diff options
Diffstat (limited to '33702-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/33702-h.htm | 15446 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0001.png | bin | 0 -> 298002 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0002.png | bin | 0 -> 403123 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0004.png | bin | 0 -> 341408 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0005.png | bin | 0 -> 10481 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0006.png | bin | 0 -> 328291 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0011.png | bin | 0 -> 4144 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0012.png | bin | 0 -> 338870 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0013.png | bin | 0 -> 5178 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0014.png | bin | 0 -> 35047 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0015.png | bin | 0 -> 304813 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0016.png | bin | 0 -> 274092 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0021.png | bin | 0 -> 31487 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0023.png | bin | 0 -> 417234 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0024.png | bin | 0 -> 347011 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0029.png | bin | 0 -> 9325 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0031.png | bin | 0 -> 436683 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0032.png | bin | 0 -> 24131 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0039.png | bin | 0 -> 5643 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0041.png | bin | 0 -> 341084 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0042.png | bin | 0 -> 13357 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0051.png | bin | 0 -> 332898 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0052.png | bin | 0 -> 238897 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0061.png | bin | 0 -> 237958 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0062.png | bin | 0 -> 14892 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0075.png | bin | 0 -> 371841 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0076.png | bin | 0 -> 15625 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0089.png | bin | 0 -> 265296 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0090.png | bin | 0 -> 16255 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0101.png | bin | 0 -> 5915 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0103.png | bin | 0 -> 310102 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0104.png | bin | 0 -> 15187 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0116.png | bin | 0 -> 5185 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0117.png | bin | 0 -> 5421 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0119.png | bin | 0 -> 363871 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0120.png | bin | 0 -> 261066 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0129.png | bin | 0 -> 405528 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0130.png | bin | 0 -> 14969 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0137.png | bin | 0 -> 302826 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0138.png | bin | 0 -> 15637 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0147.png | bin | 0 -> 5370 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0149.png | bin | 0 -> 409775 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0150.png | bin | 0 -> 15402 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0159.png | bin | 0 -> 341683 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0160.png | bin | 0 -> 15104 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0169.png | bin | 0 -> 5954 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0171.png | bin | 0 -> 355650 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0172.png | bin | 0 -> 14965 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0181.png | bin | 0 -> 7031 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0183.png | bin | 0 -> 356955 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0184.png | bin | 0 -> 333954 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0191.png | bin | 0 -> 5397 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0193.png | bin | 0 -> 435290 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0194.png | bin | 0 -> 15450 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0201.png | bin | 0 -> 6869 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0203.png | bin | 0 -> 291395 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0204.png | bin | 0 -> 15499 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0211.png | bin | 0 -> 4953 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0213.png | bin | 0 -> 266157 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0214.png | bin | 0 -> 351036 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0223.png | bin | 0 -> 8496 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0225.png | bin | 0 -> 348812 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0226.png | bin | 0 -> 15090 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0233.png | bin | 0 -> 9775 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0235.png | bin | 0 -> 406495 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0236.png | bin | 0 -> 15340 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0247.png | bin | 0 -> 5991 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0249.png | bin | 0 -> 263980 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0250.png | bin | 0 -> 15653 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0259.png | bin | 0 -> 6135 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0261.png | bin | 0 -> 398257 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0262.png | bin | 0 -> 15297 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0273.png | bin | 0 -> 6275 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0275.png | bin | 0 -> 384703 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0276.png | bin | 0 -> 56509 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0289.png | bin | 0 -> 5830 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0291.png | bin | 0 -> 344800 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0292.png | bin | 0 -> 15138 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0303.png | bin | 0 -> 6363 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0305.png | bin | 0 -> 78696 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0306.png | bin | 0 -> 14724 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0316.png | bin | 0 -> 15487 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0323.png | bin | 0 -> 381230 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0324.png | bin | 0 -> 250436 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0335.png | bin | 0 -> 6327 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0337.png | bin | 0 -> 297899 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0338.png | bin | 0 -> 14988 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0347.png | bin | 0 -> 312944 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33702-h/images/s0348.png | bin | 0 -> 15182 bytes |
89 files changed, 15446 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/33702-h/33702-h.htm b/33702-h/33702-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..39550d7 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/33702-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15446 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Sir Launcelot and his Companions, by Howard Pyle. + </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; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-style: normal; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.sidenote { + width: 20%; + padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; + margin-left: 1em; + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; + color: black; + background: #eeeeee; + border: solid 1px; +} + +.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;} +.italic {font-style: italic;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +.padtop {padding-top: 3em;} +.padbase {padding-bottom: 3em;} + +.chapdescont {text-align: center; font-size: 0.9em; font-style: italic; padding-bottom: 1em} +.chaphead {text-align: center; font-size: 1.2em; font-weight:bold; padding-bottom: 1.5em;} +.chapheadcont {text-align: center; font-size: 0.9em; padding-bottom: .7em;} + + + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Sir Launcelot and His +Companions, by Howard Pyle + +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: The Story of Sir Launcelot and His Companions + +Author: Howard Pyle + +Release Date: September 10, 2010 [EBook #33702] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF SIR LAUNCELOT *** + + + + +Produced by Sharon Verougstraete, Suzanne Shell and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 413px;"> +<img src="images/s0001.png" width="413" height="600" alt="The Lady Elaine the Fair." title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 431px;"> +<img src="images/s0002.png" width="431" height="600" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Story of<br />Sir<br />LAUNCELOT<br />and his<br />Companions + <i>by</i><br />HOWARD PYLE.</span> +</div> + + + +<p class="center">NEW YORK: +Dover Publications, Inc. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p>Published in Canada by General Publishing Company, Ltd., 30 Lesmill Road, Don +Mills, Toronto, Ontario.</p> + +<p>Published in the United Kingdom by Constable and Company, Ltd., 3 The Lanchesters, +162-164 Fulham Palace Road, London W6 9ER.</p> + +<p>This Dover edition, first published in 1991, is an unabridged republication of the +work originally published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, in 1907.</p> + +<p>Manufactured in the United States of America. +Dover Publications, Inc., 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, N. Y. 11501</p> + + +<p><i>Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data</i></p> + +<p>Pyle, Howard, 1853-1911.</p> + +<p>The story of Sir Launcelot and his companions / by Howard Pyle.</p> + +<p>p. cm.</p> + +<p>Reprint. Originally published: New York: Scribner, 1907.</p> + +<p>Summary: Follows Sir Launcelot of the Round Table as he rescues Queen +Guinevere, fights in the tournament at Astolat, and pursues other adventures.</p> + +<p>ISBN 0-486-26701-6</p> + +<p>1. Lancelot (Legendary character)—Romances. 2. Arthurian romances. +[1. Lancelot (Legendary character) 2. Knights and knighthood—Folklore. +3. Arthur, King. 4. Folklore—England.] 1. Title.</p> + +<p> +PZ8.1.P994Sr 1991<br /> +843'.1—dc20<br /> +[398.2] 90-22326<br /> +CIP<br /> +AC<br /> +</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0004.png" width="600" height="391" alt="Foreword" title="" /> +</div> + +<p><i>With this begins the third of those books which I have set +myself to write concerning the history of King Arthur +of Britain and of those puissant knights who were of +his Court and of his Round Table.</i></p> + +<p><i>In the Book which was written before this book you may there +read the Story of that very noble and worthy knight, Sir Launcelot +of the Lake; of how he dwelt within a magic lake which was +the enchanted habitation of the Lady Nymue of the Lake; of how +he was there trained in all the most excellent arts of chivalry by +Sir Pellias, the Gentle Knight—whilom a companion of the Round +Table, but afterward the Lord of the Lake; of how he came forth +out of the Lake and became after that the chiefest knight of the +Round Table of King Arthur. All of this was told in that book +and many other things concerning Sir Launcelot and several other +worthies who were Companions of the Round Table and who were +very noble and excellent knights both in battle and in court.</i></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></p><p><i>So here followeth a further history of Sir Launcelot of the Lake +and the narrative of several of the notable adventures that he performed +at this time of his life.</i></p> + +<p><i>Wherefore if it will please you to read that which is hereinafter +set forth, you will be told of how Sir Launcelot slew the great +Worm of Corbin; of the madness that afterward fell upon him, +and of how a most noble, gentle, and beautiful lady, hight the +Lady Elaine the Fair, lent him aid and succor at a time of utmost +affliction to him, and so brought him back to health again. +And you may herein further find it told how Sir Launcelot was +afterward wedded to that fair and gentle dame, and of how was +born of that couple a child of whom it was prophesied by Merlin +(in a certain miraculous manner fully set forth in this book) +that he should become the most perfect knight that ever lived and +he who should bring back the Holy Grail to the Earth.</i></p> + +<p><i>For that child was Galahad whom the world knoweth to be +the flower of all chivalry; a knight altogether without fear or +reproach of any kind, yet, withal, the most glorious and puissant +knight-champion who ever lived.</i></p> + +<p><i>So if the perusal of these things may give you pleasure, I pray +you to read that which followeth, for in this book all these and +several other histories are set forth in full.