"
The encounter with the dwarf, the lady, and the knight follows. The
prose of the Mabinogi may be compared with the verse of Tennyson:-
"Geraint," said Gwenhwyvar, "knowest thou the name of that tall
knight yonder?" "I know him not," said he, "and the strange armour
that he wears prevents my either seeing his face or his features."
"Go, maiden," said Gwenhwyvar, "and ask the dwarf who that knight
is." Then the maiden went up to the dwarf; and the dwarf waited for
the maiden, when he saw her coming towards him. And the maiden
inquired of the dwarf who the knight was. "I will not tell thee," he
answered. "Since thou art so churlish as not to tell me," said she,
"I will ask him himself." "Thou shalt not ask him, by my faith,"
said he. "Wherefore?" said she. "Because thou art not of honour
sufficient to befit thee to speak to my Lord." Then the maiden
turned her horse's head towards the knight, upon which the dwarf
struck her with the whip that was in his hand across the face and the
eyes, until the blood flowed forth. And the maiden, through the hurt
she received from the blow, returned to Gwenhwyvar, complaining of
the pain. "Very rudely has the dwarf treated thee," said Geraint.
"I will go myself to know who the knight is." "Go," said Gwenhwyvar.
And Geraint went up to the dwarf. "Who is yonder knight?" said
Geraint. "I will not tell thee," said the dwarf. "Then will I ask
him himself," said he.
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