initial commit of ebook 31900HEADmain

29 files changed, 37963 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/31900-8.txt b/31900-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..082a2c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11522 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Historic Tales, Vol. XIII (of 15), by
+Charles Morris
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Historic Tales, Vol. XIII (of 15)
+       The Romance of Reality. King Arthur, Vol. I
+
+
+Author: Charles Morris
+
+
+
+Release Date: April 6, 2010  [eBook #31900]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORIC TALES, VOL. XIII (OF 15)
+***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Christine Aldridge and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 31900-h.htm or 31900-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31900/31900-h/31900-h.htm)
+      or
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31900/31900-h.zip)
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+      Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).
+
+      Minor punctuation errors have been corrected.
+
+      A complete list of spelling corrections and notations
+      is located at the end of this text.
+
+
+
+
+
+Édition d'Élite
+
+HISTORICAL TALES
+
+The Romance of Reality
+
+by
+
+CHARLES MORRIS
+
+Author of "Half-Hours with the Best American Authors," "Tales
+from the Dramatists," etc.
+
+In Fifteen Volumes
+
+VOLUME XIII
+
+King Arthur
+
+1
+
+
+J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
+
+PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON
+
+
+Copyright, 1891, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
+
+Copyright, 1904, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
+
+Copyright, 1908, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+[Illustration: FURNESS ABBEY.]
+
+
+
+
+                          CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
+
+
+                                 BOOK I.
+
+                        HOW ARTHUR WON THE THRONE.
+
+      CHAPTER.                                                      PAGE.
+
+        I.--THE MAGIC SWORD                                           19
+
+       II.--ARTHUR'S WARS AND THE MYSTERY OF HIS BIRTH                28
+
+      III.--THE LADY OF THE LAKE                                      39
+
+       IV.--GUENEVER AND THE ROUND TABLE                              46
+
+
+                                 BOOK II.
+
+                           THE DEEDS OF BALIN.
+
+        I.--HOW BALIN WON AND USED THE ENCHANTED SWORD                55
+
+       II.--HOW ARTHUR TRIUMPHED OVER THE KINGS                       65
+
+      III.--HOW BALIN GAVE THE DOLOROUS STROKE                        72
+
+       IV.--THE FATE OF BALIN AND BALAN                               81
+
+        V.--MERLIN'S FOLLY AND FATE                                   89
+
+
+                                 BOOK III.
+
+                       THE TREASON OF MORGAN LE FAY.
+
+        I.--THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENCHANTED SHIP                       94
+
+       II.--THE COMBAT OF ARTHUR AND ACCOLAN                         102
+
+      III.--HOW MORGAN CHEATED THE KING                              110
+
+       IV.--THE COUNTRY OF STRANGE ADVENTURES                        120
+
+
+                                 BOOK IV.
+
+                            LANCELOT DU LAKE.
+
+        I.--HOW TROUBLE CAME TO LIONEL AND HECTOR                    137
+
+       II.--THE CONTEST OF THE FOUR QUEENS                           143
+
+      III.--HOW LANCELOT AND TURQUINE FOUGHT                         153
+
+       IV.--THE CHAPEL AND PERILOUS                                  164
+
+        V.--THE ADVENTURE OF THE FALCON                              174
+
+
+                                 BOOK V.
+
+                      THE ADVENTURES OF BEAUMAINS.
+
+        I.--THE KNIGHTING OF KAY'S KITCHEN BOY                       179
+
+       II.--THE BLACK, THE GREEN, AND THE RED KNIGHTS                187
+
+      III.--THE RED KNIGHT OF THE RED LAWNS                          201
+
+       IV.--HOW BEAUMAINS WON HIS BRIDE                              212
+
+
+                                 BOOK VI.
+
+                 TRISTRAM OF LYONESSE AND THE FAIR ISOLDE.
+
+        I.--HOW TRISTRAM WAS KNIGHTED                                238
+
+       II.--LA BELLA ISOLDE                                          249
+
+      III.--THE WAGER OF BATTLE                                      258
+
+       IV.--THE DRAUGHT OF LOVE                                      267
+
+        V.--THE PERILS OF TRUE LOVE                                  275
+
+       VI.--THE MADNESS OF SIR TRISTRAM                              289
+
+
+                                 BOOK VII.
+
+                       HOW TRISTRAM CAME TO CAMELOT.
+
+        I.--TRISTRAM AND DINADAN                                     304
+
+       II.--ON THE ROAD TO THE TOURNAMENT                            312
+
+      III.--AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS                                 322
+
+       IV.--THE QUEST OF THE TEN KNIGHTS                             335
+
+        V.--THE KNIGHT WITH THE COVERED SHIELD                       345
+
+
+
+
+                           LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+                            KING ARTHUR. VOL. I.
+
+
+                                                                    PAGE
+
+      FURNESS ABBEY                                  _Frontispiece_.
+
+      STATUE OF KING ARTHUR AT INNSBRUCK                              24
+
+      KING ARTHUR'S FAIR LOVE                                         48
+
+      KING ARTHUR'S TOMB                                              70
+
+      MERLIN AND NIMUE                                                89
+
+      THE GREAT FOREST                                                94
+
+      NIMUE                                                          105
+
+      THE LOVE OF PELLEAS AND NIMUE                                  134
+
+      DREAM OF SIR LANCELOT                                          139
+
+      OLD ARCHES OF THE ABBEY WALL                                   149
+
+      KING ARTHUR'S ROUND TABLE, WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL                179
+
+      BEAUMAINS, DAMSEL, AND DWARF                                   213
+
+      THE JOYOUS WEDDING                                             235
+
+      SIR TRISTRAM HARPING TO ISOLDE                                 250
+
+      A CASTLE OF CORNWALL                                           258
+
+      TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOLDE                                   273
+
+      THE CLIFFS ABOVE THE SEA                                       288
+
+      TINTAGIL KING ARTHUR'S CASTLE                                  302
+
+      TRISTRAM THEREUPON DEPARTED TO HIS PAVILION                    325
+
+      ADMISSION OF SIR TRISTRAM TO THE KING OF THE
+      ROUND TABLE                                                    359
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY.
+
+
+Geoffrey of Monmouth, the famous chronicler of legendary British
+history, tells us,--in reference to the time when the Celtic kings of
+Britain were struggling against the Saxon invaders,--that "there
+appeared a star of wonderful magnitude and brightness, darting its rays,
+at the end of which was a globe of fire in the form of a dragon, out of
+whose mouth issued two rays; one of which seemed to stretch itself
+beyond the extent of Gaul, the other towards the Irish Sea, and ended in
+two lesser rays." He proceeds to say, that Merlin, the magician, being
+called on to explain this portent, declared that the dragon represented
+Uther, the brother of King Ambrose, who was destined himself soon to
+become king; that the ray extending towards Gaul indicated a great son,
+who should conquer the Gallic Kingdoms; and that the ray with two lesser
+rays indicated a daughter, whose son and grandson should successively
+reign over Britain. Uther, in consequence, when he came to the throne,
+had two gold dragons made, one of which he placed in the cathedral of
+Winchester, which it brightly illuminated; the other he kept, and from
+it gained the name of _Pendragon_. The powerful ray represented his
+great son Arthur, destined to become the flower of chivalry, and the
+favorite hero of mediæval romance.
+
+This is history as Geoffrey of Monmouth understood it, but hardly so in
+the modern sense, and Arthur remains as mystical a figure as Achilles,
+despite the efforts of various writers to bring him within the circle of
+actual kings. After the Romans left Britain, two centuries passed of
+whose history hardly a coherent shred remains. This was the age of
+Arthur, one of the last champions of Celtic Britain against the
+inflowing tide of Anglo-Saxon invasion. That there was an actual Arthur
+there is some, but no very positive, reason to believe. After all the
+evidence has been offered, we still seem to have but a shadowy hero
+before us, "a king of shreds and patches," whose history is so pieced
+out with conjecture that it is next to impossible to separate its facts
+from its fancies.
+
+The Arthur of the legends, of the Welsh and Breton ballads, of the later
+_Chansons de Geste_, of Malory and Tennyson, has quite stepped out of
+the historic page and become a hero without time or place in any real
+world, a king of the imagination, the loftiest figure in that great
+outgrowth of chivalric romance which formed the favorite fictitious
+literature of Europe during three or four of the mediæval centuries.
+Charlemagne, the leading character in the earlier romances of chivalry,
+was, in the twelfth century, replaced by Arthur, a milder and more
+Christian-like hero, whose adventures, with those of his Knights of the
+Round Table, delighted the tenants of court and castle in that
+marvel-loving and uncritical age. That the stories told of him are all
+fiction cannot be declared. Many of them may have been founded on fact.
+But, like the stones of a prehistoric wall, their facts are so densely
+enveloped by the ivy of fiction that it is impossible to delve them out.
+
+The ballads and romances in which the King Arthur of mediæval story
+figures as the hero, would scarcely prove pleasant and profitable
+reading to us now, however greatly they delighted our ancestors. They
+are marked by a coarseness and crudity which would be but little to our
+taste. Nor have we anything of modern growth to replace them. Milton
+entertained a purpose of making King Arthur the hero of an epic poem,
+but fortunately yielded it for the nobler task of "Paradise Lost."
+Spenser gives this hero a minor place in his "Fairie Queen." Dryden
+projected a King Arthur epic, but failed to write it. Recently Bulwer
+has given us a cumbersome "King Arthur," which nobody reads; and
+Tennyson has handled the subject brilliantly in his "Idyls of the King,"
+splendid successes as poems, yet too infiltrated with the spirit of
+modernism to be acceptable as a reproduction of the Arthur of romance.
+For a true rehabilitation of this hero of the age of chivalry we must go
+to the "Morte Darthur" of Sir Thomas Malory, a writer of the fifteenth
+century, who lived when men still wore armor, and so near to the actual
+age of chivalry as to be in full sympathy with the spirit of its
+fiction, and its pervading love of adventure and belief in the magical.
+
+Malory did a work of high value in editing the confused mass of earlier
+fiction, lopping off its excrescences and redundancies, reducing its
+coarseness of speech, and producing from its many stories and episodes
+a coherent and continuous narrative, in which the adventures of the
+Round Table Knights are deftly interwoven with the record of the birth,
+life, and death of the king, round whom as the central figure all these
+knightly champions revolve. Malory seems to have used as the basis of
+his work perhaps one, perhaps several, old French prose romances, and
+possibly also material derived from Welsh and English ballads. Such
+material in his day was doubtless abundant. Geoffrey had drawn much of
+his legendary history from the ancient Welsh ballads. The mass of
+romantic fiction which he called history became highly popular, first in
+Brittany, and then in France, the Trouveres making Arthur, Lancelot,
+Tristram, Percival, and others of the knightly circle the heroes of
+involved romances, in which a multitude of new incidents were invented.
+The Minnesingers of Germany took up the same fruitful theme, producing a
+"Parzivale," a "Tristan and Isolt," and other heroic romances. From all
+this mass of material, Malory wrought his "Morte Darthur," as Homer
+wrought his "Iliad" from the preceding warlike ballads, and the unknown
+compiler of the "Nibelungenlied" wrought his poem from similar ancient
+sources.
+
+Malory was not solely an editor. He was in a large sense a creator. It
+was coarse and crude material with which he had to deal, but in his
+hands its rude prose gained a degree of poetic fervor. The legends which
+he preserves he has in many cases transmuted from base into precious
+coin. There is repulsive matter in the old romances, which he freely
+cuts out. To their somewhat wooden heroes he gives life and character,
+so that in Lancelot, Gawaine, Dinadan, Kay, and others we have to deal
+with distinct personalities, not with the non-individualized
+hard-hitters of the romances. And to the whole story he gives an epic
+completeness which it lacked before. In the early days of Arthur's reign
+Merlin warns him that fate has already woven its net about him and that
+the sins of himself and his queen will in the end bring his reign to a
+violent termination, and break up that grand fellowship of the Round
+Table which has made Britain and its king illustrious. This epic
+character of Malory's work is pointed out in the article "Geoffrey of
+Monmouth" in the "Encyclopædia Britannica," whose writer says that the
+Arthurian legends "were converted into a magnificent prose poem by Sir
+Thomas Malory in 1461. Malory's _Morte Darthur_ is as truly _the_ epic
+of the English mind as the _Iliad_ is the epic of the Greek mind."
+
+Yet the "Morte Darthur," if epic in plan and treatment, is by no means
+free from the defects of primitive literature. It was written before the
+age of criticism, and confusion reigns supreme in many of its pages,--a
+confusion which a very little critical supervision might have removed.
+As an instance, we find that Galahad, two years after his birth, is made
+a knight, being then fifteen years old. In like manner the "seat
+perilous" at the Round Table is magically reserved for Galahad, the
+author evidently forgetting that he had already given it to Percivale.
+King Mark's murder of his brother Baldwin is revenged by Baldwin's
+grandson, thirty or forty years afterward, though there is nothing to
+show that the characters had grown a year older in the interval. Here a
+knight finds one antagonist quite sufficient for one man; there he does
+not hesitate to attack fifty at once; here a slight wound disables him;
+there a dozen deep wounds are fully healed by a night's rest. Many
+similar instances might be given, but these will suffice. The
+discrepancies here indicated were perhaps due to the employment of
+diverse legends, without care to bring them into accordance, but they
+lay the work open to adverse criticism.
+
+This lack of critical accuracy may have been a necessary accompaniment
+of the credulous frame of mind that could render such a work possible.
+It needed an artlessness of mental make-up, a full capacity for
+acceptance of the marvellous, a simple-minded faith in chivalry and its
+doings, which could scarcely exist in common with the critical
+temperament. In truth, the flavor of an age of credulity and simplicity
+of thought everywhere permeates this quaint old work, than which nothing
+more artless, simple, and unique exists in literature, and nothing with
+a higher value as a presentation of the taste in fiction of our mediæval
+predecessors.
+
+Yet the "Morte Darthur" is not easy or attractive reading, to other than
+special students of literature. Aside from its confusion of events and
+arrangement, it tells the story of chivalry with a monotonous lack of
+inflection that is apt to grow wearisome, and in a largely obsolete
+style and dialect with whose difficulties readers in general may not
+care to grapple. Its pages present an endless succession of single
+combats with spear and sword, whose details are repeated with wearisome
+iteration. Knights fight furiously for hours together, till they are
+carved with deep wounds, and the ground crimsoned with gore. Sometimes
+they are so inconsiderate as to die, sometimes so weak as to seek a
+leech, but as often they mount and ride away in philosophical disregard
+of their wounds, and come up fresh for as fierce a fight the next day.
+
+As for a background of scenery and architecture, it scarcely exists.
+Deep interest in man and woman seems to have shut out all scenic
+accessories from the mind of the good old knight. It is always but a
+step from the castle to the forest, into which the knights-errant
+plunge, and where most of their adventures take place; and the favorite
+resting-and jousting-place is by the side of forest springs--or wells,
+as in the text. We have mention abundant of fair castles, fair valleys,
+fair meadows, and the like, the adjective "fair" going far to serve all
+needs of description. But in his human characters, with their loves and
+hates, jousts and battles, bewitchments and bewilderments, the author
+takes deep interest, and follows the episodical stories which are woven
+into the plot with a somewhat too satisfying fulness. In evidence of the
+dramatic character of many of these episodes we need but refer to the
+"Idyls of the King," whose various romantic and tragic narratives are
+all derived from this quaint "old master" of fictitious literature.
+
+With all its faults of style and method, the "Morte Darthur" is a very
+live book. It never stops to moralize or philosophize, but keeps
+strictly to its business of tale-telling, bringing up before the reader
+a group of real men and women, not a series of lay-figures on a
+background of romance, as in his originals.
+
+Kay with his satirical tongue, Dinadan with his love of fun, Tristram
+loving and noble, Lancelot bold and chivalrous, Gawaine treacherous and
+implacable, Arthur kingly but adventurous, Mark cowardly and
+base-hearted, Guenever jealous but queenly, Isolde tender and faithful,
+and a host of other clearly individualized knights and ladies move in
+rapid succession through the pages of the romance, giving it, with its
+manners of a remote age, a vital interest that appeals to modern tastes.
+
+In attempting to adapt this old masterpiece to the readers of our own
+day, we have no purpose to seek to paraphrase or improve on Malory. To
+remove the antique flavor would be to destroy the spirit of the work. We
+shall leave it as we find it, other than to reduce its obsolete
+phraseology and crudities of style to modern English, abridge the
+narrative where it is wearisomely extended, omit repetitions and
+uninteresting incidents, reduce its confusion of arrangement, attempt a
+more artistic division into books and chapters, and by other arts of
+editorial revision seek to make it easier reading, while preserving as
+fully as possible those unique characteristics which have long made it
+delightful to lovers of old literature.
+
+The task here undertaken is no light one, nor is success in it assured.
+Malory has an individuality of his own which gives a peculiar charm to
+his work, and to retain this in a modernized version is the purpose with
+which we set out and which we hope to accomplish. The world of to-day
+is full of fiction, endless transcripts of modern life served up in a
+great variety of palatable forms. Our castle-living forefathers were not
+so abundantly favored. They had no books,--and could not have read them
+if they had,--but the wandering minstrel took with them the place of the
+modern volume, bearing from castle to court, and court to castle, his
+budget of romances of magic and chivalry, and delighting the
+hard-hitting knights and barons of that day with stirring ballads and
+warlike tales to which their souls rose in passionate response.
+
+In the "Morte Darthur" is preserved to us the pith of the best of those
+old romances, brought into a continuous narrative by one who lived when
+chivalry yet retained some of its vital hold on the minds of men, and
+who, being a knight himself, could enter with heartfelt sympathy into
+the deeds of the knights of an earlier age. Certainly many of the
+readers of modern fiction will find a pleasure in turning aside awhile
+from the hot-pressed thought of the nineteenth-century novel to this
+fresh and breezy outcrop from the fiction of an earlier day; with the
+double purpose of learning on what food the minds of our ancestors were
+fed, and of gaining a breath of wild perfume from the far-off field of
+the romance of chivalry. That the story of Arthur and his Knights can
+arouse in modern readers the intense interest with which it was received
+by mediæval auditors is not to be expected. We are too far removed in
+time and manners from the age of knight-errantry to enter deeply into
+sympathy with its unfamiliar ways. Yet a milder interest may still be
+awakened in what gave our predecessors such enthusiastic delight, and
+some at least may turn with pleasure from the most philosophic of modern
+novels to wander awhile through this primitive domain of thought.
+
+To such we offer this work, which we have simply sought to make easy
+reading, with little further liberty with Malory's quaint prose than to
+put it into a modern dress, and with the hope that no such complete
+divorce exists between the world of the present and that of the past as
+to render the exploits of King Arthur and his Round Table Knights dull,
+wearisome, and profitless reading, void of the human interest which they
+once possessed in such large and satisfying measure.
+
+
+
+
+                              KING ARTHUR
+                                AND THE
+                       KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE.
+
+
+
+
+                                 BOOK I.
+
+                       HOW ARTHUR WON THE THRONE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE MAGIC SWORD.
+
+
+Once upon a time, in that far-off and famous era of chivalry and
+knight-errantry when wandering knights sought adventures far and wide
+throughout the land, and no damsel in distress failed to enlist a
+valiant champion in her cause, there reigned over England's broad realm
+a noble monarch, King Arthur by name, the flower of chivalry, and the
+founder of the world-renowned order of Knights of the Round Table. It is
+the story of this far-famed monarch, and of the wonderful and valorous
+deeds of his Knights, that we here propose to tell, as preserved in the
+ancient legends of the land, and set forth at length in the chronicles
+of the days of chivalry.
+
+Before the days of Arthur the King, there reigned over all England Uther
+Pendragon, a monarch of might and renown. He died at length in years
+and honor, and after his death anarchy long prevailed in the land, for
+no son of his appeared to claim the throne, and many of the lords who
+were high in rank and strong in men sought to win it by force of arms,
+while everywhere lawlessness and wrong-doing made life a burden and
+wealth a deceit.
+
+But by good fortune there still survived the famous magician Merlin, the
+master of all mysteries, who long had been the stay of Uther's throne,
+and in whose hands lay the destiny of the realm. For after years of
+anarchy, and when men had almost lost hope of right and justice, Merlin,
+foreseeing that the time for a change was at hand, went to the
+Archbishop of Canterbury, and bade him summon to London by Christmas day
+all the lords of the realm and the gentlemen of arms, for on that day a
+miracle would be shown by which would be decided who should be ruler of
+the kingless realm.
+
+The summons was issued, and by Christmas-tide many lords and knights,
+the flower of England's chivalry, had gathered in London, most of them
+full of ambition and many of them buoyed up by hope. In the greatest
+church of that city prayers went up night and day, all who had been
+guilty of wrong-doing seeking to clear their souls of sin; for all
+believed that only through God's grace could any man come to dominion in
+the realm, and those who aspired to the throne ardently sought to make
+their peace with God.
+
+On Christmas day, after the hour of matins and the first mass, came the
+miracle which Merlin had predicted; for there suddenly appeared before
+the high altar in the church-yard a great four-square block of stone,
+of the texture of marble, upon which stood an anvil of steel a foot in
+height; and through the anvil and deep into the stone was thrust a
+gleaming sword, upon which, in letters of gold, ran these words, "Whoso
+pulleth this sword out of this stone is of right born king of all
+England."
+
+Whether Merlin performed this strange thing by magic, or it was a
+miracle of God's will, the chronicles say not, but all who saw it deeply
+marvelled, and word of it was brought to the archbishop in the church.
+
+"Let no man stir," he enjoined. "This is God's doing, and must be dealt
+with gravely and solemnly. I command that all stay within the church and
+pray unto God until the high mass be done. Till then let no hand touch
+the sword."
+
+And so the service went on until its end; but after it was done the
+audience hastened to behold the miracle, and some of the higher lords,
+who were ambitious for the throne, laid eager hold upon the sword and
+sought with all their strength to draw it. Yet all in vain they tugged;
+the mightiest among them could not stir the deep-thrust blade.
+
+"The man is not here," said the archbishop, "who shall draw that sword;
+but God, in His own good season, will make him known. This, then, is my
+counsel: let us set ten knights, men of fame and honor, to guard the
+sword, and let every man that has faith in his good fortune seek to draw
+it. He who is the destined monarch of England will in time appear."
+
+New Year's day came, and no man yet had drawn the sword, though many
+had adventured. For that day the barons had ordered that a stately
+tournament should be held, in which all knights who desired to break a
+lance for God and their ladies might take part. This was greeted with
+high acclaim, and after the services of the day had ended the barons and
+knights together rode to the lists, while multitudes of the citizens of
+London crowded thither to witness the knightly sports. Among those who
+rode were Sir Hector, a noble lord, who held domains in England and
+Wales, and with him his son Sir Kay, a new-made knight, and his younger
+son Arthur, a youth still too young for knighthood.
+
+As they rode together to the lists, Kay discovered that he had forgotten
+his sword, having left it behind at his father's lodging. He begged
+young Arthur to ride back for it.
+
+"Trust me to bring it," replied Arthur, readily, and turning his horse
+he rode briskly back to his father's lodging in the city. On reaching
+the house, however, he found it fast locked, all its inmates having gone
+to the tournament. The young man stood a moment in anger and indecision.
+
+"My brother Kay shall not be without a sword," he said. "I remember
+seeing in the church-yard a handsome blade thrust into a stone, and
+seeming to want an owner. I shall ride thither and get that sword. It
+will serve Kay's turn."
+
+He accordingly turned his horse and rode back in all haste. On reaching
+the church-yard he found no knights there, all those who had been placed
+on guard having gone to the jousting, exchanging duty for sport.
+Dismounting and tying his horse, he entered the tent which had been
+erected over the stone. There stood the magic sword, its jewelled hilt
+and half the shining blade revealed. Heedless of the inscription on the
+polished steel, and ignorant of its lofty promise,--for the miracle had
+been kept secret by the knights,--young Arthur seized the weapon
+strongly by the hilt and gave the magic sword a vigorous pull. Then a
+wondrous thing happened, which it was a pity there were none to see; for
+the blade came easily out of stone and steel, as though they were
+yielding clay, and lay naked in his hand. Not knowing the might and
+meaning of what he had done, and thinking of naught but to keep his
+word, the young man mounted his horse and rode to the field, where he
+delivered the sword to his brother Sir Kay.
+
+"I have brought your sword," he said.
+
+The young knight started with surprise on beholding the blade, and gazed
+on it with wonder and trepidation. It was not his, he knew, and he
+recognized it at sight for the magic blade. But ambition quickly
+banished the wonder from his heart, and he rode hastily to his father,
+Sir Hector, exclaiming,--
+
+"Behold! Here is the sword of the stone! I that bear it am the destined
+king of England's realm."
+
+Sir Hector looked at him in doubt, and beheld the blade he bore with
+deep surprise.
+
+"When and how did you obtain it?" he demanded. "Back to the church! Come
+with us, Arthur. Here is a mystery that must be explained."
+
+Reaching the church, he made Kay swear upon the book how he came by that
+weapon, for greatly he doubted.
+
+"I have not said I drew it," Kay replied, sullenly. "In truth, it was
+not achieved by me. Arthur brought me the sword."
+
+"Arthur!" cried the lord. "Arthur brought it! How got you it, boy?"
+
+"I pulled it from the stone," replied the youth. "Kay sent me home for
+his sword, but the house was empty and locked; and as I did not wish my
+brother to be without a weapon, I rode hither and pulled this blade out
+of the stone. Was there aught strange in that? It came out easily
+enough."
+
+"Were there no knights about it?"
+
+"None, sir."
+
+"Then the truth is plain. God's will has been revealed. You are the
+destined king of England."
+
+"I?" cried Arthur, in surprise. "Wherefore I?"
+
+"God has willed it so," repeated the baron. "But I must first learn for
+myself if you have truly drawn the sword. Can you put it back again?"
+
+"I can try," said Arthur, and with an easy thrust he sunk the blade
+deeply into the stone.
+
+Then Sir Hector and Kay pulled at the hilt with all their strength, but
+failed to move the weapon.
+
+"Now you shall try," they said to Arthur.
+
+Thereupon the youth seized the hilt, and with a light effort the magic
+sword came out naked in his hand.
+
+"You are our king!" cried Sir Hector, kneeling on the earth, and Kay
+beside him.
+
+"My dear father and brother," cried Arthur in surprise and distress,
+"why kneel you to me? Rise, I pray; it pains me deeply to see you thus."
+
+[Illustration: STATUE OF KING ARTHUR AT INNSBRUCK.]
+
+"I am not your father nor of your kindred," rejoined the baron. "I must
+now reveal the secret I long have kept. You were brought to me in
+infancy, and I and my wife have fostered you as our own. But you are no
+son of mine. Who you truly are I cannot say; that only Merlin the
+magician knows. But well I feel assured you are of nobler blood than I
+can boast."
+
+These words filled Arthur with heartfelt pain. He had long revered the
+worthy knight as his father, and it grieved him deeply to learn that
+those whom he had so warmly loved were not of kin to him.
+
+"Sir," said Hector, "will you be my good and gracious lord when you are
+king?"
+
+"You, my father, and your good lady, my mother,--to whom else in all the
+world am I so beholden?" rejoined Arthur, warmly. "God forbid that I
+should fail you in whatever you may desire, if by His will and grace I
+shall be made king."
+
+"This only I ask of you," said the baron: "that you make Kay, my son and
+your foster-brother, the seneschal of all your lands."
+
+"By the faith of my body, I promise," said Arthur. "No man but he shall
+have that office while he and I live."
+
+These words said, Sir Hector went to the archbishop and told him, much
+to his surprise, of the marvel that had been performed. By the advice of
+the prelate it was kept secret until Twelfth Day, when the barons came
+again, and another effort was made to draw the sword.
+
+After all had tried and failed, Arthur was brought forward, and while
+many sneered at his youth and asked why a boy had been brought thither,
+he seized the hilt and lightly drew the blade from the stone. Then all
+stood aghast in wonder, marvelling greatly to see a youth perform the
+feat which the strongest knights in the kingdom had attempted in vain;
+but many beheld it with bitter anger and hostile doubt.
+
+"Who is this boy?" they cried. "What royal blood can he claim? Shall we
+and the realm of England be shamed by being governed by a base-born
+churl? There is fraud or magic in this."
+
+So high ran the tide of adverse feeling that the archbishop finally
+decided that another trial should be had at Candlemas, ten knights
+meanwhile closely guarding the stone. And when Candlemas day arrived
+there came many more great lords, each eager for the throne; but, as
+before, of all there none but Arthur could draw the magic sword.
+
+Again was there envy and hostility, and another trial was loudly
+demanded, the time being fixed for Easter. This ended as before, and at
+the demand of the angry lords a final trial was arranged for the feast
+of Pentecost. The archbishop now, at Merlin's suggestion, surrounded
+Arthur with a bodyguard of tried warriors, some of whom had been Uther
+Pendragon's best and worthiest knights; for it was feared that some of
+his enemies might seek to do him harm. They were bidden to keep watch
+over him day and night till the season of Pentecost, for there were
+lords that would have slain him had they dared.
+
+At the feast of Pentecost lords and knights gathered again, but in vain
+they all essayed to draw the magic sword. Only to the hand of Arthur
+would it yield, and he pulled it lightly from the stone and steel in the
+presence of all the lords and commons. Then cried the commons in loud
+acclaim,--
+
+"Arthur shall be our king! We will have none to reign over us but him!
+Let there be no more delay. God has willed that he shall be England's
+king, and he that holdeth out longer against the will of God that man
+shall we slay."
+
+Then rich and poor alike kneeled before Arthur, hailed him as king, and
+craved his pardon for their long delay. He forgave them freely, and
+taking the sword between his hands, laid it upon the altar before the
+archbishop. This done, he was made a knight by the worthiest warrior
+there, and thus taken into that noble fellowship of chivalry which he
+was destined by his valor and virtue to so richly adorn.
+
+Shortly afterward Arthur was crowned king, with great pomp and ceremony,
+before a noble assemblage of the lords and ladies of the realm, taking
+solemn oath at the coronation to be true king to lords and commons, and
+to deal justice to all while he should live.
+
+Justice, indeed, was greatly and urgently demanded, for many wrongs had
+been done since the death of King Uther, and numerous complaints were
+laid before the throne. All these evils Arthur redressed, forcing those
+who had wrongfully taken the lands of others to return them, and
+demanding that all should submit to the laws of the realm. In compliance
+with his promise, Sir Kay was made seneschal of England, while other
+knights were appointed to the remaining high offices of the realm, and
+all the needs of the kingdom duly provided for. Thus the famous reign of
+King Arthur auspiciously began, with God's and man's blessing upon its
+early days.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ARTHUR'S WARS AND THE MYSTERY OF HIS BIRTH.
+
+
+After Arthur was crowned king he removed into Wales, where he gave
+orders that a great feast should be held on the coming day of Pentecost,
+at the city of Carlion. On the day appointed for the feast there
+appeared before Carlion the Kings of Lothian and Orkney, Gore, Garloth,
+Carados, and Scotland, each with a large following of knights. Their
+coming greatly pleased King Arthur, who believed that they desired to do
+honor to his reign, and he sent presents of great value to them and to
+their knights.
+
+These they disdainfully refused, sending back a hostile challenge by the
+messenger, and saying that they had not come to receive gifts from a
+beardless boy, of ignoble blood, but to present him gifts with hard
+swords between neck and shoulder. It was a shame, they said, to see such
+a boy at the head of so noble a realm, and this wrong should be
+redressed at their hands.
+
+On receiving this defiant message, Arthur threw himself, with five
+hundred good men, into a strong tower near Carlion, for he was ill
+prepared for attack. There he was closely besieged by his foes, but the
+castle was well victualled, and held out stoutly against its assailants.
+
+During the siege Merlin appeared suddenly among the kings, and told them
+privately who Arthur really was, assuring them that he was of nobler
+blood than themselves, and was destined long to remain king of England,
+and to reduce Scotland, Ireland, and Wales to his sway. Some of the
+hostile monarchs believed the magician's story, but others doubted it,
+King Lot of Orkney laughing him to scorn, while some among them called
+him a prating wizard.
+
+But it was agreed that they should hold a conference with Arthur, they
+promising if he came out to them to place no hindrance to his safe
+return. Merlin then sought the king and advised him to accept the
+conference, telling him that he had nothing to fear. Thereupon Arthur
+armed himself, and taking with him the Archbishop of Canterbury and
+several noble knights, went out boldly to meet his foes.
+
+The conference was an angry and bitter one, the kings speaking strongly,
+and Arthur answering them with stout words of defiance, in which he told
+them plainly that if he lived he would make them bow to his throne. In
+the end they parted in wrath, the kings returning to their camp and
+Arthur to the tower.
+
+"What do you propose to do?" said Merlin to the kings. "If you take a
+wise man's advice you will withdraw, for I tell you that you shall not
+prevail here, were you ten times as many."
+
+"We are not the men to be advised by a dream-reader," answered King Lot.
+"If you are the wise man you say, you will take yourself away." At this
+reply Merlin magically vanished from among them, and immediately
+appeared to King Arthur in the tower, bidding him boldly to sally forth
+and attack his enemies, and trust to fortune and valor for success.
+Meanwhile three hundred of the best knights of the kings had deserted
+their ranks and come to join him, much to his comfort, for he had been
+greatly outnumbered.
+
+"Sir," said Merlin, "fight not with the sword that you had by miracle,
+till you see things go to the worst; then draw it out and strike
+shrewdly for your throne."
+
+These words said, Arthur sallied from the tower at the head of all his
+knights, and fell fiercely on the besiegers in their camp. All went down
+before his bold assault, the hosts of the hostile kings retreating in
+dismay. Great deeds were done that day, Sir Kay and other knights
+slaying all before them, while Arthur laid on nobly, and did such
+marvellous feats of arms that all who saw him wondered greatly, for
+until now he had been an untried youth. While the combat thus went on in
+Arthur's favor in front, King Lot and others of the kings made a detour
+and set fiercely upon his force from the rear, causing momentary dismay
+in his ranks. But Arthur wheeled alertly with his knights, and smote
+vigorously to right and left, keeping always in the foremost press, till
+his horse was slain beneath him, and he hurled to the ground.
+
+King Lot took instant advantage of this, and with a mighty blow
+prostrated the unhorsed king. But his knights hastily surrounded him,
+drove back his crowding foes, and set him on horseback again. And now
+King Arthur drew the magic sword, and as he waved it in the air there
+flashed from it a gleaming lustre that blinded the eyes of his enemies.
+Back they went before him, many of them falling under his mighty blows,
+while his valiant knights followed hotly in the track of the flaming
+sword, and the enemy fled in panic fear.
+
+Then the people of Carlion, seeing the enemy in retreat, came out with
+clubs and staves, and fell upon the defeated host, killing numbers of
+the dismounted knights; while the hostile kings, with such of their
+followers as remained alive, fled in all haste from the disastrous
+field, leaving the victory to Arthur and his knights.
+
+Thus ended in victory the first battle of Arthur's famous reign. It was
+but the prelude to a greater one, the mighty deeds of which the
+chroniclers tell at great length, but of which we shall give but brief
+record. It was predicted by Merlin, who told the king that he should
+have to fight far more strongly for his crown, that the defeated kings
+would get others to join them, and would ere long proceed against him
+with a mighty force.
+
+"I warn you," he said to the king and his council, "that your enemies
+are very strong, for they have entered into alliance with four other
+kings and a mighty duke, and unless our king obtain powerful allies he
+shall be overcome and slain."
+
+"What then shall we do?" asked the barons.
+
+"I shall tell you," said Merlin. "There are two brethren beyond the sea,
+both kings, and marvellously valiant men. One of these is King Ban of
+Benwick, and the other King Bors of Gaul. These monarchs are at war with
+a mighty warrior, King Claudas. My counsel then is, that our king ask
+the aid of these monarchs in his wars, and engage in return to help them
+in their war with their foe."
+
+"It is well counselled," said the king and his barons.
+
+Accordingly two knights with letters were sent across the seas, and
+after various adventures reached the camp of Kings Ban and Bors. These
+valiant monarchs gladly responded to Arthur's request, and, leaving
+their castles well guarded, came with ten thousand of their best men to
+the aid of the youthful king. Then were held great feasts, and a noble
+tournament was given on All-hallowmas day, at which Sir Kay carried off
+the honors of the lists and received the prize of valor.
+
+But sport had soon to give place to war, for the hostile kings, now
+eleven in all, with a host of fifty thousand mounted men and ten
+thousand footmen, were marching upon King Arthur's camp, then at the
+Castle of Bedegraine, in Sherwood forest.
+
+Two nights before the hosts met in battle, one of the hostile leaders,
+known as the king with the hundred knights, dreamed a wondrous dream. It
+seemed to him that there came a mighty wind, which blew down all their
+castles and towns, and that then there came a great flood and carried
+all away. All who heard this dream said that it was a token of great
+battle, but by its portent none were dismayed, for they felt too secure
+in their strength to heed the warning of a dream.
+
+Soon the two armies drew together, and encamped at no great distance
+asunder. Then, by advice of Merlin, a midnight attack was made by Arthur
+and his allies upon the host of the eleven kings, as they lay sleeping
+in their tents. But their sentinels were alert, the sound of the coming
+host reached their wakeful ears, and loud the cry ran through the camp:
+
+"To arms! lords and knights, to arms! The enemy is upon us! To arms! to
+arms!"
+
+On like a wave of war came the force of Arthur, Ban, and Bors. The tents
+were overthrown, and all the valor of the eleven kings was needed to
+save their army from defeat. So fiercely went the assault that by
+day-dawn ten thousand of their men lay dead upon the field, while
+Arthur's loss was but small.
+
+By Merlin's advice, while it was yet dark the forces of Ban and Bors had
+been placed in ambush in the forest. Then Arthur, with his own army of
+twenty thousand men, set fiercely on the overwhelming force of the foe,
+and deeds of mighty prowess were done, men falling like leaves, and many
+knights of tried valor staining the earth with their blood.
+
+Fiercely went the combat, hand to hand and blade to blade, till the
+field was strewn with the dead, while none could tell how the battle
+would end. But when Kings Ban and Bors broke from their ambush, with ten
+thousand fresh men, the tide of battle turned against the foe. Back they
+went, step by step, many of their men taking to flight, and hundreds
+falling in death. King Bors did marvellous deeds of arms. King Ban,
+whose horse was killed, fought on foot like an enraged lion, standing
+among dead men and horses, and felling all who came within reach of his
+sword. As for King Arthur, his armor was so covered with crimson stains
+that no man knew him, and his horse went fetlock deep in blood.
+
+When night approached, the hostile force was driven across a little
+stream, the eleven warrior kings still valiantly facing the victorious
+foe.
+
+Then came Merlin into the press of struggling knights, mounted on a
+great black horse, and cried to Arthur,--
+
+"Wilt thou never have done? Of threescore thousand men this day thou
+hast left alive but fifteen thousand, and it is time to cry, Halt! I bid
+you withdraw, for if you continue the battle fortune will turn against
+you. As for these kings, you will have no trouble with them for three
+years to come, for more than forty thousand Saracens have landed in
+their country, and are burning and despoiling all before them."
+
+This advice was taken, and the defeated kings were allowed to withdraw
+the remnant of their forces without further harm, while King Arthur
+richly rewarded his allies and their knights from the treasure found in
+the hostile camp.
+
+Thus was King Arthur seated firmly on his throne. But who he was he knew
+not yet, for the mystery that lay over his birth Merlin had never
+revealed. After the battle Merlin went to his master Bleise, who dwelt
+in Northumberland, and told him the events of the mighty contest. These
+Bleise wrote down, word by word, as he did the after-events of King
+Arthur's reign, and the deeds of his valiant knights. And so was made
+the chronicle of the great achievements of arms, and the adventures of
+errant knights, from which this history is drawn.
+
+Of some things that Merlin further did we must here speak. While Arthur
+dwelt in the castle of Bedegraine, Merlin came to him so disguised that
+the king knew him not. He was all befurred in black sheepskins, with a
+great pair of boots and a bow and arrows, and brought wild geese in his
+hand, as though he had been a huntsman.
+
+"Sir," he said to the king, "will you give me a gift?"
+
+"Why should I do so, churl?" asked the king.
+
+"You had better give me a gift from what you have in hand than to lose
+great riches which are now out of your reach; for here, where the battle
+was fought, is great treasure hidden in the earth."
+
+"Who told you that, churl?"
+
+"Merlin told me so."
+
+Then was the king abashed, for he now knew that it was Merlin who spoke,
+and it troubled him that he had not known his best friend.
+
+Afterward, on a day when Arthur had been hunting in the forest, and
+while he sat in deep thought over a strange dream he had dreamed and
+some sinful deeds he had done, there came to him a child of fourteen
+years, and asked him why he was so pensive.
+
+"I may well be so," replied Arthur, "for I have much to make me think."
+
+"I know that well," said the seeming child, "also who thou art and all
+thy thoughts. I can tell thee who was thy father and how and when thou
+wert born."
+
+"That is false," rejoined the king. "How should a boy of your years know
+my father?"
+
+"He was Uther Pendragon, the king," replied the seeming boy, "and you
+are of royal blood."
+
+"How can you know that? I will not believe you without better proof,"
+said Arthur.
+
+At these words the child departed, but quickly after there came to the
+king an old man of fourscore years.
+
+"Why are you so sad?" asked the old man.
+
+"For many things," replied Arthur. "Here but now was a child who told me
+things which it seems to me he could not know."
+
+"He told you the truth," said the old man, "and would have told you more
+if you had listened. This I am bidden to tell you, that you have done
+things which have displeased God, and that your sister shall bear a son
+who will destroy you and all the knights of your land. That is the
+meaning of your dream in which griffons and serpents burnt and slew all
+before them, and wounded you to the death."
+
+"Who are you," said Arthur, "that tell me these things?"
+
+"I am Merlin," replied the old man. "And I was the child who came to
+you."
+
+"You are a marvellous man," replied Arthur. "But how can you know that I
+shall die in battle?"
+
+"How I know matters not, but this much more I am bidden to tell you:
+your death will be a noble one; but I shall die a shameful death, and
+shall be put in the earth alive for my follies. Such is the voice of
+destiny."
+
+While they conversed thus, horses were brought to the king, and he and
+Merlin mounted and rode to Carlion. Here Arthur told Sir Hector what he
+had heard, and asked if it were true.
+
+"I believe it to be the truth," answered the old baron. "Merlin has told
+me that the child he brought to my castle was the son of King Uther
+Pendragon and of Queen Igraine, his wife."
+
+But Arthur was not yet convinced, and sent in all haste for Queen
+Igraine, who dwelt in a castle not far away, and came quickly with
+Morgan le Fay, her daughter, a fair lady, and one who had been taught
+all the arts of necromancy.
+
+The king welcomed her with rich cheer, and made a feast in her honor,
+without saying why he had asked her to his court. But when the feast was
+at its height, Sir Ulfius, the chamberlain, and a knight of worth and
+honor, rose in the midst, and boldly accused the queen of falsehood and
+treason.
+
+"Beware what you say," cried the king. "Those are strong words, and this
+lady is my guest."
+
+"I am well advised of what I say," replied Ulfius, "and here is my glove
+to prove it upon any man who shall deny it. I declare that Queen Igraine
+is the cause of your great wars and of deep damage to your throne. Had
+she told in the life of King Uther of the birth of her son you would
+have been spared your wars, for most of your barons know not to-day of
+what blood you were born. Therefore I declare her false to God, to you,
+and to all your realm, and if any man shall say me nay I stand ready to
+prove it upon his body."
+
+"I am a woman, and I may not fight," said Queen Igraine to this. "But
+there are men here will take my quarrel. Merlin will bear me witness
+that it was King Uther's wish, for reasons of state, that the birth of
+my child should be concealed, and if you seek a traitor you should
+accuse Uther Pendragon and not me. At its birth the child was wrapped in
+cloth of gold, by order of the king, and taken from me, and from that
+day to this I have not set eyes upon my son."
+
+"Then," said Ulfius, "Merlin is more to blame than you."
+
+"I bowed to the will of my husband," replied the queen. "After the death
+of my lord, the Duke of Tintagil, King Uther married me, and I bore him
+a son, but I know not what has become of my child."
+
+Then Merlin took the king by the hand and led him to Queen Igraine.
+
+"This is your mother," he said.
+
+Therewith, Sir Hector bore witness how the child has been brought by
+Merlin to the postern gate of his castle, wrapped in cloth of gold, and
+how he had reared him as his own son, knowing not who he was, but full
+sure he was of high birth.
+
+These words removed all doubt from Arthur's mind, and with warm
+affection he took his mother in his arms, and kissed her lovingly, while
+tears of joy flowed freely from the eyes of mother and son, for never
+was gladder meeting than that which there took place.
+
+For eight days thereafter feasts and sports were held at the castle, and
+great joy fell upon all men to learn that the son of great Uther
+Pendragon had come to the throne. And far and wide the story spread
+through the land that he who had drawn the magic sword was the rightful
+heir to England's crown.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE LADY OF THE LAKE.
+
+
+On a day at the end of the feasts given by King Arthur in honor of his
+mother, there came into the court a squire, who bore before him on his
+horse a knight that had been wounded unto death. He told how a stranger
+knight in the forest had set up a pavilion by a well, and forced all who
+passed to joust with him. This stranger had slain his master, and he
+begged that some champion would revenge the slain knight.
+
+Then rose Griflet, a youthful squire who had done good service in the
+wars, and begged to be knighted, that he might undertake this adventure.
+
+"Thou art but young for such a task," said Arthur.
+
+"I beseech you for the honor of it," pleaded Griflet. "I have done you
+knightly service."
+
+Thereupon he was knighted and armed, and rode at day-dawn with a high
+heart into the forest. But by night-fall back he came, with a
+spear-thrust through his body, and scarce able to sit his horse for
+weakness. He had met the knight, and barely escaped with his life.
+
+This angered the king, and he determined to undertake the adventure
+himself, and to seek to punish the daring knight who had planted
+himself, with hostile purpose, so near his court. By his order his best
+armor and horse were set before day at a point outside the city, and at
+day-dawn he met there his squire and rode with him secretly into the
+forest.
+
+On the way thither he met three churls, who were chasing Merlin and
+seeking to slay him. The king rode to them and sternly bade them desist,
+and on seeing a knight before them they fled in craven fear.
+
+"O Merlin," cried Arthur, "for all your craft you would have been slain,
+had I not come to your aid."
+
+"Not so. I but played with these churls," said Merlin. "I could have
+saved myself easily enough. You are far more near your end than I, for
+unless God be your friend you ride to your death."
+
+As they conversed they came to the forest fountain, and saw there a rich
+pavilion, while under a cloth stood a fair horse, richly saddled and
+bridled, and on a tree was a shield of varied colors and a great spear.
+In a chair near by sat an armed knight.
+
+"How is it, sir knight," asked the king, sternly, "that you abide here
+and force every knight that passes to joust with you? It is an ill
+custom, and I bid you cease it."
+
+"He who is grieved with my custom may amend it if he will," said the
+knight.
+
+"I shall amend it," said Arthur.
+
+"I shall defend it," replied the knight.
+
+With these words they mounted, placed their spears in rest, and put
+their horses to their speed. Together they came in mid career with such
+violence and equal fortune that both spears were shivered to splinters,
+but both knights remained in their saddles. Taking new spears, once more
+they rode, and once again met in mid course with the same fortune as
+before. Then Arthur set hand to his sword.
+
+"Nay," said the knight. "You are the best jouster of all the men I ever
+met. For the love of the high order of knighthood let us break another
+spear."
+
+"I agree," said Arthur.
+
+Two more spears were brought them, and again they rode together with all
+the might and speed of their horses. Arthur's spear once more shivered
+into splinters from point to handle. But the knight struck him so fairly
+in the centre of his shield that horse and man together fell to the
+earth.
+
+Then Arthur drew his sword eagerly and cried:
+
+"Sir knight, I have lost the honor of horseback, and will fight you on
+foot."
+
+"I will meet you on horse," replied the knight.
+
+Angry at this, Arthur advanced towards him with ready shield and sword.
+But the knight, feeling that he was taking a noble adversary at unfair
+advantage, dismounted, and advanced to meet Arthur on foot.
+
+Then began a mighty battle, in which many great sword-strokes were made,
+and much blood was lost by both antagonists. After the affray had long
+continued the two warriors by chance struck so evenly together that
+their swords met in mid air, and the weapon of the knight smote that of
+Arthur into two pieces.
+
+"You are in my power," cried the knight. "Yield you as overcome and
+recreant, or you shall die."
+
+"As for death," said Arthur, "it will be welcome when it comes, but I
+had rather die than be so shamed."
+
+Thus saying, he leaped upon his foeman, took him by the middle with a
+vigorous grip, and threw him to the earth. Then he tore off his helmet.
+The knight, however, was much the larger and stronger man, and in his
+turn brought Arthur under him, deprived him of his helmet, and lifted
+his sword to strike off his head.
+
+At this perilous moment Merlin advanced.
+
+"Knight, hold thy hand," he cried. "You little know in what peril you
+put this realm, or who the warrior is beneath your sword."
+
+"Who is he?" asked the knight.
+
+"He is King Arthur."
+
+Then would the knight have slain Arthur for fear of his wrath, and
+raised his sword again to do so, but at that moment Merlin threw him
+into an enchanted sleep.
+
+"What have you done, Merlin?" cried Arthur. "God grant you have not
+slain this worthy knight by your craft! I would yield a year of my
+dominion to have him alive again."
+
+"Do not fear," said Merlin. "He is asleep only, and will awake within
+three hours. And this I shall tell you, there is not a stronger knight
+in your kingdom than he, and hereafter he will do you good service. His
+name is King Pellinore, and he shall have two noble sons, whose names
+will be Percivale and Lamorak of Wales. And this brave knight shall, in
+the time to come, tell you the name of that son of your sister who is
+fated to be the destruction of all this land."
+
+This being said, the king and the magician departed, leaving the knight
+to his magic slumbers. Soon they reached the cell of a hermit who was a
+noted leech, and who, with healing salves, in three days cured the
+king's wounds so that he was able to ride again. As they now went
+forward, through forest and over plain, Arthur said,--
+
+"I have no sword. I shall be ill put to it should I meet a champion."
+
+"Heed not that," said Merlin. "That loss will be soon repaired."
+
+And so they rode till they came to a lake, a broad and fair sheet of
+water, that stretched far before their eyes. As the king stood and
+looked upon it, he saw in its midst, to his deep wonder, an arm clothed
+in white samite lift itself above the water, and in the hand appeared a
+glittering sword, that gleamed brightly in the sun's rays.
+
+"Lo! yonder is the sword I spoke of," said Merlin.
+
+Then another wonder met their eyes, for a woman came walking towards
+them upon the surface of the lake.
+
+"What damsel is that?" asked Arthur. "And what means all this wondrous
+thing?"
+
+"That is the Lady of the Lake," said Merlin. "Within that lake is a
+great rock, and therein is a palace as fair as any on the earth, and
+most richly adorned, wherein this lady dwells. When she comes to you ask
+her in courtly phrase for the sword, for it is hers to give."
+
+Soon came the damsel to them and saluted Arthur, who courteously
+returned her salutation.
+
+"Fair lady," he said, "what sword is it that yonder arm holds so
+strangely above the water? I would it were mine, for I have lost my
+weapon."
+
+"King Arthur," replied the damsel, "the sword you see is mine. But it
+shall be yours if you will promise me a gift when I shall ask it of
+you."
+
+"By my faith," rejoined Arthur, "I will give you whatever gift you may
+ask, if it be within reason and justice."
+
+"Then," said the damsel, "go into the barge you see yonder and row
+yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard. As for the gift, I
+shall bide my time to ask it."
+
+Arthur and Merlin now alighted and entered the boat they saw near by,
+rowing it to where the arm in white samite held up the sword. Reaching
+boldly out, Arthur grasped the weapon by the handle, and at once the arm
+and hand disappeared beneath the water, leaving the wondrous blade in
+his hand, and the scabbard with it.
+
+When they reached the land again the Lady of the Lake was gone, and so
+they mounted and rode away from that place of magic. Then Arthur looked
+upon the sword and much he liked it, for the blade seemed to him of rare
+promise.
+
+"Which like you the better, the sword or the scabbard?" asked Merlin.
+
+"The sword," answered Arthur.
+
+"There you lack wisdom," said Merlin, "for the scabbard is worth ten of
+the sword. While you wear that scabbard you shall never lose blood,
+however sorely you be wounded, so take good heed to keep it always with
+you."
+
+So they rode unto Carlion, where Arthur's knights were glad enough to
+see him, for his absence had greatly troubled them. And when they heard
+of his adventures they marvelled that he would risk his person so alone.
+But all men of worship said that it was merry to be under a chieftain
+who would take upon himself such adventures as poor knights loved to
+meet.
+
+During the absence of the king a messenger had come to the court from
+King Ryons of North Wales, who was also King of Ireland, and of many
+islands, bearing a message of most insulting purport. He said that King
+Ryons had discomfited and overcome eleven kings, each of whom had been
+forced to do him homage in the following manner: each had sent him his
+beard, and the king had trimmed his mantle with these kings' beards. But
+there lacked one place on the mantle, and he therefore sent for King
+Arthur's beard to complete the fringe. If it were not sent him he would
+enter the land and burn and slay, and never leave till he had head and
+beard together.
+
+"Well," said Arthur, "you have said your message, and the most
+villanous one it is that ever living man sent unto a king; you may see,
+moreover, that my beard as yet is somewhat too young to serve as a
+trimming to his mantle. This, then, you may tell your king. Neither I
+nor my lords owe him any homage. But if he shall not before many days do
+me homage on both his bended knees, by the faith of my body he shall
+lose his head, in requital for the shameful and discourteous message
+that he has sent me. Bear you this answer to your king."
+
+And so the messenger departed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+GUENEVER AND THE ROUND TABLE.
+
+
+And now we have to tell the story of how King Arthur got his fair wife
+Guenever, and how the Round Table was brought to England's realm.
+
+After the defeat of the eleven kings, Arthur had rescued King
+Leodegrance of Cameliard from King Ryons, and put the latter with all
+his host to flight. And at the court of Leodegrance he saw his charming
+daughter Guenever, whom he ever after loved.
+
+So it fell upon a time that Arthur said to Merlin,--
+
+"My barons give me no peace, but day by day insist that I shall take a
+wife. But whether I marry or not, I shall take no step without your
+counsel and advice."
+
+"Your barons counsel well," said Merlin. "A man of your bounty and
+nobleness should not be without a wife. Is there any one woman that you
+love beyond others?"
+
+"Yes, by my faith there is," said Arthur. "I love Guenever, the daughter
+of King Leodegrance, of Cameliard, he who has in his house the Round
+Table, which you have told me he had of my father King Uther. This
+damsel is the loveliest lady that I know, or could ever hope to find."
+
+"Of her beauty and fairness no man can question," said Merlin. "If your
+heart were not set, I could find you a damsel of beauty and goodness
+that would please you as well. But where a man's heart is fixed there
+will he turn against the counsel of wise and foolish alike."
+
+"You speak the truth," said Arthur.
+
+Covertly, however, Merlin warned the king that Guenever would bring
+trouble to his court and his heart, and counselled him to weigh well
+what he thought to do. But Arthur's love was warm, and the wise man's
+counsel, as he had said, fell like water on a stone. Thereupon Merlin
+went to Cameliard and told King Leodegrance of Arthur's wish.
+
+"This is to me," said Leodegrance, "the best tidings that any man living
+could bring; that a monarch of such prowess and nobleness should ask to
+wed my daughter. Cheerfully will I give her, and I would give lands in
+dowry with her, but of that he has enough already. Yet I can send him a
+gift that will please him far more than lands or treasure, no less a
+gift than the Table Round, which Uther Pendragon gave me, and around
+which may be seated a hundred and fifty knights. As for myself, I have
+but a hundred knights worthy to sit at the table, but these I will send
+to Arthur, who must complete the tale himself."
+
+And so, with Guenever, and the Round Table, and the hundred knights,
+Merlin set out for London, where Arthur then was, and whither the noble
+cavalcade rode in royal procession through the land.
+
+When King Arthur heard of their coming his heart was filled with joy,
+and he said to those around him,--
+
+"This fair lady is very welcome to me, for I have loved her long. And
+these knights with the Round Table please me more than if the greatest
+riches had been sent, for I value worth and prowess far above wealth and
+honors."
+
+He ordered the marriage and coronation to be prepared for in royal pomp,
+but with no needless delay.
+
+"And, Merlin," he said, "I pray you to go and seek me out fifty knights
+of the highest honor and valor, to complete the tale of my Round Table
+Knights."
+
+Merlin went, and in a short time brought twenty-eight knights whom he
+deemed worthy of that high honor, but no more could he find.
+
+Then the Archbishop of Canterbury was brought, and he blessed the seats
+of the Round Table with great worship and ceremony, and placed the
+twenty-eight knights in their chairs. When this was done Merlin said,--
+
+[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+
+KING ARTHUR'S FAIR LOVE.]
+
+"Fair sirs, you must all rise and come to King Arthur and do him homage.
+For henceforth you are his chosen knights, and must so declare. And know
+you well, that great shall be the future honor and fame of all who
+worthily occupy these seats."
+
+At this request the knights arose, and did homage to the king. And when
+they had risen from their seats there appeared in each in letters of
+gold the name of him who had sat therein. But two seats were wanting
+from the full tale.
+
+"What is the reason of this?" asked Arthur. "Why are there two seats
+lacking?"
+
+"Sir," answered Merlin, "no man shall occupy those places but the most
+worshipful of knights. And in the Seat Perilous, which adjoins them, no
+man shall sit but one, and if any one unworthy of this honor shall be so
+hardy as to attempt it, he shall be destroyed. He that shall sit there
+shall have no fellow."
+
+Anon came young Gawaine, the son of King Lot, a squire of handsome mien,
+who asked of the king a gift.
+
+"Ask, and I shall grant it," answered the king.
+
+"I ask that you make me knight on the day you wed fair Guenever."
+
+"That shall I do willingly," said Arthur, "and with what worship I may,
+since you are my nephew, my sister's son."
+
+[Here it is proper to say that Arthur had three sisters, the daughters
+of Queen Igraine and her first husband, the Duke of Tintagil. One of
+these, Margawse, had married King Lot, and had four sons, all of whom
+became valiant knights; Elaine, the second, had married King Neutres of
+Garlot; the third sister, Morgan le Fay, had been put to school, where
+she became learned in the art of necromancy; of the fourth the
+chronicles fail to speak.]
+
+Hardly had Gawaine spoken when there came riding into the court a poor
+man, who brought with him a fair-faced youth, of eighteen years of age,
+riding upon a lean mare.
+
+"Sir, will you grant me a gift?" the old man asked of the king. "I was
+told that you would at the time of your marriage grant any gift that was
+asked for in reason."
+
+"That is true," said the king. "What would you have?"
+
+"Jesu save you, most gracious king. I ask nothing more than that you
+make my son a knight."
+
+"It is a great thing you ask," said the king. "Who are you, and what
+claim has your son to this high honor?"
+
+"I am but a cowherd, great sir, and am the father of thirteen sons. But
+this one is unlike all the rest. He will do no labor, and cares for
+nothing but warlike sports, and seeing knights and battles. And day and
+night he craves for knighthood."
+
+"What is thy name?" the king asked the young man.
+
+"Sir, my name is Tor."
+
+The king looked at him closely. He was of handsome face, and was very
+well made and strong of limb and body.
+
+"Where is the sword with which this youth shall be made knight?" asked
+the king.
+
+"It is here," said Tor.
+
+"Then draw it from the scabbard, and require me to make you a knight."
+
+At these words the youth sprang lightly and gladly from his mare, drew
+the sword, and kneeled before the king, asking him in earnest tones to
+make him a Knight of the Round Table.
+
+"A knight I will make you," answered the king. "But the Round Table is
+not for untried youth."
+
+Thereupon he smote him upon the neck with the sword, and said,--
+
+"Be you a good knight, and I pray God you may be so. If you prove of
+prowess and worth I promise you shall in good time have a seat at the
+Round Table."
+
+"Now, Merlin," said Arthur, "tell me whether this Tor will be a good
+knight or not."
+
+"He should be so," answered Merlin, "for he comes of kingly blood. The
+cowherd here is no more his father than I, but he is the son of the good
+knight, King Pellinore, whose prowess you have much reason to know."
+
+By good hap King Pellinore himself came next morning to the court, and
+was glad to find what honor had been done his son, whom he gladly
+acknowledged as his.
+
+Then Merlin took Pellinore by the hand and led him to the seat next the
+Seat Perilous.
+
+"This is your place at the Round Table," he said. "There is none here so
+worthy as yourself to sit therein."
+
+At a later hour of that eventful day, in the city of London, and at the
+Church of Saint Stephen, King Arthur was wedded unto Dame Guenever,
+with the highest pomp and ceremony, and before as noble an assemblage of
+knights and ladies as the land held.
+
+Afterwards a high feast was made, and as the knights sat, each in his
+appointed place, at the Round Table, Merlin came to them and bade them
+sit still.
+
+"For you shall see a strange and marvellous happening," he said.
+
+Hardly had he spoken before there came running a white hart into the
+hall, closely followed by a white brachet,[1] while thirty couple of
+black hounds in full cry came after, and chased the hart round the
+feasting boards and then round the Round Table.
+
+[Footnote 1: A small scenting dog.]
+
+As they ran the brachet caught the hart by the haunch, and bit out a
+piece, whereupon the wounded animal made a great leap over a table, and
+through a window, with such force as to overthrow a knight. Through the
+window the hounds followed, in full cry.
+
+The fallen knight quickly rose, took up the brachet in his arms, and
+left the hall. Seeking his horse, he rode away, carrying the brachet
+with him. But hardly had he gone when a lady came riding into the hall
+on a white palfrey, and crying aloud to King Arthur,--
+
+"Sir, suffer not yonder knight to do me this wrong. The brachet that he
+has taken away is mine."
+
+She had but ceased speaking when an armed knight rode up on a great
+horse, and took her away by force, though she bitterly cried and called
+for aid.
+
+"This affair must not be taken lightly," said Merlin to the king. "The
+honor of your court requires that you shall redress all wrongs, and
+here, at your marriage feast, have great wrongs been done."
+
+"What do you advise?" asked the king. "I shall be governed by your
+counsel."
+
+"Then," answered Merlin, "call Sir Gawaine, for he must bring again the
+white hart. Also call Sir Tor, for to him must be assigned the adventure
+of the knight and the brachet. As for the lady and the knight, King
+Pellinore must bring them, or slay the knight if he will not come."
+
+Thereupon they were all three called, and they armed and rode forth on
+the errands assigned them. Many and strange were the adventures of these
+valiant knights, but we have matter of more moment to tell, and so
+cannot relate their valorous deeds. We can but say that Gawaine brought
+back the head of the hart, and little honor with it, for by an evil
+accident he killed a lady, and barely escaped with life from her
+champions.
+
+Sir Tor had better fortune, for he brought the brachet alive, and won
+much honor from his deeds.
+
+King Pellinore was also successful in his quest, for he brought back the
+lady in safety, after having fought with and slain her kidnapper. This
+lady's name was Nimue, and of her we shall have many strange things to
+tell hereafter.
+
+Thus ended the three quests which followed the marriage of King Arthur
+and Guenever the fair. Afterwards the king established his knights,
+giving lands to those who were poor, and enjoining all against outrage,
+and in favor of mercy and gentleness. He also bade them to succor all
+ladies in distress, and never to engage in a wrongful quarrel, or to
+strive for worldly goods.
+
+Unto this were sworn all the Knights of the Round Table, old and young.
+And it was ordained that they should renew their oaths every year at the
+high feast of Pentecost, that their obligations might never be
+forgotten, and the honor and renown of the glorious fellowship of the
+Round Table never decline.
+
+In this manner began, that illustrious career of the Knights of the
+Round Table, which was destined to shed the greatest glory on Arthur's
+reign, and to fill the whole world with its fame. Valorous as were the
+knights who first composed that noble order of chivalry, it was
+afterwards to include such world-renowned warriors as Lancelot du Lake,
+Tristram de Lyonesse, and others of little less prowess, the story of
+whose noble exploits and thrilling adventures was destined to be told by
+bards and sung by minstrels till all time should ring with the tale, and
+men of honor in far future days be stirred to emulation of these worthy
+knights of old.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK II.
+
+                          THE DEEDS OF BALIN.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+HOW BALIN WON AND USED THE ENCHANTED SWORD.
+
+
+It befell upon a time when King Arthur was at London, that tidings came
+to him that King Ryons of North Wales was carrying out his threat. He
+had crossed the borders with an army, and was burning and harrying his
+lands and slaying his people without mercy. On learning this the king
+sent word to his lords and knights to assemble with all haste at
+Camelot, where a council would be held and measures of defence and
+reprisal taken.
+
+And it so fell out that while this assembly was in session at Camelot, a
+damsel came into the court who had been sent by the great lady Lile of
+Avelion. When she came before King Arthur she let fall her mantle, which
+was richly furred, and revealed a noble sword, with which she was girt.
+
+"Damsel," said the king in wonder, "why wear you that sword? It beseems
+you not."
+
+"Indeed, sir, it is a sore burden to me," replied the damsel, "but I
+must wear it till a knight of the highest honor and virtue can be found
+to deliver me of my charge. None other than such a one may draw this
+sword from its sheath, for so it is ordained. I have been to King
+Ryons's camp, where I was told there were knights of high excellence,
+and he and all his knights tried it, but in vain. I have therefore come
+to your court with my burden, and hope that the knight fit to draw it
+may here be found."
+
+"This is surely a great marvel," said Arthur. "I shall try to draw the
+sword myself; not that I claim to be the best knight, but as an example
+to my barons."
+
+Then Arthur took the sword by the sheath and the girdle, and pulled at
+it eagerly, but it failed to yield.
+
+"You need not pull so hard," said the damsel. "He who shall draw it will
+need little strength, but much virtue."
+
+"Now try ye, all my barons," said Arthur. "But beware ye be not defiled
+with shame, treachery, or guile."
+
+"That is well advised," said, the damsel, "for none shall draw it but a
+clean knight without villany, and of gentle birth both by father and
+mother."
+
+Then most of the Knights of the Round Table who were there tried their
+fortunes, but none succeeded in the magic task.
+
+"Alas!" said the damsel, "I hoped to find in this court the best knights
+upon earth."
+
+"By my faith," said Arthur, "the world holds no better knights; but it
+grieves me to find that none here seem to have the grace or power to
+draw this sword."
+
+It happened that at that time there was a poor knight of Northumberland
+birth in Arthur's court, Balin by name. He had been held prisoner there
+more than half a year, for slaying a knight who was cousin to the king,
+and had just been set free through the good services of some of the
+barons, who knew that he was not at fault in this deed.
+
+When he learned what was being done his heart bade him try his fortune,
+but he was so poor and so shabbily dressed that he held back in shame.
+Yet when the damsel took her leave of Arthur and his barons, and was
+passing from the court, Balin called to her and said,--
+
+"Suffer me, I pray you, to try this venture. Though I am poorly clad,
+and but ill considered, I feel in my heart that in honor and grace I
+stand as high as any of those knights."
+
+The damsel looked on him with some disdain, and begged him not to put
+her to useless trouble, for he seemed not the man to succeed where so
+many of noble guise had failed.
+
+"Fair damsel," he replied, "you should well know that worthiness and
+good qualities do not dwell in attire, but that manhood and virtue lie
+hidden within man's person, not in his dress; and therefore many a
+worshipful knight is not known to all people."
+
+"You speak wisely," said the damsel. "You shall essay the task, and may
+fortune befriend you."
+
+Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath, and drew it out with
+such ease that king and barons alike were filled with wonder, and many
+of the knights, in spite and jealousy, cried that Balin had done this
+not by might, but by witchcraft.
+
+"He is a good knight," cried the damsel, "the best and worthiest among
+you all, even if fortune has dealt with him shabbily. Now, gentle and
+courteous knight, give me the sword again."
+
+"No," said Balin, "I have fairly won this sword, and well it pleases me.
+I shall keep it unless it be taken from me by force."
+
+"You are not wise to keep it," said the damsel. "I warn you that if you
+do so you will slay with the sword your best friend and the man you most
+love in the world, and that it will be your destruction."
+
+"I shall take such adventure as God may ordain me," said Balin, "but by
+the faith of my body I shall keep the sword."
+
+"You will quickly repent it," said the damsel. "It is more for your good
+than for mine that I ask it back. I am sad to find that you will not
+believe me, and will bring destruction on yourself. The wilful man makes
+his own destiny." With this the damsel departed, in great sorrow.
+
+Then Balin sent for his horse and his armor, and made ready to depart,
+though Arthur begged him to remain.
+
+"I knew not your worth," he said, "or you should not have been so
+unkindly treated. I was misinformed concerning you."
+
+"My heartfelt thanks are yours," said Balin. "But asking your good
+grace, I must needs depart."
+
+"Then tarry not long, fair knight; you shall always be welcome to my
+court."
+
+So Balin donned his armor and made ready to depart. But while he still
+tarried there came to the court a lady richly attired, and riding on a
+handsome horse.
+
+She saluted King Arthur, and presented herself as the Lady of the Lake,
+from whom he had received the sword, saying that she had now come to
+demand the gift which he had promised her whenever she should ask for
+it.
+
+"A gift I promised you, indeed," said Arthur, "and you do well to ask
+it. But first I would know the name of the sword you gave me."
+
+"The name of it," said the lady, "is Excalibur, which signifies
+cut-steel."
+
+"Then well is it named," said the king. "Now ask what gift you will. If
+it is in my power to present you shall have it."
+
+"What I ask," said the Lady of the Lake, "is the head of the knight who
+has just won the sword, or of the damsel who brought it; or both their
+heads, if you will. He slew my brother, and she caused my father's
+death."
+
+"Truly," said the king, in pain and wonder, "you ask what I cannot in
+honor grant. Ask what you will else and you shall not be denied, but
+even a king cannot pay his debts with murder."
+
+"I shall ask nothing else," said the lady. "Little deemed I that King
+Arthur would be recreant to his word."
+
+When Balin was told of the demand of the Lady of the Lake, he went
+straight to her, where she stood before the king, and said, "Evil you
+are in heart and voice, and evil have ever been. Vile enchantress, you
+would have my head, and therefore, shall lose yours." And with a light
+stroke of his sword he smote off her head before the king, so that it
+fell bleeding at his feet.
+
+"What shame is this?" cried Arthur, in hot wrath. "Why have you dared
+treat thus a lady to whom I was beholden, and who came here under my
+safe-conduct?"
+
+"Your displeasure grieves me," said Balin. "But you know not this lady,
+or you would not blame me for her death, for she was of all women the
+vilest that ever breathed. By enchantment and sorcery she has slain many
+good knights, and I have sought her during three years, to repay her for
+the falsehood and treachery by which she caused my mother to be burnt."
+
+"Whatever your grievance, you should not have sought your revenge in my
+presence. You have done me a foul disgrace, sir knight. Leave my court
+in all haste while you may, and believe me you shall be made to repent
+this insult to my dignity."
+
+Then Balin took up the head of the lady, and meeting his squire at his
+inn, they rode together from the town.
+
+"Now," said the knight, "we must part. Take this head and bear it to my
+friends in Northumberland, and tell them that my mortal foe is dead.
+Also tell them that I am out of prison, and by what adventure I got this
+sword."
+
+"You were greatly to blame to displease King Arthur," said the squire.
+
+"As for that," said Balin, "I hope to win his grace again by the death
+or capture of King Ryons, whom I go to meet. The woman sought my death,
+and has had her just deserts."
+
+"Where shall I find you again?" asked the squire.
+
+"In King Arthur's court."
+
+And so they parted. Meanwhile King Arthur and all the court grieved
+deeply over the death of the Lady of the Lake, and felt greatly shamed
+that they had not hindered the sudden and bloody deed. And the king
+ordered that she should have a rich and stately funeral.
+
+At this time there was in Arthur's court a knight named Lanceor, the son
+of the king of Ireland, a proud and valiant warrior, who was angry at
+Balin for winning the sword, and sought revenge on him. He asked the
+king to give him leave to ride after Balin and revenge the insult to his
+crown.
+
+"Go and do your best," said the king. "Balin has done me a great
+despite, and richly deserves punishment."
+
+Thereupon the knight of Ireland armed and rode at all speed after Balin,
+whom he quickly overtook on a mountain side. He called to him in loud
+tones,--
+
+"Stop, sir knight. You shall halt whether you will or not, and the
+shield you bear shall prove but light defence to you, for I am come to
+punish you for your crime."
+
+Hearing this outcry, Balin turned fiercely, and demanded,--
+
+"What do you wish, sir knight? Are you here to joust with me?"
+
+"It is for that I have followed you," said the Irish knight.
+
+"It might have been better for you to stay at home," answered Balin.
+"Many a knight who thinks to chastise his enemy finds ill fortune to
+fall upon himself. From what court have you been sent?"
+
+"From the court of King Arthur, to revenge the insult you put upon him
+in murdering his guest before his face."
+
+"Then must I fight with you," said Balin. "Yet I warn you your quarrel
+is a weak one. The lady that is dead richly deserved her fate, or I
+should have been as loath as any knight living to kill a woman."
+
+"Make ready," said Lanceor. "Fight we must, and one of us shall remain
+dead upon this field. Our combat is to the utterance."
+
+Then they put their spears in rest, and rode together at the full speed
+of their horses, meeting with a shock in mid career. Lanceor struck
+Balin a blow upon the shield that shivered the spear in his hand. But
+Balin smote him with such force that the spear-point went through shield
+and hauberk, and pierced his body, so that he fell dead to the earth.
+
+As the victorious knight stood looking on the corpse of his slain foe,
+there came from Camelot a damsel, who rode up at full speed upon a fair
+palfrey. When she saw that Lanceor was dead she fell into a passion of
+sorrow, and cried out in tones of deep lamentation,--
+
+"Oh, Balin, thou hast slain two bodies and one heart! Yes, two hearts
+in one body, and two souls thou hast murdered with thy fatal spear."
+
+Then she took the sword from her love, and as she took it fell to the
+ground in a swoon. When she arose again her sorrow was so great that
+Balin was grieved to the heart, and he sought to take the sword from her
+hands, but she held it so firmly that he could not wrest it from her
+without hurting her. Suddenly, before he could move to hinder, she set
+the pommel of the sword to the ground and threw her body upon the naked
+blade. Pierced through the heart, she fell dead upon the body of her
+slain love.
+
+"Alas!" said Balin, "that this should have happened. I deeply regret the
+death of this knight for the love of this damsel; for such true love as
+this I never saw before. Yet his death was forced on me, and hers I
+could not hinder."
+
+Full of sorrow, he turned his horse, and as he looked towards a great
+forest near by he saw a knight riding towards him, whom he knew, by his
+arms, to be his brother Balan.
+
+When they were met they took off their helmets and kissed each other,
+and wept for joy and pity.
+
+"I little expected to meet you thus," said Balan. "A man in the Castle
+of Four Stones told me that you were freed from prison, and therefore I
+came hither in hope to find you at the court."
+
+Then Balin told his brother of all that had happened at Camelot, and of
+the displeasure of the king, and that he had determined to win Arthur's
+favor at the risk of his life.
+
+"King Ryons lies not far away besieging the Castle Terrabil," he said.
+"Thither will we ride, to prove our worth and prowess upon him."
+
+"I shall be your comrade," said Balan. "We shall help each other as
+brethren should, and trust to God for fortune."
+
+As they stood conversing there came a dwarf riding in all haste from
+Camelot. When he saw the dead bodies he tore his hair for sorrow.
+
+"Which of you knights has done this foul deed?" he demanded.
+
+"Why do you ask?" queried Balin.
+
+"Because I have the right to know."
+
+"It was I," said Balin. "He pursued me hither, and forced me to fight.
+One of us had to die. As for the damsel, she died by her own hand, for
+which no man can be sorrier than I. For her sake I shall owe all women
+the better love and favor."
+
+"You have done yourself great damage," said the dwarf. "The kindred of
+this knight will follow you through the world till they have revenged on
+you his death."
+
+"That I do not greatly dread," said Balin. "But I am sorry to have
+displeased King Arthur for the death of this knight; and sorrier still
+for the fate of this lovelorn damsel."
+
+As they thus talked there chanced to pass a king of Cornwall, named King
+Mark, who halted on seeing the dead bodies, and demanded what had been
+done. When the tale was told him he was grieved that true love should
+have met so sad a fate, and said, "I shall not leave here till I have
+built them a tomb, for they have earned a rich interment."
+
+Then he pitched his tents, and buried them nobly, placing above them a
+rich and fair tomb which he found in a church near by, and upon this
+tomb he wrote their epitaph, as follows:
+
+"Here lieth Lanceor, the son of Ireland's king, who was slain in fair
+combat by the hands of Balin; and his lady Colombe, who for deep love
+and sorrow slew herself with her true love's sword. May lovers
+henceforth make this their place of pilgrimage."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+HOW ARTHUR TRIUMPHED OVER THE KINGS.
+
+
+While the tomb was being erected over the dead knight and his love,
+Merlin appeared at the scene.
+
+"You have done yourself great harm," he said to Balin. "Why saved you
+not this lady?"
+
+"By the faith of my body, I could not," said Balin, "she slew herself so
+suddenly."
+
+"This must I tell you," said Merlin. "Because of the death of this lady
+you shall strike a stroke the most dolorous that ever man struck, except
+the stroke of our Lord; for you shall hurt the truest knight and the man
+of most worship that now lives, and through that stroke three kingdoms
+shall be in great poverty, misery, and wretchedness for twelve years,
+and the knight you will hurt shall not be whole of his wound for many
+years."
+
+"If I knew that it were true as you say," answered Balin, "I would do
+such a rash deed as to slay myself to make you a liar. But the future
+must reveal itself. I trust no man's predictions."
+
+Thereupon Merlin suddenly vanished away, leaving them in deep marvel at
+his coming and going. Soon after Balin and his brother took leave of
+King Mark.
+
+"First," said the king, "tell me your name."
+
+"You see he bears two swords," said Balan. "You may call him the knight
+with the two swords."
+
+And so King Mark rode towards Camelot, and the brothers towards
+Terrabil. As they rode, Merlin again met them, but now in disguise.
+
+"Whither do you ride?" he asked.
+
+"Why should we tell you that?" said the knights.
+
+"You need not, for I know already. And I can tell you this. You will
+gain no advantage over King Ryons without my counsel."
+
+"Ah! you are Merlin," said Balin. "Then we shall be glad of your
+counsel."
+
+"Come then with me. But look that you brace yourself to knightly deeds,
+for you will have great need to do so."
+
+"As for that," said Balin, "we will do what we can. No knight can do
+more."
+
+Then Merlin lodged them in a leafy wood beside the highway, where they
+rested till it was near midnight. He then awakened them and bade them
+rise and make ready, for the king they sought was near at hand. He had
+stolen away from his host with threescore of his best knights to visit a
+lady.
+
+"How shall we know the king?" asked Balin.
+
+"Hereby is a narrow way where you shall meet him," said Merlin.
+
+They followed him to the place, where they lay in ambush till the rattle
+of harness showed that the party approached. Then, at Merlin's
+suggestion, the two knights rode from their covert and assailed the king
+at the head of his followers, wounding him sorely and hurling him to the
+ground. They then, in the darkness, attacked the array of knights with
+the fury of lions, slaying more than forty of them, and putting the
+remnant to flight.
+
+This done, they returned to King Ryons where he lay helpless, and with a
+threat of death forced him to yield himself to their grace.
+
+"Valiant knights, slay me not," he asked. "You may profit by my life,
+but can win nothing by my death."
+
+"There you speak truly," said they, and lifting him carefully they
+placed him on a horse-litter for conveyance to Camelot.
+
+Then Merlin vanished and came to King Arthur, whom he told that his
+greatest enemy was vanquished and taken.
+
+"By whom?" asked the king.
+
+"By two of the most valorous knights in your realm. To-morrow you shall
+learn who they are."
+
+In good time Balin and his brother came with the wounded king and
+delivered him to the porters at the gates, charging them to bear him to
+King Arthur. Then they turned again and departed in the dawning of the
+day.
+
+When King Ryons was brought to the court, Arthur received him
+graciously.
+
+"Sir king," he said, "you are heartily welcome. By what adventure came
+you hither?"
+
+"By a hard one," said the captive, "as you well may see."
+
+"Who won you?" asked Arthur.
+
+"The knight with the two swords and his brother," said Ryons. "And
+knights of marvellous prowess they are."
+
+"I know them not," said Arthur, "but none the less am I deeply beholden
+to them."
+
+"I shall tell you," said Merlin. "One of these knights was Balin, he
+that won the sword; the other was Balan, his brother, and as good a
+knight. And it is the most sorrowful thing that tongue can say that
+neither of these brave knights shall live long to win the fame of which
+they are so worthy."
+
+"Alas!" said Arthur, "if that be so, it is indeed a great pity. I am
+much beholden to Balin, for he has highly redeemed the despite he did
+me. I have not deserved such good service at his hands."
+
+"He shall do more for you, and that soon," said Merlin. "I must now
+depart, for I have duties elsewhere; but before I go let me warn you to
+prepare your forces for battle at once. To-morrow before noon you will
+be set upon by a great host, led by Nero, King Ryons's brother.
+Therefore make all haste for your defence."
+
+Merlin's departure was for a purpose which he told not to the king. He
+well knew that King Lot of Orkney, Arthur's bitterest foe, was marching
+to join Nero with a powerful host, and foresaw that if they fell
+together on King Arthur he and all his army would be destroyed. The
+shrewd magician thereupon repaired to King Lot, and held him with idle
+tales of prophecy till Nero and his people were destroyed.
+
+For between Nero and Arthur a vigorous battle was fought, in which many
+knights won honor and renown, while King Arthur with his own hand slew
+twenty knights and maimed forty. But Balin and his brother Balan, who
+came in during the fight, did such mighty deeds of prowess that all who
+beheld them said they fought like angels from heaven or devils from
+hell, while Arthur beheld their prowess with wonder and delight, and
+vowed that he owed to them his victory.
+
+The combat, which took place at the Castle Terrabil, ended in the
+complete defeat of Nero, and the destruction of nearly all his host.
+Word of this disaster was brought to King Lot, where he lay resting with
+his army.
+
+"Alas!" he said, "why did I let myself be beguiled? Had I been there no
+host under heaven could have matched us. That false prattler, with his
+prophecy, has mocked and befooled me. But what shall now be done? Shall
+we treat with Arthur, or is it wise to fight him with half an army?"
+
+"His men are weary with fighting and we are fresh," said a knight. "Now
+is the time to set upon him."
+
+"So be it, then. And I hope that every knight will bear himself in the
+fray as well as I, for it is no laggard's task we have now before us."
+
+Then with waving banners and serried spears they assailed Arthur's
+weary host. But the Round Table Knights, with the aid of the two valiant
+brothers Balin and Balan, roused themselves vigorously to the fray, and
+bore all before them, so that only where King Lot himself fought did his
+host hold its ground. But where he battled in the van all his men seemed
+borne up by his valor, and not a knight met him but was overthrown or
+forced back by his prowess.
+
+Then King Pellinore pushed through the press of knights and horses, and
+struck a mighty stroke at King Lot as he fought at the head of his host.
+The sword failed in its aim, but struck the neck of the king's horse, so
+that the wounded animal fell to the ground with its rider. Then
+Pellinore struck so furious a stroke that his sword cut King Lot's
+helmet in twain, and cleft his head to the brows, hurling him lifeless
+to the earth.
+
+Seeing their king thus slain, all the host of Orkney turned and fled,
+and great was the slaughter in the pursuit. That day there fell in all
+twelve kings, who fought with Lot and Nero, and all these were buried in
+the church of Saint Stevens at Camelot.
+
+[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+
+KING ARTHUR'S TOMB.]
+
+Of the tombs that were made for these kings that of King Lot was most
+richly adorned, and King Arthur had a tomb prepared for himself beside
+it. For this he had made twelve images of brass and copper, which were
+gilt with gold. These represented the twelve kings, and each of them
+held a taper of wax, that burned night and day. An image of King Arthur
+was also made, in the form of a statue that stood above the twelve kings
+with a drawn sword in its hand, while the faces of the twelve images
+were those of men that had been overcome. All these figures were made by
+Merlin through his subtle craft.
+
+"When I am dead," he said to the king, "these tapers shall burn no
+longer. Then the end will be near, and the adventures of the Sangreal
+shall be achieved."
+
+Much more he told the king of the strange events that would come to pass
+in the future time; and further he said,--
+
+"Look well to the scabbard of Excalibur. You shall lose no blood while
+you wear this scabbard, even though you be covered with wounds."
+
+Thus admonished, Arthur, in loving trust, took the scabbard to Morgan le
+Fay, his sister, and gave it into her care to keep for him. Much did he
+peril in doing so, for Morgan was false at heart, and proved recreant to
+her trust, from love for a knight named Accolan, whom she cherished in
+her soul beyond her husband, while she had grown to hate her brother.
+She made, by enchantment, another scabbard like the one given her in
+trust, and gave the scabbard of Excalibur to her love. By this deed of
+treachery she hoped in her false soul to bring King Arthur to his death.
+And well-nigh she succeeded therein, as shall be told hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW BALIN GAVE THE DOLOROUS STROKE.
+
+
+A day or two after King Arthur had placed the magical scabbard in the
+hands of his evil-thinking sister, he grew unwell, and had his tent
+pitched in a meadow near Camelot for the benefit of the fresh air and
+the green verdure. Here he sought in vain to sleep, lying long in uneasy
+wakefulness. As he thus lay he heard a horse approaching, and looking
+through the door of his tent, beheld a knight, who lamented deeply as he
+came.
+
+"Halt! fair sir," cried Arthur. "Tell me the cause of your sorrow."
+
+"You can little aid me," said the knight, and he rode onward without
+further answer.
+
+Soon afterward Balin rode up, and on seeing King Arthur sprang from his
+horse and saluted him.
+
+"By my head, you are welcome," said the king. "A knight has just ridden
+past here moaning sadly, but has declined to tell me the cause of his
+sorrow. I desire of your courtesy to bring that knight to me, either by
+force or good-will, for I wish greatly to know why he so deeply
+grieves."
+
+"That is little to what I should be glad to do for you," said Balin. He
+rode on apace, and ere long found the knight in a neighboring forest in
+company with a damsel.
+
+"Sir knight," he said, "you must come with me to King Arthur. He demands
+to see you and learn the cause of your sorrow."
+
+"That I shall not do," said the knight. "It will injure me greatly, and
+do no good to you or him."
+
+"Then you must make ready to fight," said Balin. "I have my order to
+bring you willingly or by force, and I should be loath to have a fight
+with you."
+
+"Will you be my warrant if I go with you?" asked the knight. "For truly
+you lead me into danger."
+
+"Yes. And I shall die rather than let you come to harm, if it is in my
+power to avert it."
+
+This said, the knight turned and rode back with Balin, accompanied by
+the damsel. But as they reached King Arthur's pavilion a strange thing
+happened. A spear was thrust through the body of the knight, inflicting
+a mortal wound. Yet the hand and form of him who did this fatal deed
+remained unseen.
+
+"Alas!" said the knight, "it is as I feared. Under your conduct and
+guard I have been slain by a traitorous knight called Garlon, who
+through enchantment rides invisible, and does such deeds as this. My day
+is done. As you are a true knight, I charge you to take my horse, which
+is better than yours, and ride with this damsel on the quest which for
+me is at an end. Follow as she will lead, and revenge my death when best
+you may."
+
+"That shall I do," said Balin. "Upon the honor of knighthood I vow to
+follow your quest, and to revenge you on this false foe, or die as you
+have done."
+
+Then, leaving the king, Balin rode with the damsel, who bore with her
+the truncheon of the spear with which the knight had been killed. After
+they had gone, King Arthur had the knight buried richly and honorably,
+and had written upon the tomb his name, Herleus de Berbeus, and how he
+came to his death through the treachery of the invisible knight Garlon.
+
+Meanwhile Balin and the damsel rode onward until they found themselves
+in a forest. Here they met a knight engaged in hunting, who asked Balin
+why he showed such grief.
+
+"That I do not care to tell," said Balin.
+
+"You should if I were armed as you are, for your answer is too curt to
+be courteous."
+
+"My story is not worth fighting for," answered Balin. "I will tell you
+if you so greatly desire to know." He thereupon told him the fatal event
+which had just occurred, and that he mourned the untimely death of the
+knight who had been so treacherously slain.
+
+"This is a sad story," said the knight. "As I am a true cavalier I will
+go with you on your quest, and leave you not while life lasts."
+
+Then he went with Balin to his inn, armed himself, and rode forth with
+him. But as they passed by a hermitage near a church-yard the invisible
+knight Garlon came again, and smote Balin's companion through the body,
+as he had done to Herleus before.
+
+"Alas!" cried the knight. "I too am slain by this invisible traitor, who
+does murder at will under cover of enchantment."
+
+"It is not the first despite the wretch has done me," cried Balin.
+"Could I see him I would soon repay this outrage. I am bound by the
+honor of a knight to a double revenge on this unworthy caitiff."
+
+He and the hermit thereupon buried the slain knight, Perin de
+Mountbeliard, under a rich stone in a noble tomb, inscribing thereon the
+cause of his death.
+
+In the morning the knight and damsel proceeded on their quest, and in
+good time found themselves before a castle, which rose high and broad by
+the roadside. Here Balin alighted, and he and the damsel turned towards
+the castle, with purpose to enter. But as Balin entered in advance the
+portcullis was suddenly let fall behind him, cutting him off from his
+companion. Immediately a number of men assailed the damsel with drawn
+swords.
+
+When Balin saw this treacherous proceeding his soul burned within him.
+What to do at first he knew not. Then he ran hastily into the gate
+tower, and leaped, all armed, over the wall into the ditch. Finding
+himself unhurt, he drew his sword and rushed furiously upon the armed
+men who surrounded his companion.
+
+"Traitors and dogs!" he cried. "If you are eager for fight, I will give
+you your fill."
+
+"We cannot fight you," they answered. "We do nothing but keep the old
+custom of the castle."
+
+"What is that?" asked Balin. "It is an ill custom, methinks, that thus
+displays itself."
+
+"Our lady is sick, and has lain so for many years. Nothing will cure her
+but a dish full of blood from a maid and a king's daughter. It is,
+therefore, the custom that no damsel shall pass this way without
+leaving a silver dish full of blood."
+
+"That is for the damsel to say," replied Balin. "If she chooses to bleed
+for the good of your lady she may, but her life shall not be taken while
+mine lasts."
+
+The damsel thereupon yielded a dish full of her blood, but it helped not
+the lady. She and Balin rested in the castle for the night, where they
+had good cheer. In the morning they proceeded again on their quest.
+
+Three or four days now passed without adventure. At the end of that time
+the knight and damsel found lodging in the house of a rich gentleman,
+the owner of a fair estate. As they sat at supper Balin was moved by the
+grievous complaints of one who sat beside him, and asked his host the
+cause of this lamentation.
+
+"It is this," said the host. "I was lately at a tournament, where I
+twice overthrew a knight who is brother to King Pellam. He threatened to
+revenge his defeat on my best friend, and has done so by wounding my
+son. The hurt is a grievous one, and cannot be cured till I have some of
+that knight's blood; but how to find him I know not, for his name is
+unknown to me, and he always rides invisible."
+
+"Aha!" cried Balin, "has that treacherous dog been at his murderous work
+again? I know his name well. It is Garlon, and he has lately slain two
+knightly companions of mine in the same base manner. I should rather
+meet with that invisible wretch than have all the gold in this kingdom.
+Let me see him once and he or I dies."
+
+"I shall tell you what to do, then," said the host. "King Pellam of
+Listeneise has announced a great feast, to be given within twenty days,
+to which no knight can come unless he brings with him his wife or his
+love. That false knight, your enemy and mine, will be there, and visible
+to human eyes."
+
+"Then, as I am a true knight," cried Balin, "you shall have of his blood
+enough to twice heal your son's wound, if I die in the getting it."
+
+"We shall set forward to-morrow," said the host, "and I hope it may be
+as you say."
+
+In the morning they rode towards Listeneise, which it took them fifteen
+days to reach, and where the great feast began on the day of their
+arrival. Leaving their horses in the stables, they sought to enter the
+castle, but Balin's companion was refused admittance, as he had no lady
+with him. Balin, however, having the damsel with him, was at once
+received, and taken to a chamber where he laid aside his armor and put
+on rich robes which the attendants brought him. They wished him to leave
+his sword, but to this he objected.
+
+"It is the custom of my country," he said, "for a knight always to keep
+his weapon with him. This custom shall I keep, or depart as I came."
+
+Hearing this, they objected no longer to his wearing his sword, and he
+thereupon entered the feasting chambers with his lady companion. Here he
+found himself among many worshipful knights and fair ladies.
+
+Balin, after looking carefully round him, asked a guest,--
+
+"Is there not a knight in this good company named Garlon?"
+
+"Yes. Yonder knight is he, the one with the dark face. And let me tell
+you that there is no more marvellous knight living. He has the power of
+going invisible, and has destroyed many good knights unseen."
+
+"I have heard of this," said Balin. "A marvellous gift, indeed. This,
+then, is Garlon? Thanks for your information."
+
+Then Balin considered anxiously what had best be done. "If I slay him
+here my own life will pay the forfeit," he said to himself. "But if I
+let him escape me now it may be long before I have such an opportunity,
+and in the meanwhile he may do much harm."
+
+As he stood thus reflecting, with his eyes fixed on Garlon's face, the
+latter observed his close and stern regard. In haughty anger he came to
+him and smote him on the face with the back of his hand.
+
+"Sir knight," he said, "take that for your impertinent stare. Now eat
+your meat, and do what you came here for. Hereafter learn to use your
+eyes to better purpose."
+
+"You dog!" cried Balin, "this is not your first insult to me. You bid me
+do what I came for. It is this." As he spoke he rose furiously from his
+seat, drew his sword, and with one fierce blow clove Garlon's head to
+the shoulders.
+
+"That is my errand here," cried Balin to the guests. "Now give me the
+truncheon," he said to the damsel, "with which he slew your knight."
+
+She gave it to him, and Balin thrust it through Garlon's body,
+exclaiming,--
+
+"With that truncheon you killed a good knight, and with this blow I
+revenge him."
+
+Then he called his late host, who had by this gained entrance to the
+feast, and said,--
+
+"Here lies your foe. Take with you enough of his blood to heal your
+son."
+
+All this had happened so quickly that none had time to interfere, but
+the knights now sprang hastily from their seats, and rushed from the
+hall for their weapons, that they might revenge their slain companion.
+Among them rose King Pellam, crying furiously,--
+
+"Why have you killed my brother! Villain and murderer, you shall die for
+this!"
+
+"Here I stand," said Balin. "If you wish revenge, seek it yourself. I
+stand in my defence."
+
+"It is well said," cried the king. "Stand back, all. For the love I bore
+my brother I will take his revenge on myself. Let no one interfere. This
+murderer is mine."
+
+Then King Pellam snatched up a mighty weapon and struck fiercely at
+Balin, who threw up his own sword in guard. He was in time to save his
+head, but the treacherous blade went into pieces beneath the stroke,
+leaving him unarmed before the furious king.
+
+Balin, finding himself thus in danger of death, ran into a neighboring
+chamber in search of a weapon, closely pursued by his enraged adversary.
+Finding none there, he ran on from chamber to chamber, seeking a weapon
+in vain, with King Pellam raging like a maddened lion behind him.
+
+At length Balin entered a rich and marvellously adorned chamber, within
+which was a bed covered with cloth of gold of the noblest texture, and
+in this bed a person lay. Near by was a table with a top of solid gold
+and four curiously-shaped pillars of silver for its legs, while upon it
+stood a mighty spear, whose handle was strangely wrought, as though it
+had been made for a mighty king.
+
+But of all this marvel and magnificence Balin saw only the spear, which
+he seized at once with a strong grip, and turned with it to face his
+adversary. King Pellam was close at hand, with sword uplifted for a
+fatal stroke, but as he rushed in blind rage forward Balin pierced his
+body with the spear, hurling him insensible to the floor.
+
+Little dreamed the fated warrior of all that thrust portended. The spear
+he used was a magical weapon, and prophecy had long declared that the
+deadliest evil should come from its use. King Pellam had no sooner
+fallen beneath that fatal thrust than all the castle rocked and tottered
+as if a mighty earthquake had passed beneath its walls, and the air was
+filled with direful sounds. Then down crushed the massive roof, and with
+a sound like that of the trumpet-blast of disaster the strong walls rent
+asunder, and rushed downward in a torrent of ruin. One moment that
+stately pile lifted its proud battlements in majesty toward the skies;
+the next it lay prostrate as though it had been stricken by the hand of
+God to the earth.
+
+Men say who saw it that when fell that fatal blow--thereafter to be
+known in history and legend as the "dolorous stroke"--the castle
+shivered like a forest struck by a strong wind, and then fell with a
+mighty crash, burying hundreds beneath its walls. Among these were Balin
+and King Pellam, who lay there for three days without aid or relief, in
+deep agony and peril of death.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE FATE OF BALIN AND BALAN.
+
+
+At the end of the three days came Merlin, who rescued Balin from under
+the ruined walls.
+
+"Your horse is dead," he said, "but I have brought you another, and the
+sword you won in Arthur's hall. My counsel is that you ride out of this
+country with all speed; for little you know the evil you have done."
+
+"The damsel I brought hither must go with me," said Balin.
+
+"She shall never go farther," answered Merlin. "The damsel is dead, and
+with her many a good knight and fair lady. That blow of yours was the
+fatalest ever struck, as you may see in the ruin of this castle, and as
+you will see further when you ride abroad through this distracted
+country."
+
+"What have I done?" cried Balin. "How could I know that such dread
+disaster dwelt within that spear? Who was he that lay within the bed,
+and what does this strange thing portend?"
+
+"You did but what destiny commanded," said Merlin. "It is fate, not you,
+that is at fault. Let me tell you the meaning of this mighty and
+terrible event, which destiny has thrown into your hands. He who lay in
+that rich bed was Joseph of Arimathea, who came years ago into this
+land, and bore with him part of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. And
+that spear was the same fatal weapon with which Longius smote our Lord
+to the heart. King Pellam was nigh akin to Joseph of Arimathea, and
+great pity is it of his hurt, for that stroke has filled the land with
+trouble, grief, and mourning. As for King Pellam, he shall lie for many
+years in sore pain from the wound you dealt him, and shall never be
+whole again until Galahad, the high prince, shall heal him when he comes
+this way in the quest of the Sangreal."
+
+These words said, Balin mounted his horse, and departed in deep grief
+for the harm he had wrought, saying to Merlin as he left, "In this world
+we shall never meet again, for I feel that destiny has marked me for its
+victim." But little knew he the full effects of that fatal blow till he
+rode forth through the land. Then as he went through the once fair
+cities and fertile country he saw the people lying dead on every side,
+and cities and lands in ruin together. Few remained alive of all the
+inhabitants of that populous realm, and as he passed these cried out to
+him,--
+
+"Oh, Balin, terrible is the harm that thou hast done to this innocent
+land! Three countries lie destroyed through the dolorous stroke thou
+gavest unto King Pellam. Woe to thee for this dread deed! Thou hast
+escaped alive, yet doubt not but the vengeance of heaven will fall on
+thee at last!"
+
+Great was the grief and suffering with which the good knight heard these
+words, and glad at heart was he when at length he left behind him that
+land of woe and ruin, to which his innocent hand had wrought such deadly
+harm.
+
+But as he rode onward the feeling came to him that his end was at hand,
+though this grieved him little, for he felt as one set apart to do
+heaven's work of destiny. And for eight days thereafter he rode over
+many leagues of strange country without adventure.
+
+At length came a day when he saw before him, by the roadside, a cross,
+on which in letters of gold was written, "It is not wise for any knight
+alone to ride towards this castle," Then he saw a white-haired old man
+approach, who said,--
+
+"Balin le Savage, you pass your bounds to come this way. Turn again, if
+you would leave this place in safety."
+
+With these words he vanished, and as he did so there rang on the air a
+bugle-blast like that blown for the death of a beast of the chase.
+
+"That blast is blown for me," said Balin. "I am the prize of the
+invisible powers. I am not yet dead, but they claim me for their own."
+
+As he stood lost in deep thought there came trooping from the castle,
+which he now saw in the distance, a hundred fair ladies and many
+knights, who welcomed him with great show of gladness, and led him with
+them to the castle, where he found dancing and minstrelsy, and all
+manner of sport and pleasure. As he stood observing all this the chief
+lady of the castle said to him,--
+
+"Knight of the two swords, there is a custom of this castle which all
+who come here must keep. Hereby is an island which is held by a knight,
+and no man can pass this way unless he joust with him."
+
+"That is an unhappy custom," said Balin. "Why should every traveller be
+forced to fight?"
+
+"You shall have to do with but one knight," said the lady.
+
+"That troubles me little," said Balin. "I and my horse are both weary
+from our journey, but I am not weary at heart, and, if fight I must, I
+am ready to do it now. If death comes to me, it will not come
+unwelcome."
+
+"Your shield does not seem to be a good one," said a knight. "Let me
+lend you a larger one."
+
+Balin took the proffered shield and left his own, and rode to the
+island, where he and his horse were taken over in a great boat. On
+reaching the island shore he met a damsel, who said in sorrowful
+accents,--
+
+"O Knight Balin, why have you left your own shield? Alas! you have put
+yourself in great danger. Had you borne your own you would have been
+known. It is a great pity that a knight of your prowess and hardiness
+should fight unknown."
+
+"I repent that I ever came into this country," said Balin. "But now that
+I am here I shall not turn again, and whatever comes to me, be it life
+or death, I shall take it as my lot."
+
+Then he mounted and rode into the island, in whose midst he saw a
+castle, from which rode a knight wearing red armor, and mounted on a
+horse which bore trappings of the same color. The warriors looked at
+each other, but neither knew the other, though the two swords that Balin
+wore should have revealed him, had not he borne a shield of strange
+device.
+
+Then, couching their spears, the hostile knights rode together at the
+full speed of their war-horses, meeting with such mighty force and equal
+fortune that both horses went down, and both knights were hurled to the
+earth, where they lay in a swoon.
+
+Balin was sorely bruised and weary with travel, and the red knight was
+the first to gain his feet. But as he advanced with drawn sword, Balin
+sprang up and met him with ready shield, returning his blow with such
+force that he cut through his shield and cleft his helmet.
+
+And now began the mightiest battle that island had ever beheld. As they
+fought, Balin looked at the castle and saw that its towers were full of
+ladies who were watching the deadly contest, and who applauded each blow
+as though this combat was meant for their sport. The valiant knights
+fought till their breath failed, and then took rest and fought again,
+until each was sorely wounded and the spot upon which they stood was
+deeply stained with blood.
+
+They fought on until each of them had seven great wounds, the least of
+which might have brought death to the mightiest giant of the world. But
+still the terrible sword-play continued, until their coats of mail were
+so hewn that they stood unarmed, and the blood poured piteously from
+their veins. At length the red knight withdrew a little and lay down.
+Then said Balin,--
+
+"Tell me what knight you are. For never did I meet a man of your prowess
+before."
+
+"I am Balan," was the answer, "brother to the good knight Balin."
+
+"Alas!" cried Balin, "that ever I should see this day!" and he fell to
+the earth in a swoon.
+
+Then Balan dragged himself up on his hands and feet, and took off his
+brother's helmet, but the face was so scarred and blood-stained that he
+did not know it. But when Balin came to himself he cried,--
+
+"Oh, Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me, and I thee! Fate has done
+deadly work this day."
+
+"Heaven aid me!" cried Balan. "I should have known you by your two
+swords, but your shield deceived me."
+
+"A knight in the castle caused me to leave my own shield," said Balin.
+"If I had life enough left me I would destroy that castle for its evil
+customs."
+
+"And I should aid you," said Balan. "They have held me here because I
+happened to slay a knight that kept this island. And if you had slain me
+and lived, you would have been held in the same way as their champion."
+
+As they thus conversed there came to them the lady of the castle, with
+four knights and six ladies and as many yeomen. The lady wept as she
+heard them moan that they as brothers had slain each other, and she
+promised them that they should be richly entombed on the spot in which
+the battle had been fought.
+
+"Now will you send for a priest," asked Balan, "that we may receive the
+sacrament?"
+
+"It shall be done," said the lady.
+
+And so she sent for a priest and gave them the rites of the church.
+
+"When we are buried in one tomb," said Balin, "and the inscription is
+placed over us telling how two brothers here slew each other in
+ignorance and valor, there will never good knight nor good man see our
+tomb but they will pray for our souls, and bemoan our fate."
+
+At this all the ladies wept for pity. Soon after Balan died, but Balin
+lived till midnight. The lady thereupon had them both richly buried, and
+the tomb inscribed as they had asked, though she knew not Balin's name.
+
+But in the morning came the magician Merlin, who wrote Balin's name upon
+the tomb in letters of gold, as follows: "Here lieth Balin le Savage,
+the knight with the two swords, and he that smote the Dolorous Stroke."
+
+More than this did Merlin, through this magic art. In that castle he
+placed a bed, and ordained that whoever should lie therein would lose
+his wits. And he took the sword which Balin had won from the damsel, and
+removed its pommel, placing upon it another pommel. Then he asked a
+knight beside him to lift that sword, but he tried to do so in vain.
+
+"No man shall have power to handle that sword," said Merlin, "but the
+best knight in the world; and that shall be Sir Launcelot, or his son
+Sir Galahad. And Launcelot with this sword shall slay Sir Gawaine, the
+man he loves best in the world." All this he wrote in the pommel of the
+sword.
+
+Then Merlin built to the island a bridge of steel and iron that was but
+half a foot broad, and ordained that no man should cross that bridge
+unless he were of virtuous life and free from treachery or evil thoughts
+and deeds.
+
+This done, Merlin by magical skill fixed Balin's sword in a block of
+marble as great as a millstone, and set it afloat upon the stream in
+such a way that the sword always stood upright above the water. And for
+years this stone swam down the stream, for no man could take it from the
+water or draw the sword, until in time it came to the city of Camelot
+(which is in English Winchester), where the sword was drawn, and many
+strange things followed thereupon, as shall be hereafter related.
+
+Soon after this was done, Merlin came to King Arthur and told him the
+story of the dolorous stroke which Balin had given to King Pellam, and
+of the marvellous battle Balin and Balan had fought, and how they were
+buried in one tomb.
+
+"Alas!" cried Arthur, "I never heard a sadder tale. And much is the loss
+to knighthood and chivalry, for in the world I know not two such
+knights."
+
+Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren born in
+Northumberland, good knights.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+MERLIN'S FOLLY AND FATE.
+
+
+And now we have again a tale of disaster to tell, namely, how Merlin the
+wise fell into love's dotage, and through folly brought himself to a
+living death, so that thenceforth he appeared no more upon the earth,
+and his wise counsels were lost to Arthur and his knights.
+
+For the old magician, who had so long kept free from love's folly,
+became besotted with the damsel named Nimue, she whom King Pellinore had
+brought to the court on his quest at Arthur's marriage.
+
+Merlin quite lost his wits and wisdom through his mad passion for this
+young lady, to whom he would give no rest, but followed her wherever she
+went. The shrewd damsel, indeed, encouraged her doting lover, for he was
+ready to teach her all the secrets of his art, so that in time she
+learned from him so much of his craft that she became skilled in
+necromancy beyond all enchantresses of her time.
+
+The wise magician knew well that his end was at hand, and that the woman
+whom he loved would prove his ruin, but his doting passion was such that
+he had no strength of mind to resist. He came thereupon unto King
+Arthur, and told him what he foresaw, and which it was not in his power
+to prevent; and warned him of many coming events, that he might be
+prepared for them when Merlin was with him no more.
+
+[Illustration: MERLIN AND NIMUE.]
+
+"I have charged you," he said, "to keep in your own hands the sword
+Excalibur and its scabbard, yet well I know that both sword and scabbard
+will be stolen from you by a woman whom you foolishly trust, and that
+your lack of wisdom will bring you near to your death. This also I may
+say, you will miss me deeply. When I am gone you would give all your
+lands to have me again. For Merlin will find no equal in the land."
+
+"That I well know already," said the king. "But, since you foresee so
+fully what is coming upon you, why not provide for it, and by your craft
+overcome it?"
+
+"No," said Merlin, "that may not be. Strong I am, but destiny is
+stronger. There is no magic that can set aside the decrees of fate."
+
+Soon afterwards the damsel departed from the court, but her doting old
+lover followed her wherever she went. And as he sought to practise upon
+her some of his subtle arts, she made him swear, if he would have her
+respond to his love, never to perform enchantment upon her again.
+
+This Merlin swore. Then he and Nimue crossed the sea to the land of
+Benwick, the realm of King Ban, who had helped King Arthur so nobly in
+his wars, and here he saw young Lancelot, the son of King Ban and his
+wife Elaine, who was in the time to come to win world-wide fame.
+
+The queen lamented bitterly to Merlin the mortal war which King Claudas
+made upon her lord and his lands, and the ruin that she feared.
+
+"Be not disturbed thereby," said Merlin. "Your son Lancelot shall
+revenge you upon King Claudas, so that all Christendom shall ring with
+the story of his exploits. And this same youth shall become the most
+famous knight in the world."
+
+"O Merlin!" said the queen, "shall I live to see my son a man of such
+prowess?"
+
+"Yes, my lady and queen, this you shall see, and live many years to
+enjoy his fame."
+
+Soon afterwards Merlin and his lady-love returned to England and came to
+Cornwall, the magician showing her many wonders of his art as they
+journeyed. But he pressed her so for her love that she grew sorely weary
+of his importunate suit, and would have given aught less than her life
+to be rid of him, for she feared him as one possessed of the arts of the
+foul fiend. But say or do what she would, her doting lover clung to her
+all the more devotedly, and wearied her the more with his endless tale
+of love.
+
+Then it came to pass that as they wandered through Cornwall, and Merlin
+showed her all the wonders of that land, they found themselves by a
+rocky steep, under which he told her was a wonderful cavern that had
+been wrought by enchantment in the solid rock, its mouth being closed by
+a mighty mass of stone.
+
+Here, with all her art of love, and a subtle show of affection, the
+faithless damsel so bewitched Merlin that for joy he knew not what he
+did; and at her earnest wish he removed by his craft the stone that
+sealed the cavern's mouth, and went under it that he might show her all
+the marvels that lay there concealed.
+
+But hardly had he entered when, using the magic arts which she had
+learned from him, the faithless woman caused the great stone to sink
+back with a mighty sound into its place, shutting up the enchanter so
+firmly in that underground cavern that with all his craft he could never
+escape. For he had taught her his strongest arts of magic, and do what
+he would he could never move that stone.
+
+This faithless act performed, the damsel departed and left Merlin a
+prisoner in the rock. She alone of all the world could set him free, and
+that she would not do, but kept her secret, and thanked heaven for her
+deliverance.
+
+And so Merlin, through his doting folly, passed out of the world of men
+into a living tomb.
+
+Long days and months passed before his fate was known, and then chance
+brought to his cavern prison a valiant knight named Bagdemagus, who had
+left Arthur's court in anger because Sir Tor was given a vacant seat at
+the Round Table which he claimed as his due.
+
+As he wandered through that part of Cornwall in quest of adventures, he
+came one day past a great rock from which dire lamentations seemed to
+issue. Hearing those woeful sounds, Bagdemagus sought to remove the
+stone that closed the cavern's mouth, but so firmly was it fixed by
+enchantment that a hundred men could not have stirred it from its place.
+
+"Strive no longer," came a voice from within. "You labor in vain."
+
+"Who is it that speaks?" asked the knight.
+
+"I am Merlin, the enchanter; brought here by my doting folly. I loved
+not wisely but too well; and here you find me, locked in this cliff by
+my strongest spells, which in love's witlessness I taught to a woman
+traitor. Go now, worthy sir, and leave me to my fate."
+
+"Alas! that this should be! Tell me who did this thing, and by what
+dismal chance, that I may tell the king."
+
+Then Merlin related the story of his folly and fate, in the end bidding
+the knight to leave him, for only death could free him from that prison.
+
+Hearing this, Bagdemagus departed, full of sorrow and wonder, and after
+many days returned to Arthur's court, where he told the story of the
+magician's fate. Great was the marvel of all and the grief of the king
+on learning this, and much he besought Nimue to set Merlin free. But
+neither threats nor entreaties could move her obdurate heart, and at
+length she left the court in anger and defiance, vowing that she would
+never set free her old tormentor.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK III.
+
+                      THE TREASON OF MORGAN LE FAY.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENCHANTED SHIP.
+
+
+On a day not long after the event of Balin's death, it befell that
+Arthur and many of his knights went out hunting in a great forest,
+where, as fortune willed, King Arthur, Sir Accolan of Gaul, and King
+Uriens, who had wedded Morgan le Fay, followed far on the track of a
+great hart, which led them astray till they were ten miles distant from
+their late companions.
+
+They were all well mounted, but so hot was the chase, and so far did it
+lead them, that the horses at length fell dead beneath the ardent
+huntsmen, leaving them on foot in the remote depths of the forest. But
+the hart was in no better condition, for the hot chase had worn it out,
+and it dragged wearily on before them, barely able to keep its feet.
+
+"What shall we do?" said Arthur. "We are far from human habitation, and
+the night comes fast upon us."
+
+"Let us go forward on foot," said Uriens. "We shall surely soon meet
+with some place of shelter."
+
+[Illustration: THE GREAT FOREST.]
+
+Taking this advice, they advanced in the track of the hart, and soon
+came up with it where it lay on the bank of a large stream, while a
+hound had it by the throat, and others were coming up in full bay.
+
+Then Arthur blew the death-note of the chase, and killed the hart. This
+done, he looked about him, and to his surprise saw approaching on the
+stream a small vessel, with flowing sails of silk. As it came near it
+veered towards the shore, and finally touched land on the sands before
+them. Arthur walked to the bank and looked over the sides upon the deck,
+but to his wonder not a living person was to be seen.
+
+"This is a marvellous thing," said the king. "Has the vessel been blown
+here by a wind of magic? Let us enter and see what is in the ship."
+
+They did so, and found it richly adorned with silken hangings and
+royally equipped. As they stood on the deck looking about them in
+surprise, night came upon them, but suddenly the darkness was dispelled
+by a hundred torches, which flared out around the sides of the ship,
+brilliantly illuminating it. And immediately, from somewhere in the
+depths of the ship, appeared twelve fair damsels, who fell upon their
+knees before King Arthur, saluting him by name, and welcoming him to the
+best cheer that their means could provide.
+
+"You are welcome, whoever you be," said Arthur, "and have our thanks for
+your kindly good will."
+
+"Follow us then, noble sir."
+
+Arthur and his companions followed their fair guides into a cabin of the
+ship, where they were glad to see a table richly provided with the most
+delicate viands, and set with the rarest wines. The king marvelled
+greatly at this, for never in his life had he fared better at supper
+than at this royal feast.
+
+The meal ended, Arthur was led into a richly-appointed chamber, whose
+regal furniture and appointments he had never seen surpassed. His
+companions were conducted to chambers no less richly appointed, and
+quickly the three weary hunters fell asleep, for they were exhausted
+with their day's labor.
+
+Perilous was the sleep that came upon them, for they little dreamed that
+they had been lured into an enchanted ship, and that strange adventures
+awaited them all, and deadly danger threatened the king.
+
+For when the next day dawned, Uriens woke to find himself at Camelot, in
+his own chamber, with his wife. Much he marvelled at this, for he had
+fallen asleep the evening before at two days' journey distant. As for
+Accolan, we shall tell later what befell him. Arthur woke to find
+himself in utter darkness, while the air was full of doleful sounds. On
+feeling round him he soon discovered that he was in a dismal dungeon,
+and on listening he discovered that the sounds he heard were the woeful
+complaints of prisoners.
+
+"What place is this, and who are ye that bewail so bitterly?" asked
+Arthur.
+
+"We are twenty knights that have long been held prisoners here, some for
+seven years and some for less."
+
+"For what cause?" inquired Arthur.
+
+"How came you here, that you know not the cause?"
+
+"I came by foul enchantment," said Arthur, and told them his adventure,
+at which they wondered greatly. "Now tell me," he asked, "how came you
+in this direful state?"
+
+"We are victims of an evil-hearted villain," they answered. "The lord of
+this castle, Sir Damas by name, is a coward and traitor, who keeps his
+younger brother, Sir Ontzlake, a valiant and worthy knight, out of his
+estate. Hostility has long ruled between them, and Ontzlake proffers to
+fight Damas for his livelihood, or to meet in arms any knight who may
+take up his quarrel. Damas is too faint-hearted to fight himself, and is
+so hated that no knight will fight for him. This is why we are here.
+Finding no knight of his own land to take up his quarrel, he has lain in
+wait for knights-errant, and taken prisoner every one that entered his
+country. All of us preferred imprisonment to fighting for such a
+scoundrel, and here we have long lain half dead with hunger while
+eighteen good knights have perished in this prison; yet not a man of us
+would fight in so base a quarrel."
+
+"This is a woeful story, indeed," said Arthur. "I despise treason as
+much as the best of you, but it seems to me I should rather take the
+choice of combat than of years in this dungeon. God can be trusted to
+aid the just cause. Moreover, I came not here like you, and have but
+your words for your story. Fight I will, then, rather than perish."
+
+As they spoke a damsel came to King Arthur, bearing a light.
+
+"How fare you?" she asked.
+
+"None too well," he replied.
+
+"I am bidden to say this to you," she remarked. "If you will fight for
+my lord, you shall be delivered from this prison. Otherwise you shall
+stay here for life."
+
+"It is a hard alternative," said Arthur; "I should deem only a madman
+would hesitate. I should rather fight with the best knight that ever
+wore armor than spend a week in such a vile place. To this, then, I
+agree. If your lord will deliver all these prisoners, I will fight his
+battle."
+
+"Those are the terms he offers," said the damsel.
+
+"Then tell him I am ready. But he must provide me with horse and armor,
+and vow on his knightly honor to keep his word."
+
+"All this he will freely do."
+
+"It seems to me, damsel, that I have seen you before. Have you not been
+at the court of King Arthur?"
+
+"Not so," said the damsel. "I have never been there, but am the daughter
+of the lord of this castle, who has always kept me at home."
+
+In this, as the chronicles tell us, she spoke falsely, for she was one
+of the damsels of Morgan le Fay, and well she knew the king.
+
+Damas was glad at heart to learn that a knight had at last consented to
+fight for him, and the more so when he saw Arthur and marked his strong
+limbs and the high spirit in his face. But he and none there save the
+damsel, knew who his prisoner was.
+
+"It were a pity," said all who saw him, "that such a knight should die
+in prison. It is wise in him to fight, whatever betide."
+
+Then agreement was made that Arthur should do battle to the uttermost
+for the lord of the castle, who, on his part, agreed to set free the
+imprisoned knights. To this covenant both parties took oath, whereupon
+the twenty knights were brought from their dark prison to the castle
+hall, and given their freedom and the privilege of seeing the battle.
+
+But now we must leave the story of Arthur and Damas, and turn to that of
+Accolan of Gaul, the third of the three knights who had gone to sleep in
+the enchanted ship. This knight was, unknown to Arthur, a lover of
+Morgan le Fay, being he for whose sake she had counterfeited the magic
+scabbard of the sword Excalibur.
+
+She loved him, indeed, as ardently as she had grown to hate her royal
+brother, and through this love had laid a treacherous plot for Arthur's
+death.
+
+When Accolan awoke, to his surprise he found himself no longer in the
+ship, but lying within half a foot of the side of a deep well, in
+seeming peril of his life, for he might at any moment have fallen into
+the water. Out of this well there came a pipe of silver, from which a
+crystal stream ran into a high marble basin. When Accolan beheld all
+this he crossed himself and said,--
+
+"God save my lord King Arthur, and King Uriens, for those damsels in the
+ship have betrayed us all. They were not women, but devils, and if I
+escape this misadventure I shall destroy all enchantresses wherever I
+find them."
+
+As he spoke, there came to him a dwarf with a great mouth and a flat
+nose, who saluted him, and said that he came from Morgan le Fay.
+
+"She sends you her greetings, and bids you be of strong heart, for
+to-morrow it shall be your task to fight a knight of the greatest
+prowess. That you may win in the combat she has sent you Arthur's sword
+Excalibur, with its magical scabbard. She bids you do the battle to the
+uttermost without mercy, and promises to make a queen of the damsel whom
+you shall send to her with the head of the knight you fight with."
+
+"I shall do her bidding," said Accolan, "and cannot fail to win, now
+that I have this sword, for which I fervently thank her. When saw you my
+lady queen?"
+
+"I am just from her."
+
+"Recommend me to her, and tell her I shall do all I have promised, or
+die for it. These crafts and enchantments that have happened--are they
+of her making?"
+
+"That you may well believe. She has prepared them to bring on this
+battle."
+
+"Who, then, is the knight with whom I shall fight? It seems to me he
+should be a noble one, for such preparation."
+
+"That my lady has not told me."
+
+As they spoke there came to them a knight and a lady, with six squires,
+who asked Sir Accolan why he lay there, and begged him to rise and come
+with them to a neighboring manor, where he might rest in better ease. As
+fortune willed it, this manor was the dwelling of Sir Ontzlake, the
+brother of the traitor Damas.
+
+Accolan gladly accepted the invitation, but not long had he been in the
+manor when word came from Damas, saying that he had found a knight who
+was ready to do battle to the death for their claims, and challenging
+Ontzlake to make ready without delay for the field, or to send a knight
+to take his side in the combat.
+
+This challenge troubled Ontzlake sorely. Not long before he had been
+sadly hurt in a joust, and was still weak from his wound. Accolan, to
+whom all this was made known, at once came, with the generous impulse of
+a true knight, to his host, and offered to do battle in his stead. In
+his heart, too, he felt that this might be the combat of which Morgan
+had warned him, and with the aid of Arthur's sword and scabbard he could
+not fail to win.
+
+Ontzlake thanked him deeply for his generous offer, and without delay
+sent word to Damas that he would be ready with a champion at the hour
+appointed, and trust to God's grace for the issue of the combat.
+
+When morning came, Arthur was arrayed in a suit of chain mail and
+provided with a strong horse, which he viewed with knightly ardor.
+
+"When shall we to the field?" he asked Damas.
+
+"As soon as you have heard Mass."
+
+Mass was scarcely ended when a squire rode up from Ontzlake, to say that
+his knight was already in the field, and to bid Damas bring his champion
+to the lists, for he was prepared to do battle to the utterance.
+
+Then Arthur mounted his war-horse and rode to the field, attended by all
+the knights and commons of the country round; twelve good men of the
+district having been chosen to wait upon the two knights, and see that
+the battle was conducted fairly and according to the rules of chivalry.
+
+As they rode forward a damsel came to Arthur, bringing him a sword like
+unto Excalibur, with a scabbard that seemed in every point the same.
+
+"Morgan le Fay sends you your sword, for the great love she bears you,"
+said the messenger, "and hopes it may do you worthy service in the
+fray."
+
+Arthur took it and thanked her, never dreaming that he had been treated
+falsely. But the sword that was sent him was but a brittle and worthless
+blade, and the scabbard was a base counterfeit of that magic one which
+he who wore could lose no blood, and which he in brotherly trust had
+given to the care of his faithless sister.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE COMBAT OF ARTHUR AND ACCOLAN.
+
+
+The time for the battle having come, the two knights took their places
+at the opposite sides of the lists, neither knowing with whom he fought,
+and both bent on doing battle to the death. Then putting spurs to their
+steeds, they dashed across the field with headlong speed, each striking
+the other in the middle of the shield with his spear, and with such
+force that horses and men alike were hurled to the earth. In a moment
+both the combatants started up in warlike fury and drew their swords.
+
+At this juncture there came among the spectators the damsel Nimue, she
+who had put Merlin under the stone. She knew, by the art that Merlin had
+taught her, how Morgan le Fay had plotted that Arthur should be slain
+that day, and she came to save his life if it lay in her power, for she
+loved the king as deeply as she hated Merlin.
+
+Eagerly to battle went the two knights, hewing at each other like giants
+with their swords. But Arthur's blade bit not like Accolan's, which
+wounded him at nearly every stroke, so that soon his blood was flowing
+from a dozen wounds, while his opponent remained unhurt.
+
+Arthur was in deep dismay on beholding this. That some treason had been
+practised on him he felt sure, for his sword bit not steel as a good
+blade should, while the sword in Accolan's hand seemed to have the
+trenchant edge of Excalibur.
+
+"Sir knight," said Accolan, "keep well your guard if you care for life."
+
+"Thus will I," answered Arthur, and he dealt him a blow on the helm that
+nearly brought him to the ground.
+
+Accolan drew back from the staggering stroke, and then with a furious
+onset rushed on Arthur, and dealt him so fierce a blow that the king had
+much ado to keep his feet. Thus stroke by stroke went on the battle,
+each knight roused to fury, and each fighting with his utmost skill and
+strength; but Accolan lost scarcely a drop of blood, while Arthur's
+life-blood flowed so freely that only his knightly soul and unyielding
+courage kept him on his feet. He grew so feeble that he felt as if
+death was upon him, yet, though he staggered like a drunken man, he
+faced Accolan with the unquenched spirit of a noble knight.
+
+All who saw the field marvelled that Arthur could fight after such a
+loss of blood. So valiant a knight none there had ever beheld, and many
+prayed the two brothers to come into accord and stop this deadly fray.
+But this Damas would not do, and though Ontzlake trembled for his cause
+he could not end the combat.
+
+At this juncture Arthur withdrew a little to rest, but Accolan called
+him fiercely to the fight, saying, "I shall not suffer you to rest;
+neither of us must rest except in death."
+
+With these words he advanced towards the king, who, with the strength of
+rage, sprang upon him and struck him so mighty a blow on the helm as to
+make him totter on his feet and nearly fall. But the blow had a serious
+ending, for Arthur's sword broke at the cross, the blade falling into
+the blood-stained grass, and only the hilt and pommel remaining in his
+hand.
+
+When Arthur saw himself thus disarmed he felt sure that his hour of
+death had come, yet he let not his dread be seen, but held up his shield
+and lost no ground, facing his mortal foe as boldly as though he was
+trebly armed.
+
+"Sir knight," cried Accolan, "you are overcome, and can no longer
+sustain the battle. You are weaponless, and have lost so much blood that
+I am loath to slay you. Therefore yield to me as recreant, and force me
+not to kill a helpless foe."
+
+"That I may not do," said Arthur. "I have promised, by the faith of my
+body, to fight this battle to the uttermost; and I had rather die in
+honor than live in shame. If I lack weapon, I lack not spirit; and if
+you slay me weaponless, the shame be on you."
+
+"That shame I can bear," said Accolan. "What I have sworn I will
+perform. Since you will not yield, you are a dead man."
+
+This said, he struck Arthur a furious blow, that almost felled him to
+the earth, bidding him at the same time to crave for mercy if he would
+live. Arthur's only reply was to press upon him with his shield, and
+deal him such a buffet with the pommel of his sword as to send him
+staggering three paces back.
+
+And now the damsel Nimue, stirred by the prowess of the king, and
+fearful of his death, determined to aid him by all her power of
+enchantment.
+
+Therefore, when Accolan recovered himself and struck Arthur another
+stroke, she threw a spell upon him and caused the sword to fall from his
+hand to the earth. At once the king lightly leaped to it and seized it,
+thrusting Accolan fiercely back. As soon as his hand had touched the
+hilt he knew it for his sword Excalibur.
+
+"You have been too long from me," he said, "and no small damage you have
+done me. Treason has been at work, and treason shall have its deserts."
+
+Then, seeing the scabbard hanging by Accolan's side, he sprang suddenly
+forward and wrenched it from him, flinging it across the field as far as
+he could throw it.
+
+[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+
+NIMUE.]
+
+"Now, sir knight," cried Arthur, "my turn has come. You have nearly
+brought my life to an end with this sword, and I warrant that you shall
+be rewarded for the blood I have lost and the pain I have endured this
+day."
+
+Therewith, furious as a wounded lion, Arthur rushed upon his foe, hurled
+him with all his strength to the earth, tore off his helm, and gave him
+such a blow upon the head that blood burst out from his ears, nose, and
+mouth.
+
+"Now shall I slay you," said Arthur.
+
+"Do so if you will," said Accolan. "You are the best knight I ever met,
+and I see now that God is with you. But I promised to do this battle to
+the uttermost, and never to yield me recreant. Therefore kill me if you
+will, for my voice shall never ask for mercy."
+
+Then Arthur, looking closer, saw something familiar in his face.
+
+"Tell me who you are," he cried; "of what country and court."
+
+"Sir knight," said Accolan, "I am of the court of King Arthur, and my
+name is Accolan of Gaul."
+
+Arthur heard this with deep dismay. For there came into his mind the
+enchantment of the ship, and his heart sank with fear of the treason of
+his sister.
+
+"Tell me this also, sir knight," he asked, "from whom had you this
+sword?"
+
+"Woe worth that sword," cried Accolan; "I have gotten my death by it."
+
+"That may well be," answered Arthur, "and I fancy have got no more than
+you deserve."
+
+"Yesterday," said the knight, "Morgan le Fay sent me that sword by a
+dwarf, that with it I might slay the knight with whom I should fight
+this day! And she would also pledge me to slay King Arthur, her brother,
+for she hates him above any man in the world."
+
+"How know you that to be so?"
+
+"I have loved her long, and know her purposes well, nor shall I longer
+keep them secret. If by craft she could slay Arthur, she would quickly
+dispose of her husband, King Uriens. Then it was her intent to make me
+king of this realm, and to reign herself as its queen. But all this now
+is at an end, for death is upon me."
+
+"It would have been great wrong in you to destroy your lord," said
+Arthur.
+
+"That I never could have had the heart to do," said Accolan. "But I pray
+you to tell me your name, and from what court you come?"
+
+"I am from Camelot, and men know me as King Arthur. I am he against whom
+you plotted such deep treason."
+
+Then Accolan cried out in anguish,--
+
+"My fair, sweet lord, have mercy on me, for I knew you not."
+
+"You knew me not at this time, Accolan, but you have confessed that you
+plotted treason against me, and laid plans to compass my death. Yet I
+blame you the less that Morgan le Fay has worked on you with her false
+arts. I have honored and loved her most of all my kin, and have trusted
+her as I would my wife, and this is how she repays me. By the faith of
+my body, if I live I shall be deeply revenged upon her for this."
+
+Then he called to the keepers of the field, and said,--
+
+"Here, fair sirs, are two knights who have fought nearly to the death
+through ignorance of each other. For had either of us known the other
+you would have seen no battle to-day, and no stroke given or returned."
+
+Then Accolan called out to those who had gathered around,--
+
+"Lords and knights, this noble warrior with whom I have fought is the
+man of most valor, manhood, and worship on English soil, for he is no
+less than our liege lord, King Arthur. Had I but dreamed it was he, I
+would have killed myself rather than have drawn sword against him."
+
+At this surprising news the people fell upon their knees before the king
+and begged mercy and pardon.
+
+"Pardon you shall have," said the king, "for you were ignorant of my
+person. It is my fault if harm came to me in disguise. And here you may
+all see what adventures and dangers knights-errant are exposed to; for,
+unknown to each other, I and one of my own knights have fought for
+hours, to the great damage of us both. We are both sorely hurt, but
+before seeking rest it is my duty to settle the dispute which gave rise
+to this combat. I have been your champion, Sir Damas, and have won your
+cause. But as the victor I claim the right to give judgment, and as I
+know you for a villain and coward, I adjudge unto your brother all the
+manor in dispute, with the provision that he hold it of you, and yearly
+give you in lieu of rent a palfrey to ride upon, which will become such
+a base poltroon much better than a war-horse. And I charge you, upon
+pain of death, to restore to these twenty knights their armor and
+property, and never again to distress a knight-errant. If complaint of
+such shall be made to me, by my head, you shall die for it. Sir
+Ontzlake, you are said to be a good and valiant knight, and true and
+worthy in your deeds. I desire you to come to my court as soon as
+possible, where you shall be one of my knights, and, if your deeds
+hereafter conform to the good report I have heard of you, you soon shall
+equal your brother in estate."
+
+"I am at your command," said Ontzlake, "and thank you humbly for your
+goodness and bounty. As for this battle, I would have fought it myself,
+only that lately I was deeply wounded in a combat with a wandering
+knight."
+
+"I would it had been so," said Arthur, "for treason was used against me
+in this combat, and had I fought with you I should not have been so
+badly hurt. My own sword was stolen and I was given a false and brittle
+blade, which failed me in my greatest need."
+
+"Great pity it is that a king so noble and a knight so worthy should
+have been thus foully dealt with."
+
+"I shall reward the traitor in short time, by the grace of God," said
+Arthur. "Now tell me how far I am from Camelot?"
+
+"You are two days' journey distant."
+
+"Then where can I obtain shelter and rest?"
+
+"There is an abbey but three miles distant where you will find skilled
+leeches and good nursing."
+
+Then King Arthur took his leave of the people, and repaired with Accolan
+to the abbey, where he and the knight were placed under medical care.
+Arthur's wounds, though deep and painful, proved not serious, and he
+rapidly recovered, but Accolan had lost so much blood that he died
+within four days. Then Arthur had the corpse sent on a horse-bier,
+attended by six knights, to Camelot, saying to the messengers,--
+
+"Bear this body to my sister, Morgan le Fay, and say to her that I send
+it as a present. Tell her, moreover, that, through her sisterly
+kindness, I have again my sword Excalibur and the scabbard, and shall
+visit her ere long."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW MORGAN CHEATED THE KING.
+
+
+In the meantime Morgan le Fay was so sure of the success of her
+murderous plot, to aid which she had used all her power of necromancy,
+that she felt it safe to complete her scheme. Seeing her husband, King
+Uriens, lying asleep upon his couch, she called a maiden, who was in her
+confidence, and said,--
+
+"Bring me my lord's sword. Now shall my work be ended."
+
+"Oh, madam," cried the damsel, "would you slay your lord! If you do so
+you can never escape."
+
+"Leave that to me, girl. Bring me the sword at once; I am the best judge
+of what it is fit to do."
+
+The damsel departed with a heavy heart, but finding Sir Uwaine, King
+Uriens' son, asleep in another chamber, she waked him and said,--
+
+"Rise at once and go to your mother. She has vowed to kill the king,
+your father, and has sent me in all haste for his sword."
+
+"To kill him!" cried Uwaine. "What treachery is this?--But go, bring the
+sword as she bids. Leave it to me to deal with her."
+
+The damsel did as she was bidden, and brought the sword to the queen,
+giving it to her with hands that quaked with fear. Morgan seized it with
+a firm grasp, and went boldly to the bedside, where she stood looking
+with cruel eyes on the sleeping king. As she lifted the sword for the
+murderous blow, Uwaine, who had silently entered, sprang upon her and
+seized her hand in a crushing grip.
+
+"You fiend, what would you do?" he fiercely cried. "If you were not my
+mother I would smite off your head with this sword. Men say that Merlin
+was born of a devil; but well I believe that I have an earthly fiend for
+mother. To kill my father thus!--in his slumber!--what foul device is
+this?"
+
+His face and voice were so full of righteous fury that the queen quaked
+to her heart with fear, and she clasped her hands in terror upon her
+throat.
+
+"Oh, Uwaine, my dear son, have mercy on me! The foul fiend tempted me to
+this deed. Let me live to repent of this base intent, which I pray you
+to keep secret. I swear never again to attempt so foul a deed."
+
+"Can I trust you? Truth and murder do not go together."
+
+"On my soul, I vow to keep my word!"
+
+"Live, then; but beware you rouse me not again by such a murderous
+thought."
+
+Hardly had the false-hearted queen escaped from the indignation of her
+son when tidings came to her which filled her with as deep a dread as
+when Uwaine had threatened her with the sword, while the grief it
+brought her was deeper than her fear. For she learned that Accolan had
+been slain in the battle, and that his dead body had been sent her.
+Soon, indeed, came the funeral train, with the message that Arthur had
+sent. Then sorrow and terror together filled her heart till it
+threatened to break, for she had loved Accolan with all her soul, and
+his fate wounded her almost to death. But she dared not let this grief
+be seen upon her countenance, lest the secret of her love should be
+discovered; and she was forced to wear a cheerful aspect above a
+bleeding heart. And this she knew, besides, that if she should remain in
+Camelot until Arthur's return, all the gold in the realm would not buy
+her life.
+
+She went, therefore, unto Queen Guenever and asked leave to ride into
+the country.
+
+"Why not remain to greet your brother on his return? He sends word that
+he will soon be here."
+
+"I should much like to, Guenever, but hasty tidings have come which
+require that I should make no delay."
+
+"If that be so," answered Guenever, "let me not stay you. You may depart
+when you will."
+
+On the next morning, before daybreak, Morgan took horse, and rode all
+that day and the greater part of the night. On the following day by
+noon she came to the abbey where Arthur lay. Here she asked the nuns
+where he was, and they answered that he was sleeping in his chamber, for
+he had had but little rest during the three nights past.
+
+"Then see that none of you waken him," she said. "I will go visit him in
+his chamber. I am his sister, Morgan le Fay."
+
+Saying this, she sprang from her horse and entered the abbey, going
+straight to Arthur's chamber. None dare hinder her, and she suffered no
+one to accompany her. Reaching the chamber she found her brother asleep
+in bed, with the sword Excalibur clasped with a vigorous grip in his
+right hand.
+
+When she saw this her heart sank, for it was to steal that sword she
+came, and she knew her treacherous purpose was at an end. She could not
+take the sword from his hand without wakening him, and that might be the
+warrant for her instant death. But the scabbard lay on a chair by the
+bedside. This she took and left the chamber, concealing it under her
+mantle as she went. Mounting her horse again, she rode hastily away with
+her train.
+
+Not long afterwards Arthur woke, and at once missed his scabbard.
+Calling his attendants in a loud voice, he angrily asked who had been
+there, and who had dared remove the missing scabbard. They told him that
+it was his sister, Morgan le Fay, and that she had put it under her
+mantle and ridden away with it.
+
+"Then have you watched me falsely," cried Arthur, in hasty passion.
+
+"What could we do?" they answered. "We dared not disobey your sister's
+command."
+
+"Fetch me at once the best horse that can be found," he ordered, "and
+bid Sir Ontzlake arm himself in all haste, and come here well mounted to
+ride with me."
+
+By the hour's end these commands had been obeyed, and Arthur and
+Ontzlake rode from the abbey in company, well armed and on good horses,
+though the king was yet feeble from his wounds. After riding some
+distance they reached a wayside cross, by which stood a cowherd, whom
+they asked if any lady had lately ridden that way.
+
+"Yes, your honors," said the cowherd. "Not long ago a lady passed here
+at easy speed, followed by about forty horsemen. They rode into yonder
+forest."
+
+Arthur and Ontzlake at this news put spurs to their horses and followed
+fast on the track of the fugitives. An hour of this swift pursuit
+brought them in sight of Morgan's party, and with a heart hot with anger
+Arthur rode on at the utmost pace of his horse.
+
+The fugitives, seeing themselves thus hotly chased, spurred on their own
+steeds, soon leaving the forest and entering a neighboring plain, beside
+which was a lake. When Morgan saw that she was in danger of being
+overtaken she rode quickly to the lake-side, her heart filled with
+spiteful hatred of her brother.
+
+"Whatsoever may happen to me," she cried, "I vow that Arthur shall
+never again wear this scabbard. I here consign it to the lake. From the
+water it came; to the water it returns."
+
+And with a strong hand she flung it far out over the deep waters, into
+which it sank like a stone, for it was heavy with gold and precious
+stones.
+
+Then she rode on, followed by her train, till they entered a valley
+where there were many great stones, and where they were for the moment
+out of sight of their pursuers. Here Morgan le Fay brought her deepest
+powers of enchantment to work, and in a trice she and her horse were
+changed into marble, while each of her followers became converted into a
+statue of stone.
+
+Hardly had this been done when Arthur and Ontzlake entered the valley,
+where they beheld with starting eyes the marvellous transformation. For
+in place of the fugitives they saw only horses and riders of solid
+stone, and so changed that the king could not tell his sister from her
+men, nor one knight from another.
+
+"A marvel is here, indeed!" cried the king. "The vengeance of God has
+fallen upon our foes, and Morgan le Fay is justly punished for her
+treachery. It grieves me, indeed, that so heavy a fate has befallen her,
+yet her own deeds have brought on her this mighty punishment."
+
+Then he sought on all sides for the scabbard, but it could nowhere be
+found. Disappointed in this, he at length turned and rode slowly back
+with his companion to the abbey whence they had come, their souls filled
+with wonder and awe.
+
+Yet no sooner were they well gone than the enchantress brought another
+charm to work, and at once she and all her people were turned again from
+stone into flesh and blood.
+
+"Now we can go where we will; and may joy go with King Arthur," she
+said, with a laugh of triumph to her knights. "Did you note him?"
+
+"Yes," they replied. "And his countenance was so warlike that had we not
+been stone we could scarce have stood before him."
+
+"I believe you," said Morgan. "He would have made sad havoc among us but
+for my spells."
+
+They now rode onward, and soon afterwards met a knight who bore before
+him on his horse another knight, who was unarmed, blindfolded, and bound
+hand and foot.
+
+"What are you about to do with that knight?" asked Morgan.
+
+"To drown him in yonder fountain," was the reply. "He has caused my wife
+to prove false to me, and only his death will avenge my honor."
+
+"Is this the truth?" she asked the bound knight.
+
+"It is false," he replied. "He is a villain to whom I have done no
+wrong. He took me unawares or I should not have been in such a state."
+
+"Who are you, and of what country?"
+
+"My name is Manassen. I am of the court of King Arthur, and cousin to
+Accolan of Gaul."
+
+"Then for the love I bore your cousin you shall be delivered, and this
+villain be put in your plight."
+
+By her orders Manassen was loosed from his bonds and the other knight
+bound. Manassen took from him his armor and horse, and riding with him
+to the fountain, flung him remorselessly in, where he met the fate
+which he had devised for his late prisoner. Then Manassen rode back to
+Morgan, and asked her if she had any word to send King Arthur.
+
+"Tell him," she answered, "that I rescued you not for love of him, but
+of Accolan; and that I fear him not while I can turn myself and my
+knights into stones. Let him know that you saw us riding in good flesh
+and blood, and laughing him to scorn. Tell him, moreover, that I can do
+stranger things than that if the need should come."
+
+Bidding Manassen to return with this message, she rode with her train
+into the country of Gore, where she was well received, and in the might
+of whose castles and towns she felt secure from Arthur's wrath, for much
+she feared his vengeance should she fall into his hands.
+
+Meantime the king rode back to Camelot, where he was gladly received by
+his queen and his knights, to whom he told in full the story of Morgan
+le Fay's treason. They were all angry at this, and many knights declared
+that she should be burned.
+
+"Stone will not burn," said Arthur. "But God has punished her."
+
+But as they thus conversed, Manassen came to the court and told the king
+of his adventure, delivering to him Morgan's message.
+
+"Then the witch has tricked me!" cried the king, in a tone of vexation.
+"I might have known it, had I been wise. A kind sister she is, indeed!
+But my turn will come. Treachery and magic may succeed for a time, but
+honor must win in the end."
+
+Yet despite the king's awakened distrust, he nearly fell a victim to his
+sister's vile enchantments. For on the succeeding morning there came a
+damsel to the court from Morgan le Fay, bearing with her the richest
+mantle that had ever been seen there. It was set so full of precious
+stones that it might almost have stood alone, and some of them were gems
+worth a king's ransom.
+
+"Your sister sends you this mantle," said the bearer. "That she has done
+things to offend you she knows and is sorry for; and she desires that
+you shall take this gift from her as a tribute for her evil thoughts.
+What else can be done to amend her acts she will do, for she bitterly
+regrets her deeds of wickedness."
+
+The mantle pleased the king greatly, though he made but brief reply as
+he accepted it from the hand of the messenger.
+
+At that perilous moment there came to him the damsel Nimue, who had so
+recently helped him in his dire need.
+
+"Sir, may I speak with you in private?" she asked the king.
+
+"What have you to say?" he replied, withdrawing from the throng.
+
+"It is this. Beware that you do not put on this mantle, and that no
+knight of yours puts it on, till you know more. The serpent does not so
+soon lose its venom. There is death in the mantle's folds. At least do
+this: before you wear it, command that she who brought it shall put it
+on."
+
+"Well said," answered the king. "It shall be done as you advise."
+
+Then he returned to the messenger and said,--
+
+"Damsel, I wish to see the mantle you have brought me tried upon
+yourself."
+
+"A king's garment on me, sir! That would not be seemly."
+
+"Seemly or not, I command it. By my head, you shall wear it before it
+come on my back, or that of any man here."
+
+The damsel drew back, quivering with fear and growing pale as death. But
+the king commanded those about him to put it on her. Then was seen a
+marvellous and fearful thing. For no sooner had the enchanted robe been
+clasped around her form than flames burst out from its every thread, and
+in a minute she fell to the floor dead, while her body was burnt to a
+coal.
+
+The king's anger burst out fiercely at this, and his face flamed with
+the fire of rage. He turned to King Uriens and his son, who stood among
+the knights.
+
+"My sister, your wife, is doing her utmost to destroy me," he said, in
+burning wrath. "Are you and my nephew, your son, joined with her in this
+work of treachery? Yet I suspect not you, King Uriens, for Accolan
+confessed to me that she would have slain you as well as me. But as for
+your son, Uwaine, I hold him suspected, and banish him from my court. I
+can have no traitors about me."
+
+When these words had been spoken, Gawaine rose in anger, and said,--
+
+"Whoever banishes my cousin banishes me. When and where Uwaine goes I go
+also."
+
+And with a stride of anger he left the great hall, followed by Uwaine.
+Then the two knights armed themselves, and rode together from Camelot,
+Gawaine vowing never to return till his cousin had been fully and freely
+pardoned.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+The Country of Strange Adventures.
+
+
+The two knights who had so hastily departed from Arthur's court were
+destined to see many and strange adventures before they should return.
+And as their wanderings and deeds were caused by the treason of Morgan
+le Fay, it is meet that they should here be told.
+
+They spent their first night in an abbey not far from Camelot, and on
+the next morning rode forward until they came to a forest. Passing
+through this, they at length found themselves in a valley near a tower.
+Here they beheld two knights fully armed and seated on their war-horses,
+while twelve damsels were seen to pass to and fro beneath a tree.
+
+When the wanderers came nearer they saw that on that tree hung a white
+shield, and that as the damsels passed by this they spat upon it and
+befouled it with mire.
+
+"Why do you do this despite to the shield?" they asked, as they came up.
+
+"Sir knights," answered the damsels, "we have good cause for what we do.
+He who has hung his shield here is a knight of great prowess, but he is
+one who hates all ladies, and this is how we repay him for his hatred."
+
+"I think little of such a knight," said Gawaine. "Yet it may be that he
+has good cause for his hatred. He must love ladies elsewhere, if not
+here, if he be so good a knight as you say. For it is said that the
+despiser of ladies is never worthy in arms. What is the name of this
+knight?"
+
+"His name is Marhaus. He is the son of the king of Ireland."
+
+"I know him well," said Uwaine. "There is no man of more valor living. I
+saw him once at a tournament where no knight could stand before him."
+
+"If this is his shield," said Gawaine, "he will soon be here in person,
+and it may not prove so easy for these knights to face him on horseback
+as for them to stand by and see his shield befouled. It is not our
+quarrel, but we shall stay no longer to see this dishonor."
+
+Before they had withdrawn far, however, they saw the Irish knight riding
+towards his shield, and halted to note what would follow. At sight of
+him the damsels shrieked with terror, and ran so wildly towards the
+turret that some of them fell by the way. But one of the knights
+advanced his shield and cried loudly,--
+
+"Sir Marhaus, defend yourself!"
+
+Then he and Marhaus rode fiercely together, the knight breaking his
+spear without effect, while Marhaus smote him in return so hard a blow
+that he was hurled to the ground with a broken neck. Then the other
+knight rode against Marhaus, but with the same ill success, for both
+horse and man were smitten so furiously that they fell to the earth
+dead.
+
+Then the knight of Ireland rode to his shield, and when he saw how
+foully it had been used he cried,--
+
+"This is a foul shame; but I have requited it upon those dastards. For
+the love of her who gave me this white shield I shall wear it, and hang
+mine where it was."
+
+Thereupon he took the white shield, and left in its place the one he had
+just used.
+
+Then, seeing the two errant knights, he asked them what they did there.
+They answered that they were from Arthur's court, and had ridden in
+search of adventures.
+
+"Then you can have one here," said Marhaus. "I shall be glad to joust
+with you."
+
+He rode away from them to the proper range, without waiting for a reply.
+
+"Let him go," said Uwaine. "I fear he is more than our match."
+
+"I care not if he is," said Gawaine. "However good a knight he be, he
+shall not challenge us unanswered."
+
+"Then let me meet him first. I am the weaker, and if he strikes me down
+you can revenge me."
+
+With these words Uwaine took his place and rode against the Irish
+knight, but with such ill fortune that he was hurled to the earth with a
+wounded side. When Gawaine saw this he prepared for the joust, and the
+two knights rode together with great force. But, as luck would have it,
+Gawaine's spear broke, while that of Marhaus held firm. In consequence,
+both Gawaine and his horse went to the ground.
+
+In an instant the knight was on his feet, sword in hand, and advancing
+towards his adversary. Marhaus drew his sword and moved upon him
+mounted.
+
+"Meet me on foot," cried Gawaine, "or I will kill your horse."
+
+"Gramercy, you teach me courtesy," said Marhaus, "It is not fair for one
+knight to be on foot and the other on horse."
+
+Then he sprang to the ground, set his spear against a tree, and tied his
+horse. This done, he drew his sword and advanced upon Gawaine.
+
+The combat that succeeded was long and hotly contested, beginning at
+nine in the morning and lasting till the day was well advanced. Never
+had that forest known so obstinate and fierce a fight. And from nine of
+the clock till the hour of noon Gawaine grew stronger and stronger, till
+his might was thrice increased and Marhaus had much ado to stand before
+him. But as the day waned from noon onwards Gawaine grew feeble, while
+the strength of Marhaus steadily increased, his form seeming to grow
+larger with every hour. At length it came that Gawaine could scarcely
+stand before him.
+
+"Sir knight," said Marhaus, "this I will say, that I never met a better
+man than yourself, and we have had a noble passage at arms. But as we
+have no quarrel, and I can see you are growing feeble, it were a pity to
+do you more harm. If you are willing, I agree to end the fight."
+
+"That should I have said, gentle knight," answered Gawaine. "I am much
+beholden to your courtesy."
+
+Thereupon they took off their helmets and kissed each other, and swore
+to love one another thenceforth as brethren in arms. Marhaus prayed that
+the two knights would lodge with him that night, and they rode together
+towards his dwelling.
+
+"I marvel," said Gawaine, as they rode forward, "that so good a knight
+as you should love no ladies."
+
+"I love not such as those minxes of the tower, nor any of their sort,"
+said Marhaus. "They are a false-hearted and vile-thinking crew. But to
+all honorable women I owe the best of my knightly service."
+
+They soon reached the dwelling, which was in a little priory, and here
+Marhaus gave them the best cheer at his disposal, the more so when he
+learned that they were sons of King Arthur's sisters. Here they remained
+seven days, until their wounds had fully healed. On the eighth day they
+took horse again to continue their journey.
+
+"We shall not part so lightly," said Marhaus. "I shall bring you through
+the forest, and mayhap ride farther with you."
+
+For seven days more they rode onward without adventure. Then they found
+themselves on the borders of a still greater forest, in what was known
+as the country and forest of Arroy and the land of strange adventures.
+
+"It is well named," said Marhaus. "For it is said that no knight ever
+rode into this country and failed to find adventures many and
+marvellous."
+
+They rode onward into the forest before them, and in good time found
+themselves in a deep and stony valley, traversed by a fair stream of
+water.
+
+Following this upward, they soon came to a fair fountain, the head of
+the stream, beside which three damsels were seated.
+
+Of these, the eldest was not less than threescore years of age. She wore
+a garland of gold upon her head, and her hair was white beneath it. The
+second damsel was thirty years of age, and she also wore a circlet of
+gold. The third was not over fifteen years old, and her garland was of
+flowers.
+
+The knights halted and looked at them in surprise, asking them why they
+sat by that lonely fountain.
+
+"We are here to await knights-errant who come in quest of adventures,"
+they said. "If you three knights are in search of things strange and
+stirring, each of you must choose one of us. When this is done we shall
+lead you unto three highways, one of which each of you must take, and
+his damsel with him. This day twelvemonth you must meet here again, and
+to all this you must pledge your troth, if God give you your lives to
+return."
+
+"You speak well," said Marhaus. "Adventures we seek, and no true
+knight-errant hesitates before the unknown and the dangerous. We shall
+do as you say, each of us choose one of you, and then, whatsoever
+fortune wills, let it come."
+
+"As for me," said Uwaine, "since I am the youngest and weakest of the
+three, I choose the eldest damsel. I have more need of help than either
+of you, and her age and knowledge may aid me well."
+
+"Then I shall take her of middle age," said Marhaus. "She fits me best."
+
+"I thank you both," said Gawaine. "You have left me the youngest and
+fairest, and the one most to my liking."
+
+This said, each damsel took the reins of her knight, and they led them
+to the parting of the three ways. Here the knights took oath to meet at
+the fountain that day twelvemonth if they were living, kissed each
+other, and departed, each knight taking his chosen lady on his steed
+behind him. Of the three ways, Uwaine took that which lay west, Marhaus
+that which lay south, and Gawaine took the way that lay north.
+
+Of the three we shall first follow Gawaine, who rode forward until he
+came to a fair manor, where dwelt an old knight.
+
+"Are there any adventures to be found in this country?" he asked him.
+
+"I shall show you some marvellous ones to-morrow," said his host.
+
+In the morning, Gawaine and the old knight rode into the forest of
+adventures till they came to a wide, open lawn, upon which stood a
+cross. Here they halted and looked about them, and ere long saw
+approaching a knight of seemly aspect, who made the bitterest
+lamentations as he advanced. When he saw Gawaine he saluted him, and
+hoped that God would send him honor.
+
+"As to that, gramercy," said Gawaine. "I pray God, in return, that he
+send you honor and worship."
+
+"That will not come," said the knight. "He sendeth me but sorrow and
+shame."
+
+As he spoke he passed on to the other side of the lawn. Here Gawaine saw
+ten knights, standing with shields and spears ready against this one
+warrior. But he rode against them one by one, thrusting some over their
+horses' tails, and hurling others to the ground, horse and man, until
+with one spear he had unhorsed them all.
+
+But when they were all ten on foot they went to the dolorous knight, who
+stood stone still, pulled him from his horse, and tied him beneath the
+animal, without the least resistance on his part. This done, they led
+him away, thus shamefully bound.
+
+"That is an ugly sight," said Gawaine. "Why does a knight of such
+prowess as this suffer himself to be so vilely treated?"
+
+"Sir," said, the damsel to Gawaine, "why helped you not that good
+knight?"
+
+"He seems to want no help," said Gawaine. "He could have taken care of
+himself if he would."
+
+"You had no desire to help him," retorted the damsel, "or you would not
+have stood by and seen so noble a warrior so foully served."
+
+As they talked a knight appeared on the other side of the lawn, all
+armed but the head. And opposite him came a dwarf on horseback similarly
+armed. He had a great mouth and a short nose, and was as ill favored as
+one would care to see.
+
+"Where is the lady who should meet us here?" asked the dwarf.
+
+In response thereto a fair lady rode from the wood, mounted on a
+handsome palfrey. On seeing her the knight and the dwarf began to
+strive in hot words for her, each saying that she should be his prize.
+
+"Yonder is a knight at the cross," said the dwarf, at length. "Let us
+leave it to him, and abide by his decision."
+
+"I agree to that," said the knight.
+
+Thereupon they rode to Gawaine and told him the purpose of their strife.
+
+"Do you put the matter into my hands?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," they both replied.
+
+"Then this is my decision. Let the lady stand between you and make her
+own choice. The one she chooses, he shall have her."
+
+This was done, and at once the lady turned from the knight and went to
+the dwarf. Then the dwarf took her and went singing away, while the
+knight rode in grief and sorrow into the forest.
+
+But the adventures of that day were not ended, for soon afterwards two
+armed knights rode from the forest, and one of them cried out loudly,--
+
+"Sir Gawaine, knight of King Arthur, I am here to joust with you. So
+make ready."
+
+"Since you know me, I shall not fail you," answered Gawaine.
+
+Then the knights drew apart, and rode so furiously together that both
+were unhorsed. Springing up, they drew their swords and continued the
+battle on foot.
+
+Meanwhile, the second knight went to the damsel and asked why she stayed
+with that knight, and begged her to go with him.
+
+"That I will do," she replied. "I like not the way Gawaine acted just
+now, when one brave knight was overturned by ten dastards. So let us go
+while they fight."
+
+The combat continued long, and then, as the knights seemed evenly
+matched, they ceased in amity, the stranger knight inviting Gawaine to
+spend the night at his lodge. As they rode thither he asked his host,--
+
+"Who is this valiant champion that overturns ten knights, and then
+suffers them to bear him off bound hand and foot? I never saw so
+shameful a thing done."
+
+"The thing has happened ten times and more," said Sir Carados. "The
+knight is one of noble prowess, named Sir Pelleas, and he loves a great
+lady of this country named Ettard, who loves him not in return. What you
+have seen came about in this way. There was of late days a great
+tournament in this country, at which Pelleas struck down every knight
+who was opposed to him, unhorsing twenty knights within three days. His
+valor and prowess won him the prize, which was a good sword, and a
+golden circlet to be given to the fairest lady at the lists. This
+circlet of gold he gave to the lady Ettard, whom he chose for the
+sovereign of his heart and the lady he loved above all women. But she
+was so proud and haughty that she returned him scorn for his love, and
+though he has followed her to her home she will not listen to his suit,
+or admit him in honor to her presence. He is lodged here near her, but
+can gain sight of her only in a shameful way. Every week she sends
+knights to fight with him, and when he has overcome them he suffers
+them to take him prisoner that he may feast his eyes on the face of his
+loved lady. But she does him great despite, for sometimes she has him
+brought in tied to his horse's tail, and sometimes bound under the
+horse, or in any other shameful manner she can think of. For all this he
+will not leave, but makes himself a martyr to his love."
+
+"He is a noble knight, and I greatly pity him," said Gawaine. "I shall
+seek him to-morrow in the forest, and do what I can to help him."
+
+In the morning he met Sir Pelleas, as he had promised, and heard from
+him the story of his woe.
+
+"If I loved her not so truly I should rather die a hundred times than
+suffer such despite," he said. "But I trust that she will pity and love
+me at last."
+
+"Let me aid you, so far as I can," said Gawaine. "I promise to do my
+utmost to gain you the love of your lady."
+
+"Tell me who, and of what court, you are, my good friend?" asked
+Pelleas.
+
+"My name is Gawaine; I am nephew to King Arthur, and King Lot of Orkney
+was my father."
+
+"My name is Pelleas," answered the lovelorn knight. "I was born in the
+Isles, and am lord of many isles, but never till this unhappy time have
+I loved a lady. I pray you help me faithfully, for I get nothing from
+her but vile rebuke. She will not even hold me as prisoner, that I might
+see her daily, but robs me of my horse and armor, and has me thrust
+despitefully from her gates. She lives in a strong castle near by, and
+is lady of all this country. I fear you will not find it easy to obtain
+entrance."
+
+"I shall use art instead of strength," said Gawaine. "Lend me your horse
+and armor, and I will ride to her castle and tell her I have slain you.
+She will let me in at that. Once admitted, I shall do my best to win you
+her love."
+
+He plighted his honor to this, and therewith they changed horses and
+armor.
+
+Leaving the knight of the doleful visage, Gawaine rode to Ettard's
+castle, whom he found in her pavilion outside the gate. On seeing him
+she hastily fled to the castle, but he called her loudly, declaring that
+he was not Pelleas, and that he had slain the knight and won his horse
+and armor.
+
+"Take off your helm," she replied. "Let me see your face."
+
+Gawaine did so, and when she saw that he spoke the truth she bade him
+alight and led him into the castle, questioning him who he was and how
+he had slain her tormenting admirer.
+
+"I am sorry for his death," she said, "for he was a worthy knight; but
+of all men I hated him most, and could never rid myself of his
+importunities. As for you, Sir Gawaine, since you have done me this
+service, I shall be your lady, for I cannot but love you."
+
+Then Gawaine was so entranced by the lady Ettard's blue eyes and fair
+face that he shamefully forgot his word of honor, and warmly returned
+her love. He remained with her and her knights in the castle, so happy
+in her presence as to ignore all the claims of duty and knightly faith.
+
+It was now the month of May, and the air had grown warm and balmy. So it
+happened one evening that they all left the castle to enjoy themselves
+on the flowery meads outside. Believing Pelleas to be dead, Ettard lost
+all dread of unwelcome intrusion, and suggested that they should spend
+the night in the open air, lulled to sleep by the soft winds and the
+perfume of flowers.
+
+But by fortune it chanced that Pelleas, hearing no word from Gawaine,
+that night mounted his horse and rode to the castle. It was a late hour,
+and he was surprised to see pavilions erected outside the gate, and
+couches spread in the open air. As he came near he saw knights and
+ladies asleep on these, while side by side lay Ettard and Gawaine,
+locked in deep slumber.
+
+Anger and pain so filled the knight's heart at this that he drew his
+sword to slay his faithless friend, but on calmer thought he laid the
+naked blade athwart the throats of knight and lady and rode away. On
+reaching his tent, he told his attendants what treachery he had endured,
+and that he had resolved to take to his bed and lie there till he should
+die.
+
+"And when I am dead I charge you to take my heart and bear it to the
+lady Ettard in a silver dish, and tell her that her falseness has slain
+the faithfulest of lovers."
+
+Meanwhile Gawaine and Ettard awoke, and their dread was great on finding
+the sword across their throats.
+
+"It is Pelleas's sword!" she cried. "You have betrayed him and me both,
+for you lied to me in saying that you had killed him. Only that he has
+proved himself a man of true honor, he would have slain us both. Leave
+me, traitor! Never let me see your false face again!"
+
+Gawaine had no words in answer, but hastily mounted his horse and rode
+into the forest, feeling at heart that he had proved a traitor both to
+honor and love.
+
+When morning dawned it happened that Nimue, the damsel of the lake, who
+by chance had come into that country, met with a follower of Sir
+Pelleas, who was grieving sorely for the ill fortune of his master. She
+asked him the cause of his grief, and he told her the woeful tale of the
+lovelorn knight, and how he had taken to his bed, vowing never again to
+rise.
+
+"He shall not die of love, I warrant you that," she said. "Bring me to
+him. I promise you that she who has treated him so vilely shall feel all
+the pain she has made him endure."
+
+She was accordingly brought to the tent of Pelleas, and a feeling of
+pity and love grew in her heart as she looked on his noble and woe-worn
+face while he lay asleep. Therefore she deepened his slumber with a
+spell of enchantment, and charging that no man should wake him before
+her return, she rode through the forest to Ettard's castle.
+
+Within two hours she brought the lady Ettard to the tent, where Pelleas
+still lay wrapped in deep slumber.
+
+"You should do penance for life to murder such a knight as this," she
+said. "You have treated a true lover with shameful despite, and for
+love's sake you shall pay the penalty of your misdeeds."
+
+Then she threw so deep a spell of enchantment on the proud lady that her
+former scorn turned to the deepest love, and her heart went out to
+Pelleas as if it would break with sorrow and remorse.
+
+"Alas!" she cried, "I hated him above all men. What has befallen me that
+I love him now with my whole soul?"
+
+"It is God's righteous judgment," said Nimue.
+
+As they spoke Pelleas awoke, and when he looked upon Ettard his eyes
+filled with scorn and hatred.
+
+"Away, traitress!" he cried. "Never again come within my sight. You have
+taught me to hate you as much as I ever loved."
+
+These scornful words wounded Ettard to the soul. She turned away weeping
+bitterly, and left the tent overwhelmed with anguish.
+
+"Take your horse and leave this country, Sir Pelleas," said the damsel.
+"Love not again till you can give your heart to a lady who is worthy of
+it."
+
+"I have found such a one now," said the knight, fixing his eyes with
+warm feeling upon her face. "This lady Ettard has treated me
+despitefully and turned all my love for her to hatred and scorn. But the
+love I felt for her has gone out to you."
+
+"Thank me for your delivery," said Nimue. "It is too soon to talk of
+love. But this I may say, that if you love me as you vow, you shall not
+find me another Ettard."
+
+Soon after Pelleas arose and armed, and bidding his men to follow with
+the pavilions and furniture, rode into the forest with the damsel of the
+lake, for whom the love in his heart grew each moment warmer.
+
+[Illustration: THE LOVE OF PELLEAS AND NIMUE.]
+
+And thus this woeful story ends in true love's joy and retribution; for
+the false lady Ettard died in lovelorn sorrow, but Pelleas and Nimue
+lived together in true love during the remainder of their days, she
+becoming his dear lady and wife.
+
+Meanwhile Marhaus and Uwaine pursued their course and had their
+adventures, but they were not so many and strange as those of Gawaine,
+and therefore we shall not tell them in full.
+
+As for Uwaine, who rode away with the old damsel, he gained great honor
+at a tournament near the Welsh marches, winning the prize, which was a
+gerfalcon, and a white steed with trappings of cloth of gold. Many other
+adventures he had, and at last came to the castle of a noble lady, who
+was called the Lady of the Rock. Her lands had been taken from her by
+two robber knights, named Sir Edward and Sir Hue of the Red Castle.
+These Uwaine fought together, and with such good fortune that he killed
+Sir Edward and forced Sir Hue to surrender the lady's lands. Then he
+dwelt at the castle of the Lady of the Rock for six months, till he was
+healed of the many and deep wounds he had received in his battle with
+the robber knights.
+
+Meanwhile, Marhaus rode southward with the damsel of thirty summers.
+Many adventures he had, and he won a circlet of gold as the victor in a
+tournament. At length he stopped at the castle of a noble earl named
+Fergus, whose lands were harried by a giant named Taulard. Him Marhaus
+proffered to fight, as neither the earl nor any of his men dared meet
+him.
+
+Fierce and perilous was the battle that followed, for the giant was of
+monstrous height and strength, and armed with iron clubs and great
+battle-axes. But after a terrible contest, Marhaus, by a nimble stroke,
+cut off Taulard's right arm. Then the giant, bellowing with pain and
+terror, fled, and rushed into a stream of water beyond his pursuer's
+reach. But stones were brought to Marhaus by Fergus's men, and with
+these he battered the giant so sorely that at length he fell over into
+the water, where he was quickly drowned.
+
+Afterwards the victorious champion went to the giant's castle, where he
+found in close captivity twenty-four ladies and twelve knights. These he
+delivered from prison. He found also a great store of wealth, enough to
+make him rich for the remainder of his life.
+
+When the year ended the three knights met again at the fountain, two of
+them with their damsels; but Gawaine had lost his, and had come back
+much shorn of honor. Soon after they met by chance a messenger from King
+Arthur, who had long been seeking the banished knights, with orders to
+bring them back to the court.
+
+So the three knights journeyed to Camelot, where the king received them
+graciously, and listened with admiration to the story of their
+adventures. And there, at the feast of Pentecost, came Pelleas and
+Nimue, true lovers plighted. Then were held high feasts and tournaments,
+where many noble knights splintered spears and much honor was lost and
+won. And here Marhaus and Pelleas bore themselves with such noble and
+mighty prowess, that all men vowed the glory of the tournament was
+theirs, and King Arthur, glad to reward such deeds of valor, made them
+Knights of the Table Round.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK IV.
+
+                          LANCELOT OF THE LAKE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+HOW TROUBLE CAME TO LIONEL AND HECTOR.
+
+
+After the strange deeds and adventures that have just been described, a
+season of war came again to King Arthur and his realm, through which he
+won great honor and renown. For Lucius, the Emperor of Rome, sent
+ambassadors to Arthur, demanding tribute; and when he proudly refused
+this demand Lucius gathered a great army and invaded the tributary
+domains of Arthur, in Gaul.
+
+Long and fierce was the war that followed, for Arthur crossed to Gaul
+with all the power of his realm; fought and killed, single-handed, a
+huge giant who dwelt on St. Michael's Mount; defeated the army of Rome,
+and killed the emperor in single combat; and in the end was crowned
+emperor, in the imperial city of Rome.
+
+All this story the chronicles give at length, and tell us also that in
+this war the noble Lancelot du Lake, son of King Ban of Gaul, gained his
+first measure of renown.
+
+After the war had ended and the victorious host returned to England,
+many adventures came to Lancelot, some of which we must here tell.
+Great indeed was the valor and might of this worthiest of knights, who
+in after years proved himself in knightly prowess and chivalric honor
+the noblest of men. In tournaments and deeds of arms, in sportive war or
+battle for life or death, he passed all other knights, and was never
+overcome but by treason or enchantment.
+
+After Arthur's return from Rome sports and feasts were given, and jousts
+and tournaments held, in which the Knights of the Round Table took part,
+many who had gained no great fame in the war now proving themselves able
+and worthy warriors. But above them all Lancelot displayed such skill
+and prowess that he increased in honor and worship beyond any knight of
+Arthur's court.
+
+And, as fortune and fate decreed, he loved Queen Guenever above all
+other ladies, while she held him in favor above all other knights,--a
+favor that was destined thereafter to bring deep sorrow and trouble to
+England's realm. For her sake he did many noble deeds of arms, and he
+was looked upon as her especial champion by all the court.
+
+After the return from Rome Lancelot rested long at the court, taking
+part in all its feasts and gayeties. But in time he grew weary of sport
+and play, and of the idle ways and empty flatteries of courtiers, and
+felt a strong desire to wander abroad in search of strange adventures.
+So he bade his nephew, Sir Lionel, to make ready, saying to him that
+they two would leave the court and ride as knights-errant through the
+land, to right wrongs and punish crimes, to rescue the oppressed and
+overthrow the proud and haughty, and knightly to do and dare wherever
+they went.
+
+So on a day in spring, when the summer was coming with its flowers to
+adorn the rich green of the grassy meads, and the birds sang gayly in
+the trees, the two knights armed themselves at all points and rode
+abroad, passing soon through a deep forest and into a verdant plain
+beyond.
+
+Noon now came on, and the weather grew close and sultry, so that
+Lancelot became drowsy. This he told to Lionel, who pointed to a large
+apple-tree by a hedge, and said,--
+
+"Yonder is a cool shadow. There we may rest ourselves and our horses
+till the noontide heat has passed."
+
+"You speak to the point," said Lancelot. "Not for seven years have I
+been so sleepy as I am now?"
+
+They thereupon alighted, and tied their horses to neighboring trees, and
+Lancelot laid himself down beneath the apple-boughs, with his helmet
+under his head for a pillow. Soon he was in deep slumber, though Lionel
+kept awake.
+
+As they lay thus three knights came riding by in panic fear, pushing
+their horses to the utmost speed, while a single knight followed them in
+furious pursuit. So well-made and strong-limbed a man as this Lionel
+thought he had never seen nor one in all respects so fully armed.
+
+As he looked, the pursuing knight overtook one of the fugitives, and
+with a thrust of his spear flung him prostrate to the ground. Then he
+served the other two in the same manner. This done, he alighted and
+bound the three knights with their own bridle-reins.
+
+[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+
+DREAM OF SIR LANCELOT.]
+
+When Lionel saw this, anger filled his soul, and he thought to win
+honor in a bout of arms with this vigorous champion, so he quietly took
+his horse, so as not to waken Lancelot, and rode towards the victor,
+loudly bidding him turn and try his fortune in a joust.
+
+But the ambitious young knight soon found that he had let youthful pride
+bring him into trouble, for the strong warrior smote him so hard a blow
+that horse and man went together to the earth. Then the victor alighted
+and served Lionel as he had done the others, binding him and flinging
+him athwart his own horse.
+
+He did the same with the three others, and rode away with his prisoners,
+until he came to a castle that lay beyond the plain. Here he forced them
+to remove their armor, and beat their naked skin with thorns till they
+were ready to swoon with the pain. Then he had them thrust into a deep
+prison where were many other knights, whose groans and lamentations
+filled the air with doleful sounds.
+
+Through all this Lancelot slept on, nor did he waken from his slumber
+till another misadventure had taken place. For Sir Hector de Maris, the
+brother of Lionel, finding that Lancelot had left the court to seek
+adventures, was angry that he had not been asked to keep him company,
+and rode hastily after him, hoping to overtake him.
+
+After he had ridden long in the forest he met a man dressed like a
+forester, and asked him if any knightly adventures could be found near
+by.
+
+"Sir knight," answered the forester, "I know this country well, and can
+promise you all, and mayhap more, than you want. Within a mile of here
+is a strong manor; by that manor, on the left hand, is a fair ford for
+horses to drink at; over that ford there grows a spreading tree; and on
+that tree hang many shields which good knights once wielded. On the
+trunk of the tree you will see a basin of brass and copper, and if you
+seek an adventure you have but to strike that basin thrice with the butt
+of your spear. If then you do not soon hear tidings of interest, you
+will have the best fortune of any knight who has passed through this
+forest for many a long year."
+
+"Gramercy, for your tidings," said Hector, and rode rapidly on.
+
+Soon he came to the manor and the tree, and saw the shields of which the
+forester had told him, and to his surprise and grief he noted among them
+the shield of his brother Lionel, and many more that he knew belonged to
+Round Table knights. Then, with a heart full of thoughts of revenge, he
+beat upon the basin roundly with his spear, until its clang rung far and
+wide. This done, he turned his horse and let him drink at the ford.
+
+As he stood there he heard a loud voice behind him, bidding him come out
+of the water and make ready, and looking round he beheld a
+powerfully-built knight on a strong horse.
+
+Hector wheeled his horse sharply, and putting his spear in rest rode
+furiously upon this knight, striking him so fierce a blow that his horse
+turned twice around.
+
+"Well done," said the stranger. "That was a knightly blow. But beware,
+it is my turn now."
+
+As he spoke he spurred his horse at full speed upon Hector, and struck
+him so skilfully that the spear-head passed under his right arm and bore
+him clear of the saddle into the air. Then, carrying the knight like a
+trussed hare on his spear, the victor rode onward into his own open
+hall, and flung his captive down in the middle of the floor.
+
+"You have done more to me than any knight has done for twelve years
+past," said the victor, whose name was Sir Turquine. "Therefore I will
+grant you your life and the liberty of the castle, but you must swear to
+be my prisoner until death."
