Chapter 21

CHAPTER XXI.
THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN, CONTINUED. OWAIN'S ADVENTURE.* * Amongst all the characters of early British history none is more
interesting or occupies a more conspicuous place, than the hero of
this tale. Urien, his father, was prince of Rheged, a district
comprising the present Cumberland and part of the adjacent country.
His valor and the consideration in which he was held are a frequent
theme of Bardic song, and form the subject of several very spirited
odes by Taliesin. Among the Triads there is one relating to him; it is
thus translated:-
"Three Knights of Battle were in the court of Arthur: Cadwr the Earl
of Cornwall, Launcelot du Lac, and Owain the son of Urien. And this
was their characteristic,- that they would not retreat from battle,
neither for spear, nor for arrow, nor for sword. And Arthur never
had shame in battle the day he saw their faces there. And they were
called the Knights of Battle." "Now," quoth Owain, "would it not be well to go and endeavor to
discover that place?"
"By the hand of my friend," said Kay, "often dost thou utter that
with thy tongue which thou wouldest not make good with thy deeds."
"In very truth," said Guenever, "it were better thou wert hanged,
Kay, than to use such uncourteous speech towards a man like Owain."
"By the hand of my friend, good lady," said Kay; "thy praise of
Owain is not greater than mine."
With that Arthur awoke, and asked if he had not been sleeping a
little.
"Yes, lord," answered Owain, "thou hast slept awhile."
"Is it time for us to go to meat?"
"It is, lord," said Owain.
Then the horn for washing was sounded, and the king and all his
household sat down to eat. And when the meal was ended, Owain withdrew
to his lodging, and made ready his horse and his arms.
On the morrow with the dawn of day he put on his armor, and
mounted his charger, and travelled through distant lands, and over
desert mountains. And at length he arrived at the valley which Kynon
had described to him, and he was certain that it was the same that
he sought. And journeying along the valley, by the side of the
river, he followed its course till he came to the plain, and within
sight of the castle. When he approached the castle, he saw the
youths shooting with their bows, in the place where Kynon had seen
them, and the yellow man, to whom the castle belonged, standing hard
by. And no sooner had Owain saluted the yellow man, than he was
saluted by him in return.
And he went forward towards the castle, and there he saw the
chamber; and when he had entered the chamber, he beheld the maidens
working at satin embroidery, in chains of gold. And their beauty and
their comeliness seemed to Owain far greater than Kynon had
represented to him. And