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Chapter VI
ThentheArchbishopofCanterburyblessedtheseatsofalltheknights,andwhentheyroseagaintherefromtopaytheirhomagetoKingArthurtherewasfounduponthebackofeachknight’sseathisname,writteninlettersofgold.Butupononeseatwasfoundwritten,“ThisistheSiegePerilous,whereinifanymanshallsitsavehimwhomHeavenhathchosen,heshallbedevouredbyfire.”
AnoncameyoungGawain,theking’snephew,prayingtobemadeaknight,whomthekingknightedthenandthere.Soonaftercameapoorman,leadingwithhimatallfairladofeighteenyearsofage,ridingonaleanmare.Andfallingattheking’sfeet,thepoormansaid,“Lord,itwastoldme,thatatthistimeofthymarriagethouwouldstgivetoanymanthegiftheaskedfor,soitwerenotunreasonable.”
“Thatisthetruth,”repliedKingArthur,“andIwillmakeitgood.”
“Thousayestgraciouslyandnobly,”saidthepoorman.“Lord,Iasknothingelsebutthatthouwiltmakemysonhereaknight.”
“Itisagreatthingthatthouaskest,”saidtheking.“Whatisthyname?”
“Aries,thecowherd,”answeredhe.
“Comeththisprayerfromtheeorfromthyson?”inquiredKingArthur.
“Nay,lord,notfrommyself,”saidhe,“butfromhimonly,forIhavethirteenothersons,andallofthemwillfalltoanylabourthatIputthemto.ButthisonewilldonosuchworkforanythingthatIormywifemaydo,butisforevershootingorfighting,andrunningtoseeknightsandjoustings,andtormentsmebothnightanddaythathebemadeaknight.
