🧚 Opening, part 7 · page 2

When Morien who was hard beset by them who stood there heard this, never might one hear in book or song that any man smote such fierce blows as he smote with the sword which he drew forth.48 Do what he might with that sword it suffered neither dint nor scar; he smote straight to the mid-ward; nor was their harness so good that it might withstand him.49 Thereto helped his great strength, that he fought so fiercely against them who withstood him, and smote such ghastly wounds that nevermore might they be healed, nor salved by the hand of any leech.50 He clave many to the teeth, through helm and coif, so that they fell to the ground.51 And ever as he cast his eyes around and they lighted upon Sir Gawain, who was in such evil case, his courage waxed so great that were the Devil himself against him he had slain him even as a man; might he die, he had there lost his life.52 Sir Gawain sat by the wayside in sorry plight, with his hands bound; but the good knight Morien so drave aback the folk who had brought him thither that they had little thought for him.53 He defended him so well with his mighty blows that none might come at him to harm him; he felled them by twos and by threes, some under their horses, some beside them.54 The space began to widen round Sir Gawain and Morien; for all there deemed that he came forth from hell, and was hight Devil, in that he so quelled them and felled them underfoot that many hereafter spake thereof.55 That men thrust and smote at him troubled him little, therein was he like to his father, the noble knight Sir Agloval; he held parley with no man, but smote ever, blow after blow, on all who came nigh him.56 His blows were so mighty; did a spear fly towards him, to harm him, it troubled him no whit, but he smote it in twain as it were a reed; naught might endure before him.57 He ware a hauberk that bold overstrong hero, wherewith he was none too heavy laden, yet none might harm him with any weapon they brought thither.58 Then might ye see the blood run red upon the ground for the good knight's sword spared neither horse nor man.59 There might ye see lying heads and hands, arms and legs; some hewn from the body, some smitten in twain.60 They who might escape death fared little better, for good fortune had departed from them--thus many chose their end.61 He who came betimes to the conflict, and fled without waiting to see what might chance further, he was blithe!62 Thus were they put to rout, and either slain or driven from the field, or helpless of limb; some who came thither ahorse had lost their steeds, and must rue their journey.63 They might no longer ride, but must go hence afoot.64

Then Morien dismounted, and took Sir Gawain in his arms, and said full oft, "Alas, my comrade, how were ye thus betrayed?65 I fear physician may aid ye never more, ye have wounds so many and so sore."66

With that he had unbound his hands; and Sir Gawain said: "Of physician have I no need."67 He thanked God and Morien a hundredfold, that he was thus delivered from peril, and comforted in his need; his heart was light within him, and he said he should speedily mend might he but have repose for two days, and neither walk nor ride; by the help of God, and by leechcraft and the aid of certain herbs the virtue of which he knew well, so might he regain all his strength.68

Now had they left upon the field Gringalet and certain other steeds, the masters whereof were slain or had fled afar.69 Gringalet was bare of harness, he had lost his saddle as ye heard afore, and therefore no man had mounted him.70 He who had brought him thither had forgat him upon that field, his journey had been dearly bought and he lay there dead in the green grass.71 And Sir Gawain when he was ware of that was fain to forget all his pain.72 He arose from where he sat, and went towards his steed, and as he looked upon him his heart rose high within him, and he deemed that he was well-nigh healed.73 And even as he came Gringalet knew his lord, nor would flee from him, but came towards him, and for very friendship seized him with his teeth.74

Then did they abide no longer, but betook them to the hermit who had been sore afeard for all that he heard and saw through the window of his cell.75 He knew the two knights well, when he heard their tale, and how that they were even the same who had but lately passed his way, and he spake to the Father of Adventure: "Even so did I foretell ye when ye would ride toward that land, and I prayed ye to refrain.76 But that would ye not do, and so have ye come to harm therein!77 They who are fain to despise counsel ofttimes do so to their own mischief.78 But since it hath so befallen, think ye what may best profit ye, and abide overnight with me, here within; for an ye depart hence I know not where ye may find shelter.79 That evil beast whereof I spake when ye were here afore hath so laid waste the land that no man dwelleth herein.80 If I still dwell here 'tis that I have no need to flee nor to fear death ere my day come, when as it hath been foretold and declared I shall break the rule of my order.81 A long tale is ill to hear, I will weary ye not, but see that naught be lacking to your ease.82 Ye shall stable your steeds, and abide this night within my chapel.83 That which I have will I give ye, for the love of God and the honour of knighthood."84 Then Sir Gawain and Morien his comrade thanked him much, and went their way to the chapel, where they abode throughout the day; each told to the other his adventures as they had befallen, neither more nor less.85 The hermit tended the horses well with all that was needful to them; he bade the lad who served him, as a good man doth his friend, bring forth all the store that he had within, and fetch water from the spring, and warm it to Sir Gawain's liking that he might therewith wash his limbs, and cleanse them from the blood.86 He had upon him no mortal wound, so good was his hauberk, otherwise had he lost his life from the blows he had received.87