</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0005.png" width="250" height="133" alt="Tail piece" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0006.png" width="600" height="436" alt="Contents" title="" /> +</div> + +<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="4" cellpadding="0" summary ="Contents"> + <tr> + <td colspan="2"> + <div class="chaphead"><a href="#Page_9">PART I<br /> + THE CHEVALIER OF THE CART</a></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_11">Chapter First</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Denneys Found Sir Launcelot, and How Sir Launcelot Rode + Forth for to Rescue Queen Guinevere From the Castle of Sir + Mellegrans, and of What Befell Him Upon the Assaying of that + Adventure 11</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_19">Chapter Second</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Launcelot Rode in a Cart to Rescue Queen Guinevere + and How He Came in that Way to the Castle of Sir Mellegrans 19</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_29">Chapter Third</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Launcelot was Rescued From the Pit and How He + Overcame Sir Mellegrans and Set Free the Queen and Her Court + From the Duress They Were in 29<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span><br /><br /></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2"> + <div class="chaphead"><a href="#Page_37">PART II<br /> + THE STORY OF SIR GARETH OF ORKNEY</a></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_39">Chapter First</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Gareth of Orkney Came to the Castle of Kynkennedon + Where King Arthur was Holding Court, and How it Fared With + Him at that Place 39</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_49">Chapter Second</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Gareth set Forth Upon an Adventure with a Young + Damsel Hight Lynette; how he Fought with Sir Kay, and How Sir + Launcelot Made him a Knight. Also in this it is Told of Several + Other Happenings that Befell Gareth, Called Beaumains, at this + Time 49</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_63">Chapter Third</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Gareth and Lynette Travelled Farther Upon Their + way; how Sir Gareth Won the Pass of the River against Two + Strong Knights, and How he Overcame the Black Knight of the + Black Lands. Also How He Saved a Good Worthy Knight From + Six Thieves who Held Him in Duress 63</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_77">Chapter Fourth</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Gareth Met Sir Percevant of Hind, and How He + Came to Castle Dangerous and Had Speech with the Lady Layonnesse. + Also How the Lady Layonnesse Accepted Him for Her + Champion 77</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_91">Chapter Fifth</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Gareth Fought with the Red Knight of the Red Lands + and How it Fared with Him in that Battle. Also How His + Dwarf was Stolen, and How His Name and Estate Became Known + and Were Made Manifest 91<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span><br /><br /></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2"> + <div class="chaphead"><a href="#Page_105">PART III<br /> + THE STORY OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND ELAINE THE FAIR</a></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_107">Chapter First</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Launcelot Rode Errant and How He Assumed to Undertake + the Adventure of the Worm of Corbin 107</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_117">Chapter Second</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Launcelot Slew the Worm of Corbin, and How He + was Carried Thereafter to the Castle of Corbin and to King Pelles + and to the Lady Elaine the Fair 117</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_125">Chapter Third</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How King Arthur Proclaimed a Tournament at Astolat, and + How King Pelles of Corbin Went With His Court Thither to + that Place. Also How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine had + Encounter with two Knights in the Highway Thitherward 125</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_137">Chapter Fourth</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine Fought in the Tournament + at Astolat. How Sir Launcelot was Wounded in that Affair, and + How Sir Lavaine Brought Him Unto a Place of Safety 137</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_147">Chapter Fifth</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Launcelot Escaped Wounded into the Forest, and How + Sir Gawaine Discovered to the Court of King Pelles who was le + Chevalier Malfait 147</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_159">Chapter Sixth</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How the Lady Elaine Went to Seek Sir Launcelot and How Sir + Launcelot Afterwards Returned to the Court of King Arthur 159<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2"> + <div class="chaphead"><a href="#Page_169">PART IV<br /> + THE MADNESS OF SIR LAUNCELOT</a></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_171">Chapter First</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Launcelot Became a Madman of the Forest and How + He Was Brought to the Castle of Sir Blyant 171</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_181">Chapter Second</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Launcelot Saved the Life of Sir Blyant. How He + Escaped From the Castle of Sir Blyant, and How He Slew the + Great Wild Boar of Lystenesse and Saved the Life of King + Arthur, His Liege Lord 181</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_191">Chapter Third</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Launcelot Returned to Corbin Again and How the + Lady Elaine the Fair Cherished Him and Brought Him Back + to Health. Also How Sir Launcelot with the Lady Elaine Withdrew + to Joyous Isle 191</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2"> + <div class="chaphead"><a href="#Page_199">PART V<br /> + THE STORY OF SIR EWAINE AND THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN</a></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_201">Chapter First</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Ewaine and Sir Percival Departed Together in Quest + of Sir Launcelot, and How They Met Sir Sagramore, Who Had + Failed in a Certain Adventure. Also How Sir Sagramore Told + His Story Concerning That Adventure 201</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_213">Chapter Second</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Ewaine Undertook That Adventure in Which Sir + Sagramore Had Failed, and How it Sped with Him Thereafter 213<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_223">Chapter Third</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How a Damsel, Hight Elose, Who Was in Service With the + Lady Lesolie of the Fountain, Brought Succor to Sir Ewaine + in His Captivity 223</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_237">Chapter Fourth</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Ewaine Returned to the Court of King Arthur, + and How he Forgot the Lady Lesolie and His Duty to the + Fountain 237</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_249">Chapter Fifth</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Ewaine was Succored and Brought Back to Life by + a Certain Noble Lady, How He Brought Aid to that Lady in a + Time of Great Trouble, and How He Returned Once Again to + the Lady Lesolie of the Fountain 249</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2"> + <div class="chaphead"><a href="#Page_261">PART VI<br /> + THE RETURN OF SIR LAUNCELOT</a></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_263">Chapter First</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Percival Met His Brother, and How They Two Journeyed + to the Priory where their Mother Dwelt and What Befell Them + Thereafter 263</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_279">Chapter Second</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Percival and Sir Ector de Maris Came to a Very + Wonderful Place Where was a Castle in the Midst of a Lake 279</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_293">Chapter Third</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival and Sir Ector and the + Lady Elaine Progressed to the Court of King Arthur, and How + a Very Good Adventure Befell Them Upon Their Way 293<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2"> + <div class="chaphead"><a href="#Page_309">PART VII<br /> + THE NATIVITY OF GALAHAD</a></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_311">Chapter First</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Gawaine Went Forth in + Search of Sir Launcelot. How They Parted Company, and What + Befell Sir Gawaine Thereafter 311</div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div class="chapheadcont"><a href="#Page_325">Chapter Second</a></div> + <div class="chapdescont">How Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine Came to a Priory in the Forest, + and How Galahad Was Born at That Place 325</div> + </td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0011.png" width="250" height="89" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0012.png" width="600" height="318" alt="Woman holding mirror" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<div class="center italic"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations"> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_i">The Lady Elaine the Fair</a></td><td align="left">Frontispiece</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_v">Head Piece—Table of Contents</a></td><td align="left">v</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_x">Tail Piece—Table of Contents</a></td><td align="left">x</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_xi">Head Piece—List of Illustrations</a></td><td align="left">xi</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_xii">Tail Piece—List of Illustrations</a></td><td align="left">xii</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_2">Sir Mellegrans interrupts the sport of the Queen</a></td><td align="left">2</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_3">Head Piece—Prologue</a></td><td align="left">3</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_8">Tail Piece—Prologue</a></td><td align="left">8</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_10">Denneys and the Hermit help Sir Launcelot to his Armor</a></td><td align="left">10</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_11">Head Piece</a></td><td align="left">11</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_18">How Sir Launcelot rode errant in a cart</a></td><td align="left">18</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_28">The Damsel Elouise the Fair rescues Sir Launcelot</a></td><td align="left">28</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_38">Sir Gareth of Orkney</a></td><td align="left">38</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_39">Head Piece</a></td><td align="left">39</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_48">The Damsel Lynette</a></td><td align="left">48</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_62">Sir Gareth doeth Battle with the Knight of the River Ford</a></td><td align="left">62</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_76">The Lady Layonnesse</a></td><td align="left">76</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span><a href="#Page_90">The Lady Layonnesse cometh to the Pavilion of Sir Gareth</a></td><td align="left">90</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_104">Tail Piece</a></td><td align="left">104</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_106">How Sir Launcelot held discourse with ye Merry Minstrels</a></td><td align="left">106</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_107">Head Piece</a></td><td align="left">107</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_116">Sir Launcelot slayeth the Worm of Corbin</a></td><td align="left">116</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_124">Sir Launcelot confideth his Shield to Elaine the Fair</a></td><td align="left">124</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_136">Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine overlook the Field of Astolat</a></td><td align="left">136</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_146">Sir Gawaine knoweth the shield of Sir Launcelot</a></td><td align="left">146</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_158">Sir Launcelot leapeth from the window</a></td><td align="left">158</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_168">Tail Piece</a></td><td align="left">168</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_170">The Madman of the Forest who was Sir Launcelot</a></td><td align="left">170</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_171">Head Piece</a></td><td align="left">171</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_180">The Forest Madman saveth ye Life of King Arthur</a></td><td align="left">180</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_188">Tail Piece</a></td><td align="left">188</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_190">The Lady Elaine the Fair knoweth Sir Launcelot</a></td><td align="left">190</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_200">Sir Gawaine, Knight of the Fountain</a></td><td align="left">200</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_201">Head Piece</a></td><td align="left">201</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_212">Sir Ewaine poureth water on the slab</a></td><td align="left">212</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_222">The Damsel Elose giveth a ring to Sir Ewaine</a></td><td align="left">222</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_236">The Lady of the Fountain</a></td><td align="left">236</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_248">A Damsel bringeth aid unto Sir Ewaine</a></td><td align="left">248</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_262">Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival receive their Mother's Blessing</a></td><td align="left">262</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_263">Head Piece</a></td><td align="left">263</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_278">Sir Percival and Sir Ector look upon the Isle of Joy</a></td><td align="left">278</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_292">Sir Lavaine the Son of Pelles</a></td><td align="left">292</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_310">Merlin Prophesieth from a Cloud of Mist</a></td><td align="left">310</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_311">Head Piece</a></td><td align="left">311</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_322">Tail Piece</a></td><td align="left">322</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_324">Sir Bors de Ganis, the good</a></td><td align="left">324</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#Page_334">The Barge of the Dead</a></td><td align="left">334</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/s0013.png" width="300" height="123" alt="Woman's head" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0014.png" width="300" height="248" alt="The Story of Sir Launcelot and his Companions" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 409px;"> +<img src="images/s0015.png" width="409" height="600" alt="Sir Mellegrans interrupts the +sport of the Queen." title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0016.png" width="600" height="343" alt="Prologue." title="" /> +</div> + + +<p>It befel upon a very joyous season in the month of May that Queen +Guinevere was of a mind to take gentle sport as folk do at that time +of the year; wherefore on a day she ordained it in a court of pleasure +that on the next morning certain knights and ladies of the court at Camelot +should ride with her a-maying into the woods and fields, there to +disport themselves amid the flowers and blossoms that grew in great multitudes +beside the river.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How the Lady +Guinevere rode +a-maying.</i></div> + +<p>Of this May-party it stands recorded several times in the various histories +of chivalry that the knights she chose were ten in all and that they were all +Knights of the Round Table, to wit, as followeth: there was Sir Kay the +Seneschal, and Sir Agravaine, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir Sagramour the +Desirous, and Sir Dodinas, and Sir Osanna, and Sir Ladynas +of the Forest Sauvage, and Sir Persavant of India, and Sir +Ironside and Sir Percydes, who was cousin to Sir Percival +of Gales. These were the ten (so sayeth those histories aforesaid) whom +the Lady Guinevere called upon for to ride a-maying with her all bright +and early upon the morning of the day as aforesaid.