in his hand, wrought into the form of a goblet, and filled
with wine. And he presented it to the Empress, and besought her to give
it to no one but the man who would fight with him. "Lady," said Peredur,
"bestow it on me." And she gave it to him. And Peredur drank the wine,
and sent the goblet to the wife of the miller. And while they were thus,
behold a rough-looking crisp-haired man, taller than either of the
others, came in with a bowl in his hand full of wine; and he bent upon
his knee, and gave it into the hands of the Empress, and he besought her
to give it to none but him who would fight with him for it; and she gave
it to Peredur, and he sent it to the miller's wife. And that night
Peredur returned to his lodging; and the next day he accoutred himself
and his horse, and went to the meadow, and slew the three men. Then
Peredur proceeded to the tent, and the Empress said to him, "Goodly
Peredur, remember the faith thou didst pledge me when I gave thee the
stone, and thou didst kill the Addanc." "Lady," answered he, "thou
sayest truth, I do remember it." And Peredur was entertained by the
Empress fourteen years, as the story relates.

* * * * *

Arthur was at Caerlleon upon Usk, his principal palace; and in the centre
of the floor of the hall were four men sitting on a carpet of velvet,
Owain the son of Urien, and Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, and Howel the son
of Emyr Llydaw, and Peredur of the long lance. And thereupon they saw a
black curly-headed maiden enter, riding upon a yellow mule, with jagged
thongs in her hand, to urge it on; and having a rough and hideous aspect.
Blacker were her face and her two hands than the blackest iron covered
with pitch; and her hue was not more frightful than her form. High
cheeks had she, and a face lengthened downwards, and a short nose with
distended nostrils. And one eye was of a piercing mottled grey, and the
other was as black as jet, deep sunk in her head. And her teeth were
long and yellow, more yellow were they than the flower of the broom. And
her stomach rose from the breast bone, higher than her chin. And her
back was in the shape of a crook, and her legs were large and bony. And
her figure was very thin and spare, except her feet and her legs, which
were of huge size. And she greeted Arthur and all his household, except
Peredur. And to Peredur she spoke harsh and angry words. "Peredur, I
greet thee not, seeing that thou dost not merit it. Blind wa