Peredur son of Evrawc

Earl Evrawc owned the Northern County. He had seven sons. It was not through his estates that Evrawc spoke, but through tournaments, wars and battles, and as often happens to those who seek them he was killed, along with six of his sons. The seventh was called Peredur; he was the youngest.

Peredur son of Count Evrawc

He was not old enough to go to battle or to war; otherwise he would have been killed like his father and his brothers. His mother was a wise and intelligent woman. She thinks a lot about her only son and his estates. She ends up taking the party to flee in the desert in a lonely and isolated place and to abandon the inhabited places. She kept in her company only women, children and peaceful men, whom it was neither possible nor suitable to fight and to wage war. No one would have dared to assemble arms and horses where the child might have noticed, for fear that he would take a liking to it.

The child went to the forest every day to play and throw sticks and sticks. One day he saw his mother's herd of goats and two kids near the goats. The child was greatly astonished that they were hornless, while all the others wore horns, and he thought that they had long gone astray and had thus lost their horns. At the end of the forest there was a house for the goats: by dint of courage and agility he pushed the kids and the goats there. Then he returned home to his mother: "Mother", he said, "I have just seen here near, an astonishing thing: two of your goats gone wild and having lost their horns, they have been lost for so long under drink. It is impossible to have more trouble than I had in bringing them in. Everyone got up and went to see them: they were very surprised when they saw the kids.

One day, they saw three knights coming following a signposted way, on the edge of the forest: they were Gwalchmei, son of Gwyar; Gweir, son of Gwystyl and Owein, son of Uryen. Owein was following in the footsteps of a knight he was pursuing who had shared the apples at Arthur's court. My mother, "said Peredur," what are these people over there? "-" They are angels, my son, "she said. - "I give my faith", said Peredur, "I go like an angel with them. And Peredur went up the road to meet them. Say, my soul, "said Owein," did you see a knight pass by here today or yesterday? "-" I do not know what a knight is. "-" What I am, "said Owein. - "If you wanted to tell me what I'm going to ask you, I would tell you what you ask me. " - " Gladly. " - " What is that? Peredur said pointing to the saddle. - "A saddle", replied Owein. Peredur questioned him about all the equipment and armaments of the men and the horses, what they claimed and could do with it. Owein fully explained the use of it to him. "Go ahead," said Peredur; "I saw the kind of man you are asking for. I too want to follow you. And he returned to his mother and her people. Mother, "he said," these are not angels, the people of a moment ago, but ordained knights. The mother fell unconscious. Peredur went to the place where there were horses that carried firewood, and brought them food and drink from the inhabited places. He took a dapple-gray, bony horse, the most vigorous, in his opinion; he hugged a pack around his body for a saddle, and with flexible wood he managed to mimic the items of equipment he'd seen on steeds and all the rest. Then he returned to his mother. At that moment, the countess recovered from her fainting. " Well! my son, "she said," so you want to go? "-" Yes ", he replied," with your permission. "-" Wait until you have received my advice before you go. " - " Gladly; say quickly. "-" Go straight to Arthur's court, where the best, the most generous and the most valiant men are. Where you will see a church, recite your Pater near it. Somewhere that you see food and drink, if you need it and there is not enough courtesy and kindness to share it with you, take it yourself. If you hear screams, go that way; there is no cry more characteristic than that of a woman. If you see beautiful jewels, take and give to others, and you will thus acquire reputation. If you see a beautiful woman, pay her court; even if she doesn't want you, she will think you are better and more powerful than before. This interview ended, Peredur mounted his horse, holding a handful of sharp-pointed javelins, and walked away.

There were two days and two nights walking in the solitude of forests and various deserted places, without food or drink. Finally he arrived in a large solitary wood, and in the distance, in the wood, he saw a beautiful plain clearing. Seeing a pavilion in the clearing, he recited his Pater in front of it as if it were a church, then he went. The door was open; near the door was a gilded pulpit, in which sat a brunette girl, of perfect beauty, wearing around her forehead a golden diadem, enriched with shining stones, and, on her hands, thick gold rings . Peredur dismounted and walked straight in. The virgin gave him a friendly welcome and welcomed him. At the entrance to the pavilion, Peredur saw food, two flasks full of wine, two pies of white bread and slices of suckling pig. "My mother," said Peredur, "recommended to me, wherever I saw food and drink, to take it. "-" Willingly, lord, "she said," go to the table, and do you good. So Peredur went to the table and took half of the food and drink for himself, and left the other to the virgin. When he had eaten, he bent one knee in front of the young girl and said: “My mother recommended me, where I would see a beautiful jewel, to take it. "-" Take, my soul, "she said. Peredur took the ring, led his horse and left.

Then came the knight who owned the pavilion, the lord of the clearing. He saw the traces of the horse's feet. Tell me, "he said to the girl," who's been here after me? "-" A strange-looking man, lord, "she replied. And she told him in detail the state of Peredur and the purpose of his trip. Say, "he cried," has he had sex with you? did he assault you? "-" No, by my faith, and he didn't hurt me. "-" By my faith, I do not believe it, and, if I do not meet with him to avenge my dishonor and my anger, you will not stay two nights under the same roof as me. The knight went out to seek to meet with Peredur.

Peredur, for his part, was heading towards Arthur's court. Before he did, another knight did. He fixed a large, thick gold ring against the front door to tie up his horse, and proceeded to the room where Arthur and all his people were, as well as Gwenhwyvar and his ladies. A page from the bedroom served Gwenhwyvar to drink from a golden cup. The knight threw the contents on the face and breast of the queen, and gave her a big bellows, saying "If there is anyone fearless enough to dispute with me this cup and avenge the outrage of Gwenhwyvar , let him come after me in the meadow, and I will wait for him there. The knight took his horse and went to the meadow.

All the people of the court bowed their heads, for fear that one of them might be asked to go and avenge Gwenhwyvar's outrage: it seemed to them that no man would ever have made such a daring blow. 'he had never possessed such valor and strength or magical power that would shield him from all vengeance. At that moment Peredur arrived at court, on his dapple-gray, bony horse, with neglected equipment and very poor for such a noble court. Kei was standing in the middle of the room. " Hey! the long man over there, "said Peredur," where's Arthur? "-" What do you want from Arthur? Kei said. - "My mother recommended that I come to him to be crowned a knight. "-" By my faith, you are too badly mounted on horseback and in arms. The whole court looked to his side and began to throw wands at him. At this moment entered a dwarf who had come with a dwarf, already a year ago, to seek refuge from Arthur, and he had obtained it. None of them had said a word to anyone all year. "Ha! Ha! Cried the dwarf when he saw Peredur, "God bless you, Peredur, son-in-law of Evrawc, leader of the warriors, flower of the knights! "-" In truth, "said Kei," you have to be very ill-advised to stay a year. dumb at Arthur's court, having the freedom to choose with whom to talk, and to go and call and declare, in front of Arthur and his court, a man of this species leader of warriors and flower of knights! And he gave him such a slap that he threw him to the ground unconscious. "Ha! ha "cried the dwarf at once," God bless you, Peredur, son-in-law of Evrawc, flower of warriors and light of knights! "-" Truly, "said Kei," woman, it is very ill-advised to go a year without speaking at Arthur's court and thus call such a man. And Kei kicked her so hard she fell to the ground unconscious. "The long man," Peredur told him, "tell me where Arthur is. "-" Give us peace ", said Kei; »Goes after the knight who has gone from here to the meadow, take the cup from him, knock him down, take his horse and his weapons, and after that you will obtain to be made knight. "-" I'll do it, the long man. " 

And Peredur to turn bridle, and to the meadow. There he found the knight riding, looking quite proud of his strength and the valor he believed himself to be. - "Tell me," said the knight, "did you see someone from Arthur's court coming after me? "-" A tall man who was there commanded me to overturn you, to remove the cup and to take your horse and your weapons for me. "-" Shut up, go back to the court and order Arthur, on my part, to come, him or someone else to fight with me; if he doesn't come immediately, I won't wait for him. "-" By my faith, "said Peredur," chosen: willingly or by force, I need the horse, the weapons and the cup. The knight charged him furiously and kicked him with his spear with a great painful blow between the shoulders and neck. - "Ha! Ha! man, "said Peredur," my mother's people didn't play with me like that; I'm going to play with you in turn as well. He threw a sharp-pointed javelin at him, which caught him in the eye, shot out by the back of his neck, and knocked him dead instantly.

