PELLEAS AND ETTARRE. KING Arthur made new knights to fill the (gap

Left by the Holy Quest; and as he sat
In hall at old Caerleon, the high doors
Were softly sunder'd, and thro' these a
(youth,

Pelleas, and the sweet smell of the fields
Past, and the sunshine came along with him.

Make me thy knight, because I know, (Sir King,

All that belongs to knighthood, and I love,"
Such was his cry; for having heard the King
Had let proclaim a tournament -the prize
A golden circlet and a knightly sword,
Full fain had Pelleas for his lady won
The golden circlet, for himself the sword:
And there were those who knew him near
(the King

And promised for him: and Arthur made (him knight.

And this new knight, Sir Pelleas of the
(isles

But lately come to his inheritance,
And lord of many a barren isle was he-
Riding at noon, a day or twain before,
Across the forest call'd of Dean, to find
Caerleon and the King, had felt the sun
Beat like a strong knight on his helm, and
(reel'd

Almost to falling from his horse; but saw
Near him a mound of even-sloping side,
Whereon a hundred stately beeches grew,
And here and there great hollies under them.
But for a mile all round was open space,

To that dim day, then binding his good horse To a tree, cast himself down; and as he lay At random looking over the brown earth Thro' that green-glooming twilight of the (grove,

It seem❜d to Pelleas that the fern without | Burnt as a living fire of emeralds,

So that his eyes were dazzled looking at it. Then o'er it crost the dimness of a cloud Floating, and once the shadow of a bird Flying, and then a fawn; and his eyes closed. And since he loved all maidens, but no maid In special, half-awake he wisper'd,,, Where: O where? I love thee, tho' I know thee not. For fair thou art and pure as Guinevere, And I will make thee with my spear and (sword

As famous-O my queen, my Guinevere, For I will be thine Arthur when we meet.“

Suddenly waken'd with a sound of talk And laughter at the limit of the wood, And glancing thro' the hoary boles, he saw, Strange as to some old prophet might have (seem'd

A vision hovering on a sea of fire,

Damsels in divers colours like the cloud
Of sunset and sunrise, and all of them
On horses, and the horses richly trapt
Breast-high in that bright line of bracken
(stood:

And all the damsels talk'd confusedly,
And one was pointing this way, and one
(that,

Because the way was lost.

And Pelleas rose, And loosed his horse, and led him to the (light.

There she that seem'd the chief among them (said,

In happy time behold our pilot-star! Youth, we are damsels-errant, and we ride, Arm'd as ye see, to tilt against the knights There at Caerleon, but have lost our way: To right? to left? straight forward? back (again?

Which? telt us quickly"

And Pelleas gazing thought, ,,Is Guinevere herself so beautiful?" For large her violet eyes look'd, and her (bloom

A rosy dawn kindled in stainless heavens,

And round her limbs, mature in woman(hood,

And slender was her hand and small her (shape,

And but for those large eyes, the haunts of (scorn,

She might have seem'd a toy to trifle with, And pass and care no more. But while he (gazed

The beauty of her flesh abash'd the boy,
As tho' it were the beauty of her soul:"
For as the base man, judging of the good,
Puts his own baseness in him by default
Of will and nature, so did Pelleas lend
All the young beauty of his own soul to hers,
Believing her; and when she spake to him,
Stammer'd, and could not make her a reply.

For out of the waste islands had he come,
Where saving his own sisters he had known
Scarce any but the women of his isles,
Rough wives, that laugh'd and scream'd
(against the gulls,

Makers of nets, and living from the sea.

Then with a slow smile turn'd the lady
(round

And look'd upon her people; and as when
A stone is flung into some sleeping tarn,
The circle widens till it lip the marge,
Spread the slow smile thro' all her company.
Three knights were thereamong; and they
(too smiled,

Scorning him; for the lady was Ettarre,
And she was a great lady in her land.
Again she said, "O wild and of the woods,
Knowest thou not the fashion of our speech?
Or have the Heavens but given thee a fair
(face,

Lacking a tongue?"

"O damsel," answer'd he, "I woke from dreams; and coming out of (gloom

Was dazzled by the sudden light, and crave Pardon: but will ye to Cearleon? I Go likewise: shall I lead you to the King?" "Lead then," she said; and thro' the woods (they went.

And while they rode, the meaning in his (eyes,

His tenderness of manner, and chaste awe, His broken utterances and bashfulness, Were all a burthen to her, and in her heart She mutter'd,,,I have lighted on a fool,

(thought

That peradventure he will fight for me, And win the circlet: therefore flatter'd him, Being so gracious, that he well-nigh deem'd His wish by hers was echo'd; and her (knights

And all her damsels too were gracious to (him,

For she was a great lady.

And when they reach'd Caerleon, ere they past to lodging, she, Taking his hand, "O the strong hand," she (said,

See! look at mine! but wilt thou fight for (me,

And win me this fine circlet, Pelleas,
That I may love thee?"

