about himself,
holding all the rest as fools, and thinking that no one knows his real
character. A hero would be distressed at hearing his prowess related by
some one else. And yet I maintain that the coward is not wrong to praise
and vaunt himself, for he will find no one else to lie for him. If he
does not boast of his deeds, who will? All pass over him in silence,
even the heralds, who proclaim the brave, but discard the cowards." When
my lord Kay had spoken thus, my lord Gawain made this reply: "My lord
Kay, have some mercy now! Since my lord Yvain is not here, you do not
know what business occupies him. Indeed, he never so debased himself as
to speak any ill of you compared with the gracious things he has said."
"Sire," says Kay, "I'll hold my peace. I'll not say another word to-day,
since I see you are offended by my speech." Then the King, in order to
see the rain, poured a whole basin full of water upon the stone beneath
the pine, and at once the rain began to pour. It was not long before my
lord Yvain without delay entered the forest fully armed, tiding faster
than a gallop on a large, sleek steed, strong, intrepid, and fleet of
foot. And it was my lord Kay's desire to request the first encounter.
For, whatever the outcome might be, he always wished to begin the fight
and joust the first, or else he would be much incensed. Before all the
rest, he requested the King to allow him to do battle first. The King
says: "Kay, since it is your wish, and since you are the first to make
the request, the favour ought not to be denied." Kay thanks him first,
then mounts his steed. If now my lord Yvain can inflict a mild disgrace
upon him, he will be very glad to do so; for he recognises him by his
arms. [315] Each grasping his shield by the straps, they rush together.
Spurring their steeds, they lower the lances, which they hold tightly
gripped. Then they thrust them forward a little, so that they grasped
them by the leather-wrapped handles, and so that when they came together
they were able to deal such cruel blows that both lances broke in
splinters clear to the handle of the shaft. My lord Yvain gave him such
a mighty blow that Kay took a summersault from out of his saddle and
struck with his helmet on the ground. My lord Yvain has no desire to
inflict upon him further harm, but simply dismounts and takes his horse.
This pleased them all, and many said: "Ah, ah, see how you prostrate
lie, who but now held others up to scor