into splinters, and their horses were front to front.
Then Gwalchmai gazed fixedly upon him, and he knew him. "Ah, Geraint,"
said he, "is it thou that art here?" "I am not Geraint," said he.
"Geraint thou art, by Heaven," he replied, "and a wretched and insane
expedition is this." Then he looked around, and beheld Enid, and he
welcomed her gladly. "Geraint," said Gwalchmai, "come thou, and see
Arthur; he is thy lord and thy cousin." "I will not," said he, "for I am
not in a fit state to go and see any one." Thereupon, behold, one of the
pages came after Gwalchmai, to speak to him. So he sent him to apprise
Arthur that Geraint was there wounded, and that he would not go to visit
him, and that it was pitiable to see the plight that he was in. And this
he did without Geraint's knowledge, inasmuch as he spoke in a whisper to
the page. "Entreat Arthur," said he, "to have his tent brought near to
the road, for he will not meet him willingly, and it is not easy to
compel him in the mood he is in." So the page came to Arthur, and told
him this. And he caused his tent to be removed unto the side of the
road. And the maiden rejoiced in her heart. And Gwalchmai led Geraint
onwards along the road, till they came to the place where Arthur was
encamped, and the pages were pitching his tent by the road-side. "Lord,"
said Geraint, "all hail unto thee." "Heaven prosper thee; and who art
thou?" said Arthur. "It is Geraint," said Gwalchmai, "and of his own
free will would he not come to meet thee." "Verily," said Arthur, "he is
bereft of his reason." Then came Enid, and saluted Arthur. "Heaven
protect thee," said he. And thereupon he caused one of the pages to take
her from her horse. "Alas! Enid," said Arthur, "what expedition is
this?" "I know not, Lord," said she, "save that it behoves me to journey
by the same road that he journeys." "My Lord," said Geraint, "with thy
permission we will depart." "Whither wilt thou go?" said Arthur. "Thou
canst not proceed now, unless it be unto thy death." {53} "He will not
suffer himself to be invited by me," said Gwalchmai. "But by me he
will," said Arthur; "and, moreover, he does not go from here until he is
healed." "I had rather, Lord," said Geraint, "that thou wouldest let me
go forth." "That will I not, I declare to Heaven," said he. Then he
caused a maiden to be sent for to conduct Enid to the tent where
Gwenhwyvar's chamber was. And Gwenhwyvar and all her women w