And from thence they both went to Gelli Wic in Cornwall, and took the leash made of Dillus Varvawc's beard with them, and they gave it into Arthur's hand. Then Arthur composed this Englyn:—

And thereupon Kai was wroth, so that the warriors of the island could scarcely make peace between Kai and Arthur. And thenceforth, neither in Arthur's troubles, nor for the slaying of his men, would Kai come forward to his aid forever after.

Said Arthur, "Which of the marvels is it best for us now to seek?"

"It is best for us to seek Drudwyn, the cub of Greid, the son of Eri."

A little while before this, Creiddylad, the daughter of Lludd Llaw Ereint, and Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl, were betrothed. And, before she had become his bride, Gwyn ap Nudd came and carried her away by force; and Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl, gathered his host together, and went to fight with Gwyn ap Nudd. But Gwyn overcame him, and captured Greid, the son of Eri, and Glinneu, the son of Taran, and Gwrgwst Ledlwm, and Dynvarth, his son. And he captured Penn, the son of Nethawg, and Nwython, and Kyledyr Wyllt, his son.

When Arthur heard of this, he went to the North, and summoned Gwyn ap Nudd before him, and set free the nobles whom he had put in prison, and made peace between Gwyn ap Nudd, and Gwythyr, the son of Greidawl. And this was the peace that was made: that the maiden should remain in her father's house, without advantage to either of them; and that Gwyn ap Nudd, and Gwythyr, the son of Griedawl, should fight for her every first of May, from thenceforth until the day of doom; and that whichever of them should then be conqueror should have the maiden.

And, when Arthur had thus reconciled these chieftains, he obtained Mygdwn, Gweddw's horse, and the leash of Cwrs Cant Ewin.

And after that Arthur went into Armorica, and with him Mabon, the son of Mellt, and Gware Gwallt Euryn, to seek the two dogs of Glythmyr Ledewic. And when he had got them, he went to the west of Ireland in search of Gwrgi Severi; and Odgar, the son of Aedd, King of Ireland, went with him. And thence went Arthur into the North, and captured Kyledyr Wyllt; and he went after Yskithyrwyn Benbaedd. And Mabon, the son of Mellt, came with the two dogs of Glythmyr Ledewic in his hand, and Drudwyn, the cub of Greid, the son of Eri. And Arthur went himself to the chase, leading his own dog, Cavall. And Kaw of North Britain mounted Arthur's mare, Llamrei, and was first in the attack. Then Kaw of North Britain wielded a mighty axe, and absolutely daring he came valiantly up to the boar, and clave his head in twain. And Kaw took away the tusk. Now the boar was not slain by the dogs that Yspaddaden had mentioned, but by Cavall, Arthur's own dog.

And after Yskithyrwyn Benbaedd was killed, Arthur and his host departed to Gelli Wic in Cornwall. And thence he sent Menw, the son of Teirgwaedd, to see if the precious things were between the two ears of Twrch Trwyth, since it were useless to encounter him if they were not there. Albeit it was certain where he was, for he had laid waste the third part of Ireland. And Menw went to seek for him, and he met with him in Ireland, in Esgeir Oervel. And Menw took the form of a bird; and he descended upon the top of his lair, and strove to snatch away one of the precious things from him; but he carried away nothing but one of his bristles. And the boar rose up angrily, and shook himself so that some of his venom fell upon Menw, and he was never well from that day forward.

After this, Arthur sent an embassy to Odgar, the son of Aedd, King of Ireland, to ask for the caldron of Diwrnach Wyddel, his purveyor. And Odgar commanded him to give it. But Diwrnach said, "Heaven is my witness, if it would avail him any thing even to look at it, he should not do so."

And the embassy of Arthur returned from Ireland with this denial. And Arthur set forward with a small retinue, and entered into Prydwen, his ship, and went over to Ireland. And they proceeded into the house of Diwrnach Wyddel. And the hosts of Odgar saw their strength. When they had eaten and drunk as much as they desired, Arthur demanded to have the caldron. And he answered, "If I would have given it to any one, I would have given it at the word of Odgar, King of Ireland."

When he had given them this denial, Bedwyr arose, and seized hold of the caldron, and placed it upon the back of Hygwyd, Arthur's servant, who was brother, by the mother's side, to Arthur's servant, Cachamwri. His office was always to carry Arthur's caldron, and to place fire under it. And Llenlleawg Wyddel seized Caledvwlch, and brandished it. And they slew Diwrnach Wyddel and his company. Then came the Irish, and fought with them. And when he had put them to flight Arthur with his men went forward to the ship, carrying away the caldron full of Irish money. And he disembarked at the house of Llwydden, the son of Kelcoed, at Porth Kerddin in Dyved. And there is the measure of the caldron.

