Lancelot and the Hart with the White Foot: Part 3
In which the story's focus shifts to its true protagonist... Gawaine!
It’s you again! Sorry to keep you waiting so long, you do have to understand that as our King’s marshal I have certain responsibilities not held by the other knights of Camelot, although I suppose whichever duties I hold may never compare to those which plague our dear seneschal. But I’ve kept you waiting for our story’s conclusion long enough, this final half is given a subtitle, “How Walewein came to Lanceloet’s aid and fought a battle on his behalf.”
-Sir Bedevere
-
The story tells us
that at this time Walewein
greatly feared that Lanceloet
might be in great danger
because he had heard no news of him
nor received any message from him.
He was in the castle of Kardoel
with Artur's wife, the queen,
but the king himself was not there.
As soon as he caught sight of a squire
he immediately called him to him
and bade him fetch his horse
—this was early in the morning.
His horse was then brought to him.
He mounted valiantly
but he did not know in which
direction he should ride.
But as God himself desired it
he rode until he perceived
that he stood before the forest.
There he saw lying on the ground
both the feet and the hands
of the knights who had perished there.
Then he thought they were Lanceloet's.
He fell down to the ground
on account of the grief he felt at the sight of this.
He lamented more grievously
than anyone ever will
or had ever done before,
because he thought he had
lost Lanceloet, the daring knight.
He would later pay him back for it.
Then he mounted his horse again
and rode toward the forest
to see how matters stood there.
Then he saw his noble comrade
lying there in the grass.
Lord god, how happy he was then!
He dismounted and wept sorely
and said, “Lanceloet, comrade, lord,
tell me, who did this to you?”
When Lanceloet heard this,
“Tell me then, who are you?”
Thereupon Walewein answered him,
“Sir Walewein is my name,
and greatly grieved by your wounds.”
Now listen to what Sir Lanceloet
answered when he heard this:
“Walewein, dear, noble comrade,
I had won the white foot
by might of arms from the fierce lions,
who wounded me grievously
as you may now see.
Then there came a knight whom I soon
learned was devoid of virtue.
I asked him to come here;
this he did, and he came to me.
I then said, ‘Noble knight,
I would ask you to be so kind as to
take this white foot
to where the damsel now dwells.’
When he had it, he struck me
and pierced my body
with his sword, wounding me.”
And when Walewein had heard all this
he lifted him up with great care
and placed him before him in the saddle.
The two of them rode out of the forest.
Now Walewein had once heard
tell that there was a certain town
on the far side of a great mountain
where there lived a skilled physician.
Then he took Lanceloet there
and he asked the physician to see to it
that he cured Lanceloet quickly.
If he did so, he would make him a wealthy man;
and moreover Walewein showed the physician
a remedy that would help greatly to that end.
And so he left Lanceloet
and rode with the utmost speed
to where the wedding was to be held.
Little did anyone know what he intended
when he came into the castle;
hardly anyone took notice
of who he was or what he wanted,
so many noble knights were there.
But before evening came
many a knight would know.
And now the day had come
when that knight was to take
the damsel as his wife.
On this account there was such great sorrow
among all those who were there,
that it had come to this.
A chaplain was standing ready there.
The damsel came, though it grieved her,
to keep her promise to the knight.
At that moment Walewein the Brave arrived
and asked for all to hear
what manner of man he was
who should have the damsel.
The knights asked him what he wanted.
“What I want?” Then the evil one said,
“I have won her lawfully.”
“Did you win her?” “Yes,” he said, “on my honor.”
“You lie, and you’ll regret you did!
You won’t escape me, not even in Hell,
I shall avenge my comrade, who
trusted your honor and nobility
and gave you the white foot to bring here.
And you brought shame upon yourself,
for my comrade was wounded sorely
and you wounded him still further!
For this I offer you my gauntlet,
that is if you dare accept it.”
Then the knight immediately answered,
“You’re lying disgracefully, like a villein.
I have never done any such deed
as you accuse me of here.
When you come to regret it,
it will be too late.”
The combat was arranged at once.
Then that knight spoke again
to Walewein; I shall tell you what he said:
“I don’t know what you have heard,
but you are making a foolish mistake
in accusing me, I assure you,
of such a thing as you have just spoken of.
Whatever the case may be,
I am not obliged to answer
to you for it here.
It has reached the point now
that combat is unavoidable.
I am confident of my own bravery
and my innocence in this matter,
so that I do not fear you in the least.”
Walewein replied honorably,
“Knight, fear me if you can.
I know full well that you
do not fear me in the least;
but, God knows, I fear you less!
I don’t know if that’s because I’m slow witted.
If you have any courage, you shall find it.
I would not wish to undertake
such a serious endeavor, I’ll tell you why:
it seems to me this is not a game;
it is a matter of life and honor.
I should never have accused
you here of such a serious crime
if I had not known the truth
and the facts of the matter as well.”
Thus their conversation came to an end.
The damsel was very happy at this,
as was everyone else present there,
all those who supported her.
And so Walewein, the brave knight,
armed himself immediately there.
He bound on his greaves
and he put on his hauberk,
which fitted him well, I believe.
Over that he put on his surcoat.
His good helmet was brought to him,
which offered good protection against blows,
—no matter how they were struck—
against thrusts and against buffets.
He did not wish to delay the combat;
for when he was completely armed
he had his horse, a fine, large beast,
brought out onto the field.
Facing such danger, he crossed himself.
Why should I make a long story of it?
The two of them were well equipped
and moreover excellent warriors.