+
+"That will I never promise," said Hector. "I will remain captive to no
+man if I can free myself."
+
+"Then I shall take care that you do not escape," said Turquine.
+
+With these words he made Hector, on pain of death, remove his armor, and
+then scourged him with thorns as he had done the others, and flung him
+into the prison where lay so many of his fellows.
+
+When Hector saw his brother Lionel among these his heart was ready to
+break with sorrow.
+
+"What has happened to Lancelot?" he demanded. "You rode with him, and
+here you are a prisoner. Alas! tell me not that any harm has come to
+him."
+
+"Where he is and what he does I cannot tell," said Lionel. "I left him
+asleep under an apple-tree and rode alone on this dolorous venture.
+Would that I had wakened him first."
+
+"Alas!" cried the knights, "we may never be delivered unless Lancelot
+comes to our aid. Of all knights living we know none but him who is a
+fair match for Turquine, our robber lord."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE CONTEST OF THE FOUR QUEENS.
+
+
+Noon had passed by, but the day was still warm, and Lancelot lay yet in
+deep slumber, dreaming nothing of what had happened while he slept. But
+now there rode by the apple-tree under which he lay a royal and
+brilliant cavalcade. For in it were four queens of high estate, who were
+mounted on white mules, and attired in regal robes, while beside them
+rode four knights who bore on their spear-points a cloth of green silk,
+so held as to shield the queens from the heat of the sun.
+
+As they rode by Lancelot's place of slumber they were startled by the
+loud neigh of a war-horse, and looking about them they became aware of
+the sleeping knight beneath the apple-tree. They drew near and looked
+upon his face, and at once knew him for Lancelot du Lake. Then they
+began pleasantly to strive as to which of them should have the sleeping
+knight for her lover.
+
+"Let me settle this debate," said Morgan le Fay, who was one of the
+queens. "I shall by enchantment make his sleep hold for six hours to
+come, and shall have him borne to my castle. When he is safely within my
+power I shall remove the enchantment, and then he shall be made to
+choose which of us he will have for his love. If he refuse us all he
+shall pay the penalty."
+
+She did as she had said. Lancelot was laid sleeping upon his shield and
+borne on horseback between two knights, and so brought to a castle
+named Chariot, where he was laid, still slumbering, in a chamber. At
+night-fall a fair damsel was sent to him with his supper ready prepared.
+By that time the enchantment was past, and Lancelot woke as the damsel
+came into his chamber and asked him how he fared.
+
+"That I am not ready to say," answered Lancelot; "for I know not how I
+came into this castle unless it were by enchantment."
+
+"As to that I cannot speak," she replied. "I can but bid you eat. If you
+be such a knight as men say, I shall tell you more to-morrow morn."
+
+"Thanks, fair damsel," said Lancelot. "It pleases me to have your good
+will."
+
+Little comfort had the good knight of that night's sleep; but early in
+the morning there came to him the four queens, each dressed in her
+richest attire, adorned with rare jewels, and as beautiful as art and
+skill could make them.
+
+They bade him good morning and he returned their greeting, looking upon
+them with eyes of admiration, but not of love.
+
+"You are our prisoner, sir knight," said Morgan. "We know you well. You
+are Lancelot of the Lake, King Ban's son. And well we understand that
+you are named the worthiest knight living, and that men say that no lady
+in the land but Queen Guenever can have your love. But this we would
+have you know, that you must choose one of us four as your heart's
+queen, for if you refuse you shall never see Arthur's queen again. I am
+Morgan le Fay, queen of the land of Gore, and here is the Queen of
+Northgalis, the Queen of East-land, and the Queen of the Out Islands. We
+bid you to forget Guenever and choose of us the one you will have for
+your love. If you choose not it will be worse for you, for I shall hold
+you in prison until death."
+
+"This is a hard chance," said Lancelot, "that I must die in prison or
+profess a love that I do not feel. Let me tell you this, though I die
+twice in your dungeon I will have none of you, for you are false
+enchantresses and not true dames for honest men to love. As for dame
+Guenever, were I at liberty I would prove it on all the knights whom you
+command that she is of all ladies the truest to her lord."
+
+"Is this, then, your answer," said Morgan, "that you disdain our love?"
+
+"On my life it is!" cried Lancelot. "Such love as yours is not for
+honest knights; and my love is not to be had for the bidding."
+
+"You may live to change your mind," said Morgan. "Prison life and prison
+fare may cure your pride."
+
+With these words they departed, leaving Lancelot in gloom of mind but
+steadfastness of heart.
+
+At noon, the damsel who had brought him his supper the night before came
+with his dinner, and asked him again how he fared.
+
+"Never so ill," said Lancelot. "For never before was I held under lock
+and key, and never was worthy knight so shamefully entreated."
+
+"It grieves me deeply to see you in such distress," she said. "If you
+will be ruled by me, and make me a promise, you shall be set free from
+this prison, though at the risk of my life."
+
+"I will grant your wish if it be in my power," said Lancelot. "These
+queenly sorceresses have destroyed many a good knight, and I would give
+much to be out of their hands."
+
+"They crave your love from what they have heard of your honor and
+renown," answered the damsel. "They say your name is Lancelot du Lake,
+the flower of knights, and your refusal of their love has filled their
+souls with anger. But for my aid you might die in their hands. The
+promise I ask is this. On Tuesday morning next there is to be a
+tournament between my father and the King of Northgalis. My father was
+lately overpowered by three of Arthur's knights, and if you will be
+there and help him in this coming fray I will engage to deliver you from
+your bondage at dawn to-morrow."
+
+"Tell me your father's name," said Lancelot, "and then you shall have my
+answer."
+
+"His name is King Bagdemagus."
+
+"I know him well," said Lancelot. "He is a noble king and a good knight.
+By the faith of my body, I promise to give him what aid I can."
+
+"A hundred thanks, dear sir," she said. "Be ready to-morrow early. I
+shall be here to deliver you, and take you to where you can find your
+horse and armor. Within ten miles of this castle is an abbey of white
+monks. There I beg you to stay and thither I shall bring my father to
+you."
+
+"As I am a true knight you can trust me," said Lancelot.
+
+With this the damsel departed. But at early dawn of the next day she
+came again, as she had promised, and found Lancelot ready and eager for
+flight. Then they crept through hall and passage, with heedful tread and
+bated breath, until she had opened twelve locked doors and reached the
+castle yard.
+
+The sun was just giving its rose tints to the east when she brought him
+to the place where his horse and armor were kept, and with hasty fingers
+helped him to arm. Then, taking a great spear and mounting his noble
+steed, Lancelot rode forth, saying cheerily,--
+
+"Fair damsel, by the grace of God I shall not fail you."
+
+And still slumber lay deep upon the castle, and not one of the queens
+nor a soul of those who dwelt therein was wakened by the sound.
+
+But not far had the escaping knight departed from the castle before he
+entered a thick forest, in whose depths he wandered lost all that day,
+finding no high road, and no trace of the abbey of white monks. Night at
+length came upon him, and now he found himself in a valley where he saw
+a pavilion of red sendal.
+
+"Fortune aids me," said Lancelot. "Whoever owns that pavilion, it shall
+give me shelter for the night."
+
+He thereupon alighted, tied his horse to a tree near by, and entered the
+pavilion, in which was a comfortable bed. Disarming, he laid himself
+therein, and very soon was lost in heavy slumber.
+
+Within an hour afterwards the knight who owned the pavilion came
+thither, and laid himself upon the bed without noticing that it was
+already occupied. His entrance wakened Lancelot, who, on feeling this
+intrusion, sprang in quick alarm from the bed and grasped his sword. The
+other knight, no less alarmed, did the same, and sword in hand they
+rushed out from the pavilion into the open air, and fell into mortal
+combat by the side of a little stream that there ran past.
+
+The fight was quickly at an end, for after a few passes the knight of
+the pavilion fell to the earth, wounded nearly unto death.
+
+"I yield me, sir knight," he cried. "But I fear I have fought my last."
+
+"Why came you into my bed?" demanded Lancelot.
+
+"The pavilion is my own," said the knight. "It is ill fortune that I
+should die for seeking my own bed."
+
+"Then I am sorry to have hurt you," said Lancelot. "I have lately been
+beguiled by treason, and was in dread of it. Come into the pavilion. It
+may be that I can stanch your blood."
+
+They entered the pavilion, where Lancelot, with skilful hands, dressed
+the knight's wound and stopped the bleeding. As he did so the knight's
+lady entered the pavilion, and fell into deep lamentation and accusal of
+Lancelot, on seeing how sorely her lord was hurt.
+
+"Peace, my lady and love," said the knight. "This is a worthy and
+honorable gentleman. I am in fault for my hurt, and he has saved my life
+by his skill and care."
+
+"Will you tell me what knight you are?" asked the lady.
+
+"Fair lady," he replied, "my name is Lancelot du Lake."
+
+"So your face and voice told me," she replied, "for I have seen you
+often, and know you better than you deem. And I would ask of your
+courtesy, for the harm you have done to my lord Beleus and the grief you
+have given me, that you will cause my lord to be made a Knight of the
+Round Table. This I can say for him, that he is a man of warlike
+prowess, and the lord of many islands."
+
+"Let him come to the court at the next high feast," said Lancelot; "and
+come you with him. I shall do what I can for him, and if he prove as
+good a knight as you say, I doubt not but King Arthur will grant your
+request."
+
+While they still talked the night passed and the day dawned. Then
+Lancelot armed himself, and asking of them the way to the abbey, rode
+thither, where he arrived within the space of two hours.
+
+As Lancelot rode within the abbey yard, the damsel to whom he owed his
+deliverance from the prison of Morgan le Fay sprang from a couch and ran
+to a window, roused by the loud clang of hoofs upon the pavement.
+
+Seeing who it was, she hurried gladly down, and bade some of the men to
+take his horse to the stable, and others to lead him to a chamber,
+whither she sent him a robe to wear when he had laid off his armor.
+
+[Illustration: OLD ARCHES OF THE ABBEY WALL.]
+
+Then she entered the chamber and bade him heartily welcome, saying that
+of all knights in the world he was the one she most wished to see.
+Ordering breakfast to be prepared for the hungry knight, she sent in
+haste for her father, who was within twelve miles of the abbey. Before
+eventide he came, and with him a fair following of knights.
+
+As soon as King Bagdemagus reached the abbey, he went straight to the
+room where were Lancelot and his daughter in conversation, and took
+Lancelot in his arms, bidding him warmly welcome.
+
+In the talk that followed, Lancelot told the king of his late
+adventures, the loss of his nephew Lionel, his own betrayal, and his
+rescue by the maiden, his daughter: "For which," he said, "I owe my best
+service to her and hers while I live."
+
+"Then can I trust in your help on Tuesday next?" asked the king.
+
+"That I have already promised your daughter," said Lancelot. "I shall
+not fail. But she tells me that in your last bout you lost the field
+through three of King Arthur's knights, who aided the King of
+Northgalis, and that it is against these knights you need assistance.
+What knights were they?"
+
+"They were Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Mordred, and Sir Gahalatine. Do
+what we could, neither I nor my knights could make head against them."
+
+"I would not have them know me," said Lancelot. "My plan, therefore, is
+this. Send me here three of your best knights, and see that they have
+white shields, with no device, and that I also have such a shield. Then
+shall we four, when the fight is well on, come out of a wood into the
+midst of the fray, and do what we can to defeat these champions."
+
+This plan was carried out as Lancelot had devised. On the day fixed for
+the tournament he, with his three white-shielded companions, placed
+himself in ambush in a leafy grove near where the lists were raised.
+Around the field were rows of benches where the spectators might sit,
+and richly-adorned seats for the lords and ladies who were to adjudge
+the combat and award the prize of skill and valor.
+
+Then into the lists rode the King of Northgalis, with a following of
+fourscore knights, and attended by the three knights of Arthur's court,
+who stood apart by themselves. Into the opposite side of the lists rode
+King Bagdemagus, with as many knights in his train.
+
+When all were in place the signal for the onset was given, and the
+knights put their spears in rest and rode together with a great rush,
+and with such fatal fortune that twelve of the party of Bagdemagus and
+six of that of Northgalis were slain at the first encounter, while the
+knights of King Bagdemagus were driven back in disorder.
+
+At this critical juncture Lancelot and his companions broke from their
+concealment and rode into the lists, forcing their horses into the thick
+of the press. Then Lancelot did deeds of such marvellous strength and
+skill that all men deeply wondered who could be the valiant knight of
+the white shield. For with one spear he smote down five knights, with
+such force that four of them broke their backs in the fall. Then turning
+on the King of Northgalis, he hurled him from his horse and broke his
+thigh.
+
+The three knights of Arthur's court, who had not yet joined in the fray,
+saw this, and rode forward.
+
+"A shrewd guest that," said Mador. "Let me have at him."
+
+But his fortune was not equal to his hopes, for Lancelot bore down horse
+and man, so that Mador's shoulder was put out of joint by the fall.
+
+"Now is my turn," said Mordred.
+
+He rode fiercely on Lancelot, who turned nimbly and met him in full
+career, Mordred's spear shivering unto his hand when it struck the firm
+white shield. But Lancelot gave him so shrewd a buffet that the bow of
+his saddle broke, and he was flung over his horse's tail with such
+violence that his helmet went more than a foot into the earth. Fortune
+saved him from a broken neck, but he lay long in a swoon.
+
+Then Gahalatine and Lancelot rode together with all their force, the
+spears of both breaking, but both keeping their seats. They now drew
+their swords, and struck each other many a keen blow. At length
+Lancelot, with a burst of wrath, smote Gahalatine so fierce a stroke on
+the helm that blood burst from his nose, mouth, and ears, and his head
+drooped on his breast. His horse ran in fright from the fray, while he
+fell headlong from his saddle to the ground.
+
+Lancelot now drew back and received from the attendants a stout, strong
+spear, and with this rode again into the fray. Before that spear broke
+he had unhorsed sixteen knights, some of them being borne from their
+saddles, while others were hurled horse and man together to the earth.
+Then getting another spear he unhorsed twelve more knights, some of whom
+never throve afterwards. This ended the tournament, for the knights of
+Northgalis refused to fight any longer against a champion of such
+mighty prowess, and the prize was awarded to King Bagdemagus.
+
+Lancelot now rode with King Bagdemagus from the lists to his castle,
+where they had great feasting and rejoicing, and where Lancelot was
+proffered rich gifts for the noble service he had rendered. But these he
+refused to accept.
+
+On the following morning Lancelot took his leave, saying that he must go
+in search of Lionel, who had vanished from his side during his sleep.
+But before going he commended all present to God's grace, and said to
+the king's daughter,--
+
+"If you have need any time of my service I pray you let me know, and I
+shall not fail you, as I am a true knight."
+
+And so Lancelot departed, having had strange adventures and won much
+renown since he had parted from his nephew Lionel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW LANCELOT AND TURQUINE FOUGHT.
+
+
+Not far nor long had Lancelot ridden before he found himself in familiar
+scenes, and in a short time he beheld that same apple-tree under which
+he had lain asleep.
+
+"I shall take care never to sleep again beneath your shade," he said,
+grimly. "The fruit you bear is not wholesome for errant knights."
+
+He rode by it, but had not followed the highway far when he met a damsel
+riding on a white palfrey, who saluted him. He courteously returned her
+salute, and said,--
+
+"Fair damsel, know you of any adventures that may be had in this land?"
+
+"Sir knight," she replied, "if you crave adventures you will not need to
+go far to find one. But it is one it might be safest for you not to
+undertake."
+
+"Why should I not?" said Lancelot. "I came here seeking adventures, and
+am not the man to turn back from a shadow."
+
+"You seem to be a good knight," she replied, regarding him closely. "If
+you dare face a powerful fighter, I can bring you where is the best and
+mightiest in this land. But first I would know what knight you are."
+
+"As for my name, you are welcome to it," he replied. "Men call me
+Lancelot du Lake."
+
+"This, then, is the adventure. Near by there dwells a knight who has
+never yet found his match, and who is ever ready for a joust. His name
+is Sir Turquine. As I am told, he has overcome and has in prison in his
+castle sixty-four knights of Arthur's court, whom he has met and
+vanquished in single combat. You shall fight with him if you will. And
+if you overcome him, then I shall beg for your aid against a false
+knight who daily distresses me and other damsels. Have I your promise?"
+
+"There is nothing I would rather do," said Lancelot. "Bring me now where
+I may meet this Turquine. When I have ended with him I shall be at your
+service."
+
+"Come this way," she replied, and led him to the ford and the tree where
+hung the basin.
+
+Lancelot waited here until his horse had drunk, and then he beat on the
+basin with the butt of his spear with such force that its bottom fell
+out, but no one answered his challenge. He knocked then loudly at the
+manor gates, but they remained closed. Finding no entrance, he rode for
+half an hour along the manor walls, looking heedfully for Sir Turquine,
+whom he fancied must be abroad. At the end of that time he saw a knight
+who drove a horse before him, and athwart that horse lay an armed
+knight, bound.
+
+As they drew near, Lancelot noticed something familiar in the aspect of
+the bound knight, and when they had come close he recognized him as
+Gaheris, the brother of Gawaine, and a Knight of the Round Table.
+
+"That prisoner is a fellow of mine," he said to the damsel. "I shall
+begin, I promise you, by God's help, with rescuing him; and unless his
+captor sit better than I in the saddle, I shall deliver all his
+prisoners, among whom, I am sure, are some of my near kindred."
+
+By this time Turquine was close at hand, and on seeing an armed knight
+thus confront him he drew up his horse and gripped his spear fiercely.
+
+"Fair sir," said Lancelot, "put down that wounded knight and let him
+rest a while, while you and I find out who is the better man. I am told
+you have done much wrong to Knights of the Round Table, and I am here to
+revenge them. Therefore, defend yourself."
+
+"If you be of the Round Table," said Turquine, "I defy you and all your
+fellowship."
+
+"That is easy to say," retorted Lancelot. "Now let me see what you are
+ready to do."
+
+Then, they put their spears in the rests, and rode together with the
+force of two ships meeting in mid-ocean, smiting each other so strongly
+in the midst of their shields that the backs of both horses broke
+beneath them. The knights, astonished at this result, leaped hastily to
+the ground to avoid being overthrown.
+
+Then, drawing their swords and bearing their shields in front, they came
+hotly together, striking with such force that shield and armor alike
+gave way beneath the mighty blows, and blood soon began to flow freely
+from their wounds. Thus for two hours and more the deadly contest
+continued, the knights striking, parrying, advancing, and retiring with
+all the skill of perfect swordsmen. At the last they both paused through
+lack of breath, and stood leaning upon their swords, and facing each
+other grimly.
+
+"Hold thy hand a while, fellow," said Turquine, "and tell me what I
+shall ask thee."
+
+"Say on," rejoined Lancelot, briefly.
+
+"Thou art the strongest and best-breathed man that ever I met with, and
+art much like the knight that I hate most of all men. If you are not he,
+then for the esteem I have for you I will release all my prisoners, and
+we shall be fellows together while we live. But first of all I would
+know your name."
+
+"You speak well," said Lancelot. "But since you promise me your
+friendship, tell me what knight it is you hate so deeply?"
+
+"His name," said Turquine, "is Lancelot du Lake. He slew my brother
+Carados at the dolorous tower, and I have vowed that, if I should meet
+him, one of us shall make an end of the other. Through hate of him I
+have slain a hundred knights, and maimed as many more, while of those I
+have thrown in prison, many are dead, and threescore and four yet live.
+If you will tell me your name, and it be not Lancelot, all these shall
+be delivered."
+
+"It stands, then," said Lancelot, "that if I be one man I may have your
+peace and friendship, and if I be another man there will be mortal war
+between us. If you would know my name, it is Lancelot du Lake, son of
+King Ban of Benwick, and Knight of the Table Round. And now do your
+best, for I defy you."
+
+"Ah, Lancelot!" said Turquine, "never was knight so welcome to me. This
+is the meeting I have long sought, and we shall never part till one of
+us be dead."
+
+Then they rushed together like two wild bulls, lashing at each other
+with shield and sword, and striking such fiery blows that pieces of
+steel flew from their armor of proof, and blood poured from many new
+wounds.
+
+Two hours longer the fight continued, Turquine giving Lancelot many
+wounds and receiving stinging blows in return, till at the end he drew
+back faint with loss of breath and of blood, and bore his shield low
+through weakness. This Lancelot quickly perceived, and leaped fiercely
+upon him, seizing him by the beaver of his helmet and dragging him down
+to his knees. Then he tore off his helm, and swinging in the air his
+fatal blade, smote off his head so that it leaped like a live thing upon
+the ground, while the body fell prostrate in death.
+
+"So much for Turquine," said Lancelot. "He will take prisoner no more
+Round Table knights. But by my faith, there are not many such men as he,
+and he and I might have faced the world. Now, damsel, I am ready to go
+with you where you will, but I have no horse."
+
+"Take that of this wounded knight; and let him go into the manor and
+release the prisoners."
+
+"That is well advised," said Lancelot, who thereupon went to Gaheris and
+begged that he would lend him his horse.
+
+"Lend it!" cried Gaheris. "I will give it, and would give ten if I had
+them, for I owe my life and my horse both to you. You have slain in my
+sight the mightiest man and the best knight that I ever saw, except
+yourself. And, fair sir, I pray you tell me your name?"
+
+"My name is Lancelot du Lake. I owe you rescue for King Arthur's sake,
+and for that of Gawaine, your brother and my comrade. Within that manor
+you will find many Knights of the Round Table, whose shields you may see
+on yonder tree. I pray you greet them all from me, and say I bid them
+take for their own such stuff as they find there. I must ride on with
+this damsel to keep my promise, but I hope to be back at the court by
+the feast of Pentecost. Bid Lionel and Hector await me there."
+
+This said, he mounted and rode on, while Gaheris went into the
+manor-house. Here he found a yeoman porter, who accosted him surlily.
+Gaheris flung the dogged fellow to the floor, and took from him his
+keys. With these he opened the prison doors and released the captives,
+who thanked him warmly for their rescue, for they saw that he was
+wounded, and deemed that he had vanquished Turquine.
+
+"It was not I," said Gaheris, "that slew your tyrant. You have Lancelot
+to thank for that. He greets you all, and asks Lionel and Hector to wait
+for him at the court."
+
+"That we shall not do," said they. "While we live we shall seek him."
+
+"So shall I," said Kay, who was among the prisoners, "as I am a true
+knight."
+
+Then the released knights sought their armor and horses, and as they did
+so a forester rode into the court, with four horses laden with fat
+venison.
+
+"Here is for us," said Kay. "We have not had such a repast as this
+promises for many a long day. That rogue Turquine owes us a dinner at
+least."
+
+Then the manor-kitchens were set in a blaze, and the venison was
+roasted, baked, and sodden, the half-starved knights enjoying such a
+hearty meal as they had long been without. Some of them afterwards
+stayed in the manor-house for the night, though in more agreeable
+quarters than they had of late occupied. But Lionel, Hector, and Kay
+rode in quest of Lancelot, resolved to find him if it were possible,
+and to lose no time in the search.
+
+As for the victorious knight, he had many strange adventures, of which
+we can tell only those of most interest. First of all, he performed the
+task which the damsel required of him, for he met and killed that false
+knight against whom she prayed for redress.
+
+"You have done this day a double service to mankind," said the damsel,
+gratefully. "As Turquine destroyed knights, so did this villain, whose
+name was Peris de Forest Savage, destroy and distress ladies and
+gentlewomen, and he is well repaid for his villany."
+
+"Do you want any more service of me?" asked Lancelot.
+
+"Not at this time. But may heaven preserve you wherever you go, for you
+deserve the prayers of all who are in distress. But one thing, it seems
+to me, you lack: you are a wifeless knight. The world says that you will
+love no maiden, but that your heart is turned only to Queen Guenever,
+who has ordained by enchantment that you shall love none but her. This I
+hold to be a great pity, and many in the land are sorry to see so noble
+a knight so enchained."
+
+"I cannot stop people from thinking what they will," said Lancelot, "but
+as for marrying, I shall not soon consent to be a stay-at-home knight.
+And as for Guenever's enchantment, it is only that of beauty and womanly
+graciousness. What time may bring me I know not, but as yet it has not
+brought me a fancy for wedded life. I thank you for your good wishes,
+fair damsel, and courteously bid you farewell."
+
+With these words Lancelot and she parted, she seeking her home, and the
+knight riding in quest of new adventures. For two days his journey
+continued, through a country strange to him. On the morning of the third
+day he found himself beside a wide stream, which was crossed by a long
+bridge, beyond which rose the battlemented towers of a strong castle.
+
+Lancelot rode upon the bridge, but before he had reached its middle
+there started out a foul-faced churl, who smote his horse a hard blow on
+the nose, and asked him surlily why he dared cross that bridge without
+license.
+
+"Why should I not, if I wish?" asked the knight. "Who has the right to
+hinder?"
+
+"I have," cried the churl. "You may choose what you will, but you shall
+not ride here," and he struck at him furiously with a great iron-shod
+club.
+
+At this affront Lancelot angrily drew his sword, and with one stroke
+warded off the blow, and cut the churl's head in twain.
+
+"So much for you, fool," he said.
+
+But when he reached the end of the bridge he found there a village,
+whose people cried out to him, "You have done a sorry deed for yourself,
+for you have slain the chief porter of our castle."
+
+Lancelot rode on, heedless of their cries, and forcing his great horse
+through the throng till he came to the castle walls. The gates of these
+stood open, and he rode in, where he saw a fair green court, and beyond
+it the stately walls and towers. At the windows were the faces of many
+people, who cried to him in dismay,--
+
+"Fair knight, turn and fly. Death awaits you here."
+
+"Fly! I have not learned how," answered Lancelot, as he sprang from his
+horse and tied him to a ring in the wall. "This court seems a fair place
+for knightly combat, and it fits better with my mood to fight than fly."
+
+Hardly had he spoken when from the castle doors came two strong giants,
+armed all but their heads, and bearing as weapons great iron clubs. They
+set upon Lancelot together, the foremost making a stroke that would have
+slain him had it reached him. But the knight warded it off with his
+shield, and agilely returned the blow with his sword, with so vigorous a
+stroke that he cleft the giant's head in twain.
+
+When his fellow saw this, he turned and ran in panic fear, but Lancelot
+furiously pursued him, and struck him so fierce a blow that the sword
+clove his great body asunder from shoulder to waist.
+
+"Is it not better to fight than to fly?" cried Lancelot to the glad
+faces which he now saw at the windows, and, leaving the dead giants
+crimsoning the green verdure, he strode into the castle hall, where
+there came before him threescore ladies, who fell on their knees and
+thanked God and him for their deliverance.
+
+"Blessed be the day thou wert born, sir knight," they said, "for many
+brave warriors have died in seeking to do what thou hast achieved this
+day. We are all of us gentlewomen born, and many of us have been
+prisoners here for seven years, working in silk for these giants that we
+might earn our food. We pray you to tell us your name, that our friends
+may know who has delivered us, and remember you in their prayers."
+
+"Fair ladies," he said, "my name is Lancelot du Lake."
+
+"You may well be he," they replied. "For we know no other knight that
+could have faced those giants together, and slain them as you have
+done."
+
+"Say unto your friends," said Lancelot, "that I send them greeting, and
+that I shall expect good cheer from them if ever I should come into
+their manors. As for the treasure in this castle, I give it to you in
+payment for your captivity. For the castle itself, its lord, whom these
+giants have dispossessed, may claim again his heritage."
+
+"The castle," they replied, "is named Tintagil. The duke who owned it
+was the husband of Queen Igraine, King Arthur's mother. But it has long
+been held by these miscreant giants."
+
+"Then," said Lancelot, "the castle belongs to the king, and shall be
+returned to him. And now farewell, and God be with you."
+
+So saying, he mounted his horse and rode away, followed by the thanks
+and prayers of the rescued ladies.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE CHAPEL PERILOUS.
+
+
+Lancelot rode onward day after day, passing through many strange and
+wild countries, and over many rivers, and finding but sorry cheer and
+ill lodging as he went. At length fortune brought him to a comfortable
+wayside mansion, where he was well received, and after a good supper was
+lodged in a chamber over the gateway.
+
+But he had not been long asleep when he was aroused by a furious
+knocking at the gate. Springing from his bed, he looked from the window,
+and there by the moonlight saw one knight defending himself against
+three, who were pressing him closely. The knight fought bravely, but was
+in danger of being overpowered.
+
+"Those are not fair odds," said Lancelot. "I must to the rescue, and the
+more so as I see that it is my old friend, Sir Kay, who is being so
+roughly handled."
+
+Then he hastily put on his armor, and by aid of a sheet lowered himself
+from a window to the ground.
+
+"Turn this way," he cried to the assailants, "and leave that knight.
+Three to one is not knightly odds."
+
+At these words they turned upon him, all three striking at him together,
+and forcing him to defend himself. Kay would have come to his aid, but
+he cried out,--
+
+"I will have none of your help. Stand off and leave me alone, or fight
+them yourself."
+
+At this Kay stood aside, and Lancelot attacked the three miscreants so
+fiercely that within six strokes he felled them all to the ground. They
+now begged for mercy, yielding to him as a man of matchless skill.
+
+"I will not take your yielding," he replied. "Yield to Sir Kay, here,
+whom you foully over-matched."
+
+"You ask too much of us, fair sir. It is not just that we should yield
+to him whom we would have vanquished but for you."
+
+"Think well," returned Lancelot. "You shall yield or die. The choice is
+yours."
+
+"That is a choice with but one side. Yield we must, if death is the
+alternative."
+
+"Then I bid you on Whitsunday next, to present yourselves to Queen
+Guenever at King Arthur's court, and put yourselves in her grace and
+mercy, saying that Sir Kay sent you there as prisoners."
+
+This they took oath to do, each knight swearing upon his sword;
+whereupon Lancelot suffered them to depart.
+
+He now knocked at the gate with the pommel of his sword, till his host
+came, who started with surprise on seeing him there.
+
+"I thought you were safe a-bed," he said.
+
+"So I was. But I sprang from the window to help an old fellow of mine."
+
+When they came to the light, Kay recognized Lancelot, and fell on his
+knees to thank him for saving his life.
+
+"What I have done is nothing but what duty and good fellowship
+demanded," said Lancelot. "Are you hungry?"
+
+"Half starved," answered Kay.
+
+"Mayhap our good host can find you food."
+
+Meat was thereupon brought, of which Kay ate heartily, after which he
+and Lancelot sought their beds in the gate chamber.
+
+But in the morning Lancelot rose while Kay was still asleep, and took
+his guest's armor and shield, leaving his own. Then he proceeded to the
+stable, mounted his horse, and rode away. Shortly afterwards Kay awoke,
+and quickly perceived what his comrade had done.
+
+"Good," he said, with a laugh. "Lancelot is after some sport. I fancy
+that more than one knight will get more than he bargains for if he
+thinks he has me to deal with. As for me, with Lancelot's armor and
+shield, I shall be left to ride in peace, for few, I fancy, will trouble
+me."
+
+Kay thereupon put on Lancelot's armor, and, thanking his host, rode
+away. Meanwhile Lancelot had ridden on till he found himself in a low
+country full of meadows and rivers. Here he passed a bridge at whose end
+were three pavilions of silk and sendal, and at the door of each a white
+shield on the truncheon of a spear, while three squires stood at the
+pavilion doors. Lancelot rode leisurely by, without a word and hardly a
+look.
+
+When he had passed, the knights looked after him, saying to one another,
+"That is the proud Kay. He deems no knight so good as he, though it has
+often been proved otherwise."
+
+"I shall ride after him," said one. "We shall see if his pride does not
+have a fall. Watch me, comrades, if you would see some sport."
+
+He sped but poorly, as it proved, for within a short time he was hurled
+grovelling to the earth. Then the two others rode in succession against
+the disguised knight, and both met with the same sorry fate.
+
+"You are not Kay, the seneschal," they cried. "He never struck such
+blows. Tell us your name and we will yield."
+
+"You shall yield, whether you will or not," he replied. "Look that you
+be at court by Whitsunday, and yield yourselves to Queen Guenever,
+saying to her that Sir Kay sent you thither as prisoners."
+
+This they swore to do, in dread of worse handling, and Lancelot rode on,
+leaving them to help themselves as best they might. Not far had he gone
+when he entered a forest, and in an open glade of this saw four knights
+resting under an oak. He knew them at sight to be from Arthur's court,
+two of them being Gawaine and Uwaine; the other two Hector de Maris, and
+Sagramour le Desirous.
+
+They, as the three previous knights had done, mistook Lancelot for Kay,
+and Sagramour rode after him, vowing that he would try what skill the
+seneschal had. He quickly found, for horse and man together were hurled
+to the ground, while Lancelot sat unmoved in his saddle.
+
+"I would have sworn that Kay could not give such a buffet as that," said
+Hector. "Let us see what I can do with him."
+
+His luck was even worse, for he went to the earth with a spear-hole in
+his shoulder, his shield and armor being pierced.
+
+"By my faith!" said Uwaine, "that knight is a bigger and stronger man
+than Kay. He must have slain the seneschal and taken his armor. He has
+proved himself a hard man to match, but if Kay has been slain it is our
+duty to revenge him."
+
+He thereupon rode against Lancelot, but with as ill fortune as his
+fellows, for he was flung so violently to the earth that he lay long out
+of his senses.
+
+"Whoever he be," cried Gawaine, "he has overturned my comrades, and I
+must encounter him. Defend yourself, sir knight."
+
+Then the two knights rode fiercely together, each striking the other in
+the midst of the shield. But Gawaine's spear broke, while that of
+Lancelot held good, and struck so strong a blow that the horse was
+overturned, Gawaine barely escaping being crushed beneath him.
+
+This done, Lancelot rode slowly on, smiling to himself, and saying, "God
+give joy to the man that made this spear, for a better no knight ever
+handled."
+
+"What say you of this knight, who with one spear has felled us all?"
+said Gawaine. "To my thinking, it is Lancelot or the devil. He rides
+like Lancelot."
+
+"We shall find out in good time," said the others; "but he has left us
+sore bodies and sick hearts, and our poor horses are the worse for the
+trial."
+
+Lancelot rode on through the forest, thinking quietly to himself of the
+surprise he had given to his late assailants, and of the sport it would
+thereafter make in the court. But new and stranger adventures awaited
+him, for he was now coming into a land of enchantment, where more than
+mere strength would be needed.
+
+What he saw, after he had ridden long and far, was a black brachet,
+which was coursing as if in the track of a hurt deer; but he quickly
+perceived that the dog was upon a trail of fresh blood. He followed the
+brachet, which looked behind as it ran, as if with desire to lead him
+on. In time he saw before him an old manor, over whose bridge ran the
+dog. When Lancelot had ridden over the bridge, that shook beneath his
+hoofs as if it was ready to fall, he came into a great hall, where lay a
+dead knight whose wounds the dog was licking. As he stood there a lady
+rushed weeping from a chamber, and wrung her hands in grief as she
+accused him of having slain her lord.
+
+"Madam, it was not I," said Lancelot. "I never saw him till his dog led
+me here, and I am sorry enough for your misfortune."
+
+"I should have known it could not be you," she said. "I was led by my
+grief to speak wildly. For he that killed my husband is sorely wounded
+himself, and I can promise him this, that he will never recover. I have
+wrought him a charm that no leech's skill can overcome."
+
+"What was your husband's name?" asked Lancelot.
+
+"Sir Gilbert," she replied. "As for him that slew him, I know not his
+name."
+
+"God send you better comfort," said Lancelot. "I am sorry for your
+misfortune."
+
+Then he rode again into the forest, and in a short space met a damsel
+who knew him well, for his visor was up and his face shown.
+
+"You are well found, my lord Lancelot," she said. "I beg you of your
+knighthood to help my brother, who lies near by sorely wounded, and
+never stops bleeding. He fought to-day with Sir Gilbert and slew him in
+fair battle, and now is dying through foul enchantment. Not far from
+here dwells a lady sorceress, who has wrought this harm, and who told me
+to-day that my brother's wounds would never heal till I could find a
+knight who would go into the Chapel Perilous, and bring thence the sword
+of the slain knight and a piece of the bloody cloth that he is wrapped
+in. My brother will die unless his wounds are touched with that sword
+and that cloth, for nothing else on earth will stop their bleeding."
+
+"This is a marvellous tale," said Lancelot. "Who is your brother?"
+
+"His name is Meliot de Logres."
+
+"Then he is one of my fellows of the Round Table, and I will do all I
+can to help him. What and where the Chapel Perilous is I know not, but I
+do not fear its perils."
+
+"This highway will bring you to it, and at no great distance," she
+replied. "I shall here await your return. I know no knight but you who
+can achieve this task, and truly you will find it no light one, for you
+have enchantment and sorcery to encounter."
+
+Little was Lancelot downcast by these words, and he rode on to the
+Chapel Perilous with no dread in his bold heart. Reaching the building
+indicated, he alighted and tied his horse beside the gate. Then he
+entered the church-yard, and there he saw on the chapel front many
+shields hung upside down, some of them being well known to him.
+
+But his eyes were quickly drawn from these, for suddenly there appeared
+before him thirty gigantic knights, all clad in jet-black armor, and
+every man of them a foot higher than common men. All bore swords and
+shields, and as they stood there they grinned and gnashed at him with
+baleful faces.
+
+Dread came into Lancelot's heart on seeing this frightful throng of
+black warriors, with their demon-like countenances. But commending his
+soul to God, he took his sword in hand and advanced resolutely upon
+them. Then, to his surprise and gladness, when they saw this bold
+advance they scattered right and left before him, like dead leaves
+before the wind, and gave him open passage to the chapel, which he
+entered without further opposition.
+
+Here was no light but that of a dim lamp, and on a bier in the centre of
+the aisle there lay a corpse that was covered with a cloth of silk. On
+coming up, Lancelot gazed upon the face and saw that it was that of Sir
+Gilbert, whose dead body he had seen but lately in the hall of the
+manor-house.
+
+Then he bent over the corpse and cut away a piece of the silk, and as he
+did so he felt the floor to sink and rock beneath him as if the earth
+had quaked. This gave him a thrill of dread, and seizing the sword that
+lay by the side of the corpse he hastened out of the chapel.
+
+When he reached the chapel-yard the black knights thronged again in his
+pathway, and cried to him with voices of thunder,--
+
+"Knight, yield us that sword, or you shall die!"
+
+"Whether I live or die, it will need more than loud words to force me to
+yield it. You may fight for it if you will. And I warn you, you will
+need to fight hard."
+
+Then, as before, they scattered before his bold advance, and left him
+free passage. Lancelot strode resolutely on through the chapel-yard, but
+in the highway beyond he met a fair damsel, who said to him,--
+
+"Sir Lancelot, you know not what risk you run. Leave that sword, or you
+will die for it."
+
+"I got it not so easy that I should leave it for a threat," he replied.
+
+"You are wise," she answered. "I did but test your judgment. If you had
+yielded the sword you would never have looked on Queen Guenever again."
+
+"Then I would have been a fool indeed to leave it."
+
+"Now, gentle knight, I have but one request to make of you ere you
+depart. That is, that you kiss me."
+
+"Nay," said Lancelot, "that God forbid. I save my kisses till my love is
+given."
+
+"Then are you beyond my power," she cried, with a groan of pain. "Had
+you kissed me your life would have ended; but now I have lost my labor,
+for it was for you and Gawaine that I prepared this chapel with its
+enchantments. Gawaine was once in my power, and at that time he fought
+with Sir Gilbert and struck off his left hand. As for you, I have loved
+you these seven years. But I know that none but Guenever will ever have
+your love, and so, as I could not have you alive, I wished to have you
+dead. If you had yielded to my wiles I should have embalmed and
+preserved your body, and kissed it daily in spite of Guenever, or any
+woman living. Now farewell, Lancelot; I shall never look upon your face
+again."
+
+"I pray to Heaven you shall not. And may God preserve me from your vile
+craft."
+
+Mounting his horse, Lancelot departed. Of the lady, we are told by the
+chronicles that she died within a fortnight of pure sorrow, and that she
+was a sorceress of high renown.
+
+Lancelot rode on till he met the sister of the wounded knight, who
+clapped her hands and wept for joy on seeing him safely returned. Then
+she led him to a castle near by, where Sir Meliot lay. Lancelot knew him
+at sight, though he was pale as death from loss of blood.
+
+On seeing Lancelot, he fell on his knees before him, crying, in tones of
+hope,--
+
+"Oh, my lord Lancelot, help me, for you alone can!"
+
+"I can and will," rejoined the knight, and, as he had been advised, he
+touched his wounds with the sword and rubbed them with the bloody cloth
+he had won.
+
+No sooner was this done, than Meliot sprang to his feet a whole and
+sound man, while his heart throbbed with joy and gratefulness. And he
+and his sister entertained their noble guest with the best the castle
+afforded, doing all in their power to show their gratitude.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF THE FALCON.
+
+
+After his departure from the castle of Sir Meliot, Lancelot rode through
+many strange regions, over marshes and highlands, through valleys and
+forests, and at length found himself in front of a handsome castle. This
+he passed, and as he did so thought he heard two bells ring.
+
+Then he saw a falcon fly over his head towards a high elm, with long
+cords hanging from her feet, and as she perched in the elm these became
+coiled round a bough, so that when she tried to fly again the lines held
+her and she hung downward by the legs.
+
+Then there came a lady running from the castle, who cried, as she
+approached,--
+
+"Oh, Lancelot, Lancelot, as thou art the flower of knights, help me to
+get my hawk, lest my lord destroy me! The hawk escaped me, and if my
+husband finds it gone, he is so hasty that I fear he will kill me."
+
+"What is his name?" asked Lancelot.
+
+"His name is Phelot. He is a knight of the king of Northgalis."
+
+"Well, fair lady, since you know my name so well, and ask me on my
+knighthood to help you, I will try to get your hawk. But I am a poor
+climber, and the tree is high, with few boughs to help me."
+
+"I trust you may," she replied, "for my life depends on your success."
+
+Then Lancelot alighted and tied his horse to the tree, and begged the
+lady to help him remove his armor. When he was fully unarmed he climbed
+with much difficulty into the tree, and at length succeeded in reaching
+the hawk. He now tied the lines to a rotten branch and threw it and the
+bird down to the lady.
+
+But as she picked it up with a show of joy, there suddenly came from a
+grove an armed knight, who rode rapidly up, with his drawn sword in his
+hand.
+
+"Now, Lancelot du Lake," he cried, "I have you as I wanted you. Your day
+has come."
+
+And he stood by the trunk of the tree, ready to slay him when he should
+descend.
+
+"What treason is this?" demanded Lancelot. "False woman, why have you
+led me into this?"
+
+"She did as I bade her," said Phelot. "I hate you, Lancelot, and have
+laid this trap for you. You have fought your last fight, my bold
+champion, for you come out of that tree but to your death."
+
+"That would be a shameful deed," cried Lancelot, "for you, an armed
+knight, to slay a defenceless man through treachery."
+
+"Help yourself the best you can," said Phelot; "you get no grace from
+me."
+
+"You will be shamed all your life by so base an act," cried Lancelot.
+"If you will do no more, at least hang my sword upon a bough where I may
+get it, and then you may do your best to slay me."
+
+"No, no," said Phelot. "I know you too well for that. You get no weapon
+if I can hinder you."
+
+Lancelot was now in the most desperate strait he was likely ever to
+endure. He could not stay forever in the tree, and if he should attempt
+to descend there stood that armed villain awaiting him with ready sword.
+What to do he knew not, but his eyes glanced warily round, till he saw
+just above him a big leafless branch, which he broke off close to the
+body of the tree. Thus armed, he climbed down to a lower bough, and
+looked down to note the position of the knight and his own horse.
+
+A quick look told him that there was still a chance for life, and with a
+nimble leap he sprang to the ground on the other side of his horse from
+the knight.
+
+Phelot at once struck at him savagely with his sword, thinking to kill
+him with the blow; but Lancelot parried it with his heavy club, and in
+return dealt his antagonist so fierce a blow on the head as to hurl him
+from his horse to the ground. Then wrenching the sword from his hand, he
+struck off his villanous head.
+
+"Alas!" cried the lady, "you have slain my husband!"
+
+"If I should slay you with him it would be but justice," said Lancelot,
+"for you would have killed me through falsehood and treachery, and you
+have but your deserts."
+
+Then the lady swooned away as if she would die, but Lancelot, seeing
+that the knight's castle was so nigh, hastened to resume his armor, for
+he knew not what other treachery might await him. Then, leaving the lady
+still in a swoon, he mounted and rode away, thanking God that he had
+come so well through that deadly peril.
+
+As to Lancelot's other adventures at that time, they were of no great
+moment. The chronicles tell that he saw a knight chasing a lady with
+intent to kill her, and that he rescued her. Afterwards the knight, who
+was her husband and mad with jealousy, struck off her head in Lancelot's
+presence.
+
+Then when Lancelot would have slain him, he grovelled in the dirt and
+begged for mercy so piteously, that the knight at length granted him his
+shameful life, but made him swear that he would bear the dead body on
+his back to Queen Guenever, and tell her of his deed.
+
+This he accomplished, and was ordered by the queen, as a fitting
+penance, to bear the body of his wife to the Pope of Rome and there beg
+absolution, and never to sleep at night but with the dead body in the
+bed with him. All this the knight did, and the body was buried in Rome
+by the Pope's command. Afterwards Pedivere, the knight, repented so
+deeply of his vile deed that he became a hermit, and was known as a man
+of holy life.
+
+Two days before the feast of Pentecost, Lancelot returned to Camelot
+from his long journey and his many adventures. And there was much
+laughter in the court when the knights whom he had smitten down saw him
+in Kay's armor, and knew who their antagonist had been.
+
+"By my faith," said Kay, "I never rode in such peace as I have done in
+Lancelot's armor, for I have not found a man willing to fight with me,
+and have ruled lord of the land."
+
+Then the various knights whom Lancelot had bidden to seek the court came
+in, one by one, and all were glad to learn that it was by no common man
+that they had been overcome. Among them came Sir Belleus, whom Lancelot
+had wounded at the pavilion, and who at his request was made a Knight of
+the Round Table, and Sir Meliot de Logres, whom he had rescued from the
+enchantment of the Chapel Perilous. Also the adventure of the four
+queens was told, and how Lancelot had been delivered from the power of
+the sorceresses, and had won the tournament for King Bagdemagus.
+
+And so at that time Lancelot had the greatest name of any knight in the
+world, and was the most honored, by high and low alike, of all living
+champions.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK V.
+
+                     THE ADVENTURES OF BEAUMAINS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE KNIGHTING OF KAY'S KITCHEN BOY.
+
+
+King Arthur had, early in his reign, established the custom that at the
+feast of Pentecost he would never dine until he had seen or heard of
+some marvellous event. Through that custom many strange adventures were
+brought to his notice. It happened on one day of Pentecost that the king
+held his Round Table at a castle called Kinkenadon, on the borders of
+Wales. On that day, a little before noon, as Gawaine looked from a
+window, he saw three men on horseback and a dwarf on foot approaching
+the castle. When they came near the men alighted, and, leaving their
+horses in care of the dwarf, they walked towards the castle-gate. One of
+these men was very tall, being a foot and a half higher than his
+companions.
+
+On seeing this, Gawaine went to the king and said,--
+
+"Sire, I deem you can now safely go to your dinner, for I fancy we have
+an adventure at hand."
+
+[Illustration: KING ARTHUR'S ROUND TABLE, WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL.]
+
+The king thereupon went to the table with his knights and the kings who
+were guests at his court. They were but well seated when there came into
+the hall two men, richly attired, upon whose shoulders leaned the
+fairest and handsomest young man that any there had ever seen. In body
+he was large and tall, with broad shoulders and sturdy limbs, yet he
+moved as if he could not bear himself erect, but needed support from his
+comrades' shoulders.
+
+When Arthur saw this youth he bade those around him to make room, and
+the stranger with his companions walked up to the high dais without
+speaking.
+
+Then he drew himself up straight and stood erect before the king.
+
+"King Arthur," he said, "may God bless you and your fellowship, and,
+above all, the fellowship of the Round Table. I am come hither to beg of
+you three gifts, promising that they shall not be unreasonable, and that
+you can honorably grant them without hurt or loss to yourself. The first
+I shall ask now, and the other two this day twelvemonth."
+
+"Ask what you will," said Arthur. "You shall have your gift, if it be so
+easy to grant."
+
+"This is my first petition, that you furnish me meat and drink
+sufficient for this year, and until the time has come to ask for my
+other gifts."
+
+"My fair son," said Arthur, "I counsel you to ask more than this. If my
+judgment fail not, you are of good birth and fit for noble deeds."
+
+"However that may be, I have asked all that I now desire."
+
+"Well, well, you shall have meat and drink enough. I have never denied
+that to friend or foe. But what is your name?"
+
+"Great sir, that I cannot tell you."
+
+"There is a mystery here. A youth of so handsome face and vigorous form
+as you must be of noble parentage. But if you desire secrecy, I shall
+not press you."
+
+Then Arthur bade Kay to take charge of the youth and see that he had the
+best fare of the castle, and to find out if he was a lord's son, if
+possible.
+
+"A churl's son, I should say," answered Kay, scornfully, "and not worth
+the cost of his meals. Had he been of gentle birth he would have asked
+for horse and armor; but he demands that which fits his base-born
+nature. Since he has no name, I shall give him one. Let him be called
+Beaumains, or Fair Hands. I shall keep him in the kitchen, where he can
+have fat broth every day, so that at the years end he will be fat as a
+swollen hog."
+
+Then the two men departed and left the youth with Kay, who continued to
+scorn and mock him.
+
+Gawaine and Lancelot were angry at this, and bade Kay to cease his
+mockery, saying that they were sure the youth would prove of merit.
+
+"Never will he," said Kay. "He has asked as his nature bade him."
+
+"Beware," said Lancelot. "This is not the first youth you have given a
+name in mockery, which turned on yourself at last."
+
+"I do not fear that of this fellow. I wager that he has been brought up
+in some abbey, and came hither because good eating failed him there."
+
+Kay then bade him get a place and sit down to his meal, and Beaumains
+sought a place at the hall-door among boys and menials.
+
+Gawaine and Lancelot thereupon asked him to come to their chambers,
+where he should be well fed and lodged; but he refused, saying that he
+would do only as Kay commanded, since the king had so bidden.
+
+It thus came about that Beaumains ate in the kitchen among the menials,
+and slept in sorry quarters. And during the whole year he was always
+meek and mild, and gave no cause for displeasure to man or child.
+
+But whenever there was jousting of knights he was always present to see,
+and seemed in this sport to take great delight. And Gawaine and
+Lancelot, who felt sure that the youth but bided his time, gave him
+clothes and what money he needed. Also, wherever there were sports of
+skill or strength he was sure to be on hand, and in throwing the bar or
+stone he surpassed all contestants by two yards.
+
+"How like you my boy of the kitchen?" Kay would say, on seeing these
+feats. "Fat broth is good for the muscles."
+
+And so the year passed on till the festival of Whitsuntide came again.
+The court was now at Carlion, where royal feasts were held. But the
+king, as was his custom, refused to eat until he should hear of some
+strange adventure.
+
+While he thus waited a damsel came into the hall and saluted the king,
+and begged aid and succor of him.
+
+"For whom?" asked Arthur. "Of what do you complain?"
+
+"Sire," she replied, "I serve a lady of great worth and merit, who is
+besieged in her castle by a tyrant, and dares not leave her gates for
+fear of him. I pray you send with me some knight to succor her."
+
+"Who is your lady, and where does she dwell? And what is the name of the
+man who besieges her?"
+
+"Her name I must not now tell. I shall only say that she has wide lands
+and is a noble lady. As for the tyrant that distresses her, he is called
+the Red Knight of the Red Lawns."
+
+"I know him not," said the king.
+
+"I know him well," said Gawaine. "Men say he has seven men's strength. I
+escaped him once barely with life."
+
+"Fair damsel," said the king, "there are knights here who would do their
+utmost to rescue your lady. But if you will not tell me her name nor
+where she lives, none of them shall go with my consent."
+
+"Then I must seek further," said the damsel, "for that I am forbidden to
+tell."
+
+At this moment Beaumains came to the king, and said,--
+
+"Royal sir, I have been twelve months in your kitchen, and have had all
+you promised me; now I desire to ask for my other two gifts."
+
+"Ask, if you will. I shall keep to my word."
+
+"This, then, is what I request. First, that you send me with the damsel,
+for this adventure belongs to me."
+
+"You shall have it," said the king.
+
+"My third request is that you shall bid Lancelot du Lake make me a
+knight, for he is the only man in your court from whom I will take that
+honor. When I am gone let him ride after me, and dub me knight when I
+require it of him."
+
+"I grant your wish," said the king. "All shall be done as you desire."
+
+"Fie on you all!" cried the damsel. "I came here for a knight, and you
+offer me a kitchen scullion. Is this King Arthur's way of rescuing a
+lady in distress? If so, I want none of it, and will seek my knight
+elsewhere."
+
+She left the court, red with anger, mounted her horse, and rode away.
+
+She had hardly gone when a page of the court came to Beaumains and told
+him that his dwarf was without, with a noble horse and a rich suit of
+armor, and all other necessaries of the best.
+
+At this all the court marvelled, for they could not imagine who had sent
+all this rich gear to a kitchen menial. But when Beaumains was armed,
+there were none in the court who presented a more manly aspect than he.
+He took courteous leave of the king, and of Gawaine and Lancelot,
+praying the latter that he would soon ride after him. This done, he
+mounted his horse and pursued the damsel.
+
+But those who observed him noticed that, while he was well horsed and
+had trappings of cloth of gold, he bore neither shield nor spear. Among
+those who watched him was Kay, who said,--
+
+"Yonder goes my kitchen drudge, as fine a knight as the best of us, if a
+brave show were all that a knight needed. I have a mind to ride after
+him, to let him know that I am still his superior."
+
+"You had better let him alone," said Gawaine. "You may find more than
+you bargain for."
+
+But Kay armed himself and rode after Beaumains, whom he overtook just as
+he came up with the damsel.
+
+"Hold there, Beaumains," he cried, in mockery. "Do you not know me?"
+
+"Yes," answered the young man. "I know you for an ungentle knight of the
+court, who has put much despite upon me. It is my turn to repay you for
+your insults; so, sirrah, defend yourself."
+
+Kay thereupon put his spear in rest and rode upon Beaumains, who awaited
+him sword in hand. When they came together, Beaumains, with a skilful
+parry, turned aside the spear, and then with a vigorous thrust wounded
+Kay in the side, so that he fell from his horse like a dead man. This
+done, he dismounted and took Kay's shield and spear, and bade his dwarf
+take his horse.
+
+All this was observed by the damsel, and also by Lancelot, who had
+followed closely upon the track of the seneschal.
+
+"Now, Sir Lancelot, I am ready to accept your offer to knight me," said
+Beaumains, "but, first, I would prove myself worthy of the honor, and so
+will joust with you, if you consent."
+
+"That I shall certainly not decline," said Lancelot, counting upon an
+easy victory.
+
+But when the knight and the youth rode against each other both were
+hurled from their horses to the earth, and sorely bruised. But Beaumains
+was entangled in his harness, and Lancelot helped him from his horse.
+
+Then Beaumains flung aside his shield and proffered to fight Lancelot
+on foot, to which the latter consented. For an hour they fought,
+Beaumains showing such strength that Lancelot marvelled at it, and
+esteemed him more a giant than a knight. He began, indeed, to fear that
+he might be vanquished in the end, and at length cried out,--
+
+"Beaumains, you fight too hard, considering that there is no quarrel
+between us. I fancy you need no further proof."
+
+"That is true enough, my lord," said Beaumains. "But it did me good to
+feel your might. As for my own strength, I hardly know it yet."
+
+"It is as much as I want to deal with," said Lancelot. "I had to do my
+best to save my honor."
+
+"Then you think I may prove myself a worthy knight?"
+
+"I warrant you that, if you do as well as you have done to-day."
+
+"I pray you, then, to invest me with the order of knighthood."
+
+"That shall I willingly do. But you must first tell me your name, and
+that of your father."
+
+"You will keep my secret?"
+
+"I promise you that on my faith, until you are ready to reveal it
+yourself."
+
+"Then, sir, my name is Gareth, and I am Gawaine's brother, though he
+knows it not. I was but a child when he became a knight, but King Lot
+was my father."
+
+"I am very glad to hear that," said Lancelot. "I knew you were of gentle
+blood, and came to court for something else than meat and drink."
+
+Then Gareth kneeled before Lancelot, who made him a knight, and bade
+him be a good and worthy one, and to honor his birth by his deeds.
+
+Lancelot then left him and returned to Kay, who lay half dead in the
+road. He had him borne back to the court, but his wound proved long in
+healing, and he found himself the scorn of the court for his
+discourteous treatment of the youth who had been put in his care.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE BLACK, THE GREEN, AND THE RED KNIGHTS.
+
+
+When Beaumains overtook the damsel, he received from her but a sorry
+greeting.
+
+"How dare you follow me?" she said. "You smell too much of the kitchen
+for my liking. Your clothes are foul with grease and tallow, and I
+marvel much that King Arthur made a knight of such a sorry rogue. As for
+yonder knight whom you wounded, there is no credit in that, for it was
+done by treachery and cowardice, not by skill and valor. I know well why
+Kay named you Beaumains, for you are but a lubber and turner of spits,
+and a washer of soiled dishes."
+
+"Say what you will, damsel," answered Beaumains, "you shall not drive me
+away. King Arthur chose me to achieve your adventure, and I shall
+perform it or die."
+
+"Fie on you, kitchen knave! you would not dare, for all the broth you
+ever supped, to look the red knight in the face."
+
+"Would I not? That is to be seen."
+
+As they thus angrily debated, there came to them a man flying at full
+speed.
+
+"Help me, sir knight!" he cried. "Six thieves have taken my lord and
+bound him, and I fear they will slay him if he be not rescued."
+
+"Lead me to him," said Beaumains.
+
+He followed the man to a neighboring glade, where he saw a knight bound
+and prostrate, surrounded by six sorry-looking villains. At sight of
+this the heart of Beaumains leaped with anger. With a ringing battle-cry
+he rushed upon the knaves, and with three vigorous strokes laid three of
+them dead upon the earth. The others fled, but he followed at full
+speed, and quickly overtook them. Then they turned and assailed him
+fiercely, but after a short fight he slew them all. He then rode back to
+the knight, whom his man had unbound.
+
+The rescued knight thanked him warmly, and begged him to ride with him
+to his castle, where he would reward him for his great service. But
+Beaumains answered that he was upon a quest which could not be left, and
+as for reward he would leave that to God.
+
+Then he turned and rode back to the damsel, who greeted him with the
+same contempt as before, bidding him ride farther from her, as she could
+not bear the smell of the kitchen.
+
+"Do you fancy that I esteem you any the nobler for having killed a few
+churls? You shall see a sight yet, sir knave, that will make you turn
+your back, and that quickly."
+
+Not much farther had they ridden when they were overtaken by the rescued
+knight, who begged them, as it was near night, and his castle close at
+hand, to spend the night there. The damsel agreed to this, and they rode
+together to the castle, where they were well entertained.
+
+But at supper the knight set Beaumains before the damsel.
+
+"Fie, fie! sir knight," she exclaimed. "This is discourteous, to seat a
+kitchen page before a lady of high birth. This fellow is more used to
+carve swine than to sit at lords' tables."
+
+To this Beaumains made no answer, but the knight was ashamed, and
+withdrew with his guest to a side table, leaving her to the honor of the
+high table alone. When morning came they thanked the knight for their
+entertainment, and rode refreshed away.
+
+Other adventures were ready for Beaumains before they had ridden far,
+for they soon found themselves at the side of a river that had but a
+single ford, and on the opposite side stood two knights, ready to
+dispute the passage with any who should attempt it.
+
+"What say you to this?" asked the damsel. "Will you face yonder knights,
+or turn back?"
+
+"I shall not turn; nor would I, if there were six more of them. You
+shall see that I can deal with knights as well as knaves."
+
+Then he rode into the water, in the midst of which he met one of the
+knights, their spears breaking as they came fiercely together. They then
+drew their swords and began a fierce fight in the centre of the ford.
+But at last Beaumains dealt his opponent a blow on the helm that stunned
+him, and hurled him from his horse into the water, where he was quickly
+drowned.
+
+Beaumains now spurred forward to the land, where the other knight rushed
+upon him as he touched shore, breaking his spear, but not shaking the
+young champion in his seat. Then they went at it with sword and shield,
+and with the same fortune as before, for Beaumains quickly cleaved the
+helmet and brain of his opponent, and left him dead on the ground.
+
+He now turned and called proudly to the damsel, bidding her to ride
+forward, as he had cleared the ford for her passage.
+
+"Alas!" she cried, "that a kitchen page should have the fortune to kill
+two valiant knights. You fancy you have done a doughty deed, but I deny
+it. The first knight was drowned through his horse stumbling, and the
+other one you struck a foul blow from behind. Never brag of this, for I
+can attest it was not honestly done."
+
+"You may say what you will," rejoined Beaumains. "Whoever seeks to
+hinder me shall make way or kill me, for nothing less than death shall
+stop me on my quest to aid your lady."
+
+"You can boast loudly before a woman. Wait till you meet the knights I
+take you to, and you will be taught another lesson."
+
+"Fair damsel, if you will but give me courteous language, I shall ask no
+more. As for the knights you speak of, let come what will come."
+
+"I say this for your own good; for if you continue to follow me you
+will be slain. What you have done is by misadventure, not by prowess. If
+you are wise, you will turn back with what little honor you may claim."
+
+"Say what you choose, damsel, but wherever you go there go I, and it
+will take more than insulting words to turn me back."
+
+So they rode on till evening, she continuing to chide and berate him,
+and bid him leave her, and he answering meekly, but with no abatement of
+his resolution.
+
+Finally a strange sight came to them. For before them they saw a black
+lawn, in whose midst grew a black hawthorn. On one side of this hung a
+black banner, and on the other a black shield, while near by stood a
+black spear of great size, and a massive black horse covered with silk.
+Near by was a knight armed in black armor, who was known as the Knight
+of the Black Lawn.
+
+The damsel, on seeing this knight, bade Beaumains flee down the valley,
+telling him that he might still escape, for the knight's horse was not
+saddled.
+
+"Gramercy," said Beaumains, "will you always take me for a coward? I fly
+not from one man, though he be as black as ten ravens."
+
+The black knight, seeing them approach, thus addressed the damsel,--
+
+"So, my lady, you are here again! Have you brought this knight from King
+Arthur's court to be your champion?"
+
+"Hardly so, fair sir. This is but a kitchen knave, who was fed in
+Arthur's court through charity, and has followed me as a cur follows
+his master."
+
+"Why comes he then in knightly guise? And what do you in such foul
+company?"
+
+"I cannot get rid of him, sir. He rides with me in my despite. I bring
+him here that you may rid me of the unhappy knave. Through mishap and
+treachery he killed two knights at the river ford, and did other deeds
+that might have been of worth were they fairly done. Yet he is but a
+sorry poltroon."
+
+"I am surprised," said the black knight, "that any man of worth will
+fight with him."
+
+"They knew him not," she answered, "and fancy him of some credit from
+his riding with me, and from his brave show of armor."
+
+"That may be," said the black knight. "Yet, knave or not, he looks like
+a strong fellow. This much I shall do to relieve you of him. I shall put
+him on foot, and take from him his horse and armor. It would be a shame
+to do him more harm."
+
+Beaumains had heard all this, biting his lips in anger. He now
+scornfully replied,--
+
+"Sir knight, you are liberal in disposing of my horse and armor, but
+beware you do not pay a fair price for them. Whether you like it or not,
+this lawn I shall pass, and you will get no horse or armor of mine till
+you win them in open fight. Let me see if you can do it."
+
+"Say you so? You shall yield me this lady, or pay dearly for it; for it
+does not beseem a kitchen page to ride with a lady of high degree."
+
+"If you want her, you must win her," said Beaumains, "and much comfort
+may you get from her tongue. As for me, I am a gentleman born, and of
+higher birth than you; and will prove this on your body if you deny it."
+
+Then in hot anger they rode apart, and came together with a sound of
+thunder. The spear of the black knight broke, but Beaumains thrust him
+through the side, the spear breaking in his body, and leaving the
+truncheon in his flesh. Yet, despite his wound, he drew his sword and
+struck with strength and fury at his antagonist. But the fight lasted
+not long, for the black knight, faint with loss of blood, fell from his
+horse in a swoon, and quickly died.
+
+Then Beaumains, seeing that the horse and armor were better than his
+own, dismounted and put on the dead knight's armor. Now, mounting the
+sable horse, he rode after the damsel. On coming up she greeted him as
+before.
+
+"Away, knave, the smell of thy clothes displeases me. And what a pity it
+is that such as you should by mishap slay so good a knight! But you will
+be quickly repaid, unless you fly, for there is a knight hereby who is
+double your match."
+
+"I may be beaten or slain, fair damsel," said Beaumains; "but you cannot
+drive me off by foul words, or by talking of knights who will beat or
+kill me. Somehow I ride on and leave your knights on the ground. You
+would do well to hold your peace, for I shall follow you, whatever may
+happen, unless I be truly beaten or slain."
+
+So they rode on, Beaumains in silence, but the damsel still at times
+reviling, till they saw approaching them a knight who was all in green,
+both horse and harness. As he came nigh, he asked the damsel,--
+
+"Is that my brother, the black knight, who rides with you?"
+
+"No," she replied. "Your brother is dead. This unhappy kitchen knave has
+slain him through mishap."
+
+"Alas!" cried the green knight, "has so noble a warrior as he been slain
+by a knave! Traitor, you shall die for your deed!"
+
+"I defy you," said Beaumains. "I slew him knightly and not shamefully,
+and am ready to answer to you with sword and spear."
+
+Then the knight took a green horn from his saddle-bow, and blew on it
+three warlike notes. Immediately two damsels appeared, who aided him in
+arming. This done, he mounted his steed, took from their hands a green
+spear and green shield, and stationed himself opposite Beaumains.
+
+Setting spurs to their horses they rode furiously together, both
+breaking their spears, but keeping their seats. Then they attacked each
+other, sword in hand, and cut and slashed with knightly vigor. At
+length, in a sudden wheel, Beaumains's horse struck that of the green
+knight on the side and overturned it, the knight having to leap quickly
+to escape being overthrown.
+
+When Beaumains saw this, he also sprang to the earth and met his
+antagonist on foot. Here they fought for a long time, till both had lost
+much blood.
+
+"You should be ashamed to stand so long fighting with a kitchen knave,"
+cried the damsel at last to the green knight. "Who made you knight, that
+you let such a lad match you, as the weed overgrows the corn?"
+
+Her words of scorn so angered the green knight that he struck a wrathful
+blow at Beaumains, which cut deeply into his shield. Beaumains, roused
+by this and by the damsel's language, struck back with such might on the
+helm of his foe as to hurl him to his knees. Then, seizing him, he flung
+him to the ground, and towered above him with upraised sword.
+
+"I yield me!" cried the knight. "Slay me not, I beg of you."
+
+"You shall die," answered Beaumains, "unless this damsel pray me to
+spare your life," and he unlaced his helm, as with intent to slay him.
+
+"Pray you to save his life!" cried the damsel, in scorn. "I shall never
+so demean myself to a page of the kitchen."
+
+"Then he shall die."
+
+"Slay him, if you will. Ask me not to beg for his life."
+
+"Alas!" said the green knight, "you would not let me die when you can
+save my life with a word? Fair sir, spare me, and I will forgive you my
+brother's death, and become your man, with thirty knights who are at my
+command."
+
+"In the fiend's name!" cried the damsel, "shall such a knave have
+service of thee and thirty knights?"
+
+"All this avails nothing," said Beaumains. "You shall have your life
+only at this damsel's request," and he made a show as if he would slay
+him.
+
+"Let him be, knave," said the damsel. "Slay him not, or you shall repent
+it."
+
+"Damsel," said Beaumains, "your request is to me a command and a
+pleasure. His life shall be spared, since you ask it. Sir knight of the
+green array, I release you at the damsel's request, for I am bound by
+her wish, and will do all that she commands."
+
+Then the green knight kneeled down and did homage with his sword.
+
+"I am sorry, sir knight, for your mishap, and for your brother's death,"
+said the damsel. "I had great need of your help, for I dread the passage
+of this forest."
+
+"You need not," he replied. "To-night you shall lodge at my castle, and
+to-morrow I will aid you to pass the forest."
+
+So they rode to his manor, which was not far distant. Here it happened
+as it had on the evening before, for the damsel reviled Beaumains, and
+would not listen to his sitting at the same table with her.
+
+"Why deal you such despite to this noble warrior?" said the green
+knight. "You are wrong, for he will do you good service, and whatever he
+declares himself to be, I warrant in the end you will find him to come
+of right noble blood."
+
+"You say far more of him than he deserves," she replied. "I know him too
+well."
+
+"And so do I, for he is the best champion I ever found; and I have
+fought in my day with many worthy knights."
+
+That night, when they went to rest, the green knight set a guard over
+Beaumains's chamber, for he feared some harm to him from the bitter
+scorn and hatred of the damsel. In the morning he rode with them through
+the forest, and at parting said,--
+
+"My lord Beaumains, I and my knights shall always be at your summons,
+early or late, or whatever be the service you demand."
+
+"That is well said. When I require your service it will be to yield
+yourself and your knights to King Arthur."
+
+"If you bid us do so, we shall be ready at all times."
+
+"Fie on you!" said the damsel. "It shames me to see good knights
+obedient to a kitchen knave."
+
+After they had parted she turned to Beaumains, and said, despitefully,--
+
+"Why wilt thou follow me, lackey of the kitchen? Cast away thy spear and
+shield and fly while you may, for that is at hand which you will not
+easily escape. Were you Lancelot himself, or any knight of renown, you
+would not lightly venture on a pass just in advance of us, called the
+pass perilous."
+
+"Damsel," said Beaumains, "he who is afraid let him flee. It would be a
+shame for me to turn back, after having ridden so far with you."
+
+"You soon shall, whether it be to your liking or not," replied the
+damsel, scornfully.
+
+What the damsel meant quickly appeared, for in a little time they came
+in sight of a tower which was white as snow in hue, and with every
+appliance for defence. Over the gateway hung fifty shields of varied
+colors, and in front spread a level meadow. On this meadow were
+scaffolds and pavilions, and many knights were there, for there was to
+be a tournament on the morrow.
+
+The lord of the castle was at a window, and as he looked upon the
+tournament field he saw approaching a damsel, a dwarf, and a knight
+armed at all points.
+
+"A knight-errant, as I live!" said the lord. "By my faith, I shall joust
+with him, and get myself in train for the tournament."
+
+He hastily armed and rode from the gates. What Beaumains saw was a
+knight all in red, his horse, harness, shield, spear, and armor alike
+being of this blood-like color. The red knight was, indeed, brother to
+those whom Beaumains had lately fought, and on seeing the black array of
+the youth, he cried,--
+
+"Brother, is it you? What do you in these marshes?"
+
+"No, no, it is not he," said the damsel, "but a kitchen knave who has
+been brought up on alms in Arthur's court."
+
+"Then how got he that armor?"
+
+"He has slain your brother, the black knight, and taken his horse and
+arms. He has also overcome your brother, the green knight. I hope you
+may revenge your brothers on him, for I see no other way of getting rid
+of him."
+
+"I will try," said the red knight, grimly. "Sir knight, take your place
+for a joust."
+
+Beaumains, who had not yet spoken, rode to a proper distance, and then
+the two knights rushed together with such even force that both horses
+fell to the ground, the riders nimbly leaping from them.
+
+Then with sword and shield they fought like wild boars for the space of
+two hours, advancing, retreating, feigning, striking, now here, now
+there, till both were well weary of the fray. But the damsel, who looked
+on, now cried loudly to the red knight,--
+
+"Alas, noble sir, will you let a kitchen knave thus endure your might,
+after all the honor you have won from worthy champions?"
+
+Then the red knight flamed with wrath, and attacked Beaumains with such
+fury that he wounded him so that the blood flowed in a stream to the
+ground. Yet the young knight held his own bravely, giving stroke for
+stroke, and by a final blow hurled his antagonist to the earth. He had
+raised his sword to slay him, when the red knight craved mercy,
+saying,--
+
+"Noble, sir, you have me at advantage, but I pray you not to slay me. I
+yield me with the fifty knights at my command. And I forgive you all you
+have done to my brothers."
+
+"That will not suffice," said Beaumains. "You must die, unless the
+damsel shall pray me to spare your life." And he raised his sword as if
+for the fatal blow.
+
+"Let him live, then, Beaumains. He is a noble knight, and it is only by
+a chance blow that you have overcome him."
+
+"It is enough that you ask it," said Beaumains. "Rise, sir knight, and
+thank this damsel for your life."
+
+The red knight did so, and then prayed that they would enter his castle
+and spend the night there. To this they consented, but as they sat at
+supper the damsel continued to berate her champion, in such language
+that their host marvelled at the meekness of the knight.
+
+In the morning the red knight came to Beaumains with his followers, and
+proffered to him his homage and fealty at all times.
+
+"I thank you," said Beaumains, "but all I ask is, that when I demand it
+you shall go to Arthur's court, and yield yourself as his knight."
+
+"I and my fellowship will ever be ready at your summons," replied the
+red knight.
+
+Then Beaumains and the damsel resumed their journey, while she, as if in
+a fury of spite, berated him more vilely than ever before.
+
+"Fair lady," he said, with all meekness, "you are discourteous to revile
+me as you do. What would you have of me? The knights that you have
+threatened me with are all dead or my vassals. When you see me beaten,
+then you may bid me go in shame and I will obey, but till then I will
+not leave you. I were worse than a fool to be driven off by insulting
+words when I am daily winning honor."
+
+"You shall soon meet a knight who will test your boasted strength. So
+far you have fought with boys. Now you have a man who would try Arthur's
+self."
+
+"Let him come," said Beaumains. "The better a man he is, the more honor
+shall I gain from a joust with him."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE RED KNIGHT OF THE RED LAWNS.
+
+
+Beaumains rode forward with the damsel till it was close upon the hour
+of noon, when he saw that they were approaching a rich and fair city,
+well walled, and with many noble buildings.
+
+Between them and the city extended a new-mown meadow, a mile and a half
+in width, on which were placed many handsome pavilions.
+
+"These pavilions belong to the lord who owns that city," said the
+damsel. "It is his custom, during fair weather, to joust and tourney in
+this meadow. He has around him five hundred knights and gentlemen of
+arms, and they have knightly games of all sorts."
+
+"I shall be glad to see that worthy lord," said Beaumains.
+
+"That you shall, and very soon."
+
+She rode on till she came in sight of the lord's pavilion.
+
+"Look yonder," she said. "That rich pavilion, of the color of India, is
+his. All about him, men and women, and horse-trappings, shields, and
+spears, are of the same rare color. His name is Sir Persant of India,
+and you will find him the lordliest knight you ever saw."
+
+"Be he never so stout a knight," answered Beaumains, "I shall abide in
+this field till I see him behind his shield."
+
+"That is a fool's talk," she replied. "If you were a wise man, you
+would fly."
+
+"Why should I?" rejoined Beaumains. "If he be as noble a knight as you
+say, he will meet me alone; not with all his men. And if there come but
+one at a time I shall not fail to face them while life lasts."
+
+"That is a proud boast for a greasy kitchen lout," she answered.
+
+"Let him come and do his worst," said Beaumains. "I would rather fight
+him five times over than endure your insults. You are greatly to blame
+to treat me so vilely."
+
+"Sir," she replied, with a sudden change of tone, "I marvel greatly who
+you are, and of what kindred you come. This I will admit, that you have
+performed as boldly as you have promised. But you and your horse have
+had great labor, and I fear we have been too long on the road. The place
+we seek is but seven miles away, and we have passed all points of peril
+except this. I dread, therefore, that you may receive some hurt from
+this strong knight that will unfit you for the task before you. For
+Persant, strong as he is, is no match for the knight who besieges my
+lady, and I would have you save your strength for the work you have
+undertaken."
+
+"Be that as it may," said Beaumains, "I have come so near the knight
+that I cannot withdraw without shame. I hope, with God's aid, to become
+his master within two hours, and then we can reach your lady's castle
+before the day ends."
+
+"Much I marvel," cried the damsel, "what manner of man you are. You must
+be of noble blood, for no woman ever before treated a knight so
+shamefully as I have you, and you have ever borne it courteously and
+meekly. Such patience could never come but from gentle blood."
+
+"A knight who cannot bear a woman's words had better doff his armor,"
+answered Beaumains. "Do not think that I heeded not your words. But the
+anger they gave me was the worse for my adversaries, and you only aided
+to make me prove myself a man of worth and honor. If I had meat in
+Arthur's kitchen, what odds? I could have had enough of it in many a
+place. I did it but to prove who were worthy to be my friends, and that
+I will in time make known. Whether I be a gentleman born or not, I have
+done you a gentleman's service, and may do better before we part."
+
+"That you have, fair Beaumains," she said. "I ask your forgiveness for
+all I have said or done."
+
+"I forgive you with all my heart," he replied. "It pleases me so to be
+with you that I have found joy even in your evil words. And now that you
+are pleased to speak courteously to me, it seems to me that I am stout
+at heart enough to meet any knight living."
+
+As to the battle that followed between Beaumains and Persant, it began
+and ended much like those that we have related, Persant in the end being
+overcome, and gaining his life at the lady's request. He yielded himself
+and a hundred knights to be at Beaumains's command, and invited the
+travellers to his pavilion, where they were feasted nobly.
+
+In the morning Beaumains and the damsel after breakfasting, prepared to
+continue their journey.
+
+"Whither do you lead this knight?" asked Persant of the damsel.
+
+"Sir knight," she replied, "he is going to the aid of my sister, who is
+besieged in the Castle Dangerous."
+
+"Ah!" cried Persant, "then he will have to do with the Knight of the Red
+Lawns, a man without mercy, and with the strength of seven men. I fear
+you take too perilous a task, fair sir. This villain has done great
+wrong to the lady of the castle, Dame Lioness. I think, fair damsel, you
+are her sister, Linet?"
+
+"That is my name," replied the damsel.
+
+"This I may say," rejoined Persant: "the Knight of the Red Lawns would
+have had the castle long ago, but it is his purpose to draw to the
+rescue Lancelot, Gawaine, Tristram, or Lamorak, whom he is eager to
+match his might against."
+
+"My Lord Persant of India," said Linet, "will you not make this
+gentleman a knight before he meets this dread warrior?"
+
+"With all my heart," answered Persant.
+
+"I thank you for your good will," said Beaumains, "but I have been
+already knighted, and that by the hand of Sir Lancelot."
+
+"You could have had the honor from no more renowned knight," answered
+Persant. "He, Tristram, and Lamorak now bear the meed of highest renown,
+and if you fairly match the red knight you may claim to make a fourth in
+the world's best champions."
+
+"I shall ever do my best," answered Beaumains. "This I may tell you: I
+am of noble birth. If you and the damsel will keep my secret I will tell
+it you."
+
+"We shall not breathe it except with your permission," they replied.
+
+"Then I will acknowledge that my name is Gareth of Orkney, that King Lot
+was my father, and that I am a nephew of King Arthur, and brother to
+Gawaine, Gaheris, and Agravaine. Yet none of these know who I am, for
+they left my father's castle while I was but a child."
+
+While they were thus taking leave, Beaumains's dwarf had ridden ahead to
+the besieged castle, where he saw the Lady Lioness, and told her of the
+champion her sister was bringing, and what deeds he had done.
+
+"I am glad enough of these tidings," said the lady. "There is a
+hermitage of mine near by, where I would have you go, and take thither
+two silver flagons of wine, of two gallons each; also bread, baked
+venison, and fowls. I give you also a rich cup of gold for the knight's
+use. Then go to my sister, and bid her present my thanks to the knight,
+and pray him to eat and drink, that he may be strong for the great task
+he undertakes. Tell him I thank him for his courtesy and goodness, and
+that he whom he is to meet has none of these qualities, but strong and
+bold as he is, cares for nothing but murder."
+
+This message the dwarf brought back, and led the knight and damsel to
+the hermitage, where they rested and feasted on the rich food provided.
+They spent the night there, and in the morning heard mass and broke
+their fast. Then they mounted and rode towards the besieged castle.
+
+Their journey soon brought them to a plain, where they saw many tents
+and pavilions, and a castle in the distance. And there was a great noise
+and much smoke, as from a large encampment. As they came nearer the
+castle Beaumains saw before him a number of great trees, and from these
+hung by the neck armed knights, with their shields and swords, and gilt
+spurs on their heels. Of these there were in all nearly forty.
+
+"What means this sorrowful sight?" asked Beaumains, with a look of deep
+concern.
+
+"Do not be depressed by what you see," said Linet. "You must keep in
+spirit, or it will be the worse for you and us all. These knights came
+here to the rescue of my sister, and the red knight, when he had
+overcome them, put them to this shameful death, without mercy or pity.
+He will serve you in the same way if he should vanquish you."
+
+"Jesu defend me from such a shameful death and disgrace!" cried
+Beaumains. "If I must die, I hope to be slain in open battle."
+
+"It would be better, indeed. But trust not to his courtesy, for thus he
+treats all."
+
+"It is a marvel that so vile a murderer has been left to live so long. I
+shall do my best to end his career of crime."
+
+Then they rode to the castle, and found it surrounded with high and
+strong walls, with double ditches, and lofty towers within. Near the
+walls were lodged many lords of the besieging army, and there was great
+sound of minstrelsy and merry-making. On the opposite side of the castle
+was the sea, and here vessels rode the waves and the cries of mariners
+were heard.
+
+Near where they stood was a lofty sycamore-tree, and on its trunk hung a
+mighty horn made from an elephant's tusk. This the Knight of the Red
+Lawns had hung there, in order that any errant knight, who wished to
+battle for the castle, might summons him to the fray.
+
+"But let me warn you," said Linet, "not to blow it till noon. For it is
+now nearly day, and men say that his strength increases till the
+noontide hour. To blow it now would double your peril."
+
+"Do not advise me thus, fair damsel," said Beaumains. "I shall meet him
+at his highest might, and win worshipfully or die knightly in the field.
+It must be man to man and might to might."
+
+Therewith he spurred his horse to the sycamore, and, taking the horn in
+hand, blew with it such a blast that castle and camp rang with the
+sound.
+
+At the mighty blast knights leaped from their tents and pavilions, and
+those in the castle looked from walls and windows, to see what manner of
+man was this that blew so lustily. But the Red Knight of the Red Lawns
+armed in all haste, for he had already been told by the dwarf of the
+approach of this champion. He was all blood-red in hue, armor, shield,
+and spurs. An earl buckled on his helm, and they then brought him a red
+steed and a red spear, and he rode into a little vale near the castle,
+so that all within and without the castle might behold the battle.
+
+"Look you be light and glad," said Linet to the knight, "for yonder is
+your deadly enemy, and at yonder window is my sister, Dame Lioness."
+
+"Where?" asked Beaumains.
+
+"Yonder," she said, pointing.
+
+"I see her," said Beaumains. "And from here she seems the fairest lady I
+ever looked upon. I ask no better quarrel than to fight for her, and
+wish no better fate than to greet her as my lady," and his face grew
+glad as he looked up to the window.
+
+As he did so the Lady Lioness made a grateful courtesy to him, bending
+to the earth and holding up her hands. This courtesy was returned by
+Beaumains; but now the Knight of the Red Lawns rode forward.
+
+"Leave your looking, sir knight," he said. "Or look this way, for I warn
+you that she is my lady, and I have done many battles for her."
+
+"You waste your time, then, it seems to me, for she wants none of your
+love. And to waste love on those who want it not is but folly. If I
+thought she would not thank me for it, I would think twice before doing
+battle for her. But she plainly wants not you, and I will tell you this:
+I love her, and will rescue her or die."
+
+"Say you so? The knights who hang yonder might give you warning."
+
+"You shame yourself and knighthood by such an evil custom," said
+Beaumains, hotly. "How can any lady love such a man as you? That
+shameful sight gives me more courage than fear, for I am nerved now to
+revenge those knights as well as to rescue yonder lady."
+
+"Make ready," cried the red knight; "we have talked enough."
+
+Then Beaumains bade the damsel retire to a safe distance. Taking their
+places, they put their spears in rest, and came together like two
+thunderbolts, each smiting the other so fiercely that the breast-plates,
+horse-girths, and cruppers burst, and both fell to the earth with the
+bridle-reins still in their hands, and they lay awhile stunned by the
+fall.
+
+So long they lay indeed that all who looked on thought that both their
+necks were broken, and said that the stranger knight must be of mighty
+prowess, for never had the red knight been so roughly handled before.
+
+But ere long the knights regained their breath and sprang to their feet.
+Then, drawing their swords, they ran like fierce lions together, giving
+each other such buffets on the helms that both reeled backwards, while
+pieces were hewed out from their armor and shields and fell into the
+field.
+
+Thus they fought on till it was past noon, when both stopped for breath,
+and stood panting and bleeding till many who beheld them wept for pity.
+When they had rested awhile they again went to battle, now gnashing at
+each other with their swords like tusked boars, and now running together
+like furious rams, so that at times both fell to the ground; and at
+times they were grappled so closely that they changed swords in the
+wrestle.
+
+This went on till evening was near at hand, and so evenly they continued
+matched that none could know which would win. Their armor was so hewn
+away that the naked flesh showed in places, and these places they did
+their utmost to defend. The red knight was a wily fighter, and Beaumains
+suffered sorely before he learned his methods and met him in his own
+way.
+
+At length, by mutual assent, they granted each other a short time for
+rest, and seated themselves upon two hillocks, where each had his page
+to unlace his helm and give him a breath of the cold air.
+
+While Beaumains's helm was off he looked at the castle window, and there
+saw the Lady Lioness, who looked at him in such wise that his heart grew
+light with joy, and he bade the red knight to make ready, for the battle
+must begin again.
+
+Then they laced their helms and stepped together and fought freshly. But
+Beaumains came near to disaster, for the red knight, by a skilful sword
+sweep, struck his sword from his hand, and then gave him such a buffet
+on the helm as hurled him to the earth.
+
+The red knight ran forward to his fallen foe, but Linet cried loudly,--
+
+"Oh, Beaumains, where is thy valor gone? Alas, my sister sobs and weeps
+to see you overthrown, till my own heart is heavy for her grief."
+
+Hearing this, Beaumains sprang to his feet before his foe could reach
+him, and with a leap recovered his sword, which he gripped with a strong
+hand. And thus he faced again his surprised antagonist.
+
+Then the young knight, nerved by love and desperation, poured such
+fierce blows on his enemy that he smote the sword from his hand and
+brought him to the earth with a fiery blow on the helm.
+
+Before the red knight could rise, Beaumains threw himself upon him, and
+tore his helm from his head with intent to slay him. But the fallen
+knight cried loudly,--
+
+"O noble knight, I yield me to thy mercy."
+
+"Why should you have it, after the shameful death you have given to so
+many knights?"
+
+"I did all this through love," answered the red knight. "I loved a lady
+whose brother was slain by Lancelot or Gawaine, as she said. She made me
+swear on my knighthood to fight till I met one of them, and put to a
+shameful death all I overcame. And I vowed to fight King Arthur's
+knights above all, till I should meet him that had slain her brother."
+
+Then there came up many earls, and barons, and noble knights, who fell
+upon their knees and prayed for mercy to the vanquished, saying,--
+
+"Sir, it were fairer to take homage and fealty of him, and let him hold
+his lands of you, than to slay him. Nothing wrong that he has done will
+be undone by his death, and we will all become your men, and do you
+homage and fealty."
+
+"Fair lords," said Beaumains, "I am loath to slay this knight, though
+his deeds have been ill and shameful. But as he acted through a lady's
+request I blame him the less, and will release him on these conditions:
+He must go into the castle and yield to the Lady Lioness, and make
+amends to her for his trespass on her lands; then if she forgives him I
+will. Afterwards he must go to the court of King Arthur and obtain
+forgiveness from Lancelot and Gawaine for the ill will he has borne
+them."
+
+"All this I will do," said the red knight, "and give you pledges and
+sureties therefore."
+
+Then Beaumains granted him his life, and permitted him to rise.
+Afterwards the damsel Linet disarmed Beaumains and applied healing
+unguents to his wounds, and performed the same service for the red
+knight. For ten days thereafter Beaumains dwelt with the red knight, who
+showed him all the honor possible, and who afterwards went into the
+castle and submitted himself to the Lady Lioness, according to the terms
+of his compact.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+HOW BEAUMAINS WON HIS BRIDE.
+
+
+After the ten days of feasting and pleasure that followed the events we
+have just related, the Red Knight of the Red Lawns set out with his
+noblest followers to Arthur's court, to make submission as he had
+covenanted. When he had gone, Beaumains armed himself, took his horse
+and spear, and rode to the castle of the Lady Lioness. But when he came
+to the gate he found there many armed men, who pulled up the drawbridge
+and let fall the portcullis.
+
+Marvelling deeply that he was denied admittance, Beaumains looked up at
+the window, where he saw the lady of the castle, who called out to
+him,--
+
+"Go thy way, Sir Beaumains. You shall not yet have my love till you have
+earned for yourself a name of world-wide honor. I bid you, therefore,
+go strive for fame and glory this twelvemonth, and when you return you
+shall hear new tidings."
+
+"Alas, fair lady," said Beaumains, "is this all I have deserved of you?
+I thought I had bought your love at the price of some of the best blood
+in my body."
+
+"Fair, courteous knight, be not so hasty," answered Lioness. "Your labor
+and your love shall not be lost. A twelvemonth will soon pass away; and
+trust me that I shall be true to you, and to my death shall love no
+other than you."
+
+With this she turned from the window, and Beaumains rode slowly away
+from the castle in deep sorrow, and heeding not whither he went till
+deep night came upon him. The next day he rode in the same heedless
+fashion, and at night couched in a wayside lodge, bidding the dwarf
+guard his horse and watch all night.
+
+But near day dawn came a knight in black armor, who, seeing that
+Beaumains slept soundly, crept slyly behind the dwarf, caught him up
+under his arm, and rode away with him at full speed. But as he rode, the
+dwarf called loudly to his master for help, waking the sleeping knight,
+who sprang to his feet and saw the robber and the dwarf vanishing into
+the distance.
+
+Then Beaumains armed himself in a fury, and rode straight forward
+through marshes and dales, so hot upon the chase that he heeded not the
+road, and was more than once flung by his stumbling horse into the mire.
+At length he met a country-man, whom he asked for information.
+
+[Illustration: BEAUMAINS, DAMSEL, AND DWARF.]
+
+"Sir knight," he answered, "I have seen the rider with the dwarf. But I
+advise you to follow him no farther. His name is Sir Gringamore; he
+dwells but two miles from here, and he is one of the most valiant
+knights of the country round."
+
+With little dread from this warning, Beaumains rode on, with double fury
+as he came near the robber's castle. Soon he thundered through the
+gates, which stood wide open, and sword in hand cried, in a voice that
+rang through the castle,--
+
+"Thou traitor, Sir Gringamore, yield me my dwarf again, or by the faith
+that I owe to the order of knighthood I will make you repent bitterly
+your false deed."
+
+Meanwhile, within the castle matters of interest were occurring. For
+Gringamore was brother to the Lady Lioness, and had stolen the dwarf at
+her request, that she might learn from him who Beaumains really was. The
+dwarf, under threat of imprisonment for life, thus answered,--
+
+"I fear to tell his name and kindred. Yet if I must I will say that he
+is a king's son, that his mother is sister to King Arthur, and that his
+name is Sir Gareth of Orkney. Now, I pray you, let me go to him again,
+for he will have me in spite of you, and if he be angry, he will work
+you much rack and ruin."
+
+"As for that," said Gringamore, "it can wait. Let us go to dinner."
+
+"He may well be a king's son," said Linet to her sister, "for he is the
+most courteous and long-suffering man I ever met. I tried him with such
+reviling as never lady uttered before, but he bore it all with meek and
+gentle answers. Yet to armed knights he was like a lion."
+
+As they thus talked, the challenge of Beaumains rang loud from the
+castle court. Then Gringamore called loudly to him from a window,--
+
+"Cease your boasting, Gareth of Orkney, you will not get your dwarf
+again."
+
+"Thou coward knight," cried Beaumains. "Bring him here, and do battle
+with me. Then if you can win him, keep him."
+
+"So I will when I am ready. But you will not get him by loud words."
+
+"Do not anger him, brother," said Lioness. "I have all I want from the
+dwarf, and he may have him again. But do not let him know who I am. Let
+him think me a strange lady."
+
+"Very well," said Gringamore; "if that is your wish, he can have the
+dwarf." Then he went down to the court and said,--
+
+"Sir, I beg your pardon, and am ready to amend all the harm I have done
+you. Pray alight, and take such cheer as my poor castle affords."
+
+"Shall I have my dwarf?" said Gareth.
+
+"Yes. Since he told me who you are, and of your noble deeds, I am ready
+to return him."
+
+Then Gareth dismounted, and the dwarf came and took his horse.
+
+"Oh, my little fellow," said Gareth, "I have had many adventures for
+your sake."
+
+Gringamore then led him into the hall and presented him to his wife. And
+while they stood there conversing Dame Lioness came forth dressed like a
+princess, and was presented to the knight.
+
+When Gareth saw her his feeling for the Lady Lioness weakened in his
+heart, and it grew ready to vanish as the day passed, and he conversed
+much with this strange and lovely lady. There were all manner of games,
+and sports of dancing and singing, and the more he beheld her the more
+he loved her, while through his heart ran ever the thought: "Would that
+the lady of the Castle Dangerous were half so lovely and charming as
+this beautiful stranger."
+
+When supper came, Gareth could not eat, and hardly knew where he was, so
+hot had his love grown. All this was noted by Gringamore, who after
+supper took his sister aside and said,--
+
+"I can well see how matters stand between you and this noble knight. And
+it seems to me you cannot do better than to bestow your hand upon him."
+
+"I should like to try him further," she replied, "though he has done me
+noble service, and my heart is warmly turned to him."
+
+Gringamore then went to Gareth and said,--
+
+"Sir, I welcome you gladly to my house, for I can see that you dearly
+love my sister, and that she loves you as well. With my will she is
+yours if you wish her."
+
+"If she will accept me," answered Gareth, "there will be no happier man
+on earth."
+
+"Trust me for that," said Gringamore.
+
+"I fancied I loved the Lady Lioness," said Gareth, "and promised for her
+sake to return to this country in a twelvemonth. But since I have seen
+your sister I fear my love for her is gone."
+
+"It was too sudden to be deep," said Gringamore. "She will be consoled,
+doubt not. Now let me take you to my sister."
+
+Then he led Gareth to his sister and left them together, where they told
+each other their love, and Gareth kissed her many times, and their
+hearts were filled with joy.
+
+"But how is it with the Lady Lioness, to whom you vowed your love?" she
+asked.
+
+"Promised; not vowed," he answered. "And she was not ready to accept it,
+but gave me a twelvemonth's probation. Moreover, I saw but her face at a
+window, and that was little to base love upon."
+
+"Did she look like me?"
+
+"Somewhat, but not half so lovely."
+
+"Do you think you could have loved her so well?"
+
+"No, indeed; for I will vow by sword and spear that there is no woman in
+the world so charming as you."
+
+"I fear that the Lady Lioness loves you, and that her heart will be
+broken."
+
+"How could she? She saw so little of me."
+
+"I know she loves you; she has told me so. I bid you to forget me and
+make her happy."
+
+"That I can never do. You do not love me, or you could not say this."
+
+"You are my heart's desire. But I feel deeply for the Lady Lioness,
+whose love I know. If you cannot love her alone, you may love us both
+together. I grant you this privilege."
+
+"I will not accept it," said Gareth, looking strangely at her smiling
+countenance. "I love but you; my heart can hold no more."
+
+"You blind fellow," she answered, with a merry laugh, "you looked not at
+the Lady Lioness closely, or you would not so easily forget your troth
+plight. Know, sirrah, that I am the lady of the Castle Dangerous, that
+my name is Lioness, and that I am she whom you have so lightly thrown
+aside for the love of a strange lady."
+
+Then Gareth looked into her glowing countenance, and saw there that she
+spoke the truth and that he had been pleasantly beguiled. With a warm
+impulse of love he caught her in his arms and kissed her rosy lips,
+exclaiming,--
+
+"I withdraw it all. I love you both; the lady of the Castle Dangerous a
+little; but the lady of the Castle Amorous as my heart's mistress, to
+dwell there while life remains."
+
+Then they conversed long and joyfully, and she told him why she had made
+her brother steal the dwarf, and why she had deceived him, so as to win
+his love for herself alone. And they plighted their troth, and vowed
+that their love for each other should never cease.
+
+Other strange things happened to Gareth in that castle, through the
+spells of the damsel Linet, who knew something of sorcery. But these we
+shall not tell, but return to King Arthur's court, in which at the next
+feast of Pentecost a high festival was held at Carlion.
+
+Hither, during the feast, came all those whom Gareth had overcome, and
+yielded themselves, saying that they had been sent thither by a knight
+named Beaumains. But most of all was Arthur surprised by the deeds of
+his kitchen boy when the Red Knight of the Red Lawns rode up with six
+hundred followers, and yielded himself as vassal to Beaumains and to the
+king. Arthur then, charging him strictly that he should do no more deeds
+of murder, gave to Sir Ironside, which was the knight's name, the
+greatest honors of his court, and also to the green and the red knights,
+and to Sir Persant of Inde, who were all present with their followers.
+
+But while the court was at feast there came in the queen of Orkney, with
+a great following of knights and ladies, seeking her young son Gareth.
+She was lovingly saluted by her sons Gawaine, Gaheris, and Agravaine,
+who for fifteen years had not seen her, but she loudly demanded Gareth
+of her brother King Arthur.
+
+"He was here among you a twelvemonth, and you made a kitchen knave of
+him, which I hold to be a shame to you all. What have you done to the
+dear son who was my joy and bliss?"
+
+These words filled all hearts with a strange sensation, and most of all
+that of Gawaine, who thought it marvellous that he should have made so
+much of his brother and not known him. Then Arthur told his sister of
+all that had happened, and cheered her heart with a recital of her son's
+great deeds, and promised to have the whole realm searched till he
+should be found.
+
+"You shall not need," said Lancelot. "My advice is that you send a
+messenger to Dame Lioness, and request her to come in all haste to
+court. Let her give you counsel where to find him. I doubt not she knows
+where he is."
+
+This counsel seemed judicious to the king, and he sent the messenger as
+requested, who came in due time to the Castle Dangerous, and delivered
+his letters to Lioness.
+
+She brought these to her brother and Gareth, and asked what she should
+do.
+
+"My lady and love," said Gareth, "if you go to Arthur's court I beg that
+you will not let them know where I am. But give this advice to the king,
+that he call a great tournament, to be held at your castle at the feast
+of the Assumption, and announce that whatever knight proves himself best
+shall wed you and win your lands. Be sure that I will be there to do my
+best in your service."
+
+This advice pleased the lady, whose warm faith in the prowess of her
+lover told her that he would win in the tournament. She therefore set
+out with a noble escort and rode to King Arthur's court, where she was
+received with the highest honors. The king closely questioned her about
+Sir Gareth, desiring particularly to know what had become of him. She
+answered that where he was she was not at liberty to tell, and said
+further to the king,--
+
+"Sir, there is a way to find him. It is my purpose to call a tournament,
+which shall be held before my castle at the feast of the Assumption.
+You, my lord Arthur, must be there with your knights, and my knights
+shall be against you. I doubt me not that then you shall hear of Sir
+Gareth."
+
+"That is well advised," said the king.
+
+"It shall be announced," she continued, "that the knight who proves the
+best shall wed me and be lord of my lands. If he be already wedded, his
+wife shall have a coronal of gold, set with precious stones to the value
+of a thousand pounds, and a white jerfalcon."
+
+"It is well," said the king. "That will bring Sir Gareth, if he be alive
+and able to come. If he would win you, he must do his duty nobly."
+
+Soon after the Lady Lioness departed and returned to her castle, where
+she told all that had passed, and began preparations for the tournament,
+which was to be held two months from that day.
+
+Gareth sent for Sir Persant of Inde, and for Sir Ironside, the Red
+Knight of the Red Lawns, bidding them be ready with all their followers,
+to fight on his side against King Arthur and his knights. And the cry
+for the tournament was made in England, Wales and Scotland, Ireland, and
+Cornwall, and in all the out islands, and in Brittany and other
+countries. Many good knights came from afar, eager to win honor in the
+lists, the most of whom held with the party of the castle against King
+Arthur and his knights.
+
+In due time King Arthur and his following appeared at the Castle
+Dangerous, there being with him Gawaine and the other brothers of
+Gareth, Lancelot with his nephews and cousins, and all the most valiant
+Knights of the Round Table, with various kings who owed him knightly
+service, as noble a band of warriors as had ever been seen in the land.
+
+Meanwhile Dame Lioness had hospitably entertained the knights of her
+party, providing ample lodging and food, though abundance was left to be
+had for gold and silver by King Arthur and his knights.
+
+But Gareth begged her and all who knew him in no manner to make known
+his name, but to deal with him as if he were the least of their company,
+as he wished to fight in secret and bide his own time to declare
+himself.
+
+"Sir," said Dame Lioness to him, "if such be your desire, I will lend
+you a ring, whose virtue is such that it will turn that which is green
+to red, and that which is red to green; and also turn blue to white, and
+white to blue, and so with all colors. And he who wears it will lose no
+blood, however desperately he fights. For the great love I bear you I
+lend you this ring; but as you love me heartily in return, let me have
+it again when the tournament is done, for this ring increases my beauty
+more than it is of itself."
+
+"My own dear lady," cried Gareth, "now indeed you prove your love for
+me. Gladly shall I wear that ring, for I much desire not to be known."
+
+Then Sir Gringamore gave Gareth a powerful bay courser, and a suit of
+the best of armor; and with them a noble sword which his father had long
+before won from a heathen tyrant. And so the lover made ready for the
+tournament, of which his lady-love was to be the prize.
+
+Two days before the Assumption of our Lady, King Arthur reached the
+castle, and for those two days rich feasting was held, while royal
+minstrelsy and merry-making of all kinds filled every soul with joy. But
+when came the morning of the Assumption all was restless bustle and
+warlike confusion. At an early hour the heralds were commanded to blow
+to the field, and soon from every side a throng of knights was to be
+seen riding gayly to the lists, while a goodly host of spectators made
+haste to take their seats, all eager to behold that noble
+passage-at-arms.
+
+Valorous and worthy were the deeds that followed, for hosts of the best
+knights in the world had gathered in the lists, and there was wondrous
+breaking of spears and unhorsing of knights, while many who boasted of
+their firm seat in the saddle went headlong to the earth.
+
+At length there rode into the lists Sir Gareth and Sir Ironside from the
+castle, each of whom smote to the ground the first knights that
+encountered them, and before long time had passed Gareth had with one
+spear unhorsed seven knights of renown.
+
+When King Agwisance of Ireland saw this new-comer fare so nobly, he
+marvelled much who he might be, for at one time he seemed green and at
+another blue, his color appearing to change at every course as he rode
+to and fro, so that no eye could readily follow him.
+
+"I must try this strange turn-color knight myself," said Sir Agwisance,
+and he spurred his horse vigorously on Gareth.
+
+But with a mighty stroke of his spear Gareth thrust him from his horse,
+saddle and all. Then King Carados of Scotland rode against him, and was
+hurled to the earth, horse and man. King Uriens of Gore, King
+Bagdemagus, and others who tried their fortune, were served in the same
+manner. Then Sir Galahalt, the high prince, cried loudly,--
+
+"Knight of the many colors, well hast thou jousted; now make ready,
+that I may joust with thee."
+
+Gareth heard him, and got a great spear, and quickly the two knights
+encountered, the prince breaking his spear. But Gareth smote him on the
+left side of the helm so that he reeled in his saddle, and would have
+fallen had not his men supported him.
+
+"Truly," said King Arthur, "that knight with the many colors is a lusty
+fighter. Lancelot, do you try his mettle, before he beats all our best
+men."
+
+"Sir," said Lancelot, "I should hold it unjust to meet him fresh after
+his hard labors. It is not the part of a good knight to rob one of the
+honor for which he has worked so nobly. It may be that he is best
+beloved of the lady of all that are here, for I can see that he enforces
+himself to do great deeds. Therefore, for me, he shall have what honor
+he has won; though it lay in my power to put him from it, I would not."
+
+And now, in the lists, the breaking of spears was followed by drawing of
+swords; and then there began a sore tournament. There did Sir Lamorak
+marvellous deeds of arms, and betwixt him and Sir Ironside there was a
+strong battle, and one also between Palamides and Bleoberis. Then came
+in Lancelot, who rode against Sir Turquine and his brother Carados,
+fighting them both together.
+
+Seeing Lancelot thus hard pressed, Gareth pushed his horse between him
+and his opponents, and hurtled them asunder, but no stroke would he
+smite Sir Lancelot, but rode briskly on, striking to right and left, so
+that his path was marked by the knights he overturned.
+
+Afterward Gareth rode out of the press of knights to adjust his helm,
+which had become loosened. Here his dwarf came briskly up with drink,
+and said to him,--
+
+"Let me hold your ring, that you lose it not while you drink."
+
+Gareth gave it to him, and quaffed deeply of the refreshing draught, for
+he was burning with thirst. This done, his eagerness to return to the
+fray was so great that he forgot the ring, which he left in the keeping
+of the dwarf, while he replaced his helm, mounted his horse, and rode
+briskly back to the lists.
+
+When he reached the field again he was in yellow armor, and there he
+rashed off helms and pulled down knights till King Arthur marvelled more
+than ever what knight this was, for though his color changed no more,
+the king saw by his hair that he was the same knight.
+
+"Go and ride about that yellow knight," said the king to several
+heralds, "and see if you can learn who he is. I have asked many knights
+of his party to-day, and none of them know him."
+
+So a herald rode as near Gareth as he could, and there he saw written
+about his helm in letters of gold, "This helm is Sir Gareth's of
+Orkney."
+
+Then the herald cried out as if he were mad, and many others echoed his
+words, "The knight in the yellow arms is Sir Gareth of Orkney, King
+Lot's son!"
+
+When Gareth saw that he was discovered he doubled his strokes in his
+anger, and smote down Sir Sagramore, and his brother Gawaine.
+
+"Oh, brother!" cried Gawaine, "I did not deem that you would strike me.
+Can you not find food enough for your sword, without coming so near
+home?"
+
+On hearing this, Gareth was troubled in soul, and with great force made
+his way out of the press, meeting his dwarf outside.
+
+"Faithless boy!" he cried; "you have beguiled me foully to-day by
+keeping my ring. Give it to me again; I am too well known without it."
+
+He took the ring, and at once he changed color again, so that all lost
+sight of him but Gawaine, who had kept his eyes fixed upon him. Leaving
+the lists, Gareth now rode into the forest, followed at a distance by
+his brother, who soon lost sight of him in the woodland depths.
+
+When Gareth saw that he had thus distanced his pursuer, he turned to the
+dwarf and asked his counsel as to what should now be done.
+
+"Sir," said the dwarf, "it seems best to me, now that you are free from
+danger of spying, that you send my lady, Dame Lioness, her ring. It is
+too precious a thing to keep from her."
+
+"That is well advised," said Gareth. "Take it to her, and say that I
+recommend myself to her good grace, and will come when I may; and pray
+her to be true and faithful to me, as I will be to her."
+
+"It shall be done as you command," said the dwarf, and, receiving the
+ring, he rode on his errand.
+
+The Lady Lioness received him graciously, and listened with beaming eyes
+to Gareth's message.
+
+"Where is my knight?" she asked.
+
+"He bade me say that he would not be long from you," answered the dwarf.
+
+Then, bearing a tender reply from the lady, the dwarf sought his master
+again, and found him impatiently waiting, for he was weary and needed
+repose.
+
+As they rode forward through the forest a storm of thunder and lightning
+came up suddenly, and it rained as if heaven and earth were coming
+together. On through this conflict of the elements rode the weary knight
+and the disconsolate dwarf, under the drenching leaves of the forest,
+until night was near at hand. And still it thundered and lightened as if
+all the spirits of the air had gone mad.
+
+At last, through an opening in the trees, Gareth to his delight beheld
+the towers of a castle, and heard the watchman's call upon its walls.
+
+"Good luck follows bad, my worthy dwarf," he cried. "Here is shelter;
+let us to it."
+
+He rode to the barbican of the castle and called to the porter, praying
+him in courteous language to let him in from the storm.
+
+"Go thy way," cried the porter, surlily; "thou gettest no lodging here."
+
+"Say not so, fair sir. I am a knight of King Arthur's, and pray the lord
+or lady of this castle to give me harbor for love of the king."
+
+Then the porter went to the duchess, and told her that a knight of King
+Arthur's sought shelter.
+
+"I will see him," said the duchess; "for King Arthur's sake he shall not
+go harborless."
+
+Then she went up into a tower over the gate, with great torch-light,
+that she might behold the storm-stayed wayfarer. When Gareth saw the
+light, he cried loudly,--
+
+"Whether thou be lord or lady, giant or champion, I pray for harbor this
+night. If it be that I must fight for my lodging, spare me that till
+morning, when I have rested, for I and my horse are both weary."
+
+"Sir knight," said the lady, "you speak like a bold knight errant. This
+you must know, that the lord of this castle loves not King Arthur nor
+any of his court. Therefore, it were better for you not to enter here.
+If you come in it must be under this contract, that wherever you meet my
+lord, by road, by lane, or by street, you shall yield to him as his
+prisoner."
+
+"Madam," asked Gareth, "what is your lord's name?"
+
+"He is the Duke de la Rowse," she answered.
+
+"Well, madam, it shall be as you say. I promise that wherever I meet
+your lord I shall yield me to his good grace, with the covenant that he
+will do me no harm. If I understand that he will, then shall I release
+myself as best I can with sword and spear."
+
+"You speak well and wisely," answered the duchess, and she ordered that
+the drawbridge be lowered.
+
+Gareth rode into the court-yard, where he alighted and gave his horse to
+a stableman. Then he was led to the hall, where his dwarf removed his
+armor.
+
+"Madam," he said, "I shall not leave this hall to-night. When it comes
+daylight if any one wants to fight me he will find me ready."
+
+Supper was now prepared, the table being garnished with many goodly
+dishes, and the duchess and other fair ladies sat by while Gareth ate,
+some of them saying that they never saw a man of nobler carriage or
+aspect. Shortly after he had supped, his bed was made in the hall, and
+there he rested all night.
+
+In the morning he heard mass and took his leave of the duchess and her
+lady attendants, thanking her warmly for his lodging and the good cheer
+she had set before him. She now asked him his name.
+
+"Madam," he replied, "my name is Gareth of Orkney, though some men call
+me Beaumains."
+
+Hearing this, she bade him adieu with great courtesy, for she now knew
+that she had entertained the knight who had rescued Dame Lioness, and
+the victor at the tournament.
+
+As for Gareth, he rode onward mile after mile, till he found himself on
+a mountain side, where he was confronted by a knight named Sir
+Bendelaine, who demanded that he should joust or yield himself prisoner.
+Gareth, angry at this demand, rode against the freebooter and smote him
+so furiously that his spear pierced his body, so that he died on
+reaching his castle.
+
+Quickly a throng of his knights and servants, furious at their lord's
+death, rode after the victor and assailed him fiercely. When they saw
+how well he defended himself, they attacked his horse and killed it
+with spear-thrusts, and then rushed in a body on the dismounted knight.
+But they found him still more than their match, for one after another of
+them fell beneath his sword till only four were left. These fled in
+terror to the castle, and Gareth, taking the best of their horses, rode
+leisurely on his way.
+
+Many miles farther had he gone when he found himself near a roadside
+castle, from whose walls there came to his ears dismal lamentations in
+ladies' voices. While he stood wondering at this there came by a page.
+
+"What noise is that within the castle?" asked Gareth.
+
+"Sir knight," answered the page, "within this castle there are thirty
+ladies, all widows, for their husbands have been slain by the lord of
+the castle, who is called the brown knight without pity, and there is no
+more perilous knight now living. Therefore," continued the page, "I bid
+you flee."
+
+"You may be afraid of him," said Gareth; "but I shall not flee for
+that."
+
+Then the page saw the brown knight coming.
+
+"Lo! yonder he cometh," he said.
+
+"Let me deal with him," said Gareth.
+
+When the brown knight saw a champion in the road, with spear in rest,
+awaiting him, he prepared quickly for the combat, and spurring his
+strong war-horse, rode furiously upon Gareth, breaking his spear in the
+middle of his shield. But Gareth struck him a fatal blow in return, for
+his spear went through his body, so that he fell to the ground stark
+dead.
+
+Then the victor rode into the castle, and prayed the ladies that he
+might find repose there for the night.
+
+"Alas!" they cried, "that cannot be."
+
+"Give him your best cheer," said the page, "for this knight has killed
+your enemy."
+
+Hearing this, they joyfully did their utmost to make him comfortable. In
+the morning, when he was ready to depart, he went to mass, and there saw
+the thirty ladies kneeling, and some of them grovelling upon the tombs,
+with the greatest sorrow and lamentation.
+
+"Fair ladies, you have my pity," he said. "Grieve no more, I pray you;
+your enemy is justly punished for his crimes."
+
+So with few words he departed, and rode onward till fortune brought him
+into another mountain. Not far up its slope had he gone when he saw
+before him a sturdy knight, who bade him stand and joust.
+
+"Who are you?" asked Gareth.
+
+"I am the Duke de la Rowse."
+
+"Then I lodged lately in your castle, and promised your lady that I
+should yield unto you."
+
+"Ah!" said the duke, "are you that proud knight who proffered to fight
+with any of my followers? Make ready, sirrah; I must have a
+passage-at-arms with you, for I would know which of us is the better
+man."
+
+So they spurred together, and Gareth smote the duke from his horse. But
+in a moment he was on his feet, sword in hand, and bidding his
+antagonist to alight and continue the battle on foot. Nothing loath,
+Gareth obeyed, and for more than an hour they fought, until both were
+sorely hurt. But in the end Gareth got the duke to the earth, and bade
+him yield if he would save his life. At this the duke lost no time in
+yielding.
+
+"Then must you go," said Gareth, "unto my lord King Arthur at the next
+feast, and say that I, Sir Gareth of Orkney, sent you."
+
+"It shall be done," said the duke. "And I am at your command all the
+days of my life, with a hundred knights in my train."
+
+This said, the duke departed, leaving Gareth there alone. But not long
+had he stood when he saw another armed knight approaching. Then Gareth
+took the duke's shield, and mounted, waiting the new-comer, who rode
+upon him without a word of greeting. And now, for the first time, Gareth
+met his match, for the stranger knight held his seat unharmed, and
+wounded him in the side with his spear.
+
+Then they alighted and drew their swords, and for two hours they fought,
+till the blood flowed freely from them both.
+
+As they thus fought there came that way the damsel Linet, riding on an
+ambling mule. When she saw them, she cried,--
+
+"Sir Gawaine, Sir Gawaine, leave off fighting with thy brother Gareth."
+
+When Gawaine, for it was indeed he, heard this, he threw down his shield
+and sword and ran to Gareth, whom he took in his arms, and then kneeled
+down and asked his mercy.
+
+"Who are you," asked Gareth, "that one minute fight me so strongly and
+yield the next?"
+
+"Oh, Gareth, I am your brother Gawaine."
+
+Then Gareth unlaced his helm, and kneeled to him and asked his mercy.
+Both now rose and embraced each other, weeping so that it was long
+before they could speak. When their voices returned they entered into a
+brotherly contest, for each insisted that the other had won the battle.
+As they thus stood in loving converse, the damsel Linet came up to them,
+and stanched their wounds, from which the blood was flowing freely.
+
+"What will you do now?" she asked. "It seems to me that my lord Arthur
+should have news of you, for your horses are too bruised to carry you."
+
+"It is well said," answered Gawaine. "Will you, fair damsel, bear word
+to him?"
+
+Then she took her mule and rode to where the king abode, he then being
+at a castle scarcely two miles distant. The tidings she brought him
+cheered his heart wonderfully, for much had the disappearance of Gareth
+troubled him. Turning to his attendants, he ordered that a palfrey
+should be saddled in all haste.
+
+When he was in the saddle he turned to the wondering lords and ladies
+and told them whither he went, bidding all who wished to greet Sir
+Gareth to follow. Then was there hasty saddling and bridling of queens'
+horses and princes' horses, and happiest were they who soonest got
+ready.
+
+But the king rode on till he came where Gawaine and Gareth sat upon a
+little hill-side, and here he sprang from his horse and embraced Gareth
+as though he were his own son. Quickly behind him came his sister
+Morgause, who fell into a swoon when she saw her dear young son. And the
+other knights and ladies came up in all haste, and great was the joy
+that all felt. After congratulations had passed, and the two brothers
+been removed to a place where their wounds could be attended to, the
+Dame Lioness was sent for, and came at the utmost speed, with her
+brother Sir Gringamore and forty knights.
+
+Among all the ladies there she was the fairest and peerless. And when
+Gareth saw her, so loving were the looks and joyous the words between
+them, that all who beheld it were filled with delight.
+
+Eight days passed before Gareth and his brother recovered from their
+wounds. Then Arthur came to him, with Guenever, and Morgause, and others
+of high degree, and asked him if he would have the Lady Lioness for his
+wife.
+
+"My lord, I love her above all ladies living."
+
+"Now, fair lady, what say you?" asked the king.
+
+"Most noble king," replied Lioness, with blushing face, "my lord Gareth
+is more to me than any king or prince that was ever christened. If I may
+not have him, none will I ever have. My first love is he, and my last he
+shall be."
+
+"And if I have you not as my wife," broke in Gareth, "never shall lady
+living give joy to my heart."
+
+"What, nephew," said the king, "is the wind in that door? Then not for
+my crown would I sever two such loving hearts, but would much prefer to
+increase than to distress your love."
+
+And words to the same effect said Gareth's mother.
+
+Then provision was made for a brilliant and joyous wedding, the king
+advising that it should take place on the Michaelmas following, at
+Kinkenadon by the seaside, where is a plentiful country. And so it was
+cried in all places through the realm.
+
+Dame Lioness and the damsel Linet, with Sir Gringamore, now rode to
+their castle, where she gave Gareth a jewelled ring and received one
+from him, while Arthur gave her a rich bee of gold. Then Arthur and his
+following rode towards Kinkenadon. Gareth soon followed, and joined
+Arthur on his way.
+
+Oh, the great cheer that Lancelot now made of Gareth, and Gareth of him;
+for there was never knight that Gareth loved as he did Lancelot. But he
+cared less for his brother Gawaine, who was revengeful, and disposed to
+murder where he hated, a feeling which the young knight abhorred.
+
+When Michaelmas came near, Dame Lioness with her brother and sister rode
+to Kinkenadon, where they were lodged at the expense of King Arthur, who
+had prepared for them royally.
+
+And upon Michaelmas day the bishop of Canterbury performed the wedding
+ceremony between Gareth and the Lady Lioness with all solemnity, and in
+the presence of a noble and splendid gathering of the greatest lords and
+highest ladies of England's realm.
+
+And here other weddings took place, for King Arthur devised that Gaheris
+should wed the damsel Linet, and that Agravaine should wed Dame Laurel,
+a fair lady, niece to the Lady Lioness.
+
+[Illustration: THE JOYOUS WEDDING.]
+
+When these weddings were done another solemnity took place; for there
+came into the church the various knights whom Gareth had overcome, each
+with his knightly followers, and with them the thirty ladies whom he had
+delivered from the brown knight, attended by many gentlewomen. All the
+knights did homage and fealty to Gareth, and the ladies kneeled and
+prayed heartily that happiness might be his lot throughout his life.
+
+Afterwards there was high feasting, and all manner of games and revels,
+with the richest minstrelsy, and jousts that lasted three days. But the
+king would not suffer Sir Gareth to joust because of his new bride; for
+the Dame Lioness had desired that none who were newly married should
+joust at that feast.
+
+On the first day Sir Lamorak won the honor of the lists, for he
+overthrew thirty knights and did marvellous feats of arms. And that day
+King Arthur made Sir Persant of Inde and his two brothers, Knights of
+the Round Table, and gave them great lands.
+
+On the second day Sir Tristram jousted best, and overthrew forty
+knights. And on that day the king made Sir Ironside, the Red Knight of
+the Red Lawns, a Knight of the Round Table, and gave him great lands.
+
+On the third day the prize of valor fell to Sir Lancelot, who overthrew
+fifty knights and did such marvellous deeds that all men wondered at
+him. And now King Arthur made the Duke de la Rowse a Knight of the Round
+Table, and gave him great lands to spend.
+
+Thus ended the festivities at the marriage of Sir Gareth of Orkney and
+the Lady Lioness. But Gareth and his lovely bride lived long and happily
+together afterwards, and much knightly renown he won, and great honor
+from all men.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK VI.
+
+               TRISTRAM OF LYONESSE AND THE FAIR ISOLDE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+HOW TRISTRAM WAS KNIGHTED.
+
+
+Sad was the day when the renowned knight, Tristram of Lyonesse, was
+born, for on that day his mother died, and his father lay in prison
+through the arts of an enchantress. Therefore he was called Tristram,
+which signifies one of a sorrowful birth.
+
+It happened that when he was seven years of age his father, King
+Meliodas, of the country of Lyonesse, married again. His first wife had
+been Elizabeth, sister of King Mark of Cornwall. He now married the
+daughter of King Howell of Brittany, a woman who proved of evil soul.
+
+For after the new queen had children of her own she grew to hate the boy
+who stood between her son and the throne of Lyonesse, and so bitter grew
+her hatred that in the end she laid a foul plot for his murder. She put
+poison in a silver cup in the chamber where the young princes were used
+to play together, with the hope that Tristram when thirsty would drink
+from that cup. But fate so willed that the queen's own son drank of the
+poisoned cup, when thirsty from play, and died of it.
+
+This fatal error filled the queen with deep anguish, but it added doubly
+to her hate, and with murderous intent she again put the poisoned cup
+into the chamber. But God protected the boy, for this time King
+Meliodas, being thirsty, saw the envenomed cup of wine, and took it up
+with purpose to drink. Before he could do so the queen, who was near by,
+ran hastily forward, snatched the deadly cup from his hand, and threw
+its contents on the floor.
+
+This hasty act filled the king with suspicion, for the sudden death of
+his young son had seemed to him like the work of poison. In a burst of
+passion he caught the guilty woman fiercely by the hand, drew his sword,
+and swore a mighty oath that he would kill her on the spot, unless she
+told him what had been in the cup and why it was put there.
+
+At this threat the queen, trembling and weeping with fright,
+acknowledged that it had been her design to kill Tristram, in order that
+her son should inherit the kingdom of Lyonesse.
+
+"Thou false traitress and murderess!" cried the king in redoubled
+passion. "By my royal soul, you shall have the fate you designed for my
+son. A worse one you shall have, for you shall be burned at the stake as
+a poisoner."
+
+Then he called a council of his barons, who confirmed this sentence on
+learning the dark crime of the queen, and by the order of the court a
+fire of execution was prepared, and the murderess bound to the stake,
+while fagots were heaped about her drooping form.
+
+The flames were already kindled, and were crawling like deadly serpents
+through the dry wood, but before they could reach the condemned queen
+young Tristram kneeled before his father and begged him a boon.
+
+"You shall have it, my son. What would you ask?"
+
+"Grant me the life of the queen. I cannot bear to see her die so
+terrible a death."
+
+"Ask not that," said the king. "You should hate her who would have
+poisoned you. I have condemned her more for your sake than my own."
+
+"Yet I beseech you to be merciful to her. I have forgiven her, and pray
+God to do so. You granted me my boon for God's love, and I hold you to
+your promise."
+
+"If you will have it so, I cannot withdraw my word," said the king. "I
+give her to you. Go to the fire and take her, and do with her what you
+will."
+
+This gladdened the boy's heart, which had been full of horror at the
+dreadful spectacle, and he hastened to release the victim from the
+flames.
+
+But after that Meliodas would have nothing to do with her until after
+years had passed, when Tristram reconciled them with each other. And he
+sent his son from the court, being afraid the pardoned murderess might
+devise some new scheme for his destruction. The noble-hearted lad was
+therefore given as tutor a learned gentleman named Gouvernail, who took
+him to France, that he might learn the language and be taught the use of
+arms. There he remained seven years, learning not only the language,
+but the art of minstrelsy, till he became so skilful that few could
+equal him in the use of the harp and other instruments of music. And as
+he grew older he practised much in hunting and hawking, and in time
+became famous also for his skill in this noble art. He in after-life
+devised many terms used in hunting, and bugle calls of the chase, so
+that from him the book of venery, or of hunting and hawking, came to be
+called the "Book of Sir Tristram."
+
+Thus Tristram grew in accomplishments and nobleness till he attained the
+age of nineteen years, when he had become a youth of handsome face and
+powerful form, being large of size and vigorous of limb. The king, his
+father, had great joy in his promise of lusty manhood, and so had the
+queen, whose heart had been won to Tristram when he saved her from the
+flames, and who loved him ever afterwards as much as she had hated him
+in his childhood. Every one loved him, indeed, for he proved himself a
+noble and gentle-hearted youth, loyal and kind to all he met, and with a
+heart free from evil thoughts or selfish desires.
+
+He had learned the use of arms, and knew well how to wield the shield
+and sword, though as yet he had not sought knighthood by deeds of
+battle; but events were preparing that would bring him soon from youth
+to manhood. For it so happened that King Anguish of Ireland sent to King
+Mark of Cornwall, demanding from him tribute which he said was due, but
+had not been paid for many years. King Mark sent word back that he owed
+and would pay no tribute; and that if the King of Ireland wished to
+prove his claim, he must send a knight who could overcome King Mark's
+champion.
+
+King Anguish was very angry at this answer, but accepted the challenge,
+and sent as his champion Sir Marhaus, brother to his wife, that valiant
+knight who had gone with Gawaine and Uwaine to the country of strange
+adventures, and had afterwards been made a Knight of the Round Table.
+
+Marhaus accepted the championship, and hastened to Cornwall, where he
+sent his challenge to King Mark; but the latter had taken no steps to
+provide himself with a worthy champion. Marhaus thereupon encamped near
+the castle of Tintagil, whither he daily sent a demand to King Mark
+either to pay the tribute or to find a knight to fight his battle.
+
+Anxious efforts were now made by the Cornish monarch to find a champion,
+some of the barons advising him to send to King Arthur's court for
+Lancelot du Lake. But others dissuaded the king from this, saying that
+neither Lancelot nor any Knight of the Round Table would fight against
+their fellow-knight Marhaus. Thus the King of Cornwall was sore put to
+it to find a champion fit to hold the field against such a knight as
+Marhaus.
+
+Word of this soon spread over the country and quickly reached the castle
+of Meliodas, to which young Tristram had long before returned. The heart
+of the ardent youth filled with anger when he learned that not a knight
+could be found in all Cornwall able and willing to do battle with the
+Irish champion.
+
+In fervent haste he sought his father, and asked him what was to be
+done to save Cornwall from this disgrace.
+
+"I know not," answered the king. "Marhaus is one of the best knights of
+the Round Table, and there is no knight in this country fit to cope with
+him."
+
+"I wish heartily that I were a knight," cried Tristram hotly. "If I
+were, Sir Marhaus should never depart to Ireland and boast that all
+Cornwall could not furnish a knight ready to break a spear with him. I
+pray you, dear father, to let me ride to King Mark's court, and beg of
+him to make me a knight and choose me as his champion."
+
+"Your spirit honors you, my son," said Meliodas. "You have it in you to
+become an able knight, and I give you full leave to do as your courage
+prompts you."
+
+Tristram thanked his father warmly for this assent, and, taking horse,
+rode without delay to the castle of his uncle King Mark. When he reached
+there he found the king depressed in spirit and the whole court deep in
+gloom, for it seemed as if no champion could be found, and that the
+tribute must be paid. Tristram went at once to his uncle and said with
+modest ardor,--
+
+"Sir, it is a shame and disgrace that Cornwall has no champion. I am but
+an untried youth, yet, if you will give me the order of knighthood, I
+stand ready to do battle for you with Sir Marhaus."
+
+"Who are you, and whence come you?" asked the king.
+
+"I come from King Meliodas, who wedded your sister, and I am a gentleman
+born."
+
+Hope came into the king's eyes when he saw how large and strongly built
+was his youthful visitor, and marked the spirit of battle in his eyes,
+but he again demanded his name and place of birth.
+
+"My name is Tristram and I was born in the country of Lyonesse,"
+answered the youth.
+
+"You speak with spirit, and look like the making of a good warrior,"
+said the king. "If you agree to do this battle, I will grant you
+knighthood."
+
+"It is that, and that alone, brings me here," answered Tristram.
+
+Then the king knighted him, and at once sent word to Sir Marhaus that he
+had a champion ready to do battle with him to the uttermost.
+
+"That may well be," answered Marhaus, "but I fight not with every
+springal. Tell King Mark that I shall fight with none but one of royal
+blood. His champion must be son either of a king or a queen."
+
+This answer King Mark gave to Tristram, and said, gloomily,--
+
+"I fear this rules out your championship."
+
+"Not so," said Tristram. "I came not here to boast, but if I must tell
+my lineage, you may let him know that I am of as noble blood as he. My
+father is King Meliodas, and my mother was Elizabeth, your own sister. I
+am the heir of Lyonesse."
+
+"Is it so?" cried the king, clasping the youth's hands gladly. "Then I
+bid you warmly welcome, my fair nephew, and I could ask no better nor
+nobler champion."
+
+He sent word in all haste to Marhaus that a better born man than himself
+should fight with him, the son of King Meliodas, and his own nephew.
+And while he waited an answer he took care to find for his nephew the
+best horse and the finest suit of armor that gold could procure. By the
+time he was thus provided word came back from Marhaus that he would be
+glad and blithe to fight with a gentleman of such noble birth. And he
+requested that the combat should take place in an island near which lay
+his ships. This being accepted, Tristram was sent thither in a vessel,
+with his horse and armor, but attended only by his tutor Gouvernail,
+whom he now made his squire.
+
+On reaching the island Tristram saw on the further shore six ships, but
+he saw no knight. Then he bade Gouvernail to bring his horse ashore and
+arm him. This done, he mounted and took his shield, and then said,--
+
+"Where is this knight with whom I have to fight? I see him not."
+
+"Yonder he hovers," answered Gouvernail, "under the shadow of the ships.
+He waits you on horseback, and fully armed."
+
+"True enough. I see him now. All is well. Do you take the vessel and go
+back to my uncle Mark, and tell him that if I be slain it will not be
+through cowardice, and pray him, if I die in fair fight, to see that I
+be interred honorably; but if I should prove recreant then he shall give
+me no Christian burial. And come you not near the island, on your life,
+till you see me overcome or slain, or till I give you the signal of
+victory."
+
+Then Gouvernail departed, weeping, for his young master had spoken so
+resolutely that he dared not disobey. Tristram now rode boldly towards
+Sir Marhaus, who came forward to meet him. Much courteous conversation
+passed between the two knights, Tristram at the end saying,--
+
+"I trust, Sir Marhaus, to win honor and renown from you, and to deliver
+Cornwall from tribute forever, and to this end I shall do my best in all
+valor and honor."
+
+"Fair sir," answered Marhaus, "your spirit pleases me; but as for
+gaining honor from me, you will lose none if you keep back three strokes
+beyond my reach, for King Arthur made me not Knight of the Round Table
+except for good cause."
+
+"That may well be," answered Tristram; "but if I show the white feather
+in my first battle may I never bear arms again."
+
+Then they put their spears in rest and rode so furiously together that
+both were hurled to the earth, horse and man alike. But Tristram had the
+ill fortune to receive a severe wound in the side from the spear of his
+adversary.
+
+Heedless of this, he drew his sword and met Marhaus boldly and bravely.
+Then they began a fierce and desperate fight, striking and foining,
+rushing together in furious onset, and drawing back in cautious heed,
+while the ring of sword on armor was like that of hammer on anvil. Hours
+passed in the fight, and the blood flowed freely from the wounds which
+each had received, yet still they stood boldly up to the combat. But
+Tristram proved a stronger and better-winded man than Marhaus, and was
+still fresh when his enemy was growing weary and faint. At the end he
+threw all his strength into his right arm, and smote Marhaus so mighty
+a blow on the helm that it cut down through the steel covering and deep
+into his head, the sword sticking so fast that Tristram could hardly
+pull it out.
+
+When he did so the edge of the sword was left in the skull, and the
+wounded knight fell heavily on his knees. But in a minute he rose and,
+flinging his sword and shield away, fled hastily to his ships.
+
+"Why do you withdraw, Knight of the Round Table?" cried Tristram. "I am
+but a young knight, but before I would fly from an adversary I would
+abide to be cut into a thousand pieces."
+
+Marhaus answered only with deep groans of pain and distress.
+
+"Go thy way then, sir knight," said Tristram. "I promise you your sword
+and shield shall be mine, and I will wear your shield in the sight of
+King Arthur and all the Round Table, to let them see that Cornwall is
+not a land of cowards."
+
+While he stood thus, hot with anger, the sails of the ships were spread,
+and the fleet sailed away, leaving the victor alone on the island. He
+was deeply wounded and had bled profusely, and when he grew cold from
+rest could hardly move his limbs. So he seated himself upon a little
+hillock, while his wounds still bled freely. But Gouvernail, who had
+kept within sight in the vessel, and had seen the end of the combat, now
+hastened gladly to the island, where he bound up the young knight's
+wounds, and then brought him to the main land. Here King Mark and his
+barons came in procession to meet him, their hearts full of joy and
+triumph, and the victor was borne in glad procession to the castle of
+Tintagil. When King Mark saw his deep and perilous wounds he wept
+heartily, and cried,--
+
+"God help me, I would not for all my lands that my nephew should die!"
+
+But Tristram lay in groaning pain for more than a month, ever in danger
+of death from the spear-wound he had received from Sir Marhaus. For the
+spear-head was poisoned, and no leech in the land, with his most healing
+remedy, could overcome the deadly effect of that venom. The king sent
+far and wide for skilled doctors, but none could be found whose skill
+was of any avail. At length there came a learned woman to the court, who
+told them plainly that the wounded man could never be cured except in
+the country from which the venom came. He might be helped there, but
+nowhere else.
+
+When King Mark heard this he had a good vessel prepared, in which
+Tristram was placed, under charge of Gouvernail, and so set sail for
+Ireland, though all were strictly warned not to tell who they were or
+whence they came.
+
+Long before this the fleet of Marhaus had arrived on the Irish coast,
+and the wounded knight been borne to the king's court, where all was
+done that could be to save his life, but in vain.
+
+He died soon of his deep wound, and when his head was examined by the
+surgeons they found therein a piece of Tristram's sword, which had sunk
+deep into his skull. This piece the queen, his sister, kept, for she was
+full of revengeful thoughts, and she hoped by its aid to find the man to
+whom he owed his death.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+LA BELLE ISOLDE.
+
+
+When Tristram arrived in Ireland, chance so provided that he landed near
+a castle in which the king and queen, with all their court, then were.
+He had brought his harp with him, and on his arrival sat up in his bed
+and played a merry lay, which gave joy to all that heard it.
+
+Word was quickly brought to the king that a harper of wonderful skill
+had reached his shores, and he at once sent to have him brought to the
+castle, where he asked him his name and whence he came.
+
+"My name," replied the wounded knight, "is Tramtrist; I am of the
+country of Lyonesse, and the wound from which I suffer was received in a
+battle I fought for a lady who had been wronged."
+
+"You shall have all the help here we can give you," said King Anguish.
+"I have just met with a sad loss myself, for the best knight in my
+kingdom has been slain."
+
+Then he told Tristram of the battle with King Mark's champion, little
+dreaming that the knight to whom he spoke knew far more about it than he
+did himself.
+
+"As for your wound," said the king, "my daughter, La Belle Isolde, is a
+leech of wonderful skill, and as you seem so worthy a man I shall put
+you under her care."
+
+This said, he departed, and sent his daughter to the knight; but no
+sooner did Tristram behold her than he received a deeper wound from love
+than he had yet had from sword or spear. For La Belle Isolde was the
+most beautiful lady in the world, a maiden of such wondrous charm and
+grace that no land held her equal.
+
+When she examined the young knight's wound she quickly saw that he was
+suffering from poison, but it was a venom with which she knew well how
+to deal, and she was not long in healing his deep hurt. In return for
+this great service, he taught her the art of harping, while the love he
+felt for her soon left some reflection of its warm presence in her soul.
+
+But she already had a lover in the court, a worthy and valiant Saracen
+knight named Palamides, who sought her day after day, and made her many
+gifts, for his love for her was deep. He was well esteemed by the king
+and queen, and had declared his willingness to be made a Christian for
+the sake of La Belle Isolde. In consequence there soon arose hot blood
+between Tristram and Palamides, for each feared that the other was a
+favored rival.
+
+And now it happened that King Anguish announced a tournament to be held
+in honor of a cousin of his called the Lady of the Lawns, it being
+declared that the grand prize of the tournament should be the hand of
+the lady and the lordship of her lands. The report of this tournament
+spread through England, Wales, and Scotland, reaching even to Brittany,
+and France, and many knights came to try their fortune in the lists.
+
+[Illustration: SIR TRISTRAM HARPING TO ISOLDE.]
+
+When the day drew near the fair Isolde told Tristram of the tournament,
+and expressed a warm desire that he would take part in it.
+
+"Fair lady," he answered, "I am as yet but feeble, and only for your
+generous care might be dead. I should be glad to obey any wish of yours,
+but you know that I am not in condition for the lists."
+
+"Ah, Tramtrist," she replied, "I trust that you may be able to take part
+in this friendly joust. Palamides will be there, and I hoped that you
+would meet him, for I fear that otherwise he will not find his equal."
+
+"You do me great honor," he replied. "You forget that I am but a young
+knight, and that in the only battle I have fought I was wounded nearly
+unto death. But for the love I have for you I shall attend the
+tournament, and jeopard my poor person for your sake, if you will only
+keep my counsel and let no person know that I have entered the lists."
+
+"That shall I," she replied, gladly. "Horse and armor shall be ready for
+you, and I but ask you to do your best. I am sure your best must win."
+
+"With Isolde's eyes upon me I can do no less," answered Tristram, with a
+glad heart. "I am at your command in all things, and for your love would
+dare tenfold this risk."
+
+When the day of the tournament came, Palamides appeared in the lists
+with a black shield, and so many knights fell before him that all the
+people marvelled at his prowess. Throughout the first day's fight he
+held his own against all comers, bearing off the honors of the lists.
+As for Tristram, he sat among the spectators, and when King Anguish
+asked him why he did not joust, replied that he was still too weak from
+his wound.
+
+On the morning of the next day Palamides came early into the field, and
+began the same career of conquest as on the day before. But in the midst
+of his good fortune there rode into the lists an unknown knight, who
+seemed to the spectators like an angel, for his horse and his armor were
+of the whiteness of snow.
+
+No sooner had Palamides espied this stranger than he put his spear in
+rest and rode against him at furious speed. But there came a sudden
+change in his fortunes, for the white knight struck him with such force
+as to hurl him from his horse to the ground.
+
+Then there arose a great noise and uproar among the people, for they had
+grown to think that no knight could face the Saracen, and Gawaine and
+others whom he had overthrown marvelled who this stranger knight could
+be. But Isolde was glad at heart, for the love of Palamides was a burden
+to her, and well she knew the knight of the white arms.
+
+As for the Palamides, he was so ashamed and disconcerted by his fall
+that, on mounting his horse again, he sought privately to withdraw from
+the field. But the white knight rode hastily after him and bade him
+turn, saying that he should not leave the lists so lightly. At these
+words Palamides turned and struck a fierce sword-blow at the white
+champion. But the latter put the stroke aside, and returned it with so
+mighty a buffet on the Saracen's head that he fell from his horse to the
+earth.
+
+Then Tristram--for he was the white knight--bade him yield and consent
+to do his command, or he would slay him. To this Palamides agreed, for
+he was hurt past defence.
+
+"This, then, is my command," said Tristram. "First, upon pain of your
+life, you shall cease your suit of the lady La Belle Isolde, and come
+not near her. Second, for a year and a day you shall wear no armor or
+weapons of war. Promise me this, or you shall die."
+
+"This is a bitter penance," cried Palamides. "You shame me before the
+world. For nothing less than life would I consent."
+
+But he took the oath as Tristram commanded, and then in anger and
+despite threw off his armor and cut it into pieces, flinging the
+fragments away. Then he departed, weighed down with sadness and shame.
+
+This done, Tristram left the lists, where he could find no knight
+willing to fight with him, and rode to the private postern of the castle
+whence he had come to the field. Here he found the fair Isolde awaiting
+him with a joyous face and a voice of thanks, praising him so highly
+that the knight was abashed with modest shame, though gladness filled
+his heart. And when she had told the king and queen that it was
+Tramtrist who had vanquished the Saracen, they treated him as if he had
+been of royal blood, for he had shown such prowess as Lancelot himself
+could not exceed.
+
+After this Tristram dwelt long in the castle, highly esteemed by the
+king and queen, and loved by La Belle Isolde, whose heart he had fully
+won by his prowess in the tournament. Those were days of joy and
+gladness, too soon, alas to end, for he loved her with all his soul, and
+saw his heaven in her eyes, while for all his love she gave him the warm
+devotion of a true heart in return.
+
+But fate at length brought this dream of happiness to an end. For on a
+day when Tristram was in the bath, attended by his squire Gouvernail,
+chance brought the queen and Isolde into the chamber of the knight. On
+the bed lay his sword, and this the queen picked up and held it out for
+Isolde's admiration, as the blade which had done such noble work in the
+tournament.
+
+But as she held it so she saw that there was a gap in the edge, a piece
+being broken out about a foot from the point. At sight of this she let
+the weapon fall, while her heart gave a great bound of pain and anger.
+
+"Liar and traitor, have I found you at last!" she cried, in an outbreak
+of rage. "It is this false villain that slew my brother Marhaus!"
+
+With these words she ran in haste from the chamber, leaving Isolde
+trembling with dread for her lover, for though she knew not the cause of
+the queen's rage, she knew well how cruel she could be in her passion.
+
+Quickly the queen returned, bringing with her the fragment of steel that
+had been found in Marhaus's skull, and, snatching up the sword, she
+fitted this into the broken place. It fitted so closely that the blade
+seemed whole. Then with a cry of passionate rage the furious woman ran
+to where Tristram was in the bath, and would have run him through had
+not Gouvernail caught her in his arms and wrested the sword from her
+hand.
+
+Failing in this deadly intent, she tore herself from the squire's grasp
+and flew to the king, throwing herself on her knees before him and
+crying,--
+
+"Oh, my lord and husband! you have here in your house that murderous
+wretch who killed my brother, the noble Sir Marhaus!"
+
+"Ha! can that be?" said the king. "Where is he?"
+
+"It is Tramtrist," she replied. "It is that villanous knight whom our
+daughter healed, and who has shamefully abused our hospitality." And she
+told him by what strange chance she had made this discovery.
+
+"Alas!" said the king, "what you tell me grieves me to the heart. I
+never saw a nobler knight than he, and I would give my crown not to have
+learned this. I charge you to leave him to me. I will deal with him as
+honor and justice demand."
+
+Then the king sought Tristram in his chamber, and found him there fully
+armed and ready to mount his horse.
+
+"So, Tramtrist, you are ready for the field," he said. "I tell you this,
+that it will not avail you to match your strength against my power. But
+I honor you for your nobility and prowess, and it would shame me to slay
+my guest in my court; therefore, I will let you depart in safety, on
+condition that you tell me your name and that of your father, and if it
+was truly you that slew my brother, Sir Marhaus."
+
+"Truly it was so," said Tristram. "But what I did was done in honor and
+justice, as you well know. He came as a champion and defied all the
+knights of Cornwall to battle, and I fought him for the honor of
+Cornwall. It was my first battle, for I was made a knight that very day.
+And no man living can say that I struck him foully."
+
+"I doubt me not that you acted in all knightly honor," answered the
+king. "But you cannot stay in my country against the ill-will of my
+barons, my wife, and her kindred."
+
+"As for who I am," continued the knight, "my father is King Meliodas of
+Lyonesse, and my uncle King Mark of Cornwall. My name is Tristram; but
+when I was sent to your country to be cured of my wound I called myself
+Tramtrist, for I feared your anger. I thank you deeply for the kind
+welcome you have given me, and the goodness my lady, your daughter, has
+shown me. It may happen that you will win more by my life than by my
+death, for in England I may yet do you some knightly service. This I
+promise you, as I am a true knight, that in all places I shall hold
+myself the servant and knight of my lady, your daughter, and shall never
+fail to do in her honor and service all that a knight may. Also I
+beseech you that I may take leave of your barons and knights, and pray
+you to grant me leave to bid adieu to your daughter."
+
+"I cannot well refuse you this," said the king.
+
+With this permission, Tristram sought La Belle Isolde, and sadly bade
+her farewell, telling her who he was, why he had changed his name, and
+for what purpose he had come to Ireland.
+
+"Had it not been for your care and skill I should now have been dead,"
+he said.
+
+"Gentle sir," she sadly replied, "I am woeful indeed that you should go,
+for I never saw man to whom I felt such good-will as to you."
+
+And she wept bitterly as she held out her hand in adieu. But Tristram
+took her in his arms and kissed away her tears.
+
+"I love you, Isolde, as my soul," he said. "If this despite of fate
+shall stand between you and me, this I promise, to be your knight while
+life is left to me."
+
+"And this I promise," answered Isolde, "that if I am married within
+these seven years it shall only be by your assent! If they stand between
+me and my love, at least they shall not force me to wed against your
+will."
+
+Then she gave Tristram a ring and received one from him in return, and
+he departed from her with a pain as if the parting wrenched their hearts
+asunder, while she beheld him go with such tears and lamentation that it
+seemed as if her faithful heart would break.
+
+Tristram next sought the great hall of the court, where were assembled
+the barons of King Anguish, and took his leave of them all, saying,--
+
+"Fair lords, fortune wills that I must leave you. If there be any man
+here whom I have offended or aggrieved let him make complaint now, and I
+shall amend the wrong so far as it is in my power. If there be any who
+may incline to say a wrongful thing of me behind my back, let him speak
+now, and I will make it good with him, body against body."
+
+But no man spoke in reply. There were knights there of the blood of Sir
+Marhaus and the queen, but none that cared to have to do in the field
+against Sir Tristram.
+
+So bidding them all adieu, he departed, and took ship for Tintagil, in
+Cornwall.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE WAGER OF BATTLE.
+
+
+When tidings came to King Mark that Tristram had returned to Cornwall,
+cured of his wounds, the king and all his barons were glad, and on the
+arrival of the knight he was treated with the greatest honor. No long
+time passed before he rode to the castle of his father, King Meliodas,
+who received him with fatherly love and pride, while the queen greeted
+him with the warmest joy. And that their knightly son should have
+wherewithal to make a fair show in the world, they parted with much of
+their lands and wealth to him, endowing him with broad estates and
+lordly castles.
+
+[Illustration: A CASTLE OF CORNWALL.]
+
+Afterwards, at his father's desire, who wished his son to gain all
+honor, Tristram returned to the court of Cornwall, where he was gladly
+welcomed. And here, though his love for La Belle Isolde lay deep in his
+heart, it was dimmed by later feelings, for there were many fair ladies
+at the court, and the young knight was at that age when the heart is
+soft and tender.
+
+In the end it happened that a jealousy and unfriendliness arose between
+King Mark and him. This grew with time, and in the end the king, who was
+base and treacherous of soul, waylaid Tristram, aided by two knights of
+his counsel, and sought to slay him. But so valiantly did he defend
+himself that he hurled the three to the earth, wounding the king so
+deeply that he was long in recovering.
+
+The king now grew to hate his young guest bitterly, and laid plans to
+destroy him. Finally, it occurred to him to send Tristram to Ireland for
+La Belle Isolde, whose beauty and goodness the young knight had praised
+so warmly that King Mark had it in his heart to wed her. But his main
+purpose in sending Tristram to Ireland was to compass his destruction,
+for he knew how he was hated there.
+
+Tristram was not blind to the danger into which this mission might bring
+him, and suspected the purpose of the king, but his love of adventure
+was so great that for it he was ready to dare any risk.
+
+As for Isolde, absence and affection for other ladies had dimmed his
+passion for her, so that for the time his love was forgotten, and he
+came to look upon it as a youthful episode not knowing how deeply it
+still lay under all these later feelings. He, therefore, accepted the
+mission, and made ready to go in royal state.
+
+He selected for his companions a number of the ablest knights of the
+court, and saw that they were richly arrayed and appointed, with the
+hope that such a noble train might win him favor at the Irish court.
+With this array he departed, and set sail for the coast of Ireland.
+
+But when they had reached the mid-channel a tempest arose that blew the
+fleet back towards the coast of England, and, as chance had it, they
+came ashore near Camelot. Here they were forced to land, for their ships
+were no longer seaworthy. Tristram, therefore, set up his pavilion upon
+the coast of Camelot, and hung his shield before it.
+
+That same day two knights of Arthur's court, Sir Morganor and Sir Hector
+de Maris, chanced to ride that way, and, seeing the shield, they touched
+it with their spears, bidding the knight of the pavilion to come out and
+joust, if he had an inclination to do so.
+
+"I hold myself ready alike for sport or battle," answered Tristram. "If
+you tarry a little while, you will find me ready to meet you."
+
+This said, he armed himself, and mounting his horse rode against his two
+challengers with such fortune that he first smote Sir Hector to the
+earth, and then Sir Morganor, felling them both with one spear. Rising
+painfully to their feet, the disconcerted knights asked Tristram who he
+was and of what country.
+
+"My noble sirs, I am a knight of Cornwall," he answered. "You have been
+in the habit of scorning the warriors of my country, but you see we have
+some good blood there."
+
+"A Cornish knight!" cried Hector. "That I should be overcome by a knight
+from that land! I am not fit to wear armor more." And in despite he put
+off his armor and left the place on foot, too full of shame to ride.
+
+As it turned out, fortune had worked more favorably for Tristram than he
+supposed. For King Anguish was then on his way to Camelot, whither he
+had been summoned by King Arthur as his vassal, for a purpose which he
+was not told.
+
+It happened that when he reached Camelot neither King Arthur nor
+Lancelot was there to give judgment on the charge against him, but the
+kings of Carados and of Scotland were left as judges. And when King
+Anguish demanded why he had been summoned, Blamor de Ganis, a Knight of
+the Round Table, accused him of treason, declaring that he had
+treacherously slain a cousin of his at his court in Ireland.
+
+This accusation threw King Anguish into great trouble, for he did not
+dream that he had been brought for such a purpose, and knew well that
+there was but one answer to make to such a charge. For the custom in
+those days was that any man who was accused of murder or treason should
+decide the case by the Wager of Battle, fighting his accuser to the
+death, or finding a knight who would take up his quarrel. And murders of
+all kinds in those days were called treason.
+
+King Anguish was thrown into a sorrowful frame of mind, for he knew that
+Blamor de Ganis was a knight of prowess beyond his own strength, nor had
+he a suitable champion in his train. He therefore withheld his answer,
+and the judges gave him three days for his decision.
+
+All this was told to Tristram by his squire Gouvernail, who had heard it
+from people of the country.
+
+"Truly," said Tristram, "no man in England could bring me better
+tidings, for the king of Ireland will be glad of my aid, since no knight
+of this country not of Arthur's court will dare fight with Blamor. As I
+wish to win the good will of King Anguish, I will take on myself his
+battle. So, Gouvernail, go to the king for me, and tell him there is a
+champion ready to assume his cause."
+
+Gouvernail thereupon went to Camelot, and greeted King Anguish, who
+returned his greeting and asked his errand.
+
+"There is a knight near at hand who desires to speak with you," was the
+reply. "He bade me say that he was ready to do you knightly service."
+
+"What knight may he be?" asked the king.
+
+"Sir, it is Tristram of Lyonesse. For the grace you showed him in your
+country he is ready to repay you here, and to take the field as your
+champion."
+
+"God be praised for this welcome news!" cried the king. "Come, good
+fellow, show me the way to Sir Tristram. Blamor will find he has no boy
+to handle."
+
+He mounted a hackney, and with few followers rode under Gouvernail's
+guidance till they came to Tristram's pavilion. The knight, when he saw
+his visitor, ran to him and would have held his stirrup, but this the
+king would not permit. He leaped lightly from his horse and took
+Tristram warmly in his arms.
+
+"My gracious lord," said Tristram, "I have not forgot the goodness which
+you formerly showed me, and which at that time I promised to requite by
+knightly service if it should ever be in my power."
+
+"I have great need of you, indeed, gentle sir," answered the king.
+"Never before was I in such deep necessity of knightly aid."
+
+"How so, my noble lord?" asked Tristram.
+
+"I shall tell you. I am held answerable for the death of a knight who
+was akin to Lancelot, and for which I must fight his relative, Blamor de
+Ganis, or find a knight in my stead. And well you know the knights of
+King Ban's blood are hard men to overcome in battle."
+
+"That may be," said Tristram, "yet I dread not to meet them. For the
+honor which you showed me in Ireland, and for the sake of your gracious
+daughter La Belle Isolde, I will take the battle on two conditions:
+first, that you swear that you are in the right, and had no hand in the
+knight's death; second, that if I win in this fight you grant me the
+reward I may ask, if you deem it reasonable."
+
+"Truly, I am innocent, and you shall have whatever you ask," said the
+king.
+
+"Then I accept the combat," said Tristram. "You may return to Camelot
+and make answer that your champion is ready, for I shall die in your
+quarrel rather than be recreant. Blamor is said to be a hardy knight,
+but I would meet him were he the best warrior that now bears shield and
+spear."
+
+King Anguish then departed and told the judges that he had his champion
+ready, and was prepared for the wager of battle at any time that pleased
+them. In consequence, Blamor and Tristram were sent for to hear the
+charge. But when the knights of the court learned that the champion was
+he who had vanquished Marhaus and Palamides, there was much debate and
+shaking of the head, and many who had felt sure of the issue now grew
+full of doubt, the more so when they learned the story of Hector de
+Maris and his companion.
+
+But the combatants took their charge in all due dignity, and then
+withdrew to make ready for the battle. Blamor was attended by his
+brother Sir Bleoberis, who said to him, feelingly,--
+
+"Remember, dear brother, of what kin we are, being cousins to Lancelot
+du Lake, and that there has never been a man of our blood but would
+rather die than be shamed in battle."
+
+"Have no doubt of me," answered Blamor. "I know well this knight's
+record; but if he should strike me down through his great might, he
+shall slay me before I will yield as recreant."
+
+"You will find him the strongest knight you have ever had to do with. I
+know that well, for I had once a bout with him at King Mark's court. So
+God speed you!"
+
+"In God and my cause I trust," answered Blamor.
+
+Then he took his horse and rode to one end of the lists, and Tristram to
+the other, where, putting their spears in rest, they spurred their
+gallant steeds and rushed together with the speed of lightning. The
+result was that Blamor and his horse together were hurled to the earth,
+while Tristram kept his seat. Then Blamor drew his sword and threw his
+shield before him, bidding Tristram to alight.
+
+"Though a horse has failed me," he said, "I trust that the earth will
+stand me in good stead."
+
+Without hesitation Tristram consented, springing to the ground, sword in
+hand, and the combatants broke at once into fierce battle, fighting like
+madmen, till all who saw them marvelled at their courage and strength.
+Never had knights been seen to fight more fiercely, for Blamor was so
+furious and incessant in his attacks, and Tristram so active in his
+defence, that it was a wonder they had breath to stand. But at last
+Tristram smote his antagonist such a blow on the helm that he fell upon
+his side, while his victor stood looking grimly down upon him.
+
+When Blamor could gain breath to speak, he said,--
+
+"Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, I require thee, as thou art a true knight, to
+slay me, for I would not live in shame, though I might be lord of the
+earth. You must slay me, indeed, if you would win the field, for I shall
+never speak the hateful word of surrender."
+
+When Tristram heard this knightly defiance he knew not what to do. The
+thought of slaying one of Lancelot's blood hurt him sorely, but his duty
+as a champion required him to force his antagonist to yield, or else to
+slay him. In deep distress of mind he went to the kingly judges and
+kneeled before them, beseeching them for the sake of King Arthur and
+Lancelot, and for their own credit, to take this matter out of his
+hands.
+
+"It were a pity and shame that the noble knight who lies yonder should
+be slain," he said, "yet he refuses to yield. As for the king I fight
+for, I shall require him, as I am his true knight and champion, to have
+mercy on the vanquished."
+
+"That yield I freely," said King Anguish. "And I heartily pray the
+judges to deal with him mercifully."
+
+Then the judges called Bleoberis to them and asked his advice.
+
+"My lords," he replied, "my brother is beaten, I acknowledge, yet,
+though Sir Tristram has vanquished his body, he has not conquered his
+heart, and I thank God he is not shamed by his defeat. And rather than
+he should be shamed I require you to bid Tristram to slay him."
+
+"That shall not be," replied the judges. "Both his adversaries, the king
+and his champion, have pity on him, and you should have no less."
+
+"I leave his fate to you," said Bleoberis. "Do what seems to you well."
+
+Then, after further consultation, the judges gave their verdict that the
+vanquished knight should live, and by their advice Tristram and
+Bleoberis took him up and brought him to King Anguish, who forgave and
+made friends with him. Then Blamor and Tristram kissed each other and
+the two brothers took oath that neither of them would ever fight with
+their noble antagonist, who took the same oath. And from the day of
+that battle there was peace and love between Tristram and all the
+kindred of Lancelot forever.
+
+The happy close of this contest made great rejoicing in Arthur's court,
+King Anguish and his champion being treated with all the honor that
+could be laid upon them, and for many days thereafter feasting and
+merry-making prevailed. In the end the king and his champion sailed for
+Ireland with great state and ceremony, while many noble knights attended
+to bid them farewell.
+
+When they reached Ireland, King Anguish spread far and wide the story of
+what Tristram had done for him, and he was everywhere greeted with honor
+and delight. Even the queen forgot her anger, and did all that lay in
+her power to give her lord's champion a glad welcome to the court.
+
+As for La Belle Isolde, she met Tristram with the greatest joy and
+gladness. Absence had dimmed the love in both their hearts, and it no
+longer burned as of yore, yet only time and opportunity were needed to
+make it as warm as ever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE DRAUGHT OF LOVE.
+
+
+At length there came a day, after Tristram had dwelt long at King
+Anguish's court, that the king asked him why he had not demanded his
+boon, since the royal word had been passed that whatever he asked
+should be his without fail.
+
+"I asked you not," said Tristram, "since it is a boon that will give me
+no pleasure, but so much pain that with every day that passes I grow
+less inclined to ask it."
+
+"Then why ask it at all?"
+
+"That I must, for I have passed my word of honor, and the word of a
+knight is his best possession. What I am forced to demand, then, is that
+you will give me the hand of La Belle Isolde,--not for myself, and that
+is what makes my heart so sore, but for my uncle, King Mark, who desires
+to wed her, and for whom I have promised to demand her."
+
+"Alas!" cried the king, "that you should ask me so despiteful a boon. I
+had rather than all King Mark's dominions that you should wed her
+yourself."
+
+"I never saw woman whom I would rather wed," he replied. "But if I
+should do so I would be the shame of the world forever, as a false
+knight, recreant to his promise. Therefore, I must stand by my word, and
+hold you to your boon, that you will give me La Belle Isolde to go with
+me to Cornwall, there to be wedded to King Mark, my uncle."
+
+"As for that, I cannot deny you. She shall go with you, but as to what
+may happen thereafter, I leave that for you to decide. If you choose to
+wed her yourself, that will give me the greatest joy. But if you
+determine to give her to King Mark, the right rests with you. I have
+passed my word, though I wish now that I had not."
+
+Then Isolde was told of what had passed, and bade to make ready to go
+with Tristram, a lady named Bragwaine going with her as chief
+gentlewoman, while many others were selected as her attendants. When the
+preparations were fully made, the queen, Isolde's mother, gave to Dame
+Bragwaine and Gouvernail a golden flask containing a drink, and charged
+them that on the day of Isolde's wedding they should give King Mark that
+drink, bidding him to quaff it to the health of La Belle Isolde, and her
+to quaff his health in return.
+
+"It is a love draught," continued the queen, "and if they shall drink it
+I undertake to say that each shall love the other for all the days of
+their life."
+
+Not many days passed before Tristram took to the sea, with the fair
+maiden who had been committed to his charge, and they sailed away on a
+mission that had for them both far more of sadness than of joy, for
+their love grew as the miles passed.
+
+One day, as they sat together in the cabin, it happened that they became
+thirsty, and by chance they saw on a shelf near them a little golden
+flask, filled with what by the color seemed to be a noble wine. Tristram
+took it down and said, with a laugh,--
+
+"Madam Isolde, here is the best drink that ever you drank, a precious
+draught which Dame Bragwaine, your maiden, and Gouvernail, my servant,
+are keeping for themselves. Let us drink from their private store."
+
+Then with laughter and merriment they drank freely from the flask, and
+both thought that they had never tasted draught so sweet and delicious
+in their lives before. But when the magic wine got into their blood,
+they looked upon each other with new eyes, for their hearts were
+suddenly filled with such passionate love as they had not dreamed that
+heart could feel. Tristram thought that never had mortal eyes gazed upon
+a maiden of such heavenly charms, and Isolde that there was never man
+born so grand and graceful as the knight of her love.
+
+Then all at once she fell into bitter weeping as the thought of her
+destiny came upon her, and Tristram took her in his arms and kissed her
+sweet lips again and again, speaking words of love that brought some
+comfort to her love-sick heart. And thus it was between them day by day
+to the end of their voyage, for a love had grown between them of such
+fervent depth that it could never leave them while blood flowed in their
+veins.
+
+Such magic power had the draught which the queen had prepared for King
+Mark, and which the unthinking lovers drank in fate's strange error. It
+was the bitter-sweet of love; for it was destined to bring them the
+deepest joy and sorrow in the years to come.
+
+Many days passed before the lovers reached Cornwall, and strange
+adventures met them by the way, of which we have but little space to
+speak. For chance brought them to land near a castle named Pleure, or
+the weeping castle. It was the custom of the lord of that castle, when
+any knight passed by with a lady, to take them prisoners. Then, when the
+knight's lady was compared with the lady of the castle, whichever was
+the least lovely of the two was put to death, and the knight was made to
+fight with the lord of the castle for the other, and was put to death if
+vanquished. Through this cruel custom many a noble knight and fair lady
+had been slain, for the castle lord was of great prowess and his lady of
+striking beauty.
+
+It chanced that Tristram and Isolde demanded shelter at this castle, and
+that they were made prisoners under its cruel custom. At this outrage
+Tristram grew bitterly indignant, and demanded passionately what it
+meant, as honor demanded that those who sought harbor should be received
+hospitably as guests, and not despitefully as prisoners. In answer he
+was told the custom of the castle, and that he must fight for his lady
+and his liberty.
+
+"It is a foul and shameful custom," he replied. "I do not fear that your
+lord's lady will surpass mine in beauty, nor that I cannot hold my own
+in the field, but I like to have a voice in my own doings. Tell him,
+however, if he is so hot for battle, that I shall be ready for the test
+to-morrow morning, and may heaven be on the side of truth and justice."
+
+When morning came the test of beauty was made, and the loveliness of
+Isolde shone so far beyond that of the castle lady that Breunor, the
+lord, was forced to admit it. And now Tristram grew stern and pitiless,
+for he said that this lady had consented to the death of many innocent
+rivals, and richly deserved death as a punishment for the ruthless deeds
+done in her behalf, and to gratify her cruel vanity. Thereupon her head
+was struck off without mercy.
+
+Full of anger at this, Breunor attacked Tristram with all his strength
+and fury, and a long and fiery combat took place, yet in the end he fell
+dead beneath the sword of the knight of Cornwall.
+
+But, as it happened, the castle lord had a valiant son, named Sir
+Galahad the high prince, a knight who in after years was to do deeds of
+great emprise. Word was brought to him of the death of his father and
+mother, and he rode in all haste to the castle, having with him that
+renowned warrior known as the king with the hundred knights.
+
+Reaching the castle, Galahad fiercely challenged Tristram to battle, and
+a mighty combat ensued. But at the last Galahad was forced to give way
+before the deadly strokes of his antagonist, whose strength seemed to
+grow with his labor.
+
+When the king with the hundred knights saw this, he rushed upon Tristram
+with many of his followers, attacking him in such force as no single
+knight could hope to endure.
+
+"This is no knightly deed," cried Tristram to Galahad. "I deemed you a
+noble knight, but it is a shameful act to let all your men set on me at
+once."
+
+"However that be," said Galahad, "you have done me a great wrong, and
+must yield or die."
+
+"Then I must yield, since you treat me so unfairly. I accepted your
+challenge, not that of all your followers. To yield thus puts me to no
+dishonor."
+
+And he took his sword by the point and put the pommel in the hand of his
+opponent. But despite this action the king and his knights came on, and
+made a second attack on the unarmed warrior.
+
+"Let him be," cried Sir Galahad. "I have given him his life, and no man
+shall harm him."
+
+"Shame is it in you to say so!" cried the king. "Has he not slain your
+father and mother?"
+
+"For that I cannot blame him greatly. My father held him in prison, and
+forced him to fight to the death. The custom was a wicked and cruel one,
+and could have but one end. Long ago, it drove me from my father's
+castle, for I could not favor it by any presence."
+
+"It was a sinful custom, truly," said the king.
+
+"So I deem it, and it would be a pity that this brave knight should die
+in such a cause, for I know no one save Lancelot du Lake who is his
+equal. Now, fair knight, will you tell me your name?"
+
+"My name is Tristram of Lyonesse, and I am on my way to the court of
+King Mark of Cornwall, taking to him La Belle Isolde, the daughter of
+King Anguish of Ireland, whom he desires to wed."
+
+"Then you are welcome to these marches, and all that I demand of you is
+that you promise to go to Lancelot du Lake, and become his fellow. I
+shall promise that no such custom shall ever be used in this castle
+again."
+
+"You will do well," said Tristram. "I would have you know that when I
+began to fight with you I fancied you were Lancelot. And I promise, as
+soon as I may, to seek him, for of all the knights in the world I most
+desire his fellowship."
+
+[Illustration: TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOLDE.]
+
+Soon afterwards Tristram and his fair companion resumed their journey,
+and in due time reached Cornwall. But as they came near Tintagil their
+hearts were ready to break, for that magic draught was still in their
+veins, and they loved each other with a love that was past all telling.
+
+Thoughts came into Tristram's heart to marry the maiden in despite of
+custom and his plighted word, and gladly would she have consented
+thereto. But strong as was his love, his honor was stronger, and Isolde,
+deeply as she grieved, could not ask him to break his word. And thus for
+many long miles they journeyed onward side by side in silence, their
+eyes alone speaking, but they telling a story of love and grief to which
+they dared not give words, lest their hearts' desire should burst all
+boundaries of faith and honor, and men's condemnation come to them both.
+
+So they came with drooping hearts to the court of King Mark, where the
+king and his barons received them with state and ceremony. Quickly
+thereafter the wedding took place, for the king looked with eyes of warm
+approval upon the beautiful maiden, and prepared richly and nobly for
+the ceremony, at which many noble knights and lords were present, but
+from which Tristram withdrew in the deepest anguish, as he could not
+endure the sight. And so his knightly word was kept, though to keep it
+almost broke his heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE PERILS OF TRUE LOVE.
+
+
+The marriage of King Mark with La Belle Isolde was celebrated with rich
+feasts and royal tournaments, and for many days pleasure ruled supreme
+at Tintagil Castle, whither noble guests came and went. Among those who
+came was Palamides the Saracen, drawn thither by his love of Isolde,
+which his overthrow by Tristram had not banished from his heart.
+
+Strange events soon followed. Two ladies of Isolde's train, who envied
+and hated Dame Bragwaine, laid a plot for her destruction. She was sent
+into the forest to obtain herbs, and there was met by men sent by her
+enemies, who bound her hand and foot to a tree, where she remained for
+three days. By good fortune, at the end of that time, she was found by
+Palamides, who saved her from death, and took her to a nunnery that she
+might recover from her pain and exhaustion.
+
+The disappearance of Dame Bragwaine troubled the queen greatly, for she
+loved her most of all women, and as the days went by and she returned
+not, the grief of Isolde grew deep. She wandered into the forest, which
+had been searched in vain for the lost lady, and, plunged in sad
+thought, seated herself by a woodland spring, where she moaned bitterly
+for her favorite.
+
+As she sat there Palamides appeared, and, after listening awhile to her
+sad complaining, said,--
+
+"Queen Isolde, I know well the cause of your grief, and if you will
+grant the boon I shall ask, I promise to bring you Dame Bragwaine, safe
+and sound."
+
+The queen was so glad to hear this, that without thought she agreed to
+grant his wish, thinking more of the lost lady than of what he might
+demand.
+
+"I trust to your promise," said Palamides. "Remain here half an hour and
+you shall see her."
+
+"I shall remain," said the queen.
+
+Palamides then rode away, and within the time mentioned returned with
+the maiden, whom Isolde clasped to her heart with happy tears.
+
+"Now, madam, I have kept my word," said Palamides; "you must keep
+yours."
+
+"I promised you hastily," answered the queen; "and I warn you now that I
+will grant you nothing evil; so beware of your asking."
+
+"My boon will keep till I meet you before the king," said Palamides.
+"What it is I shall not tell you now."
+
+Then the queen rode home with her maiden, and Palamides followed close
+after, entering the court while Isolde was telling the king of what had
+happened.
+
+"Sir king," said the knight, "your lady has told you of the boon she
+proffered me. The honor of knighthood requires that you shall make her
+word good."
+
+"Why made you this promise, my lady?" asked the king.
+
+"I did so for grief at the loss of Dame Bragwaine, and for joy to
+recover her."
+
+"Then what you have hastily proffered you must truly perform. The word
+of king and queen is not to be lightly spoken or lightly broken."
+
+"What I demand is this," said Palamides, "that you deliver to me your
+queen, to lead her where I wish and govern her as I will."
+
+At this bold request the king frowned deeply, and anger leaped to his
+lips. But his word had been passed, and the thought came to him that he
+could trust to Tristram quickly to rescue the queen, and punish this
+bold adventurer.
+
+"Take her if you will," he cried. "But I tell you this, you will not
+keep her long, and that you are asking a dangerous gift."
+
+"As for that, I shall dare the risk."
+
+Then he took Isolde by the hand, and led her from the court, and from
+the presence of the king and his barons, not one of whom moved, though
+the queen looked round with suppliant eyes. Leading her to his
+war-horse, he set her behind him on the saddle, and rode proudly away.
+
+No sooner had they gone than the king sent for Tristram, but by despite
+he was nowhere to be found, for he was in the forest hunting, as was
+always his custom when not engaged in feats of arms.
+
+"What shall be done?" cried the king. "Can no one find Tristram? My
+honor will be shamed if the Saracen be not met and overcome."
+
+"I shall follow him, and seek to rescue the queen," said a knight named
+Lambegus, one of Tristram's followers.
+
+"I thank you, Sir Lambegus. If I live, I will remember the service."
+
+So Lambegus got to horse and followed Palamides hotly, but to his own
+sorrow, as it proved, for he was no match for the Saracen, who soon laid
+him upon the earth wounded nearly to death.
+
+But while the battle went on, Isolde, who had been set upon the earth
+pending the combat, ran into the forest, and continued to fly till she
+came to a deep spring, where in her grief she sought to drown herself.
+But good fortune brought thither a knight named Sir Adtherp, who had a
+castle near by. Seeing the despair of the queen, he led her to his
+castle, and then, learning her story, took upon himself her battle, and
+rode forth to meet the Saracen.
+
+But he, too, fared badly, for Palamides wounded him severely, and made
+him tell what he had done with the queen, and where his castle might be
+found.
+
+Palamides, leaving him bleeding on the ground, rode in all haste to the
+castle. But as he approached, Isolde saw him from a window, and gave
+orders that the gate should be shut and the drawbridge raised. When
+Palamides came up and saw that the castle was closed against him, and
+entrance denied, he took the saddle and bridle from his horse and put
+him to pasture, while he seated himself before the gate like a man who
+cared not what became of him.
+
+Meanwhile, Tristram had returned from the hunt, and when he learned what
+had happened, he was half beside himself with anger.
+
+"Lambegus is no match for the Saracen," he said. "Would I had been here
+in his stead. The unchristianed villain shall answer for this outrage if
+he can be found."
+
+Then he armed himself in all haste, and rode into the forest. Not far
+had he gone when he found Lambegus, sorely wounded, and had him borne to
+a place of shelter. Somewhat farther on he found Adtherp, also hurt and
+bleeding, and from him he learned what had taken place.
+
+"Where is my lady now?" he asked.
+
+"Safe in my castle," said the knight. "And there she can hold herself
+secure against the Saracen."
+
+"Then I owe you much," said Tristram. "Trust me to see that some of your
+men be sent to your aid."
+
+He continued his journey till he came to the castle, and here he saw
+Palamides sitting by the gate fast asleep, with his horse grazing beside
+him.
+
+"The misbegotten rogue takes life easy," said Tristram. "Go rouse him,
+Gouvernail. Bid him make ready to answer for his outrage."
+
+But he was in such deep slumber that Gouvernail called to him in vain.
+He returned and told Tristram that the knight was either asleep or mad.
+
+"Go again and tell him that I, his mortal foe, am here."
+
+Gouvernail now prodded him with the butt of his spear, and cried,--
+
+"Arise, Sir Palamides, and make ready, for yonder is Sir Tristram, and
+he sends you word that he is your mortal foe."
+
+Then Palamides rose without a word of answer, and saddled and bridled
+his horse, upon which he sprang, putting his spear in rest. But he
+remained not long in his saddle, for when they met in mid career,
+Tristram smote him so hard a blow as to thrust him over his horse's tail
+to the ground.
+
+Then they drew their swords and fought with all their strength, for the
+lady whom they both loved looked upon them from the walls, and well-nigh
+swooned for grief and distress on seeing how sorely each was hurt.
+
+"Alas!" she cried, "one of them I love, and the other loves me. It would
+be a great pity to see Sir Palamides slain, much as he has troubled me,
+and slain he will be if this fight goes on."
+
+Then, moved by her tender heart, she went down and besought Tristram to
+fight no more.
+
+"What mean you?" he asked. "Would you have me shamed?"