Then Arthur summoned unto him all the warriors that were in the three islands of Britain and in the three islands adjacent, and all that were in France and in Armorica, in Normandy, and in the Summer Country, and all that were chosen footmen and valiant horsemen. And with all these he went into Ireland. And in Ireland there was great fear and terror concerning him. And when Arthur had landed in the country, there came unto him the saints of Ireland, and besought his protection. And he granted his protection unto them, and they gave him their blessing. Then the men of Ireland came unto Arthur, and brought him provisions. And Arthur went as far as Esgeir Oervel, in Ireland, to the place where the Boar Trwyth was with his seven young pigs. And the dogs were let loose upon him from all sides. That day until evening the Irish fought with him: nevertheless, he laid waste the fifth part of Ireland. And on the day following, the household of Arthur fought with him, and they were worsted by him, and got no advantage. And the third day Arthur himself encountered him, and he fought with him nine nights and nine days, without so much as killing even one little pig. The warriors inquired of Arthur what was the origin of that swine; and he told them that he was once a king, and that God had transformed him into a swine for his sins.

Then Arthur sent Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd to endeavor to speak with him. And Gwrhyr assumed the form of a bird, and alighted upon the top of the lair, where he was with the seven young pigs. And Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd asked him, "By him who turned you into this form, if you can speak, let some one of you, I beseech you, come and talk with Arthur."

Grugyn Gwrych Ereint made answer to him. (Now his bristles were like silver wire; and whether he went through the wood or through the plain, he was to be traced by the glittering of his bristles.) And this was the answer that Grugyn made, "By him who turned us into this form, we will not do so, and we will not speak with Arthur. That we have been transformed thus is enough for us to suffer, without your coming here to fight with us."

"I will tell you. Arthur comes but to fight for the comb, and the razor, and the scissors, which are between the two ears of Twrch Trwyth."

Said Grugyn, "Except he first take his life, he will never have those precious things. And to-morrow morning we will rise up hence, and we will go into Arthur's country, and there will we do all the mischief that we can."

So they set forth through the sea towards Wales. And Arthur and his hosts, and his horses and his dogs, entered Prydwen, that they might encounter them without delay. Twrch Trwyth landed in Porth Cleis in Dyved, and Arthur came to Mynyw. The next day it was told to Arthur that they had gone by, and he overtook them as they were killing the cattle of Kynnwas Kwrr y Vagyl, having slain all that were at Aber Cleddyf, of man and beast, before the coming of Arthur.

Now when Arthur approached, Twrch Trwyth went on as far as Preseleu, and Arthur and his hosts followed him thither, and Arthur sent men to hunt him,—Eli and Trachmyr leading Drutwyn, the whelp of Greid, the son of Eri; and Gwarthegyd, the son of Kaw, in another quarter, with the two dogs of Glythmyr Ledewig; and Bedwyr leading Cavall, Arthur's own dog. And all the warriors ranged themselves around the Nyver. And there came there the three sons of Cleddyf Divwlch, men who had gained much fame at the slaying of Yskithyrwyn Penbaedd; and they went on from Glyn Nyver, and came to Cwm Kerwyn.

And there Twrch Trwyth made a stand, and slew four of Arthur's champions,—Gwarthegyd the son of Kaw, and Tarawc of Allt Clwydd, and Rheidwn the son of Eli Atver, and Iscovan Hael. And after he had slain these men he made a second stand in the same place. And there he slew Gwydre the son of Arthur, and Garselit Wyddel, and Glew the son of Ysgawd, and Iscawyn the son of Panon; and there he himself was wounded.

And the next morning, before it was day, some of the men came up with him. And he slew Huandaw and Gogigwr and Penpingon, three attendants upon Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr, so that Heaven knows he had not an attendant remaining, excepting only Llaesgevyn, a man from whom no one ever derived any good. And together with these he slew many of the men of that country, and Gwlydyn Saer, Arthur's chief architect.

Then Arthur overtook him at Pelumyawc; and there he slew Madawc the son of Teithyon, and Gwyn the son of Tringad, the son of Neved, and Eiryawn Penllorau. Thence he went to Aberteivi, where he made another stand, and where he slew Kyflas the son of Kynan, and Gwilenhin, King of France. Then he went as far as Glyn Ystu, and there the men and the dogs lost him.