</p> + +<p>And the Queen further ordained that each of these knights should choose +him a lady for the day. And she ordained that each lady should ride behind +the knight upon the horse which he rode. And she ordained that +all those knights and ladies and all such attendants as might be of that +party should be clad entirely in green, as was fitting for that pleasant +festival.</p> + +<p>Such were the commands that the Queen ordained, and when those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +who were chosen were acquainted with their good fortune they took great joy +therein; for all they wist there would be great sport at that maying-party.</p> + +<p>So when the next morning was come they all rode forth in the freshness +of dewy springtide; what time the birds were singing so joyously, so +joyously, from every hedge and coppice; what time the soft wind was +blowing great white clouds, slow sailing across the canopy of heaven, each +cloud casting a soft and darkling shadow that moved across the hills and +uplands as it swam the light blue heaven above; what time all the trees +and hedgerows were abloom with fragrant and dewy blossoms, and fields and +meadow-lands, all shining bright with dew, were spread over with a wonderful +carpet of pretty flowers, gladdening the eye with their charm and making +fragrant the breeze that blew across the smooth and grassy plain.</p> + +<p>For in those days the world was young and gay (as it is nowadays with +little children who are abroad when the sun shines bright and things are +a-growing) and the people who dwelt therein had not yet grown aweary +of its freshness of delight. Wherefore that fair Queen and her court took +great pleasure in all the merry world that lay spread about them, as they +rode two by two, each knight with his lady, gathering the blossoms of the +May, chattering the while like merry birds and now and then bursting into +song because of the pure pleasure of living.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They feast +very joyously.</i></div> + +<p>So they disported themselves among the blossoms for all that morning, +and when noontide had come they took their rest at a fair spot in a flowery +meadow that lay spread out beside the smooth-flowing river about three +miles from the town. For from where they sat they might look down +across the glassy stream and behold the distant roofs and spires of Camelot, +trembling in the thin warm air, very bright and clear, against the blue and +radiant sky beyond. And after they were all thus seated in the grass, +sundry attendants came and spread out a fair white table-cloth and laid +upon the cloth a goodly feast for their refreshment—cold pasties +of venison, roasted fowls, manchets of white bread, and flagons +of golden wine and ruby wine. And all they took great pleasure when +they gazed upon that feast, for they were anhungered with their sporting. +So they ate and drank and made them merry; and whilst they ate certain +minstrels sang songs, and certain others recited goodly contes and tales for +their entertainment. And meanwhile each fair lady wove wreaths of herbs +and flowers and therewith bedecked her knight, until all those noble gentlemen +were entirely bedight with blossoms—whereat was much merriment +and pleasant jesting.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that Queen Guinevere went a-maying, and so have I told you +all about it so that you might know how it was.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>A knight +cometh forth +from the +forest.</i></div> + +<p>Now whilst the Queen and her party were thus sporting together like to +children in the grass, there suddenly came the sound of a bugle-horn winded +in the woodlands that there were not a very great distance away +from where they sat, and whilst they looked with some surprise +to see who blew that horn in the forest, there suddenly appeared +at the edge of the woodland an armed knight clad cap-a-pie. +And the bright sunlight smote down upon that armed knight so +that he shone with wonderful brightness at the edge of the shadows of the +trees. And after that knight there presently followed an array of men-at-arms—fourscore +and more in all—and these also were clad at all points +in armor as though prepared for battle.</p> + +<p>This knight and those who were with him stopped for a little while at the +edge of the wood and stood regarding that May-party from a distance; then +after a little they rode forward across the meadow to where the Queen and +her court sat looking at them.</p> + +<p>Now at first Queen Guinevere and those that were with her wist not who +that knight could be, but when he and his armed men had come nigh enough, +they were aware that he was a knight hight Sir Mellegrans, who was the +son of King Bagdemagus, and they wist that his visit was not likely to +bode any very great good to them.</p> + +<p>For Sir Mellegrans was not like his father, who (as hath been already +told of both in the Book of King Arthur and in The Story of the Champions +of the Round Table) was a good and worthy king, and a friend of King +Arthur's. For, contrariwise, Sir Mellegrans was malcontented and held +bitter enmity toward King Arthur, and that for this reason:</p> + +<p>A part of the estate of Sir Mellegrans marched upon the borders of Wales, +and there had at one time arisen great contention between Sir Mellegrans +and the King of North Wales concerning a certain strip of forest land, as to +the ownership thereof. This contention had been submitted to King Arthur +and he had decided against Sir Mellegrans and in favor of the King of +North Wales; wherefore from that time Sir Mellegrans had great hatred +toward King Arthur and sware that some time he would be revenged upon +him if the opportunity should offer. Wherefore it was that when the Lady +Guinevere beheld that it was Sir Mellegrans who appeared before her thus +armed in full, she was ill at ease, and wist that that visit maybe boded no +good to herself and to her gentle May-court.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mellegrans +affronts the +May-party.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Mellegrans and his armed party rode up pretty close +to where the Queen and her party sat in the grass. And when +he had come very near he drew rein to his horse and sat +regarding that gay company both bitterly and scornfully (albeit at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +moment he knew not the Queen who she was). Then after a little he said: +"What party of jesters are ye, and what is this foolish sport ye are at?"</p> + +<p>Then Sir Kay the Seneschal spake up very sternly and said: "Sir Knight, +it behooves you to be more civil in your address. Do you not perceive that +this is the Queen and her court before whom you stand and unto whom +you are speaking?"</p> + +<p>Then Sir Mellegrans knew the Queen and was filled with great triumph +to find her thus, surrounded only with a court of knights altogether unarmed. +Wherefore he cried out in a great voice: "Hah! lady, now I do +know thee! Is it thus that I find thee and thy court? Now it appears to +me that Heaven hath surely delivered you into my hands!"</p> + +<p>To this Sir Percydes replied, speaking very fiercely: "What mean you, +Sir Knight, by those words? Do you dare to make threats to your Queen?"</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Mellegrans: "I make no threats, but I tell you this, I do not +mean to throw aside the good fortune that hath thus been placed in my +hands. For here I find you all undefended and in my power, wherefore I +forthwith seize upon you for to take you to my castle and hold you there as +hostages until such time as King Arthur shall make right the great wrong +which he hath done me aforetime and shall return to me those forest lands +which he hath taken from me to give unto another. So if you go with me +in peace, it shall be well for you, but if you go not in peace it shall be ill for +you."</p> + +<p>Then all the ladies that were of the Queen's court were seized with great +terror, for Sir Mellegrans's tones and the aspect of his face were very fierce +and baleful; but Queen Guinevere, albeit her face was like to wax for whiteness, +spake with a great deal of courage and much anger, saying: "Wilt +thou be a traitor to thy King, Sir Knight? Wilt thou dare to do violence +to me and my court within the very sight of the roofs of King Arthur's +town?"</p> + +<p>"Lady," said Sir Mellegrans, "thou hast said what I will to do."</p> + +<p>At this Sir Percydes drew his sword and said: "Sir Knight, this shall not +be! Thou shalt not have thy will in this while I have any life in my body!"</p> + +<p>Then all those other gentlemen drew their swords also, and one and all +spake to the same purpose, saying: "Sir Percydes hath spoken; sooner +would we die than suffer that affront to the Queen."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Sir Mellegrans, speaking very bitterly, "if ye will it that ye +who are naked shall do battle with us who are armed, then let it be even as +ye elect. So keep this lady from me if ye are able, for I will herewith seize +upon you all, maugre anything that you may do to stay me."</p> + +<p>Then those ten unarmed knights of the Queen and their attendants made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +them ready for battle. And when Sir Mellegrans beheld what was their +will, he gave command that his men should make them ready for battle +upon their part, and they did so.</p> + +<p>Then in a moment all that pleasant May-party was changed to +dreadful and bloody uproar; for men lashed fiercely at men with sword and +glaive, and the Queen and her ladies shrieked and clung in terror together +in the midst of that party of knights who were fighting for them.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the battle +with the party +of Sir Mellegrans.</i></div> + +<p>And for a long time those ten unarmed worthies fought against the armed +men as one to ten, and for a long time no one could tell how that battle +would end. For the ten men smote the others down from their +horses upon all sides, wherefore, for a while, it looked as though +the victory should be with them. But they could not shield +themselves from the blows of their enemies, being unarmed, +wherefore they were soon wounded in many places, and what with loss of +blood and what with stress of fighting a few against many without any +rest, they presently began to wax weak and faint. Then at last Sir Kay fell +down to the earth and then Sir Sagramour and then Sir Agravaine and Sir +Dodinas and then Sir Ladynas and Sir Osanna and Sir Persavant, so that +all who were left standing upon their feet were Sir Brandiles and Sir Ironside +and Sir Percydes.</p> + +<p>But still these three set themselves back to back and thus fought on in +that woful battle. And still they lashed about them so fiercely with their +swords that the terror of this battle filled their enemies with fear, insomuch +that those who were near them fell back after a while to escape the dreadful +strokes they gave.</p> + +<p>So came a pause in the battle and all stood at rest. Meantime all around +on the ground were men groaning dolorously, for in that battle those ten +unarmed knights of the Round Table had smitten down thirty of their +enemies.</p> + +<p>So for a while those three stood back to back resting from their battle and +panting for breath. As for their gay attire of green, lo! it was all ensanguined +with the red that streamed from many sore and grimly wounds. +And as for those gay blossoms that had bedecked them, lo! they were all +gone, and instead there hung about them the dread and terror of a deadly +battle.</p> + +<p>Then when Queen Guinevere beheld her knights how they stood bleeding +from many wounds and panting for breath, her heart was filled with pity, +and she cried out in a great shrill voice: "Sir Mellegrans, have pity! Slay +not my noble knights! but spare them and I will go with thee as thou +wouldst have me do. Only this covenant I make with thee: suffer these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +lords and ladies of my court and all of those attendant upon us, to go with +me into captivity."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Mellegrans said: "Well, lady, it shall be as you wish, for these +men of yours fight not like men but like devils, wherefore I am glad to end +this battle for the sake of all. So bid your knights put away their swords, +and I will do likewise with my men, and so there shall be peace between us."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen +putteth an end +to the battle.</i></div> + +<p>Then, in obedience to the request of Sir Mellegrans, the Lady Guinevere +gave command that those three knights should put away their swords, and +though they all three besought her that she should suffer them +to fight still a little longer for her, she would not; so they were +obliged to sheath their swords as she ordered. After that these +three knights went to their fallen companions, and found that they were +all alive, though sorely hurt. And they searched their wounds as they lay +upon the ground, and they dressed them in such ways as might be. After +that they helped lift the wounded knights up to their horses, supporting +them there in such wise that they should not fall because of faintness from +their wounds. So they all departed, a doleful company, from that place, +which was now no longer a meadow of pleasure, but a field of bloody battle +and of death.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Thus beginneth this history.</p> + +<p>And now you shall hear that part of this story which is called in many +books of chivalry, "The Story of the Knight of the Cart."</p> + +<p>For the further history hath now to do with Sir Launcelot of the Lake, +and of how he came to achieve the rescue of Queen Guinevere, brought +thither in a cart.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0021.png" width="250" height="143" alt="Woman's head" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> +<h2>PART I<br /> +The Chevalier of the Cart<br /><br /></h2> + + +<p><i>Here followeth the story of Sir Launcelot of the Lake, how he went +forth to rescue Queen Guinevere from that peril in which she lay at +the castle of Sir Mellegrans. Likewise it is told how he met with a very untoward +adventure, so that he was obliged to ride to his undertaking in a cart as +aforesaid.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 418px;"> +<img src="images/s0023.png" width="418" height="600" alt="Denneys and the Hermit help +Sir Launcelot to his armor." title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0024.png" width="600" height="311" alt="Man on horse" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter First</h3> + +<p><i>How Denneys Found Sir Launcelot, and How Sir Launcelot Rode +Forth for to Rescue Queen Guinevere from the Castle of Sir +Mellegrans, and of What Befell him upon the Assaying of that +Adventure.