--- title: Opening, part 6 — Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English… · full text with trees · page 2 description: Opening, part 6, «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: Sir Gawain saw many an unfriendly countenance turned towards him. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/6/page/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 6 # Opening, part 6 · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/6/) **2** This did he tell to his folk, and it pleased them well, and they spake with one mouth that he had found the best counsel.[55](../../55/ "tree and pragmatics") They made no further questioning, but armed themselves, and rode forth, as they who would waylay Sir Gawain, when his host had sent him on his way.[56](../../56/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus they went forth from thence a great company, and well armed.[57](../../57/ "tree and pragmatics") Very wrathful were they, and they went right willingly.[58](../../58/ "tree and pragmatics") The host who would follow them called to him his seneschal, who was cruel and cunning, and bade him carry his armour to their guest straightway, and deliver it to him as if he should ride thence as soon as he had arisen, and delay no whit.[59](../../59/ "tree and pragmatics") Straightway the seneschal betook him to a fair chamber (hearken ye to an evil tale!) where he found Sir Gawain's weapons and his good armour.[60](../../60/ "tree and pragmatics") He stole from Sir Gawain his good sword, that which he placed in its sheath was not worth twopence; he cut the straps of the harness well nigh in twain in the midst, and made a great score in the stirrup leathers so cunningly that no man might see or know aught thereof beneath the covering of the harness.[61](../../61/ "tree and pragmatics") And the saddle-girths did the traitor so handle that Sir Gawain was sore grieved there-for ere he had ridden a mile; he would not that it had so chanced for all King Arthur's kingdom--that shall ye hear anon.[62](../../62/ "tree and pragmatics") When the seneschal who had wrought this treason had brought Sir Gawain's weapons and his horse that had been well cared for that night--they deemed it should be theirs ere long, 'twas a strong steed and well standing, and since they thought to have their pleasure of it they gave it provender enow--the host bade them undo the door and hold Sir Gawain's steed there without.[63](../../63/ "tree and pragmatics") The harness was in place, whereof I have told ye that it was so traitorously handled; then came forth the knight, who had arisen, and clad himself in fair robes, and descended the stairway.[64](../../64/ "tree and pragmatics") Little thought had he of the treason which in short while befell him.[65](../../65/ "tree and pragmatics") The seneschal held in his hand the false sword, well hidden in its sheath, and the while Sir Gawain made him ready did he gird it at his side--for that was the knight thereafter unblithe.[66](../../66/ "tree and pragmatics") The while they thus made ready came the lord of the castle to Sir Gawain, and said: "Ye are early astir Sir Knight; how comes it that ye be thus hurried at this time?[67](../../67/ "tree and pragmatics") Scarce have ye slept, and arisen, ere ye would ride hence.[68](../../68/ "tree and pragmatics") Have ye heard Mass, and broken your fast ere ye depart?"[69](../../69/ "tree and pragmatics") Quoth Sir Gawain: "Dear mine host, I grieve that ye yet sorrow; so may God guard me and bring me to His grace when I die as I truly mourn for your mischance.[70](../../70/ "tree and pragmatics") I will it were yet to do!"[71](../../71/ "tree and pragmatics") Quoth Sir Gawain the bold: "Though 'twere hard and painful to me yet would I for seven years long wear haircloth next my body, wherever I fared, for this that ye have received me so well.[72](../../72/ "tree and pragmatics") Nevertheless be ye sure of a truth--I may not deny it this day for any man, how strong soever he might be, nor through fear of any that may hear me, foe or friend--but I must needs say in sooth your son had merited his death many a time and oft ere the day came that he died\![73](../../73/ "tree and pragmatics") Now may God have mercy upon him\![74](../../74/ "tree and pragmatics") And God reward ye for the great good, and the honour, that ye do to me, all ye here, in that I have been at your charges."[75](../../75/ "tree and pragmatics") Then was the host sore vexed, and he said: "I will do ye no harm for aught that hath chanced by ye; nevertheless, there be here many a man who had fain fallen upon ye, but I tell ye I will not that aught befall ye here; nor that my peace be broken, nor vengeance taken upon ye.[76](../../76/ "tree and pragmatics") I shall go with ye as ye ride hence, and ride with ye so far that ye be not led astray by any who remain behind.