throne Arthur

 When he saw King Arthur’s castle, that
young man was delighted.
On a great plain stood a stone of marble, as we have heard. If you would
be quiet, I would tell you many wonders about this throne. No one could get
closer to the throne (930) than four ells, as we have heard, unless he had com-
mitted no sin and was a pure lad and a mighty man. There was also no man
on earth who might become a king unless he had fi rst sat on the throne. Thus
was its law and its ordeal. That the throne had such great power—it was all
done by means of magic.
When young Vidvilt (940) came close enough that he could look at it, he
sent his horse off to graze. He sat down there on the throne, and that was his
heart’s delight, for the throne pleased him quite well. When the gatekeeper
saw him sitting there on the throne, now you may like to hear what he said:
“I will tell you new tidings: an angel has come here, for indeed it cannot
be human. (950) He has such an inner radiance. He has sat down upon the
throne. His countenance fi lls me with joy.” When the lords all heard that,
they rejoiced with a great shout. The king rode out in great honor and with
many a bold lord.
The bold man sat on the throne. When he caught sight of the lords, he
delayed no longer. (960) He strode to his horse and at once bound on his hel-
met. He charged at the lords quite courageously and wanted to fi ght them all.
The king at once commanded a knight to ride against him and commanded
him to give him the news that they were all friends. And when the king
approached him so closely that they could see each other’s eyes: “May God
grant you welcome, O warrior from foreign lands. (970) Who sent you here?
I say, by my crown, that I have never seen your peer. You could be a lord
throughout the world. Now tell me, who are your relations.”

Vidvilt - Early Yiddish Epic - Jerold Frakes