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Now after that sad and sorrowful company of the Queen had thus +been led away captive by Sir Mellegrans as aforetold of, they rode +forward upon their way for all that day. And they continued to +ride after the night had fallen, and at that time they were passing through +a deep dark forest. From this forest, about midnight, they came out into +an open stony place whence before them they beheld where was built high +up upon a steep hill a grim and forbidding castle, standing very dark against +the star-lit sky. And behind the castle there was a town with a number +of lights and a bell was tolling for midnight in the town. And this town +and castle were the town and the castle of Sir Mellegrans.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Denneys escaped.</i></div> + +<p>Now the Queen had riding near to her throughout that doleful journey +a young page named Denneys, and as they had ridden upon their way, she +had taken occasion at one place to whisper to him: "Denneys, if thou canst +find a chance of escape, do so, and take news of our plight to some one who +may rescue us." So it befel that just as they came out thus +into that stony place, and in the confusion that arose when +they reached the steep road that led up to the castle, Denneys drew rein a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +little to one side. Then, seeing that he was unobserved, he suddenly set +spurs to his horse and rode away with might and main down the stony path +and into the forest whence they had all come, and so was gone before anybody +had gathered thought to stay him.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Mellegrans was very angry, and he rode up to the Queen and he +said: "Lady, thou hast sought to betray me! But it matters not, for thy +page shall not escape from these parts with his life, for I shall send a party +after him with command to slay him with arrows."</p> + +<p>So Sir Mellegrans did as he said; he sent several parties of armed men to +hunt the forest for the page Denneys; but Denneys escaped them all and +got safe away into the cover of the night.</p> + +<p>And after that he wandered through the dark and gloomy woodland, +not knowing whither he went, for there was no ray of light. Moreover, +the gloom was full of strange terrors, for on every side of him he heard the +movement of night creatures stirring in the darkness, and he wist not +whether they were great or little or whether they were of a sort to harm +him or not to harm him.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Denneys +rideth +through the +forest.</i></div> + +<p>Yet ever he went onward until, at last, the dawn of the day came shining +very faint and dim through the tops of the trees. And then, by and by, +and after a little, he began to see the things about him, very faint, as +though they were ghosts growing out of the darkness. Then +the small fowl awoke, and first one began to chirp and then +another, until a multitude of the little feathered creatures fell +to singing upon all sides so that the silence of the forest was +filled full of their multitudinous chanting. And all the while the light +grew stronger and stronger and more clear and sharp until, by and by, the +great and splendid sun leaped up into the sky and shot his shafts of gold +aslant through the trembling leaves of the trees; and so all the joyous world +was awake once more to the fresh and dewy miracle of a new-born day.</p> + +<p>So cometh the breaking of the day in the woodlands as I have told you, +and all this Denneys saw, albeit he thought but little of what he beheld. +For all he cared for at that time was to escape out of the thick mazes of the +forest in which he knew himself to be entangled. Moreover, he was faint +with weariness and hunger, and wist not where he might break his fast or +where he could find a place to tarry and to repose himself for a little.</p> + +<p>But God had care of little Denneys and found him food, for by and by +he came to an open space in the forest, where there was a neatherd's hut, +and that was a very pleasant place. For here a brook as clear as crystal +came brawling out of the forest and ran smoothly across an open lawn of +bright green grass; and there was a hedgerow and several apple-trees, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +both the hedge and the apple-trees were abloom with fragrant blossoms. +And the thatched hut of the neatherd stood back under two great oak-trees +at the edge of the forest, where the sunlight played in spots of gold all over +the face of the dwelling.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Denneys +findeth +food.</i></div> + +<p>So the Queen's page beheld the hut and he rode forward with intent to +beg for bread, and at his coming there appeared a comely woman of the +forest at the door and asked him what he would have. To her Denneys +told how he was lost in the forest and how he was anhungered. And whilst +he talked there came a slim brown girl, also of the woodland, and very wild, +and she stood behind the woman and listened to what he said. This woman +and this girl pitied Denneys, and the woman gave command +that the girl should give him a draught of fresh milk, and the +maiden did so, bringing it to him in a great wooden bowl. +Meanwhile, the woman herself fetched sweet brown bread spread with butter +as yellow as gold, and Denneys took it and gave them both thanks beyond +measure. So he ate and drank with great appetite, the whiles those two +outland folk stood gazing at him, wondering at his fair young face and his +yellow hair.</p> + +<p>After that, Denneys journeyed on for the entire day, until the light began +to wane once more. The sun set; the day faded into the silence of the +gloaming and then the gloaming darkened, deeper and more deep, until +Denneys was engulfed once more in the blackness of the night-time.</p> + +<p>Then lo! God succored him again, for as the darkness fell, he heard the +sound of a little bell ringing through the gathering night. Thitherward he +turned his horse whence he heard the sound to come, and so in a little he +perceived a light shining from afar, and when he had come nigh enough to +that light he was aware that he had come to the chapel of a hermit of the +forest and that the light that he beheld came from within the hermit's +dwelling-place.</p> + +<p>As Denneys drew nigh to the chapel and the hut a great horse neighed from +a cabin close by, and therewith he was aware that some other wayfarer was +there, and that he should have comradeship—and at that his heart was +elated with gladness.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Denneys +cometh to the +chapel of the +hermit.</i></div> + +<p>So he rode up to the door of the hut and knocked, and in answer to his +knocking there came one and opened to him, and that one was +a most reverend hermit with a long beard as white as snow +and a face very calm and gentle and covered all over with a +great multitude of wrinkles.</p> + +<p>(And this was the hermit of the forest several times spoken of aforetime +in these histories.)<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the hermit beheld before him that young lad, all haggard and worn and +faint and sick with weariness and travel and hunger, he took great pity and ran +to him and catched him in his arms and lifted him down from his horse and +bare him into the hermitage, and sat him down upon a bench that was there.</p> + +<p>Denneys said: "Give me to eat and to drink, for I am faint to death." +And the hermit said, "You shall have food upon the moment," and he +went to fetch it.</p> + +<p>Then Denneys gazed about him with heavy eyes, and was aware that +there was another in the hut besides himself. And then he heard a voice +speak his name with great wonderment, saying: "Denneys, is it then thou +who hast come here at this time? What ails thee? Lo! I knew thee not +when I first beheld thee enter."</p> + +<p>Then Denneys lifted up his eyes, and he beheld that it was Sir Launcelot +of the Lake who spoke to him thus in the hut of the hermit.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Denneys findeth +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>At that, and seeing who it was who spake to him, Denneys leaped up and +ran to Sir Launcelot and fell down upon his knees before him. +And he embraced Sir Launcelot about the knees, weeping beyond +measure because of the many troubles through which he had passed.</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot said: "Denneys, what is it ails thee? Where is the Queen, +and how came you here at this place and at this hour? Why look you so +distraught, and why are you so stained with blood?"</p> + +<p>Then Denneys, still weeping, told Sir Launcelot all that had befallen, and +how that the Lady Guinevere was prisoner in the castle of Sir Mellegrans +somewhere in the midst of that forest.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +rides forth to +save the +Queen.</i></div> + +<p>But when Sir Launcelot heard what Denneys said, he arose very hastily +and he cried out, "How is this! How is this!" and he cried out again very +vehemently: "Help me to mine armor and let me go hence!" +(for Sir Launcelot had laid aside his armor whilst he rested in +the hut of the hermit).</p> + +<p>At that moment the hermit came in, bringing food for Denneys +to eat, and hearing what Sir Launcelot said, he would have persuaded +him to abide there until the morrow and until he could see his way. But +Sir Launcelot would listen to nothing that might stay him. So Denneys +and the hermit helped him don his armor, and after that Sir Launcelot +mounted his war-horse and rode away into the blackness of the night.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot rode as best he might through the darkness of the forest, +and he rode all night, and shortly after the dawning of the day he heard the +sound of rushing water.</p> + +<p>So he followed a path that led to this water and by and by he came to an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +open space very stony and rough. And he saw that here was a great torrent +of water that came roaring down from the hills very violent and turbid and +covered all over with foam like to cream. And he beheld that there was a +bridge of stone that spanned the torrent and that upon the farther side of +the bridge was a considerable body of men-at-arms all in full armor. And +he beheld that there were at least five-and-twenty of these men, and that +chief among them was a man clad in green armor.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot rode out upon the bridge and he called to those armed +men: "Can you tell me whether this way leads to the castle of Sir Mellegrans?"</p> + +<p>They say to him: "Who are you, Sir Knight?"</p> + +<p>"I am one," quoth Sir Launcelot, "who seeks the castle of Sir Mellegrans. +For that knight hath violently seized upon the person of the Lady +Guinevere and of certain of her court, and he now holds her and them captive +and in duress. I am one who hath come to rescue that lady and her +court from their distress and anxiety."</p> + +<p>Upon this the Green Knight, who was the chief of that party, came a +little nearer to Sir Launcelot, and said: "Messire, are you Sir Launcelot of +the Lake?" Sir Launcelot said: "Yea, I am he." "Then," said the Green +Knight, "you can go no farther upon this pass, for you are to know that we +are the people of Sir Mellegrans, and that we are here to stay you or any +of your fellows from going forward upon this way."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot laughed, and he said: "Messire, how will you stay +me against my will?" The Green Knight said: "We will stay you by force +of our numbers." "Well," quoth Sir Launcelot, "for the matter of that, +I have made my way against greater odds than those I now see before me. +So your peril will be of your own devising, if you seek to stay me."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Launcelot +assailed his +enemies.</i> </div> + +<p>Therewith he cast aside his spear and drew his sword, and set spurs to +his horse and rode forward against them. And he rode straight +in amongst them with great violence, lashing right and left +with his sword, so that at every stroke a man fell down from +out of his saddle. So fierce and direful were the blows that +Sir Launcelot delivered that the terror of his rage fell upon them, wherefore, +after a while, they fell away from before him, and left him standing +alone in the centre of the way.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot, +his horse is +slain.</i></div> + +<p>Now there were a number of the archers of Sir Mellegrans lying hidden +in the rocks at the sides of that pass. These, seeing how that battle was +going and that Sir Launcelot had driven back their companions, straightway +fitted arrows to their bows and began shooting at the horse of Sir Launcelot. +Against these archers Sir Launcelot could in no wise defend his horse,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +wherefore the steed was presently sorely wounded and began plunging and +snorting in pain so that Sir Launcelot could hardly hold him in check. And +still the archers shot arrow after arrow until by and by the life +began to go out of the horse. Then after a while the good steed +fell down upon his knees and rolled over into the dust; for he +was so sorely wounded that he could no longer stand.</p> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot did not fall, but voided his saddle with great skill and +address, so that he kept his feet, wherefore his enemies were not able to take +him at such disadvantage as they would have over a fallen knight who lay +upon the ground.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot stood there in the midst of the way at the end of the +bridge, and he waved his sword this way and that way before him so that +not one of those, his enemies, dared to come nigh to him. For the terror +of him still lay upon them all and they dreaded those buffets he had given +them in the battle they had just fought with him.</p> + +<p>Wherefore they stood at a considerable distance regarding Sir Launcelot +and not daring to come nigh to him; and they stood so for a long time. And +although the Green Knight commanded them to fight, they would not fight +any more against Sir Launcelot, so the Green Knight had to give orders for +them to cease that battle and to depart from that place. This they did, +leaving Sir Launcelot standing where he was.</p> + +<p>Thus Sir Launcelot with his single arm won a battle against all that multitude +of enemies as I have told.</p> + +<p>But though Sir Launcelot had thus won that pass with great credit and +honor to himself, fighting as a single man against so many, yet he was still in +a very sorry plight. For there he stood, a full-armed man with such a great +weight of armor upon him that he could hardly hope to walk a league, far +less to reach the castle of Sir Mellegrans afoot. Nor knew he what to do in +this extremity, for where could he hope to find a horse in that thick forest, +where was hardly a man or a beast of any sort? Wherefore, although he +had won his battle, he was yet in no ease or satisfaction of spirit.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Thus it was that Sir Launcelot went upon that adventure; and now you +shall hear how it sped with him further, if so be you are pleased to read that +which followeth.