rms, and horses. And they were polishing shields, and
burnishing swords, and washing armour, and shoeing horses. And the
knight, and the lady, and the dwarf, rode up to the Castle that was in
the town, and every one was glad in the Castle. And from the battlements
and the gates they risked their necks, through their eagerness to greet
them, and to show their joy.

Geraint stood there to see whether the knight would remain in the Castle;
and when he was certain that he would do so, he looked around him; and at
a little distance from the town he saw an old palace in ruins, wherein
was a hall that was falling to decay. And as he knew not any one in the
town, he went towards the old palace; and when he came near to the
palace, he saw but one chamber, and a bridge of marble-stone leading to
it. And upon the bridge he saw sitting a hoary-headed man, upon whom
were tattered garments. And Geraint gazed steadfastly upon him for a
long time. Then the hoary-headed man spoke to him. "Young man," he
said, "wherefore art thou thoughtful?" "I am thoughtful," said he,
"because I know not where to go to-night." "Wilt thou come forward this
way, chieftain?" said he, "and thou shalt have of the best that can be
procured for thee." So Geraint went forward. And the hoary-headed man
preceded him into the hall. And in the hall he dismounted, and he left
there his horse. Then he went on to the upper chamber with the hoary-
headed man. And in the chamber he beheld an old decrepit woman, sitting
on a cushion, with old tattered garments of satin upon her; and it seemed
to him that he had never seen a woman fairer than she must have been when
in the fulness of youth. And beside her was a maiden, upon whom were a
vest and a veil, that were old, and beginning to be worn out. And truly
he never saw a maiden more full of comeliness, and grace, and beauty,
than she. And the hoary-headed man said to the maiden, "There is no
attendant for the horse of this youth but thyself." "I will render the
best service I am able," said she, "both to him and to his horse." And
the maiden disarrayed the youth, and then she furnished his horse with
straw and with corn. And she went to the hall as before, and then she
returned to the chamber. And the hoary-headed man said to the maiden,
"Go to the town," said he, "and bring hither the best that thou canst
find both of food and of liquor." "I will, gladly, Lord," said she. And
to the town went the