 Truly, "said Owein, son of Uryen, to Kei," you were misguided about that madman you sent after the knight. One of two things: either he is killed, or he has been knocked down. If the knight overthrows him, he will count him among the gentlemen of the court, and the result will be eternal shame for Arthur and his warriors. If he killed him, so does dishonor, with more sin on ourselves. By my faith, I'm going there to find out what adventure is his. And Owein went to the meadow. He saw Peredur dragging the knight along the meadow. - "What are you doing here? He said. - "Never", said Peredur, "this iron dress will never leave him, I believe it is part of himself. "Owein took off the weapons and the clothes: -" Here, my soul ", he said," Horse and weapons better than the others; take them happily and come with me to Arthur to be crowned a knight. You really deserve it. "-" That I lose my honor if I go! Said Peredur, "only take the cup from me for Gwenhwyvar; tell Arthur that wherever I find myself I will be his man, and if I can serve and profit for him, I will; adds that I will not go to court until I have met the long man over there, to avenge the outrage done to the dwarf and the dwarf. Owein returned to the court, and recounted the adventure to Arthur, Gwenhwyvar and the people of the court, not to mention the threat against Kei.

Peredur set off; as he walked, he met a knight who said to him: - "Where do you come from?" "-" From Arthur's court. "-" Are you Arthur's men? "-" Yes, by my faith. "-" You fall well to claim yourself from Arthur! " - " Why? "-" Here is: I have always been plundering at the expense of Arthur, and all those of his men whom I met, I killed them. They said no more: they fought. In no time Peredur had thrown him over his horse's rump to the ground. The knight asked for mercy. - "You will have it", said Peredur, "swearing that you will go to Arthur's court, that you will tell him that it is I who overthrown you for his honor and service, and that I will not go. not at his court before having found avenge would outrage him to the dwarf and the dwarf. The knight swore it and going straight to Arthur's court, he kept his word, not forgetting the threat against Kei.

Peredur went before him, and in the same week he encountered sixteen knights whom he shamefully overthrew. They all went to Arthur's court, bringing the same words as the first knight, and especially Peredur's threat to Kei; Kei was blamed by Arthur, and grew worried about it himself.

Peredur was still walking in front of him. He arrived in a large deserted wood; on the edge of the wood there was a pond, and, on the other side of the pond, a beautiful fortified castle. On the edge of the pond he saw an accomplished-looking white-haired man sitting on a brocade cushion, dressed in brocade, and jacks fishing. On seeing Peredur the man with the white hair got up to go to the castle; he was lame. Peredur walked towards the courtyard; he found the door open and entered the room. The old man was seated on a cushion in front of a large fire. The people of the court rose to meet Peredur, and disarmed him. The old man begged the young man to sit down on the end of the cushion. He sat down next to him and they chatted. When the time was right, the tables were set and we went to eat. Peredur sat down next to the master of the court. When we had finished eating, he asked Peredur if he knew how to play the sword well: "I believe," said Peredur, "that if I was taught, I would know. "-" Who would know how to play with the staff and the shield, would know how to fight with the sword. " 

The old man had two sons, one blond, the other dark. "Get up, young people," he said, "to play with the staff and the shield. They went to play with the stick. "Say, my soul," said the old man, "which one do you think plays the best? "-" In my opinion, the blond could draw blood at the other, if he wanted. "-" Go yourself, my soul, take the staff and the shield from the dark-haired man's hand, and draw the blond's blood if you can. Peredur stood up, went to play with the blond, raised his arm over him and gave him such a blow that one eyebrow fell on his eye and blood started to run. "Well, my soul," said the old man, "come and sit down now; the most skilled at sword fighting on this island will be you. I am your uncle, your mother's brother. You are now going to stay with me for some time to learn the customs and customs of the country, fine manners, as well as courtesy, kindness and lordship. It's time to give up your mother's language. I will be your master, I will order you a knight from now on. Here is what you should do: will you see something extraordinary, do not find out about it until you have learned enough to tell you about it; the fault will not fall on you, but on me who am your master. They were presented with various honors and services.

When it was time, they went to bed. As soon as daylight came, Peredur got up, took his horse and, with his uncle's permission, went out. He came to a large deserted wood, then, at the end of the wood, to a level meadow, and on the other side of the meadow, he saw a large castle. Peredur walked over that way, found the door open, and entered the room. In one of the sides, sat a man with white hair, majestic, surrounded by many pages. They stood up respectfully in front of Peredur, went to meet him and placed him next to the master of the court. They chatted. When it was time to eat, Peredur was seated next to the gentleman. After they had eaten and drunk as much as they wanted, the gentleman asked Peredur if he knew how to play the sword. If I was taught that, he said, it seems to me I would know. There was a large iron spike attached to the floor of the hall that the hand of a warrior could hardly have grasped. "Take that sword," said the old man to Peredur, "and strike the iron ring". Peredur stood up and struck the ring which broke into two pieces as well as the sword. »Place the two pieces together and put them together. Peredur put them together and they knit together as before. A second time, he struck the ring to the point of breaking it in two as well as the sword. The pieces adjusted as before. The third time he struck such a blow that the pieces of the ring as well as the sword, brought together, could not be readjusted. Well, young man, "said the old man," that's enough, come and sit down and receive my blessing. You are the first sword player in the whole kingdom. You only have two-thirds of your strength, you still have the third part to acquire. When you have it whole, no one will be able to fight with you. I am your uncle, your mother's brother; we're brothers, me and the man you stayed with last night. " 

He was beginning to talk to his uncle, when he saw two men coming into the room and entering the room, carrying an enormous spear: from the neck of the spear flowed to the ground three streams of blood. At this sight, the whole company began to lament and moan. In spite of this, the old man did not break off his interview with Peredur; he did not give the explanation of this fact to Peredur and Peredur did not ask him either. After a few moments of silence, two virgins entered carrying between them a large dish on which was a man's head bathed in blood. The company then uttered such cries that it was tiring to stay in the same room as them. At the end, they fell silent. When it was time to sleep, Peredur went to a beautiful bedroom. The next day he left with his uncle's leave. He went to a wood, and in the distance in the wood he heard screeching cries. He saw a brunette, accomplished woman, near a fully harnessed horse, and beside her a corpse. She tried to put him in the saddle, but he fell to the ground and, each time, she cried out loudly. Say, my sister, "asked Peredur," why are you lamenting? "-" Peredur the unpunished! ", She cried," little help, my suffering on the contrary comes from, you ". - "Why should I be excommunicated? "-" Because you are the cause of your mother's death. When you walked away in spite of herself, a sword of pain sank into her heart and she died. This is why you are excommunicated. The dwarf and the dwarf that you saw at Arthur's court were those of your father and mother; I am your foster sister and the man you see was my husband. It was the Knight of the Glade who killed him; do not approach him for fear of being killed too. "-" My sister, you are wrong to reproach me. For having been with you for so long, I will not overcome him without difficulty; if I had stayed longer, I would never defeat him. Now stop complaining, it does not change the situation. I will bury the dead man, then I will go to where the knight is standing to try to take revenge on him. " 

After burying the dead, they went to the clearing where the knight rode proudly. He immediately asked Peredur where he was from. "I come from Arthur's court," he replied. – “Are you Arthur’s man? – “Yes, by my faith. » – « You fall well speaking of your links with Arthur. That was all, and they took charge. Peredur knocked the knight down on the spot. He begged her for mercy. “I grant it to you”, said Peredur, “provided that you take this woman as your wife and treat her with all the honor and consideration you can, for killing her husband without cause, you will go to the court of Arthur, you will tell him that it was I who struck you down for his honor and service, and that I will never go to his court until I have met with the long man to avenge upon him the contempt made to the dwarf and the dwarf. He took tokens from the knight on this subject. The latter provided the woman with a horse and clothes and went to Arthur's court, to whom he told the adventure and the threat against Kei. Kei had reproaches from Arthur and his court for forcing a man like Peredur to wander away from Arthur's court. "This young man," said Owein, son of Uryen, "will never come to court, until Kei comes out of it; Gold Kei won't leave here." “By my faith,” cried Arthur, “I will seek him in the deserts of the island of Brittany, until I found it; and then let each of them do to the other the worst he can.”

