Cliges

THE WALLINGFORD TOURNAMENT

THE WALLINGFORD TOURNAMENT A man must serve with false pretense 4513 the courts and lords that he frequents. My heart must do so in such case, if it desires its lord s good grace; it must be flattering and coax. Yet highest praise would be no hoax, because Cliges is such a knight, so handsome, loyal, and upright 4520 my heart sincerely will approve. In him theres nothing to improve. O I I want my heart to serve Cliges. The peasant tells the worthlessness of one who serves a gentleman and yet is not a better man/' Love, thus belaboring Fenice, delighted her without surcease. THE WALLINGFORD TOURNAMENT qLIGES had gone across the sea to Wallingford. Luxuriously 4530 he lived therein, at great expense, his lodgings a fine residence. He always thought about Fenice, and not for one hour did he cease to have her constantly in mind. When at the place he lodged and dined he had his people ask around, and from their inquiries they found from those who lived in the environs King Arthurs court and lords and barons, 4540 the king himself, were all intent to organize a tournament. Upon the plain by Oxford, toward [133] CLIGES the nearby town of Wallingford, the tourney would be held and last until four days had come and passed. Meanwhile Cliges had time to spare to get accoutrements to wear, if anything were incomplete. 4550 Before the tournament would meet, a full two weeks would pass and more. At once he gave three squires this chore: to go to London and to choose new armor in three different hues, the first one black in shade and sheen, the second red, the third one green. When they returned, they were to swath each set of armor in new cloth so that nobody whom they met 4560 would know the color of each set of arms they bore to his abode. At once the squires took to the road to London, where the arms they sought they found available and wrought. Their errand speedily was run, and their return trip was begun. The squires, returning in short order, displayed the armor in the order. Cliges praised them for what they did 4570 and had the sets of armor hid with those that, on the Danube's shore, were given by the emperor when he had dubbed Cliges a knight. Should someone ask me now to cite why he would hide the arms away, I would not be prepared to say, but later you will understand, when all the barons of the land [134] THE WALLINGFORD TOURNAMENT who seek renown for valiant deeds have gotten mounted on their steeds. 4580 On the proposed and chosen day all barons gathered in array. King Arthur, with a chosen few of best men in his retinue, regrouped near Oxford, but the horde of knights regrouped near Wallingford. Do you believe that I should spin my story out and should begin to give a lengthier account: "This king was there; so was this count; 4590 this, this, and this one did attend"?* When those lords gathered to contend, a custom of that time occurred: A knight of greatest merit spurred between the ranks divided twain; a member of King Arthurs train o prepared to fight the opening bout, but not a knight would dare step out to joust with one of such great skill, and all remained completely still. 4600 Some people there began to say: "Why is it that these knights delay? Won't one break ranks to meet this knight? Soon someone will begin to fight." A view that many more dismissed. "No, see what an antagonist is sent against us from that side? Let everyone be notified: among the greatest four knights known is that knight in the square alone."* 4610 "Who is he?" "See? That warrior is the hotheaded Sagremore." "It is?" "Indeed." Cliges heard tell [135] CLICKS while he was mounted on Morel. His arms were black in hue and type like blackberries that are dead ripe. His armor was entirely black. He broke ranks, started to attack, and spurred Morel to make him race. 4620 Then all who saw him giving chase told one another, much impressed: "This knight proceeds well, lance at rest. In skillfulness he has excelled; his weapons are correctly held; the shield at neck is by the rule; and yet he may be thought...