--- title: Opening, part 4 — Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English… · full text with trees description: Opening, part 4, «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: So rode they all three together till they came to a parting of the ways where stood a fair cros --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/4/) [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 4 # Opening, part 4 Opening, part 4 of «Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch» by Jessie L. Weston: the whole text, 103 sentences and 2584 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/pg8447/4/page/2/) So rode they all three together till they came to a parting of the ways where stood a fair cross, and thereon letters red as blood.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain was learned in clerkly lore, he read the letters wherein was writ that here was the border of Arthur's land, and let any man who came to the cross, and who bare the name of knight, bethink him well, since he might not ride far without strife and conflict, and the finding of such adventures as might lightly turn to his harm, or even to his death--the land was of such customs.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") This did Sir Gawain tell to the twain.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Then they saw, by the parting of the ways, a hermit's cell, fairly builded, and the knights bethought them that they would turn them thither that they might hear and see, and know what the words boded.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") There saw they the hermit, who seemed to them a right good man; and they dismounted at his little window, and asked his tidings, if perchance a knight in red armour had passed that way?[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") And the good man answered and said 'twas but the other day, afore noon, that he had seen two knights who were wondrous like unto each other. "[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Of a truth it seemed to me, by their features and by their gestures, that they should be brothers.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") Their steeds seemed beyond measure weary.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") They came that self-same road that cometh from that land that men here call Britain; they were both in seeming men of might, and the one had steed and armour that were even red as blood.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") They dismounted, both of them, at the foot of that cross ye see there.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") There many a judgment is given.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") There did a knight lose his life, he and his wife with him; well did they deserve that their memory should be held in honour by the friends of our Lord, for they made a right good ending\![12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") They had sought the shrine of a saint, with them they had money and steeds, beside other goods, as befitted folk of high degree.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Here did they fall in with a company of robbers, who slew the good knight, and took his steed and his money, and all that he had.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") Of this was his wife so sorrowful that for grief and woe her heart brake, and so did they die here, the twain of them, even at the cross roads, where ye see the fair cross, where now many a judgment is spoken. '[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Twas made through the knight's will.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Hither come folk stripped and bare-foot, doing penance for their sins; and they who pass ahorse or afoot have here had many a prayer granted.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") The knights of whom ye ask did there their orisons, as well became them, but I may not tell ye whither they went at their departing; in sooth I know naught, for I said my prayers here within and forgat them.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") But they were tall and strong, and the one wore red armour, and the other bare the badge of King Arthur."[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Then were the knights sorely grieved, and kindled as a coal for sorrow, in that they might not know, by any craft, whitherward they rode.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Then they asked the manner of the land, and whither led the roads which they saw before them.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") Then answered the good hermit, "I will tell ye as best I may.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") The road by which ye came, that do ye know; and the road that runneth straight therefrom that will ye shun, an ye heed my counsel. '[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Tis a land of ill-fame, where men follow evil customs; their best, 'tis but others' worst\![24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") He who will keep his horse, his weapons and his life will shun that road.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") And the right-hand way goeth to a wild waste land, wherein no man dwelleth; an I bethink me well 'tis over a year and a day since I saw man or woman come from thence.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") An it so befall that ye fare thitherward ye shall find such a marvel that would ye dare the venture, and amend the wrong it shall cost ye life and limb, that do I tell ye here.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") For there shall ye find the most fell beast ever man heard or read of; take ye good heed thereof, 'tis the Foul Fiend himself, that know I well, that roameth in the guise of a beast.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Against him may no weapon serve, there was never spear so sharp nor sword so well tempered, as I know of a truth, that may harm that devil, but it will break or bend as hath full oft been proven in time past.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Now hath the beast chosen his dwelling in a little forest, there will he abide all night, but the day he prowleth by straight and winding ways.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") He devoureth man and beast alike, nor may I tell ye the marvels I have heard concerning him.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") He hath laid waste a broad land, and driven thereout all the country-folk, so that none remain.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Now have I told ye the truth concerning these two roads, and what may befall ye therein; for the third, it leadeth hereby to the sea coast; I know not what I may say more."[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Quoth Sir Lancelot: "By the Lord who made me, Sir Gawain, we must needs depart from each other here and now, would we find these knights.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") And I will dare that which I deem the most perilous venture.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Ye shall ride straightway whichever road ye will, otherwise shall we lose the knights who were lately here, they shall not have ridden far as yet.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") And if it be that ye find them, then I charge and conjure ye, by my will and your valour, that if ye may, ye shall bring them with ye and return hither to this place.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Do this, Sir Knight, for my prayer.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") And do the hermit to wit how matters have gone with ye, that he may tell me the truth thereof if peradventure I too come hither, and the knight shall go with ye, and God keep ye both since we be now come to this point.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Do him honour as a good man and true, in whatsoever place ye may be, this I pray ye of your valour."[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain gave him answer: "Dear comrade, I am fain to do your bidding, and may God keep us in life and limb, and in worldly honour.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Now choose ye first which road ye will take, for here will we abide no longer."[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") Then said Sir Lancelot: "I ween that 'tis the most pressing need to go fight against the beast whereof the good man telleth us; methinks 'twere well that I ride thither."[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") And the hermit answered: "Alas, Sir Knight, ye be so fair that I deem below the throne one might scarce find your equal, and will ye brave a venture which no man may achieve\![44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") The folk hath fled out of the land, none may withstand that beast, no shaft is so fell as the venom which he shooteth on all who near him; and the man whom it reacheth, and upon whom it shall light (I am he who lieth not), he dieth ere the third day be past, had he never a wound upon him.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") This hath been the worse for many.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Then is the beast greater than a horse, and runneth more swiftly than any horse may.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Ye are wise an ye shun the fiend.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") This do I tell ye beforehand.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Had he not chosen his lair, and did he wander from the land, as well might be, by the Lord who made us he had laid the world waste\![50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") Ye would do well to turn back."[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/4/page/2/) - ← previous: [Opening, part 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/3/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/4/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/)