They met one another violently
and they crossed lances in such a way
that both their spears were broken.
Then they both drew their swords,
for each sought to attack the other.
They wielded their sword s fiercely
and dealt such great blows with them,
each striking the other so many times
that all who saw it marveled.
Thus they fought long and hard.
The damsel said, “May God our Lord
give Walewein strength!”
One could see the sparks
flying there from their helmets;
they made a great din.
Neither of them paused for a moment;
they struck many a mighty blow.
Why should I prolong the tale?
Walewein struck and hit
the knight such that he clove
through both helmet and head,
his sword slicing through
to the shoulder before it came to a halt.
A great cry went up:
he fell to the ground and was dead.
He was tied to a horse’s tail
and dragged about, he deserved it well!
He was dragged back and forth,
up hill and down dale.
Thus should all men perish
who are given to treachery.
I dare say by my faith
that the damsel was now very pleased,
as were all those who were with her.
Walewein then said, “I must go”
(to see how his comrade fared).
The damsel said, “It is too late.
But, by your leave, I should
now very much like to know his name.”
Then again the daring knight spoke,
“My lady, one may well speak his name.
He is the best knight alive
in the entire world,
and moreover the most handsome.”
The damsel spoke, “Then all the prayers
which I have prayed before now
have not been in vain.”
“My lady, his name is Lanceloet.
I have never seen his equal
in the performance of great deeds.
I would very much like to know how he is.”
The damsel answered him accordingly,
“I’ll tell you, knight, the best course of action:
You shall do your self honor
by staying with me today.
And tomorrow at sunrise,
it it is your wish,
you may ride to where your comrade is.”
Then the noble knight spoke,
“Lady, I shall do as you say.”
Then Walewein was courteously
welcomed by many a rich knight.
All those who were present there
paid him a great deal of attention.
When it was time to eat,
the damsel took Walewein by the hand
and sat him down next to her.
She paid much attention to him,
and the servants in that hall
and served him very well indeed.
When the meal was finished
and the knights had risen from table
they rejoiced and made merry,
for it delighted them all to do so.
Now listen to what the damsel does.
“Walewein,” she said, “noble knight,
I know well that you do not wish to tarry.
When you see your comrade,
give him my greetings, I beg you.
I commend you to God now:
I do not know when I’ll see you again.
I pray that you prosper,
that you stay with your comrade
until he is healed
and you return here with him.”
Then spoke Walewein, that proud knight ,
“My lady, all this I shall do,
if God grants me good fortune.”
As soon as this conversation was at an end
she went to her chamber.
Then the servants began
to prepare a bed for Walewein,
one that was rich and beautiful.
Though he had worn the crown
of Acre that very day,
he might well have lain on it
without reproof.
A strong and attentive page
brought him a silken mattress
and a pillow of royal purple.
Another brought
two newly washed sheets,
white, folded, and of fine quality;
no one ever saw
with his eyes such splendid sheets
as the ones Walewein lay on then.
When they had been spread on the bed
a damsel quickly brought
a coverlet, all stitched with gold,
which he was to put over him.
Though one had searched the world over,
he would not have found
such a one, for it was so fine.
The embroidery on it
was not cheap;
it was fit for a rich king.
When the bed had been prepared,
a page was sent to Walewein
who invited him to retire.
When he saw that bed,
so rich and splendid,
he thought to himself
that nowhere had he ever seen
such a splendid one.
He then did as was his wont
and fell asleep immediately.
And very early the next morning
he rose and took his leave,
and he mounted his horse quickly
and rode toward his comrade.
When he came to where he had left him
Lanceloet was not yet fully recovered.
Although it was difficult for him,
he had to wait and watch over him there
until such time as it seemed to him
that he could bear arms,
if it were necessary for him to do so.
Then Walewein the Brave
rewarded the physician so well
that he was well pleased and happy,
and he wished them both then and there
a good journey and safe return.
They rode on until they saw
that they had reached the castle.
They were soon spotted;
the damsel came out to meet them
and bade them welcome.
“My friend,” she said “are you recovered?”
“I am, my lady, indeed;
thanks be to God.”
Walewein spoke, “Noble lady,
what do you think is the best thing to do?
My comrade has now arrived,
he who has won you here,
and he suffered much to do so.
But he does not at this time wish
to marry you—this you may understand.
He wishes to postpone that until
such time as he returns here
with his kinsmen as a noble knight;
but he hopes you will approve this
and not suffer any sorrow for it,
though he leaves you like this.”
The damsel, who bore herself well,
answered, “Sir, I am ready to do
his bidding at a times.
I shall wait—come what may—
for as long as he wishes me to.
And I shall always act
according to his desire.”
This pleased Lanceloet well,
for neither in seriousness nor in jest,
nor for better nor worse,
nor for anything that might befall him,
nor for all the world
would he have married her at that time—
and all on account of his love for the queen
whom he loved ever and always;
this was what mattered most to him.
Those knights were well entertained;
there was great rejoicing and merriment.
The queen and Lanceloet sat and
conversed together there.
He pleased her well, indeed.
She wished, so I have heard,
that the wedding had taken place—
but she was ashamed, I can tell you,
to demand it of him now.
And so they stayed there for two days
and on the third day after that
they both took their leave
and rode until they came
to Artur's court at Karmeloet,
where there was great rejoicing
at the arrival of both of them.
They told the king and queen
how they had fared.
it pleased them greatly
that things had turned out so well.
Now I shall leave off this story
and tell you, as I have heard it,
how Torec first came into the world,
and how he afterwards came to court
and became a knight of great reknown.