Cliges: A Romance | Page 7

born so powerful as you. King, the report that is in men's

mouths has brought me to your Court to serve and honour you, and if my service is
pleasing I will stay till I be a new-made knight at your hand, not at that of another. For
never shall I be dubbed knight if I be not so by you. If my service so please you that you
will to make me a knight, keep me, gracious king, and my comrades who are here."
Straightway the king replies: "Friend," quoth he, "I reject not a whit either you or your
company; but ye are all right welcome; for ye have the air, I well think it, of being sons
of men of high rank. Whence are ye?" "We are from Greece." "From Greece?" "Truly are
we." "Who is thy father?" "Faith, sire, the emperor." "And what is thy name, fair friend?"
"Alexander was the name given me when I received salt and chrism and Christianity and
baptism." "Alexander, fair dear friend, I keep you right willingly; and much does it please
and joy me, for you have done me exceeding great honour in that you are come to my
Court. It is my good pleasure that you be honoured here as a noble warrior, wise and
gentle. Too long have you been on your knees: rise, I bid you, and henceforth be free of
my Court and of me; for you have arrived at a good haven."
Forthwith the Greeks rise. Blithe are they for that the king has thus courteously kept them.
Alexander is welcome; for there is no lack of aught that he wishes nor is there any baron
in the Court so high that he does not speak him fair and welcome him. For he is not
foolish nor boastful nor doth he vaunt his noble birth. He makes himself known to Sir
Gawain and to the others one by one. He makes himself much loved by each; even Sir
Gawain loves him so much that he hails him as friend and comrade. The Greeks had
taken in the town at the house of a citizen the best lodging that they could find. Alexander
had brought great possessions from Constantinople: he will desire above aught else to
follow diligently the emperor's advice and counsel--namely, that he should have his heart
wide-awake to give and to spend liberally. He gives great diligence and pains thereto. He
lives well at his lodging and gives and spends liberally as it beseems his wealth, and as
his heart counsels him. The whole Court marvels whence his store is taken; for he gives
to all horses of great price which he had brought from his land. So much trouble has
Alexander given himself, and so much has he prevailed by his fair service, that the king
loves and esteems him dearly as well the barons and the queen.
At that point of time King Arthur desired to pass over into Brittany. He bids all his barons
assemble in order to seek Counsel, and ask them to whom till he return he can entrust
England, who may keep and maintain it in peace. By the Council it was with one consent
entrusted, as I think, to Count Engres of Windsor; for till then they deemed no baron
more loyal in all the king's land. When this man had the land in his power, King Arthur
and the queen and her ladies set out on the morrow. In Brittany folk hear tell that the king
and his barons are coming: the Bretons rejoice greatly thereat.
Into the ship in which the king crossed entered neither youth nor maiden save Alexander
alone; and the queen of a truth brought thither Soredamors, a lady who scorned Love.
Never had she heard tell of a man whom she could deign to love however much beauty
prowess dominion or high rank he had. And yet the damsel was so winsome and fair that
she might well have known Love if it had pleased her to turn her mind to it; but never had
she willed to bend her mind thereto. Now will Love make her sorrowful; and Love thinks
to avenge himself right well for the great pride and resistance which she has always
shown to him. Right well has Love aimed; for he has stricken her in the heart with his
arrow. Oft she grows pale; oft the beads of sweat break out, and in spite of herself she
must love. Scarce can she refrain from looking towards Alexander; but she must needs

guard herself against my Lord Gawain her brother. Dearly does she buy and pay for her
great pride and her disdain. Love has heated for her a bath which mightily inflames and
enkindles her. Now