第 一百五十二 章 · How Sir Gareth and Sir Gawaine fought each against

. How Sir Gareth and Sir Gawaine fought each against

other, and how they knew each other by the damosel Linet.

So the duke departed, and Sir Gareth stood there alone; and there he

saw an armed knight coming toward him. Then Sir Gareth took the duke’s

shield, and mounted upon horseback, and so without biding they ran

together as it had been the thunder. And there that knight hurt Sir

Gareth under the side with his spear. And then they alighted and drew

their swords, and gave great strokes that the blood trailed to the

ground. And so they fought two hours.

At the last there came the damosel Linet, that some men called the

damosel Savage, and she came riding upon an ambling mule; and there she

cried all on high, Sir Gawaine, Sir Gawaine, leave thy fighting with

thy brother Sir Gareth.

And when he heard her say so he threw away his shield and his sword,

and ran to Sir Gareth, and took him in his arms, and sithen kneeled

down and asked him mercy.

What are ye, said Sir Gareth, that right now were so strong and so

mighty, and now so suddenly yield you to me? O Gareth, I am your

brother Sir Gawaine, that for your sake have had great sorrow and

labour.

Then Sir Gareth unlaced his helm, and kneeled down to him, and asked

him mercy. Then they rose both, and embraced either other in their

arms, and wept a great while or they might speak, and either of them

gave other the prize of the battle. And there were many kind words

between them.

Alas, my fair brother, said Sir Gawaine, perdy I owe of right to

worship you an ye were not my brother, for ye have worshipped King

Arthur and all his court, for ye have sent me more worshipful knights

this twelvemonth than six the best of the Round Table have done, except

Sir Launcelot.

Then came the damosel Savage that was the Lady Linet, that rode with

Sir Gareth so long, and there she did staunch Sir Gareth’s wounds and

Sir Gawaine’s. Now what will ye do? said the damosel Savage; meseemeth

that it were well done that Arthur had witting of you both, for your

horses are so bruised that they may not bear. Now, fair damosel, said

Sir Gawaine, I pray you ride unto my lord mine uncle, King Arthur, and

tell him what adventure is to me betid here, and I suppose he will not

tarry long. Then she took her mule, and lightly she came to King Arthur

that was but two mile thence. And when she had told him tidings the

king bade get him a palfrey. And when he was upon his back he bade the

lords and ladies come after, who that would; and there was saddling and

bridling of queens’ horses and princes’ horses, and well was him that

soonest might be ready.

So when the king came thereas they were, he saw Sir Gawaine and Sir

Gareth sit upon a little hill-side, and then the king avoided his

horse. And when he came nigh Sir Gareth he would have spoken but he

might not; and therewith he sank down in a swoon for gladness. And so

they stert unto their uncle, and required him of his good grace to be

of good comfort. Wit ye well the king made great joy, and many a

piteous complaint he made to Sir Gareth, and ever he wept as he had

been a child. With that came his mother, the Queen of Orkney, Dame

Morgawse, and when she saw Sir Gareth readily in the visage she might

not weep, but suddenly fell down in a swoon, and lay there a great

while like as she had been dead. And then Sir Gareth recomforted his

mother in such wise that she recovered and made good cheer. Then the

king commanded that all manner of knights that were under his

obeissance should make their lodging right there for the love of his

nephews. And so it was done, and all manner of purveyance purveyed,

that there lacked nothing that might be gotten of tame nor wild for

gold or silver. And then by the means of the damosel Savage Sir Gawaine

and Sir Gareth were healed of their wounds; and there they sojourned

eight days.

Then said King Arthur unto the damosel Savage: I marvel that your

sister, Dame Lionesse, cometh not here to me, and in especial that she

cometh not to visit her knight, my nephew Sir Gareth, that hath had so

much travail for her love. My lord, said the damosel Linet, ye must of

your good grace hold her excused, for she knoweth not that my lord, Sir

Gareth, is here. Go then for her, said King Arthur, that we may be

appointed what is best to be done, according to the pleasure of my

nephew. Sir, said the damosel, that shall be done, and so she rode unto

her sister. And as lightly as she might she made her ready; and she

came on the morn with her brother Sir Gringamore, and with her forty

knights. And so when she was come she had all the cheer that might be

done, both of the king, and of many other kings and queens.