surcoat of satin were upon him, and two low shoes of leather upon his
feet; and around him was a scarf of blue purple, at each corner of
which was a golden apple. And his horse stepped stately, and swift,
and proud; and he overtook Gwenhwyvar, and saluted her. "Heaven
prosper thee, Geraint," said she, "I knew thee when first I saw thee
just now. And the welcome of Heaven be unto thee. And why didst
thou not go with thy lord to hunt?" "Because I knew not when he
went," said he. "I marvel, too," said she, "how he could go unknown
to me." "Indeed, lady," said he. "I was asleep, and knew not when
he went; but thou, O young man, art the most agreeable companion I
could have in the whole kingdom; and it may be, that I shall be more
amused with the hunting than they; for we shall hear the horns when
they sound, and we shall hear the dogs when they are let loose, and
begin to cry." So they went to the edge of the Forest, and there
they stood. "From this place," said she, "we shall hear when the
dogs are let loose." And thereupon, they heard a loud noise, and
they looked towards the spot whence it came, and they beheld a dwarf
riding upon a horse, stately, and foaming, and prancing, and strong,
and spirited. And in the hand of the dwarf was a whip. And near the
dwarf they saw a lady upon a beautiful white horse, of steady and
stately pace; and she was clothed in a garment of gold brocade. And
near her was a knight upon a warhorse of large size, with heavy and
bright armour both upon himself and upon his horse. And truly they
never before saw a knight, or a horse, or armour, of such remarkable
size. And they were all near to each other.

"Geraint," said Gwenhwyvar, "knowest thou the name of that tall
knight yonder?" "I know him not," said he, "and the strange armour
that he wears prevents my either seeing his face or his features."
"Go, maiden," said Gwenhwyvar, "and ask the dwarf who that knight