Ben Waggoner's Blog - Posts Tagged "samsons-saga"
The Saga of Samson the Fair, Chapter III
OK, so here's the next chapter -- I'll probably post these about once a week, as I get the chapters edited. The rough draft translation is already done, but I'm going through it chapter by chapter and fixing it up. The Norse text here, to my ears, has a rather "lofty" or "elevated" style to it, and I've tried to convey that here —later on it gets a bit more down to earth.
CHAPTER III: Concerning Samson and Valentina
On one occasion, a dance was held in the queen’s court, both fairly and courteously. Samson the Fair held Valentina’s hand and spoke thus with her: “My lady,” he said, “how does it seem to you, that you are serving here in England, with no greater wealth nor retinue than you have now? It would do you greater honor to get for yourself a goodly lover of noble descent.”
She replied, “Mock me not, good sir, for it is honor enough for me to serve the king and the queen, but it is not easy for me to choose a lover.”
“My lady,” Samson said, “how would you receive it, if I were to request that you might be my lover?”
“My lord,” said the maiden, “if this pure desire were yours, I would choose no one before you, and I would desire no other love.”
They ended their conversation for the time being.
Somewhat later, Samson came to speak with his father. “Father,” he said, “the daughter of King Garlant is here in our court. She is a lady whom I like well. And if you are willing to grant me marriage with her, it would well please me.”
The king said, “That match is not entirely mine to grant, for she is my hostage, but her father, and she herself, will decide her betrothal. In no way will I act against their will in this matter. And I might support you in getting a betrothal that will not lessen your honor. You have not traveled widely to see splendid ladies that will seem no less worthy to you. I am also not willing for her to suffer any dishonor at my court.”
A little later, King Arthur spoke with the lady. “You have now been at our court for three years,” he said, “with honor and glory. I now have certain knowledge that your father will be our firm ally. Therefore I wish to send you home. Tell your father that our alliance is certain. I am also not willing for you to suffer any disgrace in my court, since your father placed you in my trust. Has any man made proposals to you since you came here?”
“Not that I have taken much notice of,” she said, “yet I’ll not deny that your son Samson has made certain hints. But I do not deserve this or anything else if it displeases you.”
“That does not displease me,” said the king. “If he is sincerely bent on that, he may seek it in your father’s court, and I shall grant him my full support.” With that said, they parted.
CHAPTER III: Concerning Samson and Valentina
On one occasion, a dance was held in the queen’s court, both fairly and courteously. Samson the Fair held Valentina’s hand and spoke thus with her: “My lady,” he said, “how does it seem to you, that you are serving here in England, with no greater wealth nor retinue than you have now? It would do you greater honor to get for yourself a goodly lover of noble descent.”
She replied, “Mock me not, good sir, for it is honor enough for me to serve the king and the queen, but it is not easy for me to choose a lover.”
“My lady,” Samson said, “how would you receive it, if I were to request that you might be my lover?”
“My lord,” said the maiden, “if this pure desire were yours, I would choose no one before you, and I would desire no other love.”
They ended their conversation for the time being.
Somewhat later, Samson came to speak with his father. “Father,” he said, “the daughter of King Garlant is here in our court. She is a lady whom I like well. And if you are willing to grant me marriage with her, it would well please me.”
The king said, “That match is not entirely mine to grant, for she is my hostage, but her father, and she herself, will decide her betrothal. In no way will I act against their will in this matter. And I might support you in getting a betrothal that will not lessen your honor. You have not traveled widely to see splendid ladies that will seem no less worthy to you. I am also not willing for her to suffer any dishonor at my court.”
A little later, King Arthur spoke with the lady. “You have now been at our court for three years,” he said, “with honor and glory. I now have certain knowledge that your father will be our firm ally. Therefore I wish to send you home. Tell your father that our alliance is certain. I am also not willing for you to suffer any disgrace in my court, since your father placed you in my trust. Has any man made proposals to you since you came here?”
“Not that I have taken much notice of,” she said, “yet I’ll not deny that your son Samson has made certain hints. But I do not deserve this or anything else if it displeases you.”
“That does not displease me,” said the king. “If he is sincerely bent on that, he may seek it in your father’s court, and I shall grant him my full support.” With that said, they parted.
