an apple of gold was at each corner, and every one of the apples was
of the value of an hundred kine. And there was precious gold of the
value of three hundred kine upon his shoes, and upon his stirrups,
from his knee to the tip of his toe. And the blade of grass bent not
beneath him, so light was his courser's tread as he journeyed towards
the gate of Arthur's Palace.

Spoke the youth, "Is there a porter?" "There is; and if thou holdest
not thy peace, small will be thy welcome. I am Arthur's porter every
first day of January. And during every other part of the year but
this, the office is filled by Huandaw, and Gogigwc, and Llaeskenym,
and Pennpingyon, who goes upon his head to save his feet, neither
towards the sky nor towards the earth, but like a rolling stone upon
the floor of the court." "Open the portal." "I will not open it."
"Wherefore not?" "The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the
horn, and there is revelry in Arthur's Hall, and none may enter
therein but the son of a king of a privileged country, or a craftsman
bringing his craft. But there will be refreshment for thy dogs, and
for thy horses; and for thee there will be collops cooked and
peppered, and luscious wine and mirthful songs, and food for fifty
men shall be brought unto thee in the guest chamber, where the
stranger and the sons of other countries eat, who come not unto the
precincts of the Palace of Arthur. Thou wilt fare no worse there
than thou wouldest with Arthur in the Court. A lady shall smooth thy
couch, and shall lull thee with songs; and early to-morrow morning,
when the gate is open for the multitude that come hither to-day, for
thee shall it be opened first, and thou mayest sit in the place that
thou shalt choose in Arthur's Hall, from the upper end to the lower."
Said the youth, "That will I not do. If thou openest the gate, it is
well. If thou dost not open it, I will bring disgrace upon thy Lord,