shaft was shivered into splinters, and their horses were front to
front. Then Gwalchmai gazed fixedly upon him, and he knew him. "Ah,
Geraint," said he, "is it thou that art here?" "I am not Geraint,"
said he. "Geraint thou art, by Heaven," he replied, "and a wretched
and insane expedition is this." Then he looked around, and beheld
Enid, and he welcomed her gladly. "Geraint," said Gwalchmai, "come
thou and see Arthur; he is thy lord and thy cousin." "I will not,"
said he, "for I am not in a fit state to go and see any one."
Thereupon, behold, one of the pages came after Gwalchmai to speak to
him. So he sent him to apprise Arthur that Geraint was there
wounded, and that he would not go to visit him, and that it was
pitiable to see the plight that he was in. And this he did without
Geraint's knowledge, inasmuch as he spoke in a whisper to the page.
"Entreat Arthur," said he, "to have his tent brought near to the
road, for he will not meet him willingly, and it is not easy to
compel him in the mood he is in." So the page came to Arthur, and
told him this. And he caused his tent to be removed unto the side of
the road. And the maiden rejoiced in her heart. And Gwalchmai led
Geraint onwards along the road, till they came to the place where
Arthur was encamped, and the pages were pitching his tent by the
roadside. "Lord," said Geraint, "all hail unto thee." "Heaven
prosper thee; and who art thou?" said Arthur. "It is Geraint," said
Gwalchmai, "and of his own free will would he not come to meet thee."
"Verily," said Arthur, "he is bereft of his reason." Then came Enid,
and saluted Arthur. "Heaven protect thee," said he. And thereupon
he caused one of the pages to take her from her horse. "Alas! Enid,"
said Arthur, "what expedition is this?" "I know not, Lord," said
she, "save that it behoves me to journey by the same road that he
journeys." "My Lord," said Geraint, "with thy permission we will
depart." "Whither wilt thou go?" said Arthur. "Thou canst not