Sparrow-Hawk from that time forth." "Sir," said Geraint, "what is
thy counsel to me concerning this knight, on account of the insult
which I received from the dwarf, and that which was received by the
maiden of Gwenhwyvar, the wife of Arthur?" And Geraint told the
hoary-headed man what the insult was that he had received. "It is
not easy to counsel thee, inasmuch as thou hast neither dame nor
maiden belonging to thee, for whom thou canst joust. Yet, I have
arms here, which thou couldest have; and there is my horse also, if
he seem to thee better than thine own." "Ah! Sir," said he, "Heaven
reward thee. But my own horse, to which I am accustomed, together
with thy arms, will suffice me. And if, when the appointed time
shall come to-morrow, thou wilt permit me, Sir, to challenge for
yonder maiden that is thy daughter, I will engage, if I escape from
the tournament, to love the maiden as long as I live; and if I do not
escape, she will remain unsullied as before." "Gladly will I permit
thee," said the hoary-headed man, "and since thou dost thus resolve,
it is necessary that thy horse and arms should be ready to-morrow at
break of day. For then the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk will make
proclamation, and ask the lady he loves best to take the Sparrow-
Hawk. 'For,' will he say to her, 'thou art the fairest of women, and
thou didst possess it last year, and the year previous; and if any
deny it thee to-day, by force will I defend it for thee.' And
therefore," said the hoary-headed man, "it is needful for thee to be
there at daybreak; and we three will be with thee." And thus was it
settled.

And at night, lo! they went to sleep; and before the dawn they arose,
and arrayed themselves; and by the time that it was day, they were
all four in the meadow. And there was the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk
making the proclamation, and asking his lady-love to fetch the