Lais quotes

This King was full of years, and was wedded to a dame of high degree. The lady was of tender age, passing fresh and fair, and sweet of speech to all. Therefore was the King jealous of his wife beyond all measure.

Such is the wont of age, for much it fears that old and young cannot mate together, and that youth will turn to youth. This is the death in life of the old.

The castle of this ancient lord had a mighty keep. Beneath this tower was a right fair orchard, together with a close, shut in by a wall of green marble, very strong and high.

The knight dared ask nothing of his lady, for reason that he was a stranger in a strange land, and was adread to show her his love.

But⁠—as says the proverb⁠—he who will not tell of his sore, may not hope for balm to his hurt.

Love is a privy wound within the heart, and none knoweth of that bitterness but the heart alone. Love is an evil which may last for a whole life long, because of man and his constant heart.

But—as says the proverb—he who will not tell of his sore, may not hope for balm to his hurt.

Love is a privy wound within the heart, and none knoweth of that bitterness but the heart alone.

Love is an evil which may last for a whole life long, because of man and his constant heart. Many there be who make of Love a gibe and a jest, and with specious words defame him by boastful tales. But theirs is not love.

The lady hearkened with a smile to Gugemar’s speech. Right daintily and sweetly she replied, “

Friend, yea is not a word of two letters.

I do not grant such a prayer every day of the week, and must you have your gift so quickly?”

Did ever maiden woo her knight before, by asking whether he loved or hated her? What if he make of me a mock and a jest in the ears of his friends!

Ah, if the secrets of the heart were but written on the face!

But get you ready, for go you must, at once.”

When I heard tell of his dame, I swooned for pure sorrow. Now I find that this false lover, has, like a felon, betrayed me in a strange land. What will chance to a maiden in so foul a plight?

Great is that woman’s folly who puts her trust in man.

”

Amongst these merry and courteous lords hasted not Sir Launfal. He drew apart from the throng, for with him time went heavily, till he might have clasp and greeting of his friend.

The ladies of the Queen’s fellowship seemed but kitchen wenches to his sight, in comparison with the loveliness of the maiden.

When the Queen marked Launfal go aside, she went his way, and seating herself upon the herb, called the knight before her. Then she opened out her heart.

“By my faith,” cried he, “yes, she is indeed my friend.

It is a small matter now whether men slay me, or set me free; for I am made whole of my hurt just by looking on her face.

”

So she showed him of the chapel, and of the hollow stone, and of how to spoil the Werewolf of his vesture.

Thus, by the kiss of his wife, was Bisclavaret betrayed.

Often enough had he ravished his prey in desolate places, but from this journey he never returned. His kinsfolk and acquaintance came together to ask of his tidings, when this absence was noised abroad.

I have the best reason now to know that I was wrong, and I am caught in my own snare.

She who digs a pit for another, cannot tell that she may not fall into the hole herself.

If you wish to speak loudly concerning your neighbour, it is best to say nothing of him but in praise. The only way to keep me from shame, is that one of my children should die. It is a great sin;

Broad lands will he give as her dowry. This damsel’s name is Coudre, and in all this country there is none so fair. Be advised: throw away the ash rod you carry, and take the hazel as your staff.

The ash is a barren stock; but the hazel is thick with nuts and delight.

We shall be content if you take this maiden as your wife, so it be to the will of God, and she be given you of her kinsfolk.”

So sweetly laced and taken were they in one close embrace, that thus they might remain whilst life endured. But should rough hands part so fond a clasping, the hazel would wither at the root, and the honeysuckle must fail.

Fair friend, thus is the case with us, nor you without me, nor I without you.

Now the Queen fared at adventure down the forest path. She spied the hazel wand set upon her road, and well she remembered the letters and the name.

Equitan tossed on his bed, and sighed. His thoughts were still on the lady, so that in a little he said, “

I think of the ford, before I come to the river.

I go too quickly, for I know not yet whether the lady will take me as her friend. But know I will as swiftly as I can, since I cannot get rest or sleep.

It is much the best that between you and me love should not be spoken of. You are a puissant prince; my husband is one of your vassals, and faith and trust should bind us—not the dangerous bond of love.

Love is only lasting between like and like.

Better is the love of an honest man—so he be of sense and worth—than that of a prince or king, with no loyalty in him. She who sets her love more highly than she can reach, may pluck no fruit from the tree.

When she had ceased, Equitan made answer, “Lady, I can offer you but short thanks for your words, since they savour of scant courtesy.

You speak of love as a burgess makes a bargain.

Those who desire to get, rather than to give, often find that they have the worser half of the business.

Sweet to his heart was the writing, for the lady wrote that without him there was no joy in her life, and since it was his desire to hear by the swan, it would be her pleasure also.

For twenty years the swan was made the messenger of these two lovers, who might never win together.

There was no speech between them, save that carried by the bird. They caused the swan to fast for three days, and then sent him on his errand. He to whom the letter came, saw to it that the messenger was fed to heart’s desire.

I have seen much, and gone to and fro about the world. All my life I have journeyed from realm to realm, by reason of tourneys and quarrels and princes’ wars, yet never once by any knight have I been borne from my horse.

This day I am overthrown by a boy, and yet I cannot help but love thee.

”

The varlet climbed from the saddle, and stood upon his feet. Father and son kissed each other tenderly, with many comfortable words.

Their love was fair to see, and those who looked upon their meeting, wept for joy and pity.

Milon and his son departed from the tournament so soon as it came to an end, for the knight desired greatly to speak to the varlet at leisure, and to open before him all his mind.

The lady became passing heavy. She spent her days in sighs and tears. Her loveliness began to fail, for she gave no thought to her person.

Indeed at times she hated the very shadow of that beauty which had spoiled all her life.

Now when April had come with the gladness of the birds, this lord rose early on a day to take his pleasure in the woods. He bade his sister to rise from her bed to make the doors fast behind him.

Moreover since these ladies were not seen of any, except their friends, who was there to count them blameworthy! Perchance I deceive myself, and in spite of all the tales, such adventures happened to none.

Ah, if only the mighty God would but shape the world to my wish!

”

My lot is hard to be shut in this tower, never to go out till I am carried to my grave. Of whom is this jealous lord fearful that he holds me so fast in prison?

Great is a man’s folly always to have it in mind that he may be deceived.

I cannot go to church, nor hearken to the service of God. If I might talk to folk, or have a little pleasure in my life, I should show the more tenderness to my husband, as is my wish.

This falcon flew straightway into the chamber, jessed and hooded from the glove, and came where the dame was seated.

Whilst the lady yet wondered upon him, the tercel became a young and comely knight before her eyes.

The lady marvelled exceedingly at this sorcery. Her blood turned to water within her, and because of her dread she hid her face in her hands. By reason of his courtesy the knight first sought to persuade her to put away her fears.

“Lady,” said he, “be not so fearful.

To you this hawk shall be as gentle as a dove.

If you will listen to my words I will strive to make plain what may now be dark. I have come in this shape to your tower that I may pray you of your tenderness to make of me your friend.

The knight returned to his realm, leaving behind him the happiest lady in the land. On the morrow she rose sound and well, and went lightly through the week. She took such heed to her person, that her former beauty came to her again.

The tower that she was wont to hate as her prison, became to her now as a pleasant lodging, that she would not leave for any abode and garden on earth.

There she could see her friend at will, when once her lord had gone forth from the chamber. Early and late, at morn and eve, the lovers met together. God grant her joy was long, against the evil day that came.