"It is a marvel to me that thou dost not know me. I am one of thy foresters, lord, in the Forest of Dean, and my name is Madawe, the son of Twrgadarn."
"Tell me thine errand," said Arthur.
"I will do so, lord," said he: "in the forest I saw a stag the like of which beheld I never yet."
"What is there about him," asked Arthur, "that thou never yet didst see his like?"
"He is of pure white, lord, and he does not herd with any other animal through stateliness and pride, so royal is his bearing. And I come to seek thy counsel, lord, and to know thy will concerning him."
"It seems best to me," said Arthur, "to go and hunt him to-morrow at break of day, and to cause general notice thereof to be given to-night in all quarters of the court." And Arryfuerys was Arthur's chief huntsman, and Arelivri was his chief page. And all received notice; and thus it was arranged. And they sent the youth before them.
Then Gwenhwyvar said to Arthur, "Wilt thou permit me, lord," said she, "to go to-morrow to see and hear the hunt of the stag of which the young man spoke?"
"I will gladly," said Arthur.
"Then will I go," said she.
And Gwalchmai said to Arthur, "Lord, if it seem well to thee, permit that into whose hunt soever the stag shall come, that one, be he a knight, or one on foot, may cut off his head, and give it to whom he pleases, whether to his own lady-love, or to the lady of his friend."