Then Arthur summoned unto him Gwyn ab Nudd, and he asked him if he knew aught of Twrch Trwyth. And he said that he did not.

And all the huntsmen went to hunt the swine as far as Dyffryn Llychwr. And Grugyn Gwallt Ereint and Llwydawg Govynnyad closed with them, and killed all the huntsmen; so that there escaped but one man only. And Arthur and his hosts came to the place where Grugyn and Llwydawg were. And there he let loose the whole of the dogs upon them; and with the shout and barking that was set up Twrch Trwyth came to their assistance.

And from the time that they came across the Irish Sea Arthur had never got sight of him until then. So he set men and dogs upon him, and thereupon he started off, and went to Mynydd Amanw. And there one of his young pigs was killed. Then they set upon him life for life, and Twrch Llawin was slain; and then there was slain another of the swine, Gwys was his name. After that, he went on to Dyffryn Amanw, and there Banw and Bennwig were killed. Of all his pigs, there went with him alive from that place none save Grugyn Gwallt Ereint and Liwvdawg Govynnyad.

Thence he went on to Llwch Ewin; and Arthur overtook him there, and he made a stand. And there he slew Echel Forddwytwll, and Garwyli the son of Gwyddawg Gwyr, and many men and dogs likewise. And thence they went to Llwch Tawy. Grugyn Gwrych Ereint parted from them there, and went to Din Tywi. And thence he proceeded to Ceredigiawn, and Eli and Trachmyr with him, and a multitude likewise. Then he came to Garth Gregyn, and there Llwydawg Govynnyad fought in the midst of them, and slew Rhudvyw Rhys and many others with him. Then Llwydawg went thence to Ystrad Yw; and there the men of Armorica met him, and there he slew Hirpeissawg, the King of Armorica, and Llygatrudd Emys, and Gwrbothu, Arthur's uncles, his mother's brothers; and there was he himself slain.

Twrch Trwyth went from there to between Tawy and Euyas. And Arthur summoned all Cornwall and Devon unto him, to the estuary of the Severn; and he said to the warriors of this island, "Twrch Trwyth has slain many of my men, but by the valor of warriors while I live he shall not go into Cornwall. And I will not follow him any longer, but I will oppose him life to life. Do ye as ye will."

And he resolved that he would send a body of knights, with the dogs of the island, as far as Euyas, who should return thence to the Severn, and that tried warriors should traverse the island, and force him into Severn. And Mabon, the son of Modron, came up with him at the Severn, upon Gwynn Mygddon, the horse of Gweddw, and Goreu the son of Custennin, and Menw the son of Teirgwaedd. This was betwixt Llyn Lliwan and Aber Gwy. And Arthur fell upon him together with the champions of Britain. And Osla Kyllellvawr drew near, and Manawyddan the son of Llyr, and Kacmwri the servant of Arthur, and Gwyngelli; and they seized hold of him, catching him first by his feet, and plunged him in the Severn, so that it overwhelmed him. On the one side Mabon the son of Modron spurred his steed, and snatched his razor from him; and Kyledyr Wyllt came up with him on the other side, upon another steed, in the Severn, and took from him the scissors. But before they could obtain the comb, he had regained the ground with his feet, and from the moment that he reached the shore, neither dog, nor man, nor horse could overtake him until he came to Cornwall. If they had had trouble in getting the jewels from him, much more had they in seeking to save the two men from being drowned. Kacmwri, as they drew him forth, was dragged by two millstones into the deep. And as Osla Kyllellvawr was running after the boar, his knife had dropped out of the sheath, and he had lost it; and after that, the sheath became full of water, and its weight drew him down into the deep as they were drawing him forth.

Then Arthur and his hosts proceeded, until they overtook the boar in Cornwall; and the trouble which they had met with before was mere play to what they encountered in seeking the comb. But from one difficulty to another, the comb was at length obtained. And then he was hunted from Cornwall, and driven straight forward into the deep sea. And thenceforth it was never known whither he went, and Aned and Aethlem with him. Then went Arthur to Gelliwic in Cornwall, to anoint himself, and to rest from his fatigues.

Said Arthur, "Is there any one of the marvels yet unobtained?"

Said one of his men, "There is,—the blood of the witch Orddu, the daughter of the witch Owen of Penn Nant Govid, on the confines of Hell."