+
+"I desire not your dishonor; but for my sake I would have you spare this
+unhappy knight, whose love for me has made him mad."
+
+"As you wish," he replied. "The fight shall end, since you desire it."
+
+"As for you, Sir Palamides," she said, "I command that you shall go out
+of this country while I am in it."
+
+"If it must be, it must," he answered, in bitter anguish; "but it is
+sorely against my will, for not to see you is not to live."
+
+"Take your way to the court of King Arthur," she said, "and there
+recommend me to Queen Guenever. Tell her that Isolde says that in all
+the land there are but four lovers, and that these are Lancelot du Lake
+and Queen Guenever, and Tristram de Lyonesse and Queen Isolde."
+
+This message filled Palamides with the greatest heaviness of heart, and
+mounting his steed he rode away moaning bitterly. But Isolde was full of
+gladness in being well rid of her troublesome lover, and Tristram in
+having rescued her from his rival. So he brought her back to King Mark,
+and there was great joy over her home-coming, while the king and all the
+court showered honors on the successful champion. Sir Lambegus was
+brought back to the court and put under the care of skilful leeches, and
+for a long time joy and good-will reigned.
+
+But Tristram had in King Mark's court a bitter foe, who sought to work
+him injury, though he was his near cousin. This traitor, Sir Andred by
+name, knew well of the love between Tristram and Isolde, and that they
+had secret meetings and tender conversations, so he lay in wait to spy
+upon them and slander them before the court.
+
+A day came at length when Andred observed Tristram in secret parley with
+Isolde at a window, and he hastened to the king and poisoned his mind
+with a false report of what he had seen. King Mark, on hearing this,
+burst into a fury of passion, and seizing a sword, ran to where Tristram
+stood. Here he violently berated him as a traitor, and struck at him a
+furious blow.
+
+But Tristram took the sword-point under his arm, and ran in on the king,
+wresting the weapon from his hand.
+
+"Where are my knights and men?" cried the enraged king. "I charge you to
+kill this traitor!"
+
+But of those present not a man would move. When Tristram saw this, he
+shook the sword threateningly against the king, and took a step forward
+as if he would have slain him. At this movement King Mark fled, while
+Tristram followed, and struck him so strong a blow with the flat of the
+sword on his neck that he was flung prostrate on his nose. Then Tristram
+hastened to his room and armed himself, after which he took his horse
+and his squire and rode into the forest.
+
+Here the valorous champion killed some of the knights whom the king had
+sent against him and put to flight thirty more, so that King Mark in
+fear and fury called a council of his lords, and asked what was to be
+done with his rebellious subject.
+
+"Our counsel is," said the barons, "that you send for Sir Tristram and
+make friends with him, for you well know that if you push him hard many
+of your men will join him. He is peerless and matchless among Christian
+knights except Sir Lancelot, and if you drive him to seek King Arthur's
+court he will find such friends there that he may defy your power.
+Therefore we counsel you to beg him to return to the court, under
+assurance of safety."
+
+"You may send for him, then," said the king, though his heart burned
+with secret fury. The barons now sent for Tristram under a safe-conduct,
+and he returned to the court, where he was welcomed by the king, and all
+that had passed seemed to be forgotten.
+
+Shortly after this the king and queen went hunting, accompanied by
+Tristram and many knights and gentlemen of the court. Entering the
+forest, they set up their pavilions and tents beside a river, where they
+hunted and jousted daily, for King Mark had with him thirty knights who
+stood ready to meet all comers.
+
+Fortune brought thither two knights-errant, one being Lamorak de Galis,
+who of all knights was counted next to Lancelot and Tristram. The other
+was Sir Driant, both being Knights of the Round Table.
+
+Driant jousted first with the Cornish knights, and, after unhorsing some
+of them, got a stunning fall. Then Lamorak offered to meet them, and of
+the thirty knights not one kept his seat before him, while some were
+sorely hurt.
+
+"What knight is this who fights so well?" asked the king.
+
+"Sir," said Tristram, "it is Lamorak de Galis, one of the best knights
+who ever put spear in rest."
+
+"Then, Sir Tristram, you must meet him. It were a shame to us all to let
+him go away victor."
+
+"It were a greater shame to overthrow a noble knight when he and his
+horse are worn out with over-labor."
+
+"He shall not leave here and boast of how he vanquished King Mark's
+knights. I charge you, as you love me and my lady La Belle Isolde, to
+take your arms and joust with this Lamorak."
+
+"You charge me to do what is against knighthood, for it is no honor for
+a fresh man and horse to master spent and weary ones. Since you command
+it I must do it, but it is sorely against my will."
+
+Then he armed himself and took his horse, and in the joust easily
+overthrew Lamorak and his weary steed. The knight lightly sprang from
+the falling charger and drew his sword, boldly challenging Tristram to
+meet him on foot. But this Tristram would by no means do, though Lamorak
+hotly renewed the challenge.
+
+"You are great of heart, Sir Lamorak," said Tristram, "but no knight nor
+horse was ever made that could forever endure. Therefore I will not meet
+you, and I am sorry for having jousted with you."
+
+"You have done me an evil turn," said Lamorak, angrily, "for which I
+shall repay you when an opportunity comes."
+
+Lamorak soon got his revenge. For as he rode with Sir Driant towards
+Camelot he met by the way a boy who had been sent by Morgan le Fay to
+King Arthur. For the false enchantress still held to her hatred against
+her noble brother, and by all means sought his harm. So by magic art she
+had made a drinking-horn of such strange virtue that if any lady drank
+of it who had been false to her husband all the wine would be spilled,
+but if she had been true to him, she might drink in peace and safety.
+
+This horn she sent to Arthur's court, hoping that Guenever might drink
+thereof and be dishonored, for her love for Lancelot was known to all
+but the king.
+
+Lamorak, learning from the boy his errand, bade him bear the horn to
+King Mark's court, and tell the king that it was sent to prove the
+falseness of his lady, who loved Sir Tristram more than she did her
+wedded lord.
+
+Soon afterwards, therefore, the boy appeared at Tintagil Castle, and
+presented King Mark the magic horn, telling him of its virtues, and all
+that Sir Lamorak had bidden him say.
+
+"By my royal faith we shall try it, then!" said the king. "Not only my
+queen, but all the ladies of the court, shall drink of it, and we shall
+learn who among them has other lovers than their liege lords."
+
+Much to their unwillingness, Queen Isolde and a hundred ladies of the
+court were made to drink from the magic horn, and of them all only four
+drank without spilling the wine.
+
+"Now, by my knightly honor, all these false dames shall be burnt!" cried
+the king. "My court shall be purged of this vile stain."
+
+"That shall they not," cried the barons. "We shall never consent that
+the queen and all these ladies shall be destroyed for a horn wrought by
+sorcery, and sent here to make mischief by as foul a sorceress and witch
+as the earth holds. She has always been an enemy to all true lovers and
+sought to do them harm, and if we meet with Morgan le Fay she will get
+but scant courtesy at our hands. We would much rather believe the horn
+false than all our ladies untrue."
+
+But Tristram's anger was turned towards Lamorak for this affront, for he
+knew well what had been his purpose. And he vowed in his heart that he
+would yet repay him for this treacherous act.
+
+His affection for Queen Isolde kept as warm as though the love-draught
+still flowed in his veins, and he sought her at every opportunity, for
+the two greatest joys that life held for him were to tell her of his
+love and hear from her lips that her love for him had never dimmed.
+
+But his treacherous cousin Andred watched his every movement, and kept
+the king advised that Tristram continued his secret interviews with the
+queen. So an ambush of twelve knights was set, and one day, when
+Tristram had just paid a stolen visit to the queen, and sat in loving
+converse by her side, these ambushed knights broke suddenly upon him,
+took him prisoner, and bound him hand and foot.
+
+Then, by order of the king, he was borne to a chapel that stood on a
+rocky height above the sea, where Andred and some others of the barons
+who were his enemies came together to pass judgment upon him.
+
+Tristram in all his life had never stood in such peril, for his hands
+were bound fast to two knights, and forty others surrounded him, every
+one a foe. Care had been taken to get rid of his friends among the
+barons by sending them away from the court on various pretexts. Like a
+lion surrounded by jackals he chafed in his bonds, while his great heart
+swelled as if it would break. No escape seemed possible, but with a
+reproachful voice he said,--
+
+"Fair lords, I have in my time done something for Cornwall, and taken
+upon myself great peril for your benefit. Who among you all was ready to
+meet Sir Marhaus, or to cope with Palamides? Is this shameful death my
+reward for my services to your country? You know well that I never met a
+knight but that I was his match or his better."
+
+"Boast not, false traitor," cried Andred. "For all thy vaunting, thou
+shalt die this day."
+
+"O Andred, Andred, that you my kinsman should treat me thus!" said
+Tristram sorrowfully. "You can be bold when I am bound, but if there
+were none here but you and me, you would crouch like a cur at my feet."
+
+"Would I so?" cried Andred, angrily. "You shall see what I would do."
+
+And as he spoke he drew his sword, and advanced upon his cousin with
+intent to slay him on the spot. But Tristram, when he saw him coming
+with murderous looks, suddenly drew inwards with all his strength the
+two knights to whom he was bound, and with a mighty wrench broke the
+strong cords asunder. Then with the leap of a tiger he sprang upon his
+treacherous cousin, wrested the sword from his hand, and smote him a
+blow that hurled him insensible to the earth. This done, he rushed with
+the fury of a madman on his enemies, striking mighty blows to right and
+left, till in a few minutes ten of them lay dead and wounded on the
+earth.
+
+But seeing that they were pressing on him in too great force, he
+retreated into the chapel, in whose door-way he stood, sword in hand,
+holding it against all their assaults.
+
+Soon, however, the cry went forth that the prisoner had escaped, and had
+felled Andred and killed many of the barons, and others of his foes
+hastened up, till more than a hundred beleaguered him in the chapel.
+
+Tristram now looked despairingly on his unarmed form, and saw that many
+of his assailants wore armor of proof. Death was sure unless he could
+find some means of escape. He knew that the chapel stood on the brow of
+the cliff, and here seemed his only hope of safety, though it was a
+perilous one. Quickly retreating, he shut and barred the door, and then
+with hand and sword wrenched and tore the iron bars from a window over
+the cliff, out of which he desperately leaped.
+
+The descent was a deep one, but he fortunately reached the sea below
+without striking any of the rocks in his descent. Here he drew himself
+into a crevice at the foot of the cliff.
+
+Those above rushed to the rocky edge and looked down into the boiling
+waters far below, but they saw nothing of the daring knight, and after a
+long and vain effort to see him, went away to report to the king that
+his enemy was drowned.
+
+But while King Mark and Tristram's enemies were congratulating one
+another upon this, there came to the top of the cliff, Gouvernail,
+Lambegus, and others of Tristram's men, who, looking down, saw him
+creeping up from the water to a safer place of shelter among the rocks.
+Hailing him, they bade him to be of good heart, and, letting down a rope
+which they quickly procured, they managed to draw him up to the summit,
+where they congratulated him warmly on his escape. Without delay,
+however, he left that spot, for fear of his foes returning, and sought a
+place of shelter in the forest.
+
+[Illustration: THE CLIFFS ABOVE THE SEA.]
+
+Here he abode for some time, but the news of his escape got abroad, to
+the discomfiture of his foes. And on a day when he had fallen asleep, a
+man to whom he had done some injury crept up and shot him in the
+shoulder with an arrow. Tristram sprang up and killed the man, but the
+wound pained him day by day. And on news of it being brought to La Belle
+Isolde she sent him word by Dame Bragwaine that the arrow had been
+poisoned, and with a venom that no leech in England could cure. "My
+lady, La Belle Isolde, bids you haste into Brittany to King Howell,"
+said Dame Bragwaine, "for she knows no one who can help you but his
+daughter, Isolde la Blanche Mains."
+
+Hearing this, the wounded knight sent a sad farewell to his lady love,
+and took ship with Gouvernail his squire, and sailed to Brittany, where
+he was warmly welcomed by King Howell.
+
+And when Isolde of the white hands heard of the errand of the knight,
+she applied to his wound healing herbs of such virtue that in a little
+while he was whole again.
+
+Afterwards Tristram dwelt long in Brittany, and helped King Howell much
+in his wars.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE MADNESS OF SIR TRISTRAM.
+
+
+Of the visit of Sir Tristram to Brittany, and the healing of his wound,
+with the great deeds he did there, and how he overthrew the giant knight
+Nabon le Noire, we shall not further speak. Letters at length came to
+him from La Belle Isolde, in which she spoke pitifully of tales that had
+been brought her, saying that he had been false to her, and had married
+Isolde the White Handed, daughter of King Howell of Brittany.
+
+On receiving these letters, Tristram set out in all haste for Cornwall,
+bringing with him Kehydius, King Howell's son. On his way there he had
+many adventures, and rescued King Arthur from an enchantress, who had
+brought him near to death in the forest perilous. When at length he came
+to Cornwall he sought the castle of Dinas the seneschal, his warmest
+friend, and sent him to tell Queen Isolde that he had secretly returned.
+
+At this longed-for news the queen swooned from pure joy. When she
+recovered and was able to speak, she said, in pitiful accents,--
+
+"Gentle seneschal, I pray you bring him where I may speak with him, or
+my heart will break."
+
+"Trust me for that," answered Dinas.
+
+Then he and Dame Bragwaine brought Tristram and Kehydius privately to
+the court, and to a chamber which Isolde had assigned for them. But to
+tell the joy of the meeting between Tristram and La Belle Isolde we
+shall not endeavor, for no tongue could tell it, nor heart think it, nor
+pen write it.
+
+Yet misfortune still pursued these true lovers, and this time it came
+from friends instead of foes, for the presence of Kehydius in the castle
+led to the most doleful and melancholy misfortune which the world ever
+knew. For, as the chronicles make mention, no sooner had Kehydius seen
+La Belle Isolde, than he became so enamoured of her that his heart might
+never more be free. And at last, as we are told, he died from pure love
+of this beautiful queen, but with that we are not here concerned. But
+privately he wrote her letters which were full of moving tales of his
+love, and composed love poems to her which no minstrel of those days
+might surpass.
+
+All these he managed to put into the queen's hands privately, and at
+length, when she saw how deeply he was enamoured, she was moved by such
+pity for his hopeless love that, out of the pure kindness of her heart,
+she unwisely wrote him a letter, seeking to comfort him in his distress.
+
+Sad was it that pity should bring such sorrow and pain to two loving
+hearts as came from that fatal letter. For on a day when King Mark sat
+playing chess at a chamber window, it chanced that La Belle Isolde and
+Kehydius were in the chamber above, where they awaited the coming of
+Tristram from the turret-room in which he was secretly accommodated. But
+as ill luck would have it, there fell into Tristram's hands the last
+letter which Kehydius had written to the queen, and her answer, which
+was so worded that it seemed as if she returned his love.
+
+These the young lover had carelessly left in Tristram's chamber, where
+he found them and thoughtlessly began reading them. But not far had he
+read when his heart sank deep in woe, and then leaped high in anger. He
+hurried in all haste to the chamber where Isolde and Kehydius were, the
+letters in his hand.
+
+"Isolde," he cried, pitifully, "what mean these letters,--this which
+Kehydius has written you, and this, your answer, with its vile tale of
+love? Alas! is this my repayment for the love I have lavished on you,
+that you thus treacherously desert me for the viper that I have brought
+hither?--As for you, Kehydius, you have foully repaid my trust in you
+and all my services. But bear you well in mind that I shall be amply
+revenged for your falsehood and treason."
+
+Then he drew his sword with such a fierce and threatening countenance
+that Isolde swooned out of pure fear; and Kehydius, when he saw him
+advancing with murder in his face, saw but one chance for life, and
+leaped out of a bay window immediately over that where King Mark sat
+playing at chess.
+
+When the king saw the body of a man hurtling down over his head, so
+close that he almost touched him as he sat at the window, he sprang up
+in alarm and cried,--
+
+"What the foul fiend is this? Who are you, fellow? and where in the wide
+world have you come from?"
+
+Kehydius, who had fallen on his feet, answered the king with ready wit.
+
+"My lord, the king," he said, "blame me not, for I fell in my sleep. I
+was seated in the window above you, and slumbered there, and you see
+what has come of it."
+
+"The next time you are sleepy, good fellow, hunt a safer couch," laughed
+the king, and turned again to his chess.
+
+But Tristram was sure that his presence in the castle would now be known
+to the king, and hastened to arm himself with such armor as he could
+find, in dread of an assault in force. But as no one came against him,
+he sent Gouvernail for his horse and spear, and rode in knightly guise
+openly from the gates of Tintagil.
+
+At the gate it chanced that he met with Gingalin, the son of Gawaine,
+who had just arrived; and the young knight, being full of ardor, and
+having a fancy to tilt with a Cornish warrior, put his spear in rest and
+rode against Tristram, breaking his spear on him.
+
+Tristram had yet no spear, but he drew his sword and put all his grief
+and anger into the blow he gave the bold young knight. So hard he struck
+that Gingalin was flung from his saddle, and the sword, slipping down,
+cut through the horse's neck, leaving the knight with a headless
+charger.
+
+Then Tristram rode on until he disappeared in the forest. All this was
+seen by King Mark, who sent a squire to the hurt knight and asked him
+who he was. When he knew it was Sir Gingalin, he welcomed him, and
+proffered him another horse, asking what knight it was he had
+encountered.
+
+"That I know not," said Gingalin, "but he has a mighty wrist, whoever he
+is. And he sighed and moaned as if some great disaster had happened him.
+I shall beware of weeping knights hereafter, if they all strike like
+this."
+
+As Tristram rode on he met Sir Fergus, one of his own knights, but by
+this time his grief and pain of heart had grown so bitter that he fell
+from his horse in a swoon, and lay thus for three days and nights.
+
+When at length he came to himself, he sent Fergus, who had remained
+with him, to the court, to bring him what tidings he might learn. As
+Fergus rode forward he met a damsel whom Palamides had sent to inquire
+about Sir Tristram. Fergus told her how he had met him, and that he was
+almost out of his mind.
+
+"Where shall I find him?" asked the damsel.
+
+"In such a place," explained Fergus, and rode on to the court, where he
+learned that Queen Isolde was sick in bed, moaning pitifully, though no
+one knew the source of her pain.
+
+The damsel meanwhile sought Tristram, whom she found in such grief as
+she had never before seen, and the more she tried to console him the
+more he moaned and bewailed. At the last he took his horse and rode
+deeply into the forest, as if he would be away from all human company.
+
+The damsel now sought him diligently, but it was three days before she
+could find him, in a miserable woodland hut. Here she brought him meat
+and drink, but he would eat nothing, and seemed as if he wished to
+starve himself.
+
+A few days afterwards he fled from her again, and on this occasion it
+chanced that he rode by the castle before which he and Palamides had
+fought for La Belle Isolde. Here the damsel found him again, moaning
+dismally, and quite beside himself with grief. In despair what to do,
+she went to the lady of the castle and told her of the misfortune of the
+knight.
+
+"It grieves me to learn this," said the lady. "Where is he?"
+
+"Here, near by your castle."
+
+"I am glad he is so near. He shall have meat and drink of the best, and
+a harp which I have of his, and on which he taught me to play. For in
+harping he has no peer in the world."
+
+So they took him meat and drink, but had much ado to get him to eat. And
+during the night his madness so increased that he drove his horse from
+him, and unlaced his armor and threw it wildly away. For days afterwards
+he roamed like a wild man about the wilderness; now in a mad frenzy
+breaking boughs from the trees, and even tearing young trees up by the
+roots, and now for hours playing on the harp which the lady had given
+him, while tears flowed in rivulets from his eyes.
+
+Sometimes, again, when the lady knew not where he was, she would sit
+down in the wood and play upon the harp, which he had left hanging on a
+bough. Then Tristram would come like a tamed fawn and listen to her,
+hiding in the bushes; and in the end would come out and take the harp
+from her hand and play on it himself, in mournful strains that brought
+the tears to her eyes.
+
+Thus for a quarter of a year the demented lover roamed the forest near
+the castle. But at length he wandered deeper into the wilderness, and
+the lady knew not whither he had gone. Finally, his clothes torn into
+tatters by the thorns, and he fallen away till he was lean as a hound,
+he fell into the fellowship of herdsmen and shepherds, who gave him
+daily a share of their food, and made him do servile tasks. And when he
+did any deed not to their liking they would beat him with rods. In the
+end, as they looked upon him as witless, they clipped his hair and
+beard, and made him look like a fool.
+
+To such a vile extremity had love, jealousy, and despair brought the
+brave knight Tristram de Lyonesse, that from being the fellow of lords
+and nobles he became the butt of churls and cowherds. About this time it
+happened that Dagonet, the fool and merry-maker of King Arthur, rode
+into Cornwall with two squires, and chance brought them to a well in the
+forest which was much haunted by the demented knight. The weather was
+hot, and they alighted and stooped to drink at the well, while their
+horses ran loose. As they bent over the well in their thirst, Tristram
+suddenly appeared, and, moved by a mad freak, he seized Dagonet and
+soused him headforemost in the well, and the two squires after him. The
+dripping victims crawled miserably from the water, amid the mocking
+laughter of the shepherds, while Tristram ran after the stray horses.
+These being brought, he forced the fool and the squires to mount, soaked
+as they were, and ride away.
+
+But after Tristram had departed, Dagonet and the squires returned, and
+accusing the shepherds of having set that madman on to assail them, they
+rode upon the keepers of beasts and beat them shrewdly. Tristram, as it
+chanced, was not so far off but that he saw this ill-treatment of those
+who had fed him, and he ran back, pulled Dagonet from the saddle, and
+gave him a stunning fall to the earth. Then he wrested the sword from
+his hand and with it smote off the head of one of the squires, while the
+other fled in terror. Tristram followed him, brandishing the sword
+wildly, and leaping like a madman as he rushed into the forest.
+
+When Dagonet had recovered from his swoon, he rode to King Mark's court,
+and there told what had happened to him in the wildwood.
+
+"Let all beware," he said, "how they come near that forest well. For it
+is haunted by a naked madman, and that fool soused me, King Arthur's
+fool, and had nearly slain me."
+
+"That must be Sir Matto le Breune," said King Mark, "who lost his wit
+because Sir Gaheris robbed him of his lady."
+
+Meanwhile, Kehydius had been ordered out of Cornwall by Queen Isolde,
+who blamed him for all that had happened, and with a dolorous heart he
+obeyed. By chance he met Palamides, to whom the damsel had reported the
+sad condition of the insane knight, and for days they sought him
+together, but in vain.
+
+But at Tintagil a foul scheme was laid by Andred, Tristram's cousin and
+foe, to gain possession of his estates. This villain got a lady to
+declare that she had nursed Tristram in a fatal illness, that he had
+died in her care, and had been buried by her near a forest well; and she
+further said that before his death he had left a request that King Mark
+would make Andred king of Lyonesse, of which country Tristram now was
+lord.
+
+On hearing these tidings, King Mark made a great show of grief, weeping
+and lamenting as if he had lost his best friend in the world. But when
+the news came to La Belle Isolde, so deep a weight of woe fell upon her
+that she nearly went out of her mind. So deeply did she grieve, indeed,
+that she vowed to destroy herself, declaring bitterly that she would not
+live if Tristram was dead.
+
+So she secretly got a sword and went with it into her garden, where she
+forced the hilt into a crevice in a plum-tree so that the naked point
+stood out breast high. Then she kneeled down and prayed piteously:
+"Sweet Lord Jesus, have pity on me, for I may not live after the death
+of Sir Tristram. My first love he was, and he shall be my last."
+
+All this had been seen by King Mark, who had followed her privily, and
+as she rose and was about to cast herself on the sword he came behind
+and caught her in his arms. Then he tore the sword from the tree, and
+bore her away, struggling and moaning, to a strong tower, where he set
+guards upon her, bidding them to watch her closely. After that she lay
+long sick, and came nigh to the point of death.
+
+Meanwhile, Tristram ran wildly through the forest, with Dagonet's sword
+in his hand, till he came to a hermitage, where he lay down and slept.
+While he slumbered, the hermit, who knew of his madness, stole the sword
+from him and laid meat beside him. Here he remained ten days, and
+afterwards departed and returned to the herdsmen.
+
+And now another adventure happened. There was in that country a giant
+named Tauleas, brother to that Taulard whom Sir Marhaus had killed. For
+fear of Tristram he had for seven years kept close in his castle, daring
+not to go at large and commit depredations as of old. But now, hearing
+the rumor that Tristram was dead, he resumed his old evil courses. And
+one day he came to where the herdsmen were engaged, and seated himself
+to rest among them. By chance there passed along the road near by a
+Cornish knight named Sir Dinant, with whom rode a lady.
+
+When the giant saw them coming, he left the herdsmen and hid himself
+under a tree near a well, deeming that the knight would stop there to
+drink. This he did, but no sooner had he sought the well than the giant
+slipped from his covert and leaped upon the horse. Then he rode upon Sir
+Dinant, took him by the collar, and pulled him before him upon the
+horse, reaching for his dagger to strike off his head.
+
+At this moment the herdsmen called to Tristram, who had just come from
+the forest depths: "Help the knight."
+
+"Help him yourselves," said Tristram.
+
+"We dare not," they replied.
+
+Then Tristram ran up and seized the sword of the knight, which had
+fallen to the ground, and with one broad sweep struck off the head of
+Tauleas clean from the shoulders. This done he dropped the sword as if
+he had done but a trifle and went back to the herdsmen.
+
+Shortly after this, Sir Dinant appeared at Tintagil, bearing with him
+the giant's head, and there told what had happened to him and how he had
+been rescued.
+
+"Where had you this adventure?" asked the king.
+
+"At the herdsmen's fountain in the forest," said Dinant. "There where so
+many knights-errant meet. They say this madman haunts that spot."
+
+"He cannot be Matto le Breune, as I fancied," said the king. "It was a
+man of no small might who made that stroke. I shall seek this wild man
+myself."
+
+On the next day King Mark, with a following of knights and hunters, rode
+into the forest, where they continued their course till they came to the
+well. Lying beside it they saw a gaunt, naked man, with a sword beside
+him. Who he was they knew not, for madness and exposure had so changed
+Tristram's face that no one knew it.
+
+By the king's command he was picked up slumbering and covered with
+mantles, and thus borne in a litter to Tintagil. Here they bathed and
+washed him, and gave him warm food and gentle care, till his madness
+passed away and his wits came back to him. But no one knew him, so much
+had he changed, while all deemed Tristram dead, and had no thought of
+him.
+
+Word of what had happened came to Isolde where she lay sick, and with a
+sudden whim she rose from her bed and bade Bragwaine come with her, as
+she had a fancy to see the forest madman.
+
+Asking where he was, she was told that he was in the garden, resting in
+an arbor, in a light slumber. Hither they sought him and looked down
+upon him, knowing him not.
+
+But as they stood there Tristram woke, and when he saw the queen he
+turned away his head, while tears ran from his eyes. It happened that
+the queen had with her a little brachet, which Tristram had given her
+when she first came to Cornwall, and which always remembered and loved
+its old master.
+
+When this little creature came near the sick man, she leaped upon him
+and licked his cheeks and hands, and whined about him, showing great joy
+and excitement.
+
+"The dog is wiser than us all," cried Dame Bragwaine. "She knows her
+master. They spoke falsely who said he was dead. It is Sir Tristram."
+
+But Isolde fell to the ground in a swoon, and lay there long insensible.
+When at length she recovered, she said,--
+
+"My dear lord and knight, I thank God deeply that you still live, for
+the story of your death had nearly caused mine. Your life is in dread
+danger, for when King Mark knows you he will either banish or destroy
+you. Therefore I beg you to fly from this court and seek that of King
+Arthur where you are beloved. This you may trust, that at all times,
+early and late, my love for you will keep fresh in my heart."
+
+"I pray you leave me, Isolde," answered the knight. "It is not well that
+you should be seen here. Fear not that I will forget what you have
+said."
+
+Then the queen departed, but do what she would the brachet would not
+follow her, but kept with the sick knight. Soon afterwards King Mark
+visited him, and to his surprise the brachet sat upon the prostrate man
+and bayed at the king.
+
+"What does this mean?" he asked.
+
+"I can tell you," answered a knight. "That dog was Sir Tristram's before
+it was the queen's. The brachet is wiser than us all. It knows its
+master."
+
+"That I cannot believe," said the king. "Tell me your name, my good
+man."
+
+"My name is Tristram of Lyonesse," answered the knight. "I am in your
+power. Do with me what you will."
+
+The king looked at him long and strangely, with anger in his eyes.
+
+"Truly," he said, "you had better have died while you were about it. It
+would have saved me the need of dealing with you as you deserve."
+
+Then he returned to the castle, and called his barons hastily to
+council, sternly demanding that the penalty of death should be adjudged
+against the knight. Happily for Tristram, the barons would not consent
+to this, and proposed instead that the accused knight should be
+banished.
+
+So in the end the sentence was passed that Tristram should be banished
+for ten years from the country of Cornwall, not to return under pain of
+death. To this the knight assented, taking an oath before the king and
+his barons that he would abide by the decision of the court.
+
+Many barons accompanied him to the ship in which he was to set sail. And
+as he was going, there arrived at Tintagil a knight of King Arthur's
+court named Dinadan, who had been sent to seek Sir Tristram and request
+him to come to Camelot.
+
+On being shown the banished knight, he went to him and told his errand.
+
+"You come in good season," said Tristram, "for to Camelot am I now
+bound."
+
+"Then I would go with you in fellowship."
+
+"You are right welcome, Sir Dinadan." Then Tristram turned to the others
+and said,--
+
+[Illustration: TINTAGIL, KING ARTHUR'S CASTLE, FROM THE VALLEY.]
+
+"Greet King Mark from me, and all my enemies as well, and tell them that
+I shall come again in my own good time. I am well rewarded for all I
+have done for him, but revenge has a long life, as he may yet learn."
+
+Then he took ship and put to sea, a banished man. And with him went
+Dinadan to cheer him in his woe, for, of all the knights of the Round
+Table, Dinadan was the merriest soul.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK VII.
+
+                     HOW TRISTRAM CAME TO CAMELOT.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+TRISTRAM AND DINADAN.
+
+
+And now it behooves us to follow the banished knight in his adventures,
+for they were many and various, and arduous were the labors with which
+he won his right to a seat at the Round Table. We have told the tale of
+his love and madness, and now must relate the marvellous exploits of his
+banishment.
+
+Hardly, indeed, had Tristram and Dinadan landed in Arthur's realms when
+they met two knights of his court, Hector de Maris and Bors de Ganis.
+This encounter took place upon a bridge, where Hector and Dinadan
+jousted, and Dinadan and his horse were overthrown. But Bors refused to
+fight with Tristram, through the contempt he felt for Cornish knights.
+Yet the honor of Cornwall was soon retrieved, for Sir Bleoberis and Sir
+Driant now came up, and Bleoberis proffered to joust with Tristram, who
+quickly smote him to the earth.
+
+This done, Tristram and Dinadan departed, leaving their opponents in
+surprise that such valor and might could come out of Cornwall. But not
+far had the two knights-errant gone when they entered a forest, where
+they met a damsel, who was in search of some noble knights to rescue Sir
+Lancelot. Morgan le Fay, who hated him bitterly since his escape from
+her castle, had laid an ambush of thirty knights at a point which
+Lancelot was approaching, thinking to attack him unawares and so slay
+him.
+
+The damsel, who had learned of this plot, had already met the four
+knights whom Tristram and Dinadan had encountered, and obtained their
+promise to come to the rescue.
+
+She now told her story of crime and treachery to the two wanderers, with
+the same request.
+
+"Fair damsel," said Tristram, "you could set me no more welcome task.
+Guide me to the place where those dastards lie in ambush for Lancelot."
+
+"What would you do?" cried Dinadan. "We cannot match thirty knights. Two
+or three are enough for any one knight, if they be men. I hope you don't
+fancy that I will take fifteen to my share!"
+
+"Come, come, good comrade," said Tristram. "Do not show the white
+feather."
+
+"I would rather wear the white feather than the fool's cap," said
+Dinadan. "Lend me your shield if you will; for I had sooner carry a
+Cornish shield, which all men say only cowards bear, than try any such
+foolhardy adventure."
+
+"Nay; I will keep my shield for the sake of her who gave it to me,"
+answered Tristram. "But this I warn you, if you will not abide with me
+I shall slay you before we part, for a coward has no right to cumber
+the earth. I ask no more of you than to fight one knight. If your heart
+is too faint for that, then stand by and see me meet the whole crew."
+
+"Very well," said Dinadan, "you can trust me to look on bravely, and
+mayhap to do something to save my head from hard knocks; but I would
+give my helmet if I had not met you. Folks say you are cured of your mad
+fit, but I vow if I have much faith in your sound sense."
+
+Tristram smiled grimly at Dinadan's scolding, and kept on after the
+damsel. Not far had they gone before they met the thirty knights. These
+had already passed the four knights of Arthur's court, without a combat,
+and they now rode in the same way past Tristram and Dinadan, with no
+show of hostility.
+
+But Tristram was of different mettle. Turning towards them he cried with
+a voice of thunder,--"Lo! sir villains. I have heard of your plot to
+murder Lancelot. Turn and defend yourselves. Here is a knight ready to
+fight you all for the love of Lancelot du Lake!"
+
+Then, spurring his good war-steed, he rode upon them with the fury of a
+lion, slaying two with his spear. He then drew his mighty blade, and
+attacked them with such fierce spirit and giant strength that ten more
+soon fell dead beneath his furious blows. Nor did Dinadan stand and look
+on, as he had grumblingly threatened, but rode in and aided Tristram
+nobly, more than one of the villains falling before his blows. When, at
+length, the murderous crew took to flight, there were but ten of them
+alive.
+
+Sir Bors and his companions had seen this battle at a distance, but it
+was all over before they could reach the scene of fray. High was their
+praise of the valor and prowess of the victor, who, they said, had done
+such a deed as they had deemed only Lancelot could perform.
+
+They invited him with knightly warmth and courtesy to go with them to
+their lodging.
+
+"Many thanks, fair sirs," said Tristram, "but I cannot go with you."
+
+"Then tell us your name, that we may remember it as that of one of the
+best of knights, and give you the honor which is your due."
+
+"Nor that either," answered Tristram. "In good time you shall know my
+name, but not now."
+
+Leaving them with the dead knights, Tristram and Dinadan rode forward,
+and in time found themselves near a party of shepherds and herdsmen,
+whom they asked if any lodging was to be had near by.
+
+"That there is," said the herdsmen, "and good lodging, in a castle close
+at hand. But it is not to be had for the asking. The custom of that
+castle is that no knight shall lodge there except he fight with two
+knights of the castle. But as you are two, you can fight your battle man
+for man, if you seek lodging there."
+
+"That is rough pay for a night's rest," said Dinadan. "Lodge where you
+will, I will not rest in that castle. I have done enough to-day to spoil
+my appetite for fighting."
+
+"Come, come," said Tristram, "and you a Knight of the Round Table! You
+cannot refuse to win your lodging in knightly fashion."
+
+"Win it you must if you want it," said the herdsmen; "for if you have
+the worse of the battle no lodging will you gain in these quarters,
+except it be in the wild wood."
+
+"Be it so, if it must," said Dinadan. "In flat English, I will not go to
+the castle."
+
+"Are you a man?" demanded Tristram, scornfully. "Come, Dinadan, I know
+you are no coward. On your knighthood, come."
+
+Growling in his throat, Dinadan followed his comrade, sorely against his
+will, and together they rode into the castle court. Here they found, as
+they had been told, two armed knights ready to meet them.
+
+To make a long story short, Tristram and Dinadan smote them both down,
+and afterwards entered the castle, where the best of good cheer was
+served them. But when they had disarmed, and were having a merry time at
+the well-filled table, word was brought them that two other knights,
+Palamides and Gaheris, had entered the gates, and demanded a joust
+according to the castle custom.
+
+"The foul fiend take them!" cried Dinadan. "Fight I will not; I am here
+for rest."
+
+"We are now the lords of the castle, and must defend its custom," said
+Tristram. "Make ready, therefore, for fight you must."
+
+"Why, in the devil's name, came I here in your company?" cried Dinadan.
+"You will wear all the flesh off my bones."
+
+But there was nothing to do but arm themselves and meet the two knights
+in the court-yard. Of these Gaheris encountered Tristram, and got a fall
+for his pains; but Palamides hurled Dinadan from his horse. So far,
+then, it was fall for fall, and the contest could be decided only by a
+fight on foot. But Dinadan was bruised from his fall and refused to
+fight. Tristram unlaced his helmet to give him air, and prayed him for
+his aid.
+
+"Fight them yourself, if you will; two such knights are but a morsel to
+you," said Dinadan. "As for me, I am sore wounded from our little
+skirmish with the thirty knights, and have no valor left in me. Sir
+Tristram, you are a madman yet, and I curse the time that ever I saw
+you. In all the world there are no two such mad freaks as Lancelot and
+you. Once I fell into fellowship with Lancelot as I have now with you,
+and what followed? Why, he set me a task that kept me a quarter of a
+year in bed. Defend me from such head-splitters, and save me from your
+fellowship."
+
+"Then if you will not fight I must face them both," said Tristram. "Come
+forth, both of you, I am ready for you."
+
+At this challenge Palamides and Gaheris advanced and struck at the two
+knights. But after a stroke or two at Gaheris, Dinadan withdrew from the
+fray.
+
+"This is not fair, two to one," said Palamides. "Stand aside, Gaheris,
+with that knight who declines to fight, and let us two finish the
+combat."
+
+Then he and Tristram fought long and fiercely, Tristram in the end
+driving him back three paces. At this Gaheris and Dinadan pushed
+between them and bade them cease fighting, as both had done enough for
+honor.
+
+"So be it," said Tristram, "and these brave knights are welcome to lodge
+with us in the castle if they will."
+
+"With you, not with us," said Dinadan, dryly. "When I lodge in that
+devil's den may I sell my sword for a herring. We will be called up
+every hour of the night to fight for our bedding. And as for you, good
+friend, when I ride with you again, it will be when you have grown older
+and wiser, or I younger and more foolish."
+
+With these words he mounted his horse and rode in an ill-humor out of
+the castle gates.
+
+"Come, good sirs, we must after him," said Tristram, with a laugh. "He
+is a prime good fellow, if he has taken himself off in a pet; it is
+likely I gave him an overdose of fighting."
+
+So, asking a man of the castle to guide them to a lodging, they rode
+after Dinadan, whom they soon overtook, though he gave them no hearty
+welcome. Two miles farther brought them to a priory, where they spent
+the night in comfort.
+
+Early the next day Tristram mounted and rode away, leaving Dinadan at
+the priory, for he was too much bruised to mount his horse. There
+remained at the priory with him a knight named Pellinore, who sought
+earnestly to learn Tristram's name, and at last said angrily to
+Dinadan,--
+
+"Since you will not tell me his name, I will ride after him and make him
+tell it himself, or leave him on the ground to repent."
+
+"Beware, my good sir," said Dinadan, "or the repentance will be yours
+instead of his. No wise man is he who thrusts his own hand in the fire."
+
+"Good faith, I fear him not," said Pellinore, haughtily, and rode on his
+way.
+
+But he paid dearly for his hardiness, for a half-hour afterwards he lay
+on the earth with a spear wound in his shoulder, while Tristram rode
+unscathed on his way.
+
+On the day following Tristram met with pursuivants, who were spreading
+far and wide the news of a great tournament that was to be held between
+King Carados and the king of North Wales, at the Castle of Maidens. They
+were seeking for good knights to take part in that tournament, and in
+particular King Carados had bidden them to seek Lancelot, and the king
+of Northgalis to seek Tristram de Lyonesse.
+
+"Lancelot is not far away," said Tristram. "As for me, I will be there,
+and do my best to win honor in the fray."
+
+And so he rode away, and soon after met with Sir Kay and Sir Sagramore,
+with whom he refused to joust, as he wished to keep himself fresh for
+the tournament.
+
+But as Kay twitted him with being a cowardly knight of Cornwall, he
+turned on him and smote him from his horse. Then, to complete the tale,
+he served Sagramore with the same sauce, and serenely rode on his way,
+leaving them to heal their bruises with repentance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ON THE ROAD TO THE TOURNAMENT.
+
+
+Tristram now rode far alone through a country strange to him, and void
+of knightly adventures. At length, however, chance brought to him a
+damsel, who told him disconsolately that she sought a champion to cope
+with a villanous knight, who was playing the tyrant over a wide
+district, and who defied all errant knights.
+
+"If you would win great honor come with me," she said.
+
+"To win honor is the breath of my life," said Tristram. "Lead on, fair
+maiden."
+
+Then he rode with her a matter of six miles, when good fortune brought
+them in contact with Sir Gawaine, who recognized the damsel as one of
+Morgan le Fay's. On seeing her with an unknown knight he at once
+surmised that there was some mischief afoot.
+
+"Fair sir," said Gawaine, "whither ride you with that damsel?"
+
+"Whither she may lead me," said Tristram. "That is all I know of the
+matter."
+
+"Then, by my good blade, you shall ride no farther with her, for she has
+a breeder of ill for mistress, and means you a mischief."
+
+He drew his sword as he spoke, and said in stern accents to the
+damsel,--
+
+"Tell me wherefore and whither you lead this knight, or you shall die on
+the spot. I know you, minx, and the false-hearted witch who sends you."
+
+"Mercy, Sir Gawaine!" she cried, trembling in mortal fear. "Harm me not,
+and I will tell you all I know."
+
+"Say on, then. I crave not your worthless life, but will have it if you
+tell me not the truth."
+
+"Good and valiant sir," she answered, "Queen Morgan le Fay, my lady, has
+sent me and thirty ladies more, in search of Sir Lancelot or Sir
+Tristram. Whoever of us shall first meet either of these knights is to
+lead him to her castle, with a tale of worshipful deeds to be done and
+wrongs to be righted. But thirty knights lie in wait in a tower ready to
+sally forth and destroy them."
+
+"Foul shame is this," cried Gawaine, "that such treachery should ever be
+devised by a queen's daughter and the sister of the worshipful King
+Arthur. Sir knight, will you stand with me, and unmask the malice of
+these thirty ambushed rogues?"
+
+"That shall I willingly," said Tristram. "Trust me to do my share to
+punish these dogs. Not long since I and a fellow met with thirty of that
+lady's knights, who were in ambush for Lancelot, and we gave them
+something else to think of. If there be another thirty on the same vile
+quest, I am for them."
+
+Then they rode together towards the queen's castle, Gawaine with a
+shrewd fancy that he knew his Cornish companion, for he had heard the
+story of how two knights had beaten thirty. When they reached the
+castle, Gawaine called in a loud voice,--
+
+"Queen Morgan le Fay, send out the knights whom you hold in ambush
+against Lancelot and Tristram. I know your treason, and will tell of it
+wherever I ride. I, Sir Gawaine, and my fellow here, dare your thirty
+knights to come out and meet us like men."
+
+"You bluster bravely, friend Gawaine," answered the knights. "But we
+well know that your pride and valor come from the knight who is there
+with you. Some of us have tried conclusions with that head-splitter who
+wears the arms of Cornwall, and have had enough of him. You alone would
+not keep us long in the castle, but we have no fancy to measure swords
+with him. So ride your way; you will get no glory here."
+
+In vain did Gawaine berate them as dastards and villains; say what he
+would, not a soul of them would set foot beyond the walls, and in time
+the two knights rode away in a rage, cursing all cowards in their
+beards.
+
+For several days they rode together without adventure. Then they beheld
+a shameful sight, that roused their souls to anger. For they saw a
+villanous knight, known in those parts as Breuse Sans Pité, who chased a
+lady with intent to kill her, having slain her lover before. Many
+dastardly deeds of this kind had he done, yet so far had escaped all
+retribution for his crimes.
+
+"Let me ride alone against him," said Gawaine. "I know his tricks. He
+will stand to face one man, but if he sees us both, he will fly, and he
+always rides so swift a horse that none can overtake him."
+
+Then he rode at full speed between the lady and her pursuer, and cried
+loudly,--
+
+"False knight and murderer, leave that lady and try your tricks on me."
+
+Sir Breuse, seeing but one, put his spear in rest and rode furiously
+against Gawaine, whom he struck so strong a blow that he flung him
+prostrate to the ground. Then, with deadly intent, he forced his horse
+to trample over him twenty times backward and forward, thinking to
+destroy him. But when Tristram saw this villany he broke from his covert
+and rushed in fury upon the murderous wretch.
+
+But Breuse Sans Pité had met with Tristram before, and knew him by his
+arms. Therefore he turned his horse and fled at full speed, hotly
+pursued by the furious knight. Long he chased him, full of thirst for
+revenge, but the well-horsed villain rode at such a pace that he left
+him in the distance. At length Tristram, despairing of overtaking him,
+and seeing an inviting forest spring, drew up his horse and rode thither
+for rest and refreshment.
+
+Dismounting and tying his horse to a tree, he washed his face and hands
+and took a deep and grateful draught of the cool water. Then laying
+himself to rest by the spring side, he fell sound asleep.
+
+While he lay there good fortune brought to that forest spring a lady who
+had sought him far and wide. This was Dame Bragwaine, the lady companion
+of La Belle Isolde, who bore him letters from the queen. She failed to
+recognize the sleeping knight, but at first sight knew his noble
+charger, Passe Brewel, which Tristram had ridden for years. So she
+seated herself gladly by the knight, and waited patiently till he awoke.
+Then she saluted him, and he her, for he failed not to recognize his
+old acquaintance.
+
+"What of my dear lady, La Belle Isolde?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"She is well, and has sent me to seek you. Far and wide have I sought
+for you through the land, and glad enough am I to hand you the letters I
+bear."
+
+"Not so glad as I am to receive them," said Tristram, joyfully, taking
+them from her hand and opening them with eager haste, while his soul
+overflowed with joy as he read Isolde's words of love and constancy,
+though with them was mingled many a piteous complaint.
+
+"Come with me, Dame Bragwaine," he said. "I am riding to the tournament
+to be held at the Castle of Maidens. There will I answer these letters,
+and to have you there, to tell the tale of my doings to my Lady Isolde,
+will give me double strength and valor."
+
+To this Dame Bragwaine willingly agreed, and mounting they rode till
+they came to the castle of a hospitable old knight, near where the
+tournament was to be held. Here they were given shelter and
+entertainment.
+
+As they sat at supper with Sir Pellounes, their ancient host, he told
+them much of the great tournament that was at hand, among other things
+that Lancelot would be there, with thirty-two knights of his kindred,
+each of whom would bear a shield with the arms of Cornwall.
+
+In the midst of their conversation a messenger entered, who told
+Pellounes that his son, Persides de Bloise, had come home, whereupon
+the old knight held up his hands and thanked God, telling Tristram that
+he had not seen his son for two years.
+
+"I know him," said Tristram, "and a good and worthy knight he is."
+
+On the next morning, when Tristram came into the castle hall clad in his
+house attire, he met with Persides, similarly unarmed, and they saluted
+each other courteously.
+
+"My father tells me that you are of Cornwall," said Persides. "I jousted
+there once before King Mark, and fortune helped me to overthrow ten
+knights. But Tristram de Lyonesse overthrew me and took my lady from me.
+This I have not forgotten, and I will repay him for it yet."
+
+"You hate Sir Tristram, then? Do you think that will trouble him much,
+and that he is not able to withstand your malice?"
+
+"He is a better knight than I, that I admit. But for all that I owe him
+no good will."
+
+As thus they stood talking at a bay window of the castle, they saw many
+knights ride by on their way to the tournament. Among these Tristram
+marked a strongly-built warrior mounted on a great black horse, and
+bearing a black shield.
+
+"What knight is that?" he asked. "He looks like a strong and able one."
+
+"He is one of the best in the world," said Persides. "I know him well."
+
+"Is it Sir Lancelot?"
+
+"No, no. It is Palamides, an unchristened Saracen, but a noble man."
+
+"Palamides! I should know him too, but his arms deceived me."
+
+As they continued to look they saw many of the country people salute the
+black knight. Some time afterwards a squire came to Pellounes, the lord
+of the castle, and told him that a fierce combat had taken place in the
+road some distance in advance, and that a knight with a black shield had
+smitten down thirteen others. He was still there, ready for any who
+might wish to meet him, and holding a tournament of his own in the
+highway.
+
+"On my faith, that is Palamides!" said Tristram. "The worthy fellow must
+be brimful of fight. Fair brother, let us cast on our cloaks and see the
+play."
+
+"Not I," said Persides. "Let us not go like courtiers there, but like
+men ready to withstand their enemies."
+
+"As you will. To fight or to look on is all one to me."
+
+Then they armed and rode to the spot where so many knights had tried
+their fortune before the tournament. When Palamides saw them approach,
+he said to his squire,--
+
+"Go to yonder knight with a green shield and in it a lion of gold. Tell
+him that I request a passage-at-arms with him, and that my name is
+Palamides."
+
+Persides, who wore the shield thus described, did not hesitate to accept
+the challenge, and rode against Palamides, but quickly found himself
+felled to the earth by his powerful antagonist. Then Tristram made ready
+to avenge his comrade, but before he could put his spear in rest
+Palamides rode upon him like a thunderbolt, taking him at advantage, and
+hurling him over his horse's tail.
+
+At this Tristram sprang up in furious anger and sore shame, and leaped
+into his saddle.
+
+Then he sent Gouvernail to Palamides, accusing him of treachery, and
+demanding a joust on equal terms.
+
+"Not so," answered Palamides. "I know that knight better than he
+fancies, and will not meet him now. But if he wants satisfaction he may
+have it to-morrow at the Castle of Maidens, where I will be ready to
+meet him in the lists."
+
+As Tristram stood fretting and fuming in wrathful spite, Dinadan, who
+had seen the affair, came up, and seeing the anger of the Cornish
+knight, restrained his inclination to jest.
+
+"Here it is proved," he said, "that a man can never be so strong but he
+may meet his equal. Never was man so wise but that his brain might fail
+him, and a passing good rider is he that never had a fall."
+
+"Let be," cried Tristram, angrily. "You are readier with your tongue
+than with your sword, friend Dinadan. I will revenge myself, and you
+shall see it."
+
+As they stood thus talking there came by them a likely knight, who rode
+soberly and heavily, bearing a black shield.
+
+"What knight is that?" asked Tristram.
+
+"It is Sir Briant of North Wales," answered Persides. "I know him well."
+
+Just behind him came a knight who bore a shield with the arms of
+Cornwall, and as he rode up he sent a squire to Sir Briant, whom he
+required to joust with him.
+
+"Let it be so, if he will have it so," said Briant. "Bid him make
+ready."
+
+Then they rode together, and the Welsh knight got a severe fall.
+
+"What Cornish knight is this?" asked Tristram.
+
+"None, as I fancy," said Dinadan. "I warrant he is of King Ban's blood,
+which counts the noblest knights of the world."
+
+Then two other knights came up and challenged him with the Cornish
+shield, and in a trice he smote them both down with one spear.
+
+"By my faith," said Tristram, "he is a good knight, whoever he be, and I
+never saw one yet that rode so well."
+
+Then the king of Northgalis rode to Palamides, and prayed him for his
+sake to joust with that knight who had just overturned two Welsh
+knights.
+
+"I beg you ask me not," said Palamides. "I have had my full share of
+jousting already, and wish to keep fresh for the tournament to-morrow."
+
+"One ride only, for the honor of North Wales," beseeched the king.
+
+"Well, if you will have it so; but I have seen many a man have a fall at
+his own request."
+
+Then he sent a squire to the victor knight, and challenged him to a
+joust.
+
+"Fair fellow," said the knight, "tell me your lord's name."
+
+"It is Sir Palamides."
+
+"He is well met, then. I have seen no knight in seven years with whom I
+would rather tilt."
+
+Then the two knights took spears from their squires, and rode apart.
+
+"Now," said Dinadan, "you will see Palamides come off the victor."
+
+"I doubt it," answered Tristram. "I wager the knight with the Cornish
+shield will give him a fall."
+
+"That I do not believe," said Dinadan.
+
+As they spoke, the two knights put spears in rest, and spurred their
+horses, riding hotly together. Palamides broke a spear on his
+antagonist, without moving him in his saddle; but on his side he
+received such a blow that it broke through his shield and hauberk, and
+would have slain him outright had he not fallen.
+
+"How now?" cried Tristram. "Am I not right? I knew by the way those
+knights ride which would fall."
+
+The unknown knight now rode away and sought a well in the forest edge,
+for he was hot and thirsty with the fray. This was seen by the king of
+Northgalis, who sent twelve knights after him to do him a mischief, so
+that he would not be able to appear at the tournament and win the
+victory.
+
+They came upon him so suddenly that he had scarcely time to put on his
+helm and spring to his horse's back before they assailed him in mass.
+
+"Ye villains!" he cried, "twelve to one! And taking a man unawares! You
+want a lesson, and by my faith you shall have it."
+
+Then spurring his horse he rode on them so fiercely that he smote one
+knight through the body, breaking his spear in doing so. Now he drew his
+sword and smote stoutly to right and left, killing three others and
+wounding more.
+
+"Dogs and dastards! know you me not?" he cried in a voice of thunder.
+"My name is Lancelot du Lake. Here's for you, cowards and traitors!"
+
+But the name he had shouted was enough. Those who were still able, fled,
+followed by the angry knight. By hard riding they escaped his wrath, and
+he, hot and furious, turned aside to a lodging where he designed to
+spend the night. In consequence of his hard labor in this encounter
+Lancelot fought not on the first day of the tournament, but sat beside
+King Arthur, who had come hither from Camelot to witness the
+passage-at-arms.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS.
+
+
+When came the dawn of the first day of the tournament, many ladies and
+gentlemen of the court took their seats on a high gallery, shaded by a
+rich canopy of parti-colored silk, while in the centre of the gallery
+sat King Arthur and Queen Guenever, and, by the side of the king,
+Lancelot du Lake. Many other noble lords and ladies of the surrounding
+country occupied the adjoining seats, while round the circle that closed
+in the lists sat hosts of citizens and country people, all eager for the
+warlike sports.
+
+Knights in glittering armor stood in warlike groups outside the entrance
+gates, where rose many pavilions of red and white silk, each with its
+fluttering pennon, and great war-horses that impatiently champed the
+bit, while the bright steel heads of the lances shone like star-points
+in the sun.
+
+Within the lists the heralds and pursuivants busied themselves, while
+cheery calls, and bugle-blasts, and the lively chat of the assembled
+multitude filled the air with joyous sound.
+
+Tristram de Lyonesse still dwelt with the old knight Sir Pellounes, in
+company with Sir Persides, whom he yet kept in ignorance of his name.
+And as it was his purpose to fight that day unknown, he ordered
+Gouvernail, his squire, to procure him a black-faced shield, without
+emblem or device of any kind.
+
+So accoutred, he and Persides mounted in the early morn and rode
+together to the lists, where the parties of King Carados and the king of
+Northgalis were already being formed. Tristram and his companion joined
+the side of Carados, the Scottish king, and hardly had they ridden to
+their place when King Arthur gave the signal for the onset, the bugles
+loudly sounded, and the two long lines of knights rode together with a
+crash as of two thunder-clouds meeting in mid-air.
+
+Many knights and horses went to the earth in that mad onset, and many
+others who had broken their spears drew their swords and so kept up the
+fray. The part of the line where Tristram and Persides was drove back
+the king of Northgalis and his men, with many noble knights who fought
+on the side of the Welsh king. But through the rush and roar of the
+onset there pushed forward Bleoberis de Ganis and Gaheris, who hurled
+Persides to the earth, where he was almost slain, for as he lay there
+helpless more than forty horsemen rode over him in the fray.
+
+Seeing this, and what valiant deeds the two knights did, Tristram
+marvelled who they were. But perceiving the danger in which his comrade
+Persides lay, he rushed to the rescue with such force that Gaheris was
+hurled headlong from his horse. Then Bleoberis in a rage put his spear
+in rest and rode furiously against Tristram, but he was met in
+mid-career, and flung from his saddle by the resistless spear of the
+Cornish knight.
+
+The king with the hundred knights now rode angrily forward, pressed back
+the struggling line, and horsed Gaheris and Bleoberis. Then began a
+fierce struggle, in which Bleoberis and Tristram did many deeds of
+knightly skill and valor.
+
+As the violent combat continued, Dinadan, who was on the other side,
+rode against Tristram, not knowing him, and got such a buffet that he
+swooned in his saddle. He recovered in a minute, however, and, riding to
+his late companion, said in a low voice,--
+
+"Sir knight, is this the way you serve an old comrade, masking under a
+black shield? I know you now better than you deem. I will not reveal
+your disguise, but by my troth I vow I will never try buffets with you
+again, and, if I keep my wits, sword of yours shall never come near my
+headpiece."
+
+As Dinadan withdrew to repair damages, Bleoberis rode against Tristram,
+who gave him such a furious sword-blow on the helm that he bowed his
+head to the saddle. Then Tristram caught him by the helm, jerked him
+from his horse, and flung him down under the feet of the steed.
+
+This ended the fray, for at that moment Arthur bade the heralds to blow
+to lodging, and the knights who still held saddle sheathed their swords.
+Tristram thereupon departed to his pavilion and Dinadan with him.
+
+But Arthur, and many of those with him, wondered who was the knight with
+the black shield, who had with sword and spear done such wondrous deeds.
+Many opinions were given, and some suspected him of being Tristram, but
+held their peace. To him the judges awarded the prize of the day's
+combat, though they named him only the knight of the black shield, not
+knowing by what other name to call him.
+
+When the second day of the tournament dawned, and the knights prepared
+for the combat, Palamides, who had fought under Northgalis, now joined
+King Arthur's party, that led by Carados, and sent to Tristram to know
+his name.
+
+"As to that," answered Tristram, "tell Sir Palamides that he shall not
+know till I have broken two spears with him. But you may tell him that I
+am the same knight that he smote down unfairly the day before the
+tournament, and that I owe him as shrewd a turn. So whichever side he
+takes I will take the opposite."
+
+"Sir," said the messenger, "he will be on King Arthur's side, in company
+with the noblest knights."
+
+"Then I will fight for Northgalis, though yesterday I held with
+Carados."
+
+[Illustration: TRISTRAM THEREUPON DEPARTED TO HIS PAVILION.]
+
+When King Arthur blew to field and the fray began, King Carados opened
+the day by a joust with the king with the hundred knights, who gave him
+a sore fall. Around him there grew up a fierce combat, till a troop of
+Arthur's knights pushed briskly in and bore back the opposite party,
+rescuing Carados from under the horses' feet. While the fight went on
+thus in one part of the field, Tristram, in jet-black armor, pressed
+resistlessly forward in another part, and dealt so roughly and grimly
+with Arthur's knights that not a man of them could withstand him.
+
+At length he fell among the fellowship of King Ban, all of whom bore
+Cornish shields, and here he smote right and left with such fury and
+might that cries of admiration for his gallant bearing went up from
+lords and ladies, citizens and churls. But he would have had the worse
+through force of numbers had not the king with the hundred knights come
+to his rescue, and borne him away from the press of his assailants, who
+were crowding upon him in irresistible strength.
+
+Hardly had Tristram escaped from this peril than he saw another group of
+about forty knights, with Kay the seneschal at their head. On them he
+rode like a fury, smote Kay from his horse, and fared among them all
+like a greyhound among conies.
+
+At this juncture Lancelot, who had hitherto taken little part, met a
+knight retiring from the lists with a sore wound in the head.
+
+"Who hurt you so badly?" he asked.
+
+"That knight with the black shield, who is making havoc wherever he
+goes," was the answer. "I may curse the time I ever faced him, for he is
+more devil than mortal man."
+
+Lancelot at these words drew his sword and advanced to meet Tristram,
+and as he rode forward saw the Cornish champion hurtling through a press
+of foes, bringing down one with nearly every stroke of his sword.
+
+"A fellow of marvellous prowess he, whoever he be," said Lancelot. "If I
+set upon this knight after all his heavy labor, I will shame myself more
+than him." And he put up his sword.
+
+Then the king with the hundred knights, with his following, and a
+hundred more of the Welsh party, set upon the twenty of Lancelot's kin,
+and a fearful fray began, for the twenty held together like wild boars,
+none failing the others, and faced the odds against them without
+yielding a step.
+
+When Tristram, who had for the moment withdrawn, beheld their noble
+bearing, he marvelled at their valor, for he saw by their steadfastness
+that they would die together rather than leave the field.
+
+"Valiant and noble must be he who has such knights for his kin," he
+said, meaning Lancelot; "and likely to be a worthy man is he who leads
+such knights as these."
+
+Then he rode to the king with the hundred knights and said,--
+
+"Sir, leave off fighting with these twenty knights. You can win no honor
+from them, you being so many and they so few. I can see by their bearing
+that they will die rather than leave the field, and that will bring you
+no glory. If this one sided fray goes on I will join them and give them
+what help I can."
+
+"You shall not do so," said the king. "You speak in knightly courtesy,
+and I will withdraw my men at your request. I know how courage favors
+courage, and like draws to like."
+
+Then the king called off his knights, and withdrew from the combat with
+Lancelot's kindred.
+
+Meanwhile Lancelot was watching for an opportunity to meet Tristram and
+hail him as a fellow in heart and hand, but before he could do so
+Tristram, Dinadan, and Gouvernail suddenly left the lists and rode into
+the forest, no man perceiving whither they had gone.
+
+Then Arthur blew to lodging, and gave the prize of the day to the king
+of Northgalis, as the true champion of the tournament was on his side
+and had vanished. Lancelot rode hither and thither, vainly seeking him,
+while a cry that might have been heard two miles off went up: "The
+knight with the black shield has won the day!"
+
+"Alas, where has that knight gone!" said Arthur. "It is a shame that
+those in the field have let him thus vanish. With gentleness and
+courtesy they might have brought him to me at the Castle of Maidens,
+where I should have been glad to show him the highest honor."
+
+Then he went to the knights of his party and comforted them for their
+discomfiture.
+
+"Be not dismayed, my fair fellows," he said, "though you have lost the
+field, and many of you are the worst in body and mind. Be of good cheer,
+for to-morrow we fight again. How the day will go I cannot say, but I
+will be in the lists with you, and lend you what aid is in my arm."
+
+During that day's fight Dame Bragwaine had sat near Queen Guenever,
+observing Tristram's valorous deeds. But when the queen asked her why
+she had come thither, she would not tell the real reason, but said
+only,--
+
+"Madam, I came for no other cause than that my lady, La Belle Isolde,
+sent me to inquire after your welfare."
+
+After the fray was done she took leave of the queen and rode into the
+forest in search of Sir Tristram. As she went onward she heard a great
+cry, and sent her squire to learn what it might mean. He quickly came to
+a forest fountain, and here he found a knight bound to a tree, crying
+out like a madman, while his horse and harness stood by. When he saw the
+squire, he started so furiously that he broke his bonds, and then ran
+after him, sword in hand, as if to slay him. The squire at this spurred
+his horse and rode swiftly back to Dame Bragwaine, whom he told of his
+adventure.
+
+Soon afterwards she found Tristram, who had set up his pavilion in the
+forest, and told him of the incident.
+
+"Then, on my head, there is mischief here afloat," said Tristram; "some
+good knight has gone distracted."
+
+Taking his horse and sword he rode to the place, and there he found the
+knight complaining woefully.
+
+"What misfortune has befallen me?" he lamented; "I, woeful Palamides,
+who am defiled with falsehood and treason through Sir Bors and Sir
+Hector! Alas, why live I so long?"
+
+Then he took his sword in his hands, and with many strange signs and
+movements flung it into the fountain. This done, he wailed bitterly and
+wrung his hands, but at the end he ran to his middle in the water and
+sought again for his sword. Tristram, seeing this, ran upon him and
+clasped him in his arms, fearing he would kill himself.
+
+"Who are you that holds me so tightly?" said Palamides.
+
+"I am a man of this forest, and mean you no harm, but would save you
+from injury."
+
+"Alas!" said the knight, "I shall never win honor where Sir Tristram is.
+Where he is not, only Lancelot or Lamorak can win from me the prize.
+More than once he has put me to the worse."
+
+"What would you do if you had him?"
+
+"I would fight him and ease my heart. And yet, sooth to say, he is a
+gentle and noble knight."
+
+"Will you go with me to my lodging?"
+
+"No; I will go to the king with the hundred knights. He rescued me from
+Bors and Hector, or they had slain me treacherously."
+
+But by kind words Tristram got him to his pavilion, where he did what he
+could to cheer him. But Palamides could not sleep for anguish of soul,
+and rose before dawn and secretly left the tent, making his way to the
+pavilions of Gaheris and Sagramour le Desirous, who had been his
+companions in the tournament.
+
+Not far had the next day's sun risen in the eastern sky, when King
+Arthur bade the heralds blow the call to the lists, and with warlike
+haste the knights came crowding in to the last day of the well-fought
+tournament.
+
+Fiercely began the fray, King Carados and his ally, the king of Ireland,
+being smitten from their horses early in the day. Then came in Palamides
+full of fury, and made sad work among his foes, being known to all by
+his indented shield.
+
+But this day King Arthur, as he had promised, rode in shining armor into
+the field, and fought so valorously that the king of Northgalis and his
+party had much the worse of the combat.
+
+While the fight thus went on in all its fury, Tristram rode in, still
+bearing his black shield. Encountering Palamides, he gave him such a
+thrust that he was driven over his horse's croup. Then King Arthur
+cried,--
+
+"Knight with the black shield, make ready for me!"
+
+But the king met with the same fate from Tristram's spear that Palamides
+had done, and was hurled to the earth. Seeing this, a rush of the
+knights of his party drove back the foe, and Arthur and Palamides were
+helped to their saddles again.
+
+And now the king, his heart burning with warlike fury, rushed fiercely
+on Tristram, and struck him so furious a blow that he was hurled from
+his horse. As he lay there Palamides spurred upon him in a violent rage,
+and sought to override him as he was rising to his feet. But Tristram
+saw his purpose and sprang aside. As Palamides rode past he wrathfully
+caught him by the arm and pulled him from his horse.
+
+"Sword to sword let it be!" cried Tristram.
+
+Palamides, nothing loth, drew his weapon, and so fierce a combat began
+in the midst of the arena that lords and ladies alike stood in their
+seats in eagerness to behold it. But at the last Tristram struck
+Palamides three mighty strokes on the helm, crying with each stroke,
+"Take this for Sir Tristram's sake!"
+
+So fierce were the blows that Palamides was felled to the earth. Then
+the king with the hundred knights dashed forward and brought Tristram
+his horse. Palamides was horsed at the same time, and with burning ire
+he rushed upon Tristram, spear in rest, before he could make ready to
+meet him. But Tristram lightly avoided the spear, and, enraged at his
+repeated treachery, he caught him with both hands by the neck as his
+horse bore him past, tore him clean from the saddle, and carried him
+thus ten spears' length across the field before he let him fall.
+
+At that moment King Arthur spurred upon the Cornish champion, sword in
+hand, and Tristram fixed his spear to meet him, but with a sword-blow
+Arthur cut the spear in two, and then dealt him three or four vigorous
+strokes before he could draw. But at the last Tristram drew his sword
+and assailed the king with equal energy.
+
+This battle continued not long, for the press of battling knights forced
+the combatants asunder. Then Tristram rode hither and thither, striking
+and parrying, so that that day he smote down in all eleven of the good
+knights of King Ban's blood, while all in seats and gallery shouted in
+loud acclaim for the mighty warrior with the black shield.
+
+This cry met the ears of Lancelot, who was engaged in another part of
+the field. Then he got a spear and came towards the cry. Seeing
+Tristram standing without an antagonist, he cried out,--
+
+"Knight with the black shield, well and worthily have you done; now make
+ready to joust with me."
+
+When Tristram heard this he put his spear in rest, and both with lowered
+heads rode together with lightning speed. Tristram's spear broke into
+fragments on Lancelot's shield; but Lancelot, by ill-fortune, smote him
+in the side, wounding him deeply. He kept his saddle, however, and,
+drawing his sword, rushed upon Lancelot and gave him three such strokes
+that fire flew from his helm, and he was forced to lower his head
+towards his saddle-bow. This done, Tristram left the field, for he felt
+as if he would die. But Dinadan espied him and followed him into the
+forest.
+
+After Tristram left the lists, Lancelot fought like a man beside
+himself, many a noble knight going down before his spear and sword. King
+Arthur, seeing against what odds he fought, came quickly to his aid,
+with the knights of his own kindred, and in the end they won the day
+against the king of Northgalis and his followers. So the prize was
+adjudged to Lancelot.
+
+But neither for king, queen, nor knights would he accept it, and when
+the cry was raised by the heralds,--
+
+"Sir Lancelot, Sir Lancelot has won the field this day!" he bade them
+change, and cry instead,--
+
+"The knight with the black shield has won the day."
+
+But the estates and the commonalty cried out together,--
+
+"Sir Lancelot has won the field, whoever say nay!"
+
+This filled Lancelot with shame and anger, and he rode with a lowering
+brow to King Arthur, to whom he cried,--
+
+"The knight with the black shield is the hero of the lists. For three
+days he held against all, till he got that unlucky wound. The prize, I
+say, is his."
+
+"Sir Tristram it is," said the king. "I heard him shout his name three
+times when he gave those mighty strokes to Palamides. Never better nor
+nobler knight took spear or sword in hand. He was hurt indeed; but when
+two noble warriors encounter one must have the worst."
+
+"Had I known him I would not have hurt him for all my father's lands,"
+said Lancelot. "Only lately he risked his life for me, when he fought
+with thirty knights, with no help but Dinadan. This is poor requital for
+his noble service."
+
+Then they sought Tristram in the forest, but in vain. They found the
+place where his pavilion had been pitched, but it was gone and all trace
+of its owner vanished. Thereupon they returned to the Castle of Maidens,
+where for three days was held high feast and frolic, and where all who
+came were warmly welcomed by King Arthur and Queen Guenever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE QUEST OF THE TEN KNIGHTS.
+
+
+When Tristram was well within the forest shades, he alighted and unlaced
+his armor and sought to stanch his wound. But so pale did he become that
+Dinadan thought he was like to die.
+
+"Never dread thee, Dinadan," said Tristram, cheerily, "for I am heart
+whole, and of this wound I shall soon be healed, by God's mercy."
+
+As they sat conversing Dinadan saw at a distance Sir Palamides, who was
+riding straight upon them, with seeming evil intent. Dinadan hastily bid
+Tristram to withdraw, and offered himself to meet the Saracen and take
+the chance of life and death with him.
+
+"I thank you, Sir Dinadan, for your good will," said Tristram, "but you
+shall see that I am able to handle him."
+
+He thereupon hastily armed himself, and, mounting his horse, rode to
+meet Palamides. Then a challenge to joust passed between them, and they
+rode together. But Tristram kept his seat and Palamides got a grievous
+fall, and lay on the earth like one dead.
+
+Leaving him there with a comrade, Tristram and Dinadan rode on, and
+obtained lodging for that night at the castle of an old knight, who had
+five sons at the tournament.
+
+As for Palamides, when he recovered from his swoon, he well-nigh lost
+his wits through sheer vexation. He rode headlong forward, wild with
+rage, and meeting a deep stream sought to make his horse leap it. But
+the horse fell in and was drowned, and the knight himself reached shore
+only by the barest chance.
+
+Now, mad with chagrin, he flung off his armor, and sat roaring and
+crying like a man distracted. As he sat there, a damsel passed by, who
+on seeing his distressful state sought to comfort him, but in vain. Then
+she rode on till she came to the old knight's castle, where Tristram
+was, and told how she had met a mad knight in the forest.
+
+"What shield did he bear?" asked Tristram.
+
+"It was indented with black and white," answered the damsel.
+
+"That was Palamides. The poor fellow has lost his wits through his bad
+luck. I beg that you bring him to your castle, Sir Darras."
+
+This the old knight did, for the frenzy of the Saracen had now passed,
+and he readily accompanied him. On reaching the castle he looked
+curiously at Tristram, whom he felt sure he had seen before, but could
+not place him in his mind. But his anger against his fortunate rival
+continued, and he boasted proudly to Dinadan of what he would do when he
+met that fellow Tristram.
+
+"It seems to me," answered Dinadan, "that you met him not long since,
+and got little good of him. Why did you not hold him when you had him in
+your hands? You were too easy with the fellow not to pummel him when you
+had so fine an opportunity."
+
+This scornful reply silenced the boastful Saracen, who fell into an
+angry moodiness.
+
+Meanwhile King Arthur was sore at heart at the disappearance of
+Tristram, and spoke in reproach to Lancelot as being the cause of his
+loss.
+
+"My liege Arthur," answered Lancelot, "you do me ill justice in this.
+When men are hot in battle they may well hurt their friends as well as
+their foes. As for Tristram, there is no man living whom I would rather
+help. If you desire, I will make one of ten knights who will go in
+search of him, and not rest two nights in the same place for a year
+until we find him."
+
+This offer pleased the king, who quickly chose nine other knights for
+the quest, and made them all swear upon the Scriptures to do as Lancelot
+had proposed.
+
+With dawn of the next day these ten knights armed themselves, and rode
+from the Castle of Maidens, continuing in company until they came to a
+roadside cross, from which ran out four highways. Here they separated
+into four parties, each of which followed one of the highways. And far
+and wide they rode through field and forest for many days in quest of
+the brave knight of Cornwall.
+
+Of them all, Sir Lucan, the butler, came nearest to good fortune, for
+chance brought him to the castle of the old knight, Sir Darras. Here he
+asked harbor, sending in his name by the porter.
+
+"He shall not rest here unless he first joust with me," cried Sir
+Daname, the old knight's nephew. "Bid him make ready, for he must earn
+his lodging."
+
+But better had Daname held his peace, for Lucan smote him over his
+horse's croup, and followed him hotly when he fled into the castle.
+
+"This is a shame to our host," said Dinadan. "Let me try conclusions
+with our doughty butler. It will not do to let him take our castle by
+storm."
+
+He thereupon rode against Lucan, and fared still worse, for he got for
+his pains a spear thrust through the thigh. Then Tristram, in anger,
+armed and followed Lucan, who had ridden on, in search of a more
+peaceful place of shelter. Within a mile he overtook him and bade him
+turn and joust. Nothing loth, Lucan did so, and in his turn got a sore
+fall, though he little dreamed that he had been overthrown by the knight
+of his quest. At this juncture another of the ten knights, Sir Uwaine,
+came up, and seeing Sir Lucan's misfortune, rode furiously against the
+victor. His luck was no better, for he was hurled to the ground with a
+sorely wounded side. Having thus revenged his comrades, Tristram
+returned to the castle.
+
+Meanwhile a damsel from the Castle of Maidens had come thither, and told
+Sir Darras a woeful story. Of his five sons, three had been slain at the
+tournament, and the other two were dangerously wounded, all this having
+been done by the knight of the black shield. Deep grief filled the old
+knight's heart at this sad tale. But his sorrow turned to rage when the
+damsel was shown Tristram's shield and recognized it as that of the
+champion of the tournament.
+
+"So," cried the old knight in a hot passion. "I am harboring here my
+sons' murderer, and troubling myself to give him noble cheer. By my
+father's grave, I will revenge my boys' death on him and his
+companions."
+
+Then in grief and rage he ordered his knights and servants to seize
+Tristram, Dinadan, and Palamides, and put them in a strong dungeon he
+had in the keep of his castle.
+
+This was done before the three knights could defend themselves, and for
+many days they lay in this dismal cell, until Tristram grew so sick from
+his wound and confinement that he came near to dying. While they lay
+thus in durance vile some knights of Darras's kindred came to the
+castle, and on hearing the story wished to kill the captives, but this
+the old knight would not permit, though he determined to hold them close
+prisoners. So deep in time grew Tristram's sickness that his mind nearly
+failed him, and he was ready to slay himself for pain and grief.
+Palamides gave him what aid he could, though all the time he spoke of
+his hatred to Tristram, the Cornishman, and of the revenge he yet hoped
+to have. To this Tristram made no reply, but smiled quietly.
+
+Meanwhile the ten knights continued their fruitless search, some here,
+some there, while one of them, Gaheris, nephew to King Arthur, made his
+way to King Mark's court, where he was well received.
+
+As they sat at table together the king asked his guest what tidings he
+brought from Arthur's realm of Logris.
+
+"Sir," he answered, "King Arthur still reigns nobly, and he lately
+presided at a grand tournament where fought many of the noblest knights
+of the kingdom. But best of them all was a valiant knight who bore a
+black shield, and who kept the lordship of the lists for three days."
+
+"Then by my crown it must have been Lancelot, or Palamides the Pagan."
+
+"Not so. These knights were against him of the black shield."
+
+"Was it Sir Tristram?" asked the king.
+
+"In sooth you have it now."
+
+The king held down his head at this, but La Belle Isolde, who was at the
+feast, heard it with great secret joy, and her love for Tristram grew
+warmer in her soul.
+
+But King Mark nourished treason in his heart, and sought within his
+brain some device to do dishonor to Tristram and to Arthur's knights.
+Soon afterward Uwaine came to his court and challenged any knight of
+Cornwall to meet him in the lists. Two of these, Andred, and Dinas the
+seneschal, accepted the challenge, but both were overthrown. Then King
+Mark in a fury cried out against his knights, and Gaheris, as his guest,
+proffered to meet the champion. But when Uwaine saw his shield, he knew
+him for his own cousin, and refused to joust with him, reproving him for
+breaking his oath of fellowship as a Knight of the Round Table.
+
+This reproof cut Gaheris deeply, and returning to King Mark he took his
+leave of him and his court, saying,--
+
+"Sir king, this I must say, that you did a foul shame to yourself and
+your kingdom when you banished Sir Tristram. Had he stayed here you
+would not have wanted a champion."
+
+All this added to the king's rage, and arming himself he waylaid Uwaine
+at a secret place as he was passing unawares, and ran him through the
+body. But before he could kill him as he designed, Kay the seneschal
+came that way and flew to the aid of the wounded knight, while King Mark
+rode in dastardly haste away. Kay sought to learn from Uwaine who had
+hurt him, but this he was not able to tell.
+
+He then bore him to a neighboring abbey of the black cross, where he
+left him in the care of the monks. Not far had he ridden from there when
+he met King Mark, who accosted him courteously, and bade him, if he
+sought an adventure, to ride into the forest of Morris, where he would
+find one to try his prowess.
+
+"I will prove what it is worth," said Kay, and bade adieu to the king.
+
+A mile or two further on he met Gaheris, who, learning his errand,
+warned him against doing anything at the suggestion of King Mark, who
+meant but treachery and harm.
+
+"Come with me, then," said Kay. "Adventures are not so abundant, and we
+two should be able to match the wiles of this dastard king."
+
+"I shall not fail you," said Gaheris.
+
+Into the forest they then rode till they came to the edge of a little
+lake, known as the Perilous Lake, and here they waited under the
+woodland shadows.
+
+It was now night, but the moon rode high in the skies, and flung its
+silvery rays wide over the forest glade. As they stood thus, there rode
+into the moonlit opening a knight all in black armor and on a great
+black horse, who tilted against Sir Kay. The seneschal's horse was
+smaller than that of the stranger, and was overthrown by the shock,
+falling upon its rider, whom it bruised severely.
+
+During this encounter Gaheris had remained hidden under the woodland
+shadows. He now cried sternly,--
+
+"Knight, sit thou fast in thy saddle, for I will revenge my fellow;" and
+rode against the black knight with such fury that he was flung from his
+horse. Then he turned to a companion of the black knight, who now
+appeared, and hurled him to the earth so violently that he came near to
+breaking his neck in the fall.
+
+Leaping from his horse and helping Kay to his feet, Gaheris sternly bade
+his antagonists to tell their names or they should die.
+
+"Beware what you do," said the second knight. "This is King Mark of
+Cornwall, and I am his cousin Andred."
+
+"You are traitors both," cried Gaheris, in a fury, "and have laid this
+ambush for us. It were a pity to let such craven rascals live."
+
+"Spare my life," prayed the king, "and I will make full amends."
+
+"You a king; and dealing in treachery!" cried Gaheris. "You have lived
+long enough."
+
+With this he struck fiercely at King Mark with his sword, while the
+dastard king cowered under his shield. Kay attacked Andred at the same
+time.
+
+King Mark now flung himself on his knees before Gaheris and swore on the
+cross of his sword never while he lived to do aught against errant
+knights. And he also swore to be a friend unto Sir Tristram if he should
+come into Cornwall.
+
+With this they let them go, though Kay was eager to slay Andred, for his
+deeds of treachery against his cousin Tristram. The two knights now rode
+out of the kingdom of Cornwall, and soon after met Lancelot, who asked
+them what tidings they brought from King Mark's country, and if they had
+learned aught of Tristram. They answered that they had not, and told him
+of their adventure, at which Lancelot smiled.
+
+"You will find it hard to take out of the flesh that which is bred in
+the bone," he said.
+
+Then Lancelot, Kay, and Gaheris rode together to seek Tristram in the
+country of Surluse, not dreaming that he lay in prison not many miles
+from the Castle of Maidens.
+
+Leaving them to pursue their useless journey, we must return to the
+three prisoners. Tristram still continued sick almost unto death, while
+Palamides, while giving him daily care, continued to rail loudly against
+him and to boast of how he would yet deal with him. Of this idle
+boasting Dinadan in time had more than he could bear, and broke out
+angrily on the Saracen.
+
+"I doubt if you would do him harm if he were here before you," he said;
+"for if a wolf and a sheep were together in prison the wolf would leave
+the sheep in peace. As for Sir Tristram, against whom you rail like a
+scold, here he lies before you. Now do your worst upon him, Sir
+Saracen, while he is too sick to defend himself."
+
+Surprise and shame overcame Palamides at this announcement, and he
+dropped his head in confusion.
+
+"I have heard somewhat too much of your ill will against me;" said
+Tristram, "but shall let it pass at present, for we are in more danger
+here from the lord of this place than from each other."
+
+As they spoke, a damsel brought them their noontide meal, and said as
+she gave it them,--
+
+"Be of good cheer, sir knights, for you are in no peril of your lives.
+So much I heard my lord, Sir Darras, say this morning."
+
+"So far your news is good," cried Dinadan. "Good for two of us at least,
+for this good knight promises to die without waiting for the
+executioner."
+
+The damsel looked upon Tristram, and observing the thinness of his face
+and hands, went and told Sir Darras of what she had heard and seen.
+
+"That must not be," cried the knight. "God defend that I should suffer
+those who came to me for succor to die in my prison. Bring them hither."
+
+Then Tristram was brought to the castle hall on his couch, with the
+other two knights beside him.
+
+"Sir knight," said the castle lord, "I am sorry for your sickness, and
+would not have so noble a knight as you die in prison, though I owe to
+you the death of three of my sons."
+
+"As for that," said Tristram, "it was in fair fight, and if they were my
+next of kin I could not have done otherwise. If I had slain them by
+treachery, I would have deserved death at your hands."
+
+"You acted knightly, and for that reason I could not put you to death,"
+said Sir Darras. "You and your fellows shall go at full liberty, with
+your horses and armor, on this covenant, that you will be a good friend
+to my two sons who are still living, and that you tell me your name."
+
+"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse. I was born in Cornwall, and am nephew
+to King Mark. And I promise you by the faith of my body that while I
+live I shall be a friend to you and your sons, for what you have done to
+us was but by force of nature."
+
+"If you be the good knight Sir Tristram, I am sorry to have held you in
+durance, and thank you for your proffer of service. But you must stay
+with me still till you are well and strong."
+
+To this Tristram agreed, and staid many more days with the old knight,
+growing well rapidly under the healing influence of hope and liberty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE KNIGHT WITH THE COVERED SHIELD.
+
+
+When Tristram's strength had all come back again he took his leave of
+Sir Darras, and rode away with Palamides and Dinadan. Soon they came to
+a cross-way, and here Tristram said,--
+
+"Good sirs, let us here take each his own road, and many fair adventures
+may come to us all."
+
+To this they agreed, and Tristram rode on along the main highway, chance
+bringing him that night to a castle in which was Queen Morgan le Fay.
+Here he was given lodging and good cheer, but when he was ready to
+depart the next day the queen said to him,--
+
+"Sir knight, it is one thing to enter this castle and another to leave
+it. You will not depart so easily as you came. Know that you are a
+prisoner."
+
+"God forfend," said Tristram. "I am just released from prison, and have
+had enough of that regimen."
+
+"You shall stay here, nevertheless, till I learn who you are and whence
+you came, but I promise you no hard quarters."
+
+She set him, therefore, by her side at table, and made so much of him
+that a knight who loved her clutched his sword-hilt in jealous rage,
+half disposed to rush upon Tristram and run him through unawares.
+
+"Tell me your name," said the queen, at the end of the repast, "and you
+shall depart when you will."
+
+"Thanks for your promise, fair lady. My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."
+
+"Then I am sorry I made so hasty a promise. But I will hold to my word
+if you will engage to bear a shield which I shall give you to the Castle
+of the Hard Rock, where King Arthur has announced that a tournament is
+to be held. I have heard of your deeds of arms at the Castle of Maidens,
+and hope you will do as much for me at this new tournament."
+
+"Let me see the shield that you wish me to bear," asked Tristram.
+
+So the shield was brought. It was golden on its face, and on it was
+painted a king and queen, with a knight standing above them with a foot
+on the head of each.
+
+"This is a fair shield," said Tristram; "but what signifies the device?"
+
+"It signifies King Arthur and Queen Guenever," said Morgan, "and a
+knight that holds them both in bondage."
+
+"And who is the knight?"
+
+"That you shall not know at present."
+
+So Tristram took the shield, not dreaming that it was intended as a
+rebuke to Sir Lancelot, and promised to bear it at the tournament.
+
+But as he rode away he was followed by Sir Hemison, the knight who loved
+Morgan le Fay, and whose jealous anger had been roused. Overtaking
+Tristram before he had gone far, he rushed upon him at the speed of his
+horse, crying, in a voice of thunder,--
+
+"Sir knight, defend yourself!"
+
+This Tristram did with good effect, for his assailant's spear broke upon
+his body, while he thrust him through and hurled him to the earth with a
+mortal wound.
+
+"Fool, you have brought it on yourself," said Tristram. "It is not my
+fault if you got what you designed for me."
+
+Then he rode on, and left the wounded knight to the care of his squire,
+who removed his helmet, and asked if his life was in any danger.
+
+"There is little life in me," said the knight, "and that is ebbing fast.
+Therefore help me to my saddle, and mount behind me and hold me on so
+that I shall not fall, and so bring me to Queen Morgan le Fay. For deep
+draughts of death draw to my heart, and I would fain speak to her before
+I die."
+
+The squire did as commanded, and brought his bleeding master to the
+castle, but he died as he entered the hall, falling lifeless at the feet
+of the lady of his love. Much she wept and great lamentation she made
+for his untimely fate, and buried him in a stately tomb, on which was
+written, "Here lieth Sir Hemison, slain by the hands of Tristram de
+Lyonesse."
+
+On the next day Tristram arrived at the castle of Roche-dure, where he
+saw the lists prepared for the tournament, with gay pennons flying,
+while full five hundred tents were pitched in a fair meadow by the
+gates. Over the seats of honor were silken canopies, that shaded noble
+lords and beautiful ladies clad in gay apparel. Within the lists the
+kings of Scotland and Ireland held out strongly against King Arthur's
+knights, and dread was the noise and turmoil within.
+
+Tristram at once joined in the fray, and smote down many knights; King
+Arthur marvelling the while at the device on his shield, while Guenever
+grew heavy at heart, for well she guessed its meaning.
+
+Ever King Arthur's eye was on that shield, and much he wondered who the
+knight could be, for he had heard that Tristram was in Brittany, and he
+knew that Lancelot was in quest of him, while he knew no other knight of
+equal prowess.
+
+As the combat went on, Arthur's knights drove back their antagonists,
+who began to withdraw from the field. On seeing this the king determined
+that the knight with the strange shield should not escape, so he armed
+and called Sir Uwaine, entering the lists with him and riding up to
+confront the unknown knight.
+
+"Sir stranger," said the king, "before we fight, I require you to tell
+me where you got that shield."
+
+"I had it from Morgan le Fay, sister to King Arthur," answered Tristram.
+
+"Then, if you are worthy to bear it, you are able to tell me its
+meaning."
+
+"That I cannot," answered the knight. "It was given me by Queen Morgan,
+not through any asking of mine. She told me not what it signified, nor
+do I know, but I promised to bear it worthily."
+
+"In truth," said Arthur, "no knight should bear arms he cannot
+understand. But at least you will tell me your name."
+
+"To what intent?" asked Tristram.
+
+"Simply that I wish to know."
+
+"That is small reason. I decline to tell you."
+
+"If not, we must do battle together."
+
+"What!" cried Tristram; "you will fight me on so small a cause? My name
+is my own, to be given or withheld as I will. It is not honorable for a
+fresh knight to challenge me to battle, after all I have done this day.
+But if you think you have me at advantage, you may find that I am able
+to hold my own."
+
+Then they put their spears in rest and furiously dashed together across
+the lists. But King Arthur's spear shivered to splinters on Tristram's
+shield, while he himself got such a blow from the Cornish knight that
+horse and man fell headlong to the earth, the king with a dangerous
+wound in the side.
+
+When Uwaine saw this he reined back his horse in haste, and crying
+loudly, "Knight, defend thyself!" he rode furiously on Tristram. But man
+fared no better than master. Uwaine was borne out of his saddle to the
+earth, while Tristram sat unmoved.
+
+Then Tristram wheeled his horse and said,--
+
+"Fair sirs, I had no need to joust with you, for I have done enough
+to-day; but you forced me to it."
+
+"We have had what we deserved," answered Arthur. "Yet I would fain know
+your name, and would further learn if that device on your shield is
+intended as an insult to King Arthur."
+
+"That you must ask Morgan le Fay: she alone knows. But report says she
+does not love her royal brother over much. Yet she told me not what it
+means, and I have borne it at her command. As for my name, it shall be
+known when I will."
+
+So Tristram departed, and rode far over hill and dale, everywhere
+seeking for Lancelot, with whom he in his heart wished to make
+fellowship. As he went on he came by a forest, on the edge of which
+stood a tall tower, and in front of it a fair level meadow. And here he
+saw one knight fighting against ten, and bearing himself so well that it
+seemed marvellous that a single man could hold his own so bravely
+against such odds. He had slain half their horses, and unhorsed the
+remaining knights, so that their chargers ran free in the field. The ten
+had then assailed him on foot, and he was bearing up bravely against
+them.
+
+"Cease that battle!" cried Tristram, loudly, as he came up. "Ten to one
+are cowards' odds." And as he came nearer he saw by his shield that the
+one knight was Sir Palamides.
+
+"You would be wise not to meddle," said the leader of the ten, who was
+the villanous knight called Breuse San Pité. "Go your way while your
+skin is whole. As for this knight, he is our prey."
+
+"Say you so!" cried Tristram. "There may be two words to that."
+
+As he spoke he sprang from his horse, lest they should kill it, and
+attacked them on foot with such fury that with every stroke a knight
+fell before him.
+
+This was more than they had bargained for, and Breuse fled hastily to
+the tower, followed by all that were able, while Tristram hotly pursued.
+But they quickly closed and barred the door, shutting him out. When he
+saw this he returned to Palamides, whom he found sitting under a tree,
+sorely wounded.
+
+"Thanks for your timely aid," said the Saracen. "You have saved my
+life."
+
+"What is your name?" asked Tristram.
+
+"It is Sir Palamides."
+
+"Then have I saved my greatest enemy; and I here challenge you to
+battle."
+
+"What is your name?" asked Palamides.
+
+"I am Tristram of Lyonesse."
+
+"My enemy indeed! yet I owe you thanks for your rescue, nor am I in
+condition for jousting. But I desire nothing better than to meet you in
+battle. If you are as eager for it, fix day and place, and I will be
+there."
+
+"Well said," answered Tristram. "Let it be in the meadow by the river at
+Camelot, there where Merlin set the tombstone."
+
+"Agreed. I shall not fail you."
+
+"How came you in battle with these ten dastards?"
+
+"The chance of journeying brought me into this forest, where I saw a
+dead knight with a lady weeping beside him. I asked her who slew her
+lord, and she told me it was the most villanous knight in the world,
+named Breuse Sans Pité. I then took her on my horse and promised to see
+that her lord was properly interred. But as I passed by this tower its
+rascally owner suddenly rode from the gate and struck me unawares so
+hard that I fell from my horse. Before I could recover he killed the
+lady. It was thus the battle began, at which you arrived in good time."
+
+"It is not safe for you to stay here," said Tristram. "That fellow is
+out of our reach for the present, but you are not in condition to meet
+him again."
+
+So they mounted and rode into the forest, where they soon came to a
+sparkling fountain, whose clear water bubbled freshly from the ground.
+Here they alighted and refreshed themselves.
+
+As they did so Tristram's horse neighed loudly and was answered by
+another horse near by. They mounted and rode towards the sound, and
+quickly came in sight of a great war-horse tied to a tree. Under an
+adjoining tree lay a knight asleep, in full armor, save that his helmet
+was placed under his head for a pillow.
+
+"A stout-looking fellow that," said Tristram. "What shall we do?"
+
+"Awake him," said Palamides.
+
+Tristram did so, stirring him with the butt of his spear.
+
+But they had better have let him sleep, for he sprang angrily to his
+feet, put on his helmet in haste, and mounting his war-horse seized his
+spear. Without a word he spurred upon Tristram and struck him such a
+blow as to fling him from his saddle to the earth. Then he galloped back
+and came hurling upon Palamides, whom he served in the same rude
+fashion. Leaving them laying there, he turned his horse and rode
+leisurely away.
+
+When the two overthrown knights gained their feet again, they looked at
+one another with faces of shame and anger.
+
+"Well, what now?" asked Tristram. "That is the worst waking I ever did
+in my life. By my troth, I did not fancy there was a knight in Arthur's
+realm that could have served you and me such a trick. Whatever you do, I
+am going after this woodland champion to have a fairer trial."
+
+"So would I were I well," said Palamides. "But I am so hurt that I must
+seek rest with a friend of mine near by."
+
+"I can trust you to meet me at the place appointed?"
+
+"I have cause to have more doubt of you than you of me; for if you
+follow this strong knight you may not escape with whole bones from the
+adventure. I wish you success."
+
+"And I wish you health."
+
+With these words they parted, each riding his own way.
+
+But news came to Tristram as he rode on that would have turned many a
+knight from that adventure. For the first day he found a dead knight and
+a lady weeping over him, who said that her lord had jousted with a
+strong champion, who had run him through. On the third day he met the
+good knights Gawaine and Bleoberis, both wounded, who said they had been
+so served by a knight with a covered shield.
+
+"He treated me and Palamides the same way," said Tristram, "and I am on
+his track to repay him."
+
+"By my faith, you had best turn back," said Gawaine.
+
+"By my head, I will not," said Tristram, and he rode on in pursuit.
+
+The next day he met Kay the seneschal and Dinadan in a meadow.
+
+"What tidings have you?" he asked.
+
+"Not good," they answered.
+
+"Tell me what they are. I ride in search of a knight."
+
+"What cognizance does he bear?"
+
+"He carries a shield covered by a cloth."
+
+"Then you are not far from him," said Kay. "We lodged last night in a
+widow's house, and that knight sought the same lodging. And when he
+knew we were of Arthur's court he spoke villanous things of the king,
+and worse of Queen Guenever. The next day we waged battle with him for
+this insult. But at the first encounter he flung me from my horse with a
+sore hurt. And when Dinadan here saw me down he showed more prudence
+than valor, for he fled to save his skin."
+
+After some further words Tristram rode on; but days passed and he found
+not the knight with the covered shield, though he heard more tales of
+his irresistible prowess. Then, finding that his armor was bruised and
+broken with long use, he sent Gouvernail, his squire, to a city near by
+to bring him fresh apparel, and rested at a priory till he came.
+
+On Gouvernail's return he donned his new armor, and turned his horse's
+head towards Camelot, seeking the point where he had engaged to do
+battle with Palamides. This was at the tomb of Lanceor, son of the king
+of Ireland, who had been slain by Balin, and whose lady Columbe had
+slain herself, as we have already told. His tomb had been set up near
+the river by Merlin, and it had become a place of pilgrimage for true
+lovers and faithful wedded pairs.
+
+Tristram did not get there without more battling, for the roads around
+Camelot then swarmed with errant knights, eager to show their strength.
+Yet he was none the worse for these encounters when he rode up to the
+tomb where he hoped to find Palamides in waiting. But instead of the
+Saracen he saw a knight approaching in white armor, who bore a shield
+covered with a dark cloth.
+
+"Sir knight, you are welcome; none more so," cried Tristram. "I have
+sought you far and near, and have an ugly fall to repay you for; and
+also owe you a lesson for your revilement of King Arthur and his fair
+queen."
+
+"Shorter words and longer deeds would serve better," said the stranger
+knight. "Make ready, my good fellow, if one fall is not enough to
+satisfy you."
+
+Then they rode apart to a fair distance, and putting spurs to their
+horses hurtled together with headlong speed. So fiercely met they,
+indeed, that horses and knights together went toppling to the earth,
+both those brave warriors kissing the dust.
+
+With all haste they regained their feet, put their shields before them,
+and struck at each other with bright swords like men of might. The
+battle that followed was such a one as that ground had never seen, for
+those two knights seemed rather giants than men. For four hours they
+kept up the combat, neither speaking a word, till at the end their armor
+was hewn off in many places, and blood had flowed from their wounds till
+the grass was turned from green to crimson.
+
+The squires looked on in wonder, and boasted of the might of their
+lords, though their hearts grew heavy when they saw the bright swords so
+reddened with blood.
+
+At last the unknown knight rested on his weapon, and said,--
+
+"Sir stranger, you are the best fighter I ever saw in armor. I would
+know you better, and beg to learn your name."
+
+"I care not to tell it," said Tristram.
+
+"Why not? I never make my name a secret."
+
+"Then pray tell it, for I would give much to know the name of the
+stoutest knight I ever drew sword upon."
+
+"Fair sir, my name is Lancelot du Lake."
+
+"Alas, can this be so? Have I fought thus against the man I love best in
+the world?"
+
+"Then who are you?"
+
+"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."
+
+"Oh, what strange chance is this! Take my sword, Sir Tristram, for you
+have earned it well."
+
+And he knelt and yielded Tristram his sword.
+
+Tristram in turn knelt and yielded up his. And thus with exchange of
+words they gave each other the degree of brotherhood. Then they sat
+together on the stone, and took off their helms to cool their heated
+faces, and kissed each other with brotherly ardor.
+
+When they had rested and conversed long in the most loving amity, and
+their squires had salved and bandaged their wounds, they mounted and
+rode towards Camelot.
+
+Near the gates of the city they met Gawaine and Gaheris, who were
+setting out in search of Tristram, having promised King Arthur never to
+return till they could bring the valiant knight of Cornwall with them.
+
+"Return, then, for your quest is done," said Lancelot. "I have found Sir
+Tristram, and here he is in person."
+
+"Then, by my life, you are heartily welcome!" cried Gawaine. "You have
+eased me from great labor, and there are ten others seeking you. Why
+came you hither of yourself?"
+
+"I had a challenge with Sir Palamides to do battle with him at Lanceor's
+tomb this day, and I know not why he has failed me. By lucky chance my
+lord Lancelot and I met there, and well have we tried each other's
+strength."
+
+Thus conversing they came to the court, where King Arthur, when he
+learned the name of Lancelot's companion, was filled with joy. Taking
+Tristram warmly by both hands, he welcomed him to Camelot.
+
+"There is no other man in the world whom I would so gladly have here,"
+he said. "Much have you been sought for since you left the tournament,
+but in vain. I would fain learn your adventures."
+
+These Tristram told, and the king was amazed when he learned that it was
+he who had overthrown him at the Castle of Hard Rock. Then he told of
+his pursuit of the knight with the covered shield, and of the deeds he
+had done.
+
+"By our faith," cried Gawaine, Bleoberis, and Kay, "we can testify to
+that, for he left us all on the ground."
+
+"Aha! who could this strong fellow have been?" asked Arthur. "Did any of
+you know him?"
+
+They all declared that he was a stranger to them, though Tristram kept
+silent.
+
+"If you know not, I do; it was Lancelot or none," cried the king.
+
+"In faith, I fancy so," said Tristram, "for I found him to-day, and we
+had a four hours' fight together, before each found out the other."
+
+"So," they all cried, "it is he who has beguiled us with his covered
+shield!"
+
+"You say truly," answered Lancelot, with a smile. "And I called myself
+an enemy of King Arthur so that none should suspect me. I was in search
+of sport."
+
+"That is an old trick of yours," said Arthur.
+
+"One must go in disguise in these days, or go untried," laughed
+Lancelot.
+
+Then Queen Guenever, and many ladies of the court, learning that
+Tristram was there, came and bade him welcome, ladies and knights
+together crying, "Welcome, Sir Tristram! welcome to Camelot!"
+
+"Welcome, indeed," said Arthur, "to one of the best and gentlest knights
+of the world, and the man of highest esteem. For of all modes of
+hunting, you bear the prize, and of all bugle hunting calls you are the
+origin, and all the terms of hunting and hawking began with you; on all
+instruments of music no man surpasses you: therefore, you are trebly
+welcome to this court. And here I pray you to grant me a boon."
+
+"I am at your command," said Tristram.
+
+"It is that you abide in my court, and be one of my knights."
+
+"That I am loath to do, for I have work laid out elsewhere."
+
+"Yet you have passed your word. You shall not say me nay."
+
+"Then be it as you will," said Tristram.
+
+[Illustration: ADMISSION OF SIR TRISTRAM TO THE KING OF THE ROUND
+TABLE.]
+
+These words spoken, Arthur took Tristram by the hand and led him to the
+Round Table, going with him round its circle, and looking into every
+seat that lacked a knight. When at length he came to that in which Sir
+Marhaus had formerly sat, he saw there engraved in letters of gold,
+"This is the seat of the noble knight Sir Tristram."
+
+Then Arthur made Tristram a Knight of the Round Table with noble
+ceremony and great pomp, and with feasts that lasted many days. Glad
+were all there to have a knight of such prowess and high esteem in their
+company, and many friends Tristram made among his new brothers-in-arms.
+
+But chief of all these was Lancelot, and for days together Lancelot and
+Tristram kept genial company, while their brotherhood gave joy to all,
+and most of all to King Arthur, who felt that the glory of his reign was
+now at its height, and that two such knights as these would spread the
+renown of the Round Table throughout the world.
+
+END OF VOL. I.
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+Fifteen spelling errors have been corrected as follows:
+
+   Pg. 38 "Tintagel" to "Tintagil" (15) (the Duke of Tintagil)
+
+   Pg. 74 "churchyard" to "church-yard" (4) (near a church-yard)
+
+   Pg. 114 "way-side" to "wayside" (2) (they reached a wayside)
+
+   Pg. 166 "eat" to "ate" (of which Kay ate heartily)
+
+   Pg. 200 "vassels" to "vassals" (4) (dead or my vassals)
+
+   Pg. 206 "swept" to "wept" (wept for pity.)
+
+   Pg. 212 "therefor" to "therefore" (24) (and sureties therefore.")
+
+   Pg. 223 "Badgemagus" to "Bagdemagus" (11) (King Bagdemagus)
+
+   Pg. 246 "togther" to "together" (together in furious)
+
+   Pg. 281 "threatingly" to "threateningly" (shook the sword
+           threateningly)
+
+   Pg. 284 "say" to "saw" (when he saw him coming)
+
+   Pg. 287 "beleagured" to "beleaguered" (a hundred beleaguered him)
+
+   Pg. 291 "is" to "if" (seemed as if she returned his love)
+
+   Pg. 298 "Taulurd" to "Taulard" (2) (brother to that Taulard)
+
+   Pg. 336 "wellnigh" to "well-nigh" (2) (he well-nigh lost his wits)
+
+The following list of similar words appear in the original text and
+have been retained.
+
+   "Percival" (p 12) and "Percivale" (elsewhere)
+
+   "lady Colombe" (p 65) and "lady Columbe" (p 355)
+
+   "gerfalcon" (p 135) and "jerfalcon" (p 221)
+
+   "Sagramore" and "Sagramour"
+
+   "villain" (17) and "villanous" (8) and villany (3)
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORIC TALES, VOL. XIII (OF 15)
+***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 31900-8.txt or 31900-8.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/1/9/0/31900
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://www.gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/31900-8.zip b/31900-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1fade16
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-8.zip
diff --git a/31900-h.zip b/31900-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..938abf5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h.zip
diff --git a/31900-h/31900-h.htm b/31900-h/31900-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6321355
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/31900-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,14903 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Historic Tales, Vol. XIII (of 15), by Charles Morris</title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+
+body {
+    margin-left: 10%;
+    margin-right: 10%;
+}
+
+    h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {
+    text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+    clear: both;
+}
+
+p {
+    margin-top: .75em;
+    text-align: justify;
+    margin-bottom: .75em;
+}
+
+p.indent {margin-top: .75em;
+          margin-bottom: .75em;
+          text-indent: 2em;
+}
+
+hr {
+    width: 33%;
+    margin-top: 2em;
+    margin-bottom: 2em;
+    margin-left: auto;
+    margin-right: auto;
+    clear: both;
+}
+
+.tr {
+    margin-left: 10%;
+    margin-right: 10%;
+    margin-top: 5%;
+    margin-bottom: 5%;
+    padding: 2em;
+    background-color: #f6f2f2;
+    color: black;
+    border: dotted black 1px;
+}
+
+table {
+    margin-left: auto;
+    margin-right: auto;
+}
+
+.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+    /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+    position: absolute;
+    left: 92%;
+    font-size: smaller;
+    text-align: right;
+} /* page numbers */
+
+
+.bb       {border-bottom: solid 2px;}
+
+.bl       {border-left: solid 2px;}
+
+.bt       {border-top: solid 2px;}
+
+.br       {border-right: solid 2px;}
+
+.bbox     {border: solid 2px;}
+
+.center   {text-align: center;}
+
+.smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+.u        {text-decoration: underline;}
+
+.caption  {font-weight: bold;}
+
+.caption2  {font-weight: bold;
+            font-size: smaller;
+}
+
+/* Images */
+.figcenter   {
+    margin: auto;
+    padding-top: 1em;
+    text-align: center;
+}
+
+    hr.full { width: 100%;
+              margin-top: 3em;
+              margin-bottom: 0em;
+              margin-left: auto;
+              margin-right: auto;
+              height: 4px;
+              border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */
+              border-style: solid;
+              border-color: #000000;
+              clear: both; }
+    pre      {font-size: 85%;}
+    </style>
+</head>
+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Historic Tales, Vol. XIII (of 15), by
+Charles Morris</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: Historic Tales, Vol. XIII (of 15)</p>
+<p>       The Romance of Reality. King Arthur, Vol. I</p>
+<p>Author: Charles Morris</p>
+<p>Release Date: April 6, 2010  [eBook #31900]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORIC TALES, VOL. XIII (OF 15)***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>E-text prepared by Christine Aldridge<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="tr">
+<p>Transcriber's Note:</p>
+
+<p>1. Minor punctuation errors have been corrected.</p>
+
+<p>2. Fifteen spelling errors have been corrected. A complete list is shown at the
+end of this text.</p>
+
+<p>3. Page numbers appear as placed in the original text. However, where a new
+chapter begins in the center of a page, the page number has been moved to the
+chapter head.</p>
+</div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="bbox"><h4><i>Édition d'Élite</i></h4></div>
+
+
+<div class="bbox"><h1>Historical Tales</h1>
+
+<h3>The Romance of Reality</h3>
+
+
+<h4>By</h4>
+
+<h2>CHARLES MORRIS</h2>
+
+<p class="center"><i>Author of "Half-Hours with the Best American Authors," "Tales from the
+Dramatists," etc.</i></p>
+
+<h4>IN FIFTEEN VOLUMES</h4>
+
+<h3>Volume XIII</h3>
+
+
+<h2>King Arthur<br />
+1</h2></div>
+
+<div class="bbox"><h2>J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY</h2>
+
+<h4>PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON</h4></div>
+
+<h5>Copyright, 1891, by <span class="smcap">J. B. Lippincott Company.</span></h5>
+
+<h5>Copyright, 1904, by <span class="smcap">J. B. Lippincott Company.</span></h5>
+
+<h5>Copyright, 1908, by <span class="smcap">J. B. Lippincott Company.</span></h5>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="Frontispiece" id="Frontispiece"></a><img src="images/front.jpg" width="500" height="325" alt="FURNESS ABBEY." title="FURNESS ABBEY." />
+<span class="caption">FURNESS ABBEY.</span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.</h2>
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents of Volume">
+
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><a href="#BOOK_I">BOOK I.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">HOW ARTHUR WON THE THRONE.</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="left" colspan="2"><br />CHAPTER.</td><td align="right"><br />PAGE.</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">I.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Magic Sword</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">II.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">Arthur's Wars and the Mystery of his Birth</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">III.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Lady of the Lake</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">IV.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">Guenever and the Round Table</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><br /><a href="#BOOK_II">BOOK II.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">THE DEEDS OF BALIN.</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">I.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">How Balin won and used the Enchanted Sword</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">II.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">How Arthur Triumphed over the Kings</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">III.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">How Balin gave the Dolorous Stroke</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">IV.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Fate of Balin and Balan</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">V.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">Merlin's Folly and Fate</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><br /><a href="#BOOK_III">BOOK III.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">THE TREASON OF MORGAN LE FAY.</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">I.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Adventure of the Enchanted Ship</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">II.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Combat of Arthur and Accolan</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">III.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">How Morgan cheated the King</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">IV.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Country of Strange Adventures</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><br /><a href="#BOOK_IV">BOOK IV.</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">LANCELOT DU LAKE.</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">I.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">How Trouble came to Lionel and Hector</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">II.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Contest of the Four Queens</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_143">143</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">III.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">How Lancelot and Turquine Fought</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">IV.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Chapel and Perilous</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">V.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Adventure of the Falcon</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><br /><a href="#BOOK_V">BOOK V.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">THE ADVENTURES OF BEAUMAINS.</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">I.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Knighting of Kay's Kitchen Boy</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_179">179</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">II.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Black, the Green, and the Red Knights</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_187">187</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">III.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Red Knight of the Red Lawns</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_201">201</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">IV.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">How Beaumains won his Bride</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_212">212</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><br /><a href="#BOOK_VI">BOOK VI.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">TRISTRAM OF LYONESSE AND THE FAIR ISOLDE.</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">I.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">How Tristram was Knighted</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_238">238</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">II.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">La Bella Isolde</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_249">249</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">III.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Wager of Battle</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_258">258</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">IV.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Draught of Love</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_267">267</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">V.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Perils of True Love</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">VI.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Madness of Sir Tristram</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_289">289</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><br /><a href="#BOOK_VII">BOOK VII.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">HOW TRISTRAM CAME TO CAMELOT.</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">I.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">Tristram and Dinadan</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_304">304</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">II.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">On the Road to the Tournament</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_312">312</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">III.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">At the Castle of Maidens</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_322">322</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">IV.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Quest of the Ten Knights</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_335">335</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="right">V.</td>
+<td align="left">&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Knight with the Covered Shield</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Page_345">345</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p>
+<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2>
+
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">KING ARTHUR. VOL. I.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">&nbsp;</td><td align="right">PAGE</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Furness Abbey</span></td>
+<td align="left"><a href="#Frontispiece"><i>Frontispiece.</i></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Statue of King Arthur at Innsbruck</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Statue_Pg_24">24</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">King Arthur's Fair Love</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#King_Pg_48">48</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">King Arthur's Tomb</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#King_Pg_70">70</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Merlin and Nimue</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Merlin_Pg_89">89</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Great Forest</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Forest_Pg_94">94</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Nimue</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Nimue_Pg_105">105</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Love of Pelleas and Nimue</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Love_Pg_134">134</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Dream of Sir Lancelot</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Dream_Pg_139">139</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Old Arches of the Abbey Wall</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Arches_Pg_149">149</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">King Arthur's Round Table, Winchester Cathedral</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Table_Pg_179">179</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Beaumains, Damsel, and Dwarf</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Beaumains_Pg_213">213</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Joyous Wedding</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Wedding_Pg_235">235</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Sir Tristram Harping to Isolde</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Harping_Pg_250">250</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Castle of Cornwall</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Castle_Pg_258">258</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tristram and the Fair Isolde</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Tristram_Pg_273">273</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Cliffs above the Sea</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Cliffs_Pg_288">288</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tintagil King Arthur's Castle</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Tintagil_Pg_302">302</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tristram Thereupon Departed to his Pavilion</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Tristram_Pg_325">325</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Admission of Sir Tristram to the King of the Round Table</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Admission_Pg_359">359</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p>
+<h2>INTRODUCTORY.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Geoffrey of Monmouth, the famous chronicler
+of legendary British history, tells us,&mdash;in reference
+to the time when the Celtic kings of Britain
+were struggling against the Saxon invaders,&mdash;that
+"there appeared a star of wonderful magnitude
+and brightness, darting its rays, at the end of
+which was a globe of fire in the form of a dragon,
+out of whose mouth issued two rays; one of which
+seemed to stretch itself beyond the extent of Gaul,
+the other towards the Irish Sea, and ended in two
+lesser rays." He proceeds to say, that Merlin, the
+magician, being called on to explain this portent,
+declared that the dragon represented Uther, the
+brother of King Ambrose, who was destined himself
+soon to become king; that the ray extending
+towards Gaul indicated a great son, who should conquer
+the Gallic Kingdoms; and that the ray with
+two lesser rays indicated a daughter, whose son and
+grandson should successively reign over Britain.
+Uther, in consequence, when he came to the throne,
+had two gold dragons made, one of which he placed
+in the cathedral of Winchester, which it brightly
+illuminated; the other he kept, and from it gained
+the name of <i>Pendragon</i>. The powerful ray represented
+his great son Arthur, destined to become the
+flower of chivalry, and the favorite hero of mediæval
+romance.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>This is history as Geoffrey of Monmouth understood
+it, but hardly so in the modern sense, and
+Arthur remains as mystical a figure as Achilles,
+despite the efforts of various writers to bring him
+within the circle of actual kings. After the Romans
+left Britain, two centuries passed of whose history
+hardly a coherent shred remains. This was the
+age of Arthur, one of the last champions of Celtic
+Britain against the inflowing tide of Anglo-Saxon
+invasion. That there was an actual Arthur there
+is some, but no very positive, reason to believe.
+After all the evidence has been offered, we still
+seem to have but a shadowy hero before us, "a king
+of shreds and patches," whose history is so pieced
+out with conjecture that it is next to impossible to
+separate its facts from its fancies.</p>
+
+<p>The Arthur of the legends, of the Welsh and Breton
+ballads, of the later <i>Chansons de Geste</i>, of
+Malory and Tennyson, has quite stepped out of the
+historic page and become a hero without time or
+place in any real world, a king of the imagination,
+the loftiest figure in that great outgrowth of chivalric
+romance which formed the favorite fictitious
+literature of Europe during three or four of the
+mediæval centuries. Charlemagne, the leading
+character in the earlier romances of chivalry, was,
+in the twelfth century, replaced by Arthur, a milder
+and more Christian-like hero, whose adventures,
+with those of his Knights of the Round Table,
+delighted the tenants of court and castle in that
+marvel-loving and uncritical age. That the stories
+told of him are all fiction cannot be declared. Many
+of them may have been founded on fact. But, like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>
+the stones of a prehistoric wall, their facts are so
+densely enveloped by the ivy of fiction that it is
+impossible to delve them out.</p>
+
+<p>The ballads and romances in which the King
+Arthur of mediæval story figures as the hero, would
+scarcely prove pleasant and profitable reading to
+us now, however greatly they delighted our ancestors.
+They are marked by a coarseness and crudity
+which would be but little to our taste. Nor have
+we anything of modern growth to replace them.
+Milton entertained a purpose of making King
+Arthur the hero of an epic poem, but fortunately
+yielded it for the nobler task of "Paradise Lost."
+Spenser gives this hero a minor place in his "Fairie
+Queen." Dryden projected a King Arthur epic,
+but failed to write it. Recently Bulwer has given
+us a cumbersome "King Arthur," which nobody
+reads; and Tennyson has handled the subject brilliantly
+in his "Idyls of the King," splendid successes
+as poems, yet too infiltrated with the spirit
+of modernism to be acceptable as a reproduction
+of the Arthur of romance. For a true rehabilitation
+of this hero of the age of chivalry we must
+go to the "Morte Darthur" of Sir Thomas Malory,
+a writer of the fifteenth century, who lived when
+men still wore armor, and so near to the actual
+age of chivalry as to be in full sympathy with the
+spirit of its fiction, and its pervading love of adventure
+and belief in the magical.</p>
+
+<p>Malory did a work of high value in editing the
+confused mass of earlier fiction, lopping off its excrescences
+and redundancies, reducing its coarseness
+of speech, and producing from its many stories<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>
+and episodes a coherent and continuous narrative,
+in which the adventures of the Round Table Knights
+are deftly interwoven with the record of the birth,
+life, and death of the king, round whom as the
+central figure all these knightly champions revolve.
+Malory seems to have used as the basis of his work
+perhaps one, perhaps several, old French prose
+romances, and possibly also material derived from
+Welsh and English ballads. Such material in his
+day was doubtless abundant. Geoffrey had drawn
+much of his legendary history from the ancient
+Welsh ballads. The mass of romantic fiction which
+he called history became highly popular, first in
+Brittany, and then in France, the Trouveres making
+Arthur, Lancelot, Tristram, Percival, and others of
+the knightly circle the heroes of involved romances,
+in which a multitude of new incidents were invented.
+The Minnesingers of Germany took up the
+same fruitful theme, producing a "Parzivale," a
+"Tristan and Isolt," and other heroic romances.
+From all this mass of material, Malory wrought his
+"Morte Darthur," as Homer wrought his "Iliad"
+from the preceding warlike ballads, and the unknown
+compiler of the "Nibelungenlied" wrought
+his poem from similar ancient sources.</p>
+
+<p>Malory was not solely an editor. He was in a
+large sense a creator. It was coarse and crude
+material with which he had to deal, but in his hands
+its rude prose gained a degree of poetic fervor. The
+legends which he preserves he has in many cases
+transmuted from base into precious coin. There
+is repulsive matter in the old romances, which he
+freely cuts out. To their somewhat wooden heroes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>
+he gives life and character, so that in Lancelot,
+Gawaine, Dinadan, Kay, and others we have to
+deal with distinct personalities, not with the non-individualized
+hard-hitters of the romances. And
+to the whole story he gives an epic completeness
+which it lacked before. In the early days of
+Arthur's reign Merlin warns him that fate has already
+woven its net about him and that the sins of himself
+and his queen will in the end bring his reign
+to a violent termination, and break up that grand
+fellowship of the Round Table which has made Britain
+and its king illustrious. This epic character
+of Malory's work is pointed out in the article "Geoffrey
+of Monmouth" in the "Encyclopædia Britannica,"
+whose writer says that the Arthurian legends
+"were converted into a magnificent prose poem by
+Sir Thomas Malory in 1461. Malory's <i>Morte Darthur</i>
+is as truly <i>the</i> epic of the English mind as
+the <i>Iliad</i> is the epic of the Greek mind."</p>
+
+<p>Yet the "Morte Darthur," if epic in plan and
+treatment, is by no means free from the defects of
+primitive literature. It was written before the age
+of criticism, and confusion reigns supreme in many
+of its pages,&mdash;a confusion which a very little critical
+supervision might have removed. As an instance,
+we find that Galahad, two years after his
+birth, is made a knight, being then fifteen years old.
+In like manner the "seat perilous" at the Round
+Table is magically reserved for Galahad, the author
+evidently forgetting that he had already given it to
+Percivale. King Mark's murder of his brother
+Baldwin is revenged by Baldwin's grandson, thirty
+or forty years afterward, though there is nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>
+to show that the characters had grown a year older
+in the interval. Here a knight finds one antagonist
+quite sufficient for one man; there he does not
+hesitate to attack fifty at once; here a slight wound
+disables him; there a dozen deep wounds are fully
+healed by a night's rest. Many similar instances
+might be given, but these will suffice. The discrepancies
+here indicated were perhaps due to the
+employment of diverse legends, without care to
+bring them into accordance, but they lay the work
+open to adverse criticism.</p>
+
+<p>This lack of critical accuracy may have been a
+necessary accompaniment of the credulous frame
+of mind that could render such a work possible. It
+needed an artlessness of mental make-up, a full
+capacity for acceptance of the marvellous, a simple-minded
+faith in chivalry and its doings, which could
+scarcely exist in common with the critical temperament.
+In truth, the flavor of an age of credulity
+and simplicity of thought everywhere permeates
+this quaint old work, than which nothing more artless,
+simple, and unique exists in literature, and
+nothing with a higher value as a presentation of the
+taste in fiction of our mediæval predecessors.</p>
+
+<p>Yet the "Morte Darthur" is not easy or attractive
+reading, to other than special students of literature.
+Aside from its confusion of events and
+arrangement, it tells the story of chivalry with a
+monotonous lack of inflection that is apt to grow
+wearisome, and in a largely obsolete style and dialect
+with whose difficulties readers in general may not
+care to grapple. Its pages present an endless succession
+of single combats with spear and sword,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>
+whose details are repeated with wearisome iteration.
+Knights fight furiously for hours together, till they
+are carved with deep wounds, and the ground crimsoned
+with gore. Sometimes they are so inconsiderate
+as to die, sometimes so weak as to seek a
+leech, but as often they mount and ride away in
+philosophical disregard of their wounds, and come
+up fresh for as fierce a fight the next day.</p>
+
+<p>As for a background of scenery and architecture,
+it scarcely exists. Deep interest in man and woman
+seems to have shut out all scenic accessories from
+the mind of the good old knight. It is always but
+a step from the castle to the forest, into which the
+knights-errant plunge, and where most of their
+adventures take place; and the favorite resting-and
+jousting-place is by the side of forest springs&mdash;or
+wells, as in the text. We have mention abundant
+of fair castles, fair valleys, fair meadows, and
+the like, the adjective "fair" going far to serve
+all needs of description. But in his human characters,
+with their loves and hates, jousts and battles,
+bewitchments and bewilderments, the author takes
+deep interest, and follows the episodical stories
+which are woven into the plot with a somewhat
+too satisfying fulness. In evidence of the dramatic
+character of many of these episodes we need but
+refer to the "Idyls of the King," whose various
+romantic and tragic narratives are all derived from
+this quaint "old master" of fictitious literature.</p>
+
+<p>With all its faults of style and method, the
+"Morte Darthur" is a very live book. It never
+stops to moralize or philosophize, but keeps strictly
+to its business of tale-telling, bringing up before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>
+the reader a group of real men and women, not a
+series of lay-figures on a background of romance,
+as in his originals.</p>
+
+<p>Kay with his satirical tongue, Dinadan with his
+love of fun, Tristram loving and noble, Lancelot
+bold and chivalrous, Gawaine treacherous and implacable,
+Arthur kingly but adventurous, Mark
+cowardly and base-hearted, Guenever jealous but
+queenly, Isolde tender and faithful, and a host of
+other clearly individualized knights and ladies move
+in rapid succession through the pages of the
+romance, giving it, with its manners of a remote
+age, a vital interest that appeals to modern tastes.</p>
+
+<p>In attempting to adapt this old masterpiece to
+the readers of our own day, we have no purpose
+to seek to paraphrase or improve on Malory. To
+remove the antique flavor would be to destroy the
+spirit of the work. We shall leave it as we find
+it, other than to reduce its obsolete phraseology
+and crudities of style to modern English, abridge
+the narrative where it is wearisomely extended,
+omit repetitions and uninteresting incidents, reduce
+its confusion of arrangement, attempt a more artistic
+division into books and chapters, and by other
+arts of editorial revision seek to make it easier reading,
+while preserving as fully as possible those
+unique characteristics which have long made it
+delightful to lovers of old literature.</p>
+
+<p>The task here undertaken is no light one, nor is
+success in it assured. Malory has an individuality
+of his own which gives a peculiar charm to his
+work, and to retain this in a modernized version
+is the purpose with which we set out and which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>
+we hope to accomplish. The world of to-day is full
+of fiction, endless transcripts of modern life served
+up in a great variety of palatable forms. Our
+castle-living forefathers were not so abundantly
+favored. They had no books,&mdash;and could not have
+read them if they had,&mdash;but the wandering minstrel
+took with them the place of the modern volume,
+bearing from castle to court, and court to castle,
+his budget of romances of magic and chivalry, and
+delighting the hard-hitting knights and barons of
+that day with stirring ballads and warlike tales
+to which their souls rose in passionate response.</p>
+
+<p>In the "Morte Darthur" is preserved to us the
+pith of the best of those old romances, brought into
+a continuous narrative by one who lived when chivalry
+yet retained some of its vital hold on the minds
+of men, and who, being a knight himself, could
+enter with heartfelt sympathy into the deeds of the
+knights of an earlier age. Certainly many of the
+readers of modern fiction will find a pleasure in
+turning aside awhile from the hot-pressed thought
+of the nineteenth-century novel to this fresh and
+breezy outcrop from the fiction of an earlier day;
+with the double purpose of learning on what food
+the minds of our ancestors were fed, and of gaining
+a breath of wild perfume from the far-off field of
+the romance of chivalry. That the story of Arthur
+and his Knights can arouse in modern readers the
+intense interest with which it was received by
+mediæval auditors is not to be expected. We are
+too far removed in time and manners from the age
+of knight-errantry to enter deeply into sympathy
+with its unfamiliar ways. Yet a milder interest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>
+may still be awakened in what gave our predecessors
+such enthusiastic delight, and some at least may
+turn with pleasure from the most philosophic of
+modern novels to wander awhile through this primitive
+domain of thought.</p>
+
+<p>To such we offer this work, which we have simply
+sought to make easy reading, with little further
+liberty with Malory's quaint prose than to put it
+into a modern dress, and with the hope that no such
+complete divorce exists between the world of the
+present and that of the past as to render the exploits
+of King Arthur and his Round Table Knights dull,
+wearisome, and profitless reading, void of the human
+interest which they once possessed in such large and
+satisfying measure.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p>
+<h1>KING ARTHUR</h1>
+<h5>AND THE</h5>
+<h2>KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE.</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="BOOK_I" id="BOOK_I">BOOK I.</a></h2>
+
+<h3>HOW ARTHUR WON THE THRONE.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE MAGIC SWORD.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Once upon a time, in that far-off and famous
+era of chivalry and knight-errantry when wandering
+knights sought adventures far and wide throughout
+the land, and no damsel in distress failed to
+enlist a valiant champion in her cause, there reigned
+over England's broad realm a noble monarch, King
+Arthur by name, the flower of chivalry, and the
+founder of the world-renowned order of Knights
+of the Round Table. It is the story of this far-famed
+monarch, and of the wonderful and valorous
+deeds of his Knights, that we here propose to tell,
+as preserved in the ancient legends of the land,
+and set forth at length in the chronicles of the days
+of chivalry.</p>
+
+<p>Before the days of Arthur the King, there reigned
+over all England Uther Pendragon, a monarch of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>
+might and renown. He died at length in years
+and honor, and after his death anarchy long prevailed
+in the land, for no son of his appeared to
+claim the throne, and many of the lords who were
+high in rank and strong in men sought to win it
+by force of arms, while everywhere lawlessness and
+wrong-doing made life a burden and wealth a deceit.</p>
+
+<p>But by good fortune there still survived the
+famous magician Merlin, the master of all mysteries,
+who long had been the stay of Uther's throne,
+and in whose hands lay the destiny of the realm.
+For after years of anarchy, and when men had
+almost lost hope of right and justice, Merlin, foreseeing
+that the time for a change was at hand, went
+to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and bade him summon
+to London by Christmas day all the lords
+of the realm and the gentlemen of arms, for on that
+day a miracle would be shown by which would be
+decided who should be ruler of the kingless realm.</p>
+
+<p>The summons was issued, and by Christmas-tide
+many lords and knights, the flower of England's
+chivalry, had gathered in London, most of them
+full of ambition and many of them buoyed up by
+hope. In the greatest church of that city prayers
+went up night and day, all who had been guilty
+of wrong-doing seeking to clear their souls of sin;
+for all believed that only through God's grace could
+any man come to dominion in the realm, and those
+who aspired to the throne ardently sought to make
+their peace with God.</p>
+
+<p>On Christmas day, after the hour of matins and
+the first mass, came the miracle which Merlin had
+predicted; for there suddenly appeared before the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>
+high altar in the church-yard a great four-square
+block of stone, of the texture of marble, upon which
+stood an anvil of steel a foot in height; and through
+the anvil and deep into the stone was thrust a
+gleaming sword, upon which, in letters of gold,
+ran these words, "Whoso pulleth this sword out of
+this stone is of right born king of all England."</p>
+
+<p>Whether Merlin performed this strange thing
+by magic, or it was a miracle of God's will, the
+chronicles say not, but all who saw it deeply marvelled,
+and word of it was brought to the archbishop
+in the church.</p>
+
+<p>"Let no man stir," he enjoined. "This is God's
+doing, and must be dealt with gravely and solemnly.
+I command that all stay within the church and pray
+unto God until the high mass be done. Till then
+let no hand touch the sword."</p>
+
+<p>And so the service went on until its end; but
+after it was done the audience hastened to behold
+the miracle, and some of the higher lords, who
+were ambitious for the throne, laid eager hold upon
+the sword and sought with all their strength to
+draw it. Yet all in vain they tugged; the mightiest
+among them could not stir the deep-thrust blade.</p>
+
+<p>"The man is not here," said the archbishop,
+"who shall draw that sword; but God, in His own
+good season, will make him known. This, then, is
+my counsel: let us set ten knights, men of fame
+and honor, to guard the sword, and let every man
+that has faith in his good fortune seek to draw it.
+He who is the destined monarch of England will
+in time appear."</p>
+
+<p>New Year's day came, and no man yet had drawn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>
+the sword, though many had adventured. For
+that day the barons had ordered that a stately tournament
+should be held, in which all knights who
+desired to break a lance for God and their ladies
+might take part. This was greeted with high
+acclaim, and after the services of the day had ended
+the barons and knights together rode to the lists,
+while multitudes of the citizens of London crowded
+thither to witness the knightly sports. Among
+those who rode were Sir Hector, a noble lord, who
+held domains in England and Wales, and with him
+his son Sir Kay, a new-made knight, and his
+younger son Arthur, a youth still too young for
+knighthood.</p>
+
+<p>As they rode together to the lists, Kay discovered
+that he had forgotten his sword, having left it
+behind at his father's lodging. He begged young
+Arthur to ride back for it.</p>
+
+<p>"Trust me to bring it," replied Arthur, readily,
+and turning his horse he rode briskly back to his
+father's lodging in the city. On reaching the house,
+however, he found it fast locked, all its inmates
+having gone to the tournament. The young man
+stood a moment in anger and indecision.</p>
+
+<p>"My brother Kay shall not be without a sword,"
+he said. "I remember seeing in the church-yard
+a handsome blade thrust into a stone, and seeming
+to want an owner. I shall ride thither and get
+that sword. It will serve Kay's turn."</p>
+
+<p>He accordingly turned his horse and rode back
+in all haste. On reaching the church-yard he found
+no knights there, all those who had been placed on
+guard having gone to the jousting, exchanging duty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>
+for sport. Dismounting and tying his horse, he
+entered the tent which had been erected over the
+stone. There stood the magic sword, its jewelled
+hilt and half the shining blade revealed. Heedless
+of the inscription on the polished steel, and ignorant
+of its lofty promise,&mdash;for the miracle had been kept
+secret by the knights,&mdash;young Arthur seized the
+weapon strongly by the hilt and gave the magic
+sword a vigorous pull. Then a wondrous thing
+happened, which it was a pity there were none to
+see; for the blade came easily out of stone and
+steel, as though they were yielding clay, and lay
+naked in his hand. Not knowing the might and
+meaning of what he had done, and thinking of
+naught but to keep his word, the young man
+mounted his horse and rode to the field, where he
+delivered the sword to his brother Sir Kay.</p>
+
+<p>"I have brought your sword," he said.</p>
+
+<p>The young knight started with surprise on beholding
+the blade, and gazed on it with wonder and
+trepidation. It was not his, he knew, and he recognized
+it at sight for the magic blade. But ambition
+quickly banished the wonder from his heart, and he
+rode hastily to his father, Sir Hector, exclaiming,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Behold! Here is the sword of the stone! I that
+bear it am the destined king of England's realm."</p>
+
+<p>Sir Hector looked at him in doubt, and beheld
+the blade he bore with deep surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"When and how did you obtain it?" he demanded.
+"Back to the church! Come with us,
+Arthur. Here is a mystery that must be explained."</p>
+
+<p>Reaching the church, he made Kay swear upon
+the book how he came by that weapon, for greatly
+he doubted.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>"I have not said I drew it," Kay replied, sullenly.
+"In truth, it was not achieved by me.
+Arthur brought me the sword."</p>
+
+<p>"Arthur!" cried the lord. "Arthur brought
+it! How got you it, boy?"</p>
+
+<p>"I pulled it from the stone," replied the youth.
+"Kay sent me home for his sword, but the house
+was empty and locked; and as I did not wish my
+brother to be without a weapon, I rode hither and
+pulled this blade out of the stone. Was there aught
+strange in that? It came out easily enough."</p>
+
+<p>"Were there no knights about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"None, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then the truth is plain. God's will has been
+revealed. You are the destined king of England."</p>
+
+<p>"I?" cried Arthur, in surprise. "Wherefore
+I?"</p>
+
+<p>"God has willed it so," repeated the baron.
+"But I must first learn for myself if you have truly
+drawn the sword. Can you put it back again?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can try," said Arthur, and with an easy
+thrust he sunk the blade deeply into the stone.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Hector and Kay pulled at the hilt with
+all their strength, but failed to move the weapon.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you shall try," they said to Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon the youth seized the hilt, and with
+a light effort the magic sword came out naked in
+his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"You are our king!" cried Sir Hector, kneeling
+on the earth, and Kay beside him.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear father and brother," cried Arthur in
+surprise and distress, "why kneel you to me? Rise,
+I pray; it pains me deeply to see you thus."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 269px;">
+<a name="Statue_Pg_24" id="Statue_Pg_24"></a><img src="images/p24.jpg" width="269" height="500" alt="STATUE OF KING ARTHUR AT INNSBRUCK." title="STATUE OF KING ARTHUR AT INNSBRUCK." />
+<span class="caption">STATUE OF KING ARTHUR AT INNSBRUCK.</span>
+</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am not your father nor of your kindred,"
+rejoined the baron. "I must now reveal the secret
+I long have kept. You were brought to me in
+infancy, and I and my wife have fostered you as
+our own. But you are no son of mine. Who you
+truly are I cannot say; that only Merlin the magician
+knows. But well I feel assured you are of
+nobler blood than I can boast."</p>
+
+<p>These words filled Arthur with heartfelt pain.
+He had long revered the worthy knight as his father,
+and it grieved him deeply to learn that those whom
+he had so warmly loved were not of kin to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Hector, "will you be my good and
+gracious lord when you are king?"</p>
+
+<p>"You, my father, and your good lady, my
+mother,&mdash;to whom else in all the world am I so
+beholden?" rejoined Arthur, warmly. "God forbid
+that I should fail you in whatever you may
+desire, if by His will and grace I shall be made
+king."</p>
+
+<p>"This only I ask of you," said the baron: "that
+you make Kay, my son and your foster-brother, the
+seneschal of all your lands."</p>
+
+<p>"By the faith of my body, I promise," said
+Arthur. "No man but he shall have that office
+while he and I live."</p>
+
+<p>These words said, Sir Hector went to the archbishop
+and told him, much to his surprise, of the
+marvel that had been performed. By the advice
+of the prelate it was kept secret until Twelfth Day,
+when the barons came again, and another effort was
+made to draw the sword.</p>
+
+<p>After all had tried and failed, Arthur was brought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>
+forward, and while many sneered at his youth and
+asked why a boy had been brought thither, he seized
+the hilt and lightly drew the blade from the stone.
+Then all stood aghast in wonder, marvelling greatly
+to see a youth perform the feat which the strongest
+knights in the kingdom had attempted in vain;
+but many beheld it with bitter anger and hostile
+doubt.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is this boy?" they cried. "What royal
+blood can he claim? Shall we and the realm of
+England be shamed by being governed by a base-born
+churl? There is fraud or magic in this."</p>
+
+<p>So high ran the tide of adverse feeling that the
+archbishop finally decided that another trial should
+be had at Candlemas, ten knights meanwhile closely
+guarding the stone. And when Candlemas day
+arrived there came many more great lords, each
+eager for the throne; but, as before, of all there
+none but Arthur could draw the magic sword.</p>
+
+<p>Again was there envy and hostility, and another
+trial was loudly demanded, the time being fixed for
+Easter. This ended as before, and at the demand
+of the angry lords a final trial was arranged for
+the feast of Pentecost. The archbishop now, at
+Merlin's suggestion, surrounded Arthur with a bodyguard
+of tried warriors, some of whom had been
+Uther Pendragon's best and worthiest knights; for
+it was feared that some of his enemies might seek
+to do him harm. They were bidden to keep watch
+over him day and night till the season of Pentecost,
+for there were lords that would have slain him
+had they dared.</p>
+
+<p>At the feast of Pentecost lords and knights gathered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>
+again, but in vain they all essayed to draw the
+magic sword. Only to the hand of Arthur would
+it yield, and he pulled it lightly from the stone and
+steel in the presence of all the lords and commons.
+Then cried the commons in loud acclaim,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Arthur shall be our king! We will have none
+to reign over us but him! Let there be no more
+delay. God has willed that he shall be England's
+king, and he that holdeth out longer against the
+will of God that man shall we slay."</p>
+
+<p>Then rich and poor alike kneeled before Arthur,
+hailed him as king, and craved his pardon for their
+long delay. He forgave them freely, and taking
+the sword between his hands, laid it upon the altar
+before the archbishop. This done, he was made a
+knight by the worthiest warrior there, and thus
+taken into that noble fellowship of chivalry which
+he was destined by his valor and virtue to so richly
+adorn.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly afterward Arthur was crowned king,
+with great pomp and ceremony, before a noble
+assemblage of the lords and ladies of the realm, taking
+solemn oath at the coronation to be true king to
+lords and commons, and to deal justice to all while
+he should live.</p>
+
+<p>Justice, indeed, was greatly and urgently demanded,
+for many wrongs had been done since the
+death of King Uther, and numerous complaints
+were laid before the throne. All these evils Arthur
+redressed, forcing those who had wrongfully taken
+the lands of others to return them, and demanding
+that all should submit to the laws of the realm. In
+compliance with his promise, Sir Kay was made
+seneschal of England, while other knights were
+appointed to the remaining high offices of the realm,
+and all the needs of the kingdom duly provided for.
+Thus the famous reign of King Arthur auspiciously
+began, with God's and man's blessing upon its early
+days.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h4>ARTHUR'S WARS AND THE MYSTERY OF HIS BIRTH.</h4>
+
+
+<p>After Arthur was crowned king he removed
+into Wales, where he gave orders that a great feast
+should be held on the coming day of Pentecost,
+at the city of Carlion. On the day appointed for
+the feast there appeared before Carlion the Kings
+of Lothian and Orkney, Gore, Garloth, Carados,
+and Scotland, each with a large following of knights.
+Their coming greatly pleased King Arthur, who
+believed that they desired to do honor to his reign,
+and he sent presents of great value to them and to
+their knights.</p>
+
+<p>These they disdainfully refused, sending back a
+hostile challenge by the messenger, and saying that
+they had not come to receive gifts from a beardless
+boy, of ignoble blood, but to present him gifts with
+hard swords between neck and shoulder. It was a
+shame, they said, to see such a boy at the head of
+so noble a realm, and this wrong should be redressed
+at their hands.</p>
+
+<p>On receiving this defiant message, Arthur threw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>
+himself, with five hundred good men, into a strong
+tower near Carlion, for he was ill prepared for
+attack. There he was closely besieged by his foes,
+but the castle was well victualled, and held out
+stoutly against its assailants.</p>
+
+<p>During the siege Merlin appeared suddenly
+among the kings, and told them privately who
+Arthur really was, assuring them that he was of
+nobler blood than themselves, and was destined
+long to remain king of England, and to reduce
+Scotland, Ireland, and Wales to his sway. Some
+of the hostile monarchs believed the magician's
+story, but others doubted it, King Lot of Orkney
+laughing him to scorn, while some among them
+called him a prating wizard.</p>
+
+<p>But it was agreed that they should hold a conference
+with Arthur, they promising if he came out
+to them to place no hindrance to his safe return.
+Merlin then sought the king and advised him to
+accept the conference, telling him that he had nothing
+to fear. Thereupon Arthur armed himself, and
+taking with him the Archbishop of Canterbury and
+several noble knights, went out boldly to meet his
+foes.</p>
+
+<p>The conference was an angry and bitter one, the
+kings speaking strongly, and Arthur answering
+them with stout words of defiance, in which he
+told them plainly that if he lived he would make
+them bow to his throne. In the end they parted in
+wrath, the kings returning to their camp and Arthur
+to the tower.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you propose to do?" said Merlin to
+the kings. "If you take a wise man's advice you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>
+will withdraw, for I tell you that you shall not
+prevail here, were you ten times as many."</p>
+
+<p>"We are not the men to be advised by a dream-reader,"
+answered King Lot. "If you are the wise
+man you say, you will take yourself away." At
+this reply Merlin magically vanished from among
+them, and immediately appeared to King Arthur in
+the tower, bidding him boldly to sally forth and
+attack his enemies, and trust to fortune and valor
+for success. Meanwhile three hundred of the best
+knights of the kings had deserted their ranks and
+come to join him, much to his comfort, for he had
+been greatly outnumbered.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Merlin, "fight not with the sword
+that you had by miracle, till you see things go to
+the worst; then draw it out and strike shrewdly
+for your throne."</p>
+
+<p>These words said, Arthur sallied from the tower
+at the head of all his knights, and fell fiercely on
+the besiegers in their camp. All went down before
+his bold assault, the hosts of the hostile kings
+retreating in dismay. Great deeds were done that
+day, Sir Kay and other knights slaying all before
+them, while Arthur laid on nobly, and did such
+marvellous feats of arms that all who saw him
+wondered greatly, for until now he had been an
+untried youth. While the combat thus went on in
+Arthur's favor in front, King Lot and others of the
+kings made a detour and set fiercely upon his force
+from the rear, causing momentary dismay in his
+ranks. But Arthur wheeled alertly with his
+knights, and smote vigorously to right and left,
+keeping always in the foremost press, till his horse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>
+was slain beneath him, and he hurled to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>King Lot took instant advantage of this, and with
+a mighty blow prostrated the unhorsed king. But
+his knights hastily surrounded him, drove back his
+crowding foes, and set him on horseback again.
+And now King Arthur drew the magic sword, and
+as he waved it in the air there flashed from it a
+gleaming lustre that blinded the eyes of his enemies.
+Back they went before him, many of them falling
+under his mighty blows, while his valiant knights
+followed hotly in the track of the flaming sword,
+and the enemy fled in panic fear.</p>
+
+<p>Then the people of Carlion, seeing the enemy
+in retreat, came out with clubs and staves, and
+fell upon the defeated host, killing numbers of the
+dismounted knights; while the hostile kings, with
+such of their followers as remained alive, fled in
+all haste from the disastrous field, leaving the victory
+to Arthur and his knights.</p>
+
+<p>Thus ended in victory the first battle of Arthur's
+famous reign. It was but the prelude to a greater
+one, the mighty deeds of which the chroniclers tell
+at great length, but of which we shall give but brief
+record. It was predicted by Merlin, who told the
+king that he should have to fight far more strongly
+for his crown, that the defeated kings would get
+others to join them, and would ere long proceed
+against him with a mighty force.</p>
+
+<p>"I warn you," he said to the king and his council,
+"that your enemies are very strong, for they
+have entered into alliance with four other kings
+and a mighty duke, and unless our king obtain
+powerful allies he shall be overcome and slain."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>"What then shall we do?" asked the barons.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall tell you," said Merlin. "There are two
+brethren beyond the sea, both kings, and marvellously
+valiant men. One of these is King Ban of
+Benwick, and the other King Bors of Gaul. These
+monarchs are at war with a mighty warrior, King
+Claudas. My counsel then is, that our king ask
+the aid of these monarchs in his wars, and engage
+in return to help them in their war with their foe."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well counselled," said the king and his
+barons.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly two knights with letters were sent
+across the seas, and after various adventures reached
+the camp of Kings Ban and Bors. These valiant
+monarchs gladly responded to Arthur's request,
+and, leaving their castles well guarded, came with
+ten thousand of their best men to the aid of the
+youthful king. Then were held great feasts, and a
+noble tournament was given on All-hallowmas day,
+at which Sir Kay carried off the honors of the lists
+and received the prize of valor.</p>
+
+<p>But sport had soon to give place to war, for the
+hostile kings, now eleven in all, with a host of fifty
+thousand mounted men and ten thousand footmen,
+were marching upon King Arthur's camp, then
+at the Castle of Bedegraine, in Sherwood forest.</p>
+
+<p>Two nights before the hosts met in battle, one of
+the hostile leaders, known as the king with the
+hundred knights, dreamed a wondrous dream. It
+seemed to him that there came a mighty wind, which
+blew down all their castles and towns, and that then
+there came a great flood and carried all away. All
+who heard this dream said that it was a token of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>
+great battle, but by its portent none were dismayed,
+for they felt too secure in their strength to heed the
+warning of a dream.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the two armies drew together, and encamped
+at no great distance asunder. Then, by advice of
+Merlin, a midnight attack was made by Arthur and
+his allies upon the host of the eleven kings, as they
+lay sleeping in their tents. But their sentinels
+were alert, the sound of the coming host reached
+their wakeful ears, and loud the cry ran through
+the camp:</p>
+
+<p>"To arms! lords and knights, to arms! The
+enemy is upon us! To arms! to arms!"</p>
+
+<p>On like a wave of war came the force of Arthur,
+Ban, and Bors. The tents were overthrown, and all
+the valor of the eleven kings was needed to save
+their army from defeat. So fiercely went the
+assault that by day-dawn ten thousand of their men
+lay dead upon the field, while Arthur's loss was
+but small.</p>
+
+<p>By Merlin's advice, while it was yet dark the
+forces of Ban and Bors had been placed in ambush
+in the forest. Then Arthur, with his own army of
+twenty thousand men, set fiercely on the overwhelming
+force of the foe, and deeds of mighty prowess
+were done, men falling like leaves, and many knights
+of tried valor staining the earth with their blood.</p>
+
+<p>Fiercely went the combat, hand to hand and blade
+to blade, till the field was strewn with the dead,
+while none could tell how the battle would end.
+But when Kings Ban and Bors broke from their
+ambush, with ten thousand fresh men, the tide of
+battle turned against the foe. Back they went, step<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>
+by step, many of their men taking to flight, and
+hundreds falling in death. King Bors did marvellous
+deeds of arms. King Ban, whose horse was killed,
+fought on foot like an enraged lion, standing among
+dead men and horses, and felling all who came within
+reach of his sword. As for King Arthur, his
+armor was so covered with crimson stains that no
+man knew him, and his horse went fetlock deep in
+blood.</p>
+
+<p>When night approached, the hostile force was
+driven across a little stream, the eleven warrior
+kings still valiantly facing the victorious foe.</p>
+
+<p>Then came Merlin into the press of struggling
+knights, mounted on a great black horse, and cried
+to Arthur,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Wilt thou never have done? Of threescore
+thousand men this day thou hast left alive but
+fifteen thousand, and it is time to cry, Halt! I
+bid you withdraw, for if you continue the battle
+fortune will turn against you. As for these kings,
+you will have no trouble with them for three years
+to come, for more than forty thousand Saracens
+have landed in their country, and are burning and
+despoiling all before them."</p>
+
+<p>This advice was taken, and the defeated kings
+were allowed to withdraw the remnant of their
+forces without further harm, while King Arthur
+richly rewarded his allies and their knights from
+the treasure found in the hostile camp.</p>
+
+<p>Thus was King Arthur seated firmly on his throne.
+But who he was he knew not yet, for the mystery
+that lay over his birth Merlin had never revealed.
+After the battle Merlin went to his master Bleise,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>
+who dwelt in Northumberland, and told him the
+events of the mighty contest. These Bleise wrote
+down, word by word, as he did the after-events of
+King Arthur's reign, and the deeds of his valiant
+knights. And so was made the chronicle of the
+great achievements of arms, and the adventures
+of errant knights, from which this history is drawn.</p>
+
+<p>Of some things that Merlin further did we must
+here speak. While Arthur dwelt in the castle of
+Bedegraine, Merlin came to him so disguised that
+the king knew him not. He was all befurred in
+black sheepskins, with a great pair of boots and a
+bow and arrows, and brought wild geese in his hand,
+as though he had been a huntsman.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," he said to the king, "will you give me a
+gift?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I do so, churl?" asked the king.</p>
+
+<p>"You had better give me a gift from what you
+have in hand than to lose great riches which are
+now out of your reach; for here, where the battle
+was fought, is great treasure hidden in the earth."</p>
+
+<p>"Who told you that, churl?"</p>
+
+<p>"Merlin told me so."</p>
+
+<p>Then was the king abashed, for he now knew
+that it was Merlin who spoke, and it troubled him
+that he had not known his best friend.</p>
+
+<p>Afterward, on a day when Arthur had been hunting
+in the forest, and while he sat in deep thought
+over a strange dream he had dreamed and some
+sinful deeds he had done, there came to him a child
+of fourteen years, and asked him why he was so
+pensive.</p>
+
+<p>"I may well be so," replied Arthur, "for I have
+much to make me think."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>"I know that well," said the seeming child,
+"also who thou art and all thy thoughts. I can
+tell thee who was thy father and how and when
+thou wert born."</p>
+
+<p>"That is false," rejoined the king. "How
+should a boy of your years know my father?"</p>
+
+<p>"He was Uther Pendragon, the king," replied
+the seeming boy, "and you are of royal blood."</p>
+
+<p>"How can you know that? I will not believe
+you without better proof," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>At these words the child departed, but quickly
+after there came to the king an old man of fourscore
+years.</p>
+
+<p>"Why are you so sad?" asked the old man.</p>
+
+<p>"For many things," replied Arthur. "Here
+but now was a child who told me things which it
+seems to me he could not know."</p>
+
+<p>"He told you the truth," said the old man, "and
+would have told you more if you had listened.
+This I am bidden to tell you, that you have done
+things which have displeased God, and that your
+sister shall bear a son who will destroy you and all
+the knights of your land. That is the meaning of
+your dream in which griffons and serpents burnt
+and slew all before them, and wounded you to the
+death."</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you," said Arthur, "that tell me these
+things?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am Merlin," replied the old man. "And I
+was the child who came to you."</p>
+
+<p>"You are a marvellous man," replied Arthur.
+"But how can you know that I shall die in battle?"</p>
+
+<p>"How I know matters not, but this much more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>
+I am bidden to tell you: your death will be a noble
+one; but I shall die a shameful death, and shall
+be put in the earth alive for my follies. Such is the
+voice of destiny."</p>
+
+<p>While they conversed thus, horses were brought
+to the king, and he and Merlin mounted and rode
+to Carlion. Here Arthur told Sir Hector what
+he had heard, and asked if it were true.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it to be the truth," answered the old
+baron. "Merlin has told me that the child he
+brought to my castle was the son of King Uther
+Pendragon and of Queen Igraine, his wife."</p>
+
+<p>But Arthur was not yet convinced, and sent in
+all haste for Queen Igraine, who dwelt in a castle
+not far away, and came quickly with Morgan le Fay,
+her daughter, a fair lady, and one who had been
+taught all the arts of necromancy.</p>
+
+<p>The king welcomed her with rich cheer, and made
+a feast in her honor, without saying why he had
+asked her to his court. But when the feast was
+at its height, Sir Ulfius, the chamberlain, and a
+knight of worth and honor, rose in the midst, and
+boldly accused the queen of falsehood and treason.</p>
+
+<p>"Beware what you say," cried the king. "Those
+are strong words, and this lady is my guest."</p>
+
+<p>"I am well advised of what I say," replied Ulfius,
+"and here is my glove to prove it upon any man
+who shall deny it. I declare that Queen Igraine
+is the cause of your great wars and of deep damage
+to your throne. Had she told in the life of King
+Uther of the birth of her son you would have been
+spared your wars, for most of your barons know
+not to-day of what blood you were born. Therefore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>
+I declare her false to God, to you, and to all
+your realm, and if any man shall say me nay I
+stand ready to prove it upon his body."</p>
+
+<p>"I am a woman, and I may not fight," said Queen
+Igraine to this. "But there are men here will take
+my quarrel. Merlin will bear me witness that it
+was King Uther's wish, for reasons of state, that
+the birth of my child should be concealed, and if
+you seek a traitor you should accuse Uther Pendragon
+and not me. At its birth the child was
+wrapped in cloth of gold, by order of the king,
+and taken from me, and from that day to this I
+have not set eyes upon my son."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said Ulfius, "Merlin is more to blame
+than you."</p>
+
+<p>"I bowed to the will of my husband," replied
+the queen. "After the death of my lord, the Duke
+of Tintagil, King Uther married me, and I bore
+him a son, but I know not what has become of my
+child."</p>
+
+<p>Then Merlin took the king by the hand and
+led him to Queen Igraine.</p>
+
+<p>"This is your mother," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Therewith, Sir Hector bore witness how the child
+has been brought by Merlin to the postern gate
+of his castle, wrapped in cloth of gold, and how he
+had reared him as his own son, knowing not who
+he was, but full sure he was of high birth.</p>
+
+<p>These words removed all doubt from Arthur's
+mind, and with warm affection he took his mother
+in his arms, and kissed her lovingly, while tears
+of joy flowed freely from the eyes of mother and
+son, for never was gladder meeting than that which
+there took place.</p>
+
+<p>For eight days thereafter feasts and sports were
+held at the castle, and great joy fell upon all men
+to learn that the son of great Uther Pendragon had
+come to the throne. And far and wide the story
+spread through the land that he who had drawn
+the magic sword was the rightful heir to England's
+crown.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE LADY OF THE LAKE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>On a day at the end of the feasts given by King
+Arthur in honor of his mother, there came into
+the court a squire, who bore before him on his horse
+a knight that had been wounded unto death. He
+told how a stranger knight in the forest had set
+up a pavilion by a well, and forced all who passed
+to joust with him. This stranger had slain his
+master, and he begged that some champion would
+revenge the slain knight.</p>
+
+<p>Then rose Griflet, a youthful squire who had
+done good service in the wars, and begged to be
+knighted, that he might undertake this adventure.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou art but young for such a task," said
+Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I beseech you for the honor of it," pleaded
+Griflet. "I have done you knightly service."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon he was knighted and armed, and rode
+at day-dawn with a high heart into the forest.
+But by night-fall back he came, with a spear-thrust<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>
+through his body, and scarce able to sit his horse
+for weakness. He had met the knight, and barely
+escaped with his life.</p>
+
+<p>This angered the king, and he determined to
+undertake the adventure himself, and to seek to
+punish the daring knight who had planted himself,
+with hostile purpose, so near his court. By
+his order his best armor and horse were set before
+day at a point outside the city, and at day-dawn
+he met there his squire and rode with him secretly
+into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>On the way thither he met three churls, who
+were chasing Merlin and seeking to slay him. The
+king rode to them and sternly bade them desist,
+and on seeing a knight before them they fled in
+craven fear.</p>
+
+<p>"O Merlin," cried Arthur, "for all your craft
+you would have been slain, had I not come to
+your aid."</p>
+
+<p>"Not so. I but played with these churls," said
+Merlin. "I could have saved myself easily enough.
+You are far more near your end than I, for unless
+God be your friend you ride to your death."</p>
+
+<p>As they conversed they came to the forest fountain,
+and saw there a rich pavilion, while under a
+cloth stood a fair horse, richly saddled and bridled,
+and on a tree was a shield of varied colors and a
+great spear. In a chair near by sat an armed
+knight.</p>
+
+<p>"How is it, sir knight," asked the king, sternly,
+"that you abide here and force every knight that
+passes to joust with you? It is an ill custom, and
+I bid you cease it."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>"He who is grieved with my custom may amend
+it if he will," said the knight.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall amend it," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall defend it," replied the knight.</p>
+
+<p>With these words they mounted, placed their
+spears in rest, and put their horses to their speed.
+Together they came in mid career with such violence
+and equal fortune that both spears were
+shivered to splinters, but both knights remained
+in their saddles. Taking new spears, once more
+they rode, and once again met in mid course with
+the same fortune as before. Then Arthur set hand
+to his sword.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said the knight. "You are the best
+jouster of all the men I ever met. For the love
+of the high order of knighthood let us break another
+spear."</p>
+
+<p>"I agree," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>Two more spears were brought them, and again
+they rode together with all the might and speed
+of their horses. Arthur's spear once more shivered
+into splinters from point to handle. But the
+knight struck him so fairly in the centre of his
+shield that horse and man together fell to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>Then Arthur drew his sword eagerly and cried:</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight, I have lost the honor of horseback,
+and will fight you on foot."</p>
+
+<p>"I will meet you on horse," replied the knight.</p>
+
+<p>Angry at this, Arthur advanced towards him with
+ready shield and sword. But the knight, feeling
+that he was taking a noble adversary at unfair
+advantage, dismounted, and advanced to meet
+Arthur on foot.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>Then began a mighty battle, in which many great
+sword-strokes were made, and much blood was lost
+by both antagonists. After the affray had long continued
+the two warriors by chance struck so evenly
+together that their swords met in mid air, and the
+weapon of the knight smote that of Arthur into
+two pieces.</p>
+
+<p>"You are in my power," cried the knight.
+"Yield you as overcome and recreant, or you shall
+die."</p>
+
+<p>"As for death," said Arthur, "it will be welcome
+when it comes, but I had rather die than be
+so shamed."</p>
+
+<p>Thus saying, he leaped upon his foeman, took
+him by the middle with a vigorous grip, and threw
+him to the earth. Then he tore off his helmet.
+The knight, however, was much the larger and
+stronger man, and in his turn brought Arthur under
+him, deprived him of his helmet, and lifted his
+sword to strike off his head.</p>
+
+<p>At this perilous moment Merlin advanced.</p>
+
+<p>"Knight, hold thy hand," he cried. "You little
+know in what peril you put this realm, or who
+the warrior is beneath your sword."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is he?" asked the knight.</p>
+
+<p>"He is King Arthur."</p>
+
+<p>Then would the knight have slain Arthur for
+fear of his wrath, and raised his sword again to
+do so, but at that moment Merlin threw him into
+an enchanted sleep.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you done, Merlin?" cried Arthur.
+"God grant you have not slain this worthy knight
+by your craft! I would yield a year of my dominion
+to have him alive again."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>"Do not fear," said Merlin. "He is asleep only,
+and will awake within three hours. And this I
+shall tell you, there is not a stronger knight in
+your kingdom than he, and hereafter he will do you
+good service. His name is King Pellinore, and he
+shall have two noble sons, whose names will be Percivale
+and Lamorak of Wales. And this brave
+knight shall, in the time to come, tell you the
+name of that son of your sister who is fated to
+be the destruction of all this land."</p>
+
+<p>This being said, the king and the magician departed,
+leaving the knight to his magic slumbers.
+Soon they reached the cell of a hermit who was
+a noted leech, and who, with healing salves, in three
+days cured the king's wounds so that he was able
+to ride again. As they now went forward, through
+forest and over plain, Arthur said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I have no sword. I shall be ill put to it should
+I meet a champion."</p>
+
+<p>"Heed not that," said Merlin. "That loss will
+be soon repaired."</p>
+
+<p>And so they rode till they came to a lake, a broad
+and fair sheet of water, that stretched far before
+their eyes. As the king stood and looked upon it,
+he saw in its midst, to his deep wonder, an arm
+clothed in white samite lift itself above the water,
+and in the hand appeared a glittering sword, that
+gleamed brightly in the sun's rays.</p>
+
+<p>"Lo! yonder is the sword I spoke of," said
+Merlin.</p>
+
+<p>Then another wonder met their eyes, for a woman
+came walking towards them upon the surface of
+the lake.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>"What damsel is that?" asked Arthur. "And
+what means all this wondrous thing?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is the Lady of the Lake," said Merlin.
+"Within that lake is a great rock, and therein is
+a palace as fair as any on the earth, and most richly
+adorned, wherein this lady dwells. When she comes
+to you ask her in courtly phrase for the sword, for
+it is hers to give."</p>
+
+<p>Soon came the damsel to them and saluted
+Arthur, who courteously returned her salutation.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lady," he said, "what sword is it that
+yonder arm holds so strangely above the water?
+I would it were mine, for I have lost my weapon."</p>
+
+<p>"King Arthur," replied the damsel, "the sword
+you see is mine. But it shall be yours if you will
+promise me a gift when I shall ask it of you."</p>
+
+<p>"By my faith," rejoined Arthur, "I will give
+you whatever gift you may ask, if it be within reason
+and justice."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said the damsel, "go into the barge
+you see yonder and row yourself to the sword, and
+take it and the scabbard. As for the gift, I shall
+bide my time to ask it."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur and Merlin now alighted and entered
+the boat they saw near by, rowing it to where the
+arm in white samite held up the sword. Reaching
+boldly out, Arthur grasped the weapon by the
+handle, and at once the arm and hand disappeared
+beneath the water, leaving the wondrous blade in
+his hand, and the scabbard with it.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the land again the Lady of
+the Lake was gone, and so they mounted and rode
+away from that place of magic. Then Arthur
+looked upon the sword and much he liked it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> for
+the blade seemed to him of rare promise.</p>
+
+<p>"Which like you the better, the sword or the
+scabbard?" asked Merlin.</p>
+
+<p>"The sword," answered Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"There you lack wisdom," said Merlin, "for
+the scabbard is worth ten of the sword. While you
+wear that scabbard you shall never lose blood, however
+sorely you be wounded, so take good heed to
+keep it always with you."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode unto Carlion, where Arthur's
+knights were glad enough to see him, for his absence
+had greatly troubled them. And when they heard
+of his adventures they marvelled that he would
+risk his person so alone. But all men of worship
+said that it was merry to be under a chieftain who
+would take upon himself such adventures as poor
+knights loved to meet.</p>
+
+<p>During the absence of the king a messenger
+had come to the court from King Ryons of North
+Wales, who was also King of Ireland, and of many
+islands, bearing a message of most insulting purport.
+He said that King Ryons had discomfited
+and overcome eleven kings, each of whom had been
+forced to do him homage in the following manner:
+each had sent him his beard, and the king had
+trimmed his mantle with these kings' beards. But
+there lacked one place on the mantle, and he therefore
+sent for King Arthur's beard to complete the
+fringe. If it were not sent him he would enter the
+land and burn and slay, and never leave till he had
+head and beard together.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Arthur, "you have said your message,
+and the most villanous one it is that ever
+living man sent unto a king; you may see, moreover,
+that my beard as yet is somewhat too young
+to serve as a trimming to his mantle. This, then,
+you may tell your king. Neither I nor my lords
+owe him any homage. But if he shall not before
+many days do me homage on both his bended knees,
+by the faith of my body he shall lose his head, in
+requital for the shameful and discourteous message
+that he has sent me. Bear you this answer to
+your king."</p>
+
+<p>And so the messenger departed.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h4>GUENEVER AND THE ROUND TABLE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>And now we have to tell the story of how King
+Arthur got his fair wife Guenever, and how the
+Round Table was brought to England's realm.</p>
+
+<p>After the defeat of the eleven kings, Arthur
+had rescued King Leodegrance of Cameliard from
+King Ryons, and put the latter with all his host
+to flight. And at the court of Leodegrance he
+saw his charming daughter Guenever, whom he
+ever after loved.</p>
+
+<p>So it fell upon a time that Arthur said to Merlin,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My barons give me no peace, but day by day
+insist that I shall take a wife. But whether I
+marry or not,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> I shall take no step without your
+counsel and advice."</p>
+
+<p>"Your barons counsel well," said Merlin. "A
+man of your bounty and nobleness should not be
+without a wife. Is there any one woman that
+you love beyond others?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, by my faith there is," said Arthur. "I
+love Guenever, the daughter of King Leodegrance,
+of Cameliard, he who has in his house the Round
+Table, which you have told me he had of my father
+King Uther. This damsel is the loveliest lady that
+I know, or could ever hope to find."</p>
+
+<p>"Of her beauty and fairness no man can question,"
+said Merlin. "If your heart were not set,
+I could find you a damsel of beauty and goodness
+that would please you as well. But where a man's
+heart is fixed there will he turn against the counsel
+of wise and foolish alike."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak the truth," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>Covertly, however, Merlin warned the king that
+Guenever would bring trouble to his court and
+his heart, and counselled him to weigh well what
+he thought to do. But Arthur's love was warm,
+and the wise man's counsel, as he had said, fell
+like water on a stone. Thereupon Merlin went to
+Cameliard and told King Leodegrance of Arthur's
+wish.</p>
+
+<p>"This is to me," said Leodegrance, "the best
+tidings that any man living could bring; that a
+monarch of such prowess and nobleness should ask
+to wed my daughter. Cheerfully will I give her,
+and I would give lands in dowry with her, but of
+that he has enough already. Yet I can send him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>
+a gift that will please him far more than lands
+or treasure, no less a gift than the Table Round,
+which Uther Pendragon gave me, and around which
+may be seated a hundred and fifty knights. As
+for myself, I have but a hundred knights worthy
+to sit at the table, but these I will send to Arthur,
+who must complete the tale himself."</p>
+
+<p>And so, with Guenever, and the Round Table,
+and the hundred knights, Merlin set out for London,
+where Arthur then was, and whither the noble
+cavalcade rode in royal procession through the land.</p>
+
+<p>When King Arthur heard of their coming his
+heart was filled with joy, and he said to those around
+him,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"This fair lady is very welcome to me, for I
+have loved her long. And these knights with the
+Round Table please me more than if the greatest
+riches had been sent, for I value worth and prowess
+far above wealth and honors."</p>
+
+<p>He ordered the marriage and coronation to be
+prepared for in royal pomp, but with no needless
+delay.</p>
+
+<p>"And, Merlin," he said, "I pray you to go and
+seek me out fifty knights of the highest honor and
+valor, to complete the tale of my Round Table
+Knights."</p>
+
+<p>Merlin went, and in a short time brought twenty-eight
+knights whom he deemed worthy of that high
+honor, but no more could he find.</p>
+
+<p>Then the Archbishop of Canterbury was brought,
+and he blessed the seats of the Round Table with
+great worship and ceremony, and placed the twenty-eight
+knights in their chairs. When this was done
+Merlin said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 330px;">
+<a name="King_Pg_48" id="King_Pg_48"></a><img src="images/p48.jpg" width="330" height="500" alt="Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+
+KING ARTHUR&#39;S FAIR LOVE." title="KING ARTHUR&#39;S FAIR LOVE." />
+<span class="caption2">Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.<br /></span>
+<span class="caption">KING ARTHUR&#39;S FAIR LOVE.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>"Fair sirs, you must all rise and come to King
+Arthur and do him homage. For henceforth you
+are his chosen knights, and must so declare. And
+know you well, that great shall be the future honor
+and fame of all who worthily occupy these seats."</p>
+
+<p>At this request the knights arose, and did homage
+to the king. And when they had risen from their
+seats there appeared in each in letters of gold the
+name of him who had sat therein. But two seats
+were wanting from the full tale.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the reason of this?" asked Arthur.
+"Why are there two seats lacking?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," answered Merlin, "no man shall occupy
+those places but the most worshipful of knights.
+And in the Seat Perilous, which adjoins them, no
+man shall sit but one, and if any one unworthy
+of this honor shall be so hardy as to attempt it,
+he shall be destroyed. He that shall sit there shall
+have no fellow."</p>
+
+<p>Anon came young Gawaine, the son of King Lot,
+a squire of handsome mien, who asked of the king
+a gift.</p>
+
+<p>"Ask, and I shall grant it," answered the king.</p>
+
+<p>"I ask that you make me knight on the day you
+wed fair Guenever."</p>
+
+<p>"That shall I do willingly," said Arthur, "and
+with what worship I may, since you are my nephew,
+my sister's son."</p>
+
+<p>[Here it is proper to say that Arthur had three
+sisters, the daughters of Queen Igraine and her first
+husband, the Duke of Tintagil. One of these, Margawse,
+had married King Lot, and had four sons,
+all of whom became valiant knights; Elaine, the
+second, had married King Neutres of Garlot;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> the
+third sister, Morgan le Fay, had been put to school,
+where she became learned in the art of necromancy;
+of the fourth the chronicles fail to speak.]</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had Gawaine spoken when there came
+riding into the court a poor man, who brought with
+him a fair-faced youth, of eighteen years of age,
+riding upon a lean mare.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, will you grant me a gift?" the old man
+asked of the king. "I was told that you would
+at the time of your marriage grant any gift that
+was asked for in reason."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," said the king. "What would
+you have?"</p>
+
+<p>"Jesu save you, most gracious king. I ask nothing
+more than that you make my son a knight."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a great thing you ask," said the king.
+"Who are you, and what claim has your son to this
+high honor?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am but a cowherd, great sir, and am the
+father of thirteen sons. But this one is unlike
+all the rest. He will do no labor, and cares for
+nothing but warlike sports, and seeing knights and
+battles. And day and night he craves for knighthood."</p>
+
+<p>"What is thy name?" the king asked the young
+man.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, my name is Tor."</p>
+
+<p>The king looked at him closely. He was of handsome
+face, and was very well made and strong of
+limb and body.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the sword with which this youth shall
+be made knight?" asked the king.</p>
+
+<p>"It is here," said Tor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then draw it from the scabbard, and require me
+to make you a knight."</p>
+
+<p>At these words the youth sprang lightly and
+gladly from his mare, drew the sword, and kneeled
+before the king, asking him in earnest tones to
+make him a Knight of the Round Table.</p>
+
+<p>"A knight I will make you," answered the king.
+"But the Round Table is not for untried youth."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon he smote him upon the neck with the
+sword, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Be you a good knight, and I pray God you may
+be so. If you prove of prowess and worth I promise
+you shall in good time have a seat at the Round
+Table."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Merlin," said Arthur, "tell me whether
+this Tor will be a good knight or not."</p>
+
+<p>"He should be so," answered Merlin, "for he
+comes of kingly blood. The cowherd here is no
+more his father than I, but he is the son of the good
+knight, King Pellinore, whose prowess you have
+much reason to know."</p>
+
+<p>By good hap King Pellinore himself came next
+morning to the court, and was glad to find what
+honor had been done his son, whom he gladly
+acknowledged as his.</p>
+
+<p>Then Merlin took Pellinore by the hand and led
+him to the seat next the Seat Perilous.</p>
+
+<p>"This is your place at the Round Table," he
+said. "There is none here so worthy as yourself
+to sit therein."</p>
+
+<p>At a later hour of that eventful day, in the city
+of London, and at the Church of Saint Stephen,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>
+King Arthur was wedded unto Dame Guenever,
+with the highest pomp and ceremony, and before
+as noble an assemblage of knights and ladies as the
+land held.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards a high feast was made, and as the
+knights sat, each in his appointed place, at the
+Round Table, Merlin came to them and bade them
+sit still.</p>
+
+<p>"For you shall see a strange and marvellous
+happening," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had he spoken before there came running
+a white hart into the hall, closely followed by a
+white brachet,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> while thirty couple of black hounds
+in full cry came after, and chased the hart round
+the feasting boards and then round the Round Table.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> A small scenting dog.</p></div>
+
+<p>As they ran the brachet caught the hart by the
+haunch, and bit out a piece, whereupon the wounded
+animal made a great leap over a table, and through
+a window, with such force as to overthrow a knight.
+Through the window the hounds followed, in full
+cry.</p>
+
+<p>The fallen knight quickly rose, took up the
+brachet in his arms, and left the hall. Seeking his
+horse, he rode away, carrying the brachet with him.
+But hardly had he gone when a lady came riding
+into the hall on a white palfrey, and crying aloud
+to King Arthur,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, suffer not yonder knight to do me this
+wrong. The brachet that he has taken away is
+mine."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>She had but ceased speaking when an armed
+knight rode up on a great horse, and took her away
+by force, though she bitterly cried and called for
+aid.</p>
+
+<p>"This affair must not be taken lightly," said
+Merlin to the king. "The honor of your court
+requires that you shall redress all wrongs, and
+here, at your marriage feast, have great wrongs
+been done."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you advise?" asked the king. "I
+shall be governed by your counsel."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," answered Merlin, "call Sir Gawaine,
+for he must bring again the white hart. Also
+call Sir Tor, for to him must be assigned the adventure
+of the knight and the brachet. As for the
+lady and the knight, King Pellinore must bring
+them, or slay the knight if he will not come."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon they were all three called, and they
+armed and rode forth on the errands assigned them.
+Many and strange were the adventures of these
+valiant knights, but we have matter of more moment
+to tell, and so cannot relate their valorous deeds.
+We can but say that Gawaine brought back the head
+of the hart, and little honor with it, for by an evil
+accident he killed a lady, and barely escaped with
+life from her champions.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Tor had better fortune, for he brought the
+brachet alive, and won much honor from his deeds.</p>
+
+<p>King Pellinore was also successful in his quest,
+for he brought back the lady in safety, after having
+fought with and slain her kidnapper. This lady's
+name was Nimue, and of her we shall have many
+strange things to tell hereafter.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>Thus ended the three quests which followed the
+marriage of King Arthur and Guenever the fair.
+Afterwards the king established his knights, giving
+lands to those who were poor, and enjoining all
+against outrage, and in favor of mercy and gentleness.
+He also bade them to succor all ladies in distress,
+and never to engage in a wrongful quarrel,
+or to strive for worldly goods.</p>
+
+<p>Unto this were sworn all the Knights of the
+Round Table, old and young. And it was ordained
+that they should renew their oaths every year at the
+high feast of Pentecost, that their obligations might
+never be forgotten, and the honor and renown of
+the glorious fellowship of the Round Table never
+decline.</p>
+
+<p>In this manner began, that illustrious career of
+the Knights of the Round Table, which was destined
+to shed the greatest glory on Arthur's reign, and
+to fill the whole world with its fame. Valorous
+as were the knights who first composed that noble
+order of chivalry, it was afterwards to include such
+world-renowned warriors as Lancelot du Lake, Tristram
+de Lyonesse, and others of little less prowess,
+the story of whose noble exploits and thrilling
+adventures was destined to be told by bards and sung
+by minstrels till all time should ring with the tale,
+and men of honor in far future days be stirred to
+emulation of these worthy knights of old.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="BOOK_II" id="BOOK_II"></a>BOOK II.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE DEEDS OF BALIN.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h4>HOW BALIN WON AND USED THE ENCHANTED SWORD.</h4>
+
+
+<p>It befell upon a time when King Arthur was
+at London, that tidings came to him that King
+Ryons of North Wales was carrying out his threat.