Peredur walked in front of him: he came to a deserted wood, where he saw no trace of any men or animals, only brush and grass. Towards the end of the wood, he saw a large castle surmounted by numerous and strong towers. Near the entrance, the grasses were longer than anywhere else. He knocked on the door with the shaft of his spear; Immediately a young man with red hair, thin, from a battlement of the rampart, said to him: - "Choose, lord; I'll open the door for you myself or tell our boss you're at the entrance. »-« Tell him that I am here; if they want me to come in, I will come in. The young man soon returned and opened the door for Peredur.

As he entered the room he saw eighteen thin, red servants, of the same height, the same appearance, the same clothes, the same age as the one who had opened him. He only had to praise their politeness and their service. They disarmed him, then they sat down and they started to talk, when five virgins came from the room into the room.

For the one of them who was the highest in dignity, Peredur was sure he had not seen a more beautiful face. She was wearing an old brocade garment, which once had been good, now all perforated: through you could see her skin, which was whiter than the flower of the crystal. Her hair and eyebrows were darker than jet, and her cheeks had two little dimples redder than the redder. The virgin welcomed Peredur, threw her arms around his neck, and sat down next to him. Shortly after, two nuns arrived, one carrying a flask full of wine, the other six pies of white bread. - "Lady", they said, "in all truth, this is all that was left of food and drink in our convent that night". They sat down to table. Peredur saw that the virgin wanted to give him more food and drink than the others. - "My sister", he said, "I am going to share the food and drink". - "No, my soul-", she said. - "It is I, on my faith," he replied, "who will share. And Peredur took the bread, gave each an equal part, and likewise poured out of the flask, an equal measure to each. When the time was right, a room was prepared for Peredur, and he went to bed.

- "Listen, sister". said the servants to the most beautiful virgin and the highest in dignity of young girls, "what we have to advise you". - " What is that? She replied. - "It is to go to the room up there to offer yourself to the young man, at his choice, as a wife or as a mistress. "-" This is something that does not suit me; I, who have never had a relationship with a man, go and propose myself to him, before he has courted me! I wouldn't know for the world. "-" We take God as witness, if you do not obey, we let your enemies do what they want with you here. Frightened, the virgin, shedding tears, went straight to the bedroom. At the sound of the door opening, Peredur awoke. The young girl was crying and moaning. - "Say, my sister, why are you crying like this? "-" I'll tell you, lord. My father owned these estates, this court and the county which depended on it, the best in his estates. The son of another count asked me to marry my father. I wouldn't have gone with him willingly, and neither would my father have given me against my will, neither to him nor to any earl in the world. I was an only child. When he died, the estates passed into my hands, and I wanted the count even less than before. He made war on me and seized my property except for this one house. Thanks to the valor of these men whom you see, my foster brothers, and the strength of the house itself, it could not be taken while the food and drink lasted. But they were exhausted, and we had only what the nuns you saw could bring us food, thanks to the freedom they had to roam the fields and the country. But now they have nothing themselves. No later than tomorrow, the count will come with all his strength to attack this place. If he takes me, the least that can happen to me is to be handed over by him to his squires. So I have come, Lord, to offer myself to you to do with me whatever you please, in return for your help: take us out of here or defend us in this place. "-" Go and rest, my sister; I will not leave you, although I do not want to do anything that you offer me until I have known from experience how far I can help you. The young girl went to bed. The next morning, she got up, went to Peredur and greeted him. - "God give you well, my soul", he said; »What news do you bring? "-" There could not be bad ones, as long as you are well, lord; only the count and all his forces descended at the entrance to the castle: nowhere has we seen more pavilions or knights provoking others into battle. "-" Well ", said Peredur," let my horse be prepared ". His horse was harnessed. Peredur got up and went to the meadow. There was a knight there riding proudly and the battle standard erected. They fought, and Peredur threw the knight to the ground over the rump of his horse. At the end of the day, a high-ranking knight came to fight with him and was overthrown. " Who are you? Said Peredur. - "In truth", he replied, "I am the count's penteulu (seneschal)". - "What part of the Countess's possessions do you hold? "-" In truth, the third. " - " Well! give him back this third completely and all that you have been able to profit from it; further, let there be food and drink for a hundred men, and horses and weapons for them, that night in his yard; you will be his prisoner, with the condition that your life will be saved. Everything was provided without delay. The virgin was happy that night after receiving it all.

The next day, Peredur went to the meadow and overthrew a large number of warriors. At the end of the day, a knight, proud and of high rank, came against him. Peredur knocked him down and thanked him. " Who are you? " he said to him. - "The distein (steward) of the court. "-" What part of the girl's domains is in your possession? " - " Third. " - " Well! "Said Peredur," besides the maiden's estates you will give all that you have obtained from it, food and drink for two hundred men, horses and weapons for them, and you will be her prisoner. . All of this was provided without delay.

On this third day, Peredur went to the meadow and overthrew even more knights than on the other days. At the end of the day, a count came to fight with him; he was knocked down and asked for mercy. " Who are you? Said Peredur. - "I am the count", he replied; “I'm not hiding it. " - " Well! Besides her entire county, you will give the girl yours, plus food and drink for three hundred men, horses and weapons for all of them, and you will be in her power. It was all done without fail. Peredur remained there three weeks, forcing tribute and submission, and putting the states of the young girl in the position she desired. "With your permission," said Peredur then, "I will leave. "-" Is that what you want, my brother? "-" Yes, by my faith: if it hadn't been for my affection for you, I would not have stayed so long. "-" My soul, who are you? "-" Peredur, son of Evrawc du Nord. If you are afflicted or in danger, let me know and I will protect you, if I can. Peredur walked away and, far away, met a woman riding a very thin, sweaty horse.

She greeted the young man. Where are you from, my sister? Said Peredur. She gave him the reason for his trip. She was the wife of the master of the glade. " Well! He said, "I am the knight because of whom you have experienced this suffering. He will repent of it, whoever is its author. At this moment a knight came up who asked Peredur if he had seen anyone resembling a knight he was looking for. "Enough words," said Peredur; »I am the man you are looking for. By my faith, you are very wrong in your reproaches to the young girl; she is very innocent as far as I am concerned. They fought, however, and the fight was not long: Peredur overthrew him, and he begged for mercy. "I grant it to you, on condition that you return by the same path that you came, to proclaim that you hold the young woman for innocent, and that you have been overthrown by me in reparation for the outrage that you have done her. . The knight gave his faith, and Peredur went ahead of him.

Seeing a castle next to him on an eminence, he walked over and knocked on the door with his spear. Immediately the door was opened by a dark-haired, accomplished-looking man of the stature of a warrior and looking the age of a teenager. As he entered the room, Peredur saw a tall woman, majestically seated, and around her a large number of attendants. The lady greeted him warmly. When it was time, they sat down to table. When the meal was over, she said to him: "You would do well, lord, to go and sleep elsewhere. "-" Why don't I sleep here? He said. - "There are here, my soul, nine of the witches of Kaerloyw (Gloucester), with their father and mother, and if we try to escape them towards daylight, they will kill us immediately. They have already taken hold of the country and devastated it, except for this one house. " - " Well! Said Peredur, "This is where I want to be tonight. If any danger arises, I will help you as best I can; wrong, anyway, I won't. They went to bed. Towards daylight, Peredur heard fearful cries. He got up in a hurry, having only his shirt, his breeches and his sword around his neck, and he went out. He saw one of the witches reach a watchman who began to cry out loud. Peredur charged at the witch and gave her such a sword blow to the head that he split the helm in two with his brains like a simple dish. "Your grace, Peredur," she said, "and that of God. "-" How do you know, witch, that I am Peredur? "-" It is fate, as we have seen in the future, that we will have to suffer from you. I'll give you a horse and some armor. You will stay with me to learn chivalry and the use of arms. "-" Here is ", said Peredur," on what condition you will have grace: you are going to give your faith that you will never do harm on the land of the countess. Peredur agreed to this, and, with the permission of the countess, he went with the witch to the witches court. He stayed there for three consecutive weeks. Then he chose a horse and weapons, and went ahead of him.

Toward evening he arrived in a valley, and at the end of the valley, before the cell of a servant of God. The hermit received him warmly, and he spent the night there. The next morning he got up and went out. It had fallen snow overnight, and a hawk had killed a duck in front of the cell. The sound of the horse scared the hawk to flight, and a crow fell upon the flesh of the bird. Peredur paused, and seeing the blackness of the raven, the whiteness of the snow, the redness of the blood, he thought of the hair of the woman he loved most, as black as raven or jet, of her skin as white as snow, on the cheekbones of her cheeks, as red as blood on snow.

