Book VIII · ANTIKONIE, part 1 of 7

¶ARGUMENT

¶Book VIII. tells how Gawain came to Schamfanzon, and how King Vergulacht committed him to the care of his sister Antikonie. How Gawain wooed the maiden, and of the wrath of her people. Of the adventure of the chess-board, and how Kingrimursel came to the help of Gawain. How Antikonie reproached King Vergulacht, and how the nobles counselled their monarch. Of the oath Gawain sware to the King, and how he rode forth to seek the Grail.

¶BOOK VIII

¶ANTIKONIE

¶Whosoe'er at Beaurosch had battled, methinks that Gawain had won The highest fame in both armies, save but for one knight alone; And none knew his red harness glowing, and none knew from whence he came, But high as a banner waveth, so high did it rise, his fame. Yet of honour alike and good fortune had Gawain in full his share-- 5 Now hence must he ride, for the moment of strife which he sought drew near, And far and wide stretched the woodland thro' which he must wend his way-- No conflict he shunned, tho' all guiltless of the sin men on him would lay. But, alas! his charger failed him, Ingliart, with the close-cropped ear, In the land of the Moors at Tabronit no better the steeds they rear. 10 And diverse the wood around him, here a bush and there a field, And so narrow at whiles, that pathway, it scarcely a space might yield For tent, or for knight's pavilion. Then fair dwellings met his eye, 'Twas Askalon, and he prayed them if Schamfanzon at hand did lie? But many a marsh and moorland and many a steep hillside 15 Must he traverse, ere fair before him in the setting sun he spied A fortress stand so stately, it gleamed in the sunlight's rays, And he turned his steed towards it who rode here on unknown ways.

¶Now list ye awhile the venture, and mourn ye awhile with me The sorrow that fell on Gawain--And if old ye shall chance to be 20 Or young, yet of this your friendship I pray you his grief to weep; Alas! were it best to tell ye, or silence a space to keep? Nay, better to tell the story, how he whom Good Luck did call Her friend, was by her forsaken, and how grief to his lot must fall.

¶So proudly uprose the fortress that never did Carthage seem 25 So fair to the eyes of Æneas, when Dido, as failed her dream Of love, turned to death and, seeking, found rest in his cold embrace. Would ye know what countless turrets those stately halls did grace? Scarce more had Akraton boasted, that city whose walls so wide, An man may believe the heathen, with Babylon only vied; 30 So high rose the circling ramparts, and where to the sea they fell No storm might they fear, but defiance could they bid to their foes right well.

¶'Fore the city a plain outstretching lay fair for a mile or more. As Sir Gawain rode across it, five hundred knights he saw, Yet one, o'er all the others, gallant and fair to sight; 35 Gaily they rode towards him all clad in raiment bright, For so the venture telleth--With their falcons soaring high Would they chase the crane, or other fair game that should wingèd fly. A tall steed from Spain's far kingdom, King Vergulacht bestrode, And his glance was as day in the night-time--Aforetime his race abode 40 Where Mazadan reigned as monarch, by Fay Morgan's mystic mount, And amid the roll of his fathers he many a fay might count-- And even as in the spring-tide the May blossom bloometh fair So rode the king in his beauty, and Gawain he bethought him there, As he saw him ride so stately, 'twas another Parzival, 45 Or Gamuret, as he came to Kanvoleis, as this venture erewhile did tell.

¶Now into a pond so marshy a heron had taken flight As it fled from before the falcon, and the king, as beseemed a knight, Sought not for the ford but followed as he saw his falcon's need, And wet he won in the aiding, and lost was his gallant steed, 50 And lost too his royal raiment, tho' safe was I ween the bird. The falconers took his garments, for this, so the tale I've heard, Was their right, and they needs must have them, and no man might say them nay. Another horse they brought him, for lost was his own for aye, And fresh garments they put upon him, since such was the chance of fate 55 That his falconers won the vesture that had decked their king of late.

¶Then Sir Gawain, he rode towards them, and knightly and worshipful The greeting they gave unto him, not such as in Karidöl Once fell to the lot of Erec, when after his well-fought fight He had fain drawn near to King Arthur, and with him his lady bright, 60 Fair Enid, who graced his coming--But the dwarf Maliklisier With a scourge full hardly smote him, 'neath the eyes of Queen Guinevere. At Tulmein he took his vengeance, where, within the ring so wide To win the hawk, the heroes in deeds of valour vied. 'Twas Idêr, the son of Noit, a hero true and bold 65 Whom he else had slain, whom Erec did there in surety hold.

¶But leave we all other venture, and hearken awhile to me, For in sooth never fairer welcome shall it fall to your lot to see. Yet, alas! for ill it wrought him, Gawain, King Lot's brave son-- An ye will I will cease my story ere the tale to its end be run, 70 And for pity's sake keep silence--Yet perchance it were best to tell The ill that thro' others' treason on a gallant spirit fell. And if I yet further pray ye this story strange to heed Then in sooth, e'en as I, right truly will ye mourn for its hero's need.

¶Quoth the king, 'Sir Knight, thus I think me, thou shalt to the castle ride, 75 Thine host will I be right gladly, tho' scarce may I be thy guide; Yet if this on my part shall vex thee the chase will I gladly leave!' Quoth Gawain, 'As it best may please thee, that do, nor for my sake grieve, Whate'er thou shalt do shall be well done--No grudge do I bear thee, Sire, But of right good-will I gladly will do as thou shalt require.' 80

¶Quoth the king of Askalon further, 'Schamfanzon thou well mayst see Sir Knight, there my sister dwelleth, who as yet but a maid shall be; And she hath in fullest measure such beauty as poets sing-- An thou as a grace shalt hold it, my knights unto her shall bring Such word she shall well entreat thee in my stead, till I come again. 85 And whenever I come, I think me, 'twill be sooner than thou art fain To look on my face, for gladly wilt thou spare me when thou shalt see My sweet sister, nor e'er bemoan thee, tho' my coming o'er late shall be!'