Arthur set forth towards the North, and came to the place where was the witch's cave. And Gwyn ab Nudd, and Gwythyr the son of Greidawl, counselled him to send Kacmwri and Hygwyd his brother to fight with the witch. And as they entered the cave, the witch seized upon them, and she caught Hygwyd by the hair of his head, and threw him on the floor beneath her. And Kacmwri caught her by the hair of her head, and dragged her to the earth from off Hygwyd; but she turned again upon them both, and drove them both out with kicks and with cuffs.

And Arthur was wroth at seeing his two attendants almost slain, and he sought to enter the cave; but Gwyn and Gwythyr said unto him, "It would not be fitting or seemly for us to see thee squabbling with a hag. Let Hiramreu and Hireidil go to the cave."

So they went. But if great was the trouble of the first two that went, much greater was that of these two. And Heaven knows that not one of the four could move from the spot, until they placed them all upon Llamrei, Arthur's mare. And then Arthur rushed to the door of the cave; and at the door he struck at the witch with Carnwennan, his dagger, and clove her in twain, so that she fell in two parts. And Kaw of North Britain took the blood of the witch, and kept it.

Then Kilhwch set forward, and Goreu, the son of Custennin, with him, and as many as wished ill to Yspaddaden Penkawr. And they took the marvels with them to his court. And Kaw of North Britain came and shaved his beard, skin, and flesh clean off to the very bone from ear to ear.

"Art thou shaved, man?" said Kilhwch.

"I am shaved," answered he.

"Is thy daughter mine now?"

"She is thine," said he; "but therefor needest thou not thank me, but Arthur who hath accomplished this for thee. By my free will thou should'st never have had her; for with her I lose my life."

Then Goreu, the son of Custennin, seized him by the hair of his head, and dragged him after him to the keep, and cut off his head, and placed it on a stake on the citadel. Then they took possession of his castle and of his treasures.

And Olwen became Kilhwch's bride, and she continued to be his wife as long as she lived. And the hosts of Arthur dispersed themselves, each man to his own country. And thus did Kilhwch obtain Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr.

PEREDUR[15] THE SON OF EVRAWC.

Earl Evrawc owned the earldom of the North. And he had seven sons. And Evrawc maintained himself not so much by his own possessions as by attending tournaments and wars and combats. And, as it often befalls those who join in encounters and wars, he was slain, and six of his sons likewise. Now the name of his seventh son was Peredur, and he was the youngest of them. And he was not of an age to go to wars and encounters, otherwise he might have been slain as well as his father and brothers. His mother was a scheming and thoughtful woman, and she was very anxious concerning this her only son and his possessions. So she took counsel with herself to leave the inhabited country, and to flee to the deserts and unfrequented wildernesses. And she permitted none to bear her company thither but women and boys and spiritless men, who were both unaccustomed and unequal to war and fighting. And none dared to bring either horses or arms where her son was, lest he should set his mind upon them. And the youth went daily to divert himself in the forest by flinging sticks and staves.

And one day they saw three knights coming along the horse-road on the borders of the forest. And the three knights were Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, and Geneir Gwystyl, and Owain the son of Urien. And Owain kept on the track of the knight who had divided the apples in Arthur's court, whom they were in pursuit of.

"Mother," said Peredur, "what are those yonder?"

"They are angels, my son," said she.

"By my faith," said Peredur, "I will go and become an angel with them." And Peredur went to the road, and met them.

"Tell me, good soul," said Owain, "sawest thou a knight pass this way either to-day or yesterday?"

"I know not," answered he, "what a knight is."

"Such an one as I am," said Owain.

"If thou wilt tell me what I ask thee, I will tell thee that which thou askest me."

"Gladly will I do so," replied Owain.

"What is this?" demanded Peredur, concerning the saddle.

"It is a saddle," said Owain.

Then he asked about all the accoutrements which he saw upon the men, and the horses, and the arms, and what they were for, and how they were used.

And Owain showed him all these things fully, and told him what use was made of them.

"Go forward," said Peredur, "for I saw such an one as thou inquirest for, and I will follow thee."

Then Peredur returned to his mother and her company, and he said to her, "Mother, those were not angels, but honorable knights."

