Jaufry the Knight and the Fair Brunissende

d to hear mass. And with him went a brilliant train, the Knights of the Round Table. There were Sir Gawain, Lancelot du Lac, Tristrem, and Ivan bold, Eric frank of heart, and Quex the senescha

g to seek. Quex at this moment came into the hall, holding a branch of apple in his hand. All made room for him; for there were few who did not fear his tongue and the hard words which it was wont to utter. This baron bold held nothing in res

ghtway to the k

ease you, it is

Have I not told thee, ay, a thousand times, naught should induce me to partake of food, when thus my court had met, till

and lords, minstrels and mountebanks, ceased not their tricks, their gay discourse, thei

ot to us, we must fain seek it in the open field; for should we longer stay,

," Sir Gawain said,

ord, and at the head of his bold barons placed, set out for Bressiland, a gloomy wood. Having along its deep and shady paths awhile proceeded, the good king drew rein

ng Arthur cried; "but with no

d," Sir Gawain said, "I f

" the king made reply

ish," said Gawain,

e sharper grew. The king pricked on with greater speed, and stopped before a stream by which a mill was placed. Just at the door he saw a woman stand, wh

n God's name! a dreadful beast, come down from yo

he savage beast, which truly

rth his sword, and, covered with his shield, went straight into the mill. The beast, however, far from being scared, did not so much as even raise its head, but from the hopper still devoured the corn. Seeing it motionless, the king believed the beast was lack of spirit, and, to excite it, struck it on the back: but still the creature moved not. He then advanced, and standing right in front, lunged at the beast as t

s, the king, aghast, distracted, and yet wild with rage. It then regained the wood at easy pace; when Gawain, who, by good f

Table more! We should indeed deserve dishonoured names were the king lost for want of timely aid." As thus h

harm would come to h

f thou spare it, saved. I might have slain it, and yet did not so; something now tells me I h

him with tears, "must I, then

e king rejoined, "will

, he cast down lance and shield, he tor

with lances lowered, and at top of speed;

King Arthur's sake; he's a dead

re we to do?"

Gawain: "if the king be h

There, stretching out its head, it held the king suspended o'er the abyss. Judge the alarm of Gawain and his friends, who each beside was almost wild with rage! Hearing their cries, they who remained behind came up full spur, and reached the lofty rock, where, at the summit, they beheld the king hanging thus helpless from the monst

s day to cause the death of our good king,

o drop in that abyss; and in low voice he prayed the saints and God to save him from this pass. Then Gawain, Tristrem, and I know not who beside, took counsel how

isk. When this the beast beheld, it stirred as though it would draw back, and slightly shook its head. The crowd below, alarmed, at once upraised a cry; and on their bended knees prayed Heaven to guard the king, and bear him sa

o resume; they now may dine in peace; though

strange, now recognised the knight,-a courtly guest,

ll spells was versed. For some time past between him and the king a compact stood, whereby it was agreed, if he himself transformed when all the

shed; and you may safely judge of his surprise-finding him t

can indeed enchant poor folks, and force

the enchanter in the same gay tone; "for

l-bred, each holding the queen's arm, then led her in, where, at the table, sat she 'neath the king. Gawain then placed himself the other side, and Ivan by the queen: at once with laughter they began to tell of the enchanter's skill; and when Queen Guenever, and they, the knights who were not in the wood, had learned the doings there, they were indeed surprised; and soon loud laughed and chatted with the rest. Meanwhile Sir Quex before the king and fair Queen Ghieneyer the

more finely-shaped. His shoulders were at least two cubits broad, his features regular, his eyes were sparkling, full of love and mirth; his hair was shining as the brightest gold, his arms

ame hue. A garland of fresh flowers crowned his brows, to which the su

e with quick and joyous step to kneel at the good mona

t holds; He who no suzerain hath,-now

thee for those words; if thou dos

I knew so doing I should meet the best of kings; and I conjure yo

, and take thy seat; it shall b

will I uprise from hence till you

d," then excla

than lo! the guests beheld a knight, well armed, and on a charger fleet, come riding in. Crossing the hall, he with his lan

boasted knights should care to follow, I am Taulat Lord of Rugimon; and ea

aged, yet sad; but then the squir

ms, that I may follow up that haughty lor

t yourself down again, and drink another bout; the heart will be the merrier, and yo

e worthy king; but for such cause, Quex had for his speech paid

s emboldened thee to speak thus vilely, and to a stranger who a suit prefers? Canst thou not keep withi

ch I will a noble vengeance seek. Vile word ne'er sullieth honour. Let me rather have a suit of arms, to follo

h courteou

But thou art all too young to fight with him who now has left this hall. Not four among the knights of my Hound Table can dare to meet

stay my fighting; but in that you'll not succeed save you refuse to grant the boon erewhile yo

arch an

thy ardent wish; thou s

the spurs, and horse of price in full caparison; then, when they brought the arms and horse, he caused the squire to put the hauberk on, h

e I was born my name is

thus, sighed heavily, and sai

ver had he superior in arms. None were held stouter or more dread in fight. May God, if He so will it, grant him grace; si

upon the horse, all armed as he then stood, without the use of stirrup; then called he for his shield a