at the end of the year Arthur’s messengers returned without having gained any knowledge or intelligence concerning Olwen, more than on the first day.  Then said Kilwich, “Every one has received his boon, and I yet lack mine.  I will depart, and bear away thy honor with me.”  Then said Kay, “Rash chieftain! dost thou reproach Arthur?  Go with us, and we will not part until thou dost either confess that the maiden exists not in the world, or until we obtain her.”  Thereupon Kay rose up.  And Arthur called Bedwyr, who never shrank from any enterprise upon which Kay was bound.  None were equal to him in swiftness throughout this island except Arthur alone; and although he was one handed; three warriors could not shed blood faster than he on the field of battle.

And Arthur called to Kyndelig, the guide, “Go thou upon this expedition with the chieftain.”  For as good a guide was he in a land which he had never seen as he was in his own.

He called Gurhyr Gwalstat, because he knew all tongues.

He called Gawain, the son of Gwyar, because he never returned home without achieving the adventure of which he went in quest.

And Arthur called Meneu, the son of Teirgwed, in order that, if they went into a savage country, he might cast a charm and an illusion over them, so that none might see them, whilst they could see every one.

They journeyed until they came to a vast open plain, wherein they saw a great castle, which was the fairest of the castles of the world.  And when they came before the castle, they beheld a vast flock of sheep.  And upon the top of a mound there was a herdsman keeping the sheep.  And a rug made of skins was upon him, and by his side was a shaggy mastiff, larger than a steed nine winters old.

Then said Kay, “Gurhyr Gwalstat, go thou and salute yonder man.”  “Kay,” said he, “I engaged not to go further than thou thyself.”  “Let us go then together.” answered Kay.  Said Meneu, “Fear not to go thither, for I will cast a spell upon the dog, so that he shall injure no one.”  And they went up to the mound whereon the herdsman was, and they said to him, “How dost thou fare, herdsman?” “Not less fair be it to you than to me.”  “Whose are the sheep that thou dost keep, and to whom does yonder castle belong?” “Stupid are ye, truly! not to know that this is the castle of Yspadaden Penkawr.  And ye also, who are ye?” “We are an embassy from Arthur, come to seek Olwen, the daughter of Yspadaden Penkawr.”  “O men! the mercy of Heaven be upon you; do not that for all the world.  None who ever came hither on this quest has returned alive.”  And the herdsman rose up.  And as he rose Kilwich gave unto him a ring of gold.  And he went home and gave the ring to his spouse to keep.  And she took the ring when it was given her, and she said, “Whence came this ring, for thou art not wont to have good fortune.”  “O wife, him to whom this ring belonged thou shalt see here this evening.”  “And who is he?” asked the woman.  “Kilwich, the son of Kilydd, by Goleudid, the daughter of Prince Anlawd, who is come to seek Olwen as his wife.”  And when she heard that, she had joy that her nephew, the son of her sister, was coming to her, and sorrow, because she had never known any one depart alive who had come on that quest.