Then his mother swooned away. And Peredur went to the place where they kept the horses that carried firewood, and that brought meat and drink from the inhabited country to the desert. And he took a bony, piebald horse, which seemed to him the strongest of them; and he pressed a pack into the form of a saddle, and with twisted twigs he imitated the trappings which he had seen upon the horses. And when Peredur came again to his mother, the countess had recovered from her swoon.

"My son," said she, "desirest thou to ride forth?"

"Yes, with thy leave," said he.

"Wait, then, that I may counsel thee before thou goest."

"Willingly," he answered. "Speak quickly."

"Go forward, then," she said, "to the court of Arthur, where there are the best and the boldest and the most bountiful of men. And wherever thou seest a church, repeat there thy Paternoster unto it. And if thou see meat and drink, and have need of them, and none have the kindness or the courtesy to give them to thee, take them thyself. If thou hear an outcry, proceed towards it, especially if it be the outcry of a woman. If thou see a fair jewel, possess thyself of it, and give it to another; for thus thou shalt obtain praise. If thou see a fair woman, pay thy court to her, whether she will or no; for thus thou wilt render thyself a better and more esteemed man than thou wast before."

After this discourse, Peredur mounted the horse, and, taking a handful of sharp-pointed forks in his hand, he rode forth. And he journeyed two days and two nights in the woody wildernesses and in desert places, without food and without drink. And then he came to a vast wild wood; and far within the wood he saw a fair even glade, and in the glade he saw a tent, and, the tent seeming to him to be a church, he repeated his Paternoster to it. And he went towards it, and the door of the tent was open. And a golden chair was near the door. And on the chair sat a lovely auburn-haired maiden, with a golden frontlet on her forehead, and sparkling stones in the frontlet, and with a large gold ring on her hand. And Peredur dismounted, and entered the tent. And the maiden was glad at his coming, and bade him welcome. At the entrance of the tent he saw food, and two flasks full of wine, and two loaves of fine wheaten flour, and collops of the flesh of the wild boar. "My mother told me," said Peredur, "wheresoever I saw meat and drink, to take it."

"Take the meat, and welcome, chieftain," said she.

So Peredur took half of the meat and of the liquor himself, and left the rest to the maiden. And, when Peredur had finished eating, he bent upon his knee before the maiden. "My mother," said he, "told me, wheresoever I saw a fair jewel, to take it."

"Do so, my soul," said she.

So Peredur took the ring. And he mounted his horse, and proceeded on his journey.

After this, behold the knight came to whom the tent belonged; and he was the lord of the glade. And he saw the track of the horse, and he said to the maiden, "Tell me who has been here since I departed."

"A man," said she, "of wonderful demeanor." And she described to him what Peredur's appearance and conduct had been.

"Tell me," said he, "did he offer thee any wrong."

"No," answered the maiden, "by my faith, he harmed me not."

"By my faith, I do not believe thee; and, until I can meet with him and revenge the insult he has done me and wreak my vengeance upon him, thou shalt not remain two nights in the same house." And the knight arose, and set forth to seek Peredur.

Meanwhile Peredur journeyed on towards Arthur's court. And before he reached it, another knight had been there, who gave a ring of thick gold at the door of the gate for holding his horse, and went into the hall where Arthur and his household, and Gwenhwyvar and her maidens, were assembled. And the page of the chamber was serving Gwenhwyvar with a golden goblet. Then the knight dashed the liquor that was therein upon her face, and upon her stomacher, and gave her a violent blow on the face, and said, "If any have the boldness to dispute this goblet with me, and to revenge the insult to Gwenhwyvar, let him follow me to the meadow, and there I will await him."

So the knight took his horse, and rode to the meadow. And all the household hung down their heads, lest any of them should be requested to go and avenge the insult to Gwenhwyvar. For it seemed to them that no one would have ventured on so daring an outrage, unless he possessed such powers, through magic or charms, that none could be able to take vengeance upon him. Then, behold, Peredur entered the hall upon the bony piebald horse with the uncouth trappings upon it, and in this way he traversed the whole length of the hall. In the centre of the hall stood Kai.

"Tell me, tall man," said Peredur, "is that Arthur, yonder?"

"What wouldest thou with Arthur?" asked Kai.

"My mother told me to go to Arthur, and receive the honor of knighthood."

"By my faith," said he, "thou art all too meanly equipped with horse and with arms."

Thereupon he was perceived by all the household, and they threw sticks at him. Then, behold, a dwarf came forward. He had already been a year at Arthur's court, both he and a female dwarf. They had craved harborage of Arthur, and had obtained it; and during the whole year neither of them had spoken a single word to any one. When the dwarf beheld Peredur, "Haha!" said he, "the welcome of Heaven be unto thee, goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc, the chief of warriors, and flower of knighthood."