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0029.png" width="250" height="126" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 414px;"> +<img src="images/s0031.png" width="414" height="600" alt="How Sir Launcelot rode +errant in a cart." title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0032.png" width="600" height="77" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Second</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Launcelot rode in a cart to rescue Queen Guinevere and +how he came in that way to the castle of Sir Mellegrans.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Now after Sir Launcelot was thus left by his enemies standing alone +in the road as aforetold of, he knew not for a while what to do, +nor how he should be able to get him away from that place.</p> + +<p>As he stood there adoubt as to what to do in this sorry case, he by and by +heard upon one side from out of the forest the sound of an axe at a distance +away, and thereat he was very glad, for he wist that help was nigh. So he +took up his shield on his shoulder and his spear in his hand and thereupon +directed his steps toward where he heard that sound of the axe, in hopes +that there he might find some one who could aid in his extremity. So after +a while, he came forth into a little open glade of the forest where he beheld a +fagotmaker chopping fagots. And he beheld the fagotmaker had there a +cart and a horse for to fetch his fagots from the forest.</p> + +<p>But when the fagotmaker saw an armed knight come thus like a shining +vision out of the forest, walking afoot, bearing his shield upon his shoulder, +and his spear in his hand, he knew not what to think of such a sight, but +stood staring with his mouth agape for wonders.</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot said to him, "Good fellow, is that thy cart?" The fagotmaker +said, "Yea, Messire." "I would," quoth Sir Launcelot, "have thee +do me a service with that cart," and the fagotmaker asked, "What is the +service that thou wouldst have of me, Messire?" Sir Launcelot said: "This +is the service I would have: it is that you take me into yonder cart and hale +me to somewhere I may get a horse for to ride; for mine own horse hath just +now been slain in battle, and I know not how I may go forward upon the +adventure I have undertaken unless I get me another horse."</p> + +<p>Now you must know that in those days it was not thought worthy of any +one of degree to ride in a cart in that wise as Sir Launcelot said, for they +would take law-breakers to the gallows in just such carts as that one in +which Sir Launcelot made demand to ride. Wherefore it was that that poor +fagotmaker knew not what to think when he heard Sir Launcelot give com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>mand +that he should be taken to ride in that cart. "Messire," quoth he, +"this cart is no fit thing for one of your quality to ride in. Now I beseech +you let me serve you in some other way than that."</p> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot made reply as follows: "Sirrah, I would have thee +know that there is no shame in riding in a cart for a worthy purpose, but +there is great shame if one rides therein unworthily. And contrariwise, a +man doth not gain credit merely for riding on horseback, for his credit appertains +to his conduct, and not to what manner he rideth. So as my purpose +is worthy, I shall, certes, be unworthy if I go not to fulfil that purpose, +even if in so going I travel in thy poor cart. So do as I bid thee and make +thy cart ready, and if thou wilt bring me in it to where I may get a fresh +horse, I will give thee five pieces of gold money for thy service."</p> + +<p>Now when the fagotmaker heard what Sir Launcelot said about the five +pieces of gold money, he was very joyful, wherefore he ran to make ready +his cart with all speed. And when the cart was made ready, Sir Launcelot +entered into it with his shield and his spear.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +rideth in a +cart.</i></div> + +<p>So it was that Sir Launcelot of the Lake came to ride errant in a cart, +wherefore, for a long time after, he was called the Chevalier of +the Cart. And many ballads and songs were made concerning +that matter, which same were sung in several courts of +chivalry by minstrels and jongleurs, and these same stories and ballads +have come down from afar to us of this very day.</p> + +<p>Meantime Sir Launcelot rode forward at a slow pass and in that way for +a great distance. So, at last, still riding in the cart, they came of a sudden +out of the forest and into a little fertile valley in the midst of which lay a +small town and a fair castle with seven towers that overlooked the town. +And this was a very fair pretty valley, for on all sides of the town and of the +castle were fields of growing corn, all green and lush, and there were many +hedgerows and orchards of fruit-trees all abloom with fragrant blossoms. +And the sound of cocks crowing came to Sir Launcelot upon a soft breeze +that blew up the valley, and on the same breeze came the fragrance of apple +blossoms, wherefore it seemed to Sir Launcelot that this valley was like a +fair jewel of heaven set in the rough perlieus of the forest that lay round +about.</p> + +<p>So the fagotmaker drove Sir Launcelot in the cart down into that valley +toward the castle, and as they drew near thereunto Sir Launcelot was aware +of a party of lords and ladies who were disporting themselves in a smooth +meadow of green grass that lay spread out beneath the castle walls. And +some of these lords and ladies tossed a ball from one to another, and others +lay in the grass in the shade of a lime-tree and watched those that played<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +at ball. Then Sir Launcelot was glad to see those gentle folk, for he thought +that here he might get him a fresh horse to take him upon his way. So he +gave command to the fagotmaker to drive to where those people were.</p> + +<p>But as Sir Launcelot, riding in the fagotmaker's cart, drew near to those +castle-folk, they ceased their play and stood and looked at him with great +astonishment, for they had never beheld an armed knight riding in a cart +in that wise. Then, in a little, they all fell to laughing beyond measure, and +at that Sir Launcelot was greatly abashed with shame.</p> + +<p>Then the lord of that castle came forward to meet Sir Launcelot. He was +a man of great dignity of demeanor—gray-haired, and clad in velvet trimmed +with fur. When he came nigh to where Sir Launcelot was, he said, speaking +as with great indignation: "Sir knight, why do you ride in this wise in a cart, +like to a law-breaker going to the gallows?"</p> + +<p>"Sir," quoth Sir Launcelot, "I ride thus because my horse was slain by +treachery. For I have an adventure which I have undertaken to perform, +and I have no other way to go forward upon that quest than this."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The lord of a +castle chideth +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Then all those who heard what Sir Launcelot said laughed again with +great mirth. Only the old lord of the castle did not laugh, +but said, still speaking as with indignation: "Sir Knight, it is +altogether unworthy of one of your degree to ride thus in a cart +to be made a mock of. Wherefore come down, and if you prove yourself +worthy I myself will purvey you a horse."</p> + +<p>But by this time Sir Launcelot had become greatly affronted at the +laughter of those who jeered at him, and he was furthermore affronted that +the lord of the castle should deem him to be unworthy because he came +thither in a cart; wherefore he said: "Sir, without boasting, methinks I may +say that I am altogether as worthy as any one hereabouts. Nor do I think +that any one of you all has done more worthily in his degree than I have done +in my degree. As for any lack of worship that may befall me for riding thus, +I may say that the adventure which I have undertaken just now to perform +is in itself so worthy that it will make worthy any man who may undertake +it, no matter how he may ride to that adventure. Now I had thought to +ask of you a fresh horse, but since your people mock at me and since you +rebuke me so discourteously, I will ask you for nothing. Wherefore, to show +you that knightly worthiness does not depend upon the way a knight may +ride, I herewith make my vow that I will not mount upon horseback until my +quest is achieved; nor will I ride to that adventure in any other way than in +this poor cart wherein I now stand."</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot rode away in his cart from those castle-folk. And he +rode thus down into the valley and through the town that was in the valley<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +in the fagotmaker's cart, and all who beheld him laughed at him and +mocked him. For, as he passed along the way, many came and looked +down upon him from out of the windows of the houses; and others ran along +beside the cart and all laughed and jeered at him to see him thus riding in +a cart as though to a hanging. But all this Sir Launcelot bore with great +calmness of demeanor, both because of his pride and because of the vow that +he had made. Wherefore he continued to ride in that cart although he +might easily have got him a fresh horse from the lord of the castle.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now turn we to the castle of Sir Mellegrans, where Queen Guinevere and +her court were held prisoners.</p> + +<p>First of all you are to know that that part of the castle wherein she and +her court were held overlooked the road which led up to the gate of the +castle. Wherefore it came about that one of the damsels of the Queen, +looking out of the window of the chamber wherein the Queen was held +prisoner, beheld a knight armed at all points, coming riding thitherward +in a cart. Beholding this sight, she fell to laughing, whereat the Queen +said, "What is it you laugh at?" That damsel cried out: "Lady, Lady, +look, see! What a strange sight! Yonder is a knight riding in a cart as +though he were upon his way to a hanging!"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen +beholds Sir +Launcelot +riding in a +cart.</i></div> + +<p>Then Queen Guinevere came to the window and looked out, and several +came and looked out also. At first none of them wist who it +was that rode in that cart. But when the cart had come a little +nearer to where they were, the Queen knew who he was, for she +beheld the device upon the shield, even from afar, and she +knew that the knight was Sir Launcelot. Then the Queen turned to the +damsel and said to her: "You laugh without knowing what it is you laugh +at. Yonder gentleman is no subject for a jest, for he is without any doubt +the worthiest knight of any who ever wore golden spurs."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percydes +is offended +with Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Now amongst those who stood there looking out of the window were Sir +Percydes and Sir Brandiles and Sir Ironside, and in a little Sir Percydes also +saw the device of Sir Launcelot and therewith knew who it was who rode in +the cart. But when Sir Percydes knew that that knight was Sir Launcelot, +he was greatly offended that he, who was the chiefest knight of the Round +Table, should ride in a cart in that wise. So Sir Percydes said to the Queen: +"Lady, I believe yonder knight is none other than Sir Launcelot +of the Lake." And Queen Guinevere said, "It is assuredly +he." Sir Percydes said: "Then I take it to be a great shame +that the chiefest knight of the Round Table should ride +so in a cart as though he were a felon law-breaker. For the world will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +assuredly hear of this and it will be made a jest in every court of chivalry. +And all we who are his companions in arms and who are his brethren of the +Round Table will be made a jest and a laughing-stock along with him."</p> + +<p>Thus spake Sir Percydes, and the other knights who were there and all the +ladies who were there agreed with him that it was great shame for Sir +Launcelot to come thus to save the Queen, riding in a cart.</p> + +<p>But the Queen said: "Messires and ladies, I take no care for the manner +in which Sir Launcelot cometh, for I believe he cometh for to rescue us +from this captivity, and if so be he is successful in that undertaking, then it +will not matter how he cometh to perform so worthy a deed of knighthood +as that."</p> + +<p>Thus all they were put to silence by the Queen's words; but nevertheless +and afterward those knights who were there still held amongst themselves +that it was great shame for Sir Launcelot to come thus in a cart to rescue the +Queen, instead of first getting for himself a horse whereon to ride as became +a knight-errant of worthiness and respect.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now you are to know that the Green Knight, who was the head of that +party that tried to stand against Sir Launcelot at the bridge as aforesaid, +when he beheld that the horse of Sir Launcelot was shot, rode away from +the place of battle with his men, and that he never stopped nor stayed +until he had reached the castle of Sir Mellegrans. There coming, he went +straightway to where Sir Mellegrans was and told Sir Mellegrans all that had +befallen, and how that Sir Launcelot had overcome them all with his single +hand at the bridge of the torrent. And he told Sir Mellegrans that haply +Sir Launcelot would be coming to that place before a very great while had +passed, although he had been delayed because his horse had been slain.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mellegrans +feareth +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>At that Sir Mellegrans was put to great anxiety, for he also knew that Sir +Launcelot would be likely to be at that place before a very great +while, and he wist that there would be great trouble for him +when that should come to pass. So he began to cast about +very busily in his mind for some scheme whereby he might destroy Sir +Launcelot. And at last he hit upon a scheme; and that scheme was unworthy +of him both as a knight and as a gentleman.</p> + +<p>So when news was brought to Sir Mellegrans that Sir Launcelot was there +in front of the castle in a cart, Sir Mellegrans went down to the barbican of +the castle and looked out of a window of the barbican and beheld Sir +Launcelot where he stood in the cart before the gate of the castle. And Sir +Mellegrans said, "Sir Launcelot, is it thou who art there in the cart?"</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot replied: "Yea, thou traitor knight, it is I, and I come to tell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +thee thou shalt not escape my vengeance either now or at some other +time unless thou set free the Queen and all her court and make due +reparation to her and to them and to me for all the harm you have wrought +upon us."