INTRODUCTION
I. PROLOGUE BY WAY OF DEDICATION
II. THE LAY OF GUGEMAR
III. THE LAY OF THE DOLOROUS KNIGHT
IV. THE LAY OF ELIDUC
V. THE LAY OF THE NIGHTINGALE
VI. THE LAY OF SIR LAUNFAL
VII. THE LAY OF THE TWO LOVERS
VIII. THE LAY OF THE WERE-WOLF
IX. THE LAY OF THE ASH TREE
X. THE LAY OF THE HONEYSUCKLE
XI. THE LAY OF EQUITAN
XII. THE LAY OF MILON
XIII. THE LAY OF YONEC
XIV. THE LAY OF THE THORN
XV. THE LAY OF GRAELENT
XVI. A STORY OF BEYOND THE SEA
XVII. THE CHATELAINE OF VERGI
I
PROLOGUE
BY WAY OF DEDICATION
Those to whom God has given the gift of comely speech, should not hidetheir light beneath a bushel, but should willingly show it abroad. Ifa great truth is proclaimed in the ears of men, it brings forth fruita hundred-fold; but when the sweetness of the telling is praised ofmany, flowers mingle with the fruit upon the branch.
According to the witness of Priscian, it was the custom of ancientwriters to express obscurely some portions of their books, so thatthose who came after might study with greater diligence to find thethought within their words. The philosophers knew this well, and werethe more unwearied in labour, the more subtle in distinctions, so thatthe truth might make them free. They were persuaded that he who wouldkeep himself unspotted from the world should search for knowledge,that he might understand. To set evil from me, and to put away mygrief, I purposed to commence a book. I considered within myselfwhat fair story in the Latin or Romance I could turn into the commontongue. But I found that all the stories had been written, andscarcely it seemed the worth my doing, what so many had already done.Then I called to mind those Lays I had so often heard. I doubtednothing--for well I know--that our fathers fashioned them, that menshould bear in remembrance the deeds of those who have gone before.Many a one, on many a day, the minstrel has chanted to my ear. I wouldnot that they should perish, forgotten, by the roadside. In my turn,therefore, I have made of them a song, rhymed as well as I am able,and often has their shaping kept me sleepless in my bed.
In your honour, most noble and courteous King, to whom joy is ahandmaid, and in whose heart all gracious things are rooted, I havebrought together these Lays, and told my tales in seemly rhyme. Erethey speak for me, let me speak with my own mouth, and say, "Sire, Ioffer you these verses. If you are pleased to receive them, the fairerhappiness will be mine, and the more lightly I shall go all the daysof my life. Do not deem that I think more highly of myself than Iought to think, since I presume to proffer this, my gift." Hearken nowto the commencement of the matter.