+He had crossed the borders with an army, and was
+burning and harrying his lands and slaying his
+people without mercy. On learning this the king
+sent word to his lords and knights to assemble with
+all haste at Camelot, where a council would be held
+and measures of defence and reprisal taken.</p>
+
+<p>And it so fell out that while this assembly was
+in session at Camelot, a damsel came into the court
+who had been sent by the great lady Lile of Avelion.
+When she came before King Arthur she let fall her
+mantle, which was richly furred, and revealed a
+noble sword, with which she was girt.</p>
+
+<p>"Damsel," said the king in wonder, "why wear
+you that sword? It beseems you not."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, sir, it is a sore burden to me," replied
+the damsel, "but I must wear it till a knight of the
+highest honor and virtue can be found to deliver
+me of my charge. None other than such a one
+may draw this sword from its sheath, for so it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>
+ordained. I have been to King Ryons's camp, where
+I was told there were knights of high excellence,
+and he and all his knights tried it, but in vain.
+I have therefore come to your court with my burden,
+and hope that the knight fit to draw it may here
+be found."</p>
+
+<p>"This is surely a great marvel," said Arthur.
+"I shall try to draw the sword myself; not that
+I claim to be the best knight, but as an example
+to my barons."</p>
+
+<p>Then Arthur took the sword by the sheath and
+the girdle, and pulled at it eagerly, but it failed
+to yield.</p>
+
+<p>"You need not pull so hard," said the damsel.
+"He who shall draw it will need little strength,
+but much virtue."</p>
+
+<p>"Now try ye, all my barons," said Arthur. "But
+beware ye be not defiled with shame, treachery,
+or guile."</p>
+
+<p>"That is well advised," said, the damsel, "for
+none shall draw it but a clean knight without
+villany, and of gentle birth both by father and
+mother."</p>
+
+<p>Then most of the Knights of the Round Table
+who were there tried their fortunes, but none
+succeeded in the magic task.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said the damsel, "I hoped to find in
+this court the best knights upon earth."</p>
+
+<p>"By my faith," said Arthur, "the world holds
+no better knights; but it grieves me to find that
+none here seem to have the grace or power to draw
+this sword."</p>
+
+<p>It happened that at that time there was a poor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>
+knight of Northumberland birth in Arthur's court,
+Balin by name. He had been held prisoner there
+more than half a year, for slaying a knight who was
+cousin to the king, and had just been set free
+through the good services of some of the barons,
+who knew that he was not at fault in this deed.</p>
+
+<p>When he learned what was being done his heart
+bade him try his fortune, but he was so poor and
+so shabbily dressed that he held back in shame.
+Yet when the damsel took her leave of Arthur
+and his barons, and was passing from the court,
+Balin called to her and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Suffer me, I pray you, to try this venture.
+Though I am poorly clad, and but ill considered, I
+feel in my heart that in honor and grace I stand
+as high as any of those knights."</p>
+
+<p>The damsel looked on him with some disdain,
+and begged him not to put her to useless trouble,
+for he seemed not the man to succeed where so
+many of noble guise had failed.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair damsel," he replied, "you should well
+know that worthiness and good qualities do not
+dwell in attire, but that manhood and virtue lie
+hidden within man's person, not in his dress; and
+therefore many a worshipful knight is not known
+to all people."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak wisely," said the damsel. "You
+shall essay the task, and may fortune befriend
+you."</p>
+
+<p>Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and
+sheath, and drew it out with such ease that king
+and barons alike were filled with wonder, and many
+of the knights, in spite and jealousy, cried that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>
+Balin had done this not by might, but by witchcraft.</p>
+
+<p>"He is a good knight," cried the damsel, "the
+best and worthiest among you all, even if fortune
+has dealt with him shabbily. Now, gentle and
+courteous knight, give me the sword again."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Balin, "I have fairly won this sword,
+and well it pleases me. I shall keep it unless it
+be taken from me by force."</p>
+
+<p>"You are not wise to keep it," said the damsel.
+"I warn you that if you do so you will slay with
+the sword your best friend and the man you most
+love in the world, and that it will be your destruction."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall take such adventure as God may ordain
+me," said Balin, "but by the faith of my body I
+shall keep the sword."</p>
+
+<p>"You will quickly repent it," said the damsel.
+"It is more for your good than for mine that I
+ask it back. I am sad to find that you will not believe
+me, and will bring destruction on yourself.
+The wilful man makes his own destiny." With this
+the damsel departed, in great sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>Then Balin sent for his horse and his armor, and
+made ready to depart, though Arthur begged him
+to remain.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew not your worth," he said, "or you should
+not have been so unkindly treated. I was misinformed
+concerning you."</p>
+
+<p>"My heartfelt thanks are yours," said Balin.
+"But asking your good grace, I must needs depart."</p>
+
+<p>"Then tarry not long, fair knight; you shall
+always be welcome to my court."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>So Balin donned his armor and made ready to
+depart. But while he still tarried there came to
+the court a lady richly attired, and riding on a
+handsome horse.</p>
+
+<p>She saluted King Arthur, and presented herself
+as the Lady of the Lake, from whom he had received
+the sword, saying that she had now come to
+demand the gift which he had promised her whenever
+she should ask for it.</p>
+
+<p>"A gift I promised you, indeed," said Arthur,
+"and you do well to ask it. But first I would
+know the name of the sword you gave me."</p>
+
+<p>"The name of it," said the lady, "is Excalibur,
+which signifies cut-steel."</p>
+
+<p>"Then well is it named," said the king. "Now
+ask what gift you will. If it is in my power to
+present you shall have it."</p>
+
+<p>"What I ask," said the Lady of the Lake, "is
+the head of the knight who has just won the sword,
+or of the damsel who brought it; or both their
+heads, if you will. He slew my brother, and she
+caused my father's death."</p>
+
+<p>"Truly," said the king, in pain and wonder,
+"you ask what I cannot in honor grant. Ask what
+you will else and you shall not be denied, but even
+a king cannot pay his debts with murder."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall ask nothing else," said the lady. "Little
+deemed I that King Arthur would be recreant to
+his word."</p>
+
+<p>When Balin was told of the demand of the Lady
+of the Lake, he went straight to her, where she
+stood before the king, and said, "Evil you are in
+heart and voice, and evil have ever been. Vile enchantress,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>
+you would have my head, and therefore,
+shall lose yours." And with a light stroke of his
+sword he smote off her head before the king, so that
+it fell bleeding at his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"What shame is this?" cried Arthur, in hot
+wrath. "Why have you dared treat thus a lady to
+whom I was beholden, and who came here under
+my safe-conduct?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your displeasure grieves me," said Balin.
+"But you know not this lady, or you would not
+blame me for her death, for she was of all women
+the vilest that ever breathed. By enchantment and
+sorcery she has slain many good knights, and I
+have sought her during three years, to repay her
+for the falsehood and treachery by which she caused
+my mother to be burnt."</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever your grievance, you should not have
+sought your revenge in my presence. You have
+done me a foul disgrace, sir knight. Leave my
+court in all haste while you may, and believe me
+you shall be made to repent this insult to my
+dignity."</p>
+
+<p>Then Balin took up the head of the lady, and
+meeting his squire at his inn, they rode together
+from the town.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said the knight, "we must part. Take
+this head and bear it to my friends in Northumberland,
+and tell them that my mortal foe is dead.
+Also tell them that I am out of prison, and by
+what adventure I got this sword."</p>
+
+<p>"You were greatly to blame to displease King
+Arthur," said the squire.</p>
+
+<p>"As for that," said Balin, "I hope to win his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>
+grace again by the death or capture of King Ryons,
+whom I go to meet. The woman sought my death,
+and has had her just deserts."</p>
+
+<p>"Where shall I find you again?" asked the
+squire.</p>
+
+<p>"In King Arthur's court."</p>
+
+<p>And so they parted. Meanwhile King Arthur
+and all the court grieved deeply over the death of
+the Lady of the Lake, and felt greatly shamed that
+they had not hindered the sudden and bloody deed.
+And the king ordered that she should have a rich
+and stately funeral.</p>
+
+<p>At this time there was in Arthur's court a knight
+named Lanceor, the son of the king of Ireland, a
+proud and valiant warrior, who was angry at Balin
+for winning the sword, and sought revenge on him.
+He asked the king to give him leave to ride after
+Balin and revenge the insult to his crown.</p>
+
+<p>"Go and do your best," said the king. "Balin
+has done me a great despite, and richly deserves
+punishment."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon the knight of Ireland armed and
+rode at all speed after Balin, whom he quickly
+overtook on a mountain side. He called to him
+in loud tones,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Stop, sir knight. You shall halt whether you
+will or not, and the shield you bear shall prove
+but light defence to you, for I am come to punish
+you for your crime."</p>
+
+<p>Hearing this outcry, Balin turned fiercely, and
+demanded,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"What do you wish, sir knight? Are you here
+to joust with me?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>"It is for that I have followed you," said the
+Irish knight.</p>
+
+<p>"It might have been better for you to stay at
+home," answered Balin. "Many a knight who
+thinks to chastise his enemy finds ill fortune to
+fall upon himself. From what court have you been
+sent?"</p>
+
+<p>"From the court of King Arthur, to revenge the
+insult you put upon him in murdering his guest
+before his face."</p>
+
+<p>"Then must I fight with you," said Balin. "Yet
+I warn you your quarrel is a weak one. The lady
+that is dead richly deserved her fate, or I should
+have been as loath as any knight living to kill a
+woman."</p>
+
+<p>"Make ready," said Lanceor. "Fight we must,
+and one of us shall remain dead upon this field.
+Our combat is to the utterance."</p>
+
+<p>Then they put their spears in rest, and rode
+together at the full speed of their horses, meeting
+with a shock in mid career. Lanceor struck Balin
+a blow upon the shield that shivered the spear in
+his hand. But Balin smote him with such force
+that the spear-point went through shield and hauberk,
+and pierced his body, so that he fell dead to
+the earth.</p>
+
+<p>As the victorious knight stood looking on the
+corpse of his slain foe, there came from Camelot
+a damsel, who rode up at full speed upon a fair
+palfrey. When she saw that Lanceor was dead
+she fell into a passion of sorrow, and cried out in
+tones of deep lamentation,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Balin, thou hast slain two bodies and one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>
+heart! Yes, two hearts in one body, and two souls
+thou hast murdered with thy fatal spear."</p>
+
+<p>Then she took the sword from her love, and as
+she took it fell to the ground in a swoon. When
+she arose again her sorrow was so great that Balin
+was grieved to the heart, and he sought to take
+the sword from her hands, but she held it so firmly
+that he could not wrest it from her without hurting
+her. Suddenly, before he could move to hinder,
+she set the pommel of the sword to the ground and
+threw her body upon the naked blade. Pierced
+through the heart, she fell dead upon the body of
+her slain love.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said Balin, "that this should have happened.
+I deeply regret the death of this knight
+for the love of this damsel; for such true love as
+this I never saw before. Yet his death was forced
+on me, and hers I could not hinder."</p>
+
+<p>Full of sorrow, he turned his horse, and as he
+looked towards a great forest near by he saw a
+knight riding towards him, whom he knew, by his
+arms, to be his brother Balan.</p>
+
+<p>When they were met they took off their helmets
+and kissed each other, and wept for joy and pity.</p>
+
+<p>"I little expected to meet you thus," said Balan.
+"A man in the Castle of Four Stones told me that
+you were freed from prison, and therefore I came
+hither in hope to find you at the court."</p>
+
+<p>Then Balin told his brother of all that had happened
+at Camelot, and of the displeasure of the
+king, and that he had determined to win Arthur's
+favor at the risk of his life.</p>
+
+<p>"King Ryons lies not far away besieging the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>
+Castle Terrabil," he said. "Thither will we ride,
+to prove our worth and prowess upon him."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be your comrade," said Balan. "We
+shall help each other as brethren should, and trust
+to God for fortune."</p>
+
+<p>As they stood conversing there came a dwarf
+riding in all haste from Camelot. When he saw
+the dead bodies he tore his hair for sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>"Which of you knights has done this foul deed?"
+he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you ask?" queried Balin.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I have the right to know."</p>
+
+<p>"It was I," said Balin. "He pursued me hither,
+and forced me to fight. One of us had to die. As
+for the damsel, she died by her own hand, for which
+no man can be sorrier than I. For her sake I
+shall owe all women the better love and favor."</p>
+
+<p>"You have done yourself great damage," said
+the dwarf. "The kindred of this knight will follow
+you through the world till they have revenged on
+you his death."</p>
+
+<p>"That I do not greatly dread," said Balin.
+"But I am sorry to have displeased King Arthur
+for the death of this knight; and sorrier still for
+the fate of this lovelorn damsel."</p>
+
+<p>As they thus talked there chanced to pass a king
+of Cornwall, named King Mark, who halted on
+seeing the dead bodies, and demanded what had
+been done. When the tale was told him he was
+grieved that true love should have met so sad a
+fate, and said, "I shall not leave here till I have
+built them a tomb, for they have earned a rich
+interment."</p>
+
+<p>Then he pitched his tents, and buried them nobly,
+placing above them a rich and fair tomb which he
+found in a church near by, and upon this tomb he
+wrote their epitaph, as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"Here lieth Lanceor, the son of Ireland's king,
+who was slain in fair combat by the hands of Balin;
+and his lady Colombe, who for deep love and sorrow
+slew herself with her true love's sword. May lovers
+henceforth make this their place of pilgrimage."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h4>HOW ARTHUR TRIUMPHED OVER THE KINGS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>While the tomb was being erected over the dead
+knight and his love, Merlin appeared at the scene.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done yourself great harm," he said
+to Balin. "Why saved you not this lady?"</p>
+
+<p>"By the faith of my body, I could not," said
+Balin, "she slew herself so suddenly."</p>
+
+<p>"This must I tell you," said Merlin. "Because
+of the death of this lady you shall strike a stroke
+the most dolorous that ever man struck, except
+the stroke of our Lord; for you shall hurt the
+truest knight and the man of most worship that
+now lives, and through that stroke three kingdoms
+shall be in great poverty, misery, and wretchedness
+for twelve years, and the knight you will hurt shall
+not be whole of his wound for many years."</p>
+
+<p>"If I knew that it were true as you say," answered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>
+Balin, "I would do such a rash deed as to
+slay myself to make you a liar. But the future
+must reveal itself. I trust no man's predictions."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon Merlin suddenly vanished away, leaving
+them in deep marvel at his coming and going.
+Soon after Balin and his brother took leave of King
+Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"First," said the king, "tell me your name."</p>
+
+<p>"You see he bears two swords," said Balan.
+"You may call him the knight with the two
+swords."</p>
+
+<p>And so King Mark rode towards Camelot, and
+the brothers towards Terrabil. As they rode, Merlin
+again met them, but now in disguise.</p>
+
+<p>"Whither do you ride?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should we tell you that?" said the
+knights.</p>
+
+<p>"You need not, for I know already. And I
+can tell you this. You will gain no advantage
+over King Ryons without my counsel."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! you are Merlin," said Balin. "Then we
+shall be glad of your counsel."</p>
+
+<p>"Come then with me. But look that you brace
+yourself to knightly deeds, for you will have great
+need to do so."</p>
+
+<p>"As for that," said Balin, "we will do what we
+can. No knight can do more."</p>
+
+<p>Then Merlin lodged them in a leafy wood beside
+the highway, where they rested till it was near
+midnight. He then awakened them and bade them
+rise and make ready, for the king they sought was
+near at hand. He had stolen away from his host
+with threescore of his best knights to visit a lady.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>"How shall we know the king?" asked Balin.</p>
+
+<p>"Hereby is a narrow way where you shall meet
+him," said Merlin.</p>
+
+<p>They followed him to the place, where they lay
+in ambush till the rattle of harness showed that
+the party approached. Then, at Merlin's suggestion,
+the two knights rode from their covert and
+assailed the king at the head of his followers, wounding
+him sorely and hurling him to the ground.
+They then, in the darkness, attacked the array of
+knights with the fury of lions, slaying more than
+forty of them, and putting the remnant to flight.</p>
+
+<p>This done, they returned to King Ryons where
+he lay helpless, and with a threat of death forced
+him to yield himself to their grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Valiant knights, slay me not," he asked. "You
+may profit by my life, but can win nothing by
+my death."</p>
+
+<p>"There you speak truly," said they, and lifting
+him carefully they placed him on a horse-litter
+for conveyance to Camelot.</p>
+
+<p>Then Merlin vanished and came to King Arthur,
+whom he told that his greatest enemy was vanquished
+and taken.</p>
+
+<p>"By whom?" asked the king.</p>
+
+<p>"By two of the most valorous knights in your
+realm. To-morrow you shall learn who they are."</p>
+
+<p>In good time Balin and his brother came with
+the wounded king and delivered him to the porters
+at the gates, charging them to bear him to King
+Arthur. Then they turned again and departed
+in the dawning of the day.</p>
+
+<p>When King Ryons was brought to the court,
+Arthur received him graciously.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>"Sir king," he said, "you are heartily welcome.
+By what adventure came you hither?"</p>
+
+<p>"By a hard one," said the captive, "as you well
+may see."</p>
+
+<p>"Who won you?" asked Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"The knight with the two swords and his
+brother," said Ryons. "And knights of marvellous
+prowess they are."</p>
+
+<p>"I know them not," said Arthur, "but none the
+less am I deeply beholden to them."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall tell you," said Merlin. "One of these
+knights was Balin, he that won the sword; the
+other was Balan, his brother, and as good a knight.
+And it is the most sorrowful thing that tongue
+can say that neither of these brave knights shall
+live long to win the fame of which they are so
+worthy."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said Arthur, "if that be so, it is indeed
+a great pity. I am much beholden to Balin, for he
+has highly redeemed the despite he did me. I have
+not deserved such good service at his hands."</p>
+
+<p>"He shall do more for you, and that soon," said
+Merlin. "I must now depart, for I have duties
+elsewhere; but before I go let me warn you to
+prepare your forces for battle at once. To-morrow
+before noon you will be set upon by a great host,
+led by Nero, King Ryons's brother. Therefore make
+all haste for your defence."</p>
+
+<p>Merlin's departure was for a purpose which he
+told not to the king. He well knew that King
+Lot of Orkney, Arthur's bitterest foe, was marching
+to join Nero with a powerful host, and foresaw
+that if they fell together on King Arthur he and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>
+all his army would be destroyed. The shrewd magician
+thereupon repaired to King Lot, and held
+him with idle tales of prophecy till Nero and his
+people were destroyed.</p>
+
+<p>For between Nero and Arthur a vigorous battle
+was fought, in which many knights won honor and
+renown, while King Arthur with his own hand slew
+twenty knights and maimed forty. But Balin and
+his brother Balan, who came in during the fight,
+did such mighty deeds of prowess that all who beheld
+them said they fought like angels from heaven or
+devils from hell, while Arthur beheld their prowess
+with wonder and delight, and vowed that he owed
+to them his victory.</p>
+
+<p>The combat, which took place at the Castle Terrabil,
+ended in the complete defeat of Nero, and
+the destruction of nearly all his host. Word of
+this disaster was brought to King Lot, where he
+lay resting with his army.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" he said, "why did I let myself be beguiled?
+Had I been there no host under heaven
+could have matched us. That false prattler, with
+his prophecy, has mocked and befooled me. But
+what shall now be done? Shall we treat with
+Arthur, or is it wise to fight him with half an
+army?"</p>
+
+<p>"His men are weary with fighting and we are
+fresh," said a knight. "Now is the time to set
+upon him."</p>
+
+<p>"So be it, then. And I hope that every knight
+will bear himself in the fray as well as I, for it is
+no laggard's task we have now before us."</p>
+
+<p>Then with waving banners and serried spears<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>
+they assailed Arthur's weary host. But the Round
+Table Knights, with the aid of the two valiant
+brothers Balin and Balan, roused themselves vigorously
+to the fray, and bore all before them, so that
+only where King Lot himself fought did his host
+hold its ground. But where he battled in the van
+all his men seemed borne up by his valor, and not
+a knight met him but was overthrown or forced
+back by his prowess.</p>
+
+<p>Then King Pellinore pushed through the press
+of knights and horses, and struck a mighty stroke
+at King Lot as he fought at the head of his host.
+The sword failed in its aim, but struck the neck
+of the king's horse, so that the wounded animal
+fell to the ground with its rider. Then Pellinore
+struck so furious a stroke that his sword cut King
+Lot's helmet in twain, and cleft his head to the
+brows, hurling him lifeless to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>Seeing their king thus slain, all the host of Orkney
+turned and fled, and great was the slaughter
+in the pursuit. That day there fell in all twelve
+kings, who fought with Lot and Nero, and all these
+were buried in the church of Saint Stevens at
+Camelot.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="King_Pg_70" id="King_Pg_70"></a><img src="images/p70.jpg" width="500" height="306" alt="Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England
+
+KING ARTHUR'S TOMB." title="KING ARTHUR'S TOMB." />
+<span class="caption2">Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.<br /></span>
+<span class="caption">KING ARTHUR'S TOMB.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Of the tombs that were made for these kings that
+of King Lot was most richly adorned, and King
+Arthur had a tomb prepared for himself beside it.
+For this he had made twelve images of brass and
+copper, which were gilt with gold. These represented
+the twelve kings, and each of them held a
+taper of wax, that burned night and day. An image
+of King Arthur was also made, in the form of
+a statue that stood above the twelve kings with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>
+drawn sword in its hand, while the faces of the
+twelve images were those of men that had been
+overcome. All these figures were made by Merlin
+through his subtle craft.</p>
+
+<p>"When I am dead," he said to the king, "these
+tapers shall burn no longer. Then the end will
+be near, and the adventures of the Sangreal shall
+be achieved."</p>
+
+<p>Much more he told the king of the strange events
+that would come to pass in the future time; and
+further he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Look well to the scabbard of Excalibur. You
+shall lose no blood while you wear this scabbard,
+even though you be covered with wounds."</p>
+
+<p>Thus admonished, Arthur, in loving trust, took
+the scabbard to Morgan le Fay, his sister, and gave
+it into her care to keep for him. Much did he peril
+in doing so, for Morgan was false at heart, and
+proved recreant to her trust, from love for a knight
+named Accolan, whom she cherished in her soul
+beyond her husband, while she had grown to hate
+her brother. She made, by enchantment, another
+scabbard like the one given her in trust, and gave
+the scabbard of Excalibur to her love. By this
+deed of treachery she hoped in her false soul to bring
+King Arthur to his death. And well-nigh she
+succeeded therein, as shall be told hereafter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h4>HOW BALIN GAVE THE DOLOROUS STROKE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>A day or two after King Arthur had placed the
+magical scabbard in the hands of his evil-thinking
+sister, he grew unwell, and had his tent pitched in
+a meadow near Camelot for the benefit of the fresh
+air and the green verdure. Here he sought in vain
+to sleep, lying long in uneasy wakefulness. As
+he thus lay he heard a horse approaching, and looking
+through the door of his tent, beheld a knight,
+who lamented deeply as he came.</p>
+
+<p>"Halt! fair sir," cried Arthur. "Tell me the
+cause of your sorrow."</p>
+
+<p>"You can little aid me," said the knight, and
+he rode onward without further answer.</p>
+
+<p>Soon afterward Balin rode up, and on seeing King
+Arthur sprang from his horse and saluted him.</p>
+
+<p>"By my head, you are welcome," said the king.
+"A knight has just ridden past here moaning sadly,
+but has declined to tell me the cause of his sorrow.
+I desire of your courtesy to bring that knight to
+me, either by force or good-will, for I wish greatly
+to know why he so deeply grieves."</p>
+
+<p>"That is little to what I should be glad to do
+for you," said Balin. He rode on apace, and ere
+long found the knight in a neighboring forest in
+company with a damsel.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," he said, "you must come with me
+to King Arthur. He demands to see you and learn
+the cause of your sorrow."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>"That I shall not do," said the knight. "It will
+injure me greatly, and do no good to you or him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you must make ready to fight," said Balin.
+"I have my order to bring you willingly or by
+force, and I should be loath to have a fight with
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you be my warrant if I go with you?"
+asked the knight. "For truly you lead me into
+danger."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And I shall die rather than let you come
+to harm, if it is in my power to avert it."</p>
+
+<p>This said, the knight turned and rode back with
+Balin, accompanied by the damsel. But as they
+reached King Arthur's pavilion a strange thing
+happened. A spear was thrust through the body
+of the knight, inflicting a mortal wound. Yet
+the hand and form of him who did this fatal deed
+remained unseen.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said the knight, "it is as I feared.
+Under your conduct and guard I have been slain
+by a traitorous knight called Garlon, who through
+enchantment rides invisible, and does such deeds
+as this. My day is done. As you are a true knight,
+I charge you to take my horse, which is better than
+yours, and ride with this damsel on the quest which
+for me is at an end. Follow as she will lead, and
+revenge my death when best you may."</p>
+
+<p>"That shall I do," said Balin. "Upon the honor
+of knighthood I vow to follow your quest, and to
+revenge you on this false foe, or die as you have
+done."</p>
+
+<p>Then, leaving the king, Balin rode with the
+damsel, who bore with her the truncheon of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>
+spear with which the knight had been killed. After
+they had gone, King Arthur had the knight buried
+richly and honorably, and had written upon the
+tomb his name, Herleus de Berbeus, and how he
+came to his death through the treachery of the
+invisible knight Garlon.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Balin and the damsel rode onward
+until they found themselves in a forest. Here
+they met a knight engaged in hunting, who asked
+Balin why he showed such grief.</p>
+
+<p>"That I do not care to tell," said Balin.</p>
+
+<p>"You should if I were armed as you are, for
+your answer is too curt to be courteous."</p>
+
+<p>"My story is not worth fighting for," answered
+Balin. "I will tell you if you so greatly desire to
+know." He thereupon told him the fatal event
+which had just occurred, and that he mourned
+the untimely death of the knight who had been
+so treacherously slain.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a sad story," said the knight. "As I
+am a true cavalier I will go with you on your quest,
+and leave you not while life lasts."</p>
+
+<p>Then he went with Balin to his inn, armed himself,
+and rode forth with him. But as they passed
+by a hermitage near a church-yard the invisible
+knight Garlon came again, and smote Balin's companion
+through the body, as he had done to Herleus
+before.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried the knight. "I too am slain by
+this invisible traitor, who does murder at will under
+cover of enchantment."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not the first despite the wretch has done
+me," cried Balin. "Could I see him I would soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>
+repay this outrage. I am bound by the honor of
+a knight to a double revenge on this unworthy
+caitiff."</p>
+
+<p>He and the hermit thereupon buried the slain
+knight, Perin de Mountbeliard, under a rich stone
+in a noble tomb, inscribing thereon the cause of
+his death.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning the knight and damsel proceeded
+on their quest, and in good time found themselves
+before a castle, which rose high and broad by the
+roadside. Here Balin alighted, and he and the
+damsel turned towards the castle, with purpose to
+enter. But as Balin entered in advance the portcullis
+was suddenly let fall behind him, cutting him
+off from his companion. Immediately a number
+of men assailed the damsel with drawn swords.</p>
+
+<p>When Balin saw this treacherous proceeding his
+soul burned within him. What to do at first he
+knew not. Then he ran hastily into the gate tower,
+and leaped, all armed, over the wall into the ditch.
+Finding himself unhurt, he drew his sword and
+rushed furiously upon the armed men who surrounded
+his companion.</p>
+
+<p>"Traitors and dogs!" he cried. "If you are
+eager for fight, I will give you your fill."</p>
+
+<p>"We cannot fight you," they answered. "We
+do nothing but keep the old custom of the castle."</p>
+
+<p>"What is that?" asked Balin. "It is an ill
+custom, methinks, that thus displays itself."</p>
+
+<p>"Our lady is sick, and has lain so for many
+years. Nothing will cure her but a dish full of
+blood from a maid and a king's daughter. It is,
+therefore, the custom that no damsel shall pass<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>
+this way without leaving a silver dish full of blood."</p>
+
+<p>"That is for the damsel to say," replied Balin.
+"If she chooses to bleed for the good of your lady
+she may, but her life shall not be taken while
+mine lasts."</p>
+
+<p>The damsel thereupon yielded a dish full of her
+blood, but it helped not the lady. She and Balin
+rested in the castle for the night, where they had
+good cheer. In the morning they proceeded again
+on their quest.</p>
+
+<p>Three or four days now passed without adventure.
+At the end of that time the knight and
+damsel found lodging in the house of a rich gentleman,
+the owner of a fair estate. As they sat at
+supper Balin was moved by the grievous complaints
+of one who sat beside him, and asked his host the
+cause of this lamentation.</p>
+
+<p>"It is this," said the host. "I was lately at a
+tournament, where I twice overthrew a knight who
+is brother to King Pellam. He threatened to
+revenge his defeat on my best friend, and has done
+so by wounding my son. The hurt is a grievous
+one, and cannot be cured till I have some of that
+knight's blood; but how to find him I know not,
+for his name is unknown to me, and he always rides
+invisible."</p>
+
+<p>"Aha!" cried Balin, "has that treacherous dog
+been at his murderous work again? I know his
+name well. It is Garlon, and he has lately slain
+two knightly companions of mine in the same base
+manner. I should rather meet with that invisible
+wretch than have all the gold in this kingdom.
+Let me see him once and he or I dies."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>"I shall tell you what to do, then," said the
+host. "King Pellam of Listeneise has announced a
+great feast, to be given within twenty days, to
+which no knight can come unless he brings with
+him his wife or his love. That false knight, your
+enemy and mine, will be there, and visible to
+human eyes."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, as I am a true knight," cried Balin,
+"you shall have of his blood enough to twice heal
+your son's wound, if I die in the getting it."</p>
+
+<p>"We shall set forward to-morrow," said the host,
+"and I hope it may be as you say."</p>
+
+<p>In the morning they rode towards Listeneise,
+which it took them fifteen days to reach, and where
+the great feast began on the day of their arrival.
+Leaving their horses in the stables, they sought
+to enter the castle, but Balin's companion was refused
+admittance, as he had no lady with him.
+Balin, however, having the damsel with him, was
+at once received, and taken to a chamber where he
+laid aside his armor and put on rich robes which
+the attendants brought him. They wished him to
+leave his sword, but to this he objected.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the custom of my country," he said, "for
+a knight always to keep his weapon with him. This
+custom shall I keep, or depart as I came."</p>
+
+<p>Hearing this, they objected no longer to his wearing
+his sword, and he thereupon entered the feasting
+chambers with his lady companion. Here he found
+himself among many worshipful knights and fair
+ladies.</p>
+
+<p>Balin, after looking carefully round him, asked
+a guest,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>"Is there not a knight in this good company
+named Garlon?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Yonder knight is he, the one with the
+dark face. And let me tell you that there is no
+more marvellous knight living. He has the power
+of going invisible, and has destroyed many good
+knights unseen."</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard of this," said Balin. "A marvellous
+gift, indeed. This, then, is Garlon? Thanks
+for your information."</p>
+
+<p>Then Balin considered anxiously what had best
+be done. "If I slay him here my own life will
+pay the forfeit," he said to himself. "But if I
+let him escape me now it may be long before I
+have such an opportunity, and in the meanwhile
+he may do much harm."</p>
+
+<p>As he stood thus reflecting, with his eyes fixed
+on Garlon's face, the latter observed his close and
+stern regard. In haughty anger he came to him
+and smote him on the face with the back of his
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," he said, "take that for your impertinent
+stare. Now eat your meat, and do what
+you came here for. Hereafter learn to use your
+eyes to better purpose."</p>
+
+<p>"You dog!" cried Balin, "this is not your first
+insult to me. You bid me do what I came for.
+It is this." As he spoke he rose furiously from
+his seat, drew his sword, and with one fierce blow
+clove Garlon's head to the shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"That is my errand here," cried Balin to the
+guests. "Now give me the truncheon," he said
+to the damsel, "with which he slew your knight."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>She gave it to him, and Balin thrust it through
+Garlon's body, exclaiming,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"With that truncheon you killed a good knight,
+and with this blow I revenge him."</p>
+
+<p>Then he called his late host, who had by this
+gained entrance to the feast, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Here lies your foe. Take with you enough of
+his blood to heal your son."</p>
+
+<p>All this had happened so quickly that none had
+time to interfere, but the knights now sprang
+hastily from their seats, and rushed from the hall
+for their weapons, that they might revenge their
+slain companion. Among them rose King Pellam,
+crying furiously,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why have you killed my brother! Villain and
+murderer, you shall die for this!"</p>
+
+<p>"Here I stand," said Balin. "If you wish
+revenge, seek it yourself. I stand in my defence."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well said," cried the king. "Stand back,
+all. For the love I bore my brother I will take
+his revenge on myself. Let no one interfere. This
+murderer is mine."</p>
+
+<p>Then King Pellam snatched up a mighty weapon
+and struck fiercely at Balin, who threw up his own
+sword in guard. He was in time to save his head,
+but the treacherous blade went into pieces beneath
+the stroke, leaving him unarmed before the furious
+king.</p>
+
+<p>Balin, finding himself thus in danger of death,
+ran into a neighboring chamber in search of a
+weapon, closely pursued by his enraged adversary.
+Finding none there, he ran on from chamber to
+chamber, seeking a weapon in vain, with King<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>
+Pellam raging like a maddened lion behind him.</p>
+
+<p>At length Balin entered a rich and marvellously
+adorned chamber, within which was a bed covered
+with cloth of gold of the noblest texture, and in
+this bed a person lay. Near by was a table with
+a top of solid gold and four curiously-shaped pillars
+of silver for its legs, while upon it stood a mighty
+spear, whose handle was strangely wrought, as
+though it had been made for a mighty king.</p>
+
+<p>But of all this marvel and magnificence Balin
+saw only the spear, which he seized at once with
+a strong grip, and turned with it to face his adversary.
+King Pellam was close at hand, with sword
+uplifted for a fatal stroke, but as he rushed in
+blind rage forward Balin pierced his body with the
+spear, hurling him insensible to the floor.</p>
+
+<p>Little dreamed the fated warrior of all that thrust
+portended. The spear he used was a magical
+weapon, and prophecy had long declared that the
+deadliest evil should come from its use. King
+Pellam had no sooner fallen beneath that fatal
+thrust than all the castle rocked and tottered as if
+a mighty earthquake had passed beneath its walls,
+and the air was filled with direful sounds. Then
+down crushed the massive roof, and with a sound
+like that of the trumpet-blast of disaster the strong
+walls rent asunder, and rushed downward in a
+torrent of ruin. One moment that stately pile
+lifted its proud battlements in majesty toward the
+skies; the next it lay prostrate as though it had
+been stricken by the hand of God to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>Men say who saw it that when fell that fatal
+blow&mdash;thereafter to be known in history and legend
+as the "dolorous stroke"&mdash;the castle shivered like
+a forest struck by a strong wind, and then fell with
+a mighty crash, burying hundreds beneath its walls.
+Among these were Balin and King Pellam, who
+lay there for three days without aid or relief, in
+deep agony and peril of death.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE FATE OF BALIN AND BALAN.</h4>
+
+
+<p>At the end of the three days came Merlin, who
+rescued Balin from under the ruined walls.</p>
+
+<p>"Your horse is dead," he said, "but I have
+brought you another, and the sword you won in
+Arthur's hall. My counsel is that you ride out of
+this country with all speed; for little you know
+the evil you have done."</p>
+
+<p>"The damsel I brought hither must go with
+me," said Balin.</p>
+
+<p>"She shall never go farther," answered Merlin.
+"The damsel is dead, and with her many a good
+knight and fair lady. That blow of yours was the
+fatalest ever struck, as you may see in the ruin
+of this castle, and as you will see further when
+you ride abroad through this distracted country."</p>
+
+<p>"What have I done?" cried Balin. "How could
+I know that such dread disaster dwelt within that
+spear? Who was he that lay within the bed, and
+what does this strange thing portend?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>"You did but what destiny commanded," said
+Merlin. "It is fate, not you, that is at fault. Let
+me tell you the meaning of this mighty and terrible
+event, which destiny has thrown into your hands.
+He who lay in that rich bed was Joseph of Arimathea,
+who came years ago into this land, and
+bore with him part of the blood of our Lord Jesus
+Christ. And that spear was the same fatal weapon
+with which Longius smote our Lord to the heart.
+King Pellam was nigh akin to Joseph of Arimathea,
+and great pity is it of his hurt, for that stroke has
+filled the land with trouble, grief, and mourning.
+As for King Pellam, he shall lie for many years
+in sore pain from the wound you dealt him, and
+shall never be whole again until Galahad, the high
+prince, shall heal him when he comes this way in
+the quest of the Sangreal."</p>
+
+<p>These words said, Balin mounted his horse, and
+departed in deep grief for the harm he had wrought,
+saying to Merlin as he left, "In this world we
+shall never meet again, for I feel that destiny
+has marked me for its victim." But little knew he
+the full effects of that fatal blow till he rode forth
+through the land. Then as he went through the
+once fair cities and fertile country he saw the people
+lying dead on every side, and cities and lands in
+ruin together. Few remained alive of all the inhabitants
+of that populous realm, and as he passed
+these cried out to him,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Balin, terrible is the harm that thou hast
+done to this innocent land! Three countries lie
+destroyed through the dolorous stroke thou gavest
+unto King Pellam. Woe to thee for this dread<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>
+deed! Thou hast escaped alive, yet doubt not but
+the vengeance of heaven will fall on thee at last!"</p>
+
+<p>Great was the grief and suffering with which
+the good knight heard these words, and glad at heart
+was he when at length he left behind him that land
+of woe and ruin, to which his innocent hand had
+wrought such deadly harm.</p>
+
+<p>But as he rode onward the feeling came to him
+that his end was at hand, though this grieved him
+little, for he felt as one set apart to do heaven's
+work of destiny. And for eight days thereafter he
+rode over many leagues of strange country without
+adventure.</p>
+
+<p>At length came a day when he saw before him,
+by the roadside, a cross, on which in letters of gold
+was written, "It is not wise for any knight alone
+to ride towards this castle," Then he saw a white-haired
+old man approach, who said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Balin le Savage, you pass your bounds to come
+this way. Turn again, if you would leave this place
+in safety."</p>
+
+<p>With these words he vanished, and as he did so
+there rang on the air a bugle-blast like that blown
+for the death of a beast of the chase.</p>
+
+<p>"That blast is blown for me," said Balin. "I
+am the prize of the invisible powers. I am not
+yet dead, but they claim me for their own."</p>
+
+<p>As he stood lost in deep thought there came
+trooping from the castle, which he now saw in the
+distance, a hundred fair ladies and many knights,
+who welcomed him with great show of gladness,
+and led him with them to the castle, where he found
+dancing and minstrelsy, and all manner of sport<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>
+and pleasure. As he stood observing all this the
+chief lady of the castle said to him,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Knight of the two swords, there is a custom
+of this castle which all who come here must keep.
+Hereby is an island which is held by a knight, and
+no man can pass this way unless he joust with him."</p>
+
+<p>"That is an unhappy custom," said Balin.
+"Why should every traveller be forced to fight?"</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have to do with but one knight,"
+said the lady.</p>
+
+<p>"That troubles me little," said Balin. "I and
+my horse are both weary from our journey, but I
+am not weary at heart, and, if fight I must, I am
+ready to do it now. If death comes to me, it will
+not come unwelcome."</p>
+
+<p>"Your shield does not seem to be a good one,"
+said a knight. "Let me lend you a larger one."</p>
+
+<p>Balin took the proffered shield and left his own,
+and rode to the island, where he and his horse were
+taken over in a great boat. On reaching the island
+shore he met a damsel, who said in sorrowful
+accents,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"O Knight Balin, why have you left your own
+shield? Alas! you have put yourself in great
+danger. Had you borne your own you would have
+been known. It is a great pity that a knight of
+your prowess and hardiness should fight unknown."</p>
+
+<p>"I repent that I ever came into this country,"
+said Balin. "But now that I am here I shall not
+turn again, and whatever comes to me, be it life or
+death, I shall take it as my lot."</p>
+
+<p>Then he mounted and rode into the island, in
+whose midst he saw a castle, from which rode a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>
+knight wearing red armor, and mounted on a horse
+which bore trappings of the same color. The warriors
+looked at each other, but neither knew the
+other, though the two swords that Balin wore should
+have revealed him, had not he borne a shield of
+strange device.</p>
+
+<p>Then, couching their spears, the hostile knights
+rode together at the full speed of their war-horses,
+meeting with such mighty force and equal fortune
+that both horses went down, and both knights were
+hurled to the earth, where they lay in a swoon.</p>
+
+<p>Balin was sorely bruised and weary with travel,
+and the red knight was the first to gain his feet.
+But as he advanced with drawn sword, Balin sprang
+up and met him with ready shield, returning his
+blow with such force that he cut through his shield
+and cleft his helmet.</p>
+
+<p>And now began the mightiest battle that island
+had ever beheld. As they fought, Balin looked at
+the castle and saw that its towers were full of ladies
+who were watching the deadly contest, and who
+applauded each blow as though this combat was
+meant for their sport. The valiant knights fought
+till their breath failed, and then took rest and
+fought again, until each was sorely wounded and
+the spot upon which they stood was deeply stained
+with blood.</p>
+
+<p>They fought on until each of them had seven
+great wounds, the least of which might have brought
+death to the mightiest giant of the world. But
+still the terrible sword-play continued, until their
+coats of mail were so hewn that they stood unarmed,
+and the blood poured piteously from their veins.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>
+At length the red knight withdrew a little and lay
+down. Then said Balin,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me what knight you are. For never did
+I meet a man of your prowess before."</p>
+
+<p>"I am Balan," was the answer, "brother to the
+good knight Balin."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried Balin, "that ever I should see
+this day!" and he fell to the earth in a swoon.</p>
+
+<p>Then Balan dragged himself up on his hands
+and feet, and took off his brother's helmet, but the
+face was so scarred and blood-stained that he did
+not know it. But when Balin came to himself he
+cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me, and
+I thee! Fate has done deadly work this day."</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven aid me!" cried Balan. "I should
+have known you by your two swords, but your shield
+deceived me."</p>
+
+<p>"A knight in the castle caused me to leave my
+own shield," said Balin. "If I had life enough
+left me I would destroy that castle for its evil
+customs."</p>
+
+<p>"And I should aid you," said Balan. "They
+have held me here because I happened to slay a
+knight that kept this island. And if you had slain
+me and lived, you would have been held in the same
+way as their champion."</p>
+
+<p>As they thus conversed there came to them the
+lady of the castle, with four knights and six ladies
+and as many yeomen. The lady wept as she heard
+them moan that they as brothers had slain each
+other, and she promised them that they should be
+richly entombed on the spot in which the battle had
+been fought.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>"Now will you send for a priest," asked Balan,
+"that we may receive the sacrament?"</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be done," said the lady.</p>
+
+<p>And so she sent for a priest and gave them the
+rites of the church.</p>
+
+<p>"When we are buried in one tomb," said Balin,
+"and the inscription is placed over us telling how
+two brothers here slew each other in ignorance
+and valor, there will never good knight nor good
+man see our tomb but they will pray for our souls,
+and bemoan our fate."</p>
+
+<p>At this all the ladies wept for pity. Soon after
+Balan died, but Balin lived till midnight. The
+lady thereupon had them both richly buried, and
+the tomb inscribed as they had asked, though she
+knew not Balin's name.</p>
+
+<p>But in the morning came the magician Merlin,
+who wrote Balin's name upon the tomb in letters
+of gold, as follows: "Here lieth Balin le Savage,
+the knight with the two swords, and he that smote
+the Dolorous Stroke."</p>
+
+<p>More than this did Merlin, through this magic
+art. In that castle he placed a bed, and ordained
+that whoever should lie therein would lose his wits.
+And he took the sword which Balin had won from
+the damsel, and removed its pommel, placing upon
+it another pommel. Then he asked a knight beside
+him to lift that sword, but he tried to do so in vain.</p>
+
+<p>"No man shall have power to handle that sword,"
+said Merlin, "but the best knight in the world;
+and that shall be Sir Launcelot, or his son Sir
+Galahad. And Launcelot with this sword shall slay
+Sir Gawaine, the man he loves best in the world."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>
+All this he wrote in the pommel of the sword.</p>
+
+<p>Then Merlin built to the island a bridge of steel
+and iron that was but half a foot broad, and
+ordained that no man should cross that bridge unless
+he were of virtuous life and free from treachery
+or evil thoughts and deeds.</p>
+
+<p>This done, Merlin by magical skill fixed Balin's
+sword in a block of marble as great as a millstone,
+and set it afloat upon the stream in such a way
+that the sword always stood upright above the
+water. And for years this stone swam down the
+stream, for no man could take it from the water
+or draw the sword, until in time it came to the
+city of Camelot (which is in English Winchester),
+where the sword was drawn, and many strange
+things followed thereupon, as shall be hereafter
+related.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after this was done, Merlin came to King
+Arthur and told him the story of the dolorous
+stroke which Balin had given to King Pellam, and
+of the marvellous battle Balin and Balan had
+fought, and how they were buried in one tomb.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried Arthur, "I never heard a sadder
+tale. And much is the loss to knighthood and chivalry,
+for in the world I know not two such knights."</p>
+
+<p>Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two
+brethren born in Northumberland, good knights.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h4>MERLIN'S FOLLY AND FATE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>And now we have again a tale of disaster to tell,
+namely, how Merlin the wise fell into love's dotage,
+and through folly brought himself to a living death,
+so that thenceforth he appeared no more upon the
+earth, and his wise counsels were lost to Arthur
+and his knights.</p>
+
+<p>For the old magician, who had so long kept free
+from love's folly, became besotted with the damsel
+named Nimue, she whom King Pellinore had
+brought to the court on his quest at Arthur's
+marriage.</p>
+
+<p>Merlin quite lost his wits and wisdom through
+his mad passion for this young lady, to whom he
+would give no rest, but followed her wherever she
+went. The shrewd damsel, indeed, encouraged her
+doting lover, for he was ready to teach her all the
+secrets of his art, so that in time she learned from
+him so much of his craft that she became skilled in
+necromancy beyond all enchantresses of her time.</p>
+
+<p>The wise magician knew well that his end was
+at hand, and that the woman whom he loved would
+prove his ruin, but his doting passion was such
+that he had no strength of mind to resist. He came
+thereupon unto King Arthur, and told him what
+he foresaw, and which it was not in his power to
+prevent; and warned him of many coming events,
+that he might be prepared for them when Merlin
+was with him no more.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 305px;">
+<a name="Merlin_Pg_89" id="Merlin_Pg_89"></a><img src="images/p89.jpg" width="305" height="500" alt="MERLIN AND NIMUE." title="MERLIN AND NIMUE." />
+<span class="caption">MERLIN AND NIMUE.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>"I have charged you," he said, "to keep in your
+own hands the sword Excalibur and its scabbard,
+yet well I know that both sword and scabbard
+will be stolen from you by a woman whom you
+foolishly trust, and that your lack of wisdom will
+bring you near to your death. This also I may
+say, you will miss me deeply. When I am gone
+you would give all your lands to have me again.
+For Merlin will find no equal in the land."</p>
+
+<p>"That I well know already," said the king.
+"But, since you foresee so fully what is coming
+upon you, why not provide for it, and by your craft
+overcome it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Merlin, "that may not be. Strong
+I am, but destiny is stronger. There is no magic
+that can set aside the decrees of fate."</p>
+
+<p>Soon afterwards the damsel departed from the
+court, but her doting old lover followed her wherever
+she went. And as he sought to practise upon
+her some of his subtle arts, she made him swear, if
+he would have her respond to his love, never to perform
+enchantment upon her again.</p>
+
+<p>This Merlin swore. Then he and Nimue crossed
+the sea to the land of Benwick, the realm of King
+Ban, who had helped King Arthur so nobly in his
+wars, and here he saw young Lancelot, the son
+of King Ban and his wife Elaine, who was in the
+time to come to win world-wide fame.</p>
+
+<p>The queen lamented bitterly to Merlin the mortal
+war which King Claudas made upon her lord and
+his lands, and the ruin that she feared.</p>
+
+<p>"Be not disturbed thereby," said Merlin. "Your
+son Lancelot shall revenge you upon King Claudas,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>
+so that all Christendom shall ring with the story
+of his exploits. And this same youth shall become
+the most famous knight in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"O Merlin!" said the queen, "shall I live to
+see my son a man of such prowess?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my lady and queen, this you shall see, and
+live many years to enjoy his fame."</p>
+
+<p>Soon afterwards Merlin and his lady-love returned
+to England and came to Cornwall, the magician
+showing her many wonders of his art as they
+journeyed. But he pressed her so for her love that
+she grew sorely weary of his importunate suit,
+and would have given aught less than her life to
+be rid of him, for she feared him as one possessed
+of the arts of the foul fiend. But say or do what
+she would, her doting lover clung to her all the
+more devotedly, and wearied her the more with
+his endless tale of love.</p>
+
+<p>Then it came to pass that as they wandered
+through Cornwall, and Merlin showed her all the
+wonders of that land, they found themselves by a
+rocky steep, under which he told her was a wonderful
+cavern that had been wrought by enchantment
+in the solid rock, its mouth being closed by a
+mighty mass of stone.</p>
+
+<p>Here, with all her art of love, and a subtle show
+of affection, the faithless damsel so bewitched Merlin
+that for joy he knew not what he did; and at
+her earnest wish he removed by his craft the stone
+that sealed the cavern's mouth, and went under it
+that he might show her all the marvels that lay
+there concealed.</p>
+
+<p>But hardly had he entered when, using the magic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>
+arts which she had learned from him, the faithless
+woman caused the great stone to sink back with
+a mighty sound into its place, shutting up the
+enchanter so firmly in that underground cavern that
+with all his craft he could never escape. For he
+had taught her his strongest arts of magic, and do
+what he would he could never move that stone.</p>
+
+<p>This faithless act performed, the damsel departed
+and left Merlin a prisoner in the rock. She alone
+of all the world could set him free, and that she
+would not do, but kept her secret, and thanked
+heaven for her deliverance.</p>
+
+<p>And so Merlin, through his doting folly, passed
+out of the world of men into a living tomb.</p>
+
+<p>Long days and months passed before his fate was
+known, and then chance brought to his cavern
+prison a valiant knight named Bagdemagus, who
+had left Arthur's court in anger because Sir Tor
+was given a vacant seat at the Round Table which
+he claimed as his due.</p>
+
+<p>As he wandered through that part of Cornwall in
+quest of adventures, he came one day past a great
+rock from which dire lamentations seemed to issue.
+Hearing those woeful sounds, Bagdemagus sought
+to remove the stone that closed the cavern's mouth,
+but so firmly was it fixed by enchantment that a
+hundred men could not have stirred it from its
+place.</p>
+
+<p>"Strive no longer," came a voice from within.
+"You labor in vain."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it that speaks?" asked the knight.</p>
+
+<p>"I am Merlin, the enchanter; brought here by
+my doting folly. I loved not wisely but too well;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>
+and here you find me, locked in this cliff by my
+strongest spells, which in love's witlessness I taught
+to a woman traitor. Go now, worthy sir, and leave
+me to my fate."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! that this should be! Tell me who did
+this thing, and by what dismal chance, that I may
+tell the king."</p>
+
+<p>Then Merlin related the story of his folly and
+fate, in the end bidding the knight to leave him,
+for only death could free him from that prison.</p>
+
+<p>Hearing this, Bagdemagus departed, full of sorrow
+and wonder, and after many days returned to
+Arthur's court, where he told the story of the magician's
+fate. Great was the marvel of all and the
+grief of the king on learning this, and much he
+besought Nimue to set Merlin free. But neither
+threats nor entreaties could move her obdurate
+heart, and at length she left the court in anger
+and defiance, vowing that she would never set free
+her old tormentor.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="BOOK_III" id="BOOK_III"></a>BOOK III.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE TREASON OF MORGAN LE FAY.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENCHANTED SHIP.</h4>
+
+
+<p>On a day not long after the event of Balin's
+death, it befell that Arthur and many of his knights
+went out hunting in a great forest, where, as fortune
+willed, King Arthur, Sir Accolan of Gaul,
+and King Uriens, who had wedded Morgan le Fay,
+followed far on the track of a great hart, which led
+them astray till they were ten miles distant from
+their late companions.</p>
+
+<p>They were all well mounted, but so hot was the
+chase, and so far did it lead them, that the horses
+at length fell dead beneath the ardent huntsmen,
+leaving them on foot in the remote depths of the
+forest. But the hart was in no better condition,
+for the hot chase had worn it out, and it dragged
+wearily on before them, barely able to keep its feet.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall we do?" said Arthur. "We are
+far from human habitation, and the night comes
+fast upon us."</p>
+
+<p>"Let us go forward on foot," said Uriens. "We
+shall surely soon meet with some place of shelter."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="Forest_Pg_94" id="Forest_Pg_94"></a><img src="images/p94.jpg" width="500" height="295" alt="THE GREAT FOREST." title="THE GREAT FOREST." />
+<span class="caption">THE GREAT FOREST.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Taking this advice, they advanced in the track
+of the hart, and soon came up with it where it lay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>
+on the bank of a large stream, while a hound had
+it by the throat, and others were coming up in full
+bay.</p>
+
+<p>Then Arthur blew the death-note of the chase,
+and killed the hart. This done, he looked about
+him, and to his surprise saw approaching on the
+stream a small vessel, with flowing sails of silk.
+As it came near it veered towards the shore, and
+finally touched land on the sands before them.
+Arthur walked to the bank and looked over the
+sides upon the deck, but to his wonder not a living
+person was to be seen.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a marvellous thing," said the king.
+"Has the vessel been blown here by a wind of
+magic? Let us enter and see what is in the ship."</p>
+
+<p>They did so, and found it richly adorned with
+silken hangings and royally equipped. As they
+stood on the deck looking about them in surprise,
+night came upon them, but suddenly the darkness
+was dispelled by a hundred torches, which flared
+out around the sides of the ship, brilliantly illuminating
+it. And immediately, from somewhere
+in the depths of the ship, appeared twelve fair
+damsels, who fell upon their knees before King
+Arthur, saluting him by name, and welcoming him
+to the best cheer that their means could provide.</p>
+
+<p>"You are welcome, whoever you be," said Arthur,
+"and have our thanks for your kindly good will."</p>
+
+<p>"Follow us then, noble sir."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur and his companions followed their fair
+guides into a cabin of the ship, where they were
+glad to see a table richly provided with the most
+delicate viands, and set with the rarest wines. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>
+king marvelled greatly at this, for never in his
+life had he fared better at supper than at this royal
+feast.</p>
+
+<p>The meal ended, Arthur was led into a richly-appointed
+chamber, whose regal furniture and
+appointments he had never seen surpassed. His
+companions were conducted to chambers no less
+richly appointed, and quickly the three weary
+hunters fell asleep, for they were exhausted with
+their day's labor.</p>
+
+<p>Perilous was the sleep that came upon them, for
+they little dreamed that they had been lured into
+an enchanted ship, and that strange adventures
+awaited them all, and deadly danger threatened the
+king.</p>
+
+<p>For when the next day dawned, Uriens woke to
+find himself at Camelot, in his own chamber, with
+his wife. Much he marvelled at this, for he had
+fallen asleep the evening before at two days' journey
+distant. As for Accolan, we shall tell later
+what befell him. Arthur woke to find himself in
+utter darkness, while the air was full of doleful
+sounds. On feeling round him he soon discovered
+that he was in a dismal dungeon, and on listening
+he discovered that the sounds he heard were the
+woeful complaints of prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>"What place is this, and who are ye that bewail
+so bitterly?" asked Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"We are twenty knights that have long been held
+prisoners here, some for seven years and some for
+less."</p>
+
+<p>"For what cause?" inquired Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"How came you here, that you know not the
+cause?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>"I came by foul enchantment," said Arthur, and
+told them his adventure, at which they wondered
+greatly. "Now tell me," he asked, "how came
+you in this direful state?"</p>
+
+<p>"We are victims of an evil-hearted villain," they
+answered. "The lord of this castle, Sir Damas
+by name, is a coward and traitor, who keeps his
+younger brother, Sir Ontzlake, a valiant and worthy
+knight, out of his estate. Hostility has long ruled
+between them, and Ontzlake proffers to fight Damas
+for his livelihood, or to meet in arms any knight
+who may take up his quarrel. Damas is too faint-hearted
+to fight himself, and is so hated that no
+knight will fight for him. This is why we are here.
+Finding no knight of his own land to take up his
+quarrel, he has lain in wait for knights-errant, and
+taken prisoner every one that entered his country.
+All of us preferred imprisonment to fighting for
+such a scoundrel, and here we have long lain half
+dead with hunger while eighteen good knights have
+perished in this prison; yet not a man of us would
+fight in so base a quarrel."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a woeful story, indeed," said Arthur.
+"I despise treason as much as the best of you, but
+it seems to me I should rather take the choice of
+combat than of years in this dungeon. God can
+be trusted to aid the just cause. Moreover, I
+came not here like you, and have but your words
+for your story. Fight I will, then, rather than
+perish."</p>
+
+<p>As they spoke a damsel came to King Arthur,
+bearing a light.</p>
+
+<p>"How fare you?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>"None too well," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"I am bidden to say this to you," she remarked.
+"If you will fight for my lord, you shall be delivered
+from this prison. Otherwise you shall stay
+here for life."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a hard alternative," said Arthur; "I
+should deem only a madman would hesitate. I
+should rather fight with the best knight that ever
+wore armor than spend a week in such a vile place.
+To this, then, I agree. If your lord will deliver
+all these prisoners, I will fight his battle."</p>
+
+<p>"Those are the terms he offers," said the damsel.</p>
+
+<p>"Then tell him I am ready. But he must provide
+me with horse and armor, and vow on his
+knightly honor to keep his word."</p>
+
+<p>"All this he will freely do."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me, damsel, that I have seen you
+before. Have you not been at the court of King
+Arthur?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not so," said the damsel. "I have never been
+there, but am the daughter of the lord of this castle,
+who has always kept me at home."</p>
+
+<p>In this, as the chronicles tell us, she spoke falsely,
+for she was one of the damsels of Morgan le Fay,
+and well she knew the king.</p>
+
+<p>Damas was glad at heart to learn that a knight
+had at last consented to fight for him, and the more
+so when he saw Arthur and marked his strong limbs
+and the high spirit in his face. But he and none
+there save the damsel, knew who his prisoner was.</p>
+
+<p>"It were a pity," said all who saw him, "that
+such a knight should die in prison. It is wise in
+him to fight, whatever betide."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>Then agreement was made that Arthur should
+do battle to the uttermost for the lord of the castle,
+who, on his part, agreed to set free the imprisoned
+knights. To this covenant both parties took oath,
+whereupon the twenty knights were brought from
+their dark prison to the castle hall, and given their
+freedom and the privilege of seeing the battle.</p>
+
+<p>But now we must leave the story of Arthur and
+Damas, and turn to that of Accolan of Gaul, the
+third of the three knights who had gone to sleep in
+the enchanted ship. This knight was, unknown
+to Arthur, a lover of Morgan le Fay, being he for
+whose sake she had counterfeited the magic scabbard
+of the sword Excalibur.</p>
+
+<p>She loved him, indeed, as ardently as she had
+grown to hate her royal brother, and through this
+love had laid a treacherous plot for Arthur's death.</p>
+
+<p>When Accolan awoke, to his surprise he found
+himself no longer in the ship, but lying within
+half a foot of the side of a deep well, in seeming
+peril of his life, for he might at any moment have
+fallen into the water. Out of this well there came
+a pipe of silver, from which a crystal stream ran
+into a high marble basin. When Accolan beheld
+all this he crossed himself and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"God save my lord King Arthur, and King
+Uriens, for those damsels in the ship have betrayed
+us all. They were not women, but devils, and if I
+escape this misadventure I shall destroy all enchantresses
+wherever I find them."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, there came to him a dwarf with a
+great mouth and a flat nose, who saluted him, and
+said that he came from Morgan le Fay.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>"She sends you her greetings, and bids you be
+of strong heart, for to-morrow it shall be your task
+to fight a knight of the greatest prowess. That
+you may win in the combat she has sent you Arthur's
+sword Excalibur, with its magical scabbard. She
+bids you do the battle to the uttermost without
+mercy, and promises to make a queen of the damsel
+whom you shall send to her with the head of the
+knight you fight with."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall do her bidding," said Accolan, "and cannot
+fail to win, now that I have this sword, for which
+I fervently thank her. When saw you my lady
+queen?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am just from her."</p>
+
+<p>"Recommend me to her, and tell her I shall do
+all I have promised, or die for it. These crafts
+and enchantments that have happened&mdash;are they of
+her making?"</p>
+
+<p>"That you may well believe. She has prepared
+them to bring on this battle."</p>
+
+<p>"Who, then, is the knight with whom I shall
+fight? It seems to me he should be a noble one, for
+such preparation."</p>
+
+<p>"That my lady has not told me."</p>
+
+<p>As they spoke there came to them a knight and
+a lady, with six squires, who asked Sir Accolan
+why he lay there, and begged him to rise and come
+with them to a neighboring manor, where he might
+rest in better ease. As fortune willed it, this manor
+was the dwelling of Sir Ontzlake, the brother of
+the traitor Damas.</p>
+
+<p>Accolan gladly accepted the invitation, but not
+long had he been in the manor when word came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>
+from Damas, saying that he had found a knight
+who was ready to do battle to the death for their
+claims, and challenging Ontzlake to make ready
+without delay for the field, or to send a knight to
+take his side in the combat.</p>
+
+<p>This challenge troubled Ontzlake sorely. Not
+long before he had been sadly hurt in a joust, and
+was still weak from his wound. Accolan, to whom
+all this was made known, at once came, with the
+generous impulse of a true knight, to his host, and
+offered to do battle in his stead. In his heart, too,
+he felt that this might be the combat of which
+Morgan had warned him, and with the aid of
+Arthur's sword and scabbard he could not fail to
+win.</p>
+
+<p>Ontzlake thanked him deeply for his generous
+offer, and without delay sent word to Damas that
+he would be ready with a champion at the hour
+appointed, and trust to God's grace for the issue
+of the combat.</p>
+
+<p>When morning came, Arthur was arrayed in a
+suit of chain mail and provided with a strong horse,
+which he viewed with knightly ardor.</p>
+
+<p>"When shall we to the field?" he asked Damas.</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as you have heard Mass."</p>
+
+<p>Mass was scarcely ended when a squire rode up
+from Ontzlake, to say that his knight was already
+in the field, and to bid Damas bring his champion
+to the lists, for he was prepared to do battle to the
+utterance.</p>
+
+<p>Then Arthur mounted his war-horse and rode
+to the field, attended by all the knights and commons
+of the country round; twelve good men of the
+district having been chosen to wait upon the two
+knights, and see that the battle was conducted fairly
+and according to the rules of chivalry.</p>
+
+<p>As they rode forward a damsel came to Arthur,
+bringing him a sword like unto Excalibur, with a
+scabbard that seemed in every point the same.</p>
+
+<p>"Morgan le Fay sends you your sword, for the
+great love she bears you," said the messenger, "and
+hopes it may do you worthy service in the fray."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur took it and thanked her, never dreaming
+that he had been treated falsely. But the sword
+that was sent him was but a brittle and worthless
+blade, and the scabbard was a base counterfeit of
+that magic one which he who wore could lose no
+blood, and which he in brotherly trust had given
+to the care of his faithless sister.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE COMBAT OF ARTHUR AND ACCOLAN.</h4>
+
+
+<p>The time for the battle having come, the two
+knights took their places at the opposite sides of
+the lists, neither knowing with whom he fought,
+and both bent on doing battle to the death. Then
+putting spurs to their steeds, they dashed across the
+field with headlong speed, each striking the other in
+the middle of the shield with his spear, and with
+such force that horses and men alike were hurled
+to the earth. In a moment both the combatants<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>
+started up in warlike fury and drew their swords.</p>
+
+<p>At this juncture there came among the spectators
+the damsel Nimue, she who had put Merlin under
+the stone. She knew, by the art that Merlin had
+taught her, how Morgan le Fay had plotted that
+Arthur should be slain that day, and she came to
+save his life if it lay in her power, for she loved
+the king as deeply as she hated Merlin.</p>
+
+<p>Eagerly to battle went the two knights, hewing
+at each other like giants with their swords. But
+Arthur's blade bit not like Accolan's, which wounded
+him at nearly every stroke, so that soon his blood
+was flowing from a dozen wounds, while his opponent
+remained unhurt.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur was in deep dismay on beholding this.
+That some treason had been practised on him he
+felt sure, for his sword bit not steel as a good blade
+should, while the sword in Accolan's hand seemed
+to have the trenchant edge of Excalibur.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," said Accolan, "keep well your
+guard if you care for life."</p>
+
+<p>"Thus will I," answered Arthur, and he dealt
+him a blow on the helm that nearly brought him
+to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Accolan drew back from the staggering stroke,
+and then with a furious onset rushed on Arthur,
+and dealt him so fierce a blow that the king had
+much ado to keep his feet. Thus stroke by stroke
+went on the battle, each knight roused to fury, and
+each fighting with his utmost skill and strength;
+but Accolan lost scarcely a drop of blood, while
+Arthur's life-blood flowed so freely that only his
+knightly soul and unyielding courage kept him on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>
+his feet. He grew so feeble that he felt as if death
+was upon him, yet, though he staggered like a
+drunken man, he faced Accolan with the unquenched
+spirit of a noble knight.</p>
+
+<p>All who saw the field marvelled that Arthur
+could fight after such a loss of blood. So valiant
+a knight none there had ever beheld, and many
+prayed the two brothers to come into accord and
+stop this deadly fray. But this Damas would not
+do, and though Ontzlake trembled for his cause
+he could not end the combat.</p>
+
+<p>At this juncture Arthur withdrew a little to rest,
+but Accolan called him fiercely to the fight, saying,
+"I shall not suffer you to rest; neither of us must
+rest except in death."</p>
+
+<p>With these words he advanced towards the king,
+who, with the strength of rage, sprang upon him
+and struck him so mighty a blow on the helm as
+to make him totter on his feet and nearly fall.
+But the blow had a serious ending, for Arthur's
+sword broke at the cross, the blade falling into
+the blood-stained grass, and only the hilt and
+pommel remaining in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>When Arthur saw himself thus disarmed he felt
+sure that his hour of death had come, yet he let not
+his dread be seen, but held up his shield and lost
+no ground, facing his mortal foe as boldly as though
+he was trebly armed.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," cried Accolan, "you are overcome,
+and can no longer sustain the battle. You are
+weaponless, and have lost so much blood that I am
+loath to slay you. Therefore yield to me as
+recreant, and force me not to kill a helpless foe."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>"That I may not do," said Arthur. "I have
+promised, by the faith of my body, to fight this
+battle to the uttermost; and I had rather die in
+honor than live in shame. If I lack weapon, I lack
+not spirit; and if you slay me weaponless, the shame
+be on you."</p>
+
+<p>"That shame I can bear," said Accolan. "What
+I have sworn I will perform. Since you will not
+yield, you are a dead man."</p>
+
+<p>This said, he struck Arthur a furious blow, that
+almost felled him to the earth, bidding him at the
+same time to crave for mercy if he would live.
+Arthur's only reply was to press upon him with
+his shield, and deal him such a buffet with the
+pommel of his sword as to send him staggering
+three paces back.</p>
+
+<p>And now the damsel Nimue, stirred by the
+prowess of the king, and fearful of his death, determined
+to aid him by all her power of enchantment.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, when Accolan recovered himself and
+struck Arthur another stroke, she threw a spell
+upon him and caused the sword to fall from his
+hand to the earth. At once the king lightly leaped
+to it and seized it, thrusting Accolan fiercely back.
+As soon as his hand had touched the hilt he knew
+it for his sword Excalibur.</p>
+
+<p>"You have been too long from me," he said,
+"and no small damage you have done me. Treason
+has been at work, and treason shall have its deserts."</p>
+
+<p>Then, seeing the scabbard hanging by Accolan's
+side, he sprang suddenly forward and wrenched
+it from him, flinging it across the field as far as he
+could throw it.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 279px;">
+<a name="Nimue_Pg_105" id="Nimue_Pg_105"></a><img src="images/p105.jpg" width="279" height="500" alt="Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+NIMUE." title="NIMUE." />
+<span class="caption2">Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.<br /></span>
+<span class="caption">NIMUE.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>"Now, sir knight," cried Arthur, "my turn has
+come. You have nearly brought my life to an
+end with this sword, and I warrant that you shall
+be rewarded for the blood I have lost and the pain
+I have endured this day."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith, furious as a wounded lion, Arthur
+rushed upon his foe, hurled him with all his strength
+to the earth, tore off his helm, and gave him such
+a blow upon the head that blood burst out from his
+ears, nose, and mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Now shall I slay you," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Do so if you will," said Accolan. "You are the
+best knight I ever met, and I see now that God is
+with you. But I promised to do this battle to the
+uttermost, and never to yield me recreant. Therefore
+kill me if you will, for my voice shall never
+ask for mercy."</p>
+
+<p>Then Arthur, looking closer, saw something
+familiar in his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me who you are," he cried; "of what
+country and court."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," said Accolan, "I am of the court
+of King Arthur, and my name is Accolan of Gaul."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur heard this with deep dismay. For there
+came into his mind the enchantment of the ship,
+and his heart sank with fear of the treason of his
+sister.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me this also, sir knight," he asked, "from
+whom had you this sword?"</p>
+
+<p>"Woe worth that sword," cried Accolan; "I
+have gotten my death by it."</p>
+
+<p>"That may well be," answered Arthur, "and I
+fancy have got no more than you deserve."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>"Yesterday," said the knight, "Morgan le Fay
+sent me that sword by a dwarf, that with it I might
+slay the knight with whom I should fight this day!
+And she would also pledge me to slay King Arthur,
+her brother, for she hates him above any man in
+the world."</p>
+
+<p>"How know you that to be so?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have loved her long, and know her purposes
+well, nor shall I longer keep them secret. If by
+craft she could slay Arthur, she would quickly
+dispose of her husband, King Uriens. Then it was
+her intent to make me king of this realm, and to
+reign herself as its queen. But all this now is
+at an end, for death is upon me."</p>
+
+<p>"It would have been great wrong in you to
+destroy your lord," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"That I never could have had the heart to do,"
+said Accolan. "But I pray you to tell me your
+name, and from what court you come?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am from Camelot, and men know me as King
+Arthur. I am he against whom you plotted such
+deep treason."</p>
+
+<p>Then Accolan cried out in anguish,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My fair, sweet lord, have mercy on me, for I
+knew you not."</p>
+
+<p>"You knew me not at this time, Accolan, but
+you have confessed that you plotted treason against
+me, and laid plans to compass my death. Yet I
+blame you the less that Morgan le Fay has worked
+on you with her false arts. I have honored and
+loved her most of all my kin, and have trusted her
+as I would my wife, and this is how she repays me.
+By the faith of my body, if I live I shall be deeply
+revenged upon her for this."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>Then he called to the keepers of the field, and
+said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Here, fair sirs, are two knights who have fought
+nearly to the death through ignorance of each
+other. For had either of us known the other you
+would have seen no battle to-day, and no stroke
+given or returned."</p>
+
+<p>Then Accolan called out to those who had gathered
+around,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Lords and knights, this noble warrior with
+whom I have fought is the man of most valor, manhood,
+and worship on English soil, for he is no
+less than our liege lord, King Arthur. Had I but
+dreamed it was he, I would have killed myself
+rather than have drawn sword against him."</p>
+
+<p>At this surprising news the people fell upon their
+knees before the king and begged mercy and pardon.</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon you shall have," said the king, "for
+you were ignorant of my person. It is my fault if
+harm came to me in disguise. And here you may
+all see what adventures and dangers knights-errant
+are exposed to; for, unknown to each other, I and
+one of my own knights have fought for hours, to
+the great damage of us both. We are both sorely
+hurt, but before seeking rest it is my duty to settle
+the dispute which gave rise to this combat. I have
+been your champion, Sir Damas, and have won your
+cause. But as the victor I claim the right to give
+judgment, and as I know you for a villain and
+coward, I adjudge unto your brother all the manor
+in dispute, with the provision that he hold it of you,
+and yearly give you in lieu of rent a palfrey to ride
+upon, which will become such a base poltroon much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>
+better than a war-horse. And I charge you, upon
+pain of death, to restore to these twenty knights
+their armor and property, and never again to distress
+a knight-errant. If complaint of such shall
+be made to me, by my head, you shall die for it. Sir
+Ontzlake, you are said to be a good and valiant
+knight, and true and worthy in your deeds. I desire
+you to come to my court as soon as possible, where
+you shall be one of my knights, and, if your deeds
+hereafter conform to the good report I have heard
+of you, you soon shall equal your brother in estate."</p>
+
+<p>"I am at your command," said Ontzlake, "and
+thank you humbly for your goodness and bounty.
+As for this battle, I would have fought it myself,
+only that lately I was deeply wounded in a combat
+with a wandering knight."</p>
+
+<p>"I would it had been so," said Arthur, "for
+treason was used against me in this combat, and
+had I fought with you I should not have been so
+badly hurt. My own sword was stolen and I was
+given a false and brittle blade, which failed me in
+my greatest need."</p>
+
+<p>"Great pity it is that a king so noble and a knight
+so worthy should have been thus foully dealt with."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall reward the traitor in short time, by the
+grace of God," said Arthur. "Now tell me how
+far I am from Camelot?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are two days' journey distant."</p>
+
+<p>"Then where can I obtain shelter and rest?"</p>
+
+<p>"There is an abbey but three miles distant where
+you will find skilled leeches and good nursing."</p>
+
+<p>Then King Arthur took his leave of the people,
+and repaired with Accolan to the abbey, where he
+and the knight were placed under medical care.
+Arthur's wounds, though deep and painful, proved
+not serious, and he rapidly recovered, but Accolan
+had lost so much blood that he died within four
+days. Then Arthur had the corpse sent on a horse-bier,
+attended by six knights, to Camelot, saying to
+the messengers,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Bear this body to my sister, Morgan le Fay,
+and say to her that I send it as a present. Tell
+her, moreover, that, through her sisterly kindness,
+I have again my sword Excalibur and the scabbard,
+and shall visit her ere long."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h4>HOW MORGAN CHEATED THE KING.</h4>
+
+
+<p>In the meantime Morgan le Fay was so sure of
+the success of her murderous plot, to aid which
+she had used all her power of necromancy, that she
+felt it safe to complete her scheme. Seeing her
+husband, King Uriens, lying asleep upon his couch,
+she called a maiden, who was in her confidence,
+and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Bring me my lord's sword. Now shall my
+work be ended."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, madam," cried the damsel, "would you
+slay your lord! If you do so you can never escape."</p>
+
+<p>"Leave that to me, girl. Bring me the sword at
+once; I am the best judge of what it is fit to do."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>The damsel departed with a heavy heart, but
+finding Sir Uwaine, King Uriens' son, asleep in
+another chamber, she waked him and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Rise at once and go to your mother. She has
+vowed to kill the king, your father, and has sent
+me in all haste for his sword."</p>
+
+<p>"To kill him!" cried Uwaine. "What treachery
+is this?&mdash;But go, bring the sword as she bids.
+Leave it to me to deal with her."</p>
+
+<p>The damsel did as she was bidden, and brought
+the sword to the queen, giving it to her with hands
+that quaked with fear. Morgan seized it with a
+firm grasp, and went boldly to the bedside, where
+she stood looking with cruel eyes on the sleeping
+king. As she lifted the sword for the murderous
+blow, Uwaine, who had silently entered, sprang
+upon her and seized her hand in a crushing grip.</p>
+
+<p>"You fiend, what would you do?" he fiercely
+cried. "If you were not my mother I would smite
+off your head with this sword. Men say that Merlin
+was born of a devil; but well I believe that I
+have an earthly fiend for mother. To kill my
+father thus!&mdash;in his slumber!&mdash;what foul device
+is this?"</p>
+
+<p>His face and voice were so full of righteous fury
+that the queen quaked to her heart with fear,
+and she clasped her hands in terror upon her throat.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Uwaine, my dear son, have mercy on me!
+The foul fiend tempted me to this deed. Let me
+live to repent of this base intent, which I pray
+you to keep secret. I swear never again to attempt
+so foul a deed."</p>
+
+<p>"Can I trust you? Truth and murder do not
+go together."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>"On my soul, I vow to keep my word!"</p>
+
+<p>"Live, then; but beware you rouse me not again
+by such a murderous thought."</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had the false-hearted queen escaped from
+the indignation of her son when tidings came to her
+which filled her with as deep a dread as when
+Uwaine had threatened her with the sword, while
+the grief it brought her was deeper than her fear.
+For she learned that Accolan had been slain in the
+battle, and that his dead body had been sent her.
+Soon, indeed, came the funeral train, with the message
+that Arthur had sent. Then sorrow and terror
+together filled her heart till it threatened to
+break, for she had loved Accolan with all her soul,
+and his fate wounded her almost to death. But she
+dared not let this grief be seen upon her countenance,
+lest the secret of her love should be discovered;
+and she was forced to wear a cheerful aspect
+above a bleeding heart. And this she knew, besides,
+that if she should remain in Camelot until Arthur's
+return, all the gold in the realm would not buy
+her life.</p>
+
+<p>She went, therefore, unto Queen Guenever and
+asked leave to ride into the country.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not remain to greet your brother on his
+return? He sends word that he will soon be here."</p>
+
+<p>"I should much like to, Guenever, but hasty
+tidings have come which require that I should
+make no delay."</p>
+
+<p>"If that be so," answered Guenever, "let me not
+stay you. You may depart when you will."</p>
+
+<p>On the next morning, before daybreak, Morgan
+took horse, and rode all that day and the greater<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>
+part of the night. On the following day by noon
+she came to the abbey where Arthur lay. Here
+she asked the nuns where he was, and they answered
+that he was sleeping in his chamber, for
+he had had but little rest during the three nights
+past.</p>
+
+<p>"Then see that none of you waken him," she
+said. "I will go visit him in his chamber. I am
+his sister, Morgan le Fay."</p>
+
+<p>Saying this, she sprang from her horse and
+entered the abbey, going straight to Arthur's chamber.
+None dare hinder her, and she suffered no one
+to accompany her. Reaching the chamber she
+found her brother asleep in bed, with the sword
+Excalibur clasped with a vigorous grip in his right
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>When she saw this her heart sank, for it was
+to steal that sword she came, and she knew her
+treacherous purpose was at an end. She could not
+take the sword from his hand without wakening
+him, and that might be the warrant for her instant
+death. But the scabbard lay on a chair by the
+bedside. This she took and left the chamber,
+concealing it under her mantle as she went.
+Mounting her horse again, she rode hastily away
+with her train.</p>
+
+<p>Not long afterwards Arthur woke, and at once
+missed his scabbard. Calling his attendants in a
+loud voice, he angrily asked who had been there,
+and who had dared remove the missing scabbard.
+They told him that it was his sister, Morgan le
+Fay, and that she had put it under her mantle
+and ridden away with it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>"Then have you watched me falsely," cried
+Arthur, in hasty passion.</p>
+
+<p>"What could we do?" they answered. "We
+dared not disobey your sister's command."</p>
+
+<p>"Fetch me at once the best horse that can be
+found," he ordered, "and bid Sir Ontzlake arm
+himself in all haste, and come here well mounted
+to ride with me."</p>
+
+<p>By the hour's end these commands had been
+obeyed, and Arthur and Ontzlake rode from the
+abbey in company, well armed and on good horses,
+though the king was yet feeble from his wounds.
+After riding some distance they reached a wayside
+cross, by which stood a cowherd, whom they asked
+if any lady had lately ridden that way.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, your honors," said the cowherd. "Not
+long ago a lady passed here at easy speed, followed
+by about forty horsemen. They rode into yonder
+forest."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur and Ontzlake at this news put spurs to
+their horses and followed fast on the track of the
+fugitives. An hour of this swift pursuit brought
+them in sight of Morgan's party, and with a heart
+hot with anger Arthur rode on at the utmost pace
+of his horse.</p>
+
+<p>The fugitives, seeing themselves thus hotly chased,
+spurred on their own steeds, soon leaving the forest
+and entering a neighboring plain, beside which was
+a lake. When Morgan saw that she was in danger
+of being overtaken she rode quickly to the lake-side,
+her heart filled with spiteful hatred of her
+brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Whatsoever may happen to me," she cried, "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>
+vow that Arthur shall never again wear this scabbard.
+I here consign it to the lake. From the
+water it came; to the water it returns."</p>
+
+<p>And with a strong hand she flung it far out over
+the deep waters, into which it sank like a stone, for
+it was heavy with gold and precious stones.</p>
+
+<p>Then she rode on, followed by her train, till they
+entered a valley where there were many great stones,
+and where they were for the moment out of sight
+of their pursuers. Here Morgan le Fay brought
+her deepest powers of enchantment to work, and in
+a trice she and her horse were changed into marble,
+while each of her followers became converted into a
+statue of stone.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had this been done when Arthur and
+Ontzlake entered the valley, where they beheld
+with starting eyes the marvellous transformation.
+For in place of the fugitives they saw only horses
+and riders of solid stone, and so changed that the
+king could not tell his sister from her men, nor
+one knight from another.</p>
+
+<p>"A marvel is here, indeed!" cried the king.
+"The vengeance of God has fallen upon our foes,
+and Morgan le Fay is justly punished for her treachery.
+It grieves me, indeed, that so heavy a fate
+has befallen her, yet her own deeds have brought
+on her this mighty punishment."</p>
+
+<p>Then he sought on all sides for the scabbard,
+but it could nowhere be found. Disappointed in
+this, he at length turned and rode slowly back
+with his companion to the abbey whence they had
+come, their souls filled with wonder and awe.</p>
+
+<p>Yet no sooner were they well gone than the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>
+enchantress brought another charm to work, and
+at once she and all her people were turned again
+from stone into flesh and blood.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we can go where we will; and may joy
+go with King Arthur," she said, with a laugh of
+triumph to her knights. "Did you note him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," they replied. "And his countenance was
+so warlike that had we not been stone we could
+scarce have stood before him."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you," said Morgan. "He would have
+made sad havoc among us but for my spells."</p>
+
+<p>They now rode onward, and soon afterwards met
+a knight who bore before him on his horse another
+knight, who was unarmed, blindfolded, and bound
+hand and foot.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you about to do with that knight?"
+asked Morgan.</p>
+
+<p>"To drown him in yonder fountain," was the
+reply. "He has caused my wife to prove false to
+me, and only his death will avenge my honor."</p>
+
+<p>"Is this the truth?" she asked the bound knight.</p>
+
+<p>"It is false," he replied. "He is a villain to
+whom I have done no wrong. He took me unawares
+or I should not have been in such a state."</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you, and of what country?"</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Manassen. I am of the court of
+King Arthur, and cousin to Accolan of Gaul."</p>
+
+<p>"Then for the love I bore your cousin you shall
+be delivered, and this villain be put in your plight."</p>
+
+<p>By her orders Manassen was loosed from his bonds
+and the other knight bound. Manassen took from
+him his armor and horse, and riding with him to
+the fountain, flung him remorselessly in, where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>
+he met the fate which he had devised for his late
+prisoner. Then Manassen rode back to Morgan,
+and asked her if she had any word to send King
+Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell him," she answered, "that I rescued you
+not for love of him, but of Accolan; and that I
+fear him not while I can turn myself and my
+knights into stones. Let him know that you saw
+us riding in good flesh and blood, and laughing
+him to scorn. Tell him, moreover, that I can do
+stranger things than that if the need should come."</p>
+
+<p>Bidding Manassen to return with this message,
+she rode with her train into the country of Gore,
+where she was well received, and in the might of
+whose castles and towns she felt secure from Arthur's
+wrath, for much she feared his vengeance
+should she fall into his hands.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime the king rode back to Camelot, where
+he was gladly received by his queen and his knights,
+to whom he told in full the story of Morgan le
+Fay's treason. They were all angry at this, and
+many knights declared that she should be burned.</p>
+
+<p>"Stone will not burn," said Arthur. "But God
+has punished her."</p>
+
+<p>But as they thus conversed, Manassen came to
+the court and told the king of his adventure, delivering
+to him Morgan's message.</p>
+
+<p>"Then the witch has tricked me!" cried the
+king, in a tone of vexation. "I might have known
+it, had I been wise. A kind sister she is, indeed!
+But my turn will come. Treachery and magic
+may succeed for a time, but honor must win in the
+end."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>Yet despite the king's awakened distrust, he
+nearly fell a victim to his sister's vile enchantments.
+For on the succeeding morning there came a damsel
+to the court from Morgan le Fay, bearing with her
+the richest mantle that had ever been seen there.
+It was set so full of precious stones that it might
+almost have stood alone, and some of them were
+gems worth a king's ransom.</p>
+
+<p>"Your sister sends you this mantle," said the
+bearer. "That she has done things to offend you
+she knows and is sorry for; and she desires that
+you shall take this gift from her as a tribute for
+her evil thoughts. What else can be done to amend
+her acts she will do, for she bitterly regrets her
+deeds of wickedness."</p>
+
+<p>The mantle pleased the king greatly, though he
+made but brief reply as he accepted it from the
+hand of the messenger.</p>
+
+<p>At that perilous moment there came to him the
+damsel Nimue, who had so recently helped him in
+his dire need.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, may I speak with you in private?" she
+asked the king.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you to say?" he replied, withdrawing
+from the throng.</p>
+
+<p>"It is this. Beware that you do not put on
+this mantle, and that no knight of yours puts it
+on, till you know more. The serpent does not so
+soon lose its venom. There is death in the mantle's
+folds. At least do this: before you wear it, command
+that she who brought it shall put it on."</p>
+
+<p>"Well said," answered the king. "It shall be
+done as you advise."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>Then he returned to the messenger and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Damsel, I wish to see the mantle you have
+brought me tried upon yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"A king's garment on me, sir! That would not
+be seemly."</p>
+
+<p>"Seemly or not, I command it. By my head,
+you shall wear it before it come on my back, or
+that of any man here."</p>
+
+<p>The damsel drew back, quivering with fear and
+growing pale as death. But the king commanded
+those about him to put it on her. Then was seen
+a marvellous and fearful thing. For no sooner
+had the enchanted robe been clasped around her
+form than flames burst out from its every thread,
+and in a minute she fell to the floor dead, while her
+body was burnt to a coal.</p>
+
+<p>The king's anger burst out fiercely at this, and
+his face flamed with the fire of rage. He turned
+to King Uriens and his son, who stood among the
+knights.</p>
+
+<p>"My sister, your wife, is doing her utmost to
+destroy me," he said, in burning wrath. "Are you
+and my nephew, your son, joined with her in this
+work of treachery? Yet I suspect not you, King
+Uriens, for Accolan confessed to me that she would
+have slain you as well as me. But as for your son,
+Uwaine, I hold him suspected, and banish him from
+my court. I can have no traitors about me."</p>
+
+<p>When these words had been spoken, Gawaine
+rose in anger, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Whoever banishes my cousin banishes me.
+When and where Uwaine goes I go also."</p>
+
+<p>And with a stride of anger he left the great
+hall, followed by Uwaine. Then the two knights
+armed themselves, and rode together from Camelot,
+Gawaine vowing never to return till his cousin
+had been fully and freely pardoned.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE COUNTRY OF STRANGE ADVENTURES.</h4>
+
+
+<p>The two knights who had so hastily departed
+from Arthur's court were destined to see many and
+strange adventures before they should return. And
+as their wanderings and deeds were caused by the
+treason of Morgan le Fay, it is meet that they
+should here be told.</p>
+
+<p>They spent their first night in an abbey not far
+from Camelot, and on the next morning rode forward
+until they came to a forest. Passing through
+this, they at length found themselves in a valley
+near a tower. Here they beheld two knights fully
+armed and seated on their war-horses, while twelve
+damsels were seen to pass to and fro beneath a tree.</p>
+
+<p>When the wanderers came nearer they saw that
+on that tree hung a white shield, and that as the
+damsels passed by this they spat upon it and
+befouled it with mire.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you do this despite to the shield?"
+they asked, as they came up.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knights," answered the damsels, "we have
+good cause for what we do. He who has hung<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>
+his shield here is a knight of great prowess, but
+he is one who hates all ladies, and this is how we
+repay him for his hatred."</p>
+
+<p>"I think little of such a knight," said Gawaine.
+"Yet it may be that he has good cause for his
+hatred. He must love ladies elsewhere, if not here,
+if he be so good a knight as you say. For it is
+said that the despiser of ladies is never worthy in
+arms. What is the name of this knight?"</p>
+
+<p>"His name is Marhaus. He is the son of the
+king of Ireland."</p>
+
+<p>"I know him well," said Uwaine. "There is no
+man of more valor living. I saw him once at a
+tournament where no knight could stand before
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"If this is his shield," said Gawaine, "he will
+soon be here in person, and it may not prove so
+easy for these knights to face him on horseback
+as for them to stand by and see his shield befouled.
+It is not our quarrel, but we shall stay no longer
+to see this dishonor."</p>
+
+<p>Before they had withdrawn far, however, they
+saw the Irish knight riding towards his shield, and
+halted to note what would follow. At sight of him
+the damsels shrieked with terror, and ran so wildly
+towards the turret that some of them fell by the
+way. But one of the knights advanced his shield
+and cried loudly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Marhaus, defend yourself!"</p>
+
+<p>Then he and Marhaus rode fiercely together, the
+knight breaking his spear without effect, while
+Marhaus smote him in return so hard a blow that
+he was hurled to the ground with a broken neck.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>
+Then the other knight rode against Marhaus, but
+with the same ill success, for both horse and man
+were smitten so furiously that they fell to the
+earth dead.</p>
+
+<p>Then the knight of Ireland rode to his shield,
+and when he saw how foully it had been used he
+cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"This is a foul shame; but I have requited it
+upon those dastards. For the love of her who gave
+me this white shield I shall wear it, and hang mine
+where it was."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon he took the white shield, and left in
+its place the one he had just used.</p>
+
+<p>Then, seeing the two errant knights, he asked
+them what they did there. They answered that
+they were from Arthur's court, and had ridden in
+search of adventures.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you can have one here," said Marhaus.
+"I shall be glad to joust with you."</p>
+
+<p>He rode away from them to the proper range,
+without waiting for a reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Let him go," said Uwaine. "I fear he is more
+than our match."</p>
+
+<p>"I care not if he is," said Gawaine. "However
+good a knight he be, he shall not challenge us
+unanswered."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let me meet him first. I am the weaker,
+and if he strikes me down you can revenge me."</p>
+
+<p>With these words Uwaine took his place and rode
+against the Irish knight, but with such ill fortune
+that he was hurled to the earth with a wounded
+side. When Gawaine saw this he prepared for the
+joust, and the two knights rode together with great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>
+force. But, as luck would have it, Gawaine's spear
+broke, while that of Marhaus held firm. In consequence,
+both Gawaine and his horse went to the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant the knight was on his feet, sword
+in hand, and advancing towards his adversary.
+Marhaus drew his sword and moved upon him
+mounted.</p>
+
+<p>"Meet me on foot," cried Gawaine, "or I will
+kill your horse."</p>
+
+<p>"Gramercy, you teach me courtesy," said Marhaus,
+"It is not fair for one knight to be on foot
+and the other on horse."</p>
+
+<p>Then he sprang to the ground, set his spear
+against a tree, and tied his horse. This done, he
+drew his sword and advanced upon Gawaine.</p>
+
+<p>The combat that succeeded was long and hotly
+contested, beginning at nine in the morning and
+lasting till the day was well advanced. Never had
+that forest known so obstinate and fierce a fight.
+And from nine of the clock till the hour of noon
+Gawaine grew stronger and stronger, till his might
+was thrice increased and Marhaus had much ado to
+stand before him. But as the day waned from noon
+onwards Gawaine grew feeble, while the strength
+of Marhaus steadily increased, his form seeming
+to grow larger with every hour. At length it came
+that Gawaine could scarcely stand before him.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," said Marhaus, "this I will say, that
+I never met a better man than yourself, and we have
+had a noble passage at arms. But as we have no
+quarrel, and I can see you are growing feeble, it
+were a pity to do you more harm. If you are willing,
+I agree to end the fight."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>"That should I have said, gentle knight," answered
+Gawaine. "I am much beholden to your
+courtesy."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon they took off their helmets and kissed
+each other, and swore to love one another thenceforth
+as brethren in arms. Marhaus prayed that the
+two knights would lodge with him that night, and
+they rode together towards his dwelling.</p>
+
+<p>"I marvel," said Gawaine, as they rode forward,
+"that so good a knight as you should love no ladies."</p>
+
+<p>"I love not such as those minxes of the tower,
+nor any of their sort," said Marhaus. "They are
+a false-hearted and vile-thinking crew. But to all
+honorable women I owe the best of my knightly
+service."</p>
+
+<p>They soon reached the dwelling, which was in a
+little priory, and here Marhaus gave them the best
+cheer at his disposal, the more so when he learned
+that they were sons of King Arthur's sisters. Here
+they remained seven days, until their wounds had
+fully healed. On the eighth day they took horse
+again to continue their journey.</p>
+
+<p>"We shall not part so lightly," said Marhaus.
+"I shall bring you through the forest, and mayhap
+ride farther with you."</p>
+
+<p>For seven days more they rode onward without
+adventure. Then they found themselves on the
+borders of a still greater forest, in what was known
+as the country and forest of Arroy and the land of
+strange adventures.</p>
+
+<p>"It is well named," said Marhaus. "For it is
+said that no knight ever rode into this country and
+failed to find adventures many and marvellous."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>They rode onward into the forest before them,
+and in good time found themselves in a deep and
+stony valley, traversed by a fair stream of water.</p>
+
+<p>Following this upward, they soon came to a fair
+fountain, the head of the stream, beside which
+three damsels were seated.</p>
+
+<p>Of these, the eldest was not less than threescore
+years of age. She wore a garland of gold upon
+her head, and her hair was white beneath it. The
+second damsel was thirty years of age, and she
+also wore a circlet of gold. The third was not over
+fifteen years old, and her garland was of flowers.</p>
+
+<p>The knights halted and looked at them in surprise,
+asking them why they sat by that lonely
+fountain.</p>
+
+<p>"We are here to await knights-errant who come
+in quest of adventures," they said. "If you three
+knights are in search of things strange and stirring,
+each of you must choose one of us. When this is
+done we shall lead you unto three highways, one
+of which each of you must take, and his damsel with
+him. This day twelvemonth you must meet here
+again, and to all this you must pledge your troth,
+if God give you your lives to return."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak well," said Marhaus. "Adventures
+we seek, and no true knight-errant hesitates before
+the unknown and the dangerous. We shall do as
+you say, each of us choose one of you, and then,
+whatsoever fortune wills, let it come."</p>
+
+<p>"As for me," said Uwaine, "since I am the
+youngest and weakest of the three, I choose the
+eldest damsel. I have more need of help than
+either of you, and her age and knowledge may aid
+me well."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>"Then I shall take her of middle age," said
+Marhaus. "She fits me best."</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you both," said Gawaine. "You have
+left me the youngest and fairest, and the one most
+to my liking."</p>
+
+<p>This said, each damsel took the reins of her
+knight, and they led them to the parting of the
+three ways. Here the knights took oath to meet
+at the fountain that day twelvemonth if they were
+living, kissed each other, and departed, each knight
+taking his chosen lady on his steed behind him.
+Of the three ways, Uwaine took that which lay
+west, Marhaus that which lay south, and Gawaine
+took the way that lay north.</p>
+
+<p>Of the three we shall first follow Gawaine, who
+rode forward until he came to a fair manor, where
+dwelt an old knight.</p>
+
+<p>"Are there any adventures to be found in this
+country?" he asked him.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall show you some marvellous ones to-morrow,"
+said his host.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning, Gawaine and the old knight rode
+into the forest of adventures till they came to a
+wide, open lawn, upon which stood a cross. Here
+they halted and looked about them, and ere long
+saw approaching a knight of seemly aspect, who
+made the bitterest lamentations as he advanced.
+When he saw Gawaine he saluted him, and hoped
+that God would send him honor.</p>
+
+<p>"As to that, gramercy," said Gawaine. "I
+pray God, in return, that he send you honor and
+worship."</p>
+
+<p>"That will not come," said the knight. "He
+sendeth me but sorrow and shame."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>As he spoke he passed on to the other side of
+the lawn. Here Gawaine saw ten knights, standing
+with shields and spears ready against this one
+warrior. But he rode against them one by one,
+thrusting some over their horses' tails, and hurling
+others to the ground, horse and man, until with one
+spear he had unhorsed them all.</p>
+
+<p>But when they were all ten on foot they went to
+the dolorous knight, who stood stone still, pulled
+him from his horse, and tied him beneath the
+animal, without the least resistance on his part.
+This done, they led him away, thus shamefully
+bound.</p>
+
+<p>"That is an ugly sight," said Gawaine. "Why
+does a knight of such prowess as this suffer himself
+to be so vilely treated?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said, the damsel to Gawaine, "why helped
+you not that good knight?"</p>
+
+<p>"He seems to want no help," said Gawaine.
+"He could have taken care of himself if he would."</p>
+
+<p>"You had no desire to help him," retorted the
+damsel, "or you would not have stood by and
+seen so noble a warrior so foully served."</p>
+
+<p>As they talked a knight appeared on the other
+side of the lawn, all armed but the head. And
+opposite him came a dwarf on horseback similarly
+armed. He had a great mouth and a short nose,
+and was as ill favored as one would care to see.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the lady who should meet us here?"
+asked the dwarf.</p>
+
+<p>In response thereto a fair lady rode from the
+wood, mounted on a handsome palfrey. On seeing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>
+her the knight and the dwarf began to strive in hot
+words for her, each saying that she should be his
+prize.</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder is a knight at the cross," said the dwarf,
+at length. "Let us leave it to him, and abide by
+his decision."</p>
+
+<p>"I agree to that," said the knight.</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon they rode to Gawaine and told him
+the purpose of their strife.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you put the matter into my hands?" he
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," they both replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Then this is my decision. Let the lady stand
+between you and make her own choice. The one
+she chooses, he shall have her."</p>
+
+<p>This was done, and at once the lady turned from
+the knight and went to the dwarf. Then the dwarf
+took her and went singing away, while the knight
+rode in grief and sorrow into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>But the adventures of that day were not ended,
+for soon afterwards two armed knights rode from
+the forest, and one of them cried out loudly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Gawaine, knight of King Arthur, I am
+here to joust with you. So make ready."</p>
+
+<p>"Since you know me, I shall not fail you,"
+answered Gawaine.</p>
+
+<p>Then the knights drew apart, and rode so furiously
+together that both were unhorsed. Springing
+up, they drew their swords and continued the battle
+on foot.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, the second knight went to the damsel
+and asked why she stayed with that knight, and
+begged her to go with him.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>"That I will do," she replied. "I like not the
+way Gawaine acted just now, when one brave knight
+was overturned by ten dastards. So let us go while
+they fight."</p>
+
+<p>The combat continued long, and then, as the
+knights seemed evenly matched, they ceased in
+amity, the stranger knight inviting Gawaine to
+spend the night at his lodge. As they rode thither
+he asked his host,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Who is this valiant champion that overturns
+ten knights, and then suffers them to bear him off
+bound hand and foot? I never saw so shameful a
+thing done."</p>
+
+<p>"The thing has happened ten times and more,"
+said Sir Carados. "The knight is one of noble
+prowess, named Sir Pelleas, and he loves a great
+lady of this country named Ettard, who loves him
+not in return. What you have seen came about in
+this way. There was of late days a great tournament
+in this country, at which Pelleas struck down every
+knight who was opposed to him, unhorsing twenty
+knights within three days. His valor and prowess
+won him the prize, which was a good sword, and a
+golden circlet to be given to the fairest lady at
+the lists. This circlet of gold he gave to the lady
+Ettard, whom he chose for the sovereign of his heart
+and the lady he loved above all women. But she
+was so proud and haughty that she returned him
+scorn for his love, and though he has followed her
+to her home she will not listen to his suit, or admit
+him in honor to her presence. He is lodged here
+near her, but can gain sight of her only in a shameful
+way. Every week she sends knights to fight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>
+with him, and when he has overcome them he suffers
+them to take him prisoner that he may feast his
+eyes on the face of his loved lady. But she does
+him great despite, for sometimes she has him
+brought in tied to his horse's tail, and sometimes
+bound under the horse, or in any other shameful
+manner she can think of. For all this he will not
+leave, but makes himself a martyr to his love."</p>
+
+<p>"He is a noble knight, and I greatly pity him,"
+said Gawaine. "I shall seek him to-morrow in
+the forest, and do what I can to help him."</p>
+
+<p>In the morning he met Sir Pelleas, as he had
+promised, and heard from him the story of his woe.</p>
+
+<p>"If I loved her not so truly I should rather die
+a hundred times than suffer such despite," he said.
+"But I trust that she will pity and love me at
+last."</p>
+
+<p>"Let me aid you, so far as I can," said Gawaine.
+"I promise to do my utmost to gain you the love
+of your lady."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me who, and of what court, you are, my
+good friend?" asked Pelleas.</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Gawaine; I am nephew to King
+Arthur, and King Lot of Orkney was my father."</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Pelleas," answered the lovelorn
+knight. "I was born in the Isles, and am lord
+of many isles, but never till this unhappy time
+have I loved a lady. I pray you help me faithfully,
+for I get nothing from her but vile rebuke. She
+will not even hold me as prisoner, that I might see
+her daily, but robs me of my horse and armor, and
+has me thrust despitefully from her gates. She
+lives in a strong castle near by, and is lady of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>
+this country. I fear you will not find it easy to
+obtain entrance."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall use art instead of strength," said
+Gawaine. "Lend me your horse and armor, and
+I will ride to her castle and tell her I have slain
+you. She will let me in at that. Once admitted,
+I shall do my best to win you her love."</p>
+
+<p>He plighted his honor to this, and therewith they
+changed horses and armor.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving the knight of the doleful visage, Gawaine
+rode to Ettard's castle, whom he found in
+her pavilion outside the gate. On seeing him she
+hastily fled to the castle, but he called her loudly,
+declaring that he was not Pelleas, and that he had
+slain the knight and won his horse and armor.</p>
+
+<p>"Take off your helm," she replied. "Let me see
+your face."</p>
+
+<p>Gawaine did so, and when she saw that he spoke
+the truth she bade him alight and led him into the
+castle, questioning him who he was and how he had
+slain her tormenting admirer.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry for his death," she said, "for he was
+a worthy knight; but of all men I hated him most,
+and could never rid myself of his importunities.
+As for you, Sir Gawaine, since you have done me
+this service, I shall be your lady, for I cannot but
+love you."</p>
+
+<p>Then Gawaine was so entranced by the lady
+Ettard's blue eyes and fair face that he shamefully
+forgot his word of honor, and warmly returned
+her love. He remained with her and her knights
+in the castle, so happy in her presence as to ignore
+all the claims of duty and knightly faith.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>It was now the month of May, and the air had
+grown warm and balmy. So it happened one evening
+that they all left the castle to enjoy themselves
+on the flowery meads outside. Believing Pelleas
+to be dead, Ettard lost all dread of unwelcome
+intrusion, and suggested that they should spend
+the night in the open air, lulled to sleep by the soft
+winds and the perfume of flowers.</p>
+
+<p>But by fortune it chanced that Pelleas, hearing
+no word from Gawaine, that night mounted his
+horse and rode to the castle. It was a late hour,
+and he was surprised to see pavilions erected outside
+the gate, and couches spread in the open air.
+As he came near he saw knights and ladies asleep
+on these, while side by side lay Ettard and Gawaine,
+locked in deep slumber.</p>
+
+<p>Anger and pain so filled the knight's heart at
+this that he drew his sword to slay his faithless
+friend, but on calmer thought he laid the naked
+blade athwart the throats of knight and lady and
+rode away. On reaching his tent, he told his attendants
+what treachery he had endured, and that he
+had resolved to take to his bed and lie there till he
+should die.</p>
+
+<p>"And when I am dead I charge you to take my
+heart and bear it to the lady Ettard in a silver dish,
+and tell her that her falseness has slain the faithfulest
+of lovers."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Gawaine and Ettard awoke, and their
+dread was great on finding the sword across their
+throats.</p>
+
+<p>"It is Pelleas's sword!" she cried. "You have
+betrayed him and me both, for you lied to me in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>
+saying that you had killed him. Only that he has
+proved himself a man of true honor, he would have
+slain us both. Leave me, traitor! Never let me
+see your false face again!"</p>
+
+<p>Gawaine had no words in answer, but hastily
+mounted his horse and rode into the forest, feeling
+at heart that he had proved a traitor both to honor
+and love.</p>
+
+<p>When morning dawned it happened that Nimue,
+the damsel of the lake, who by chance had come
+into that country, met with a follower of Sir Pelleas,
+who was grieving sorely for the ill fortune of
+his master. She asked him the cause of his grief,
+and he told her the woeful tale of the lovelorn
+knight, and how he had taken to his bed, vowing
+never again to rise.</p>
+
+<p>"He shall not die of love, I warrant you that,"
+she said. "Bring me to him. I promise you that
+she who has treated him so vilely shall feel all the
+pain she has made him endure."</p>
+
+<p>She was accordingly brought to the tent of Pelleas,
+and a feeling of pity and love grew in her
+heart as she looked on his noble and woe-worn face
+while he lay asleep. Therefore she deepened his
+slumber with a spell of enchantment, and charging
+that no man should wake him before her return,
+she rode through the forest to Ettard's castle.</p>
+
+<p>Within two hours she brought the lady Ettard
+to the tent, where Pelleas still lay wrapped in deep
+slumber.</p>
+
+<p>"You should do penance for life to murder such
+a knight as this," she said. "You have treated a
+true lover with shameful despite, and for love's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>
+sake you shall pay the penalty of your misdeeds."</p>
+
+<p>Then she threw so deep a spell of enchantment
+on the proud lady that her former scorn turned to
+the deepest love, and her heart went out to Pelleas
+as if it would break with sorrow and remorse.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" she cried, "I hated him above all men.
+What has befallen me that I love him now with
+my whole soul?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is God's righteous judgment," said Nimue.</p>
+
+<p>As they spoke Pelleas awoke, and when he looked
+upon Ettard his eyes filled with scorn and hatred.</p>
+
+<p>"Away, traitress!" he cried. "Never again
+come within my sight. You have taught me to hate
+you as much as I ever loved."</p>
+
+<p>These scornful words wounded Ettard to the soul.
+She turned away weeping bitterly, and left the
+tent overwhelmed with anguish.</p>
+
+<p>"Take your horse and leave this country, Sir
+Pelleas," said the damsel. "Love not again till you
+can give your heart to a lady who is worthy of it."</p>
+
+<p>"I have found such a one now," said the knight,
+fixing his eyes with warm feeling upon her face.
+"This lady Ettard has treated me despitefully and
+turned all my love for her to hatred and scorn.
+But the love I felt for her has gone out to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank me for your delivery," said Nimue.
+"It is too soon to talk of love. But this I may
+say, that if you love me as you vow, you shall not
+find me another Ettard."</p>
+
+<p>Soon after Pelleas arose and armed, and bidding
+his men to follow with the pavilions and furniture,
+rode into the forest with the damsel of the lake, for
+whom the love in his heart grew each moment
+warmer.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 381px;">
+<a name="Love_Pg_134" id="Love_Pg_134"></a><img src="images/p134.jpg" width="381" height="500" alt="THE LOVE OF PELLEAS AND NIMUE." title="THE LOVE OF PELLEAS AND NIMUE." />
+<span class="caption">THE LOVE OF PELLEAS AND NIMUE.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>And thus this woeful story ends in true love's
+joy and retribution; for the false lady Ettard died
+in lovelorn sorrow, but Pelleas and Nimue lived
+together in true love during the remainder of their
+days, she becoming his dear lady and wife.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Marhaus and Uwaine pursued their
+course and had their adventures, but they were not
+so many and strange as those of Gawaine, and therefore
+we shall not tell them in full.</p>
+
+<p>As for Uwaine, who rode away with the old damsel,
+he gained great honor at a tournament near the
+Welsh marches, winning the prize, which was a
+gerfalcon, and a white steed with trappings of cloth
+of gold. Many other adventures he had, and at last
+came to the castle of a noble lady, who was called
+the Lady of the Rock. Her lands had been taken
+from her by two robber knights, named Sir Edward
+and Sir Hue of the Red Castle. These Uwaine
+fought together, and with such good fortune that he
+killed Sir Edward and forced Sir Hue to surrender
+the lady's lands. Then he dwelt at the castle of the
+Lady of the Rock for six months, till he was healed
+of the many and deep wounds he had received in
+his battle with the robber knights.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Marhaus rode southward with the
+damsel of thirty summers. Many adventures he
+had, and he won a circlet of gold as the victor in
+a tournament. At length he stopped at the castle
+of a noble earl named Fergus, whose lands were
+harried by a giant named Taulard. Him Marhaus
+proffered to fight, as neither the earl nor any of
+his men dared meet him.</p>
+
+<p>Fierce and perilous was the battle that followed,
+for the giant was of monstrous height and strength,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>
+and armed with iron clubs and great battle-axes.
+But after a terrible contest, Marhaus, by a nimble
+stroke, cut off Taulard's right arm. Then the giant,
+bellowing with pain and terror, fled, and rushed
+into a stream of water beyond his pursuer's reach.
+But stones were brought to Marhaus by Fergus's
+men, and with these he battered the giant so sorely
+that at length he fell over into the water, where
+he was quickly drowned.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards the victorious champion went to the
+giant's castle, where he found in close captivity
+twenty-four ladies and twelve knights. These he
+delivered from prison. He found also a great store
+of wealth, enough to make him rich for the remainder
+of his life.</p>
+
+<p>When the year ended the three knights met again
+at the fountain, two of them with their damsels;
+but Gawaine had lost his, and had come back much
+shorn of honor. Soon after they met by chance
+a messenger from King Arthur, who had long been
+seeking the banished knights, with orders to bring
+them back to the court.</p>
+
+<p>So the three knights journeyed to Camelot, where
+the king received them graciously, and listened with
+admiration to the story of their adventures. And
+there, at the feast of Pentecost, came Pelleas and
+Nimue, true lovers plighted. Then were held high
+feasts and tournaments, where many noble knights
+splintered spears and much honor was lost and won.
+And here Marhaus and Pelleas bore themselves with
+such noble and mighty prowess, that all men vowed
+the glory of the tournament was theirs, and King
+Arthur, glad to reward such deeds of valor, made
+them Knights of the Table Round.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="BOOK_IV" id="BOOK_IV"></a>BOOK IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>LANCELOT OF THE LAKE.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h4>HOW TROUBLE CAME TO LIONEL AND HECTOR.</h4>
+
+
+<p>After the strange deeds and adventures that
+have just been described, a season of war came
+again to King Arthur and his realm, through which
+he won great honor and renown. For Lucius, the
+Emperor of Rome, sent ambassadors to Arthur,
+demanding tribute; and when he proudly refused
+this demand Lucius gathered a great army and
+invaded the tributary domains of Arthur, in Gaul.</p>
+
+<p>Long and fierce was the war that followed, for
+Arthur crossed to Gaul with all the power of his
+realm; fought and killed, single-handed, a huge
+giant who dwelt on St. Michael's Mount; defeated
+the army of Rome, and killed the emperor in single
+combat; and in the end was crowned emperor, in
+the imperial city of Rome.</p>
+
+<p>All this story the chronicles give at length, and
+tell us also that in this war the noble Lancelot du
+Lake, son of King Ban of Gaul, gained his first
+measure of renown.</p>
+
+<p>After the war had ended and the victorious host
+returned to England, many adventures came to
+Lancelot, some of which we must here tell. Great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>
+indeed was the valor and might of this worthiest
+of knights, who in after years proved himself in
+knightly prowess and chivalric honor the noblest
+of men. In tournaments and deeds of arms, in
+sportive war or battle for life or death, he passed
+all other knights, and was never overcome but by
+treason or enchantment.</p>
+
+<p>After Arthur's return from Rome sports and
+feasts were given, and jousts and tournaments held,
+in which the Knights of the Round Table took part,
+many who had gained no great fame in the war now
+proving themselves able and worthy warriors. But
+above them all Lancelot displayed such skill and
+prowess that he increased in honor and worship
+beyond any knight of Arthur's court.</p>
+
+<p>And, as fortune and fate decreed, he loved Queen
+Guenever above all other ladies, while she held him
+in favor above all other knights,&mdash;a favor that was
+destined thereafter to bring deep sorrow and trouble
+to England's realm. For her sake he did many
+noble deeds of arms, and he was looked upon as her
+especial champion by all the court.</p>
+
+<p>After the return from Rome Lancelot rested long
+at the court, taking part in all its feasts and gayeties.
+But in time he grew weary of sport and play,
+and of the idle ways and empty flatteries of courtiers,
+and felt a strong desire to wander abroad in
+search of strange adventures. So he bade his
+nephew, Sir Lionel, to make ready, saying to him
+that they two would leave the court and ride as
+knights-errant through the land, to right wrongs
+and punish crimes, to rescue the oppressed and
+overthrow the proud and haughty, and knightly
+to do and dare wherever they went.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>So on a day in spring, when the summer was coming
+with its flowers to adorn the rich green of the
+grassy meads, and the birds sang gayly in the trees,
+the two knights armed themselves at all points and
+rode abroad, passing soon through a deep forest
+and into a verdant plain beyond.</p>
+
+<p>Noon now came on, and the weather grew close
+and sultry, so that Lancelot became drowsy. This
+he told to Lionel, who pointed to a large apple-tree
+by a hedge, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder is a cool shadow. There we may rest
+ourselves and our horses till the noontide heat has
+passed."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak to the point," said Lancelot. "Not
+for seven years have I been so sleepy as I am now?"</p>
+
+<p>They thereupon alighted, and tied their horses
+to neighboring trees, and Lancelot laid himself
+down beneath the apple-boughs, with his helmet
+under his head for a pillow. Soon he was in deep
+slumber, though Lionel kept awake.</p>
+
+<p>As they lay thus three knights came riding by
+in panic fear, pushing their horses to the utmost
+speed, while a single knight followed them in
+furious pursuit. So well-made and strong-limbed
+a man as this Lionel thought he had never seen
+nor one in all respects so fully armed.</p>
+
+<p>As he looked, the pursuing knight overtook one
+of the fugitives, and with a thrust of his spear flung
+him prostrate to the ground. Then he served the
+other two in the same manner. This done, he
+alighted and bound the three knights with their
+own bridle-reins.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="Dream_Pg_139" id="Dream_Pg_139"></a><img src="images/p139.jpg" width="500" height="297" alt="Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+DREAM OF SIR LANCELOT." title="DREAM OF SIR LANCELOT." />
+<span class="caption2">Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.<br /></span>
+<span class="caption">DREAM OF SIR LANCELOT.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>When Lionel saw this, anger filled his soul, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>
+he thought to win honor in a bout of arms with
+this vigorous champion, so he quietly took his
+horse, so as not to waken Lancelot, and rode towards
+the victor, loudly bidding him turn and try his
+fortune in a joust.</p>
+
+<p>But the ambitious young knight soon found that
+he had let youthful pride bring him into trouble,
+for the strong warrior smote him so hard a blow
+that horse and man went together to the earth.
+Then the victor alighted and served Lionel as he
+had done the others, binding him and flinging him
+athwart his own horse.</p>
+
+<p>He did the same with the three others, and rode
+away with his prisoners, until he came to a castle
+that lay beyond the plain. Here he forced them
+to remove their armor, and beat their naked skin
+with thorns till they were ready to swoon with the
+pain. Then he had them thrust into a deep prison
+where were many other knights, whose groans and
+lamentations filled the air with doleful sounds.</p>
+
+<p>Through all this Lancelot slept on, nor did he
+waken from his slumber till another misadventure
+had taken place. For Sir Hector de Maris, the
+brother of Lionel, finding that Lancelot had left
+the court to seek adventures, was angry that he
+had not been asked to keep him company, and rode
+hastily after him, hoping to overtake him.</p>
+
+<p>After he had ridden long in the forest he met
+a man dressed like a forester, and asked him if
+any knightly adventures could be found near by.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," answered the forester, "I know
+this country well, and can promise you all, and
+mayhap more, than you want. Within a mile of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>
+here is a strong manor; by that manor, on the
+left hand, is a fair ford for horses to drink at;
+over that ford there grows a spreading tree; and
+on that tree hang many shields which good knights
+once wielded. On the trunk of the tree you will
+see a basin of brass and copper, and if you seek
+an adventure you have but to strike that basin
+thrice with the butt of your spear. If then you do
+not soon hear tidings of interest, you will have the
+best fortune of any knight who has passed through
+this forest for many a long year."</p>
+
+<p>"Gramercy, for your tidings," said Hector, and
+rode rapidly on.</p>
+
+<p>Soon he came to the manor and the tree, and
+saw the shields of which the forester had told him,
+and to his surprise and grief he noted among them
+the shield of his brother Lionel, and many more
+that he knew belonged to Round Table knights.
+Then, with a heart full of thoughts of revenge, he
+beat upon the basin roundly with his spear, until
+its clang rung far and wide. This done, he turned
+his horse and let him drink at the ford.</p>
+
+<p>As he stood there he heard a loud voice behind
+him, bidding him come out of the water and make
+ready, and looking round he beheld a powerfully-built
+knight on a strong horse.</p>
+
+<p>Hector wheeled his horse sharply, and putting
+his spear in rest rode furiously upon this knight,
+striking him so fierce a blow that his horse turned
+twice around.</p>
+
+<p>"Well done," said the stranger. "That was a
+knightly blow. But beware, it is my turn now."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he spurred his horse at full speed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>
+upon Hector, and struck him so skilfully that the
+spear-head passed under his right arm and bore
+him clear of the saddle into the air. Then, carrying
+the knight like a trussed hare on his spear,
+the victor rode onward into his own open hall, and
+flung his captive down in the middle of the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done more to me than any knight
+has done for twelve years past," said the victor,
+whose name was Sir Turquine. "Therefore I will
+grant you your life and the liberty of the castle,
+but you must swear to be my prisoner until death."</p>
+
+<p>"That will I never promise," said Hector. "I
+will remain captive to no man if I can free myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shall take care that you do not escape,"
+said Turquine.</p>
+
+<p>With these words he made Hector, on pain of
+death, remove his armor, and then scourged him
+with thorns as he had done the others, and flung
+him into the prison where lay so many of his
+fellows.</p>
+
+<p>When Hector saw his brother Lionel among
+these his heart was ready to break with sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>"What has happened to Lancelot?" he demanded.
+"You rode with him, and here you are
+a prisoner. Alas! tell me not that any harm has
+come to him."</p>
+
+<p>"Where he is and what he does I cannot tell,"
+said Lionel. "I left him asleep under an apple-tree
+and rode alone on this dolorous venture. Would
+that I had wakened him first."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried the knights, "we may never be
+delivered unless Lancelot comes to our aid. Of
+all knights living we know none but him who is a
+fair match for Turquine, our robber lord."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE CONTEST OF THE FOUR QUEENS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Noon had passed by, but the day was still warm,
+and Lancelot lay yet in deep slumber, dreaming
+nothing of what had happened while he slept. But
+now there rode by the apple-tree under which he
+lay a royal and brilliant cavalcade. For in it were
+four queens of high estate, who were mounted on
+white mules, and attired in regal robes, while beside
+them rode four knights who bore on their spear-points
+a cloth of green silk, so held as to shield the
+queens from the heat of the sun.</p>
+
+<p>As they rode by Lancelot's place of slumber they
+were startled by the loud neigh of a war-horse, and
+looking about them they became aware of the sleeping
+knight beneath the apple-tree. They drew near
+and looked upon his face, and at once knew him
+for Lancelot du Lake. Then they began pleasantly
+to strive as to which of them should have the sleeping
+knight for her lover.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me settle this debate," said Morgan le Fay,
+who was one of the queens. "I shall by enchantment
+make his sleep hold for six hours to come,
+and shall have him borne to my castle. When he
+is safely within my power I shall remove the enchantment,
+and then he shall be made to choose
+which of us he will have for his love. If he refuse
+us all he shall pay the penalty."</p>
+
+<p>She did as she had said. Lancelot was laid sleeping
+upon his shield and borne on horseback between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>
+two knights, and so brought to a castle named
+Chariot, where he was laid, still slumbering, in a
+chamber. At night-fall a fair damsel was sent to
+him with his supper ready prepared. By that time
+the enchantment was past, and Lancelot woke as the
+damsel came into his chamber and asked him how he
+fared.</p>
+
+<p>"That I am not ready to say," answered Lancelot;
+"for I know not how I came into this castle
+unless it were by enchantment."</p>
+
+<p>"As to that I cannot speak," she replied. "I
+can but bid you eat. If you be such a knight as
+men say, I shall tell you more to-morrow morn."</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks, fair damsel," said Lancelot. "It
+pleases me to have your good will."</p>
+
+<p>Little comfort had the good knight of that night's
+sleep; but early in the morning there came to him
+the four queens, each dressed in her richest attire,
+adorned with rare jewels, and as beautiful as art and
+skill could make them.</p>
+
+<p>They bade him good morning and he returned
+their greeting, looking upon them with eyes of
+admiration, but not of love.</p>
+
+<p>"You are our prisoner, sir knight," said Morgan.
+"We know you well. You are Lancelot of
+the Lake, King Ban's son. And well we understand
+that you are named the worthiest knight
+living, and that men say that no lady in the land
+but Queen Guenever can have your love. But this
+we would have you know, that you must choose
+one of us four as your heart's queen, for if you
+refuse you shall never see Arthur's queen again. I
+am Morgan le Fay, queen of the land of Gore, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>
+here is the Queen of Northgalis, the Queen of East-land,
+and the Queen of the Out Islands. We bid
+you to forget Guenever and choose of us the one
+you will have for your love. If you choose not it
+will be worse for you, for I shall hold you in prison
+until death."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a hard chance," said Lancelot, "that I
+must die in prison or profess a love that I do not
+feel. Let me tell you this, though I die twice in
+your dungeon I will have none of you, for you
+are false enchantresses and not true dames for
+honest men to love. As for dame Guenever, were
+I at liberty I would prove it on all the knights whom
+you command that she is of all ladies the truest
+to her lord."</p>
+
+<p>"Is this, then, your answer," said Morgan, "that
+you disdain our love?"</p>
+
+<p>"On my life it is!" cried Lancelot. "Such love
+as yours is not for honest knights; and my love
+is not to be had for the bidding."</p>
+
+<p>"You may live to change your mind," said Morgan.
+"Prison life and prison fare may cure your
+pride."</p>
+
+<p>With these words they departed, leaving Lancelot
+in gloom of mind but steadfastness of heart.</p>
+
+<p>At noon, the damsel who had brought him his
+supper the night before came with his dinner, and
+asked him again how he fared.</p>
+
+<p>"Never so ill," said Lancelot. "For never before
+was I held under lock and key, and never was
+worthy knight so shamefully entreated."</p>
+
+<p>"It grieves me deeply to see you in such distress,"
+she said. "If you will be ruled by me,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>
+and make me a promise, you shall be set free from
+this prison, though at the risk of my life."</p>
+
+<p>"I will grant your wish if it be in my power,"
+said Lancelot. "These queenly sorceresses have
+destroyed many a good knight, and I would give
+much to be out of their hands."</p>
+
+<p>"They crave your love from what they have heard
+of your honor and renown," answered the damsel.
+"They say your name is Lancelot du Lake, the
+flower of knights, and your refusal of their love has
+filled their souls with anger. But for my aid you
+might die in their hands. The promise I ask is
+this. On Tuesday morning next there is to be a
+tournament between my father and the King of
+Northgalis. My father was lately overpowered by
+three of Arthur's knights, and if you will be there
+and help him in this coming fray I will engage to
+deliver you from your bondage at dawn to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me your father's name," said Lancelot,
+"and then you shall have my answer."</p>
+
+<p>"His name is King Bagdemagus."</p>
+
+<p>"I know him well," said Lancelot. "He is a
+noble king and a good knight. By the faith of my
+body, I promise to give him what aid I can."</p>
+
+<p>"A hundred thanks, dear sir," she said. "Be
+ready to-morrow early. I shall be here to deliver
+you, and take you to where you can find your horse
+and armor. Within ten miles of this castle is an
+abbey of white monks. There I beg you to stay and
+thither I shall bring my father to you."</p>
+
+<p>"As I am a true knight you can trust me," said
+Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>With this the damsel departed. But at early<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>
+dawn of the next day she came again, as she had
+promised, and found Lancelot ready and eager for
+flight. Then they crept through hall and passage,
+with heedful tread and bated breath, until she had
+opened twelve locked doors and reached the castle
+yard.</p>
+
+<p>The sun was just giving its rose tints to the east
+when she brought him to the place where his horse
+and armor were kept, and with hasty fingers helped
+him to arm. Then, taking a great spear and mounting
+his noble steed, Lancelot rode forth, saying
+cheerily,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Fair damsel, by the grace of God I shall not
+fail you."</p>
+
+<p>And still slumber lay deep upon the castle, and
+not one of the queens nor a soul of those who dwelt
+therein was wakened by the sound.</p>
+
+<p>But not far had the escaping knight departed
+from the castle before he entered a thick forest, in
+whose depths he wandered lost all that day, finding
+no high road, and no trace of the abbey of white
+monks. Night at length came upon him, and now
+he found himself in a valley where he saw a pavilion
+of red sendal.</p>
+
+<p>"Fortune aids me," said Lancelot. "Whoever
+owns that pavilion, it shall give me shelter for the
+night."</p>
+
+<p>He thereupon alighted, tied his horse to a tree
+near by, and entered the pavilion, in which was a
+comfortable bed. Disarming, he laid himself therein,
+and very soon was lost in heavy slumber.</p>
+
+<p>Within an hour afterwards the knight who owned
+the pavilion came thither, and laid himself upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>
+bed without noticing that it was already occupied.
+His entrance wakened Lancelot, who, on feeling this
+intrusion, sprang in quick alarm from the bed and
+grasped his sword. The other knight, no less
+alarmed, did the same, and sword in hand they
+rushed out from the pavilion into the open air,
+and fell into mortal combat by the side of a little
+stream that there ran past.</p>
+
+<p>The fight was quickly at an end, for after a few
+passes the knight of the pavilion fell to the earth,
+wounded nearly unto death.</p>
+
+<p>"I yield me, sir knight," he cried. "But I fear
+I have fought my last."</p>
+
+<p>"Why came you into my bed?" demanded
+Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>"The pavilion is my own," said the knight. "It
+is ill fortune that I should die for seeking my own
+bed."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I am sorry to have hurt you," said Lancelot.
+"I have lately been beguiled by treason,
+and was in dread of it. Come into the pavilion.
+It may be that I can stanch your blood."</p>
+
+<p>They entered the pavilion, where Lancelot, with
+skilful hands, dressed the knight's wound and
+stopped the bleeding. As he did so the knight's
+lady entered the pavilion, and fell into deep lamentation
+and accusal of Lancelot, on seeing how sorely
+her lord was hurt.</p>
+
+<p>"Peace, my lady and love," said the knight.
+"This is a worthy and honorable gentleman. I
+am in fault for my hurt, and he has saved my life
+by his skill and care."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you tell me what knight you are?" asked
+the lady.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>"Fair lady," he replied, "my name is Lancelot
+du Lake."</p>
+
+<p>"So your face and voice told me," she replied,
+"for I have seen you often, and know you better
+than you deem. And I would ask of your courtesy,
+for the harm you have done to my lord Beleus and
+the grief you have given me, that you will cause
+my lord to be made a Knight of the Round Table.
+This I can say for him, that he is a man of warlike
+prowess, and the lord of many islands."</p>
+
+<p>"Let him come to the court at the next high
+feast," said Lancelot; "and come you with him.
+I shall do what I can for him, and if he prove as
+good a knight as you say, I doubt not but King
+Arthur will grant your request."</p>
+
+<p>While they still talked the night passed and the
+day dawned. Then Lancelot armed himself, and
+asking of them the way to the abbey, rode thither,
+where he arrived within the space of two hours.</p>
+
+<p>As Lancelot rode within the abbey yard, the
+damsel to whom he owed his deliverance from the
+prison of Morgan le Fay sprang from a couch and
+ran to a window, roused by the loud clang of hoofs
+upon the pavement.</p>
+
+<p>Seeing who it was, she hurried gladly down, and
+bade some of the men to take his horse to the stable,
+and others to lead him to a chamber, whither she
+sent him a robe to wear when he had laid off his
+armor.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="Arches_Pg_149" id="Arches_Pg_149"></a><img src="images/p149.jpg" width="500" height="293" alt="OLD ARCHES OF THE ABBEY WALL." title="OLD ARCHES OF THE ABBEY WALL." />
+<span class="caption">OLD ARCHES OF THE ABBEY WALL.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Then she entered the chamber and bade him
+heartily welcome, saying that of all knights in the
+world he was the one she most wished to see.
+Ordering breakfast to be prepared for the hungry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>
+knight, she sent in haste for her father, who was
+within twelve miles of the abbey. Before eventide
+he came, and with him a fair following of knights.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as King Bagdemagus reached the abbey,
+he went straight to the room where were Lancelot
+and his daughter in conversation, and took Lancelot
+in his arms, bidding him warmly welcome.</p>
+
+<p>In the talk that followed, Lancelot told the king
+of his late adventures, the loss of his nephew Lionel,
+his own betrayal, and his rescue by the maiden, his
+daughter: "For which," he said, "I owe my
+best service to her and hers while I live."</p>
+
+<p>"Then can I trust in your help on Tuesday
+next?" asked the king.</p>
+
+<p>"That I have already promised your daughter,"
+said Lancelot. "I shall not fail. But she tells
+me that in your last bout you lost the field through
+three of King Arthur's knights, who aided the King
+of Northgalis, and that it is against these knights
+you need assistance. What knights were they?"</p>
+
+<p>"They were Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Mordred,
+and Sir Gahalatine. Do what we could, neither I
+nor my knights could make head against them."</p>
+
+<p>"I would not have them know me," said Lancelot.
+"My plan, therefore, is this. Send me here
+three of your best knights, and see that they have
+white shields, with no device, and that I also have
+such a shield. Then shall we four, when the fight
+is well on, come out of a wood into the midst of
+the fray, and do what we can to defeat these champions."</p>
+
+<p>This plan was carried out as Lancelot had devised.
+On the day fixed for the tournament he,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>
+with his three white-shielded companions, placed
+himself in ambush in a leafy grove near where the
+lists were raised. Around the field were rows of
+benches where the spectators might sit, and richly-adorned
+seats for the lords and ladies who were to
+adjudge the combat and award the prize of skill
+and valor.</p>
+
+<p>Then into the lists rode the King of Northgalis,
+with a following of fourscore knights, and attended
+by the three knights of Arthur's court, who stood
+apart by themselves. Into the opposite side of the
+lists rode King Bagdemagus, with as many knights
+in his train.</p>
+
+<p>When all were in place the signal for the onset
+was given, and the knights put their spears in rest
+and rode together with a great rush, and with such
+fatal fortune that twelve of the party of Bagdemagus
+and six of that of Northgalis were slain at
+the first encounter, while the knights of King Bagdemagus
+were driven back in disorder.</p>
+
+<p>At this critical juncture Lancelot and his companions
+broke from their concealment and rode
+into the lists, forcing their horses into the thick
+of the press. Then Lancelot did deeds of such
+marvellous strength and skill that all men deeply
+wondered who could be the valiant knight of the
+white shield. For with one spear he smote down
+five knights, with such force that four of them
+broke their backs in the fall. Then turning on the
+King of Northgalis, he hurled him from his horse
+and broke his thigh.</p>
+
+<p>The three knights of Arthur's court, who had
+not yet joined in the fray, saw this, and rode
+forward.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>"A shrewd guest that," said Mador. "Let me
+have at him."</p>
+
+<p>But his fortune was not equal to his hopes, for
+Lancelot bore down horse and man, so that Mador's
+shoulder was put out of joint by the fall.</p>
+
+<p>"Now is my turn," said Mordred.</p>
+
+<p>He rode fiercely on Lancelot, who turned nimbly
+and met him in full career, Mordred's spear shivering
+unto his hand when it struck the firm white
+shield. But Lancelot gave him so shrewd a buffet
+that the bow of his saddle broke, and he was flung
+over his horse's tail with such violence that his helmet
+went more than a foot into the earth. Fortune
+saved him from a broken neck, but he lay long
+in a swoon.</p>
+
+<p>Then Gahalatine and Lancelot rode together with
+all their force, the spears of both breaking, but both
+keeping their seats. They now drew their swords,
+and struck each other many a keen blow. At length
+Lancelot, with a burst of wrath, smote Gahalatine
+so fierce a stroke on the helm that blood burst from
+his nose, mouth, and ears, and his head drooped on
+his breast. His horse ran in fright from the fray,
+while he fell headlong from his saddle to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Lancelot now drew back and received from the
+attendants a stout, strong spear, and with this rode
+again into the fray. Before that spear broke he
+had unhorsed sixteen knights, some of them being
+borne from their saddles, while others were hurled
+horse and man together to the earth. Then getting
+another spear he unhorsed twelve more knights,
+some of whom never throve afterwards. This
+ended the tournament, for the knights of Northgalis
+refused to fight any longer against a champion of
+such mighty prowess, and the prize was awarded
+to King Bagdemagus.</p>
+
+<p>Lancelot now rode with King Bagdemagus from
+the lists to his castle, where they had great feasting
+and rejoicing, and where Lancelot was proffered
+rich gifts for the noble service he had rendered.
+But these he refused to accept.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning Lancelot took his leave,
+saying that he must go in search of Lionel, who had
+vanished from his side during his sleep. But
+before going he commended all present to God's
+grace, and said to the king's daughter,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"If you have need any time of my service I pray
+you let me know, and I shall not fail you, as I am
+a true knight."</p>
+
+<p>And so Lancelot departed, having had strange
+adventures and won much renown since he had
+parted from his nephew Lionel.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h4>HOW LANCELOT AND TURQUINE FOUGHT.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Not far nor long had Lancelot ridden before he
+found himself in familiar scenes, and in a short
+time he beheld that same apple-tree under which
+he had lain asleep.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall take care never to sleep again beneath<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>
+your shade," he said, grimly. "The fruit you
+bear is not wholesome for errant knights."</p>
+
+<p>He rode by it, but had not followed the highway
+far when he met a damsel riding on a white palfrey,
+who saluted him. He courteously returned her
+salute, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Fair damsel, know you of any adventures that
+may be had in this land?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," she replied, "if you crave adventures
+you will not need to go far to find one. But
+it is one it might be safest for you not to undertake."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I not?" said Lancelot. "I came
+here seeking adventures, and am not the man to
+turn back from a shadow."</p>
+
+<p>"You seem to be a good knight," she replied,
+regarding him closely. "If you dare face a powerful
+fighter, I can bring you where is the best and
+mightiest in this land. But first I would know
+what knight you are."</p>
+
+<p>"As for my name, you are welcome to it," he
+replied. "Men call me Lancelot du Lake."</p>
+
+<p>"This, then, is the adventure. Near by there
+dwells a knight who has never yet found his match,
+and who is ever ready for a joust. His name is Sir
+Turquine. As I am told, he has overcome and
+has in prison in his castle sixty-four knights of
+Arthur's court, whom he has met and vanquished
+in single combat. You shall fight with him if you
+will. And if you overcome him, then I shall beg
+for your aid against a false knight who daily distresses
+me and other damsels. Have I your
+promise?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>"There is nothing I would rather do," said Lancelot.
+"Bring me now where I may meet this
+Turquine. When I have ended with him I shall
+be at your service."</p>
+
+<p>"Come this way," she replied, and led him to
+the ford and the tree where hung the basin.</p>
+
+<p>Lancelot waited here until his horse had drunk,
+and then he beat on the basin with the butt of his
+spear with such force that its bottom fell out, but
+no one answered his challenge. He knocked then
+loudly at the manor gates, but they remained
+closed. Finding no entrance, he rode for half an
+hour along the manor walls, looking heedfully for
+Sir Turquine, whom he fancied must be abroad.
+At the end of that time he saw a knight who drove
+a horse before him, and athwart that horse lay an
+armed knight, bound.</p>
+
+<p>As they drew near, Lancelot noticed something
+familiar in the aspect of the bound knight, and
+when they had come close he recognized him as
+Gaheris, the brother of Gawaine, and a Knight of
+the Round Table.</p>
+
+<p>"That prisoner is a fellow of mine," he said to
+the damsel. "I shall begin, I promise you, by
+God's help, with rescuing him; and unless his
+captor sit better than I in the saddle, I shall deliver
+all his prisoners, among whom, I am sure, are some
+of my near kindred."</p>
+
+<p>By this time Turquine was close at hand, and
+on seeing an armed knight thus confront him he
+drew up his horse and gripped his spear fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair sir," said Lancelot, "put down that
+wounded knight and let him rest a while, while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>
+you and I find out who is the better man. I am
+told you have done much wrong to Knights of
+the Round Table, and I am here to revenge them.
+Therefore, defend yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"If you be of the Round Table," said Turquine,
+"I defy you and all your fellowship."</p>
+
+<p>"That is easy to say," retorted Lancelot. "Now
+let me see what you are ready to do."</p>
+
+<p>Then, they put their spears in the rests, and rode
+together with the force of two ships meeting in
+mid-ocean, smiting each other so strongly in the
+midst of their shields that the backs of both horses
+broke beneath them. The knights, astonished at
+this result, leaped hastily to the ground to avoid
+being overthrown.</p>
+
+<p>Then, drawing their swords and bearing their
+shields in front, they came hotly together, striking
+with such force that shield and armor alike gave
+way beneath the mighty blows, and blood soon began
+to flow freely from their wounds. Thus for
+two hours and more the deadly contest continued,
+the knights striking, parrying, advancing, and retiring
+with all the skill of perfect swordsmen. At the
+last they both paused through lack of breath, and
+stood leaning upon their swords, and facing each
+other grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold thy hand a while, fellow," said Turquine,
+"and tell me what I shall ask thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Say on," rejoined Lancelot, briefly.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou art the strongest and best-breathed man
+that ever I met with, and art much like the knight
+that I hate most of all men. If you are not he,
+then for the esteem I have for you I will release all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>
+my prisoners, and we shall be fellows together while
+we live. But first of all I would know your name."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak well," said Lancelot. "But since
+you promise me your friendship, tell me what knight
+it is you hate so deeply?"</p>
+
+<p>"His name," said Turquine, "is Lancelot du
+Lake. He slew my brother Carados at the dolorous
+tower, and I have vowed that, if I should meet him,
+one of us shall make an end of the other. Through
+hate of him I have slain a hundred knights, and
+maimed as many more, while of those I have thrown
+in prison, many are dead, and threescore and four
+yet live. If you will tell me your name, and it
+be not Lancelot, all these shall be delivered."</p>
+
+<p>"It stands, then," said Lancelot, "that if I be
+one man I may have your peace and friendship,
+and if I be another man there will be mortal war
+between us. If you would know my name, it is
+Lancelot du Lake, son of King Ban of Benwick,
+and Knight of the Table Round. And now do
+your best, for I defy you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Lancelot!" said Turquine, "never was
+knight so welcome to me. This is the meeting I
+have long sought, and we shall never part till one
+of us be dead."</p>
+
+<p>Then they rushed together like two wild bulls,
+lashing at each other with shield and sword, and
+striking such fiery blows that pieces of steel flew
+from their armor of proof, and blood poured from
+many new wounds.</p>
+
+<p>Two hours longer the fight continued, Turquine
+giving Lancelot many wounds and receiving stinging
+blows in return, till at the end he drew back<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>
+faint with loss of breath and of blood, and bore his
+shield low through weakness. This Lancelot
+quickly perceived, and leaped fiercely upon him,
+seizing him by the beaver of his helmet and dragging
+him down to his knees. Then he tore off his
+helm, and swinging in the air his fatal blade, smote
+off his head so that it leaped like a live thing upon
+the ground, while the body fell prostrate in death.</p>
+
+<p>"So much for Turquine," said Lancelot. "He
+will take prisoner no more Round Table knights.
+But by my faith, there are not many such men as
+he, and he and I might have faced the world. Now,
+damsel, I am ready to go with you where you will,
+but I have no horse."</p>
+
+<p>"Take that of this wounded knight; and let him
+go into the manor and release the prisoners."</p>
+
+<p>"That is well advised," said Lancelot, who thereupon
+went to Gaheris and begged that he would
+lend him his horse.</p>
+
+<p>"Lend it!" cried Gaheris. "I will give it, and
+would give ten if I had them, for I owe my life
+and my horse both to you. You have slain in my
+sight the mightiest man and the best knight that I
+ever saw, except yourself. And, fair sir, I pray
+you tell me your name?"</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Lancelot du Lake. I owe you
+rescue for King Arthur's sake, and for that of
+Gawaine, your brother and my comrade. Within
+that manor you will find many Knights of the
+Round Table, whose shields you may see on yonder
+tree. I pray you greet them all from me, and say
+I bid them take for their own such stuff as they
+find there. I must ride on with this damsel to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>
+keep my promise, but I hope to be back at the court
+by the feast of Pentecost. Bid Lionel and Hector
+await me there."</p>
+
+<p>This said, he mounted and rode on, while Gaheris
+went into the manor-house. Here he found a yeoman
+porter, who accosted him surlily. Gaheris
+flung the dogged fellow to the floor, and took from
+him his keys. With these he opened the prison
+doors and released the captives, who thanked him
+warmly for their rescue, for they saw that he was
+wounded, and deemed that he had vanquished
+Turquine.</p>
+
+<p>"It was not I," said Gaheris, "that slew your
+tyrant. You have Lancelot to thank for that. He
+greets you all, and asks Lionel and Hector to wait
+for him at the court."</p>
+
+<p>"That we shall not do," said they. "While we
+live we shall seek him."</p>
+
+<p>"So shall I," said Kay, who was among the prisoners,
+"as I am a true knight."</p>
+
+<p>Then the released knights sought their armor and
+horses, and as they did so a forester rode into the
+court, with four horses laden with fat venison.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is for us," said Kay. "We have not had
+such a repast as this promises for many a long day.
+That rogue Turquine owes us a dinner at least."</p>
+
+<p>Then the manor-kitchens were set in a blaze, and
+the venison was roasted, baked, and sodden, the
+half-starved knights enjoying such a hearty meal
+as they had long been without. Some of them
+afterwards stayed in the manor-house for the night,
+though in more agreeable quarters than they had
+of late occupied. But Lionel, Hector, and Kay rode<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>
+in quest of Lancelot, resolved to find him if it
+were possible, and to lose no time in the search.</p>
+
+<p>As for the victorious knight, he had many strange
+adventures, of which we can tell only those of most
+interest. First of all, he performed the task which
+the damsel required of him, for he met and killed
+that false knight against whom she prayed for
+redress.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done this day a double service to mankind,"
+said the damsel, gratefully. "As Turquine
+destroyed knights, so did this villain, whose name
+was Peris de Forest Savage, destroy and distress
+ladies and gentlewomen, and he is well repaid for
+his villany."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want any more service of me?" asked
+Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at this time. But may heaven preserve
+you wherever you go, for you deserve the prayers
+of all who are in distress. But one thing, it seems
+to me, you lack: you are a wifeless knight. The
+world says that you will love no maiden, but that
+your heart is turned only to Queen Guenever, who
+has ordained by enchantment that you shall love
+none but her. This I hold to be a great pity, and
+many in the land are sorry to see so noble a knight
+so enchained."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot stop people from thinking what they
+will," said Lancelot, "but as for marrying, I shall
+not soon consent to be a stay-at-home knight.
+And as for Guenever's enchantment, it is only that
+of beauty and womanly graciousness. What time
+may bring me I know not, but as yet it has not
+brought me a fancy for wedded life. I thank you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>
+for your good wishes, fair damsel, and courteously
+bid you farewell."</p>
+
+<p>With these words Lancelot and she parted, she
+seeking her home, and the knight riding in quest
+of new adventures. For two days his journey continued,
+through a country strange to him. On the
+morning of the third day he found himself beside
+a wide stream, which was crossed by a long bridge,
+beyond which rose the battlemented towers of a
+strong castle.</p>
+
+<p>Lancelot rode upon the bridge, but before he had
+reached its middle there started out a foul-faced
+churl, who smote his horse a hard blow on the nose,
+and asked him surlily why he dared cross that bridge
+without license.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I not, if I wish?" asked the
+knight. "Who has the right to hinder?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have," cried the churl. "You may choose
+what you will, but you shall not ride here," and he
+struck at him furiously with a great iron-shod club.</p>
+
+<p>At this affront Lancelot angrily drew his sword,
+and with one stroke warded off the blow, and cut
+the churl's head in twain.</p>
+
+<p>"So much for you, fool," he said.</p>
+
+<p>But when he reached the end of the bridge he
+found there a village, whose people cried out to
+him, "You have done a sorry deed for yourself, for
+you have slain the chief porter of our castle."</p>
+
+<p>Lancelot rode on, heedless of their cries, and forcing
+his great horse through the throng till he came
+to the castle walls. The gates of these stood open,
+and he rode in, where he saw a fair green court,
+and beyond it the stately walls and towers. At the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>
+windows were the faces of many people, who cried
+to him in dismay,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Fair knight, turn and fly. Death awaits you
+here."</p>
+
+<p>"Fly! I have not learned how," answered Lancelot,
+as he sprang from his horse and tied him to
+a ring in the wall. "This court seems a fair place
+for knightly combat, and it fits better with my
+mood to fight than fly."</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had he spoken when from the castle doors
+came two strong giants, armed all but their heads,
+and bearing as weapons great iron clubs. They
+set upon Lancelot together, the foremost making
+a stroke that would have slain him had it reached
+him. But the knight warded it off with his shield,
+and agilely returned the blow with his sword, with
+so vigorous a stroke that he cleft the giant's head
+in twain.</p>
+
+<p>When his fellow saw this, he turned and ran in
+panic fear, but Lancelot furiously pursued him,
+and struck him so fierce a blow that the sword clove
+his great body asunder from shoulder to waist.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it not better to fight than to fly?" cried
+Lancelot to the glad faces which he now saw at the
+windows, and, leaving the dead giants crimsoning
+the green verdure, he strode into the castle hall,
+where there came before him threescore ladies, who
+fell on their knees and thanked God and him for
+their deliverance.</p>
+
+<p>"Blessed be the day thou wert born, sir knight,"
+they said, "for many brave warriors have died in
+seeking to do what thou hast achieved this day.
+We are all of us gentlewomen born, and many of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>
+us have been prisoners here for seven years, working
+in silk for these giants that we might earn our
+food. We pray you to tell us your name, that
+our friends may know who has delivered us, and
+remember you in their prayers."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair ladies," he said, "my name is Lancelot du
+Lake."</p>
+
+<p>"You may well be he," they replied. "For we
+know no other knight that could have faced those
+giants together, and slain them as you have done."</p>
+
+<p>"Say unto your friends," said Lancelot, "that
+I send them greeting, and that I shall expect good
+cheer from them if ever I should come into their
+manors. As for the treasure in this castle, I give
+it to you in payment for your captivity. For the
+castle itself, its lord, whom these giants have dispossessed,
+may claim again his heritage."</p>
+
+<p>"The castle," they replied, "is named Tintagil.
+The duke who owned it was the husband of Queen
+Igraine, King Arthur's mother. But it has long
+been held by these miscreant giants."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said Lancelot, "the castle belongs to
+the king, and shall be returned to him. And now
+farewell, and God be with you."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he mounted his horse and rode away,
+followed by the thanks and prayers of the rescued
+ladies.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE CHAPEL PERILOUS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Lancelot rode onward day after day, passing
+through many strange and wild countries, and over
+many rivers, and finding but sorry cheer and ill
+lodging as he went. At length fortune brought him
+to a comfortable wayside mansion, where he was
+well received, and after a good supper was lodged
+in a chamber over the gateway.</p>
+
+<p>But he had not been long asleep when he was
+aroused by a furious knocking at the gate. Springing
+from his bed, he looked from the window, and
+there by the moonlight saw one knight defending
+himself against three, who were pressing him
+closely. The knight fought bravely, but was in
+danger of being overpowered.</p>
+
+<p>"Those are not fair odds," said Lancelot. "I
+must to the rescue, and the more so as I see that it
+is my old friend, Sir Kay, who is being so roughly
+handled."</p>
+
+<p>Then he hastily put on his armor, and by aid of
+a sheet lowered himself from a window to the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>"Turn this way," he cried to the assailants,
+"and leave that knight. Three to one is not
+knightly odds."</p>
+
+<p>At these words they turned upon him, all three
+striking at him together, and forcing him to defend
+himself. Kay would have come to his aid, but he
+cried out,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>"I will have none of your help. Stand off and
+leave me alone, or fight them yourself."</p>
+
+<p>At this Kay stood aside, and Lancelot attacked
+the three miscreants so fiercely that within six
+strokes he felled them all to the ground. They
+now begged for mercy, yielding to him as a man
+of matchless skill.</p>
+
+<p>"I will not take your yielding," he replied.
+"Yield to Sir Kay, here, whom you foully over-matched."</p>
+
+<p>"You ask too much of us, fair sir. It is not
+just that we should yield to him whom we would
+have vanquished but for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Think well," returned Lancelot. "You shall
+yield or die. The choice is yours."</p>
+
+<p>"That is a choice with but one side. Yield we
+must, if death is the alternative."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I bid you on Whitsunday next, to present
+yourselves to Queen Guenever at King Arthur's
+court, and put yourselves in her grace and mercy,
+saying that Sir Kay sent you there as prisoners."</p>
+
+<p>This they took oath to do, each knight swearing
+upon his sword; whereupon Lancelot suffered them
+to depart.</p>
+
+<p>He now knocked at the gate with the pommel
+of his sword, till his host came, who started with
+surprise on seeing him there.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you were safe a-bed," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"So I was. But I sprang from the window to
+help an old fellow of mine."</p>
+
+<p>When they came to the light, Kay recognized
+Lancelot, and fell on his knees to thank him for
+saving his life.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>"What I have done is nothing but what duty
+and good fellowship demanded," said Lancelot.
+"Are you hungry?"</p>
+
+<p>"Half starved," answered Kay.</p>
+
+<p>"Mayhap our good host can find you food."</p>
+
+<p>Meat was thereupon brought, of which Kay ate
+heartily, after which he and Lancelot sought their
+beds in the gate chamber.</p>
+
+<p>But in the morning Lancelot rose while Kay was
+still asleep, and took his guest's armor and shield,
+leaving his own. Then he proceeded to the stable,
+mounted his horse, and rode away. Shortly afterwards
+Kay awoke, and quickly perceived what his
+comrade had done.</p>
+
+<p>"Good," he said, with a laugh. "Lancelot is
+after some sport. I fancy that more than one
+knight will get more than he bargains for if he
+thinks he has me to deal with. As for me, with
+Lancelot's armor and shield, I shall be left to ride
+in peace, for few, I fancy, will trouble me."</p>
+
+<p>Kay thereupon put on Lancelot's armor, and,
+thanking his host, rode away. Meanwhile Lancelot
+had ridden on till he found himself in a low country
+full of meadows and rivers. Here he passed a
+bridge at whose end were three pavilions of silk
+and sendal, and at the door of each a white shield
+on the truncheon of a spear, while three squires
+stood at the pavilion doors. Lancelot rode leisurely
+by, without a word and hardly a look.</p>
+
+<p>When he had passed, the knights looked after
+him, saying to one another, "That is the proud
+Kay. He deems no knight so good as he, though
+it has often been proved otherwise."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>"I shall ride after him," said one. "We shall
+see if his pride does not have a fall. Watch me,
+comrades, if you would see some sport."</p>
+
+<p>He sped but poorly, as it proved, for within a
+short time he was hurled grovelling to the earth.
+Then the two others rode in succession against
+the disguised knight, and both met with the same
+sorry fate.</p>
+
+<p>"You are not Kay, the seneschal," they cried.
+"He never struck such blows. Tell us your name
+and we will yield."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall yield, whether you will or not," he
+replied. "Look that you be at court by Whitsunday,
+and yield yourselves to Queen Guenever,
+saying to her that Sir Kay sent you thither as
+prisoners."</p>
+
+<p>This they swore to do, in dread of worse handling,
+and Lancelot rode on, leaving them to help themselves
+as best they might. Not far had he gone
+when he entered a forest, and in an open glade of
+this saw four knights resting under an oak. He
+knew them at sight to be from Arthur's court, two
+of them being Gawaine and Uwaine; the other two
+Hector de Maris, and Sagramour le Desirous.</p>
+
+<p>They, as the three previous knights had done,
+mistook Lancelot for Kay, and Sagramour rode
+after him, vowing that he would try what skill the
+seneschal had. He quickly found, for horse and
+man together were hurled to the ground, while
+Lancelot sat unmoved in his saddle.</p>
+
+<p>"I would have sworn that Kay could not give
+such a buffet as that," said Hector. "Let us see
+what I can do with him."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>His luck was even worse, for he went to the earth
+with a spear-hole in his shoulder, his shield and
+armor being pierced.</p>
+
+<p>"By my faith!" said Uwaine, "that knight is
+a bigger and stronger man than Kay. He must have
+slain the seneschal and taken his armor. He has
+proved himself a hard man to match, but if Kay
+has been slain it is our duty to revenge him."</p>
+
+<p>He thereupon rode against Lancelot, but with
+as ill fortune as his fellows, for he was flung so
+violently to the earth that he lay long out of his
+senses.</p>
+
+<p>"Whoever he be," cried Gawaine, "he has overturned
+my comrades, and I must encounter him.
+Defend yourself, sir knight."</p>
+
+<p>Then the two knights rode fiercely together, each
+striking the other in the midst of the shield. But
+Gawaine's spear broke, while that of Lancelot held
+good, and struck so strong a blow that the horse was
+overturned, Gawaine barely escaping being crushed
+beneath him.</p>
+
+<p>This done, Lancelot rode slowly on, smiling to
+himself, and saying, "God give joy to the man
+that made this spear, for a better no knight ever
+handled."</p>
+
+<p>"What say you of this knight, who with one
+spear has felled us all?" said Gawaine. "To my
+thinking, it is Lancelot or the devil. He rides like
+Lancelot."</p>
+
+<p>"We shall find out in good time," said the others;
+"but he has left us sore bodies and sick hearts, and
+our poor horses are the worse for the trial."</p>
+
+<p>Lancelot rode on through the forest, thinking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>
+quietly to himself of the surprise he had given to
+his late assailants, and of the sport it would thereafter
+make in the court. But new and stranger
+adventures awaited him, for he was now coming
+into a land of enchantment, where more than mere
+strength would be needed.</p>
+
+<p>What he saw, after he had ridden long and far,
+was a black brachet, which was coursing as if in
+the track of a hurt deer; but he quickly perceived
+that the dog was upon a trail of fresh blood. He
+followed the brachet, which looked behind as it ran,
+as if with desire to lead him on. In time he saw
+before him an old manor, over whose bridge ran
+the dog. When Lancelot had ridden over the
+bridge, that shook beneath his hoofs as if it was
+ready to fall, he came into a great hall, where lay
+a dead knight whose wounds the dog was licking.
+As he stood there a lady rushed weeping from
+a chamber, and wrung her hands in grief as she
+accused him of having slain her lord.</p>
+
+<p>"Madam, it was not I," said Lancelot. "I
+never saw him till his dog led me here, and I am
+sorry enough for your misfortune."</p>
+
+<p>"I should have known it could not be you," she
+said. "I was led by my grief to speak wildly. For
+he that killed my husband is sorely wounded himself,
+and I can promise him this, that he will never
+recover. I have wrought him a charm that no
+leech's skill can overcome."</p>
+
+<p>"What was your husband's name?" asked Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Gilbert," she replied. "As for him that
+slew him, I know not his name."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>"God send you better comfort," said Lancelot.
+"I am sorry for your misfortune."</p>
+
+<p>Then he rode again into the forest, and in a
+short space met a damsel who knew him well, for
+his visor was up and his face shown.</p>
+
+<p>"You are well found, my lord Lancelot," she
+said. "I beg you of your knighthood to help my
+brother, who lies near by sorely wounded, and never
+stops bleeding. He fought to-day with Sir Gilbert
+and slew him in fair battle, and now is dying
+through foul enchantment. Not far from here
+dwells a lady sorceress, who has wrought this harm,
+and who told me to-day that my brother's wounds
+would never heal till I could find a knight who
+would go into the Chapel Perilous, and bring thence
+the sword of the slain knight and a piece of the
+bloody cloth that he is wrapped in. My brother
+will die unless his wounds are touched with that
+sword and that cloth, for nothing else on earth will
+stop their bleeding."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a marvellous tale," said Lancelot.
+"Who is your brother?"</p>
+
+<p>"His name is Meliot de Logres."</p>
+
+<p>"Then he is one of my fellows of the Round
+Table, and I will do all I can to help him. What
+and where the Chapel Perilous is I know not, but
+I do not fear its perils."</p>
+
+<p>"This highway will bring you to it, and at no
+great distance," she replied. "I shall here await
+your return. I know no knight but you who can
+achieve this task, and truly you will find it no light
+one, for you have enchantment and sorcery to
+encounter."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>Little was Lancelot downcast by these words,
+and he rode on to the Chapel Perilous with no dread
+in his bold heart. Reaching the building indicated,
+he alighted and tied his horse beside the gate. Then
+he entered the church-yard, and there he saw on the
+chapel front many shields hung upside down, some
+of them being well known to him.</p>
+
+<p>But his eyes were quickly drawn from these, for
+suddenly there appeared before him thirty gigantic
+knights, all clad in jet-black armor, and every man
+of them a foot higher than common men. All
+bore swords and shields, and as they stood there
+they grinned and gnashed at him with baleful
+faces.</p>
+
+<p>Dread came into Lancelot's heart on seeing this
+frightful throng of black warriors, with their
+demon-like countenances. But commending his
+soul to God, he took his sword in hand and advanced
+resolutely upon them. Then, to his surprise
+and gladness, when they saw this bold advance
+they scattered right and left before him, like dead
+leaves before the wind, and gave him open passage
+to the chapel, which he entered without further
+opposition.</p>
+
+<p>Here was no light but that of a dim lamp, and
+on a bier in the centre of the aisle there lay a
+corpse that was covered with a cloth of silk. On
+coming up, Lancelot gazed upon the face and saw
+that it was that of Sir Gilbert, whose dead body
+he had seen but lately in the hall of the manor-house.</p>
+
+<p>Then he bent over the corpse and cut away a
+piece of the silk, and as he did so he felt the floor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>
+to sink and rock beneath him as if the earth had
+quaked. This gave him a thrill of dread, and
+seizing the sword that lay by the side of the corpse
+he hastened out of the chapel.</p>
+
+<p>When he reached the chapel-yard the black
+knights thronged again in his pathway, and cried
+to him with voices of thunder,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Knight, yield us that sword, or you shall die!"</p>
+
+<p>"Whether I live or die, it will need more than
+loud words to force me to yield it. You may
+fight for it if you will. And I warn you, you will
+need to fight hard."</p>
+
+<p>Then, as before, they scattered before his bold
+advance, and left him free passage. Lancelot strode
+resolutely on through the chapel-yard, but in the
+highway beyond he met a fair damsel, who said to
+him,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Lancelot, you know not what risk you run.
+Leave that sword, or you will die for it."</p>
+
+<p>"I got it not so easy that I should leave it for
+a threat," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"You are wise," she answered. "I did but test
+your judgment. If you had yielded the sword
+you would never have looked on Queen Guenever
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I would have been a fool indeed to leave
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, gentle knight, I have but one request to
+make of you ere you depart. That is, that you
+kiss me."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said Lancelot, "that God forbid. I
+save my kisses till my love is given."</p>
+
+<p>"Then are you beyond my power," she cried,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>
+with a groan of pain. "Had you kissed me your
+life would have ended; but now I have lost my
+labor, for it was for you and Gawaine that I prepared
+this chapel with its enchantments. Gawaine
+was once in my power, and at that time he fought
+with Sir Gilbert and struck off his left hand. As
+for you, I have loved you these seven years. But
+I know that none but Guenever will ever have
+your love, and so, as I could not have you alive,
+I wished to have you dead. If you had yielded
+to my wiles I should have embalmed and preserved
+your body, and kissed it daily in spite of Guenever,
+or any woman living. Now farewell, Lancelot; I
+shall never look upon your face again."</p>
+
+<p>"I pray to Heaven you shall not. And may
+God preserve me from your vile craft."</p>
+
+<p>Mounting his horse, Lancelot departed. Of the
+lady, we are told by the chronicles that she died
+within a fortnight of pure sorrow, and that she was
+a sorceress of high renown.</p>
+
+<p>Lancelot rode on till he met the sister of the
+wounded knight, who clapped her hands and wept
+for joy on seeing him safely returned. Then she
+led him to a castle near by, where Sir Meliot lay.
+Lancelot knew him at sight, though he was pale
+as death from loss of blood.</p>
+
+<p>On seeing Lancelot, he fell on his knees before
+him, crying, in tones of hope,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my lord Lancelot, help me, for you alone
+can!"</p>
+
+<p>"I can and will," rejoined the knight, and, as he
+had been advised, he touched his wounds with
+the sword and rubbed them with the bloody cloth
+he had won.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner was this done, than Meliot sprang to
+his feet a whole and sound man, while his heart
+throbbed with joy and gratefulness. And he and
+his sister entertained their noble guest with the
+best the castle afforded, doing all in their power
+to show their gratitude.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE ADVENTURE OF THE FALCON.</h4>
+
+
+<p>After his departure from the castle of Sir Meliot,
+Lancelot rode through many strange regions, over
+marshes and highlands, through valleys and forests,
+and at length found himself in front of a handsome
+castle. This he passed, and as he did so thought
+he heard two bells ring.</p>
+
+<p>Then he saw a falcon fly over his head towards
+a high elm, with long cords hanging from her feet,
+and as she perched in the elm these became coiled
+round a bough, so that when she tried to fly again
+the lines held her and she hung downward by the
+legs.</p>
+
+<p>Then there came a lady running from the castle,
+who cried, as she approached,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Lancelot, Lancelot, as thou art the flower
+of knights, help me to get my hawk, lest my lord
+destroy me! The hawk escaped me, and if my
+husband finds it gone, he is so hasty that I fear he
+will kill me."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>"What is his name?" asked Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>"His name is Phelot. He is a knight of the
+king of Northgalis."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, fair lady, since you know my name so
+well, and ask me on my knighthood to help you,
+I will try to get your hawk. But I am a poor
+climber, and the tree is high, with few boughs to
+help me."</p>
+
+<p>"I trust you may," she replied, "for my life
+depends on your success."</p>
+
+<p>Then Lancelot alighted and tied his horse to the
+tree, and begged the lady to help him remove his
+armor. When he was fully unarmed he climbed
+with much difficulty into the tree, and at length
+succeeded in reaching the hawk. He now tied the
+lines to a rotten branch and threw it and the bird
+down to the lady.</p>
+
+<p>But as she picked it up with a show of joy, there
+suddenly came from a grove an armed knight, who
+rode rapidly up, with his drawn sword in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Lancelot du Lake," he cried, "I have
+you as I wanted you. Your day has come."</p>
+
+<p>And he stood by the trunk of the tree, ready to
+slay him when he should descend.</p>
+
+<p>"What treason is this?" demanded Lancelot.
+"False woman, why have you led me into this?"</p>
+
+<p>"She did as I bade her," said Phelot. "I hate
+you, Lancelot, and have laid this trap for you.
+You have fought your last fight, my bold champion,
+for you come out of that tree but to your
+death."</p>
+
+<p>"That would be a shameful deed," cried Lancelot,
+"for you, an armed knight, to slay a defenceless
+man through treachery."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>"Help yourself the best you can," said Phelot;
+"you get no grace from me."</p>
+
+<p>"You will be shamed all your life by so base an
+act," cried Lancelot. "If you will do no more, at
+least hang my sword upon a bough where I may
+get it, and then you may do your best to slay me."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," said Phelot. "I know you too well
+for that. You get no weapon if I can hinder you."</p>
+
+<p>Lancelot was now in the most desperate strait
+he was likely ever to endure. He could not stay
+forever in the tree, and if he should attempt to
+descend there stood that armed villain awaiting
+him with ready sword. What to do he knew not,
+but his eyes glanced warily round, till he saw just
+above him a big leafless branch, which he broke
+off close to the body of the tree. Thus armed, he
+climbed down to a lower bough, and looked down
+to note the position of the knight and his own
+horse.</p>
+
+<p>A quick look told him that there was still a
+chance for life, and with a nimble leap he sprang
+to the ground on the other side of his horse from
+the knight.</p>
+
+<p>Phelot at once struck at him savagely with his
+sword, thinking to kill him with the blow; but
+Lancelot parried it with his heavy club, and in
+return dealt his antagonist so fierce a blow on the
+head as to hurl him from his horse to the ground.
+Then wrenching the sword from his hand, he struck
+off his villanous head.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried the lady, "you have slain my
+husband!"</p>
+
+<p>"If I should slay you with him it would be but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>
+justice," said Lancelot, "for you would have killed
+me through falsehood and treachery, and you have
+but your deserts."</p>
+
+<p>Then the lady swooned away as if she would
+die, but Lancelot, seeing that the knight's castle
+was so nigh, hastened to resume his armor, for he
+knew not what other treachery might await him.
+Then, leaving the lady still in a swoon, he mounted
+and rode away, thanking God that he had come so
+well through that deadly peril.</p>
+
+<p>As to Lancelot's other adventures at that time,
+they were of no great moment. The chronicles
+tell that he saw a knight chasing a lady with intent
+to kill her, and that he rescued her. Afterwards
+the knight, who was her husband and mad with
+jealousy, struck off her head in Lancelot's presence.</p>
+
+<p>Then when Lancelot would have slain him, he
+grovelled in the dirt and begged for mercy so
+piteously, that the knight at length granted him his
+shameful life, but made him swear that he would
+bear the dead body on his back to Queen Guenever,
+and tell her of his deed.</p>
+
+<p>This he accomplished, and was ordered by the
+queen, as a fitting penance, to bear the body of
+his wife to the Pope of Rome and there beg absolution,
+and never to sleep at night but with the
+dead body in the bed with him. All this the knight
+did, and the body was buried in Rome by the Pope's
+command. Afterwards Pedivere, the knight, repented
+so deeply of his vile deed that he became a
+hermit, and was known as a man of holy life.</p>
+
+<p>Two days before the feast of Pentecost, Lancelot
+returned to Camelot from his long journey and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>
+many adventures. And there was much laughter
+in the court when the knights whom he had smitten
+down saw him in Kay's armor, and knew who their
+antagonist had been.</p>
+
+<p>"By my faith," said Kay, "I never rode in such
+peace as I have done in Lancelot's armor, for I have
+not found a man willing to fight with me, and have
+ruled lord of the land."</p>
+
+<p>Then the various knights whom Lancelot had
+bidden to seek the court came in, one by one, and
+all were glad to learn that it was by no common man
+that they had been overcome. Among them came
+Sir Belleus, whom Lancelot had wounded at the
+pavilion, and who at his request was made a Knight
+of the Round Table, and Sir Meliot de Logres, whom
+he had rescued from the enchantment of the Chapel
+Perilous. Also the adventure of the four queens
+was told, and how Lancelot had been delivered from
+the power of the sorceresses, and had won the
+tournament for King Bagdemagus.</p>
+
+<p>And so at that time Lancelot had the greatest
+name of any knight in the world, and was the most
+honored, by high and low alike, of all living
+champions.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="BOOK_V" id="BOOK_V"></a>BOOK V.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ADVENTURES OF BEAUMAINS.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE KNIGHTING OF KAY'S KITCHEN BOY.</h4>
+
+
+<p>King Arthur had, early in his reign, established
+the custom that at the feast of Pentecost he would
+never dine until he had seen or heard of some marvellous
+event. Through that custom many strange
+adventures were brought to his notice. It happened
+on one day of Pentecost that the king held
+his Round Table at a castle called Kinkenadon, on
+the borders of Wales. On that day, a little before
+noon, as Gawaine looked from a window, he saw
+three men on horseback and a dwarf on foot
+approaching the castle. When they came near the
+men alighted, and, leaving their horses in care of
+the dwarf, they walked towards the castle-gate.
+One of these men was very tall, being a foot and a
+half higher than his companions.</p>
+
+<p>On seeing this, Gawaine went to the king and
+said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sire, I deem you can now safely go to your
+dinner, for I fancy we have an adventure at hand."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="Table_Pg_179" id="Table_Pg_179"></a><img src="images/p179.jpg" width="500" height="294" alt="KING ARTHUR&#39;S ROUND TABLE, WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL." title="KING ARTHUR&#39;S ROUND TABLE, WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL." />
+<span class="caption">KING ARTHUR&#39;S ROUND TABLE, WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>The king thereupon went to the table with his
+knights and the kings who were guests at his court.
+They were but well seated when there came into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>
+hall two men, richly attired, upon whose shoulders
+leaned the fairest and handsomest young man that
+any there had ever seen. In body he was large
+and tall, with broad shoulders and sturdy limbs, yet
+he moved as if he could not bear himself erect, but
+needed support from his comrades' shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>When Arthur saw this youth he bade those around
+him to make room, and the stranger with his companions
+walked up to the high dais without
+speaking.</p>
+
+<p>Then he drew himself up straight and stood erect
+before the king.</p>
+
+<p>"King Arthur," he said, "may God bless you
+and your fellowship, and, above all, the fellowship
+of the Round Table. I am come hither to beg of
+you three gifts, promising that they shall not be
+unreasonable, and that you can honorably grant
+them without hurt or loss to yourself. The first
+I shall ask now, and the other two this day twelvemonth."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask what you will," said Arthur. "You shall
+have your gift, if it be so easy to grant."</p>
+
+<p>"This is my first petition, that you furnish me
+meat and drink sufficient for this year, and until
+the time has come to ask for my other gifts."</p>
+
+<p>"My fair son," said Arthur, "I counsel you to
+ask more than this. If my judgment fail not, you
+are of good birth and fit for noble deeds."</p>
+
+<p>"However that may be, I have asked all that I
+now desire."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, you shall have meat and drink
+enough. I have never denied that to friend or
+foe. But what is your name?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>"Great sir, that I cannot tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"There is a mystery here. A youth of so handsome
+face and vigorous form as you must be of
+noble parentage. But if you desire secrecy, I shall
+not press you."</p>
+
+<p>Then Arthur bade Kay to take charge of the
+youth and see that he had the best fare of the
+castle, and to find out if he was a lord's son, if
+possible.</p>
+
+<p>"A churl's son, I should say," answered Kay,
+scornfully, "and not worth the cost of his meals.
+Had he been of gentle birth he would have asked
+for horse and armor; but he demands that which
+fits his base-born nature. Since he has no name,
+I shall give him one. Let him be called Beaumains,
+or Fair Hands. I shall keep him in the kitchen,
+where he can have fat broth every day, so that at
+the years end he will be fat as a swollen hog."</p>
+
+<p>Then the two men departed and left the youth
+with Kay, who continued to scorn and mock him.</p>
+
+<p>Gawaine and Lancelot were angry at this, and
+bade Kay to cease his mockery, saying that they
+were sure the youth would prove of merit.</p>
+
+<p>"Never will he," said Kay. "He has asked as
+his nature bade him."</p>
+
+<p>"Beware," said Lancelot. "This is not the first
+youth you have given a name in mockery, which
+turned on yourself at last."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not fear that of this fellow. I wager that
+he has been brought up in some abbey, and came
+hither because good eating failed him there."</p>
+
+<p>Kay then bade him get a place and sit down to
+his meal, and Beaumains sought a place at the
+hall-door among boys and menials.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>Gawaine and Lancelot thereupon asked him to
+come to their chambers, where he should be well
+fed and lodged; but he refused, saying that he
+would do only as Kay commanded, since the king
+had so bidden.</p>
+
+<p>It thus came about that Beaumains ate in the
+kitchen among the menials, and slept in sorry
+quarters. And during the whole year he was always
+meek and mild, and gave no cause for displeasure
+to man or child.</p>
+
+<p>But whenever there was jousting of knights he
+was always present to see, and seemed in this sport
+to take great delight. And Gawaine and Lancelot,
+who felt sure that the youth but bided his time,
+gave him clothes and what money he needed. Also,
+wherever there were sports of skill or strength he
+was sure to be on hand, and in throwing the bar
+or stone he surpassed all contestants by two yards.</p>
+
+<p>"How like you my boy of the kitchen?" Kay
+would say, on seeing these feats. "Fat broth is
+good for the muscles."</p>
+
+<p>And so the year passed on till the festival of
+Whitsuntide came again. The court was now at
+Carlion, where royal feasts were held. But the
+king, as was his custom, refused to eat until he
+should hear of some strange adventure.</p>
+
+<p>While he thus waited a damsel came into the
+hall and saluted the king, and begged aid and succor
+of him.</p>
+
+<p>"For whom?" asked Arthur. "Of what do you
+complain?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sire," she replied, "I serve a lady of great
+worth and merit, who is besieged in her castle by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>
+a tyrant, and dares not leave her gates for fear of
+him. I pray you send with me some knight to
+succor her."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is your lady, and where does she dwell?
+And what is the name of the man who besieges
+her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Her name I must not now tell. I shall only
+say that she has wide lands and is a noble lady.
+As for the tyrant that distresses her, he is called
+the Red Knight of the Red Lawns."</p>
+
+<p>"I know him not," said the king.</p>
+
+<p>"I know him well," said Gawaine. "Men say
+he has seven men's strength. I escaped him once
+barely with life."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair damsel," said the king, "there are knights
+here who would do their utmost to rescue your lady.