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mellegrans +speaketh +to Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>To this Sir Mellegrans spake in a very soft and humble tone of voice, saying: +"Messire, I have taken much thought, and I now much repent me of all +that I have done. For though my provocation hath been great, yet I have +done extremely ill in all this that hath happened, so I am of a +mind to make reparation for what I have done. Yet I know +not how to make such reparation without bringing ruin upon +myself. If thou wilt intercede with me before the Queen in +this matter, I will let thee into this castle and I myself will take thee to her +where she is. And after I have been forgiven what I have done, then ye +shall all go free, and I will undertake to deliver myself unto the mercy of +King Arthur and will render all duty unto him."</p> + +<p>At this repentance of Sir Mellegrans Sir Launcelot was very greatly +astonished. But yet he was much adoubt as to the true faith of that +knight; wherefore he said: "Sir Knight, how may I know that that which +thou art telling me is the truth?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said Sir Mellegrans, "it is small wonder, I dare say, that thou +hast doubt of my word. But I will prove my faith to thee in this: I will +come to thee unarmed as I am at this present, and I will admit thee into my +castle, and I will lead thee to the Queen. And as thou art armed and I am +unarmed, thou mayest easily slay me if so be thou seest that I make any +sign of betraying thee."</p> + +<p>But still Sir Launcelot was greatly adoubt, and wist not what to think of +that which Sir Mellegrans said. But after a while, and after he had considered +the matter for a space, he said: "If all this that thou tellest me is +true, Sir Knight, then come down and let me into this castle as thou hast +promised to do, for I will venture that much upon thy faith. But if I +see that thou hast a mind to deal falsely by me, then I will indeed slay +thee as thou hast given me leave to do." And Sir Mellegrans said, "I am +content."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mellegrans +kneels +to Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Mellegrans went down from where he was and he gave command +that the gates of the castle should be opened. And when the +gates were opened he went forth to where Sir Launcelot was. +And Sir Launcelot descended from the fagotmaker's cart, +and Sir Mellegrans kneeled down before him, and he set his +palms together and he said, "Sir Launcelot, I crave thy pardon for what I +have done."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot said: "Sir Knight, if indeed thou meanest no further +treachery, thou hast my pardon and I will also intercede with the Queen to +pardon thee as well. So take me straightway to her, for until I behold +her with mine own eyes I cannot believe altogether in thy repentance." +Then Sir Mellegrans arose and said, "Come, and I will take thee to her."</p> + +<p>So Sir Mellegrans led the way into the castle and Sir Launcelot followed +after him with his naked sword in his hand. And Sir Mellegrans led the +way deep into the castle and along several passageways and still Sir Launcelot +followed after him with his drawn sword, ready for to slay him if he +should show sign of treason.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +falleth into +the pit.</i></div> + +<p>Now there was in a certain part of that castle and in the midst of a long +passageway a trap-door that opened through the floor of the passageway +and so into a deep and gloomy pit beneath. And this trap-door was controlled +by a cunning latch of which Sir Mellegrans alone knew the secret; +for when Sir Mellegrans would touch the latch with his finger, the trap-door +would immediately fall open into the pit beneath. So thitherward to that +place Sir Mellegrans led the way and Sir Launcelot followed. And Sir +Mellegrans passed over that trap-door in safety, but when Sir Launcelot had +stepped upon the trap-door, Sir Mellegrans touched the spring that controlled +the latch with his finger, and the trap-door immediately opened +beneath Sir Launcelot and Sir Launcelot fell down into the +pit beneath. And the pit was very deep indeed and the floor +thereof was of stone, so that when Sir Launcelot fell he smote the stone +floor so violently that he was altogether bereft of his senses and lay there +in the pit like to one who was dead.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Mellegrans came back to the open space of the trap-door and he +looked down into the pit beneath and beheld Sir Launcelot where he lay. +Thereupon Sir Mellegrans laughed and he cried out, "Sir Launcelot, what +cheer have you now?" But Sir Launcelot answered not.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Mellegrans laughed again, and he closed the trap-door and went +away, and he said to himself: "Now indeed have I such hostages in my +keeping that King Arthur must needs set right this wrong he hath aforetime +done me. For I now have in my keeping not only his Queen, but also the +foremost knight of his Round Table; wherefore King Arthur must needs +come to me to make such terms with me as I shall determine."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>As for Queen Guinevere, she waited with her court for a long time for +news of Sir Launcelot, for she wist that now Sir Launcelot was there at that +place she must needs have news of him sooner or later. But no news came +to her; wherefore, as time passed by, she took great trouble because she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +had no news, and she said: "Alas, if ill should have befallen that good worthy +knight at the hands of the treacherous lord of this castle!"</p> + +<p>But she knew not how great at that very time was the ill into which Sir +Launcelot had fallen, nor of how he was even then lying like as one dead in +the pit beneath the floor of the passageway.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0039.png" width="250" height="127" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 418px;"> +<img src="images/s0041.png" width="418" height="600" alt="The Damsel Elouise the Fair +rescues Sir Launcelot" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0042.png" width="600" height="76" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Third</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Launcelot was rescued from the pit and how he overcame +Sir Mellegrans and set free the Queen and her court from the +duress they were in.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Now when Sir Launcelot awoke from that swoon into which he was +cast by falling so violently into the pit, he found himself to be in a +very sad, miserable case. For he lay there upon the hard stones +of the floor and all about him there was a darkness so great that there was +not a single ray of light that penetrated into it.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +lyeth in +the pit.</i></div> + +<p>So for a while Sir Launcelot knew not where he was; but by and by he +remembered that he was in the castle of Sir Mellegrans, and he remembered +all that had befallen him, and therewith, when he knew himself +to be a prisoner in so miserable a condition, he groaned with +dolor and distress, for he was at that time in great pain both +of mind and body. Then he cried out in a very mournful voice: "Woe is +me that I should have placed any faith in a traitor such as this knight hath +from the very beginning shown himself to be! For here am I now cast +into this dismal prison, and know not how I shall escape from it to bring +succor to those who so greatly need my aid at this moment."</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot bemoaned and lamented himself, but no one heard him, +for he was there all alone in that miserable dungeon and in a darkness into +which no ray of light could penetrate.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot bent his mind to think of how he might escape from +that place, but though he thought much, yet he could not devise any way +in which he might mend the evil case in which he found himself; wherefore +he was altogether overwhelmed with despair. And by that time it had +grown to be about the dead of the night.</p> + +<p>Now as Sir Launcelot lay there in such despair of spirit as aforetold of, he +was suddenly aware that there came a gleam of light shining in a certain +place, and he was aware the light grew ever brighter and brighter and he +beheld that it came through the cracks of a door. And by and by he heard +the sound of keys from without and immediately afterward the door opened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +and there entered into that place a damsel bearing a lighted lamp in her +hand.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elouise findeth +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>At first Sir Launcelot knew not who she was, and then he knew her and lo! +that damsel was the Lady Elouise the Fair, the daughter of King +Bagdemagus and sister unto Sir Mellegrans; and she was the +same who had aforetime rescued him when he had been prisoner +to Queen Morgana le Fay, as hath been told you in a former book of +this history.</p> + +<p>So Elouise the Fair came into that dismal place, bringing with her the +lighted lamp, and Sir Launcelot beheld that her eyes were red with weeping. +Then Sir Launcelot, beholding that she had been thus weeping, said: +"Lady, what is it that ails you? Is there aught that I can do for to comfort +you?" To this she said naught, but came to where Sir Launcelot +was and looked at him for a long while. By and by she said: "Woe is me +to find thee thus, Sir Launcelot! And woe is me that it should have been +mine own brother that should have brought thee to this pass!"</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot was much moved to see her so mournful and he said: "Lady, +take comfort to thyself, for whatever evil thing Sir Mellegrans may have +done to me, naught of reproach or blame can fall thereby upon thee, for I +shall never cease to remember how thou didst one time save me from a very +grievous captivity."</p> + +<p>The Lady Elouise said: "Launcelot, I cannot bear to see so noble a knight +as thou art lying thus in duress. So it is that I come hither to aid thee. +Now if I set thee free wilt thou upon thy part show mercy unto my brother +for my sake?"</p> + +<p>"Lady," said Sir Launcelot, "this is a hard case thou puttest to me, for +I would do much for thy sake. But I would have thee wist that it is my +endeavor to help in my small way to punish evil-doers so that the world +may be made better by that punishment. Wherefore because this knight +hath dealt so treacherously with my lady the Queen, so it must needs be that +I must seek to punish him if ever I can escape from this place. But if it +so befalls that I do escape, this much mercy will I show to Sir Mellegrans +for thy sake: I will meet him in fair field, as one knight may meet another +knight in that wise. And I will show him such courtesy as one knight +may show another in time of battle. Such mercy will I show thy brother +and meseems that is all that may rightly be asked of me."</p> + +<p>Then Elouise the Fair began weeping afresh, and she said: "Alas, Launcelot! +I fear me that my brother will perish at thy hands if so be that it +cometh to a battle betwixt you twain. And how could I bear it to have +my brother perish in that way and at thy hands?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Lady," said Sir Launcelot, "the fate of battle lyeth ever in God His +hands and not in the hands of men. It may befall any man to die who +doeth battle, and such a fate may be mine as well as thy brother's. So do +thou take courage, for whilst I may not pledge myself to avoid an ordeal of +battle with Sir Mellegrans, yet it may be his good hap that he may live and +that I may die."</p> + +<p>"Alas, Launcelot," quoth the Fair Elouise, "and dost thou think that it +would be any comfort to me to have thee die at the hands of mine own +brother? That is but poor comfort to me who am the sister of this miserable +man. Yet let it be as it may hap, I cannot find it in my heart to let thee +lie here in this place, for thou wilt assuredly die in this dark and miserable +dungeon if I do not aid thee. So once more will I set thee free as I did aforetime +when thou wast captive to Queen Morgana le Fay, and I will do my +duty by thee as the daughter of a king and the daughter of a true knight +may do. As to that which shall afterward befall, that will I trust to the +mercy of God to see that it shall all happen as He shall deem best."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elouise bringeth +Sir Launcelot out +of a pit.</i></div> + +<p>So saying, the damsel Elouise the Fair bade Sir Launcelot to arise and to +follow her, and he did so. And she led him out from that place +and up a long flight of steps and so to a fair large chamber +that was high up in a tower of the castle and under the eaves +of the roof. And Sir Launcelot beheld that everything was +here prepared for his coming; for there was a table at that place set with +bread and meat and with several flagons of wine for his refreshment. And +there was in that place a silver ewer full of cold, clear water, and that +there was a basin of silver, and that there were several napkins of fine +linen such as are prepared for knights to dry their hands upon. All these +had been prepared for him against his coming, and at that sight he was +greatly uplifted with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot bathed his face and his hands in the water and he dried +them upon the napkins. And he sat him down at the table and he ate and +drank with great appetite and the Lady Elouise the Fair served him. And +so Sir Launcelot was greatly comforted in body and in spirit by that refreshment +which she had prepared for him.</p> + +<p>Then after Sir Launcelot had thus satisfied the needs of his hunger, the +Lady Elouise led him to another room and there showed him where was a +soft couch spread with flame-colored linen and she said, "Here shalt thou rest +at ease to-night, and in the morning I shall bring thy sword and thy shield to +thee." Therewith she left Sir Launcelot to his repose and he laid him down +upon the couch and slept with great content.</p> + +<p>So he slept very soundly all that night and until the next morning, what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +time, the Lady Elouise came to him as she promised and fetched unto him +his sword and his shield. These she gave unto him, saying: "Sir Knight, +I know not whether I be doing evil or good in the sight of Heaven in thus +purveying thee with thy weapons; ne'theless, I cannot find it in my heart +to leave thee unprotected in this place without the wherewithal for to +defend thyself against thine enemies; for that would be indeed to compass +thy death for certain."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +hath his +weapons again.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot was altogether filled with joy to have his weapons +again, and he gave thanks to the Lady Elouise without measure. +And after that he hung his sword at his side and set his shield +upon his shoulder and thereupon felt fear of no man in all of +that world, whomsoever that one might be.