you were his sister, and he your brother." "She said, since she was pleased:" "Come beside me, Sir." "You are fair and gentle." "My brother asks it of me, I'll be good company." "He is alone with a damsel most courteous, and beautiful." "And so well bred, she is trusted to be alone with him." "Their talk is all of love." "If they spoke of other matters... much foolishness they'd say!" "Sir Gawain requests her love, declares he'll be her knight for life." "And she... does not refuse." "But a passing vassal, who knew Sir Gawain, saw them kissing and having great pleasure." "Aghast, he shouted:" "Woman!" "Shame on you!" "May God destroy you." "You take pleasure with the man you should most abhor!" "He kisses you, and embraces you." "Oh most unhappy of women!" "Not with your mouth, with your hands capture his heart and rip it out!" "You're a woman, well do I see it:" "That man beside you... killed your father!" "And you kiss him!" "We're lost, good as dead." "Because of you I'll die, and you because of me." "Soon the entire town will be here:" "10,000 strong, they'll storm this tower." "He went to see the mayor and his aldermen." "He shouted:" "Arm yourselves, noble lords." "Now can we slay the traitor who slew our king." "Where is he?" "I saw him in the tower, Gawain the traitor, kissing there the maiden." "Do your duty, and with you every citizen." "Kill him!" "Back, low rabble!" "You mad dogs, servile pack!" "Who sent for you?" "What do you want?" "The knight here with me I will not surrender." "He did not fly in here or come by a dark passage." "My brother sent him to me, saying to treat him like himself." "And you rebuke me for giving him hospitality." "I had no other thoughts." "My people!" "I'm greatly distressed by what has happened." "I can't blame you for hating Sir Gawain." "But I can't let him be taken or wounded, you see, because he is my guest." "Here... the tale leaves Sir Gawain and returns to Perceval." "Perceval, we are told, had forgotten to worship the Lord." "5 times did Spring come and go, 5 whole years in which Perceval never entered a church, nor worshipped God and his Cross." "But he did not forsake the quest of Chivalry, and went far and wide in search of adventures, and survived many difficult tests." "So did he spend 5 years forgetful of God." "Good friend, don't you believe in Christ who taught us to be Christians?" "Never is it right to bear arms, but it's sacrilege on the day our Lord died." "He paid no heed to things like... times of day or year, and said:" "What day is this?" "What day?" "You don't know?" "Today is Good Friday." "Today is Good Friday." "The day to worship the Cross and atone for all our sins." "Today, no man who believes in God bears arms." "Whence did you come?" "We came from there, where a wise man, a hermit, in the forest lives." "What did you seek there?" "What did you ask of him?" "What?" "Don't you know?" "Mercy did we ask for our sins, and confessed them." "The greatest task any Christian can do." "Hearing this," "Perceval wept, and left to go speak to the hermit." "On his way there, he sighed repeatedy." "He had done wrong towards God, and regretted it." "He wept in the woods." "When he reached the hermitage..." "The saintly man told him to confess:" "Remission can only follow... repentance." "For 5 years I've been lost." "I loved not God, nor had belief." "My actions were evil." "That is a mortal sin." "Tell me why you did it, and pray that God will have mercy on your sinner's soul." "One day at the castle of the Fisher King," "I saw the lance that bleeds." "Of the drop of blood coming forth from shining steel," "I asked not." "Nor did ever after." "And of the grail, I know not who was served from it." "I felt so miserable... that I longed for death, that I even forgot God, never asked for his mercy, nor did anything to deserve it." "Fair friend, tell me," "I must know your name." "I am Perceval of Wales." "Your greatest sin is one you ignore:" "the grief you caused your mother, when you left her, and she fell in a faint by the gate." "Of this grief she died." "Died?" "If it's true, how do you know?" "I'm sure, I saw her buried." "He who is served from the Grail is my brother." "My sister and his, was your mother." "This sin is what silenced you... when you saw the Bleeding Lance, and did not inquire of it." "When you saw the Grail, and asked not who was served from it, you erred." "The wealthy Fisher King... is the son of the old king who is served from the Grail." "But he is not fed... pike, eel or salmon." "He is served a single host, which is brought to him in the Grail." "It is his only sustenance." "so holy is the Grail." "For 12 years has he lived thus, never leaving the room into which you saw the Grail enter." "Now I will tell how your sin can be absolved." "Tell me." "Nephew, hear this:" "If you want pity for your soul, let repentance flood your heart, and go in penitence... to one place:" "the Church of God, our Savior." "Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said:" "Whom do you seek?" "They answered:" "Jesus of Nazareth." "Jesus said to them:" "I am he." "Jesus said to Peter:" "Put your sword in its sheath." "They bound Jesus and led him away." "Pontius Pilate said to him:" "Are you the King of the Jews?" "Jesus answered:" "My kingdom is not of this world." "Pontius Pilate said to him:" "Then you are the King?" "Jesus answered:" "You say that I am a king." "Hail, King of the Jews." "Once more Pontius Pilate came out and said:" "Behold the man." "When the chief, priests and the officers saw him, they cried out:" "Crucify him!" "Bearing his own cross, he came to the place called Calvary, called in Hebrew:" "Golgotha." "There they crucified him." "Those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying:" "Hah!" "Hah!" "You who would destroy the temple of God... and built it in three days, save yourself." "If you are the Son of God," "come down from the cross!" "The knight rode on through the forest..."