"Truly," said Kai, "thou art ill taught to remain a year mute at Arthur's court, with choice of society, and now before the face of Arthur and all his household, to call out, and declare such a man as this the chief of warriors and the flower of knighthood." And he gave him such a box on the ear that he fell senseless to the ground.

Then exclaimed the female dwarf, "Haha, goodly Peredur, son of Evrawc! The welcome of Heaven be unto thee, flower of knights, and light of chivalry."

"Of a truth, maiden," said Kai, "thou art ill bred to remain mute for a year at the court of Arthur, and then to speak as thou dost of such a man as this." And Kai kicked her with his foot, so that she fell to the ground senseless.

"Tall man," said Peredur, "show me which is Arthur."

"Hold thy peace!" said Kai, "and go after the knight who went hence to the meadow, and take from him the goblet, and overthrow him, and possess thyself of his horse and arms, and then thou shalt receive the order of knighthood."

"I will do so, tall man," said Peredur. So he turned his horse's head towards the meadow. And when he came there, the knight was riding up and down, proud of his strength and valor and noble mien.

"Tell me," said the knight, "didst thou see any one coming after me from the court?"

"The tall man that was there," said he, "desired me to come and overthrow thee, and to take from thee the goblet and thy horse and thy armor for myself."

"Silence!" said the knight. "Go back to the court, and tell Arthur, from me, either to come himself, or to send some other to fight with me; and, unless he do so quickly, I will not wait for him."

"By my faith," said Peredur! "choose thou whether it shall be willingly or unwillingly; but I will have the horse and the arms and the goblet."

And upon this the knight ran at him furiously, and struck him a violent blow with the shaft of his spear between the neck and the shoulder.

"Haha, lad!" said Peredur. "My mother's servants were not used to play with me in this wise: therefore, thus will I play with thee." And thereupon he struck him with a sharp-pointed fork, and it hit him in the eye and came out at the back of his neck, so that he instantly fell down lifeless.

"Verily," said Owain the son of Urien to Kai, "thou wert ill advised when thou didst send that madman after the knight; for one of two things must befall him. He must either be overthrown, or slain. If he is overthrown by the knight, he will be counted by him to be an honorable person of the court; and an eternal disgrace will it be to Arthur and his warriors. And if he is slain, the disgrace will be the same, and, moreover, his sin will be upon him: therefore will I go to see what has befallen him." So Owain went to the meadow, and he found Peredur dragging the man about. "What art thou doing thus?" said Owain.

"This iron coat," said Peredur, "will never come from off him; not by my efforts, at any rate."

And Owain unfastened his armor and his clothes. "Here, my good soul," said he, "is a horse and armor better than thine. Take them joyfully, and come with me to Arthur to receive the order of knighthood; for thou dost merit it."

"May I never show my face again, if I go!" said Peredur. "But take thou the goblet to Gwenhwyvar, and tell Arthur that wherever I am I will be his vassal and will do him what profit and service I am able. And say that I will not come to his court until I have encountered the tall man that is there, to revenge the injury he did to the dwarf and dwarfess."

And Owain went back to the court, and related all these things to Arthur and Gwenhwyvar, and to all the household.

And Peredur rode forward. And as he proceeded, behold a knight met him.

"Whence comest thou?" said the knight.

"I come from Arthur's court," said Peredur.

"Art thou one of his men?" asked he.

"Yes, by my faith!" he answered.

"A good service, truly, is that of Arthur."

"Wherefore sayest thou so?" said Peredur.

"I will tell thee," said he. "I have always been Arthur's enemy, and all such of his men as I have ever encountered I have slain."

And without further parlance they fought, and it was not long before Peredur brought him to the ground over his horse's crupper. Then the knight besought his mercy.

"Mercy thou shalt have," said Peredur, "if thou wilt make oath to me that thou wilt go to Arthur's court, and tell him that it was I that overthrew thee for the honor of his service, and say that I will never come to the court until I have avenged the insult offered to the dwarf and dwarfess."

The knight pledged him his faith of this, and proceeded to the court of Arthur, and said as he had promised, and conveyed the threat to Kai.