+But if you will not tell me her name nor where
+she lives, none of them shall go with my consent."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I must seek further," said the damsel,
+"for that I am forbidden to tell."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Beaumains came to the king, and
+said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Royal sir, I have been twelve months in your
+kitchen, and have had all you promised me; now
+I desire to ask for my other two gifts."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask, if you will. I shall keep to my word."</p>
+
+<p>"This, then, is what I request. First, that you
+send me with the damsel, for this adventure belongs
+to me."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have it," said the king.</p>
+
+<p>"My third request is that you shall bid Lancelot
+du Lake make me a knight, for he is the only man in
+your court from whom I will take that honor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>
+When I am gone let him ride after me, and dub me
+knight when I require it of him."</p>
+
+<p>"I grant your wish," said the king. "All shall
+be done as you desire."</p>
+
+<p>"Fie on you all!" cried the damsel. "I came
+here for a knight, and you offer me a kitchen scullion.
+Is this King Arthur's way of rescuing a
+lady in distress? If so, I want none of it, and will
+seek my knight elsewhere."</p>
+
+<p>She left the court, red with anger, mounted her
+horse, and rode away.</p>
+
+<p>She had hardly gone when a page of the court
+came to Beaumains and told him that his dwarf
+was without, with a noble horse and a rich suit of
+armor, and all other necessaries of the best.</p>
+
+<p>At this all the court marvelled, for they could
+not imagine who had sent all this rich gear to a
+kitchen menial. But when Beaumains was armed,
+there were none in the court who presented a
+more manly aspect than he. He took courteous
+leave of the king, and of Gawaine and Lancelot,
+praying the latter that he would soon ride after
+him. This done, he mounted his horse and pursued
+the damsel.</p>
+
+<p>But those who observed him noticed that, while
+he was well horsed and had trappings of cloth of
+gold, he bore neither shield nor spear. Among
+those who watched him was Kay, who said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder goes my kitchen drudge, as fine a knight
+as the best of us, if a brave show were all that a
+knight needed. I have a mind to ride after him,
+to let him know that I am still his superior."</p>
+
+<p>"You had better let him alone," said Gawaine.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>
+"You may find more than you bargain for."</p>
+
+<p>But Kay armed himself and rode after Beaumains,
+whom he overtook just as he came up with
+the damsel.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold there, Beaumains," he cried, in mockery.
+"Do you not know me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered the young man. "I know you
+for an ungentle knight of the court, who has put
+much despite upon me. It is my turn to repay you
+for your insults; so, sirrah, defend yourself."</p>
+
+<p>Kay thereupon put his spear in rest and rode
+upon Beaumains, who awaited him sword in hand.
+When they came together, Beaumains, with a skilful
+parry, turned aside the spear, and then with a
+vigorous thrust wounded Kay in the side, so that he
+fell from his horse like a dead man. This done,
+he dismounted and took Kay's shield and spear,
+and bade his dwarf take his horse.</p>
+
+<p>All this was observed by the damsel, and also
+by Lancelot, who had followed closely upon the
+track of the seneschal.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Sir Lancelot, I am ready to accept your
+offer to knight me," said Beaumains, "but, first, I
+would prove myself worthy of the honor, and so
+will joust with you, if you consent."</p>
+
+<p>"That I shall certainly not decline," said Lancelot,
+counting upon an easy victory.</p>
+
+<p>But when the knight and the youth rode against
+each other both were hurled from their horses to the
+earth, and sorely bruised. But Beaumains was
+entangled in his harness, and Lancelot helped him
+from his horse.</p>
+
+<p>Then Beaumains flung aside his shield and proffered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>
+to fight Lancelot on foot, to which the latter
+consented. For an hour they fought, Beaumains
+showing such strength that Lancelot marvelled at
+it, and esteemed him more a giant than a knight.
+He began, indeed, to fear that he might be vanquished
+in the end, and at length cried out,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Beaumains, you fight too hard, considering that
+there is no quarrel between us. I fancy you need
+no further proof."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true enough, my lord," said Beaumains.
+"But it did me good to feel your might. As for
+my own strength, I hardly know it yet."</p>
+
+<p>"It is as much as I want to deal with," said
+Lancelot. "I had to do my best to save my honor."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you think I may prove myself a worthy
+knight?"</p>
+
+<p>"I warrant you that, if you do as well as you
+have done to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"I pray you, then, to invest me with the order
+of knighthood."</p>
+
+<p>"That shall I willingly do. But you must first
+tell me your name, and that of your father."</p>
+
+<p>"You will keep my secret?"</p>
+
+<p>"I promise you that on my faith, until you are
+ready to reveal it yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, sir, my name is Gareth, and I am Gawaine's
+brother, though he knows it not. I was
+but a child when he became a knight, but King
+Lot was my father."</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad to hear that," said Lancelot.
+"I knew you were of gentle blood, and came to
+court for something else than meat and drink."</p>
+
+<p>Then Gareth kneeled before Lancelot, who made
+him a knight, and bade him be a good and worthy
+one, and to honor his birth by his deeds.</p>
+
+<p>Lancelot then left him and returned to Kay, who
+lay half dead in the road. He had him borne back
+to the court, but his wound proved long in healing,
+and he found himself the scorn of the court for his
+discourteous treatment of the youth who had been
+put in his care.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE BLACK, THE GREEN, AND THE RED KNIGHTS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>When Beaumains overtook the damsel, he received
+from her but a sorry greeting.</p>
+
+<p>"How dare you follow me?" she said. "You
+smell too much of the kitchen for my liking.
+Your clothes are foul with grease and tallow, and
+I marvel much that King Arthur made a knight of
+such a sorry rogue. As for yonder knight whom
+you wounded, there is no credit in that, for it was
+done by treachery and cowardice, not by skill and
+valor. I know well why Kay named you Beaumains,
+for you are but a lubber and turner of spits,
+and a washer of soiled dishes."</p>
+
+<p>"Say what you will, damsel," answered Beaumains,
+"you shall not drive me away. King
+Arthur chose me to achieve your adventure, and I
+shall perform it or die."</p>
+
+<p>"Fie on you, kitchen knave! you would not dare,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>
+for all the broth you ever supped, to look the red
+knight in the face."</p>
+
+<p>"Would I not? That is to be seen."</p>
+
+<p>As they thus angrily debated, there came to them
+a man flying at full speed.</p>
+
+<p>"Help me, sir knight!" he cried. "Six thieves
+have taken my lord and bound him, and I fear
+they will slay him if he be not rescued."</p>
+
+<p>"Lead me to him," said Beaumains.</p>
+
+<p>He followed the man to a neighboring glade,
+where he saw a knight bound and prostrate, surrounded
+by six sorry-looking villains. At sight
+of this the heart of Beaumains leaped with anger.
+With a ringing battle-cry he rushed upon the knaves,
+and with three vigorous strokes laid three of them
+dead upon the earth. The others fled, but he followed
+at full speed, and quickly overtook them.
+Then they turned and assailed him fiercely, but
+after a short fight he slew them all. He then rode
+back to the knight, whom his man had unbound.</p>
+
+<p>The rescued knight thanked him warmly, and
+begged him to ride with him to his castle, where
+he would reward him for his great service. But
+Beaumains answered that he was upon a quest which
+could not be left, and as for reward he would leave
+that to God.</p>
+
+<p>Then he turned and rode back to the damsel,
+who greeted him with the same contempt as before,
+bidding him ride farther from her, as she could not
+bear the smell of the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you fancy that I esteem you any the nobler
+for having killed a few churls? You shall see a
+sight yet, sir knave, that will make you turn your
+back, and that quickly."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>Not much farther had they ridden when they
+were overtaken by the rescued knight, who begged
+them, as it was near night, and his castle close at
+hand, to spend the night there. The damsel agreed
+to this, and they rode together to the castle, where
+they were well entertained.</p>
+
+<p>But at supper the knight set Beaumains before
+the damsel.</p>
+
+<p>"Fie, fie! sir knight," she exclaimed. "This is
+discourteous, to seat a kitchen page before a lady
+of high birth. This fellow is more used to carve
+swine than to sit at lords' tables."</p>
+
+<p>To this Beaumains made no answer, but the
+knight was ashamed, and withdrew with his guest
+to a side table, leaving her to the honor of the high
+table alone. When morning came they thanked
+the knight for their entertainment, and rode
+refreshed away.</p>
+
+<p>Other adventures were ready for Beaumains
+before they had ridden far, for they soon found
+themselves at the side of a river that had but a
+single ford, and on the opposite side stood two
+knights, ready to dispute the passage with any who
+should attempt it.</p>
+
+<p>"What say you to this?" asked the damsel.
+"Will you face yonder knights, or turn back?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not turn; nor would I, if there were
+six more of them. You shall see that I can deal
+with knights as well as knaves."</p>
+
+<p>Then he rode into the water, in the midst of
+which he met one of the knights, their spears breaking
+as they came fiercely together. They then drew
+their swords and began a fierce fight in the centre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>
+of the ford. But at last Beaumains dealt his opponent
+a blow on the helm that stunned him, and
+hurled him from his horse into the water, where
+he was quickly drowned.</p>
+
+<p>Beaumains now spurred forward to the land,
+where the other knight rushed upon him as he
+touched shore, breaking his spear, but not shaking
+the young champion in his seat. Then they went
+at it with sword and shield, and with the same
+fortune as before, for Beaumains quickly cleaved
+the helmet and brain of his opponent, and left him
+dead on the ground.</p>
+
+<p>He now turned and called proudly to the damsel,
+bidding her to ride forward, as he had cleared the
+ford for her passage.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" she cried, "that a kitchen page should
+have the fortune to kill two valiant knights. You
+fancy you have done a doughty deed, but I deny
+it. The first knight was drowned through his horse
+stumbling, and the other one you struck a foul blow
+from behind. Never brag of this, for I can attest
+it was not honestly done."</p>
+
+<p>"You may say what you will," rejoined Beaumains.
+"Whoever seeks to hinder me shall make
+way or kill me, for nothing less than death shall
+stop me on my quest to aid your lady."</p>
+
+<p>"You can boast loudly before a woman. Wait
+till you meet the knights I take you to, and you
+will be taught another lesson."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair damsel, if you will but give me courteous
+language, I shall ask no more. As for the knights
+you speak of, let come what will come."</p>
+
+<p>"I say this for your own good; for if you continue<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>
+to follow me you will be slain. What you
+have done is by misadventure, not by prowess. If
+you are wise, you will turn back with what little
+honor you may claim."</p>
+
+<p>"Say what you choose, damsel, but wherever you
+go there go I, and it will take more than insulting
+words to turn me back."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode on till evening, she continuing to
+chide and berate him, and bid him leave her, and
+he answering meekly, but with no abatement of his
+resolution.</p>
+
+<p>Finally a strange sight came to them. For before
+them they saw a black lawn, in whose midst
+grew a black hawthorn. On one side of this hung
+a black banner, and on the other a black shield,
+while near by stood a black spear of great size, and
+a massive black horse covered with silk. Near by
+was a knight armed in black armor, who was known
+as the Knight of the Black Lawn.</p>
+
+<p>The damsel, on seeing this knight, bade Beaumains
+flee down the valley, telling him that he
+might still escape, for the knight's horse was not
+saddled.</p>
+
+<p>"Gramercy," said Beaumains, "will you always
+take me for a coward? I fly not from one man,
+though he be as black as ten ravens."</p>
+
+<p>The black knight, seeing them approach, thus
+addressed the damsel,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"So, my lady, you are here again! Have you
+brought this knight from King Arthur's court to
+be your champion?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hardly so, fair sir. This is but a kitchen
+knave, who was fed in Arthur's court through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>
+charity, and has followed me as a cur follows his
+master."</p>
+
+<p>"Why comes he then in knightly guise? And
+what do you in such foul company?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot get rid of him, sir. He rides with me
+in my despite. I bring him here that you may
+rid me of the unhappy knave. Through mishap
+and treachery he killed two knights at the river
+ford, and did other deeds that might have been of
+worth were they fairly done. Yet he is but a sorry
+poltroon."</p>
+
+<p>"I am surprised," said the black knight, "that
+any man of worth will fight with him."</p>
+
+<p>"They knew him not," she answered, "and fancy
+him of some credit from his riding with me, and
+from his brave show of armor."</p>
+
+<p>"That may be," said the black knight. "Yet,
+knave or not, he looks like a strong fellow. This
+much I shall do to relieve you of him. I shall put
+him on foot, and take from him his horse and armor.
+It would be a shame to do him more harm."</p>
+
+<p>Beaumains had heard all this, biting his lips in
+anger. He now scornfully replied,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight, you are liberal in disposing of my
+horse and armor, but beware you do not pay a fair
+price for them. Whether you like it or not, this
+lawn I shall pass, and you will get no horse or armor
+of mine till you win them in open fight. Let me
+see if you can do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Say you so? You shall yield me this lady, or
+pay dearly for it; for it does not beseem a kitchen
+page to ride with a lady of high degree."</p>
+
+<p>"If you want her, you must win her," said Beaumains,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>
+"and much comfort may you get from her
+tongue. As for me, I am a gentleman born, and
+of higher birth than you; and will prove this on
+your body if you deny it."</p>
+
+<p>Then in hot anger they rode apart, and came
+together with a sound of thunder. The spear of the
+black knight broke, but Beaumains thrust him
+through the side, the spear breaking in his body,
+and leaving the truncheon in his flesh. Yet, despite
+his wound, he drew his sword and struck with
+strength and fury at his antagonist. But the fight
+lasted not long, for the black knight, faint with loss
+of blood, fell from his horse in a swoon, and quickly
+died.</p>
+
+<p>Then Beaumains, seeing that the horse and armor
+were better than his own, dismounted and put on
+the dead knight's armor. Now, mounting the sable
+horse, he rode after the damsel. On coming up she
+greeted him as before.</p>
+
+<p>"Away, knave, the smell of thy clothes displeases
+me. And what a pity it is that such as you should
+by mishap slay so good a knight! But you will be
+quickly repaid, unless you fly, for there is a knight
+hereby who is double your match."</p>
+
+<p>"I may be beaten or slain, fair damsel," said
+Beaumains; "but you cannot drive me off by foul
+words, or by talking of knights who will beat or
+kill me. Somehow I ride on and leave your knights
+on the ground. You would do well to hold your
+peace, for I shall follow you, whatever may happen,
+unless I be truly beaten or slain."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode on, Beaumains in silence, but the
+damsel still at times reviling, till they saw approaching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>
+them a knight who was all in green, both horse
+and harness. As he came nigh, he asked the
+damsel,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Is that my brother, the black knight, who rides
+with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," she replied. "Your brother is dead.
+This unhappy kitchen knave has slain him through
+mishap."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried the green knight, "has so noble
+a warrior as he been slain by a knave! Traitor,
+you shall die for your deed!"</p>
+
+<p>"I defy you," said Beaumains. "I slew him
+knightly and not shamefully, and am ready to
+answer to you with sword and spear."</p>
+
+<p>Then the knight took a green horn from his
+saddle-bow, and blew on it three warlike notes.
+Immediately two damsels appeared, who aided him
+in arming. This done, he mounted his steed, took
+from their hands a green spear and green shield,
+and stationed himself opposite Beaumains.</p>
+
+<p>Setting spurs to their horses they rode furiously
+together, both breaking their spears, but keeping
+their seats. Then they attacked each other, sword
+in hand, and cut and slashed with knightly vigor.
+At length, in a sudden wheel, Beaumains's horse
+struck that of the green knight on the side and
+overturned it, the knight having to leap quickly
+to escape being overthrown.</p>
+
+<p>When Beaumains saw this, he also sprang to the
+earth and met his antagonist on foot. Here they
+fought for a long time, till both had lost much
+blood.</p>
+
+<p>"You should be ashamed to stand so long fighting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>
+with a kitchen knave," cried the damsel at last to the
+green knight. "Who made you knight, that you
+let such a lad match you, as the weed overgrows
+the corn?"</p>
+
+<p>Her words of scorn so angered the green knight
+that he struck a wrathful blow at Beaumains,
+which cut deeply into his shield. Beaumains,
+roused by this and by the damsel's language, struck
+back with such might on the helm of his foe as to
+hurl him to his knees. Then, seizing him, he flung
+him to the ground, and towered above him with
+upraised sword.</p>
+
+<p>"I yield me!" cried the knight. "Slay me not,
+I beg of you."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall die," answered Beaumains, "unless
+this damsel pray me to spare your life," and he
+unlaced his helm, as with intent to slay him.</p>
+
+<p>"Pray you to save his life!" cried the damsel,
+in scorn. "I shall never so demean myself to a
+page of the kitchen."</p>
+
+<p>"Then he shall die."</p>
+
+<p>"Slay him, if you will. Ask me not to beg for
+his life."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said the green knight, "you would not
+let me die when you can save my life with a word?
+Fair sir, spare me, and I will forgive you my
+brother's death, and become your man, with thirty
+knights who are at my command."</p>
+
+<p>"In the fiend's name!" cried the damsel, "shall
+such a knave have service of thee and thirty
+knights?"</p>
+
+<p>"All this avails nothing," said Beaumains.
+"You shall have your life only at this damsel's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>
+request," and he made a show as if he would slay
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Let him be, knave," said the damsel. "Slay
+him not, or you shall repent it."</p>
+
+<p>"Damsel," said Beaumains, "your request is to
+me a command and a pleasure. His life shall be
+spared, since you ask it. Sir knight of the green
+array, I release you at the damsel's request, for I
+am bound by her wish, and will do all that she
+commands."</p>
+
+<p>Then the green knight kneeled down and did
+homage with his sword.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, sir knight, for your mishap, and
+for your brother's death," said the damsel. "I had
+great need of your help, for I dread the passage
+of this forest."</p>
+
+<p>"You need not," he replied. "To-night you
+shall lodge at my castle, and to-morrow I will aid
+you to pass the forest."</p>
+
+<p>So they rode to his manor, which was not far
+distant. Here it happened as it had on the evening
+before, for the damsel reviled Beaumains, and
+would not listen to his sitting at the same table
+with her.</p>
+
+<p>"Why deal you such despite to this noble warrior?"
+said the green knight. "You are wrong,
+for he will do you good service, and whatever he
+declares himself to be, I warrant in the end you
+will find him to come of right noble blood."</p>
+
+<p>"You say far more of him than he deserves,"
+she replied. "I know him too well."</p>
+
+<p>"And so do I, for he is the best champion I
+ever found; and I have fought in my day with many
+worthy knights."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>That night, when they went to rest, the green
+knight set a guard over Beaumains's chamber, for
+he feared some harm to him from the bitter scorn
+and hatred of the damsel. In the morning he rode
+with them through the forest, and at parting said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My lord Beaumains, I and my knights shall
+always be at your summons, early or late, or whatever
+be the service you demand."</p>
+
+<p>"That is well said. When I require your service
+it will be to yield yourself and your knights to King
+Arthur."</p>
+
+<p>"If you bid us do so, we shall be ready at all
+times."</p>
+
+<p>"Fie on you!" said the damsel. "It shames
+me to see good knights obedient to a kitchen knave."</p>
+
+<p>After they had parted she turned to Beaumains,
+and said, despitefully,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why wilt thou follow me, lackey of the kitchen?
+Cast away thy spear and shield and fly while you
+may, for that is at hand which you will not easily
+escape. Were you Lancelot himself, or any knight
+of renown, you would not lightly venture on a pass
+just in advance of us, called the pass perilous."</p>
+
+<p>"Damsel," said Beaumains, "he who is afraid
+let him flee. It would be a shame for me to turn
+back, after having ridden so far with you."</p>
+
+<p>"You soon shall, whether it be to your liking
+or not," replied the damsel, scornfully.</p>
+
+<p>What the damsel meant quickly appeared, for in
+a little time they came in sight of a tower which
+was white as snow in hue, and with every appliance
+for defence. Over the gateway hung fifty shields
+of varied colors, and in front spread a level meadow.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>
+On this meadow were scaffolds and pavilions, and
+many knights were there, for there was to be a tournament
+on the morrow.</p>
+
+<p>The lord of the castle was at a window, and as
+he looked upon the tournament field he saw
+approaching a damsel, a dwarf, and a knight armed
+at all points.</p>
+
+<p>"A knight-errant, as I live!" said the lord.
+"By my faith, I shall joust with him, and get myself
+in train for the tournament."</p>
+
+<p>He hastily armed and rode from the gates.
+What Beaumains saw was a knight all in red, his
+horse, harness, shield, spear, and armor alike being
+of this blood-like color. The red knight was, indeed,
+brother to those whom Beaumains had lately
+fought, and on seeing the black array of the youth,
+he cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Brother, is it you? What do you in these
+marshes?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, it is not he," said the damsel, "but a
+kitchen knave who has been brought up on alms
+in Arthur's court."</p>
+
+<p>"Then how got he that armor?"</p>
+
+<p>"He has slain your brother, the black knight,
+and taken his horse and arms. He has also overcome
+your brother, the green knight. I hope you
+may revenge your brothers on him, for I see no
+other way of getting rid of him."</p>
+
+<p>"I will try," said the red knight, grimly. "Sir
+knight, take your place for a joust."</p>
+
+<p>Beaumains, who had not yet spoken, rode to a
+proper distance, and then the two knights rushed
+together with such even force that both horses fell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>
+to the ground, the riders nimbly leaping from them.</p>
+
+<p>Then with sword and shield they fought like
+wild boars for the space of two hours, advancing,
+retreating, feigning, striking, now here, now there,
+till both were well weary of the fray. But the
+damsel, who looked on, now cried loudly to the
+red knight,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, noble sir, will you let a kitchen knave
+thus endure your might, after all the honor you
+have won from worthy champions?"</p>
+
+<p>Then the red knight flamed with wrath, and
+attacked Beaumains with such fury that he wounded
+him so that the blood flowed in a stream to the
+ground. Yet the young knight held his own
+bravely, giving stroke for stroke, and by a final
+blow hurled his antagonist to the earth. He had
+raised his sword to slay him, when the red knight
+craved mercy, saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Noble, sir, you have me at advantage, but I
+pray you not to slay me. I yield me with the
+fifty knights at my command. And I forgive you
+all you have done to my brothers."</p>
+
+<p>"That will not suffice," said Beaumains. "You
+must die, unless the damsel shall pray me to spare
+your life." And he raised his sword as if for the
+fatal blow.</p>
+
+<p>"Let him live, then, Beaumains. He is a noble
+knight, and it is only by a chance blow that you
+have overcome him."</p>
+
+<p>"It is enough that you ask it," said Beaumains.
+"Rise, sir knight, and thank this damsel for your
+life."</p>
+
+<p>The red knight did so, and then prayed that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>
+they would enter his castle and spend the night
+there. To this they consented, but as they sat at
+supper the damsel continued to berate her champion,
+in such language that their host marvelled
+at the meekness of the knight.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning the red knight came to Beaumains
+with his followers, and proffered to him his
+homage and fealty at all times.</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you," said Beaumains, "but all I ask
+is, that when I demand it you shall go to Arthur's
+court, and yield yourself as his knight."</p>
+
+<p>"I and my fellowship will ever be ready at your
+summons," replied the red knight.</p>
+
+<p>Then Beaumains and the damsel resumed their
+journey, while she, as if in a fury of spite, berated
+him more vilely than ever before.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lady," he said, with all meekness, "you
+are discourteous to revile me as you do. What
+would you have of me? The knights that you
+have threatened me with are all dead or my vassals.
+When you see me beaten, then you may bid me
+go in shame and I will obey, but till then I will not
+leave you. I were worse than a fool to be driven
+off by insulting words when I am daily winning
+honor."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall soon meet a knight who will test
+your boasted strength. So far you have fought
+with boys. Now you have a man who would try
+Arthur's self."</p>
+
+<p>"Let him come," said Beaumains. "The better
+a man he is, the more honor shall I gain from a
+joust with him."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE RED KNIGHT OF THE RED LAWNS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Beaumains rode forward with the damsel till
+it was close upon the hour of noon, when he saw
+that they were approaching a rich and fair city,
+well walled, and with many noble buildings.</p>
+
+<p>Between them and the city extended a new-mown
+meadow, a mile and a half in width, on which were
+placed many handsome pavilions.</p>
+
+<p>"These pavilions belong to the lord who owns
+that city," said the damsel. "It is his custom, during
+fair weather, to joust and tourney in this
+meadow. He has around him five hundred knights
+and gentlemen of arms, and they have knightly
+games of all sorts."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be glad to see that worthy lord," said
+Beaumains.</p>
+
+<p>"That you shall, and very soon."</p>
+
+<p>She rode on till she came in sight of the lord's
+pavilion.</p>
+
+<p>"Look yonder," she said. "That rich pavilion,
+of the color of India, is his. All about him, men
+and women, and horse-trappings, shields, and spears,
+are of the same rare color. His name is Sir Persant
+of India, and you will find him the lordliest
+knight you ever saw."</p>
+
+<p>"Be he never so stout a knight," answered Beaumains,
+"I shall abide in this field till I see him
+behind his shield."</p>
+
+<p>"That is a fool's talk," she replied. "If you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>
+were a wise man, you would fly."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I?" rejoined Beaumains. "If he
+be as noble a knight as you say, he will meet me
+alone; not with all his men. And if there come
+but one at a time I shall not fail to face them while
+life lasts."</p>
+
+<p>"That is a proud boast for a greasy kitchen
+lout," she answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Let him come and do his worst," said Beaumains.
+"I would rather fight him five times over
+than endure your insults. You are greatly to blame
+to treat me so vilely."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," she replied, with a sudden change of tone,
+"I marvel greatly who you are, and of what kindred
+you come. This I will admit, that you have performed
+as boldly as you have promised. But you
+and your horse have had great labor, and I fear we
+have been too long on the road. The place we seek
+is but seven miles away, and we have passed all
+points of peril except this. I dread, therefore, that
+you may receive some hurt from this strong knight
+that will unfit you for the task before you. For
+Persant, strong as he is, is no match for the knight
+who besieges my lady, and I would have you save
+your strength for the work you have undertaken."</p>
+
+<p>"Be that as it may," said Beaumains, "I have
+come so near the knight that I cannot withdraw
+without shame. I hope, with God's aid, to become
+his master within two hours, and then we can reach
+your lady's castle before the day ends."</p>
+
+<p>"Much I marvel," cried the damsel, "what manner
+of man you are. You must be of noble blood,
+for no woman ever before treated a knight so shamefully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>
+as I have you, and you have ever borne it
+courteously and meekly. Such patience could never
+come but from gentle blood."</p>
+
+<p>"A knight who cannot bear a woman's words
+had better doff his armor," answered Beaumains.
+"Do not think that I heeded not your words.
+But the anger they gave me was the worse for my
+adversaries, and you only aided to make me prove
+myself a man of worth and honor. If I had meat
+in Arthur's kitchen, what odds? I could have had
+enough of it in many a place. I did it but to
+prove who were worthy to be my friends, and that
+I will in time make known. Whether I be a gentleman
+born or not, I have done you a gentleman's
+service, and may do better before we part."</p>
+
+<p>"That you have, fair Beaumains," she said. "I
+ask your forgiveness for all I have said or done."</p>
+
+<p>"I forgive you with all my heart," he replied.
+"It pleases me so to be with you that I have found
+joy even in your evil words. And now that you
+are pleased to speak courteously to me, it seems to
+me that I am stout at heart enough to meet any
+knight living."</p>
+
+<p>As to the battle that followed between Beaumains
+and Persant, it began and ended much like
+those that we have related, Persant in the end being
+overcome, and gaining his life at the lady's request.
+He yielded himself and a hundred knights to be at
+Beaumains's command, and invited the travellers
+to his pavilion, where they were feasted nobly.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning Beaumains and the damsel after
+breakfasting, prepared to continue their journey.</p>
+
+<p>"Whither do you lead this knight?" asked Persant
+of the damsel.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>"Sir knight," she replied, "he is going to the aid
+of my sister, who is besieged in the Castle Dangerous."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" cried Persant, "then he will have to do
+with the Knight of the Red Lawns, a man without
+mercy, and with the strength of seven men. I fear
+you take too perilous a task, fair sir. This villain
+has done great wrong to the lady of the castle, Dame
+Lioness. I think, fair damsel, you are her sister,
+Linet?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is my name," replied the damsel.</p>
+
+<p>"This I may say," rejoined Persant: "the
+Knight of the Red Lawns would have had the castle
+long ago, but it is his purpose to draw to the rescue
+Lancelot, Gawaine, Tristram, or Lamorak, whom
+he is eager to match his might against."</p>
+
+<p>"My Lord Persant of India," said Linet, "will
+you not make this gentleman a knight before he
+meets this dread warrior?"</p>
+
+<p>"With all my heart," answered Persant.</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you for your good will," said Beaumains,
+"but I have been already knighted, and
+that by the hand of Sir Lancelot."</p>
+
+<p>"You could have had the honor from no more
+renowned knight," answered Persant. "He, Tristram,
+and Lamorak now bear the meed of highest
+renown, and if you fairly match the red knight
+you may claim to make a fourth in the world's
+best champions."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall ever do my best," answered Beaumains.
+"This I may tell you: I am of noble birth. If
+you and the damsel will keep my secret I will tell
+it you."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>"We shall not breathe it except with your permission,"
+they replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will acknowledge that my name is
+Gareth of Orkney, that King Lot was my father,
+and that I am a nephew of King Arthur, and
+brother to Gawaine, Gaheris, and Agravaine. Yet
+none of these know who I am, for they left my
+father's castle while I was but a child."</p>
+
+<p>While they were thus taking leave, Beaumains's
+dwarf had ridden ahead to the besieged castle,
+where he saw the Lady Lioness, and told her of the
+champion her sister was bringing, and what deeds
+he had done.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad enough of these tidings," said the
+lady. "There is a hermitage of mine near by,
+where I would have you go, and take thither two
+silver flagons of wine, of two gallons each; also
+bread, baked venison, and fowls. I give you also
+a rich cup of gold for the knight's use. Then go
+to my sister, and bid her present my thanks to the
+knight, and pray him to eat and drink, that he
+may be strong for the great task he undertakes.
+Tell him I thank him for his courtesy and goodness,
+and that he whom he is to meet has none of
+these qualities, but strong and bold as he is, cares
+for nothing but murder."</p>
+
+<p>This message the dwarf brought back, and led
+the knight and damsel to the hermitage, where they
+rested and feasted on the rich food provided. They
+spent the night there, and in the morning heard
+mass and broke their fast. Then they mounted
+and rode towards the besieged castle.</p>
+
+<p>Their journey soon brought them to a plain,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>
+where they saw many tents and pavilions, and a
+castle in the distance. And there was a great
+noise and much smoke, as from a large encampment.
+As they came nearer the castle Beaumains saw before
+him a number of great trees, and from these
+hung by the neck armed knights, with their shields
+and swords, and gilt spurs on their heels. Of these
+there were in all nearly forty.</p>
+
+<p>"What means this sorrowful sight?" asked
+Beaumains, with a look of deep concern.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not be depressed by what you see," said
+Linet. "You must keep in spirit, or it will be
+the worse for you and us all. These knights came
+here to the rescue of my sister, and the red knight,
+when he had overcome them, put them to this
+shameful death, without mercy or pity. He will
+serve you in the same way if he should vanquish
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Jesu defend me from such a shameful death
+and disgrace!" cried Beaumains. "If I must die,
+I hope to be slain in open battle."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be better, indeed. But trust not to
+his courtesy, for thus he treats all."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a marvel that so vile a murderer has been
+left to live so long. I shall do my best to end his
+career of crime."</p>
+
+<p>Then they rode to the castle, and found it surrounded
+with high and strong walls, with double
+ditches, and lofty towers within. Near the walls
+were lodged many lords of the besieging army,
+and there was great sound of minstrelsy and merry-making.
+On the opposite side of the castle was the
+sea, and here vessels rode the waves and the cries
+of mariners were heard.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>Near where they stood was a lofty sycamore-tree,
+and on its trunk hung a mighty horn made
+from an elephant's tusk. This the Knight of the
+Red Lawns had hung there, in order that any
+errant knight, who wished to battle for the castle,
+might summons him to the fray.</p>
+
+<p>"But let me warn you," said Linet, "not to
+blow it till noon. For it is now nearly day, and
+men say that his strength increases till the noontide
+hour. To blow it now would double your
+peril."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not advise me thus, fair damsel," said
+Beaumains. "I shall meet him at his highest
+might, and win worshipfully or die knightly in the
+field. It must be man to man and might to might."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he spurred his horse to the sycamore,
+and, taking the horn in hand, blew with it such a
+blast that castle and camp rang with the sound.</p>
+
+<p>At the mighty blast knights leaped from their
+tents and pavilions, and those in the castle looked
+from walls and windows, to see what manner of
+man was this that blew so lustily. But the Red
+Knight of the Red Lawns armed in all haste, for
+he had already been told by the dwarf of the
+approach of this champion. He was all blood-red
+in hue, armor, shield, and spurs. An earl buckled
+on his helm, and they then brought him a red
+steed and a red spear, and he rode into a little
+vale near the castle, so that all within and without
+the castle might behold the battle.</p>
+
+<p>"Look you be light and glad," said Linet to the
+knight, "for yonder is your deadly enemy, and at
+yonder window is my sister, Dame Lioness."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>"Where?" asked Beaumains.</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder," she said, pointing.</p>
+
+<p>"I see her," said Beaumains. "And from here
+she seems the fairest lady I ever looked upon. I
+ask no better quarrel than to fight for her, and
+wish no better fate than to greet her as my lady,"
+and his face grew glad as he looked up to the
+window.</p>
+
+<p>As he did so the Lady Lioness made a grateful
+courtesy to him, bending to the earth and holding
+up her hands. This courtesy was returned by Beaumains;
+but now the Knight of the Red Lawns
+rode forward.</p>
+
+<p>"Leave your looking, sir knight," he said. "Or
+look this way, for I warn you that she is my lady,
+and I have done many battles for her."</p>
+
+<p>"You waste your time, then, it seems to me, for
+she wants none of your love. And to waste love
+on those who want it not is but folly. If I thought
+she would not thank me for it, I would think twice
+before doing battle for her. But she plainly wants
+not you, and I will tell you this: I love her, and
+will rescue her or die."</p>
+
+<p>"Say you so? The knights who hang yonder
+might give you warning."</p>
+
+<p>"You shame yourself and knighthood by such
+an evil custom," said Beaumains, hotly. "How
+can any lady love such a man as you? That shameful
+sight gives me more courage than fear, for I
+am nerved now to revenge those knights as well as
+to rescue yonder lady."</p>
+
+<p>"Make ready," cried the red knight; "we have
+talked enough."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>Then Beaumains bade the damsel retire to a safe
+distance. Taking their places, they put their spears
+in rest, and came together like two thunderbolts,
+each smiting the other so fiercely that the breast-plates,
+horse-girths, and cruppers burst, and both
+fell to the earth with the bridle-reins still in their
+hands, and they lay awhile stunned by the fall.</p>
+
+<p>So long they lay indeed that all who looked on
+thought that both their necks were broken, and
+said that the stranger knight must be of mighty
+prowess, for never had the red knight been so
+roughly handled before.</p>
+
+<p>But ere long the knights regained their breath
+and sprang to their feet. Then, drawing their
+swords, they ran like fierce lions together, giving
+each other such buffets on the helms that both
+reeled backwards, while pieces were hewed out from
+their armor and shields and fell into the field.</p>
+
+<p>Thus they fought on till it was past noon, when
+both stopped for breath, and stood panting and
+bleeding till many who beheld them wept for pity.
+When they had rested awhile they again went to
+battle, now gnashing at each other with their swords
+like tusked boars, and now running together like
+furious rams, so that at times both fell to the
+ground; and at times they were grappled so closely
+that they changed swords in the wrestle.</p>
+
+<p>This went on till evening was near at hand, and
+so evenly they continued matched that none could
+know which would win. Their armor was so hewn
+away that the naked flesh showed in places, and
+these places they did their utmost to defend. The
+red knight was a wily fighter, and Beaumains suffered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>
+sorely before he learned his methods and met
+him in his own way.</p>
+
+<p>At length, by mutual assent, they granted each
+other a short time for rest, and seated themselves
+upon two hillocks, where each had his page to unlace
+his helm and give him a breath of the cold air.</p>
+
+<p>While Beaumains's helm was off he looked at the
+castle window, and there saw the Lady Lioness, who
+looked at him in such wise that his heart grew light
+with joy, and he bade the red knight to make ready,
+for the battle must begin again.</p>
+
+<p>Then they laced their helms and stepped together
+and fought freshly. But Beaumains came near to
+disaster, for the red knight, by a skilful sword
+sweep, struck his sword from his hand, and then
+gave him such a buffet on the helm as hurled him to
+the earth.</p>
+
+<p>The red knight ran forward to his fallen foe,
+but Linet cried loudly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Beaumains, where is thy valor gone?
+Alas, my sister sobs and weeps to see you overthrown,
+till my own heart is heavy for her grief."</p>
+
+<p>Hearing this, Beaumains sprang to his feet before
+his foe could reach him, and with a leap recovered
+his sword, which he gripped with a strong
+hand. And thus he faced again his surprised
+antagonist.</p>
+
+<p>Then the young knight, nerved by love and desperation,
+poured such fierce blows on his enemy that
+he smote the sword from his hand and brought him
+to the earth with a fiery blow on the helm.</p>
+
+<p>Before the red knight could rise, Beaumains
+threw himself upon him, and tore his helm from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>
+his head with intent to slay him. But the fallen
+knight cried loudly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"O noble knight, I yield me to thy mercy."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should you have it, after the shameful
+death you have given to so many knights?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did all this through love," answered the red
+knight. "I loved a lady whose brother was slain
+by Lancelot or Gawaine, as she said. She made
+me swear on my knighthood to fight till I met
+one of them, and put to a shameful death all I
+overcame. And I vowed to fight King Arthur's
+knights above all, till I should meet him that had
+slain her brother."</p>
+
+<p>Then there came up many earls, and barons, and
+noble knights, who fell upon their knees and
+prayed for mercy to the vanquished, saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, it were fairer to take homage and fealty
+of him, and let him hold his lands of you, than to
+slay him. Nothing wrong that he has done will
+be undone by his death, and we will all become
+your men, and do you homage and fealty."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lords," said Beaumains, "I am loath to
+slay this knight, though his deeds have been ill
+and shameful. But as he acted through a lady's
+request I blame him the less, and will release him
+on these conditions: He must go into the castle
+and yield to the Lady Lioness, and make amends
+to her for his trespass on her lands; then if she
+forgives him I will. Afterwards he must go to
+the court of King Arthur and obtain forgiveness
+from Lancelot and Gawaine for the ill will he has
+borne them."</p>
+
+<p>"All this I will do," said the red knight, "and
+give you pledges and sureties therefore."</p>
+
+<p>Then Beaumains granted him his life, and permitted
+him to rise. Afterwards the damsel Linet
+disarmed Beaumains and applied healing unguents
+to his wounds, and performed the same service for
+the red knight. For ten days thereafter Beaumains
+dwelt with the red knight, who showed him all the
+honor possible, and who afterwards went into the
+castle and submitted himself to the Lady Lioness,
+according to the terms of his compact.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h4>HOW BEAUMAINS WON HIS BRIDE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>After the ten days of feasting and pleasure that
+followed the events we have just related, the Red
+Knight of the Red Lawns set out with his noblest
+followers to Arthur's court, to make submission
+as he had covenanted. When he had gone, Beaumains
+armed himself, took his horse and spear,
+and rode to the castle of the Lady Lioness. But
+when he came to the gate he found there many
+armed men, who pulled up the drawbridge and let
+fall the portcullis.</p>
+
+<p>Marvelling deeply that he was denied admittance,
+Beaumains looked up at the window, where he saw
+the lady of the castle, who called out to him,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Go thy way, Sir Beaumains. You shall not yet
+have my love till you have earned for yourself a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>
+name of world-wide honor. I bid you, therefore,
+go strive for fame and glory this twelvemonth, and
+when you return you shall hear new tidings."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, fair lady," said Beaumains, "is this all
+I have deserved of you? I thought I had bought
+your love at the price of some of the best blood in
+my body."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair, courteous knight, be not so hasty," answered
+Lioness. "Your labor and your love shall
+not be lost. A twelvemonth will soon pass away;
+and trust me that I shall be true to you, and to
+my death shall love no other than you."</p>
+
+<p>With this she turned from the window, and
+Beaumains rode slowly away from the castle in
+deep sorrow, and heeding not whither he went till
+deep night came upon him. The next day he rode
+in the same heedless fashion, and at night couched
+in a wayside lodge, bidding the dwarf guard his
+horse and watch all night.</p>
+
+<p>But near day dawn came a knight in black armor,
+who, seeing that Beaumains slept soundly, crept
+slyly behind the dwarf, caught him up under his
+arm, and rode away with him at full speed. But as
+he rode, the dwarf called loudly to his master for
+help, waking the sleeping knight, who sprang to
+his feet and saw the robber and the dwarf vanishing
+into the distance.</p>
+
+<p>Then Beaumains armed himself in a fury, and
+rode straight forward through marshes and dales,
+so hot upon the chase that he heeded not the road,
+and was more than once flung by his stumbling
+horse into the mire. At length he met a country-man,
+whom he asked for information.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 390px;">
+<a name="Beaumains_Pg_213" id="Beaumains_Pg_213"></a><img src="images/p213.jpg" width="390" height="500" alt="BEAUMAINS, DAMSEL, AND DWARF." title="BEAUMAINS, DAMSEL, AND DWARF." />
+<span class="caption">BEAUMAINS, DAMSEL, AND DWARF.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>"Sir knight," he answered, "I have seen the
+rider with the dwarf. But I advise you to follow
+him no farther. His name is Sir Gringamore; he
+dwells but two miles from here, and he is one of
+the most valiant knights of the country round."</p>
+
+<p>With little dread from this warning, Beaumains
+rode on, with double fury as he came near the robber's
+castle. Soon he thundered through the gates,
+which stood wide open, and sword in hand cried,
+in a voice that rang through the castle,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Thou traitor, Sir Gringamore, yield me my
+dwarf again, or by the faith that I owe to the
+order of knighthood I will make you repent bitterly
+your false deed."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, within the castle matters of interest
+were occurring. For Gringamore was brother to
+the Lady Lioness, and had stolen the dwarf at her
+request, that she might learn from him who Beaumains
+really was. The dwarf, under threat of imprisonment
+for life, thus answered,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I fear to tell his name and kindred. Yet if I
+must I will say that he is a king's son, that his
+mother is sister to King Arthur, and that his name
+is Sir Gareth of Orkney. Now, I pray you, let
+me go to him again, for he will have me in spite
+of you, and if he be angry, he will work you much
+rack and ruin."</p>
+
+<p>"As for that," said Gringamore, "it can wait.
+Let us go to dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"He may well be a king's son," said Linet to her
+sister, "for he is the most courteous and long-suffering
+man I ever met. I tried him with such
+reviling as never lady uttered before, but he bore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>
+it all with meek and gentle answers. Yet to armed
+knights he was like a lion."</p>
+
+<p>As they thus talked, the challenge of Beaumains
+rang loud from the castle court. Then Gringamore
+called loudly to him from a window,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Cease your boasting, Gareth of Orkney, you
+will not get your dwarf again."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou coward knight," cried Beaumains.
+"Bring him here, and do battle with me. Then
+if you can win him, keep him."</p>
+
+<p>"So I will when I am ready. But you will not
+get him by loud words."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not anger him, brother," said Lioness. "I
+have all I want from the dwarf, and he may have
+him again. But do not let him know who I am.
+Let him think me a strange lady."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said Gringamore; "if that is your
+wish, he can have the dwarf." Then he went down
+to the court and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, I beg your pardon, and am ready to amend
+all the harm I have done you. Pray alight, and
+take such cheer as my poor castle affords."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I have my dwarf?" said Gareth.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Since he told me who you are, and of
+your noble deeds, I am ready to return him."</p>
+
+<p>Then Gareth dismounted, and the dwarf came
+and took his horse.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my little fellow," said Gareth, "I have
+had many adventures for your sake."</p>
+
+<p>Gringamore then led him into the hall and presented
+him to his wife. And while they stood there
+conversing Dame Lioness came forth dressed like
+a princess, and was presented to the knight.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>When Gareth saw her his feeling for the Lady
+Lioness weakened in his heart, and it grew ready
+to vanish as the day passed, and he conversed much
+with this strange and lovely lady. There were all
+manner of games, and sports of dancing and singing,
+and the more he beheld her the more he loved
+her, while through his heart ran ever the thought:
+"Would that the lady of the Castle Dangerous
+were half so lovely and charming as this beautiful
+stranger."</p>
+
+<p>When supper came, Gareth could not eat, and
+hardly knew where he was, so hot had his love
+grown. All this was noted by Gringamore, who
+after supper took his sister aside and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I can well see how matters stand between you
+and this noble knight. And it seems to me you
+cannot do better than to bestow your hand upon
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to try him further," she replied,
+"though he has done me noble service, and my heart
+is warmly turned to him."</p>
+
+<p>Gringamore then went to Gareth and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, I welcome you gladly to my house, for I
+can see that you dearly love my sister, and that she
+loves you as well. With my will she is yours if
+you wish her."</p>
+
+<p>"If she will accept me," answered Gareth, "there
+will be no happier man on earth."</p>
+
+<p>"Trust me for that," said Gringamore.</p>
+
+<p>"I fancied I loved the Lady Lioness," said Gareth,
+"and promised for her sake to return to this
+country in a twelvemonth. But since I have seen
+your sister I fear my love for her is gone."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>"It was too sudden to be deep," said Gringamore.
+"She will be consoled, doubt not. Now
+let me take you to my sister."</p>
+
+<p>Then he led Gareth to his sister and left them
+together, where they told each other their love,
+and Gareth kissed her many times, and their hearts
+were filled with joy.</p>
+
+<p>"But how is it with the Lady Lioness, to whom
+you vowed your love?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Promised; not vowed," he answered. "And
+she was not ready to accept it, but gave me a twelvemonth's
+probation. Moreover, I saw but her face
+at a window, and that was little to base love upon."</p>
+
+<p>"Did she look like me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Somewhat, but not half so lovely."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think you could have loved her so
+well?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed; for I will vow by sword and spear
+that there is no woman in the world so charming
+as you."</p>
+
+<p>"I fear that the Lady Lioness loves you, and
+that her heart will be broken."</p>
+
+<p>"How could she? She saw so little of me."</p>
+
+<p>"I know she loves you; she has told me so. I
+bid you to forget me and make her happy."</p>
+
+<p>"That I can never do. You do not love me, or
+you could not say this."</p>
+
+<p>"You are my heart's desire. But I feel deeply
+for the Lady Lioness, whose love I know. If you
+cannot love her alone, you may love us both together.
+I grant you this privilege."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not accept it," said Gareth, looking
+strangely at her smiling countenance. "I love
+but you; my heart can hold no more."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>"You blind fellow," she answered, with a merry
+laugh, "you looked not at the Lady Lioness closely,
+or you would not so easily forget your troth plight.
+Know, sirrah, that I am the lady of the Castle
+Dangerous, that my name is Lioness, and that I am
+she whom you have so lightly thrown aside for the
+love of a strange lady."</p>
+
+<p>Then Gareth looked into her glowing countenance,
+and saw there that she spoke the truth and that
+he had been pleasantly beguiled. With a warm
+impulse of love he caught her in his arms and
+kissed her rosy lips, exclaiming,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I withdraw it all. I love you both; the lady
+of the Castle Dangerous a little; but the lady of
+the Castle Amorous as my heart's mistress, to dwell
+there while life remains."</p>
+
+<p>Then they conversed long and joyfully, and she
+told him why she had made her brother steal the
+dwarf, and why she had deceived him, so as to
+win his love for herself alone. And they plighted
+their troth, and vowed that their love for each
+other should never cease.</p>
+
+<p>Other strange things happened to Gareth in that
+castle, through the spells of the damsel Linet, who
+knew something of sorcery. But these we shall
+not tell, but return to King Arthur's court, in which
+at the next feast of Pentecost a high festival was
+held at Carlion.</p>
+
+<p>Hither, during the feast, came all those whom
+Gareth had overcome, and yielded themselves, saying
+that they had been sent thither by a knight
+named Beaumains. But most of all was Arthur
+surprised by the deeds of his kitchen boy when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>
+the Red Knight of the Red Lawns rode up with
+six hundred followers, and yielded himself as vassal
+to Beaumains and to the king. Arthur then,
+charging him strictly that he should do no more
+deeds of murder, gave to Sir Ironside, which was
+the knight's name, the greatest honors of his court,
+and also to the green and the red knights, and to
+Sir Persant of Inde, who were all present with their
+followers.</p>
+
+<p>But while the court was at feast there came in
+the queen of Orkney, with a great following of
+knights and ladies, seeking her young son Gareth.
+She was lovingly saluted by her sons Gawaine,
+Gaheris, and Agravaine, who for fifteen years had
+not seen her, but she loudly demanded Gareth of
+her brother King Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"He was here among you a twelvemonth, and
+you made a kitchen knave of him, which I hold
+to be a shame to you all. What have you done
+to the dear son who was my joy and bliss?"</p>
+
+<p>These words filled all hearts with a strange sensation,
+and most of all that of Gawaine, who
+thought it marvellous that he should have made
+so much of his brother and not known him. Then
+Arthur told his sister of all that had happened,
+and cheered her heart with a recital of her son's
+great deeds, and promised to have the whole realm
+searched till he should be found.</p>
+
+<p>"You shall not need," said Lancelot. "My advice
+is that you send a messenger to Dame Lioness,
+and request her to come in all haste to court. Let
+her give you counsel where to find him. I doubt
+not she knows where he is."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>This counsel seemed judicious to the king, and
+he sent the messenger as requested, who came in
+due time to the Castle Dangerous, and delivered
+his letters to Lioness.</p>
+
+<p>She brought these to her brother and Gareth,
+and asked what she should do.</p>
+
+<p>"My lady and love," said Gareth, "if you go to
+Arthur's court I beg that you will not let them
+know where I am. But give this advice to the
+king, that he call a great tournament, to be held
+at your castle at the feast of the Assumption, and
+announce that whatever knight proves himself best
+shall wed you and win your lands. Be sure that
+I will be there to do my best in your service."</p>
+
+<p>This advice pleased the lady, whose warm faith
+in the prowess of her lover told her that he would
+win in the tournament. She therefore set out with
+a noble escort and rode to King Arthur's court,
+where she was received with the highest honors.
+The king closely questioned her about Sir Gareth,
+desiring particularly to know what had become of
+him. She answered that where he was she was not
+at liberty to tell, and said further to the king,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, there is a way to find him. It is my purpose
+to call a tournament, which shall be held before
+my castle at the feast of the Assumption. You,
+my lord Arthur, must be there with your knights,
+and my knights shall be against you. I doubt me
+not that then you shall hear of Sir Gareth."</p>
+
+<p>"That is well advised," said the king.</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be announced," she continued, "that
+the knight who proves the best shall wed me and
+be lord of my lands. If he be already wedded, his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>
+wife shall have a coronal of gold, set with precious
+stones to the value of a thousand pounds, and a
+white jerfalcon."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," said the king. "That will bring
+Sir Gareth, if he be alive and able to come. If he
+would win you, he must do his duty nobly."</p>
+
+<p>Soon after the Lady Lioness departed and returned
+to her castle, where she told all that had
+passed, and began preparations for the tournament,
+which was to be held two months from that day.</p>
+
+<p>Gareth sent for Sir Persant of Inde, and for Sir
+Ironside, the Red Knight of the Red Lawns, bidding
+them be ready with all their followers, to fight
+on his side against King Arthur and his knights.
+And the cry for the tournament was made in England,
+Wales and Scotland, Ireland, and Cornwall,
+and in all the out islands, and in Brittany and other
+countries. Many good knights came from afar,
+eager to win honor in the lists, the most of whom
+held with the party of the castle against King
+Arthur and his knights.</p>
+
+<p>In due time King Arthur and his following appeared
+at the Castle Dangerous, there being with
+him Gawaine and the other brothers of Gareth,
+Lancelot with his nephews and cousins, and all
+the most valiant Knights of the Round Table, with
+various kings who owed him knightly service, as
+noble a band of warriors as had ever been seen in
+the land.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Dame Lioness had hospitably entertained
+the knights of her party, providing ample
+lodging and food, though abundance was left to
+be had for gold and silver by King Arthur and his
+knights.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>But Gareth begged her and all who knew him
+in no manner to make known his name, but to
+deal with him as if he were the least of their company,
+as he wished to fight in secret and bide his
+own time to declare himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Dame Lioness to him, "if such be
+your desire, I will lend you a ring, whose virtue
+is such that it will turn that which is green to
+red, and that which is red to green; and also turn
+blue to white, and white to blue, and so with all
+colors. And he who wears it will lose no blood,
+however desperately he fights. For the great love
+I bear you I lend you this ring; but as you love
+me heartily in return, let me have it again when
+the tournament is done, for this ring increases my
+beauty more than it is of itself."</p>
+
+<p>"My own dear lady," cried Gareth, "now indeed
+you prove your love for me. Gladly shall I wear
+that ring, for I much desire not to be known."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir Gringamore gave Gareth a powerful bay
+courser, and a suit of the best of armor; and with
+them a noble sword which his father had long before
+won from a heathen tyrant. And so the lover made
+ready for the tournament, of which his lady-love
+was to be the prize.</p>
+
+<p>Two days before the Assumption of our Lady,
+King Arthur reached the castle, and for those two
+days rich feasting was held, while royal minstrelsy
+and merry-making of all kinds filled every soul
+with joy. But when came the morning of the
+Assumption all was restless bustle and warlike confusion.
+At an early hour the heralds were commanded
+to blow to the field, and soon from every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>
+side a throng of knights was to be seen riding gayly
+to the lists, while a goodly host of spectators made
+haste to take their seats, all eager to behold that
+noble passage-at-arms.</p>
+
+<p>Valorous and worthy were the deeds that followed,
+for hosts of the best knights in the world
+had gathered in the lists, and there was wondrous
+breaking of spears and unhorsing of knights, while
+many who boasted of their firm seat in the saddle
+went headlong to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>At length there rode into the lists Sir Gareth
+and Sir Ironside from the castle, each of whom
+smote to the ground the first knights that encountered
+them, and before long time had passed Gareth
+had with one spear unhorsed seven knights of
+renown.</p>
+
+<p>When King Agwisance of Ireland saw this new-comer
+fare so nobly, he marvelled much who he
+might be, for at one time he seemed green and at
+another blue, his color appearing to change at every
+course as he rode to and fro, so that no eye could
+readily follow him.</p>
+
+<p>"I must try this strange turn-color knight myself,"
+said Sir Agwisance, and he spurred his horse
+vigorously on Gareth.</p>
+
+<p>But with a mighty stroke of his spear Gareth
+thrust him from his horse, saddle and all. Then
+King Carados of Scotland rode against him, and
+was hurled to the earth, horse and man. King
+Uriens of Gore, King Bagdemagus, and others who
+tried their fortune, were served in the same manner.
+Then Sir Galahalt, the high prince, cried loudly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Knight of the many colors, well hast thou<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>
+jousted; now make ready, that I may joust with
+thee."</p>
+
+<p>Gareth heard him, and got a great spear, and
+quickly the two knights encountered, the prince
+breaking his spear. But Gareth smote him on the
+left side of the helm so that he reeled in his saddle,
+and would have fallen had not his men supported
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly," said King Arthur, "that knight with
+the many colors is a lusty fighter. Lancelot, do
+you try his mettle, before he beats all our best
+men."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Lancelot, "I should hold it unjust
+to meet him fresh after his hard labors. It is not
+the part of a good knight to rob one of the honor
+for which he has worked so nobly. It may be that
+he is best beloved of the lady of all that are here,
+for I can see that he enforces himself to do great
+deeds. Therefore, for me, he shall have what
+honor he has won; though it lay in my power to
+put him from it, I would not."</p>
+
+<p>And now, in the lists, the breaking of spears was
+followed by drawing of swords; and then there
+began a sore tournament. There did Sir Lamorak
+marvellous deeds of arms, and betwixt him and
+Sir Ironside there was a strong battle, and one also
+between Palamides and Bleoberis. Then came in
+Lancelot, who rode against Sir Turquine and his
+brother Carados, fighting them both together.</p>
+
+<p>Seeing Lancelot thus hard pressed, Gareth pushed
+his horse between him and his opponents, and
+hurtled them asunder, but no stroke would he smite
+Sir Lancelot, but rode briskly on, striking to right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>
+and left, so that his path was marked by the knights
+he overturned.</p>
+
+<p>Afterward Gareth rode out of the press of knights
+to adjust his helm, which had become loosened.
+Here his dwarf came briskly up with drink, and
+said to him,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Let me hold your ring, that you lose it not while
+you drink."</p>
+
+<p>Gareth gave it to him, and quaffed deeply of the
+refreshing draught, for he was burning with thirst.
+This done, his eagerness to return to the fray was
+so great that he forgot the ring, which he left in
+the keeping of the dwarf, while he replaced his helm,
+mounted his horse, and rode briskly back to the lists.</p>
+
+<p>When he reached the field again he was in yellow
+armor, and there he rashed off helms and pulled
+down knights till King Arthur marvelled more than
+ever what knight this was, for though his color
+changed no more, the king saw by his hair that he
+was the same knight.</p>
+
+<p>"Go and ride about that yellow knight," said
+the king to several heralds, "and see if you can
+learn who he is. I have asked many knights of his
+party to-day, and none of them know him."</p>
+
+<p>So a herald rode as near Gareth as he could, and
+there he saw written about his helm in letters of
+gold, "This helm is Sir Gareth's of Orkney."</p>
+
+<p>Then the herald cried out as if he were mad, and
+many others echoed his words, "The knight in
+the yellow arms is Sir Gareth of Orkney, King
+Lot's son!"</p>
+
+<p>When Gareth saw that he was discovered he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>
+doubled his strokes in his anger, and smote down
+Sir Sagramore, and his brother Gawaine.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, brother!" cried Gawaine, "I did not deem
+that you would strike me. Can you not find food
+enough for your sword, without coming so near
+home?"</p>
+
+<p>On hearing this, Gareth was troubled in soul,
+and with great force made his way out of the press,
+meeting his dwarf outside.</p>
+
+<p>"Faithless boy!" he cried; "you have beguiled
+me foully to-day by keeping my ring. Give it to
+me again; I am too well known without it."</p>
+
+<p>He took the ring, and at once he changed color
+again, so that all lost sight of him but Gawaine,
+who had kept his eyes fixed upon him. Leaving
+the lists, Gareth now rode into the forest, followed
+at a distance by his brother, who soon lost sight
+of him in the woodland depths.</p>
+
+<p>When Gareth saw that he had thus distanced
+his pursuer, he turned to the dwarf and asked
+his counsel as to what should now be done.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the dwarf, "it seems best to me,
+now that you are free from danger of spying, that
+you send my lady, Dame Lioness, her ring. It is
+too precious a thing to keep from her."</p>
+
+<p>"That is well advised," said Gareth. "Take it
+to her, and say that I recommend myself to her
+good grace, and will come when I may; and pray
+her to be true and faithful to me, as I will be to
+her."</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be done as you command," said the
+dwarf, and, receiving the ring, he rode on his
+errand.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>The Lady Lioness received him graciously, and
+listened with beaming eyes to Gareth's message.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is my knight?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"He bade me say that he would not be long
+from you," answered the dwarf.</p>
+
+<p>Then, bearing a tender reply from the lady, the
+dwarf sought his master again, and found him
+impatiently waiting, for he was weary and needed
+repose.</p>
+
+<p>As they rode forward through the forest a storm
+of thunder and lightning came up suddenly, and
+it rained as if heaven and earth were coming together.
+On through this conflict of the elements
+rode the weary knight and the disconsolate dwarf,
+under the drenching leaves of the forest, until night
+was near at hand. And still it thundered and
+lightened as if all the spirits of the air had gone
+mad.</p>
+
+<p>At last, through an opening in the trees, Gareth
+to his delight beheld the towers of a castle, and
+heard the watchman's call upon its walls.</p>
+
+<p>"Good luck follows bad, my worthy dwarf," he
+cried. "Here is shelter; let us to it."</p>
+
+<p>He rode to the barbican of the castle and called
+to the porter, praying him in courteous language
+to let him in from the storm.</p>
+
+<p>"Go thy way," cried the porter, surlily; "thou
+gettest no lodging here."</p>
+
+<p>"Say not so, fair sir. I am a knight of King
+Arthur's, and pray the lord or lady of this castle
+to give me harbor for love of the king."</p>
+
+<p>Then the porter went to the duchess, and told
+her that a knight of King Arthur's sought shelter.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>"I will see him," said the duchess; "for King
+Arthur's sake he shall not go harborless."</p>
+
+<p>Then she went up into a tower over the gate,
+with great torch-light, that she might behold the
+storm-stayed wayfarer. When Gareth saw the light,
+he cried loudly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Whether thou be lord or lady, giant or champion,
+I pray for harbor this night. If it be that I
+must fight for my lodging, spare me that till morning,
+when I have rested, for I and my horse are
+both weary."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," said the lady, "you speak like a
+bold knight errant. This you must know, that
+the lord of this castle loves not King Arthur nor
+any of his court. Therefore, it were better for
+you not to enter here. If you come in it must be
+under this contract, that wherever you meet my
+lord, by road, by lane, or by street, you shall yield
+to him as his prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>"Madam," asked Gareth, "what is your lord's
+name?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is the Duke de la Rowse," she answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, madam, it shall be as you say. I promise
+that wherever I meet your lord I shall yield
+me to his good grace, with the covenant that he
+will do me no harm. If I understand that he will,
+then shall I release myself as best I can with sword
+and spear."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak well and wisely," answered the
+duchess, and she ordered that the drawbridge be
+lowered.</p>
+
+<p>Gareth rode into the court-yard, where he alighted
+and gave his horse to a stableman. Then he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>
+led to the hall, where his dwarf removed his armor.</p>
+
+<p>"Madam," he said, "I shall not leave this hall
+to-night. When it comes daylight if any one wants
+to fight me he will find me ready."</p>
+
+<p>Supper was now prepared, the table being garnished
+with many goodly dishes, and the duchess
+and other fair ladies sat by while Gareth ate, some
+of them saying that they never saw a man of nobler
+carriage or aspect. Shortly after he had supped,
+his bed was made in the hall, and there he rested
+all night.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning he heard mass and took his leave
+of the duchess and her lady attendants, thanking
+her warmly for his lodging and the good cheer
+she had set before him. She now asked him his
+name.</p>
+
+<p>"Madam," he replied, "my name is Gareth of
+Orkney, though some men call me Beaumains."</p>
+
+<p>Hearing this, she bade him adieu with great
+courtesy, for she now knew that she had entertained
+the knight who had rescued Dame Lioness, and the
+victor at the tournament.</p>
+
+<p>As for Gareth, he rode onward mile after mile,
+till he found himself on a mountain side, where
+he was confronted by a knight named Sir Bendelaine,
+who demanded that he should joust or yield
+himself prisoner. Gareth, angry at this demand,
+rode against the freebooter and smote him so furiously
+that his spear pierced his body, so that he
+died on reaching his castle.</p>
+
+<p>Quickly a throng of his knights and servants,
+furious at their lord's death, rode after the victor
+and assailed him fiercely. When they saw how<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>
+well he defended himself, they attacked his horse
+and killed it with spear-thrusts, and then rushed
+in a body on the dismounted knight. But they
+found him still more than their match, for one after
+another of them fell beneath his sword till only four
+were left. These fled in terror to the castle, and
+Gareth, taking the best of their horses, rode leisurely
+on his way.</p>
+
+<p>Many miles farther had he gone when he found
+himself near a roadside castle, from whose walls
+there came to his ears dismal lamentations in ladies'
+voices. While he stood wondering at this there
+came by a page.</p>
+
+<p>"What noise is that within the castle?" asked
+Gareth.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," answered the page, "within this
+castle there are thirty ladies, all widows, for their
+husbands have been slain by the lord of the castle,
+who is called the brown knight without pity, and
+there is no more perilous knight now living. Therefore,"
+continued the page, "I bid you flee."</p>
+
+<p>"You may be afraid of him," said Gareth; "but
+I shall not flee for that."</p>
+
+<p>Then the page saw the brown knight coming.</p>
+
+<p>"Lo! yonder he cometh," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me deal with him," said Gareth.</p>
+
+<p>When the brown knight saw a champion in the
+road, with spear in rest, awaiting him, he prepared
+quickly for the combat, and spurring his strong
+war-horse, rode furiously upon Gareth, breaking
+his spear in the middle of his shield. But Gareth
+struck him a fatal blow in return, for his spear
+went through his body, so that he fell to the ground
+stark dead.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>Then the victor rode into the castle, and prayed
+the ladies that he might find repose there for the
+night.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" they cried, "that cannot be."</p>
+
+<p>"Give him your best cheer," said the page, "for
+this knight has killed your enemy."</p>
+
+<p>Hearing this, they joyfully did their utmost to
+make him comfortable. In the morning, when he
+was ready to depart, he went to mass, and there saw
+the thirty ladies kneeling, and some of them grovelling
+upon the tombs, with the greatest sorrow and
+lamentation.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair ladies, you have my pity," he said.
+"Grieve no more, I pray you; your enemy is justly
+punished for his crimes."</p>
+
+<p>So with few words he departed, and rode onward
+till fortune brought him into another mountain.
+Not far up its slope had he gone when he saw
+before him a sturdy knight, who bade him stand and
+joust.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?" asked Gareth.</p>
+
+<p>"I am the Duke de la Rowse."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I lodged lately in your castle, and promised
+your lady that I should yield unto you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" said the duke, "are you that proud
+knight who proffered to fight with any of my followers?
+Make ready, sirrah; I must have a
+passage-at-arms with you, for I would know which
+of us is the better man."</p>
+
+<p>So they spurred together, and Gareth smote the
+duke from his horse. But in a moment he was
+on his feet, sword in hand, and bidding his antagonist
+to alight and continue the battle on foot.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>
+Nothing loath, Gareth obeyed, and for more than an
+hour they fought, until both were sorely hurt. But
+in the end Gareth got the duke to the earth, and
+bade him yield if he would save his life. At this
+the duke lost no time in yielding.</p>
+
+<p>"Then must you go," said Gareth, "unto my lord
+King Arthur at the next feast, and say that I, Sir
+Gareth of Orkney, sent you."</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be done," said the duke. "And I am
+at your command all the days of my life, with a
+hundred knights in my train."</p>
+
+<p>This said, the duke departed, leaving Gareth
+there alone. But not long had he stood when he
+saw another armed knight approaching. Then
+Gareth took the duke's shield, and mounted, waiting
+the new-comer, who rode upon him without a word
+of greeting. And now, for the first time, Gareth
+met his match, for the stranger knight held his
+seat unharmed, and wounded him in the side with
+his spear.</p>
+
+<p>Then they alighted and drew their swords, and
+for two hours they fought, till the blood flowed
+freely from them both.</p>
+
+<p>As they thus fought there came that way the
+damsel Linet, riding on an ambling mule. When
+she saw them, she cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Gawaine, Sir Gawaine, leave off fighting
+with thy brother Gareth."</p>
+
+<p>When Gawaine, for it was indeed he, heard this,
+he threw down his shield and sword and ran to
+Gareth, whom he took in his arms, and then kneeled
+down and asked his mercy.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you," asked Gareth, "that one minute
+fight me so strongly and yield the next?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>"Oh, Gareth, I am your brother Gawaine."</p>
+
+<p>Then Gareth unlaced his helm, and kneeled to
+him and asked his mercy. Both now rose and
+embraced each other, weeping so that it was long
+before they could speak. When their voices returned
+they entered into a brotherly contest, for
+each insisted that the other had won the battle. As
+they thus stood in loving converse, the damsel Linet
+came up to them, and stanched their wounds, from
+which the blood was flowing freely.</p>
+
+<p>"What will you do now?" she asked. "It
+seems to me that my lord Arthur should have
+news of you, for your horses are too bruised to
+carry you."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well said," answered Gawaine. "Will
+you, fair damsel, bear word to him?"</p>
+
+<p>Then she took her mule and rode to where the
+king abode, he then being at a castle scarcely two
+miles distant. The tidings she brought him cheered
+his heart wonderfully, for much had the disappearance
+of Gareth troubled him. Turning to his
+attendants, he ordered that a palfrey should be
+saddled in all haste.</p>
+
+<p>When he was in the saddle he turned to the wondering
+lords and ladies and told them whither he
+went, bidding all who wished to greet Sir Gareth
+to follow. Then was there hasty saddling and
+bridling of queens' horses and princes' horses, and
+happiest were they who soonest got ready.</p>
+
+<p>But the king rode on till he came where Gawaine
+and Gareth sat upon a little hill-side, and here he
+sprang from his horse and embraced Gareth as
+though he were his own son. Quickly behind him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>
+came his sister Morgause, who fell into a swoon
+when she saw her dear young son. And the other
+knights and ladies came up in all haste, and great
+was the joy that all felt. After congratulations
+had passed, and the two brothers been removed to
+a place where their wounds could be attended to,
+the Dame Lioness was sent for, and came at the
+utmost speed, with her brother Sir Gringamore and
+forty knights.</p>
+
+<p>Among all the ladies there she was the fairest
+and peerless. And when Gareth saw her, so loving
+were the looks and joyous the words between them,
+that all who beheld it were filled with delight.</p>
+
+<p>Eight days passed before Gareth and his brother
+recovered from their wounds. Then Arthur came
+to him, with Guenever, and Morgause, and others
+of high degree, and asked him if he would have
+the Lady Lioness for his wife.</p>
+
+<p>"My lord, I love her above all ladies living."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, fair lady, what say you?" asked the
+king.</p>
+
+<p>"Most noble king," replied Lioness, with blushing
+face, "my lord Gareth is more to me than any
+king or prince that was ever christened. If I may
+not have him, none will I ever have. My first love
+is he, and my last he shall be."</p>
+
+<p>"And if I have you not as my wife," broke in
+Gareth, "never shall lady living give joy to my
+heart."</p>
+
+<p>"What, nephew," said the king, "is the wind in
+that door? Then not for my crown would I sever
+two such loving hearts, but would much prefer to
+increase than to distress your love."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>And words to the same effect said Gareth's
+mother.</p>
+
+<p>Then provision was made for a brilliant and
+joyous wedding, the king advising that it should
+take place on the Michaelmas following, at Kinkenadon
+by the seaside, where is a plentiful country.
+And so it was cried in all places through the realm.</p>
+
+<p>Dame Lioness and the damsel Linet, with Sir
+Gringamore, now rode to their castle, where she
+gave Gareth a jewelled ring and received one from
+him, while Arthur gave her a rich bee of gold.
+Then Arthur and his following rode towards Kinkenadon.
+Gareth soon followed, and joined Arthur
+on his way.</p>
+
+<p>Oh, the great cheer that Lancelot now made of
+Gareth, and Gareth of him; for there was never
+knight that Gareth loved as he did Lancelot. But
+he cared less for his brother Gawaine, who was
+revengeful, and disposed to murder where he hated,
+a feeling which the young knight abhorred.</p>
+
+<p>When Michaelmas came near, Dame Lioness with
+her brother and sister rode to Kinkenadon, where
+they were lodged at the expense of King Arthur,
+who had prepared for them royally.</p>
+
+<p>And upon Michaelmas day the bishop of Canterbury
+performed the wedding ceremony between
+Gareth and the Lady Lioness with all solemnity,
+and in the presence of a noble and splendid gathering
+of the greatest lords and highest ladies of England's
+realm.</p>
+
+<p>And here other weddings took place, for King
+Arthur devised that Gaheris should wed the damsel
+Linet, and that Agravaine should wed Dame Laurel,
+a fair lady, niece to the Lady Lioness.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="Wedding_Pg_235" id="Wedding_Pg_235"></a><img src="images/p235.jpg" width="500" height="308" alt="THE JOYOUS WEDDING." title="THE JOYOUS WEDDING." />
+<span class="caption">THE JOYOUS WEDDING.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>When these weddings were done another solemnity
+took place; for there came into the church the
+various knights whom Gareth had overcome, each
+with his knightly followers, and with them the
+thirty ladies whom he had delivered from the brown
+knight, attended by many gentlewomen. All the
+knights did homage and fealty to Gareth, and the
+ladies kneeled and prayed heartily that happiness
+might be his lot throughout his life.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards there was high feasting, and all manner
+of games and revels, with the richest minstrelsy,
+and jousts that lasted three days. But the king
+would not suffer Sir Gareth to joust because of his
+new bride; for the Dame Lioness had desired that
+none who were newly married should joust at that
+feast.</p>
+
+<p>On the first day Sir Lamorak won the honor of
+the lists, for he overthrew thirty knights and did
+marvellous feats of arms. And that day King
+Arthur made Sir Persant of Inde and his two
+brothers, Knights of the Round Table, and gave
+them great lands.</p>
+
+<p>On the second day Sir Tristram jousted best, and
+overthrew forty knights. And on that day the
+king made Sir Ironside, the Red Knight of the
+Red Lawns, a Knight of the Round Table, and gave
+him great lands.</p>
+
+<p>On the third day the prize of valor fell to Sir
+Lancelot, who overthrew fifty knights and did such
+marvellous deeds that all men wondered at him.
+And now King Arthur made the Duke de la Rowse
+a Knight of the Round Table, and gave him great
+lands to spend.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>Thus ended the festivities at the marriage of Sir
+Gareth of Orkney and the Lady Lioness. But
+Gareth and his lovely bride lived long and happily
+together afterwards, and much knightly renown
+he won, and great honor from all men.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="BOOK_VI" id="BOOK_VI"></a>BOOK VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>TRISTRAM OF LYONESSE AND THE FAIR ISOLDE.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h4>HOW TRISTRAM WAS KNIGHTED.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Sad was the day when the renowned knight,
+Tristram of Lyonesse, was born, for on that day
+his mother died, and his father lay in prison through
+the arts of an enchantress. Therefore he was
+called Tristram, which signifies one of a sorrowful
+birth.</p>
+
+<p>It happened that when he was seven years of
+age his father, King Meliodas, of the country of
+Lyonesse, married again. His first wife had been
+Elizabeth, sister of King Mark of Cornwall. He
+now married the daughter of King Howell of Brittany,
+a woman who proved of evil soul.</p>
+
+<p>For after the new queen had children of her
+own she grew to hate the boy who stood between
+her son and the throne of Lyonesse, and so bitter
+grew her hatred that in the end she laid a foul
+plot for his murder. She put poison in a silver
+cup in the chamber where the young princes were
+used to play together, with the hope that Tristram
+when thirsty would drink from that cup. But fate
+so willed that the queen's own son drank of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>
+poisoned cup, when thirsty from play, and died
+of it.</p>
+
+<p>This fatal error filled the queen with deep anguish,
+but it added doubly to her hate, and with
+murderous intent she again put the poisoned cup
+into the chamber. But God protected the boy, for
+this time King Meliodas, being thirsty, saw the
+envenomed cup of wine, and took it up with purpose
+to drink. Before he could do so the queen, who
+was near by, ran hastily forward, snatched the
+deadly cup from his hand, and threw its contents
+on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>This hasty act filled the king with suspicion, for
+the sudden death of his young son had seemed to
+him like the work of poison. In a burst of passion
+he caught the guilty woman fiercely by the hand,
+drew his sword, and swore a mighty oath that he
+would kill her on the spot, unless she told him
+what had been in the cup and why it was put there.</p>
+
+<p>At this threat the queen, trembling and weeping
+with fright, acknowledged that it had been her
+design to kill Tristram, in order that her son should
+inherit the kingdom of Lyonesse.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou false traitress and murderess!" cried the
+king in redoubled passion. "By my royal soul, you
+shall have the fate you designed for my son. A
+worse one you shall have, for you shall be burned
+at the stake as a poisoner."</p>
+
+<p>Then he called a council of his barons, who confirmed
+this sentence on learning the dark crime
+of the queen, and by the order of the court a fire
+of execution was prepared, and the murderess bound
+to the stake, while fagots were heaped about her
+drooping form.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>The flames were already kindled, and were crawling
+like deadly serpents through the dry wood, but
+before they could reach the condemned queen young
+Tristram kneeled before his father and begged him
+a boon.</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have it, my son. What would you
+ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"Grant me the life of the queen. I cannot bear
+to see her die so terrible a death."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask not that," said the king. "You should
+hate her who would have poisoned you. I have
+condemned her more for your sake than my own."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet I beseech you to be merciful to her. I
+have forgiven her, and pray God to do so. You
+granted me my boon for God's love, and I hold
+you to your promise."</p>
+
+<p>"If you will have it so, I cannot withdraw my
+word," said the king. "I give her to you. Go to
+the fire and take her, and do with her what you
+will."</p>
+
+<p>This gladdened the boy's heart, which had been
+full of horror at the dreadful spectacle, and he
+hastened to release the victim from the flames.</p>
+
+<p>But after that Meliodas would have nothing to
+do with her until after years had passed, when
+Tristram reconciled them with each other. And
+he sent his son from the court, being afraid the
+pardoned murderess might devise some new scheme
+for his destruction. The noble-hearted lad was
+therefore given as tutor a learned gentleman named
+Gouvernail, who took him to France, that he might
+learn the language and be taught the use of arms.
+There he remained seven years, learning not only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>
+the language, but the art of minstrelsy, till he
+became so skilful that few could equal him in the
+use of the harp and other instruments of music.
+And as he grew older he practised much in hunting
+and hawking, and in time became famous also for
+his skill in this noble art. He in after-life devised
+many terms used in hunting, and bugle calls of the
+chase, so that from him the book of venery, or of
+hunting and hawking, came to be called the "Book
+of Sir Tristram."</p>
+
+<p>Thus Tristram grew in accomplishments and
+nobleness till he attained the age of nineteen years,
+when he had become a youth of handsome face and
+powerful form, being large of size and vigorous of
+limb. The king, his father, had great joy in his
+promise of lusty manhood, and so had the queen,
+whose heart had been won to Tristram when he
+saved her from the flames, and who loved him ever
+afterwards as much as she had hated him in his
+childhood. Every one loved him, indeed, for he
+proved himself a noble and gentle-hearted youth,
+loyal and kind to all he met, and with a heart free
+from evil thoughts or selfish desires.</p>
+
+<p>He had learned the use of arms, and knew well
+how to wield the shield and sword, though as yet
+he had not sought knighthood by deeds of battle;
+but events were preparing that would bring him
+soon from youth to manhood. For it so happened
+that King Anguish of Ireland sent to King Mark
+of Cornwall, demanding from him tribute which
+he said was due, but had not been paid for many
+years. King Mark sent word back that he owed
+and would pay no tribute; and that if the King<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>
+of Ireland wished to prove his claim, he must send
+a knight who could overcome King Mark's
+champion.</p>
+
+<p>King Anguish was very angry at this answer,
+but accepted the challenge, and sent as his champion
+Sir Marhaus, brother to his wife, that valiant
+knight who had gone with Gawaine and Uwaine
+to the country of strange adventures, and had afterwards
+been made a Knight of the Round Table.</p>
+
+<p>Marhaus accepted the championship, and hastened
+to Cornwall, where he sent his challenge to King
+Mark; but the latter had taken no steps to provide
+himself with a worthy champion. Marhaus thereupon
+encamped near the castle of Tintagil, whither
+he daily sent a demand to King Mark either to pay
+the tribute or to find a knight to fight his battle.</p>
+
+<p>Anxious efforts were now made by the Cornish
+monarch to find a champion, some of the barons
+advising him to send to King Arthur's court for
+Lancelot du Lake. But others dissuaded the king
+from this, saying that neither Lancelot nor any
+Knight of the Round Table would fight against
+their fellow-knight Marhaus. Thus the King of
+Cornwall was sore put to it to find a champion fit
+to hold the field against such a knight as Marhaus.</p>
+
+<p>Word of this soon spread over the country and
+quickly reached the castle of Meliodas, to which
+young Tristram had long before returned. The
+heart of the ardent youth filled with anger when
+he learned that not a knight could be found in all
+Cornwall able and willing to do battle with the
+Irish champion.</p>
+
+<p>In fervent haste he sought his father, and asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>
+him what was to be done to save Cornwall from
+this disgrace.</p>
+
+<p>"I know not," answered the king. "Marhaus
+is one of the best knights of the Round Table,
+and there is no knight in this country fit to cope
+with him."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish heartily that I were a knight," cried
+Tristram hotly. "If I were, Sir Marhaus should
+never depart to Ireland and boast that all Cornwall
+could not furnish a knight ready to break a spear
+with him. I pray you, dear father, to let me ride
+to King Mark's court, and beg of him to make
+me a knight and choose me as his champion."</p>
+
+<p>"Your spirit honors you, my son," said Meliodas.
+"You have it in you to become an able knight,
+and I give you full leave to do as your courage
+prompts you."</p>
+
+<p>Tristram thanked his father warmly for this
+assent, and, taking horse, rode without delay to the
+castle of his uncle King Mark. When he reached
+there he found the king depressed in spirit and
+the whole court deep in gloom, for it seemed as if
+no champion could be found, and that the tribute
+must be paid. Tristram went at once to his uncle
+and said with modest ardor,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, it is a shame and disgrace that Cornwall
+has no champion. I am but an untried youth, yet,
+if you will give me the order of knighthood, I
+stand ready to do battle for you with Sir Marhaus."</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you, and whence come you?" asked
+the king.</p>
+
+<p>"I come from King Meliodas, who wedded your
+sister, and I am a gentleman born."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>Hope came into the king's eyes when he saw
+how large and strongly built was his youthful
+visitor, and marked the spirit of battle in his eyes,
+but he again demanded his name and place of birth.</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Tristram and I was born in the
+country of Lyonesse," answered the youth.</p>
+
+<p>"You speak with spirit, and look like the making
+of a good warrior," said the king. "If you agree
+to do this battle, I will grant you knighthood."</p>
+
+<p>"It is that, and that alone, brings me here,"
+answered Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king knighted him, and at once sent
+word to Sir Marhaus that he had a champion ready
+to do battle with him to the uttermost.</p>
+
+<p>"That may well be," answered Marhaus, "but
+I fight not with every springal. Tell King Mark
+that I shall fight with none but one of royal blood.
+His champion must be son either of a king or a
+queen."</p>
+
+<p>This answer King Mark gave to Tristram, and
+said, gloomily,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I fear this rules out your championship."</p>
+
+<p>"Not so," said Tristram. "I came not here to
+boast, but if I must tell my lineage, you may let
+him know that I am of as noble blood as he. My
+father is King Meliodas, and my mother was Elizabeth,
+your own sister. I am the heir of Lyonesse."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it so?" cried the king, clasping the youth's
+hands gladly. "Then I bid you warmly welcome,
+my fair nephew, and I could ask no better nor
+nobler champion."</p>
+
+<p>He sent word in all haste to Marhaus that a better
+born man than himself should fight with him, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>
+son of King Meliodas, and his own nephew. And
+while he waited an answer he took care to find for
+his nephew the best horse and the finest suit of
+armor that gold could procure. By the time he
+was thus provided word came back from Marhaus
+that he would be glad and blithe to fight with a
+gentleman of such noble birth. And he requested
+that the combat should take place in an island near
+which lay his ships. This being accepted, Tristram
+was sent thither in a vessel, with his horse and
+armor, but attended only by his tutor Gouvernail,
+whom he now made his squire.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the island Tristram saw on the
+further shore six ships, but he saw no knight.
+Then he bade Gouvernail to bring his horse ashore
+and arm him. This done, he mounted and took
+his shield, and then said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Where is this knight with whom I have to
+fight? I see him not."</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder he hovers," answered Gouvernail,
+"under the shadow of the ships. He waits you
+on horseback, and fully armed."</p>
+
+<p>"True enough. I see him now. All is well.
+Do you take the vessel and go back to my uncle
+Mark, and tell him that if I be slain it will not
+be through cowardice, and pray him, if I die in
+fair fight, to see that I be interred honorably; but
+if I should prove recreant then he shall give me
+no Christian burial. And come you not near the
+island, on your life, till you see me overcome or
+slain, or till I give you the signal of victory."</p>
+
+<p>Then Gouvernail departed, weeping, for his young
+master had spoken so resolutely that he dared not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>
+disobey. Tristram now rode boldly towards Sir
+Marhaus, who came forward to meet him. Much
+courteous conversation passed between the two
+knights, Tristram at the end saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I trust, Sir Marhaus, to win honor and renown
+from you, and to deliver Cornwall from tribute
+forever, and to this end I shall do my best in all
+valor and honor."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair sir," answered Marhaus, "your spirit
+pleases me; but as for gaining honor from me, you
+will lose none if you keep back three strokes beyond
+my reach, for King Arthur made me not Knight
+of the Round Table except for good cause."</p>
+
+<p>"That may well be," answered Tristram; "but
+if I show the white feather in my first battle may
+I never bear arms again."</p>
+
+<p>Then they put their spears in rest and rode so
+furiously together that both were hurled to the
+earth, horse and man alike. But Tristram had
+the ill fortune to receive a severe wound in the
+side from the spear of his adversary.</p>
+
+<p>Heedless of this, he drew his sword and met
+Marhaus boldly and bravely. Then they began a
+fierce and desperate fight, striking and foining,
+rushing together in furious onset, and drawing back
+in cautious heed, while the ring of sword on armor
+was like that of hammer on anvil. Hours passed
+in the fight, and the blood flowed freely from the
+wounds which each had received, yet still they stood
+boldly up to the combat. But Tristram proved a
+stronger and better-winded man than Marhaus, and
+was still fresh when his enemy was growing weary
+and faint. At the end he threw all his strength<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>
+into his right arm, and smote Marhaus so mighty
+a blow on the helm that it cut down through the
+steel covering and deep into his head, the sword
+sticking so fast that Tristram could hardly pull
+it out.</p>
+
+<p>When he did so the edge of the sword was left in
+the skull, and the wounded knight fell heavily on
+his knees. But in a minute he rose and, flinging
+his sword and shield away, fled hastily to his ships.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you withdraw, Knight of the Round
+Table?" cried Tristram. "I am but a young
+knight, but before I would fly from an adversary
+I would abide to be cut into a thousand pieces."</p>
+
+<p>Marhaus answered only with deep groans of pain
+and distress.</p>
+
+<p>"Go thy way then, sir knight," said Tristram.
+"I promise you your sword and shield shall be
+mine, and I will wear your shield in the sight of
+King Arthur and all the Round Table, to let them
+see that Cornwall is not a land of cowards."</p>
+
+<p>While he stood thus, hot with anger, the sails
+of the ships were spread, and the fleet sailed away,
+leaving the victor alone on the island. He was
+deeply wounded and had bled profusely, and when
+he grew cold from rest could hardly move his limbs.
+So he seated himself upon a little hillock, while his
+wounds still bled freely. But Gouvernail, who had
+kept within sight in the vessel, and had seen the end
+of the combat, now hastened gladly to the island,
+where he bound up the young knight's wounds, and
+then brought him to the main land. Here King
+Mark and his barons came in procession to meet
+him, their hearts full of joy and triumph, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>
+victor was borne in glad procession to the castle
+of Tintagil. When King Mark saw his deep and
+perilous wounds he wept heartily, and cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"God help me, I would not for all my lands that
+my nephew should die!"</p>
+
+<p>But Tristram lay in groaning pain for more than
+a month, ever in danger of death from the spear-wound
+he had received from Sir Marhaus. For the
+spear-head was poisoned, and no leech in the land,
+with his most healing remedy, could overcome the
+deadly effect of that venom. The king sent far
+and wide for skilled doctors, but none could be
+found whose skill was of any avail. At length there
+came a learned woman to the court, who told them
+plainly that the wounded man could never be cured
+except in the country from which the venom came.
+He might be helped there, but nowhere else.</p>
+
+<p>When King Mark heard this he had a good vessel
+prepared, in which Tristram was placed, under
+charge of Gouvernail, and so set sail for Ireland,
+though all were strictly warned not to tell who they
+were or whence they came.</p>
+
+<p>Long before this the fleet of Marhaus had arrived
+on the Irish coast, and the wounded knight been
+borne to the king's court, where all was done that
+could be to save his life, but in vain.</p>
+
+<p>He died soon of his deep wound, and when his
+head was examined by the surgeons they found
+therein a piece of Tristram's sword, which had
+sunk deep into his skull. This piece the queen, his
+sister, kept, for she was full of revengeful thoughts,
+and she hoped by its aid to find the man to whom
+he owed his death.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h4>LA BELLE ISOLDE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>When Tristram arrived in Ireland, chance so
+provided that he landed near a castle in which the
+king and queen, with all their court, then were.
+He had brought his harp with him, and on his
+arrival sat up in his bed and played a merry lay,
+which gave joy to all that heard it.</p>
+
+<p>Word was quickly brought to the king that a
+harper of wonderful skill had reached his shores,
+and he at once sent to have him brought to the
+castle, where he asked him his name and whence
+he came.</p>
+
+<p>"My name," replied the wounded knight, "is
+Tramtrist; I am of the country of Lyonesse, and
+the wound from which I suffer was received in a
+battle I fought for a lady who had been wronged."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have all the help here we can give
+you," said King Anguish. "I have just met with
+a sad loss myself, for the best knight in my kingdom
+has been slain."</p>
+
+<p>Then he told Tristram of the battle with King
+Mark's champion, little dreaming that the knight
+to whom he spoke knew far more about it than
+he did himself.</p>
+
+<p>"As for your wound," said the king, "my
+daughter, La Belle Isolde, is a leech of wonderful
+skill, and as you seem so worthy a man I shall put
+you under her care."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>This said, he departed, and sent his daughter to
+the knight; but no sooner did Tristram behold
+her than he received a deeper wound from love than
+he had yet had from sword or spear. For La Belle
+Isolde was the most beautiful lady in the world,
+a maiden of such wondrous charm and grace that
+no land held her equal.</p>
+
+<p>When she examined the young knight's wound
+she quickly saw that he was suffering from poison,
+but it was a venom with which she knew well how
+to deal, and she was not long in healing his deep
+hurt. In return for this great service, he taught
+her the art of harping, while the love he felt for
+her soon left some reflection of its warm presence
+in her soul.</p>
+
+<p>But she already had a lover in the court, a worthy
+and valiant Saracen knight named Palamides, who
+sought her day after day, and made her many gifts,
+for his love for her was deep. He was well esteemed
+by the king and queen, and had declared his willingness
+to be made a Christian for the sake of La Belle
+Isolde. In consequence there soon arose hot blood
+between Tristram and Palamides, for each feared
+that the other was a favored rival.</p>
+
+<p>And now it happened that King Anguish announced
+a tournament to be held in honor of a
+cousin of his called the Lady of the Lawns, it being
+declared that the grand prize of the tournament
+should be the hand of the lady and the lordship
+of her lands. The report of this tournament spread
+through England, Wales, and Scotland, reaching
+even to Brittany, and France, and many knights
+came to try their fortune in the lists.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 298px;">
+<a name="Harping_Pg_250" id="Harping_Pg_250"></a><img src="images/p250.jpg" width="298" height="500" alt="SIR TRISTRAM HARPING TO ISOLDE." title="SIR TRISTRAM HARPING TO ISOLDE." />
+<span class="caption">SIR TRISTRAM HARPING TO ISOLDE.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>When the day drew near the fair Isolde told
+Tristram of the tournament, and expressed a warm
+desire that he would take part in it.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lady," he answered, "I am as yet but
+feeble, and only for your generous care might be
+dead. I should be glad to obey any wish of yours,
+but you know that I am not in condition for the
+lists."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Tramtrist," she replied, "I trust that you
+may be able to take part in this friendly joust.
+Palamides will be there, and I hoped that you
+would meet him, for I fear that otherwise he will
+not find his equal."</p>
+
+<p>"You do me great honor," he replied. "You
+forget that I am but a young knight, and that in
+the only battle I have fought I was wounded nearly
+unto death. But for the love I have for you I shall
+attend the tournament, and jeopard my poor person
+for your sake, if you will only keep my counsel
+and let no person know that I have entered the
+lists."</p>
+
+<p>"That shall I," she replied, gladly. "Horse and
+armor shall be ready for you, and I but ask you
+to do your best. I am sure your best must win."</p>
+
+<p>"With Isolde's eyes upon me I can do no less,"
+answered Tristram, with a glad heart. "I am at
+your command in all things, and for your love
+would dare tenfold this risk."</p>
+
+<p>When the day of the tournament came, Palamides
+appeared in the lists with a black shield,
+and so many knights fell before him that all the
+people marvelled at his prowess. Throughout the
+first day's fight he held his own against all comers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>
+bearing off the honors of the lists. As for Tristram,
+he sat among the spectators, and when King
+Anguish asked him why he did not joust, replied
+that he was still too weak from his wound.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning of the next day Palamides came
+early into the field, and began the same career of
+conquest as on the day before. But in the midst
+of his good fortune there rode into the lists an
+unknown knight, who seemed to the spectators like
+an angel, for his horse and his armor were of the
+whiteness of snow.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had Palamides espied this stranger
+than he put his spear in rest and rode against him
+at furious speed. But there came a sudden change
+in his fortunes, for the white knight struck him
+with such force as to hurl him from his horse to the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>Then there arose a great noise and uproar among
+the people, for they had grown to think that no
+knight could face the Saracen, and Gawaine and
+others whom he had overthrown marvelled who this
+stranger knight could be. But Isolde was glad
+at heart, for the love of Palamides was a burden
+to her, and well she knew the knight of the white
+arms.</p>
+
+<p>As for the Palamides, he was so ashamed and disconcerted
+by his fall that, on mounting his horse
+again, he sought privately to withdraw from the
+field. But the white knight rode hastily after him
+and bade him turn, saying that he should not leave
+the lists so lightly. At these words Palamides
+turned and struck a fierce sword-blow at the white
+champion. But the latter put the stroke aside,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>
+and returned it with so mighty a buffet on the
+Saracen's head that he fell from his horse to the
+earth.</p>
+
+<p>Then Tristram&mdash;for he was the white knight&mdash;bade
+him yield and consent to do his command, or
+he would slay him. To this Palamides agreed, for
+he was hurt past defence.</p>
+
+<p>"This, then, is my command," said Tristram.
+"First, upon pain of your life, you shall cease your
+suit of the lady La Belle Isolde, and come not near
+her. Second, for a year and a day you shall wear
+no armor or weapons of war. Promise me this, or
+you shall die."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a bitter penance," cried Palamides.
+"You shame me before the world. For nothing less
+than life would I consent."</p>
+
+<p>But he took the oath as Tristram commanded,
+and then in anger and despite threw off his armor
+and cut it into pieces, flinging the fragments away.
+Then he departed, weighed down with sadness and
+shame.</p>
+
+<p>This done, Tristram left the lists, where he could
+find no knight willing to fight with him, and rode
+to the private postern of the castle whence he had
+come to the field. Here he found the fair Isolde
+awaiting him with a joyous face and a voice of
+thanks, praising him so highly that the knight was
+abashed with modest shame, though gladness filled
+his heart. And when she had told the king and
+queen that it was Tramtrist who had vanquished
+the Saracen, they treated him as if he had been
+of royal blood, for he had shown such prowess as
+Lancelot himself could not exceed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>After this Tristram dwelt long in the castle,
+highly esteemed by the king and queen, and loved
+by La Belle Isolde, whose heart he had fully won
+by his prowess in the tournament. Those were days
+of joy and gladness, too soon, alas to end, for he
+loved her with all his soul, and saw his heaven in
+her eyes, while for all his love she gave him the
+warm devotion of a true heart in return.</p>
+
+<p>But fate at length brought this dream of happiness
+to an end. For on a day when Tristram was
+in the bath, attended by his squire Gouvernail,
+chance brought the queen and Isolde into the chamber
+of the knight. On the bed lay his sword, and
+this the queen picked up and held it out for Isolde's
+admiration, as the blade which had done such noble
+work in the tournament.</p>
+
+<p>But as she held it so she saw that there was a
+gap in the edge, a piece being broken out about a
+foot from the point. At sight of this she let the
+weapon fall, while her heart gave a great bound of
+pain and anger.</p>
+
+<p>"Liar and traitor, have I found you at last!"
+she cried, in an outbreak of rage. "It is this false
+villain that slew my brother Marhaus!"</p>
+
+<p>With these words she ran in haste from the
+chamber, leaving Isolde trembling with dread for
+her lover, for though she knew not the cause of the
+queen's rage, she knew well how cruel she could be
+in her passion.</p>
+
+<p>Quickly the queen returned, bringing with her
+the fragment of steel that had been found in
+Marhaus's skull, and, snatching up the sword, she
+fitted this into the broken place. It fitted so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>
+closely that the blade seemed whole. Then with
+a cry of passionate rage the furious woman ran to
+where Tristram was in the bath, and would have
+run him through had not Gouvernail caught her
+in his arms and wrested the sword from her hand.</p>
+
+<p>Failing in this deadly intent, she tore herself
+from the squire's grasp and flew to the king, throwing
+herself on her knees before him and crying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my lord and husband! you have here in
+your house that murderous wretch who killed my
+brother, the noble Sir Marhaus!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! can that be?" said the king. "Where is
+he?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is Tramtrist," she replied. "It is that villanous
+knight whom our daughter healed, and who
+has shamefully abused our hospitality." And she
+told him by what strange chance she had made this
+discovery.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said the king, "what you tell me grieves
+me to the heart. I never saw a nobler knight than
+he, and I would give my crown not to have learned
+this. I charge you to leave him to me. I will deal
+with him as honor and justice demand."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king sought Tristram in his chamber,
+and found him there fully armed and ready to
+mount his horse.</p>
+
+<p>"So, Tramtrist, you are ready for the field," he
+said. "I tell you this, that it will not avail you
+to match your strength against my power. But
+I honor you for your nobility and prowess, and it
+would shame me to slay my guest in my court;
+therefore, I will let you depart in safety, on condition
+that you tell me your name and that of your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>
+father, and if it was truly you that slew my brother,
+Sir Marhaus."</p>
+
+<p>"Truly it was so," said Tristram. "But what
+I did was done in honor and justice, as you well
+know. He came as a champion and defied all the
+knights of Cornwall to battle, and I fought him
+for the honor of Cornwall. It was my first battle,
+for I was made a knight that very day. And no
+man living can say that I struck him foully."</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt me not that you acted in all knightly
+honor," answered the king. "But you cannot stay
+in my country against the ill-will of my barons,
+my wife, and her kindred."</p>
+
+<p>"As for who I am," continued the knight, "my
+father is King Meliodas of Lyonesse, and my uncle
+King Mark of Cornwall. My name is Tristram;
+but when I was sent to your country to be cured
+of my wound I called myself Tramtrist, for I
+feared your anger. I thank you deeply for the kind
+welcome you have given me, and the goodness my
+lady, your daughter, has shown me. It may happen
+that you will win more by my life than by my
+death, for in England I may yet do you some
+knightly service. This I promise you, as I am
+a true knight, that in all places I shall hold myself
+the servant and knight of my lady, your daughter,
+and shall never fail to do in her honor and service
+all that a knight may. Also I beseech you that I
+may take leave of your barons and knights, and pray
+you to grant me leave to bid adieu to your daughter."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot well refuse you this," said the king.</p>
+
+<p>With this permission, Tristram sought La Belle
+Isolde, and sadly bade her farewell, telling her who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>
+he was, why he had changed his name, and for what
+purpose he had come to Ireland.</p>
+
+<p>"Had it not been for your care and skill I should
+now have been dead," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentle sir," she sadly replied, "I am woeful
+indeed that you should go, for I never saw man to
+whom I felt such good-will as to you."</p>
+
+<p>And she wept bitterly as she held out her hand in
+adieu. But Tristram took her in his arms and
+kissed away her tears.</p>
+
+<p>"I love you, Isolde, as my soul," he said. "If
+this despite of fate shall stand between you and
+me, this I promise, to be your knight while life is
+left to me."</p>
+
+<p>"And this I promise," answered Isolde, "that
+if I am married within these seven years it shall
+only be by your assent! If they stand between me
+and my love, at least they shall not force me to
+wed against your will."</p>
+
+<p>Then she gave Tristram a ring and received one
+from him in return, and he departed from her with
+a pain as if the parting wrenched their hearts
+asunder, while she beheld him go with such tears
+and lamentation that it seemed as if her faithful
+heart would break.</p>
+
+<p>Tristram next sought the great hall of the court,
+where were assembled the barons of King Anguish,
+and took his leave of them all, saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lords, fortune wills that I must leave you.
+If there be any man here whom I have offended
+or aggrieved let him make complaint now, and I
+shall amend the wrong so far as it is in my power.
+If there be any who may incline to say a wrongful
+thing of me behind my back, let him speak now,
+and I will make it good with him, body against
+body."</p>
+
+<p>But no man spoke in reply. There were knights
+there of the blood of Sir Marhaus and the queen,
+but none that cared to have to do in the field against
+Sir Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>So bidding them all adieu, he departed, and took
+ship for Tintagil, in Cornwall.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE WAGER OF BATTLE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>When tidings came to King Mark that Tristram
+had returned to Cornwall, cured of his wounds,
+the king and all his barons were glad, and on the
+arrival of the knight he was treated with the greatest
+honor. No long time passed before he rode
+to the castle of his father, King Meliodas, who
+received him with fatherly love and pride, while
+the queen greeted him with the warmest joy. And
+that their knightly son should have wherewithal
+to make a fair show in the world, they parted with
+much of their lands and wealth to him, endowing
+him with broad estates and lordly castles.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="Castle_Pg_258" id="Castle_Pg_258"></a><img src="images/p258.jpg" width="500" height="293" alt="A CASTLE OF CORNWALL." title="A CASTLE OF CORNWALL." />
+<span class="caption">A CASTLE OF CORNWALL.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Afterwards, at his father's desire, who wished his
+son to gain all honor, Tristram returned to the
+court of Cornwall, where he was gladly welcomed.
+And here, though his love for La Belle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>
+Isolde lay deep in his heart, it was dimmed by
+later feelings, for there were many fair ladies at
+the court, and the young knight was at that age
+when the heart is soft and tender.</p>
+
+<p>In the end it happened that a jealousy and unfriendliness
+arose between King Mark and him.
+This grew with time, and in the end the king, who
+was base and treacherous of soul, waylaid Tristram,
+aided by two knights of his counsel, and
+sought to slay him. But so valiantly did he defend
+himself that he hurled the three to the earth,
+wounding the king so deeply that he was long in
+recovering.</p>
+
+<p>The king now grew to hate his young guest bitterly,
+and laid plans to destroy him. Finally, it
+occurred to him to send Tristram to Ireland for
+La Belle Isolde, whose beauty and goodness the
+young knight had praised so warmly that King
+Mark had it in his heart to wed her. But his main
+purpose in sending Tristram to Ireland was to compass
+his destruction, for he knew how he was hated
+there.</p>
+
+<p>Tristram was not blind to the danger into which
+this mission might bring him, and suspected the
+purpose of the king, but his love of adventure was
+so great that for it he was ready to dare any risk.</p>
+
+<p>As for Isolde, absence and affection for other
+ladies had dimmed his passion for her, so that for
+the time his love was forgotten, and he came to
+look upon it as a youthful episode not knowing
+how deeply it still lay under all these later feelings.
+He, therefore, accepted the mission, and made ready
+to go in royal state.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>He selected for his companions a number of the
+ablest knights of the court, and saw that they were
+richly arrayed and appointed, with the hope that
+such a noble train might win him favor at the Irish
+court. With this array he departed, and set sail
+for the coast of Ireland.</p>
+
+<p>But when they had reached the mid-channel a
+tempest arose that blew the fleet back towards the
+coast of England, and, as chance had it, they came
+ashore near Camelot. Here they were forced to
+land, for their ships were no longer seaworthy.
+Tristram, therefore, set up his pavilion upon the
+coast of Camelot, and hung his shield before it.</p>
+
+<p>That same day two knights of Arthur's court,
+Sir Morganor and Sir Hector de Maris, chanced
+to ride that way, and, seeing the shield, they touched
+it with their spears, bidding the knight of the pavilion
+to come out and joust, if he had an inclination
+to do so.</p>
+
+<p>"I hold myself ready alike for sport or battle,"
+answered Tristram. "If you tarry a little while,
+you will find me ready to meet you."</p>
+
+<p>This said, he armed himself, and mounting his
+horse rode against his two challengers with such
+fortune that he first smote Sir Hector to the earth,
+and then Sir Morganor, felling them both with one
+spear. Rising painfully to their feet, the disconcerted
+knights asked Tristram who he was and of
+what country.</p>
+
+<p>"My noble sirs, I am a knight of Cornwall," he
+answered. "You have been in the habit of scorning
+the warriors of my country, but you see we have
+some good blood there."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>"A Cornish knight!" cried Hector. "That I
+should be overcome by a knight from that land!
+I am not fit to wear armor more." And in despite
+he put off his armor and left the place on foot, too
+full of shame to ride.</p>
+
+<p>As it turned out, fortune had worked more favorably
+for Tristram than he supposed. For King
+Anguish was then on his way to Camelot, whither
+he had been summoned by King Arthur as his
+vassal, for a purpose which he was not told.</p>
+
+<p>It happened that when he reached Camelot
+neither King Arthur nor Lancelot was there to
+give judgment on the charge against him, but the
+kings of Carados and of Scotland were left as judges.
+And when King Anguish demanded why he had
+been summoned, Blamor de Ganis, a Knight of
+the Round Table, accused him of treason, declaring
+that he had treacherously slain a cousin of his at
+his court in Ireland.</p>
+
+<p>This accusation threw King Anguish into great
+trouble, for he did not dream that he had been
+brought for such a purpose, and knew well that
+there was but one answer to make to such a charge.
+For the custom in those days was that any man
+who was accused of murder or treason should decide
+the case by the Wager of Battle, fighting his accuser
+to the death, or finding a knight who would take
+up his quarrel. And murders of all kinds in
+those days were called treason.</p>
+
+<p>King Anguish was thrown into a sorrowful frame
+of mind, for he knew that Blamor de Ganis was a
+knight of prowess beyond his own strength, nor had
+he a suitable champion in his train. He therefore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>
+withheld his answer, and the judges gave him three
+days for his decision.</p>
+
+<p>All this was told to Tristram by his squire
+Gouvernail, who had heard it from people of the
+country.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly," said Tristram, "no man in England
+could bring me better tidings, for the king of Ireland
+will be glad of my aid, since no knight of this
+country not of Arthur's court will dare fight with
+Blamor. As I wish to win the good will of King
+Anguish, I will take on myself his battle. So,
+Gouvernail, go to the king for me, and tell him
+there is a champion ready to assume his cause."</p>
+
+<p>Gouvernail thereupon went to Camelot, and
+greeted King Anguish, who returned his greeting
+and asked his errand.</p>
+
+<p>"There is a knight near at hand who desires to
+speak with you," was the reply. "He bade me say
+that he was ready to do you knightly service."</p>
+
+<p>"What knight may he be?" asked the king.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, it is Tristram of Lyonesse. For the grace
+you showed him in your country he is ready to
+repay you here, and to take the field as your
+champion."</p>
+
+<p>"God be praised for this welcome news!" cried
+the king. "Come, good fellow, show me the way
+to Sir Tristram. Blamor will find he has no boy
+to handle."</p>
+
+<p>He mounted a hackney, and with few followers
+rode under Gouvernail's guidance till they came to
+Tristram's pavilion. The knight, when he saw his
+visitor, ran to him and would have held his stirrup,
+but this the king would not permit. He leaped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>
+lightly from his horse and took Tristram warmly
+in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>"My gracious lord," said Tristram, "I have not
+forgot the goodness which you formerly showed
+me, and which at that time I promised to requite
+by knightly service if it should ever be in my
+power."</p>
+
+<p>"I have great need of you, indeed, gentle sir,"
+answered the king. "Never before was I in such
+deep necessity of knightly aid."</p>
+
+<p>"How so, my noble lord?" asked Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall tell you. I am held answerable for the
+death of a knight who was akin to Lancelot, and
+for which I must fight his relative, Blamor de Ganis,
+or find a knight in my stead. And well you know
+the knights of King Ban's blood are hard men to
+overcome in battle."</p>
+
+<p>"That may be," said Tristram, "yet I dread not
+to meet them. For the honor which you showed
+me in Ireland, and for the sake of your gracious
+daughter La Belle Isolde, I will take the battle
+on two conditions: first, that you swear that you
+are in the right, and had no hand in the knight's
+death; second, that if I win in this fight you grant
+me the reward I may ask, if you deem it reasonable."</p>
+
+<p>"Truly, I am innocent, and you shall have whatever
+you ask," said the king.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I accept the combat," said Tristram.
+"You may return to Camelot and make answer that
+your champion is ready, for I shall die in your
+quarrel rather than be recreant. Blamor is said
+to be a hardy knight, but I would meet him were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>
+he the best warrior that now bears shield and
+spear."</p>
+
+<p>King Anguish then departed and told the judges
+that he had his champion ready, and was prepared
+for the wager of battle at any time that pleased
+them. In consequence, Blamor and Tristram were
+sent for to hear the charge. But when the knights
+of the court learned that the champion was he who
+had vanquished Marhaus and Palamides, there was
+much debate and shaking of the head, and many
+who had felt sure of the issue now grew full of
+doubt, the more so when they learned the story
+of Hector de Maris and his companion.</p>
+
+<p>But the combatants took their charge in all due
+dignity, and then withdrew to make ready for the
+battle. Blamor was attended by his brother Sir
+Bleoberis, who said to him, feelingly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Remember, dear brother, of what kin we are,
+being cousins to Lancelot du Lake, and that there
+has never been a man of our blood but would rather
+die than be shamed in battle."</p>
+
+<p>"Have no doubt of me," answered Blamor. "I
+know well this knight's record; but if he should
+strike me down through his great might, he shall
+slay me before I will yield as recreant."</p>
+
+<p>"You will find him the strongest knight you
+have ever had to do with. I know that well, for
+I had once a bout with him at King Mark's court.
+So God speed you!"</p>
+
+<p>"In God and my cause I trust," answered
+Blamor.</p>
+
+<p>Then he took his horse and rode to one end of
+the lists, and Tristram to the other, where, putting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>
+their spears in rest, they spurred their gallant steeds
+and rushed together with the speed of lightning.
+The result was that Blamor and his horse together
+were hurled to the earth, while Tristram kept his
+seat. Then Blamor drew his sword and threw his
+shield before him, bidding Tristram to alight.</p>
+
+<p>"Though a horse has failed me," he said, "I
+trust that the earth will stand me in good stead."</p>
+
+<p>Without hesitation Tristram consented, springing
+to the ground, sword in hand, and the combatants
+broke at once into fierce battle, fighting like madmen,
+till all who saw them marvelled at their courage
+and strength. Never had knights been seen
+to fight more fiercely, for Blamor was so furious
+and incessant in his attacks, and Tristram so active
+in his defence, that it was a wonder they had breath
+to stand. But at last Tristram smote his antagonist
+such a blow on the helm that he fell upon his side,
+while his victor stood looking grimly down upon
+him.</p>
+
+<p>When Blamor could gain breath to speak, he
+said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, I require thee, as
+thou art a true knight, to slay me, for I would
+not live in shame, though I might be lord of the
+earth. You must slay me, indeed, if you would
+win the field, for I shall never speak the hateful
+word of surrender."</p>
+
+<p>When Tristram heard this knightly defiance he
+knew not what to do. The thought of slaying
+one of Lancelot's blood hurt him sorely, but his
+duty as a champion required him to force his
+antagonist to yield, or else to slay him. In deep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>
+distress of mind he went to the kingly judges and
+kneeled before them, beseeching them for the sake
+of King Arthur and Lancelot, and for their own
+credit, to take this matter out of his hands.</p>
+
+<p>"It were a pity and shame that the noble knight
+who lies yonder should be slain," he said, "yet he
+refuses to yield. As for the king I fight for, I shall
+require him, as I am his true knight and champion,
+to have mercy on the vanquished."</p>
+
+<p>"That yield I freely," said King Anguish.
+"And I heartily pray the judges to deal with him
+mercifully."</p>
+
+<p>Then the judges called Bleoberis to them and
+asked his advice.</p>
+
+<p>"My lords," he replied, "my brother is beaten,
+I acknowledge, yet, though Sir Tristram has vanquished
+his body, he has not conquered his heart,
+and I thank God he is not shamed by his defeat.
+And rather than he should be shamed I require
+you to bid Tristram to slay him."</p>
+
+<p>"That shall not be," replied the judges. "Both
+his adversaries, the king and his champion, have
+pity on him, and you should have no less."</p>
+
+<p>"I leave his fate to you," said Bleoberis. "Do
+what seems to you well."</p>
+
+<p>Then, after further consultation, the judges gave
+their verdict that the vanquished knight should live,
+and by their advice Tristram and Bleoberis took
+him up and brought him to King Anguish, who
+forgave and made friends with him. Then Blamor
+and Tristram kissed each other and the two brothers
+took oath that neither of them would ever fight with
+their noble antagonist, who took the same oath.
+And from the day of that battle there was peace
+and love between Tristram and all the kindred of
+Lancelot forever.</p>
+
+<p>The happy close of this contest made great rejoicing
+in Arthur's court, King Anguish and his
+champion being treated with all the honor that could
+be laid upon them, and for many days thereafter
+feasting and merry-making prevailed. In the end
+the king and his champion sailed for Ireland with
+great state and ceremony, while many noble knights
+attended to bid them farewell.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached Ireland, King Anguish spread
+far and wide the story of what Tristram had done
+for him, and he was everywhere greeted with honor
+and delight. Even the queen forgot her anger, and
+did all that lay in her power to give her lord's
+champion a glad welcome to the court.</p>
+
+<p>As for La Belle Isolde, she met Tristram with the
+greatest joy and gladness. Absence had dimmed
+the love in both their hearts, and it no longer
+burned as of yore, yet only time and opportunity
+were needed to make it as warm as ever.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE DRAUGHT OF LOVE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>At length there came a day, after Tristram had
+dwelt long at King Anguish's court, that the king
+asked him why he had not demanded his boon,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>
+since the royal word had been passed that whatever
+he asked should be his without fail.</p>
+
+<p>"I asked you not," said Tristram, "since it is a
+boon that will give me no pleasure, but so much
+pain that with every day that passes I grow less
+inclined to ask it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why ask it at all?"</p>
+
+<p>"That I must, for I have passed my word of
+honor, and the word of a knight is his best possession.
+What I am forced to demand, then, is that
+you will give me the hand of La Belle Isolde,&mdash;not
+for myself, and that is what makes my heart so
+sore, but for my uncle, King Mark, who desires
+to wed her, and for whom I have promised to
+demand her."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" cried the king, "that you should ask
+me so despiteful a boon. I had rather than all
+King Mark's dominions that you should wed her
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"I never saw woman whom I would rather wed,"
+he replied. "But if I should do so I would be the
+shame of the world forever, as a false knight,
+recreant to his promise. Therefore, I must stand
+by my word, and hold you to your boon, that you
+will give me La Belle Isolde to go with me to
+Cornwall, there to be wedded to King Mark, my
+uncle."</p>
+
+<p>"As for that, I cannot deny you. She shall go
+with you, but as to what may happen thereafter,
+I leave that for you to decide. If you choose to
+wed her yourself, that will give me the greatest
+joy. But if you determine to give her to King
+Mark, the right rests with you. I have passed
+my word, though I wish now that I had not."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>Then Isolde was told of what had passed, and
+bade to make ready to go with Tristram, a lady
+named Bragwaine going with her as chief gentlewoman,
+while many others were selected as her
+attendants. When the preparations were fully
+made, the queen, Isolde's mother, gave to Dame
+Bragwaine and Gouvernail a golden flask containing
+a drink, and charged them that on the day of
+Isolde's wedding they should give King Mark that
+drink, bidding him to quaff it to the health of La
+Belle Isolde, and her to quaff his health in return.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a love draught," continued the queen,
+"and if they shall drink it I undertake to say that
+each shall love the other for all the days of their
+life."</p>
+
+<p>Not many days passed before Tristram took to
+the sea, with the fair maiden who had been committed
+to his charge, and they sailed away on a
+mission that had for them both far more of sadness
+than of joy, for their love grew as the miles passed.</p>
+
+<p>One day, as they sat together in the cabin, it
+happened that they became thirsty, and by chance
+they saw on a shelf near them a little golden flask,
+filled with what by the color seemed to be a noble
+wine. Tristram took it down and said, with a
+laugh,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Madam Isolde, here is the best drink that ever
+you drank, a precious draught which Dame Bragwaine,
+your maiden, and Gouvernail, my servant,
+are keeping for themselves. Let us drink from
+their private store."</p>
+
+<p>Then with laughter and merriment they drank
+freely from the flask, and both thought that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>
+had never tasted draught so sweet and delicious
+in their lives before. But when the magic wine
+got into their blood, they looked upon each other
+with new eyes, for their hearts were suddenly
+filled with such passionate love as they had not
+dreamed that heart could feel. Tristram thought
+that never had mortal eyes gazed upon a maiden
+of such heavenly charms, and Isolde that there
+was never man born so grand and graceful as the
+knight of her love.</p>
+
+<p>Then all at once she fell into bitter weeping as
+the thought of her destiny came upon her, and
+Tristram took her in his arms and kissed her sweet
+lips again and again, speaking words of love that
+brought some comfort to her love-sick heart. And
+thus it was between them day by day to the end of
+their voyage, for a love had grown between them
+of such fervent depth that it could never leave
+them while blood flowed in their veins.</p>
+
+<p>Such magic power had the draught which the
+queen had prepared for King Mark, and which
+the unthinking lovers drank in fate's strange error.
+It was the bitter-sweet of love; for it was destined
+to bring them the deepest joy and sorrow in the
+years to come.</p>
+
+<p>Many days passed before the lovers reached Cornwall,
+and strange adventures met them by the way,
+of which we have but little space to speak. For
+chance brought them to land near a castle named
+Pleure, or the weeping castle. It was the custom
+of the lord of that castle, when any knight passed
+by with a lady, to take them prisoners. Then, when
+the knight's lady was compared with the lady of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>
+castle, whichever was the least lovely of the two
+was put to death, and the knight was made to fight
+with the lord of the castle for the other, and was
+put to death if vanquished. Through this cruel
+custom many a noble knight and fair lady had been
+slain, for the castle lord was of great prowess and
+his lady of striking beauty.</p>
+
+<p>It chanced that Tristram and Isolde demanded
+shelter at this castle, and that they were made
+prisoners under its cruel custom. At this outrage
+Tristram grew bitterly indignant, and demanded
+passionately what it meant, as honor demanded that
+those who sought harbor should be received hospitably
+as guests, and not despitefully as prisoners.
+In answer he was told the custom of the castle, and
+that he must fight for his lady and his liberty.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a foul and shameful custom," he replied.
+"I do not fear that your lord's lady will surpass
+mine in beauty, nor that I cannot hold my own
+in the field, but I like to have a voice in my own
+doings. Tell him, however, if he is so hot for
+battle, that I shall be ready for the test to-morrow
+morning, and may heaven be on the side of truth
+and justice."</p>
+
+<p>When morning came the test of beauty was made,
+and the loveliness of Isolde shone so far beyond that
+of the castle lady that Breunor, the lord, was forced
+to admit it. And now Tristram grew stern and
+pitiless, for he said that this lady had consented
+to the death of many innocent rivals, and richly
+deserved death as a punishment for the ruthless
+deeds done in her behalf, and to gratify her cruel
+vanity. Thereupon her head was struck off without
+mercy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>Full of anger at this, Breunor attacked Tristram
+with all his strength and fury, and a long and fiery
+combat took place, yet in the end he fell dead
+beneath the sword of the knight of Cornwall.</p>
+
+<p>But, as it happened, the castle lord had a valiant
+son, named Sir Galahad the high prince, a knight
+who in after years was to do deeds of great emprise.
+Word was brought to him of the death of his father
+and mother, and he rode in all haste to the castle,
+having with him that renowned warrior known as
+the king with the hundred knights.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching the castle, Galahad fiercely challenged
+Tristram to battle, and a mighty combat ensued.
+But at the last Galahad was forced to give way
+before the deadly strokes of his antagonist, whose
+strength seemed to grow with his labor.</p>
+
+<p>When the king with the hundred knights saw
+this, he rushed upon Tristram with many of his
+followers, attacking him in such force as no single
+knight could hope to endure.</p>
+
+<p>"This is no knightly deed," cried Tristram to
+Galahad. "I deemed you a noble knight, but it
+is a shameful act to let all your men set on me at
+once."</p>
+
+<p>"However that be," said Galahad, "you have
+done me a great wrong, and must yield or die."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I must yield, since you treat me so
+unfairly. I accepted your challenge, not that of all
+your followers. To yield thus puts me to no dishonor."</p>
+
+<p>And he took his sword by the point and put the
+pommel in the hand of his opponent. But despite
+this action the king and his knights came on, and
+made a second attack on the unarmed warrior.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>"Let him be," cried Sir Galahad. "I have given
+him his life, and no man shall harm him."</p>
+
+<p>"Shame is it in you to say so!" cried the king.
+"Has he not slain your father and mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"For that I cannot blame him greatly. My
+father held him in prison, and forced him to fight
+to the death. The custom was a wicked and cruel
+one, and could have but one end. Long ago, it
+drove me from my father's castle, for I could not
+favor it by any presence."</p>
+
+<p>"It was a sinful custom, truly," said the king.</p>
+
+<p>"So I deem it, and it would be a pity that this
+brave knight should die in such a cause, for I know
+no one save Lancelot du Lake who is his equal.
+Now, fair knight, will you tell me your name?"</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Tristram of Lyonesse, and I am
+on my way to the court of King Mark of Cornwall,
+taking to him La Belle Isolde, the daughter of
+King Anguish of Ireland, whom he desires to wed."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you are welcome to these marches, and
+all that I demand of you is that you promise to go
+to Lancelot du Lake, and become his fellow. I shall
+promise that no such custom shall ever be used in
+this castle again."</p>
+
+<p>"You will do well," said Tristram. "I would
+have you know that when I began to fight with
+you I fancied you were Lancelot. And I promise,
+as soon as I may, to seek him, for of all the knights
+in the world I most desire his fellowship."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 386px;">
+<a name="Tristram_Pg_273" id="Tristram_Pg_273"></a><img src="images/p273.jpg" width="386" height="500" alt="TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOLDE." title="TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOLDE." />
+<span class="caption">TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOLDE.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Soon afterwards Tristram and his fair companion
+resumed their journey, and in due time reached
+Cornwall. But as they came near Tintagil their
+hearts were ready to break, for that magic draught<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>
+was still in their veins, and they loved each other
+with a love that was past all telling.</p>
+
+<p>Thoughts came into Tristram's heart to marry the
+maiden in despite of custom and his plighted word,
+and gladly would she have consented thereto. But
+strong as was his love, his honor was stronger, and
+Isolde, deeply as she grieved, could not ask him to
+break his word. And thus for many long miles
+they journeyed onward side by side in silence, their
+eyes alone speaking, but they telling a story of love
+and grief to which they dared not give words, lest
+their hearts' desire should burst all boundaries
+of faith and honor, and men's condemnation come
+to them both.</p>
+
+<p>So they came with drooping hearts to the court
+of King Mark, where the king and his barons
+received them with state and ceremony. Quickly
+thereafter the wedding took place, for the king
+looked with eyes of warm approval upon the beautiful
+maiden, and prepared richly and nobly for the
+ceremony, at which many noble knights and lords
+were present, but from which Tristram withdrew
+in the deepest anguish, as he could not endure the
+sight. And so his knightly word was kept, though
+to keep it almost broke his heart.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE PERILS OF TRUE LOVE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>The marriage of King Mark with La Belle Isolde
+was celebrated with rich feasts and royal tournaments,
+and for many days pleasure ruled supreme
+at Tintagil Castle, whither noble guests came and
+went. Among those who came was Palamides the
+Saracen, drawn thither by his love of Isolde, which
+his overthrow by Tristram had not banished from
+his heart.</p>
+
+<p>Strange events soon followed. Two ladies of
+Isolde's train, who envied and hated Dame Bragwaine,
+laid a plot for her destruction. She was
+sent into the forest to obtain herbs, and there was
+met by men sent by her enemies, who bound her
+hand and foot to a tree, where she remained for
+three days. By good fortune, at the end of that
+time, she was found by Palamides, who saved her
+from death, and took her to a nunnery that she
+might recover from her pain and exhaustion.</p>
+
+<p>The disappearance of Dame Bragwaine troubled
+the queen greatly, for she loved her most of all
+women, and as the days went by and she returned
+not, the grief of Isolde grew deep. She wandered
+into the forest, which had been searched in vain for
+the lost lady, and, plunged in sad thought, seated
+herself by a woodland spring, where she moaned
+bitterly for her favorite.</p>
+
+<p>As she sat there Palamides appeared, and, after
+listening awhile to her sad complaining, said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span>"Queen Isolde, I know well the cause of your
+grief, and if you will grant the boon I shall ask,
+I promise to bring you Dame Bragwaine, safe and
+sound."</p>
+
+<p>The queen was so glad to hear this, that without
+thought she agreed to grant his wish, thinking more
+of the lost lady than of what he might demand.</p>
+
+<p>"I trust to your promise," said Palamides. "Remain
+here half an hour and you shall see her."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall remain," said the queen.</p>
+
+<p>Palamides then rode away, and within the time
+mentioned returned with the maiden, whom Isolde
+clasped to her heart with happy tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, madam, I have kept my word," said
+Palamides; "you must keep yours."</p>
+
+<p>"I promised you hastily," answered the queen;
+"and I warn you now that I will grant you nothing
+evil; so beware of your asking."</p>
+
+<p>"My boon will keep till I meet you before the
+king," said Palamides. "What it is I shall not
+tell you now."</p>
+
+<p>Then the queen rode home with her maiden, and
+Palamides followed close after, entering the court
+while Isolde was telling the king of what had
+happened.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir king," said the knight, "your lady has told
+you of the boon she proffered me. The honor of
+knighthood requires that you shall make her word
+good."</p>
+
+<p>"Why made you this promise, my lady?" asked
+the king.</p>
+
+<p>"I did so for grief at the loss of Dame Bragwaine,
+and for joy to recover her."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>"Then what you have hastily proffered you must
+truly perform. The word of king and queen is not
+to be lightly spoken or lightly broken."</p>
+
+<p>"What I demand is this," said Palamides, "that
+you deliver to me your queen, to lead her where
+I wish and govern her as I will."</p>
+
+<p>At this bold request the king frowned deeply,
+and anger leaped to his lips. But his word had
+been passed, and the thought came to him that he
+could trust to Tristram quickly to rescue the queen,
+and punish this bold adventurer.</p>
+
+<p>"Take her if you will," he cried. "But I tell
+you this, you will not keep her long, and that you
+are asking a dangerous gift."</p>
+
+<p>"As for that, I shall dare the risk."</p>
+
+<p>Then he took Isolde by the hand, and led her
+from the court, and from the presence of the king
+and his barons, not one of whom moved, though
+the queen looked round with suppliant eyes. Leading
+her to his war-horse, he set her behind him on
+the saddle, and rode proudly away.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had they gone than the king sent for
+Tristram, but by despite he was nowhere to be
+found, for he was in the forest hunting, as was
+always his custom when not engaged in feats of
+arms.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall be done?" cried the king. "Can
+no one find Tristram? My honor will be shamed
+if the Saracen be not met and overcome."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall follow him, and seek to rescue the
+queen," said a knight named Lambegus, one of
+Tristram's followers.</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you, Sir Lambegus. If I live, I will
+remember the service."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>So Lambegus got to horse and followed Palamides
+hotly, but to his own sorrow, as it proved,
+for he was no match for the Saracen, who soon
+laid him upon the earth wounded nearly to death.</p>
+
+<p>But while the battle went on, Isolde, who had
+been set upon the earth pending the combat, ran
+into the forest, and continued to fly till she came
+to a deep spring, where in her grief she sought
+to drown herself. But good fortune brought thither
+a knight named Sir Adtherp, who had a castle
+near by. Seeing the despair of the queen, he led
+her to his castle, and then, learning her story, took
+upon himself her battle, and rode forth to meet the
+Saracen.</p>
+
+<p>But he, too, fared badly, for Palamides wounded
+him severely, and made him tell what he had done
+with the queen, and where his castle might be found.</p>
+
+<p>Palamides, leaving him bleeding on the ground,
+rode in all haste to the castle. But as he
+approached, Isolde saw him from a window, and
+gave orders that the gate should be shut and the
+drawbridge raised. When Palamides came up and
+saw that the castle was closed against him, and
+entrance denied, he took the saddle and bridle
+from his horse and put him to pasture, while he
+seated himself before the gate like a man who cared
+not what became of him.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Tristram had returned from the hunt,
+and when he learned what had happened, he was
+half beside himself with anger.</p>
+
+<p>"Lambegus is no match for the Saracen," he
+said. "Would I had been here in his stead. The
+unchristianed villain shall answer for this outrage
+if he can be found."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>Then he armed himself in all haste, and rode
+into the forest. Not far had he gone when he found
+Lambegus, sorely wounded, and had him borne to
+a place of shelter. Somewhat farther on he found
+Adtherp, also hurt and bleeding, and from him
+he learned what had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is my lady now?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Safe in my castle," said the knight. "And
+there she can hold herself secure against the
+Saracen."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I owe you much," said Tristram. "Trust
+me to see that some of your men be sent to your
+aid."</p>
+
+<p>He continued his journey till he came to the
+castle, and here he saw Palamides sitting by the
+gate fast asleep, with his horse grazing beside him.</p>
+
+<p>"The misbegotten rogue takes life easy," said
+Tristram. "Go rouse him, Gouvernail. Bid him
+make ready to answer for his outrage."</p>
+
+<p>But he was in such deep slumber that Gouvernail
+called to him in vain. He returned and told Tristram
+that the knight was either asleep or mad.</p>
+
+<p>"Go again and tell him that I, his mortal foe,
+am here."</p>
+
+<p>Gouvernail now prodded him with the butt of
+his spear, and cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Arise, Sir Palamides, and make ready, for
+yonder is Sir Tristram, and he sends you word that
+he is your mortal foe."</p>
+
+<p>Then Palamides rose without a word of answer,
+and saddled and bridled his horse, upon which he
+sprang, putting his spear in rest. But he remained
+not long in his saddle, for when they met in mid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>
+career, Tristram smote him so hard a blow as to
+thrust him over his horse's tail to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Then they drew their swords and fought with all
+their strength, for the lady whom they both loved
+looked upon them from the walls, and well-nigh
+swooned for grief and distress on seeing how sorely
+each was hurt.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" she cried, "one of them I love, and the
+other loves me. It would be a great pity to see Sir
+Palamides slain, much as he has troubled me, and
+slain he will be if this fight goes on."</p>
+
+<p>Then, moved by her tender heart, she went down
+and besought Tristram to fight no more.</p>
+
+<p>"What mean you?" he asked. "Would you
+have me shamed?"</p>
+
+<p>"I desire not your dishonor; but for my sake I
+would have you spare this unhappy knight, whose
+love for me has made him mad."</p>
+
+<p>"As you wish," he replied. "The fight shall
+end, since you desire it."</p>
+
+<p>"As for you, Sir Palamides," she said, "I command
+that you shall go out of this country while
+I am in it."</p>
+
+<p>"If it must be, it must," he answered, in bitter
+anguish; "but it is sorely against my will, for not
+to see you is not to live."</p>
+
+<p>"Take your way to the court of King Arthur,"
+she said, "and there recommend me to Queen Guenever.
+Tell her that Isolde says that in all the
+land there are but four lovers, and that these are
+Lancelot du Lake and Queen Guenever, and Tristram
+de Lyonesse and Queen Isolde."</p>
+
+<p>This message filled Palamides with the greatest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>
+heaviness of heart, and mounting his steed he rode
+away moaning bitterly. But Isolde was full of
+gladness in being well rid of her troublesome lover,
+and Tristram in having rescued her from his rival.
+So he brought her back to King Mark, and there was
+great joy over her home-coming, while the king and
+all the court showered honors on the successful
+champion. Sir Lambegus was brought back to the
+court and put under the care of skilful leeches, and
+for a long time joy and good-will reigned.</p>
+
+<p>But Tristram had in King Mark's court a bitter
+foe, who sought to work him injury, though he was
+his near cousin. This traitor, Sir Andred by name,
+knew well of the love between Tristram and Isolde,
+and that they had secret meetings and tender conversations,
+so he lay in wait to spy upon them and
+slander them before the court.</p>
+
+<p>A day came at length when Andred observed Tristram
+in secret parley with Isolde at a window, and
+he hastened to the king and poisoned his mind with
+a false report of what he had seen. King Mark, on
+hearing this, burst into a fury of passion, and seizing
+a sword, ran to where Tristram stood. Here
+he violently berated him as a traitor, and struck
+at him a furious blow.</p>
+
+<p>But Tristram took the sword-point under his arm,
+and ran in on the king, wresting the weapon from
+his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are my knights and men?" cried the
+enraged king. "I charge you to kill this traitor!"</p>
+
+<p>But of those present not a man would move.
+When Tristram saw this, he shook the sword threateningly
+against the king, and took a step forward as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span>
+if he would have slain him. At this movement
+King Mark fled, while Tristram followed, and
+struck him so strong a blow with the flat of the
+sword on his neck that he was flung prostrate on
+his nose. Then Tristram hastened to his room and
+armed himself, after which he took his horse and his
+squire and rode into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>Here the valorous champion killed some of the
+knights whom the king had sent against him and
+put to flight thirty more, so that King Mark in fear
+and fury called a council of his lords, and asked
+what was to be done with his rebellious subject.</p>
+
+<p>"Our counsel is," said the barons, "that you
+send for Sir Tristram and make friends with him,
+for you well know that if you push him hard many
+of your men will join him. He is peerless and
+matchless among Christian knights except Sir Lancelot,
+and if you drive him to seek King Arthur's
+court he will find such friends there that he may
+defy your power. Therefore we counsel you to beg
+him to return to the court, under assurance of
+safety."</p>
+
+<p>"You may send for him, then," said the king,
+though his heart burned with secret fury. The
+barons now sent for Tristram under a safe-conduct,
+and he returned to the court, where he was welcomed
+by the king, and all that had passed seemed
+to be forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after this the king and queen went hunting,
+accompanied by Tristram and many knights
+and gentlemen of the court. Entering the forest,
+they set up their pavilions and tents beside a river,
+where they hunted and jousted daily, for King<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>
+Mark had with him thirty knights who stood ready
+to meet all comers.</p>
+
+<p>Fortune brought thither two knights-errant, one
+being Lamorak de Galis, who of all knights was
+counted next to Lancelot and Tristram. The other
+was Sir Driant, both being Knights of the Round
+Table.</p>
+
+<p>Driant jousted first with the Cornish knights,
+and, after unhorsing some of them, got a stunning
+fall. Then Lamorak offered to meet them, and
+of the thirty knights not one kept his seat before
+him, while some were sorely hurt.</p>
+
+<p>"What knight is this who fights so well?" asked
+the king.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Tristram, "it is Lamorak de Galis,
+one of the best knights who ever put spear in rest."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, Sir Tristram, you must meet him. It
+were a shame to us all to let him go away victor."</p>
+
+<p>"It were a greater shame to overthrow a noble
+knight when he and his horse are worn out with
+over-labor."</p>
+
+<p>"He shall not leave here and boast of how he
+vanquished King Mark's knights. I charge you,
+as you love me and my lady La Belle Isolde, to
+take your arms and joust with this Lamorak."</p>
+
+<p>"You charge me to do what is against knighthood,
+for it is no honor for a fresh man and horse
+to master spent and weary ones. Since you command
+it I must do it, but it is sorely against my
+will."</p>
+
+<p>Then he armed himself and took his horse, and
+in the joust easily overthrew Lamorak and his
+weary steed. The knight lightly sprang from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>
+falling charger and drew his sword, boldly challenging
+Tristram to meet him on foot. But this Tristram
+would by no means do, though Lamorak hotly
+renewed the challenge.</p>
+
+<p>"You are great of heart, Sir Lamorak," said
+Tristram, "but no knight nor horse was ever made
+that could forever endure. Therefore I will not
+meet you, and I am sorry for having jousted with
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"You have done me an evil turn," said Lamorak,
+angrily, "for which I shall repay you when
+an opportunity comes."</p>
+
+<p>Lamorak soon got his revenge. For as he rode
+with Sir Driant towards Camelot he met by the
+way a boy who had been sent by Morgan le Fay
+to King Arthur. For the false enchantress still
+held to her hatred against her noble brother, and
+by all means sought his harm. So by magic
+art she had made a drinking-horn of such strange
+virtue that if any lady drank of it who had been
+false to her husband all the wine would be spilled,
+but if she had been true to him, she might drink
+in peace and safety.</p>
+
+<p>This horn she sent to Arthur's court, hoping that
+Guenever might drink thereof and be dishonored,
+for her love for Lancelot was known to all but the
+king.</p>
+
+<p>Lamorak, learning from the boy his errand, bade
+him bear the horn to King Mark's court, and tell
+the king that it was sent to prove the falseness of
+his lady, who loved Sir Tristram more than she
+did her wedded lord.</p>
+
+<p>Soon afterwards, therefore, the boy appeared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span>
+at Tintagil Castle, and presented King Mark the
+magic horn, telling him of its virtues, and all that
+Sir Lamorak had bidden him say.</p>
+
+<p>"By my royal faith we shall try it, then!" said
+the king. "Not only my queen, but all the ladies
+of the court, shall drink of it, and we shall learn
+who among them has other lovers than their liege
+lords."</p>
+
+<p>Much to their unwillingness, Queen Isolde and
+a hundred ladies of the court were made to drink
+from the magic horn, and of them all only four
+drank without spilling the wine.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, by my knightly honor, all these false
+dames shall be burnt!" cried the king. "My court
+shall be purged of this vile stain."</p>
+
+<p>"That shall they not," cried the barons. "We
+shall never consent that the queen and all these
+ladies shall be destroyed for a horn wrought by
+sorcery, and sent here to make mischief by as foul
+a sorceress and witch as the earth holds. She has
+always been an enemy to all true lovers and sought
+to do them harm, and if we meet with Morgan le
+Fay she will get but scant courtesy at our hands.
+We would much rather believe the horn false than
+all our ladies untrue."</p>
+
+<p>But Tristram's anger was turned towards Lamorak
+for this affront, for he knew well what had
+been his purpose. And he vowed in his heart that
+he would yet repay him for this treacherous act.</p>
+
+<p>His affection for Queen Isolde kept as warm as
+though the love-draught still flowed in his veins,
+and he sought her at every opportunity, for the
+two greatest joys that life held for him were to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>
+tell her of his love and hear from her lips that
+her love for him had never dimmed.</p>
+
+<p>But his treacherous cousin Andred watched his
+every movement, and kept the king advised that
+Tristram continued his secret interviews with the
+queen. So an ambush of twelve knights was set,
+and one day, when Tristram had just paid a stolen
+visit to the queen, and sat in loving converse by
+her side, these ambushed knights broke suddenly
+upon him, took him prisoner, and bound him hand
+and foot.</p>
+
+<p>Then, by order of the king, he was borne to a
+chapel that stood on a rocky height above the
+sea, where Andred and some others of the barons
+who were his enemies came together to pass judgment
+upon him.</p>
+
+<p>Tristram in all his life had never stood in such
+peril, for his hands were bound fast to two knights,
+and forty others surrounded him, every one a foe.
+Care had been taken to get rid of his friends among
+the barons by sending them away from the court on
+various pretexts. Like a lion surrounded by jackals
+he chafed in his bonds, while his great heart swelled
+as if it would break. No escape seemed possible,
+but with a reproachful voice he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Fair lords, I have in my time done something
+for Cornwall, and taken upon myself great peril
+for your benefit. Who among you all was ready
+to meet Sir Marhaus, or to cope with Palamides?
+Is this shameful death my reward for my services
+to your country? You know well that I never met
+a knight but that I was his match or his better."</p>
+
+<p>"Boast not, false traitor," cried Andred. "For
+all thy vaunting, thou shalt die this day."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>"O Andred, Andred, that you my kinsman should
+treat me thus!" said Tristram sorrowfully. "You
+can be bold when I am bound, but if there were none
+here but you and me, you would crouch like a cur
+at my feet."</p>
+
+<p>"Would I so?" cried Andred, angrily. "You
+shall see what I would do."</p>
+
+<p>And as he spoke he drew his sword, and advanced
+upon his cousin with intent to slay him on the
+spot. But Tristram, when he saw him coming with
+murderous looks, suddenly drew inwards with all
+his strength the two knights to whom he was bound,
+and with a mighty wrench broke the strong cords
+asunder. Then with the leap of a tiger he sprang
+upon his treacherous cousin, wrested the sword from
+his hand, and smote him a blow that hurled him
+insensible to the earth. This done, he rushed with
+the fury of a madman on his enemies, striking
+mighty blows to right and left, till in a few minutes
+ten of them lay dead and wounded on the earth.</p>
+
+<p>But seeing that they were pressing on him in too
+great force, he retreated into the chapel, in whose
+door-way he stood, sword in hand, holding it against
+all their assaults.</p>
+
+<p>Soon, however, the cry went forth that the prisoner
+had escaped, and had felled Andred and killed
+many of the barons, and others of his foes hastened
+up, till more than a hundred beleaguered him in the
+chapel.</p>
+
+<p>Tristram now looked despairingly on his unarmed
+form, and saw that many of his assailants wore
+armor of proof. Death was sure unless he could
+find some means of escape. He knew that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>
+chapel stood on the brow of the cliff, and here
+seemed his only hope of safety, though it was a
+perilous one. Quickly retreating, he shut and
+barred the door, and then with hand and sword
+wrenched and tore the iron bars from a window
+over the cliff, out of which he desperately leaped.</p>
+
+<p>The descent was a deep one, but he fortunately
+reached the sea below without striking any of the
+rocks in his descent. Here he drew himself into
+a crevice at the foot of the cliff.</p>
+
+<p>Those above rushed to the rocky edge and looked
+down into the boiling waters far below, but they
+saw nothing of the daring knight, and after a long
+and vain effort to see him, went away to report to
+the king that his enemy was drowned.</p>
+
+<p>But while King Mark and Tristram's enemies
+were congratulating one another upon this, there
+came to the top of the cliff, Gouvernail, Lambegus,
+and others of Tristram's men, who, looking down,
+saw him creeping up from the water to a safer
+place of shelter among the rocks. Hailing him,
+they bade him to be of good heart, and, letting down
+a rope which they quickly procured, they managed
+to draw him up to the summit, where they congratulated
+him warmly on his escape. Without
+delay, however, he left that spot, for fear of his foes
+returning, and sought a place of shelter in the
+forest.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="Cliffs_Pg_288" id="Cliffs_Pg_288"></a><img src="images/p288.jpg" width="500" height="294" alt="THE CLIFFS ABOVE THE SEA." title="THE CLIFFS ABOVE THE SEA." />
+<span class="caption">THE CLIFFS ABOVE THE SEA.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Here he abode for some time, but the news of
+his escape got abroad, to the discomfiture of his
+foes. And on a day when he had fallen asleep, a
+man to whom he had done some injury crept up
+and shot him in the shoulder with an arrow. Tristram
+sprang up and killed the man, but the wound
+pained him day by day. And on news of it being
+brought to La Belle Isolde she sent him word by
+Dame Bragwaine that the arrow had been poisoned,
+and with a venom that no leech in England could
+cure. "My lady, La Belle Isolde, bids you haste
+into Brittany to King Howell," said Dame Bragwaine,
+"for she knows no one who can help you but
+his daughter, Isolde la Blanche Mains."</p>
+
+<p>Hearing this, the wounded knight sent a sad farewell
+to his lady love, and took ship with Gouvernail
+his squire, and sailed to Brittany, where he was
+warmly welcomed by King Howell.</p>
+
+<p>And when Isolde of the white hands heard of
+the errand of the knight, she applied to his wound
+healing herbs of such virtue that in a little while he
+was whole again.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards Tristram dwelt long in Brittany, and
+helped King Howell much in his wars.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE MADNESS OF SIR TRISTRAM.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Of the visit of Sir Tristram to Brittany, and
+the healing of his wound, with the great deeds he
+did there, and how he overthrew the giant knight
+Nabon le Noire, we shall not further speak. Letters
+at length came to him from La Belle Isolde, in
+which she spoke pitifully of tales that had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>
+brought her, saying that he had been false to her,
+and had married Isolde the White Handed, daughter
+of King Howell of Brittany.</p>
+
+<p>On receiving these letters, Tristram set out in
+all haste for Cornwall, bringing with him Kehydius,
+King Howell's son. On his way there he had many
+adventures, and rescued King Arthur from an enchantress,
+who had brought him near to death in the
+forest perilous. When at length he came to Cornwall
+he sought the castle of Dinas the seneschal,
+his warmest friend, and sent him to tell Queen
+Isolde that he had secretly returned.</p>
+
+<p>At this longed-for news the queen swooned from
+pure joy. When she recovered and was able to
+speak, she said, in pitiful accents,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Gentle seneschal, I pray you bring him where
+I may speak with him, or my heart will break."</p>
+
+<p>"Trust me for that," answered Dinas.</p>
+
+<p>Then he and Dame Bragwaine brought Tristram
+and Kehydius privately to the court, and to a chamber
+which Isolde had assigned for them. But to
+tell the joy of the meeting between Tristram and
+La Belle Isolde we shall not endeavor, for no tongue
+could tell it, nor heart think it, nor pen write it.</p>
+
+<p>Yet misfortune still pursued these true lovers,
+and this time it came from friends instead of foes,
+for the presence of Kehydius in the castle led to
+the most doleful and melancholy misfortune which
+the world ever knew. For, as the chronicles make
+mention, no sooner had Kehydius seen La Belle
+Isolde, than he became so enamoured of her that
+his heart might never more be free. And at last,
+as we are told, he died from pure love of this beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>
+queen, but with that we are not here concerned.
+But privately he wrote her letters which were full
+of moving tales of his love, and composed love
+poems to her which no minstrel of those days might
+surpass.</p>
+
+<p>All these he managed to put into the queen's
+hands privately, and at length, when she saw how
+deeply he was enamoured, she was moved by such
+pity for his hopeless love that, out of the pure
+kindness of her heart, she unwisely wrote him a
+letter, seeking to comfort him in his distress.</p>
+
+<p>Sad was it that pity should bring such sorrow
+and pain to two loving hearts as came from that
+fatal letter. For on a day when King Mark sat
+playing chess at a chamber window, it chanced
+that La Belle Isolde and Kehydius were in the
+chamber above, where they awaited the coming of
+Tristram from the turret-room in which he was
+secretly accommodated. But as ill luck would
+have it, there fell into Tristram's hands the last
+letter which Kehydius had written to the queen, and
+her answer, which was so worded that it seemed as
+if she returned his love.</p>
+
+<p>These the young lover had carelessly left in Tristram's
+chamber, where he found them and thoughtlessly
+began reading them. But not far had he read
+when his heart sank deep in woe, and then leaped
+high in anger. He hurried in all haste to the
+chamber where Isolde and Kehydius were, the letters
+in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Isolde," he cried, pitifully, "what mean these
+letters,&mdash;this which Kehydius has written you, and
+this, your answer, with its vile tale of love? Alas!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span>
+is this my repayment for the love I have lavished
+on you, that you thus treacherously desert me for
+the viper that I have brought hither?&mdash;As for you,
+Kehydius, you have foully repaid my trust in you
+and all my services. But bear you well in mind
+that I shall be amply revenged for your falsehood
+and treason."</p>
+
+<p>Then he drew his sword with such a fierce and
+threatening countenance that Isolde swooned out
+of pure fear; and Kehydius, when he saw him
+advancing with murder in his face, saw but one
+chance for life, and leaped out of a bay window
+immediately over that where King Mark sat playing
+at chess.</p>
+
+<p>When the king saw the body of a man hurtling
+down over his head, so close that he almost touched
+him as he sat at the window, he sprang up in
+alarm and cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"What the foul fiend is this? Who are you,
+fellow? and where in the wide world have you
+come from?"</p>
+
+<p>Kehydius, who had fallen on his feet, answered
+the king with ready wit.</p>
+
+<p>"My lord, the king," he said, "blame me not,
+for I fell in my sleep. I was seated in the window
+above you, and slumbered there, and you see what
+has come of it."</p>
+
+<p>"The next time you are sleepy, good fellow,
+hunt a safer couch," laughed the king, and turned
+again to his chess.</p>
+
+<p>But Tristram was sure that his presence in the
+castle would now be known to the king, and hastened
+to arm himself with such armor as he could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>
+find, in dread of an assault in force. But as no one
+came against him, he sent Gouvernail for his horse
+and spear, and rode in knightly guise openly from
+the gates of Tintagil.</p>
+
+<p>At the gate it chanced that he met with Gingalin,
+the son of Gawaine, who had just arrived; and the
+young knight, being full of ardor, and having a
+fancy to tilt with a Cornish warrior, put his spear
+in rest and rode against Tristram, breaking his
+spear on him.</p>
+
+<p>Tristram had yet no spear, but he drew his sword
+and put all his grief and anger into the blow he
+gave the bold young knight. So hard he struck
+that Gingalin was flung from his saddle, and the
+sword, slipping down, cut through the horse's neck,
+leaving the knight with a headless charger.</p>
+
+<p>Then Tristram rode on until he disappeared in
+the forest. All this was seen by King Mark, who
+sent a squire to the hurt knight and asked him
+who he was. When he knew it was Sir Gingalin,
+he welcomed him, and proffered him another horse,
+asking what knight it was he had encountered.</p>
+
+<p>"That I know not," said Gingalin, "but he has
+a mighty wrist, whoever he is. And he sighed and
+moaned as if some great disaster had happened
+him. I shall beware of weeping knights hereafter,
+if they all strike like this."</p>
+
+<p>As Tristram rode on he met Sir Fergus, one of
+his own knights, but by this time his grief and pain
+of heart had grown so bitter that he fell from his
+horse in a swoon, and lay thus for three days and
+nights.</p>
+
+<p>When at length he came to himself, he sent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>
+Fergus, who had remained with him, to the court, to
+bring him what tidings he might learn. As Fergus
+rode forward he met a damsel whom Palamides
+had sent to inquire about Sir Tristram. Fergus
+told her how he had met him, and that he was
+almost out of his mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Where shall I find him?" asked the damsel.</p>
+
+<p>"In such a place," explained Fergus, and rode
+on to the court, where he learned that Queen Isolde
+was sick in bed, moaning pitifully, though no one
+knew the source of her pain.</p>
+
+<p>The damsel meanwhile sought Tristram, whom
+she found in such grief as she had never before
+seen, and the more she tried to console him the
+more he moaned and bewailed. At the last he took
+his horse and rode deeply into the forest, as if he
+would be away from all human company.</p>
+
+<p>The damsel now sought him diligently, but it
+was three days before she could find him, in a
+miserable woodland hut. Here she brought him
+meat and drink, but he would eat nothing, and
+seemed as if he wished to starve himself.</p>
+
+<p>A few days afterwards he fled from her again,
+and on this occasion it chanced that he rode by
+the castle before which he and Palamides had
+fought for La Belle Isolde. Here the damsel found
+him again, moaning dismally, and quite beside
+himself with grief. In despair what to do, she
+went to the lady of the castle and told her of the
+misfortune of the knight.</p>
+
+<p>"It grieves me to learn this," said the lady.
+"Where is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Here, near by your castle."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>"I am glad he is so near. He shall have meat
+and drink of the best, and a harp which I have of
+his, and on which he taught me to play. For in
+harping he has no peer in the world."</p>
+
+<p>So they took him meat and drink, but had much
+ado to get him to eat. And during the night his
+madness so increased that he drove his horse from
+him, and unlaced his armor and threw it wildly
+away. For days afterwards he roamed like a wild
+man about the wilderness; now in a mad frenzy
+breaking boughs from the trees, and even tearing
+young trees up by the roots, and now for hours playing
+on the harp which the lady had given him, while
+tears flowed in rivulets from his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes, again, when the lady knew not where
+he was, she would sit down in the wood and play
+upon the harp, which he had left hanging on a
+bough. Then Tristram would come like a tamed
+fawn and listen to her, hiding in the bushes; and
+in the end would come out and take the harp from
+her hand and play on it himself, in mournful strains
+that brought the tears to her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Thus for a quarter of a year the demented lover
+roamed the forest near the castle. But at length
+he wandered deeper into the wilderness, and the
+lady knew not whither he had gone. Finally, his
+clothes torn into tatters by the thorns, and he fallen
+away till he was lean as a hound, he fell into the
+fellowship of herdsmen and shepherds, who gave
+him daily a share of their food, and made him do
+servile tasks. And when he did any deed not to
+their liking they would beat him with rods. In
+the end, as they looked upon him as witless, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>
+clipped his hair and beard, and made him look like
+a fool.</p>
+
+<p>To such a vile extremity had love, jealousy, and
+despair brought the brave knight Tristram de
+Lyonesse, that from being the fellow of lords and
+nobles he became the butt of churls and cowherds.
+About this time it happened that Dagonet, the fool
+and merry-maker of King Arthur, rode into Cornwall
+with two squires, and chance brought them
+to a well in the forest which was much haunted
+by the demented knight. The weather was hot, and
+they alighted and stooped to drink at the well,
+while their horses ran loose. As they bent over the
+well in their thirst, Tristram suddenly appeared,
+and, moved by a mad freak, he seized Dagonet and
+soused him headforemost in the well, and the two
+squires after him. The dripping victims crawled
+miserably from the water, amid the mocking
+laughter of the shepherds, while Tristram ran after
+the stray horses. These being brought, he forced
+the fool and the squires to mount, soaked as they
+were, and ride away.</p>
+
+<p>But after Tristram had departed, Dagonet and
+the squires returned, and accusing the shepherds
+of having set that madman on to assail them, they
+rode upon the keepers of beasts and beat them
+shrewdly. Tristram, as it chanced, was not so
+far off but that he saw this ill-treatment of those
+who had fed him, and he ran back, pulled Dagonet
+from the saddle, and gave him a stunning fall to
+the earth. Then he wrested the sword from his
+hand and with it smote off the head of one of the
+squires, while the other fled in terror. Tristram<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>
+followed him, brandishing the sword wildly, and
+leaping like a madman as he rushed into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>When Dagonet had recovered from his swoon, he
+rode to King Mark's court, and there told what had
+happened to him in the wildwood.</p>
+
+<p>"Let all beware," he said, "how they come near
+that forest well. For it is haunted by a naked
+madman, and that fool soused me, King Arthur's
+fool, and had nearly slain me."</p>
+
+<p>"That must be Sir Matto le Breune," said King
+Mark, "who lost his wit because Sir Gaheris robbed
+him of his lady."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Kehydius had been ordered out of
+Cornwall by Queen Isolde, who blamed him for
+all that had happened, and with a dolorous heart
+he obeyed. By chance he met Palamides, to whom
+the damsel had reported the sad condition of the
+insane knight, and for days they sought him together,
+but in vain.</p>
+
+<p>But at Tintagil a foul scheme was laid by Andred,
+Tristram's cousin and foe, to gain possession of his
+estates. This villain got a lady to declare that she
+had nursed Tristram in a fatal illness, that he had
+died in her care, and had been buried by her near
+a forest well; and she further said that before
+his death he had left a request that King Mark
+would make Andred king of Lyonesse, of which
+country Tristram now was lord.</p>
+
+<p>On hearing these tidings, King Mark made a great
+show of grief, weeping and lamenting as if he had
+lost his best friend in the world. But when the
+news came to La Belle Isolde, so deep a weight of
+woe fell upon her that she nearly went out of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>
+mind. So deeply did she grieve, indeed, that she
+vowed to destroy herself, declaring bitterly that she
+would not live if Tristram was dead.</p>
+
+<p>So she secretly got a sword and went with it into
+her garden, where she forced the hilt into a crevice
+in a plum-tree so that the naked point stood out
+breast high. Then she kneeled down and prayed
+piteously: "Sweet Lord Jesus, have pity on me,
+for I may not live after the death of Sir Tristram.
+My first love he was, and he shall be my last."</p>
+
+<p>All this had been seen by King Mark, who had
+followed her privily, and as she rose and was about
+to cast herself on the sword he came behind and
+caught her in his arms. Then he tore the sword
+from the tree, and bore her away, struggling and
+moaning, to a strong tower, where he set guards
+upon her, bidding them to watch her closely. After
+that she lay long sick, and came nigh to the point of
+death.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Tristram ran wildly through the
+forest, with Dagonet's sword in his hand, till he
+came to a hermitage, where he lay down and slept.
+While he slumbered, the hermit, who knew of his
+madness, stole the sword from him and laid meat
+beside him. Here he remained ten days, and afterwards
+departed and returned to the herdsmen.</p>
+
+<p>And now another adventure happened. There
+was in that country a giant named Tauleas, brother
+to that Taulard whom Sir Marhaus had killed.
+For fear of Tristram he had for seven years kept
+close in his castle, daring not to go at large and
+commit depredations as of old. But now, hearing
+the rumor that Tristram was dead, he resumed his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>
+old evil courses. And one day he came to where the
+herdsmen were engaged, and seated himself to rest
+among them. By chance there passed along the
+road near by a Cornish knight named Sir Dinant,
+with whom rode a lady.</p>
+
+<p>When the giant saw them coming, he left the
+herdsmen and hid himself under a tree near a
+well, deeming that the knight would stop there to
+drink. This he did, but no sooner had he sought
+the well than the giant slipped from his covert and
+leaped upon the horse. Then he rode upon Sir
+Dinant, took him by the collar, and pulled him
+before him upon the horse, reaching for his dagger
+to strike off his head.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the herdsmen called to Tristram,
+who had just come from the forest depths:
+"Help the knight."</p>
+
+<p>"Help him yourselves," said Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"We dare not," they replied.</p>
+
+<p>Then Tristram ran up and seized the sword of
+the knight, which had fallen to the ground, and
+with one broad sweep struck off the head of Tauleas
+clean from the shoulders. This done he dropped
+the sword as if he had done but a trifle and went
+back to the herdsmen.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after this, Sir Dinant appeared at Tintagil,
+bearing with him the giant's head, and there
+told what had happened to him and how he had
+been rescued.</p>
+
+<p>"Where had you this adventure?" asked the
+king.</p>
+
+<p>"At the herdsmen's fountain in the forest," said
+Dinant. "There where so many knights-errant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>
+meet. They say this madman haunts that spot."</p>
+
+<p>"He cannot be Matto le Breune, as I fancied,"
+said the king. "It was a man of no small might
+who made that stroke. I shall seek this wild man
+myself."</p>
+
+<p>On the next day King Mark, with a following
+of knights and hunters, rode into the forest, where
+they continued their course till they came to the
+well. Lying beside it they saw a gaunt, naked
+man, with a sword beside him. Who he was they
+knew not, for madness and exposure had so changed
+Tristram's face that no one knew it.</p>
+
+<p>By the king's command he was picked up slumbering
+and covered with mantles, and thus borne
+in a litter to Tintagil. Here they bathed and
+washed him, and gave him warm food and gentle
+care, till his madness passed away and his wits
+came back to him. But no one knew him, so much
+had he changed, while all deemed Tristram dead,
+and had no thought of him.</p>
+
+<p>Word of what had happened came to Isolde where
+she lay sick, and with a sudden whim she rose
+from her bed and bade Bragwaine come with her,
+as she had a fancy to see the forest madman.</p>
+
+<p>Asking where he was, she was told that he was
+in the garden, resting in an arbor, in a light slumber.
+Hither they sought him and looked down
+upon him, knowing him not.</p>
+
+<p>But as they stood there Tristram woke, and when
+he saw the queen he turned away his head, while
+tears ran from his eyes. It happened that the
+queen had with her a little brachet, which Tristram
+had given her when she first came to Cornwall, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span>
+which always remembered and loved its old master.</p>
+
+<p>When this little creature came near the sick man,
+she leaped upon him and licked his cheeks and
+hands, and whined about him, showing great joy
+and excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"The dog is wiser than us all," cried Dame
+Bragwaine. "She knows her master. They spoke
+falsely who said he was dead. It is Sir Tristram."</p>
+
+<p>But Isolde fell to the ground in a swoon, and lay
+there long insensible. When at length she recovered,
+she said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My dear lord and knight, I thank God deeply
+that you still live, for the story of your death had
+nearly caused mine. Your life is in dread danger,
+for when King Mark knows you he will either
+banish or destroy you. Therefore I beg you to fly
+from this court and seek that of King Arthur where
+you are beloved. This you may trust, that at all
+times, early and late, my love for you will keep
+fresh in my heart."</p>
+
+<p>"I pray you leave me, Isolde," answered the
+knight. "It is not well that you should be seen
+here. Fear not that I will forget what you have
+said."</p>
+
+<p>Then the queen departed, but do what she would
+the brachet would not follow her, but kept with the
+sick knight. Soon afterwards King Mark visited
+him, and to his surprise the brachet sat upon the
+prostrate man and bayed at the king.</p>
+
+<p>"What does this mean?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I can tell you," answered a knight. "That
+dog was Sir Tristram's before it was the queen's.
+The brachet is wiser than us all. It knows its
+master."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>"That I cannot believe," said the king. "Tell
+me your name, my good man."</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Tristram of Lyonesse," answered
+the knight. "I am in your power. Do with me
+what you will."</p>
+
+<p>The king looked at him long and strangely, with
+anger in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly," he said, "you had better have died
+while you were about it. It would have saved me
+the need of dealing with you as you deserve."</p>
+
+<p>Then he returned to the castle, and called his
+barons hastily to council, sternly demanding that
+the penalty of death should be adjudged against
+the knight. Happily for Tristram, the barons
+would not consent to this, and proposed instead that
+the accused knight should be banished.</p>
+
+<p>So in the end the sentence was passed that Tristram
+should be banished for ten years from the
+country of Cornwall, not to return under pain of
+death. To this the knight assented, taking an
+oath before the king and his barons that he would
+abide by the decision of the court.</p>
+
+<p>Many barons accompanied him to the ship in
+which he was to set sail. And as he was going,
+there arrived at Tintagil a knight of King Arthur's
+court named Dinadan, who had been sent to seek
+Sir Tristram and request him to come to Camelot.</p>
+
+<p>On being shown the banished knight, he went to
+him and told his errand.</p>
+
+<p>"You come in good season," said Tristram, "for
+to Camelot am I now bound."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I would go with you in fellowship."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right welcome, Sir Dinadan." Then
+Tristram turned to the others and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="Tintagil_Pg_302" id="Tintagil_Pg_302"></a><img src="images/p302.jpg" width="500" height="292" alt="TINTAGIL, KING ARTHUR&#39;S CASTLE, FROM THE VALLEY." title="TINTAGIL, KING ARTHUR&#39;S CASTLE, FROM THE VALLEY." />
+<span class="caption">TINTAGIL, KING ARTHUR&#39;S CASTLE, FROM THE VALLEY.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span>"Greet King Mark from me, and all my enemies
+as well, and tell them that I shall come again in
+my own good time. I am well rewarded for all
+I have done for him, but revenge has a long life,
+as he may yet learn."</p>
+
+<p>Then he took ship and put to sea, a banished
+man. And with him went Dinadan to cheer him
+in his woe, for, of all the knights of the Round
+Table, Dinadan was the merriest soul.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="BOOK_VII" id="BOOK_VII"></a>BOOK VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>HOW TRISTRAM CAME TO CAMELOT.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h4>TRISTRAM AND DINADAN.</h4>
+
+
+<p>And now it behooves us to follow the banished
+knight in his adventures, for they were many and
+various, and arduous were the labors with which
+he won his right to a seat at the Round Table.
+We have told the tale of his love and madness, and
+now must relate the marvellous exploits of his
+banishment.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly, indeed, had Tristram and Dinadan
+landed in Arthur's realms when they met two
+knights of his court, Hector de Maris and Bors
+de Ganis. This encounter took place upon a bridge,
+where Hector and Dinadan jousted, and Dinadan
+and his horse were overthrown. But Bors refused
+to fight with Tristram, through the contempt he
+felt for Cornish knights. Yet the honor of Cornwall
+was soon retrieved, for Sir Bleoberis and Sir
+Driant now came up, and Bleoberis proffered to
+joust with Tristram, who quickly smote him to the
+earth.</p>
+
+<p>This done, Tristram and Dinadan departed, leaving
+their opponents in surprise that such valor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>
+and might could come out of Cornwall. But not
+far had the two knights-errant gone when they
+entered a forest, where they met a damsel, who
+was in search of some noble knights to rescue Sir
+Lancelot. Morgan le Fay, who hated him bitterly
+since his escape from her castle, had laid an ambush
+of thirty knights at a point which Lancelot was
+approaching, thinking to attack him unawares
+and so slay him.</p>
+
+<p>The damsel, who had learned of this plot, had
+already met the four knights whom Tristram and
+Dinadan had encountered, and obtained their
+promise to come to the rescue.</p>
+
+<p>She now told her story of crime and treachery
+to the two wanderers, with the same request.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair damsel," said Tristram, "you could set
+me no more welcome task. Guide me to the place
+where those dastards lie in ambush for Lancelot."</p>
+
+<p>"What would you do?" cried Dinadan. "We
+cannot match thirty knights. Two or three are
+enough for any one knight, if they be men. I hope
+you don't fancy that I will take fifteen to my
+share!"</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come, good comrade," said Tristram.
+"Do not show the white feather."</p>
+
+<p>"I would rather wear the white feather than the
+fool's cap," said Dinadan. "Lend me your shield
+if you will; for I had sooner carry a Cornish shield,
+which all men say only cowards bear, than try any
+such foolhardy adventure."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay; I will keep my shield for the sake of
+her who gave it to me," answered Tristram. "But
+this I warn you, if you will not abide with me I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>
+shall slay you before we part, for a coward has no
+right to cumber the earth. I ask no more of you
+than to fight one knight. If your heart is too
+faint for that, then stand by and see me meet the
+whole crew."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said Dinadan, "you can trust me
+to look on bravely, and mayhap to do something
+to save my head from hard knocks; but I would
+give my helmet if I had not met you. Folks say
+you are cured of your mad fit, but I vow if I have
+much faith in your sound sense."</p>
+
+<p>Tristram smiled grimly at Dinadan's scolding,
+and kept on after the damsel. Not far had they
+gone before they met the thirty knights. These
+had already passed the four knights of Arthur's
+court, without a combat, and they now rode in the
+same way past Tristram and Dinadan, with no show
+of hostility.</p>
+
+<p>But Tristram was of different mettle. Turning
+towards them he cried with a voice of thunder,&mdash;"Lo!
+sir villains. I have heard of your plot to
+murder Lancelot. Turn and defend yourselves.
+Here is a knight ready to fight you all for the
+love of Lancelot du Lake!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, spurring his good war-steed, he rode upon
+them with the fury of a lion, slaying two with his
+spear. He then drew his mighty blade, and attacked
+them with such fierce spirit and giant strength
+that ten more soon fell dead beneath his furious
+blows. Nor did Dinadan stand and look on, as
+he had grumblingly threatened, but rode in and
+aided Tristram nobly, more than one of the villains
+falling before his blows. When, at length, the murderous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>
+crew took to flight, there were but ten of
+them alive.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Bors and his companions had seen this battle
+at a distance, but it was all over before they could
+reach the scene of fray. High was their praise of
+the valor and prowess of the victor, who, they said,
+had done such a deed as they had deemed only
+Lancelot could perform.</p>
+
+<p>They invited him with knightly warmth and
+courtesy to go with them to their lodging.</p>
+
+<p>"Many thanks, fair sirs," said Tristram, "but I
+cannot go with you."</p>
+
+<p>"Then tell us your name, that we may remember
+it as that of one of the best of knights, and give
+you the honor which is your due."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor that either," answered Tristram. "In
+good time you shall know my name, but not now."</p>
+
+<p>Leaving them with the dead knights, Tristram
+and Dinadan rode forward, and in time found
+themselves near a party of shepherds and herdsmen,
+whom they asked if any lodging was to be had
+near by.</p>
+
+<p>"That there is," said the herdsmen, "and good
+lodging, in a castle close at hand. But it is not
+to be had for the asking. The custom of that castle
+is that no knight shall lodge there except he fight
+with two knights of the castle. But as you are
+two, you can fight your battle man for man, if you
+seek lodging there."</p>
+
+<p>"That is rough pay for a night's rest," said
+Dinadan. "Lodge where you will, I will not rest
+in that castle. I have done enough to-day to spoil
+my appetite for fighting."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span>"Come, come," said Tristram, "and you a Knight
+of the Round Table! You cannot refuse to win
+your lodging in knightly fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"Win it you must if you want it," said the herdsmen;
+"for if you have the worse of the battle no
+lodging will you gain in these quarters, except it
+be in the wild wood."</p>
+
+<p>"Be it so, if it must," said Dinadan. "In flat
+English, I will not go to the castle."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you a man?" demanded Tristram, scornfully.
+"Come, Dinadan, I know you are no coward.
+On your knighthood, come."</p>
+
+<p>Growling in his throat, Dinadan followed his
+comrade, sorely against his will, and together they
+rode into the castle court. Here they found, as
+they had been told, two armed knights ready to
+meet them.</p>
+
+<p>To make a long story short, Tristram and Dinadan
+smote them both down, and afterwards entered
+the castle, where the best of good cheer was served
+them. But when they had disarmed, and were
+having a merry time at the well-filled table, word
+was brought them that two other knights, Palamides
+and Gaheris, had entered the gates, and
+demanded a joust according to the castle custom.</p>
+
+<p>"The foul fiend take them!" cried Dinadan.
+"Fight I will not; I am here for rest."</p>
+
+<p>"We are now the lords of the castle, and must
+defend its custom," said Tristram. "Make ready,
+therefore, for fight you must."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, in the devil's name, came I here in your
+company?" cried Dinadan. "You will wear all
+the flesh off my bones."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span>But there was nothing to do but arm themselves
+and meet the two knights in the court-yard. Of
+these Gaheris encountered Tristram, and got a fall
+for his pains; but Palamides hurled Dinadan from
+his horse. So far, then, it was fall for fall, and the
+contest could be decided only by a fight on foot.
+But Dinadan was bruised from his fall and refused
+to fight. Tristram unlaced his helmet to give him
+air, and prayed him for his aid.</p>
+
+<p>"Fight them yourself, if you will; two such
+knights are but a morsel to you," said Dinadan.
+"As for me, I am sore wounded from our little
+skirmish with the thirty knights, and have no valor
+left in me. Sir Tristram, you are a madman yet,
+and I curse the time that ever I saw you. In all
+the world there are no two such mad freaks as
+Lancelot and you. Once I fell into fellowship with
+Lancelot as I have now with you, and what followed?
+Why, he set me a task that kept me a
+quarter of a year in bed. Defend me from such
+head-splitters, and save me from your fellowship."</p>
+
+<p>"Then if you will not fight I must face them
+both," said Tristram. "Come forth, both of you,
+I am ready for you."</p>
+
+<p>At this challenge Palamides and Gaheris advanced
+and struck at the two knights. But after
+a stroke or two at Gaheris, Dinadan withdrew from
+the fray.</p>
+
+<p>"This is not fair, two to one," said Palamides.
+"Stand aside, Gaheris, with that knight who declines
+to fight, and let us two finish the combat."</p>
+
+<p>Then he and Tristram fought long and fiercely,
+Tristram in the end driving him back three paces.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span>
+At this Gaheris and Dinadan pushed between them
+and bade them cease fighting, as both had done
+enough for honor.</p>
+
+<p>"So be it," said Tristram, "and these brave
+knights are welcome to lodge with us in the castle
+if they will."</p>
+
+<p>"With you, not with us," said Dinadan, dryly.
+"When I lodge in that devil's den may I sell my
+sword for a herring. We will be called up every
+hour of the night to fight for our bedding. And
+as for you, good friend, when I ride with you again,
+it will be when you have grown older and wiser,
+or I younger and more foolish."</p>
+
+<p>With these words he mounted his horse and rode
+in an ill-humor out of the castle gates.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, good sirs, we must after him," said Tristram,
+with a laugh. "He is a prime good fellow,
+if he has taken himself off in a pet; it is likely I
+gave him an overdose of fighting."</p>
+
+<p>So, asking a man of the castle to guide them to a
+lodging, they rode after Dinadan, whom they soon
+overtook, though he gave them no hearty welcome.
+Two miles farther brought them to a priory, where
+they spent the night in comfort.</p>
+
+<p>Early the next day Tristram mounted and rode
+away, leaving Dinadan at the priory, for he was too
+much bruised to mount his horse. There remained
+at the priory with him a knight named Pellinore,
+who sought earnestly to learn Tristram's name, and
+at last said angrily to Dinadan,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Since you will not tell me his name, I will ride
+after him and make him tell it himself, or leave
+him on the ground to repent."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span>"Beware, my good sir," said Dinadan, "or the
+repentance will be yours instead of his. No wise
+man is he who thrusts his own hand in the fire."</p>
+
+<p>"Good faith, I fear him not," said Pellinore,
+haughtily, and rode on his way.</p>
+
+<p>But he paid dearly for his hardiness, for a half-hour
+afterwards he lay on the earth with a spear
+wound in his shoulder, while Tristram rode unscathed
+on his way.</p>
+
+<p>On the day following Tristram met with pursuivants,
+who were spreading far and wide the
+news of a great tournament that was to be held
+between King Carados and the king of North
+Wales, at the Castle of Maidens. They were seeking
+for good knights to take part in that tournament,
+and in particular King Carados had bidden
+them to seek Lancelot, and the king of Northgalis
+to seek Tristram de Lyonesse.</p>
+
+<p>"Lancelot is not far away," said Tristram. "As
+for me, I will be there, and do my best to win honor
+in the fray."</p>
+
+<p>And so he rode away, and soon after met with
+Sir Kay and Sir Sagramore, with whom he refused
+to joust, as he wished to keep himself fresh for the
+tournament.</p>
+
+<p>But as Kay twitted him with being a cowardly
+knight of Cornwall, he turned on him and smote
+him from his horse. Then, to complete the tale,
+he served Sagramore with the same sauce, and
+serenely rode on his way, leaving them to heal their
+bruises with repentance.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h4>ON THE ROAD TO THE TOURNAMENT.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Tristram now rode far alone through a country
+strange to him, and void of knightly adventures.
+At length, however, chance brought to him a damsel,
+who told him disconsolately that she sought a
+champion to cope with a villanous knight, who
+was playing the tyrant over a wide district, and
+who defied all errant knights.</p>
+
+<p>"If you would win great honor come with me,"
+she said.</p>
+
+<p>"To win honor is the breath of my life," said
+Tristram. "Lead on, fair maiden."</p>
+
+<p>Then he rode with her a matter of six miles,
+when good fortune brought them in contact with
+Sir Gawaine, who recognized the damsel as one
+of Morgan le Fay's. On seeing her with an unknown
+knight he at once surmised that there was
+some mischief afoot.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair sir," said Gawaine, "whither ride you
+with that damsel?"</p>
+
+<p>"Whither she may lead me," said Tristram.