</p> + +<p>After that, and after he had broken his fast, Sir Launcelot went forth +from out of the chamber where he had abided that night, and he went down +into the castle and into the courtyard of the castle, and every one was greatly +astonished at his coming, for they deemed him to be still a prisoner in that +dungeon into which he had fallen.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +challenges the +castle.</i></div> + +<p>So all these, when they beheld him coming, full armed and with his sword +in his hand, fled away from before the face of Sir Launcelot, +and no one undertook to stay him in his going. So Sir +Launcelot reached the courtyard of the castle, and when he +was come there he set his horn to his lips, and blew a blast that sounded +terribly loud and shrill throughout the entire place.</p> + +<p>Meantime, there was great hurrying hither and thither in the castle and +a loud outcry of many voices, and many came to the windows and looked +down into the courtyard and there beheld Sir Launcelot standing clad in +full armor, glistening very bright in the morning light of the sun.</p> + +<p>Meantime several messengers had run to where Sir Mellegrans was and +told him that Sir Launcelot had escaped out of that pit wherein he had +fallen and that he was there in the courtyard of the castle in full armor.</p> + +<p>At that Sir Mellegrans was overwhelmed with amazement, and a great +fear seized upon him and gripped at his vitals. And after a while he too +went by, to a certain place whence he could look down into the courtyard, +and there he also beheld Sir Launcelot where he stood shining in the sunlight.</p> + +<p>Now at that moment Sir Launcelot lifted up his eyes and espied Sir Mellegrans +where he was at the window of that place, and immediately he knew +Sir Mellegrans. Thereupon he cried out in a loud voice: "Sir Mellegrans, +thou traitor knight! Come down and do battle, for here I await thee to +come and meet me."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>But when Sir Mellegrans heard those words he withdrew very hastily +from the window where he was, and he went away in great terror to a +certain room where he might be alone. For beholding Sir Launcelot thus +free of that dungeon from which he had escaped he knew not what to do +to flee from his wrath. Wherefore he said to himself: "Fool that I was, to +bring this knight into my castle, when I might have kept him outside as +long as I chose to do so! What now shall I do to escape from his vengeance?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mellegrans +taketh counsel.</i></div> + +<p>So after a while Sir Mellegrans sent for several of his knights and he took +counsel of them as to what he should do in this pass. These say to him: +"Messire, you yourself to fulfil your schemes have brought +yonder knight into this place, when God knows he could not +have come in of his own free will. So now that he is here, it behooves you +to go and arm yourself at all points and to go down to the courtyard, there +to meet him and to do battle with him. For only by overcoming him can +you hope to escape his vengeance."</p> + +<p>But Sir Mellegrans feared Sir Launcelot with all his heart, wherefore he +said: "Nay, I will not go down to yonder knight. For wit ye he is the +greatest knight alive, and if I go to do battle with him, it will be of a surety +that I go to my death. Wherefore, I will not go."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Mellegrans called a messenger to him and he said: "Go down to +yonder knight in the courtyard and tell him that I will not do battle with +him."</p> + +<p>So the messenger went to Sir Launcelot and delivered that message to +him. But when Sir Launcelot heard what it was that the messenger said +to him from Sir Mellegrans, he laughed with great scorn. Then he said to +the messenger, "Doth the knight of this castle fear to meet me?" The +messenger said, "Yea, Messire." Sir Launcelot said: "Then take thou this +message to him: that I will lay aside my shield and my helm and that I +will unarm all the left side of my body, and thus, half naked, will I fight him +if only he will come down and do battle with me."</p> + +<p>So saying, the messenger departed as Sir Launcelot bade, and came to Sir +Mellegrans and delivered that message to him as Sir Launcelot had said.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +offers to fight +Sir Mellegrans in +half-armor.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Mellegrans said to those who were with him: "Now I will go +down and do battle with this knight, for never will I have a better chance +of overcoming him than this." Therewith he turned to that +messenger, and he said: "Go! Hasten back to yonder knight, +and tell him that I will do battle with him upon those conditions +he offers, to wit: that he shall unarm his left side, +and that he shall lay aside his shield and his helm. And tell him that by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +the time he hath made him ready in that wise, I will be down to give him +what satisfaction I am able."</p> + +<p>So the messenger departed upon that command, and Sir Mellegrans +departed to arm himself for battle.</p> + +<p>Then, after the messenger had delivered the message that Sir Mellegrans +had given him, Sir Launcelot laid aside his shield and his helm as he had +agreed to do, and he removed his armor from his left side so that he was +altogether unarmed upon that side.</p> + +<p>After a while Sir Mellegrans appeared, clad all in armor from top to toe, +and baring himself with great confidence, for he felt well assured of victory +in that encounter. Thus he came very proudly nigh to where Sir Launcelot +was, and he said: "Here am I, Sir Knight, come to do you service since you +will have it so."</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot said: "I am ready to meet thee thus or in any other way, +so that I may come at thee at all."</p> + +<p>After that each knight dressed himself for combat, and all those who were +in the castle gathered at the windows and the galleries above, and looked +down upon the two knights.</p> + +<p>Then they two came slowly together, and when they were pretty nigh to +one another Sir Launcelot offered his left side so as to allow Sir Mellegrans +to strike at him. And when Sir Mellegrans perceived this chance, he +straightway lashed a great blow at Sir Launcelot's unarmed side with all +his might and main, and with full intent to put an end to the battle with +that one blow.</p> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot was well prepared for that stroke, wherefore he very +dexterously and quickly turned himself to one side so that he received the +blow upon the side which was armed, and at the same time he put aside +a part of the blow with his sword. So that blow came to naught.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +slayeth Sir +Mellegrans.</i></div> + +<p>But so violent was the stroke that Sir Mellegrans had lashed that he overreached +himself, and ere he could recover himself, Sir Launcelot lashed at +him a great buffet that struck him fairly upon the helm. And +then again he lashed at him ere he fell and both this stroke +of the sword and the other cut deep through the helm and +into the brain pan of Sir Mellegrans, so that he fell down upon the ground +and lay there without motion of any sort. Then Sir Launcelot stood over +him, and called to those who were near to come and look to their lord, and +thereat there came several running. These lifted Sir Mellegrans up and +removed his helmet so as to give him air to breathe. And they looked +upon his face, and lo! even then the spirit was passing from him, for he +never opened his eyes to look upon the splendor of the sun again.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then when those of the castle saw how it was with Sir Mellegrans and +that even then he was dead, they lifted up their voices with great lamentation +so that the entire castle rang presently with their outcries and +wailings.</p> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot cried out: "This knight hath brought this upon himself +because of the treason he hath done; wherefore the blame is his +own." And then he said: "Where is the porter of this castle? Go, fetch +him hither!"</p> + +<p>So in a little while the porter came, and Sir Launcelot made demand of +him: "Where is it that the Queen and her court are held prisoners? Bring +me to them, Sirrah?"</p> + +<p>Then the porter of the castle bowed down before Sir Launcelot and he +said, "Messire, I will do whatever you command me to do," for he was +overwhelmed with the terror of Sir Launcelot's wrath as he had displayed +it that day. And the porter said, "Messire, have mercy on us all and I will +take you to the Queen."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +rescueth the +Queen.</i></div> + +<p>So the porter brought Sir Launcelot to where the Queen was, and where +were those others with her. Then all these gave great joy and loud acclaim +that Sir Launcelot had rescued them out of their captivity. +And Queen Guinevere said: "What said I to you awhile since? +Did I not say that it mattered not how Sir Launcelot came +hither even if it were in a cart? For lo! though he came thus humbly and +in lowly wise, yet he hath done marvellous deeds of knightly prowess, and +hath liberated us all from our captivity."</p> + +<p>After that Sir Launcelot commanded them that they should make ready +such horses as might be needed. And he commanded that they should +fetch litters for those knights of the Queen's court who had been wounded, +and all that was done as he commanded. After that they all departed from +that place and turned their way toward Camelot and the court of the King.</p> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot did not again see that damsel Elouise the Fair, for she +kept herself close shut in her own bower and would see naught of any one because +of the grief and the shame of all that had passed. At that Sir Launcelot +took much sorrow, for he was greatly grieved that he should have brought +any trouble upon one who had been so friendly with him as she had been. +Yet he wist not how he could otherwise have done than as he did do, and he +could think of naught to comfort her.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So ends this adventure of the Knight of the Cart with only this to say: +that after that time there was much offence taken that Sir Launcelot had +gone upon that adventure riding in a cart. For many jests were made of it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +as I have said, and many of the King's court were greatly grieved that so +unworthy a thing should have happened.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>His kinsmen +chide Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>More especially were the kinsmen of Sir Launcelot offended at what he +had done. Wherefore Sir Lionel and Sir Ector came to Sir +Launcelot and Sir Ector said to him: "That was a very ill +thing you did to ride to that adventure in a cart. Now +prythee tell us why you did such a thing as that when you might easily +have got a fresh horse for to ride upon if you had chosen to do so."</p> + +<p>To this Sir Launcelot made reply with much heat: "I know not why you +should take it upon you to meddle in this affair. For that which I did, I did +of mine own free will, and it matters not to any other man. Moreover, I +deem that it matters not how I went upon that quest so that I achieved my +purpose in a knightly fashion. For I have yet to hear any one say that I +behaved in any way such as a true knight should not behave."</p> + +<p>"For the matter of that," said Sir Ector, "thy knighthood is sufficiently +attested, not only in this, but in many other affairs. But that which shames +us who are of thy blood, and they who are thy companions at arms, is that +thou shouldst have achieved thy quest in so unknightly a fashion instead +of with that dignity befitting a very worthy undertaking. For dost thou +not know that thou art now called everywhere 'The Chevalier of the Cart' +and that songs are made of this adventure and that jests are made concerning +it?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +covereth his +shield.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot was filled with great anger, and he went to his inn +and took his shield and laced a sheet of leather over the face thereof. Thereafter +he painted the leather covering of the shield a pure white +so that it might not be known what was the device thereon, +nor who was the knight who bare that shield. Then after he +had done this he armed himself and took horse and rode forth errant and +alone, betaking his way he knew not whither but suffering his horse to +wander upon whatsoever path it choose.</p> + +<p>Thus Sir Launcelot departed in anger from the court of King Arthur, and +after that, excepting one time, he was not seen in the court of the King +again for the space of two years, during which time there was much sorrow +at the court, because he was no longer there.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></div> +<h2>PART II<br /> +The Story of Sir Gareth of Orkney<br /><br /></h2> + + +<p><i>And now followeth the history of Sir Gareth of Orkney, who came unknown +to the court of his uncle, King Arthur; who was there treated with great +indignity by Sir Kay the Seneschal; who was befriended by his brother, Sir +Gawaine, and who afterward went errant with a damsel hight Lynette, meeting +whilst with her several bel-adventures which shall hereinafter be duly told of.</i></p> + +<p><i>So if you would know how it fared with that young knight, you must cease to +consider the further adventures of Sir Launcelot at this place, and must now +read of those other adventures of this youth, who was the youngest son of King +Lot and Queen Margaise of Orkney. But after they are ended, then shall the +further history of the adventures of Sir Launcelot be considered once more.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 417px;"> +<img src="images/s0051.png" width="417" height="600" alt="Sir Gareth of Orkney" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0052.png" width="600" height="317" alt="Woman and man on horses" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter First</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Gareth of Orkney came to the Castle of Kynkennedon +where King Arthur was holding court, and how it fared with +him at that place.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of Gareth of +Orkney.</i></div> + +<p>The youngest son of King Lot of Orkney and of his Queen, who was +the Lady Margaise, sister of King Arthur, was a youth hight +Gareth of Orkney. This young, noble, high-born prince was the +most beautiful of all his royal race, for not only was he exceedingly tall and +stalwart of frame—standing a full head bigger than the biggest of any at his +father's court—and not only was he the strongest and the most agile and +the most skilful at all knightly sports, and not only was he gentle in speech +and exceedingly courteous in demeanor to all with whom he held discourse, +but he was so beautiful of countenance that I do not believe that an angel +of Paradise could be more fair to look upon than he. For his hair was +bright and ruddy, shining like to pure gold, his cheeks were +red and they and his chin were covered over with a soft and +budding bloom of beard like to a dust of gold upon his face; his eyes were +blue and shining and his neck and throat were round and white like to a +pillar of alabaster.