Chapter 23 - Page 2

his friend." "I grant it gladly," said
Arthur, "and let the steward of the household be chastised, if all
things are not ready to-morrow for the chase."
And they passed the night with songs and diversions and discourse,
and ample entertainment. And when it was time for them all to go to
sleep, they went. And when the next day came, they arose. And Arthur
called the attendants who guarded his couch. And there were four pages
whose names were Cadyrnerth, the son of Gandwy, and Ambreu, the son of
Bedwor, and Amhar, the son of Arthur, and Goreu, the son of Custennin.
And these men came to Arthur and saluted him, and arrayed him in his
garments. And Arthur wondered that Guenever did not awake, and the
attendants wished to awaken her. "Disturb her not," said Arthur,
"for she had rather sleep than go to see the hunting."
Then Arthur went forth, and he heard two horns sounding, one from
near the lodging of the chief huntsman, and the other from near that
of the chief page. And the whole assembly of the multitudes came to
Arthur, and they took the road to the forest.
And after Arthur had gone forth from the palace, Guenever awoke, and
called to her maidens, and apparelled herself. "Maidens," said she, "I
had leave last night to go and see the hunt. Go one of you to the
stable, and order hither a horse such as a woman may ride." And one of
them went, and she found but two horses in the stable; and Guenever
and one of her maidens mounted them, and went through the Usk, and
followed the track of the men and the horses. And as they rode thus,
they heard a loud and rushing sound; and they looked behind them,
and beheld a knight upon a hunter foal of mighty size. And the rider
was a fair-haired youth, bare-legged, and of princely mien; and a
golden-hilted sword was at his side, and a robe and a surcoat of satin
were upon him, and two low shoes of leather were upon his feet; and
around him was a scarf of blue purple, at each corner of which was a
golden apple. And his horse stepped stately and swift and proud; and
he overtook Guenever, and saluted her. "Heaven prosper thee, Geraint,"
said she; "and why didst thou not go with thy lord to hunt?"
"Because I knew not when he went," said he. "I marvel too," said
she, "how he could go, unknown to me. But thou, O young man, art the
most agreeable companion I could have in the whole kingdom; and it may
be I shall be more amused with the hunting than they; for we shall
hear the horns when they sound, and we shall hear the dogs when they
are let loose and begin to cry."
So they went to the edge of the forest, and there they stood.
"From this place," said she, "we shall hear when the dogs are let
loose." And thereupon they heard a loud noise; and they looked towards
the spot