And Peredur rode forward. And within that week he encountered sixteen knights, and overthrew them all shamefully. And they all went to Arthur's court, taking with them the same message which the first knight had conveyed from Peredur, and the same threat which he had sent to Kai. And thereupon Kai was reproved by Arthur; and Kai was greatly grieved thereat.

And Peredur rode forward. And he came to a vast and desert wood on the confines of which was a lake. And on the other side was a fair castle. And on the border of the lake he saw a venerable, hoary-headed man, sitting upon a velvet cushion, and having a garment of velvet upon him. And his attendants were fishing in the lake. When the hoary-headed man beheld Peredur approaching, he arose, and went towards the castle. And the old man was lame. Peredur rode to the palace; and the door was open, and he entered the hall. And there was the hoary-headed man sitting on a cushion, and a large blazing fire burning before him. And the household and the company arose to meet Peredur, and disarrayed him. And the man asked the youth to sit on the cushion; and they sat down and conversed together. When it was time, the tables were laid, and they went to meat. And when they had finished their meal, the man inquired of Peredur if he knew well how to fight with the sword.

"I know not," said Peredur; "but were I to be taught, doubtless I should."

"Whoever can play well with the cudgel and shield will also be able to fight with a sword."

And the man had two sons: the one had yellow hair, and the other auburn.

"Arise, youths," said he, "and play with the cudgel and the shield." And so did they. "Tell me, my soul," said the man, "which of the youths thinkest thou plays best."

"I think," said Peredur, "that the yellow-haired youth could draw blood from the other, if he chose."

"Arise thou, my life, and take the cudgel and the shield from the hand of the youth with the auburn hair, and draw blood from the yellow-haired youth if thou canst."

So Peredur arose, and went to play with the yellow-haired youth; and he lifted up his arm, and struck him such a mighty blow that his brow fell over his eye, and the blood flowed forth.

"Ah, my life," said the man, "come now, and sit down; for thou wilt become the best fighter with the sword of any in this island. And I am thy uncle, thy mother's brother. And with me shalt thou remain a space in order to learn the manners and customs of different countries, and courtesy, and gentleness, and noble bearing. Leave, then, the habits and the discourse of thy mother, and I will be thy teacher; and I will raise thee to the rank of knight from this time forward. And thus do thou. If thou seest aught to cause thee wonder, ask not the meaning of it: if no one has the courtesy to inform thee, the reproach will not fall upon thee, but upon me that am thy teacher."

And they had abundance of honor and service. And when it was time they went to sleep. At the break of day Peredur arose and took his horse, and with his uncle's permission he rode forth. And he came to a vast desert wood, and at the further end of the wood was a meadow, and on the other side of the meadow he saw a large castle. And thitherward Peredur bent his way, and he found the gate open, and he proceeded to the hall. And he beheld a stately hoary-headed man sitting on one side of the hall, and many pages around him, who arose to receive and to honor Peredur. And they placed him by the side of the owner of the palace. Then they discoursed together; and when it was time to eat, they caused Peredur to sit beside the nobleman during the repast. And when they had eaten and drunk as much as they desired, the nobleman asked Peredur whether he could fight with a sword.

"Were I to receive instruction," said Peredur, "I think I could."

Now, there was on the floor of the hall a huge staple, as large as a warrior could grasp.

"Take yonder sword," said the man to Peredur, "and strike the iron staple."

[Then] Peredur arose, and struck the staple so that he cut it in two; and the sword broke into two parts also.

"Place the two parts together, and re-unite them."

And Peredur placed them together, and they became entire as they were before. And a second time he struck upon the staple so that both it and the sword broke in two, and as before they re-united. And the third time he gave a like blow, and placed the broken parts together, and neither the staple nor the sword would unite as before.

"Youth," said the nobleman, "come now, and sit down, and my blessing be upon thee. Thou fightest best with the sword of any man in the kingdom. Thou hast arrived at two-thirds of thy strength, and the other third thou hast not yet obtained; and when thou attainest to thy full power none will be able to contend with thee. I am thy uncle, thy mother's brother, and I am brother to the man in whose house thou wast last night."

Then Peredur and his uncle discoursed together, and he beheld two youths enter the hall and proceed up to the chamber, bearing a spear of mighty size, with three streams of blood flowing from the point to the ground. And when all the company saw this they began wailing and lamenting. But for all that the man did not break off his discourse with Peredur. And as he did not tell Peredur the meaning of what he saw, he forbore to ask him concerning it. And when the clamor had a little subsided, behold, two maidens entered, with a large salver between them, in which was a man's head, surrounded by a profusion of blood. And thereupon the company of the court made so great an outcry that it was irksome to be in the same hall with them. But at length they were silent. And, when time was that they should sleep, Peredur was brought into a fair chamber.