[77](../../77/ "tree and pragmatics") I were loth that harm befell ye."[78](../../78/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain spake: "For that may God, who ruleth over all, reward ye."[79](../../79/ "tree and pragmatics") He took the bridle in his hand and rode forth, the host nigh to him; and at his side went he who had betrayed him aforehand.[80](../../80/ "tree and pragmatics") Now cometh great sorrow upon Sir Gawain.[81](../../81/ "tree and pragmatics") He deemed that he had safe conduct, but he had lost from its sheath his sword, which had been stolen from him; and that which the seneschal had put in its place when he drew forth the good brand was more brittle than glass.[82](../../82/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereto had he cunningly handled the harness, girths and stirrup-leather, whereof Sir Gawain knew naught, and the lord of the castle had sent afore the strongest and most valiant of his folk, to waylay Sir Gawain, and to take his life, A man's heart might well fail him for doubt, and great fear, did he come in such a pass, and know no wile whereby he might escape.[83](../../83/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain, who knew naught of these tricks and snares rode on his way, discoursing of many things with his host, until they drew nigh to the place where his foes lay, ambushed in the thicket, who would fain slay him.[84](../../84/ "tree and pragmatics") When he came nigh to the place the host took leave of the knight, and turned him again towards the castle.[85](../../85/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain sat upon his steed and deemed that he should ride thence without strife or combat.[86](../../86/ "tree and pragmatics") As he laid his hand on the saddle-bow, and thrust his feet into the stirrups and thought to rise in the saddle, the girths brake asunder, the saddle turned over the left stirrup beneath the horse, and left him standing.[87](../../87/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Sir Gawain saw a great company of folk spring forth and come towards him with all their might.[88](../../88/ "tree and pragmatics") Some came from the ditches where they had lain hidden, some out of bushes, some out of thickets, and some came forth from the hollow ways.[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") God confound traitors, since He may not mend them\![90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain abode not still; he saw well that he was betrayed, and over-matched.[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") He drew forth from its sheath the sword, which was little worth to him, and deemed he would defend himself, as he oft had done aforetime, against those who would harm him.[92](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") But ere he might smite three blows that sword brake, as it were tin--this was an ill beginning would a man defend his life.[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") This Sir Gawain saw, and was dismayed, he wist well that he was betrayed.[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") They who would harm him came upon him from every side, a great company and fierce, all thirsting for his life; there was a great clash of swords; they thrust at him with their spears.[95](../../95/ "tree and pragmatics") His sword protected him not a whit--he who gave it to him God give him woe\![96](../../96/ "tree and pragmatics") It brake in twain at the hilt, and fell into the sand.[97](../../97/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain stood empty-handed, small chance had he of escape, and they who beset him were chosen men, over-strong and over-fierce, as was there well proven.[98](../../98/ "tree and pragmatics") Like as a wild boar defends himself against the hounds that pursue him, even so did Sir Gawain defend himself, but it helped him naught.[99](../../99/ "tree and pragmatics") They harmed him most who stood afar, and thrust at him with spears to sate their rage.[100](../../100/ "tree and pragmatics") There was among them no sword so good but had Sir Gawain held it, and smote with it three such blows as he was oft wont to deal with his own, it had broken, or bent, and profited them no whit.[101](../../101/ "tree and pragmatics") But of those things which had stood him in good stead many a time before, when he was hard beset, his good steed, and his sword, the which was a very haven, of these was he now robbed.[102](../../102/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/6/) **2** - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/6/) - next →: [Opening, part 7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/7/) - ↑ back to [Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/)