and Drem the son of Dremhitid, and Clust the son of Clustveinyd; and
these were Arthur's guards. And on Whit-Tuesday, as the King sat at
the banquet, lo! there entered a tall, fair-headed youth, clad in a
coat and a surcoat of diapered satin, and a golden-hilted sword about
his neck, and low shoes of leather upon his feet. And he came, and
stood before Arthur. "Hail to thee, Lord!" said he. "Heaven prosper
thee," he answered, "and be thou welcome. Dost thou bring any new
tidings?" "I do, Lord," he said. "I know thee not," said Arthur.
"It is a marvel to me that thou dost not know me. I am one of thy
foresters, Lord, in the Forest of Dean, and my name is Madawc, the
son of Twrgadarn." "Tell me thine errand," said Arthur. "I will do
so, Lord," said he. "In the Forest I saw a stag, the like of which
beheld I never yet." "What is there about him," asked Arthur, "that
thou never yet didst see his like?" "He is of pure white, Lord, and
he does not herd with any other animal through stateliness and pride,
so royal is his bearing. And I come to seek thy counsel, Lord, and
to know thy will concerning him." "It seems best to me," said
Arthur, "to go and hunt him to-morrow at break of day; and to cause
general notice thereof to be given to-night in all quarters of the
Court." And Arryfuerys was Arthur's chief huntsman, and Arelivri was
his chief page. And all received notice; and thus it was arranged.
And they sent the youth before them. Then Gwenhwyvar said to Arthur,
"Wilt thou permit me, Lord," said she, "to go to-morrow to see and
hear the hunt of the stag of which the young man spoke?" "I will
gladly," said Arthur. "Then will I go," said she. And Gwalchmai
said to Arthur, "Lord, if it seem well to thee, permit that into
whose hunt soever the stag shall come, that one, be he a knight, or
one on foot, may cut off his head, and give it to whom he pleases,
whether to his own lady-love, or to the lady of his friend." "I
grant it gladly," said Arthur, "and let the Steward of the Household