However, at this time, Arthur and his court were in search of Peredur. "Do you know," said Arthur. "Who is the knight with the long lance stopped over there in the valley? "-" Lord ", someone said," I will know who it is. The page went to Peredur and asked him what he was doing and who he was. Peredur was so engrossed in the thought of the woman he loved the most that he gave her no answer. The page charged him with his spear; Peredur turned on him and threw him over his horse's rump to the ground. Twenty-four pages successively came to find it. He answered no more to one than to the other and played the same game with each of them: suddenly he threw them to the ground. Kei came in person and spoke sharp and nasty words to him. Peredur put his spear under his chin and knocked him off within a stroke of his hand, so that he broke his arm and scapula; then he passed his horse twenty-one times over his body. While Kei was unconscious in pain, his horse turned around with a hawkish and fiery gait. The people of the court, seeing him return without his rider, hurried to the place of the meeting. When they arrived, they thought Kei was killed; but they recognized that with the care of a good doctor he would live. Peredur did not come out of his meditation any more than before when he saw the crowd gathered around Kei. Kei was transported to Arthur's lodge, who brought in skilled doctors. Arthur was saddened by the accident that had happened to Kei, because he loved him very much.

Gwalchmei then remarked that no one should disturb an ordained knight in an improper way in his meditations, for he might have suffered some loss or was thinking of the woman he loved most. It is probably, "he added," this impropriety committed by the one who was the last to meet the knight. If you find it good, lord, I will go and see if he has come out of his meditation: in which case, I will ask him in a friendly way to come and see you. Kei got annoyed at it and broke out in wrathful and envious words: "Gwalchmei, I have no doubt that you bring him in holding his reins. How thin will be your glory and your honor to defeat a knight weary and exhausted by combat. It is in this way, moreover, that you have triumphed over many. As long as you keep your tongue and your fine words, a dress of fine linen will be sufficient armor for you; you will not need to break a lance or a sword to fight with the knight you will find in such a state. "-" Kei ", replied Gwalchmei," you could, if you please, use a nicer language. You shouldn't avenge your fury and resentment on me. It seems to me, in fact, that I will bring the knight without it costing me arms or shoulders. "-" You spoke like a wise man and a sane man, "Arthur said to Gwalchmei. Go, get some suitable weapons and choose your horse. " 

Gwalchmei armed himself and walked, as if playing, at the step of his horse, in the direction of Peredur. He was leaning on the shaft of his spear, still immersed in the same meditation. Gwalchmei approached him without any air of animosity and said to him: "If I knew that this was to be as pleasant to you as it is to me, I would gladly talk to you. I am coming to you, in fact, on behalf of Arthur, to beg you to come and see him. Two of his men have already come to you about this. "-" It's true, "said Peredur," but they introduced themselves in a disagreeable way. They fought with me, to my great regret, because I didn't like being distracted from my meditation: I was meditating on the woman I love the most. This is how his memory came to me. Considering the snow, the raven, and the bloodstains of the hawk-killed duck on the snow, I thought its skin looked like snow, the blackness of its hair and eyebrows like crow plumage, and the two cheekbones of his cheeks with two drops of blood. "-" This meditation is not without nobility, "said Gwalchmei," and it is not surprising that you resented being distracted from it. "-" Will you tell me if Kei is at Arthur's court? " - " He is there; it is the last knight who fought with you, and there is no reason to be congratulated: his arm and his shoulder blade were broken from the leap he received from the thrust of your lance. " - " Well! I like as much to begin to avenge the insult of the dwarf and the dwarf in this way. Gwalchmei was astonished to hear him speak thus of the dwarf and the dwarf. He approached him, threw his arms around his neck and asked his name. "They call me Peredur, son of Evrawc," he replied; " and you, who are you? "-" Gwalchmei is my name. " - " I am happy to see you. I've heard you boast, in every country I've been, for your bravery and loyalty. I beg you to give me your company. "-" You will have it, by my faith; but give me yours too. " - " Gladly. They walked away together, happy and united, towards Arthur.

Hearing that they were coming, Kei exclaimed: “I knew very well that Gwalchmei would not need to fight with the knight. It is not surprising that he has gained a great reputation. He does more by his fine words than we by the force of our arms. Peredur and Gwalchmei went to the latter's lodge to disarm themselves. Peredur took the same clothes as Gwalchmei, then they went, hand in hand, to Arthur and greeted him. This is, "said Gwalchmei," the man you have been looking for for a long time already. "-" Welcome, lord, "said Arthur; »You will stay with me; if I had known that your valor had to show itself as it did, I would not have let you leave me. That's what the dwarf and the dwarf that Kei mistreated and you avenged predicted. At this moment came the queen and her attendants. Peredur greeted them; they gave him a warm welcome and welcomed him. Arthur showed Peredur great respect and honor, and they returned to Kaerllion.

The first night of his stay at Arthur's court in Kaerllion, Peredur went for a walk in the castle after the meal. He met Ygharat Llaw Eurawe (with the golden hand). "By my faith, my sister," said Peredur, "you are a comely and kind virgin. I could commit to loving you more than any other woman, if you wanted. "-" I give my faith ", she replied," that I do not love you and that I will never want you. "-" I give my faith that I will not say a word to a Christian until you recognize that you love me more than any other man. " 

The next day, Peredur set off and followed the main road, along the croup of a mountain. Arrived at the end, he saw a round valley whose periphery was wooded and rocky, while the bottom was level and in meadows; there were plowed fields between meadows and woods. In the middle of the wood were black houses, of rough workmanship. He got out, led his horse towards the wood, and, a little further into the wood, he saw the side of a sharp rock surrounded by a path. A lion in chains was sleeping on the edge of the rock. Beneath the lion was a deep chasm, of frightening dimensions, filled with the bones of animals and men. Peredur drew and, with a first blow, threw the lion suspended on the chain over the abyss; with a second he broke the chain, and the lion fell into the pit. Peredur rode his horse over the edge of the rock and came into the valley. In the middle was a beautiful fortified castle. Peredur headed there. In the meadow in front of the castle he saw a tall gray-haired man sitting down, the tallest he had ever seen, and two young men throwing their knives whose handles were of cetacean bones, one brown, the other blond.

Peredur walked over to the gray haired man and greeted him. Shame on my porter's beard! Cried the latter. Peredur understood that the porter was the lion. The gray-haired man and the two young men went with him to the castle. It was a beautiful place and of noble appearance. They entered the room: the tables were set, carrying an abundance of food and drink. At this moment an elderly woman and a young woman arrived from the room: they were the tallest women he had ever seen. They washed and went to eat. The gray-haired man sat at the end of the table in the highest position, the middle-aged woman next to him, and Peredur and the virgin next to each other; the two servants served them. The virgin began to look at Peredur and became very sad. Peredur asked him the cause of his sadness. My soul, "she replied," from the moment I saw you, it was you that I loved the most in the world. It is hard for me to see a young man as noble as you suffering from death awaiting you tomorrow. Have you seen the many black houses in the woods? Everyone who dwells there is men to my father, the gray haired man over there, and they're all giants. Tomorrow they will rally against you and kill you. The Round Valley (Dyffrynn Crwn) is the name given to this valley. " - " Well! beautiful virgin, will you make sure that my horse and my weapons are in the same lodging as me tonight? "-" By me and God, I will do it willingly, if I can. When they found it more convenient to sleep than to drink, they went to bed. The young girl made sure that Peredur's horse and arms were in the same lodging as him.

