--- title: Opening, part 2 — Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English… · full text with trees description: Opening, part 2, «Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch» by Jessie L. Weston: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Then Sir Gawain began to search his wounds, for in those days, so far as God suffered the sun t --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered in…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/) / Opening, part 2 # Opening, part 2 Opening, part 2 of «Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch» by Jessie L. Weston: the whole text, 91 sentences and 2553 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/2/page/2/) Then Sir Gawain began to search his wounds, for in those days, so far as God suffered the sun to shine might no man find one so skilled in leech-craft, for that man whom he took in his care, were the life but left in him, would neither lack healing nor die of any wound.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") Then spake the knight who lay there: "Woe is me, for I may neither eat nor drink; my heart beginneth to sink, mine eyes fail me, methinks I am about to die\![2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Yet might I live, and would God grant to me that all ye who sit here beside me might hear my words, I had fain spoken with the king, whom I sought as best I might, in that I would not be forsworn; needs must I come hither!"[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Then quoth Sir Gawain the good: "Sir Knight, have ye no dread of death as at this time, for I shall help you to a respite."[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") He drew forth from his pouch a root that had this virtue, that it stayed the flow of blood and strengthened the feeble; he placed it in the knight's mouth, and bade him eat a little; therewith was his heart lightened, and he began to eat and to drink, and forgat somewhat of his pain.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Erst when the service was ended came King Arthur to the knight as he lay, and said: "God give ye good-day, dear Sir Knight; tell me who hath wounded ye so sorely, and how came ye by your hurt?[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Did the knight who wrought such harm depart from ye unscathed?"[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") Then spake the knight to the king, who stood before him: "That will I tell ye, for I am sworn and pledged thereto. '[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Tis seven years past that I lost all my goods, and poverty pressed me so sorely that I knew not what I might do.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus would I keep myself by robbery.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") My tithes had I sold, I had spent all my goods, and pledged all my heritage, so that of all that my father left when he departed from this world there remained to me nothing.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") Naught, not a straw, had I left.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Yet had I given much in largesse, for I had frequented many a tourney and Table Round where I had scattered my goods; whosoever craved aught of me, whether for want or for reward, were he page, were he messenger, never did he depart empty-handed.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Never did I fail any who besought aid of me.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus I spent all my goods.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Then must I fare through the land; and did I meet folk (though at first I shamed me) whomsoever I met, whether pilgrim or merchant, did he bear goods or money with him, so did I deal with him that I won it for myself.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") But little might escape me.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") I have done many an evil deed\![18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Now is it three days past since, as I fared on my way, a knight met me, and I deemed his steed so good that I coveted it above all things, but when I laid hands upon the bridle and bade the knight dismount then was he ready with his sword and repaid me with such a blow that I forgot who I was and all that had befallen me; so fierce was the stroke he dealt me\![19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") And though I betook me to arms they profited me not a jot; his blows were so heavy, they weighed even as lead.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") He pierced through my harness, as ye may see in many places, smiting through flesh and bone.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") But from me did he receive no blow that might turn to his loss.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Therefore must I yield myself to him, and swear by my troth, would I save my life, to come hither to ye as swiftly as I might, and delay no whit, but yield me your prisoner.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") And this have I now done, and I yield myself to your grace, Sir King, avowing my misdeeds that I have wrought in this world, whether in thought or deed."[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Then quoth the king: "Wit ye well who he was, and how he was hight, who sent ye hither?[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Of what fashion was his steed, and what tokens did he bear?"[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") And the knight answered: "Of that ye would ask me may I tell ye naught, save only that the knight's steed and armour were red as blood, and he seemed to me of Wales by his speech, and by all I might discern of him.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereto is he of such might that I ween his equal may scarce be found in Christendom; that may I also say in truth, since such ill chance befell me that I met with him when my intent was evil, and not good."[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Then King Arthur cried aloud that all might hear him, that the knight was surely none other than Sir Perceval.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") He tore his hair, and demeaned himself as one sorely vexed, and spake: "Though I be lord of riches yet may I say that I am friendless\![30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") This may I say forsooth; since I lost Perceval, and the ill chance befell me that he had the will and the desire to seek the Grail and the spear (which he may not find) many a wounded knight hath he sent as captive to my court, whom, for their misdoing, he hath vanquished by his might.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Ever shall he be thanked therefor.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Now have I no knight so valiant of mind that for my sake will seek Perceval and bring him to court.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Yet I and my court and my country alike are shamed and dishonoured in that we have so long lacked his presence, and for this am I above measure sorrowful."[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Then spake Sir Kay the seneschal: "God-wot I shall fetch Perceval, whether he will or no, and bring hither to court him whom ye praise so highly, and believe me well, were he wrought of iron, by the God who made me I will bring him living or dead\![35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Does this content ye, my lord king?"[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Then stood Arthur and laughed aloud, and likewise did all the knights who heard Sir Kay speak.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") And the king said: "Sir Kay, let this talk be; ye should of right be shamed when ye hear the Welshman's name\![38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Have ye altogether forgot how ye boasted yourself aforetime, even as ye have now done, and then how ye met Perceval, whom ye had scarce sought?[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") There were ye ill-counselled; ye thought to bring him without his will, but the knight was not so feeble, he gave ye a blow that brake your collar-bone and thrust ye from your steed, feet upward, with little honour\![40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") Had he so willed he had slain ye.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Idle boasting is great shame.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") An I hear ye make further boast of seeking knights I shall owe ye small thanks.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Little would he heed your compelling\![44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") In such quest must another ride would I be comforted by the coming of this knight!"[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Quoth Sir Gawain, "Ye mind me of an old saying, Sir Kay, how if some men grow old, and God should spare them even to an hundred years, then would they be but the more foolish--such an one, methinks, are ye\![46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Now believe ye my tale; did ye once find Perceval, an ye thought to say to him other than he chose to hear, by the Lord above us ye dare not do it for the king's crown, who is lord of this land, he would put ye to such great shame\![47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Of long time, and full well, do I know his ways\![48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") When he is well entreated, and men do naught to vex him, then is he gentle as a lamb, but an ye rouse him to wrath then is he the fiercest wight of God's making--in such wise is he fashioned.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Gentle and courteous is he to all the world, rich and poor, so long as men do him no wrong, but let his temper be changed, and nowhere shall ye find his fellow!"[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/2/page/2/) - ← previous: [Opening, part 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/1/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/2/page/2/) - ↑ back to [Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/)