ht
upon a {10} hunter foal of mighty size; and the rider was a fair haired
youth, bare-legged, and of princely mien, and a golden-hilted sword was
at his side, and a robe and a surcoat of satin were upon him, and two low
shoes of leather upon his feet; and around him was a scarf of blue
purple, at each corner of which was a golden apple. And his horse
stepped stately, and swift, and proud; and he overtook Gwenhwyvar, and
saluted her. "Heaven prosper thee, Geraint," said she, "I knew thee when
first I saw thee just now. And the welcome of heaven be unto thee. And
why didst thou not go with thy Lord to hunt?" "Because I knew not when
he went," said he. "I marvel too," said she, "how he could go unknown to
me." "Indeed, lady," said he. "I was fast asleep, and knew not when he
went; but thou, O young man, art the most agreeable companion I could
have in the whole kingdom; and it may be that I shall be more amused with
the hunting than they; {11} for we shall hear the horns when they sound,
and we shall hear the dogs when they are let loose, and begin to cry." So
they went to the edge of the Forest, and there they stood. "From this
place," said she, "we shall hear when the dogs are let loose." And
thereupon they heard a loud noise, and they looked towards the spot
whence it came, and they beheld a dwarf riding upon a horse, stately, and
foaming, and prancing, and strong, and spirited. And in the hand of the
dwarf was a whip. And near the dwarf they saw a lady upon a beautiful
white horse, of steady and stately pace; and she was clothed in a garment
of gold brocade. And near her was a knight upon a war-horse of large
size, with heavy and bright armour both upon himself and upon his horse.
And truly they never before saw a knight, or a horse, or armour, of such
remarkable size. And they were all near to each other.

"Geraint," said Gwenhwyvar, "knowest thou the name of that tall knight
yonder?" "I know him not," said he, "and the strange armour that he
wears prevents my either seeing his face or his features." "Go, maiden,"
said Gwenhwyvar, "and ask the dwarf who that knight is." Then the maiden
went up to the dwarf; and the dwarf waited for the maiden, when he saw
her coming towards him. And the maiden enquired of the dwarf who the
knight was. "I will not tell thee," he answered. "Since thou art so
churlish as not to tell me," said she, "I will ask him himself." "Thou
shall not ask him, by my faith," said