+"That is all I know of the matter."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, by my good blade, you shall ride no
+farther with her, for she has a breeder of ill for
+mistress, and means you a mischief."</p>
+
+<p>He drew his sword as he spoke, and said in stern
+accents to the damsel,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me wherefore and whither you lead this
+knight, or you shall die on the spot. I know you,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>
+minx, and the false-hearted witch who sends you."</p>
+
+<p>"Mercy, Sir Gawaine!" she cried, trembling in
+mortal fear. "Harm me not, and I will tell you
+all I know."</p>
+
+<p>"Say on, then. I crave not your worthless life,
+but will have it if you tell me not the truth."</p>
+
+<p>"Good and valiant sir," she answered, "Queen
+Morgan le Fay, my lady, has sent me and thirty
+ladies more, in search of Sir Lancelot or Sir Tristram.
+Whoever of us shall first meet either of
+these knights is to lead him to her castle, with a
+tale of worshipful deeds to be done and wrongs
+to be righted. But thirty knights lie in wait in a
+tower ready to sally forth and destroy them."</p>
+
+<p>"Foul shame is this," cried Gawaine, "that such
+treachery should ever be devised by a queen's
+daughter and the sister of the worshipful King
+Arthur. Sir knight, will you stand with me, and
+unmask the malice of these thirty ambushed
+rogues?"</p>
+
+<p>"That shall I willingly," said Tristram. "Trust
+me to do my share to punish these dogs. Not
+long since I and a fellow met with thirty of that
+lady's knights, who were in ambush for Lancelot,
+and we gave them something else to think of. If
+there be another thirty on the same vile quest, I
+am for them."</p>
+
+<p>Then they rode together towards the queen's
+castle, Gawaine with a shrewd fancy that he knew
+his Cornish companion, for he had heard the story
+of how two knights had beaten thirty. When they
+reached the castle, Gawaine called in a loud voice,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Queen Morgan le Fay, send out the knights<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span>
+whom you hold in ambush against Lancelot and
+Tristram. I know your treason, and will tell of it
+wherever I ride. I, Sir Gawaine, and my fellow
+here, dare your thirty knights to come out and
+meet us like men."</p>
+
+<p>"You bluster bravely, friend Gawaine," answered
+the knights. "But we well know that your pride
+and valor come from the knight who is there with
+you. Some of us have tried conclusions with that
+head-splitter who wears the arms of Cornwall, and
+have had enough of him. You alone would not
+keep us long in the castle, but we have no fancy
+to measure swords with him. So ride your way;
+you will get no glory here."</p>
+
+<p>In vain did Gawaine berate them as dastards
+and villains; say what he would, not a soul of them
+would set foot beyond the walls, and in time the
+two knights rode away in a rage, cursing all cowards
+in their beards.</p>
+
+<p>For several days they rode together without
+adventure. Then they beheld a shameful sight,
+that roused their souls to anger. For they saw a
+villanous knight, known in those parts as Breuse
+Sans Pité, who chased a lady with intent to kill
+her, having slain her lover before. Many dastardly
+deeds of this kind had he done, yet so far had
+escaped all retribution for his crimes.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me ride alone against him," said Gawaine.
+"I know his tricks. He will stand to face one man,
+but if he sees us both, he will fly, and he always
+rides so swift a horse that none can overtake him."</p>
+
+<p>Then he rode at full speed between the lady and
+her pursuer, and cried loudly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>"False knight and murderer, leave that lady and
+try your tricks on me."</p>
+
+<p>Sir Breuse, seeing but one, put his spear in rest
+and rode furiously against Gawaine, whom he struck
+so strong a blow that he flung him prostrate to the
+ground. Then, with deadly intent, he forced his
+horse to trample over him twenty times backward
+and forward, thinking to destroy him. But when
+Tristram saw this villany he broke from his covert
+and rushed in fury upon the murderous wretch.</p>
+
+<p>But Breuse Sans Pité had met with Tristram
+before, and knew him by his arms. Therefore he
+turned his horse and fled at full speed, hotly pursued
+by the furious knight. Long he chased him,
+full of thirst for revenge, but the well-horsed villain
+rode at such a pace that he left him in the distance.
+At length Tristram, despairing of overtaking him,
+and seeing an inviting forest spring, drew up his
+horse and rode thither for rest and refreshment.</p>
+
+<p>Dismounting and tying his horse to a tree, he
+washed his face and hands and took a deep and
+grateful draught of the cool water. Then laying
+himself to rest by the spring side, he fell sound
+asleep.</p>
+
+<p>While he lay there good fortune brought to that
+forest spring a lady who had sought him far and
+wide. This was Dame Bragwaine, the lady companion
+of La Belle Isolde, who bore him letters
+from the queen. She failed to recognize the sleeping
+knight, but at first sight knew his noble charger,
+Passe Brewel, which Tristram had ridden for years.
+So she seated herself gladly by the knight, and
+waited patiently till he awoke. Then she saluted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span>
+him, and he her, for he failed not to recognize his
+old acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>"What of my dear lady, La Belle Isolde?" he
+asked, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"She is well, and has sent me to seek you. Far
+and wide have I sought for you through the land,
+and glad enough am I to hand you the letters I
+bear."</p>
+
+<p>"Not so glad as I am to receive them," said
+Tristram, joyfully, taking them from her hand
+and opening them with eager haste, while his soul
+overflowed with joy as he read Isolde's words of
+love and constancy, though with them was mingled
+many a piteous complaint.</p>
+
+<p>"Come with me, Dame Bragwaine," he said.
+"I am riding to the tournament to be held at the
+Castle of Maidens. There will I answer these letters,
+and to have you there, to tell the tale of my
+doings to my Lady Isolde, will give me double
+strength and valor."</p>
+
+<p>To this Dame Bragwaine willingly agreed, and
+mounting they rode till they came to the castle of
+a hospitable old knight, near where the tournament
+was to be held. Here they were given shelter and
+entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>As they sat at supper with Sir Pellounes, their
+ancient host, he told them much of the great tournament
+that was at hand, among other things that
+Lancelot would be there, with thirty-two knights of
+his kindred, each of whom would bear a shield with
+the arms of Cornwall.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of their conversation a messenger
+entered, who told Pellounes that his son, Persides<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span>
+de Bloise, had come home, whereupon the old knight
+held up his hands and thanked God, telling Tristram
+that he had not seen his son for two years.</p>
+
+<p>"I know him," said Tristram, "and a good and
+worthy knight he is."</p>
+
+<p>On the next morning, when Tristram came into
+the castle hall clad in his house attire, he met with
+Persides, similarly unarmed, and they saluted each
+other courteously.</p>
+
+<p>"My father tells me that you are of Cornwall,"
+said Persides. "I jousted there once before King
+Mark, and fortune helped me to overthrow ten
+knights. But Tristram de Lyonesse overthrew me
+and took my lady from me. This I have not forgotten,
+and I will repay him for it yet."</p>
+
+<p>"You hate Sir Tristram, then? Do you think
+that will trouble him much, and that he is not able
+to withstand your malice?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is a better knight than I, that I admit.
+But for all that I owe him no good will."</p>
+
+<p>As thus they stood talking at a bay window of
+the castle, they saw many knights ride by on their
+way to the tournament. Among these Tristram
+marked a strongly-built warrior mounted on a great
+black horse, and bearing a black shield.</p>
+
+<p>"What knight is that?" he asked. "He looks
+like a strong and able one."</p>
+
+<p>"He is one of the best in the world," said Persides.
+"I know him well."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it Sir Lancelot?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no. It is Palamides, an unchristened
+Saracen, but a noble man."</p>
+
+<p>"Palamides! I should know him too, but his
+arms deceived me."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span>As they continued to look they saw many of the
+country people salute the black knight. Some time
+afterwards a squire came to Pellounes, the lord of
+the castle, and told him that a fierce combat had
+taken place in the road some distance in advance,
+and that a knight with a black shield had smitten
+down thirteen others. He was still there, ready
+for any who might wish to meet him, and holding
+a tournament of his own in the highway.</p>
+
+<p>"On my faith, that is Palamides!" said Tristram.
+"The worthy fellow must be brimful of
+fight. Fair brother, let us cast on our cloaks and
+see the play."</p>
+
+<p>"Not I," said Persides. "Let us not go like
+courtiers there, but like men ready to withstand
+their enemies."</p>
+
+<p>"As you will. To fight or to look on is all one
+to me."</p>
+
+<p>Then they armed and rode to the spot where
+so many knights had tried their fortune before
+the tournament. When Palamides saw them approach,
+he said to his squire,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Go to yonder knight with a green shield and
+in it a lion of gold. Tell him that I request a
+passage-at-arms with him, and that my name is
+Palamides."</p>
+
+<p>Persides, who wore the shield thus described, did
+not hesitate to accept the challenge, and rode against
+Palamides, but quickly found himself felled to the
+earth by his powerful antagonist. Then Tristram
+made ready to avenge his comrade, but before he
+could put his spear in rest Palamides rode upon
+him like a thunderbolt, taking him at advantage,
+and hurling him over his horse's tail.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span>At this Tristram sprang up in furious anger and
+sore shame, and leaped into his saddle.</p>
+
+<p>Then he sent Gouvernail to Palamides, accusing
+him of treachery, and demanding a joust on equal
+terms.</p>
+
+<p>"Not so," answered Palamides. "I know that
+knight better than he fancies, and will not meet
+him now. But if he wants satisfaction he may
+have it to-morrow at the Castle of Maidens, where
+I will be ready to meet him in the lists."</p>
+
+<p>As Tristram stood fretting and fuming in wrathful
+spite, Dinadan, who had seen the affair, came
+up, and seeing the anger of the Cornish knight,
+restrained his inclination to jest.</p>
+
+<p>"Here it is proved," he said, "that a man can
+never be so strong but he may meet his equal.
+Never was man so wise but that his brain might
+fail him, and a passing good rider is he that never
+had a fall."</p>
+
+<p>"Let be," cried Tristram, angrily. "You are
+readier with your tongue than with your sword,
+friend Dinadan. I will revenge myself, and you
+shall see it."</p>
+
+<p>As they stood thus talking there came by them
+a likely knight, who rode soberly and heavily,
+bearing a black shield.</p>
+
+<p>"What knight is that?" asked Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"It is Sir Briant of North Wales," answered
+Persides. "I know him well."</p>
+
+<p>Just behind him came a knight who bore a shield
+with the arms of Cornwall, and as he rode up he
+sent a squire to Sir Briant, whom he required
+to joust with him.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>"Let it be so, if he will have it so," said Briant.
+"Bid him make ready."</p>
+
+<p>Then they rode together, and the Welsh knight
+got a severe fall.</p>
+
+<p>"What Cornish knight is this?" asked Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"None, as I fancy," said Dinadan. "I warrant
+he is of King Ban's blood, which counts the noblest
+knights of the world."</p>
+
+<p>Then two other knights came up and challenged
+him with the Cornish shield, and in a trice he smote
+them both down with one spear.</p>
+
+<p>"By my faith," said Tristram, "he is a good
+knight, whoever he be, and I never saw one yet
+that rode so well."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king of Northgalis rode to Palamides,
+and prayed him for his sake to joust with that
+knight who had just overturned two Welsh knights.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg you ask me not," said Palamides. "I
+have had my full share of jousting already, and
+wish to keep fresh for the tournament to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"One ride only, for the honor of North Wales,"
+beseeched the king.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you will have it so; but I have seen
+many a man have a fall at his own request."</p>
+
+<p>Then he sent a squire to the victor knight, and
+challenged him to a joust.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair fellow," said the knight, "tell me your
+lord's name."</p>
+
+<p>"It is Sir Palamides."</p>
+
+<p>"He is well met, then. I have seen no knight
+in seven years with whom I would rather tilt."</p>
+
+<p>Then the two knights took spears from their
+squires, and rode apart.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>"Now," said Dinadan, "you will see Palamides
+come off the victor."</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt it," answered Tristram. "I wager the
+knight with the Cornish shield will give him a fall."</p>
+
+<p>"That I do not believe," said Dinadan.</p>
+
+<p>As they spoke, the two knights put spears in rest,
+and spurred their horses, riding hotly together.
+Palamides broke a spear on his antagonist, without
+moving him in his saddle; but on his side he
+received such a blow that it broke through his
+shield and hauberk, and would have slain him outright
+had he not fallen.</p>
+
+<p>"How now?" cried Tristram. "Am I not
+right? I knew by the way those knights ride
+which would fall."</p>
+
+<p>The unknown knight now rode away and sought
+a well in the forest edge, for he was hot and thirsty
+with the fray. This was seen by the king of Northgalis,
+who sent twelve knights after him to do him
+a mischief, so that he would not be able to appear
+at the tournament and win the victory.</p>
+
+<p>They came upon him so suddenly that he had
+scarcely time to put on his helm and spring to his
+horse's back before they assailed him in mass.</p>
+
+<p>"Ye villains!" he cried, "twelve to one! And
+taking a man unawares! You want a lesson, and
+by my faith you shall have it."</p>
+
+<p>Then spurring his horse he rode on them so
+fiercely that he smote one knight through the body,
+breaking his spear in doing so. Now he drew his
+sword and smote stoutly to right and left, killing
+three others and wounding more.</p>
+
+<p>"Dogs and dastards! know you me not?" he
+cried in a voice of thunder. "My name is Lancelot
+du Lake. Here's for you, cowards and traitors!"</p>
+
+<p>But the name he had shouted was enough. Those
+who were still able, fled, followed by the angry
+knight. By hard riding they escaped his wrath,
+and he, hot and furious, turned aside to a lodging
+where he designed to spend the night. In consequence
+of his hard labor in this encounter Lancelot
+fought not on the first day of the tournament, but
+sat beside King Arthur, who had come hither from
+Camelot to witness the passage-at-arms.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h4>AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>When came the dawn of the first day of the
+tournament, many ladies and gentlemen of the court
+took their seats on a high gallery, shaded by a rich
+canopy of parti-colored silk, while in the centre
+of the gallery sat King Arthur and Queen Guenever,
+and, by the side of the king, Lancelot du Lake.
+Many other noble lords and ladies of the surrounding
+country occupied the adjoining seats, while
+round the circle that closed in the lists sat hosts
+of citizens and country people, all eager for the
+warlike sports.</p>
+
+<p>Knights in glittering armor stood in warlike
+groups outside the entrance gates, where rose many
+pavilions of red and white silk, each with its fluttering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span>
+pennon, and great war-horses that impatiently
+champed the bit, while the bright steel heads of the
+lances shone like star-points in the sun.</p>
+
+<p>Within the lists the heralds and pursuivants
+busied themselves, while cheery calls, and bugle-blasts,
+and the lively chat of the assembled multitude
+filled the air with joyous sound.</p>
+
+<p>Tristram de Lyonesse still dwelt with the old
+knight Sir Pellounes, in company with Sir Persides,
+whom he yet kept in ignorance of his name. And
+as it was his purpose to fight that day unknown,
+he ordered Gouvernail, his squire, to procure him
+a black-faced shield, without emblem or device of
+any kind.</p>
+
+<p>So accoutred, he and Persides mounted in the
+early morn and rode together to the lists, where
+the parties of King Carados and the king of Northgalis
+were already being formed. Tristram and his
+companion joined the side of Carados, the Scottish
+king, and hardly had they ridden to their place
+when King Arthur gave the signal for the onset,
+the bugles loudly sounded, and the two long lines
+of knights rode together with a crash as of two
+thunder-clouds meeting in mid-air.</p>
+
+<p>Many knights and horses went to the earth in
+that mad onset, and many others who had broken
+their spears drew their swords and so kept up the
+fray. The part of the line where Tristram and
+Persides was drove back the king of Northgalis
+and his men, with many noble knights who fought
+on the side of the Welsh king. But through the
+rush and roar of the onset there pushed forward
+Bleoberis de Ganis and Gaheris, who hurled Persides<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>
+to the earth, where he was almost slain, for
+as he lay there helpless more than forty horsemen
+rode over him in the fray.</p>
+
+<p>Seeing this, and what valiant deeds the two
+knights did, Tristram marvelled who they were.
+But perceiving the danger in which his comrade
+Persides lay, he rushed to the rescue with such force
+that Gaheris was hurled headlong from his horse.
+Then Bleoberis in a rage put his spear in rest and
+rode furiously against Tristram, but he was met in
+mid-career, and flung from his saddle by the resistless
+spear of the Cornish knight.</p>
+
+<p>The king with the hundred knights now rode
+angrily forward, pressed back the struggling line,
+and horsed Gaheris and Bleoberis. Then began a
+fierce struggle, in which Bleoberis and Tristram
+did many deeds of knightly skill and valor.</p>
+
+<p>As the violent combat continued, Dinadan, who
+was on the other side, rode against Tristram, not
+knowing him, and got such a buffet that he swooned
+in his saddle. He recovered in a minute, however,
+and, riding to his late companion, said in a low
+voice,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight, is this the way you serve an old
+comrade, masking under a black shield? I know
+you now better than you deem. I will not reveal
+your disguise, but by my troth I vow I will never
+try buffets with you again, and, if I keep my wits,
+sword of yours shall never come near my headpiece."</p>
+
+<p>As Dinadan withdrew to repair damages, Bleoberis
+rode against Tristram, who gave him such a
+furious sword-blow on the helm that he bowed his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span>
+head to the saddle. Then Tristram caught him
+by the helm, jerked him from his horse, and flung
+him down under the feet of the steed.</p>
+
+<p>This ended the fray, for at that moment Arthur
+bade the heralds to blow to lodging, and the knights
+who still held saddle sheathed their swords. Tristram
+thereupon departed to his pavilion and Dinadan
+with him.</p>
+
+<p>But Arthur, and many of those with him, wondered
+who was the knight with the black shield,
+who had with sword and spear done such wondrous
+deeds. Many opinions were given, and some suspected
+him of being Tristram, but held their peace.
+To him the judges awarded the prize of the day's
+combat, though they named him only the knight
+of the black shield, not knowing by what other
+name to call him.</p>
+
+<p>When the second day of the tournament dawned,
+and the knights prepared for the combat, Palamides,
+who had fought under Northgalis, now
+joined King Arthur's party, that led by Carados,
+and sent to Tristram to know his name.</p>
+
+<p>"As to that," answered Tristram, "tell Sir
+Palamides that he shall not know till I have broken
+two spears with him. But you may tell him that
+I am the same knight that he smote down unfairly
+the day before the tournament, and that I owe him
+as shrewd a turn. So whichever side he takes I
+will take the opposite."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the messenger, "he will be on King
+Arthur's side, in company with the noblest knights."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will fight for Northgalis, though yesterday
+I held with Carados."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 382px;">
+<a name="Tristram_Pg_325" id="Tristram_Pg_325"></a><img src="images/p325.jpg" width="382" height="500" alt="TRISTRAM THEREUPON DEPARTED TO HIS PAVILION." title="TRISTRAM THEREUPON DEPARTED TO HIS PAVILION." />
+<span class="caption">TRISTRAM THEREUPON DEPARTED TO HIS PAVILION.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span>When King Arthur blew to field and the fray
+began, King Carados opened the day by a joust with
+the king with the hundred knights, who gave him
+a sore fall. Around him there grew up a fierce
+combat, till a troop of Arthur's knights pushed
+briskly in and bore back the opposite party, rescuing
+Carados from under the horses' feet. While the
+fight went on thus in one part of the field, Tristram,
+in jet-black armor, pressed resistlessly forward
+in another part, and dealt so roughly and
+grimly with Arthur's knights that not a man of
+them could withstand him.</p>
+
+<p>At length he fell among the fellowship of King
+Ban, all of whom bore Cornish shields, and here
+he smote right and left with such fury and might
+that cries of admiration for his gallant bearing
+went up from lords and ladies, citizens and churls.
+But he would have had the worse through force
+of numbers had not the king with the hundred
+knights come to his rescue, and borne him away
+from the press of his assailants, who were crowding
+upon him in irresistible strength.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had Tristram escaped from this peril than
+he saw another group of about forty knights, with
+Kay the seneschal at their head. On them he rode
+like a fury, smote Kay from his horse, and fared
+among them all like a greyhound among conies.</p>
+
+<p>At this juncture Lancelot, who had hitherto taken
+little part, met a knight retiring from the lists with
+a sore wound in the head.</p>
+
+<p>"Who hurt you so badly?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"That knight with the black shield, who is
+making havoc wherever he goes," was the answer.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span>
+"I may curse the time I ever faced him, for he is
+more devil than mortal man."</p>
+
+<p>Lancelot at these words drew his sword and
+advanced to meet Tristram, and as he rode forward
+saw the Cornish champion hurtling through a press
+of foes, bringing down one with nearly every stroke
+of his sword.</p>
+
+<p>"A fellow of marvellous prowess he, whoever he
+be," said Lancelot. "If I set upon this knight
+after all his heavy labor, I will shame myself more
+than him." And he put up his sword.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king with the hundred knights, with his
+following, and a hundred more of the Welsh party,
+set upon the twenty of Lancelot's kin, and a fearful
+fray began, for the twenty held together like wild
+boars, none failing the others, and faced the odds
+against them without yielding a step.</p>
+
+<p>When Tristram, who had for the moment withdrawn,
+beheld their noble bearing, he marvelled
+at their valor, for he saw by their steadfastness that
+they would die together rather than leave the field.</p>
+
+<p>"Valiant and noble must be he who has such
+knights for his kin," he said, meaning Lancelot;
+"and likely to be a worthy man is he who leads
+such knights as these."</p>
+
+<p>Then he rode to the king with the hundred
+knights and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, leave off fighting with these twenty knights.
+You can win no honor from them, you being so
+many and they so few. I can see by their bearing
+that they will die rather than leave the field, and
+that will bring you no glory. If this one sided
+fray goes on I will join them and give them what
+help I can."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span>"You shall not do so," said the king. "You
+speak in knightly courtesy, and I will withdraw
+my men at your request. I know how courage
+favors courage, and like draws to like."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king called off his knights, and withdrew
+from the combat with Lancelot's kindred.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Lancelot was watching for an opportunity
+to meet Tristram and hail him as a fellow in
+heart and hand, but before he could do so Tristram,
+Dinadan, and Gouvernail suddenly left the lists
+and rode into the forest, no man perceiving whither
+they had gone.</p>
+
+<p>Then Arthur blew to lodging, and gave the prize
+of the day to the king of Northgalis, as the true
+champion of the tournament was on his side and
+had vanished. Lancelot rode hither and thither,
+vainly seeking him, while a cry that might have been
+heard two miles off went up: "The knight with the
+black shield has won the day!"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, where has that knight gone!" said
+Arthur. "It is a shame that those in the field have
+let him thus vanish. With gentleness and courtesy
+they might have brought him to me at the
+Castle of Maidens, where I should have been
+glad to show him the highest honor."</p>
+
+<p>Then he went to the knights of his party and
+comforted them for their discomfiture.</p>
+
+<p>"Be not dismayed, my fair fellows," he said,
+"though you have lost the field, and many of you
+are the worst in body and mind. Be of good cheer,
+for to-morrow we fight again. How the day will
+go I cannot say, but I will be in the lists with
+you, and lend you what aid is in my arm."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span>During that day's fight Dame Bragwaine had sat
+near Queen Guenever, observing Tristram's valorous
+deeds. But when the queen asked her why
+she had come thither, she would not tell the real
+reason, but said only,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Madam, I came for no other cause than that
+my lady, La Belle Isolde, sent me to inquire after
+your welfare."</p>
+
+<p>After the fray was done she took leave of the
+queen and rode into the forest in search of Sir
+Tristram. As she went onward she heard a great
+cry, and sent her squire to learn what it might
+mean. He quickly came to a forest fountain, and
+here he found a knight bound to a tree, crying
+out like a madman, while his horse and harness
+stood by. When he saw the squire, he started so
+furiously that he broke his bonds, and then ran
+after him, sword in hand, as if to slay him. The
+squire at this spurred his horse and rode swiftly
+back to Dame Bragwaine, whom he told of his
+adventure.</p>
+
+<p>Soon afterwards she found Tristram, who had
+set up his pavilion in the forest, and told him of
+the incident.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, on my head, there is mischief here
+afloat," said Tristram; "some good knight has
+gone distracted."</p>
+
+<p>Taking his horse and sword he rode to the place,
+and there he found the knight complaining woefully.</p>
+
+<p>"What misfortune has befallen me?" he lamented;
+"I, woeful Palamides, who am defiled
+with falsehood and treason through Sir Bors and
+Sir Hector! Alas, why live I so long?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>Then he took his sword in his hands, and with
+many strange signs and movements flung it into
+the fountain. This done, he wailed bitterly and
+wrung his hands, but at the end he ran to his middle
+in the water and sought again for his sword.
+Tristram, seeing this, ran upon him and clasped
+him in his arms, fearing he would kill himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you that holds me so tightly?" said
+Palamides.</p>
+
+<p>"I am a man of this forest, and mean you no
+harm, but would save you from injury."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said the knight, "I shall never win
+honor where Sir Tristram is. Where he is not,
+only Lancelot or Lamorak can win from me the
+prize. More than once he has put me to the worse."</p>
+
+<p>"What would you do if you had him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I would fight him and ease my heart. And
+yet, sooth to say, he is a gentle and noble knight."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you go with me to my lodging?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I will go to the king with the hundred
+knights. He rescued me from Bors and Hector,
+or they had slain me treacherously."</p>
+
+<p>But by kind words Tristram got him to his pavilion,
+where he did what he could to cheer him. But
+Palamides could not sleep for anguish of soul, and
+rose before dawn and secretly left the tent, making
+his way to the pavilions of Gaheris and Sagramour
+le Desirous, who had been his companions in the
+tournament.</p>
+
+<p>Not far had the next day's sun risen in the eastern
+sky, when King Arthur bade the heralds blow
+the call to the lists, and with warlike haste the
+knights came crowding in to the last day of the
+well-fought tournament.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>Fiercely began the fray, King Carados and his
+ally, the king of Ireland, being smitten from their
+horses early in the day. Then came in Palamides
+full of fury, and made sad work among his foes,
+being known to all by his indented shield.</p>
+
+<p>But this day King Arthur, as he had promised,
+rode in shining armor into the field, and fought
+so valorously that the king of Northgalis and his
+party had much the worse of the combat.</p>
+
+<p>While the fight thus went on in all its fury,
+Tristram rode in, still bearing his black shield.
+Encountering Palamides, he gave him such a thrust
+that he was driven over his horse's croup. Then
+King Arthur cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Knight with the black shield, make ready for
+me!"</p>
+
+<p>But the king met with the same fate from Tristram's
+spear that Palamides had done, and was
+hurled to the earth. Seeing this, a rush of the
+knights of his party drove back the foe, and Arthur
+and Palamides were helped to their saddles again.</p>
+
+<p>And now the king, his heart burning with warlike
+fury, rushed fiercely on Tristram, and struck
+him so furious a blow that he was hurled from
+his horse. As he lay there Palamides spurred upon
+him in a violent rage, and sought to override him
+as he was rising to his feet. But Tristram saw his
+purpose and sprang aside. As Palamides rode
+past he wrathfully caught him by the arm and
+pulled him from his horse.</p>
+
+<p>"Sword to sword let it be!" cried Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>Palamides, nothing loth, drew his weapon, and
+so fierce a combat began in the midst of the arena<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>
+that lords and ladies alike stood in their seats in
+eagerness to behold it. But at the last Tristram
+struck Palamides three mighty strokes on the helm,
+crying with each stroke, "Take this for Sir Tristram's
+sake!"</p>
+
+<p>So fierce were the blows that Palamides was felled
+to the earth. Then the king with the hundred
+knights dashed forward and brought Tristram his
+horse. Palamides was horsed at the same time, and
+with burning ire he rushed upon Tristram, spear in
+rest, before he could make ready to meet him. But
+Tristram lightly avoided the spear, and, enraged at
+his repeated treachery, he caught him with both
+hands by the neck as his horse bore him past, tore
+him clean from the saddle, and carried him thus
+ten spears' length across the field before he let him
+fall.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment King Arthur spurred upon the
+Cornish champion, sword in hand, and Tristram
+fixed his spear to meet him, but with a sword-blow
+Arthur cut the spear in two, and then dealt him
+three or four vigorous strokes before he could draw.
+But at the last Tristram drew his sword and assailed
+the king with equal energy.</p>
+
+<p>This battle continued not long, for the press of
+battling knights forced the combatants asunder.
+Then Tristram rode hither and thither, striking
+and parrying, so that that day he smote down in
+all eleven of the good knights of King Ban's blood,
+while all in seats and gallery shouted in loud acclaim
+for the mighty warrior with the black shield.</p>
+
+<p>This cry met the ears of Lancelot, who was
+engaged in another part of the field. Then he got<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span>
+a spear and came towards the cry. Seeing Tristram
+standing without an antagonist, he cried out,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Knight with the black shield, well and worthily
+have you done; now make ready to joust with me."</p>
+
+<p>When Tristram heard this he put his spear in
+rest, and both with lowered heads rode together
+with lightning speed. Tristram's spear broke into
+fragments on Lancelot's shield; but Lancelot, by
+ill-fortune, smote him in the side, wounding him
+deeply. He kept his saddle, however, and, drawing
+his sword, rushed upon Lancelot and gave him three
+such strokes that fire flew from his helm, and he
+was forced to lower his head towards his saddle-bow.
+This done, Tristram left the field, for he felt
+as if he would die. But Dinadan espied him and
+followed him into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>After Tristram left the lists, Lancelot fought like
+a man beside himself, many a noble knight going
+down before his spear and sword. King Arthur,
+seeing against what odds he fought, came quickly
+to his aid, with the knights of his own kindred,
+and in the end they won the day against the king of
+Northgalis and his followers. So the prize was
+adjudged to Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>But neither for king, queen, nor knights would
+he accept it, and when the cry was raised by the
+heralds,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Lancelot, Sir Lancelot has won the field this
+day!" he bade them change, and cry instead,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The knight with the black shield has won the
+day."</p>
+
+<p>But the estates and the commonalty cried out
+together,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>"Sir Lancelot has won the field, whoever say
+nay!"</p>
+
+<p>This filled Lancelot with shame and anger, and
+he rode with a lowering brow to King Arthur, to
+whom he cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The knight with the black shield is the hero
+of the lists. For three days he held against all,
+till he got that unlucky wound. The prize, I say,
+is his."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Tristram it is," said the king. "I heard
+him shout his name three times when he gave those
+mighty strokes to Palamides. Never better nor
+nobler knight took spear or sword in hand. He
+was hurt indeed; but when two noble warriors
+encounter one must have the worst."</p>
+
+<p>"Had I known him I would not have hurt him
+for all my father's lands," said Lancelot. "Only
+lately he risked his life for me, when he fought
+with thirty knights, with no help but Dinadan.
+This is poor requital for his noble service."</p>
+
+<p>Then they sought Tristram in the forest, but in
+vain. They found the place where his pavilion
+had been pitched, but it was gone and all trace of
+its owner vanished. Thereupon they returned to
+the Castle of Maidens, where for three days was
+held high feast and frolic, and where all who came
+were warmly welcomed by King Arthur and Queen
+Guenever.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE QUEST OF THE TEN KNIGHTS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>When Tristram was well within the forest shades,
+he alighted and unlaced his armor and sought to
+stanch his wound. But so pale did he become that
+Dinadan thought he was like to die.</p>
+
+<p>"Never dread thee, Dinadan," said Tristram,
+cheerily, "for I am heart whole, and of this wound
+I shall soon be healed, by God's mercy."</p>
+
+<p>As they sat conversing Dinadan saw at a distance
+Sir Palamides, who was riding straight upon them,
+with seeming evil intent. Dinadan hastily bid
+Tristram to withdraw, and offered himself to meet
+the Saracen and take the chance of life and death
+with him.</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you, Sir Dinadan, for your good will,"
+said Tristram, "but you shall see that I am able
+to handle him."</p>
+
+<p>He thereupon hastily armed himself, and, mounting
+his horse, rode to meet Palamides. Then a challenge
+to joust passed between them, and they rode
+together. But Tristram kept his seat and Palamides
+got a grievous fall, and lay on the earth like
+one dead.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving him there with a comrade, Tristram and
+Dinadan rode on, and obtained lodging for that
+night at the castle of an old knight, who had five
+sons at the tournament.</p>
+
+<p>As for Palamides, when he recovered from his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span>
+swoon, he well-nigh lost his wits through sheer vexation.
+He rode headlong forward, wild with rage,
+and meeting a deep stream sought to make his
+horse leap it. But the horse fell in and was
+drowned, and the knight himself reached shore only
+by the barest chance.</p>
+
+<p>Now, mad with chagrin, he flung off his armor,
+and sat roaring and crying like a man distracted.
+As he sat there, a damsel passed by, who on seeing
+his distressful state sought to comfort him, but in
+vain. Then she rode on till she came to the old
+knight's castle, where Tristram was, and told how
+she had met a mad knight in the forest.</p>
+
+<p>"What shield did he bear?" asked Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"It was indented with black and white," answered
+the damsel.</p>
+
+<p>"That was Palamides. The poor fellow has lost
+his wits through his bad luck. I beg that you
+bring him to your castle, Sir Darras."</p>
+
+<p>This the old knight did, for the frenzy of the
+Saracen had now passed, and he readily accompanied
+him. On reaching the castle he looked curiously
+at Tristram, whom he felt sure he had seen before,
+but could not place him in his mind. But his anger
+against his fortunate rival continued, and he boasted
+proudly to Dinadan of what he would do when he
+met that fellow Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me," answered Dinadan, "that you
+met him not long since, and got little good of him.
+Why did you not hold him when you had him in
+your hands? You were too easy with the fellow
+not to pummel him when you had so fine an
+opportunity."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span>This scornful reply silenced the boastful Saracen,
+who fell into an angry moodiness.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile King Arthur was sore at heart at
+the disappearance of Tristram, and spoke in reproach
+to Lancelot as being the cause of his loss.</p>
+
+<p>"My liege Arthur," answered Lancelot, "you
+do me ill justice in this. When men are hot in
+battle they may well hurt their friends as well as
+their foes. As for Tristram, there is no man living
+whom I would rather help. If you desire, I will
+make one of ten knights who will go in search of
+him, and not rest two nights in the same place for
+a year until we find him."</p>
+
+<p>This offer pleased the king, who quickly chose
+nine other knights for the quest, and made them
+all swear upon the Scriptures to do as Lancelot
+had proposed.</p>
+
+<p>With dawn of the next day these ten knights
+armed themselves, and rode from the Castle of
+Maidens, continuing in company until they came to
+a roadside cross, from which ran out four highways.
+Here they separated into four parties, each
+of which followed one of the highways. And far
+and wide they rode through field and forest for
+many days in quest of the brave knight of Cornwall.</p>
+
+<p>Of them all, Sir Lucan, the butler, came nearest
+to good fortune, for chance brought him to the castle
+of the old knight, Sir Darras. Here he asked harbor,
+sending in his name by the porter.</p>
+
+<p>"He shall not rest here unless he first joust with
+me," cried Sir Daname, the old knight's nephew.
+"Bid him make ready, for he must earn his
+lodging."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span>But better had Daname held his peace, for Lucan
+smote him over his horse's croup, and followed him
+hotly when he fled into the castle.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a shame to our host," said Dinadan.
+"Let me try conclusions with our doughty butler.
+It will not do to let him take our castle by storm."</p>
+
+<p>He thereupon rode against Lucan, and fared still
+worse, for he got for his pains a spear thrust through
+the thigh. Then Tristram, in anger, armed and
+followed Lucan, who had ridden on, in search of a
+more peaceful place of shelter. Within a mile he
+overtook him and bade him turn and joust. Nothing
+loth, Lucan did so, and in his turn got a sore
+fall, though he little dreamed that he had been
+overthrown by the knight of his quest. At this
+juncture another of the ten knights, Sir Uwaine,
+came up, and seeing Sir Lucan's misfortune, rode
+furiously against the victor. His luck was no better,
+for he was hurled to the ground with a sorely
+wounded side. Having thus revenged his comrades,
+Tristram returned to the castle.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile a damsel from the Castle of Maidens
+had come thither, and told Sir Darras a woeful
+story. Of his five sons, three had been slain at
+the tournament, and the other two were dangerously
+wounded, all this having been done by the
+knight of the black shield. Deep grief filled the
+old knight's heart at this sad tale. But his sorrow
+turned to rage when the damsel was shown
+Tristram's shield and recognized it as that of the
+champion of the tournament.</p>
+
+<p>"So," cried the old knight in a hot passion. "I
+am harboring here my sons' murderer, and troubling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span>
+myself to give him noble cheer. By my father's
+grave, I will revenge my boys' death on him and his
+companions."</p>
+
+<p>Then in grief and rage he ordered his knights
+and servants to seize Tristram, Dinadan, and Palamides,
+and put them in a strong dungeon he had
+in the keep of his castle.</p>
+
+<p>This was done before the three knights could
+defend themselves, and for many days they lay in
+this dismal cell, until Tristram grew so sick from
+his wound and confinement that he came near to
+dying. While they lay thus in durance vile some
+knights of Darras's kindred came to the castle,
+and on hearing the story wished to kill the captives,
+but this the old knight would not permit, though
+he determined to hold them close prisoners. So
+deep in time grew Tristram's sickness that his
+mind nearly failed him, and he was ready to slay
+himself for pain and grief. Palamides gave him
+what aid he could, though all the time he spoke
+of his hatred to Tristram, the Cornishman, and
+of the revenge he yet hoped to have. To this Tristram
+made no reply, but smiled quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the ten knights continued their fruitless
+search, some here, some there, while one of
+them, Gaheris, nephew to King Arthur, made his
+way to King Mark's court, where he was well
+received.</p>
+
+<p>As they sat at table together the king asked
+his guest what tidings he brought from Arthur's
+realm of Logris.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," he answered, "King Arthur still reigns
+nobly, and he lately presided at a grand tournament<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span>
+where fought many of the noblest knights of
+the kingdom. But best of them all was a valiant
+knight who bore a black shield, and who kept the
+lordship of the lists for three days."</p>
+
+<p>"Then by my crown it must have been Lancelot,
+or Palamides the Pagan."</p>
+
+<p>"Not so. These knights were against him of the
+black shield."</p>
+
+<p>"Was it Sir Tristram?" asked the king.</p>
+
+<p>"In sooth you have it now."</p>
+
+<p>The king held down his head at this, but La
+Belle Isolde, who was at the feast, heard it with
+great secret joy, and her love for Tristram grew
+warmer in her soul.</p>
+
+<p>But King Mark nourished treason in his heart,
+and sought within his brain some device to do
+dishonor to Tristram and to Arthur's knights.
+Soon afterward Uwaine came to his court and
+challenged any knight of Cornwall to meet him
+in the lists. Two of these, Andred, and Dinas the
+seneschal, accepted the challenge, but both were
+overthrown. Then King Mark in a fury cried out
+against his knights, and Gaheris, as his guest, proffered
+to meet the champion. But when Uwaine
+saw his shield, he knew him for his own cousin,
+and refused to joust with him, reproving him for
+breaking his oath of fellowship as a Knight of
+the Round Table.</p>
+
+<p>This reproof cut Gaheris deeply, and returning
+to King Mark he took his leave of him and his
+court, saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir king, this I must say, that you did a foul
+shame to yourself and your kingdom when you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span>
+banished Sir Tristram. Had he stayed here you
+would not have wanted a champion."</p>
+
+<p>All this added to the king's rage, and arming
+himself he waylaid Uwaine at a secret place as he
+was passing unawares, and ran him through the
+body. But before he could kill him as he designed,
+Kay the seneschal came that way and flew to the
+aid of the wounded knight, while King Mark rode
+in dastardly haste away. Kay sought to learn from
+Uwaine who had hurt him, but this he was not able
+to tell.</p>
+
+<p>He then bore him to a neighboring abbey of the
+black cross, where he left him in the care of the
+monks. Not far had he ridden from there when
+he met King Mark, who accosted him courteously,
+and bade him, if he sought an adventure, to ride
+into the forest of Morris, where he would find one
+to try his prowess.</p>
+
+<p>"I will prove what it is worth," said Kay, and
+bade adieu to the king.</p>
+
+<p>A mile or two further on he met Gaheris, who,
+learning his errand, warned him against doing anything
+at the suggestion of King Mark, who meant
+but treachery and harm.</p>
+
+<p>"Come with me, then," said Kay. "Adventures
+are not so abundant, and we two should be able to
+match the wiles of this dastard king."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not fail you," said Gaheris.</p>
+
+<p>Into the forest they then rode till they came to
+the edge of a little lake, known as the Perilous
+Lake, and here they waited under the woodland
+shadows.</p>
+
+<p>It was now night, but the moon rode high in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span>
+skies, and flung its silvery rays wide over the
+forest glade. As they stood thus, there rode into
+the moonlit opening a knight all in black armor
+and on a great black horse, who tilted against Sir
+Kay. The seneschal's horse was smaller than that
+of the stranger, and was overthrown by the shock,
+falling upon its rider, whom it bruised severely.</p>
+
+<p>During this encounter Gaheris had remained hidden
+under the woodland shadows. He now cried
+sternly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Knight, sit thou fast in thy saddle, for I will
+revenge my fellow;" and rode against the black
+knight with such fury that he was flung from his
+horse. Then he turned to a companion of the
+black knight, who now appeared, and hurled him
+to the earth so violently that he came near to
+breaking his neck in the fall.</p>
+
+<p>Leaping from his horse and helping Kay to his
+feet, Gaheris sternly bade his antagonists to tell
+their names or they should die.</p>
+
+<p>"Beware what you do," said the second knight.
+"This is King Mark of Cornwall, and I am his
+cousin Andred."</p>
+
+<p>"You are traitors both," cried Gaheris, in a
+fury, "and have laid this ambush for us. It were
+a pity to let such craven rascals live."</p>
+
+<p>"Spare my life," prayed the king, "and I will
+make full amends."</p>
+
+<p>"You a king; and dealing in treachery!" cried
+Gaheris. "You have lived long enough."</p>
+
+<p>With this he struck fiercely at King Mark with
+his sword, while the dastard king cowered under
+his shield. Kay attacked Andred at the same time.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span>King Mark now flung himself on his knees before
+Gaheris and swore on the cross of his sword never
+while he lived to do aught against errant knights.
+And he also swore to be a friend unto Sir Tristram
+if he should come into Cornwall.</p>
+
+<p>With this they let them go, though Kay was
+eager to slay Andred, for his deeds of treachery
+against his cousin Tristram. The two knights now
+rode out of the kingdom of Cornwall, and soon
+after met Lancelot, who asked them what tidings
+they brought from King Mark's country, and if
+they had learned aught of Tristram. They answered
+that they had not, and told him of their
+adventure, at which Lancelot smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"You will find it hard to take out of the flesh
+that which is bred in the bone," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Then Lancelot, Kay, and Gaheris rode together
+to seek Tristram in the country of Surluse, not
+dreaming that he lay in prison not many miles
+from the Castle of Maidens.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving them to pursue their useless journey, we
+must return to the three prisoners. Tristram still
+continued sick almost unto death, while Palamides,
+while giving him daily care, continued to rail
+loudly against him and to boast of how he would
+yet deal with him. Of this idle boasting Dinadan
+in time had more than he could bear, and broke
+out angrily on the Saracen.</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt if you would do him harm if he were
+here before you," he said; "for if a wolf and a
+sheep were together in prison the wolf would leave
+the sheep in peace. As for Sir Tristram, against
+whom you rail like a scold, here he lies before you.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span>
+Now do your worst upon him, Sir Saracen, while
+he is too sick to defend himself."</p>
+
+<p>Surprise and shame overcame Palamides at this
+announcement, and he dropped his head in confusion.</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard somewhat too much of your ill
+will against me;" said Tristram, "but shall let it
+pass at present, for we are in more danger here
+from the lord of this place than from each other."</p>
+
+<p>As they spoke, a damsel brought them their noontide
+meal, and said as she gave it them,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Be of good cheer, sir knights, for you are in
+no peril of your lives. So much I heard my lord,
+Sir Darras, say this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"So far your news is good," cried Dinadan.
+"Good for two of us at least, for this good knight
+promises to die without waiting for the executioner."</p>
+
+<p>The damsel looked upon Tristram, and observing
+the thinness of his face and hands, went and told
+Sir Darras of what she had heard and seen.</p>
+
+<p>"That must not be," cried the knight. "God
+defend that I should suffer those who came to me
+for succor to die in my prison. Bring them hither."</p>
+
+<p>Then Tristram was brought to the castle hall
+on his couch, with the other two knights beside him.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight," said the castle lord, "I am sorry
+for your sickness, and would not have so noble a
+knight as you die in prison, though I owe to you
+the death of three of my sons."</p>
+
+<p>"As for that," said Tristram, "it was in fair
+fight, and if they were my next of kin I could
+not have done otherwise. If I had slain them by
+treachery, I would have deserved death at your
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>"You acted knightly, and for that reason I could
+not put you to death," said Sir Darras. "You and
+your fellows shall go at full liberty, with your
+horses and armor, on this covenant, that you will
+be a good friend to my two sons who are still living,
+and that you tell me your name."</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse. I was born
+in Cornwall, and am nephew to King Mark. And
+I promise you by the faith of my body that while
+I live I shall be a friend to you and your sons, for
+what you have done to us was but by force of
+nature."</p>
+
+<p>"If you be the good knight Sir Tristram, I am
+sorry to have held you in durance, and thank you
+for your proffer of service. But you must stay
+with me still till you are well and strong."</p>
+
+<p>To this Tristram agreed, and staid many more
+days with the old knight, growing well rapidly
+under the healing influence of hope and liberty.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h4>THE KNIGHT WITH THE COVERED SHIELD.</h4>
+
+
+<p>When Tristram's strength had all come back
+again he took his leave of Sir Darras, and rode
+away with Palamides and Dinadan. Soon they
+came to a cross-way, and here Tristram said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Good sirs, let us here take each his own road,
+and many fair adventures may come to us all."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span>To this they agreed, and Tristram rode on along
+the main highway, chance bringing him that night
+to a castle in which was Queen Morgan le Fay.
+Here he was given lodging and good cheer, but
+when he was ready to depart the next day the queen
+said to him,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight, it is one thing to enter this castle
+and another to leave it. You will not depart so
+easily as you came. Know that you are a prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>"God forfend," said Tristram. "I am just released
+from prison, and have had enough of that
+regimen."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall stay here, nevertheless, till I learn
+who you are and whence you came, but I promise
+you no hard quarters."</p>
+
+<p>She set him, therefore, by her side at table, and
+made so much of him that a knight who loved
+her clutched his sword-hilt in jealous rage, half
+disposed to rush upon Tristram and run him
+through unawares.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me your name," said the queen, at the end
+of the repast, "and you shall depart when you
+will."</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks for your promise, fair lady. My name
+is Tristram de Lyonesse."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I am sorry I made so hasty a promise.
+But I will hold to my word if you will engage
+to bear a shield which I shall give you to the Castle
+of the Hard Rock, where King Arthur has announced
+that a tournament is to be held. I have
+heard of your deeds of arms at the Castle of Maidens,
+and hope you will do as much for me at this
+new tournament."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>"Let me see the shield that you wish me to
+bear," asked Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>So the shield was brought. It was golden on
+its face, and on it was painted a king and queen,
+with a knight standing above them with a foot on
+the head of each.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a fair shield," said Tristram; "but
+what signifies the device?"</p>
+
+<p>"It signifies King Arthur and Queen Guenever,"
+said Morgan, "and a knight that holds them both
+in bondage."</p>
+
+<p>"And who is the knight?"</p>
+
+<p>"That you shall not know at present."</p>
+
+<p>So Tristram took the shield, not dreaming that
+it was intended as a rebuke to Sir Lancelot, and
+promised to bear it at the tournament.</p>
+
+<p>But as he rode away he was followed by Sir
+Hemison, the knight who loved Morgan le Fay, and
+whose jealous anger had been roused. Overtaking
+Tristram before he had gone far, he rushed upon
+him at the speed of his horse, crying, in a voice
+of thunder,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir knight, defend yourself!"</p>
+
+<p>This Tristram did with good effect, for his assailant's
+spear broke upon his body, while he thrust
+him through and hurled him to the earth with a
+mortal wound.</p>
+
+<p>"Fool, you have brought it on yourself," said
+Tristram. "It is not my fault if you got what
+you designed for me."</p>
+
+<p>Then he rode on, and left the wounded knight
+to the care of his squire, who removed his helmet,
+and asked if his life was in any danger.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span>"There is little life in me," said the knight,
+"and that is ebbing fast. Therefore help me to
+my saddle, and mount behind me and hold me on
+so that I shall not fall, and so bring me to Queen
+Morgan le Fay. For deep draughts of death draw
+to my heart, and I would fain speak to her before
+I die."</p>
+
+<p>The squire did as commanded, and brought his
+bleeding master to the castle, but he died as he
+entered the hall, falling lifeless at the feet of the
+lady of his love. Much she wept and great lamentation
+she made for his untimely fate, and buried
+him in a stately tomb, on which was written,
+"Here lieth Sir Hemison, slain by the hands of
+Tristram de Lyonesse."</p>
+
+<p>On the next day Tristram arrived at the castle
+of Roche-dure, where he saw the lists prepared
+for the tournament, with gay pennons flying, while
+full five hundred tents were pitched in a fair
+meadow by the gates. Over the seats of honor
+were silken canopies, that shaded noble lords and
+beautiful ladies clad in gay apparel. Within the
+lists the kings of Scotland and Ireland held out
+strongly against King Arthur's knights, and dread
+was the noise and turmoil within.</p>
+
+<p>Tristram at once joined in the fray, and smote
+down many knights; King Arthur marvelling the
+while at the device on his shield, while Guenever
+grew heavy at heart, for well she guessed its
+meaning.</p>
+
+<p>Ever King Arthur's eye was on that shield, and
+much he wondered who the knight could be, for
+he had heard that Tristram was in Brittany, and he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span>
+knew that Lancelot was in quest of him, while
+he knew no other knight of equal prowess.</p>
+
+<p>As the combat went on, Arthur's knights drove
+back their antagonists, who began to withdraw
+from the field. On seeing this the king determined
+that the knight with the strange shield
+should not escape, so he armed and called Sir
+Uwaine, entering the lists with him and riding up
+to confront the unknown knight.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir stranger," said the king, "before we fight,
+I require you to tell me where you got that shield."</p>
+
+<p>"I had it from Morgan le Fay, sister to King
+Arthur," answered Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, if you are worthy to bear it, you are able
+to tell me its meaning."</p>
+
+<p>"That I cannot," answered the knight. "It was
+given me by Queen Morgan, not through any asking
+of mine. She told me not what it signified, nor do
+I know, but I promised to bear it worthily."</p>
+
+<p>"In truth," said Arthur, "no knight should bear
+arms he cannot understand. But at least you will
+tell me your name."</p>
+
+<p>"To what intent?" asked Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"Simply that I wish to know."</p>
+
+<p>"That is small reason. I decline to tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"If not, we must do battle together."</p>
+
+<p>"What!" cried Tristram; "you will fight me
+on so small a cause? My name is my own, to be
+given or withheld as I will. It is not honorable
+for a fresh knight to challenge me to battle, after
+all I have done this day. But if you think you
+have me at advantage, you may find that I am
+able to hold my own."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>Then they put their spears in rest and furiously
+dashed together across the lists. But King Arthur's
+spear shivered to splinters on Tristram's shield,
+while he himself got such a blow from the Cornish
+knight that horse and man fell headlong to the
+earth, the king with a dangerous wound in the side.</p>
+
+<p>When Uwaine saw this he reined back his horse
+in haste, and crying loudly, "Knight, defend thyself!"
+he rode furiously on Tristram. But man
+fared no better than master. Uwaine was borne
+out of his saddle to the earth, while Tristram sat
+unmoved.</p>
+
+<p>Then Tristram wheeled his horse and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Fair sirs, I had no need to joust with you, for
+I have done enough to-day; but you forced me
+to it."</p>
+
+<p>"We have had what we deserved," answered
+Arthur. "Yet I would fain know your name, and
+would further learn if that device on your shield
+is intended as an insult to King Arthur."</p>
+
+<p>"That you must ask Morgan le Fay: she alone
+knows. But report says she does not love her royal
+brother over much. Yet she told me not what it
+means, and I have borne it at her command. As
+for my name, it shall be known when I will."</p>
+
+<p>So Tristram departed, and rode far over hill and
+dale, everywhere seeking for Lancelot, with whom
+he in his heart wished to make fellowship. As he
+went on he came by a forest, on the edge of which
+stood a tall tower, and in front of it a fair level
+meadow. And here he saw one knight fighting
+against ten, and bearing himself so well that it
+seemed marvellous that a single man could hold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>
+his own so bravely against such odds. He had slain
+half their horses, and unhorsed the remaining
+knights, so that their chargers ran free in the
+field. The ten had then assailed him on foot, and
+he was bearing up bravely against them.</p>
+
+<p>"Cease that battle!" cried Tristram, loudly, as
+he came up. "Ten to one are cowards' odds."
+And as he came nearer he saw by his shield that
+the one knight was Sir Palamides.</p>
+
+<p>"You would be wise not to meddle," said the
+leader of the ten, who was the villanous knight
+called Breuse San Pité. "Go your way while your
+skin is whole. As for this knight, he is our prey."</p>
+
+<p>"Say you so!" cried Tristram. "There may be
+two words to that."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he sprang from his horse, lest they
+should kill it, and attacked them on foot with such
+fury that with every stroke a knight fell before him.</p>
+
+<p>This was more than they had bargained for, and
+Breuse fled hastily to the tower, followed by all
+that were able, while Tristram hotly pursued. But
+they quickly closed and barred the door, shutting
+him out. When he saw this he returned to Palamides,
+whom he found sitting under a tree, sorely
+wounded.</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks for your timely aid," said the Saracen.
+"You have saved my life."</p>
+
+<p>"What is your name?" asked Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"It is Sir Palamides."</p>
+
+<p>"Then have I saved my greatest enemy; and I
+here challenge you to battle."</p>
+
+<p>"What is your name?" asked Palamides.</p>
+
+<p>"I am Tristram of Lyonesse."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span>"My enemy indeed! yet I owe you thanks for
+your rescue, nor am I in condition for jousting.
+But I desire nothing better than to meet you in
+battle. If you are as eager for it, fix day and place,
+and I will be there."</p>
+
+<p>"Well said," answered Tristram. "Let it be in
+the meadow by the river at Camelot, there where
+Merlin set the tombstone."</p>
+
+<p>"Agreed. I shall not fail you."</p>
+
+<p>"How came you in battle with these ten
+dastards?"</p>
+
+<p>"The chance of journeying brought me into
+this forest, where I saw a dead knight with a lady
+weeping beside him. I asked her who slew her
+lord, and she told me it was the most villanous
+knight in the world, named Breuse Sans Pité. I
+then took her on my horse and promised to see
+that her lord was properly interred. But as I
+passed by this tower its rascally owner suddenly
+rode from the gate and struck me unawares so hard
+that I fell from my horse. Before I could recover
+he killed the lady. It was thus the battle began,
+at which you arrived in good time."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not safe for you to stay here," said Tristram.
+"That fellow is out of our reach for the
+present, but you are not in condition to meet him
+again."</p>
+
+<p>So they mounted and rode into the forest, where
+they soon came to a sparkling fountain, whose clear
+water bubbled freshly from the ground. Here they
+alighted and refreshed themselves.</p>
+
+<p>As they did so Tristram's horse neighed loudly
+and was answered by another horse near by. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span>
+mounted and rode towards the sound, and quickly
+came in sight of a great war-horse tied to a tree.
+Under an adjoining tree lay a knight asleep, in
+full armor, save that his helmet was placed under
+his head for a pillow.</p>
+
+<p>"A stout-looking fellow that," said Tristram.
+"What shall we do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Awake him," said Palamides.</p>
+
+<p>Tristram did so, stirring him with the butt of
+his spear.</p>
+
+<p>But they had better have let him sleep, for he
+sprang angrily to his feet, put on his helmet in
+haste, and mounting his war-horse seized his spear.
+Without a word he spurred upon Tristram and
+struck him such a blow as to fling him from his
+saddle to the earth. Then he galloped back and
+came hurling upon Palamides, whom he served in
+the same rude fashion. Leaving them laying there,
+he turned his horse and rode leisurely away.</p>
+
+<p>When the two overthrown knights gained their
+feet again, they looked at one another with faces
+of shame and anger.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what now?" asked Tristram. "That is
+the worst waking I ever did in my life. By my
+troth, I did not fancy there was a knight in Arthur's
+realm that could have served you and me such a
+trick. Whatever you do, I am going after this
+woodland champion to have a fairer trial."</p>
+
+<p>"So would I were I well," said Palamides. "But
+I am so hurt that I must seek rest with a friend
+of mine near by."</p>
+
+<p>"I can trust you to meet me at the place
+appointed?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span>"I have cause to have more doubt of you than
+you of me; for if you follow this strong knight
+you may not escape with whole bones from the
+adventure. I wish you success."</p>
+
+<p>"And I wish you health."</p>
+
+<p>With these words they parted, each riding his
+own way.</p>
+
+<p>But news came to Tristram as he rode on that
+would have turned many a knight from that adventure.
+For the first day he found a dead knight
+and a lady weeping over him, who said that her
+lord had jousted with a strong champion, who had
+run him through. On the third day he met the
+good knights Gawaine and Bleoberis, both wounded,
+who said they had been so served by a knight with
+a covered shield.</p>
+
+<p>"He treated me and Palamides the same way,"
+said Tristram, "and I am on his track to repay
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"By my faith, you had best turn back," said
+Gawaine.</p>
+
+<p>"By my head, I will not," said Tristram, and
+he rode on in pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>The next day he met Kay the seneschal and
+Dinadan in a meadow.</p>
+
+<p>"What tidings have you?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Not good," they answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me what they are. I ride in search of a
+knight."</p>
+
+<p>"What cognizance does he bear?"</p>
+
+<p>"He carries a shield covered by a cloth."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you are not far from him," said Kay.
+"We lodged last night in a widow's house, and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span>
+knight sought the same lodging. And when he
+knew we were of Arthur's court he spoke villanous
+things of the king, and worse of Queen Guenever.
+The next day we waged battle with him for this
+insult. But at the first encounter he flung me from
+my horse with a sore hurt. And when Dinadan
+here saw me down he showed more prudence than
+valor, for he fled to save his skin."</p>
+
+<p>After some further words Tristram rode on;
+but days passed and he found not the knight with
+the covered shield, though he heard more tales of
+his irresistible prowess. Then, finding that his
+armor was bruised and broken with long use, he
+sent Gouvernail, his squire, to a city near by to
+bring him fresh apparel, and rested at a priory till
+he came.</p>
+
+<p>On Gouvernail's return he donned his new armor,
+and turned his horse's head towards Camelot, seeking
+the point where he had engaged to do battle
+with Palamides. This was at the tomb of Lanceor,
+son of the king of Ireland, who had been slain by
+Balin, and whose lady Columbe had slain herself, as
+we have already told. His tomb had been set up
+near the river by Merlin, and it had become a place
+of pilgrimage for true lovers and faithful wedded
+pairs.</p>
+
+<p>Tristram did not get there without more battling,
+for the roads around Camelot then swarmed with
+errant knights, eager to show their strength. Yet
+he was none the worse for these encounters when he
+rode up to the tomb where he hoped to find Palamides
+in waiting. But instead of the Saracen he
+saw a knight approaching in white armor, who bore
+a shield covered with a dark cloth.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span>"Sir knight, you are welcome; none more so,"
+cried Tristram. "I have sought you far and near,
+and have an ugly fall to repay you for; and also
+owe you a lesson for your revilement of King
+Arthur and his fair queen."</p>
+
+<p>"Shorter words and longer deeds would serve
+better," said the stranger knight. "Make ready,
+my good fellow, if one fall is not enough to satisfy
+you."</p>
+
+<p>Then they rode apart to a fair distance, and
+putting spurs to their horses hurtled together with
+headlong speed. So fiercely met they, indeed, that
+horses and knights together went toppling to the
+earth, both those brave warriors kissing the dust.</p>
+
+<p>With all haste they regained their feet, put their
+shields before them, and struck at each other with
+bright swords like men of might. The battle that
+followed was such a one as that ground had never
+seen, for those two knights seemed rather giants
+than men. For four hours they kept up the combat,
+neither speaking a word, till at the end their
+armor was hewn off in many places, and blood had
+flowed from their wounds till the grass was turned
+from green to crimson.</p>
+
+<p>The squires looked on in wonder, and boasted
+of the might of their lords, though their hearts
+grew heavy when they saw the bright swords so
+reddened with blood.</p>
+
+<p>At last the unknown knight rested on his weapon,
+and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sir stranger, you are the best fighter I ever
+saw in armor. I would know you better, and beg
+to learn your name."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span>"I care not to tell it," said Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? I never make my name a secret."</p>
+
+<p>"Then pray tell it, for I would give much to
+know the name of the stoutest knight I ever drew
+sword upon."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair sir, my name is Lancelot du Lake."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, can this be so? Have I fought thus
+against the man I love best in the world?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then who are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what strange chance is this! Take my
+sword, Sir Tristram, for you have earned it well."</p>
+
+<p>And he knelt and yielded Tristram his sword.</p>
+
+<p>Tristram in turn knelt and yielded up his. And
+thus with exchange of words they gave each other
+the degree of brotherhood. Then they sat together
+on the stone, and took off their helms to cool their
+heated faces, and kissed each other with brotherly
+ardor.</p>
+
+<p>When they had rested and conversed long in the
+most loving amity, and their squires had salved
+and bandaged their wounds, they mounted and rode
+towards Camelot.</p>
+
+<p>Near the gates of the city they met Gawaine
+and Gaheris, who were setting out in search of
+Tristram, having promised King Arthur never to
+return till they could bring the valiant knight of
+Cornwall with them.</p>
+
+<p>"Return, then, for your quest is done," said
+Lancelot. "I have found Sir Tristram, and here
+he is in person."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, by my life, you are heartily welcome!"
+cried Gawaine. "You have eased me from great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span>
+labor, and there are ten others seeking you. Why
+came you hither of yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"I had a challenge with Sir Palamides to do
+battle with him at Lanceor's tomb this day, and
+I know not why he has failed me. By lucky chance
+my lord Lancelot and I met there, and well have
+we tried each other's strength."</p>
+
+<p>Thus conversing they came to the court, where
+King Arthur, when he learned the name of Lancelot's
+companion, was filled with joy. Taking
+Tristram warmly by both hands, he welcomed him
+to Camelot.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no other man in the world whom I
+would so gladly have here," he said. "Much have
+you been sought for since you left the tournament,
+but in vain. I would fain learn your adventures."</p>
+
+<p>These Tristram told, and the king was amazed
+when he learned that it was he who had overthrown
+him at the Castle of Hard Rock. Then he told of
+his pursuit of the knight with the covered shield,
+and of the deeds he had done.</p>
+
+<p>"By our faith," cried Gawaine, Bleoberis, and
+Kay, "we can testify to that, for he left us all on
+the ground."</p>
+
+<p>"Aha! who could this strong fellow have been?"
+asked Arthur. "Did any of you know him?"</p>
+
+<p>They all declared that he was a stranger to them,
+though Tristram kept silent.</p>
+
+<p>"If you know not, I do; it was Lancelot or
+none," cried the king.</p>
+
+<p>"In faith, I fancy so," said Tristram, "for I
+found him to-day, and we had a four hours' fight
+together, before each found out the other."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span>"So," they all cried, "it is he who has beguiled
+us with his covered shield!"</p>
+
+<p>"You say truly," answered Lancelot, with a
+smile. "And I called myself an enemy of King
+Arthur so that none should suspect me. I was in
+search of sport."</p>
+
+<p>"That is an old trick of yours," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"One must go in disguise in these days, or go
+untried," laughed Lancelot.</p>
+
+<p>Then Queen Guenever, and many ladies of the
+court, learning that Tristram was there, came and
+bade him welcome, ladies and knights together
+crying, "Welcome, Sir Tristram! welcome to
+Camelot!"</p>
+
+<p>"Welcome, indeed," said Arthur, "to one of the
+best and gentlest knights of the world, and the
+man of highest esteem. For of all modes of hunting,
+you bear the prize, and of all bugle hunting
+calls you are the origin, and all the terms of hunting
+and hawking began with you; on all instruments
+of music no man surpasses you: therefore,
+you are trebly welcome to this court. And here
+I pray you to grant me a boon."</p>
+
+<p>"I am at your command," said Tristram.</p>
+
+<p>"It is that you abide in my court, and be one
+of my knights."</p>
+
+<p>"That I am loath to do, for I have work laid
+out elsewhere."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you have passed your word. You shall
+not say me nay."</p>
+
+<p>"Then be it as you will," said Tristram.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a name="Admission_Pg_359" id="Admission_Pg_359"></a><img src="images/p359.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="ADMISSION OF SIR TRISTRAM TO THE KING OF THE ROUND TABLE." title="ADMISSION OF SIR TRISTRAM TO THE KING OF THE ROUND TABLE." />
+<span class="caption">ADMISSION OF SIR TRISTRAM TO THE KING OF THE ROUND TABLE.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>These words spoken, Arthur took Tristram by
+the hand and led him to the Round Table, going<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span>
+with him round its circle, and looking into every
+seat that lacked a knight. When at length he
+came to that in which Sir Marhaus had formerly
+sat, he saw there engraved in letters of gold, "This
+is the seat of the noble knight Sir Tristram."</p>
+
+<p>Then Arthur made Tristram a Knight of the
+Round Table with noble ceremony and great pomp,
+and with feasts that lasted many days. Glad were
+all there to have a knight of such prowess and high
+esteem in their company, and many friends Tristram
+made among his new brothers-in-arms.</p>
+
+<p>But chief of all these was Lancelot, and for days
+together Lancelot and Tristram kept genial company,
+while their brotherhood gave joy to all, and
+most of all to King Arthur, who felt that the glory
+of his reign was now at its height, and that two such
+knights as these would spread the renown of the
+Round Table throughout the world.</p>
+
+<p>END OF VOL. I.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Transcriber's Note:</p>
+
+<p>1. Minor punctuation errors have been corrected.</p>
+
+<p>2. Fifteen spelling errors have been corrected as follows:</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 38 "Tintagel" to "Tintagil" (15) (the Duke of Tintagil)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 74 "churchyard" to "church-yard" (4) (near a church-yard)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 114 "way-side" to "wayside" (2) (they reached a wayside)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 166 "eat" to "ate" (of which Kay ate heartily)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 200 "vassels" to "vassals" (4) (dead or my vassals)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 206 "swept" to "wept" (wept for pity.)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 212 "therefor" to "therefore" (and sureties therefore.")</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 223 "Badgemagus" to "Bagdemagus" (11) (King Bagdemagus)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 246 "togther" to "together" (together in furious)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 281 "threatingly" to "threateningly" (shook the sword threateningly)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 284 "say" to "saw" (when he saw him coming)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 287 "beleagured" to "beleaguered" (a hundred beleaguered him)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 291 "is" to "if" (seemed as if she returned his love)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 298 "Taulurd" to "Taulard" (2) (brother to that Taulard)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">Pg 336 "wellnigh" to "well-nigh" (2) (he well-nigh lost his wits)<br />
+<br /></p>
+
+<p>3. The following list of similar words appear in the original
+text and have been retained.</p>
+
+<p class="indent">"Percival" (p 12) and Percivale (elsewhere)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">"lady Colombe" (p 65) and "lady Columbe" (p 355)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">"gerfalcon" (p 135) and "jerfalcon" (p 221)</p>
+
+<p class="indent">"Sagramore" and "Sagramour"</p>
+
+<p class="indent">"villain" (17) and "villanous" (8) and villany (3)</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORIC TALES, VOL. XIII (OF 15)***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 31900-h.txt or 31900-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/1/9/0/31900">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/9/0/31900</a></p>
+<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.</p>
+
+<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.</p>
+
+
+
+<pre>
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license)</a>.
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's
+eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII,
+compressed (zipped), HTML and others.
+
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over
+the old filename and etext number.  The replaced older file is renamed.
+VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving
+new filenames and etext numbers.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a>
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000,
+are filed in directories based on their release date.  If you want to
+download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular
+search system you may utilize the following addresses and just
+download by the etext year.
+
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a>
+
+    (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,
+     98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)
+
+EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are
+filed in a different way.  The year of a release date is no longer part
+of the directory path.  The path is based on the etext number (which is
+identical to the filename).  The path to the file is made up of single
+digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename.  For
+example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at:
+
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234
+
+or filename 24689 would be found at:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689
+
+An alternative method of locating eBooks:
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a>
+
+*** END: FULL LICENSE ***
+</pre>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/31900-h/images/front.jpg b/31900-h/images/front.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4d9f0da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/front.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p105.jpg b/31900-h/images/p105.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..446d948
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p105.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p134.jpg b/31900-h/images/p134.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..109bb9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p134.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p139.jpg b/31900-h/images/p139.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fbbe111
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p139.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p149.jpg b/31900-h/images/p149.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..695ddd7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p149.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p179.jpg b/31900-h/images/p179.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..89de49b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p179.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p213.jpg b/31900-h/images/p213.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..67d675a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p213.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p235.jpg b/31900-h/images/p235.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8921398
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p235.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p24.jpg b/31900-h/images/p24.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cfad94a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p24.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p250.jpg b/31900-h/images/p250.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57f13d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p250.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p258.jpg b/31900-h/images/p258.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87e1e0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p258.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p273.jpg b/31900-h/images/p273.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ee992ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p273.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p288.jpg b/31900-h/images/p288.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba94bc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p288.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p302.jpg b/31900-h/images/p302.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..805c969
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p302.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p325.jpg b/31900-h/images/p325.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9517cf3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p325.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p359.jpg b/31900-h/images/p359.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fbf1d1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p359.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p48.jpg b/31900-h/images/p48.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c1be95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p48.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p70.jpg b/31900-h/images/p70.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75e047f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p70.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p89.jpg b/31900-h/images/p89.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6413104
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p89.jpg
diff --git a/31900-h/images/p94.jpg b/31900-h/images/p94.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49b75cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900-h/images/p94.jpg
diff --git a/31900.txt b/31900.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc45449
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11522 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Historic Tales, Vol. XIII (of 15), by
+Charles Morris
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Historic Tales, Vol. XIII (of 15)
+       The Romance of Reality. King Arthur, Vol. I
+
+
+Author: Charles Morris
+
+
+
+Release Date: April 6, 2010  [eBook #31900]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORIC TALES, VOL. XIII (OF 15)
+***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Christine Aldridge and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 31900-h.htm or 31900-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31900/31900-h/31900-h.htm)
+      or
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31900/31900-h.zip)
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+      Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).
+
+      Minor punctuation errors have been corrected.
+
+      A complete list of spelling corrections and notations
+      is located at the end of this text.
+
+
+
+
+
+Edition d'Elite
+
+HISTORICAL TALES
+
+The Romance of Reality
+
+by
+
+CHARLES MORRIS
+
+Author of "Half-Hours with the Best American Authors," "Tales
+from the Dramatists," etc.
+
+In Fifteen Volumes
+
+VOLUME XIII
+
+King Arthur
+
+1
+
+
+J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
+
+PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON
+
+
+Copyright, 1891, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
+
+Copyright, 1904, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
+
+Copyright, 1908, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+[Illustration: FURNESS ABBEY.]
+
+
+
+
+                          CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
+
+
+                                 BOOK I.
+
+                        HOW ARTHUR WON THE THRONE.
+
+      CHAPTER.                                                      PAGE.
+
+        I.--THE MAGIC SWORD                                           19
+
+       II.--ARTHUR'S WARS AND THE MYSTERY OF HIS BIRTH                28
+
+      III.--THE LADY OF THE LAKE                                      39
+
+       IV.--GUENEVER AND THE ROUND TABLE                              46
+
+
+                                 BOOK II.
+
+                           THE DEEDS OF BALIN.
+
+        I.--HOW BALIN WON AND USED THE ENCHANTED SWORD                55
+
+       II.--HOW ARTHUR TRIUMPHED OVER THE KINGS                       65
+
+      III.--HOW BALIN GAVE THE DOLOROUS STROKE                        72
+
+       IV.--THE FATE OF BALIN AND BALAN                               81
+
+        V.--MERLIN'S FOLLY AND FATE                                   89
+
+
+                                 BOOK III.
+
+                       THE TREASON OF MORGAN LE FAY.
+
+        I.--THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENCHANTED SHIP                       94
+
+       II.--THE COMBAT OF ARTHUR AND ACCOLAN                         102
+
+      III.--HOW MORGAN CHEATED THE KING                              110
+
+       IV.--THE COUNTRY OF STRANGE ADVENTURES                        120
+
+
+                                 BOOK IV.
+
+                            LANCELOT DU LAKE.
+
+        I.--HOW TROUBLE CAME TO LIONEL AND HECTOR                    137
+
+       II.--THE CONTEST OF THE FOUR QUEENS                           143
+
+      III.--HOW LANCELOT AND TURQUINE FOUGHT                         153
+
+       IV.--THE CHAPEL AND PERILOUS                                  164
+
+        V.--THE ADVENTURE OF THE FALCON                              174
+
+
+                                 BOOK V.
+
+                      THE ADVENTURES OF BEAUMAINS.
+
+        I.--THE KNIGHTING OF KAY'S KITCHEN BOY                       179
+
+       II.--THE BLACK, THE GREEN, AND THE RED KNIGHTS                187
+
+      III.--THE RED KNIGHT OF THE RED LAWNS                          201
+
+       IV.--HOW BEAUMAINS WON HIS BRIDE                              212
+
+
+                                 BOOK VI.
+
+                 TRISTRAM OF LYONESSE AND THE FAIR ISOLDE.
+
+        I.--HOW TRISTRAM WAS KNIGHTED                                238
+
+       II.--LA BELLA ISOLDE                                          249
+
+      III.--THE WAGER OF BATTLE                                      258
+
+       IV.--THE DRAUGHT OF LOVE                                      267
+
+        V.--THE PERILS OF TRUE LOVE                                  275
+
+       VI.--THE MADNESS OF SIR TRISTRAM                              289
+
+
+                                 BOOK VII.
+
+                       HOW TRISTRAM CAME TO CAMELOT.
+
+        I.--TRISTRAM AND DINADAN                                     304
+
+       II.--ON THE ROAD TO THE TOURNAMENT                            312
+
+      III.--AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS                                 322
+
+       IV.--THE QUEST OF THE TEN KNIGHTS                             335
+
+        V.--THE KNIGHT WITH THE COVERED SHIELD                       345
+
+
+
+
+                           LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+                            KING ARTHUR. VOL. I.
+
+
+                                                                    PAGE
+
+      FURNESS ABBEY                                  _Frontispiece_.
+
+      STATUE OF KING ARTHUR AT INNSBRUCK                              24
+
+      KING ARTHUR'S FAIR LOVE                                         48
+
+      KING ARTHUR'S TOMB                                              70
+
+      MERLIN AND NIMUE                                                89
+
+      THE GREAT FOREST                                                94
+
+      NIMUE                                                          105
+
+      THE LOVE OF PELLEAS AND NIMUE                                  134
+
+      DREAM OF SIR LANCELOT                                          139
+
+      OLD ARCHES OF THE ABBEY WALL                                   149
+
+      KING ARTHUR'S ROUND TABLE, WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL                179
+
+      BEAUMAINS, DAMSEL, AND DWARF                                   213
+
+      THE JOYOUS WEDDING                                             235
+
+      SIR TRISTRAM HARPING TO ISOLDE                                 250
+
+      A CASTLE OF CORNWALL                                           258
+
+      TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOLDE                                   273
+
+      THE CLIFFS ABOVE THE SEA                                       288
+
+      TINTAGIL KING ARTHUR'S CASTLE                                  302
+
+      TRISTRAM THEREUPON DEPARTED TO HIS PAVILION                    325
+
+      ADMISSION OF SIR TRISTRAM TO THE KING OF THE
+      ROUND TABLE                                                    359
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY.
+
+
+Geoffrey of Monmouth, the famous chronicler of legendary British
+history, tells us,--in reference to the time when the Celtic kings of
+Britain were struggling against the Saxon invaders,--that "there
+appeared a star of wonderful magnitude and brightness, darting its rays,
+at the end of which was a globe of fire in the form of a dragon, out of
+whose mouth issued two rays; one of which seemed to stretch itself
+beyond the extent of Gaul, the other towards the Irish Sea, and ended in
+two lesser rays." He proceeds to say, that Merlin, the magician, being
+called on to explain this portent, declared that the dragon represented
+Uther, the brother of King Ambrose, who was destined himself soon to
+become king; that the ray extending towards Gaul indicated a great son,
+who should conquer the Gallic Kingdoms; and that the ray with two lesser
+rays indicated a daughter, whose son and grandson should successively
+reign over Britain. Uther, in consequence, when he came to the throne,
+had two gold dragons made, one of which he placed in the cathedral of
+Winchester, which it brightly illuminated; the other he kept, and from
+it gained the name of _Pendragon_. The powerful ray represented his
+great son Arthur, destined to become the flower of chivalry, and the
+favorite hero of mediaeval romance.
+
+This is history as Geoffrey of Monmouth understood it, but hardly so in
+the modern sense, and Arthur remains as mystical a figure as Achilles,
+despite the efforts of various writers to bring him within the circle of
+actual kings. After the Romans left Britain, two centuries passed of
+whose history hardly a coherent shred remains. This was the age of
+Arthur, one of the last champions of Celtic Britain against the
+inflowing tide of Anglo-Saxon invasion. That there was an actual Arthur
+there is some, but no very positive, reason to believe. After all the
+evidence has been offered, we still seem to have but a shadowy hero
+before us, "a king of shreds and patches," whose history is so pieced
+out with conjecture that it is next to impossible to separate its facts
+from its fancies.
+
+The Arthur of the legends, of the Welsh and Breton ballads, of the later
+_Chansons de Geste_, of Malory and Tennyson, has quite stepped out of
+the historic page and become a hero without time or place in any real
+world, a king of the imagination, the loftiest figure in that great
+outgrowth of chivalric romance which formed the favorite fictitious
+literature of Europe during three or four of the mediaeval centuries.
+Charlemagne, the leading character in the earlier romances of chivalry,
+was, in the twelfth century, replaced by Arthur, a milder and more
+Christian-like hero, whose adventures, with those of his Knights of the
+Round Table, delighted the tenants of court and castle in that
+marvel-loving and uncritical age. That the stories told of him are all
+fiction cannot be declared. Many of them may have been founded on fact.
+But, like the stones of a prehistoric wall, their facts are so densely
+enveloped by the ivy of fiction that it is impossible to delve them out.
+
+The ballads and romances in which the King Arthur of mediaeval story
+figures as the hero, would scarcely prove pleasant and profitable
+reading to us now, however greatly they delighted our ancestors. They
+are marked by a coarseness and crudity which would be but little to our
+taste. Nor have we anything of modern growth to replace them. Milton
+entertained a purpose of making King Arthur the hero of an epic poem,
+but fortunately yielded it for the nobler task of "Paradise Lost."
+Spenser gives this hero a minor place in his "Fairie Queen." Dryden
+projected a King Arthur epic, but failed to write it. Recently Bulwer
+has given us a cumbersome "King Arthur," which nobody reads; and
+Tennyson has handled the subject brilliantly in his "Idyls of the King,"
+splendid successes as poems, yet too infiltrated with the spirit of
+modernism to be acceptable as a reproduction of the Arthur of romance.
+For a true rehabilitation of this hero of the age of chivalry we must go
+to the "Morte Darthur" of Sir Thomas Malory, a writer of the fifteenth
+century, who lived when men still wore armor, and so near to the actual
+age of chivalry as to be in full sympathy with the spirit of its
+fiction, and its pervading love of adventure and belief in the magical.
+
+Malory did a work of high value in editing the confused mass of earlier
+fiction, lopping off its excrescences and redundancies, reducing its
+coarseness of speech, and producing from its many stories and episodes
+a coherent and continuous narrative, in which the adventures of the
+Round Table Knights are deftly interwoven with the record of the birth,
+life, and death of the king, round whom as the central figure all these
+knightly champions revolve. Malory seems to have used as the basis of
+his work perhaps one, perhaps several, old French prose romances, and
+possibly also material derived from Welsh and English ballads. Such
+material in his day was doubtless abundant. Geoffrey had drawn much of
+his legendary history from the ancient Welsh ballads. The mass of
+romantic fiction which he called history became highly popular, first in
+Brittany, and then in France, the Trouveres making Arthur, Lancelot,
+Tristram, Percival, and others of the knightly circle the heroes of
+involved romances, in which a multitude of new incidents were invented.
+The Minnesingers of Germany took up the same fruitful theme, producing a
+"Parzivale," a "Tristan and Isolt," and other heroic romances. From all
+this mass of material, Malory wrought his "Morte Darthur," as Homer
+wrought his "Iliad" from the preceding warlike ballads, and the unknown
+compiler of the "Nibelungenlied" wrought his poem from similar ancient
+sources.
+
+Malory was not solely an editor. He was in a large sense a creator. It
+was coarse and crude material with which he had to deal, but in his
+hands its rude prose gained a degree of poetic fervor. The legends which
+he preserves he has in many cases transmuted from base into precious
+coin. There is repulsive matter in the old romances, which he freely
+cuts out. To their somewhat wooden heroes he gives life and character,
+so that in Lancelot, Gawaine, Dinadan, Kay, and others we have to deal
+with distinct personalities, not with the non-individualized
+hard-hitters of the romances. And to the whole story he gives an epic
+completeness which it lacked before. In the early days of Arthur's reign
+Merlin warns him that fate has already woven its net about him and that
+the sins of himself and his queen will in the end bring his reign to a
+violent termination, and break up that grand fellowship of the Round
+Table which has made Britain and its king illustrious. This epic
+character of Malory's work is pointed out in the article "Geoffrey of
+Monmouth" in the "Encyclopaedia Britannica," whose writer says that the
+Arthurian legends "were converted into a magnificent prose poem by Sir
+Thomas Malory in 1461. Malory's _Morte Darthur_ is as truly _the_ epic
+of the English mind as the _Iliad_ is the epic of the Greek mind."
+
+Yet the "Morte Darthur," if epic in plan and treatment, is by no means
+free from the defects of primitive literature. It was written before the
+age of criticism, and confusion reigns supreme in many of its pages,--a
+confusion which a very little critical supervision might have removed.
+As an instance, we find that Galahad, two years after his birth, is made
+a knight, being then fifteen years old. In like manner the "seat
+perilous" at the Round Table is magically reserved for Galahad, the
+author evidently forgetting that he had already given it to Percivale.
+King Mark's murder of his brother Baldwin is revenged by Baldwin's
+grandson, thirty or forty years afterward, though there is nothing to
+show that the characters had grown a year older in the interval. Here a
+knight finds one antagonist quite sufficient for one man; there he does
+not hesitate to attack fifty at once; here a slight wound disables him;
+there a dozen deep wounds are fully healed by a night's rest. Many
+similar instances might be given, but these will suffice. The
+discrepancies here indicated were perhaps due to the employment of
+diverse legends, without care to bring them into accordance, but they
+lay the work open to adverse criticism.
+
+This lack of critical accuracy may have been a necessary accompaniment
+of the credulous frame of mind that could render such a work possible.
+It needed an artlessness of mental make-up, a full capacity for
+acceptance of the marvellous, a simple-minded faith in chivalry and its
+doings, which could scarcely exist in common with the critical
+temperament. In truth, the flavor of an age of credulity and simplicity
+of thought everywhere permeates this quaint old work, than which nothing
+more artless, simple, and unique exists in literature, and nothing with
+a higher value as a presentation of the taste in fiction of our mediaeval
+predecessors.
+
+Yet the "Morte Darthur" is not easy or attractive reading, to other than
+special students of literature. Aside from its confusion of events and
+arrangement, it tells the story of chivalry with a monotonous lack of
+inflection that is apt to grow wearisome, and in a largely obsolete
+style and dialect with whose difficulties readers in general may not
+care to grapple. Its pages present an endless succession of single
+combats with spear and sword, whose details are repeated with wearisome
+iteration. Knights fight furiously for hours together, till they are
+carved with deep wounds, and the ground crimsoned with gore. Sometimes
+they are so inconsiderate as to die, sometimes so weak as to seek a
+leech, but as often they mount and ride away in philosophical disregard
+of their wounds, and come up fresh for as fierce a fight the next day.
+
+As for a background of scenery and architecture, it scarcely exists.
+Deep interest in man and woman seems to have shut out all scenic
+accessories from the mind of the good old knight. It is always but a
+step from the castle to the forest, into which the knights-errant
+plunge, and where most of their adventures take place; and the favorite
+resting-and jousting-place is by the side of forest springs--or wells,
+as in the text. We have mention abundant of fair castles, fair valleys,
+fair meadows, and the like, the adjective "fair" going far to serve all
+needs of description. But in his human characters, with their loves and
+hates, jousts and battles, bewitchments and bewilderments, the author
+takes deep interest, and follows the episodical stories which are woven
+into the plot with a somewhat too satisfying fulness. In evidence of the
+dramatic character of many of these episodes we need but refer to the
+"Idyls of the King," whose various romantic and tragic narratives are
+all derived from this quaint "old master" of fictitious literature.
+
+With all its faults of style and method, the "Morte Darthur" is a very
+live book. It never stops to moralize or philosophize, but keeps
+strictly to its business of tale-telling, bringing up before the reader
+a group of real men and women, not a series of lay-figures on a
+background of romance, as in his originals.
+
+Kay with his satirical tongue, Dinadan with his love of fun, Tristram
+loving and noble, Lancelot bold and chivalrous, Gawaine treacherous and
+implacable, Arthur kingly but adventurous, Mark cowardly and
+base-hearted, Guenever jealous but queenly, Isolde tender and faithful,
+and a host of other clearly individualized knights and ladies move in
+rapid succession through the pages of the romance, giving it, with its
+manners of a remote age, a vital interest that appeals to modern tastes.
+
+In attempting to adapt this old masterpiece to the readers of our own
+day, we have no purpose to seek to paraphrase or improve on Malory. To
+remove the antique flavor would be to destroy the spirit of the work. We
+shall leave it as we find it, other than to reduce its obsolete
+phraseology and crudities of style to modern English, abridge the
+narrative where it is wearisomely extended, omit repetitions and
+uninteresting incidents, reduce its confusion of arrangement, attempt a
+more artistic division into books and chapters, and by other arts of
+editorial revision seek to make it easier reading, while preserving as
+fully as possible those unique characteristics which have long made it
+delightful to lovers of old literature.
+
+The task here undertaken is no light one, nor is success in it assured.
+Malory has an individuality of his own which gives a peculiar charm to
+his work, and to retain this in a modernized version is the purpose with
+which we set out and which we hope to accomplish. The world of to-day
+is full of fiction, endless transcripts of modern life served up in a
+great variety of palatable forms. Our castle-living forefathers were not
+so abundantly favored. They had no books,--and could not have read them
+if they had,--but the wandering minstrel took with them the place of the
+modern volume, bearing from castle to court, and court to castle, his
+budget of romances of magic and chivalry, and delighting the
+hard-hitting knights and barons of that day with stirring ballads and
+warlike tales to which their souls rose in passionate response.
+
+In the "Morte Darthur" is preserved to us the pith of the best of those
+old romances, brought into a continuous narrative by one who lived when
+chivalry yet retained some of its vital hold on the minds of men, and
+who, being a knight himself, could enter with heartfelt sympathy into
+the deeds of the knights of an earlier age. Certainly many of the
+readers of modern fiction will find a pleasure in turning aside awhile
+from the hot-pressed thought of the nineteenth-century novel to this
+fresh and breezy outcrop from the fiction of an earlier day; with the
+double purpose of learning on what food the minds of our ancestors were
+fed, and of gaining a breath of wild perfume from the far-off field of
+the romance of chivalry. That the story of Arthur and his Knights can
+arouse in modern readers the intense interest with which it was received
+by mediaeval auditors is not to be expected. We are too far removed in
+time and manners from the age of knight-errantry to enter deeply into
+sympathy with its unfamiliar ways. Yet a milder interest may still be
+awakened in what gave our predecessors such enthusiastic delight, and
+some at least may turn with pleasure from the most philosophic of modern
+novels to wander awhile through this primitive domain of thought.
+
+To such we offer this work, which we have simply sought to make easy
+reading, with little further liberty with Malory's quaint prose than to
+put it into a modern dress, and with the hope that no such complete
+divorce exists between the world of the present and that of the past as
+to render the exploits of King Arthur and his Round Table Knights dull,
+wearisome, and profitless reading, void of the human interest which they
+once possessed in such large and satisfying measure.
+
+
+
+
+                              KING ARTHUR
+                                AND THE
+                       KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE.
+
+
+
+
+                                 BOOK I.
+
+                       HOW ARTHUR WON THE THRONE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE MAGIC SWORD.
+
+
+Once upon a time, in that far-off and famous era of chivalry and
+knight-errantry when wandering knights sought adventures far and wide
+throughout the land, and no damsel in distress failed to enlist a
+valiant champion in her cause, there reigned over England's broad realm
+a noble monarch, King Arthur by name, the flower of chivalry, and the
+founder of the world-renowned order of Knights of the Round Table. It is
+the story of this far-famed monarch, and of the wonderful and valorous
+deeds of his Knights, that we here propose to tell, as preserved in the
+ancient legends of the land, and set forth at length in the chronicles
+of the days of chivalry.
+
+Before the days of Arthur the King, there reigned over all England Uther
+Pendragon, a monarch of might and renown. He died at length in years
+and honor, and after his death anarchy long prevailed in the land, for
+no son of his appeared to claim the throne, and many of the lords who
+were high in rank and strong in men sought to win it by force of arms,
+while everywhere lawlessness and wrong-doing made life a burden and
+wealth a deceit.
+
+But by good fortune there still survived the famous magician Merlin, the
+master of all mysteries, who long had been the stay of Uther's throne,
+and in whose hands lay the destiny of the realm. For after years of
+anarchy, and when men had almost lost hope of right and justice, Merlin,
+foreseeing that the time for a change was at hand, went to the
+Archbishop of Canterbury, and bade him summon to London by Christmas day
+all the lords of the realm and the gentlemen of arms, for on that day a
+miracle would be shown by which would be decided who should be ruler of
+the kingless realm.
+
+The summons was issued, and by Christmas-tide many lords and knights,
+the flower of England's chivalry, had gathered in London, most of them
+full of ambition and many of them buoyed up by hope. In the greatest
+church of that city prayers went up night and day, all who had been
+guilty of wrong-doing seeking to clear their souls of sin; for all
+believed that only through God's grace could any man come to dominion in
+the realm, and those who aspired to the throne ardently sought to make
+their peace with God.
+
+On Christmas day, after the hour of matins and the first mass, came the
+miracle which Merlin had predicted; for there suddenly appeared before
+the high altar in the church-yard a great four-square block of stone,
+of the texture of marble, upon which stood an anvil of steel a foot in
+height; and through the anvil and deep into the stone was thrust a
+gleaming sword, upon which, in letters of gold, ran these words, "Whoso
+pulleth this sword out of this stone is of right born king of all
+England."
+
+Whether Merlin performed this strange thing by magic, or it was a
+miracle of God's will, the chronicles say not, but all who saw it deeply
+marvelled, and word of it was brought to the archbishop in the church.
+
+"Let no man stir," he enjoined. "This is God's doing, and must be dealt
+with gravely and solemnly. I command that all stay within the church and
+pray unto God until the high mass be done. Till then let no hand touch
+the sword."
+
+And so the service went on until its end; but after it was done the
+audience hastened to behold the miracle, and some of the higher lords,
+who were ambitious for the throne, laid eager hold upon the sword and
+sought with all their strength to draw it. Yet all in vain they tugged;
+the mightiest among them could not stir the deep-thrust blade.
+
+"The man is not here," said the archbishop, "who shall draw that sword;
+but God, in His own good season, will make him known. This, then, is my
+counsel: let us set ten knights, men of fame and honor, to guard the
+sword, and let every man that has faith in his good fortune seek to draw
+it. He who is the destined monarch of England will in time appear."
+
+New Year's day came, and no man yet had drawn the sword, though many
+had adventured. For that day the barons had ordered that a stately
+tournament should be held, in which all knights who desired to break a
+lance for God and their ladies might take part. This was greeted with
+high acclaim, and after the services of the day had ended the barons and
+knights together rode to the lists, while multitudes of the citizens of
+London crowded thither to witness the knightly sports. Among those who
+rode were Sir Hector, a noble lord, who held domains in England and
+Wales, and with him his son Sir Kay, a new-made knight, and his younger
+son Arthur, a youth still too young for knighthood.
+
+As they rode together to the lists, Kay discovered that he had forgotten
+his sword, having left it behind at his father's lodging. He begged
+young Arthur to ride back for it.
+
+"Trust me to bring it," replied Arthur, readily, and turning his horse
+he rode briskly back to his father's lodging in the city. On reaching
+the house, however, he found it fast locked, all its inmates having gone
+to the tournament. The young man stood a moment in anger and indecision.
+
+"My brother Kay shall not be without a sword," he said. "I remember
+seeing in the church-yard a handsome blade thrust into a stone, and
+seeming to want an owner. I shall ride thither and get that sword. It
+will serve Kay's turn."
+
+He accordingly turned his horse and rode back in all haste. On reaching
+the church-yard he found no knights there, all those who had been placed
+on guard having gone to the jousting, exchanging duty for sport.
+Dismounting and tying his horse, he entered the tent which had been
+erected over the stone. There stood the magic sword, its jewelled hilt
+and half the shining blade revealed. Heedless of the inscription on the
+polished steel, and ignorant of its lofty promise,--for the miracle had
+been kept secret by the knights,--young Arthur seized the weapon
+strongly by the hilt and gave the magic sword a vigorous pull. Then a
+wondrous thing happened, which it was a pity there were none to see; for
+the blade came easily out of stone and steel, as though they were
+yielding clay, and lay naked in his hand. Not knowing the might and
+meaning of what he had done, and thinking of naught but to keep his
+word, the young man mounted his horse and rode to the field, where he
+delivered the sword to his brother Sir Kay.
+
+"I have brought your sword," he said.
+
+The young knight started with surprise on beholding the blade, and gazed
+on it with wonder and trepidation. It was not his, he knew, and he
+recognized it at sight for the magic blade. But ambition quickly
+banished the wonder from his heart, and he rode hastily to his father,
+Sir Hector, exclaiming,--
+
+"Behold! Here is the sword of the stone! I that bear it am the destined
+king of England's realm."
+
+Sir Hector looked at him in doubt, and beheld the blade he bore with
+deep surprise.
+
+"When and how did you obtain it?" he demanded. "Back to the church! Come
+with us, Arthur. Here is a mystery that must be explained."
+
+Reaching the church, he made Kay swear upon the book how he came by that
+weapon, for greatly he doubted.
+
+"I have not said I drew it," Kay replied, sullenly. "In truth, it was
+not achieved by me. Arthur brought me the sword."
+
+"Arthur!" cried the lord. "Arthur brought it! How got you it, boy?"
+
+"I pulled it from the stone," replied the youth. "Kay sent me home for
+his sword, but the house was empty and locked; and as I did not wish my
+brother to be without a weapon, I rode hither and pulled this blade out
+of the stone. Was there aught strange in that? It came out easily
+enough."
+
+"Were there no knights about it?"
+
+"None, sir."
+
+"Then the truth is plain. God's will has been revealed. You are the
+destined king of England."
+
+"I?" cried Arthur, in surprise. "Wherefore I?"
+
+"God has willed it so," repeated the baron. "But I must first learn for
+myself if you have truly drawn the sword. Can you put it back again?"
+
+"I can try," said Arthur, and with an easy thrust he sunk the blade
+deeply into the stone.
+
+Then Sir Hector and Kay pulled at the hilt with all their strength, but
+failed to move the weapon.
+
+"Now you shall try," they said to Arthur.
+
+Thereupon the youth seized the hilt, and with a light effort the magic
+sword came out naked in his hand.
+
+"You are our king!" cried Sir Hector, kneeling on the earth, and Kay
+beside him.
+
+"My dear father and brother," cried Arthur in surprise and distress,
+"why kneel you to me? Rise, I pray; it pains me deeply to see you thus."
+
+[Illustration: STATUE OF KING ARTHUR AT INNSBRUCK.]
+
+"I am not your father nor of your kindred," rejoined the baron. "I must
+now reveal the secret I long have kept. You were brought to me in
+infancy, and I and my wife have fostered you as our own. But you are no
+son of mine. Who you truly are I cannot say; that only Merlin the
+magician knows. But well I feel assured you are of nobler blood than I
+can boast."
+
+These words filled Arthur with heartfelt pain. He had long revered the
+worthy knight as his father, and it grieved him deeply to learn that
+those whom he had so warmly loved were not of kin to him.
+
+"Sir," said Hector, "will you be my good and gracious lord when you are
+king?"
+
+"You, my father, and your good lady, my mother,--to whom else in all the
+world am I so beholden?" rejoined Arthur, warmly. "God forbid that I
+should fail you in whatever you may desire, if by His will and grace I
+shall be made king."
+
+"This only I ask of you," said the baron: "that you make Kay, my son and
+your foster-brother, the seneschal of all your lands."
+
+"By the faith of my body, I promise," said Arthur. "No man but he shall
+have that office while he and I live."
+
+These words said, Sir Hector went to the archbishop and told him, much
+to his surprise, of the marvel that had been performed. By the advice of
+the prelate it was kept secret until Twelfth Day, when the barons came
+again, and another effort was made to draw the sword.
+
+After all had tried and failed, Arthur was brought forward, and while
+many sneered at his youth and asked why a boy had been brought thither,
+he seized the hilt and lightly drew the blade from the stone. Then all
+stood aghast in wonder, marvelling greatly to see a youth perform the
+feat which the strongest knights in the kingdom had attempted in vain;
+but many beheld it with bitter anger and hostile doubt.
+
+"Who is this boy?" they cried. "What royal blood can he claim? Shall we
+and the realm of England be shamed by being governed by a base-born
+churl? There is fraud or magic in this."
+
+So high ran the tide of adverse feeling that the archbishop finally
+decided that another trial should be had at Candlemas, ten knights
+meanwhile closely guarding the stone. And when Candlemas day arrived
+there came many more great lords, each eager for the throne; but, as
+before, of all there none but Arthur could draw the magic sword.
+
+Again was there envy and hostility, and another trial was loudly
+demanded, the time being fixed for Easter. This ended as before, and at
+the demand of the angry lords a final trial was arranged for the feast
+of Pentecost. The archbishop now, at Merlin's suggestion, surrounded
+Arthur with a bodyguard of tried warriors, some of whom had been Uther
+Pendragon's best and worthiest knights; for it was feared that some of
+his enemies might seek to do him harm. They were bidden to keep watch
+over him day and night till the season of Pentecost, for there were
+lords that would have slain him had they dared.
+
+At the feast of Pentecost lords and knights gathered again, but in vain
+they all essayed to draw the magic sword. Only to the hand of Arthur
+would it yield, and he pulled it lightly from the stone and steel in the
+presence of all the lords and commons. Then cried the commons in loud
+acclaim,--
+
+"Arthur shall be our king! We will have none to reign over us but him!
+Let there be no more delay. God has willed that he shall be England's
+king, and he that holdeth out longer against the will of God that man
+shall we slay."
+
+Then rich and poor alike kneeled before Arthur, hailed him as king, and
+craved his pardon for their long delay. He forgave them freely, and
+taking the sword between his hands, laid it upon the altar before the
+archbishop. This done, he was made a knight by the worthiest warrior
+there, and thus taken into that noble fellowship of chivalry which he
+was destined by his valor and virtue to so richly adorn.
+
+Shortly afterward Arthur was crowned king, with great pomp and ceremony,
+before a noble assemblage of the lords and ladies of the realm, taking
+solemn oath at the coronation to be true king to lords and commons, and
+to deal justice to all while he should live.
+
+Justice, indeed, was greatly and urgently demanded, for many wrongs had
+been done since the death of King Uther, and numerous complaints were
+laid before the throne. All these evils Arthur redressed, forcing those
+who had wrongfully taken the lands of others to return them, and
+demanding that all should submit to the laws of the realm. In compliance
+with his promise, Sir Kay was made seneschal of England, while other
+knights were appointed to the remaining high offices of the realm, and
+all the needs of the kingdom duly provided for. Thus the famous reign of
+King Arthur auspiciously began, with God's and man's blessing upon its
+early days.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ARTHUR'S WARS AND THE MYSTERY OF HIS BIRTH.
+
+
+After Arthur was crowned king he removed into Wales, where he gave
+orders that a great feast should be held on the coming day of Pentecost,
+at the city of Carlion. On the day appointed for the feast there
+appeared before Carlion the Kings of Lothian and Orkney, Gore, Garloth,
+Carados, and Scotland, each with a large following of knights. Their
+coming greatly pleased King Arthur, who believed that they desired to do
+honor to his reign, and he sent presents of great value to them and to
+their knights.
+
+These they disdainfully refused, sending back a hostile challenge by the
+messenger, and saying that they had not come to receive gifts from a
+beardless boy, of ignoble blood, but to present him gifts with hard
+swords between neck and shoulder. It was a shame, they said, to see such
+a boy at the head of so noble a realm, and this wrong should be
+redressed at their hands.
+
+On receiving this defiant message, Arthur threw himself, with five
+hundred good men, into a strong tower near Carlion, for he was ill
+prepared for attack. There he was closely besieged by his foes, but the
+castle was well victualled, and held out stoutly against its assailants.
+
+During the siege Merlin appeared suddenly among the kings, and told them
+privately who Arthur really was, assuring them that he was of nobler
+blood than themselves, and was destined long to remain king of England,
+and to reduce Scotland, Ireland, and Wales to his sway. Some of the
+hostile monarchs believed the magician's story, but others doubted it,
+King Lot of Orkney laughing him to scorn, while some among them called
+him a prating wizard.
+
+But it was agreed that they should hold a conference with Arthur, they
+promising if he came out to them to place no hindrance to his safe
+return. Merlin then sought the king and advised him to accept the
+conference, telling him that he had nothing to fear. Thereupon Arthur
+armed himself, and taking with him the Archbishop of Canterbury and
+several noble knights, went out boldly to meet his foes.
+
+The conference was an angry and bitter one, the kings speaking strongly,
+and Arthur answering them with stout words of defiance, in which he told
+them plainly that if he lived he would make them bow to his throne. In
+the end they parted in wrath, the kings returning to their camp and
+Arthur to the tower.
+
+"What do you propose to do?" said Merlin to the kings. "If you take a
+wise man's advice you will withdraw, for I tell you that you shall not
+prevail here, were you ten times as many."
+
+"We are not the men to be advised by a dream-reader," answered King Lot.
+"If you are the wise man you say, you will take yourself away." At this
+reply Merlin magically vanished from among them, and immediately
+appeared to King Arthur in the tower, bidding him boldly to sally forth
+and attack his enemies, and trust to fortune and valor for success.
+Meanwhile three hundred of the best knights of the kings had deserted
+their ranks and come to join him, much to his comfort, for he had been
+greatly outnumbered.
+
+"Sir," said Merlin, "fight not with the sword that you had by miracle,
+till you see things go to the worst; then draw it out and strike
+shrewdly for your throne."
+
+These words said, Arthur sallied from the tower at the head of all his
+knights, and fell fiercely on the besiegers in their camp. All went down
+before his bold assault, the hosts of the hostile kings retreating in
+dismay. Great deeds were done that day, Sir Kay and other knights
+slaying all before them, while Arthur laid on nobly, and did such
+marvellous feats of arms that all who saw him wondered greatly, for
+until now he had been an untried youth. While the combat thus went on in
+Arthur's favor in front, King Lot and others of the kings made a detour
+and set fiercely upon his force from the rear, causing momentary dismay
+in his ranks. But Arthur wheeled alertly with his knights, and smote
+vigorously to right and left, keeping always in the foremost press, till
+his horse was slain beneath him, and he hurled to the ground.
+
+King Lot took instant advantage of this, and with a mighty blow
+prostrated the unhorsed king. But his knights hastily surrounded him,
+drove back his crowding foes, and set him on horseback again. And now
+King Arthur drew the magic sword, and as he waved it in the air there
+flashed from it a gleaming lustre that blinded the eyes of his enemies.
+Back they went before him, many of them falling under his mighty blows,
+while his valiant knights followed hotly in the track of the flaming
+sword, and the enemy fled in panic fear.
+
+Then the people of Carlion, seeing the enemy in retreat, came out with
+clubs and staves, and fell upon the defeated host, killing numbers of
+the dismounted knights; while the hostile kings, with such of their
+followers as remained alive, fled in all haste from the disastrous
+field, leaving the victory to Arthur and his knights.
+
+Thus ended in victory the first battle of Arthur's famous reign. It was
+but the prelude to a greater one, the mighty deeds of which the
+chroniclers tell at great length, but of which we shall give but brief
+record. It was predicted by Merlin, who told the king that he should
+have to fight far more strongly for his crown, that the defeated kings
+would get others to join them, and would ere long proceed against him
+with a mighty force.
+
+"I warn you," he said to the king and his council, "that your enemies
+are very strong, for they have entered into alliance with four other
+kings and a mighty duke, and unless our king obtain powerful allies he
+shall be overcome and slain."
+
+"What then shall we do?" asked the barons.
+
+"I shall tell you," said Merlin. "There are two brethren beyond the sea,
+both kings, and marvellously valiant men. One of these is King Ban of
+Benwick, and the other King Bors of Gaul. These monarchs are at war with
+a mighty warrior, King Claudas. My counsel then is, that our king ask
+the aid of these monarchs in his wars, and engage in return to help them
+in their war with their foe."
+
+"It is well counselled," said the king and his barons.
+
+Accordingly two knights with letters were sent across the seas, and
+after various adventures reached the camp of Kings Ban and Bors. These
+valiant monarchs gladly responded to Arthur's request, and, leaving
+their castles well guarded, came with ten thousand of their best men to
+the aid of the youthful king. Then were held great feasts, and a noble
+tournament was given on All-hallowmas day, at which Sir Kay carried off
+the honors of the lists and received the prize of valor.
+
+But sport had soon to give place to war, for the hostile kings, now
+eleven in all, with a host of fifty thousand mounted men and ten
+thousand footmen, were marching upon King Arthur's camp, then at the
+Castle of Bedegraine, in Sherwood forest.
+
+Two nights before the hosts met in battle, one of the hostile leaders,
+known as the king with the hundred knights, dreamed a wondrous dream. It
+seemed to him that there came a mighty wind, which blew down all their
+castles and towns, and that then there came a great flood and carried
+all away. All who heard this dream said that it was a token of great
+battle, but by its portent none were dismayed, for they felt too secure
+in their strength to heed the warning of a dream.
+
+Soon the two armies drew together, and encamped at no great distance
+asunder. Then, by advice of Merlin, a midnight attack was made by Arthur
+and his allies upon the host of the eleven kings, as they lay sleeping
+in their tents. But their sentinels were alert, the sound of the coming
+host reached their wakeful ears, and loud the cry ran through the camp:
+
+"To arms! lords and knights, to arms! The enemy is upon us! To arms! to
+arms!"
+
+On like a wave of war came the force of Arthur, Ban, and Bors. The tents
+were overthrown, and all the valor of the eleven kings was needed to
+save their army from defeat. So fiercely went the assault that by
+day-dawn ten thousand of their men lay dead upon the field, while
+Arthur's loss was but small.
+
+By Merlin's advice, while it was yet dark the forces of Ban and Bors had
+been placed in ambush in the forest. Then Arthur, with his own army of
+twenty thousand men, set fiercely on the overwhelming force of the foe,
+and deeds of mighty prowess were done, men falling like leaves, and many
+knights of tried valor staining the earth with their blood.
+
+Fiercely went the combat, hand to hand and blade to blade, till the
+field was strewn with the dead, while none could tell how the battle
+would end. But when Kings Ban and Bors broke from their ambush, with ten
+thousand fresh men, the tide of battle turned against the foe. Back they
+went, step by step, many of their men taking to flight, and hundreds
+falling in death. King Bors did marvellous deeds of arms. King Ban,
+whose horse was killed, fought on foot like an enraged lion, standing
+among dead men and horses, and felling all who came within reach of his
+sword. As for King Arthur, his armor was so covered with crimson stains
+that no man knew him, and his horse went fetlock deep in blood.
+
+When night approached, the hostile force was driven across a little
+stream, the eleven warrior kings still valiantly facing the victorious
+foe.
+
+Then came Merlin into the press of struggling knights, mounted on a
+great black horse, and cried to Arthur,--
+
+"Wilt thou never have done? Of threescore thousand men this day thou
+hast left alive but fifteen thousand, and it is time to cry, Halt! I bid
+you withdraw, for if you continue the battle fortune will turn against
+you. As for these kings, you will have no trouble with them for three
+years to come, for more than forty thousand Saracens have landed in
+their country, and are burning and despoiling all before them."
+
+This advice was taken, and the defeated kings were allowed to withdraw
+the remnant of their forces without further harm, while King Arthur
+richly rewarded his allies and their knights from the treasure found in
+the hostile camp.
+
+Thus was King Arthur seated firmly on his throne. But who he was he knew
+not yet, for the mystery that lay over his birth Merlin had never
+revealed. After the battle Merlin went to his master Bleise, who dwelt
+in Northumberland, and told him the events of the mighty contest. These
+Bleise wrote down, word by word, as he did the after-events of King
+Arthur's reign, and the deeds of his valiant knights. And so was made
+the chronicle of the great achievements of arms, and the adventures of
+errant knights, from which this history is drawn.
+
+Of some things that Merlin further did we must here speak. While Arthur
+dwelt in the castle of Bedegraine, Merlin came to him so disguised that
+the king knew him not. He was all befurred in black sheepskins, with a
+great pair of boots and a bow and arrows, and brought wild geese in his
+hand, as though he had been a huntsman.
+
+"Sir," he said to the king, "will you give me a gift?"
+
+"Why should I do so, churl?" asked the king.
+
+"You had better give me a gift from what you have in hand than to lose
+great riches which are now out of your reach; for here, where the battle
+was fought, is great treasure hidden in the earth."
+
+"Who told you that, churl?"
+
+"Merlin told me so."
+
+Then was the king abashed, for he now knew that it was Merlin who spoke,
+and it troubled him that he had not known his best friend.
+
+Afterward, on a day when Arthur had been hunting in the forest, and
+while he sat in deep thought over a strange dream he had dreamed and
+some sinful deeds he had done, there came to him a child of fourteen
+years, and asked him why he was so pensive.
+
+"I may well be so," replied Arthur, "for I have much to make me think."
+
+"I know that well," said the seeming child, "also who thou art and all
+thy thoughts. I can tell thee who was thy father and how and when thou
+wert born."
+
+"That is false," rejoined the king. "How should a boy of your years know
+my father?"
+
+"He was Uther Pendragon, the king," replied the seeming boy, "and you
+are of royal blood."
+
+"How can you know that? I will not believe you without better proof,"
+said Arthur.
+
+At these words the child departed, but quickly after there came to the
+king an old man of fourscore years.
+
+"Why are you so sad?" asked the old man.
+
+"For many things," replied Arthur. "Here but now was a child who told me
+things which it seems to me he could not know."
+
+"He told you the truth," said the old man, "and would have told you more
+if you had listened. This I am bidden to tell you, that you have done
+things which have displeased God, and that your sister shall bear a son
+who will destroy you and all the knights of your land. That is the
+meaning of your dream in which griffons and serpents burnt and slew all
+before them, and wounded you to the death."
+
+"Who are you," said Arthur, "that tell me these things?"
+
+"I am Merlin," replied the old man. "And I was the child who came to
+you."
+
+"You are a marvellous man," replied Arthur. "But how can you know that I
+shall die in battle?"
+
+"How I know matters not, but this much more I am bidden to tell you:
+your death will be a noble one; but I shall die a shameful death, and
+shall be put in the earth alive for my follies. Such is the voice of
+destiny."
+
+While they conversed thus, horses were brought to the king, and he and
+Merlin mounted and rode to Carlion. Here Arthur told Sir Hector what he
+had heard, and asked if it were true.
+
+"I believe it to be the truth," answered the old baron. "Merlin has told
+me that the child he brought to my castle was the son of King Uther
+Pendragon and of Queen Igraine, his wife."
+
+But Arthur was not yet convinced, and sent in all haste for Queen
+Igraine, who dwelt in a castle not far away, and came quickly with
+Morgan le Fay, her daughter, a fair lady, and one who had been taught
+all the arts of necromancy.
+
+The king welcomed her with rich cheer, and made a feast in her honor,
+without saying why he had asked her to his court. But when the feast was
+at its height, Sir Ulfius, the chamberlain, and a knight of worth and
+honor, rose in the midst, and boldly accused the queen of falsehood and
+treason.
+
+"Beware what you say," cried the king. "Those are strong words, and this
+lady is my guest."
+
+"I am well advised of what I say," replied Ulfius, "and here is my glove
+to prove it upon any man who shall deny it. I declare that Queen Igraine
+is the cause of your great wars and of deep damage to your throne. Had
+she told in the life of King Uther of the birth of her son you would
+have been spared your wars, for most of your barons know not to-day of
+what blood you were born. Therefore I declare her false to God, to you,
+and to all your realm, and if any man shall say me nay I stand ready to
+prove it upon his body."
+
+"I am a woman, and I may not fight," said Queen Igraine to this. "But
+there are men here will take my quarrel. Merlin will bear me witness
+that it was King Uther's wish, for reasons of state, that the birth of
+my child should be concealed, and if you seek a traitor you should
+accuse Uther Pendragon and not me. At its birth the child was wrapped in
+cloth of gold, by order of the king, and taken from me, and from that
+day to this I have not set eyes upon my son."
+
+"Then," said Ulfius, "Merlin is more to blame than you."
+
+"I bowed to the will of my husband," replied the queen. "After the death
+of my lord, the Duke of Tintagil, King Uther married me, and I bore him
+a son, but I know not what has become of my child."
+
+Then Merlin took the king by the hand and led him to Queen Igraine.
+
+"This is your mother," he said.
+
+Therewith, Sir Hector bore witness how the child has been brought by
+Merlin to the postern gate of his castle, wrapped in cloth of gold, and
+how he had reared him as his own son, knowing not who he was, but full
+sure he was of high birth.
+
+These words removed all doubt from Arthur's mind, and with warm
+affection he took his mother in his arms, and kissed her lovingly, while
+tears of joy flowed freely from the eyes of mother and son, for never
+was gladder meeting than that which there took place.
+
+For eight days thereafter feasts and sports were held at the castle, and
+great joy fell upon all men to learn that the son of great Uther
+Pendragon had come to the throne. And far and wide the story spread
+through the land that he who had drawn the magic sword was the rightful
+heir to England's crown.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE LADY OF THE LAKE.
+
+
+On a day at the end of the feasts given by King Arthur in honor of his
+mother, there came into the court a squire, who bore before him on his
+horse a knight that had been wounded unto death. He told how a stranger
+knight in the forest had set up a pavilion by a well, and forced all who
+passed to joust with him. This stranger had slain his master, and he
+begged that some champion would revenge the slain knight.
+
+Then rose Griflet, a youthful squire who had done good service in the
+wars, and begged to be knighted, that he might undertake this adventure.
+
+"Thou art but young for such a task," said Arthur.
+
+"I beseech you for the honor of it," pleaded Griflet. "I have done you
+knightly service."
+
+Thereupon he was knighted and armed, and rode at day-dawn with a high
+heart into the forest. But by night-fall back he came, with a
+spear-thrust through his body, and scarce able to sit his horse for
+weakness. He had met the knight, and barely escaped with his life.
+
+This angered the king, and he determined to undertake the adventure
+himself, and to seek to punish the daring knight who had planted
+himself, with hostile purpose, so near his court. By his order his best
+armor and horse were set before day at a point outside the city, and at
+day-dawn he met there his squire and rode with him secretly into the
+forest.
+
+On the way thither he met three churls, who were chasing Merlin and
+seeking to slay him. The king rode to them and sternly bade them desist,
+and on seeing a knight before them they fled in craven fear.
+
+"O Merlin," cried Arthur, "for all your craft you would have been slain,
+had I not come to your aid."
+
+"Not so. I but played with these churls," said Merlin. "I could have
+saved myself easily enough. You are far more near your end than I, for
+unless God be your friend you ride to your death."
+
+As they conversed they came to the forest fountain, and saw there a rich
+pavilion, while under a cloth stood a fair horse, richly saddled and
+bridled, and on a tree was a shield of varied colors and a great spear.
+In a chair near by sat an armed knight.
+
+"How is it, sir knight," asked the king, sternly, "that you abide here
+and force every knight that passes to joust with you? It is an ill
+custom, and I bid you cease it."
+
+"He who is grieved with my custom may amend it if he will," said the
+knight.
+
+"I shall amend it," said Arthur.
+
+"I shall defend it," replied the knight.
+
+With these words they mounted, placed their spears in rest, and put
+their horses to their speed. Together they came in mid career with such
+violence and equal fortune that both spears were shivered to splinters,
+but both knights remained in their saddles. Taking new spears, once more
+they rode, and once again met in mid course with the same fortune as
+before. Then Arthur set hand to his sword.
+
+"Nay," said the knight. "You are the best jouster of all the men I ever
+met. For the love of the high order of knighthood let us break another
+spear."
+
+"I agree," said Arthur.
+
+Two more spears were brought them, and again they rode together with all
+the might and speed of their horses. Arthur's spear once more shivered
+into splinters from point to handle. But the knight struck him so fairly
+in the centre of his shield that horse and man together fell to the
+earth.
+
+Then Arthur drew his sword eagerly and cried:
+
+"Sir knight, I have lost the honor of horseback, and will fight you on
+foot."
+
+"I will meet you on horse," replied the knight.
+
+Angry at this, Arthur advanced towards him with ready shield and sword.
+But the knight, feeling that he was taking a noble adversary at unfair
+advantage, dismounted, and advanced to meet Arthur on foot.
+
+Then began a mighty battle, in which many great sword-strokes were made,
+and much blood was lost by both antagonists. After the affray had long
+continued the two warriors by chance struck so evenly together that
+their swords met in mid air, and the weapon of the knight smote that of
+Arthur into two pieces.
+
+"You are in my power," cried the knight. "Yield you as overcome and
+recreant, or you shall die."
+
+"As for death," said Arthur, "it will be welcome when it comes, but I
+had rather die than be so shamed."
+
+Thus saying, he leaped upon his foeman, took him by the middle with a
+vigorous grip, and threw him to the earth. Then he tore off his helmet.
+The knight, however, was much the larger and stronger man, and in his
+turn brought Arthur under him, deprived him of his helmet, and lifted
+his sword to strike off his head.
+
+At this perilous moment Merlin advanced.
+
+"Knight, hold thy hand," he cried. "You little know in what peril you
+put this realm, or who the warrior is beneath your sword."
+
+"Who is he?" asked the knight.
+
+"He is King Arthur."
+
+Then would the knight have slain Arthur for fear of his wrath, and
+raised his sword again to do so, but at that moment Merlin threw him
+into an enchanted sleep.
+
+"What have you done, Merlin?" cried Arthur. "God grant you have not
+slain this worthy knight by your craft! I would yield a year of my
+dominion to have him alive again."
+
+"Do not fear," said Merlin. "He is asleep only, and will awake within
+three hours. And this I shall tell you, there is not a stronger knight
+in your kingdom than he, and hereafter he will do you good service. His
+name is King Pellinore, and he shall have two noble sons, whose names
+will be Percivale and Lamorak of Wales. And this brave knight shall, in
+the time to come, tell you the name of that son of your sister who is
+fated to be the destruction of all this land."
+
+This being said, the king and the magician departed, leaving the knight
+to his magic slumbers. Soon they reached the cell of a hermit who was a
+noted leech, and who, with healing salves, in three days cured the
+king's wounds so that he was able to ride again. As they now went
+forward, through forest and over plain, Arthur said,--
+
+"I have no sword. I shall be ill put to it should I meet a champion."
+
+"Heed not that," said Merlin. "That loss will be soon repaired."
+
+And so they rode till they came to a lake, a broad and fair sheet of
+water, that stretched far before their eyes. As the king stood and
+looked upon it, he saw in its midst, to his deep wonder, an arm clothed
+in white samite lift itself above the water, and in the hand appeared a
+glittering sword, that gleamed brightly in the sun's rays.
+
+"Lo! yonder is the sword I spoke of," said Merlin.
+
+Then another wonder met their eyes, for a woman came walking towards
+them upon the surface of the lake.
+
+"What damsel is that?" asked Arthur. "And what means all this wondrous
+thing?"
+
+"That is the Lady of the Lake," said Merlin. "Within that lake is a
+great rock, and therein is a palace as fair as any on the earth, and
+most richly adorned, wherein this lady dwells. When she comes to you ask
+her in courtly phrase for the sword, for it is hers to give."
+
+Soon came the damsel to them and saluted Arthur, who courteously
+returned her salutation.
+
+"Fair lady," he said, "what sword is it that yonder arm holds so
+strangely above the water? I would it were mine, for I have lost my
+weapon."
+
+"King Arthur," replied the damsel, "the sword you see is mine. But it
+shall be yours if you will promise me a gift when I shall ask it of
+you."
+
+"By my faith," rejoined Arthur, "I will give you whatever gift you may
+ask, if it be within reason and justice."
+
+"Then," said the damsel, "go into the barge you see yonder and row
+yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard. As for the gift, I
+shall bide my time to ask it."
+
+Arthur and Merlin now alighted and entered the boat they saw near by,
+rowing it to where the arm in white samite held up the sword. Reaching
+boldly out, Arthur grasped the weapon by the handle, and at once the arm
+and hand disappeared beneath the water, leaving the wondrous blade in
+his hand, and the scabbard with it.
+
+When they reached the land again the Lady of the Lake was gone, and so
+they mounted and rode away from that place of magic. Then Arthur looked
+upon the sword and much he liked it, for the blade seemed to him of rare
+promise.
+
+"Which like you the better, the sword or the scabbard?" asked Merlin.
+
+"The sword," answered Arthur.
+
+"There you lack wisdom," said Merlin, "for the scabbard is worth ten of
+the sword. While you wear that scabbard you shall never lose blood,
+however sorely you be wounded, so take good heed to keep it always with
+you."
+
+So they rode unto Carlion, where Arthur's knights were glad enough to
+see him, for his absence had greatly troubled them. And when they heard
+of his adventures they marvelled that he would risk his person so alone.
+But all men of worship said that it was merry to be under a chieftain
+who would take upon himself such adventures as poor knights loved to
+meet.
+
+During the absence of the king a messenger had come to the court from
+King Ryons of North Wales, who was also King of Ireland, and of many
+islands, bearing a message of most insulting purport. He said that King
+Ryons had discomfited and overcome eleven kings, each of whom had been
+forced to do him homage in the following manner: each had sent him his
+beard, and the king had trimmed his mantle with these kings' beards. But
+there lacked one place on the mantle, and he therefore sent for King
+Arthur's beard to complete the fringe. If it were not sent him he would
+enter the land and burn and slay, and never leave till he had head and
+beard together.
+
+"Well," said Arthur, "you have said your message, and the most
+villanous one it is that ever living man sent unto a king; you may see,
+moreover, that my beard as yet is somewhat too young to serve as a
+trimming to his mantle. This, then, you may tell your king. Neither I
+nor my lords owe him any homage. But if he shall not before many days do
+me homage on both his bended knees, by the faith of my body he shall
+lose his head, in requital for the shameful and discourteous message
+that he has sent me. Bear you this answer to your king."
+
+And so the messenger departed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+GUENEVER AND THE ROUND TABLE.
+
+
+And now we have to tell the story of how King Arthur got his fair wife
+Guenever, and how the Round Table was brought to England's realm.
+
+After the defeat of the eleven kings, Arthur had rescued King
+Leodegrance of Cameliard from King Ryons, and put the latter with all
+his host to flight. And at the court of Leodegrance he saw his charming
+daughter Guenever, whom he ever after loved.
+
+So it fell upon a time that Arthur said to Merlin,--
+
+"My barons give me no peace, but day by day insist that I shall take a
+wife. But whether I marry or not, I shall take no step without your
+counsel and advice."
+
+"Your barons counsel well," said Merlin. "A man of your bounty and
+nobleness should not be without a wife. Is there any one woman that you
+love beyond others?"
+
+"Yes, by my faith there is," said Arthur. "I love Guenever, the daughter
+of King Leodegrance, of Cameliard, he who has in his house the Round
+Table, which you have told me he had of my father King Uther. This
+damsel is the loveliest lady that I know, or could ever hope to find."
+
+"Of her beauty and fairness no man can question," said Merlin. "If your
+heart were not set, I could find you a damsel of beauty and goodness
+that would please you as well. But where a man's heart is fixed there
+will he turn against the counsel of wise and foolish alike."
+
+"You speak the truth," said Arthur.
+
+Covertly, however, Merlin warned the king that Guenever would bring
+trouble to his court and his heart, and counselled him to weigh well
+what he thought to do. But Arthur's love was warm, and the wise man's
+counsel, as he had said, fell like water on a stone. Thereupon Merlin
+went to Cameliard and told King Leodegrance of Arthur's wish.
+
+"This is to me," said Leodegrance, "the best tidings that any man living
+could bring; that a monarch of such prowess and nobleness should ask to
+wed my daughter. Cheerfully will I give her, and I would give lands in
+dowry with her, but of that he has enough already. Yet I can send him a
+gift that will please him far more than lands or treasure, no less a
+gift than the Table Round, which Uther Pendragon gave me, and around
+which may be seated a hundred and fifty knights. As for myself, I have
+but a hundred knights worthy to sit at the table, but these I will send
+to Arthur, who must complete the tale himself."
+
+And so, with Guenever, and the Round Table, and the hundred knights,
+Merlin set out for London, where Arthur then was, and whither the noble
+cavalcade rode in royal procession through the land.
+
+When King Arthur heard of their coming his heart was filled with joy,
+and he said to those around him,--
+
+"This fair lady is very welcome to me, for I have loved her long. And
+these knights with the Round Table please me more than if the greatest
+riches had been sent, for I value worth and prowess far above wealth and
+honors."
+
+He ordered the marriage and coronation to be prepared for in royal pomp,
+but with no needless delay.
+
+"And, Merlin," he said, "I pray you to go and seek me out fifty knights
+of the highest honor and valor, to complete the tale of my Round Table
+Knights."
+
+Merlin went, and in a short time brought twenty-eight knights whom he
+deemed worthy of that high honor, but no more could he find.
+
+Then the Archbishop of Canterbury was brought, and he blessed the seats
+of the Round Table with great worship and ceremony, and placed the
+twenty-eight knights in their chairs. When this was done Merlin said,--
+
+[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+
+KING ARTHUR'S FAIR LOVE.]
+
+"Fair sirs, you must all rise and come to King Arthur and do him homage.
+For henceforth you are his chosen knights, and must so declare. And know
+you well, that great shall be the future honor and fame of all who
+worthily occupy these seats."
+
+At this request the knights arose, and did homage to the king. And when
+they had risen from their seats there appeared in each in letters of
+gold the name of him who had sat therein. But two seats were wanting
+from the full tale.
+
+"What is the reason of this?" asked Arthur. "Why are there two seats
+lacking?"
+
+"Sir," answered Merlin, "no man shall occupy those places but the most
+worshipful of knights. And in the Seat Perilous, which adjoins them, no
+man shall sit but one, and if any one unworthy of this honor shall be so
+hardy as to attempt it, he shall be destroyed. He that shall sit there
+shall have no fellow."
+
+Anon came young Gawaine, the son of King Lot, a squire of handsome mien,
+who asked of the king a gift.
+
+"Ask, and I shall grant it," answered the king.
+
+"I ask that you make me knight on the day you wed fair Guenever."
+
+"That shall I do willingly," said Arthur, "and with what worship I may,
+since you are my nephew, my sister's son."
+
+[Here it is proper to say that Arthur had three sisters, the daughters
+of Queen Igraine and her first husband, the Duke of Tintagil. One of
+these, Margawse, had married King Lot, and had four sons, all of whom
+became valiant knights; Elaine, the second, had married King Neutres of
+Garlot; the third sister, Morgan le Fay, had been put to school, where
+she became learned in the art of necromancy; of the fourth the
+chronicles fail to speak.]
+
+Hardly had Gawaine spoken when there came riding into the court a poor
+man, who brought with him a fair-faced youth, of eighteen years of age,
+riding upon a lean mare.
+
+"Sir, will you grant me a gift?" the old man asked of the king. "I was
+told that you would at the time of your marriage grant any gift that was
+asked for in reason."
+
+"That is true," said the king. "What would you have?"
+
+"Jesu save you, most gracious king. I ask nothing more than that you
+make my son a knight."
+
+"It is a great thing you ask," said the king. "Who are you, and what
+claim has your son to this high honor?"
+
+"I am but a cowherd, great sir, and am the father of thirteen sons. But
+this one is unlike all the rest. He will do no labor, and cares for
+nothing but warlike sports, and seeing knights and battles. And day and
+night he craves for knighthood."
+
+"What is thy name?" the king asked the young man.
+
+"Sir, my name is Tor."
+
+The king looked at him closely. He was of handsome face, and was very
+well made and strong of limb and body.
+
+"Where is the sword with which this youth shall be made knight?" asked
+the king.
+
+"It is here," said Tor.
+
+"Then draw it from the scabbard, and require me to make you a knight."
+
+At these words the youth sprang lightly and gladly from his mare, drew
+the sword, and kneeled before the king, asking him in earnest tones to
+make him a Knight of the Round Table.
+
+"A knight I will make you," answered the king. "But the Round Table is
+not for untried youth."
+
+Thereupon he smote him upon the neck with the sword, and said,--
+
+"Be you a good knight, and I pray God you may be so. If you prove of
+prowess and worth I promise you shall in good time have a seat at the
+Round Table."
+
+"Now, Merlin," said Arthur, "tell me whether this Tor will be a good
+knight or not."
+
+"He should be so," answered Merlin, "for he comes of kingly blood. The
+cowherd here is no more his father than I, but he is the son of the good
+knight, King Pellinore, whose prowess you have much reason to know."
+
+By good hap King Pellinore himself came next morning to the court, and
+was glad to find what honor had been done his son, whom he gladly
+acknowledged as his.
+
+Then Merlin took Pellinore by the hand and led him to the seat next the
+Seat Perilous.
+
+"This is your place at the Round Table," he said. "There is none here so
+worthy as yourself to sit therein."
+
+At a later hour of that eventful day, in the city of London, and at the
+Church of Saint Stephen, King Arthur was wedded unto Dame Guenever,
+with the highest pomp and ceremony, and before as noble an assemblage of
+knights and ladies as the land held.
+
+Afterwards a high feast was made, and as the knights sat, each in his
+appointed place, at the Round Table, Merlin came to them and bade them
+sit still.
+
+"For you shall see a strange and marvellous happening," he said.
+
+Hardly had he spoken before there came running a white hart into the
+hall, closely followed by a white brachet,[1] while thirty couple of
+black hounds in full cry came after, and chased the hart round the
+feasting boards and then round the Round Table.
+
+[Footnote 1: A small scenting dog.]
+
+As they ran the brachet caught the hart by the haunch, and bit out a
+piece, whereupon the wounded animal made a great leap over a table, and
+through a window, with such force as to overthrow a knight. Through the
+window the hounds followed, in full cry.
+
+The fallen knight quickly rose, took up the brachet in his arms, and
+left the hall. Seeking his horse, he rode away, carrying the brachet
+with him. But hardly had he gone when a lady came riding into the hall
+on a white palfrey, and crying aloud to King Arthur,--
+
+"Sir, suffer not yonder knight to do me this wrong. The brachet that he
+has taken away is mine."
+
+She had but ceased speaking when an armed knight rode up on a great
+horse, and took her away by force, though she bitterly cried and called
+for aid.
+
+"This affair must not be taken lightly," said Merlin to the king. "The
+honor of your court requires that you shall redress all wrongs, and
+here, at your marriage feast, have great wrongs been done."
+
+"What do you advise?" asked the king. "I shall be governed by your
+counsel."
+
+"Then," answered Merlin, "call Sir Gawaine, for he must bring again the
+white hart. Also call Sir Tor, for to him must be assigned the adventure
+of the knight and the brachet. As for the lady and the knight, King
+Pellinore must bring them, or slay the knight if he will not come."
+
+Thereupon they were all three called, and they armed and rode forth on
+the errands assigned them. Many and strange were the adventures of these
+valiant knights, but we have matter of more moment to tell, and so
+cannot relate their valorous deeds. We can but say that Gawaine brought
+back the head of the hart, and little honor with it, for by an evil
+accident he killed a lady, and barely escaped with life from her
+champions.
+
+Sir Tor had better fortune, for he brought the brachet alive, and won
+much honor from his deeds.
+
+King Pellinore was also successful in his quest, for he brought back the
+lady in safety, after having fought with and slain her kidnapper. This
+lady's name was Nimue, and of her we shall have many strange things to
+tell hereafter.
+
+Thus ended the three quests which followed the marriage of King Arthur
+and Guenever the fair. Afterwards the king established his knights,
+giving lands to those who were poor, and enjoining all against outrage,
+and in favor of mercy and gentleness. He also bade them to succor all
+ladies in distress, and never to engage in a wrongful quarrel, or to
+strive for worldly goods.
+
+Unto this were sworn all the Knights of the Round Table, old and young.
+And it was ordained that they should renew their oaths every year at the
+high feast of Pentecost, that their obligations might never be
+forgotten, and the honor and renown of the glorious fellowship of the
+Round Table never decline.
+
+In this manner began, that illustrious career of the Knights of the
+Round Table, which was destined to shed the greatest glory on Arthur's
+reign, and to fill the whole world with its fame. Valorous as were the
+knights who first composed that noble order of chivalry, it was
+afterwards to include such world-renowned warriors as Lancelot du Lake,
+Tristram de Lyonesse, and others of little less prowess, the story of
+whose noble exploits and thrilling adventures was destined to be told by
+bards and sung by minstrels till all time should ring with the tale, and
+men of honor in far future days be stirred to emulation of these worthy
+knights of old.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK II.
+
+                          THE DEEDS OF BALIN.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+HOW BALIN WON AND USED THE ENCHANTED SWORD.
+
+
+It befell upon a time when King Arthur was at London, that tidings came
+to him that King Ryons of North Wales was carrying out his threat. He
+had crossed the borders with an army, and was burning and harrying his
+lands and slaying his people without mercy. On learning this the king
+sent word to his lords and knights to assemble with all haste at
+Camelot, where a council would be held and measures of defence and
+reprisal taken.
+
+And it so fell out that while this assembly was in session at Camelot, a
+damsel came into the court who had been sent by the great lady Lile of
+Avelion. When she came before King Arthur she let fall her mantle, which
+was richly furred, and revealed a noble sword, with which she was girt.
+
+"Damsel," said the king in wonder, "why wear you that sword? It beseems
+you not."
+
+"Indeed, sir, it is a sore burden to me," replied the damsel, "but I
+must wear it till a knight of the highest honor and virtue can be found
+to deliver me of my charge. None other than such a one may draw this
+sword from its sheath, for so it is ordained. I have been to King
+Ryons's camp, where I was told there were knights of high excellence,
+and he and all his knights tried it, but in vain. I have therefore come
+to your court with my burden, and hope that the knight fit to draw it
+may here be found."
+
+"This is surely a great marvel," said Arthur. "I shall try to draw the
+sword myself; not that I claim to be the best knight, but as an example
+to my barons."
+
+Then Arthur took the sword by the sheath and the girdle, and pulled at
+it eagerly, but it failed to yield.
+
+"You need not pull so hard," said the damsel. "He who shall draw it will
+need little strength, but much virtue."
+
+"Now try ye, all my barons," said Arthur. "But beware ye be not defiled
+with shame, treachery, or guile."
+
+"That is well advised," said, the damsel, "for none shall draw it but a
+clean knight without villany, and of gentle birth both by father and
+mother."
+
+Then most of the Knights of the Round Table who were there tried their
+fortunes, but none succeeded in the magic task.
+
+"Alas!" said the damsel, "I hoped to find in this court the best knights
+upon earth."
+
+"By my faith," said Arthur, "the world holds no better knights; but it
+grieves me to find that none here seem to have the grace or power to
+draw this sword."
+
+It happened that at that time there was a poor knight of Northumberland
+birth in Arthur's court, Balin by name. He had been held prisoner there
+more than half a year, for slaying a knight who was cousin to the king,
+and had just been set free through the good services of some of the
+barons, who knew that he was not at fault in this deed.
+
+When he learned what was being done his heart bade him try his fortune,
+but he was so poor and so shabbily dressed that he held back in shame.
+Yet when the damsel took her leave of Arthur and his barons, and was
+passing from the court, Balin called to her and said,--
+
+"Suffer me, I pray you, to try this venture. Though I am poorly clad,
+and but ill considered, I feel in my heart that in honor and grace I
+stand as high as any of those knights."
+
+The damsel looked on him with some disdain, and begged him not to put
+her to useless trouble, for he seemed not the man to succeed where so
+many of noble guise had failed.
+
+"Fair damsel," he replied, "you should well know that worthiness and
+good qualities do not dwell in attire, but that manhood and virtue lie
+hidden within man's person, not in his dress; and therefore many a
+worshipful knight is not known to all people."
+
+"You speak wisely," said the damsel. "You shall essay the task, and may
+fortune befriend you."
+
+Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath, and drew it out with
+such ease that king and barons alike were filled with wonder, and many
+of the knights, in spite and jealousy, cried that Balin had done this
+not by might, but by witchcraft.
+
+"He is a good knight," cried the damsel, "the best and worthiest among
+you all, even if fortune has dealt with him shabbily. Now, gentle and
+courteous knight, give me the sword again."
+
+"No," said Balin, "I have fairly won this sword, and well it pleases me.
+I shall keep it unless it be taken from me by force."
+
+"You are not wise to keep it," said the damsel. "I warn you that if you
+do so you will slay with the sword your best friend and the man you most
+love in the world, and that it will be your destruction."
+
+"I shall take such adventure as God may ordain me," said Balin, "but by
+the faith of my body I shall keep the sword."
+
+"You will quickly repent it," said the damsel. "It is more for your good
+than for mine that I ask it back. I am sad to find that you will not
+believe me, and will bring destruction on yourself. The wilful man makes
+his own destiny." With this the damsel departed, in great sorrow.
+
+Then Balin sent for his horse and his armor, and made ready to depart,
+though Arthur begged him to remain.
+
+"I knew not your worth," he said, "or you should not have been so
+unkindly treated. I was misinformed concerning you."
+
+"My heartfelt thanks are yours," said Balin. "But asking your good
+grace, I must needs depart."
+
+"Then tarry not long, fair knight; you shall always be welcome to my
+court."
+
+So Balin donned his armor and made ready to depart. But while he still
+tarried there came to the court a lady richly attired, and riding on a
+handsome horse.
+
+She saluted King Arthur, and presented herself as the Lady of the Lake,
+from whom he had received the sword, saying that she had now come to
+demand the gift which he had promised her whenever she should ask for
+it.
+
+"A gift I promised you, indeed," said Arthur, "and you do well to ask
+it. But first I would know the name of the sword you gave me."
+
+"The name of it," said the lady, "is Excalibur, which signifies
+cut-steel."
+
+"Then well is it named," said the king. "Now ask what gift you will. If
+it is in my power to present you shall have it."
+
+"What I ask," said the Lady of the Lake, "is the head of the knight who
+has just won the sword, or of the damsel who brought it; or both their
+heads, if you will. He slew my brother, and she caused my father's
+death."
+
+"Truly," said the king, in pain and wonder, "you ask what I cannot in
+honor grant. Ask what you will else and you shall not be denied, but
+even a king cannot pay his debts with murder."
+
+"I shall ask nothing else," said the lady. "Little deemed I that King
+Arthur would be recreant to his word."
+
+When Balin was told of the demand of the Lady of the Lake, he went
+straight to her, where she stood before the king, and said, "Evil you
+are in heart and voice, and evil have ever been. Vile enchantress, you
+would have my head, and therefore, shall lose yours." And with a light
+stroke of his sword he smote off her head before the king, so that it
+fell bleeding at his feet.
+
+"What shame is this?" cried Arthur, in hot wrath. "Why have you dared
+treat thus a lady to whom I was beholden, and who came here under my
+safe-conduct?"
+
+"Your displeasure grieves me," said Balin. "But you know not this lady,
+or you would not blame me for her death, for she was of all women the
+vilest that ever breathed. By enchantment and sorcery she has slain many
+good knights, and I have sought her during three years, to repay her for
+the falsehood and treachery by which she caused my mother to be burnt."
+
+"Whatever your grievance, you should not have sought your revenge in my
+presence. You have done me a foul disgrace, sir knight. Leave my court
+in all haste while you may, and believe me you shall be made to repent
+this insult to my dignity."
+
+Then Balin took up the head of the lady, and meeting his squire at his
+inn, they rode together from the town.
+
+"Now," said the knight, "we must part. Take this head and bear it to my
+friends in Northumberland, and tell them that my mortal foe is dead.
+Also tell them that I am out of prison, and by what adventure I got this
+sword."
+
+"You were greatly to blame to displease King Arthur," said the squire.
+
+"As for that," said Balin, "I hope to win his grace again by the death
+or capture of King Ryons, whom I go to meet. The woman sought my death,
+and has had her just deserts."
+
+"Where shall I find you again?" asked the squire.
+
+"In King Arthur's court."
+
+And so they parted. Meanwhile King Arthur and all the court grieved
+deeply over the death of the Lady of the Lake, and felt greatly shamed
+that they had not hindered the sudden and bloody deed. And the king
+ordered that she should have a rich and stately funeral.
+
+At this time there was in Arthur's court a knight named Lanceor, the son
+of the king of Ireland, a proud and valiant warrior, who was angry at
+Balin for winning the sword, and sought revenge on him. He asked the
+king to give him leave to ride after Balin and revenge the insult to his
+crown.
+
+"Go and do your best," said the king. "Balin has done me a great
+despite, and richly deserves punishment."
+
+Thereupon the knight of Ireland armed and rode at all speed after Balin,
+whom he quickly overtook on a mountain side. He called to him in loud
+tones,--
+
+"Stop, sir knight. You shall halt whether you will or not, and the
+shield you bear shall prove but light defence to you, for I am come to
+punish you for your crime."
+
+Hearing this outcry, Balin turned fiercely, and demanded,--
+
+"What do you wish, sir knight? Are you here to joust with me?"
+
+"It is for that I have followed you," said the Irish knight.
+
+"It might have been better for you to stay at home," answered Balin.
+"Many a knight who thinks to chastise his enemy finds ill fortune to
+fall upon himself. From what court have you been sent?"
+
+"From the court of King Arthur, to revenge the insult you put upon him
+in murdering his guest before his face."
+
+"Then must I fight with you," said Balin. "Yet I warn you your quarrel
+is a weak one. The lady that is dead richly deserved her fate, or I
+should have been as loath as any knight living to kill a woman."
+
+"Make ready," said Lanceor. "Fight we must, and one of us shall remain
+dead upon this field. Our combat is to the utterance."
+
+Then they put their spears in rest, and rode together at the full speed
+of their horses, meeting with a shock in mid career. Lanceor struck
+Balin a blow upon the shield that shivered the spear in his hand. But
+Balin smote him with such force that the spear-point went through shield
+and hauberk, and pierced his body, so that he fell dead to the earth.
+
+As the victorious knight stood looking on the corpse of his slain foe,
+there came from Camelot a damsel, who rode up at full speed upon a fair
+palfrey. When she saw that Lanceor was dead she fell into a passion of
+sorrow, and cried out in tones of deep lamentation,--
+
+"Oh, Balin, thou hast slain two bodies and one heart! Yes, two hearts
+in one body, and two souls thou hast murdered with thy fatal spear."
+
+Then she took the sword from her love, and as she took it fell to the
+ground in a swoon. When she arose again her sorrow was so great that
+Balin was grieved to the heart, and he sought to take the sword from her
+hands, but she held it so firmly that he could not wrest it from her
+without hurting her. Suddenly, before he could move to hinder, she set
+the pommel of the sword to the ground and threw her body upon the naked
+blade. Pierced through the heart, she fell dead upon the body of her
+slain love.
+
+"Alas!" said Balin, "that this should have happened. I deeply regret the
+death of this knight for the love of this damsel; for such true love as
+this I never saw before. Yet his death was forced on me, and hers I
+could not hinder."
+
+Full of sorrow, he turned his horse, and as he looked towards a great
+forest near by he saw a knight riding towards him, whom he knew, by his
+arms, to be his brother Balan.
+
+When they were met they took off their helmets and kissed each other,
+and wept for joy and pity.
+
+"I little expected to meet you thus," said Balan. "A man in the Castle
+of Four Stones told me that you were freed from prison, and therefore I
+came hither in hope to find you at the court."
+
+Then Balin told his brother of all that had happened at Camelot, and of
+the displeasure of the king, and that he had determined to win Arthur's
+favor at the risk of his life.
+
+"King Ryons lies not far away besieging the Castle Terrabil," he said.
+"Thither will we ride, to prove our worth and prowess upon him."
+
+"I shall be your comrade," said Balan. "We shall help each other as
+brethren should, and trust to God for fortune."
+
+As they stood conversing there came a dwarf riding in all haste from
+Camelot. When he saw the dead bodies he tore his hair for sorrow.
+
+"Which of you knights has done this foul deed?" he demanded.
+
+"Why do you ask?" queried Balin.
+
+"Because I have the right to know."
+
+"It was I," said Balin. "He pursued me hither, and forced me to fight.
+One of us had to die. As for the damsel, she died by her own hand, for
+which no man can be sorrier than I. For her sake I shall owe all women
+the better love and favor."
+
+"You have done yourself great damage," said the dwarf. "The kindred of
+this knight will follow you through the world till they have revenged on
+you his death."
+
+"That I do not greatly dread," said Balin. "But I am sorry to have
+displeased King Arthur for the death of this knight; and sorrier still
+for the fate of this lovelorn damsel."
+
+As they thus talked there chanced to pass a king of Cornwall, named King
+Mark, who halted on seeing the dead bodies, and demanded what had been
+done. When the tale was told him he was grieved that true love should
+have met so sad a fate, and said, "I shall not leave here till I have
+built them a tomb, for they have earned a rich interment."
+
+Then he pitched his tents, and buried them nobly, placing above them a
+rich and fair tomb which he found in a church near by, and upon this
+tomb he wrote their epitaph, as follows:
+
+"Here lieth Lanceor, the son of Ireland's king, who was slain in fair
+combat by the hands of Balin; and his lady Colombe, who for deep love
+and sorrow slew herself with her true love's sword. May lovers
+henceforth make this their place of pilgrimage."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+HOW ARTHUR TRIUMPHED OVER THE KINGS.
+
+
+While the tomb was being erected over the dead knight and his love,
+Merlin appeared at the scene.
+
+"You have done yourself great harm," he said to Balin. "Why saved you
+not this lady?"
+
+"By the faith of my body, I could not," said Balin, "she slew herself so
+suddenly."
+
+"This must I tell you," said Merlin. "Because of the death of this lady
+you shall strike a stroke the most dolorous that ever man struck, except
+the stroke of our Lord; for you shall hurt the truest knight and the man
+of most worship that now lives, and through that stroke three kingdoms
+shall be in great poverty, misery, and wretchedness for twelve years,
+and the knight you will hurt shall not be whole of his wound for many
+years."
+
+"If I knew that it were true as you say," answered Balin, "I would do
+such a rash deed as to slay myself to make you a liar. But the future
+must reveal itself. I trust no man's predictions."
+
+Thereupon Merlin suddenly vanished away, leaving them in deep marvel at
+his coming and going. Soon after Balin and his brother took leave of
+King Mark.
+
+"First," said the king, "tell me your name."
+
+"You see he bears two swords," said Balan. "You may call him the knight
+with the two swords."
+
+And so King Mark rode towards Camelot, and the brothers towards
+Terrabil. As they rode, Merlin again met them, but now in disguise.
+
+"Whither do you ride?" he asked.
+
+"Why should we tell you that?" said the knights.
+
+"You need not, for I know already. And I can tell you this. You will
+gain no advantage over King Ryons without my counsel."
+
+"Ah! you are Merlin," said Balin. "Then we shall be glad of your
+counsel."
+
+"Come then with me. But look that you brace yourself to knightly deeds,
+for you will have great need to do so."
+
+"As for that," said Balin, "we will do what we can. No knight can do
+more."
+
+Then Merlin lodged them in a leafy wood beside the highway, where they
+rested till it was near midnight. He then awakened them and bade them
+rise and make ready, for the king they sought was near at hand. He had
+stolen away from his host with threescore of his best knights to visit a
+lady.
+
+"How shall we know the king?" asked Balin.
+
+"Hereby is a narrow way where you shall meet him," said Merlin.
+
+They followed him to the place, where they lay in ambush till the rattle
+of harness showed that the party approached. Then, at Merlin's
+suggestion, the two knights rode from their covert and assailed the king
+at the head of his followers, wounding him sorely and hurling him to the
+ground. They then, in the darkness, attacked the array of knights with
+the fury of lions, slaying more than forty of them, and putting the
+remnant to flight.
+
+This done, they returned to King Ryons where he lay helpless, and with a
+threat of death forced him to yield himself to their grace.
+
+"Valiant knights, slay me not," he asked. "You may profit by my life,
+but can win nothing by my death."
+
+"There you speak truly," said they, and lifting him carefully they
+placed him on a horse-litter for conveyance to Camelot.
+
+Then Merlin vanished and came to King Arthur, whom he told that his
+greatest enemy was vanquished and taken.
+
+"By whom?" asked the king.
+
+"By two of the most valorous knights in your realm. To-morrow you shall
+learn who they are."
+
+In good time Balin and his brother came with the wounded king and
+delivered him to the porters at the gates, charging them to bear him to
+King Arthur. Then they turned again and departed in the dawning of the
+day.
+
+When King Ryons was brought to the court, Arthur received him
+graciously.
+
+"Sir king," he said, "you are heartily welcome. By what adventure came
+you hither?"
+
+"By a hard one," said the captive, "as you well may see."
+
+"Who won you?" asked Arthur.
+
+"The knight with the two swords and his brother," said Ryons. "And
+knights of marvellous prowess they are."
+
+"I know them not," said Arthur, "but none the less am I deeply beholden
+to them."
+
+"I shall tell you," said Merlin. "One of these knights was Balin, he
+that won the sword; the other was Balan, his brother, and as good a
+knight. And it is the most sorrowful thing that tongue can say that
+neither of these brave knights shall live long to win the fame of which
+they are so worthy."
+
+"Alas!" said Arthur, "if that be so, it is indeed a great pity. I am
+much beholden to Balin, for he has highly redeemed the despite he did
+me. I have not deserved such good service at his hands."
+
+"He shall do more for you, and that soon," said Merlin. "I must now
+depart, for I have duties elsewhere; but before I go let me warn you to
+prepare your forces for battle at once. To-morrow before noon you will
+be set upon by a great host, led by Nero, King Ryons's brother.
+Therefore make all haste for your defence."
+
+Merlin's departure was for a purpose which he told not to the king. He
+well knew that King Lot of Orkney, Arthur's bitterest foe, was marching
+to join Nero with a powerful host, and foresaw that if they fell
+together on King Arthur he and all his army would be destroyed. The
+shrewd magician thereupon repaired to King Lot, and held him with idle
+tales of prophecy till Nero and his people were destroyed.
+
+For between Nero and Arthur a vigorous battle was fought, in which many
+knights won honor and renown, while King Arthur with his own hand slew
+twenty knights and maimed forty. But Balin and his brother Balan, who
+came in during the fight, did such mighty deeds of prowess that all who
+beheld them said they fought like angels from heaven or devils from
+hell, while Arthur beheld their prowess with wonder and delight, and
+vowed that he owed to them his victory.
+
+The combat, which took place at the Castle Terrabil, ended in the
+complete defeat of Nero, and the destruction of nearly all his host.
+Word of this disaster was brought to King Lot, where he lay resting with
+his army.
+
+"Alas!" he said, "why did I let myself be beguiled? Had I been there no
+host under heaven could have matched us. That false prattler, with his
+prophecy, has mocked and befooled me. But what shall now be done? Shall
+we treat with Arthur, or is it wise to fight him with half an army?"
+
+"His men are weary with fighting and we are fresh," said a knight. "Now
+is the time to set upon him."
+
+"So be it, then. And I hope that every knight will bear himself in the
+fray as well as I, for it is no laggard's task we have now before us."
+
+Then with waving banners and serried spears they assailed Arthur's
+weary host. But the Round Table Knights, with the aid of the two valiant
+brothers Balin and Balan, roused themselves vigorously to the fray, and
+bore all before them, so that only where King Lot himself fought did his
+host hold its ground. But where he battled in the van all his men seemed
+borne up by his valor, and not a knight met him but was overthrown or
+forced back by his prowess.
+
+Then King Pellinore pushed through the press of knights and horses, and
+struck a mighty stroke at King Lot as he fought at the head of his host.
+The sword failed in its aim, but struck the neck of the king's horse, so
+that the wounded animal fell to the ground with its rider. Then
+Pellinore struck so furious a stroke that his sword cut King Lot's
+helmet in twain, and cleft his head to the brows, hurling him lifeless
+to the earth.
+
+Seeing their king thus slain, all the host of Orkney turned and fled,
+and great was the slaughter in the pursuit. That day there fell in all
+twelve kings, who fought with Lot and Nero, and all these were buried in
+the church of Saint Stevens at Camelot.
+
+[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+
+KING ARTHUR'S TOMB.]
+
+Of the tombs that were made for these kings that of King Lot was most
+richly adorned, and King Arthur had a tomb prepared for himself beside
+it. For this he had made twelve images of brass and copper, which were
+gilt with gold. These represented the twelve kings, and each of them
+held a taper of wax, that burned night and day. An image of King Arthur
+was also made, in the form of a statue that stood above the twelve kings
+with a drawn sword in its hand, while the faces of the twelve images
+were those of men that had been overcome. All these figures were made by
+Merlin through his subtle craft.
+
+"When I am dead," he said to the king, "these tapers shall burn no
+longer. Then the end will be near, and the adventures of the Sangreal
+shall be achieved."
+
+Much more he told the king of the strange events that would come to pass
+in the future time; and further he said,--
+
+"Look well to the scabbard of Excalibur. You shall lose no blood while
+you wear this scabbard, even though you be covered with wounds."
+
+Thus admonished, Arthur, in loving trust, took the scabbard to Morgan le
+Fay, his sister, and gave it into her care to keep for him. Much did he
+peril in doing so, for Morgan was false at heart, and proved recreant to
+her trust, from love for a knight named Accolan, whom she cherished in
+her soul beyond her husband, while she had grown to hate her brother.
+She made, by enchantment, another scabbard like the one given her in
+trust, and gave the scabbard of Excalibur to her love. By this deed of
+treachery she hoped in her false soul to bring King Arthur to his death.
+And well-nigh she succeeded therein, as shall be told hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW BALIN GAVE THE DOLOROUS STROKE.
+
+
+A day or two after King Arthur had placed the magical scabbard in the
+hands of his evil-thinking sister, he grew unwell, and had his tent
+pitched in a meadow near Camelot for the benefit of the fresh air and
+the green verdure. Here he sought in vain to sleep, lying long in uneasy
+wakefulness. As he thus lay he heard a horse approaching, and looking
+through the door of his tent, beheld a knight, who lamented deeply as he
+came.
+
+"Halt! fair sir," cried Arthur. "Tell me the cause of your sorrow."
+
+"You can little aid me," said the knight, and he rode onward without
+further answer.
+
+Soon afterward Balin rode up, and on seeing King Arthur sprang from his
+horse and saluted him.
+
+"By my head, you are welcome," said the king. "A knight has just ridden
+past here moaning sadly, but has declined to tell me the cause of his
+sorrow. I desire of your courtesy to bring that knight to me, either by
+force or good-will, for I wish greatly to know why he so deeply
+grieves."
+
+"That is little to what I should be glad to do for you," said Balin. He
+rode on apace, and ere long found the knight in a neighboring forest in
+company with a damsel.
+
+"Sir knight," he said, "you must come with me to King Arthur. He demands
+to see you and learn the cause of your sorrow."
+
+"That I shall not do," said the knight. "It will injure me greatly, and
+do no good to you or him."
+
+"Then you must make ready to fight," said Balin. "I have my order to
+bring you willingly or by force, and I should be loath to have a fight
+with you."
+
+"Will you be my warrant if I go with you?" asked the knight. "For truly
+you lead me into danger."
+
+"Yes. And I shall die rather than let you come to harm, if it is in my
+power to avert it."
+
+This said, the knight turned and rode back with Balin, accompanied by
+the damsel. But as they reached King Arthur's pavilion a strange thing
+happened. A spear was thrust through the body of the knight, inflicting
+a mortal wound. Yet the hand and form of him who did this fatal deed
+remained unseen.
+
+"Alas!" said the knight, "it is as I feared. Under your conduct and
+guard I have been slain by a traitorous knight called Garlon, who
+through enchantment rides invisible, and does such deeds as this. My day
+is done. As you are a true knight, I charge you to take my horse, which
+is better than yours, and ride with this damsel on the quest which for
+me is at an end. Follow as she will lead, and revenge my death when best
+you may."
+
+"That shall I do," said Balin. "Upon the honor of knighthood I vow to
+follow your quest, and to revenge you on this false foe, or die as you
+have done."
+
+Then, leaving the king, Balin rode with the damsel, who bore with her
+the truncheon of the spear with which the knight had been killed. After
+they had gone, King Arthur had the knight buried richly and honorably,
+and had written upon the tomb his name, Herleus de Berbeus, and how he
+came to his death through the treachery of the invisible knight Garlon.
+
+Meanwhile Balin and the damsel rode onward until they found themselves
+in a forest. Here they met a knight engaged in hunting, who asked Balin
+why he showed such grief.
+
+"That I do not care to tell," said Balin.
+
+"You should if I were armed as you are, for your answer is too curt to
+be courteous."
+
+"My story is not worth fighting for," answered Balin. "I will tell you
+if you so greatly desire to know." He thereupon told him the fatal event
+which had just occurred, and that he mourned the untimely death of the
+knight who had been so treacherously slain.
+
+"This is a sad story," said the knight. "As I am a true cavalier I will
+go with you on your quest, and leave you not while life lasts."
+
+Then he went with Balin to his inn, armed himself, and rode forth with
+him. But as they passed by a hermitage near a church-yard the invisible
+knight Garlon came again, and smote Balin's companion through the body,
+as he had done to Herleus before.
+
+"Alas!" cried the knight. "I too am slain by this invisible traitor, who
+does murder at will under cover of enchantment."
+
+"It is not the first despite the wretch has done me," cried Balin.
+"Could I see him I would soon repay this outrage. I am bound by the
+honor of a knight to a double revenge on this unworthy caitiff."
+
+He and the hermit thereupon buried the slain knight, Perin de
+Mountbeliard, under a rich stone in a noble tomb, inscribing thereon the
+cause of his death.
+
+In the morning the knight and damsel proceeded on their quest, and in
+good time found themselves before a castle, which rose high and broad by
+the roadside. Here Balin alighted, and he and the damsel turned towards
+the castle, with purpose to enter. But as Balin entered in advance the
+portcullis was suddenly let fall behind him, cutting him off from his
+companion. Immediately a number of men assailed the damsel with drawn
+swords.
+
+When Balin saw this treacherous proceeding his soul burned within him.
+What to do at first he knew not. Then he ran hastily into the gate
+tower, and leaped, all armed, over the wall into the ditch. Finding
+himself unhurt, he drew his sword and rushed furiously upon the armed
+men who surrounded his companion.
+
+"Traitors and dogs!" he cried. "If you are eager for fight, I will give
+you your fill."
+
+"We cannot fight you," they answered. "We do nothing but keep the old
+custom of the castle."
+
+"What is that?" asked Balin. "It is an ill custom, methinks, that thus
+displays itself."
+
+"Our lady is sick, and has lain so for many years. Nothing will cure her
+but a dish full of blood from a maid and a king's daughter. It is,
+therefore, the custom that no damsel shall pass this way without
+leaving a silver dish full of blood."
+
+"That is for the damsel to say," replied Balin. "If she chooses to bleed
+for the good of your lady she may, but her life shall not be taken while
+mine lasts."
+
+The damsel thereupon yielded a dish full of her blood, but it helped not
+the lady. She and Balin rested in the castle for the night, where they
+had good cheer. In the morning they proceeded again on their quest.
+
+Three or four days now passed without adventure. At the end of that time
+the knight and damsel found lodging in the house of a rich gentleman,
+the owner of a fair estate. As they sat at supper Balin was moved by the
+grievous complaints of one who sat beside him, and asked his host the
+cause of this lamentation.
+
+"It is this," said the host. "I was lately at a tournament, where I
+twice overthrew a knight who is brother to King Pellam. He threatened to
+revenge his defeat on my best friend, and has done so by wounding my
+son. The hurt is a grievous one, and cannot be cured till I have some of
+that knight's blood; but how to find him I know not, for his name is
+unknown to me, and he always rides invisible."
+
+"Aha!" cried Balin, "has that treacherous dog been at his murderous work
+again? I know his name well. It is Garlon, and he has lately slain two
+knightly companions of mine in the same base manner. I should rather
+meet with that invisible wretch than have all the gold in this kingdom.
+Let me see him once and he or I dies."
+
+"I shall tell you what to do, then," said the host. "King Pellam of
+Listeneise has announced a great feast, to be given within twenty days,
+to which no knight can come unless he brings with him his wife or his
+love. That false knight, your enemy and mine, will be there, and visible
+to human eyes."
+
+"Then, as I am a true knight," cried Balin, "you shall have of his blood
+enough to twice heal your son's wound, if I die in the getting it."
+
+"We shall set forward to-morrow," said the host, "and I hope it may be
+as you say."
+
+In the morning they rode towards Listeneise, which it took them fifteen
+days to reach, and where the great feast began on the day of their
+arrival. Leaving their horses in the stables, they sought to enter the
+castle, but Balin's companion was refused admittance, as he had no lady
+with him. Balin, however, having the damsel with him, was at once
+received, and taken to a chamber where he laid aside his armor and put
+on rich robes which the attendants brought him. They wished him to leave
+his sword, but to this he objected.
+
+"It is the custom of my country," he said, "for a knight always to keep
+his weapon with him. This custom shall I keep, or depart as I came."
+
+Hearing this, they objected no longer to his wearing his sword, and he
+thereupon entered the feasting chambers with his lady companion. Here he
+found himself among many worshipful knights and fair ladies.
+
+Balin, after looking carefully round him, asked a guest,--
+
+"Is there not a knight in this good company named Garlon?"
+
+"Yes. Yonder knight is he, the one with the dark face. And let me tell
+you that there is no more marvellous knight living. He has the power of
+going invisible, and has destroyed many good knights unseen."
+
+"I have heard of this," said Balin. "A marvellous gift, indeed. This,
+then, is Garlon? Thanks for your information."
+
+Then Balin considered anxiously what had best be done. "If I slay him
+here my own life will pay the forfeit," he said to himself. "But if I
+let him escape me now it may be long before I have such an opportunity,
+and in the meanwhile he may do much harm."
+
+As he stood thus reflecting, with his eyes fixed on Garlon's face, the
+latter observed his close and stern regard. In haughty anger he came to
+him and smote him on the face with the back of his hand.
+
+"Sir knight," he said, "take that for your impertinent stare. Now eat
+your meat, and do what you came here for. Hereafter learn to use your
+eyes to better purpose."
+
+"You dog!" cried Balin, "this is not your first insult to me. You bid me
+do what I came for. It is this." As he spoke he rose furiously from his
+seat, drew his sword, and with one fierce blow clove Garlon's head to
+the shoulders.
+
+"That is my errand here," cried Balin to the guests. "Now give me the
+truncheon," he said to the damsel, "with which he slew your knight."
+
+She gave it to him, and Balin thrust it through Garlon's body,
+exclaiming,--
+
+"With that truncheon you killed a good knight, and with this blow I
+revenge him."
+
+Then he called his late host, who had by this gained entrance to the
+feast, and said,--
+
+"Here lies your foe. Take with you enough of his blood to heal your
+son."
+
+All this had happened so quickly that none had time to interfere, but
+the knights now sprang hastily from their seats, and rushed from the
+hall for their weapons, that they might revenge their slain companion.
+Among them rose King Pellam, crying furiously,--
+
+"Why have you killed my brother! Villain and murderer, you shall die for
+this!"
+
+"Here I stand," said Balin. "If you wish revenge, seek it yourself. I
+stand in my defence."
+
+"It is well said," cried the king. "Stand back, all. For the love I bore
+my brother I will take his revenge on myself. Let no one interfere. This
+murderer is mine."
+
+Then King Pellam snatched up a mighty weapon and struck fiercely at
+Balin, who threw up his own sword in guard. He was in time to save his
+head, but the treacherous blade went into pieces beneath the stroke,
+leaving him unarmed before the furious king.
+
+Balin, finding himself thus in danger of death, ran into a neighboring
+chamber in search of a weapon, closely pursued by his enraged adversary.
+Finding none there, he ran on from chamber to chamber, seeking a weapon
+in vain, with King Pellam raging like a maddened lion behind him.
+
+At length Balin entered a rich and marvellously adorned chamber, within
+which was a bed covered with cloth of gold of the noblest texture, and
+in this bed a person lay. Near by was a table with a top of solid gold
+and four curiously-shaped pillars of silver for its legs, while upon it
+stood a mighty spear, whose handle was strangely wrought, as though it
+had been made for a mighty king.
+
+But of all this marvel and magnificence Balin saw only the spear, which
+he seized at once with a strong grip, and turned with it to face his
+adversary. King Pellam was close at hand, with sword uplifted for a
+fatal stroke, but as he rushed in blind rage forward Balin pierced his
+body with the spear, hurling him insensible to the floor.
+
+Little dreamed the fated warrior of all that thrust portended. The spear
+he used was a magical weapon, and prophecy had long declared that the
+deadliest evil should come from its use. King Pellam had no sooner
+fallen beneath that fatal thrust than all the castle rocked and tottered
+as if a mighty earthquake had passed beneath its walls, and the air was
+filled with direful sounds. Then down crushed the massive roof, and with
+a sound like that of the trumpet-blast of disaster the strong walls rent
+asunder, and rushed downward in a torrent of ruin. One moment that
+stately pile lifted its proud battlements in majesty toward the skies;
+the next it lay prostrate as though it had been stricken by the hand of
+God to the earth.
+
+Men say who saw it that when fell that fatal blow--thereafter to be
+known in history and legend as the "dolorous stroke"--the castle
+shivered like a forest struck by a strong wind, and then fell with a
+mighty crash, burying hundreds beneath its walls. Among these were Balin
+and King Pellam, who lay there for three days without aid or relief, in
+deep agony and peril of death.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE FATE OF BALIN AND BALAN.
+
+
+At the end of the three days came Merlin, who rescued Balin from under
+the ruined walls.
+
+"Your horse is dead," he said, "but I have brought you another, and the
+sword you won in Arthur's hall. My counsel is that you ride out of this
+country with all speed; for little you know the evil you have done."
+
+"The damsel I brought hither must go with me," said Balin.
+
+"She shall never go farther," answered Merlin. "The damsel is dead, and
+with her many a good knight and fair lady. That blow of yours was the
+fatalest ever struck, as you may see in the ruin of this castle, and as
+you will see further when you ride abroad through this distracted
+country."
+
+"What have I done?" cried Balin. "How could I know that such dread
+disaster dwelt within that spear? Who was he that lay within the bed,
+and what does this strange thing portend?"
+
+"You did but what destiny commanded," said Merlin. "It is fate, not you,
+that is at fault. Let me tell you the meaning of this mighty and
+terrible event, which destiny has thrown into your hands. He who lay in
+that rich bed was Joseph of Arimathea, who came years ago into this
+land, and bore with him part of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. And
+that spear was the same fatal weapon with which Longius smote our Lord
+to the heart. King Pellam was nigh akin to Joseph of Arimathea, and
+great pity is it of his hurt, for that stroke has filled the land with
+trouble, grief, and mourning. As for King Pellam, he shall lie for many
+years in sore pain from the wound you dealt him, and shall never be
+whole again until Galahad, the high prince, shall heal him when he comes
+this way in the quest of the Sangreal."
+
+These words said, Balin mounted his horse, and departed in deep grief
+for the harm he had wrought, saying to Merlin as he left, "In this world
+we shall never meet again, for I feel that destiny has marked me for its
+victim." But little knew he the full effects of that fatal blow till he
+rode forth through the land. Then as he went through the once fair
+cities and fertile country he saw the people lying dead on every side,
+and cities and lands in ruin together. Few remained alive of all the
+inhabitants of that populous realm, and as he passed these cried out to
+him,--
+
+"Oh, Balin, terrible is the harm that thou hast done to this innocent
+land! Three countries lie destroyed through the dolorous stroke thou
+gavest unto King Pellam. Woe to thee for this dread deed! Thou hast
+escaped alive, yet doubt not but the vengeance of heaven will fall on
+thee at last!"
+
+Great was the grief and suffering with which the good knight heard these
+words, and glad at heart was he when at length he left behind him that
+land of woe and ruin, to which his innocent hand had wrought such deadly
+harm.
+
+But as he rode onward the feeling came to him that his end was at hand,
+though this grieved him little, for he felt as one set apart to do
+heaven's work of destiny. And for eight days thereafter he rode over
+many leagues of strange country without adventure.
+
+At length came a day when he saw before him, by the roadside, a cross,
+on which in letters of gold was written, "It is not wise for any knight
+alone to ride towards this castle," Then he saw a white-haired old man
+approach, who said,--
+
+"Balin le Savage, you pass your bounds to come this way. Turn again, if
+you would leave this place in safety."
+
+With these words he vanished, and as he did so there rang on the air a
+bugle-blast like that blown for the death of a beast of the chase.
+
+"That blast is blown for me," said Balin. "I am the prize of the
+invisible powers. I am not yet dead, but they claim me for their own."
+
+As he stood lost in deep thought there came trooping from the castle,
+which he now saw in the distance, a hundred fair ladies and many
+knights, who welcomed him with great show of gladness, and led him with
+them to the castle, where he found dancing and minstrelsy, and all
+manner of sport and pleasure. As he stood observing all this the chief
+lady of the castle said to him,--
+
+"Knight of the two swords, there is a custom of this castle which all
+who come here must keep. Hereby is an island which is held by a knight,
+and no man can pass this way unless he joust with him."
+
+"That is an unhappy custom," said Balin. "Why should every traveller be
+forced to fight?"
+
+"You shall have to do with but one knight," said the lady.
+
+"That troubles me little," said Balin. "I and my horse are both weary
+from our journey, but I am not weary at heart, and, if fight I must, I
+am ready to do it now. If death comes to me, it will not come
+unwelcome."
+
+"Your shield does not seem to be a good one," said a knight. "Let me
+lend you a larger one."
+
+Balin took the proffered shield and left his own, and rode to the
+island, where he and his horse were taken over in a great boat. On
+reaching the island shore he met a damsel, who said in sorrowful
+accents,--
+
+"O Knight Balin, why have you left your own shield? Alas! you have put
+yourself in great danger. Had you borne your own you would have been
+known. It is a great pity that a knight of your prowess and hardiness
+should fight unknown."
+
+"I repent that I ever came into this country," said Balin. "But now that
+I am here I shall not turn again, and whatever comes to me, be it life
+or death, I shall take it as my lot."
+
+Then he mounted and rode into the island, in whose midst he saw a
+castle, from which rode a knight wearing red armor, and mounted on a
+horse which bore trappings of the same color. The warriors looked at
+each other, but neither knew the other, though the two swords that Balin
+wore should have revealed him, had not he borne a shield of strange
+device.
+
+Then, couching their spears, the hostile knights rode together at the
+full speed of their war-horses, meeting with such mighty force and equal
+fortune that both horses went down, and both knights were hurled to the
+earth, where they lay in a swoon.
+
+Balin was sorely bruised and weary with travel, and the red knight was
+the first to gain his feet. But as he advanced with drawn sword, Balin
+sprang up and met him with ready shield, returning his blow with such
+force that he cut through his shield and cleft his helmet.
+
+And now began the mightiest battle that island had ever beheld. As they
+fought, Balin looked at the castle and saw that its towers were full of
+ladies who were watching the deadly contest, and who applauded each blow
+as though this combat was meant for their sport. The valiant knights
+fought till their breath failed, and then took rest and fought again,
+until each was sorely wounded and the spot upon which they stood was
+deeply stained with blood.
+
+They fought on until each of them had seven great wounds, the least of
+which might have brought death to the mightiest giant of the world. But
+still the terrible sword-play continued, until their coats of mail were
+so hewn that they stood unarmed, and the blood poured piteously from
+their veins. At length the red knight withdrew a little and lay down.
+Then said Balin,--
+
+"Tell me what knight you are. For never did I meet a man of your prowess
+before."
+
+"I am Balan," was the answer, "brother to the good knight Balin."
+
+"Alas!" cried Balin, "that ever I should see this day!" and he fell to
+the earth in a swoon.
+
+Then Balan dragged himself up on his hands and feet, and took off his
+brother's helmet, but the face was so scarred and blood-stained that he
+did not know it. But when Balin came to himself he cried,--
+
+"Oh, Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me, and I thee! Fate has done
+deadly work this day."
+
+"Heaven aid me!" cried Balan. "I should have known you by your two
+swords, but your shield deceived me."
+
+"A knight in the castle caused me to leave my own shield," said Balin.
+"If I had life enough left me I would destroy that castle for its evil
+customs."
+
+"And I should aid you," said Balan. "They have held me here because I
+happened to slay a knight that kept this island. And if you had slain me
+and lived, you would have been held in the same way as their champion."
+
+As they thus conversed there came to them the lady of the castle, with
+four knights and six ladies and as many yeomen. The lady wept as she
+heard them moan that they as brothers had slain each other, and she
+promised them that they should be richly entombed on the spot in which
+the battle had been fought.
+
+"Now will you send for a priest," asked Balan, "that we may receive the
+sacrament?"
+
+"It shall be done," said the lady.
+
+And so she sent for a priest and gave them the rites of the church.
