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Owen were celebrated with such feasting that all the country was full of
merriment and joy. And the men of the earldom came and did homage to Owen, and
he became the Earl of the Fountain.
In a little while thereafter Sir Owen told his lady that it was he who had
chased the soul from the body of her former lord. But the countess was not
vexed by the knowledge, for Sir Owen loved her greatly, and with all
tenderness and honour, and never had the countess been so happy with Earl
Cadoc as she was with Owen.
Therefter Earl Owen defended the fountain with lance and sword against all who
ventured to challenge him in his earldom. And the knights who were thus
conquered he held to ransom, and the money he thus obtained he divided equally
among his barons and knights. Never had they had so generous a lord, nor one
of such prowess and knightly worth. And all his subjects loved Earl Owen
passing well.
Thus for three years in all happiness and quiet did Owen and the countess
dwell. Sir Dewin of Castle Cower had not power to hurt them, nor did any other
evil light upon them.
But at the end of this space, towards the close of a summer's day, Sir Owen,
by the magic whereby it was made known to him, knew that there was a knight
who challenged him at the fountain. So, putting on his skyblue armour, he went
forth and found the knight.
They rushed together, and the strange knight was overthrown. But others who
were with him took him away, and Sir Owen waited. But none other challenge was
made, and in the twilight he retired, resolved to attend next day in case any
others desired to challenge him.
In the morning the same knight came forth from the company of knights which
was among the trees about the fountain. And so fiercely did Sir Owen assault
him that the head of his lance broke the helmet of the stranger and pierced
the flesh to the bone. Again his companions carried him off.
Then other knights came forth and had to do with Sir Owen, but all were
overthrown. At length came one having over himself and his horse a rich satin
robe of honour, and Sir Owen knew that he must be a man of prowess.
They fought together that evening and half through the next day, but neither
could obtain the mastery. And about noon they took still stronger lances and
fought more stubbornly. At length they came so furiously together that the
girths of their horses were broken and both were borne to the ground.
They rose up speedily and drew their swords and resumed the combat; and all
those that witnessed it felt that they had never seen such a battle of heroes
before.
And suddenly with a blow fiercely strong and swiftly keen, Sir Owen cut the
fastenings of the strange
KING ARTHUR'S KNIGHTS. THE TALES RETOLD FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
VII. HOW SIR OWEN WON THE EARLDOM OF THE FOUNTAIN
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knight's helrn, so that the headpiece came off.
With a cry Sir Owen dropped his weapon, for he knew that this was Sir Gawaine,
his cousin.
"My Lord Gawaine," he said, "the robe of honour that covered thee prevented my
knowing it was thee with whom I fought. Take my sword and my arms, for I yield
me to thee."
"Nay, Sir Owen," said Gawaine, "take thou mine, for I am at thy mercy."
Then came forward King Arthur, and Sir Owen knew him and kneeled before him
and kissed his hand, and then embraced him. And there was much joy between all
the knights and Owen, for all had feared that he had been slain, and the king
in despair had come upon this adventure to learn tidings of him.
Then they all proceeded to the castle of the countess, and a great banquet was
prepared, with joustings and hawking parties and games. They stayed three
months in great happiness and diversion.
At last, when King Arthur prepared to depart, he went to the countess and
besought her to permit Owen to go with him for the space of three months, that
he might renew his friendships at the court at Caerleon. And though it made
the countess sorrowful to lose the man she loved best in all the world, she
consented, and
Owen promised to return even before the time appointed.
So King Arthur returned to Caerleon with Sir Owen, and there was much feasting
and diversion to welcome him. And his kindred and friends tried to make Owen
forget the countess and his earldom, but they could not.
For she was the lady he loved best in the world, and he would liefer be with
her, to guard and cherish her, than in any other place on the surface of the
earth.
One night, as the court sat after dinner over the mead cups, a juggler came
into the hall and performed many tricks, and there was much laughter and
gaiety at his merry quips and jests. And he craved that he might search the
hands of each lord and lady present, so that he could tell them if they would
be happy in love.
He began with Sir Kay, and so along the board, uttering merry thoughts on all,
but speaking with serious and solemn looks, until he came to Sir Owen.
And he looked long and earnestly at the marks in that knight's palm, and then
said, in a croaking voice:
"A night and a day, a night and a day!
Thou'lt grieve for thy love for ever and aye."
None knew what this might mean, and they marvelled to see how pale went the
face of Sir Owen.
For he had suddenly remembered the words of Decet the trollman, who had said,
"Beware thee of leaving the side of her that shall love thee for more than a
night and a day, or long woe shall find thee."
Instantly Sir Owen rose from the board and went out. Going to his own abode he
made preparations, and at dawn he arose and mounted his horse, and set forth
swiftly to go to the dominions of the countess. Great was his fear that some
evil had befallen her in consequence of his leaving her unprotected from the
evil powers of
Sir Dewin.
He rode hard and fast northwards through the wild and desolate
mountains,.until he saw the sea like burnished lead lying on his left hand. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]