🧚 Opening, part 9

"So help me God," quoth Morien, "an it fall out according to my will there shall I be ere even.1 And may I but see my father, an good luck befall me, I turn not from that goal, e'en if I find the man who gave me life, but ere I depart he shall keep the vow that he sware to my mother when he aforetime parted from her, and left her sorrowing sore, even that he would wed her, and make her his wife.2 Rather would I, ere even, be flayed with a sharp knife than refrain from this.3 Were he twofold my father he might well be in fear of death, should he fail to keep his oath, and ride with me to the Moorish land."4 He began to make ready as one who would straightway ride thence.5

Then spake Sir Gariët, "An God will, it shall fall out better than ye say, 'twixt ye and your father; we will eat and drink, and I rede ye, an ye be wise, ye shall bethink ye well ere ye do aught save good to your father.6 I conjure ye by the faith that ye owe to our Lady, and by the honour of knighthood, that ye do my bidding, and let your thoughts be of good, and not of evil, and hearken Sir Gawain's rede, thereof shall never harm befall ye--he shall give ye the best counsel."7

And Morien answered that were he fain to do.8

Herewith they left speaking of this matter, and Sir Gariët brought forth a napkin, white and clean, and spread it before the knights, as is meet for noble folk, and those worthy of honour.9 Then he brought forth more than seven loaves, white as snow, that he had with him, and laid them upon the napkin before the knights.10 He brought forth ham and venison that he had bidden make ready, there, where he had lain over night, since that men told him he drew near to the wilderness whither had gone the knights whom he sought, and who rode before him.11 Since he was upon their track he had risen long ere 'twas day, and now came thither with the sun-rising.12 He brought forth also clear wine, two good bottles full.13 He was not altogether dull in that he had so well bethought him, and brought food with him lest peradventure he have need thereof. '14 Twas right welcome to them who now partook of it; and through these good victuals forgat they all their tribulation, as they ate and drank.15 They were above measure joyful, those three knights, at that time, and with them the hermit, for they would in no wise forget him, but he must eat and drink with them.16

When the meal was ended then Morien thought to ride on his way.17 But the good knight Sir Gariët said, "Sir Knight ye will do better to abide than to depart in this haste, in short while shall ye have trouble an ye seek your father.18 Follow ye our counsel; 'tis now high day, did ye come in safety to the ships it would be o'er late ere ye came to the other side."19

Quoth Sir Gawain his brother, as one wise in counsel, "Knight I will tell ye what ye shall do; from haste cometh seldom good that abideth to honour.20 Therefore tarry over night with us, since ye may not achieve your goal this day; and I will make ready my weapons as best I may; I must needs be better healed ere I have strength to ride whither I would.21 Tomorrow shall it fare better with me.22 Then will we ride, without delay, so soon as it be daylight.23 If God will I shall be more at ease in limbs and at heart, and I shall have less pain than I have as at this while.24 I have no mind to abide here behind ye, nor to hinder ye and cause ye to delay when ye would fain ride hence, as I know right well!25 Here have I foes nigh at hand, who have wrought me harm, and were ready to do yet more did they know me to be here, in this place."26

Then did Morien after his counsel, and abode there throughout the night, and told all the adventures that had befallen him.27 And Sir Gawain made ready his harness and his weapons, and scoured and polished them, and tested them where they were mishandled.28 But that which grieved him the most was his sorrow for his good sword which he had thus lost, for it was a sword of choice.29

What boots it to make long my tale?30 The morrow as the day dawned, and shed beauty over hill and vale, they rode forth together, and Sir Gawain the Father of Adventure with them.31 They would not spare themselves.32 Then said Sir Gawain he would fare in quest of Sir Lancelot who departed with him from court when he left King Arthur, since he might not well, for his honour, return without him.33 He wist not how it had gone with him; and would fain learn how his venture had fallen out and return in short space, would God prosper him, and bring Sir Lancelot with him to the aid of the queen.34 On this was his mind set, nor would he do otherwise, for any man's prayer.35

With this was Sir Gariët but ill-pleased; he said Sir Gawain would do better to return, and take the place of his uncle, and care for the land and comfort the folk.36 But this he would not do, howsoe'er he prayed him, but said he must first seek Sir Lancelot, and learn if harm had befallen him.37 Sir Gariët gave him his sword, which was good and bright; then took they leave, each of the other, for Sir Gawain would not return ere he had spoken with Sir Lancelot, saying that the good fellowship betwixt them twain should not be broken by his default; but that he would bring him again to the court of King Arthur, and keep his covenant.38

When they were thus made ready, armed and fittingly clad, they mounted their steeds as they who would ride on their way.39 They took leave of the good man, their host, and departed thence.40

Sir Gawain had chosen his road, and Sir Gariët and Sir Morien bare him company for a space, as it were the mountance of a mile.41 Each spake his mind to the other.42 Sir Gawain said he would return with Sir Lancelot as swiftly as he might, and put to shame the folk who had led his uncle captive; and he quoth, "Brother, tell this to my lady the queen, and bear her greeting in all good faith and loyalty. '43 Tis not my will that ye ride further, nor tarry longer with me, since 'twill profit ye naught!"44

Then Sir Gariët and Sir Morien turned their bridle.45 They commended Sir Gawain to the care of God and all His saints, and so did he them.46 Each saw the other's tears spring from their eyes and run down even to their beards when they parted asunder.47 I may not tell ye how oft and how warmly Sir Gawain thanked Morien, that he had saved his life that day on the field, where he had of a surety been slain had not God and that good knight come to his aid.48 Now will I here cease speaking of Sir Gawain and tell of Sir Morien.49 The adventure doeth us to wit that when Sir Morien and Sir Gariët had parted from Sir Gawain, they rode once more to the crossways, for they had made a compact that they should not part before that they had found his father, Sir Agloval.50 Thus they rode both together, for Morien sware an oath that, would Sir Gariët ride with him, he would e'en pray his uncle and his father to come to the aid of the queen, King Arthur's wife, and help her to win back her land.51 On this covenant and on this behest would Sir Gariët ride with him and bear Morien company.52