🧚 Opening, part 9 · page 2

As they came to the ships, Morien told him how it had fared with him before when he thought to make the crossing, and he said that he found no living soul among all that he saw there who would let him into his ship, since he seemed to them so huge, and black withal.53

"They counted themselves for lost, deeming that I were the devil, and were sore afeard, and put out to sea.54 Now see, Sir Gariët, what counsel ye may find, and how we may so contrive that we cross the water; doubt ye not that an they once behold me and know me they will straightway set sail again and put to sea.55 I fear me we may not cross over!"56

Quoth Sir Gariët: "By what ye tell me, methinks 'twere better that I ride on ahead, and hire me a ship.57 Ye shall follow on softly; and let me once come therein, and have my steed aboard and the boatman in my power, he shall not depart hence ere that ye be come thither.58 May my soul be lost if he do!"59 Further spake the knight Sir Gariët: "Even should he be beside himself when he first see ye, I shall not let him free ere he have taken us to the further shore, or I shall have from him such forfeit 'twere better for him to be sunken and drowned in the depths of the sea!"60

Then answered Morien: "Ye have found the best counsel that may be devised.61 Now ride ye without delay, and hire us a boat, good and strong, that may well carry us over the water.62 I shall abide behind, and wait till ye have done your part.63 I will do even as ye shall counsel!"64

Thus they agreed together, and Sir Gariët rode alone till he came to the ships, where he found a boat that pleased him well.65 He offered the boatman money enow to take him to the further side with no delay.66 He gave him the gold in his hand, and he made him ready and hoisted sail and rigging.67 Of this did he swiftly repent.68 Even as the steed was aboard and all was ready for the crossing came Morien riding, blacker than any son of man whom Christian eyes had e'er beheld.69 And the boatman was fain to flee when he beheld him and he drew nigh to him, for he had seen him aforetime.70 He deemed that he should surely die of fear, and scarce might move a limb.71

Then Sir Gariët asked him: "Sir boatman, what aileth thee?72 By Heaven, it availeth thee naught; thou shall ferry us over swiftly.73 Now make us no ado, or this shall be thy last day.74 By the Lord who made us, of what art thou afraid?75 This is not the devil!76 Hell hath he never seen! '77 Tis but my comrade; let him in.78 I counsel thee straitly!"79

Then must the boatman obey, though he liked it but ill.80 He saw that better might not be: he might neither leap out of the boat nor otherwise escape.81 So soon as he had in his boat Morien, of whom he was sore afraid, in that he was so huge, and had shipped his steed, which was in seeming over-strong, he pushed the boat from shore and put out to sea.82 He feared him greatly, even as one who deems that he is lost.83

When Morien had sat himself down he did off his helmet of steel.84 Then the boatman deemed that he was a dead man, and prayed for mercy, beholding his face, for he though he might scarce be a Christian.85 Sir Gariët asked of him tidings, if there had passed that way two knights, of whom the one bestrode a red horse and wore red armour, and the other bare the badge of King Arthur.86 If he might tell him aught of them he besought him to do so; an he knew where they yet abode he would give him great thanks.87

The boatman said: "'Tis not long since that they were even in my boat; the one knight ware red armour and had with him a red steed, and the other was wounded and bare King Arthur's badge; and I know full well," quoth the boatman, "the knights who bear that badge, by that same token shall ye yourself be one of King Arthur's knights.88 They would both cross over, and I ferried them to the further side. '89 Twas to them an unknown land; that did I hear well from their speech.90 Methought that they were ill at ease, I wist not wherefore.91 I saw that the one wept so that the tears fell thick adown his face.92 And when I had brought them to the other side the knight, who was glad thereof, asked me if I knew where stood a hermitage wherein a hermit dwelt.93 That did I shew him--no more and no less."94

Thus fared they, having heard the tale and speaking of the twain, till that they touched the sand.95 Then did the boatman shew them the way they should ride thence to where the hermitage stood, and declared to them the road.96 Thus left they the boatman, who was much rejoiced to be safely quit of them.97 But the knights went on their way till they knew that they drew near to the hermitage, and came even unto it.98 Then they dismounted, and made fast their steeds before the door, and cried with a loud voice to those within: "Let us in!99 Open of your goodwill!"100 A lad came to the door and asked them what they desired, and if aught ailed them that they required aid.101

Then Sir Gariët spake, and said that an it were pleasing to them, they would fain have speech with the hermit and with Sir Agloval.102 And the messenger went his way to the twain, and told them how two knights stood without the gate. "103 The one is a goodly man to look upon and well armed, and so, forsooth, is the other, but his armour and his limbs, so far as I might see, were blacker than soot or pitch.104 I wot not if ye know aught of them or of their errand.105 They said that they would fain speak with ye, and they prayed me straitly, the twain of them, that I should come hither and tell ye this."106

Sir Agloval, who deemed this passing strange, went, as best he might, to the gate, and his uncle the hermit followed him with no delay.107 Sir Agloval looked through the wicket, and was ware of Sir Gariët, Sir Gawain's brother, and bethought him how that he belonged to King Arthur's court and was worthy of great honour, for though he were not so well known throughout the land as was his brother Sir Gawain, yet was he a strong knight and bold, and a doer of valiant deeds.108