And the next day, with his uncle's permission, he rode forth. And he came to a wood, and far within the wood he heard a loud cry, and he saw a beautiful woman with auburn hair, and a horse with a saddle upon it standing near her, and a corpse by her side. And as she strove to place the corpse upon the horse it fell to the ground, and thereupon she made a great lamentation.

"Tell me, sister," said Peredur, "wherefore art thou bewailing?"

"Oh, accursed Peredur! little pity has my ill fortune ever met with from thee."

"Wherefore," said Peredur, "am I accursed?"

"Because thou wast the cause of thy mother's death; for, when thou didst ride forth against her will, anguish seized upon her heart so that she died; and therefore art thou accursed. And the dwarf and the dwarfess that thou sawest at Arthur's court were the dwarfs of thy father and mother. And I am thy foster-sister, and this was my wedded husband, and he was slain by the knight that is in the glade in the wood. And do not thou go near him, lest thou shouldest be slain by him likewise."

"My sister, thou dost reproach me wrongfully. Through my having so long remained amongst you, I shall scarcely vanquish him; and, had I continued longer, it would indeed be difficult for me to succeed. Cease, therefore, thy lamenting, for it is of no avail. And I will bury the body, and then I will go in quest of the knight, and see if I can do vengeance upon him."

And when he had buried the body, they went to the place where the knight was, and found him riding proudly along the glade; and he inquired of Peredur whence he came.

"I come from Arthur's court."

"And art thou one of Arthur's men?"

"Yes, by my faith!"

"A profitable alliance truly, is that of Arthur."

And without further parlance they encountered one another; and immediately Peredur overthrew the knight, and he besought mercy of Peredur.

"Mercy shalt thou have," said he, "upon these terms: that thou take this woman in marriage, and do her all the honor and reverence in thy power, seeing thou hast, without cause, slain her wedded husband; and that thou go to Arthur's court, and show him that it was I that overthrew thee, to do him honor and service; and that thou tell him that I will never come to his court again until I have met with the tall man that is there, to take vengeance upon him for his insult to the dwarf and dwarfess."

And he took the knight's assurance that he would perform all this. Then the knight provided the lady with a horse and garments that were suitable for her, and took her with him to Arthur's court. And he told Arthur all that had occurred, and gave the defiance to Kai. And Arthur and all his household reproved Kai for having driven such a youth as Peredur from his court.

Said Owain the son of Urien, "This youth will never come into the court until Kai has gone forth from it."

"By my faith!" said Arthur, "I will search all the deserts in the island of Britain until I find Peredur, and then let him and his adversary do their utmost to each other."

Then Peredur rode forward. And he came to a desert wood, where he saw not the track either of men or animals, and where there was nothing but bushes and weeds. And at the upper end of the wood he saw a vast castle, wherein were many strong towers; and when he came near the gate he found the weeds taller than he had seen them elsewhere. And he struck the gate with the shaft of his lance, and thereupon behold a lean auburn-haired youth came to an opening in the battlements.

"Choose thou, chieftain," said he, "whether shall I open the gate unto thee, or shall I announce unto those that are chief, that thou art at the gateway?"

"Say that I am here," said Peredur, "and, if it is desired that I should enter, I will go in."

And the youth came back, and opened the gate for Peredur. And when he went into the hall he beheld eighteen youths, lean and red-headed, of the same height, and of the same aspect, and of the same dress, and of the same age, as the one who had opened the gate for him. And they were well skilled in courtesy and in service. And they disarrayed him. Then they sat down to discourse. Thereupon, behold five maidens came from the chamber into the hall. And Peredur was certain that he had never seen another of so fair an aspect as the chief of the maidens. And she had an old garment of satin upon her, which had once been handsome, but was then so tattered that her skin could be seen through it. And whiter was her skin than the bloom of crystal; and her hair and her two eyebrows were blacker than jet; and on her cheeks were two red spots, redder than whatever is reddest. And the maiden welcomed Peredur, and put her arms about his neck, and made him sit down beside her. Not long after this, he saw two nuns enter; and a flask full of wine was borne by one, and six loaves of white bread by the other. "Lady," said they, "Heaven is witness that there is not so much of food and liquor as this left in yonder convent this night."