Then his helpless heart Leapt, and he cried,,Ay! wilt thou if I win?" Ay, that will I," she answer'd, and she (laugh'd,

And straitly nipt the hand, and flung it (from her;

Then glanced askew at those three knights

(of hers,

Till all her ladies laugh'd along with her.

"O happy world," thought Pelleas, all, (meseems,

Nor slept that night for pleasure in his Are happy; I the happiest of them all." (blood,

And green wood-ways, and eyes among the (leaves;

Then being on the morrow knighted, sware
To love one only. And as he came away,
The men who met him rounded on their
(heels

And wonder'd after him, because his face
Shone like the countenance of a priest of old
Against the flame about a sacrifice
Kindled by fire from heaven: so glad was he.

Then Arthur made vast banquets, and (strange knights

From the four winds came in: and each one (sat,

Tho' served with choice from air, land, (stream, and sea,

Oft in mid-banquet measuring with his eyes His neighbour's make and might: and Pel(leas look'd

Noble among the noble, for he dream'd
His lady loved him, and he knew himself
Loved of the King: and him his new-made
(knight

Worshipt, whose lightest whisper moved (him more

Than all the ranged reasons of the world.

Then blush'd and brake the morning of (the jousts,

And this was call'd The Tournament of (Youth:"

For Arthur, loving his young knight, with(held

His older and his mightier from the lists, That Pelleas might obtain his lady's love, According to her promise, and remain Lord of the tourney. And Arthur had the (jousts

Down in the flat field by the shore of Usk Holden: the gilded parapets were crown'd With faces, and the great tower fill'd with (eyes

Up to the summit, and the trumpets blew. There all day long Sir Pelleas kept the field With honour: so by that strong hand of his The sword and golden circlet were achieved.

Then rang the shout his lady loved: the (heat

Of pride and glory fired her face; her eye Sparkled; she caught the circlet from his (lance,

And there before the people crown'd herself. So for the last time she was gracious to him.

Then at Caerleon for a space- her look Bright for all others, cloudier on her (knight

Linger'd Ettarre: and seeing Pelleas droop,
Said Guinevere,,,We marvel at thee much,
O damsel, wearing this unsunny face
To him who won thee glory!" And she said,
Had ye not held your Lancelot in your
(bower,

My Queen, he had not won." Whereat the (Queen,

As one whose foot is bitten by an ant, Glanced down upon her, turn'd and went (her way.

And those three knights all set their faces (home,

Sir Pelleas follow'd. She that saw him (cried,

,,Damsels and yet I should be shamed to (say it

I cannot bide Sir Baby. Keep him back Among yourselves. Would rather that we (had

Some rough old knight who knew the (worldly way,

Albeit grizzlier than a bear, to ride And jest with: take him to you, keep him (off,

And pamper him with papmeat, if ye will, Old milky fables of the wolf and sheep, Such as the wholesome mothers tell their (boys.

Nay, should ye try him with a merry one To find his mettle, good: and if he fly us, Small matter! let him." This her damsels (heard,

And mindful of her small and cruel hand, They, closing round him thro' the journey (home,

Acted her hest, and always from her side Restrain'd him with all manner of device, So that he could not come to speech with (her.

And when she gain'd her castle, upsprang (the bridge,

Down rang the grate of iron thro' the (groove,

And he was left alone in open field.

These be the ways of ladies," Pelleas (thought,

To those who love them, trials of our faith. Yea, let her prove me to the uttermost, For loyal to the uttermost am I."

So made his moan; and, darkness falling, (sought

A priory not far off, there lodged, but rose With morning every day, and, moist or dry, Sat by the walls, and no one open'd to him. Full-arm'd upon his charger all day long

And this persistance turn'd her scorn to (wrath.

Then calling her three knights, she charged (them, "Out!

And drive him from the walls." And out (they came,

Against him one by one; and these return'd, But still he kept his watch beneath the (wall.

Thereon her wrath became a hate; and (once,

A week beyond, while walking on the walls With her three knights, she pointed down(ward, "Look,

He haunts me - I cannot breathe - be(sieges me;

Down! strike him! put my hate into your (strokes,

And drive him from my walls." And down (they went,

And Pelleas overthrew them one by one; And from the tower above him cried Et(tarre,

,,Bind him, and bring him in."

He heard her voice; Then let the strong hand, which had over(thrown

Her minion-knights, by those he overthrew Be bounden straight, and so they brought (him in.

Then when he came before Ettarre, the (sight

Of her rich beauty made him at one glance More bondsman in his heart than in his (bonds.

Yet with good cheer he spake, Behold me, (Lady,

A prisoner, and the vassal of thy will;
And if thou keep me in thy donjon here,
Content am I so that I see thy face

But once a day: for I have sworn my vows, And thou hast given thy promise, and I (know

That all these pains are trials of my faith, And that thyself when thou hast seen me (strain'd

And sifted to the utmost, wilt at length Yield me thy love and know me for thy (knight."

