Bibliotheca Arnamagnæana - 01.06.1981, Page 202
manuscript, Stockholm 46. The events of the episode as depicted in the
French romance are as follows:
1. Yvain comes upon an enclosed meadow where he observes approxi-
mately 300 maidens - poorly clad, haggard, and weeping - engaged in
various kinds of labor, such as spinning and weaving (vv. 5191-5211).
2. After having watched them for a while, Yvain turns to leave, but the
gatekeeper refuses to let him depart. Yvain inquires about the maidens,
but receives no response (vv. 5212-39).
3. Yvain returns to the meadow, and when asked by one of the maid-
ens if he would like to learn who they are and where they come from, he
replies positively (vv. 5252-55). He then learns the story of the king of the
Isle as Puceles (w. 5256-5331). To ransom his own life, the king had
handed the maidens over to two dastardly fellows (v. 5271). The maiden
then informs Yvain that he will not be able to leave until he has engaged
the two oppressors in combat (w. 5332-37). Yvain’s response is ambig-
uous, but can be interpreted as expressing a willingness to take up their
cause (w. 5338-41).
4. Yvain spends the night with a nobleman, his wife, and daughter (vv.
5347-5456).
5. The next morning Yvain intends to depart and asks for leave (vv.
5459-63).
5. His host refuses to grant Yvain leave and informs the knight that he
will have to fight against the two miscreants (vv. 5464-73).
7. If Yvain defeats them, he will be given the host’s daughter - because
that is her wish - and the castle (w. 5474-78).
8. Yvain gallantly refuses the offer because the emperor of Germany
would be a more suitable match for the giri (vv. 5479-84).
9. The host informs Yvain that he will receive the promised reward
nonetheless (vv. 5485-91), and accuses him of cowardice; the host in-
forms Yvain that he cannot get out of fighting (w. 5492-5505).
10. Yvain realizes that he must fight - against his will (vv. 5506-11).
11. Depiction of the combat; Yvain defeats the opponents with the
help of his lion (vv. 5512-5693).
12. The host renews the offer of his daughter (vv. 5694-5702).
13. Yvain again rejects the offer, but asks that the captive maidens be
released (w. 5703-11).
14. The host agrees to the release, and again offers Yvain the daughter
(vv. 5712-19).
15. Yvain again refuses (v. 5720-36).
16. The host threatens to imprison him and accuses Yvain of arrogance
(vv. 5737-44).
188