+
+"When we are buried in one tomb," said Balin, "and the inscription is
+placed over us telling how two brothers here slew each other in
+ignorance and valor, there will never good knight nor good man see our
+tomb but they will pray for our souls, and bemoan our fate."
+
+At this all the ladies wept for pity. Soon after Balan died, but Balin
+lived till midnight. The lady thereupon had them both richly buried, and
+the tomb inscribed as they had asked, though she knew not Balin's name.
+
+But in the morning came the magician Merlin, who wrote Balin's name upon
+the tomb in letters of gold, as follows: "Here lieth Balin le Savage,
+the knight with the two swords, and he that smote the Dolorous Stroke."
+
+More than this did Merlin, through this magic art. In that castle he
+placed a bed, and ordained that whoever should lie therein would lose
+his wits. And he took the sword which Balin had won from the damsel, and
+removed its pommel, placing upon it another pommel. Then he asked a
+knight beside him to lift that sword, but he tried to do so in vain.
+
+"No man shall have power to handle that sword," said Merlin, "but the
+best knight in the world; and that shall be Sir Launcelot, or his son
+Sir Galahad. And Launcelot with this sword shall slay Sir Gawaine, the
+man he loves best in the world." All this he wrote in the pommel of the
+sword.
+
+Then Merlin built to the island a bridge of steel and iron that was but
+half a foot broad, and ordained that no man should cross that bridge
+unless he were of virtuous life and free from treachery or evil thoughts
+and deeds.
+
+This done, Merlin by magical skill fixed Balin's sword in a block of
+marble as great as a millstone, and set it afloat upon the stream in
+such a way that the sword always stood upright above the water. And for
+years this stone swam down the stream, for no man could take it from the
+water or draw the sword, until in time it came to the city of Camelot
+(which is in English Winchester), where the sword was drawn, and many
+strange things followed thereupon, as shall be hereafter related.
+
+Soon after this was done, Merlin came to King Arthur and told him the
+story of the dolorous stroke which Balin had given to King Pellam, and
+of the marvellous battle Balin and Balan had fought, and how they were
+buried in one tomb.
+
+"Alas!" cried Arthur, "I never heard a sadder tale. And much is the loss
+to knighthood and chivalry, for in the world I know not two such
+knights."
+
+Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren born in
+Northumberland, good knights.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+MERLIN'S FOLLY AND FATE.
+
+
+And now we have again a tale of disaster to tell, namely, how Merlin the
+wise fell into love's dotage, and through folly brought himself to a
+living death, so that thenceforth he appeared no more upon the earth,
+and his wise counsels were lost to Arthur and his knights.
+
+For the old magician, who had so long kept free from love's folly,
+became besotted with the damsel named Nimue, she whom King Pellinore had
+brought to the court on his quest at Arthur's marriage.
+
+Merlin quite lost his wits and wisdom through his mad passion for this
+young lady, to whom he would give no rest, but followed her wherever she
+went. The shrewd damsel, indeed, encouraged her doting lover, for he was
+ready to teach her all the secrets of his art, so that in time she
+learned from him so much of his craft that she became skilled in
+necromancy beyond all enchantresses of her time.
+
+The wise magician knew well that his end was at hand, and that the woman
+whom he loved would prove his ruin, but his doting passion was such that
+he had no strength of mind to resist. He came thereupon unto King
+Arthur, and told him what he foresaw, and which it was not in his power
+to prevent; and warned him of many coming events, that he might be
+prepared for them when Merlin was with him no more.
+
+[Illustration: MERLIN AND NIMUE.]
+
+"I have charged you," he said, "to keep in your own hands the sword
+Excalibur and its scabbard, yet well I know that both sword and scabbard
+will be stolen from you by a woman whom you foolishly trust, and that
+your lack of wisdom will bring you near to your death. This also I may
+say, you will miss me deeply. When I am gone you would give all your
+lands to have me again. For Merlin will find no equal in the land."
+
+"That I well know already," said the king. "But, since you foresee so
+fully what is coming upon you, why not provide for it, and by your craft
+overcome it?"
+
+"No," said Merlin, "that may not be. Strong I am, but destiny is
+stronger. There is no magic that can set aside the decrees of fate."
+
+Soon afterwards the damsel departed from the court, but her doting old
+lover followed her wherever she went. And as he sought to practise upon
+her some of his subtle arts, she made him swear, if he would have her
+respond to his love, never to perform enchantment upon her again.
+
+This Merlin swore. Then he and Nimue crossed the sea to the land of
+Benwick, the realm of King Ban, who had helped King Arthur so nobly in
+his wars, and here he saw young Lancelot, the son of King Ban and his
+wife Elaine, who was in the time to come to win world-wide fame.
+
+The queen lamented bitterly to Merlin the mortal war which King Claudas
+made upon her lord and his lands, and the ruin that she feared.
+
+"Be not disturbed thereby," said Merlin. "Your son Lancelot shall
+revenge you upon King Claudas, so that all Christendom shall ring with
+the story of his exploits. And this same youth shall become the most
+famous knight in the world."
+
+"O Merlin!" said the queen, "shall I live to see my son a man of such
+prowess?"
+
+"Yes, my lady and queen, this you shall see, and live many years to
+enjoy his fame."
+
+Soon afterwards Merlin and his lady-love returned to England and came to
+Cornwall, the magician showing her many wonders of his art as they
+journeyed. But he pressed her so for her love that she grew sorely weary
+of his importunate suit, and would have given aught less than her life
+to be rid of him, for she feared him as one possessed of the arts of the
+foul fiend. But say or do what she would, her doting lover clung to her
+all the more devotedly, and wearied her the more with his endless tale
+of love.
+
+Then it came to pass that as they wandered through Cornwall, and Merlin
+showed her all the wonders of that land, they found themselves by a
+rocky steep, under which he told her was a wonderful cavern that had
+been wrought by enchantment in the solid rock, its mouth being closed by
+a mighty mass of stone.
+
+Here, with all her art of love, and a subtle show of affection, the
+faithless damsel so bewitched Merlin that for joy he knew not what he
+did; and at her earnest wish he removed by his craft the stone that
+sealed the cavern's mouth, and went under it that he might show her all
+the marvels that lay there concealed.
+
+But hardly had he entered when, using the magic arts which she had
+learned from him, the faithless woman caused the great stone to sink
+back with a mighty sound into its place, shutting up the enchanter so
+firmly in that underground cavern that with all his craft he could never
+escape. For he had taught her his strongest arts of magic, and do what
+he would he could never move that stone.
+
+This faithless act performed, the damsel departed and left Merlin a
+prisoner in the rock. She alone of all the world could set him free, and
+that she would not do, but kept her secret, and thanked heaven for her
+deliverance.
+
+And so Merlin, through his doting folly, passed out of the world of men
+into a living tomb.
+
+Long days and months passed before his fate was known, and then chance
+brought to his cavern prison a valiant knight named Bagdemagus, who had
+left Arthur's court in anger because Sir Tor was given a vacant seat at
+the Round Table which he claimed as his due.
+
+As he wandered through that part of Cornwall in quest of adventures, he
+came one day past a great rock from which dire lamentations seemed to
+issue. Hearing those woeful sounds, Bagdemagus sought to remove the
+stone that closed the cavern's mouth, but so firmly was it fixed by
+enchantment that a hundred men could not have stirred it from its place.
+
+"Strive no longer," came a voice from within. "You labor in vain."
+
+"Who is it that speaks?" asked the knight.
+
+"I am Merlin, the enchanter; brought here by my doting folly. I loved
+not wisely but too well; and here you find me, locked in this cliff by
+my strongest spells, which in love's witlessness I taught to a woman
+traitor. Go now, worthy sir, and leave me to my fate."
+
+"Alas! that this should be! Tell me who did this thing, and by what
+dismal chance, that I may tell the king."
+
+Then Merlin related the story of his folly and fate, in the end bidding
+the knight to leave him, for only death could free him from that prison.
+
+Hearing this, Bagdemagus departed, full of sorrow and wonder, and after
+many days returned to Arthur's court, where he told the story of the
+magician's fate. Great was the marvel of all and the grief of the king
+on learning this, and much he besought Nimue to set Merlin free. But
+neither threats nor entreaties could move her obdurate heart, and at
+length she left the court in anger and defiance, vowing that she would
+never set free her old tormentor.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK III.
+
+                      THE TREASON OF MORGAN LE FAY.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENCHANTED SHIP.
+
+
+On a day not long after the event of Balin's death, it befell that
+Arthur and many of his knights went out hunting in a great forest,
+where, as fortune willed, King Arthur, Sir Accolan of Gaul, and King
+Uriens, who had wedded Morgan le Fay, followed far on the track of a
+great hart, which led them astray till they were ten miles distant from
+their late companions.
+
+They were all well mounted, but so hot was the chase, and so far did it
+lead them, that the horses at length fell dead beneath the ardent
+huntsmen, leaving them on foot in the remote depths of the forest. But
+the hart was in no better condition, for the hot chase had worn it out,
+and it dragged wearily on before them, barely able to keep its feet.
+
+"What shall we do?" said Arthur. "We are far from human habitation, and
+the night comes fast upon us."
+
+"Let us go forward on foot," said Uriens. "We shall surely soon meet
+with some place of shelter."
+
+[Illustration: THE GREAT FOREST.]
+
+Taking this advice, they advanced in the track of the hart, and soon
+came up with it where it lay on the bank of a large stream, while a
+hound had it by the throat, and others were coming up in full bay.
+
+Then Arthur blew the death-note of the chase, and killed the hart. This
+done, he looked about him, and to his surprise saw approaching on the
+stream a small vessel, with flowing sails of silk. As it came near it
+veered towards the shore, and finally touched land on the sands before
+them. Arthur walked to the bank and looked over the sides upon the deck,
+but to his wonder not a living person was to be seen.
+
+"This is a marvellous thing," said the king. "Has the vessel been blown
+here by a wind of magic? Let us enter and see what is in the ship."
+
+They did so, and found it richly adorned with silken hangings and
+royally equipped. As they stood on the deck looking about them in
+surprise, night came upon them, but suddenly the darkness was dispelled
+by a hundred torches, which flared out around the sides of the ship,
+brilliantly illuminating it. And immediately, from somewhere in the
+depths of the ship, appeared twelve fair damsels, who fell upon their
+knees before King Arthur, saluting him by name, and welcoming him to the
+best cheer that their means could provide.
+
+"You are welcome, whoever you be," said Arthur, "and have our thanks for
+your kindly good will."
+
+"Follow us then, noble sir."
+
+Arthur and his companions followed their fair guides into a cabin of the
+ship, where they were glad to see a table richly provided with the most
+delicate viands, and set with the rarest wines. The king marvelled
+greatly at this, for never in his life had he fared better at supper
+than at this royal feast.
+
+The meal ended, Arthur was led into a richly-appointed chamber, whose
+regal furniture and appointments he had never seen surpassed. His
+companions were conducted to chambers no less richly appointed, and
+quickly the three weary hunters fell asleep, for they were exhausted
+with their day's labor.
+
+Perilous was the sleep that came upon them, for they little dreamed that
+they had been lured into an enchanted ship, and that strange adventures
+awaited them all, and deadly danger threatened the king.
+
+For when the next day dawned, Uriens woke to find himself at Camelot, in
+his own chamber, with his wife. Much he marvelled at this, for he had
+fallen asleep the evening before at two days' journey distant. As for
+Accolan, we shall tell later what befell him. Arthur woke to find
+himself in utter darkness, while the air was full of doleful sounds. On
+feeling round him he soon discovered that he was in a dismal dungeon,
+and on listening he discovered that the sounds he heard were the woeful
+complaints of prisoners.
+
+"What place is this, and who are ye that bewail so bitterly?" asked
+Arthur.
+
+"We are twenty knights that have long been held prisoners here, some for
+seven years and some for less."
+
+"For what cause?" inquired Arthur.
+
+"How came you here, that you know not the cause?"
+
+"I came by foul enchantment," said Arthur, and told them his adventure,
+at which they wondered greatly. "Now tell me," he asked, "how came you
+in this direful state?"
+
+"We are victims of an evil-hearted villain," they answered. "The lord of
+this castle, Sir Damas by name, is a coward and traitor, who keeps his
+younger brother, Sir Ontzlake, a valiant and worthy knight, out of his
+estate. Hostility has long ruled between them, and Ontzlake proffers to
+fight Damas for his livelihood, or to meet in arms any knight who may
+take up his quarrel. Damas is too faint-hearted to fight himself, and is
+so hated that no knight will fight for him. This is why we are here.
+Finding no knight of his own land to take up his quarrel, he has lain in
+wait for knights-errant, and taken prisoner every one that entered his
+country. All of us preferred imprisonment to fighting for such a
+scoundrel, and here we have long lain half dead with hunger while
+eighteen good knights have perished in this prison; yet not a man of us
+would fight in so base a quarrel."
+
+"This is a woeful story, indeed," said Arthur. "I despise treason as
+much as the best of you, but it seems to me I should rather take the
+choice of combat than of years in this dungeon. God can be trusted to
+aid the just cause. Moreover, I came not here like you, and have but
+your words for your story. Fight I will, then, rather than perish."
+
+As they spoke a damsel came to King Arthur, bearing a light.
+
+"How fare you?" she asked.
+
+"None too well," he replied.
+
+"I am bidden to say this to you," she remarked. "If you will fight for
+my lord, you shall be delivered from this prison. Otherwise you shall
+stay here for life."
+
+"It is a hard alternative," said Arthur; "I should deem only a madman
+would hesitate. I should rather fight with the best knight that ever
+wore armor than spend a week in such a vile place. To this, then, I
+agree. If your lord will deliver all these prisoners, I will fight his
+battle."
+
+"Those are the terms he offers," said the damsel.
+
+"Then tell him I am ready. But he must provide me with horse and armor,
+and vow on his knightly honor to keep his word."
+
+"All this he will freely do."
+
+"It seems to me, damsel, that I have seen you before. Have you not been
+at the court of King Arthur?"
+
+"Not so," said the damsel. "I have never been there, but am the daughter
+of the lord of this castle, who has always kept me at home."
+
+In this, as the chronicles tell us, she spoke falsely, for she was one
+of the damsels of Morgan le Fay, and well she knew the king.
+
+Damas was glad at heart to learn that a knight had at last consented to
+fight for him, and the more so when he saw Arthur and marked his strong
+limbs and the high spirit in his face. But he and none there save the
+damsel, knew who his prisoner was.
+
+"It were a pity," said all who saw him, "that such a knight should die
+in prison. It is wise in him to fight, whatever betide."
+
+Then agreement was made that Arthur should do battle to the uttermost
+for the lord of the castle, who, on his part, agreed to set free the
+imprisoned knights. To this covenant both parties took oath, whereupon
+the twenty knights were brought from their dark prison to the castle
+hall, and given their freedom and the privilege of seeing the battle.
+
+But now we must leave the story of Arthur and Damas, and turn to that of
+Accolan of Gaul, the third of the three knights who had gone to sleep in
+the enchanted ship. This knight was, unknown to Arthur, a lover of
+Morgan le Fay, being he for whose sake she had counterfeited the magic
+scabbard of the sword Excalibur.
+
+She loved him, indeed, as ardently as she had grown to hate her royal
+brother, and through this love had laid a treacherous plot for Arthur's
+death.
+
+When Accolan awoke, to his surprise he found himself no longer in the
+ship, but lying within half a foot of the side of a deep well, in
+seeming peril of his life, for he might at any moment have fallen into
+the water. Out of this well there came a pipe of silver, from which a
+crystal stream ran into a high marble basin. When Accolan beheld all
+this he crossed himself and said,--
+
+"God save my lord King Arthur, and King Uriens, for those damsels in the
+ship have betrayed us all. They were not women, but devils, and if I
+escape this misadventure I shall destroy all enchantresses wherever I
+find them."
+
+As he spoke, there came to him a dwarf with a great mouth and a flat
+nose, who saluted him, and said that he came from Morgan le Fay.
+
+"She sends you her greetings, and bids you be of strong heart, for
+to-morrow it shall be your task to fight a knight of the greatest
+prowess. That you may win in the combat she has sent you Arthur's sword
+Excalibur, with its magical scabbard. She bids you do the battle to the
+uttermost without mercy, and promises to make a queen of the damsel whom
+you shall send to her with the head of the knight you fight with."
+
+"I shall do her bidding," said Accolan, "and cannot fail to win, now
+that I have this sword, for which I fervently thank her. When saw you my
+lady queen?"
+
+"I am just from her."
+
+"Recommend me to her, and tell her I shall do all I have promised, or
+die for it. These crafts and enchantments that have happened--are they
+of her making?"
+
+"That you may well believe. She has prepared them to bring on this
+battle."
+
+"Who, then, is the knight with whom I shall fight? It seems to me he
+should be a noble one, for such preparation."
+
+"That my lady has not told me."
+
+As they spoke there came to them a knight and a lady, with six squires,
+who asked Sir Accolan why he lay there, and begged him to rise and come
+with them to a neighboring manor, where he might rest in better ease. As
+fortune willed it, this manor was the dwelling of Sir Ontzlake, the
+brother of the traitor Damas.
+
+Accolan gladly accepted the invitation, but not long had he been in the
+manor when word came from Damas, saying that he had found a knight who
+was ready to do battle to the death for their claims, and challenging
+Ontzlake to make ready without delay for the field, or to send a knight
+to take his side in the combat.
+
+This challenge troubled Ontzlake sorely. Not long before he had been
+sadly hurt in a joust, and was still weak from his wound. Accolan, to
+whom all this was made known, at once came, with the generous impulse of
+a true knight, to his host, and offered to do battle in his stead. In
+his heart, too, he felt that this might be the combat of which Morgan
+had warned him, and with the aid of Arthur's sword and scabbard he could
+not fail to win.
+
+Ontzlake thanked him deeply for his generous offer, and without delay
+sent word to Damas that he would be ready with a champion at the hour
+appointed, and trust to God's grace for the issue of the combat.
+
+When morning came, Arthur was arrayed in a suit of chain mail and
+provided with a strong horse, which he viewed with knightly ardor.
+
+"When shall we to the field?" he asked Damas.
+
+"As soon as you have heard Mass."
+
+Mass was scarcely ended when a squire rode up from Ontzlake, to say that
+his knight was already in the field, and to bid Damas bring his champion
+to the lists, for he was prepared to do battle to the utterance.
+
+Then Arthur mounted his war-horse and rode to the field, attended by all
+the knights and commons of the country round; twelve good men of the
+district having been chosen to wait upon the two knights, and see that
+the battle was conducted fairly and according to the rules of chivalry.
+
+As they rode forward a damsel came to Arthur, bringing him a sword like
+unto Excalibur, with a scabbard that seemed in every point the same.
+
+"Morgan le Fay sends you your sword, for the great love she bears you,"
+said the messenger, "and hopes it may do you worthy service in the
+fray."
+
+Arthur took it and thanked her, never dreaming that he had been treated
+falsely. But the sword that was sent him was but a brittle and worthless
+blade, and the scabbard was a base counterfeit of that magic one which
+he who wore could lose no blood, and which he in brotherly trust had
+given to the care of his faithless sister.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE COMBAT OF ARTHUR AND ACCOLAN.
+
+
+The time for the battle having come, the two knights took their places
+at the opposite sides of the lists, neither knowing with whom he fought,
+and both bent on doing battle to the death. Then putting spurs to their
+steeds, they dashed across the field with headlong speed, each striking
+the other in the middle of the shield with his spear, and with such
+force that horses and men alike were hurled to the earth. In a moment
+both the combatants started up in warlike fury and drew their swords.
+
+At this juncture there came among the spectators the damsel Nimue, she
+who had put Merlin under the stone. She knew, by the art that Merlin had
+taught her, how Morgan le Fay had plotted that Arthur should be slain
+that day, and she came to save his life if it lay in her power, for she
+loved the king as deeply as she hated Merlin.
+
+Eagerly to battle went the two knights, hewing at each other like giants
+with their swords. But Arthur's blade bit not like Accolan's, which
+wounded him at nearly every stroke, so that soon his blood was flowing
+from a dozen wounds, while his opponent remained unhurt.
+
+Arthur was in deep dismay on beholding this. That some treason had been
+practised on him he felt sure, for his sword bit not steel as a good
+blade should, while the sword in Accolan's hand seemed to have the
+trenchant edge of Excalibur.
+
+"Sir knight," said Accolan, "keep well your guard if you care for life."
+
+"Thus will I," answered Arthur, and he dealt him a blow on the helm that
+nearly brought him to the ground.
+
+Accolan drew back from the staggering stroke, and then with a furious
+onset rushed on Arthur, and dealt him so fierce a blow that the king had
+much ado to keep his feet. Thus stroke by stroke went on the battle,
+each knight roused to fury, and each fighting with his utmost skill and
+strength; but Accolan lost scarcely a drop of blood, while Arthur's
+life-blood flowed so freely that only his knightly soul and unyielding
+courage kept him on his feet. He grew so feeble that he felt as if
+death was upon him, yet, though he staggered like a drunken man, he
+faced Accolan with the unquenched spirit of a noble knight.
+
+All who saw the field marvelled that Arthur could fight after such a
+loss of blood. So valiant a knight none there had ever beheld, and many
+prayed the two brothers to come into accord and stop this deadly fray.
+But this Damas would not do, and though Ontzlake trembled for his cause
+he could not end the combat.
+
+At this juncture Arthur withdrew a little to rest, but Accolan called
+him fiercely to the fight, saying, "I shall not suffer you to rest;
+neither of us must rest except in death."
+
+With these words he advanced towards the king, who, with the strength of
+rage, sprang upon him and struck him so mighty a blow on the helm as to
+make him totter on his feet and nearly fall. But the blow had a serious
+ending, for Arthur's sword broke at the cross, the blade falling into
+the blood-stained grass, and only the hilt and pommel remaining in his
+hand.
+
+When Arthur saw himself thus disarmed he felt sure that his hour of
+death had come, yet he let not his dread be seen, but held up his shield
+and lost no ground, facing his mortal foe as boldly as though he was
+trebly armed.
+
+"Sir knight," cried Accolan, "you are overcome, and can no longer
+sustain the battle. You are weaponless, and have lost so much blood that
+I am loath to slay you. Therefore yield to me as recreant, and force me
+not to kill a helpless foe."
+
+"That I may not do," said Arthur. "I have promised, by the faith of my
+body, to fight this battle to the uttermost; and I had rather die in
+honor than live in shame. If I lack weapon, I lack not spirit; and if
+you slay me weaponless, the shame be on you."
+
+"That shame I can bear," said Accolan. "What I have sworn I will
+perform. Since you will not yield, you are a dead man."
+
+This said, he struck Arthur a furious blow, that almost felled him to
+the earth, bidding him at the same time to crave for mercy if he would
+live. Arthur's only reply was to press upon him with his shield, and
+deal him such a buffet with the pommel of his sword as to send him
+staggering three paces back.
+
+And now the damsel Nimue, stirred by the prowess of the king, and
+fearful of his death, determined to aid him by all her power of
+enchantment.
+
+Therefore, when Accolan recovered himself and struck Arthur another
+stroke, she threw a spell upon him and caused the sword to fall from his
+hand to the earth. At once the king lightly leaped to it and seized it,
+thrusting Accolan fiercely back. As soon as his hand had touched the
+hilt he knew it for his sword Excalibur.
+
+"You have been too long from me," he said, "and no small damage you have
+done me. Treason has been at work, and treason shall have its deserts."
+
+Then, seeing the scabbard hanging by Accolan's side, he sprang suddenly
+forward and wrenched it from him, flinging it across the field as far as
+he could throw it.
+
+[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+
+NIMUE.]
+
+"Now, sir knight," cried Arthur, "my turn has come. You have nearly
+brought my life to an end with this sword, and I warrant that you shall
+be rewarded for the blood I have lost and the pain I have endured this
+day."
+
+Therewith, furious as a wounded lion, Arthur rushed upon his foe, hurled
+him with all his strength to the earth, tore off his helm, and gave him
+such a blow upon the head that blood burst out from his ears, nose, and
+mouth.
+
+"Now shall I slay you," said Arthur.
+
+"Do so if you will," said Accolan. "You are the best knight I ever met,
+and I see now that God is with you. But I promised to do this battle to
+the uttermost, and never to yield me recreant. Therefore kill me if you
+will, for my voice shall never ask for mercy."
+
+Then Arthur, looking closer, saw something familiar in his face.
+
+"Tell me who you are," he cried; "of what country and court."
+
+"Sir knight," said Accolan, "I am of the court of King Arthur, and my
+name is Accolan of Gaul."
+
+Arthur heard this with deep dismay. For there came into his mind the
+enchantment of the ship, and his heart sank with fear of the treason of
+his sister.
+
+"Tell me this also, sir knight," he asked, "from whom had you this
+sword?"
+
+"Woe worth that sword," cried Accolan; "I have gotten my death by it."
+
+"That may well be," answered Arthur, "and I fancy have got no more than
+you deserve."
+
+"Yesterday," said the knight, "Morgan le Fay sent me that sword by a
+dwarf, that with it I might slay the knight with whom I should fight
+this day! And she would also pledge me to slay King Arthur, her brother,
+for she hates him above any man in the world."
+
+"How know you that to be so?"
+
+"I have loved her long, and know her purposes well, nor shall I longer
+keep them secret. If by craft she could slay Arthur, she would quickly
+dispose of her husband, King Uriens. Then it was her intent to make me
+king of this realm, and to reign herself as its queen. But all this now
+is at an end, for death is upon me."
+
+"It would have been great wrong in you to destroy your lord," said
+Arthur.
+
+"That I never could have had the heart to do," said Accolan. "But I pray
+you to tell me your name, and from what court you come?"
+
+"I am from Camelot, and men know me as King Arthur. I am he against whom
+you plotted such deep treason."
+
+Then Accolan cried out in anguish,--
+
+"My fair, sweet lord, have mercy on me, for I knew you not."
+
+"You knew me not at this time, Accolan, but you have confessed that you
+plotted treason against me, and laid plans to compass my death. Yet I
+blame you the less that Morgan le Fay has worked on you with her false
+arts. I have honored and loved her most of all my kin, and have trusted
+her as I would my wife, and this is how she repays me. By the faith of
+my body, if I live I shall be deeply revenged upon her for this."
+
+Then he called to the keepers of the field, and said,--
+
+"Here, fair sirs, are two knights who have fought nearly to the death
+through ignorance of each other. For had either of us known the other
+you would have seen no battle to-day, and no stroke given or returned."
+
+Then Accolan called out to those who had gathered around,--
+
+"Lords and knights, this noble warrior with whom I have fought is the
+man of most valor, manhood, and worship on English soil, for he is no
+less than our liege lord, King Arthur. Had I but dreamed it was he, I
+would have killed myself rather than have drawn sword against him."
+
+At this surprising news the people fell upon their knees before the king
+and begged mercy and pardon.
+
+"Pardon you shall have," said the king, "for you were ignorant of my
+person. It is my fault if harm came to me in disguise. And here you may
+all see what adventures and dangers knights-errant are exposed to; for,
+unknown to each other, I and one of my own knights have fought for
+hours, to the great damage of us both. We are both sorely hurt, but
+before seeking rest it is my duty to settle the dispute which gave rise
+to this combat. I have been your champion, Sir Damas, and have won your
+cause. But as the victor I claim the right to give judgment, and as I
+know you for a villain and coward, I adjudge unto your brother all the
+manor in dispute, with the provision that he hold it of you, and yearly
+give you in lieu of rent a palfrey to ride upon, which will become such
+a base poltroon much better than a war-horse. And I charge you, upon
+pain of death, to restore to these twenty knights their armor and
+property, and never again to distress a knight-errant. If complaint of
+such shall be made to me, by my head, you shall die for it. Sir
+Ontzlake, you are said to be a good and valiant knight, and true and
+worthy in your deeds. I desire you to come to my court as soon as
+possible, where you shall be one of my knights, and, if your deeds
+hereafter conform to the good report I have heard of you, you soon shall
+equal your brother in estate."
+
+"I am at your command," said Ontzlake, "and thank you humbly for your
+goodness and bounty. As for this battle, I would have fought it myself,
+only that lately I was deeply wounded in a combat with a wandering
+knight."
+
+"I would it had been so," said Arthur, "for treason was used against me
+in this combat, and had I fought with you I should not have been so
+badly hurt. My own sword was stolen and I was given a false and brittle
+blade, which failed me in my greatest need."
+
+"Great pity it is that a king so noble and a knight so worthy should
+have been thus foully dealt with."
+
+"I shall reward the traitor in short time, by the grace of God," said
+Arthur. "Now tell me how far I am from Camelot?"
+
+"You are two days' journey distant."
+
+"Then where can I obtain shelter and rest?"
+
+"There is an abbey but three miles distant where you will find skilled
+leeches and good nursing."
+
+Then King Arthur took his leave of the people, and repaired with Accolan
+to the abbey, where he and the knight were placed under medical care.
+Arthur's wounds, though deep and painful, proved not serious, and he
+rapidly recovered, but Accolan had lost so much blood that he died
+within four days. Then Arthur had the corpse sent on a horse-bier,
+attended by six knights, to Camelot, saying to the messengers,--
+
+"Bear this body to my sister, Morgan le Fay, and say to her that I send
+it as a present. Tell her, moreover, that, through her sisterly
+kindness, I have again my sword Excalibur and the scabbard, and shall
+visit her ere long."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW MORGAN CHEATED THE KING.
+
+
+In the meantime Morgan le Fay was so sure of the success of her
+murderous plot, to aid which she had used all her power of necromancy,
+that she felt it safe to complete her scheme. Seeing her husband, King
+Uriens, lying asleep upon his couch, she called a maiden, who was in her
+confidence, and said,--
+
+"Bring me my lord's sword. Now shall my work be ended."
+
+"Oh, madam," cried the damsel, "would you slay your lord! If you do so
+you can never escape."
+
+"Leave that to me, girl. Bring me the sword at once; I am the best judge
+of what it is fit to do."
+
+The damsel departed with a heavy heart, but finding Sir Uwaine, King
+Uriens' son, asleep in another chamber, she waked him and said,--
+
+"Rise at once and go to your mother. She has vowed to kill the king,
+your father, and has sent me in all haste for his sword."
+
+"To kill him!" cried Uwaine. "What treachery is this?--But go, bring the
+sword as she bids. Leave it to me to deal with her."
+
+The damsel did as she was bidden, and brought the sword to the queen,
+giving it to her with hands that quaked with fear. Morgan seized it with
+a firm grasp, and went boldly to the bedside, where she stood looking
+with cruel eyes on the sleeping king. As she lifted the sword for the
+murderous blow, Uwaine, who had silently entered, sprang upon her and
+seized her hand in a crushing grip.
+
+"You fiend, what would you do?" he fiercely cried. "If you were not my
+mother I would smite off your head with this sword. Men say that Merlin
+was born of a devil; but well I believe that I have an earthly fiend for
+mother. To kill my father thus!--in his slumber!--what foul device is
+this?"
+
+His face and voice were so full of righteous fury that the queen quaked
+to her heart with fear, and she clasped her hands in terror upon her
+throat.
+
+"Oh, Uwaine, my dear son, have mercy on me! The foul fiend tempted me to
+this deed. Let me live to repent of this base intent, which I pray you
+to keep secret. I swear never again to attempt so foul a deed."
+
+"Can I trust you? Truth and murder do not go together."
+
+"On my soul, I vow to keep my word!"
+
+"Live, then; but beware you rouse me not again by such a murderous
+thought."
+
+Hardly had the false-hearted queen escaped from the indignation of her
+son when tidings came to her which filled her with as deep a dread as
+when Uwaine had threatened her with the sword, while the grief it
+brought her was deeper than her fear. For she learned that Accolan had
+been slain in the battle, and that his dead body had been sent her.
+Soon, indeed, came the funeral train, with the message that Arthur had
+sent. Then sorrow and terror together filled her heart till it
+threatened to break, for she had loved Accolan with all her soul, and
+his fate wounded her almost to death. But she dared not let this grief
+be seen upon her countenance, lest the secret of her love should be
+discovered; and she was forced to wear a cheerful aspect above a
+bleeding heart. And this she knew, besides, that if she should remain in
+Camelot until Arthur's return, all the gold in the realm would not buy
+her life.
+
+She went, therefore, unto Queen Guenever and asked leave to ride into
+the country.
+
+"Why not remain to greet your brother on his return? He sends word that
+he will soon be here."
+
+"I should much like to, Guenever, but hasty tidings have come which
+require that I should make no delay."
+
+"If that be so," answered Guenever, "let me not stay you. You may depart
+when you will."
+
+On the next morning, before daybreak, Morgan took horse, and rode all
+that day and the greater part of the night. On the following day by
+noon she came to the abbey where Arthur lay. Here she asked the nuns
+where he was, and they answered that he was sleeping in his chamber, for
+he had had but little rest during the three nights past.
+
+"Then see that none of you waken him," she said. "I will go visit him in
+his chamber. I am his sister, Morgan le Fay."
+
+Saying this, she sprang from her horse and entered the abbey, going
+straight to Arthur's chamber. None dare hinder her, and she suffered no
+one to accompany her. Reaching the chamber she found her brother asleep
+in bed, with the sword Excalibur clasped with a vigorous grip in his
+right hand.
+
+When she saw this her heart sank, for it was to steal that sword she
+came, and she knew her treacherous purpose was at an end. She could not
+take the sword from his hand without wakening him, and that might be the
+warrant for her instant death. But the scabbard lay on a chair by the
+bedside. This she took and left the chamber, concealing it under her
+mantle as she went. Mounting her horse again, she rode hastily away with
+her train.
+
+Not long afterwards Arthur woke, and at once missed his scabbard.
+Calling his attendants in a loud voice, he angrily asked who had been
+there, and who had dared remove the missing scabbard. They told him that
+it was his sister, Morgan le Fay, and that she had put it under her
+mantle and ridden away with it.
+
+"Then have you watched me falsely," cried Arthur, in hasty passion.
+
+"What could we do?" they answered. "We dared not disobey your sister's
+command."
+
+"Fetch me at once the best horse that can be found," he ordered, "and
+bid Sir Ontzlake arm himself in all haste, and come here well mounted to
+ride with me."
+
+By the hour's end these commands had been obeyed, and Arthur and
+Ontzlake rode from the abbey in company, well armed and on good horses,
+though the king was yet feeble from his wounds. After riding some
+distance they reached a wayside cross, by which stood a cowherd, whom
+they asked if any lady had lately ridden that way.
+
+"Yes, your honors," said the cowherd. "Not long ago a lady passed here
+at easy speed, followed by about forty horsemen. They rode into yonder
+forest."
+
+Arthur and Ontzlake at this news put spurs to their horses and followed
+fast on the track of the fugitives. An hour of this swift pursuit
+brought them in sight of Morgan's party, and with a heart hot with anger
+Arthur rode on at the utmost pace of his horse.
+
+The fugitives, seeing themselves thus hotly chased, spurred on their own
+steeds, soon leaving the forest and entering a neighboring plain, beside
+which was a lake. When Morgan saw that she was in danger of being
+overtaken she rode quickly to the lake-side, her heart filled with
+spiteful hatred of her brother.
+
+"Whatsoever may happen to me," she cried, "I vow that Arthur shall
+never again wear this scabbard. I here consign it to the lake. From the
+water it came; to the water it returns."
+
+And with a strong hand she flung it far out over the deep waters, into
+which it sank like a stone, for it was heavy with gold and precious
+stones.
+
+Then she rode on, followed by her train, till they entered a valley
+where there were many great stones, and where they were for the moment
+out of sight of their pursuers. Here Morgan le Fay brought her deepest
+powers of enchantment to work, and in a trice she and her horse were
+changed into marble, while each of her followers became converted into a
+statue of stone.
+
+Hardly had this been done when Arthur and Ontzlake entered the valley,
+where they beheld with starting eyes the marvellous transformation. For
+in place of the fugitives they saw only horses and riders of solid
+stone, and so changed that the king could not tell his sister from her
+men, nor one knight from another.
+
+"A marvel is here, indeed!" cried the king. "The vengeance of God has
+fallen upon our foes, and Morgan le Fay is justly punished for her
+treachery. It grieves me, indeed, that so heavy a fate has befallen her,
+yet her own deeds have brought on her this mighty punishment."
+
+Then he sought on all sides for the scabbard, but it could nowhere be
+found. Disappointed in this, he at length turned and rode slowly back
+with his companion to the abbey whence they had come, their souls filled
+with wonder and awe.
+
+Yet no sooner were they well gone than the enchantress brought another
+charm to work, and at once she and all her people were turned again from
+stone into flesh and blood.
+
+"Now we can go where we will; and may joy go with King Arthur," she
+said, with a laugh of triumph to her knights. "Did you note him?"
+
+"Yes," they replied. "And his countenance was so warlike that had we not
+been stone we could scarce have stood before him."
+
+"I believe you," said Morgan. "He would have made sad havoc among us but
+for my spells."
+
+They now rode onward, and soon afterwards met a knight who bore before
+him on his horse another knight, who was unarmed, blindfolded, and bound
+hand and foot.
+
+"What are you about to do with that knight?" asked Morgan.
+
+"To drown him in yonder fountain," was the reply. "He has caused my wife
+to prove false to me, and only his death will avenge my honor."
+
+"Is this the truth?" she asked the bound knight.
+
+"It is false," he replied. "He is a villain to whom I have done no
+wrong. He took me unawares or I should not have been in such a state."
+
+"Who are you, and of what country?"
+
+"My name is Manassen. I am of the court of King Arthur, and cousin to
+Accolan of Gaul."
+
+"Then for the love I bore your cousin you shall be delivered, and this
+villain be put in your plight."
+
+By her orders Manassen was loosed from his bonds and the other knight
+bound. Manassen took from him his armor and horse, and riding with him
+to the fountain, flung him remorselessly in, where he met the fate
+which he had devised for his late prisoner. Then Manassen rode back to
+Morgan, and asked her if she had any word to send King Arthur.
+
+"Tell him," she answered, "that I rescued you not for love of him, but
+of Accolan; and that I fear him not while I can turn myself and my
+knights into stones. Let him know that you saw us riding in good flesh
+and blood, and laughing him to scorn. Tell him, moreover, that I can do
+stranger things than that if the need should come."
+
+Bidding Manassen to return with this message, she rode with her train
+into the country of Gore, where she was well received, and in the might
+of whose castles and towns she felt secure from Arthur's wrath, for much
+she feared his vengeance should she fall into his hands.
+
+Meantime the king rode back to Camelot, where he was gladly received by
+his queen and his knights, to whom he told in full the story of Morgan
+le Fay's treason. They were all angry at this, and many knights declared
+that she should be burned.
+
+"Stone will not burn," said Arthur. "But God has punished her."
+
+But as they thus conversed, Manassen came to the court and told the king
+of his adventure, delivering to him Morgan's message.
+
+"Then the witch has tricked me!" cried the king, in a tone of vexation.
+"I might have known it, had I been wise. A kind sister she is, indeed!
+But my turn will come. Treachery and magic may succeed for a time, but
+honor must win in the end."
+
+Yet despite the king's awakened distrust, he nearly fell a victim to his
+sister's vile enchantments. For on the succeeding morning there came a
+damsel to the court from Morgan le Fay, bearing with her the richest
+mantle that had ever been seen there. It was set so full of precious
+stones that it might almost have stood alone, and some of them were gems
+worth a king's ransom.
+
+"Your sister sends you this mantle," said the bearer. "That she has done
+things to offend you she knows and is sorry for; and she desires that
+you shall take this gift from her as a tribute for her evil thoughts.
+What else can be done to amend her acts she will do, for she bitterly
+regrets her deeds of wickedness."
+
+The mantle pleased the king greatly, though he made but brief reply as
+he accepted it from the hand of the messenger.
+
+At that perilous moment there came to him the damsel Nimue, who had so
+recently helped him in his dire need.
+
+"Sir, may I speak with you in private?" she asked the king.
+
+"What have you to say?" he replied, withdrawing from the throng.
+
+"It is this. Beware that you do not put on this mantle, and that no
+knight of yours puts it on, till you know more. The serpent does not so
+soon lose its venom. There is death in the mantle's folds. At least do
+this: before you wear it, command that she who brought it shall put it
+on."
+
+"Well said," answered the king. "It shall be done as you advise."
+
+Then he returned to the messenger and said,--
+
+"Damsel, I wish to see the mantle you have brought me tried upon
+yourself."
+
+"A king's garment on me, sir! That would not be seemly."
+
+"Seemly or not, I command it. By my head, you shall wear it before it
+come on my back, or that of any man here."
+
+The damsel drew back, quivering with fear and growing pale as death. But
+the king commanded those about him to put it on her. Then was seen a
+marvellous and fearful thing. For no sooner had the enchanted robe been
+clasped around her form than flames burst out from its every thread, and
+in a minute she fell to the floor dead, while her body was burnt to a
+coal.
+
+The king's anger burst out fiercely at this, and his face flamed with
+the fire of rage. He turned to King Uriens and his son, who stood among
+the knights.
+
+"My sister, your wife, is doing her utmost to destroy me," he said, in
+burning wrath. "Are you and my nephew, your son, joined with her in this
+work of treachery? Yet I suspect not you, King Uriens, for Accolan
+confessed to me that she would have slain you as well as me. But as for
+your son, Uwaine, I hold him suspected, and banish him from my court. I
+can have no traitors about me."
+
+When these words had been spoken, Gawaine rose in anger, and said,--
+
+"Whoever banishes my cousin banishes me. When and where Uwaine goes I go
+also."
+
+And with a stride of anger he left the great hall, followed by Uwaine.
+Then the two knights armed themselves, and rode together from Camelot,
+Gawaine vowing never to return till his cousin had been fully and freely
+pardoned.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+The Country of Strange Adventures.
+
+
+The two knights who had so hastily departed from Arthur's court were
+destined to see many and strange adventures before they should return.
+And as their wanderings and deeds were caused by the treason of Morgan
+le Fay, it is meet that they should here be told.
+
+They spent their first night in an abbey not far from Camelot, and on
+the next morning rode forward until they came to a forest. Passing
+through this, they at length found themselves in a valley near a tower.
+Here they beheld two knights fully armed and seated on their war-horses,
+while twelve damsels were seen to pass to and fro beneath a tree.
+
+When the wanderers came nearer they saw that on that tree hung a white
+shield, and that as the damsels passed by this they spat upon it and
+befouled it with mire.
+
+"Why do you do this despite to the shield?" they asked, as they came up.
+
+"Sir knights," answered the damsels, "we have good cause for what we do.
+He who has hung his shield here is a knight of great prowess, but he is
+one who hates all ladies, and this is how we repay him for his hatred."
+
+"I think little of such a knight," said Gawaine. "Yet it may be that he
+has good cause for his hatred. He must love ladies elsewhere, if not
+here, if he be so good a knight as you say. For it is said that the
+despiser of ladies is never worthy in arms. What is the name of this
+knight?"
+
+"His name is Marhaus. He is the son of the king of Ireland."
+
+"I know him well," said Uwaine. "There is no man of more valor living. I
+saw him once at a tournament where no knight could stand before him."
+
+"If this is his shield," said Gawaine, "he will soon be here in person,
+and it may not prove so easy for these knights to face him on horseback
+as for them to stand by and see his shield befouled. It is not our
+quarrel, but we shall stay no longer to see this dishonor."
+
+Before they had withdrawn far, however, they saw the Irish knight riding
+towards his shield, and halted to note what would follow. At sight of
+him the damsels shrieked with terror, and ran so wildly towards the
+turret that some of them fell by the way. But one of the knights
+advanced his shield and cried loudly,--
+
+"Sir Marhaus, defend yourself!"
+
+Then he and Marhaus rode fiercely together, the knight breaking his
+spear without effect, while Marhaus smote him in return so hard a blow
+that he was hurled to the ground with a broken neck. Then the other
+knight rode against Marhaus, but with the same ill success, for both
+horse and man were smitten so furiously that they fell to the earth
+dead.
+
+Then the knight of Ireland rode to his shield, and when he saw how
+foully it had been used he cried,--
+
+"This is a foul shame; but I have requited it upon those dastards. For
+the love of her who gave me this white shield I shall wear it, and hang
+mine where it was."
+
+Thereupon he took the white shield, and left in its place the one he had
+just used.
+
+Then, seeing the two errant knights, he asked them what they did there.
+They answered that they were from Arthur's court, and had ridden in
+search of adventures.
+
+"Then you can have one here," said Marhaus. "I shall be glad to joust
+with you."
+
+He rode away from them to the proper range, without waiting for a reply.
+
+"Let him go," said Uwaine. "I fear he is more than our match."
+
+"I care not if he is," said Gawaine. "However good a knight he be, he
+shall not challenge us unanswered."
+
+"Then let me meet him first. I am the weaker, and if he strikes me down
+you can revenge me."
+
+With these words Uwaine took his place and rode against the Irish
+knight, but with such ill fortune that he was hurled to the earth with a
+wounded side. When Gawaine saw this he prepared for the joust, and the
+two knights rode together with great force. But, as luck would have it,
+Gawaine's spear broke, while that of Marhaus held firm. In consequence,
+both Gawaine and his horse went to the ground.
+
+In an instant the knight was on his feet, sword in hand, and advancing
+towards his adversary. Marhaus drew his sword and moved upon him
+mounted.
+
+"Meet me on foot," cried Gawaine, "or I will kill your horse."
+
+"Gramercy, you teach me courtesy," said Marhaus, "It is not fair for one
+knight to be on foot and the other on horse."
+
+Then he sprang to the ground, set his spear against a tree, and tied his
+horse. This done, he drew his sword and advanced upon Gawaine.
+
+The combat that succeeded was long and hotly contested, beginning at
+nine in the morning and lasting till the day was well advanced. Never
+had that forest known so obstinate and fierce a fight. And from nine of
+the clock till the hour of noon Gawaine grew stronger and stronger, till
+his might was thrice increased and Marhaus had much ado to stand before
+him. But as the day waned from noon onwards Gawaine grew feeble, while
+the strength of Marhaus steadily increased, his form seeming to grow
+larger with every hour. At length it came that Gawaine could scarcely
+stand before him.
+
+"Sir knight," said Marhaus, "this I will say, that I never met a better
+man than yourself, and we have had a noble passage at arms. But as we
+have no quarrel, and I can see you are growing feeble, it were a pity to
+do you more harm. If you are willing, I agree to end the fight."
+
+"That should I have said, gentle knight," answered Gawaine. "I am much
+beholden to your courtesy."
+
+Thereupon they took off their helmets and kissed each other, and swore
+to love one another thenceforth as brethren in arms. Marhaus prayed that
+the two knights would lodge with him that night, and they rode together
+towards his dwelling.
+
+"I marvel," said Gawaine, as they rode forward, "that so good a knight
+as you should love no ladies."
+
+"I love not such as those minxes of the tower, nor any of their sort,"
+said Marhaus. "They are a false-hearted and vile-thinking crew. But to
+all honorable women I owe the best of my knightly service."
+
+They soon reached the dwelling, which was in a little priory, and here
+Marhaus gave them the best cheer at his disposal, the more so when he
+learned that they were sons of King Arthur's sisters. Here they remained
+seven days, until their wounds had fully healed. On the eighth day they
+took horse again to continue their journey.
+
+"We shall not part so lightly," said Marhaus. "I shall bring you through
+the forest, and mayhap ride farther with you."
+
+For seven days more they rode onward without adventure. Then they found
+themselves on the borders of a still greater forest, in what was known
+as the country and forest of Arroy and the land of strange adventures.
+
+"It is well named," said Marhaus. "For it is said that no knight ever
+rode into this country and failed to find adventures many and
+marvellous."
+
+They rode onward into the forest before them, and in good time found
+themselves in a deep and stony valley, traversed by a fair stream of
+water.
+
+Following this upward, they soon came to a fair fountain, the head of
+the stream, beside which three damsels were seated.
+
+Of these, the eldest was not less than threescore years of age. She wore
+a garland of gold upon her head, and her hair was white beneath it. The
+second damsel was thirty years of age, and she also wore a circlet of
+gold. The third was not over fifteen years old, and her garland was of
+flowers.
+
+The knights halted and looked at them in surprise, asking them why they
+sat by that lonely fountain.
+
+"We are here to await knights-errant who come in quest of adventures,"
+they said. "If you three knights are in search of things strange and
+stirring, each of you must choose one of us. When this is done we shall
+lead you unto three highways, one of which each of you must take, and
+his damsel with him. This day twelvemonth you must meet here again, and
+to all this you must pledge your troth, if God give you your lives to
+return."
+
+"You speak well," said Marhaus. "Adventures we seek, and no true
+knight-errant hesitates before the unknown and the dangerous. We shall
+do as you say, each of us choose one of you, and then, whatsoever
+fortune wills, let it come."
+
+"As for me," said Uwaine, "since I am the youngest and weakest of the
+three, I choose the eldest damsel. I have more need of help than either
+of you, and her age and knowledge may aid me well."
+
+"Then I shall take her of middle age," said Marhaus. "She fits me best."
+
+"I thank you both," said Gawaine. "You have left me the youngest and
+fairest, and the one most to my liking."
+
+This said, each damsel took the reins of her knight, and they led them
+to the parting of the three ways. Here the knights took oath to meet at
+the fountain that day twelvemonth if they were living, kissed each
+other, and departed, each knight taking his chosen lady on his steed
+behind him. Of the three ways, Uwaine took that which lay west, Marhaus
+that which lay south, and Gawaine took the way that lay north.
+
+Of the three we shall first follow Gawaine, who rode forward until he
+came to a fair manor, where dwelt an old knight.
+
+"Are there any adventures to be found in this country?" he asked him.
+
+"I shall show you some marvellous ones to-morrow," said his host.
+
+In the morning, Gawaine and the old knight rode into the forest of
+adventures till they came to a wide, open lawn, upon which stood a
+cross. Here they halted and looked about them, and ere long saw
+approaching a knight of seemly aspect, who made the bitterest
+lamentations as he advanced. When he saw Gawaine he saluted him, and
+hoped that God would send him honor.
+
+"As to that, gramercy," said Gawaine. "I pray God, in return, that he
+send you honor and worship."
+
+"That will not come," said the knight. "He sendeth me but sorrow and
+shame."
+
+As he spoke he passed on to the other side of the lawn. Here Gawaine saw
+ten knights, standing with shields and spears ready against this one
+warrior. But he rode against them one by one, thrusting some over their
+horses' tails, and hurling others to the ground, horse and man, until
+with one spear he had unhorsed them all.
+
+But when they were all ten on foot they went to the dolorous knight, who
+stood stone still, pulled him from his horse, and tied him beneath the
+animal, without the least resistance on his part. This done, they led
+him away, thus shamefully bound.
+
+"That is an ugly sight," said Gawaine. "Why does a knight of such
+prowess as this suffer himself to be so vilely treated?"
+
+"Sir," said, the damsel to Gawaine, "why helped you not that good
+knight?"
+
+"He seems to want no help," said Gawaine. "He could have taken care of
+himself if he would."
+
+"You had no desire to help him," retorted the damsel, "or you would not
+have stood by and seen so noble a warrior so foully served."
+
+As they talked a knight appeared on the other side of the lawn, all
+armed but the head. And opposite him came a dwarf on horseback similarly
+armed. He had a great mouth and a short nose, and was as ill favored as
+one would care to see.
+
+"Where is the lady who should meet us here?" asked the dwarf.
+
+In response thereto a fair lady rode from the wood, mounted on a
+handsome palfrey. On seeing her the knight and the dwarf began to
+strive in hot words for her, each saying that she should be his prize.
+
+"Yonder is a knight at the cross," said the dwarf, at length. "Let us
+leave it to him, and abide by his decision."
+
+"I agree to that," said the knight.
+
+Thereupon they rode to Gawaine and told him the purpose of their strife.
+
+"Do you put the matter into my hands?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," they both replied.
+
+"Then this is my decision. Let the lady stand between you and make her
+own choice. The one she chooses, he shall have her."
+
+This was done, and at once the lady turned from the knight and went to
+the dwarf. Then the dwarf took her and went singing away, while the
+knight rode in grief and sorrow into the forest.
+
+But the adventures of that day were not ended, for soon afterwards two
+armed knights rode from the forest, and one of them cried out loudly,--
+
+"Sir Gawaine, knight of King Arthur, I am here to joust with you. So
+make ready."
+
+"Since you know me, I shall not fail you," answered Gawaine.
+
+Then the knights drew apart, and rode so furiously together that both
+were unhorsed. Springing up, they drew their swords and continued the
+battle on foot.
+
+Meanwhile, the second knight went to the damsel and asked why she stayed
+with that knight, and begged her to go with him.
+
+"That I will do," she replied. "I like not the way Gawaine acted just
+now, when one brave knight was overturned by ten dastards. So let us go
+while they fight."
+
+The combat continued long, and then, as the knights seemed evenly
+matched, they ceased in amity, the stranger knight inviting Gawaine to
+spend the night at his lodge. As they rode thither he asked his host,--
+
+"Who is this valiant champion that overturns ten knights, and then
+suffers them to bear him off bound hand and foot? I never saw so
+shameful a thing done."
+
+"The thing has happened ten times and more," said Sir Carados. "The
+knight is one of noble prowess, named Sir Pelleas, and he loves a great
+lady of this country named Ettard, who loves him not in return. What you
+have seen came about in this way. There was of late days a great
+tournament in this country, at which Pelleas struck down every knight
+who was opposed to him, unhorsing twenty knights within three days. His
+valor and prowess won him the prize, which was a good sword, and a
+golden circlet to be given to the fairest lady at the lists. This
+circlet of gold he gave to the lady Ettard, whom he chose for the
+sovereign of his heart and the lady he loved above all women. But she
+was so proud and haughty that she returned him scorn for his love, and
+though he has followed her to her home she will not listen to his suit,
+or admit him in honor to her presence. He is lodged here near her, but
+can gain sight of her only in a shameful way. Every week she sends
+knights to fight with him, and when he has overcome them he suffers
+them to take him prisoner that he may feast his eyes on the face of his
+loved lady. But she does him great despite, for sometimes she has him
+brought in tied to his horse's tail, and sometimes bound under the
+horse, or in any other shameful manner she can think of. For all this he
+will not leave, but makes himself a martyr to his love."
+
+"He is a noble knight, and I greatly pity him," said Gawaine. "I shall
+seek him to-morrow in the forest, and do what I can to help him."
+
+In the morning he met Sir Pelleas, as he had promised, and heard from
+him the story of his woe.
+
+"If I loved her not so truly I should rather die a hundred times than
+suffer such despite," he said. "But I trust that she will pity and love
+me at last."
+
+"Let me aid you, so far as I can," said Gawaine. "I promise to do my
+utmost to gain you the love of your lady."
+
+"Tell me who, and of what court, you are, my good friend?" asked
+Pelleas.
+
+"My name is Gawaine; I am nephew to King Arthur, and King Lot of Orkney
+was my father."
+
+"My name is Pelleas," answered the lovelorn knight. "I was born in the
+Isles, and am lord of many isles, but never till this unhappy time have
+I loved a lady. I pray you help me faithfully, for I get nothing from
+her but vile rebuke. She will not even hold me as prisoner, that I might
+see her daily, but robs me of my horse and armor, and has me thrust
+despitefully from her gates. She lives in a strong castle near by, and
+is lady of all this country. I fear you will not find it easy to obtain
+entrance."
+
+"I shall use art instead of strength," said Gawaine. "Lend me your horse
+and armor, and I will ride to her castle and tell her I have slain you.
+She will let me in at that. Once admitted, I shall do my best to win you
+her love."
+
+He plighted his honor to this, and therewith they changed horses and
+armor.
+
+Leaving the knight of the doleful visage, Gawaine rode to Ettard's
+castle, whom he found in her pavilion outside the gate. On seeing him
+she hastily fled to the castle, but he called her loudly, declaring that
+he was not Pelleas, and that he had slain the knight and won his horse
+and armor.
+
+"Take off your helm," she replied. "Let me see your face."
+
+Gawaine did so, and when she saw that he spoke the truth she bade him
+alight and led him into the castle, questioning him who he was and how
+he had slain her tormenting admirer.
+
+"I am sorry for his death," she said, "for he was a worthy knight; but
+of all men I hated him most, and could never rid myself of his
+importunities. As for you, Sir Gawaine, since you have done me this
+service, I shall be your lady, for I cannot but love you."
+
+Then Gawaine was so entranced by the lady Ettard's blue eyes and fair
+face that he shamefully forgot his word of honor, and warmly returned
+her love. He remained with her and her knights in the castle, so happy
+in her presence as to ignore all the claims of duty and knightly faith.
+
+It was now the month of May, and the air had grown warm and balmy. So it
+happened one evening that they all left the castle to enjoy themselves
+on the flowery meads outside. Believing Pelleas to be dead, Ettard lost
+all dread of unwelcome intrusion, and suggested that they should spend
+the night in the open air, lulled to sleep by the soft winds and the
+perfume of flowers.
+
+But by fortune it chanced that Pelleas, hearing no word from Gawaine,
+that night mounted his horse and rode to the castle. It was a late hour,
+and he was surprised to see pavilions erected outside the gate, and
+couches spread in the open air. As he came near he saw knights and
+ladies asleep on these, while side by side lay Ettard and Gawaine,
+locked in deep slumber.
+
+Anger and pain so filled the knight's heart at this that he drew his
+sword to slay his faithless friend, but on calmer thought he laid the
+naked blade athwart the throats of knight and lady and rode away. On
+reaching his tent, he told his attendants what treachery he had endured,
+and that he had resolved to take to his bed and lie there till he should
+die.
+
+"And when I am dead I charge you to take my heart and bear it to the
+lady Ettard in a silver dish, and tell her that her falseness has slain
+the faithfulest of lovers."
+
+Meanwhile Gawaine and Ettard awoke, and their dread was great on finding
+the sword across their throats.
+
+"It is Pelleas's sword!" she cried. "You have betrayed him and me both,
+for you lied to me in saying that you had killed him. Only that he has
+proved himself a man of true honor, he would have slain us both. Leave
+me, traitor! Never let me see your false face again!"
+
+Gawaine had no words in answer, but hastily mounted his horse and rode
+into the forest, feeling at heart that he had proved a traitor both to
+honor and love.
+
+When morning dawned it happened that Nimue, the damsel of the lake, who
+by chance had come into that country, met with a follower of Sir
+Pelleas, who was grieving sorely for the ill fortune of his master. She
+asked him the cause of his grief, and he told her the woeful tale of the
+lovelorn knight, and how he had taken to his bed, vowing never again to
+rise.
+
+"He shall not die of love, I warrant you that," she said. "Bring me to
+him. I promise you that she who has treated him so vilely shall feel all
+the pain she has made him endure."
+
+She was accordingly brought to the tent of Pelleas, and a feeling of
+pity and love grew in her heart as she looked on his noble and woe-worn
+face while he lay asleep. Therefore she deepened his slumber with a
+spell of enchantment, and charging that no man should wake him before
+her return, she rode through the forest to Ettard's castle.
+
+Within two hours she brought the lady Ettard to the tent, where Pelleas
+still lay wrapped in deep slumber.
+
+"You should do penance for life to murder such a knight as this," she
+said. "You have treated a true lover with shameful despite, and for
+love's sake you shall pay the penalty of your misdeeds."
+
+Then she threw so deep a spell of enchantment on the proud lady that her
+former scorn turned to the deepest love, and her heart went out to
+Pelleas as if it would break with sorrow and remorse.
+
+"Alas!" she cried, "I hated him above all men. What has befallen me that
+I love him now with my whole soul?"
+
+"It is God's righteous judgment," said Nimue.
+
+As they spoke Pelleas awoke, and when he looked upon Ettard his eyes
+filled with scorn and hatred.
+
+"Away, traitress!" he cried. "Never again come within my sight. You have
+taught me to hate you as much as I ever loved."
+
+These scornful words wounded Ettard to the soul. She turned away weeping
+bitterly, and left the tent overwhelmed with anguish.
+
+"Take your horse and leave this country, Sir Pelleas," said the damsel.
+"Love not again till you can give your heart to a lady who is worthy of
+it."
+
+"I have found such a one now," said the knight, fixing his eyes with
+warm feeling upon her face. "This lady Ettard has treated me
+despitefully and turned all my love for her to hatred and scorn. But the
+love I felt for her has gone out to you."
+
+"Thank me for your delivery," said Nimue. "It is too soon to talk of
+love. But this I may say, that if you love me as you vow, you shall not
+find me another Ettard."
+
+Soon after Pelleas arose and armed, and bidding his men to follow with
+the pavilions and furniture, rode into the forest with the damsel of the
+lake, for whom the love in his heart grew each moment warmer.
+
+[Illustration: THE LOVE OF PELLEAS AND NIMUE.]
+
+And thus this woeful story ends in true love's joy and retribution; for
+the false lady Ettard died in lovelorn sorrow, but Pelleas and Nimue
+lived together in true love during the remainder of their days, she
+becoming his dear lady and wife.
+
+Meanwhile Marhaus and Uwaine pursued their course and had their
+adventures, but they were not so many and strange as those of Gawaine,
+and therefore we shall not tell them in full.
+
+As for Uwaine, who rode away with the old damsel, he gained great honor
+at a tournament near the Welsh marches, winning the prize, which was a
+gerfalcon, and a white steed with trappings of cloth of gold. Many other
+adventures he had, and at last came to the castle of a noble lady, who
+was called the Lady of the Rock. Her lands had been taken from her by
+two robber knights, named Sir Edward and Sir Hue of the Red Castle.
+These Uwaine fought together, and with such good fortune that he killed
+Sir Edward and forced Sir Hue to surrender the lady's lands. Then he
+dwelt at the castle of the Lady of the Rock for six months, till he was
+healed of the many and deep wounds he had received in his battle with
+the robber knights.
+
+Meanwhile, Marhaus rode southward with the damsel of thirty summers.
+Many adventures he had, and he won a circlet of gold as the victor in a
+tournament. At length he stopped at the castle of a noble earl named
+Fergus, whose lands were harried by a giant named Taulard. Him Marhaus
+proffered to fight, as neither the earl nor any of his men dared meet
+him.
+
+Fierce and perilous was the battle that followed, for the giant was of
+monstrous height and strength, and armed with iron clubs and great
+battle-axes. But after a terrible contest, Marhaus, by a nimble stroke,
+cut off Taulard's right arm. Then the giant, bellowing with pain and
+terror, fled, and rushed into a stream of water beyond his pursuer's
+reach. But stones were brought to Marhaus by Fergus's men, and with
+these he battered the giant so sorely that at length he fell over into
+the water, where he was quickly drowned.
+
+Afterwards the victorious champion went to the giant's castle, where he
+found in close captivity twenty-four ladies and twelve knights. These he
+delivered from prison. He found also a great store of wealth, enough to
+make him rich for the remainder of his life.
+
+When the year ended the three knights met again at the fountain, two of
+them with their damsels; but Gawaine had lost his, and had come back
+much shorn of honor. Soon after they met by chance a messenger from King
+Arthur, who had long been seeking the banished knights, with orders to
+bring them back to the court.
+
+So the three knights journeyed to Camelot, where the king received them
+graciously, and listened with admiration to the story of their
+adventures. And there, at the feast of Pentecost, came Pelleas and
+Nimue, true lovers plighted. Then were held high feasts and tournaments,
+where many noble knights splintered spears and much honor was lost and
+won. And here Marhaus and Pelleas bore themselves with such noble and
+mighty prowess, that all men vowed the glory of the tournament was
+theirs, and King Arthur, glad to reward such deeds of valor, made them
+Knights of the Table Round.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK IV.
+
+                          LANCELOT OF THE LAKE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+HOW TROUBLE CAME TO LIONEL AND HECTOR.
+
+
+After the strange deeds and adventures that have just been described, a
+season of war came again to King Arthur and his realm, through which he
+won great honor and renown. For Lucius, the Emperor of Rome, sent
+ambassadors to Arthur, demanding tribute; and when he proudly refused
+this demand Lucius gathered a great army and invaded the tributary
+domains of Arthur, in Gaul.
+
+Long and fierce was the war that followed, for Arthur crossed to Gaul
+with all the power of his realm; fought and killed, single-handed, a
+huge giant who dwelt on St. Michael's Mount; defeated the army of Rome,
+and killed the emperor in single combat; and in the end was crowned
+emperor, in the imperial city of Rome.
+
+All this story the chronicles give at length, and tell us also that in
+this war the noble Lancelot du Lake, son of King Ban of Gaul, gained his
+first measure of renown.
+
+After the war had ended and the victorious host returned to England,
+many adventures came to Lancelot, some of which we must here tell.
+Great indeed was the valor and might of this worthiest of knights, who
+in after years proved himself in knightly prowess and chivalric honor
+the noblest of men. In tournaments and deeds of arms, in sportive war or
+battle for life or death, he passed all other knights, and was never
+overcome but by treason or enchantment.
+
+After Arthur's return from Rome sports and feasts were given, and jousts
+and tournaments held, in which the Knights of the Round Table took part,
+many who had gained no great fame in the war now proving themselves able
+and worthy warriors. But above them all Lancelot displayed such skill
+and prowess that he increased in honor and worship beyond any knight of
+Arthur's court.
+
+And, as fortune and fate decreed, he loved Queen Guenever above all
+other ladies, while she held him in favor above all other knights,--a
+favor that was destined thereafter to bring deep sorrow and trouble to
+England's realm. For her sake he did many noble deeds of arms, and he
+was looked upon as her especial champion by all the court.
+
+After the return from Rome Lancelot rested long at the court, taking
+part in all its feasts and gayeties. But in time he grew weary of sport
+and play, and of the idle ways and empty flatteries of courtiers, and
+felt a strong desire to wander abroad in search of strange adventures.
+So he bade his nephew, Sir Lionel, to make ready, saying to him that
+they two would leave the court and ride as knights-errant through the
+land, to right wrongs and punish crimes, to rescue the oppressed and
+overthrow the proud and haughty, and knightly to do and dare wherever
+they went.
+
+So on a day in spring, when the summer was coming with its flowers to
+adorn the rich green of the grassy meads, and the birds sang gayly in
+the trees, the two knights armed themselves at all points and rode
+abroad, passing soon through a deep forest and into a verdant plain
+beyond.
+
+Noon now came on, and the weather grew close and sultry, so that
+Lancelot became drowsy. This he told to Lionel, who pointed to a large
+apple-tree by a hedge, and said,--
+
+"Yonder is a cool shadow. There we may rest ourselves and our horses
+till the noontide heat has passed."
+
+"You speak to the point," said Lancelot. "Not for seven years have I
+been so sleepy as I am now?"
+
+They thereupon alighted, and tied their horses to neighboring trees, and
+Lancelot laid himself down beneath the apple-boughs, with his helmet
+under his head for a pillow. Soon he was in deep slumber, though Lionel
+kept awake.
+
+As they lay thus three knights came riding by in panic fear, pushing
+their horses to the utmost speed, while a single knight followed them in
+furious pursuit. So well-made and strong-limbed a man as this Lionel
+thought he had never seen nor one in all respects so fully armed.
+
+As he looked, the pursuing knight overtook one of the fugitives, and
+with a thrust of his spear flung him prostrate to the ground. Then he
+served the other two in the same manner. This done, he alighted and
+bound the three knights with their own bridle-reins.
+
+[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
+
+DREAM OF SIR LANCELOT.]
+
+When Lionel saw this, anger filled his soul, and he thought to win
+honor in a bout of arms with this vigorous champion, so he quietly took
+his horse, so as not to waken Lancelot, and rode towards the victor,
+loudly bidding him turn and try his fortune in a joust.
+
+But the ambitious young knight soon found that he had let youthful pride
+bring him into trouble, for the strong warrior smote him so hard a blow
+that horse and man went together to the earth. Then the victor alighted
+and served Lionel as he had done the others, binding him and flinging
+him athwart his own horse.
+
+He did the same with the three others, and rode away with his prisoners,
+until he came to a castle that lay beyond the plain. Here he forced them
+to remove their armor, and beat their naked skin with thorns till they
+were ready to swoon with the pain. Then he had them thrust into a deep
+prison where were many other knights, whose groans and lamentations
+filled the air with doleful sounds.
+
+Through all this Lancelot slept on, nor did he waken from his slumber
+till another misadventure had taken place. For Sir Hector de Maris, the
+brother of Lionel, finding that Lancelot had left the court to seek
+adventures, was angry that he had not been asked to keep him company,
+and rode hastily after him, hoping to overtake him.
+
+After he had ridden long in the forest he met a man dressed like a
+forester, and asked him if any knightly adventures could be found near
+by.
+
+"Sir knight," answered the forester, "I know this country well, and can
+promise you all, and mayhap more, than you want. Within a mile of here
+is a strong manor; by that manor, on the left hand, is a fair ford for
+horses to drink at; over that ford there grows a spreading tree; and on
+that tree hang many shields which good knights once wielded. On the
+trunk of the tree you will see a basin of brass and copper, and if you
+seek an adventure you have but to strike that basin thrice with the butt
+of your spear. If then you do not soon hear tidings of interest, you
+will have the best fortune of any knight who has passed through this
+forest for many a long year."
+
+"Gramercy, for your tidings," said Hector, and rode rapidly on.
+
+Soon he came to the manor and the tree, and saw the shields of which the
+forester had told him, and to his surprise and grief he noted among them
+the shield of his brother Lionel, and many more that he knew belonged to
+Round Table knights. Then, with a heart full of thoughts of revenge, he
+beat upon the basin roundly with his spear, until its clang rung far and
+wide. This done, he turned his horse and let him drink at the ford.
+
+As he stood there he heard a loud voice behind him, bidding him come out
+of the water and make ready, and looking round he beheld a
+powerfully-built knight on a strong horse.
+
+Hector wheeled his horse sharply, and putting his spear in rest rode
+furiously upon this knight, striking him so fierce a blow that his horse
+turned twice around.
+
+"Well done," said the stranger. "That was a knightly blow. But beware,
+it is my turn now."
+
+As he spoke he spurred his horse at full speed upon Hector, and struck
+him so skilfully that the spear-head passed under his right arm and bore
+him clear of the saddle into the air. Then, carrying the knight like a
+trussed hare on his spear, the victor rode onward into his own open
+hall, and flung his captive down in the middle of the floor.
+
+"You have done more to me than any knight has done for twelve years
+past," said the victor, whose name was Sir Turquine. "Therefore I will
+grant you your life and the liberty of the castle, but you must swear to
+be my prisoner until death."
+
+"That will I never promise," said Hector. "I will remain captive to no
+man if I can free myself."
+
+"Then I shall take care that you do not escape," said Turquine.
+
+With these words he made Hector, on pain of death, remove his armor, and
+then scourged him with thorns as he had done the others, and flung him
+into the prison where lay so many of his fellows.
+
+When Hector saw his brother Lionel among these his heart was ready to
+break with sorrow.
+
+"What has happened to Lancelot?" he demanded. "You rode with him, and
+here you are a prisoner. Alas! tell me not that any harm has come to
+him."
+
+"Where he is and what he does I cannot tell," said Lionel. "I left him
+asleep under an apple-tree and rode alone on this dolorous venture.
+Would that I had wakened him first."
+
+"Alas!" cried the knights, "we may never be delivered unless Lancelot
+comes to our aid. Of all knights living we know none but him who is a
+fair match for Turquine, our robber lord."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE CONTEST OF THE FOUR QUEENS.
+
+
+Noon had passed by, but the day was still warm, and Lancelot lay yet in
+deep slumber, dreaming nothing of what had happened while he slept. But
+now there rode by the apple-tree under which he lay a royal and
+brilliant cavalcade. For in it were four queens of high estate, who were
+mounted on white mules, and attired in regal robes, while beside them
+rode four knights who bore on their spear-points a cloth of green silk,
+so held as to shield the queens from the heat of the sun.
+
+As they rode by Lancelot's place of slumber they were startled by the
+loud neigh of a war-horse, and looking about them they became aware of
+the sleeping knight beneath the apple-tree. They drew near and looked
+upon his face, and at once knew him for Lancelot du Lake. Then they
+began pleasantly to strive as to which of them should have the sleeping
+knight for her lover.
+
+"Let me settle this debate," said Morgan le Fay, who was one of the
+queens. "I shall by enchantment make his sleep hold for six hours to
+come, and shall have him borne to my castle. When he is safely within my
+power I shall remove the enchantment, and then he shall be made to
+choose which of us he will have for his love. If he refuse us all he
+shall pay the penalty."
+
+She did as she had said. Lancelot was laid sleeping upon his shield and
+borne on horseback between two knights, and so brought to a castle
+named Chariot, where he was laid, still slumbering, in a chamber. At
+night-fall a fair damsel was sent to him with his supper ready prepared.
+By that time the enchantment was past, and Lancelot woke as the damsel
+came into his chamber and asked him how he fared.
+
+"That I am not ready to say," answered Lancelot; "for I know not how I
+came into this castle unless it were by enchantment."
+
+"As to that I cannot speak," she replied. "I can but bid you eat. If you
+be such a knight as men say, I shall tell you more to-morrow morn."
+
+"Thanks, fair damsel," said Lancelot. "It pleases me to have your good
+will."
+
+Little comfort had the good knight of that night's sleep; but early in
+the morning there came to him the four queens, each dressed in her
+richest attire, adorned with rare jewels, and as beautiful as art and
+skill could make them.
+
+They bade him good morning and he returned their greeting, looking upon
+them with eyes of admiration, but not of love.
+
+"You are our prisoner, sir knight," said Morgan. "We know you well. You
+are Lancelot of the Lake, King Ban's son. And well we understand that
+you are named the worthiest knight living, and that men say that no lady
+in the land but Queen Guenever can have your love. But this we would
+have you know, that you must choose one of us four as your heart's
+queen, for if you refuse you shall never see Arthur's queen again. I am
+Morgan le Fay, queen of the land of Gore, and here is the Queen of
+Northgalis, the Queen of East-land, and the Queen of the Out Islands. We
+bid you to forget Guenever and choose of us the one you will have for
+your love. If you choose not it will be worse for you, for I shall hold
+you in prison until death."
+
+"This is a hard chance," said Lancelot, "that I must die in prison or
+profess a love that I do not feel. Let me tell you this, though I die
+twice in your dungeon I will have none of you, for you are false
+enchantresses and not true dames for honest men to love. As for dame
+Guenever, were I at liberty I would prove it on all the knights whom you
+command that she is of all ladies the truest to her lord."
+
+"Is this, then, your answer," said Morgan, "that you disdain our love?"
+
+"On my life it is!" cried Lancelot. "Such love as yours is not for
+honest knights; and my love is not to be had for the bidding."
+
+"You may live to change your mind," said Morgan. "Prison life and prison
+fare may cure your pride."
+
+With these words they departed, leaving Lancelot in gloom of mind but
+steadfastness of heart.
+
+At noon, the damsel who had brought him his supper the night before came
+with his dinner, and asked him again how he fared.
+
+"Never so ill," said Lancelot. "For never before was I held under lock
+and key, and never was worthy knight so shamefully entreated."
+
+"It grieves me deeply to see you in such distress," she said. "If you
+will be ruled by me, and make me a promise, you shall be set free from
+this prison, though at the risk of my life."
+
+"I will grant your wish if it be in my power," said Lancelot. "These
+queenly sorceresses have destroyed many a good knight, and I would give
+much to be out of their hands."
+
+"They crave your love from what they have heard of your honor and
+renown," answered the damsel. "They say your name is Lancelot du Lake,
+the flower of knights, and your refusal of their love has filled their
+souls with anger. But for my aid you might die in their hands. The
+promise I ask is this. On Tuesday morning next there is to be a
+tournament between my father and the King of Northgalis. My father was
+lately overpowered by three of Arthur's knights, and if you will be
+there and help him in this coming fray I will engage to deliver you from
+your bondage at dawn to-morrow."
+
+"Tell me your father's name," said Lancelot, "and then you shall have my
+answer."
+
+"His name is King Bagdemagus."
+
+"I know him well," said Lancelot. "He is a noble king and a good knight.
+By the faith of my body, I promise to give him what aid I can."
+
+"A hundred thanks, dear sir," she said. "Be ready to-morrow early. I
+shall be here to deliver you, and take you to where you can find your
+horse and armor. Within ten miles of this castle is an abbey of white
+monks. There I beg you to stay and thither I shall bring my father to
+you."
+
+"As I am a true knight you can trust me," said Lancelot.
+
+With this the damsel departed. But at early dawn of the next day she
+came again, as she had promised, and found Lancelot ready and eager for
+flight. Then they crept through hall and passage, with heedful tread and
+bated breath, until she had opened twelve locked doors and reached the
+castle yard.
+
+The sun was just giving its rose tints to the east when she brought him
+to the place where his horse and armor were kept, and with hasty fingers
+helped him to arm. Then, taking a great spear and mounting his noble
+steed, Lancelot rode forth, saying cheerily,--
+
+"Fair damsel, by the grace of God I shall not fail you."
+
+And still slumber lay deep upon the castle, and not one of the queens
+nor a soul of those who dwelt therein was wakened by the sound.
+
+But not far had the escaping knight departed from the castle before he
+entered a thick forest, in whose depths he wandered lost all that day,
+finding no high road, and no trace of the abbey of white monks. Night at
+length came upon him, and now he found himself in a valley where he saw
+a pavilion of red sendal.
+
+"Fortune aids me," said Lancelot. "Whoever owns that pavilion, it shall
+give me shelter for the night."
+
+He thereupon alighted, tied his horse to a tree near by, and entered the
+pavilion, in which was a comfortable bed. Disarming, he laid himself
+therein, and very soon was lost in heavy slumber.
+
+Within an hour afterwards the knight who owned the pavilion came
+thither, and laid himself upon the bed without noticing that it was
+already occupied. His entrance wakened Lancelot, who, on feeling this
+intrusion, sprang in quick alarm from the bed and grasped his sword. The
+other knight, no less alarmed, did the same, and sword in hand they
+rushed out from the pavilion into the open air, and fell into mortal
+combat by the side of a little stream that there ran past.
+
+The fight was quickly at an end, for after a few passes the knight of
+the pavilion fell to the earth, wounded nearly unto death.
+
+"I yield me, sir knight," he cried. "But I fear I have fought my last."
+
+"Why came you into my bed?" demanded Lancelot.
+
+"The pavilion is my own," said the knight. "It is ill fortune that I
+should die for seeking my own bed."
+
+"Then I am sorry to have hurt you," said Lancelot. "I have lately been
+beguiled by treason, and was in dread of it. Come into the pavilion. It
+may be that I can stanch your blood."
+
+They entered the pavilion, where Lancelot, with skilful hands, dressed
+the knight's wound and stopped the bleeding. As he did so the knight's
+lady entered the pavilion, and fell into deep lamentation and accusal of
+Lancelot, on seeing how sorely her lord was hurt.
+
+"Peace, my lady and love," said the knight. "This is a worthy and
+honorable gentleman. I am in fault for my hurt, and he has saved my life
+by his skill and care."
+
+"Will you tell me what knight you are?" asked the lady.
+
+"Fair lady," he replied, "my name is Lancelot du Lake."
+
+"So your face and voice told me," she replied, "for I have seen you
+often, and know you better than you deem. And I would ask of your
+courtesy, for the harm you have done to my lord Beleus and the grief you
+have given me, that you will cause my lord to be made a Knight of the
+Round Table. This I can say for him, that he is a man of warlike
+prowess, and the lord of many islands."
+
+"Let him come to the court at the next high feast," said Lancelot; "and
+come you with him. I shall do what I can for him, and if he prove as
+good a knight as you say, I doubt not but King Arthur will grant your
+request."
+
+While they still talked the night passed and the day dawned. Then
+Lancelot armed himself, and asking of them the way to the abbey, rode
+thither, where he arrived within the space of two hours.
+
+As Lancelot rode within the abbey yard, the damsel to whom he owed his
+deliverance from the prison of Morgan le Fay sprang from a couch and ran
+to a window, roused by the loud clang of hoofs upon the pavement.
+
+Seeing who it was, she hurried gladly down, and bade some of the men to
+take his horse to the stable, and others to lead him to a chamber,
+whither she sent him a robe to wear when he had laid off his armor.
+
+[Illustration: OLD ARCHES OF THE ABBEY WALL.]
+
+Then she entered the chamber and bade him heartily welcome, saying that
+of all knights in the world he was the one she most wished to see.
+Ordering breakfast to be prepared for the hungry knight, she sent in
+haste for her father, who was within twelve miles of the abbey. Before
+eventide he came, and with him a fair following of knights.
+
+As soon as King Bagdemagus reached the abbey, he went straight to the
+room where were Lancelot and his daughter in conversation, and took
+Lancelot in his arms, bidding him warmly welcome.
+
+In the talk that followed, Lancelot told the king of his late
+adventures, the loss of his nephew Lionel, his own betrayal, and his
+rescue by the maiden, his daughter: "For which," he said, "I owe my best
+service to her and hers while I live."
+
+"Then can I trust in your help on Tuesday next?" asked the king.
+
+"That I have already promised your daughter," said Lancelot. "I shall
+not fail. But she tells me that in your last bout you lost the field
+through three of King Arthur's knights, who aided the King of
+Northgalis, and that it is against these knights you need assistance.
+What knights were they?"
+
+"They were Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Mordred, and Sir Gahalatine. Do
+what we could, neither I nor my knights could make head against them."
+
+"I would not have them know me," said Lancelot. "My plan, therefore, is
+this. Send me here three of your best knights, and see that they have
+white shields, with no device, and that I also have such a shield. Then
+shall we four, when the fight is well on, come out of a wood into the
+midst of the fray, and do what we can to defeat these champions."
+
+This plan was carried out as Lancelot had devised. On the day fixed for
+the tournament he, with his three white-shielded companions, placed
+himself in ambush in a leafy grove near where the lists were raised.
+Around the field were rows of benches where the spectators might sit,
+and richly-adorned seats for the lords and ladies who were to adjudge
+the combat and award the prize of skill and valor.
+
+Then into the lists rode the King of Northgalis, with a following of
+fourscore knights, and attended by the three knights of Arthur's court,
+who stood apart by themselves. Into the opposite side of the lists rode
+King Bagdemagus, with as many knights in his train.
+
+When all were in place the signal for the onset was given, and the
+knights put their spears in rest and rode together with a great rush,
+and with such fatal fortune that twelve of the party of Bagdemagus and
+six of that of Northgalis were slain at the first encounter, while the
+knights of King Bagdemagus were driven back in disorder.
+
+At this critical juncture Lancelot and his companions broke from their
+concealment and rode into the lists, forcing their horses into the thick
+of the press. Then Lancelot did deeds of such marvellous strength and
+skill that all men deeply wondered who could be the valiant knight of
+the white shield. For with one spear he smote down five knights, with
+such force that four of them broke their backs in the fall. Then turning
+on the King of Northgalis, he hurled him from his horse and broke his
+thigh.
+
+The three knights of Arthur's court, who had not yet joined in the fray,
+saw this, and rode forward.
+
+"A shrewd guest that," said Mador. "Let me have at him."
+
+But his fortune was not equal to his hopes, for Lancelot bore down horse
+and man, so that Mador's shoulder was put out of joint by the fall.
+
+"Now is my turn," said Mordred.
+
+He rode fiercely on Lancelot, who turned nimbly and met him in full
+career, Mordred's spear shivering unto his hand when it struck the firm
+white shield. But Lancelot gave him so shrewd a buffet that the bow of
+his saddle broke, and he was flung over his horse's tail with such
+violence that his helmet went more than a foot into the earth. Fortune
+saved him from a broken neck, but he lay long in a swoon.
+
+Then Gahalatine and Lancelot rode together with all their force, the
+spears of both breaking, but both keeping their seats. They now drew
+their swords, and struck each other many a keen blow. At length
+Lancelot, with a burst of wrath, smote Gahalatine so fierce a stroke on
+the helm that blood burst from his nose, mouth, and ears, and his head
+drooped on his breast. His horse ran in fright from the fray, while he
+fell headlong from his saddle to the ground.
+
+Lancelot now drew back and received from the attendants a stout, strong
+spear, and with this rode again into the fray. Before that spear broke
+he had unhorsed sixteen knights, some of them being borne from their
+saddles, while others were hurled horse and man together to the earth.
+Then getting another spear he unhorsed twelve more knights, some of whom
+never throve afterwards. This ended the tournament, for the knights of
+Northgalis refused to fight any longer against a champion of such
+mighty prowess, and the prize was awarded to King Bagdemagus.
+
+Lancelot now rode with King Bagdemagus from the lists to his castle,
+where they had great feasting and rejoicing, and where Lancelot was
+proffered rich gifts for the noble service he had rendered. But these he
+refused to accept.
+
+On the following morning Lancelot took his leave, saying that he must go
+in search of Lionel, who had vanished from his side during his sleep.
+But before going he commended all present to God's grace, and said to
+the king's daughter,--
+
+"If you have need any time of my service I pray you let me know, and I
+shall not fail you, as I am a true knight."
+
+And so Lancelot departed, having had strange adventures and won much
+renown since he had parted from his nephew Lionel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW LANCELOT AND TURQUINE FOUGHT.
+
+
+Not far nor long had Lancelot ridden before he found himself in familiar
+scenes, and in a short time he beheld that same apple-tree under which
+he had lain asleep.
+
+"I shall take care never to sleep again beneath your shade," he said,
+grimly. "The fruit you bear is not wholesome for errant knights."
+
+He rode by it, but had not followed the highway far when he met a damsel
+riding on a white palfrey, who saluted him. He courteously returned her
+salute, and said,--
+
+"Fair damsel, know you of any adventures that may be had in this land?"
+
+"Sir knight," she replied, "if you crave adventures you will not need to
+go far to find one. But it is one it might be safest for you not to
+undertake."
+
+"Why should I not?" said Lancelot. "I came here seeking adventures, and
+am not the man to turn back from a shadow."
+
+"You seem to be a good knight," she replied, regarding him closely. "If
+you dare face a powerful fighter, I can bring you where is the best and
+mightiest in this land. But first I would know what knight you are."
+
+"As for my name, you are welcome to it," he replied. "Men call me
+Lancelot du Lake."
+
+"This, then, is the adventure. Near by there dwells a knight who has
+never yet found his match, and who is ever ready for a joust. His name
+is Sir Turquine. As I am told, he has overcome and has in prison in his
+castle sixty-four knights of Arthur's court, whom he has met and
+vanquished in single combat. You shall fight with him if you will. And
+if you overcome him, then I shall beg for your aid against a false
+knight who daily distresses me and other damsels. Have I your promise?"
+
+"There is nothing I would rather do," said Lancelot. "Bring me now where
+I may meet this Turquine. When I have ended with him I shall be at your
+service."
+
+"Come this way," she replied, and led him to the ford and the tree where
+hung the basin.
+
+Lancelot waited here until his horse had drunk, and then he beat on the
+basin with the butt of his spear with such force that its bottom fell
+out, but no one answered his challenge. He knocked then loudly at the
+manor gates, but they remained closed. Finding no entrance, he rode for
+half an hour along the manor walls, looking heedfully for Sir Turquine,
+whom he fancied must be abroad. At the end of that time he saw a knight
+who drove a horse before him, and athwart that horse lay an armed
+knight, bound.
+
+As they drew near, Lancelot noticed something familiar in the aspect of
+the bound knight, and when they had come close he recognized him as
+Gaheris, the brother of Gawaine, and a Knight of the Round Table.
+
+"That prisoner is a fellow of mine," he said to the damsel. "I shall
+begin, I promise you, by God's help, with rescuing him; and unless his
+captor sit better than I in the saddle, I shall deliver all his
+prisoners, among whom, I am sure, are some of my near kindred."
+
+By this time Turquine was close at hand, and on seeing an armed knight
+thus confront him he drew up his horse and gripped his spear fiercely.
+
+"Fair sir," said Lancelot, "put down that wounded knight and let him
+rest a while, while you and I find out who is the better man. I am told
+you have done much wrong to Knights of the Round Table, and I am here to
+revenge them. Therefore, defend yourself."
+
+"If you be of the Round Table," said Turquine, "I defy you and all your
+fellowship."
+
+"That is easy to say," retorted Lancelot. "Now let me see what you are
+ready to do."
+
+Then, they put their spears in the rests, and rode together with the
+force of two ships meeting in mid-ocean, smiting each other so strongly
+in the midst of their shields that the backs of both horses broke
+beneath them. The knights, astonished at this result, leaped hastily to
+the ground to avoid being overthrown.
+
+Then, drawing their swords and bearing their shields in front, they came
+hotly together, striking with such force that shield and armor alike
+gave way beneath the mighty blows, and blood soon began to flow freely
+from their wounds. Thus for two hours and more the deadly contest
+continued, the knights striking, parrying, advancing, and retiring with
+all the skill of perfect swordsmen. At the last they both paused through
+lack of breath, and stood leaning upon their swords, and facing each
+other grimly.
+
+"Hold thy hand a while, fellow," said Turquine, "and tell me what I
+shall ask thee."
+
+"Say on," rejoined Lancelot, briefly.
+
+"Thou art the strongest and best-breathed man that ever I met with, and
+art much like the knight that I hate most of all men. If you are not he,
+then for the esteem I have for you I will release all my prisoners, and
+we shall be fellows together while we live. But first of all I would
+know your name."
+
+"You speak well," said Lancelot. "But since you promise me your
+friendship, tell me what knight it is you hate so deeply?"
+
+"His name," said Turquine, "is Lancelot du Lake. He slew my brother
+Carados at the dolorous tower, and I have vowed that, if I should meet
+him, one of us shall make an end of the other. Through hate of him I
+have slain a hundred knights, and maimed as many more, while of those I
+have thrown in prison, many are dead, and threescore and four yet live.
+If you will tell me your name, and it be not Lancelot, all these shall
+be delivered."
+
+"It stands, then," said Lancelot, "that if I be one man I may have your
+peace and friendship, and if I be another man there will be mortal war
+between us. If you would know my name, it is Lancelot du Lake, son of
+King Ban of Benwick, and Knight of the Table Round. And now do your
+best, for I defy you."
+
+"Ah, Lancelot!" said Turquine, "never was knight so welcome to me. This
+is the meeting I have long sought, and we shall never part till one of
+us be dead."
+
+Then they rushed together like two wild bulls, lashing at each other
+with shield and sword, and striking such fiery blows that pieces of
+steel flew from their armor of proof, and blood poured from many new
+wounds.
+
+Two hours longer the fight continued, Turquine giving Lancelot many
+wounds and receiving stinging blows in return, till at the end he drew
+back faint with loss of breath and of blood, and bore his shield low
+through weakness. This Lancelot quickly perceived, and leaped fiercely
+upon him, seizing him by the beaver of his helmet and dragging him down
+to his knees. Then he tore off his helm, and swinging in the air his
+fatal blade, smote off his head so that it leaped like a live thing upon
+the ground, while the body fell prostrate in death.
+
+"So much for Turquine," said Lancelot. "He will take prisoner no more
+Round Table knights. But by my faith, there are not many such men as he,
+and he and I might have faced the world. Now, damsel, I am ready to go
+with you where you will, but I have no horse."
+
+"Take that of this wounded knight; and let him go into the manor and
+release the prisoners."
+
+"That is well advised," said Lancelot, who thereupon went to Gaheris and
+begged that he would lend him his horse.
+
+"Lend it!" cried Gaheris. "I will give it, and would give ten if I had
+them, for I owe my life and my horse both to you. You have slain in my
+sight the mightiest man and the best knight that I ever saw, except
+yourself. And, fair sir, I pray you tell me your name?"
+
+"My name is Lancelot du Lake. I owe you rescue for King Arthur's sake,
+and for that of Gawaine, your brother and my comrade. Within that manor
+you will find many Knights of the Round Table, whose shields you may see
+on yonder tree. I pray you greet them all from me, and say I bid them
+take for their own such stuff as they find there. I must ride on with
+this damsel to keep my promise, but I hope to be back at the court by
+the feast of Pentecost. Bid Lionel and Hector await me there."
+
+This said, he mounted and rode on, while Gaheris went into the
+manor-house. Here he found a yeoman porter, who accosted him surlily.
+Gaheris flung the dogged fellow to the floor, and took from him his
+keys. With these he opened the prison doors and released the captives,
+who thanked him warmly for their rescue, for they saw that he was
+wounded, and deemed that he had vanquished Turquine.
+
+"It was not I," said Gaheris, "that slew your tyrant. You have Lancelot
+to thank for that. He greets you all, and asks Lionel and Hector to wait
+for him at the court."
+
+"That we shall not do," said they. "While we live we shall seek him."
+
+"So shall I," said Kay, who was among the prisoners, "as I am a true
+knight."
+
+Then the released knights sought their armor and horses, and as they did
+so a forester rode into the court, with four horses laden with fat
+venison.
+
+"Here is for us," said Kay. "We have not had such a repast as this
+promises for many a long day. That rogue Turquine owes us a dinner at
+least."
+
+Then the manor-kitchens were set in a blaze, and the venison was
+roasted, baked, and sodden, the half-starved knights enjoying such a
+hearty meal as they had long been without. Some of them afterwards
+stayed in the manor-house for the night, though in more agreeable
+quarters than they had of late occupied. But Lionel, Hector, and Kay
+rode in quest of Lancelot, resolved to find him if it were possible,
+and to lose no time in the search.
+
+As for the victorious knight, he had many strange adventures, of which
+we can tell only those of most interest. First of all, he performed the
+task which the damsel required of him, for he met and killed that false
+knight against whom she prayed for redress.
+
+"You have done this day a double service to mankind," said the damsel,
+gratefully. "As Turquine destroyed knights, so did this villain, whose
+name was Peris de Forest Savage, destroy and distress ladies and
+gentlewomen, and he is well repaid for his villany."
+
+"Do you want any more service of me?" asked Lancelot.
+
+"Not at this time. But may heaven preserve you wherever you go, for you
+deserve the prayers of all who are in distress. But one thing, it seems
+to me, you lack: you are a wifeless knight. The world says that you will
+love no maiden, but that your heart is turned only to Queen Guenever,
+who has ordained by enchantment that you shall love none but her. This I
+hold to be a great pity, and many in the land are sorry to see so noble
+a knight so enchained."
+
+"I cannot stop people from thinking what they will," said Lancelot, "but
+as for marrying, I shall not soon consent to be a stay-at-home knight.
+And as for Guenever's enchantment, it is only that of beauty and womanly
+graciousness. What time may bring me I know not, but as yet it has not
+brought me a fancy for wedded life. I thank you for your good wishes,
+fair damsel, and courteously bid you farewell."
+
+With these words Lancelot and she parted, she seeking her home, and the
+knight riding in quest of new adventures. For two days his journey
+continued, through a country strange to him. On the morning of the third
+day he found himself beside a wide stream, which was crossed by a long
+bridge, beyond which rose the battlemented towers of a strong castle.
+
+Lancelot rode upon the bridge, but before he had reached its middle
+there started out a foul-faced churl, who smote his horse a hard blow on
+the nose, and asked him surlily why he dared cross that bridge without
+license.
+
+"Why should I not, if I wish?" asked the knight. "Who has the right to
+hinder?"
+
+"I have," cried the churl. "You may choose what you will, but you shall
+not ride here," and he struck at him furiously with a great iron-shod
+club.
+
+At this affront Lancelot angrily drew his sword, and with one stroke
+warded off the blow, and cut the churl's head in twain.
+
+"So much for you, fool," he said.
+
+But when he reached the end of the bridge he found there a village,
+whose people cried out to him, "You have done a sorry deed for yourself,
+for you have slain the chief porter of our castle."
+
+Lancelot rode on, heedless of their cries, and forcing his great horse
+through the throng till he came to the castle walls. The gates of these
+stood open, and he rode in, where he saw a fair green court, and beyond
+it the stately walls and towers. At the windows were the faces of many
+people, who cried to him in dismay,--
+
+"Fair knight, turn and fly. Death awaits you here."
+
+"Fly! I have not learned how," answered Lancelot, as he sprang from his
+horse and tied him to a ring in the wall. "This court seems a fair place
+for knightly combat, and it fits better with my mood to fight than fly."
+
+Hardly had he spoken when from the castle doors came two strong giants,
+armed all but their heads, and bearing as weapons great iron clubs. They
+set upon Lancelot together, the foremost making a stroke that would have
+slain him had it reached him. But the knight warded it off with his
+shield, and agilely returned the blow with his sword, with so vigorous a
+stroke that he cleft the giant's head in twain.
+
+When his fellow saw this, he turned and ran in panic fear, but Lancelot
+furiously pursued him, and struck him so fierce a blow that the sword
+clove his great body asunder from shoulder to waist.
+
+"Is it not better to fight than to fly?" cried Lancelot to the glad
+faces which he now saw at the windows, and, leaving the dead giants
+crimsoning the green verdure, he strode into the castle hall, where
+there came before him threescore ladies, who fell on their knees and
+thanked God and him for their deliverance.
+
+"Blessed be the day thou wert born, sir knight," they said, "for many
+brave warriors have died in seeking to do what thou hast achieved this
+day. We are all of us gentlewomen born, and many of us have been
+prisoners here for seven years, working in silk for these giants that we
+might earn our food. We pray you to tell us your name, that our friends
+may know who has delivered us, and remember you in their prayers."
+
+"Fair ladies," he said, "my name is Lancelot du Lake."
+
+"You may well be he," they replied. "For we know no other knight that
+could have faced those giants together, and slain them as you have
+done."
+
+"Say unto your friends," said Lancelot, "that I send them greeting, and
+that I shall expect good cheer from them if ever I should come into
+their manors. As for the treasure in this castle, I give it to you in
+payment for your captivity. For the castle itself, its lord, whom these
+giants have dispossessed, may claim again his heritage."
+
+"The castle," they replied, "is named Tintagil. The duke who owned it
+was the husband of Queen Igraine, King Arthur's mother. But it has long
+been held by these miscreant giants."
+
+"Then," said Lancelot, "the castle belongs to the king, and shall be
+returned to him. And now farewell, and God be with you."
+
+So saying, he mounted his horse and rode away, followed by the thanks
+and prayers of the rescued ladies.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE CHAPEL PERILOUS.
+
+
+Lancelot rode onward day after day, passing through many strange and
+wild countries, and over many rivers, and finding but sorry cheer and
+ill lodging as he went. At length fortune brought him to a comfortable
+wayside mansion, where he was well received, and after a good supper was
+lodged in a chamber over the gateway.
+
+But he had not been long asleep when he was aroused by a furious
+knocking at the gate. Springing from his bed, he looked from the window,
+and there by the moonlight saw one knight defending himself against
+three, who were pressing him closely. The knight fought bravely, but was
+in danger of being overpowered.
+
+"Those are not fair odds," said Lancelot. "I must to the rescue, and the
+more so as I see that it is my old friend, Sir Kay, who is being so
+roughly handled."
+
+Then he hastily put on his armor, and by aid of a sheet lowered himself
+from a window to the ground.
+
+"Turn this way," he cried to the assailants, "and leave that knight.
+Three to one is not knightly odds."
+
+At these words they turned upon him, all three striking at him together,
+and forcing him to defend himself. Kay would have come to his aid, but
+he cried out,--
+
+"I will have none of your help. Stand off and leave me alone, or fight
+them yourself."
+
+At this Kay stood aside, and Lancelot attacked the three miscreants so
+fiercely that within six strokes he felled them all to the ground. They
+now begged for mercy, yielding to him as a man of matchless skill.
+
+"I will not take your yielding," he replied. "Yield to Sir Kay, here,
+whom you foully over-matched."
+
+"You ask too much of us, fair sir. It is not just that we should yield
+to him whom we would have vanquished but for you."
+
+"Think well," returned Lancelot. "You shall yield or die. The choice is
+yours."
+
+"That is a choice with but one side. Yield we must, if death is the
+alternative."
+
+"Then I bid you on Whitsunday next, to present yourselves to Queen
+Guenever at King Arthur's court, and put yourselves in her grace and
+mercy, saying that Sir Kay sent you there as prisoners."
+
+This they took oath to do, each knight swearing upon his sword;
+whereupon Lancelot suffered them to depart.
+
+He now knocked at the gate with the pommel of his sword, till his host
+came, who started with surprise on seeing him there.
+
+"I thought you were safe a-bed," he said.
+
+"So I was. But I sprang from the window to help an old fellow of mine."
+
+When they came to the light, Kay recognized Lancelot, and fell on his
+knees to thank him for saving his life.
+
+"What I have done is nothing but what duty and good fellowship
+demanded," said Lancelot. "Are you hungry?"
+
+"Half starved," answered Kay.
+
+"Mayhap our good host can find you food."
+
+Meat was thereupon brought, of which Kay ate heartily, after which he
+and Lancelot sought their beds in the gate chamber.
+
+But in the morning Lancelot rose while Kay was still asleep, and took
+his guest's armor and shield, leaving his own. Then he proceeded to the
+stable, mounted his horse, and rode away. Shortly afterwards Kay awoke,
+and quickly perceived what his comrade had done.
+
+"Good," he said, with a laugh. "Lancelot is after some sport. I fancy
+that more than one knight will get more than he bargains for if he
+thinks he has me to deal with. As for me, with Lancelot's armor and
+shield, I shall be left to ride in peace, for few, I fancy, will trouble
+me."
+
+Kay thereupon put on Lancelot's armor, and, thanking his host, rode
+away. Meanwhile Lancelot had ridden on till he found himself in a low
+country full of meadows and rivers. Here he passed a bridge at whose end
+were three pavilions of silk and sendal, and at the door of each a white
+shield on the truncheon of a spear, while three squires stood at the
+pavilion doors. Lancelot rode leisurely by, without a word and hardly a
+look.
+
+When he had passed, the knights looked after him, saying to one another,
+"That is the proud Kay. He deems no knight so good as he, though it has
+often been proved otherwise."
+
+"I shall ride after him," said one. "We shall see if his pride does not
+have a fall. Watch me, comrades, if you would see some sport."
+
+He sped but poorly, as it proved, for within a short time he was hurled
+grovelling to the earth. Then the two others rode in succession against
+the disguised knight, and both met with the same sorry fate.
+
+"You are not Kay, the seneschal," they cried. "He never struck such
+blows. Tell us your name and we will yield."
+
+"You shall yield, whether you will or not," he replied. "Look that you
+be at court by Whitsunday, and yield yourselves to Queen Guenever,
+saying to her that Sir Kay sent you thither as prisoners."
+
+This they swore to do, in dread of worse handling, and Lancelot rode on,
+leaving them to help themselves as best they might. Not far had he gone
+when he entered a forest, and in an open glade of this saw four knights
+resting under an oak. He knew them at sight to be from Arthur's court,
+two of them being Gawaine and Uwaine; the other two Hector de Maris, and
+Sagramour le Desirous.
+
+They, as the three previous knights had done, mistook Lancelot for Kay,
+and Sagramour rode after him, vowing that he would try what skill the
+seneschal had. He quickly found, for horse and man together were hurled
+to the ground, while Lancelot sat unmoved in his saddle.
+
+"I would have sworn that Kay could not give such a buffet as that," said
+Hector. "Let us see what I can do with him."
+
+His luck was even worse, for he went to the earth with a spear-hole in
+his shoulder, his shield and armor being pierced.
+
+"By my faith!" said Uwaine, "that knight is a bigger and stronger man
+than Kay. He must have slain the seneschal and taken his armor. He has
+proved himself a hard man to match, but if Kay has been slain it is our
+duty to revenge him."
+
+He thereupon rode against Lancelot, but with as ill fortune as his
+fellows, for he was flung so violently to the earth that he lay long out
+of his senses.
+
+"Whoever he be," cried Gawaine, "he has overturned my comrades, and I
+must encounter him. Defend yourself, sir knight."
+
+Then the two knights rode fiercely together, each striking the other in
+the midst of the shield. But Gawaine's spear broke, while that of
+Lancelot held good, and struck so strong a blow that the horse was
+overturned, Gawaine barely escaping being crushed beneath him.
+
+This done, Lancelot rode slowly on, smiling to himself, and saying, "God
+give joy to the man that made this spear, for a better no knight ever
+handled."
+
+"What say you of this knight, who with one spear has felled us all?"
+said Gawaine. "To my thinking, it is Lancelot or the devil. He rides
+like Lancelot."
+
+"We shall find out in good time," said the others; "but he has left us
+sore bodies and sick hearts, and our poor horses are the worse for the
+trial."
+
+Lancelot rode on through the forest, thinking quietly to himself of the
+surprise he had given to his late assailants, and of the sport it would
+thereafter make in the court. But new and stranger adventures awaited
+him, for he was now coming into a land of enchantment, where more than
+mere strength would be needed.
+
+What he saw, after he had ridden long and far, was a black brachet,
+which was coursing as if in the track of a hurt deer; but he quickly
+perceived that the dog was upon a trail of fresh blood. He followed the
+brachet, which looked behind as it ran, as if with desire to lead him
+on. In time he saw before him an old manor, over whose bridge ran the
+dog. When Lancelot had ridden over the bridge, that shook beneath his
+hoofs as if it was ready to fall, he came into a great hall, where lay a
+dead knight whose wounds the dog was licking. As he stood there a lady
+rushed weeping from a chamber, and wrung her hands in grief as she
+accused him of having slain her lord.
+
+"Madam, it was not I," said Lancelot. "I never saw him till his dog led
+me here, and I am sorry enough for your misfortune."
+
+"I should have known it could not be you," she said. "I was led by my
+grief to speak wildly. For he that killed my husband is sorely wounded
+himself, and I can promise him this, that he will never recover. I have
+wrought him a charm that no leech's skill can overcome."
+
+"What was your husband's name?" asked Lancelot.
+
+"Sir Gilbert," she replied. "As for him that slew him, I know not his
+name."
+
+"God send you better comfort," said Lancelot. "I am sorry for your
+misfortune."
+
+Then he rode again into the forest, and in a short space met a damsel
+who knew him well, for his visor was up and his face shown.
+
+"You are well found, my lord Lancelot," she said. "I beg you of your
+knighthood to help my brother, who lies near by sorely wounded, and
+never stops bleeding. He fought to-day with Sir Gilbert and slew him in
+fair battle, and now is dying through foul enchantment. Not far from
+here dwells a lady sorceress, who has wrought this harm, and who told me
+to-day that my brother's wounds would never heal till I could find a
+knight who would go into the Chapel Perilous, and bring thence the sword
+of the slain knight and a piece of the bloody cloth that he is wrapped
+in. My brother will die unless his wounds are touched with that sword
+and that cloth, for nothing else on earth will stop their bleeding."
+
+"This is a marvellous tale," said Lancelot. "Who is your brother?"
+
+"His name is Meliot de Logres."
+
+"Then he is one of my fellows of the Round Table, and I will do all I
+can to help him. What and where the Chapel Perilous is I know not, but I
+do not fear its perils."
+
+"This highway will bring you to it, and at no great distance," she
+replied. "I shall here await your return. I know no knight but you who
+can achieve this task, and truly you will find it no light one, for you
+have enchantment and sorcery to encounter."
+
+Little was Lancelot downcast by these words, and he rode on to the
+Chapel Perilous with no dread in his bold heart. Reaching the building
+indicated, he alighted and tied his horse beside the gate. Then he
+entered the church-yard, and there he saw on the chapel front many
+shields hung upside down, some of them being well known to him.
+
+But his eyes were quickly drawn from these, for suddenly there appeared
+before him thirty gigantic knights, all clad in jet-black armor, and
+every man of them a foot higher than common men. All bore swords and
+shields, and as they stood there they grinned and gnashed at him with
+baleful faces.
+
+Dread came into Lancelot's heart on seeing this frightful throng of
+black warriors, with their demon-like countenances. But commending his
+soul to God, he took his sword in hand and advanced resolutely upon
+them. Then, to his surprise and gladness, when they saw this bold
+advance they scattered right and left before him, like dead leaves
+before the wind, and gave him open passage to the chapel, which he
+entered without further opposition.
+
+Here was no light but that of a dim lamp, and on a bier in the centre of
+the aisle there lay a corpse that was covered with a cloth of silk. On
+coming up, Lancelot gazed upon the face and saw that it was that of Sir
+Gilbert, whose dead body he had seen but lately in the hall of the
+manor-house.
+
+Then he bent over the corpse and cut away a piece of the silk, and as he
+did so he felt the floor to sink and rock beneath him as if the earth
+had quaked. This gave him a thrill of dread, and seizing the sword that
+lay by the side of the corpse he hastened out of the chapel.
+
+When he reached the chapel-yard the black knights thronged again in his
+pathway, and cried to him with voices of thunder,--
+
+"Knight, yield us that sword, or you shall die!"
+
+"Whether I live or die, it will need more than loud words to force me to
+yield it. You may fight for it if you will. And I warn you, you will
+need to fight hard."
+
+Then, as before, they scattered before his bold advance, and left him
+free passage. Lancelot strode resolutely on through the chapel-yard, but
+in the highway beyond he met a fair damsel, who said to him,--
+
+"Sir Lancelot, you know not what risk you run. Leave that sword, or you
+will die for it."
+
+"I got it not so easy that I should leave it for a threat," he replied.
+
+"You are wise," she answered. "I did but test your judgment. If you had
+yielded the sword you would never have looked on Queen Guenever again."
+
+"Then I would have been a fool indeed to leave it."
+
+"Now, gentle knight, I have but one request to make of you ere you
+depart. That is, that you kiss me."
+
+"Nay," said Lancelot, "that God forbid. I save my kisses till my love is
+given."
+
+"Then are you beyond my power," she cried, with a groan of pain. "Had
+you kissed me your life would have ended; but now I have lost my labor,
+for it was for you and Gawaine that I prepared this chapel with its
+enchantments. Gawaine was once in my power, and at that time he fought
+with Sir Gilbert and struck off his left hand. As for you, I have loved
+you these seven years. But I know that none but Guenever will ever have
+your love, and so, as I could not have you alive, I wished to have you
+dead. If you had yielded to my wiles I should have embalmed and
+preserved your body, and kissed it daily in spite of Guenever, or any
+woman living. Now farewell, Lancelot; I shall never look upon your face
+again."
+
+"I pray to Heaven you shall not. And may God preserve me from your vile
+craft."
+
+Mounting his horse, Lancelot departed. Of the lady, we are told by the
+chronicles that she died within a fortnight of pure sorrow, and that she
+was a sorceress of high renown.
+
+Lancelot rode on till he met the sister of the wounded knight, who
+clapped her hands and wept for joy on seeing him safely returned. Then
+she led him to a castle near by, where Sir Meliot lay. Lancelot knew him
+at sight, though he was pale as death from loss of blood.
+
+On seeing Lancelot, he fell on his knees before him, crying, in tones of
+hope,--
+
+"Oh, my lord Lancelot, help me, for you alone can!"
+
+"I can and will," rejoined the knight, and, as he had been advised, he
+touched his wounds with the sword and rubbed them with the bloody cloth
+he had won.
+
+No sooner was this done, than Meliot sprang to his feet a whole and
+sound man, while his heart throbbed with joy and gratefulness. And he
+and his sister entertained their noble guest with the best the castle
+afforded, doing all in their power to show their gratitude.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF THE FALCON.
+
+
+After his departure from the castle of Sir Meliot, Lancelot rode through
+many strange regions, over marshes and highlands, through valleys and
+forests, and at length found himself in front of a handsome castle. This
+he passed, and as he did so thought he heard two bells ring.
+
+Then he saw a falcon fly over his head towards a high elm, with long
+cords hanging from her feet, and as she perched in the elm these became
+coiled round a bough, so that when she tried to fly again the lines held
+her and she hung downward by the legs.
+
+Then there came a lady running from the castle, who cried, as she
+approached,--
+
+"Oh, Lancelot, Lancelot, as thou art the flower of knights, help me to
+get my hawk, lest my lord destroy me! The hawk escaped me, and if my
+husband finds it gone, he is so hasty that I fear he will kill me."
+
+"What is his name?" asked Lancelot.
+
+"His name is Phelot. He is a knight of the king of Northgalis."
+
+"Well, fair lady, since you know my name so well, and ask me on my
+knighthood to help you, I will try to get your hawk. But I am a poor
+climber, and the tree is high, with few boughs to help me."
+
+"I trust you may," she replied, "for my life depends on your success."
+
+Then Lancelot alighted and tied his horse to the tree, and begged the
+lady to help him remove his armor. When he was fully unarmed he climbed
+with much difficulty into the tree, and at length succeeded in reaching
+the hawk. He now tied the lines to a rotten branch and threw it and the
+bird down to the lady.
+
+But as she picked it up with a show of joy, there suddenly came from a
+grove an armed knight, who rode rapidly up, with his drawn sword in his
+hand.
+
+"Now, Lancelot du Lake," he cried, "I have you as I wanted you. Your day
+has come."
+
+And he stood by the trunk of the tree, ready to slay him when he should
+descend.
+
+"What treason is this?" demanded Lancelot. "False woman, why have you
+led me into this?"
+
+"She did as I bade her," said Phelot. "I hate you, Lancelot, and have
+laid this trap for you. You have fought your last fight, my bold
+champion, for you come out of that tree but to your death."
+
+"That would be a shameful deed," cried Lancelot, "for you, an armed
+knight, to slay a defenceless man through treachery."
+
+"Help yourself the best you can," said Phelot; "you get no grace from
+me."
+
+"You will be shamed all your life by so base an act," cried Lancelot.
+"If you will do no more, at least hang my sword upon a bough where I may
+get it, and then you may do your best to slay me."
+
+"No, no," said Phelot. "I know you too well for that. You get no weapon
+if I can hinder you."
+
+Lancelot was now in the most desperate strait he was likely ever to
+endure. He could not stay forever in the tree, and if he should attempt
+to descend there stood that armed villain awaiting him with ready sword.
+What to do he knew not, but his eyes glanced warily round, till he saw
+just above him a big leafless branch, which he broke off close to the
+body of the tree. Thus armed, he climbed down to a lower bough, and
+looked down to note the position of the knight and his own horse.
+
+A quick look told him that there was still a chance for life, and with a
+nimble leap he sprang to the ground on the other side of his horse from
+the knight.
+
+Phelot at once struck at him savagely with his sword, thinking to kill
+him with the blow; but Lancelot parried it with his heavy club, and in
+return dealt his antagonist so fierce a blow on the head as to hurl him
+from his horse to the ground. Then wrenching the sword from his hand, he
+struck off his villanous head.
+
+"Alas!" cried the lady, "you have slain my husband!"
+
+"If I should slay you with him it would be but justice," said Lancelot,
+"for you would have killed me through falsehood and treachery, and you
+have but your deserts."
+
+Then the lady swooned away as if she would die, but Lancelot, seeing
+that the knight's castle was so nigh, hastened to resume his armor, for
+he knew not what other treachery might await him. Then, leaving the lady
+still in a swoon, he mounted and rode away, thanking God that he had
+come so well through that deadly peril.
+
+As to Lancelot's other adventures at that time, they were of no great
+moment. The chronicles tell that he saw a knight chasing a lady with
+intent to kill her, and that he rescued her. Afterwards the knight, who
+was her husband and mad with jealousy, struck off her head in Lancelot's
+presence.
+
+Then when Lancelot would have slain him, he grovelled in the dirt and
+begged for mercy so piteously, that the knight at length granted him his
+shameful life, but made him swear that he would bear the dead body on
+his back to Queen Guenever, and tell her of his deed.
+
+This he accomplished, and was ordered by the queen, as a fitting
+penance, to bear the body of his wife to the Pope of Rome and there beg
+absolution, and never to sleep at night but with the dead body in the
+bed with him. All this the knight did, and the body was buried in Rome
+by the Pope's command. Afterwards Pedivere, the knight, repented so
+deeply of his vile deed that he became a hermit, and was known as a man
+of holy life.
+
+Two days before the feast of Pentecost, Lancelot returned to Camelot
+from his long journey and his many adventures. And there was much
+laughter in the court when the knights whom he had smitten down saw him
+in Kay's armor, and knew who their antagonist had been.
+
+"By my faith," said Kay, "I never rode in such peace as I have done in
+Lancelot's armor, for I have not found a man willing to fight with me,
+and have ruled lord of the land."
+
+Then the various knights whom Lancelot had bidden to seek the court came
+in, one by one, and all were glad to learn that it was by no common man
+that they had been overcome. Among them came Sir Belleus, whom Lancelot
+had wounded at the pavilion, and who at his request was made a Knight of
+the Round Table, and Sir Meliot de Logres, whom he had rescued from the
+enchantment of the Chapel Perilous. Also the adventure of the four
+queens was told, and how Lancelot had been delivered from the power of
+the sorceresses, and had won the tournament for King Bagdemagus.
+
+And so at that time Lancelot had the greatest name of any knight in the
+world, and was the most honored, by high and low alike, of all living
+champions.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK V.
+
+                     THE ADVENTURES OF BEAUMAINS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE KNIGHTING OF KAY'S KITCHEN BOY.
+
+
+King Arthur had, early in his reign, established the custom that at the
+feast of Pentecost he would never dine until he had seen or heard of
+some marvellous event. Through that custom many strange adventures were
+brought to his notice. It happened on one day of Pentecost that the king
+held his Round Table at a castle called Kinkenadon, on the borders of
+Wales. On that day, a little before noon, as Gawaine looked from a
+window, he saw three men on horseback and a dwarf on foot approaching
+the castle. When they came near the men alighted, and, leaving their
+horses in care of the dwarf, they walked towards the castle-gate. One of
+these men was very tall, being a foot and a half higher than his
+companions.
+
+On seeing this, Gawaine went to the king and said,--
+
+"Sire, I deem you can now safely go to your dinner, for I fancy we have
+an adventure at hand."
+
+[Illustration: KING ARTHUR'S ROUND TABLE, WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL.]
+
+The king thereupon went to the table with his knights and the kings who
+were guests at his court. They were but well seated when there came into
+the hall two men, richly attired, upon whose shoulders leaned the
+fairest and handsomest young man that any there had ever seen. In body
+he was large and tall, with broad shoulders and sturdy limbs, yet he
+moved as if he could not bear himself erect, but needed support from his
+comrades' shoulders.
+
+When Arthur saw this youth he bade those around him to make room, and
+the stranger with his companions walked up to the high dais without
+speaking.
+
+Then he drew himself up straight and stood erect before the king.
+
+"King Arthur," he said, "may God bless you and your fellowship, and,
+above all, the fellowship of the Round Table. I am come hither to beg of
+you three gifts, promising that they shall not be unreasonable, and that
+you can honorably grant them without hurt or loss to yourself. The first
+I shall ask now, and the other two this day twelvemonth."
+
+"Ask what you will," said Arthur. "You shall have your gift, if it be so
+easy to grant."
+
+"This is my first petition, that you furnish me meat and drink
+sufficient for this year, and until the time has come to ask for my
+other gifts."
+
+"My fair son," said Arthur, "I counsel you to ask more than this. If my
+judgment fail not, you are of good birth and fit for noble deeds."
+
+"However that may be, I have asked all that I now desire."
+
+"Well, well, you shall have meat and drink enough. I have never denied
+that to friend or foe. But what is your name?"
+
+"Great sir, that I cannot tell you."
+
+"There is a mystery here. A youth of so handsome face and vigorous form
+as you must be of noble parentage. But if you desire secrecy, I shall
+not press you."
+
+Then Arthur bade Kay to take charge of the youth and see that he had the
+best fare of the castle, and to find out if he was a lord's son, if
+possible.
+
+"A churl's son, I should say," answered Kay, scornfully, "and not worth
+the cost of his meals. Had he been of gentle birth he would have asked
+for horse and armor; but he demands that which fits his base-born
+nature. Since he has no name, I shall give him one. Let him be called
+Beaumains, or Fair Hands. I shall keep him in the kitchen, where he can
+have fat broth every day, so that at the years end he will be fat as a
+swollen hog."
+
+Then the two men departed and left the youth with Kay, who continued to
+scorn and mock him.
+
+Gawaine and Lancelot were angry at this, and bade Kay to cease his
+mockery, saying that they were sure the youth would prove of merit.
+
+"Never will he," said Kay. "He has asked as his nature bade him."
+
+"Beware," said Lancelot. "This is not the first youth you have given a
+name in mockery, which turned on yourself at last."
+
+"I do not fear that of this fellow. I wager that he has been brought up
+in some abbey, and came hither because good eating failed him there."
+
+Kay then bade him get a place and sit down to his meal, and Beaumains
+sought a place at the hall-door among boys and menials.
+
+Gawaine and Lancelot thereupon asked him to come to their chambers,
+where he should be well fed and lodged; but he refused, saying that he
+would do only as Kay commanded, since the king had so bidden.
+
+It thus came about that Beaumains ate in the kitchen among the menials,
+and slept in sorry quarters. And during the whole year he was always
+meek and mild, and gave no cause for displeasure to man or child.
+
+But whenever there was jousting of knights he was always present to see,
+and seemed in this sport to take great delight. And Gawaine and
+Lancelot, who felt sure that the youth but bided his time, gave him
+clothes and what money he needed. Also, wherever there were sports of
+skill or strength he was sure to be on hand, and in throwing the bar or
+stone he surpassed all contestants by two yards.
+
+"How like you my boy of the kitchen?" Kay would say, on seeing these
+feats. "Fat broth is good for the muscles."
+
+And so the year passed on till the festival of Whitsuntide came again.
+The court was now at Carlion, where royal feasts were held. But the
+king, as was his custom, refused to eat until he should hear of some
+strange adventure.
+
+While he thus waited a damsel came into the hall and saluted the king,
+and begged aid and succor of him.
+
+"For whom?" asked Arthur. "Of what do you complain?"
+
+"Sire," she replied, "I serve a lady of great worth and merit, who is
+besieged in her castle by a tyrant, and dares not leave her gates for
+fear of him. I pray you send with me some knight to succor her."
+
+"Who is your lady, and where does she dwell? And what is the name of the
+man who besieges her?"
+
+"Her name I must not now tell. I shall only say that she has wide lands
+and is a noble lady. As for the tyrant that distresses her, he is called
+the Red Knight of the Red Lawns."
+
+"I know him not," said the king.
+
+"I know him well," said Gawaine. "Men say he has seven men's strength. I
+escaped him once barely with life."
+
+"Fair damsel," said the king, "there are knights here who would do their
+utmost to rescue your lady. But if you will not tell me her name nor
+where she lives, none of them shall go with my consent."
+
+"Then I must seek further," said the damsel, "for that I am forbidden to
+tell."
+
+At this moment Beaumains came to the king, and said,--
+
+"Royal sir, I have been twelve months in your kitchen, and have had all
+you promised me; now I desire to ask for my other two gifts."
+
+"Ask, if you will. I shall keep to my word."
+
+"This, then, is what I request. First, that you send me with the damsel,
+for this adventure belongs to me."
+
+"You shall have it," said the king.
+
+"My third request is that you shall bid Lancelot du Lake make me a
+knight, for he is the only man in your court from whom I will take that
+honor. When I am gone let him ride after me, and dub me knight when I
+require it of him."
+
+"I grant your wish," said the king. "All shall be done as you desire."
+
+"Fie on you all!" cried the damsel. "I came here for a knight, and you
+offer me a kitchen scullion. Is this King Arthur's way of rescuing a
+lady in distress? If so, I want none of it, and will seek my knight
+elsewhere."
+
+She left the court, red with anger, mounted her horse, and rode away.
+
+She had hardly gone when a page of the court came to Beaumains and told
+him that his dwarf was without, with a noble horse and a rich suit of
+armor, and all other necessaries of the best.
+
+At this all the court marvelled, for they could not imagine who had sent
+all this rich gear to a kitchen menial. But when Beaumains was armed,
+there were none in the court who presented a more manly aspect than he.
+He took courteous leave of the king, and of Gawaine and Lancelot,
+praying the latter that he would soon ride after him. This done, he
+mounted his horse and pursued the damsel.
+
+But those who observed him noticed that, while he was well horsed and
+had trappings of cloth of gold, he bore neither shield nor spear. Among
+those who watched him was Kay, who said,--
+
+"Yonder goes my kitchen drudge, as fine a knight as the best of us, if a
+brave show were all that a knight needed. I have a mind to ride after
+him, to let him know that I am still his superior."
+
+"You had better let him alone," said Gawaine. "You may find more than
+you bargain for."
+
+But Kay armed himself and rode after Beaumains, whom he overtook just as
+he came up with the damsel.
+
+"Hold there, Beaumains," he cried, in mockery. "Do you not know me?"
+
+"Yes," answered the young man. "I know you for an ungentle knight of the
+court, who has put much despite upon me. It is my turn to repay you for
+your insults; so, sirrah, defend yourself."
+
+Kay thereupon put his spear in rest and rode upon Beaumains, who awaited
+him sword in hand. When they came together, Beaumains, with a skilful
+parry, turned aside the spear, and then with a vigorous thrust wounded
+Kay in the side, so that he fell from his horse like a dead man. This
+done, he dismounted and took Kay's shield and spear, and bade his dwarf
+take his horse.
+
+All this was observed by the damsel, and also by Lancelot, who had
+followed closely upon the track of the seneschal.
+
+"Now, Sir Lancelot, I am ready to accept your offer to knight me," said
+Beaumains, "but, first, I would prove myself worthy of the honor, and so
+will joust with you, if you consent."
+
+"That I shall certainly not decline," said Lancelot, counting upon an
+easy victory.
+
+But when the knight and the youth rode against each other both were
+hurled from their horses to the earth, and sorely bruised. But Beaumains
+was entangled in his harness, and Lancelot helped him from his horse.
+
+Then Beaumains flung aside his shield and proffered to fight Lancelot
+on foot, to which the latter consented. For an hour they fought,
+Beaumains showing such strength that Lancelot marvelled at it, and
+esteemed him more a giant than a knight. He began, indeed, to fear that
+he might be vanquished in the end, and at length cried out,--
+
+"Beaumains, you fight too hard, considering that there is no quarrel
+between us. I fancy you need no further proof."
+
+"That is true enough, my lord," said Beaumains. "But it did me good to
+feel your might. As for my own strength, I hardly know it yet."
+
+"It is as much as I want to deal with," said Lancelot. "I had to do my
+best to save my honor."
+
+"Then you think I may prove myself a worthy knight?"
+
+"I warrant you that, if you do as well as you have done to-day."
+
+"I pray you, then, to invest me with the order of knighthood."
+
+"That shall I willingly do. But you must first tell me your name, and
+that of your father."
+
+"You will keep my secret?"
+
+"I promise you that on my faith, until you are ready to reveal it
+yourself."
+
+"Then, sir, my name is Gareth, and I am Gawaine's brother, though he
+knows it not. I was but a child when he became a knight, but King Lot
+was my father."
+
+"I am very glad to hear that," said Lancelot. "I knew you were of gentle
+blood, and came to court for something else than meat and drink."
+
+Then Gareth kneeled before Lancelot, who made him a knight, and bade
+him be a good and worthy one, and to honor his birth by his deeds.
+
+Lancelot then left him and returned to Kay, who lay half dead in the
+road. He had him borne back to the court, but his wound proved long in
+healing, and he found himself the scorn of the court for his
+discourteous treatment of the youth who had been put in his care.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE BLACK, THE GREEN, AND THE RED KNIGHTS.
+
+
+When Beaumains overtook the damsel, he received from her but a sorry
+greeting.
+
+"How dare you follow me?" she said. "You smell too much of the kitchen
+for my liking. Your clothes are foul with grease and tallow, and I
+marvel much that King Arthur made a knight of such a sorry rogue. As for
+yonder knight whom you wounded, there is no credit in that, for it was
+done by treachery and cowardice, not by skill and valor. I know well why
+Kay named you Beaumains, for you are but a lubber and turner of spits,
+and a washer of soiled dishes."
+
+"Say what you will, damsel," answered Beaumains, "you shall not drive me
+away. King Arthur chose me to achieve your adventure, and I shall
+perform it or die."
+
+"Fie on you, kitchen knave! you would not dare, for all the broth you
+ever supped, to look the red knight in the face."
+
+"Would I not? That is to be seen."
+
+As they thus angrily debated, there came to them a man flying at full
+speed.
+
+"Help me, sir knight!" he cried. "Six thieves have taken my lord and
+bound him, and I fear they will slay him if he be not rescued."
+
+"Lead me to him," said Beaumains.
+
+He followed the man to a neighboring glade, where he saw a knight bound
+and prostrate, surrounded by six sorry-looking villains. At sight of
+this the heart of Beaumains leaped with anger. With a ringing battle-cry
+he rushed upon the knaves, and with three vigorous strokes laid three of
+them dead upon the earth. The others fled, but he followed at full
+speed, and quickly overtook them. Then they turned and assailed him
+fiercely, but after a short fight he slew them all. He then rode back to
+the knight, whom his man had unbound.
+
+The rescued knight thanked him warmly, and begged him to ride with him
+to his castle, where he would reward him for his great service. But
+Beaumains answered that he was upon a quest which could not be left, and
+as for reward he would leave that to God.
+
+Then he turned and rode back to the damsel, who greeted him with the
+same contempt as before, bidding him ride farther from her, as she could
+not bear the smell of the kitchen.
+
+"Do you fancy that I esteem you any the nobler for having killed a few
+churls? You shall see a sight yet, sir knave, that will make you turn
+your back, and that quickly."
+
+Not much farther had they ridden when they were overtaken by the rescued
+knight, who begged them, as it was near night, and his castle close at
+hand, to spend the night there. The damsel agreed to this, and they rode
+together to the castle, where they were well entertained.
+
+But at supper the knight set Beaumains before the damsel.
+
+"Fie, fie! sir knight," she exclaimed. "This is discourteous, to seat a
+kitchen page before a lady of high birth. This fellow is more used to
+carve swine than to sit at lords' tables."
+
+To this Beaumains made no answer, but the knight was ashamed, and
+withdrew with his guest to a side table, leaving her to the honor of the
+high table alone. When morning came they thanked the knight for their
+entertainment, and rode refreshed away.
+
+Other adventures were ready for Beaumains before they had ridden far,
+for they soon found themselves at the side of a river that had but a
+single ford, and on the opposite side stood two knights, ready to
+dispute the passage with any who should attempt it.
+
+"What say you to this?" asked the damsel. "Will you face yonder knights,
+or turn back?"
+
+"I shall not turn; nor would I, if there were six more of them. You
+shall see that I can deal with knights as well as knaves."
+
+Then he rode into the water, in the midst of which he met one of the
+knights, their spears breaking as they came fiercely together. They then
+drew their swords and began a fierce fight in the centre of the ford.
+But at last Beaumains dealt his opponent a blow on the helm that stunned
+him, and hurled him from his horse into the water, where he was quickly
+drowned.
+
+Beaumains now spurred forward to the land, where the other knight rushed
+upon him as he touched shore, breaking his spear, but not shaking the
+young champion in his seat. Then they went at it with sword and shield,
+and with the same fortune as before, for Beaumains quickly cleaved the
+helmet and brain of his opponent, and left him dead on the ground.
+
+He now turned and called proudly to the damsel, bidding her to ride
+forward, as he had cleared the ford for her passage.
+
+"Alas!" she cried, "that a kitchen page should have the fortune to kill
+two valiant knights. You fancy you have done a doughty deed, but I deny
+it. The first knight was drowned through his horse stumbling, and the
+other one you struck a foul blow from behind. Never brag of this, for I
+can attest it was not honestly done."
+
+"You may say what you will," rejoined Beaumains. "Whoever seeks to
+hinder me shall make way or kill me, for nothing less than death shall
+stop me on my quest to aid your lady."
+
+"You can boast loudly before a woman. Wait till you meet the knights I
+take you to, and you will be taught another lesson."
+
+"Fair damsel, if you will but give me courteous language, I shall ask no
+more. As for the knights you speak of, let come what will come."
+
+"I say this for your own good; for if you continue to follow me you
+will be slain. What you have done is by misadventure, not by prowess. If
+you are wise, you will turn back with what little honor you may claim."
+
+"Say what you choose, damsel, but wherever you go there go I, and it
+will take more than insulting words to turn me back."
+
+So they rode on till evening, she continuing to chide and berate him,
+and bid him leave her, and he answering meekly, but with no abatement of
+his resolution.
+
+Finally a strange sight came to them. For before them they saw a black
+lawn, in whose midst grew a black hawthorn. On one side of this hung a
+black banner, and on the other a black shield, while near by stood a
+black spear of great size, and a massive black horse covered with silk.
+Near by was a knight armed in black armor, who was known as the Knight
+of the Black Lawn.
+
+The damsel, on seeing this knight, bade Beaumains flee down the valley,
+telling him that he might still escape, for the knight's horse was not
+saddled.
+
+"Gramercy," said Beaumains, "will you always take me for a coward? I fly
+not from one man, though he be as black as ten ravens."
+
+The black knight, seeing them approach, thus addressed the damsel,--
+
+"So, my lady, you are here again! Have you brought this knight from King
+Arthur's court to be your champion?"
+
+"Hardly so, fair sir. This is but a kitchen knave, who was fed in
+Arthur's court through charity, and has followed me as a cur follows
+his master."
+
+"Why comes he then in knightly guise? And what do you in such foul
+company?"
+
+"I cannot get rid of him, sir. He rides with me in my despite. I bring
+him here that you may rid me of the unhappy knave. Through mishap and
+treachery he killed two knights at the river ford, and did other deeds
+that might have been of worth were they fairly done. Yet he is but a
+sorry poltroon."
+
+"I am surprised," said the black knight, "that any man of worth will
+fight with him."
+
+"They knew him not," she answered, "and fancy him of some credit from
+his riding with me, and from his brave show of armor."
+
+"That may be," said the black knight. "Yet, knave or not, he looks like
+a strong fellow. This much I shall do to relieve you of him. I shall put
+him on foot, and take from him his horse and armor. It would be a shame
+to do him more harm."
+
+Beaumains had heard all this, biting his lips in anger. He now
+scornfully replied,--
+
+"Sir knight, you are liberal in disposing of my horse and armor, but
+beware you do not pay a fair price for them. Whether you like it or not,
+this lawn I shall pass, and you will get no horse or armor of mine till
+you win them in open fight. Let me see if you can do it."
+
+"Say you so? You shall yield me this lady, or pay dearly for it; for it
+does not beseem a kitchen page to ride with a lady of high degree."
+
+"If you want her, you must win her," said Beaumains, "and much comfort
+may you get from her tongue. As for me, I am a gentleman born, and of
+higher birth than you; and will prove this on your body if you deny it."
+
+Then in hot anger they rode apart, and came together with a sound of
+thunder. The spear of the black knight broke, but Beaumains thrust him
+through the side, the spear breaking in his body, and leaving the
+truncheon in his flesh. Yet, despite his wound, he drew his sword and
+struck with strength and fury at his antagonist. But the fight lasted
+not long, for the black knight, faint with loss of blood, fell from his
+horse in a swoon, and quickly died.
+
+Then Beaumains, seeing that the horse and armor were better than his
+own, dismounted and put on the dead knight's armor. Now, mounting the
+sable horse, he rode after the damsel. On coming up she greeted him as
+before.
+
+"Away, knave, the smell of thy clothes displeases me. And what a pity it
+is that such as you should by mishap slay so good a knight! But you will
+be quickly repaid, unless you fly, for there is a knight hereby who is
+double your match."
+
+"I may be beaten or slain, fair damsel," said Beaumains; "but you cannot
+drive me off by foul words, or by talking of knights who will beat or
+kill me. Somehow I ride on and leave your knights on the ground. You
+would do well to hold your peace, for I shall follow you, whatever may
+happen, unless I be truly beaten or slain."
+
+So they rode on, Beaumains in silence, but the damsel still at times
+reviling, till they saw approaching them a knight who was all in green,
+both horse and harness. As he came nigh, he asked the damsel,--
+
+"Is that my brother, the black knight, who rides with you?"
+
+"No," she replied. "Your brother is dead. This unhappy kitchen knave has
+slain him through mishap."
+
+"Alas!" cried the green knight, "has so noble a warrior as he been slain
+by a knave! Traitor, you shall die for your deed!"
+
+"I defy you," said Beaumains. "I slew him knightly and not shamefully,
+and am ready to answer to you with sword and spear."
+
+Then the knight took a green horn from his saddle-bow, and blew on it
+three warlike notes. Immediately two damsels appeared, who aided him in
+arming. This done, he mounted his steed, took from their hands a green
+spear and green shield, and stationed himself opposite Beaumains.
+
+Setting spurs to their horses they rode furiously together, both
+breaking their spears, but keeping their seats. Then they attacked each
+other, sword in hand, and cut and slashed with knightly vigor. At
+length, in a sudden wheel, Beaumains's horse struck that of the green
+knight on the side and overturned it, the knight having to leap quickly
+to escape being overthrown.
+
+When Beaumains saw this, he also sprang to the earth and met his
+antagonist on foot. Here they fought for a long time, till both had lost
+much blood.
+
+"You should be ashamed to stand so long fighting with a kitchen knave,"
+cried the damsel at last to the green knight. "Who made you knight, that
+you let such a lad match you, as the weed overgrows the corn?"
+
+Her words of scorn so angered the green knight that he struck a wrathful
+blow at Beaumains, which cut deeply into his shield. Beaumains, roused
+by this and by the damsel's language, struck back with such might on the
+helm of his foe as to hurl him to his knees. Then, seizing him, he flung
+him to the ground, and towered above him with upraised sword.
+
+"I yield me!" cried the knight. "Slay me not, I beg of you."
+
+"You shall die," answered Beaumains, "unless this damsel pray me to
+spare your life," and he unlaced his helm, as with intent to slay him.
+
+"Pray you to save his life!" cried the damsel, in scorn. "I shall never
+so demean myself to a page of the kitchen."
+
+"Then he shall die."
+
+"Slay him, if you will. Ask me not to beg for his life."
+
+"Alas!" said the green knight, "you would not let me die when you can
+save my life with a word? Fair sir, spare me, and I will forgive you my
+brother's death, and become your man, with thirty knights who are at my
+command."
+
+"In the fiend's name!" cried the damsel, "shall such a knave have
+service of thee and thirty knights?"
+
+"All this avails nothing," said Beaumains. "You shall have your life
+only at this damsel's request," and he made a show as if he would slay
+him.
+
+"Let him be, knave," said the damsel. "Slay him not, or you shall repent
+it."
+
+"Damsel," said Beaumains, "your request is to me a command and a
+pleasure. His life shall be spared, since you ask it. Sir knight of the
+green array, I release you at the damsel's request, for I am bound by
+her wish, and will do all that she commands."
+
+Then the green knight kneeled down and did homage with his sword.
+
+"I am sorry, sir knight, for your mishap, and for your brother's death,"
+said the damsel. "I had great need of your help, for I dread the passage
+of this forest."
+
+"You need not," he replied. "To-night you shall lodge at my castle, and
+to-morrow I will aid you to pass the forest."
+
+So they rode to his manor, which was not far distant. Here it happened
+as it had on the evening before, for the damsel reviled Beaumains, and
+would not listen to his sitting at the same table with her.
+
+"Why deal you such despite to this noble warrior?" said the green
+knight. "You are wrong, for he will do you good service, and whatever he
+declares himself to be, I warrant in the end you will find him to come
+of right noble blood."
+
+"You say far more of him than he deserves," she replied. "I know him too
+well."
+
+"And so do I, for he is the best champion I ever found; and I have
+fought in my day with many worthy knights."
+
+That night, when they went to rest, the green knight set a guard over
+Beaumains's chamber, for he feared some harm to him from the bitter
+scorn and hatred of the damsel. In the morning he rode with them through
+the forest, and at parting said,--
+
+"My lord Beaumains, I and my knights shall always be at your summons,
+early or late, or whatever be the service you demand."
+
+"That is well said. When I require your service it will be to yield
+yourself and your knights to King Arthur."
+
+"If you bid us do so, we shall be ready at all times."
+
+"Fie on you!" said the damsel. "It shames me to see good knights
+obedient to a kitchen knave."
+
+After they had parted she turned to Beaumains, and said, despitefully,--
+
+"Why wilt thou follow me, lackey of the kitchen? Cast away thy spear and
+shield and fly while you may, for that is at hand which you will not
+easily escape. Were you Lancelot himself, or any knight of renown, you
+would not lightly venture on a pass just in advance of us, called the
+pass perilous."
+
+"Damsel," said Beaumains, "he who is afraid let him flee. It would be a
+shame for me to turn back, after having ridden so far with you."
+
+"You soon shall, whether it be to your liking or not," replied the
+damsel, scornfully.
+
+What the damsel meant quickly appeared, for in a little time they came
+in sight of a tower which was white as snow in hue, and with every
+appliance for defence. Over the gateway hung fifty shields of varied
+colors, and in front spread a level meadow. On this meadow were
+scaffolds and pavilions, and many knights were there, for there was to
+be a tournament on the morrow.
+
+The lord of the castle was at a window, and as he looked upon the
+tournament field he saw approaching a damsel, a dwarf, and a knight
+armed at all points.
+
+"A knight-errant, as I live!" said the lord. "By my faith, I shall joust
+with him, and get myself in train for the tournament."
+
+He hastily armed and rode from the gates. What Beaumains saw was a
+knight all in red, his horse, harness, shield, spear, and armor alike
+being of this blood-like color. The red knight was, indeed, brother to
+those whom Beaumains had lately fought, and on seeing the black array of
+the youth, he cried,--
+
+"Brother, is it you? What do you in these marshes?"
+
+"No, no, it is not he," said the damsel, "but a kitchen knave who has
+been brought up on alms in Arthur's court."
+
+"Then how got he that armor?"
+
+"He has slain your brother, the black knight, and taken his horse and
+arms. He has also overcome your brother, the green knight. I hope you
+may revenge your brothers on him, for I see no other way of getting rid
+of him."
+
+"I will try," said the red knight, grimly. "Sir knight, take your place
+for a joust."
+
+Beaumains, who had not yet spoken, rode to a proper distance, and then
+the two knights rushed together with such even force that both horses
+fell to the ground, the riders nimbly leaping from them.
+
+Then with sword and shield they fought like wild boars for the space of
+two hours, advancing, retreating, feigning, striking, now here, now
+there, till both were well weary of the fray. But the damsel, who looked
+on, now cried loudly to the red knight,--
+
+"Alas, noble sir, will you let a kitchen knave thus endure your might,
+after all the honor you have won from worthy champions?"
+
+Then the red knight flamed with wrath, and attacked Beaumains with such
+fury that he wounded him so that the blood flowed in a stream to the
+ground. Yet the young knight held his own bravely, giving stroke for
+stroke, and by a final blow hurled his antagonist to the earth. He had
+raised his sword to slay him, when the red knight craved mercy,
+saying,--
+
+"Noble, sir, you have me at advantage, but I pray you not to slay me. I
+yield me with the fifty knights at my command. And I forgive you all you
+have done to my brothers."
+
+"That will not suffice," said Beaumains. "You must die, unless the
+damsel shall pray me to spare your life." And he raised his sword as if
+for the fatal blow.
+
+"Let him live, then, Beaumains. He is a noble knight, and it is only by
+a chance blow that you have overcome him."
+
+"It is enough that you ask it," said Beaumains. "Rise, sir knight, and
+thank this damsel for your life."
+
+The red knight did so, and then prayed that they would enter his castle
+and spend the night there. To this they consented, but as they sat at
+supper the damsel continued to berate her champion, in such language
+that their host marvelled at the meekness of the knight.
+
+In the morning the red knight came to Beaumains with his followers, and
+proffered to him his homage and fealty at all times.
+
+"I thank you," said Beaumains, "but all I ask is, that when I demand it
+you shall go to Arthur's court, and yield yourself as his knight."
+
+"I and my fellowship will ever be ready at your summons," replied the
+red knight.
+
+Then Beaumains and the damsel resumed their journey, while she, as if in
+a fury of spite, berated him more vilely than ever before.
+
+"Fair lady," he said, with all meekness, "you are discourteous to revile
+me as you do. What would you have of me? The knights that you have
+threatened me with are all dead or my vassals. When you see me beaten,
+then you may bid me go in shame and I will obey, but till then I will
+not leave you. I were worse than a fool to be driven off by insulting
+words when I am daily winning honor."
+
+"You shall soon meet a knight who will test your boasted strength. So
+far you have fought with boys. Now you have a man who would try Arthur's
+self."
+
+"Let him come," said Beaumains. "The better a man he is, the more honor
+shall I gain from a joust with him."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE RED KNIGHT OF THE RED LAWNS.
+
+
+Beaumains rode forward with the damsel till it was close upon the hour
+of noon, when he saw that they were approaching a rich and fair city,
+well walled, and with many noble buildings.
+
+Between them and the city extended a new-mown meadow, a mile and a half
+in width, on which were placed many handsome pavilions.
+
+"These pavilions belong to the lord who owns that city," said the
+damsel. "It is his custom, during fair weather, to joust and tourney in
+this meadow. He has around him five hundred knights and gentlemen of
+arms, and they have knightly games of all sorts."
+
+"I shall be glad to see that worthy lord," said Beaumains.
+
+"That you shall, and very soon."
+
+She rode on till she came in sight of the lord's pavilion.
+
+"Look yonder," she said. "That rich pavilion, of the color of India, is
+his. All about him, men and women, and horse-trappings, shields, and
+spears, are of the same rare color. His name is Sir Persant of India,
+and you will find him the lordliest knight you ever saw."
+
+"Be he never so stout a knight," answered Beaumains, "I shall abide in
+this field till I see him behind his shield."
+
+"That is a fool's talk," she replied. "If you were a wise man, you
+would fly."
+
+"Why should I?" rejoined Beaumains. "If he be as noble a knight as you
+say, he will meet me alone; not with all his men. And if there come but
+one at a time I shall not fail to face them while life lasts."
+
+"That is a proud boast for a greasy kitchen lout," she answered.
+
+"Let him come and do his worst," said Beaumains. "I would rather fight
+him five times over than endure your insults. You are greatly to blame
+to treat me so vilely."
+
+"Sir," she replied, with a sudden change of tone, "I marvel greatly who
+you are, and of what kindred you come. This I will admit, that you have
+performed as boldly as you have promised. But you and your horse have
+had great labor, and I fear we have been too long on the road. The place
+we seek is but seven miles away, and we have passed all points of peril
+except this. I dread, therefore, that you may receive some hurt from
+this strong knight that will unfit you for the task before you. For
+Persant, strong as he is, is no match for the knight who besieges my
+lady, and I would have you save your strength for the work you have
+undertaken."
+
+"Be that as it may," said Beaumains, "I have come so near the knight
+that I cannot withdraw without shame. I hope, with God's aid, to become
+his master within two hours, and then we can reach your lady's castle
+before the day ends."
+
+"Much I marvel," cried the damsel, "what manner of man you are. You must
+be of noble blood, for no woman ever before treated a knight so
+shamefully as I have you, and you have ever borne it courteously and
+meekly. Such patience could never come but from gentle blood."
+
+"A knight who cannot bear a woman's words had better doff his armor,"
+answered Beaumains. "Do not think that I heeded not your words. But the
+anger they gave me was the worse for my adversaries, and you only aided
+to make me prove myself a man of worth and honor. If I had meat in
+Arthur's kitchen, what odds? I could have had enough of it in many a
+place. I did it but to prove who were worthy to be my friends, and that
+I will in time make known. Whether I be a gentleman born or not, I have
+done you a gentleman's service, and may do better before we part."
+
+"That you have, fair Beaumains," she said. "I ask your forgiveness for
+all I have said or done."
+
+"I forgive you with all my heart," he replied. "It pleases me so to be
+with you that I have found joy even in your evil words. And now that you
+are pleased to speak courteously to me, it seems to me that I am stout
+at heart enough to meet any knight living."
+
+As to the battle that followed between Beaumains and Persant, it began
+and ended much like those that we have related, Persant in the end being
+overcome, and gaining his life at the lady's request. He yielded himself
+and a hundred knights to be at Beaumains's command, and invited the
+travellers to his pavilion, where they were feasted nobly.
+
+In the morning Beaumains and the damsel after breakfasting, prepared to
+continue their journey.
+
+"Whither do you lead this knight?" asked Persant of the damsel.
+
+"Sir knight," she replied, "he is going to the aid of my sister, who is
+besieged in the Castle Dangerous."
+
+"Ah!" cried Persant, "then he will have to do with the Knight of the Red
+Lawns, a man without mercy, and with the strength of seven men. I fear
+you take too perilous a task, fair sir. This villain has done great
+wrong to the lady of the castle, Dame Lioness. I think, fair damsel, you
+are her sister, Linet?"
+
+"That is my name," replied the damsel.
+
+"This I may say," rejoined Persant: "the Knight of the Red Lawns would
+have had the castle long ago, but it is his purpose to draw to the
+rescue Lancelot, Gawaine, Tristram, or Lamorak, whom he is eager to
+match his might against."
+
+"My Lord Persant of India," said Linet, "will you not make this
+gentleman a knight before he meets this dread warrior?"
+
+"With all my heart," answered Persant.
+
+"I thank you for your good will," said Beaumains, "but I have been
+already knighted, and that by the hand of Sir Lancelot."
+
+"You could have had the honor from no more renowned knight," answered
+Persant. "He, Tristram, and Lamorak now bear the meed of highest renown,
+and if you fairly match the red knight you may claim to make a fourth in
+the world's best champions."
+
+"I shall ever do my best," answered Beaumains. "This I may tell you: I
+am of noble birth. If you and the damsel will keep my secret I will tell
+it you."
+
+"We shall not breathe it except with your permission," they replied.
+
+"Then I will acknowledge that my name is Gareth of Orkney, that King Lot
+was my father, and that I am a nephew of King Arthur, and brother to
+Gawaine, Gaheris, and Agravaine. Yet none of these know who I am, for
+they left my father's castle while I was but a child."
+
+While they were thus taking leave, Beaumains's dwarf had ridden ahead to
+the besieged castle, where he saw the Lady Lioness, and told her of the
+champion her sister was bringing, and what deeds he had done.
+
+"I am glad enough of these tidings," said the lady. "There is a
+hermitage of mine near by, where I would have you go, and take thither
+two silver flagons of wine, of two gallons each; also bread, baked
+venison, and fowls. I give you also a rich cup of gold for the knight's
+use. Then go to my sister, and bid her present my thanks to the knight,
+and pray him to eat and drink, that he may be strong for the great task
+he undertakes. Tell him I thank him for his courtesy and goodness, and
+that he whom he is to meet has none of these qualities, but strong and
+bold as he is, cares for nothing but murder."
+
+This message the dwarf brought back, and led the knight and damsel to
+the hermitage, where they rested and feasted on the rich food provided.
+They spent the night there, and in the morning heard mass and broke
+their fast. Then they mounted and rode towards the besieged castle.
+
+Their journey soon brought them to a plain, where they saw many tents
+and pavilions, and a castle in the distance. And there was a great noise
+and much smoke, as from a large encampment. As they came nearer the
+castle Beaumains saw before him a number of great trees, and from these
+hung by the neck armed knights, with their shields and swords, and gilt
+spurs on their heels. Of these there were in all nearly forty.
+
+"What means this sorrowful sight?" asked Beaumains, with a look of deep
+concern.
+
+"Do not be depressed by what you see," said Linet. "You must keep in
+spirit, or it will be the worse for you and us all. These knights came
+here to the rescue of my sister, and the red knight, when he had
+overcome them, put them to this shameful death, without mercy or pity.
+He will serve you in the same way if he should vanquish you."
+
+"Jesu defend me from such a shameful death and disgrace!" cried
+Beaumains. "If I must die, I hope to be slain in open battle."
+
+"It would be better, indeed. But trust not to his courtesy, for thus he
+treats all."
+
+"It is a marvel that so vile a murderer has been left to live so long. I
+shall do my best to end his career of crime."
+
+Then they rode to the castle, and found it surrounded with high and
+strong walls, with double ditches, and lofty towers within. Near the
+walls were lodged many lords of the besieging army, and there was great
+sound of minstrelsy and merry-making. On the opposite side of the castle
+was the sea, and here vessels rode the waves and the cries of mariners
+were heard.
+
+Near where they stood was a lofty sycamore-tree, and on its trunk hung a
+mighty horn made from an elephant's tusk. This the Knight of the Red
+Lawns had hung there, in order that any errant knight, who wished to
+battle for the castle, might summons him to the fray.
+
+"But let me warn you," said Linet, "not to blow it till noon. For it is
+now nearly day, and men say that his strength increases till the
+noontide hour. To blow it now would double your peril."
+
+"Do not advise me thus, fair damsel," said Beaumains. "I shall meet him
+at his highest might, and win worshipfully or die knightly in the field.
+It must be man to man and might to might."
+
+Therewith he spurred his horse to the sycamore, and, taking the horn in
+hand, blew with it such a blast that castle and camp rang with the
+sound.
+
+At the mighty blast knights leaped from their tents and pavilions, and
+those in the castle looked from walls and windows, to see what manner of
+man was this that blew so lustily. But the Red Knight of the Red Lawns
+armed in all haste, for he had already been told by the dwarf of the
+approach of this champion. He was all blood-red in hue, armor, shield,
+and spurs. An earl buckled on his helm, and they then brought him a red
+steed and a red spear, and he rode into a little vale near the castle,
+so that all within and without the castle might behold the battle.
+
+"Look you be light and glad," said Linet to the knight, "for yonder is
+your deadly enemy, and at yonder window is my sister, Dame Lioness."
+
+"Where?" asked Beaumains.
+
+"Yonder," she said, pointing.
+
+"I see her," said Beaumains. "And from here she seems the fairest lady I
+ever looked upon. I ask no better quarrel than to fight for her, and
+wish no better fate than to greet her as my lady," and his face grew
+glad as he looked up to the window.
+
+As he did so the Lady Lioness made a grateful courtesy to him, bending
+to the earth and holding up her hands. This courtesy was returned by
+Beaumains; but now the Knight of the Red Lawns rode forward.
+
+"Leave your looking, sir knight," he said. "Or look this way, for I warn
+you that she is my lady, and I have done many battles for her."
+
+"You waste your time, then, it seems to me, for she wants none of your
+love. And to waste love on those who want it not is but folly. If I
+thought she would not thank me for it, I would think twice before doing
+battle for her. But she plainly wants not you, and I will tell you this:
+I love her, and will rescue her or die."
+
+"Say you so? The knights who hang yonder might give you warning."
+
+"You shame yourself and knighthood by such an evil custom," said
+Beaumains, hotly. "How can any lady love such a man as you? That
+shameful sight gives me more courage than fear, for I am nerved now to
+revenge those knights as well as to rescue yonder lady."
+
+"Make ready," cried the red knight; "we have talked enough."
+
+Then Beaumains bade the damsel retire to a safe distance. Taking their
+places, they put their spears in rest, and came together like two
+thunderbolts, each smiting the other so fiercely that the breast-plates,
+horse-girths, and cruppers burst, and both fell to the earth with the
+bridle-reins still in their hands, and they lay awhile stunned by the
+fall.
+
+So long they lay indeed that all who looked on thought that both their
+necks were broken, and said that the stranger knight must be of mighty
+prowess, for never had the red knight been so roughly handled before.
+
+But ere long the knights regained their breath and sprang to their feet.
+Then, drawing their swords, they ran like fierce lions together, giving
+each other such buffets on the helms that both reeled backwards, while
+pieces were hewed out from their armor and shields and fell into the
+field.
+
+Thus they fought on till it was past noon, when both stopped for breath,
+and stood panting and bleeding till many who beheld them wept for pity.
+When they had rested awhile they again went to battle, now gnashing at
+each other with their swords like tusked boars, and now running together
+like furious rams, so that at times both fell to the ground; and at
+times they were grappled so closely that they changed swords in the
+wrestle.
+
+This went on till evening was near at hand, and so evenly they continued
+matched that none could know which would win. Their armor was so hewn
+away that the naked flesh showed in places, and these places they did
+their utmost to defend. The red knight was a wily fighter, and Beaumains
+suffered sorely before he learned his methods and met him in his own
+way.
+
+At length, by mutual assent, they granted each other a short time for
+rest, and seated themselves upon two hillocks, where each had his page
+to unlace his helm and give him a breath of the cold air.
+
+While Beaumains's helm was off he looked at the castle window, and there
+saw the Lady Lioness, who looked at him in such wise that his heart grew
+light with joy, and he bade the red knight to make ready, for the battle
+must begin again.
+
+Then they laced their helms and stepped together and fought freshly. But
+Beaumains came near to disaster, for the red knight, by a skilful sword
+sweep, struck his sword from his hand, and then gave him such a buffet
+on the helm as hurled him to the earth.
+
+The red knight ran forward to his fallen foe, but Linet cried loudly,--
+
+"Oh, Beaumains, where is thy valor gone? Alas, my sister sobs and weeps
+to see you overthrown, till my own heart is heavy for her grief."
+
+Hearing this, Beaumains sprang to his feet before his foe could reach
+him, and with a leap recovered his sword, which he gripped with a strong
+hand. And thus he faced again his surprised antagonist.
+
+Then the young knight, nerved by love and desperation, poured such
+fierce blows on his enemy that he smote the sword from his hand and
+brought him to the earth with a fiery blow on the helm.
+
+Before the red knight could rise, Beaumains threw himself upon him, and
+tore his helm from his head with intent to slay him. But the fallen
+knight cried loudly,--
+
+"O noble knight, I yield me to thy mercy."
+
+"Why should you have it, after the shameful death you have given to so
+many knights?"
+
+"I did all this through love," answered the red knight. "I loved a lady
+whose brother was slain by Lancelot or Gawaine, as she said. She made me
+swear on my knighthood to fight till I met one of them, and put to a
+shameful death all I overcame. And I vowed to fight King Arthur's
+knights above all, till I should meet him that had slain her brother."
+
+Then there came up many earls, and barons, and noble knights, who fell
+upon their knees and prayed for mercy to the vanquished, saying,--
+
+"Sir, it were fairer to take homage and fealty of him, and let him hold
+his lands of you, than to slay him. Nothing wrong that he has done will
+be undone by his death, and we will all become your men, and do you
+homage and fealty."
+
+"Fair lords," said Beaumains, "I am loath to slay this knight, though
+his deeds have been ill and shameful. But as he acted through a lady's
+request I blame him the less, and will release him on these conditions:
+He must go into the castle and yield to the Lady Lioness, and make
+amends to her for his trespass on her lands; then if she forgives him I
+will. Afterwards he must go to the court of King Arthur and obtain
+forgiveness from Lancelot and Gawaine for the ill will he has borne
+them."
+
+"All this I will do," said the red knight, "and give you pledges and
+sureties therefore."
+
+Then Beaumains granted him his life, and permitted him to rise.
+Afterwards the damsel Linet disarmed Beaumains and applied healing
+unguents to his wounds, and performed the same service for the red
+knight. For ten days thereafter Beaumains dwelt with the red knight, who
+showed him all the honor possible, and who afterwards went into the
+castle and submitted himself to the Lady Lioness, according to the terms
+of his compact.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+HOW BEAUMAINS WON HIS BRIDE.
+
+
+After the ten days of feasting and pleasure that followed the events we
+have just related, the Red Knight of the Red Lawns set out with his
+noblest followers to Arthur's court, to make submission as he had
+covenanted. When he had gone, Beaumains armed himself, took his horse
+and spear, and rode to the castle of the Lady Lioness. But when he came
+to the gate he found there many armed men, who pulled up the drawbridge
+and let fall the portcullis.
+
+Marvelling deeply that he was denied admittance, Beaumains looked up at
+the window, where he saw the lady of the castle, who called out to
+him,--
+
+"Go thy way, Sir Beaumains. You shall not yet have my love till you have
+earned for yourself a name of world-wide honor. I bid you, therefore,
+go strive for fame and glory this twelvemonth, and when you return you
+shall hear new tidings."
+
+"Alas, fair lady," said Beaumains, "is this all I have deserved of you?
+I thought I had bought your love at the price of some of the best blood
+in my body."
+
+"Fair, courteous knight, be not so hasty," answered Lioness. "Your labor
+and your love shall not be lost. A twelvemonth will soon pass away; and
+trust me that I shall be true to you, and to my death shall love no
+other than you."
+
+With this she turned from the window, and Beaumains rode slowly away
+from the castle in deep sorrow, and heeding not whither he went till
+deep night came upon him. The next day he rode in the same heedless
+fashion, and at night couched in a wayside lodge, bidding the dwarf
+guard his horse and watch all night.
+
+But near day dawn came a knight in black armor, who, seeing that
+Beaumains slept soundly, crept slyly behind the dwarf, caught him up
+under his arm, and rode away with him at full speed. But as he rode, the
+dwarf called loudly to his master for help, waking the sleeping knight,
+who sprang to his feet and saw the robber and the dwarf vanishing into
+the distance.
+
+Then Beaumains armed himself in a fury, and rode straight forward
+through marshes and dales, so hot upon the chase that he heeded not the
+road, and was more than once flung by his stumbling horse into the mire.
+At length he met a country-man, whom he asked for information.
+
+[Illustration: BEAUMAINS, DAMSEL, AND DWARF.]
+
+"Sir knight," he answered, "I have seen the rider with the dwarf. But I
+advise you to follow him no farther. His name is Sir Gringamore; he
+dwells but two miles from here, and he is one of the most valiant
+knights of the country round."
+
+With little dread from this warning, Beaumains rode on, with double fury
+as he came near the robber's castle. Soon he thundered through the
+gates, which stood wide open, and sword in hand cried, in a voice that
+rang through the castle,--
+
+"Thou traitor, Sir Gringamore, yield me my dwarf again, or by the faith
+that I owe to the order of knighthood I will make you repent bitterly
+your false deed."
+
+Meanwhile, within the castle matters of interest were occurring. For
+Gringamore was brother to the Lady Lioness, and had stolen the dwarf at
+her request, that she might learn from him who Beaumains really was. The
+dwarf, under threat of imprisonment for life, thus answered,--
+
+"I fear to tell his name and kindred. Yet if I must I will say that he
+is a king's son, that his mother is sister to King Arthur, and that his
+name is Sir Gareth of Orkney. Now, I pray you, let me go to him again,
+for he will have me in spite of you, and if he be angry, he will work
+you much rack and ruin."
+
+"As for that," said Gringamore, "it can wait. Let us go to dinner."
+
+"He may well be a king's son," said Linet to her sister, "for he is the
+most courteous and long-suffering man I ever met. I tried him with such
+reviling as never lady uttered before, but he bore it all with meek and
+gentle answers. Yet to armed knights he was like a lion."
+
+As they thus talked, the challenge of Beaumains rang loud from the
+castle court. Then Gringamore called loudly to him from a window,--
+
+"Cease your boasting, Gareth of Orkney, you will not get your dwarf
+again."
+
+"Thou coward knight," cried Beaumains. "Bring him here, and do battle
+with me. Then if you can win him, keep him."
+
+"So I will when I am ready. But you will not get him by loud words."
+
+"Do not anger him, brother," said Lioness. "I have all I want from the
+dwarf, and he may have him again. But do not let him know who I am. Let
+him think me a strange lady."
+
+"Very well," said Gringamore; "if that is your wish, he can have the
+dwarf." Then he went down to the court and said,--
+
+"Sir, I beg your pardon, and am ready to amend all the harm I have done
+you. Pray alight, and take such cheer as my poor castle affords."
+
+"Shall I have my dwarf?" said Gareth.
+
+"Yes. Since he told me who you are, and of your noble deeds, I am ready
+to return him."
+
+Then Gareth dismounted, and the dwarf came and took his horse.
+
+"Oh, my little fellow," said Gareth, "I have had many adventures for
+your sake."
+
+Gringamore then led him into the hall and presented him to his wife. And
+while they stood there conversing Dame Lioness came forth dressed like a
+princess, and was presented to the knight.
+
+When Gareth saw her his feeling for the Lady Lioness weakened in his
+heart, and it grew ready to vanish as the day passed, and he conversed
+much with this strange and lovely lady. There were all manner of games,
+and sports of dancing and singing, and the more he beheld her the more
+he loved her, while through his heart ran ever the thought: "Would that
+the lady of the Castle Dangerous were half so lovely and charming as
+this beautiful stranger."
+
+When supper came, Gareth could not eat, and hardly knew where he was, so
+hot had his love grown. All this was noted by Gringamore, who after
+supper took his sister aside and said,--
+
+"I can well see how matters stand between you and this noble knight. And
+it seems to me you cannot do better than to bestow your hand upon him."
+
+"I should like to try him further," she replied, "though he has done me
+noble service, and my heart is warmly turned to him."
+
+Gringamore then went to Gareth and said,--
+
+"Sir, I welcome you gladly to my house, for I can see that you dearly
+love my sister, and that she loves you as well. With my will she is
+yours if you wish her."
+
+"If she will accept me," answered Gareth, "there will be no happier man
+on earth."
+
+"Trust me for that," said Gringamore.
+
+"I fancied I loved the Lady Lioness," said Gareth, "and promised for her
+sake to return to this country in a twelvemonth. But since I have seen
+your sister I fear my love for her is gone."
+
+"It was too sudden to be deep," said Gringamore. "She will be consoled,
+doubt not. Now let me take you to my sister."
+
+Then he led Gareth to his sister and left them together, where they told
+each other their love, and Gareth kissed her many times, and their
+hearts were filled with joy.
+
+"But how is it with the Lady Lioness, to whom you vowed your love?" she
+asked.
+
+"Promised; not vowed," he answered. "And she was not ready to accept it,
+but gave me a twelvemonth's probation. Moreover, I saw but her face at a
+window, and that was little to base love upon."
+
+"Did she look like me?"
+
+"Somewhat, but not half so lovely."
+
+"Do you think you could have loved her so well?"
+
+"No, indeed; for I will vow by sword and spear that there is no woman in
+the world so charming as you."
+
+"I fear that the Lady Lioness loves you, and that her heart will be
+broken."
+
+"How could she? She saw so little of me."
+
+"I know she loves you; she has told me so. I bid you to forget me and
+make her happy."
+
+"That I can never do. You do not love me, or you could not say this."
+
+"You are my heart's desire. But I feel deeply for the Lady Lioness,
+whose love I know. If you cannot love her alone, you may love us both
+together. I grant you this privilege."
+
+"I will not accept it," said Gareth, looking strangely at her smiling
+countenance. "I love but you; my heart can hold no more."
+
+"You blind fellow," she answered, with a merry laugh, "you looked not at
+the Lady Lioness closely, or you would not so easily forget your troth
+plight. Know, sirrah, that I am the lady of the Castle Dangerous, that
+my name is Lioness, and that I am she whom you have so lightly thrown
+aside for the love of a strange lady."
+
+Then Gareth looked into her glowing countenance, and saw there that she
+spoke the truth and that he had been pleasantly beguiled. With a warm
+impulse of love he caught her in his arms and kissed her rosy lips,
+exclaiming,--
+
+"I withdraw it all. I love you both; the lady of the Castle Dangerous a
+little; but the lady of the Castle Amorous as my heart's mistress, to
+dwell there while life remains."
+
+Then they conversed long and joyfully, and she told him why she had made
+her brother steal the dwarf, and why she had deceived him, so as to win
+his love for herself alone. And they plighted their troth, and vowed
+that their love for each other should never cease.
+
+Other strange things happened to Gareth in that castle, through the
+spells of the damsel Linet, who knew something of sorcery. But these we
+shall not tell, but return to King Arthur's court, in which at the next
+feast of Pentecost a high festival was held at Carlion.
+
+Hither, during the feast, came all those whom Gareth had overcome, and
+yielded themselves, saying that they had been sent thither by a knight
+named Beaumains. But most of all was Arthur surprised by the deeds of
+his kitchen boy when the Red Knight of the Red Lawns rode up with six
+hundred followers, and yielded himself as vassal to Beaumains and to the
+king. Arthur then, charging him strictly that he should do no more deeds
+of murder, gave to Sir Ironside, which was the knight's name, the
+greatest honors of his court, and also to the green and the red knights,
+and to Sir Persant of Inde, who were all present with their followers.
+
+But while the court was at feast there came in the queen of Orkney, with
+a great following of knights and ladies, seeking her young son Gareth.
+She was lovingly saluted by her sons Gawaine, Gaheris, and Agravaine,
+who for fifteen years had not seen her, but she loudly demanded Gareth
+of her brother King Arthur.
+
+"He was here among you a twelvemonth, and you made a kitchen knave of
+him, which I hold to be a shame to you all. What have you done to the
+dear son who was my joy and bliss?"
+
+These words filled all hearts with a strange sensation, and most of all
+that of Gawaine, who thought it marvellous that he should have made so
+much of his brother and not known him. Then Arthur told his sister of
+all that had happened, and cheered her heart with a recital of her son's
+great deeds, and promised to have the whole realm searched till he
+should be found.
+
+"You shall not need," said Lancelot. "My advice is that you send a
+messenger to Dame Lioness, and request her to come in all haste to
+court. Let her give you counsel where to find him. I doubt not she knows
+where he is."
+
+This counsel seemed judicious to the king, and he sent the messenger as
+requested, who came in due time to the Castle Dangerous, and delivered
+his letters to Lioness.
+
+She brought these to her brother and Gareth, and asked what she should
+do.
+
+"My lady and love," said Gareth, "if you go to Arthur's court I beg that
+you will not let them know where I am. But give this advice to the king,
+that he call a great tournament, to be held at your castle at the feast
+of the Assumption, and announce that whatever knight proves himself best
+shall wed you and win your lands. Be sure that I will be there to do my
+best in your service."
+
+This advice pleased the lady, whose warm faith in the prowess of her
+lover told her that he would win in the tournament. She therefore set
+out with a noble escort and rode to King Arthur's court, where she was
+received with the highest honors. The king closely questioned her about
+Sir Gareth, desiring particularly to know what had become of him. She
+answered that where he was she was not at liberty to tell, and said
+further to the king,--
+
+"Sir, there is a way to find him. It is my purpose to call a tournament,
+which shall be held before my castle at the feast of the Assumption.
+You, my lord Arthur, must be there with your knights, and my knights
+shall be against you. I doubt me not that then you shall hear of Sir
+Gareth."
+
+"That is well advised," said the king.
+
+"It shall be announced," she continued, "that the knight who proves the
+best shall wed me and be lord of my lands. If he be already wedded, his
+wife shall have a coronal of gold, set with precious stones to the value
+of a thousand pounds, and a white jerfalcon."
+
+"It is well," said the king. "That will bring Sir Gareth, if he be alive
+and able to come. If he would win you, he must do his duty nobly."
+
+Soon after the Lady Lioness departed and returned to her castle, where
+she told all that had passed, and began preparations for the tournament,
+which was to be held two months from that day.
+
+Gareth sent for Sir Persant of Inde, and for Sir Ironside, the Red
+Knight of the Red Lawns, bidding them be ready with all their followers,
+to fight on his side against King Arthur and his knights. And the cry
+for the tournament was made in England, Wales and Scotland, Ireland, and
+Cornwall, and in all the out islands, and in Brittany and other
+countries. Many good knights came from afar, eager to win honor in the
+lists, the most of whom held with the party of the castle against King
+Arthur and his knights.
+
+In due time King Arthur and his following appeared at the Castle
+Dangerous, there being with him Gawaine and the other brothers of
+Gareth, Lancelot with his nephews and cousins, and all the most valiant
+Knights of the Round Table, with various kings who owed him knightly
+service, as noble a band of warriors as had ever been seen in the land.
+
+Meanwhile Dame Lioness had hospitably entertained the knights of her
+party, providing ample lodging and food, though abundance was left to be
+had for gold and silver by King Arthur and his knights.
+
+But Gareth begged her and all who knew him in no manner to make known
+his name, but to deal with him as if he were the least of their company,
+as he wished to fight in secret and bide his own time to declare
+himself.
+
+"Sir," said Dame Lioness to him, "if such be your desire, I will lend
+you a ring, whose virtue is such that it will turn that which is green
+to red, and that which is red to green; and also turn blue to white, and
+white to blue, and so with all colors. And he who wears it will lose no
+blood, however desperately he fights. For the great love I bear you I
+lend you this ring; but as you love me heartily in return, let me have
+it again when the tournament is done, for this ring increases my beauty
+more than it is of itself."
+
+"My own dear lady," cried Gareth, "now indeed you prove your love for
+me. Gladly shall I wear that ring, for I much desire not to be known."
+
+Then Sir Gringamore gave Gareth a powerful bay courser, and a suit of
+the best of armor; and with them a noble sword which his father had long
+before won from a heathen tyrant. And so the lover made ready for the
+tournament, of which his lady-love was to be the prize.
+
+Two days before the Assumption of our Lady, King Arthur reached the
+castle, and for those two days rich feasting was held, while royal
+minstrelsy and merry-making of all kinds filled every soul with joy. But
+when came the morning of the Assumption all was restless bustle and
+warlike confusion. At an early hour the heralds were commanded to blow
+to the field, and soon from every side a throng of knights was to be
+seen riding gayly to the lists, while a goodly host of spectators made
+haste to take their seats, all eager to behold that noble
+passage-at-arms.
+
+Valorous and worthy were the deeds that followed, for hosts of the best
+knights in the world had gathered in the lists, and there was wondrous
+breaking of spears and unhorsing of knights, while many who boasted of
+their firm seat in the saddle went headlong to the earth.
+
+At length there rode into the lists Sir Gareth and Sir Ironside from the
+castle, each of whom smote to the ground the first knights that
+encountered them, and before long time had passed Gareth had with one
+spear unhorsed seven knights of renown.
+
+When King Agwisance of Ireland saw this new-comer fare so nobly, he
+marvelled much who he might be, for at one time he seemed green and at
+another blue, his color appearing to change at every course as he rode
+to and fro, so that no eye could readily follow him.
+
+"I must try this strange turn-color knight myself," said Sir Agwisance,
+and he spurred his horse vigorously on Gareth.
+
+But with a mighty stroke of his spear Gareth thrust him from his horse,
+saddle and all. Then King Carados of Scotland rode against him, and was
+hurled to the earth, horse and man. King Uriens of Gore, King
+Bagdemagus, and others who tried their fortune, were served in the same
+manner. Then Sir Galahalt, the high prince, cried loudly,--
+
+"Knight of the many colors, well hast thou jousted; now make ready,
+that I may joust with thee."
+
+Gareth heard him, and got a great spear, and quickly the two knights
+encountered, the prince breaking his spear. But Gareth smote him on the
+left side of the helm so that he reeled in his saddle, and would have
+fallen had not his men supported him.
+
+"Truly," said King Arthur, "that knight with the many colors is a lusty
+fighter. Lancelot, do you try his mettle, before he beats all our best
+men."
+
+"Sir," said Lancelot, "I should hold it unjust to meet him fresh after
+his hard labors. It is not the part of a good knight to rob one of the
+honor for which he has worked so nobly. It may be that he is best
+beloved of the lady of all that are here, for I can see that he enforces
+himself to do great deeds. Therefore, for me, he shall have what honor
+he has won; though it lay in my power to put him from it, I would not."