The next day, Peredur heard the tumult of men and horses around the castle. He got up, armed himself and his horse, and went to the meadow. The old woman and the virgin went to the gray haired man, "Lord," they said, "take the young man's faith that he won't say anything he saw here. We will be sureties for him. "-" No, by my faith ", he replied. Peredur fought with the troop, and by evening he had killed a third of them, without doing him the least harm. The woman of a certain age then said: “Well! he killed many of your men; give him thanks. "-" No, by my faith, "he replied. The woman and the beautiful virgin were watching, from the battlements of the fort. All of a sudden, Peredur met the blond valet and killed him. "Lord," cried the virgin, "give thanks to the young man." - "No, by me and God," replied the gray-haired man. Peredur immediately met the brown valet and killed him. You would have done better to give thanks to this young man before he killed your two sons. You can hardly escape yourself now. "-" Go, you, young girl, and beg him to grant us forgiveness, since we have not granted it to him. The virgin went to Peredur and asked for the grace of her father and those of her men who were still alive. - "I grant it to you", said Peredur, "on condition that your father and all those who are under him go to pay homage to the Emperor Arthur and tell him that it is Peredur who is worth this service to him". - "We will do it willingly, by me and God. "-" Moreover, you will be baptized, and I will send to Arthur to ask him to give you this valley, to you and to your heirs, forever after you. " 

They entered; the gray-haired woman and man addressed their greetings to Peredur. The man said to him: “Since I have owned this valley, you are the first Christian I have seen return alive. We will go and pay homage to Arthur and take faith and baptism. "-" I thank God ", said Peredur," for not having violated my oath to the woman I love the most: that I would not say a word to any Christian ". They stayed that night at the castle. The next day the gray-haired man and his troop went to Arthur's court and paid homage to him. Arthur had them baptized. The gray haired man told Arthur that it was Peredur who had defeated him. Arthur donated the valley to him and his people, to hold it as vassals, as Peredur had requested. Then, with Arthur's permission, the gray-haired man returned to the Round Valley.

Peredur, the next day, had set off. After having traversed a good expanse of deserts without encountering a dwelling, he ends up arriving at a very poor little house. There he heard of a serpent lying on a ring, which suffered no habitation for seven miles around. He went to the place indicated, and fought with it furiously, valiantly, with glorious success; he ended up killing him, and grabbed the ring.

He remained a long time wandering thus, this time, without addressing a word to any kind of Christian. So he lost his colors and his beauty, as a result of the excessive regrets which he inspired at the court of Arthur, the woman he loved the most, and his companions. He ends up heading towards Arthur's court. Along the way, he met Arthur's people, and Kei at their head, going to fill out a message. Peredur recognized them all, but none recognized him. Where are you from, lord? Kei said. He asked for it a second, a third time, and Peredur didn't answer. Kei struck him with his spear, and slid through his thigh. In order not to be forced to speak out and to violate his faith, Peredur passed on, without taking revenge on him. "By me and God, Kei," said Gwalchmei, "you were misguided in hurting such a young man because he couldn't speak. He returned to Arthur's court. Princess, "he said to Gwenhwyvar," see how wickedly Kei hurt this young man, because he couldn't speak. Have him treated by the doctors, and, on my return, I will be able to recognize this service. " 

Before the men returned from their expedition, a knight came to the meadow, next to Arthur's court, asking for someone to fight with him. he got it; the knight overthrew his adversary, and every day he overthrew a knight. One day Arthur and his people were going to church. They saw the knight with his battle standard erected. "By the bravery of my men," said Arthur, "I won't leave here until I have had my horse and my weapons to go fight with that boor over there." The pages went to fetch him his horse and his weapons. They passed, on their way back, beside Peredur; this one took the horse and the weapons, and went to the meadow. All, then, seeing him marching against the knight, went up to the top of the houses, to the hills and to the high places, to consider the struggle. Peredur motioned to the knight, with his hand, to begin the attack. The knight charged him, but without moving him from place. Peredur, in his turn, threw his horse at full bridle, approached him with valor and fury, terribly, harshly, with ardor and pride, gave him a sharp and poisoned blow, hard and searing, worthy of a warrior under the chin. vigorous, lifted him out of his saddle, and threw him a good distance away from him. Then he returned, and left, as before, the horse and the weapons to the squires. Then, on foot, he went to court. From then on he was called the Mute Valet. At that moment Agharat with the golden hand met him. "By me and God, Lord," she said, "it is great pity that you cannot speak; if you could, I would love you more than any man; and, by my faith, although you cannot, I will love you the most in the world all the same ”. - "God give it back to you, my sister", said Peredur, "on my faith, I also love you". They recognized Peredur. He lived in the company of Gwalchmei, Owein, son of Uryen, knights of the court, and remained at the court of Arthur.

Arthur was in Kaerllion on Wysc. One day he went hunting with Peredur. Peredur threw his dog at a deer. The dog killed the deer in a deserted place. At some distance from him, Peredur seeing signs of habitation, moved in that direction. He saw a hall, and at the door, three bald and swarthy jacks playing chess. As he entered, he saw three virgins sitting on a diaper, dressed in the same way, like people of quality. He went to sit next to them on the couch. One of them looked at him intently, and began to cry. Peredur asked her why she was crying: "Because of the sorrow I have", she said, "to see a young man as handsome as you killed". - "Who would kill me then? Said Peredur. - "If it was not dangerous for you to linger here, I would tell you. "-" Whatever unfortunate thing may happen to me by staying, I will listen. "-" It is my father who is the master of this court, and he kills all those who come there without his permission. "-" What sort of man is your father then, so that he can kill everyone like this? "-" A man who oppresses and violates all his neighbors, without ever making reparation to anyone around him. " 

At this moment he saw the young people get up and rid the chessboard of the cavaliers. He heard a loud noise, and immediately afterwards entered a tall, black, one-eyed man. The virgins got up and stripped him of his clothes. He went to sit down. When he had regained his senses and his composure, he glanced up at Fleredur, and asked who this knight was. "Lord," said the virgin who had spoken to Peredur, "he is the most beautiful and noble young man you have ever seen. For God and in the name of your dignity, be moderate with him. "-" For the love of you, I will be, and I will grant her life for tonight. Peredur went with them to the fire, ate and drank, and chatted with the ladies. When his head was heated by the drink, he said to the black man: "I am amazed that you say so loudly. Who took your eye away from you? "-" One of my habits ", he replied," was not to give up life either out of fervor or at any cost to anyone who asked me such a request ". - "Lord", said the virgin, "whatever nonsense he may say to you under the influence of drunkenness, be faithful to your word earlier, and to the promise you made to me. ". - "Willingly, for the love of you," said the black man. »I will let him live tonight. They left it there that night.

The next day, the black man got up, armed himself and gave this order to Peredur: “Man, get up to suffer death. "-" One of two things, the black man, "said Peredur," if you want to fight with me: either you will strip your weapons or you will give me others for the fight. "-" Ah! Said the other, "could you fight, if you had guns? Take whatever you want. The virgin brought Peredur some weapons that suited him. He fought with the black man until he had to ask him for mercy. "I'll grant it to you," said Peredur, "while it takes you to tell me who you are and who took your eye off".

 Lord, here it is: it is by fighting with the black serpent of Carn. There is a mound called Cruc Galarus (the Sorrowful Mound), and on this mound there is a carn, in the carn a serpent, and in the serpent's tail a stone. The stone has this virtue that whoever holds it in one hand can have, in the other, all that he can desire of gold. It was while fighting with the snake that I lost my eye. My name is Arrogant Noir (Du Trahaawc), and this is why I was called this: I left no one around me without oppressing him, and I never did anyone right. "-" How far away is the mountain you say? "-" I am going to count the days of travel that there are until then and explain to you how far it is. The day you leave here, you will arrive at the court of the children of the King of Suffering. "-" Why are they called so? "-" The addanc of the lake kills them once every day. From there you will go to the court of the Countess of Prowess. "-" So what are his prowess? "-" His household consists of three hundred men. Every stranger who arrives at court is told about the family's prowess. The three hundred men are seated closest to the Countess, not for lack of consideration for the hosts, but to exhibit the prowess of the house. The day you leave there, you will go to Mont Douloureux. There, around the Mount, are established the owners of three hundred pavilions guarding around the serpent. "-" Since you have been a plague for so long, "said Peredur," I will make sure that you are not a plague any longer. And he killed him. The virgin, who was the first to have chatted with him, then said to him: "If you were poor by coming here now, with the treasure of the Black man that you killed, you will be rich. You also see what beautiful and pleasant virgins there are in this yard. You could court whatever you want. "-" I did not come here from my country, princess, to take a wife. But I see some kind young people here: that each of you pair up with the other, as you wish. I don't want anything of your good; I do not need it. " 

He went to the court of the sons of the King of Suffering. On entering, he saw only women. They got up when he arrived and gave him a warm welcome. He was beginning to talk to them when he saw a horse coming with a corpse in the saddle. One of the women stood up, lifted the corpse from the saddle, bathed it in a tub of hot water which was lower than the door, and applied a precious ointment to it. The man resuscitated, came to greet him and showed him a happy face. Two corpses arrived still carried in the saddle. The woman revived them both in the same way as the first. Peredur asked them for an explanation. They told him that there was an addict in a cave that killed them once every day. They stayed there that night.

