And after Arthur had gone forth from the palace, Guenever awoke, and called to her maidens, and apparalled herself.  “Maidens,” said she, “I had leave last night to go and see the hunt.  Go one of you to the stable, and order hither a horse such as a woman may ride.”  And one of them went, and she found but two horses in the stable; and Guenever and one of her maidens mounted them, and went through the Usk, and followed the track of the men and the horses.  And as they rode thus, they heard a loud and rushing sound; and they looked behind them, and beheld a knight upon a hunter foal of mighty size.  And the rider was a fairhaired youth, bare-legged, and of princely mien; and a golden-hilted sword was at his side, and a robe and a surcoat of satin were upon him, and two low shoes of leather upon his feet; and around him was a scarf of blue purple, at each corner of which was a golden apple.

   “For Prince Geraint,

Late also, wearing neither hunting-dress
Nor weapon, save a golden-hilted brand,
Came quickly flashing through the shallow ford.” 

            —­Enid.

And his horse stepped stately, and swift, and proud; and he overtook Guenever, and saluted her.  “Heaven prosper thee, Geraint,” said she; “and why didst thou not go with thy lord to hunt?” “Because I knew not when he went,” said he.  “I marvel too,” said she, “how he could go, unknown to me.  But thou, O young man, art the most agreeable companion I could have in the whole kingdom; and it may be I shall be more amused with the hunting than they; for we shall hear the horns when they sound and we shall hear the dogs when they are let loose and begin to cry.”

So they went to the edge of the forest, and there they stood.  “From this place,” said she, “we shall hear when the dogs are let loose.”  And thereupon they heard a loud noise; and they looked towards the spot whence it came, and they beheld a dwarf riding upon a horse, stately and foaming and prancing and strong and spirited.  And in the hand of the dwarf was a whip.  And near the dwarf they saw a lady upon a beautiful white horse, of steady and stately pace; and she was clothed in a garment of gold brocade.  And near her was a knight upon a war-horse of large size, with heavy and bright armor both upon himself and upon his horse.  And truly they never before saw a knight, or a horse, or armor, of such remarkable size.

“Geraint,” said Guenever, “knowest thou the name of that tall knight yonder?” “I know him not,” said he, “and the strange armor that he wears prevents my either seeing his face or his features.”  “Go, maiden,” said Guenever, “and ask the dwarf who that knight is.”  Then the maiden went up to the dwarf; and she inquired of the dwarf who the knight was.  “I will not tell thee,” he answered.  “Since thou art so churlish,” said she, “I will ask him, himself.”  “Thou shalt not ask him, by my faith,” said he.  “Wherefore not?” said she.  “Because