XII - The Combat Between Iwein and Gawein
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 March 2023
Summary
Now who might pose a threat to him,
now that he had brought his lion, hale and healthy,
away from the battle?
He headed at once
to the destination he had previously in mind,
where he found the damsel
who had left behind her her sick kinswoman,
and to whom he had promised to do combat, on the former's account.
He met with many a host,
all of whom I cannot name,
and they may as well be concealed.
His companion, the maiden,
directed him on the right roads,
and they found, in her father's care,
that well-favoured damsel
of whom I have spoken before,
who was overjoyed
on seeing the knight approach.
No matter what befell her thereafter,
she made it clearly manifest
that she was delighted to see him,
She walked far forward to welcome him,
leaving all the ladies behind her.
Whom should that displease,
for she had scarcely been able to bear waiting for him?
Whilst they rode up,
the damsel told him the tidings
that the lady was her kinswoman
who had sent her in search of him,
seeking him through the lands –
she whom they saw walking towards them there.
When he had heard that,
he did not ride any further then –
he dismounted from his charger.
She rushed up to him at once.
She unbuckled his helmet,
for never had greater joy befallen her.
We must ignore the discourtesy
which may, I imagine, be attributed to her on two counts here –
she kissed him first, and after that the maiden.
She welcomed him charmingly
und bat des got den rîchen,
daz er sîn êre hielte
und sîns heiles wielte.
Dô chom der wirt gegangen.
Von dem wart er wol enpfangen,
und von sînem wîbe,
sô daz nie gastes lîbe
bezzer handelunge wart
erboten ûf deheiner vart.
Darnâch chom daz gesinde dar
mit einer sûberlîchen schar
nâch gruozze und durch schouwe.
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- Information
- German Romance III<i>Iwein</i> or <i>The Knight with the Lion</i>, pp. 327 - 370Publisher: Boydell & BrewerPrint publication year: 2007