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You are here: arthurian » mabinogion » geraint, son of Erbin (part 23)

 

Geraint, son of Erbin

part 23

And the Earl came to the hall to meet them, and he commanded the tables to be laid. And they washed, and sat down. And this is the order in which they sat, Geraint on one side of the Earl, and Enid on the other side and next to Enid the Little King, and then the Countess next to Geraint; and all after that as became their rank. Then Geraint recollected the games, and thought that he should not go to them; and on that account he did not eat. Then the Earl looked upon Geraint, and considered, and he bethought him that his not eating was because of the games, and it grieved him that he had ever established those games, were it only on account of losing such a youth as Geraint. And if Geraint had asked him to abolish the games, he would gladly have done so.
Then the Earl said to Geraint, "What thought occupies thy mind, that thou dost not eat? If thou hesitatest about going to the games, thou shalt not go, and no other of thy rank shall ever go either."
  "Heaven reward thee," said Geraint, "but I wish nothing better than to go to the games, and to be shown the way thither."
  "If that is what thou dost prefer, thou shalt obtain it willingly."
  "I do prefer it, indeed," said he.
Then they ate., and they were amply served, and they had a variety of gifts, and abundance of liquor. And when they had finished eating they arose. And Geraint called for his horse and his armour, and he accoutred both himself and his horse. And all the hosts went forth until they came to the side of the hedge, and the hedge was so lofty, that it reached as high as they could see in the air, and upon every stake in the hedge, except two, there was the head of a man, and the number of stakes throughout the hedge was very great.
Then said the Little King, "May no one go in with the chieftain?"
  "No one may," said Earl Owain. "Which way can I enter?" inquired Geraint.
  "I know not," said Owain, "but enter by the way that thou wilt, and that seemeth easiest to thee."

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