Then she began to rail so bitterly, With all her damsels, he was stricken mute; But when she mock'd his vows and the (great King,

Lighted on words: For pity of thine own (self,

Peace, Lady, peace: is he not thine and (mine?"

Thou fool," she said, I never heard his (voice

But long'd to break. away. Unbind him (now,

And thrust him out of doors; for save he be Fool to the midmost marrow of his bones, He will return no more." And those, her (three,

Laugh'd, and unbound, and thrust him (from the gate.

And after this, a week beyond, again She call'd them, saying,,,There he watches (yet,

There like a dog before his master's door! Kick'd, he returns: do ye not hate him, ye? Ye know yourselves: how can ye bide at (peace,

Affronted with his fulsome innocence? Are ye but creatures of the board and bed, No men to strike? Fall on him all at once, And if ye slay him I reck not: if ye fail, Give ye the slave mine order to be bound, Bind him as heretofore, and bring him in : It may be ye shall slay him in his bonds."

She spake; and at her will they couch'd (their spears,

Three against one: and Gawain passing by, Bound upon solitary adventure, saw

Low down beneath the shadow of those (towers

A villainy, three to one: and thro' his heart The fire of honour and all noble deeds Flash'd, and he call'd, I strike upon thy (side

The caitiffs!",Nay," said Pelleas,,,but for(bear,

He needs no aid who doth his lady's will."

So Gawain, looking at the villainy done, Forbore, but in his heat and eagerness Trembled and quiver'd, as the dog, withheld A moment from the vermin that he sees Before him, shivers, ere he springs and kills.

And Pelleas overthrew them, one to three; And they rose up, and bound, and brought (him in.

Then first her anger, leaving Pelleas, burn'd Full on her knights in many an evil name Of craven, weakling, and thrice-beaten (hound:

"

Yet, take him, ye that scarce are fit to (touch,

Far less to bind, your victor, and thrust him (out,

And let who will release him from his bonds. And if he comes again" - there she brake (short;

And Pelleas answer'd, Lady, for indeed
I loved you and I deem'd you beautiful,
I cannot brook to see your beauty marr'd
Thro' evil spite: and if ye love me not,
I cannot bear to dream you so forsworn:
I had liefer ye were worthy of my love,
Than to be loved again of you - farewell;
And tho' ye kill my hope, not yet my love,
Vex not yourself: ye will not see me more."
While thus he spake, she gazed upon the
(man

Of princely bearing, tho' in bonds, and (thought,

"Why have I push'd him from me? this man (loves,

If love there be: yet him I loved not, Why? I deem'd him fool? yea, so? or that in him A something was it nobler than myself? Seem'd my reproach? He is not of my kind. He could not love me, did he know me well. Nay, let him go and quickly." And her (knights

Laugh'd not, but thrust him bounden out (of door...

Forth sprang Gawain, and loosed him (from his bonds,

And flung them o'er the walls; and after(ward,

Shaking his hands, as from a lazar's rag, ,,Faith of my body," he said, and art thou (not

Yea thou art he, whom late our Arthur made
Knight of his table; yea and he that won
The circlet? wherefore hast thou so defamed
Thy brotherhood in me and all the rest,
As let these caitiffs on thee work their will?"

And Pelleas answer'd,,,O, their wills are
(hers
For whom I won the circlet; and mine, hers,
Thus to be bounden, so to see her face,
Marr'd tho' it be with spite and mockery

(now,

And Gawain answer'd kindly tho' in scorn, Why, let my lady bind me if she will, And let my lady beat me if she will: But an she send her delegate to thrall These fighting hands of mine Christ kill

(me then

But I will slice him handless by the wrist, And let my lady sear the stump for him, Howl as he may. But hold me for your (friend :

Come, ye know nothing: here I pledge my (troth,

Yea, by the honour of the Table Round,
I will be leal to thee and work thy work,
And tame thy jailing princess to thine band.
Lend me thine horse and arms, and I will say
That I have slain thee. She will let me in
To hear the manner of thy fight and fall;
Then, when I come within her counsels, then
From prime to vespers will I chant thy
(praise

As prowest knight and truest lover, more
Than any have sung thee living, till she long
To have thee back in lusty life again,
Not to be bound, save by white bonds and
(warm,

Dearer than freedom. Wherefore now thy (horse

And armour: let me go: be comforted: Give me three days to melt her fancy, and (hope

The third night hence will bring thee news (of gold."

Then Pelleas lent his horse and all his (arms,

Saving the goodly sword, his prize, and took Gawain's, and said, "Betray me not, but (help

Art thou not he whom men call light-of(love?

"Ay," said Gawain, for women be so
(light."

Then bounded forward to the castle walls,
And raised a bugle hanging from his neck,
And winded it, and that so musically
That all the old echoes hidden in the wall
Rang out like hollow woods at huntingtide.

And all to flout me, when they bring me in, Let me be bounden, I shall see her face; Else must I die thro' mine unhappiness."

(not."

But Gawain lifting up his visor said, "Gawain am I, Gawain of Arthur's court,