The next day, the young people began to go out, and Peredur asked them, for the love of their mistresses, to let him go with them. They refused, saying that if he was killed there was no one who could bring him back to life; and they left. Peredur followed them. He had lost sight of them when he met, sitting on the top of a mountain, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. "I know the purpose of your trip," she said; »You are going to fight with the addanc. He will kill you, not out of valor, but out of cunning. There is a stone pillar on the threshold of his cave. He sees all those who come without being seen by anyone, and, in the shelter of the pillar, he kills them all with a poisoned stinger. If you gave me your word to love me more than any other woman in the world, I would donate a stone to you that would allow you to see him when entering without being seen by him. "-" I give it to you, by my faith ", he said; As soon as I saw you, I loved you. And where would I go to get you? "-" You will look for me on the side of India. And she disappeared after putting the stone in Peredur's hand.

He walked towards the valley watered by a river. The outlines were wooded; but on both sides of the river stretched level meadows. On one bank there was a flock of white sheep, and on the other a flock of black sheep. Every time a white sheep bleats, a black sheep crosses the water and turns white. Every time a black sheep bleats, a white sheep crosses the water and turns black. On the bank of the river stood a large tree: one of the halves of the tree was burning from the root to the top; the other half had green foliage. Higher up, Peredur saw, seated on the top of a mountain, a young man holding on a leash two hunting dogs, with white chests, spotted, lying beside him; he had never seen anyone look so regal. In the wood opposite, he heard hounds raising a herd of deer. Peredur greeted the young man, who returned his greeting. As three roads started from the mountain, two of them wide and the third narrower, Peredur asked him where they led. One, "he said," leads to my yard. I advise you either to go there to my wife, or to wait with me here. You will see the hounds pushing the tired deer of the wood in the plain; then the best and most valiant hunting greyhounds you have ever seen, and the death of the deer by the water, beside us. When it is time to eat, my valet will come to meet me with my horse, and you will find a good welcome there tonight. "-" May God return it to you, but I will not stay; I will continue my journey. "-" The other way leads to a town here near, where one finds, for money, food and drink. The third, the narrowest, goes towards the cave of the addanc. "-" With your permission, young man, this is the direction I am going to go. " 

And Peredur walked towards the cave. He took the stone in his left hand, his spear in his right hand. On entering he saw the addanc; he speared it through it and cut off its head. On leaving, he found the three companions at the entrance; they greeted Peredur and told him that it was predicted that it was he who would destroy this plague. He gave them the head of the serpent. They offered him the one he wanted from their three sisters for a wife, and half their kingdom with her. "I did not come here to take a wife," said Peredur. If I had intended, I might have chosen your sister above all. Peredur continued on his way.

Hearing a noise behind him, he turned and saw a man riding a red horse and covered in red armor. Arriving in front of Peredur, the rider greeted him in the name of God and of men. Peredur greeted the servant in a friendly way. "Lord," said this one, "I have come to ask you. " - " Which? Said Peredur. - "Is that you take me for your man. "-" Who would I take as a man if I took you? "-" I will not hide my origin: I am called Etlym Gleddyvoch (with the red sword), count of the Eastern Marches. "-" I am astonished that you propose yourself as a man to someone whose estates are not larger than yours: I also have only one county. Since you want to follow me like my man, I gladly accept you. They walked towards the courtyard of the Countess of Prowess.

They were received courteously. They were told that if they were placed at the table lower than the family, it was not to disrespect them, but that the custom of the court wanted it thus: whoever would defeat the three hundred men of the countess would have the right to sit at the table closest to her and be the one she would like the most. Peredur knocked down the three hundred men of the family and sat down next to the countess, who said to him: "I thank God for having made me have such a handsome and brave young man as you, since I have not had the man I loved the most. "-" Who was he, the one you loved the most? "-" On my faith, it was Etlym with the red sword, and I never saw him. "-" In truth, "he said; Etlym is my mate, and here he is. It is for his sake that I came to joust with your people; he could have done it better than me, if he wanted to. I give you to him. "-" God restore it to you, handsome valet; I accept the man I love the most. That night Etlym and the Countess slept together.

The next day, Peredur set out for Mont Douloureux. "By your hand, Lord," said Etlym, "I am going with you". They walked until they saw the Mount and the pavilions. "Go to those people over there," Peredur said to Etlym, "and command them to come and pay homage to me. "Etlym went to them and said to them," Come and pay homage to my lord. "-" And who is your lord? They said. - "Peredur Baladyr hir (with the long lance). "-" If it were permissible to put a messenger to death, you would not have returned alive to your master, for having made such arrogant request to kings, counts and barons as to come and pay homage to your lord . Peredur ordered him to return to them and give them the choice of either paying him homage or fighting with him. They preferred to fight.

That very day Peredur overthrew the owners of a hundred pavilions. The next day he threw down the owners of a hundred more. On the third day, the remaining hundred decided to pay him homage. Peredur asked them what they were doing there. They answered him that they kept watch around the serpent until he was dead; then they would have fought among themselves for the stone, and the victor would have had it. "Wait for me here," said Peredur; I'm going to go visit the snake. "-" No, Lord, "they said; Are going to fight together with him. "-" I don't want it, "said Peredur. If we killed the serpent, I would not have more glory than the first one among you. He went to where the snake was and killed it. Then he came back to them and said to them: “Count your expense since you came here, and I will reimburse you on my word. He reimbursed each according to the account he gave and asked them nothing more than to be his men. Then he said to Etlym: "Go back to the woman you love the most, and I will go before me. I want to reward you for the tribute you have lent me. And he gave him the stone. God return it to you, ”said Etlym,“ and make the way straight before you. " 

Peredur set out and came to a valley watered by a river, the most beautiful he had ever seen. There he saw a number of pavilions of different colors; but what surprised him most was the number of watermills and windmills. He bumped into a dark-haired man looking like a saer (worker in stone or wood, carpenter), and asked him who he was: "I am," he replied, "the head miller of all these mills- the. "-" Would you give me accommodation with you? " - " Gladly. Peredur went to the miller; he found a beautiful home which suited him. He asked the miller for loan money to buy food, and drink for himself and the people of the house, pledging to compensate him before leaving. Then he inquired about the cause of all this gathering. "One of two things," said the miller; »Either you come from far away or you are not in your right direction. There is the Empress of the great Cristinobyl. She only wants the most valiant man for her husband: for property, she does not need him. It is because it would be impossible to bring food here for so many thousands of men that this multitude of mills has been established. That night they took some rest.

The next day, Peredur got up and armed himself and his horse to go to the tournament. In the middle of the pavilions he made out one, the most beautiful he had ever seen; through the window stuck her head a beautiful virgin, the most beautiful he had ever seen. She was dressed in gold brocade. Peredur stared at her and his love penetrated him deeply. He remained to consider her from morning until noon and from noon until nones, at which time the tournament ended. So he returned to his lodgings, stripped his arms, and asked the miller for money on loan; the miller grew angry with him; but, nevertheless, the miller lent him some. The next day he behaved as he had done the day before, then returned to his home at nightfall and borrowed money from the miller.

On the third day, while he was in the same place looking at the young girl, he felt a violent blow with the handle of an ax between his neck and shoulders. He turned around and saw the miller who said to him, "Choose, or get out, or go to the tournament. Peredur smiled when he heard it and made his way to the tournament. All who met him that day he threw to the ground; the men, he sent as a present to the Empress, horses and arms, to the miller's wife, as an account of his money. Peredur watched the tournament until he had knocked everyone down. The men he sent as prisoners to the Empress; horses and arms, to the miller's wife, as an account of his money. The Empress hurried over to the knight of the mill to ask him to come and see her. Peredur defaulted on the first message. A second was addressed to him. The third time, she sent a hundred knights to ask for an interview with orders to bring him by force, if he did not come willingly. They went and told him the Empress's message. He played a good game with them, made them bind as one binds a deer and throw in the ditch (reach) of the mill.

The Empress sought advice from a sage among all her advisers. He told her that he would go find Peredur for her. He went to him, greeted him and begged him, for the love of his lover, to come and see the Empress. Peredur went with the miller, and as soon as he entered, at the first place he found himself, he sat down. She came and sat down next to him; and, after a short conversation, Peredur took leave of her and returned to his lodgings. The next day he returned to see her. When he entered the pavilion, he found it in every corner prepared with the same care; they did not know, in fact, where he would have gone to sit. Peredur sat down next to the Empress and they chatted amicably.

