Cliges

KING ARTHUR'S COURT

CLIGES both first and most prestigiously 30 for learning and for chivalry. Then chivalry came next to Rome; now all that knowledge has come home to France, where, if God has ordained, God grant that it may be retained. God grant the region so enchants the honor that has paused in France that nevermore from France be flown what God gave others as a loan. For nowadaysno person speaks 40 about the Romans or the Greeks; no further words of them are said; their glowing coals are quenched and dead.* KING ARTHUR'S COURT£y OChretien initiates ^*% A^/ his story as the book relates, and it concerns an emperor with wealth and honor in great store who ruled Greece and Constantinople. His empress, elegant and noble, bore him two sons asprogeny. 50 The firstborn reached maturity before the other s date of birth and could, if he had seen the worth, be knighted and assume control and rule the empire as a whole, and Alexander was that child; the younger as Alis was styled. Their sire bore Alexander's name; their mother Tantalis could claim. About the Empress Tantalis, [>] KING ARTHUR'S COURT about the emperor and Alis 60 we shall make no more mention here; of Alexander you shall hear.* The pride and courage he displayed were such that any accolade in his own region he disdained. About King Arthur, who then reigned, he had heard mention and report, and of the barons at his court, who made it feared and well renowned throughout the whole wide world around 70 and kept him constant company. Whatever outcome might there be or incident might be incurred, O ' still Alexander,undeterred, sought Britain. Yet he must receive his father s leave and take his leave before the young man could be bound to Britain and to Cornwall s bound. To take and seek his leave before, he went to see the emperor. 80 So Alexander, brave and fair, would tell his wishes and declare what he would venture and essay. "Dear father, to learn honors way, to win esteem and fame to savor, I dare to ask you for a favor that I would have you grant to me. / o If you are willing to agree, do not delay but be direct/' The emperor did not expect 90 to be distressed by what he gave. He did most covet and most crave high honor for his elder son and thought the boon would be well done. [3] CLIGES Thought? Would be, were he to augment that honor by his full consent. "Dear son, your pleasure I shall grant, and you must tell me what you want, for I shall grant you what you ask/' 100 The youth had well performed his task, and he was very pleased indeed the boon was granted and agreed that he had been desiring so. "This boon, sire, would you like to know?" he said. "I want amanifold sum of your silver and your gold; I want companions from your train, as many as I shall ordain, because I now intend to quit 110 your empire, and the benefit of my own services I'll bring and offer Britain's ruling king, so that he may make me a knight. I pledge my word to you outright: I have resolved I'll never lace my helm on head or arm my face on any day I live until King Arthur, if he deigns and will, and no one else, clasps on my sword."* 120 A thought the emperor deplored: "Good Lord, dear son,don't take that tone! This land has just become your own, and rich Constantinople, plus. Do not think me penurious; what I shall give you isrenowned. Tomorrow I shall have youcrowned; tomorrow too you shall be knighted. Then you shall rule all Greece united, and barons shall accord to you [4] KING ARTHUR'S COURT the oaths and homage you are due, 130 o / which pledges they must solemnize. Refusing this would be unwise/' The young man heard his father say he'd dub him knight past mass next day, a promise of which he was sure, yet said he would prove good or poor in some land other than his own. "If what I seek you will condone, with what I asked you to confer, then give me vair and grayish fur, 140 good horses, cloth of silken stuff...