here. However, he did not stay there long, but
rapidly passed on until he saw again by chance the knight all alone on
foot, completely armed, with helmet laced, shield hanging from his neck,
and with his sword girt on. He had overtaken a cart. In those days such
a cart served the same purpose as does a pillory now; and in each good
town where there are more than three thousand such carts nowadays, in
those times there was only one, and this, like our pillories, had to do
service for all those who commit murder or treason, and those who are
guilty of any delinquency, and for thieves who have stolen others'
property or have forcibly seized it on the roads. Whoever was convicted
of any crime was placed upon a cart and dragged through all the streets,
and he lost henceforth all his legal rights, and was never afterward
heard, honoured, or welcomed in any court. The carts were so dreadful in
those days that the saying was then first used: "When thou dost see and
meet a cart, cross thyself and call upon God, that no evil may befall
thee." The knight on foot, and without a lance, walked behind the cart,
and saw a dwarf sitting on the shafts, who held, as a driver does, a
long goad in his hand. Then he cries out: "Dwarf, for God's sake,
tell me now if thou hast seen my lady, the Queen, pass by here." The
miserable, low-born dwarf would not give him any news of her, but
replied: "If thou wilt get up into the cart I am driving thou shalt
hear to-morrow what has happened to the Queen." Then he kept on his way
without giving further heed. The knight hesitated only for a couple of
steps before getting in. Yet, it was unlucky for him that he shrank from
the disgrace, and did not jump in at once; for he will later rue his
delay. But common sense, which is inconsistent with love's dictates,
bids him refrain from getting in, warning him and counselling him to do
and undertake nothing for which he may reap shame and disgrace. Reason,
which dares thus speak to him, reaches only his lips, but not his heart;
but love is enclosed within his heart, bidding him and urging him to
mount at once upon the cart. So he jumps in, since love will have it
so, feeling no concern about the shame, since he is prompted by love's
commands. And my lord Gawain presses on in haste after the cart, and
when he finds the knight sitting in it, his surprise is great. "Tell
me," he shouted to the dwarf, "if thou knowest anything of the Queen."
And he replied: "If thou