In the meantime entered a black man with a goblet filled with wine in his hand. He fell on his knees before the Empress and begged her to give it only to whoever came to dispute it with arms in hand. She looked at Peredur. "Princess," he said, "give me the goblet. He drank the wine and gave the cup to the miller's wife. At this moment, another black man entered, taller than the first, and having in his hand a pryv (dragon) nail, cut in the shape of a cup and filled with wine. he gave it to the Empress, begging her to donate it only to anyone who came to fight with him. "Princess," said Peredur, "give it to me. Peredur drank the wine and handed the goblet to the miller's wife. Just then entered a man with curly red hair, taller than either of the other two, holding a crystal goblet filled with wine in his hand. He knelt down and put it in the Empress's hand, begging her to give it only to whoever came to dispute it with arms in hand. She gave it to Peredur who sent it to the miller's wife. Peredur spent that night at his home. The next day he armed himself and his horse, went to the meadow and killed the three men. Then he went to the lodge. Beau Peredur, "said the Empress," remember the faith you gave me, when I made you a present of the stone and you killed the addanc. "-" Princess, you are telling the truth, I have not forgotten it. Peredur ruled with the Empress for fourteen years, so history says.

Arthur was in Kaerllion on Wysc, his main court. Four men, in the middle of the room, were seated on a brocade cloak: Owein, son of Uryen; Gwalchmei, son of Gwyar; Howel, son of the Emperor of Armorica and Peredur with the long lance. Suddenly a young girl with curly black hair entered, mounted on a yellow mule, with coarse thongs in her hand, with which she made him walk. His face was rough and disagreeable; his face and his two hands, blacker than the blackest iron dipped in pitch. Her complexion was not yet the ugliest part of her: it was the shape of her body; her cheeks were very upturned, the lower part of her face elongated, a small nose with distended nostrils, one gray, green, sparkling eye, and the other jet black, sunk deep into the head, long yellow teeth, yellower than the broom flower. Her stomach rose from the chest higher than her chin. Its spine was shaped like a butt. Her thighs were broad, gaunt, and everything below was thin except for the feet and knees which she had fat.

She greeted Arthur and all his family, except Peredur. To Peredur she spoke in irritated, unpleasant terms. "Peredur," she said, "I am not killing you, for you do not deserve it. Destiny was blind when it bestowed on you talents and glory. You went to the court of the lame king, you saw there the young man with the red lance, at the end of which there was a drop of blood which turned into a torrent flowing over the young man's fist; you saw other miracles there too: you did not ask for their meaning or their cause! If you had done it, the king would have obtained health for him and peace for his States, while henceforth he will see only fights and wars, knights killed, women left widows, ladies without means of subsistence; and all because of you ”. "Lord," she said, addressing Arthur, "with your permission, my home is far from here; it is the Château Orgueilleux (syberw); I don't know if you've heard of it. There are five hundred and sixty-six ordained knights, and each of them has with him the woman he loves most. Whoever seeks glory by arms, strife and combats, will find it there, if he is worthy of it; but for the one who aspires to the scepter of glory and honor, I know where he can conquer it. On a mountain that can be seen on all sides, there is a castle that is closely besieged, and in this castle, a young girl. Whoever delivered it would acquire the greatest fame in the world. Saying these words, she walked out. By my faith, "said Gwalchmei," I won't sleep well until I know if I can deliver the virgin. Many of Arthur's men adopted Gwalchmei's sentiment. For me, "said Peredur," on the contrary, I will not sleep soundly until I know the history and meaning of the spear the young black girl spoke of. " 

Everyone was in the process of equipping themselves, when a knight of the stature and vigor of a warrior appeared at the entrance, well equipped with clothes and weapons. He walked over and greeted Arthur and his entire household except Gwalchmei. On his shoulder he had a gold enamelled shield, the crosspiece of which was blue enamel; blue too were all his weapons. He said to Gwalchmei: “You have killed my lord by deception and treason, and I will prove it against you. Gwalchmei stood up -. Here is, "he said," my pledge against you, here or wherever you like, that I am neither deceitful nor traitor. "-" I want the fight between you and me to take place before the king, my overlord. "-" Willingly ", said Gwalchmei," walk, I follow you. The knight left.

Gwalchmei made his preparations; he was offered many weapons, but he wanted only his own. Once armed, Gwalchmei and Peredur set off after the knight, both of them, because of their companionship and great affection for each other. They did not set out on a quest together, but each on their own.

In the youth of the day, Gwalchmei arrived in a valley watered by a river, where he saw a strong castle, with a large courtyard, and crowned with superb and very high towers. He saw a knight coming out for the hunt, mounted on a shiny black horse, with wide nostrils, eager to travel, at an even and proud trot, lively, fast and sure, he was the owner of the court. Gwalchmei greeted him. "God protect you, Lord," said the knight, "where are you from? "-" From Arthur's court. "-" Are you Arthur's men? "-" Yes, by my faith. "-" Good advice ", said the knight; “I see you tired, exhausted. Go to my court, and stay there tonight, if it suits you. "-" Willingly, Lord, and God restore it to you. "-" Here is a ring as a pass sign for the doorman; then go straight to that tower over there: my sister is there. Gwalchmei appeared at the entrance, showed the ring to the porter, and walked towards the tower.

Inside was burning a large fire with a clear, high flame, without smoke; by the fire sat a young, majestic, accomplished girl. The virgin welcomed him, greeted him and went to meet him. They sat down next to each other. They ate, and when the meal was over, they held a friendly conversation. In the meantime, entered, heading towards them, a man, with white hair, respectable. Ah! miserable whore! he cried; if you knew how it suits you to play and sit in the company of this man, you sure wouldn't! He immediately withdrew and walked away. "Lord," said the virgin, "if you followed my advice, for fear of danger to you from this man, you would close the door. Gwalchmei stood up. Arriving at the door, he saw the man, fully armed, along with his fifty-nine companions, going up to the tower. Grabbing the chess table, he succeeds in preventing any of them from going up, until the return of the count from the hunt. " What's going on? Said the count as he arrived. - "A very nasty thing", replied the man with white hair: "this unfortunate woman, up there, remained until this evening sitting and eating in the company of the man who killed your father: it is Gwalchmei. , son of Gwyar. "-" Stop now ", said the count," I am going to enter. " 

The count was courteous to Gwalchmei. "Lord," he said, "you were wrong to come to our court, if you knew that you had killed our father; although we cannot avenge him, God will avenge him on you ”. - "My soul," said Gwalchmei, "here is the truth about this: it was neither to confess that I killed your father nor to deny him that I came here. I am on a mission on behalf of Arthur and mine. I ask you a delay of one year, until the return of my mission, and then, on my faith, I will come to this court to confess or to deny. The delay was readily granted to him. He spent the night at court and left the next day. History does not say more about Gwalchmei on this subject.

For Peredur, he walked ahead of him. He wandered across the island, seeking news of the young black girl, and found none. He ends up arriving in a land he did not know, in the valley of a river. As he walked through this valley, he saw a horseman coming with the insignia of a priest. He asked for his blessing. "Unhappy," he replied, "you do not deserve my blessing, and it will not bring you happiness to put on armor on a day like today". - "What day is it then? "-" Today is Passion Friday. »-« Do not reproach me, I did not know it. It has been a year today that I left my country. " 

Peredur dismounted and led his horse in hand. He followed the main road for some time, then he took a side road which led him through a wood. On leaving, he saw a castle without towers, which seemed to him inhabited. He went there and, at the entrance, he met the same priest and asked for his blessing. "God bless you," replied the priest, "it is better to go this way. You will stay with me tonight. Peredur spent the night at the castle. The next day, as he was thinking of leaving, the priest said to him: “Today is not a day to travel, for anyone. You will stay with me today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and I will give you all the information I can about what you are looking for. On the fourth day, Peredur set about leaving and asked the priest for information about the Castle of Wonders. "Everything I've learned," said this one, "I'll tell you. You will cross that mountain over there; on the other side, there is a river and in the valley of this river, a royal court. This is where the king was at Easter. If there is one place where you need to find news about the Castle of Wonders, this is it. " 

