Chương Chương 149 · How Sir Gareth was espied by the heralds, and how he

. How Sir Gareth was espied by the heralds, and how he

escaped out of the field.

But before he was in so many colours, and now he is but in one colour;

that is yellow. Now go, said King Arthur unto divers heralds, and ride

about him, and espy what manner knight he is, for I have spered of many

knights this day that be upon his party, and all say they know him not.

And so an herald rode nigh Gareth as he could; and there he saw written

about his helm in gold, This helm is Sir Gareth of Orkney.

Then the herald cried as he were wood, and many heralds with him:—This

is Sir Gareth of Orkney in the yellow arms; that by all kings and

knights of Arthur’s beheld him and awaited; and then they pressed all

to behold him, and ever the heralds cried: This is Sir Gareth of

Orkney, King Lot’s son.

And when Sir Gareth espied that he was discovered, then he doubled his

strokes, and smote down Sir Sagramore, and his brother Sir Gawaine.

O brother, said Sir Gawaine, I weened ye would not have stricken me.

So when he heard him say so he thrang here and there, and so with great

pain he gat out of the press, and there he met with his dwarf. O boy,

said Sir Gareth, thou hast beguiled me foul this day that thou kept my

ring; give it me anon again, that I may hide my body withal; and so he

took it him. And then they all wist not where he was become; and Sir

Gawaine had in manner espied where Sir Gareth rode, and then he rode

after with all his might. That espied Sir Gareth, and rode lightly into

the forest, that Sir Gawaine wist not where he was become. And when Sir

Gareth wist that Sir Gawaine was passed, he asked the dwarf of best

counsel. Sir, said the dwarf, meseemeth it were best, now that ye are

escaped from spying, that ye send my lady Dame Lionesse her ring. It is

well advised, said Sir Gareth; now have it here and bear it to her, and

say that I recommend me unto her good grace, and say her I will come

when I may, and I pray her to be true and faithful to me as I will be

to her. Sir, said the dwarf, it shall be done as ye command: and so he

rode his way, and did his errand unto the lady. Then she said, Where is

my knight, Sir Gareth? Madam, said the dwarf, he bade me say that he

would not be long from you. And so lightly the dwarf came again unto

Sir Gareth, that would full fain have had a lodging, for he had need to

be reposed. And then fell there a thunder and a rain, as heaven and

earth should go together. And Sir Gareth was not a little weary, for of

all that day he had but little rest, neither his horse nor he. So this

Sir Gareth rode so long in that forest until the night came. And ever

it lightened and thundered, as it had been wood. At the last by fortune

he came to a castle, and there he heard the waits upon the walls.