+
+And now, in the lists, the breaking of spears was followed by drawing of
+swords; and then there began a sore tournament. There did Sir Lamorak
+marvellous deeds of arms, and betwixt him and Sir Ironside there was a
+strong battle, and one also between Palamides and Bleoberis. Then came
+in Lancelot, who rode against Sir Turquine and his brother Carados,
+fighting them both together.
+
+Seeing Lancelot thus hard pressed, Gareth pushed his horse between him
+and his opponents, and hurtled them asunder, but no stroke would he
+smite Sir Lancelot, but rode briskly on, striking to right and left, so
+that his path was marked by the knights he overturned.
+
+Afterward Gareth rode out of the press of knights to adjust his helm,
+which had become loosened. Here his dwarf came briskly up with drink,
+and said to him,--
+
+"Let me hold your ring, that you lose it not while you drink."
+
+Gareth gave it to him, and quaffed deeply of the refreshing draught, for
+he was burning with thirst. This done, his eagerness to return to the
+fray was so great that he forgot the ring, which he left in the keeping
+of the dwarf, while he replaced his helm, mounted his horse, and rode
+briskly back to the lists.
+
+When he reached the field again he was in yellow armor, and there he
+rashed off helms and pulled down knights till King Arthur marvelled more
+than ever what knight this was, for though his color changed no more,
+the king saw by his hair that he was the same knight.
+
+"Go and ride about that yellow knight," said the king to several
+heralds, "and see if you can learn who he is. I have asked many knights
+of his party to-day, and none of them know him."
+
+So a herald rode as near Gareth as he could, and there he saw written
+about his helm in letters of gold, "This helm is Sir Gareth's of
+Orkney."
+
+Then the herald cried out as if he were mad, and many others echoed his
+words, "The knight in the yellow arms is Sir Gareth of Orkney, King
+Lot's son!"
+
+When Gareth saw that he was discovered he doubled his strokes in his
+anger, and smote down Sir Sagramore, and his brother Gawaine.
+
+"Oh, brother!" cried Gawaine, "I did not deem that you would strike me.
+Can you not find food enough for your sword, without coming so near
+home?"
+
+On hearing this, Gareth was troubled in soul, and with great force made
+his way out of the press, meeting his dwarf outside.
+
+"Faithless boy!" he cried; "you have beguiled me foully to-day by
+keeping my ring. Give it to me again; I am too well known without it."
+
+He took the ring, and at once he changed color again, so that all lost
+sight of him but Gawaine, who had kept his eyes fixed upon him. Leaving
+the lists, Gareth now rode into the forest, followed at a distance by
+his brother, who soon lost sight of him in the woodland depths.
+
+When Gareth saw that he had thus distanced his pursuer, he turned to the
+dwarf and asked his counsel as to what should now be done.
+
+"Sir," said the dwarf, "it seems best to me, now that you are free from
+danger of spying, that you send my lady, Dame Lioness, her ring. It is
+too precious a thing to keep from her."
+
+"That is well advised," said Gareth. "Take it to her, and say that I
+recommend myself to her good grace, and will come when I may; and pray
+her to be true and faithful to me, as I will be to her."
+
+"It shall be done as you command," said the dwarf, and, receiving the
+ring, he rode on his errand.
+
+The Lady Lioness received him graciously, and listened with beaming eyes
+to Gareth's message.
+
+"Where is my knight?" she asked.
+
+"He bade me say that he would not be long from you," answered the dwarf.
+
+Then, bearing a tender reply from the lady, the dwarf sought his master
+again, and found him impatiently waiting, for he was weary and needed
+repose.
+
+As they rode forward through the forest a storm of thunder and lightning
+came up suddenly, and it rained as if heaven and earth were coming
+together. On through this conflict of the elements rode the weary knight
+and the disconsolate dwarf, under the drenching leaves of the forest,
+until night was near at hand. And still it thundered and lightened as if
+all the spirits of the air had gone mad.
+
+At last, through an opening in the trees, Gareth to his delight beheld
+the towers of a castle, and heard the watchman's call upon its walls.
+
+"Good luck follows bad, my worthy dwarf," he cried. "Here is shelter;
+let us to it."
+
+He rode to the barbican of the castle and called to the porter, praying
+him in courteous language to let him in from the storm.
+
+"Go thy way," cried the porter, surlily; "thou gettest no lodging here."
+
+"Say not so, fair sir. I am a knight of King Arthur's, and pray the lord
+or lady of this castle to give me harbor for love of the king."
+
+Then the porter went to the duchess, and told her that a knight of King
+Arthur's sought shelter.
+
+"I will see him," said the duchess; "for King Arthur's sake he shall not
+go harborless."
+
+Then she went up into a tower over the gate, with great torch-light,
+that she might behold the storm-stayed wayfarer. When Gareth saw the
+light, he cried loudly,--
+
+"Whether thou be lord or lady, giant or champion, I pray for harbor this
+night. If it be that I must fight for my lodging, spare me that till
+morning, when I have rested, for I and my horse are both weary."
+
+"Sir knight," said the lady, "you speak like a bold knight errant. This
+you must know, that the lord of this castle loves not King Arthur nor
+any of his court. Therefore, it were better for you not to enter here.
+If you come in it must be under this contract, that wherever you meet my
+lord, by road, by lane, or by street, you shall yield to him as his
+prisoner."
+
+"Madam," asked Gareth, "what is your lord's name?"
+
+"He is the Duke de la Rowse," she answered.
+
+"Well, madam, it shall be as you say. I promise that wherever I meet
+your lord I shall yield me to his good grace, with the covenant that he
+will do me no harm. If I understand that he will, then shall I release
+myself as best I can with sword and spear."
+
+"You speak well and wisely," answered the duchess, and she ordered that
+the drawbridge be lowered.
+
+Gareth rode into the court-yard, where he alighted and gave his horse to
+a stableman. Then he was led to the hall, where his dwarf removed his
+armor.
+
+"Madam," he said, "I shall not leave this hall to-night. When it comes
+daylight if any one wants to fight me he will find me ready."
+
+Supper was now prepared, the table being garnished with many goodly
+dishes, and the duchess and other fair ladies sat by while Gareth ate,
+some of them saying that they never saw a man of nobler carriage or
+aspect. Shortly after he had supped, his bed was made in the hall, and
+there he rested all night.
+
+In the morning he heard mass and took his leave of the duchess and her
+lady attendants, thanking her warmly for his lodging and the good cheer
+she had set before him. She now asked him his name.
+
+"Madam," he replied, "my name is Gareth of Orkney, though some men call
+me Beaumains."
+
+Hearing this, she bade him adieu with great courtesy, for she now knew
+that she had entertained the knight who had rescued Dame Lioness, and
+the victor at the tournament.
+
+As for Gareth, he rode onward mile after mile, till he found himself on
+a mountain side, where he was confronted by a knight named Sir
+Bendelaine, who demanded that he should joust or yield himself prisoner.
+Gareth, angry at this demand, rode against the freebooter and smote him
+so furiously that his spear pierced his body, so that he died on
+reaching his castle.
+
+Quickly a throng of his knights and servants, furious at their lord's
+death, rode after the victor and assailed him fiercely. When they saw
+how well he defended himself, they attacked his horse and killed it
+with spear-thrusts, and then rushed in a body on the dismounted knight.
+But they found him still more than their match, for one after another of
+them fell beneath his sword till only four were left. These fled in
+terror to the castle, and Gareth, taking the best of their horses, rode
+leisurely on his way.
+
+Many miles farther had he gone when he found himself near a roadside
+castle, from whose walls there came to his ears dismal lamentations in
+ladies' voices. While he stood wondering at this there came by a page.
+
+"What noise is that within the castle?" asked Gareth.
+
+"Sir knight," answered the page, "within this castle there are thirty
+ladies, all widows, for their husbands have been slain by the lord of
+the castle, who is called the brown knight without pity, and there is no
+more perilous knight now living. Therefore," continued the page, "I bid
+you flee."
+
+"You may be afraid of him," said Gareth; "but I shall not flee for
+that."
+
+Then the page saw the brown knight coming.
+
+"Lo! yonder he cometh," he said.
+
+"Let me deal with him," said Gareth.
+
+When the brown knight saw a champion in the road, with spear in rest,
+awaiting him, he prepared quickly for the combat, and spurring his
+strong war-horse, rode furiously upon Gareth, breaking his spear in the
+middle of his shield. But Gareth struck him a fatal blow in return, for
+his spear went through his body, so that he fell to the ground stark
+dead.
+
+Then the victor rode into the castle, and prayed the ladies that he
+might find repose there for the night.
+
+"Alas!" they cried, "that cannot be."
+
+"Give him your best cheer," said the page, "for this knight has killed
+your enemy."
+
+Hearing this, they joyfully did their utmost to make him comfortable. In
+the morning, when he was ready to depart, he went to mass, and there saw
+the thirty ladies kneeling, and some of them grovelling upon the tombs,
+with the greatest sorrow and lamentation.
+
+"Fair ladies, you have my pity," he said. "Grieve no more, I pray you;
+your enemy is justly punished for his crimes."
+
+So with few words he departed, and rode onward till fortune brought him
+into another mountain. Not far up its slope had he gone when he saw
+before him a sturdy knight, who bade him stand and joust.
+
+"Who are you?" asked Gareth.
+
+"I am the Duke de la Rowse."
+
+"Then I lodged lately in your castle, and promised your lady that I
+should yield unto you."
+
+"Ah!" said the duke, "are you that proud knight who proffered to fight
+with any of my followers? Make ready, sirrah; I must have a
+passage-at-arms with you, for I would know which of us is the better
+man."
+
+So they spurred together, and Gareth smote the duke from his horse. But
+in a moment he was on his feet, sword in hand, and bidding his
+antagonist to alight and continue the battle on foot. Nothing loath,
+Gareth obeyed, and for more than an hour they fought, until both were
+sorely hurt. But in the end Gareth got the duke to the earth, and bade
+him yield if he would save his life. At this the duke lost no time in
+yielding.
+
+"Then must you go," said Gareth, "unto my lord King Arthur at the next
+feast, and say that I, Sir Gareth of Orkney, sent you."
+
+"It shall be done," said the duke. "And I am at your command all the
+days of my life, with a hundred knights in my train."
+
+This said, the duke departed, leaving Gareth there alone. But not long
+had he stood when he saw another armed knight approaching. Then Gareth
+took the duke's shield, and mounted, waiting the new-comer, who rode
+upon him without a word of greeting. And now, for the first time, Gareth
+met his match, for the stranger knight held his seat unharmed, and
+wounded him in the side with his spear.
+
+Then they alighted and drew their swords, and for two hours they fought,
+till the blood flowed freely from them both.
+
+As they thus fought there came that way the damsel Linet, riding on an
+ambling mule. When she saw them, she cried,--
+
+"Sir Gawaine, Sir Gawaine, leave off fighting with thy brother Gareth."
+
+When Gawaine, for it was indeed he, heard this, he threw down his shield
+and sword and ran to Gareth, whom he took in his arms, and then kneeled
+down and asked his mercy.
+
+"Who are you," asked Gareth, "that one minute fight me so strongly and
+yield the next?"
+
+"Oh, Gareth, I am your brother Gawaine."
+
+Then Gareth unlaced his helm, and kneeled to him and asked his mercy.
+Both now rose and embraced each other, weeping so that it was long
+before they could speak. When their voices returned they entered into a
+brotherly contest, for each insisted that the other had won the battle.
+As they thus stood in loving converse, the damsel Linet came up to them,
+and stanched their wounds, from which the blood was flowing freely.
+
+"What will you do now?" she asked. "It seems to me that my lord Arthur
+should have news of you, for your horses are too bruised to carry you."
+
+"It is well said," answered Gawaine. "Will you, fair damsel, bear word
+to him?"
+
+Then she took her mule and rode to where the king abode, he then being
+at a castle scarcely two miles distant. The tidings she brought him
+cheered his heart wonderfully, for much had the disappearance of Gareth
+troubled him. Turning to his attendants, he ordered that a palfrey
+should be saddled in all haste.
+
+When he was in the saddle he turned to the wondering lords and ladies
+and told them whither he went, bidding all who wished to greet Sir
+Gareth to follow. Then was there hasty saddling and bridling of queens'
+horses and princes' horses, and happiest were they who soonest got
+ready.
+
+But the king rode on till he came where Gawaine and Gareth sat upon a
+little hill-side, and here he sprang from his horse and embraced Gareth
+as though he were his own son. Quickly behind him came his sister
+Morgause, who fell into a swoon when she saw her dear young son. And the
+other knights and ladies came up in all haste, and great was the joy
+that all felt. After congratulations had passed, and the two brothers
+been removed to a place where their wounds could be attended to, the
+Dame Lioness was sent for, and came at the utmost speed, with her
+brother Sir Gringamore and forty knights.
+
+Among all the ladies there she was the fairest and peerless. And when
+Gareth saw her, so loving were the looks and joyous the words between
+them, that all who beheld it were filled with delight.
+
+Eight days passed before Gareth and his brother recovered from their
+wounds. Then Arthur came to him, with Guenever, and Morgause, and others
+of high degree, and asked him if he would have the Lady Lioness for his
+wife.
+
+"My lord, I love her above all ladies living."
+
+"Now, fair lady, what say you?" asked the king.
+
+"Most noble king," replied Lioness, with blushing face, "my lord Gareth
+is more to me than any king or prince that was ever christened. If I may
+not have him, none will I ever have. My first love is he, and my last he
+shall be."
+
+"And if I have you not as my wife," broke in Gareth, "never shall lady
+living give joy to my heart."
+
+"What, nephew," said the king, "is the wind in that door? Then not for
+my crown would I sever two such loving hearts, but would much prefer to
+increase than to distress your love."
+
+And words to the same effect said Gareth's mother.
+
+Then provision was made for a brilliant and joyous wedding, the king
+advising that it should take place on the Michaelmas following, at
+Kinkenadon by the seaside, where is a plentiful country. And so it was
+cried in all places through the realm.
+
+Dame Lioness and the damsel Linet, with Sir Gringamore, now rode to
+their castle, where she gave Gareth a jewelled ring and received one
+from him, while Arthur gave her a rich bee of gold. Then Arthur and his
+following rode towards Kinkenadon. Gareth soon followed, and joined
+Arthur on his way.
+
+Oh, the great cheer that Lancelot now made of Gareth, and Gareth of him;
+for there was never knight that Gareth loved as he did Lancelot. But he
+cared less for his brother Gawaine, who was revengeful, and disposed to
+murder where he hated, a feeling which the young knight abhorred.
+
+When Michaelmas came near, Dame Lioness with her brother and sister rode
+to Kinkenadon, where they were lodged at the expense of King Arthur, who
+had prepared for them royally.
+
+And upon Michaelmas day the bishop of Canterbury performed the wedding
+ceremony between Gareth and the Lady Lioness with all solemnity, and in
+the presence of a noble and splendid gathering of the greatest lords and
+highest ladies of England's realm.
+
+And here other weddings took place, for King Arthur devised that Gaheris
+should wed the damsel Linet, and that Agravaine should wed Dame Laurel,
+a fair lady, niece to the Lady Lioness.
+
+[Illustration: THE JOYOUS WEDDING.]
+
+When these weddings were done another solemnity took place; for there
+came into the church the various knights whom Gareth had overcome, each
+with his knightly followers, and with them the thirty ladies whom he had
+delivered from the brown knight, attended by many gentlewomen. All the
+knights did homage and fealty to Gareth, and the ladies kneeled and
+prayed heartily that happiness might be his lot throughout his life.
+
+Afterwards there was high feasting, and all manner of games and revels,
+with the richest minstrelsy, and jousts that lasted three days. But the
+king would not suffer Sir Gareth to joust because of his new bride; for
+the Dame Lioness had desired that none who were newly married should
+joust at that feast.
+
+On the first day Sir Lamorak won the honor of the lists, for he
+overthrew thirty knights and did marvellous feats of arms. And that day
+King Arthur made Sir Persant of Inde and his two brothers, Knights of
+the Round Table, and gave them great lands.
+
+On the second day Sir Tristram jousted best, and overthrew forty
+knights. And on that day the king made Sir Ironside, the Red Knight of
+the Red Lawns, a Knight of the Round Table, and gave him great lands.
+
+On the third day the prize of valor fell to Sir Lancelot, who overthrew
+fifty knights and did such marvellous deeds that all men wondered at
+him. And now King Arthur made the Duke de la Rowse a Knight of the Round
+Table, and gave him great lands to spend.
+
+Thus ended the festivities at the marriage of Sir Gareth of Orkney and
+the Lady Lioness. But Gareth and his lovely bride lived long and happily
+together afterwards, and much knightly renown he won, and great honor
+from all men.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK VI.
+
+               TRISTRAM OF LYONESSE AND THE FAIR ISOLDE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+HOW TRISTRAM WAS KNIGHTED.
+
+
+Sad was the day when the renowned knight, Tristram of Lyonesse, was
+born, for on that day his mother died, and his father lay in prison
+through the arts of an enchantress. Therefore he was called Tristram,
+which signifies one of a sorrowful birth.
+
+It happened that when he was seven years of age his father, King
+Meliodas, of the country of Lyonesse, married again. His first wife had
+been Elizabeth, sister of King Mark of Cornwall. He now married the
+daughter of King Howell of Brittany, a woman who proved of evil soul.
+
+For after the new queen had children of her own she grew to hate the boy
+who stood between her son and the throne of Lyonesse, and so bitter grew
+her hatred that in the end she laid a foul plot for his murder. She put
+poison in a silver cup in the chamber where the young princes were used
+to play together, with the hope that Tristram when thirsty would drink
+from that cup. But fate so willed that the queen's own son drank of the
+poisoned cup, when thirsty from play, and died of it.
+
+This fatal error filled the queen with deep anguish, but it added doubly
+to her hate, and with murderous intent she again put the poisoned cup
+into the chamber. But God protected the boy, for this time King
+Meliodas, being thirsty, saw the envenomed cup of wine, and took it up
+with purpose to drink. Before he could do so the queen, who was near by,
+ran hastily forward, snatched the deadly cup from his hand, and threw
+its contents on the floor.
+
+This hasty act filled the king with suspicion, for the sudden death of
+his young son had seemed to him like the work of poison. In a burst of
+passion he caught the guilty woman fiercely by the hand, drew his sword,
+and swore a mighty oath that he would kill her on the spot, unless she
+told him what had been in the cup and why it was put there.
+
+At this threat the queen, trembling and weeping with fright,
+acknowledged that it had been her design to kill Tristram, in order that
+her son should inherit the kingdom of Lyonesse.
+
+"Thou false traitress and murderess!" cried the king in redoubled
+passion. "By my royal soul, you shall have the fate you designed for my
+son. A worse one you shall have, for you shall be burned at the stake as
+a poisoner."
+
+Then he called a council of his barons, who confirmed this sentence on
+learning the dark crime of the queen, and by the order of the court a
+fire of execution was prepared, and the murderess bound to the stake,
+while fagots were heaped about her drooping form.
+
+The flames were already kindled, and were crawling like deadly serpents
+through the dry wood, but before they could reach the condemned queen
+young Tristram kneeled before his father and begged him a boon.
+
+"You shall have it, my son. What would you ask?"
+
+"Grant me the life of the queen. I cannot bear to see her die so
+terrible a death."
+
+"Ask not that," said the king. "You should hate her who would have
+poisoned you. I have condemned her more for your sake than my own."
+
+"Yet I beseech you to be merciful to her. I have forgiven her, and pray
+God to do so. You granted me my boon for God's love, and I hold you to
+your promise."
+
+"If you will have it so, I cannot withdraw my word," said the king. "I
+give her to you. Go to the fire and take her, and do with her what you
+will."
+
+This gladdened the boy's heart, which had been full of horror at the
+dreadful spectacle, and he hastened to release the victim from the
+flames.
+
+But after that Meliodas would have nothing to do with her until after
+years had passed, when Tristram reconciled them with each other. And he
+sent his son from the court, being afraid the pardoned murderess might
+devise some new scheme for his destruction. The noble-hearted lad was
+therefore given as tutor a learned gentleman named Gouvernail, who took
+him to France, that he might learn the language and be taught the use of
+arms. There he remained seven years, learning not only the language,
+but the art of minstrelsy, till he became so skilful that few could
+equal him in the use of the harp and other instruments of music. And as
+he grew older he practised much in hunting and hawking, and in time
+became famous also for his skill in this noble art. He in after-life
+devised many terms used in hunting, and bugle calls of the chase, so
+that from him the book of venery, or of hunting and hawking, came to be
+called the "Book of Sir Tristram."
+
+Thus Tristram grew in accomplishments and nobleness till he attained the
+age of nineteen years, when he had become a youth of handsome face and
+powerful form, being large of size and vigorous of limb. The king, his
+father, had great joy in his promise of lusty manhood, and so had the
+queen, whose heart had been won to Tristram when he saved her from the
+flames, and who loved him ever afterwards as much as she had hated him
+in his childhood. Every one loved him, indeed, for he proved himself a
+noble and gentle-hearted youth, loyal and kind to all he met, and with a
+heart free from evil thoughts or selfish desires.
+
+He had learned the use of arms, and knew well how to wield the shield
+and sword, though as yet he had not sought knighthood by deeds of
+battle; but events were preparing that would bring him soon from youth
+to manhood. For it so happened that King Anguish of Ireland sent to King
+Mark of Cornwall, demanding from him tribute which he said was due, but
+had not been paid for many years. King Mark sent word back that he owed
+and would pay no tribute; and that if the King of Ireland wished to
+prove his claim, he must send a knight who could overcome King Mark's
+champion.
+
+King Anguish was very angry at this answer, but accepted the challenge,
+and sent as his champion Sir Marhaus, brother to his wife, that valiant
+knight who had gone with Gawaine and Uwaine to the country of strange
+adventures, and had afterwards been made a Knight of the Round Table.
+
+Marhaus accepted the championship, and hastened to Cornwall, where he
+sent his challenge to King Mark; but the latter had taken no steps to
+provide himself with a worthy champion. Marhaus thereupon encamped near
+the castle of Tintagil, whither he daily sent a demand to King Mark
+either to pay the tribute or to find a knight to fight his battle.
+
+Anxious efforts were now made by the Cornish monarch to find a champion,
+some of the barons advising him to send to King Arthur's court for
+Lancelot du Lake. But others dissuaded the king from this, saying that
+neither Lancelot nor any Knight of the Round Table would fight against
+their fellow-knight Marhaus. Thus the King of Cornwall was sore put to
+it to find a champion fit to hold the field against such a knight as
+Marhaus.
+
+Word of this soon spread over the country and quickly reached the castle
+of Meliodas, to which young Tristram had long before returned. The heart
+of the ardent youth filled with anger when he learned that not a knight
+could be found in all Cornwall able and willing to do battle with the
+Irish champion.
+
+In fervent haste he sought his father, and asked him what was to be
+done to save Cornwall from this disgrace.
+
+"I know not," answered the king. "Marhaus is one of the best knights of
+the Round Table, and there is no knight in this country fit to cope with
+him."
+
+"I wish heartily that I were a knight," cried Tristram hotly. "If I
+were, Sir Marhaus should never depart to Ireland and boast that all
+Cornwall could not furnish a knight ready to break a spear with him. I
+pray you, dear father, to let me ride to King Mark's court, and beg of
+him to make me a knight and choose me as his champion."
+
+"Your spirit honors you, my son," said Meliodas. "You have it in you to
+become an able knight, and I give you full leave to do as your courage
+prompts you."
+
+Tristram thanked his father warmly for this assent, and, taking horse,
+rode without delay to the castle of his uncle King Mark. When he reached
+there he found the king depressed in spirit and the whole court deep in
+gloom, for it seemed as if no champion could be found, and that the
+tribute must be paid. Tristram went at once to his uncle and said with
+modest ardor,--
+
+"Sir, it is a shame and disgrace that Cornwall has no champion. I am but
+an untried youth, yet, if you will give me the order of knighthood, I
+stand ready to do battle for you with Sir Marhaus."
+
+"Who are you, and whence come you?" asked the king.
+
+"I come from King Meliodas, who wedded your sister, and I am a gentleman
+born."
+
+Hope came into the king's eyes when he saw how large and strongly built
+was his youthful visitor, and marked the spirit of battle in his eyes,
+but he again demanded his name and place of birth.
+
+"My name is Tristram and I was born in the country of Lyonesse,"
+answered the youth.
+
+"You speak with spirit, and look like the making of a good warrior,"
+said the king. "If you agree to do this battle, I will grant you
+knighthood."
+
+"It is that, and that alone, brings me here," answered Tristram.
+
+Then the king knighted him, and at once sent word to Sir Marhaus that he
+had a champion ready to do battle with him to the uttermost.
+
+"That may well be," answered Marhaus, "but I fight not with every
+springal. Tell King Mark that I shall fight with none but one of royal
+blood. His champion must be son either of a king or a queen."
+
+This answer King Mark gave to Tristram, and said, gloomily,--
+
+"I fear this rules out your championship."
+
+"Not so," said Tristram. "I came not here to boast, but if I must tell
+my lineage, you may let him know that I am of as noble blood as he. My
+father is King Meliodas, and my mother was Elizabeth, your own sister. I
+am the heir of Lyonesse."
+
+"Is it so?" cried the king, clasping the youth's hands gladly. "Then I
+bid you warmly welcome, my fair nephew, and I could ask no better nor
+nobler champion."
+
+He sent word in all haste to Marhaus that a better born man than himself
+should fight with him, the son of King Meliodas, and his own nephew.
+And while he waited an answer he took care to find for his nephew the
+best horse and the finest suit of armor that gold could procure. By the
+time he was thus provided word came back from Marhaus that he would be
+glad and blithe to fight with a gentleman of such noble birth. And he
+requested that the combat should take place in an island near which lay
+his ships. This being accepted, Tristram was sent thither in a vessel,
+with his horse and armor, but attended only by his tutor Gouvernail,
+whom he now made his squire.
+
+On reaching the island Tristram saw on the further shore six ships, but
+he saw no knight. Then he bade Gouvernail to bring his horse ashore and
+arm him. This done, he mounted and took his shield, and then said,--
+
+"Where is this knight with whom I have to fight? I see him not."
+
+"Yonder he hovers," answered Gouvernail, "under the shadow of the ships.
+He waits you on horseback, and fully armed."
+
+"True enough. I see him now. All is well. Do you take the vessel and go
+back to my uncle Mark, and tell him that if I be slain it will not be
+through cowardice, and pray him, if I die in fair fight, to see that I
+be interred honorably; but if I should prove recreant then he shall give
+me no Christian burial. And come you not near the island, on your life,
+till you see me overcome or slain, or till I give you the signal of
+victory."
+
+Then Gouvernail departed, weeping, for his young master had spoken so
+resolutely that he dared not disobey. Tristram now rode boldly towards
+Sir Marhaus, who came forward to meet him. Much courteous conversation
+passed between the two knights, Tristram at the end saying,--
+
+"I trust, Sir Marhaus, to win honor and renown from you, and to deliver
+Cornwall from tribute forever, and to this end I shall do my best in all
+valor and honor."
+
+"Fair sir," answered Marhaus, "your spirit pleases me; but as for
+gaining honor from me, you will lose none if you keep back three strokes
+beyond my reach, for King Arthur made me not Knight of the Round Table
+except for good cause."
+
+"That may well be," answered Tristram; "but if I show the white feather
+in my first battle may I never bear arms again."
+
+Then they put their spears in rest and rode so furiously together that
+both were hurled to the earth, horse and man alike. But Tristram had the
+ill fortune to receive a severe wound in the side from the spear of his
+adversary.
+
+Heedless of this, he drew his sword and met Marhaus boldly and bravely.
+Then they began a fierce and desperate fight, striking and foining,
+rushing together in furious onset, and drawing back in cautious heed,
+while the ring of sword on armor was like that of hammer on anvil. Hours
+passed in the fight, and the blood flowed freely from the wounds which
+each had received, yet still they stood boldly up to the combat. But
+Tristram proved a stronger and better-winded man than Marhaus, and was
+still fresh when his enemy was growing weary and faint. At the end he
+threw all his strength into his right arm, and smote Marhaus so mighty
+a blow on the helm that it cut down through the steel covering and deep
+into his head, the sword sticking so fast that Tristram could hardly
+pull it out.
+
+When he did so the edge of the sword was left in the skull, and the
+wounded knight fell heavily on his knees. But in a minute he rose and,
+flinging his sword and shield away, fled hastily to his ships.
+
+"Why do you withdraw, Knight of the Round Table?" cried Tristram. "I am
+but a young knight, but before I would fly from an adversary I would
+abide to be cut into a thousand pieces."
+
+Marhaus answered only with deep groans of pain and distress.
+
+"Go thy way then, sir knight," said Tristram. "I promise you your sword
+and shield shall be mine, and I will wear your shield in the sight of
+King Arthur and all the Round Table, to let them see that Cornwall is
+not a land of cowards."
+
+While he stood thus, hot with anger, the sails of the ships were spread,
+and the fleet sailed away, leaving the victor alone on the island. He
+was deeply wounded and had bled profusely, and when he grew cold from
+rest could hardly move his limbs. So he seated himself upon a little
+hillock, while his wounds still bled freely. But Gouvernail, who had
+kept within sight in the vessel, and had seen the end of the combat, now
+hastened gladly to the island, where he bound up the young knight's
+wounds, and then brought him to the main land. Here King Mark and his
+barons came in procession to meet him, their hearts full of joy and
+triumph, and the victor was borne in glad procession to the castle of
+Tintagil. When King Mark saw his deep and perilous wounds he wept
+heartily, and cried,--
+
+"God help me, I would not for all my lands that my nephew should die!"
+
+But Tristram lay in groaning pain for more than a month, ever in danger
+of death from the spear-wound he had received from Sir Marhaus. For the
+spear-head was poisoned, and no leech in the land, with his most healing
+remedy, could overcome the deadly effect of that venom. The king sent
+far and wide for skilled doctors, but none could be found whose skill
+was of any avail. At length there came a learned woman to the court, who
+told them plainly that the wounded man could never be cured except in
+the country from which the venom came. He might be helped there, but
+nowhere else.
+
+When King Mark heard this he had a good vessel prepared, in which
+Tristram was placed, under charge of Gouvernail, and so set sail for
+Ireland, though all were strictly warned not to tell who they were or
+whence they came.
+
+Long before this the fleet of Marhaus had arrived on the Irish coast,
+and the wounded knight been borne to the king's court, where all was
+done that could be to save his life, but in vain.
+
+He died soon of his deep wound, and when his head was examined by the
+surgeons they found therein a piece of Tristram's sword, which had sunk
+deep into his skull. This piece the queen, his sister, kept, for she was
+full of revengeful thoughts, and she hoped by its aid to find the man to
+whom he owed his death.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+LA BELLE ISOLDE.
+
+
+When Tristram arrived in Ireland, chance so provided that he landed near
+a castle in which the king and queen, with all their court, then were.
+He had brought his harp with him, and on his arrival sat up in his bed
+and played a merry lay, which gave joy to all that heard it.
+
+Word was quickly brought to the king that a harper of wonderful skill
+had reached his shores, and he at once sent to have him brought to the
+castle, where he asked him his name and whence he came.
+
+"My name," replied the wounded knight, "is Tramtrist; I am of the
+country of Lyonesse, and the wound from which I suffer was received in a
+battle I fought for a lady who had been wronged."
+
+"You shall have all the help here we can give you," said King Anguish.
+"I have just met with a sad loss myself, for the best knight in my
+kingdom has been slain."
+
+Then he told Tristram of the battle with King Mark's champion, little
+dreaming that the knight to whom he spoke knew far more about it than he
+did himself.
+
+"As for your wound," said the king, "my daughter, La Belle Isolde, is a
+leech of wonderful skill, and as you seem so worthy a man I shall put
+you under her care."
+
+This said, he departed, and sent his daughter to the knight; but no
+sooner did Tristram behold her than he received a deeper wound from love
+than he had yet had from sword or spear. For La Belle Isolde was the
+most beautiful lady in the world, a maiden of such wondrous charm and
+grace that no land held her equal.
+
+When she examined the young knight's wound she quickly saw that he was
+suffering from poison, but it was a venom with which she knew well how
+to deal, and she was not long in healing his deep hurt. In return for
+this great service, he taught her the art of harping, while the love he
+felt for her soon left some reflection of its warm presence in her soul.
+
+But she already had a lover in the court, a worthy and valiant Saracen
+knight named Palamides, who sought her day after day, and made her many
+gifts, for his love for her was deep. He was well esteemed by the king
+and queen, and had declared his willingness to be made a Christian for
+the sake of La Belle Isolde. In consequence there soon arose hot blood
+between Tristram and Palamides, for each feared that the other was a
+favored rival.
+
+And now it happened that King Anguish announced a tournament to be held
+in honor of a cousin of his called the Lady of the Lawns, it being
+declared that the grand prize of the tournament should be the hand of
+the lady and the lordship of her lands. The report of this tournament
+spread through England, Wales, and Scotland, reaching even to Brittany,
+and France, and many knights came to try their fortune in the lists.
+
+[Illustration: SIR TRISTRAM HARPING TO ISOLDE.]
+
+When the day drew near the fair Isolde told Tristram of the tournament,
+and expressed a warm desire that he would take part in it.
+
+"Fair lady," he answered, "I am as yet but feeble, and only for your
+generous care might be dead. I should be glad to obey any wish of yours,
+but you know that I am not in condition for the lists."
+
+"Ah, Tramtrist," she replied, "I trust that you may be able to take part
+in this friendly joust. Palamides will be there, and I hoped that you
+would meet him, for I fear that otherwise he will not find his equal."
+
+"You do me great honor," he replied. "You forget that I am but a young
+knight, and that in the only battle I have fought I was wounded nearly
+unto death. But for the love I have for you I shall attend the
+tournament, and jeopard my poor person for your sake, if you will only
+keep my counsel and let no person know that I have entered the lists."
+
+"That shall I," she replied, gladly. "Horse and armor shall be ready for
+you, and I but ask you to do your best. I am sure your best must win."
+
+"With Isolde's eyes upon me I can do no less," answered Tristram, with a
+glad heart. "I am at your command in all things, and for your love would
+dare tenfold this risk."
+
+When the day of the tournament came, Palamides appeared in the lists
+with a black shield, and so many knights fell before him that all the
+people marvelled at his prowess. Throughout the first day's fight he
+held his own against all comers, bearing off the honors of the lists.
+As for Tristram, he sat among the spectators, and when King Anguish
+asked him why he did not joust, replied that he was still too weak from
+his wound.
+
+On the morning of the next day Palamides came early into the field, and
+began the same career of conquest as on the day before. But in the midst
+of his good fortune there rode into the lists an unknown knight, who
+seemed to the spectators like an angel, for his horse and his armor were
+of the whiteness of snow.
+
+No sooner had Palamides espied this stranger than he put his spear in
+rest and rode against him at furious speed. But there came a sudden
+change in his fortunes, for the white knight struck him with such force
+as to hurl him from his horse to the ground.
+
+Then there arose a great noise and uproar among the people, for they had
+grown to think that no knight could face the Saracen, and Gawaine and
+others whom he had overthrown marvelled who this stranger knight could
+be. But Isolde was glad at heart, for the love of Palamides was a burden
+to her, and well she knew the knight of the white arms.
+
+As for the Palamides, he was so ashamed and disconcerted by his fall
+that, on mounting his horse again, he sought privately to withdraw from
+the field. But the white knight rode hastily after him and bade him
+turn, saying that he should not leave the lists so lightly. At these
+words Palamides turned and struck a fierce sword-blow at the white
+champion. But the latter put the stroke aside, and returned it with so
+mighty a buffet on the Saracen's head that he fell from his horse to the
+earth.
+
+Then Tristram--for he was the white knight--bade him yield and consent
+to do his command, or he would slay him. To this Palamides agreed, for
+he was hurt past defence.
+
+"This, then, is my command," said Tristram. "First, upon pain of your
+life, you shall cease your suit of the lady La Belle Isolde, and come
+not near her. Second, for a year and a day you shall wear no armor or
+weapons of war. Promise me this, or you shall die."
+
+"This is a bitter penance," cried Palamides. "You shame me before the
+world. For nothing less than life would I consent."
+
+But he took the oath as Tristram commanded, and then in anger and
+despite threw off his armor and cut it into pieces, flinging the
+fragments away. Then he departed, weighed down with sadness and shame.
+
+This done, Tristram left the lists, where he could find no knight
+willing to fight with him, and rode to the private postern of the castle
+whence he had come to the field. Here he found the fair Isolde awaiting
+him with a joyous face and a voice of thanks, praising him so highly
+that the knight was abashed with modest shame, though gladness filled
+his heart. And when she had told the king and queen that it was
+Tramtrist who had vanquished the Saracen, they treated him as if he had
+been of royal blood, for he had shown such prowess as Lancelot himself
+could not exceed.
+
+After this Tristram dwelt long in the castle, highly esteemed by the
+king and queen, and loved by La Belle Isolde, whose heart he had fully
+won by his prowess in the tournament. Those were days of joy and
+gladness, too soon, alas to end, for he loved her with all his soul, and
+saw his heaven in her eyes, while for all his love she gave him the warm
+devotion of a true heart in return.
+
+But fate at length brought this dream of happiness to an end. For on a
+day when Tristram was in the bath, attended by his squire Gouvernail,
+chance brought the queen and Isolde into the chamber of the knight. On
+the bed lay his sword, and this the queen picked up and held it out for
+Isolde's admiration, as the blade which had done such noble work in the
+tournament.
+
+But as she held it so she saw that there was a gap in the edge, a piece
+being broken out about a foot from the point. At sight of this she let
+the weapon fall, while her heart gave a great bound of pain and anger.
+
+"Liar and traitor, have I found you at last!" she cried, in an outbreak
+of rage. "It is this false villain that slew my brother Marhaus!"
+
+With these words she ran in haste from the chamber, leaving Isolde
+trembling with dread for her lover, for though she knew not the cause of
+the queen's rage, she knew well how cruel she could be in her passion.
+
+Quickly the queen returned, bringing with her the fragment of steel that
+had been found in Marhaus's skull, and, snatching up the sword, she
+fitted this into the broken place. It fitted so closely that the blade
+seemed whole. Then with a cry of passionate rage the furious woman ran
+to where Tristram was in the bath, and would have run him through had
+not Gouvernail caught her in his arms and wrested the sword from her
+hand.
+
+Failing in this deadly intent, she tore herself from the squire's grasp
+and flew to the king, throwing herself on her knees before him and
+crying,--
+
+"Oh, my lord and husband! you have here in your house that murderous
+wretch who killed my brother, the noble Sir Marhaus!"
+
+"Ha! can that be?" said the king. "Where is he?"
+
+"It is Tramtrist," she replied. "It is that villanous knight whom our
+daughter healed, and who has shamefully abused our hospitality." And she
+told him by what strange chance she had made this discovery.
+
+"Alas!" said the king, "what you tell me grieves me to the heart. I
+never saw a nobler knight than he, and I would give my crown not to have
+learned this. I charge you to leave him to me. I will deal with him as
+honor and justice demand."
+
+Then the king sought Tristram in his chamber, and found him there fully
+armed and ready to mount his horse.
+
+"So, Tramtrist, you are ready for the field," he said. "I tell you this,
+that it will not avail you to match your strength against my power. But
+I honor you for your nobility and prowess, and it would shame me to slay
+my guest in my court; therefore, I will let you depart in safety, on
+condition that you tell me your name and that of your father, and if it
+was truly you that slew my brother, Sir Marhaus."
+
+"Truly it was so," said Tristram. "But what I did was done in honor and
+justice, as you well know. He came as a champion and defied all the
+knights of Cornwall to battle, and I fought him for the honor of
+Cornwall. It was my first battle, for I was made a knight that very day.
+And no man living can say that I struck him foully."
+
+"I doubt me not that you acted in all knightly honor," answered the
+king. "But you cannot stay in my country against the ill-will of my
+barons, my wife, and her kindred."
+
+"As for who I am," continued the knight, "my father is King Meliodas of
+Lyonesse, and my uncle King Mark of Cornwall. My name is Tristram; but
+when I was sent to your country to be cured of my wound I called myself
+Tramtrist, for I feared your anger. I thank you deeply for the kind
+welcome you have given me, and the goodness my lady, your daughter, has
+shown me. It may happen that you will win more by my life than by my
+death, for in England I may yet do you some knightly service. This I
+promise you, as I am a true knight, that in all places I shall hold
+myself the servant and knight of my lady, your daughter, and shall never
+fail to do in her honor and service all that a knight may. Also I
+beseech you that I may take leave of your barons and knights, and pray
+you to grant me leave to bid adieu to your daughter."
+
+"I cannot well refuse you this," said the king.
+
+With this permission, Tristram sought La Belle Isolde, and sadly bade
+her farewell, telling her who he was, why he had changed his name, and
+for what purpose he had come to Ireland.
+
+"Had it not been for your care and skill I should now have been dead,"
+he said.
+
+"Gentle sir," she sadly replied, "I am woeful indeed that you should go,
+for I never saw man to whom I felt such good-will as to you."
+
+And she wept bitterly as she held out her hand in adieu. But Tristram
+took her in his arms and kissed away her tears.
+
+"I love you, Isolde, as my soul," he said. "If this despite of fate
+shall stand between you and me, this I promise, to be your knight while
+life is left to me."
+
+"And this I promise," answered Isolde, "that if I am married within
+these seven years it shall only be by your assent! If they stand between
+me and my love, at least they shall not force me to wed against your
+will."
+
+Then she gave Tristram a ring and received one from him in return, and
+he departed from her with a pain as if the parting wrenched their hearts
+asunder, while she beheld him go with such tears and lamentation that it
+seemed as if her faithful heart would break.
+
+Tristram next sought the great hall of the court, where were assembled
+the barons of King Anguish, and took his leave of them all, saying,--
+
+"Fair lords, fortune wills that I must leave you. If there be any man
+here whom I have offended or aggrieved let him make complaint now, and I
+shall amend the wrong so far as it is in my power. If there be any who
+may incline to say a wrongful thing of me behind my back, let him speak
+now, and I will make it good with him, body against body."
+
+But no man spoke in reply. There were knights there of the blood of Sir
+Marhaus and the queen, but none that cared to have to do in the field
+against Sir Tristram.
+
+So bidding them all adieu, he departed, and took ship for Tintagil, in
+Cornwall.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE WAGER OF BATTLE.
+
+
+When tidings came to King Mark that Tristram had returned to Cornwall,
+cured of his wounds, the king and all his barons were glad, and on the
+arrival of the knight he was treated with the greatest honor. No long
+time passed before he rode to the castle of his father, King Meliodas,
+who received him with fatherly love and pride, while the queen greeted
+him with the warmest joy. And that their knightly son should have
+wherewithal to make a fair show in the world, they parted with much of
+their lands and wealth to him, endowing him with broad estates and
+lordly castles.
+
+[Illustration: A CASTLE OF CORNWALL.]
+
+Afterwards, at his father's desire, who wished his son to gain all
+honor, Tristram returned to the court of Cornwall, where he was gladly
+welcomed. And here, though his love for La Belle Isolde lay deep in his
+heart, it was dimmed by later feelings, for there were many fair ladies
+at the court, and the young knight was at that age when the heart is
+soft and tender.
+
+In the end it happened that a jealousy and unfriendliness arose between
+King Mark and him. This grew with time, and in the end the king, who was
+base and treacherous of soul, waylaid Tristram, aided by two knights of
+his counsel, and sought to slay him. But so valiantly did he defend
+himself that he hurled the three to the earth, wounding the king so
+deeply that he was long in recovering.
+
+The king now grew to hate his young guest bitterly, and laid plans to
+destroy him. Finally, it occurred to him to send Tristram to Ireland for
+La Belle Isolde, whose beauty and goodness the young knight had praised
+so warmly that King Mark had it in his heart to wed her. But his main
+purpose in sending Tristram to Ireland was to compass his destruction,
+for he knew how he was hated there.
+
+Tristram was not blind to the danger into which this mission might bring
+him, and suspected the purpose of the king, but his love of adventure
+was so great that for it he was ready to dare any risk.
+
+As for Isolde, absence and affection for other ladies had dimmed his
+passion for her, so that for the time his love was forgotten, and he
+came to look upon it as a youthful episode not knowing how deeply it
+still lay under all these later feelings. He, therefore, accepted the
+mission, and made ready to go in royal state.
+
+He selected for his companions a number of the ablest knights of the
+court, and saw that they were richly arrayed and appointed, with the
+hope that such a noble train might win him favor at the Irish court.
+With this array he departed, and set sail for the coast of Ireland.
+
+But when they had reached the mid-channel a tempest arose that blew the
+fleet back towards the coast of England, and, as chance had it, they
+came ashore near Camelot. Here they were forced to land, for their ships
+were no longer seaworthy. Tristram, therefore, set up his pavilion upon
+the coast of Camelot, and hung his shield before it.
+
+That same day two knights of Arthur's court, Sir Morganor and Sir Hector
+de Maris, chanced to ride that way, and, seeing the shield, they touched
+it with their spears, bidding the knight of the pavilion to come out and
+joust, if he had an inclination to do so.
+
+"I hold myself ready alike for sport or battle," answered Tristram. "If
+you tarry a little while, you will find me ready to meet you."
+
+This said, he armed himself, and mounting his horse rode against his two
+challengers with such fortune that he first smote Sir Hector to the
+earth, and then Sir Morganor, felling them both with one spear. Rising
+painfully to their feet, the disconcerted knights asked Tristram who he
+was and of what country.
+
+"My noble sirs, I am a knight of Cornwall," he answered. "You have been
+in the habit of scorning the warriors of my country, but you see we have
+some good blood there."
+
+"A Cornish knight!" cried Hector. "That I should be overcome by a knight
+from that land! I am not fit to wear armor more." And in despite he put
+off his armor and left the place on foot, too full of shame to ride.
+
+As it turned out, fortune had worked more favorably for Tristram than he
+supposed. For King Anguish was then on his way to Camelot, whither he
+had been summoned by King Arthur as his vassal, for a purpose which he
+was not told.
+
+It happened that when he reached Camelot neither King Arthur nor
+Lancelot was there to give judgment on the charge against him, but the
+kings of Carados and of Scotland were left as judges. And when King
+Anguish demanded why he had been summoned, Blamor de Ganis, a Knight of
+the Round Table, accused him of treason, declaring that he had
+treacherously slain a cousin of his at his court in Ireland.
+
+This accusation threw King Anguish into great trouble, for he did not
+dream that he had been brought for such a purpose, and knew well that
+there was but one answer to make to such a charge. For the custom in
+those days was that any man who was accused of murder or treason should
+decide the case by the Wager of Battle, fighting his accuser to the
+death, or finding a knight who would take up his quarrel. And murders of
+all kinds in those days were called treason.
+
+King Anguish was thrown into a sorrowful frame of mind, for he knew that
+Blamor de Ganis was a knight of prowess beyond his own strength, nor had
+he a suitable champion in his train. He therefore withheld his answer,
+and the judges gave him three days for his decision.
+
+All this was told to Tristram by his squire Gouvernail, who had heard it
+from people of the country.
+
+"Truly," said Tristram, "no man in England could bring me better
+tidings, for the king of Ireland will be glad of my aid, since no knight
+of this country not of Arthur's court will dare fight with Blamor. As I
+wish to win the good will of King Anguish, I will take on myself his
+battle. So, Gouvernail, go to the king for me, and tell him there is a
+champion ready to assume his cause."
+
+Gouvernail thereupon went to Camelot, and greeted King Anguish, who
+returned his greeting and asked his errand.
+
+"There is a knight near at hand who desires to speak with you," was the
+reply. "He bade me say that he was ready to do you knightly service."
+
+"What knight may he be?" asked the king.
+
+"Sir, it is Tristram of Lyonesse. For the grace you showed him in your
+country he is ready to repay you here, and to take the field as your
+champion."
+
+"God be praised for this welcome news!" cried the king. "Come, good
+fellow, show me the way to Sir Tristram. Blamor will find he has no boy
+to handle."
+
+He mounted a hackney, and with few followers rode under Gouvernail's
+guidance till they came to Tristram's pavilion. The knight, when he saw
+his visitor, ran to him and would have held his stirrup, but this the
+king would not permit. He leaped lightly from his horse and took
+Tristram warmly in his arms.
+
+"My gracious lord," said Tristram, "I have not forgot the goodness which
+you formerly showed me, and which at that time I promised to requite by
+knightly service if it should ever be in my power."
+
+"I have great need of you, indeed, gentle sir," answered the king.
+"Never before was I in such deep necessity of knightly aid."
+
+"How so, my noble lord?" asked Tristram.
+
+"I shall tell you. I am held answerable for the death of a knight who
+was akin to Lancelot, and for which I must fight his relative, Blamor de
+Ganis, or find a knight in my stead. And well you know the knights of
+King Ban's blood are hard men to overcome in battle."
+
+"That may be," said Tristram, "yet I dread not to meet them. For the
+honor which you showed me in Ireland, and for the sake of your gracious
+daughter La Belle Isolde, I will take the battle on two conditions:
+first, that you swear that you are in the right, and had no hand in the
+knight's death; second, that if I win in this fight you grant me the
+reward I may ask, if you deem it reasonable."
+
+"Truly, I am innocent, and you shall have whatever you ask," said the
+king.
+
+"Then I accept the combat," said Tristram. "You may return to Camelot
+and make answer that your champion is ready, for I shall die in your
+quarrel rather than be recreant. Blamor is said to be a hardy knight,
+but I would meet him were he the best warrior that now bears shield and
+spear."
+
+King Anguish then departed and told the judges that he had his champion
+ready, and was prepared for the wager of battle at any time that pleased
+them. In consequence, Blamor and Tristram were sent for to hear the
+charge. But when the knights of the court learned that the champion was
+he who had vanquished Marhaus and Palamides, there was much debate and
+shaking of the head, and many who had felt sure of the issue now grew
+full of doubt, the more so when they learned the story of Hector de
+Maris and his companion.
+
+But the combatants took their charge in all due dignity, and then
+withdrew to make ready for the battle. Blamor was attended by his
+brother Sir Bleoberis, who said to him, feelingly,--
+
+"Remember, dear brother, of what kin we are, being cousins to Lancelot
+du Lake, and that there has never been a man of our blood but would
+rather die than be shamed in battle."
+
+"Have no doubt of me," answered Blamor. "I know well this knight's
+record; but if he should strike me down through his great might, he
+shall slay me before I will yield as recreant."
+
+"You will find him the strongest knight you have ever had to do with. I
+know that well, for I had once a bout with him at King Mark's court. So
+God speed you!"
+
+"In God and my cause I trust," answered Blamor.
+
+Then he took his horse and rode to one end of the lists, and Tristram to
+the other, where, putting their spears in rest, they spurred their
+gallant steeds and rushed together with the speed of lightning. The
+result was that Blamor and his horse together were hurled to the earth,
+while Tristram kept his seat. Then Blamor drew his sword and threw his
+shield before him, bidding Tristram to alight.
+
+"Though a horse has failed me," he said, "I trust that the earth will
+stand me in good stead."
+
+Without hesitation Tristram consented, springing to the ground, sword in
+hand, and the combatants broke at once into fierce battle, fighting like
+madmen, till all who saw them marvelled at their courage and strength.
+Never had knights been seen to fight more fiercely, for Blamor was so
+furious and incessant in his attacks, and Tristram so active in his
+defence, that it was a wonder they had breath to stand. But at last
+Tristram smote his antagonist such a blow on the helm that he fell upon
+his side, while his victor stood looking grimly down upon him.
+
+When Blamor could gain breath to speak, he said,--
+
+"Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, I require thee, as thou art a true knight, to
+slay me, for I would not live in shame, though I might be lord of the
+earth. You must slay me, indeed, if you would win the field, for I shall
+never speak the hateful word of surrender."
+
+When Tristram heard this knightly defiance he knew not what to do. The
+thought of slaying one of Lancelot's blood hurt him sorely, but his duty
+as a champion required him to force his antagonist to yield, or else to
+slay him. In deep distress of mind he went to the kingly judges and
+kneeled before them, beseeching them for the sake of King Arthur and
+Lancelot, and for their own credit, to take this matter out of his
+hands.
+
+"It were a pity and shame that the noble knight who lies yonder should
+be slain," he said, "yet he refuses to yield. As for the king I fight
+for, I shall require him, as I am his true knight and champion, to have
+mercy on the vanquished."
+
+"That yield I freely," said King Anguish. "And I heartily pray the
+judges to deal with him mercifully."
+
+Then the judges called Bleoberis to them and asked his advice.
+
+"My lords," he replied, "my brother is beaten, I acknowledge, yet,
+though Sir Tristram has vanquished his body, he has not conquered his
+heart, and I thank God he is not shamed by his defeat. And rather than
+he should be shamed I require you to bid Tristram to slay him."
+
+"That shall not be," replied the judges. "Both his adversaries, the king
+and his champion, have pity on him, and you should have no less."
+
+"I leave his fate to you," said Bleoberis. "Do what seems to you well."
+
+Then, after further consultation, the judges gave their verdict that the
+vanquished knight should live, and by their advice Tristram and
+Bleoberis took him up and brought him to King Anguish, who forgave and
+made friends with him. Then Blamor and Tristram kissed each other and
+the two brothers took oath that neither of them would ever fight with
+their noble antagonist, who took the same oath. And from the day of
+that battle there was peace and love between Tristram and all the
+kindred of Lancelot forever.
+
+The happy close of this contest made great rejoicing in Arthur's court,
+King Anguish and his champion being treated with all the honor that
+could be laid upon them, and for many days thereafter feasting and
+merry-making prevailed. In the end the king and his champion sailed for
+Ireland with great state and ceremony, while many noble knights attended
+to bid them farewell.
+
+When they reached Ireland, King Anguish spread far and wide the story of
+what Tristram had done for him, and he was everywhere greeted with honor
+and delight. Even the queen forgot her anger, and did all that lay in
+her power to give her lord's champion a glad welcome to the court.
+
+As for La Belle Isolde, she met Tristram with the greatest joy and
+gladness. Absence had dimmed the love in both their hearts, and it no
+longer burned as of yore, yet only time and opportunity were needed to
+make it as warm as ever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE DRAUGHT OF LOVE.
+
+
+At length there came a day, after Tristram had dwelt long at King
+Anguish's court, that the king asked him why he had not demanded his
+boon, since the royal word had been passed that whatever he asked
+should be his without fail.
+
+"I asked you not," said Tristram, "since it is a boon that will give me
+no pleasure, but so much pain that with every day that passes I grow
+less inclined to ask it."
+
+"Then why ask it at all?"
+
+"That I must, for I have passed my word of honor, and the word of a
+knight is his best possession. What I am forced to demand, then, is that
+you will give me the hand of La Belle Isolde,--not for myself, and that
+is what makes my heart so sore, but for my uncle, King Mark, who desires
+to wed her, and for whom I have promised to demand her."
+
+"Alas!" cried the king, "that you should ask me so despiteful a boon. I
+had rather than all King Mark's dominions that you should wed her
+yourself."
+
+"I never saw woman whom I would rather wed," he replied. "But if I
+should do so I would be the shame of the world forever, as a false
+knight, recreant to his promise. Therefore, I must stand by my word, and
+hold you to your boon, that you will give me La Belle Isolde to go with
+me to Cornwall, there to be wedded to King Mark, my uncle."
+
+"As for that, I cannot deny you. She shall go with you, but as to what
+may happen thereafter, I leave that for you to decide. If you choose to
+wed her yourself, that will give me the greatest joy. But if you
+determine to give her to King Mark, the right rests with you. I have
+passed my word, though I wish now that I had not."
+
+Then Isolde was told of what had passed, and bade to make ready to go
+with Tristram, a lady named Bragwaine going with her as chief
+gentlewoman, while many others were selected as her attendants. When the
+preparations were fully made, the queen, Isolde's mother, gave to Dame
+Bragwaine and Gouvernail a golden flask containing a drink, and charged
+them that on the day of Isolde's wedding they should give King Mark that
+drink, bidding him to quaff it to the health of La Belle Isolde, and her
+to quaff his health in return.
+
+"It is a love draught," continued the queen, "and if they shall drink it
+I undertake to say that each shall love the other for all the days of
+their life."
+
+Not many days passed before Tristram took to the sea, with the fair
+maiden who had been committed to his charge, and they sailed away on a
+mission that had for them both far more of sadness than of joy, for
+their love grew as the miles passed.
+
+One day, as they sat together in the cabin, it happened that they became
+thirsty, and by chance they saw on a shelf near them a little golden
+flask, filled with what by the color seemed to be a noble wine. Tristram
+took it down and said, with a laugh,--
+
+"Madam Isolde, here is the best drink that ever you drank, a precious
+draught which Dame Bragwaine, your maiden, and Gouvernail, my servant,
+are keeping for themselves. Let us drink from their private store."
+
+Then with laughter and merriment they drank freely from the flask, and
+both thought that they had never tasted draught so sweet and delicious
+in their lives before. But when the magic wine got into their blood,
+they looked upon each other with new eyes, for their hearts were
+suddenly filled with such passionate love as they had not dreamed that
+heart could feel. Tristram thought that never had mortal eyes gazed upon
+a maiden of such heavenly charms, and Isolde that there was never man
+born so grand and graceful as the knight of her love.
+
+Then all at once she fell into bitter weeping as the thought of her
+destiny came upon her, and Tristram took her in his arms and kissed her
+sweet lips again and again, speaking words of love that brought some
+comfort to her love-sick heart. And thus it was between them day by day
+to the end of their voyage, for a love had grown between them of such
+fervent depth that it could never leave them while blood flowed in their
+veins.
+
+Such magic power had the draught which the queen had prepared for King
+Mark, and which the unthinking lovers drank in fate's strange error. It
+was the bitter-sweet of love; for it was destined to bring them the
+deepest joy and sorrow in the years to come.
+
+Many days passed before the lovers reached Cornwall, and strange
+adventures met them by the way, of which we have but little space to
+speak. For chance brought them to land near a castle named Pleure, or
+the weeping castle. It was the custom of the lord of that castle, when
+any knight passed by with a lady, to take them prisoners. Then, when the
+knight's lady was compared with the lady of the castle, whichever was
+the least lovely of the two was put to death, and the knight was made to
+fight with the lord of the castle for the other, and was put to death if
+vanquished. Through this cruel custom many a noble knight and fair lady
+had been slain, for the castle lord was of great prowess and his lady of
+striking beauty.
+
+It chanced that Tristram and Isolde demanded shelter at this castle, and
+that they were made prisoners under its cruel custom. At this outrage
+Tristram grew bitterly indignant, and demanded passionately what it
+meant, as honor demanded that those who sought harbor should be received
+hospitably as guests, and not despitefully as prisoners. In answer he
+was told the custom of the castle, and that he must fight for his lady
+and his liberty.
+
+"It is a foul and shameful custom," he replied. "I do not fear that your
+lord's lady will surpass mine in beauty, nor that I cannot hold my own
+in the field, but I like to have a voice in my own doings. Tell him,
+however, if he is so hot for battle, that I shall be ready for the test
+to-morrow morning, and may heaven be on the side of truth and justice."
+
+When morning came the test of beauty was made, and the loveliness of
+Isolde shone so far beyond that of the castle lady that Breunor, the
+lord, was forced to admit it. And now Tristram grew stern and pitiless,
+for he said that this lady had consented to the death of many innocent
+rivals, and richly deserved death as a punishment for the ruthless deeds
+done in her behalf, and to gratify her cruel vanity. Thereupon her head
+was struck off without mercy.
+
+Full of anger at this, Breunor attacked Tristram with all his strength
+and fury, and a long and fiery combat took place, yet in the end he fell
+dead beneath the sword of the knight of Cornwall.
+
+But, as it happened, the castle lord had a valiant son, named Sir
+Galahad the high prince, a knight who in after years was to do deeds of
+great emprise. Word was brought to him of the death of his father and
+mother, and he rode in all haste to the castle, having with him that
+renowned warrior known as the king with the hundred knights.
+
+Reaching the castle, Galahad fiercely challenged Tristram to battle, and
+a mighty combat ensued. But at the last Galahad was forced to give way
+before the deadly strokes of his antagonist, whose strength seemed to
+grow with his labor.
+
+When the king with the hundred knights saw this, he rushed upon Tristram
+with many of his followers, attacking him in such force as no single
+knight could hope to endure.
+
+"This is no knightly deed," cried Tristram to Galahad. "I deemed you a
+noble knight, but it is a shameful act to let all your men set on me at
+once."
+
+"However that be," said Galahad, "you have done me a great wrong, and
+must yield or die."
+
+"Then I must yield, since you treat me so unfairly. I accepted your
+challenge, not that of all your followers. To yield thus puts me to no
+dishonor."
+
+And he took his sword by the point and put the pommel in the hand of his
+opponent. But despite this action the king and his knights came on, and
+made a second attack on the unarmed warrior.
+
+"Let him be," cried Sir Galahad. "I have given him his life, and no man
+shall harm him."
+
+"Shame is it in you to say so!" cried the king. "Has he not slain your
+father and mother?"
+
+"For that I cannot blame him greatly. My father held him in prison, and
+forced him to fight to the death. The custom was a wicked and cruel one,
+and could have but one end. Long ago, it drove me from my father's
+castle, for I could not favor it by any presence."
+
+"It was a sinful custom, truly," said the king.
+
+"So I deem it, and it would be a pity that this brave knight should die
+in such a cause, for I know no one save Lancelot du Lake who is his
+equal. Now, fair knight, will you tell me your name?"
+
+"My name is Tristram of Lyonesse, and I am on my way to the court of
+King Mark of Cornwall, taking to him La Belle Isolde, the daughter of
+King Anguish of Ireland, whom he desires to wed."
+
+"Then you are welcome to these marches, and all that I demand of you is
+that you promise to go to Lancelot du Lake, and become his fellow. I
+shall promise that no such custom shall ever be used in this castle
+again."
+
+"You will do well," said Tristram. "I would have you know that when I
+began to fight with you I fancied you were Lancelot. And I promise, as
+soon as I may, to seek him, for of all the knights in the world I most
+desire his fellowship."
+
+[Illustration: TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOLDE.]
+
+Soon afterwards Tristram and his fair companion resumed their journey,
+and in due time reached Cornwall. But as they came near Tintagil their
+hearts were ready to break, for that magic draught was still in their
+veins, and they loved each other with a love that was past all telling.
+
+Thoughts came into Tristram's heart to marry the maiden in despite of
+custom and his plighted word, and gladly would she have consented
+thereto. But strong as was his love, his honor was stronger, and Isolde,
+deeply as she grieved, could not ask him to break his word. And thus for
+many long miles they journeyed onward side by side in silence, their
+eyes alone speaking, but they telling a story of love and grief to which
+they dared not give words, lest their hearts' desire should burst all
+boundaries of faith and honor, and men's condemnation come to them both.
+
+So they came with drooping hearts to the court of King Mark, where the
+king and his barons received them with state and ceremony. Quickly
+thereafter the wedding took place, for the king looked with eyes of warm
+approval upon the beautiful maiden, and prepared richly and nobly for
+the ceremony, at which many noble knights and lords were present, but
+from which Tristram withdrew in the deepest anguish, as he could not
+endure the sight. And so his knightly word was kept, though to keep it
+almost broke his heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE PERILS OF TRUE LOVE.
+
+
+The marriage of King Mark with La Belle Isolde was celebrated with rich
+feasts and royal tournaments, and for many days pleasure ruled supreme
+at Tintagil Castle, whither noble guests came and went. Among those who
+came was Palamides the Saracen, drawn thither by his love of Isolde,
+which his overthrow by Tristram had not banished from his heart.
+
+Strange events soon followed. Two ladies of Isolde's train, who envied
+and hated Dame Bragwaine, laid a plot for her destruction. She was sent
+into the forest to obtain herbs, and there was met by men sent by her
+enemies, who bound her hand and foot to a tree, where she remained for
+three days. By good fortune, at the end of that time, she was found by
+Palamides, who saved her from death, and took her to a nunnery that she
+might recover from her pain and exhaustion.
+
+The disappearance of Dame Bragwaine troubled the queen greatly, for she
+loved her most of all women, and as the days went by and she returned
+not, the grief of Isolde grew deep. She wandered into the forest, which
+had been searched in vain for the lost lady, and, plunged in sad
+thought, seated herself by a woodland spring, where she moaned bitterly
+for her favorite.
+
+As she sat there Palamides appeared, and, after listening awhile to her
+sad complaining, said,--
+
+"Queen Isolde, I know well the cause of your grief, and if you will
+grant the boon I shall ask, I promise to bring you Dame Bragwaine, safe
+and sound."
+
+The queen was so glad to hear this, that without thought she agreed to
+grant his wish, thinking more of the lost lady than of what he might
+demand.
+
+"I trust to your promise," said Palamides. "Remain here half an hour and
+you shall see her."
+
+"I shall remain," said the queen.
+
+Palamides then rode away, and within the time mentioned returned with
+the maiden, whom Isolde clasped to her heart with happy tears.
+
+"Now, madam, I have kept my word," said Palamides; "you must keep
+yours."
+
+"I promised you hastily," answered the queen; "and I warn you now that I
+will grant you nothing evil; so beware of your asking."
+
+"My boon will keep till I meet you before the king," said Palamides.
+"What it is I shall not tell you now."
+
+Then the queen rode home with her maiden, and Palamides followed close
+after, entering the court while Isolde was telling the king of what had
+happened.
+
+"Sir king," said the knight, "your lady has told you of the boon she
+proffered me. The honor of knighthood requires that you shall make her
+word good."
+
+"Why made you this promise, my lady?" asked the king.
+
+"I did so for grief at the loss of Dame Bragwaine, and for joy to
+recover her."
+
+"Then what you have hastily proffered you must truly perform. The word
+of king and queen is not to be lightly spoken or lightly broken."
+
+"What I demand is this," said Palamides, "that you deliver to me your
+queen, to lead her where I wish and govern her as I will."
+
+At this bold request the king frowned deeply, and anger leaped to his
+lips. But his word had been passed, and the thought came to him that he
+could trust to Tristram quickly to rescue the queen, and punish this
+bold adventurer.
+
+"Take her if you will," he cried. "But I tell you this, you will not
+keep her long, and that you are asking a dangerous gift."
+
+"As for that, I shall dare the risk."
+
+Then he took Isolde by the hand, and led her from the court, and from
+the presence of the king and his barons, not one of whom moved, though
+the queen looked round with suppliant eyes. Leading her to his
+war-horse, he set her behind him on the saddle, and rode proudly away.
+
+No sooner had they gone than the king sent for Tristram, but by despite
+he was nowhere to be found, for he was in the forest hunting, as was
+always his custom when not engaged in feats of arms.
+
+"What shall be done?" cried the king. "Can no one find Tristram? My
+honor will be shamed if the Saracen be not met and overcome."
+
+"I shall follow him, and seek to rescue the queen," said a knight named
+Lambegus, one of Tristram's followers.
+
+"I thank you, Sir Lambegus. If I live, I will remember the service."
+
+So Lambegus got to horse and followed Palamides hotly, but to his own
+sorrow, as it proved, for he was no match for the Saracen, who soon laid
+him upon the earth wounded nearly to death.
+
+But while the battle went on, Isolde, who had been set upon the earth
+pending the combat, ran into the forest, and continued to fly till she
+came to a deep spring, where in her grief she sought to drown herself.
+But good fortune brought thither a knight named Sir Adtherp, who had a
+castle near by. Seeing the despair of the queen, he led her to his
+castle, and then, learning her story, took upon himself her battle, and
+rode forth to meet the Saracen.
+
+But he, too, fared badly, for Palamides wounded him severely, and made
+him tell what he had done with the queen, and where his castle might be
+found.
+
+Palamides, leaving him bleeding on the ground, rode in all haste to the
+castle. But as he approached, Isolde saw him from a window, and gave
+orders that the gate should be shut and the drawbridge raised. When
+Palamides came up and saw that the castle was closed against him, and
+entrance denied, he took the saddle and bridle from his horse and put
+him to pasture, while he seated himself before the gate like a man who
+cared not what became of him.
+
+Meanwhile, Tristram had returned from the hunt, and when he learned what
+had happened, he was half beside himself with anger.
+
+"Lambegus is no match for the Saracen," he said. "Would I had been here
+in his stead. The unchristianed villain shall answer for this outrage if
+he can be found."
+
+Then he armed himself in all haste, and rode into the forest. Not far
+had he gone when he found Lambegus, sorely wounded, and had him borne to
+a place of shelter. Somewhat farther on he found Adtherp, also hurt and
+bleeding, and from him he learned what had taken place.
+
+"Where is my lady now?" he asked.
+
+"Safe in my castle," said the knight. "And there she can hold herself
+secure against the Saracen."
+
+"Then I owe you much," said Tristram. "Trust me to see that some of your
+men be sent to your aid."
+
+He continued his journey till he came to the castle, and here he saw
+Palamides sitting by the gate fast asleep, with his horse grazing beside
+him.
+
+"The misbegotten rogue takes life easy," said Tristram. "Go rouse him,
+Gouvernail. Bid him make ready to answer for his outrage."
+
+But he was in such deep slumber that Gouvernail called to him in vain.
+He returned and told Tristram that the knight was either asleep or mad.
+
+"Go again and tell him that I, his mortal foe, am here."
+
+Gouvernail now prodded him with the butt of his spear, and cried,--
+
+"Arise, Sir Palamides, and make ready, for yonder is Sir Tristram, and
+he sends you word that he is your mortal foe."
+
+Then Palamides rose without a word of answer, and saddled and bridled
+his horse, upon which he sprang, putting his spear in rest. But he
+remained not long in his saddle, for when they met in mid career,
+Tristram smote him so hard a blow as to thrust him over his horse's tail
+to the ground.
+
+Then they drew their swords and fought with all their strength, for the
+lady whom they both loved looked upon them from the walls, and well-nigh
+swooned for grief and distress on seeing how sorely each was hurt.
+
+"Alas!" she cried, "one of them I love, and the other loves me. It would
+be a great pity to see Sir Palamides slain, much as he has troubled me,
+and slain he will be if this fight goes on."
+
+Then, moved by her tender heart, she went down and besought Tristram to
+fight no more.
+
+"What mean you?" he asked. "Would you have me shamed?"
+
+"I desire not your dishonor; but for my sake I would have you spare this
+unhappy knight, whose love for me has made him mad."
+
+"As you wish," he replied. "The fight shall end, since you desire it."
+
+"As for you, Sir Palamides," she said, "I command that you shall go out
+of this country while I am in it."
+
+"If it must be, it must," he answered, in bitter anguish; "but it is
+sorely against my will, for not to see you is not to live."
+
+"Take your way to the court of King Arthur," she said, "and there
+recommend me to Queen Guenever. Tell her that Isolde says that in all
+the land there are but four lovers, and that these are Lancelot du Lake
+and Queen Guenever, and Tristram de Lyonesse and Queen Isolde."
+
+This message filled Palamides with the greatest heaviness of heart, and
+mounting his steed he rode away moaning bitterly. But Isolde was full of
+gladness in being well rid of her troublesome lover, and Tristram in
+having rescued her from his rival. So he brought her back to King Mark,
+and there was great joy over her home-coming, while the king and all the
+court showered honors on the successful champion. Sir Lambegus was
+brought back to the court and put under the care of skilful leeches, and
+for a long time joy and good-will reigned.
+
+But Tristram had in King Mark's court a bitter foe, who sought to work
+him injury, though he was his near cousin. This traitor, Sir Andred by
+name, knew well of the love between Tristram and Isolde, and that they
+had secret meetings and tender conversations, so he lay in wait to spy
+upon them and slander them before the court.
+
+A day came at length when Andred observed Tristram in secret parley with
+Isolde at a window, and he hastened to the king and poisoned his mind
+with a false report of what he had seen. King Mark, on hearing this,
+burst into a fury of passion, and seizing a sword, ran to where Tristram
+stood. Here he violently berated him as a traitor, and struck at him a
+furious blow.
+
+But Tristram took the sword-point under his arm, and ran in on the king,
+wresting the weapon from his hand.
+
+"Where are my knights and men?" cried the enraged king. "I charge you to
+kill this traitor!"
+
+But of those present not a man would move. When Tristram saw this, he
+shook the sword threateningly against the king, and took a step forward
+as if he would have slain him. At this movement King Mark fled, while
+Tristram followed, and struck him so strong a blow with the flat of the
+sword on his neck that he was flung prostrate on his nose. Then Tristram
+hastened to his room and armed himself, after which he took his horse
+and his squire and rode into the forest.
+
+Here the valorous champion killed some of the knights whom the king had
+sent against him and put to flight thirty more, so that King Mark in
+fear and fury called a council of his lords, and asked what was to be
+done with his rebellious subject.
+
+"Our counsel is," said the barons, "that you send for Sir Tristram and
+make friends with him, for you well know that if you push him hard many
+of your men will join him. He is peerless and matchless among Christian
+knights except Sir Lancelot, and if you drive him to seek King Arthur's
+court he will find such friends there that he may defy your power.
+Therefore we counsel you to beg him to return to the court, under
+assurance of safety."
+
+"You may send for him, then," said the king, though his heart burned
+with secret fury. The barons now sent for Tristram under a safe-conduct,
+and he returned to the court, where he was welcomed by the king, and all
+that had passed seemed to be forgotten.
+
+Shortly after this the king and queen went hunting, accompanied by
+Tristram and many knights and gentlemen of the court. Entering the
+forest, they set up their pavilions and tents beside a river, where they
+hunted and jousted daily, for King Mark had with him thirty knights who
+stood ready to meet all comers.
+
+Fortune brought thither two knights-errant, one being Lamorak de Galis,
+who of all knights was counted next to Lancelot and Tristram. The other
+was Sir Driant, both being Knights of the Round Table.
+
+Driant jousted first with the Cornish knights, and, after unhorsing some
+of them, got a stunning fall. Then Lamorak offered to meet them, and of
+the thirty knights not one kept his seat before him, while some were
+sorely hurt.
+
+"What knight is this who fights so well?" asked the king.
+
+"Sir," said Tristram, "it is Lamorak de Galis, one of the best knights
+who ever put spear in rest."
+
+"Then, Sir Tristram, you must meet him. It were a shame to us all to let
+him go away victor."
+
+"It were a greater shame to overthrow a noble knight when he and his
+horse are worn out with over-labor."
+
+"He shall not leave here and boast of how he vanquished King Mark's
+knights. I charge you, as you love me and my lady La Belle Isolde, to
+take your arms and joust with this Lamorak."
+
+"You charge me to do what is against knighthood, for it is no honor for
+a fresh man and horse to master spent and weary ones. Since you command
+it I must do it, but it is sorely against my will."
+
+Then he armed himself and took his horse, and in the joust easily
+overthrew Lamorak and his weary steed. The knight lightly sprang from
+the falling charger and drew his sword, boldly challenging Tristram to
+meet him on foot. But this Tristram would by no means do, though Lamorak
+hotly renewed the challenge.
+
+"You are great of heart, Sir Lamorak," said Tristram, "but no knight nor
+horse was ever made that could forever endure. Therefore I will not meet
+you, and I am sorry for having jousted with you."
+
+"You have done me an evil turn," said Lamorak, angrily, "for which I
+shall repay you when an opportunity comes."
+
+Lamorak soon got his revenge. For as he rode with Sir Driant towards
+Camelot he met by the way a boy who had been sent by Morgan le Fay to
+King Arthur. For the false enchantress still held to her hatred against
+her noble brother, and by all means sought his harm. So by magic art she
+had made a drinking-horn of such strange virtue that if any lady drank
+of it who had been false to her husband all the wine would be spilled,
+but if she had been true to him, she might drink in peace and safety.
+
+This horn she sent to Arthur's court, hoping that Guenever might drink
+thereof and be dishonored, for her love for Lancelot was known to all
+but the king.
+
+Lamorak, learning from the boy his errand, bade him bear the horn to
+King Mark's court, and tell the king that it was sent to prove the
+falseness of his lady, who loved Sir Tristram more than she did her
+wedded lord.
+
+Soon afterwards, therefore, the boy appeared at Tintagil Castle, and
+presented King Mark the magic horn, telling him of its virtues, and all
+that Sir Lamorak had bidden him say.
+
+"By my royal faith we shall try it, then!" said the king. "Not only my
+queen, but all the ladies of the court, shall drink of it, and we shall
+learn who among them has other lovers than their liege lords."
+
+Much to their unwillingness, Queen Isolde and a hundred ladies of the
+court were made to drink from the magic horn, and of them all only four
+drank without spilling the wine.
+
+"Now, by my knightly honor, all these false dames shall be burnt!" cried
+the king. "My court shall be purged of this vile stain."
+
+"That shall they not," cried the barons. "We shall never consent that
+the queen and all these ladies shall be destroyed for a horn wrought by
+sorcery, and sent here to make mischief by as foul a sorceress and witch
+as the earth holds. She has always been an enemy to all true lovers and
+sought to do them harm, and if we meet with Morgan le Fay she will get
+but scant courtesy at our hands. We would much rather believe the horn
+false than all our ladies untrue."
+
+But Tristram's anger was turned towards Lamorak for this affront, for he
+knew well what had been his purpose. And he vowed in his heart that he
+would yet repay him for this treacherous act.
+
+His affection for Queen Isolde kept as warm as though the love-draught
+still flowed in his veins, and he sought her at every opportunity, for
+the two greatest joys that life held for him were to tell her of his
+love and hear from her lips that her love for him had never dimmed.
+
+But his treacherous cousin Andred watched his every movement, and kept
+the king advised that Tristram continued his secret interviews with the
+queen. So an ambush of twelve knights was set, and one day, when
+Tristram had just paid a stolen visit to the queen, and sat in loving
+converse by her side, these ambushed knights broke suddenly upon him,
+took him prisoner, and bound him hand and foot.
+
+Then, by order of the king, he was borne to a chapel that stood on a
+rocky height above the sea, where Andred and some others of the barons
+who were his enemies came together to pass judgment upon him.
+
+Tristram in all his life had never stood in such peril, for his hands
+were bound fast to two knights, and forty others surrounded him, every
+one a foe. Care had been taken to get rid of his friends among the
+barons by sending them away from the court on various pretexts. Like a
+lion surrounded by jackals he chafed in his bonds, while his great heart
+swelled as if it would break. No escape seemed possible, but with a
+reproachful voice he said,--
+
+"Fair lords, I have in my time done something for Cornwall, and taken
+upon myself great peril for your benefit. Who among you all was ready to
+meet Sir Marhaus, or to cope with Palamides? Is this shameful death my
+reward for my services to your country? You know well that I never met a
+knight but that I was his match or his better."
+
+"Boast not, false traitor," cried Andred. "For all thy vaunting, thou
+shalt die this day."
+
+"O Andred, Andred, that you my kinsman should treat me thus!" said
+Tristram sorrowfully. "You can be bold when I am bound, but if there
+were none here but you and me, you would crouch like a cur at my feet."
+
+"Would I so?" cried Andred, angrily. "You shall see what I would do."
+
+And as he spoke he drew his sword, and advanced upon his cousin with
+intent to slay him on the spot. But Tristram, when he saw him coming
+with murderous looks, suddenly drew inwards with all his strength the
+two knights to whom he was bound, and with a mighty wrench broke the
+strong cords asunder. Then with the leap of a tiger he sprang upon his
+treacherous cousin, wrested the sword from his hand, and smote him a
+blow that hurled him insensible to the earth. This done, he rushed with
+the fury of a madman on his enemies, striking mighty blows to right and
+left, till in a few minutes ten of them lay dead and wounded on the
+earth.
+
+But seeing that they were pressing on him in too great force, he
+retreated into the chapel, in whose door-way he stood, sword in hand,
+holding it against all their assaults.
+
+Soon, however, the cry went forth that the prisoner had escaped, and had
+felled Andred and killed many of the barons, and others of his foes
+hastened up, till more than a hundred beleaguered him in the chapel.
+
+Tristram now looked despairingly on his unarmed form, and saw that many
+of his assailants wore armor of proof. Death was sure unless he could
+find some means of escape. He knew that the chapel stood on the brow of
+the cliff, and here seemed his only hope of safety, though it was a
+perilous one. Quickly retreating, he shut and barred the door, and then
+with hand and sword wrenched and tore the iron bars from a window over
+the cliff, out of which he desperately leaped.
+
+The descent was a deep one, but he fortunately reached the sea below
+without striking any of the rocks in his descent. Here he drew himself
+into a crevice at the foot of the cliff.
+
+Those above rushed to the rocky edge and looked down into the boiling
+waters far below, but they saw nothing of the daring knight, and after a
+long and vain effort to see him, went away to report to the king that
+his enemy was drowned.
+
+But while King Mark and Tristram's enemies were congratulating one
+another upon this, there came to the top of the cliff, Gouvernail,
+Lambegus, and others of Tristram's men, who, looking down, saw him
+creeping up from the water to a safer place of shelter among the rocks.
+Hailing him, they bade him to be of good heart, and, letting down a rope
+which they quickly procured, they managed to draw him up to the summit,
+where they congratulated him warmly on his escape. Without delay,
+however, he left that spot, for fear of his foes returning, and sought a
+place of shelter in the forest.
+
+[Illustration: THE CLIFFS ABOVE THE SEA.]
+
+Here he abode for some time, but the news of his escape got abroad, to
+the discomfiture of his foes. And on a day when he had fallen asleep, a
+man to whom he had done some injury crept up and shot him in the
+shoulder with an arrow. Tristram sprang up and killed the man, but the
+wound pained him day by day. And on news of it being brought to La Belle
+Isolde she sent him word by Dame Bragwaine that the arrow had been
+poisoned, and with a venom that no leech in England could cure. "My
+lady, La Belle Isolde, bids you haste into Brittany to King Howell,"
+said Dame Bragwaine, "for she knows no one who can help you but his
+daughter, Isolde la Blanche Mains."
+
+Hearing this, the wounded knight sent a sad farewell to his lady love,
+and took ship with Gouvernail his squire, and sailed to Brittany, where
+he was warmly welcomed by King Howell.
+
+And when Isolde of the white hands heard of the errand of the knight,
+she applied to his wound healing herbs of such virtue that in a little
+while he was whole again.
+
+Afterwards Tristram dwelt long in Brittany, and helped King Howell much
+in his wars.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE MADNESS OF SIR TRISTRAM.
+
+
+Of the visit of Sir Tristram to Brittany, and the healing of his wound,
+with the great deeds he did there, and how he overthrew the giant knight
+Nabon le Noire, we shall not further speak. Letters at length came to
+him from La Belle Isolde, in which she spoke pitifully of tales that had
+been brought her, saying that he had been false to her, and had married
+Isolde the White Handed, daughter of King Howell of Brittany.
+
+On receiving these letters, Tristram set out in all haste for Cornwall,
+bringing with him Kehydius, King Howell's son. On his way there he had
+many adventures, and rescued King Arthur from an enchantress, who had
+brought him near to death in the forest perilous. When at length he came
+to Cornwall he sought the castle of Dinas the seneschal, his warmest
+friend, and sent him to tell Queen Isolde that he had secretly returned.
+
+At this longed-for news the queen swooned from pure joy. When she
+recovered and was able to speak, she said, in pitiful accents,--
+
+"Gentle seneschal, I pray you bring him where I may speak with him, or
+my heart will break."
+
+"Trust me for that," answered Dinas.
+
+Then he and Dame Bragwaine brought Tristram and Kehydius privately to
+the court, and to a chamber which Isolde had assigned for them. But to
+tell the joy of the meeting between Tristram and La Belle Isolde we
+shall not endeavor, for no tongue could tell it, nor heart think it, nor
+pen write it.
+
+Yet misfortune still pursued these true lovers, and this time it came
+from friends instead of foes, for the presence of Kehydius in the castle
+led to the most doleful and melancholy misfortune which the world ever
+knew. For, as the chronicles make mention, no sooner had Kehydius seen
+La Belle Isolde, than he became so enamoured of her that his heart might
+never more be free. And at last, as we are told, he died from pure love
+of this beautiful queen, but with that we are not here concerned. But
+privately he wrote her letters which were full of moving tales of his
+love, and composed love poems to her which no minstrel of those days
+might surpass.
+
+All these he managed to put into the queen's hands privately, and at
+length, when she saw how deeply he was enamoured, she was moved by such
+pity for his hopeless love that, out of the pure kindness of her heart,
+she unwisely wrote him a letter, seeking to comfort him in his distress.
+
+Sad was it that pity should bring such sorrow and pain to two loving
+hearts as came from that fatal letter. For on a day when King Mark sat
+playing chess at a chamber window, it chanced that La Belle Isolde and
+Kehydius were in the chamber above, where they awaited the coming of
+Tristram from the turret-room in which he was secretly accommodated. But
+as ill luck would have it, there fell into Tristram's hands the last
+letter which Kehydius had written to the queen, and her answer, which
+was so worded that it seemed as if she returned his love.
+
+These the young lover had carelessly left in Tristram's chamber, where
+he found them and thoughtlessly began reading them. But not far had he
+read when his heart sank deep in woe, and then leaped high in anger. He
+hurried in all haste to the chamber where Isolde and Kehydius were, the
+letters in his hand.
+
+"Isolde," he cried, pitifully, "what mean these letters,--this which
+Kehydius has written you, and this, your answer, with its vile tale of
+love? Alas! is this my repayment for the love I have lavished on you,
+that you thus treacherously desert me for the viper that I have brought
+hither?--As for you, Kehydius, you have foully repaid my trust in you
+and all my services. But bear you well in mind that I shall be amply
+revenged for your falsehood and treason."
+
+Then he drew his sword with such a fierce and threatening countenance
+that Isolde swooned out of pure fear; and Kehydius, when he saw him
+advancing with murder in his face, saw but one chance for life, and
+leaped out of a bay window immediately over that where King Mark sat
+playing at chess.
+
+When the king saw the body of a man hurtling down over his head, so
+close that he almost touched him as he sat at the window, he sprang up
+in alarm and cried,--
+
+"What the foul fiend is this? Who are you, fellow? and where in the wide
+world have you come from?"
+
+Kehydius, who had fallen on his feet, answered the king with ready wit.
+
+"My lord, the king," he said, "blame me not, for I fell in my sleep. I
+was seated in the window above you, and slumbered there, and you see
+what has come of it."
+
+"The next time you are sleepy, good fellow, hunt a safer couch," laughed
+the king, and turned again to his chess.
+
+But Tristram was sure that his presence in the castle would now be known
+to the king, and hastened to arm himself with such armor as he could
+find, in dread of an assault in force. But as no one came against him,
+he sent Gouvernail for his horse and spear, and rode in knightly guise
+openly from the gates of Tintagil.
+
+At the gate it chanced that he met with Gingalin, the son of Gawaine,
+who had just arrived; and the young knight, being full of ardor, and
+having a fancy to tilt with a Cornish warrior, put his spear in rest and
+rode against Tristram, breaking his spear on him.
+
+Tristram had yet no spear, but he drew his sword and put all his grief
+and anger into the blow he gave the bold young knight. So hard he struck
+that Gingalin was flung from his saddle, and the sword, slipping down,
+cut through the horse's neck, leaving the knight with a headless
+charger.
+
+Then Tristram rode on until he disappeared in the forest. All this was
+seen by King Mark, who sent a squire to the hurt knight and asked him
+who he was. When he knew it was Sir Gingalin, he welcomed him, and
+proffered him another horse, asking what knight it was he had
+encountered.
+
+"That I know not," said Gingalin, "but he has a mighty wrist, whoever he
+is. And he sighed and moaned as if some great disaster had happened him.
+I shall beware of weeping knights hereafter, if they all strike like
+this."
+
+As Tristram rode on he met Sir Fergus, one of his own knights, but by
+this time his grief and pain of heart had grown so bitter that he fell
+from his horse in a swoon, and lay thus for three days and nights.
+
+When at length he came to himself, he sent Fergus, who had remained
+with him, to the court, to bring him what tidings he might learn. As
+Fergus rode forward he met a damsel whom Palamides had sent to inquire
+about Sir Tristram. Fergus told her how he had met him, and that he was
+almost out of his mind.
+
+"Where shall I find him?" asked the damsel.
+
+"In such a place," explained Fergus, and rode on to the court, where he
+learned that Queen Isolde was sick in bed, moaning pitifully, though no
+one knew the source of her pain.
+
+The damsel meanwhile sought Tristram, whom she found in such grief as
+she had never before seen, and the more she tried to console him the
+more he moaned and bewailed. At the last he took his horse and rode
+deeply into the forest, as if he would be away from all human company.
+
+The damsel now sought him diligently, but it was three days before she
+could find him, in a miserable woodland hut. Here she brought him meat
+and drink, but he would eat nothing, and seemed as if he wished to
+starve himself.
+
+A few days afterwards he fled from her again, and on this occasion it
+chanced that he rode by the castle before which he and Palamides had
+fought for La Belle Isolde. Here the damsel found him again, moaning
+dismally, and quite beside himself with grief. In despair what to do,
+she went to the lady of the castle and told her of the misfortune of the
+knight.
+
+"It grieves me to learn this," said the lady. "Where is he?"
+
+"Here, near by your castle."
+
+"I am glad he is so near. He shall have meat and drink of the best, and
+a harp which I have of his, and on which he taught me to play. For in
+harping he has no peer in the world."
+
+So they took him meat and drink, but had much ado to get him to eat. And
+during the night his madness so increased that he drove his horse from
+him, and unlaced his armor and threw it wildly away. For days afterwards
+he roamed like a wild man about the wilderness; now in a mad frenzy
+breaking boughs from the trees, and even tearing young trees up by the
+roots, and now for hours playing on the harp which the lady had given
+him, while tears flowed in rivulets from his eyes.
+
+Sometimes, again, when the lady knew not where he was, she would sit
+down in the wood and play upon the harp, which he had left hanging on a
+bough. Then Tristram would come like a tamed fawn and listen to her,
+hiding in the bushes; and in the end would come out and take the harp
+from her hand and play on it himself, in mournful strains that brought
+the tears to her eyes.
+
+Thus for a quarter of a year the demented lover roamed the forest near
+the castle. But at length he wandered deeper into the wilderness, and
+the lady knew not whither he had gone. Finally, his clothes torn into
+tatters by the thorns, and he fallen away till he was lean as a hound,
+he fell into the fellowship of herdsmen and shepherds, who gave him
+daily a share of their food, and made him do servile tasks. And when he
+did any deed not to their liking they would beat him with rods. In the
+end, as they looked upon him as witless, they clipped his hair and
+beard, and made him look like a fool.
+
+To such a vile extremity had love, jealousy, and despair brought the
+brave knight Tristram de Lyonesse, that from being the fellow of lords
+and nobles he became the butt of churls and cowherds. About this time it
+happened that Dagonet, the fool and merry-maker of King Arthur, rode
+into Cornwall with two squires, and chance brought them to a well in the
+forest which was much haunted by the demented knight. The weather was
+hot, and they alighted and stooped to drink at the well, while their
+horses ran loose. As they bent over the well in their thirst, Tristram
+suddenly appeared, and, moved by a mad freak, he seized Dagonet and
+soused him headforemost in the well, and the two squires after him. The
+dripping victims crawled miserably from the water, amid the mocking
+laughter of the shepherds, while Tristram ran after the stray horses.
+These being brought, he forced the fool and the squires to mount, soaked
+as they were, and ride away.
+
+But after Tristram had departed, Dagonet and the squires returned, and
+accusing the shepherds of having set that madman on to assail them, they
+rode upon the keepers of beasts and beat them shrewdly. Tristram, as it
+chanced, was not so far off but that he saw this ill-treatment of those
+who had fed him, and he ran back, pulled Dagonet from the saddle, and
+gave him a stunning fall to the earth. Then he wrested the sword from
+his hand and with it smote off the head of one of the squires, while the
+other fled in terror. Tristram followed him, brandishing the sword
+wildly, and leaping like a madman as he rushed into the forest.
+
+When Dagonet had recovered from his swoon, he rode to King Mark's court,
+and there told what had happened to him in the wildwood.
+
+"Let all beware," he said, "how they come near that forest well. For it
+is haunted by a naked madman, and that fool soused me, King Arthur's
+fool, and had nearly slain me."
+
+"That must be Sir Matto le Breune," said King Mark, "who lost his wit
+because Sir Gaheris robbed him of his lady."
+
+Meanwhile, Kehydius had been ordered out of Cornwall by Queen Isolde,
+who blamed him for all that had happened, and with a dolorous heart he
+obeyed. By chance he met Palamides, to whom the damsel had reported the
+sad condition of the insane knight, and for days they sought him
+together, but in vain.
+
+But at Tintagil a foul scheme was laid by Andred, Tristram's cousin and
+foe, to gain possession of his estates. This villain got a lady to
+declare that she had nursed Tristram in a fatal illness, that he had
+died in her care, and had been buried by her near a forest well; and she
+further said that before his death he had left a request that King Mark
+would make Andred king of Lyonesse, of which country Tristram now was
+lord.
+
+On hearing these tidings, King Mark made a great show of grief, weeping
+and lamenting as if he had lost his best friend in the world. But when
+the news came to La Belle Isolde, so deep a weight of woe fell upon her
+that she nearly went out of her mind. So deeply did she grieve, indeed,
+that she vowed to destroy herself, declaring bitterly that she would not
+live if Tristram was dead.
+
+So she secretly got a sword and went with it into her garden, where she
+forced the hilt into a crevice in a plum-tree so that the naked point
+stood out breast high. Then she kneeled down and prayed piteously:
+"Sweet Lord Jesus, have pity on me, for I may not live after the death
+of Sir Tristram. My first love he was, and he shall be my last."
+
+All this had been seen by King Mark, who had followed her privily, and
+as she rose and was about to cast herself on the sword he came behind
+and caught her in his arms. Then he tore the sword from the tree, and
+bore her away, struggling and moaning, to a strong tower, where he set
+guards upon her, bidding them to watch her closely. After that she lay
+long sick, and came nigh to the point of death.
+
+Meanwhile, Tristram ran wildly through the forest, with Dagonet's sword
+in his hand, till he came to a hermitage, where he lay down and slept.
+While he slumbered, the hermit, who knew of his madness, stole the sword
+from him and laid meat beside him. Here he remained ten days, and
+afterwards departed and returned to the herdsmen.
+
+And now another adventure happened. There was in that country a giant
+named Tauleas, brother to that Taulard whom Sir Marhaus had killed. For
+fear of Tristram he had for seven years kept close in his castle, daring
+not to go at large and commit depredations as of old. But now, hearing
+the rumor that Tristram was dead, he resumed his old evil courses. And
+one day he came to where the herdsmen were engaged, and seated himself
+to rest among them. By chance there passed along the road near by a
+Cornish knight named Sir Dinant, with whom rode a lady.
+
+When the giant saw them coming, he left the herdsmen and hid himself
+under a tree near a well, deeming that the knight would stop there to
+drink. This he did, but no sooner had he sought the well than the giant
+slipped from his covert and leaped upon the horse. Then he rode upon Sir
+Dinant, took him by the collar, and pulled him before him upon the
+horse, reaching for his dagger to strike off his head.
+
+At this moment the herdsmen called to Tristram, who had just come from
+the forest depths: "Help the knight."
+
+"Help him yourselves," said Tristram.
+
+"We dare not," they replied.
+
+Then Tristram ran up and seized the sword of the knight, which had
+fallen to the ground, and with one broad sweep struck off the head of
+Tauleas clean from the shoulders. This done he dropped the sword as if
+he had done but a trifle and went back to the herdsmen.
+
+Shortly after this, Sir Dinant appeared at Tintagil, bearing with him
+the giant's head, and there told what had happened to him and how he had
+been rescued.
+
+"Where had you this adventure?" asked the king.
+
+"At the herdsmen's fountain in the forest," said Dinant. "There where so
+many knights-errant meet. They say this madman haunts that spot."
+
+"He cannot be Matto le Breune, as I fancied," said the king. "It was a
+man of no small might who made that stroke. I shall seek this wild man
+myself."
+
+On the next day King Mark, with a following of knights and hunters, rode
+into the forest, where they continued their course till they came to the
+well. Lying beside it they saw a gaunt, naked man, with a sword beside
+him. Who he was they knew not, for madness and exposure had so changed
+Tristram's face that no one knew it.
+
+By the king's command he was picked up slumbering and covered with
+mantles, and thus borne in a litter to Tintagil. Here they bathed and
+washed him, and gave him warm food and gentle care, till his madness
+passed away and his wits came back to him. But no one knew him, so much
+had he changed, while all deemed Tristram dead, and had no thought of
+him.
+
+Word of what had happened came to Isolde where she lay sick, and with a
+sudden whim she rose from her bed and bade Bragwaine come with her, as
+she had a fancy to see the forest madman.
+
+Asking where he was, she was told that he was in the garden, resting in
+an arbor, in a light slumber. Hither they sought him and looked down
+upon him, knowing him not.
+
+But as they stood there Tristram woke, and when he saw the queen he
+turned away his head, while tears ran from his eyes. It happened that
+the queen had with her a little brachet, which Tristram had given her
+when she first came to Cornwall, and which always remembered and loved
+its old master.
+
+When this little creature came near the sick man, she leaped upon him
+and licked his cheeks and hands, and whined about him, showing great joy
+and excitement.
+
+"The dog is wiser than us all," cried Dame Bragwaine. "She knows her
+master. They spoke falsely who said he was dead. It is Sir Tristram."
+
+But Isolde fell to the ground in a swoon, and lay there long insensible.
+When at length she recovered, she said,--
+
+"My dear lord and knight, I thank God deeply that you still live, for
+the story of your death had nearly caused mine. Your life is in dread
+danger, for when King Mark knows you he will either banish or destroy
+you. Therefore I beg you to fly from this court and seek that of King
+Arthur where you are beloved. This you may trust, that at all times,
+early and late, my love for you will keep fresh in my heart."
+
+"I pray you leave me, Isolde," answered the knight. "It is not well that
+you should be seen here. Fear not that I will forget what you have
+said."
+
+Then the queen departed, but do what she would the brachet would not
+follow her, but kept with the sick knight. Soon afterwards King Mark
+visited him, and to his surprise the brachet sat upon the prostrate man
+and bayed at the king.
+
+"What does this mean?" he asked.
+
+"I can tell you," answered a knight. "That dog was Sir Tristram's before
+it was the queen's. The brachet is wiser than us all. It knows its
+master."
+
+"That I cannot believe," said the king. "Tell me your name, my good
+man."
+
+"My name is Tristram of Lyonesse," answered the knight. "I am in your
+power. Do with me what you will."
+
+The king looked at him long and strangely, with anger in his eyes.
+
+"Truly," he said, "you had better have died while you were about it. It
+would have saved me the need of dealing with you as you deserve."
+
+Then he returned to the castle, and called his barons hastily to
+council, sternly demanding that the penalty of death should be adjudged
+against the knight. Happily for Tristram, the barons would not consent
+to this, and proposed instead that the accused knight should be
+banished.
+
+So in the end the sentence was passed that Tristram should be banished
+for ten years from the country of Cornwall, not to return under pain of
+death. To this the knight assented, taking an oath before the king and
+his barons that he would abide by the decision of the court.
+
+Many barons accompanied him to the ship in which he was to set sail. And
+as he was going, there arrived at Tintagil a knight of King Arthur's
+court named Dinadan, who had been sent to seek Sir Tristram and request
+him to come to Camelot.
+
+On being shown the banished knight, he went to him and told his errand.
+
+"You come in good season," said Tristram, "for to Camelot am I now
+bound."
+
+"Then I would go with you in fellowship."
+
+"You are right welcome, Sir Dinadan." Then Tristram turned to the others
+and said,--
+
+[Illustration: TINTAGIL, KING ARTHUR'S CASTLE, FROM THE VALLEY.]
+
+"Greet King Mark from me, and all my enemies as well, and tell them that
+I shall come again in my own good time. I am well rewarded for all I
+have done for him, but revenge has a long life, as he may yet learn."
+
+Then he took ship and put to sea, a banished man. And with him went
+Dinadan to cheer him in his woe, for, of all the knights of the Round
+Table, Dinadan was the merriest soul.
+
+
+
+
+                                BOOK VII.
+
+                     HOW TRISTRAM CAME TO CAMELOT.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+TRISTRAM AND DINADAN.
+
+
+And now it behooves us to follow the banished knight in his adventures,
+for they were many and various, and arduous were the labors with which
+he won his right to a seat at the Round Table. We have told the tale of
+his love and madness, and now must relate the marvellous exploits of his
+banishment.
+
+Hardly, indeed, had Tristram and Dinadan landed in Arthur's realms when
+they met two knights of his court, Hector de Maris and Bors de Ganis.
+This encounter took place upon a bridge, where Hector and Dinadan
+jousted, and Dinadan and his horse were overthrown. But Bors refused to
+fight with Tristram, through the contempt he felt for Cornish knights.
+Yet the honor of Cornwall was soon retrieved, for Sir Bleoberis and Sir
+Driant now came up, and Bleoberis proffered to joust with Tristram, who
+quickly smote him to the earth.
+
+This done, Tristram and Dinadan departed, leaving their opponents in
+surprise that such valor and might could come out of Cornwall. But not
+far had the two knights-errant gone when they entered a forest, where
+they met a damsel, who was in search of some noble knights to rescue Sir
+Lancelot. Morgan le Fay, who hated him bitterly since his escape from
+her castle, had laid an ambush of thirty knights at a point which
+Lancelot was approaching, thinking to attack him unawares and so slay
+him.
+
+The damsel, who had learned of this plot, had already met the four
+knights whom Tristram and Dinadan had encountered, and obtained their
+promise to come to the rescue.
+
+She now told her story of crime and treachery to the two wanderers, with
+the same request.
+
+"Fair damsel," said Tristram, "you could set me no more welcome task.
+Guide me to the place where those dastards lie in ambush for Lancelot."
+
+"What would you do?" cried Dinadan. "We cannot match thirty knights. Two
+or three are enough for any one knight, if they be men. I hope you don't
+fancy that I will take fifteen to my share!"
+
+"Come, come, good comrade," said Tristram. "Do not show the white
+feather."
+
+"I would rather wear the white feather than the fool's cap," said
+Dinadan. "Lend me your shield if you will; for I had sooner carry a
+Cornish shield, which all men say only cowards bear, than try any such
+foolhardy adventure."
+
+"Nay; I will keep my shield for the sake of her who gave it to me,"
+answered Tristram. "But this I warn you, if you will not abide with me
+I shall slay you before we part, for a coward has no right to cumber
+the earth. I ask no more of you than to fight one knight. If your heart
+is too faint for that, then stand by and see me meet the whole crew."
+
+"Very well," said Dinadan, "you can trust me to look on bravely, and
+mayhap to do something to save my head from hard knocks; but I would
+give my helmet if I had not met you. Folks say you are cured of your mad
+fit, but I vow if I have much faith in your sound sense."
+
+Tristram smiled grimly at Dinadan's scolding, and kept on after the
+damsel. Not far had they gone before they met the thirty knights. These
+had already passed the four knights of Arthur's court, without a combat,
+and they now rode in the same way past Tristram and Dinadan, with no
+show of hostility.
+
+But Tristram was of different mettle. Turning towards them he cried with
+a voice of thunder,--"Lo! sir villains. I have heard of your plot to
+murder Lancelot. Turn and defend yourselves. Here is a knight ready to
+fight you all for the love of Lancelot du Lake!"
+
+Then, spurring his good war-steed, he rode upon them with the fury of a
+lion, slaying two with his spear. He then drew his mighty blade, and
+attacked them with such fierce spirit and giant strength that ten more
+soon fell dead beneath his furious blows. Nor did Dinadan stand and look
+on, as he had grumblingly threatened, but rode in and aided Tristram
+nobly, more than one of the villains falling before his blows. When, at
+length, the murderous crew took to flight, there were but ten of them
+alive.
+
+Sir Bors and his companions had seen this battle at a distance, but it
+was all over before they could reach the scene of fray. High was their
+praise of the valor and prowess of the victor, who, they said, had done
+such a deed as they had deemed only Lancelot could perform.
+
+They invited him with knightly warmth and courtesy to go with them to
+their lodging.
+
+"Many thanks, fair sirs," said Tristram, "but I cannot go with you."
+
+"Then tell us your name, that we may remember it as that of one of the
+best of knights, and give you the honor which is your due."
+
+"Nor that either," answered Tristram. "In good time you shall know my
+name, but not now."
+
+Leaving them with the dead knights, Tristram and Dinadan rode forward,
+and in time found themselves near a party of shepherds and herdsmen,
+whom they asked if any lodging was to be had near by.
+
+"That there is," said the herdsmen, "and good lodging, in a castle close
+at hand. But it is not to be had for the asking. The custom of that
+castle is that no knight shall lodge there except he fight with two
+knights of the castle. But as you are two, you can fight your battle man
+for man, if you seek lodging there."
+
+"That is rough pay for a night's rest," said Dinadan. "Lodge where you
+will, I will not rest in that castle. I have done enough to-day to spoil
+my appetite for fighting."
+
+"Come, come," said Tristram, "and you a Knight of the Round Table! You
+cannot refuse to win your lodging in knightly fashion."
+
+"Win it you must if you want it," said the herdsmen; "for if you have
+the worse of the battle no lodging will you gain in these quarters,
+except it be in the wild wood."
+
+"Be it so, if it must," said Dinadan. "In flat English, I will not go to
+the castle."
+
+"Are you a man?" demanded Tristram, scornfully. "Come, Dinadan, I know
+you are no coward. On your knighthood, come."
+
+Growling in his throat, Dinadan followed his comrade, sorely against his
+will, and together they rode into the castle court. Here they found, as
+they had been told, two armed knights ready to meet them.
+
+To make a long story short, Tristram and Dinadan smote them both down,
+and afterwards entered the castle, where the best of good cheer was
+served them. But when they had disarmed, and were having a merry time at
+the well-filled table, word was brought them that two other knights,
+Palamides and Gaheris, had entered the gates, and demanded a joust
+according to the castle custom.
+
+"The foul fiend take them!" cried Dinadan. "Fight I will not; I am here
+for rest."
+
+"We are now the lords of the castle, and must defend its custom," said
+Tristram. "Make ready, therefore, for fight you must."
+
+"Why, in the devil's name, came I here in your company?" cried Dinadan.
+"You will wear all the flesh off my bones."
+
+But there was nothing to do but arm themselves and meet the two knights
+in the court-yard. Of these Gaheris encountered Tristram, and got a fall
+for his pains; but Palamides hurled Dinadan from his horse. So far,
+then, it was fall for fall, and the contest could be decided only by a
+fight on foot. But Dinadan was bruised from his fall and refused to
+fight. Tristram unlaced his helmet to give him air, and prayed him for
+his aid.
+
+"Fight them yourself, if you will; two such knights are but a morsel to
+you," said Dinadan. "As for me, I am sore wounded from our little
+skirmish with the thirty knights, and have no valor left in me. Sir
+Tristram, you are a madman yet, and I curse the time that ever I saw
+you. In all the world there are no two such mad freaks as Lancelot and
+you. Once I fell into fellowship with Lancelot as I have now with you,
+and what followed? Why, he set me a task that kept me a quarter of a
+year in bed. Defend me from such head-splitters, and save me from your
+fellowship."
+
+"Then if you will not fight I must face them both," said Tristram. "Come
+forth, both of you, I am ready for you."
+
+At this challenge Palamides and Gaheris advanced and struck at the two
+knights. But after a stroke or two at Gaheris, Dinadan withdrew from the
+fray.
+
+"This is not fair, two to one," said Palamides. "Stand aside, Gaheris,
+with that knight who declines to fight, and let us two finish the
+combat."
+
+Then he and Tristram fought long and fiercely, Tristram in the end
+driving him back three paces. At this Gaheris and Dinadan pushed
+between them and bade them cease fighting, as both had done enough for
+honor.
+
+"So be it," said Tristram, "and these brave knights are welcome to lodge
+with us in the castle if they will."
+
+"With you, not with us," said Dinadan, dryly. "When I lodge in that
+devil's den may I sell my sword for a herring. We will be called up
+every hour of the night to fight for our bedding. And as for you, good
+friend, when I ride with you again, it will be when you have grown older
+and wiser, or I younger and more foolish."
+
+With these words he mounted his horse and rode in an ill-humor out of
+the castle gates.
+
+"Come, good sirs, we must after him," said Tristram, with a laugh. "He
+is a prime good fellow, if he has taken himself off in a pet; it is
+likely I gave him an overdose of fighting."
+
+So, asking a man of the castle to guide them to a lodging, they rode
+after Dinadan, whom they soon overtook, though he gave them no hearty
+welcome. Two miles farther brought them to a priory, where they spent
+the night in comfort.
+
+Early the next day Tristram mounted and rode away, leaving Dinadan at
+the priory, for he was too much bruised to mount his horse. There
+remained at the priory with him a knight named Pellinore, who sought
+earnestly to learn Tristram's name, and at last said angrily to
+Dinadan,--
+
+"Since you will not tell me his name, I will ride after him and make him
+tell it himself, or leave him on the ground to repent."
+
+"Beware, my good sir," said Dinadan, "or the repentance will be yours
+instead of his. No wise man is he who thrusts his own hand in the fire."
+
+"Good faith, I fear him not," said Pellinore, haughtily, and rode on his
+way.
+
+But he paid dearly for his hardiness, for a half-hour afterwards he lay
+on the earth with a spear wound in his shoulder, while Tristram rode
+unscathed on his way.
+
+On the day following Tristram met with pursuivants, who were spreading
+far and wide the news of a great tournament that was to be held between
+King Carados and the king of North Wales, at the Castle of Maidens. They
+were seeking for good knights to take part in that tournament, and in
+particular King Carados had bidden them to seek Lancelot, and the king
+of Northgalis to seek Tristram de Lyonesse.
+
+"Lancelot is not far away," said Tristram. "As for me, I will be there,
+and do my best to win honor in the fray."
+
+And so he rode away, and soon after met with Sir Kay and Sir Sagramore,
+with whom he refused to joust, as he wished to keep himself fresh for
+the tournament.
+
+But as Kay twitted him with being a cowardly knight of Cornwall, he
+turned on him and smote him from his horse. Then, to complete the tale,
+he served Sagramore with the same sauce, and serenely rode on his way,
+leaving them to heal their bruises with repentance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ON THE ROAD TO THE TOURNAMENT.
+
+
+Tristram now rode far alone through a country strange to him, and void
+of knightly adventures. At length, however, chance brought to him a
+damsel, who told him disconsolately that she sought a champion to cope
+with a villanous knight, who was playing the tyrant over a wide
+district, and who defied all errant knights.
+
+"If you would win great honor come with me," she said.
+
+"To win honor is the breath of my life," said Tristram. "Lead on, fair
+maiden."
+
+Then he rode with her a matter of six miles, when good fortune brought
+them in contact with Sir Gawaine, who recognized the damsel as one of
+Morgan le Fay's. On seeing her with an unknown knight he at once
+surmised that there was some mischief afoot.
+
+"Fair sir," said Gawaine, "whither ride you with that damsel?"
+
+"Whither she may lead me," said Tristram. "That is all I know of the
+matter."
+
+"Then, by my good blade, you shall ride no farther with her, for she has
+a breeder of ill for mistress, and means you a mischief."
+
+He drew his sword as he spoke, and said in stern accents to the
+damsel,--
+
+"Tell me wherefore and whither you lead this knight, or you shall die on
+the spot. I know you, minx, and the false-hearted witch who sends you."
+
+"Mercy, Sir Gawaine!" she cried, trembling in mortal fear. "Harm me not,
+and I will tell you all I know."
+
+"Say on, then. I crave not your worthless life, but will have it if you
+tell me not the truth."
+
+"Good and valiant sir," she answered, "Queen Morgan le Fay, my lady, has
+sent me and thirty ladies more, in search of Sir Lancelot or Sir
+Tristram. Whoever of us shall first meet either of these knights is to
+lead him to her castle, with a tale of worshipful deeds to be done and
+wrongs to be righted. But thirty knights lie in wait in a tower ready to
+sally forth and destroy them."
+
+"Foul shame is this," cried Gawaine, "that such treachery should ever be
+devised by a queen's daughter and the sister of the worshipful King
+Arthur. Sir knight, will you stand with me, and unmask the malice of
+these thirty ambushed rogues?"
+
+"That shall I willingly," said Tristram. "Trust me to do my share to
+punish these dogs. Not long since I and a fellow met with thirty of that
+lady's knights, who were in ambush for Lancelot, and we gave them
+something else to think of. If there be another thirty on the same vile
+quest, I am for them."
+
+Then they rode together towards the queen's castle, Gawaine with a
+shrewd fancy that he knew his Cornish companion, for he had heard the
+story of how two knights had beaten thirty. When they reached the
+castle, Gawaine called in a loud voice,--
+
+"Queen Morgan le Fay, send out the knights whom you hold in ambush
+against Lancelot and Tristram. I know your treason, and will tell of it
+wherever I ride. I, Sir Gawaine, and my fellow here, dare your thirty
+knights to come out and meet us like men."
+
+"You bluster bravely, friend Gawaine," answered the knights. "But we
+well know that your pride and valor come from the knight who is there
+with you. Some of us have tried conclusions with that head-splitter who
+wears the arms of Cornwall, and have had enough of him. You alone would
+not keep us long in the castle, but we have no fancy to measure swords
+with him. So ride your way; you will get no glory here."
+
+In vain did Gawaine berate them as dastards and villains; say what he
+would, not a soul of them would set foot beyond the walls, and in time
+the two knights rode away in a rage, cursing all cowards in their
+beards.
+
+For several days they rode together without adventure. Then they beheld
+a shameful sight, that roused their souls to anger. For they saw a
+villanous knight, known in those parts as Breuse Sans Pite, who chased a
+lady with intent to kill her, having slain her lover before. Many
+dastardly deeds of this kind had he done, yet so far had escaped all
+retribution for his crimes.
+
+"Let me ride alone against him," said Gawaine. "I know his tricks. He
+will stand to face one man, but if he sees us both, he will fly, and he
+always rides so swift a horse that none can overtake him."
+
+Then he rode at full speed between the lady and her pursuer, and cried
+loudly,--
+
+"False knight and murderer, leave that lady and try your tricks on me."
+
+Sir Breuse, seeing but one, put his spear in rest and rode furiously
+against Gawaine, whom he struck so strong a blow that he flung him
+prostrate to the ground. Then, with deadly intent, he forced his horse
+to trample over him twenty times backward and forward, thinking to
+destroy him. But when Tristram saw this villany he broke from his covert
+and rushed in fury upon the murderous wretch.
+
+But Breuse Sans Pite had met with Tristram before, and knew him by his
+arms. Therefore he turned his horse and fled at full speed, hotly
+pursued by the furious knight. Long he chased him, full of thirst for
+revenge, but the well-horsed villain rode at such a pace that he left
+him in the distance. At length Tristram, despairing of overtaking him,
+and seeing an inviting forest spring, drew up his horse and rode thither
+for rest and refreshment.
+
+Dismounting and tying his horse to a tree, he washed his face and hands
+and took a deep and grateful draught of the cool water. Then laying
+himself to rest by the spring side, he fell sound asleep.
+
+While he lay there good fortune brought to that forest spring a lady who
+had sought him far and wide. This was Dame Bragwaine, the lady companion
+of La Belle Isolde, who bore him letters from the queen. She failed to
+recognize the sleeping knight, but at first sight knew his noble
+charger, Passe Brewel, which Tristram had ridden for years. So she
+seated herself gladly by the knight, and waited patiently till he awoke.
+Then she saluted him, and he her, for he failed not to recognize his
+old acquaintance.
+
+"What of my dear lady, La Belle Isolde?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"She is well, and has sent me to seek you. Far and wide have I sought
+for you through the land, and glad enough am I to hand you the letters I
+bear."
+
+"Not so glad as I am to receive them," said Tristram, joyfully, taking
+them from her hand and opening them with eager haste, while his soul
+overflowed with joy as he read Isolde's words of love and constancy,
+though with them was mingled many a piteous complaint.
+
+"Come with me, Dame Bragwaine," he said. "I am riding to the tournament
+to be held at the Castle of Maidens. There will I answer these letters,
+and to have you there, to tell the tale of my doings to my Lady Isolde,
+will give me double strength and valor."
+
+To this Dame Bragwaine willingly agreed, and mounting they rode till
+they came to the castle of a hospitable old knight, near where the
+tournament was to be held. Here they were given shelter and
+entertainment.
+
+As they sat at supper with Sir Pellounes, their ancient host, he told
+them much of the great tournament that was at hand, among other things
+that Lancelot would be there, with thirty-two knights of his kindred,
+each of whom would bear a shield with the arms of Cornwall.
+
+In the midst of their conversation a messenger entered, who told
+Pellounes that his son, Persides de Bloise, had come home, whereupon
+the old knight held up his hands and thanked God, telling Tristram that
+he had not seen his son for two years.
+
+"I know him," said Tristram, "and a good and worthy knight he is."
+
+On the next morning, when Tristram came into the castle hall clad in his
+house attire, he met with Persides, similarly unarmed, and they saluted
+each other courteously.
+
+"My father tells me that you are of Cornwall," said Persides. "I jousted
+there once before King Mark, and fortune helped me to overthrow ten
+knights. But Tristram de Lyonesse overthrew me and took my lady from me.
+This I have not forgotten, and I will repay him for it yet."
+
+"You hate Sir Tristram, then? Do you think that will trouble him much,
+and that he is not able to withstand your malice?"
+
+"He is a better knight than I, that I admit. But for all that I owe him
+no good will."
+
+As thus they stood talking at a bay window of the castle, they saw many
+knights ride by on their way to the tournament. Among these Tristram
+marked a strongly-built warrior mounted on a great black horse, and
+bearing a black shield.
+
+"What knight is that?" he asked. "He looks like a strong and able one."
+
+"He is one of the best in the world," said Persides. "I know him well."
+
+"Is it Sir Lancelot?"
+
+"No, no. It is Palamides, an unchristened Saracen, but a noble man."
+
+"Palamides! I should know him too, but his arms deceived me."
+
+As they continued to look they saw many of the country people salute the
+black knight. Some time afterwards a squire came to Pellounes, the lord
+of the castle, and told him that a fierce combat had taken place in the
+road some distance in advance, and that a knight with a black shield had
+smitten down thirteen others. He was still there, ready for any who
+might wish to meet him, and holding a tournament of his own in the
+highway.
+
+"On my faith, that is Palamides!" said Tristram. "The worthy fellow must
+be brimful of fight. Fair brother, let us cast on our cloaks and see the
+play."
+
+"Not I," said Persides. "Let us not go like courtiers there, but like
+men ready to withstand their enemies."
+
+"As you will. To fight or to look on is all one to me."
+
+Then they armed and rode to the spot where so many knights had tried
+their fortune before the tournament. When Palamides saw them approach,
+he said to his squire,--
+
+"Go to yonder knight with a green shield and in it a lion of gold. Tell
+him that I request a passage-at-arms with him, and that my name is
+Palamides."
+
+Persides, who wore the shield thus described, did not hesitate to accept
+the challenge, and rode against Palamides, but quickly found himself
+felled to the earth by his powerful antagonist. Then Tristram made ready
+to avenge his comrade, but before he could put his spear in rest
+Palamides rode upon him like a thunderbolt, taking him at advantage, and
+hurling him over his horse's tail.
+
+At this Tristram sprang up in furious anger and sore shame, and leaped
+into his saddle.
+
+Then he sent Gouvernail to Palamides, accusing him of treachery, and
+demanding a joust on equal terms.
+
+"Not so," answered Palamides. "I know that knight better than he
+fancies, and will not meet him now. But if he wants satisfaction he may
+have it to-morrow at the Castle of Maidens, where I will be ready to
+meet him in the lists."
+
+As Tristram stood fretting and fuming in wrathful spite, Dinadan, who
+had seen the affair, came up, and seeing the anger of the Cornish
+knight, restrained his inclination to jest.
+
+"Here it is proved," he said, "that a man can never be so strong but he
+may meet his equal. Never was man so wise but that his brain might fail
+him, and a passing good rider is he that never had a fall."
+
+"Let be," cried Tristram, angrily. "You are readier with your tongue
+than with your sword, friend Dinadan. I will revenge myself, and you
+shall see it."
+
+As they stood thus talking there came by them a likely knight, who rode
+soberly and heavily, bearing a black shield.
+
+"What knight is that?" asked Tristram.
+
+"It is Sir Briant of North Wales," answered Persides. "I know him well."
+
+Just behind him came a knight who bore a shield with the arms of
+Cornwall, and as he rode up he sent a squire to Sir Briant, whom he
+required to joust with him.
+
+"Let it be so, if he will have it so," said Briant. "Bid him make
+ready."
+
+Then they rode together, and the Welsh knight got a severe fall.
+
+"What Cornish knight is this?" asked Tristram.
+
+"None, as I fancy," said Dinadan. "I warrant he is of King Ban's blood,
+which counts the noblest knights of the world."
+
+Then two other knights came up and challenged him with the Cornish
+shield, and in a trice he smote them both down with one spear.
+
+"By my faith," said Tristram, "he is a good knight, whoever he be, and I
+never saw one yet that rode so well."
+
+Then the king of Northgalis rode to Palamides, and prayed him for his
+sake to joust with that knight who had just overturned two Welsh
+knights.
+
+"I beg you ask me not," said Palamides. "I have had my full share of
+jousting already, and wish to keep fresh for the tournament to-morrow."
+
+"One ride only, for the honor of North Wales," beseeched the king.
+
+"Well, if you will have it so; but I have seen many a man have a fall at
+his own request."
+
+Then he sent a squire to the victor knight, and challenged him to a
+joust.
+
+"Fair fellow," said the knight, "tell me your lord's name."
+
+"It is Sir Palamides."
+
+"He is well met, then. I have seen no knight in seven years with whom I
+would rather tilt."
+
+Then the two knights took spears from their squires, and rode apart.
+
+"Now," said Dinadan, "you will see Palamides come off the victor."
+
+"I doubt it," answered Tristram. "I wager the knight with the Cornish
+shield will give him a fall."
+
+"That I do not believe," said Dinadan.
+
+As they spoke, the two knights put spears in rest, and spurred their
+horses, riding hotly together. Palamides broke a spear on his
+antagonist, without moving him in his saddle; but on his side he
+received such a blow that it broke through his shield and hauberk, and
+would have slain him outright had he not fallen.
+
+"How now?" cried Tristram. "Am I not right? I knew by the way those
+knights ride which would fall."
+
+The unknown knight now rode away and sought a well in the forest edge,
+for he was hot and thirsty with the fray. This was seen by the king of
+Northgalis, who sent twelve knights after him to do him a mischief, so
+that he would not be able to appear at the tournament and win the
+victory.
+
+They came upon him so suddenly that he had scarcely time to put on his
+helm and spring to his horse's back before they assailed him in mass.
+
+"Ye villains!" he cried, "twelve to one! And taking a man unawares! You
+want a lesson, and by my faith you shall have it."
+
+Then spurring his horse he rode on them so fiercely that he smote one
+knight through the body, breaking his spear in doing so. Now he drew his
+sword and smote stoutly to right and left, killing three others and
+wounding more.
+
+"Dogs and dastards! know you me not?" he cried in a voice of thunder.
+"My name is Lancelot du Lake. Here's for you, cowards and traitors!"
+
+But the name he had shouted was enough. Those who were still able, fled,
+followed by the angry knight. By hard riding they escaped his wrath, and
+he, hot and furious, turned aside to a lodging where he designed to
+spend the night. In consequence of his hard labor in this encounter
+Lancelot fought not on the first day of the tournament, but sat beside
+King Arthur, who had come hither from Camelot to witness the
+passage-at-arms.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS.
+
+
+When came the dawn of the first day of the tournament, many ladies and
+gentlemen of the court took their seats on a high gallery, shaded by a
+rich canopy of parti-colored silk, while in the centre of the gallery
+sat King Arthur and Queen Guenever, and, by the side of the king,
+Lancelot du Lake. Many other noble lords and ladies of the surrounding
+country occupied the adjoining seats, while round the circle that closed
+in the lists sat hosts of citizens and country people, all eager for the
+warlike sports.
+
+Knights in glittering armor stood in warlike groups outside the entrance
+gates, where rose many pavilions of red and white silk, each with its
+fluttering pennon, and great war-horses that impatiently champed the
+bit, while the bright steel heads of the lances shone like star-points
+in the sun.
+
+Within the lists the heralds and pursuivants busied themselves, while
+cheery calls, and bugle-blasts, and the lively chat of the assembled
+multitude filled the air with joyous sound.
+
+Tristram de Lyonesse still dwelt with the old knight Sir Pellounes, in
+company with Sir Persides, whom he yet kept in ignorance of his name.
+And as it was his purpose to fight that day unknown, he ordered
+Gouvernail, his squire, to procure him a black-faced shield, without
+emblem or device of any kind.
+
+So accoutred, he and Persides mounted in the early morn and rode
+together to the lists, where the parties of King Carados and the king of
+Northgalis were already being formed. Tristram and his companion joined
+the side of Carados, the Scottish king, and hardly had they ridden to
+their place when King Arthur gave the signal for the onset, the bugles
+loudly sounded, and the two long lines of knights rode together with a
+crash as of two thunder-clouds meeting in mid-air.
+
+Many knights and horses went to the earth in that mad onset, and many
+others who had broken their spears drew their swords and so kept up the
+fray. The part of the line where Tristram and Persides was drove back
+the king of Northgalis and his men, with many noble knights who fought
+on the side of the Welsh king. But through the rush and roar of the
+onset there pushed forward Bleoberis de Ganis and Gaheris, who hurled
+Persides to the earth, where he was almost slain, for as he lay there
+helpless more than forty horsemen rode over him in the fray.
+
+Seeing this, and what valiant deeds the two knights did, Tristram
+marvelled who they were. But perceiving the danger in which his comrade
+Persides lay, he rushed to the rescue with such force that Gaheris was
+hurled headlong from his horse. Then Bleoberis in a rage put his spear
+in rest and rode furiously against Tristram, but he was met in
+mid-career, and flung from his saddle by the resistless spear of the
+Cornish knight.
+
+The king with the hundred knights now rode angrily forward, pressed back
+the struggling line, and horsed Gaheris and Bleoberis. Then began a
+fierce struggle, in which Bleoberis and Tristram did many deeds of
+knightly skill and valor.
+
+As the violent combat continued, Dinadan, who was on the other side,
+rode against Tristram, not knowing him, and got such a buffet that he
+swooned in his saddle. He recovered in a minute, however, and, riding to
+his late companion, said in a low voice,--
+
+"Sir knight, is this the way you serve an old comrade, masking under a
+black shield? I know you now better than you deem. I will not reveal
+your disguise, but by my troth I vow I will never try buffets with you
+again, and, if I keep my wits, sword of yours shall never come near my
+headpiece."
+
+As Dinadan withdrew to repair damages, Bleoberis rode against Tristram,
+who gave him such a furious sword-blow on the helm that he bowed his
+head to the saddle. Then Tristram caught him by the helm, jerked him
+from his horse, and flung him down under the feet of the steed.
+
+This ended the fray, for at that moment Arthur bade the heralds to blow
+to lodging, and the knights who still held saddle sheathed their swords.
+Tristram thereupon departed to his pavilion and Dinadan with him.
+
+But Arthur, and many of those with him, wondered who was the knight with
+the black shield, who had with sword and spear done such wondrous deeds.
+Many opinions were given, and some suspected him of being Tristram, but
+held their peace. To him the judges awarded the prize of the day's
+combat, though they named him only the knight of the black shield, not
+knowing by what other name to call him.
+
+When the second day of the tournament dawned, and the knights prepared
+for the combat, Palamides, who had fought under Northgalis, now joined
+King Arthur's party, that led by Carados, and sent to Tristram to know
+his name.
+
+"As to that," answered Tristram, "tell Sir Palamides that he shall not
+know till I have broken two spears with him. But you may tell him that I
+am the same knight that he smote down unfairly the day before the
+tournament, and that I owe him as shrewd a turn. So whichever side he
+takes I will take the opposite."
+
+"Sir," said the messenger, "he will be on King Arthur's side, in company
+with the noblest knights."
+
+"Then I will fight for Northgalis, though yesterday I held with
+Carados."
+
+[Illustration: TRISTRAM THEREUPON DEPARTED TO HIS PAVILION.]
+
+When King Arthur blew to field and the fray began, King Carados opened
+the day by a joust with the king with the hundred knights, who gave him
+a sore fall. Around him there grew up a fierce combat, till a troop of
+Arthur's knights pushed briskly in and bore back the opposite party,
+rescuing Carados from under the horses' feet. While the fight went on
+thus in one part of the field, Tristram, in jet-black armor, pressed
+resistlessly forward in another part, and dealt so roughly and grimly
+with Arthur's knights that not a man of them could withstand him.
+
+At length he fell among the fellowship of King Ban, all of whom bore
+Cornish shields, and here he smote right and left with such fury and
+might that cries of admiration for his gallant bearing went up from
+lords and ladies, citizens and churls. But he would have had the worse
+through force of numbers had not the king with the hundred knights come
+to his rescue, and borne him away from the press of his assailants, who
+were crowding upon him in irresistible strength.
+
+Hardly had Tristram escaped from this peril than he saw another group of
+about forty knights, with Kay the seneschal at their head. On them he
+rode like a fury, smote Kay from his horse, and fared among them all
+like a greyhound among conies.
+
+At this juncture Lancelot, who had hitherto taken little part, met a
+knight retiring from the lists with a sore wound in the head.
+
+"Who hurt you so badly?" he asked.
+
+"That knight with the black shield, who is making havoc wherever he
+goes," was the answer. "I may curse the time I ever faced him, for he is
+more devil than mortal man."
+
+Lancelot at these words drew his sword and advanced to meet Tristram,
+and as he rode forward saw the Cornish champion hurtling through a press
+of foes, bringing down one with nearly every stroke of his sword.
+
+"A fellow of marvellous prowess he, whoever he be," said Lancelot. "If I
+set upon this knight after all his heavy labor, I will shame myself more
+than him." And he put up his sword.
+
+Then the king with the hundred knights, with his following, and a
+hundred more of the Welsh party, set upon the twenty of Lancelot's kin,
+and a fearful fray began, for the twenty held together like wild boars,
+none failing the others, and faced the odds against them without
+yielding a step.
+
+When Tristram, who had for the moment withdrawn, beheld their noble
+bearing, he marvelled at their valor, for he saw by their steadfastness
+that they would die together rather than leave the field.
+
+"Valiant and noble must be he who has such knights for his kin," he
+said, meaning Lancelot; "and likely to be a worthy man is he who leads
+such knights as these."
+
+Then he rode to the king with the hundred knights and said,--
+
+"Sir, leave off fighting with these twenty knights. You can win no honor
+from them, you being so many and they so few. I can see by their bearing
+that they will die rather than leave the field, and that will bring you
+no glory. If this one sided fray goes on I will join them and give them
+what help I can."
+
+"You shall not do so," said the king. "You speak in knightly courtesy,
+and I will withdraw my men at your request. I know how courage favors
+courage, and like draws to like."
+
+Then the king called off his knights, and withdrew from the combat with
+Lancelot's kindred.
+
+Meanwhile Lancelot was watching for an opportunity to meet Tristram and
+hail him as a fellow in heart and hand, but before he could do so
+Tristram, Dinadan, and Gouvernail suddenly left the lists and rode into
+the forest, no man perceiving whither they had gone.
+
+Then Arthur blew to lodging, and gave the prize of the day to the king
+of Northgalis, as the true champion of the tournament was on his side
+and had vanished. Lancelot rode hither and thither, vainly seeking him,
+while a cry that might have been heard two miles off went up: "The
+knight with the black shield has won the day!"
+
+"Alas, where has that knight gone!" said Arthur. "It is a shame that
+those in the field have let him thus vanish. With gentleness and
+courtesy they might have brought him to me at the Castle of Maidens,
+where I should have been glad to show him the highest honor."
+
+Then he went to the knights of his party and comforted them for their
+discomfiture.
+
+"Be not dismayed, my fair fellows," he said, "though you have lost the
+field, and many of you are the worst in body and mind. Be of good cheer,
+for to-morrow we fight again. How the day will go I cannot say, but I
+will be in the lists with you, and lend you what aid is in my arm."
+
+During that day's fight Dame Bragwaine had sat near Queen Guenever,
+observing Tristram's valorous deeds. But when the queen asked her why
+she had come thither, she would not tell the real reason, but said
+only,--
+
+"Madam, I came for no other cause than that my lady, La Belle Isolde,
+sent me to inquire after your welfare."
+
+After the fray was done she took leave of the queen and rode into the
+forest in search of Sir Tristram. As she went onward she heard a great
+cry, and sent her squire to learn what it might mean. He quickly came to
+a forest fountain, and here he found a knight bound to a tree, crying
+out like a madman, while his horse and harness stood by. When he saw the
+squire, he started so furiously that he broke his bonds, and then ran
+after him, sword in hand, as if to slay him. The squire at this spurred
+his horse and rode swiftly back to Dame Bragwaine, whom he told of his
+adventure.
+
+Soon afterwards she found Tristram, who had set up his pavilion in the
+forest, and told him of the incident.
+
+"Then, on my head, there is mischief here afloat," said Tristram; "some
+good knight has gone distracted."
+
+Taking his horse and sword he rode to the place, and there he found the
+knight complaining woefully.
+
+"What misfortune has befallen me?" he lamented; "I, woeful Palamides,
+who am defiled with falsehood and treason through Sir Bors and Sir
+Hector! Alas, why live I so long?"
+
+Then he took his sword in his hands, and with many strange signs and
+movements flung it into the fountain. This done, he wailed bitterly and
+wrung his hands, but at the end he ran to his middle in the water and
+sought again for his sword. Tristram, seeing this, ran upon him and
+clasped him in his arms, fearing he would kill himself.
+
+"Who are you that holds me so tightly?" said Palamides.
+
+"I am a man of this forest, and mean you no harm, but would save you
+from injury."
+
+"Alas!" said the knight, "I shall never win honor where Sir Tristram is.
+Where he is not, only Lancelot or Lamorak can win from me the prize.
+More than once he has put me to the worse."
+
+"What would you do if you had him?"
+
+"I would fight him and ease my heart. And yet, sooth to say, he is a
+gentle and noble knight."
+
+"Will you go with me to my lodging?"
+
+"No; I will go to the king with the hundred knights. He rescued me from
+Bors and Hector, or they had slain me treacherously."
+
+But by kind words Tristram got him to his pavilion, where he did what he
+could to cheer him. But Palamides could not sleep for anguish of soul,
+and rose before dawn and secretly left the tent, making his way to the
+pavilions of Gaheris and Sagramour le Desirous, who had been his
+companions in the tournament.
+
+Not far had the next day's sun risen in the eastern sky, when King
+Arthur bade the heralds blow the call to the lists, and with warlike
+haste the knights came crowding in to the last day of the well-fought
+tournament.
+
+Fiercely began the fray, King Carados and his ally, the king of Ireland,
+being smitten from their horses early in the day. Then came in Palamides
+full of fury, and made sad work among his foes, being known to all by
+his indented shield.
+
+But this day King Arthur, as he had promised, rode in shining armor into
+the field, and fought so valorously that the king of Northgalis and his
+party had much the worse of the combat.
+
+While the fight thus went on in all its fury, Tristram rode in, still
+bearing his black shield. Encountering Palamides, he gave him such a
+thrust that he was driven over his horse's croup. Then King Arthur
+cried,--
+
+"Knight with the black shield, make ready for me!"
+
+But the king met with the same fate from Tristram's spear that Palamides
+had done, and was hurled to the earth. Seeing this, a rush of the
+knights of his party drove back the foe, and Arthur and Palamides were
+helped to their saddles again.
+
+And now the king, his heart burning with warlike fury, rushed fiercely
+on Tristram, and struck him so furious a blow that he was hurled from
+his horse. As he lay there Palamides spurred upon him in a violent rage,
+and sought to override him as he was rising to his feet. But Tristram
+saw his purpose and sprang aside. As Palamides rode past he wrathfully
+caught him by the arm and pulled him from his horse.
+
+"Sword to sword let it be!" cried Tristram.
+
+Palamides, nothing loth, drew his weapon, and so fierce a combat began
+in the midst of the arena that lords and ladies alike stood in their
+seats in eagerness to behold it. But at the last Tristram struck
+Palamides three mighty strokes on the helm, crying with each stroke,
+"Take this for Sir Tristram's sake!"
+
+So fierce were the blows that Palamides was felled to the earth. Then
+the king with the hundred knights dashed forward and brought Tristram
+his horse. Palamides was horsed at the same time, and with burning ire
+he rushed upon Tristram, spear in rest, before he could make ready to
+meet him. But Tristram lightly avoided the spear, and, enraged at his
+repeated treachery, he caught him with both hands by the neck as his
+horse bore him past, tore him clean from the saddle, and carried him
+thus ten spears' length across the field before he let him fall.
+
+At that moment King Arthur spurred upon the Cornish champion, sword in
+hand, and Tristram fixed his spear to meet him, but with a sword-blow
+Arthur cut the spear in two, and then dealt him three or four vigorous
+strokes before he could draw. But at the last Tristram drew his sword
+and assailed the king with equal energy.
+
+This battle continued not long, for the press of battling knights forced
+the combatants asunder. Then Tristram rode hither and thither, striking
+and parrying, so that that day he smote down in all eleven of the good
+knights of King Ban's blood, while all in seats and gallery shouted in
+loud acclaim for the mighty warrior with the black shield.
+
+This cry met the ears of Lancelot, who was engaged in another part of
+the field. Then he got a spear and came towards the cry. Seeing
+Tristram standing without an antagonist, he cried out,--
+
+"Knight with the black shield, well and worthily have you done; now make
+ready to joust with me."
+
+When Tristram heard this he put his spear in rest, and both with lowered
+heads rode together with lightning speed. Tristram's spear broke into
+fragments on Lancelot's shield; but Lancelot, by ill-fortune, smote him
+in the side, wounding him deeply. He kept his saddle, however, and,
+drawing his sword, rushed upon Lancelot and gave him three such strokes
+that fire flew from his helm, and he was forced to lower his head
+towards his saddle-bow. This done, Tristram left the field, for he felt
+as if he would die. But Dinadan espied him and followed him into the
+forest.
+
+After Tristram left the lists, Lancelot fought like a man beside
+himself, many a noble knight going down before his spear and sword. King
+Arthur, seeing against what odds he fought, came quickly to his aid,
+with the knights of his own kindred, and in the end they won the day
+against the king of Northgalis and his followers. So the prize was
+adjudged to Lancelot.
+
+But neither for king, queen, nor knights would he accept it, and when
+the cry was raised by the heralds,--
+
+"Sir Lancelot, Sir Lancelot has won the field this day!" he bade them
+change, and cry instead,--
+
+"The knight with the black shield has won the day."
+
+But the estates and the commonalty cried out together,--
+
+"Sir Lancelot has won the field, whoever say nay!"
+
+This filled Lancelot with shame and anger, and he rode with a lowering
+brow to King Arthur, to whom he cried,--
+
+"The knight with the black shield is the hero of the lists. For three
+days he held against all, till he got that unlucky wound. The prize, I
+say, is his."
+
+"Sir Tristram it is," said the king. "I heard him shout his name three
+times when he gave those mighty strokes to Palamides. Never better nor
+nobler knight took spear or sword in hand. He was hurt indeed; but when
+two noble warriors encounter one must have the worst."
+
+"Had I known him I would not have hurt him for all my father's lands,"
+said Lancelot. "Only lately he risked his life for me, when he fought
+with thirty knights, with no help but Dinadan. This is poor requital for
+his noble service."
+
+Then they sought Tristram in the forest, but in vain. They found the
+place where his pavilion had been pitched, but it was gone and all trace
+of its owner vanished. Thereupon they returned to the Castle of Maidens,
+where for three days was held high feast and frolic, and where all who
+came were warmly welcomed by King Arthur and Queen Guenever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE QUEST OF THE TEN KNIGHTS.
+
+
+When Tristram was well within the forest shades, he alighted and unlaced
+his armor and sought to stanch his wound. But so pale did he become that
+Dinadan thought he was like to die.
+
+"Never dread thee, Dinadan," said Tristram, cheerily, "for I am heart
+whole, and of this wound I shall soon be healed, by God's mercy."
+
+As they sat conversing Dinadan saw at a distance Sir Palamides, who was
+riding straight upon them, with seeming evil intent. Dinadan hastily bid
+Tristram to withdraw, and offered himself to meet the Saracen and take
+the chance of life and death with him.
+
+"I thank you, Sir Dinadan, for your good will," said Tristram, "but you
+shall see that I am able to handle him."
+
+He thereupon hastily armed himself, and, mounting his horse, rode to
+meet Palamides. Then a challenge to joust passed between them, and they
+rode together. But Tristram kept his seat and Palamides got a grievous
+fall, and lay on the earth like one dead.
+
+Leaving him there with a comrade, Tristram and Dinadan rode on, and
+obtained lodging for that night at the castle of an old knight, who had
+five sons at the tournament.
+
+As for Palamides, when he recovered from his swoon, he well-nigh lost
+his wits through sheer vexation. He rode headlong forward, wild with
+rage, and meeting a deep stream sought to make his horse leap it. But
+the horse fell in and was drowned, and the knight himself reached shore
+only by the barest chance.
+
+Now, mad with chagrin, he flung off his armor, and sat roaring and
+crying like a man distracted. As he sat there, a damsel passed by, who
+on seeing his distressful state sought to comfort him, but in vain. Then
+she rode on till she came to the old knight's castle, where Tristram
+was, and told how she had met a mad knight in the forest.
+
+"What shield did he bear?" asked Tristram.
+
+"It was indented with black and white," answered the damsel.
+
+"That was Palamides. The poor fellow has lost his wits through his bad
+luck. I beg that you bring him to your castle, Sir Darras."
+
+This the old knight did, for the frenzy of the Saracen had now passed,
+and he readily accompanied him. On reaching the castle he looked
+curiously at Tristram, whom he felt sure he had seen before, but could
+not place him in his mind. But his anger against his fortunate rival
+continued, and he boasted proudly to Dinadan of what he would do when he
+met that fellow Tristram.
+
+"It seems to me," answered Dinadan, "that you met him not long since,
+and got little good of him. Why did you not hold him when you had him in
+your hands? You were too easy with the fellow not to pummel him when you
+had so fine an opportunity."
+
+This scornful reply silenced the boastful Saracen, who fell into an
+angry moodiness.
+
+Meanwhile King Arthur was sore at heart at the disappearance of
+Tristram, and spoke in reproach to Lancelot as being the cause of his
+loss.
+
+"My liege Arthur," answered Lancelot, "you do me ill justice in this.
+When men are hot in battle they may well hurt their friends as well as
+their foes. As for Tristram, there is no man living whom I would rather
+help. If you desire, I will make one of ten knights who will go in
+search of him, and not rest two nights in the same place for a year
+until we find him."
+
+This offer pleased the king, who quickly chose nine other knights for
+the quest, and made them all swear upon the Scriptures to do as Lancelot
+had proposed.
+
+With dawn of the next day these ten knights armed themselves, and rode
+from the Castle of Maidens, continuing in company until they came to a
+roadside cross, from which ran out four highways. Here they separated
+into four parties, each of which followed one of the highways. And far
+and wide they rode through field and forest for many days in quest of
+the brave knight of Cornwall.
+
+Of them all, Sir Lucan, the butler, came nearest to good fortune, for
+chance brought him to the castle of the old knight, Sir Darras. Here he
+asked harbor, sending in his name by the porter.
+
+"He shall not rest here unless he first joust with me," cried Sir
+Daname, the old knight's nephew. "Bid him make ready, for he must earn
+his lodging."
+
+But better had Daname held his peace, for Lucan smote him over his
+horse's croup, and followed him hotly when he fled into the castle.
+
+"This is a shame to our host," said Dinadan. "Let me try conclusions
+with our doughty butler. It will not do to let him take our castle by
+storm."
+
+He thereupon rode against Lucan, and fared still worse, for he got for
+his pains a spear thrust through the thigh. Then Tristram, in anger,
+armed and followed Lucan, who had ridden on, in search of a more
+peaceful place of shelter. Within a mile he overtook him and bade him
+turn and joust. Nothing loth, Lucan did so, and in his turn got a sore
+fall, though he little dreamed that he had been overthrown by the knight
+of his quest. At this juncture another of the ten knights, Sir Uwaine,
+came up, and seeing Sir Lucan's misfortune, rode furiously against the
+victor. His luck was no better, for he was hurled to the ground with a
+sorely wounded side. Having thus revenged his comrades, Tristram
+returned to the castle.
+
+Meanwhile a damsel from the Castle of Maidens had come thither, and told
+Sir Darras a woeful story. Of his five sons, three had been slain at the
+tournament, and the other two were dangerously wounded, all this having
+been done by the knight of the black shield. Deep grief filled the old
+knight's heart at this sad tale. But his sorrow turned to rage when the
+damsel was shown Tristram's shield and recognized it as that of the
+champion of the tournament.
+
+"So," cried the old knight in a hot passion. "I am harboring here my
+sons' murderer, and troubling myself to give him noble cheer. By my
+father's grave, I will revenge my boys' death on him and his
+companions."
+
+Then in grief and rage he ordered his knights and servants to seize
+Tristram, Dinadan, and Palamides, and put them in a strong dungeon he
+had in the keep of his castle.
+
+This was done before the three knights could defend themselves, and for
+many days they lay in this dismal cell, until Tristram grew so sick from
+his wound and confinement that he came near to dying. While they lay
+thus in durance vile some knights of Darras's kindred came to the
+castle, and on hearing the story wished to kill the captives, but this
+the old knight would not permit, though he determined to hold them close
+prisoners. So deep in time grew Tristram's sickness that his mind nearly
+failed him, and he was ready to slay himself for pain and grief.
+Palamides gave him what aid he could, though all the time he spoke of
+his hatred to Tristram, the Cornishman, and of the revenge he yet hoped
+to have. To this Tristram made no reply, but smiled quietly.
+
+Meanwhile the ten knights continued their fruitless search, some here,
+some there, while one of them, Gaheris, nephew to King Arthur, made his
+way to King Mark's court, where he was well received.
+
+As they sat at table together the king asked his guest what tidings he
+brought from Arthur's realm of Logris.
+
+"Sir," he answered, "King Arthur still reigns nobly, and he lately
+presided at a grand tournament where fought many of the noblest knights
+of the kingdom. But best of them all was a valiant knight who bore a
+black shield, and who kept the lordship of the lists for three days."
+
+"Then by my crown it must have been Lancelot, or Palamides the Pagan."
+
+"Not so. These knights were against him of the black shield."
+
+"Was it Sir Tristram?" asked the king.
+
+"In sooth you have it now."
+
+The king held down his head at this, but La Belle Isolde, who was at the
+feast, heard it with great secret joy, and her love for Tristram grew
+warmer in her soul.
+
+But King Mark nourished treason in his heart, and sought within his
+brain some device to do dishonor to Tristram and to Arthur's knights.
+Soon afterward Uwaine came to his court and challenged any knight of
+Cornwall to meet him in the lists. Two of these, Andred, and Dinas the
+seneschal, accepted the challenge, but both were overthrown. Then King
+Mark in a fury cried out against his knights, and Gaheris, as his guest,
+proffered to meet the champion. But when Uwaine saw his shield, he knew
+him for his own cousin, and refused to joust with him, reproving him for
+breaking his oath of fellowship as a Knight of the Round Table.
+
+This reproof cut Gaheris deeply, and returning to King Mark he took his
+leave of him and his court, saying,--
+
+"Sir king, this I must say, that you did a foul shame to yourself and
+your kingdom when you banished Sir Tristram. Had he stayed here you
+would not have wanted a champion."
+
+All this added to the king's rage, and arming himself he waylaid Uwaine
+at a secret place as he was passing unawares, and ran him through the
+body. But before he could kill him as he designed, Kay the seneschal
+came that way and flew to the aid of the wounded knight, while King Mark
+rode in dastardly haste away. Kay sought to learn from Uwaine who had
+hurt him, but this he was not able to tell.
+
+He then bore him to a neighboring abbey of the black cross, where he
+left him in the care of the monks. Not far had he ridden from there when
+he met King Mark, who accosted him courteously, and bade him, if he
+sought an adventure, to ride into the forest of Morris, where he would
+find one to try his prowess.
+
+"I will prove what it is worth," said Kay, and bade adieu to the king.
+
+A mile or two further on he met Gaheris, who, learning his errand,
+warned him against doing anything at the suggestion of King Mark, who
+meant but treachery and harm.
+
+"Come with me, then," said Kay. "Adventures are not so abundant, and we
+two should be able to match the wiles of this dastard king."
+
+"I shall not fail you," said Gaheris.
+
+Into the forest they then rode till they came to the edge of a little
+lake, known as the Perilous Lake, and here they waited under the
+woodland shadows.
+
+It was now night, but the moon rode high in the skies, and flung its
+silvery rays wide over the forest glade. As they stood thus, there rode
+into the moonlit opening a knight all in black armor and on a great
+black horse, who tilted against Sir Kay. The seneschal's horse was
+smaller than that of the stranger, and was overthrown by the shock,
+falling upon its rider, whom it bruised severely.
+
+During this encounter Gaheris had remained hidden under the woodland
+shadows. He now cried sternly,--
+
+"Knight, sit thou fast in thy saddle, for I will revenge my fellow;" and
+rode against the black knight with such fury that he was flung from his
+horse. Then he turned to a companion of the black knight, who now
+appeared, and hurled him to the earth so violently that he came near to
+breaking his neck in the fall.
+
+Leaping from his horse and helping Kay to his feet, Gaheris sternly bade
+his antagonists to tell their names or they should die.
+
+"Beware what you do," said the second knight. "This is King Mark of
+Cornwall, and I am his cousin Andred."
+
+"You are traitors both," cried Gaheris, in a fury, "and have laid this
+ambush for us. It were a pity to let such craven rascals live."
+
+"Spare my life," prayed the king, "and I will make full amends."
+
+"You a king; and dealing in treachery!" cried Gaheris. "You have lived
+long enough."
+
+With this he struck fiercely at King Mark with his sword, while the
+dastard king cowered under his shield. Kay attacked Andred at the same
+time.
+
+King Mark now flung himself on his knees before Gaheris and swore on the
+cross of his sword never while he lived to do aught against errant
+knights. And he also swore to be a friend unto Sir Tristram if he should
+come into Cornwall.
+
+With this they let them go, though Kay was eager to slay Andred, for his
+deeds of treachery against his cousin Tristram. The two knights now rode
+out of the kingdom of Cornwall, and soon after met Lancelot, who asked
+them what tidings they brought from King Mark's country, and if they had
+learned aught of Tristram. They answered that they had not, and told him
+of their adventure, at which Lancelot smiled.
+
+"You will find it hard to take out of the flesh that which is bred in
+the bone," he said.
+
+Then Lancelot, Kay, and Gaheris rode together to seek Tristram in the
+country of Surluse, not dreaming that he lay in prison not many miles
+from the Castle of Maidens.
+
+Leaving them to pursue their useless journey, we must return to the
+three prisoners. Tristram still continued sick almost unto death, while
+Palamides, while giving him daily care, continued to rail loudly against
+him and to boast of how he would yet deal with him. Of this idle
+boasting Dinadan in time had more than he could bear, and broke out
+angrily on the Saracen.
+
+"I doubt if you would do him harm if he were here before you," he said;
+"for if a wolf and a sheep were together in prison the wolf would leave
+the sheep in peace. As for Sir Tristram, against whom you rail like a
+scold, here he lies before you. Now do your worst upon him, Sir
+Saracen, while he is too sick to defend himself."
+
+Surprise and shame overcame Palamides at this announcement, and he
+dropped his head in confusion.
+
+"I have heard somewhat too much of your ill will against me;" said
+Tristram, "but shall let it pass at present, for we are in more danger
+here from the lord of this place than from each other."
+
+As they spoke, a damsel brought them their noontide meal, and said as
+she gave it them,--
+
+"Be of good cheer, sir knights, for you are in no peril of your lives.
+So much I heard my lord, Sir Darras, say this morning."
+
+"So far your news is good," cried Dinadan. "Good for two of us at least,
+for this good knight promises to die without waiting for the
+executioner."
+
+The damsel looked upon Tristram, and observing the thinness of his face
+and hands, went and told Sir Darras of what she had heard and seen.
+
+"That must not be," cried the knight. "God defend that I should suffer
+those who came to me for succor to die in my prison. Bring them hither."
+
+Then Tristram was brought to the castle hall on his couch, with the
+other two knights beside him.
+
+"Sir knight," said the castle lord, "I am sorry for your sickness, and
+would not have so noble a knight as you die in prison, though I owe to
+you the death of three of my sons."
+
+"As for that," said Tristram, "it was in fair fight, and if they were my
+next of kin I could not have done otherwise. If I had slain them by
+treachery, I would have deserved death at your hands."
+
+"You acted knightly, and for that reason I could not put you to death,"
+said Sir Darras. "You and your fellows shall go at full liberty, with
+your horses and armor, on this covenant, that you will be a good friend
+to my two sons who are still living, and that you tell me your name."
+
+"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse. I was born in Cornwall, and am nephew
+to King Mark. And I promise you by the faith of my body that while I
+live I shall be a friend to you and your sons, for what you have done to
+us was but by force of nature."
+
+"If you be the good knight Sir Tristram, I am sorry to have held you in
+durance, and thank you for your proffer of service. But you must stay
+with me still till you are well and strong."
+
+To this Tristram agreed, and staid many more days with the old knight,
+growing well rapidly under the healing influence of hope and liberty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE KNIGHT WITH THE COVERED SHIELD.
+
+
+When Tristram's strength had all come back again he took his leave of
+Sir Darras, and rode away with Palamides and Dinadan. Soon they came to
+a cross-way, and here Tristram said,--
+
+"Good sirs, let us here take each his own road, and many fair adventures
+may come to us all."
+
+To this they agreed, and Tristram rode on along the main highway, chance
+bringing him that night to a castle in which was Queen Morgan le Fay.
+Here he was given lodging and good cheer, but when he was ready to
+depart the next day the queen said to him,--
+
+"Sir knight, it is one thing to enter this castle and another to leave
+it. You will not depart so easily as you came. Know that you are a
+prisoner."
+
+"God forfend," said Tristram. "I am just released from prison, and have
+had enough of that regimen."
+
+"You shall stay here, nevertheless, till I learn who you are and whence
+you came, but I promise you no hard quarters."
+
+She set him, therefore, by her side at table, and made so much of him
+that a knight who loved her clutched his sword-hilt in jealous rage,
+half disposed to rush upon Tristram and run him through unawares.
+
+"Tell me your name," said the queen, at the end of the repast, "and you
+shall depart when you will."
+
+"Thanks for your promise, fair lady. My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."
+
+"Then I am sorry I made so hasty a promise. But I will hold to my word
+if you will engage to bear a shield which I shall give you to the Castle
+of the Hard Rock, where King Arthur has announced that a tournament is
+to be held. I have heard of your deeds of arms at the Castle of Maidens,
+and hope you will do as much for me at this new tournament."
+
+"Let me see the shield that you wish me to bear," asked Tristram.
+
+So the shield was brought. It was golden on its face, and on it was
+painted a king and queen, with a knight standing above them with a foot
+on the head of each.
+
+"This is a fair shield," said Tristram; "but what signifies the device?"
+
+"It signifies King Arthur and Queen Guenever," said Morgan, "and a
+knight that holds them both in bondage."
+
+"And who is the knight?"
+
+"That you shall not know at present."
+
+So Tristram took the shield, not dreaming that it was intended as a
+rebuke to Sir Lancelot, and promised to bear it at the tournament.
+
+But as he rode away he was followed by Sir Hemison, the knight who loved
+Morgan le Fay, and whose jealous anger had been roused. Overtaking
+Tristram before he had gone far, he rushed upon him at the speed of his
+horse, crying, in a voice of thunder,--
+
+"Sir knight, defend yourself!"
+
+This Tristram did with good effect, for his assailant's spear broke upon
+his body, while he thrust him through and hurled him to the earth with a
+mortal wound.
+
+"Fool, you have brought it on yourself," said Tristram. "It is not my
+fault if you got what you designed for me."
+
+Then he rode on, and left the wounded knight to the care of his squire,
+who removed his helmet, and asked if his life was in any danger.
+
+"There is little life in me," said the knight, "and that is ebbing fast.
+Therefore help me to my saddle, and mount behind me and hold me on so
+that I shall not fall, and so bring me to Queen Morgan le Fay. For deep
+draughts of death draw to my heart, and I would fain speak to her before
+I die."
+
+The squire did as commanded, and brought his bleeding master to the
+castle, but he died as he entered the hall, falling lifeless at the feet
+of the lady of his love. Much she wept and great lamentation she made
+for his untimely fate, and buried him in a stately tomb, on which was
+written, "Here lieth Sir Hemison, slain by the hands of Tristram de
+Lyonesse."
+
+On the next day Tristram arrived at the castle of Roche-dure, where he
+saw the lists prepared for the tournament, with gay pennons flying,
+while full five hundred tents were pitched in a fair meadow by the
+gates. Over the seats of honor were silken canopies, that shaded noble
+lords and beautiful ladies clad in gay apparel. Within the lists the
+kings of Scotland and Ireland held out strongly against King Arthur's
+knights, and dread was the noise and turmoil within.
+
+Tristram at once joined in the fray, and smote down many knights; King
+Arthur marvelling the while at the device on his shield, while Guenever
+grew heavy at heart, for well she guessed its meaning.
+
+Ever King Arthur's eye was on that shield, and much he wondered who the
+knight could be, for he had heard that Tristram was in Brittany, and he
+knew that Lancelot was in quest of him, while he knew no other knight of
+equal prowess.
+
+As the combat went on, Arthur's knights drove back their antagonists,
+who began to withdraw from the field. On seeing this the king determined
+that the knight with the strange shield should not escape, so he armed
+and called Sir Uwaine, entering the lists with him and riding up to
+confront the unknown knight.
+
+"Sir stranger," said the king, "before we fight, I require you to tell
+me where you got that shield."
+
+"I had it from Morgan le Fay, sister to King Arthur," answered Tristram.
+
+"Then, if you are worthy to bear it, you are able to tell me its
+meaning."
+
+"That I cannot," answered the knight. "It was given me by Queen Morgan,
+not through any asking of mine. She told me not what it signified, nor
+do I know, but I promised to bear it worthily."
+
+"In truth," said Arthur, "no knight should bear arms he cannot
+understand. But at least you will tell me your name."
+
+"To what intent?" asked Tristram.
+
+"Simply that I wish to know."
+
+"That is small reason. I decline to tell you."
+
+"If not, we must do battle together."
+
+"What!" cried Tristram; "you will fight me on so small a cause? My name
+is my own, to be given or withheld as I will. It is not honorable for a
+fresh knight to challenge me to battle, after all I have done this day.
+But if you think you have me at advantage, you may find that I am able
+to hold my own."
+
+Then they put their spears in rest and furiously dashed together across
+the lists. But King Arthur's spear shivered to splinters on Tristram's
+shield, while he himself got such a blow from the Cornish knight that
+horse and man fell headlong to the earth, the king with a dangerous
+wound in the side.
+
+When Uwaine saw this he reined back his horse in haste, and crying
+loudly, "Knight, defend thyself!" he rode furiously on Tristram. But man
+fared no better than master. Uwaine was borne out of his saddle to the
+earth, while Tristram sat unmoved.
+
+Then Tristram wheeled his horse and said,--
+
+"Fair sirs, I had no need to joust with you, for I have done enough
+to-day; but you forced me to it."
+
+"We have had what we deserved," answered Arthur. "Yet I would fain know
+your name, and would further learn if that device on your shield is
+intended as an insult to King Arthur."
+
+"That you must ask Morgan le Fay: she alone knows. But report says she
+does not love her royal brother over much. Yet she told me not what it
+means, and I have borne it at her command. As for my name, it shall be
+known when I will."
+
+So Tristram departed, and rode far over hill and dale, everywhere
+seeking for Lancelot, with whom he in his heart wished to make
+fellowship. As he went on he came by a forest, on the edge of which
+stood a tall tower, and in front of it a fair level meadow. And here he
+saw one knight fighting against ten, and bearing himself so well that it
+seemed marvellous that a single man could hold his own so bravely
+against such odds. He had slain half their horses, and unhorsed the
+remaining knights, so that their chargers ran free in the field. The ten
+had then assailed him on foot, and he was bearing up bravely against
+them.
+
+"Cease that battle!" cried Tristram, loudly, as he came up. "Ten to one
+are cowards' odds." And as he came nearer he saw by his shield that the
+one knight was Sir Palamides.
+
+"You would be wise not to meddle," said the leader of the ten, who was
+the villanous knight called Breuse San Pite. "Go your way while your
+skin is whole. As for this knight, he is our prey."
+
+"Say you so!" cried Tristram. "There may be two words to that."
+
+As he spoke he sprang from his horse, lest they should kill it, and
+attacked them on foot with such fury that with every stroke a knight
+fell before him.
+
+This was more than they had bargained for, and Breuse fled hastily to
+the tower, followed by all that were able, while Tristram hotly pursued.
+But they quickly closed and barred the door, shutting him out. When he
+saw this he returned to Palamides, whom he found sitting under a tree,
+sorely wounded.
+
+"Thanks for your timely aid," said the Saracen. "You have saved my
+life."
+
+"What is your name?" asked Tristram.
+
+"It is Sir Palamides."
+
+"Then have I saved my greatest enemy; and I here challenge you to
+battle."
+
+"What is your name?" asked Palamides.
+
+"I am Tristram of Lyonesse."
+
+"My enemy indeed! yet I owe you thanks for your rescue, nor am I in
+condition for jousting. But I desire nothing better than to meet you in
+battle. If you are as eager for it, fix day and place, and I will be
+there."
+
+"Well said," answered Tristram. "Let it be in the meadow by the river at
+Camelot, there where Merlin set the tombstone."
+
+"Agreed. I shall not fail you."
+
+"How came you in battle with these ten dastards?"
+
+"The chance of journeying brought me into this forest, where I saw a
+dead knight with a lady weeping beside him. I asked her who slew her
+lord, and she told me it was the most villanous knight in the world,
+named Breuse Sans Pite. I then took her on my horse and promised to see
+that her lord was properly interred. But as I passed by this tower its
+rascally owner suddenly rode from the gate and struck me unawares so
+hard that I fell from my horse. Before I could recover he killed the
+lady. It was thus the battle began, at which you arrived in good time."
+
+"It is not safe for you to stay here," said Tristram. "That fellow is
+out of our reach for the present, but you are not in condition to meet
+him again."
+
+So they mounted and rode into the forest, where they soon came to a
+sparkling fountain, whose clear water bubbled freshly from the ground.
+Here they alighted and refreshed themselves.
+
+As they did so Tristram's horse neighed loudly and was answered by
+another horse near by. They mounted and rode towards the sound, and
+quickly came in sight of a great war-horse tied to a tree. Under an
+adjoining tree lay a knight asleep, in full armor, save that his helmet
+was placed under his head for a pillow.
+
+"A stout-looking fellow that," said Tristram. "What shall we do?"
+
+"Awake him," said Palamides.
+
+Tristram did so, stirring him with the butt of his spear.
+
+But they had better have let him sleep, for he sprang angrily to his
+feet, put on his helmet in haste, and mounting his war-horse seized his
+spear. Without a word he spurred upon Tristram and struck him such a
+blow as to fling him from his saddle to the earth. Then he galloped back
+and came hurling upon Palamides, whom he served in the same rude
+fashion. Leaving them laying there, he turned his horse and rode
+leisurely away.
+
+When the two overthrown knights gained their feet again, they looked at
+one another with faces of shame and anger.
+
+"Well, what now?" asked Tristram. "That is the worst waking I ever did
+in my life. By my troth, I did not fancy there was a knight in Arthur's
+realm that could have served you and me such a trick. Whatever you do, I
+am going after this woodland champion to have a fairer trial."
+
+"So would I were I well," said Palamides. "But I am so hurt that I must
+seek rest with a friend of mine near by."
+
+"I can trust you to meet me at the place appointed?"
+
+"I have cause to have more doubt of you than you of me; for if you
+follow this strong knight you may not escape with whole bones from the
+adventure. I wish you success."
+
+"And I wish you health."
+
+With these words they parted, each riding his own way.
+
+But news came to Tristram as he rode on that would have turned many a
+knight from that adventure. For the first day he found a dead knight and
+a lady weeping over him, who said that her lord had jousted with a
+strong champion, who had run him through. On the third day he met the
+good knights Gawaine and Bleoberis, both wounded, who said they had been
+so served by a knight with a covered shield.
+
+"He treated me and Palamides the same way," said Tristram, "and I am on
+his track to repay him."
+
+"By my faith, you had best turn back," said Gawaine.
+
+"By my head, I will not," said Tristram, and he rode on in pursuit.
+
+The next day he met Kay the seneschal and Dinadan in a meadow.
+
+"What tidings have you?" he asked.
+
+"Not good," they answered.
+
+"Tell me what they are. I ride in search of a knight."
+
+"What cognizance does he bear?"
+
+"He carries a shield covered by a cloth."
+
+"Then you are not far from him," said Kay. "We lodged last night in a
+widow's house, and that knight sought the same lodging. And when he
+knew we were of Arthur's court he spoke villanous things of the king,
+and worse of Queen Guenever. The next day we waged battle with him for
+this insult. But at the first encounter he flung me from my horse with a
+sore hurt. And when Dinadan here saw me down he showed more prudence
+than valor, for he fled to save his skin."
+
+After some further words Tristram rode on; but days passed and he found
+not the knight with the covered shield, though he heard more tales of
+his irresistible prowess. Then, finding that his armor was bruised and
+broken with long use, he sent Gouvernail, his squire, to a city near by
+to bring him fresh apparel, and rested at a priory till he came.
+
+On Gouvernail's return he donned his new armor, and turned his horse's
+head towards Camelot, seeking the point where he had engaged to do
+battle with Palamides. This was at the tomb of Lanceor, son of the king
+of Ireland, who had been slain by Balin, and whose lady Columbe had
+slain herself, as we have already told. His tomb had been set up near
+the river by Merlin, and it had become a place of pilgrimage for true
+lovers and faithful wedded pairs.
+
+Tristram did not get there without more battling, for the roads around
+Camelot then swarmed with errant knights, eager to show their strength.
+Yet he was none the worse for these encounters when he rode up to the
+tomb where he hoped to find Palamides in waiting. But instead of the
+Saracen he saw a knight approaching in white armor, who bore a shield
+covered with a dark cloth.
+
+"Sir knight, you are welcome; none more so," cried Tristram. "I have
+sought you far and near, and have an ugly fall to repay you for; and
+also owe you a lesson for your revilement of King Arthur and his fair
+queen."
+
+"Shorter words and longer deeds would serve better," said the stranger
+knight. "Make ready, my good fellow, if one fall is not enough to
+satisfy you."
+
+Then they rode apart to a fair distance, and putting spurs to their
+horses hurtled together with headlong speed. So fiercely met they,
+indeed, that horses and knights together went toppling to the earth,
+both those brave warriors kissing the dust.
+
+With all haste they regained their feet, put their shields before them,
+and struck at each other with bright swords like men of might. The
+battle that followed was such a one as that ground had never seen, for
+those two knights seemed rather giants than men. For four hours they
+kept up the combat, neither speaking a word, till at the end their armor
+was hewn off in many places, and blood had flowed from their wounds till
+the grass was turned from green to crimson.
+
+The squires looked on in wonder, and boasted of the might of their
+lords, though their hearts grew heavy when they saw the bright swords so
+reddened with blood.
+
+At last the unknown knight rested on his weapon, and said,--
+
+"Sir stranger, you are the best fighter I ever saw in armor. I would
+know you better, and beg to learn your name."
+
+"I care not to tell it," said Tristram.
+
+"Why not? I never make my name a secret."
+
+"Then pray tell it, for I would give much to know the name of the
+stoutest knight I ever drew sword upon."
+
+"Fair sir, my name is Lancelot du Lake."
+
+"Alas, can this be so? Have I fought thus against the man I love best in
+the world?"
+
+"Then who are you?"
+
+"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."
+
+"Oh, what strange chance is this! Take my sword, Sir Tristram, for you
+have earned it well."
+
+And he knelt and yielded Tristram his sword.
+
+Tristram in turn knelt and yielded up his. And thus with exchange of
+words they gave each other the degree of brotherhood. Then they sat
+together on the stone, and took off their helms to cool their heated
+faces, and kissed each other with brotherly ardor.
+
+When they had rested and conversed long in the most loving amity, and
+their squires had salved and bandaged their wounds, they mounted and
+rode towards Camelot.
+
+Near the gates of the city they met Gawaine and Gaheris, who were
+setting out in search of Tristram, having promised King Arthur never to
+return till they could bring the valiant knight of Cornwall with them.
+
+"Return, then, for your quest is done," said Lancelot. "I have found Sir
+Tristram, and here he is in person."
+
+"Then, by my life, you are heartily welcome!" cried Gawaine. "You have
+eased me from great labor, and there are ten others seeking you. Why
+came you hither of yourself?"
+
+"I had a challenge with Sir Palamides to do battle with him at Lanceor's
+tomb this day, and I know not why he has failed me. By lucky chance my
+lord Lancelot and I met there, and well have we tried each other's
+strength."
+
+Thus conversing they came to the court, where King Arthur, when he
+learned the name of Lancelot's companion, was filled with joy. Taking
+Tristram warmly by both hands, he welcomed him to Camelot.
+
+"There is no other man in the world whom I would so gladly have here,"
+he said. "Much have you been sought for since you left the tournament,
+but in vain. I would fain learn your adventures."
+
+These Tristram told, and the king was amazed when he learned that it was
+he who had overthrown him at the Castle of Hard Rock. Then he told of
+his pursuit of the knight with the covered shield, and of the deeds he
+had done.
+
+"By our faith," cried Gawaine, Bleoberis, and Kay, "we can testify to
+that, for he left us all on the ground."
+
+"Aha! who could this strong fellow have been?" asked Arthur. "Did any of
+you know him?"
+
+They all declared that he was a stranger to them, though Tristram kept
+silent.
+
+"If you know not, I do; it was Lancelot or none," cried the king.
+
+"In faith, I fancy so," said Tristram, "for I found him to-day, and we
+had a four hours' fight together, before each found out the other."
+
+"So," they all cried, "it is he who has beguiled us with his covered
+shield!"
+
+"You say truly," answered Lancelot, with a smile. "And I called myself
+an enemy of King Arthur so that none should suspect me. I was in search
+of sport."
+
+"That is an old trick of yours," said Arthur.
+
+"One must go in disguise in these days, or go untried," laughed
+Lancelot.
+
+Then Queen Guenever, and many ladies of the court, learning that
+Tristram was there, came and bade him welcome, ladies and knights
+together crying, "Welcome, Sir Tristram! welcome to Camelot!"
+
+"Welcome, indeed," said Arthur, "to one of the best and gentlest knights
+of the world, and the man of highest esteem. For of all modes of
+hunting, you bear the prize, and of all bugle hunting calls you are the
+origin, and all the terms of hunting and hawking began with you; on all
+instruments of music no man surpasses you: therefore, you are trebly
+welcome to this court. And here I pray you to grant me a boon."
+
+"I am at your command," said Tristram.
+
+"It is that you abide in my court, and be one of my knights."
+
+"That I am loath to do, for I have work laid out elsewhere."
+
+"Yet you have passed your word. You shall not say me nay."
+
+"Then be it as you will," said Tristram.
+
+[Illustration: ADMISSION OF SIR TRISTRAM TO THE KING OF THE ROUND
+TABLE.]
+
+These words spoken, Arthur took Tristram by the hand and led him to the
+Round Table, going with him round its circle, and looking into every
+seat that lacked a knight. When at length he came to that in which Sir
+Marhaus had formerly sat, he saw there engraved in letters of gold,
+"This is the seat of the noble knight Sir Tristram."
+
+Then Arthur made Tristram a Knight of the Round Table with noble
+ceremony and great pomp, and with feasts that lasted many days. Glad
+were all there to have a knight of such prowess and high esteem in their
+company, and many friends Tristram made among his new brothers-in-arms.
+
+But chief of all these was Lancelot, and for days together Lancelot and
+Tristram kept genial company, while their brotherhood gave joy to all,
+and most of all to King Arthur, who felt that the glory of his reign was
+now at its height, and that two such knights as these would spread the
+renown of the Round Table throughout the world.
+
+END OF VOL. I.
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+Fifteen spelling errors have been corrected as follows:
+
+   Pg. 38 "Tintagel" to "Tintagil" (15) (the Duke of Tintagil)
+
+   Pg. 74 "churchyard" to "church-yard" (4) (near a church-yard)
+
+   Pg. 114 "way-side" to "wayside" (2) (they reached a wayside)
+
+   Pg. 166 "eat" to "ate" (of which Kay ate heartily)
+
+   Pg. 200 "vassels" to "vassals" (4) (dead or my vassals)
+
+   Pg. 206 "swept" to "wept" (wept for pity.)
+
+   Pg. 212 "therefor" to "therefore" (24) (and sureties therefore.")
+
+   Pg. 223 "Badgemagus" to "Bagdemagus" (11) (King Bagdemagus)
+
+   Pg. 246 "togther" to "together" (together in furious)
+
+   Pg. 281 "threatingly" to "threateningly" (shook the sword
+           threateningly)
+
+   Pg. 284 "say" to "saw" (when he saw him coming)
+
+   Pg. 287 "beleagured" to "beleaguered" (a hundred beleaguered him)
+
+   Pg. 291 "is" to "if" (seemed as if she returned his love)
+
+   Pg. 298 "Taulurd" to "Taulard" (2) (brother to that Taulard)
+
+   Pg. 336 "wellnigh" to "well-nigh" (2) (he well-nigh lost his wits)
+
+The following list of similar words appear in the original text and
+have been retained.
+
+   "Percival" (p 12) and "Percivale" (elsewhere)
+
+   "lady Colombe" (p 65) and "lady Columbe" (p 355)
+
+   "gerfalcon" (p 135) and "jerfalcon" (p 221)
+
+   "Sagramore" and "Sagramour"
+
+   "villain" (17) and "villanous" (8) and villany (3)
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORIC TALES, VOL. XIII (OF 15)
+***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 31900.txt or 31900.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/1/9/0/31900
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://www.gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/31900.zip b/31900.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d20305
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31900.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6828d37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #31900 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/31900)