BOOK VIII
ANTIKONIE
ARGUMENT
Book VIII. tells how Gawain came to Schamfanzon, and how King Vergulacht committed him to the care of his sister Antikonie. How Gawain wooed the maiden, and of the wrath of her people. Of the adventure of the chess-board, and how Kingrimursel came to the help of Gawain. How Antikonie reproached King Vergulacht, and how the nobles counselled their monarch. Of the oath Gawain sware to the King, and how he rode forth to seek the Grail.
BOOK VIII
ANTIKONIE
Whosoe'er at Beaurosch had battled, methinks that Gawain had won
The highest fame in both armies, save but for one knight alone;
And none knew his red harness glowing, and none knew from whence he came,
But high as a banner waveth, so high did it rise, his fame.
Yet of honour alike and good fortune had Gawain in full his share— 5
Now hence must he ride, for the moment of strife which he sought drew near,
And far and wide stretched the woodland thro' which he must wend his way—
No conflict he shunned, tho' all guiltless of the sin men on him would lay.
But, alas! his charger failed him, Ingliart, with the close-cropped ear,
In the land of the Moors at Tabronit no better the steeds they rear.10
And diverse the wood around him, here a bush and there a field,
And so narrow at whiles, that pathway, it scarcely a space might yield
For tent, or for knight's pavilion. Then fair dwellings met his eye,
'Twas Askalon, and he prayed them if Schamfanzon at hand did lie?
But many a marsh and moorland and many a steep hillside 15
Must he traverse, ere fair before him in the setting sun he spied
A fortress stand so stately, it gleamed in the sunlight's rays,
And he turned his steed towards it who rode here on unknown ways.
Now list ye awhile the venture, and mourn ye awhile with me
The sorrow that fell on Gawain—And if old ye shall chance to be 20
Or young, yet of this your friendship I pray you his grief to weep;
Alas! were it best to tell ye, or silence a space to keep?
Nay, better to tell the story, how he whom Good Luck did call
Her friend, was by her forsaken, and how grief to his lot must fall.