Peredur left and went to the valley of the river where he encountered a troop of people going hunting and having in their midst a man of high rank. Peredur greeted him. "Choose, lord". said this man: "come hunt with me, or go to court: I will send one of my people to recommend you to my daughter, who is there; she will give you food and drink while I wait for my return from the hunt. If what you are looking for is of such a nature that I can provide it for you, I will gladly do so. The king had Peredur accompanied by a short, blond servant; when they arrived at court, the princess had just got up and was going to wash herself. Peredur stepped forward; she greeted him courteously, and made room for him beside her; they ate their meal together. At everything Peredur said to her, she laughed loud enough to be heard by the whole court: "By my faith," said the little blond to him, "if you have ever had a husband, it is this young man. If he hasn't been yet, your mind and your mind are sure to be fixed on him. Then the little blond went to the king and told him that in his opinion, in all likelihood, the young man he had met was his daughter's husband. If he's not yet, he added, he's going to be right now, if you're not careful. "-" What is your opinion, valet? Said the king. - "I am of the opinion to throw on him valiant men and to hold him prisoner until you have no more uncertainty on the subject. The king threw his men on Peredur, with orders to seize him and put him in jail. The young girl went to meet her father and asked him why he had imprisoned the knight of Arthur's court. "In truth," he replied, "he will not be free either this evening, or tomorrow, or the day after: he will never leave the place where he is". She did not protest against the king's words and went to the young man to whom she said: “Are you unpleasant to be here? "-" I would like as much ", he replied," not to be there ". - "Your bed, your situation, will not be worse than those of the king. The best songs of the court, you will have them at your pleasure. If you even find it more amusing that I make my bed here to chat with you, I will gladly do so. "-" For that, I do not refuse it. He spent that night in jail, and the virgin kept everything she had promised.

The next day Peredur heard a noise in the city. "Beautiful virgin," he said, "what's that noise? "-" The king's army and all its forces are coming to this city today. "-" What do they want? "-" There is a count here near, possessing two counties and as powerful as a king. There will be a fight between them today. "-" I have a prayer for you: give me my horse and arms to assist in the fight; I swear to return to my prison. "-" Willingly, you will have horse and arms. She gave him the horse and the arms, as well as a red coat of arms over his armor, and a yellow shield which he hung over his shoulder. He went into battle and overthrew all he encountered of the Earl's men that day. Then he returned to prison. The virgin asked Fleredur for news: he didn't answer her a word. She went to her father's inquiries and asked him who had been the bravest in her household. He replied that he didn't know him, but that he was a knight wearing a red coat of arms over his armor and a yellow shield over his shoulder. She smiled and returned to Peredur, who was the object of special consideration that night.

Three days in a row Peredur killed the count's people, and before anyone could know who he was, he returned to his prison. On the fourth day, Peredur killed the count himself. The virgin went to meet her father and asked him the news. "Good news," he replied, "the count is slain, and I am master of his two counties." - "Do you know, lord, who killed him? "-" I know: it is the knight with the red coat of arms and the yellow shield. "-" Lord, I know him. "-" In the name of God, who is it? "-" It is the knight that you hold in prison. He went to Peredur, greeted him, and told him that he would reward him for the service he had rendered him, as he himself wanted. At table, Peredur was placed next to the king, and the virgin beside him: "I give you", said the king to him, "my daughter in marriage with half of my kingdom, and I present to you the two counties ". - "Lord, God restore it to you, but I did not come here to take a wife. "-" What are you looking for, lord? "-" I am looking for news from the Château des Merveilles. "-" The thought of this lord is much higher than where we looked for it ", said the virgin," you will have news about the castle, guides to lead you through the States of my father, and of what clear your way. It is you, lord, the man I love the most. Cross, she continued, that mountain over there, then you will see a pond and, in the middle, a castle: this is what is called the Castle of Wonders. This name we know, but about the wonders themselves we do not know. " 

Peredur walked towards the castle. The gate was open. Arriving at the hall, he found the door open: he entered and saw a game of chess: the two troops of cavalry were playing against each other; the one to whom he gave his help lost and the other uttered a cry, just as men would have done. He got angry, took the horsemen in his lap, and threw the chessboard into the lake. At this moment entered a young black girl who said to her: “May God not grant you his grace. You more often do harm than good. "-" What are you asking me for, the black virgin? Said Peredur. - "You made the Empress lose her gaming table, which she would not have wanted for her empire. "-" Would there be a way to find her? "-" Yes, if you went to Kaer Ysbidinongyl. There is a black man there who is devastating much of the Empress's estates. By killing him, you would have the table. But if you go, you won't come back alive. "-" Do you want to guide me there? "-" I'll show you the way. " 

He went to Kaer Ysbidinongyl, and fought with the black man. The latter begged for mercy: "I grant it to you", said Peredur, "provided that the game table is where it was when I entered the room". At this moment came the young black girl. "In truth", she said "may the curse of God be upon you in return for your pain, for having left alive this scourge which is devastating the domains of the Empress". - "I left him his life", said Peredur, "so that he put the table back". - "She is not where you found her: go back and kill him. Peredur went and killed the black man.

When he arrived at the court, he found the young black girl there. "Maid," said Peredur, "where is the Empress? "-" By me and God ", she replied," you will not see her now, if you do not kill the scourge of that forest over there ". - "What is this scourge? "-" A stag, as fast as the lightest bird; on his forehead he has a horn as long as a spear shaft, with a point as sharp as anything more acute. He breaks the branches of trees, and all that is most precious in the forest; he kills all the animals he meets, and those he does not kill starve. Much worse: every evening he goes to drink the water from the tank and he leaves the fish dry; many died before the water returned. "-" Maid, would you come and show me that animal? "-" No point; no one for a year has dared to go to the forest, but there is the Empress's spaniel who will raise the deer and come back to you with it; then the deer will attack you. The spaniel served as Peredur's guide, raised the stag, and pulled it down to where Peredur was. The deer threw himself on Peredur, who let him pass, and cut off his head. While he was looking at the head, a horsewoman came up to him, put the spaniel in his cape and the stag's head between her and the saddle saddle. He had a necklace of red gold around his neck. Ah! lord, "she said," you acted discourteously in destroying the most precious gem of my estates ". - "I was asked," he replied; »Is there a way to win your friendship? "-" Yes, go on the rump of that mountain over there. You will see a bush there. At the foot of the bush there is a flat stone. Once there, ask three times for someone to fight with you; so you can have my friendship. " 

Peredur started walking and, when he reached the bush, he asked for a man to fight with him. Immediately a black man came out from under the stone, mounted on a bony horse, covered, he and his horse, in strong rusty armor. They fought. Every time Peredur knocked him down, he jumped back into the saddle. Peredur got down and drew his sword. At the same time the black man disappeared with Peredur's horse and his, without Peredur even being able to glance at it. Peredur walked all the way up the mountain and on the other side, in a valley watered by a river, he saw a castle. He headed there. As he entered, he saw a room with the door open. He entered and saw at the end of the room on a seat a man with gray hair, lame; next to him, Gwalchmei, and his own horse in the same stable as Gwalchmei's. They greeted Peredur cheerfully, and he went to sit on the other side of the gray-haired man.

At this moment, a young man with blond hair fell on his knees in front of Peredur and asked for his friendship. “Lord,” he said, “it was me you saw in the guise of the black maiden, at Arthur's court, then when you threw down the gambling table, when you killed the black man in 'Ysbidinongyl, when you killed the deer, when you fought with the man of the flat stone. It was I again who presented myself with my bloody head on the dish, with the spear from the point of which flowed a stream of blood to my fist, all along the shaft. The head was your cousin's german. It was the witches of Kaerloyw who killed him; they are also the ones who crippled your uncle; I am your cousin. It is predicted that you will avenge them. " 

Peredur and Gwalchmei decided to send to Arthur and his family to ask him to march against the witches. They started the fight against them. One of the witches wanted to kill one of Arthur's men in front of Peredur; the latter prevented him from doing so. A second time, the witch wanted to kill a man in front of Peredur; the latter prevented him from doing so. The third time, the witch killed a man in front of Peredur. The latter drew his sword and discharged such a blow on the top of his helmet that he split the helmet, all the armor and the head in two. She uttered a cry and ordered the witches to flee, telling them that it was Peredur, the one who had been to their school to learn chivalry, and who, according to the spell, was to kill them. Arthur and his people then began to strike on the witches. All of Kaerloyw's witches were killed.

This is what people say about the Château des Merveilles.