--- title: Opening, part 8 — Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English… · full text with trees description: Opening, part 8, «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: With that came the hermit into the chapel, and spake, and told them how he had heard tidings fr --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/8/) [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 8 # Opening, part 8 Opening, part 8 of «Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch» by Jessie L. Weston: the whole text, 96 sentences and 2536 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/pg8447/8/page/2/) With that came the hermit into the chapel, and spake, and told them how he had heard tidings from pilgrims who had come thither that the Red Knight and his companions had but late ridden the road that led toward the sea coast, though he had marked it not; 'twas but yesterday he had been told thereof.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") Then spake the knight Morien and said by his troth he had even followed the hoof prints of horses that were but newly made till he came to where one must needs cross over the water; "and then did I lose all sign of their further track; but howsoever I might pray, or call upon those who lay there in their ships, when they saw me they were terrified as hares, and would tell me nought, the fools, of that I asked them\![2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") One and all fled, and put them out to sea.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Methinks they were afraid of me.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") But by the faith that I owe to God and Our Lady, and the honour of knighthood, it shall avail them naught that they thus refuse me; I shall turn again from here, and otherwise take my way; may I but find on shore one of those who were there, and who belongeth to the ships, in sooth he were born in an evil hour\![5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") An he carry me not over the water I will thrust him through with my spear, or deal him such a stroke with my sword, that he shall fall dead upon the earth.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") My heart forbode me that he who went before me was my father\![7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") But in all my journey I met no living soul of whom I might ask aught.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Then I began to wax fearful, for hunger beset me, and therein I found neither man nor woman, nor aught but heather and waste land wherein I was a stranger.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") No man might I see or hear, no wheat or barley grew there; 'tis the truth I tell ye, thither cometh no man save that he desire to cross the wide water in the ships that there lie ready.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus had I my pain for naught.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") But whatsoe'er befall me since that I have heard from our host, that good man, that my father in sooth rode that way I shall follow hard after, if so be that I may but cross over, and will but await tomorrow's dawn.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Since that I have heard he rideth not so far ahead I may well overtake him, an my steed, which is so swift, and strong, and good, foil me not!"[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") "God speed ye!" quoth Sir Gawain.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") Such was indeed his counsel, and he sore lamented his own evil plight.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") But ill had it chanced with him; within the castle had they stolen from him his good sword wherewith he should defend himself.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") God give him shame who stole it\![17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") His saddle-girth, his stirrup-leathers, were cut midway through; as he thought to sit upon his steed they brake clean in twain, and left him standing upon his feet.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") This did Sir Gawain tell them there, even as ye have heard aforetime.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") If his heart were heavy when he took count of this, 'twas small marvel\![20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Then did they wash Sir Gawain's limbs, and he himself searched his wounds.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") So good a leech might no man find since the day of Mother Eve as was Sir Gawain; whatever wound he tended, 'twas healed even as ye looked upon it\![22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") That night had they all the comfort that the hermit might prepare till that they saw the fair day dawn and the sun begin to rise.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain was somewhat troubled, since he lacked alike arms and clothing: also his wounds, which were sore, pained him the more.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Nor did there live any near at hand whom he knew, and who might give them what was lacking.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Neither bread, meat, nor wine had they; naught remained to the hermit, he had given the knights all his store.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Morien's heart was set upon following his father, and Sir Gawain was of a mind to ride in quest of Sir Lancelot, and learn how it had fared with him.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") He was loth to delay or abide there, for he would fain, so soon as he might ride, fare in search of his comrade.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Yet must he tarry a day ere he might mount his steed, such was his stress from the wounds he had received--sooth, it was a marvel that he escaped\![29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") And now food had failed them, and that was a sore lack.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Even had they money or pledge to offer there dwelt none that side of the border, as they too well knew, but their bitter foes, who had fain wrought them woe. '[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Twas seven miles and more hard riding, ere they might find village or fort in King Arthur's land.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Hereof was Sir Gawain troubled.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") He might neither ride nor walk for his own aid.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus both were ill at ease and sore oppressed.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Morien was loth to remain, yet he thought it shame to forsake his comrade, Sir Gawain, and thus he abode with him in the chapel.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Then as Morien stood by the window, it seemed to him that he saw a knight come riding in great haste, on a horse tall and swift; he was well armed, and seemed a goodly knight withal.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Morien spake to Sir Gawain as he lay there. "[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") What may this be?[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Here cometh a knight, and I know not whither he goeth!"[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain abode not still, but went as best he might to the window; he looked upon the knight, and deemed by his armour and the tokens whereby a man may be known of men, that 'twas his own brother, Sir Gariët, the son alike of his father and of his mother.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") He came riding, as one sore pressed, on that self-same road that led from Britain.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") The more Sir Gawain looked upon him the more he deemed he knew him; and when he came nigh to the Hermitage he knew well the arms that he bare.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Then was Sir Gawain gladder at heart than I may tell ye, for Sir Gariët his brother, that strong and valiant knight, brought with him that of which they were sorely in need, bread and meat, and wine fresh and clear.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") 'Twas sore need brought him hither, as ye shall now hear: They of Britain had lost King Arthur their lord, and were in sore danger of losing all their land, therefore had they sent Sir Gariët to seek Sir Gawain, and Sir Lancelot, since they twain were without peer, the most valiant knights of the court.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Perceval might well be accounted the third, but 'twas not for long that he practised knighthood; nevertheless he brought many into sore stress, even as ye have heard.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") When Sir Gariët had come before the hermitage, Sir Gawain came forth with haste from the chapel on to the road, as one who was blithe beyond measure when he beheld his brother; and he said, "God give ye good day, that ye come, brother, and that I see ye\![47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Never was I so joyful of aught, since that I was born."[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gariët alighted on the turf when he saw his brother; and as he came nigh to him he took him in his arms saying: "Alas, brother, woe is me\![49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") How hath this so chanced?[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") Methinks ye have suffered harm, and been in such sore strife that 'tis a marvel an ye be healed, and escape with life, ye seem to me in such evil case."[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus spake Sir Gariët.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") And Sir Gawain said, "I have never a limb but feeleth the smart of wounds, yet am I whole of heart, and shall heal myself right well.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") But let that tale be, and make known to me the errand upon which ye ride that ye be now come hither.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Fain would I know the truth."[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/8/page/2/) - ← previous: [Opening, part 7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/7/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/8/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/)