Lancelot-Grail: The Old French Arthurian Vulgate and Post-Vulgate in Translation , Vol. III: Lancelot , Part IV ed. by Norris J. Lacy and ed. by Roberta L. Krueger, and: Lancelot , Part V trans. by William W. Kibler, and: Lancelot , Part VI trans. by Carlton W. Carroll, and: Vol. IV: The Quest for the Holy Grail trans. by E.

Abstract

NORRis J. lacy, ed. Lancelot-Grail: The OldFrenchArthurian Vulgate andPost-Vulgate in Translation,Vol. Ill: Lancelot, Part IV, trans. Roberta L. Krueger; Lancelot, PartV, trans. William W Kibler; Lancelot, Part VI, trans. Carleton W. Carroll. New York and London: Garland, 1995. Pp. x, 338. isbn: 0-8153-0747. $65. Vol. IV: The Questfor the Holy Grail, trans. E. Jane Burns; The Death ofArthur, trans. Norris J. Lacy; The Post-Vulgate, Part I, The Merlin Continuation, introd. and trans. Martha Asher. New York and London: Garland, 1995. Pp. xii, 277. isbn: 0-8153-0748-9. $65. Volumes III and IV of the mammoth team project, organized by Norris Lacy and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, to translate the group of romances called the Lancelot-Grail Cycle (the Vulgate Cycle, the Prose Lancelot, or the Pseudo-Map Cycle), trace the story from the abduction of Guenevere to the death ofArthur and end with the Merlin Continuation (the Huth Merlin). Although each translatorwas responsible for his or her portion ofthe cycle, in order to coordinate the effort to some degree, at least one other member ofthe team read each part, and a few guidelines were agreed upon (outlined in the general introduction to Volume I, x-xii). The result is the first translation ofthe complete cycle. Except for the Quest for the Holy Grail and the Death ofArthur, none of the other romances have been translated in their entirety (I:x). The following review is based on the close comparison ofone or two chapters from each section to the edition ofthe Old French text which is translated. In these volumes footnotes refer to the run ofpages translated in each chapter and the page numbers ofthe respective French editions are embedded in the text ofthe translation, further facilitating such a comparison. Lancelot, part IV, trans, by Roberta L. Krueger: Chapter 131 (Micha ILIx) Overall Krueger manages the delicate task of producing a readable English translation while remaining faithful to the Old French text. Occasionally, staying close to the syntax of the Old French results in awkward style: 'However, God performed such a miracle then that the stone ofthe cross never did change colors__' (87). ('Mais Diex i mostra si grant miracle que onques puis la pierre de la crois ne chanja color__' 324.) The resulting clause structure, a tic ofOld French style, is best avoided: 'God performed a miracle and the stone of the cross never did change color.' There are a very few mistranslations. Crier means to scream or cry out rather than to weep, as in the scene in which Guenevere and her entourage catch sight ofa knight with what appears to be Lancelot's head hanging from his saddlebow: '...si commençâmes totes a crier trop durement et alames vers lui___' (317). Upon hearing that Lancelot might be dead, Arthur's face reflects his griefand shock: '...et Ii viaires Ii nercist et taint' (318), which Krueger translates, '...and his face grew somber and dim' (85). Teint/taint means 'pale,' however. Finally, 'grief or sorrow,' not chagrin' (whose current meaning the OED gives as 'acute vexation, annoyance'), translate the queen's state ofmind in the following sentence: 'Mais sor tos les autres fet grant duel la roïne...' (318) (Krueger: 'But the queen's chagrin was deeper than all the others [sic, 85].) A very few times, too, the translation does not get the tone right. 'Une vielle' (317) is translated 'old lady' (85), a term that clashes with the serious tone of this passage (though 'old woman' is used in chapter 129). When Arthur learns of ARTHURIANA 8.1 (1998) ARTHURIANA Lancelot's death, he is 'tant corociés (318), which Krueger translates 'so upset,' but the context demands a more intense adjective, perhaps 'shaken by grief.' As Gawain leaves the court to seek Lancelot, the queen charges him with full responsibility '...que vos en aportes vraies noveles' (320). Krueger's translation, '...you'll bring back some real news,' (86) is too colloquial for a scene heavywith the queen's desperation. These are minor criticisms ofwhat is otherwise a careful, readable translation. Lancelot, part V, trans. William W Kibler: Ch. 145 (Micha IVdxxiv) Kibler's translation style is...