have
suffered anything worse. The blood from his wounds drips on his shirt
on all sides. Then he sees before him a tower, which was so strong that
never had he seen such a strong one before: indeed, it could not have
been a better tower. At the window there sat King Bademagu, who was very
scrupulous and precise about matters of honour and what was right, and
who was careful to observe and practise loyalty above all else; and
beside him stood his son, who always did precisely the opposite so far
as possible, for he found his pleasure in disloyalty, and never wearied
of villainy, treason, and felony. From their point of vantage they had
seen the knight cross the bridge with trouble and pain. Meleagant's
colour changed with the rage and displeasure he felt; for he knows now
that he will be challenged for the Queen; but his character was such
that he feared no man, however strong or formidable. If he were not base
and disloyal, there could no better knight be found; but he had a heart
of wood, without gentleness and pity. What enraged his son and roused
his ire, made the king happy and glad. The king knew of a truth that he
who had crossed the bridge was much better than any one else. For no one
would dare to pass over it in whom there dwelt any of that evil nature
which brings more shame upon those who possess it than prowess brings
of honour to the virtuous. For prowess cannot accomplish so much as
wickedness and sloth can do: it is true beyond a doubt that it is
possible to do more evil than good.

(Vv. 3195-3318.) I could say more on these two heads, if it did not
cause me to delay. But I must turn to something else and resume my
subject, and you shall hear how the king speaks profitably to his son:
"Son," he says, "it was fortunate that thou and I came to look out
this window; our reward has been to witness the boldest deed that ever
entered the mind of man. Tell me now if thou art not well disposed
toward him who has performed such a marvellous feat. Make peace and be
reconciled with him, and deliver the Queen into his hands. Thou shalt
gain no glory in battle with him, but rather mayst thou incur great
loss. Show thyself to be courteous and sensible, and send the Queen to
meet him before he sees thee. Show him honour in this land of thine, and
before he asks it, present to him what he has come to seek. Thou knowest
well enough that he has come for the Queen Guinevere. Do not act so that
people will take thee to be o