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How they of +the court praise +Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>Now King Lot and Queen Margaise loved Gareth above any of their other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +children, and so it befell that all those who dwelt at the King's court took +every occasion to praise young Gareth, both to his face and before the faces +of the King and Queen, his father and mother. For these +would sometimes say: "Lo! this youth sendeth forth such a +glory of royal beauty and grace and dignity from him that +even were he clad in fustian instead of cloth of gold yet would all the +world know him to be of royal strain as plainly as though he were clothed +in royal attire fitting for such a princely youth to wear. For, behold! +the splendor of his royalty lieth in his spirit and not in his raiment, and so +it is that it shineth forth from his countenance."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Queen Margaise +bespeaketh +Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>Now it came to pass that when Gareth was twenty years of age, his +mother, Queen Margaise, called him to her in her bower where she was +with her maidens, and she bade him to sit down beside her and he did +as she commanded, taking his place upon a couch spread with purple +cloth embroidered with silver lions whereon the Queen was sitting at +that time. Then Queen Margaise gazed long upon her beautiful son, +and her heart yearned over him with pride and glory because of his +strength and grace. And by and by she said: "My son, now that thou +hast reached to the fulness of thy stature and girth and art come to the +threshold of thy manhood, it is time for thee to win for thyself +the glory of knighthood such as shall become thee, earning +it by such deeds as shall be worthy of the royal race from +which thou hast sprung. Accordingly, I would now have it that thou +shouldst go to the court of my brother, King Arthur, and that thou shouldst +there take thy stand with that noble and worthy companionship of the +Champions of the Round Table, of whom thy brothers shine forth like bright +planets in the midst of a galaxy of stars. So I would have it that thou +shouldst go to the court of the great King, my brother, a week from to-day, +and to that end I would have it that thou shouldst go in charge of three of +the noblest lords of this court and in such a state of pomp and circumstance +as may befit one who is, as thou art, the son of a royal father and mother +and the nephew of that great King who is the overlord of this entire realm."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Gareth departeth +for the court +of King Arthur.</i></div> + +<p>Thus spake Queen Margaise, and in accordance with that saying Gareth +set forth a sennight from that time for the court of King +Arthur. With him there rode three very noble haughty lords +of the court as the Queen had ordained, and with these went +esquires and attendants to the number of threescore ten and four. In the +midst of that company young Gareth rode upon a cream white horse, and +all the harness and furnishings of the horse upon which he rode were of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +gold, and the saddle upon which he sat was stamped with gold and riveted +with rivets of gold, and Gareth himself was clad all in cloth of gold, so, +what with all of these and his fair beautiful face in the bright sunlight +(the day being wonderfully clear and fair) the royal youth appeared to +shine with such a glistering splendor that it was as though a star of remarkable +glory had fallen from the heavens and had found lodgment in his +person upon the earth.</p> + +<p>So it was that the young Gareth rode forth upon his way to the court of +his uncle, the King.</p> + +<p>That evening, he and his company rested for the night in a glade of the +forest and there the attendants set up a pavilion of purple silk for him. +Around about this pavilion were other pavilions for those three lords who +accompanied him as his companions in the journey and for their esquires +and attendants.</p> + +<p>Now that night Gareth lodged alone in his pavilion saving only that his +dwarf, Axatalese, lay within the tent nigh to the door thereof. And it came +to pass that Gareth could not sleep that night but lay awake, looking into +the darkness and thinking of many things. And he said to himself: "Why +is it that I should go thus in state to the court of the King and in that wise +to win his especial favor? Lo! It were better that I should go as any other +youth of birth and breeding rather than in this royal estate. For, if I am +worthy, as men say of me, then my worth shall be made manifest by my +deeds and not because of the state in which I travel."</p> + +<p>Thus Gareth communed within himself and he said: "I will go to the +court of mine uncle the King as a simple traveller and not as a prince +travelling in state."</p> + +<p>So somewhat before the dawning of the day, he arose very softly and went +to where the dwarf lay, and he touched Axatalese upon the shoulder, and he +said, "Axatalese, awake." Thereupon the dwarf awoke and sat up and +looked about him in the darkness of the dawning, bewildered by the sleep +that still beclouded his brain.</p> + +<p>Then Gareth said, still speaking in a whisper: "Listen to what I say, but +make no noise lest you arouse those who lay around about us." And +Axatalese said, "Lord, I listen, and I will be silent."</p> + +<p>Then Gareth said: "Axatalese, arise and fetch me hither some garments +of plain green cloth, and aid me to clothe myself in those garments. Then +thou and I will go forward alone and without attendants to King Arthur's +court. For so I would come before the King in that guise and not travelling +in the estate of a prince who may claim his favor because of the chance of +birth. For I would have it that whatsoever good fortune I win, that fortune<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +should come to me by mine own endeavor, and not because of the accident +of birth."</p> + +<p>Then Axatalese was greatly troubled, and he said: "Lord, think well +of what you do, for, lo! your mother, the Queen, hath provided this +escort for you; wherefore, haply, she will be very angry if you should do +as you say, and should depart from those whom she appointed to accompany +you."</p> + +<p>"No matter," quoth Gareth; "let that be as it may, but do you as I tell +you and go you straightway, very quietly, and carry out my commands. +And see to it that no one shall be disturbed in your going or coming, for it is +my purpose that we two shall go privily away from this place and that no +one shall be aware of our going."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Gareth escapeth +from his +companions.</i></div> + +<p>So spake Gareth, and Axatalese was aware that his command must be +obeyed. So the dwarf went very quietly to do Gareth's bidding, and anon +he returned with the clothes of a certain one of the attendants, and the +clothes were of plain green cloth, and Gareth clad himself in that simple +raiment. Then he and the dwarf went forth from the pavilion and they +went to where the horses were, and they chose two of the horses and saddled +them and bridled them with saddles and harness and trappings +of plain leather, such as the least of the attendants might +use—and in all of that time no one of those in attendance upon +Gareth was aware of what he had done. Then Gareth and the dwarf rode +away from that place and still all the others slept, and they slept for a long +while after.</p> + +<p>And be it here said that when those three lords who were in charge of +Gareth awoke and found that he and Axatalese were gone, they were filled +with terror and dismay, for they wist not why he was gone nor whither, and +they dreaded the anger of the Queen, Gareth's mother. Then the chief of +those lords said: "Lo! here are we betrayed by this young prince and his +dwarf. For he hath left us and taken himself away, we know not whither, +and so we dare not return to the court of Orkney again. For should we return +without him they will assuredly punish us for suffering him to depart, +and that punishment may come even to the taking of our lives."</p> + +<p>Then another of those lords said: "Messire, those words are very true, so +let us not return unto the court of Orkney, but let us escape unto some other +part of the realm where the wrath of the King and Queen may not reach us."</p> + +<p>So it was as that lord said, for straightway they departed from that place +and went to a part of the realm where neither the King and Queen of Orkney +nor King Arthur might hear of them, and there they abode for that time +and for some time afterward.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How King +Arthur sat at +feast.</i></div> + +<p>Now at this time King Arthur was celebrating the Feast of Pentecost +at the Castle of Kynkennedon. With him sat all the great lords of his court +and all the Knights-companion of the Round Table who were +not upon adventure in some other part of the realm. As they +so sat at high feast, filling the hall with a great sound of merriment +and good cheer, commingled with the chanting of minstrels and the +music of harps and viols, there came one to where the King sat, and he said +to him: "Lord, there is a fellow without who demandeth to have speech with +you, face to face. Nor know we what to do in this case, for he will not be +gainsaid, but ever maketh that demand aforesaid."</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur said: "Hah! say you so? Now what manner of man is +he? Is he a king or a duke or a high prince that he maketh such a demand +as that?" "Lord," said the messenger, "he is none of these, but only a +youth of twenty years, tall and very large of frame and beautiful of face, +and very proud and haughty in bearing. And he is clad like to a yeoman in +cloth of plain green, wherefore we know not what to think of that demand +he maketh to have speech with you." King Arthur said, "What attendants +hath he with him?" And the messenger said, "He hath no attendants of +any kind, saving only a dwarf who followeth after him."</p> + +<p>Quoth the King: "Well, at this Feast of Pentecost far be it from me to +deny any man speech with me. So fetch this one hither that we may see +what manner of man he is."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Gareth cometh +before the King.</i></div> + +<p>Therewith in obedience to the King's command, that attendant went +forth and anon he returned, bringing Gareth and the dwarf Axatalese with +him. And Gareth walked very proudly and haughtily up the +hall and all who looked upon him marvelled at his height and +his girth and at the beauty of his countenance. And many said: "Certes, +that is a very noble-appearing man to be clad in such plain raiment of green, +for, from his manner and his bearing, he would otherwise appear to be some +nobleman's son, or some one of other high degree."</p> + +<p>So Gareth walked up the length of the hall with all gazing upon him, +and so he came and stood before the King and looked the King in the face, +regarding him very steadfastly and without any fear or awe—and few there +were who could so regard King Arthur.</p> + +<p>Now Sir Kay the Seneschal stood behind the King's seat and when he +beheld how young Gareth fronted the King, look for look, he was very wroth +at the demeanor of that youth who stood thus before that royal majesty. +So he spoke aloud before all those who sat there in hall, saying, to Gareth: +"Sirrah, who are you who darest thus to stand with such assurance in the +presence of the Great King? Wit you it is not for such as you to stand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +before such majesty, and have speech with it. Rather you should veil your +face and hang your head in that awful presence."</p> + +<p>Then Gareth looked at Sir Kay very calmly and he said, "Who are you +who speak such words to me?" and all were amazed at the haughtiness +of his tones and voice.</p> + +<p>And King Arthur was also much astonished that a youth, clad thus like a +yeoman, should thus speak to a great lord of the court such as Sir Kay. +Wherefore the King wist not what to think of such a bearing. Then anon +he said: "Fair youth, whence come you and who are you who speaketh +thus so boldly to a great lord of our court and before our very face?" And +Gareth said: "Lord, I am one who hath come hither from a great distance +to crave two boons of you."</p> + +<p>Quoth the King: "At this time, and at this Feast of Pentecost I may not +refuse any one a boon who asketh it of me. So, if these two boons are fit for +one of your condition to have, they shall be granted unto you."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Gareth asketh +his boon.</i></div> + +<p>Then Gareth said: "Lord, this is the first boon that I would ask of thee. +I ask not for knighthood nor for courtly favor. All that I ask +is that thou wilt permit me to dwell here at court for a year and +that thou wilt provide me with lodging and with clothing and with meat +and with drink for that time. Then at the end of a year, if I have proved +myself patient to wait, I shall crave a second boon of thee."</p> + +<p>Now many who were there heard what it was that strange youth asked +as a boon, and that he besought not knighthood or honor at the King's +hands, but bread and meat and drink and lodging, wherefore several of them +laughed a great deal at the nature of that boon. As for the King, he smiled +not, but he inclined his head very calmly and said: "Fair youth if that is +all the boon thou hast to ask of us at this time, then thou shalt have thy +will with all welcome." And he said: "Kay, see to it that this youth hath +his desires in these things, and that he hath lodging and clothing and food +and drink for an entire year from this time."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Kay looked very scornfully upon Gareth and said: "It shall be +as you will. As for thee, fellow, I will see to it that thou art fed until thou +art as fat as any porker."</p> + +<p>So spake Sir Kay, and when young Gareth heard the words his face flamed +red with wrath and the veins stood out upon his forehead like cords. But +he controlled his anger to calmness and anon he said: "Messire, you +do but hear my words, knowing nothing of the purpose that lyeth within +my mind. Wherefore then do you scorn me since you know naught of my +purpose?"</p> + +<p>Then Sir Kay looked upon the youth with anger and he said: "Sirrah,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +thou speaketh very saucily to those who are thy betters. Learn to bridle +thy tongue or otherwise it may be very ill with thee."</p> + +<p>So spake Sir Kay, but Gareth answered him not. Otherwise he turned +to the King and bowed low, as though he had not heard the speech that Sir +Kay had uttered.</p> + +<p>Then he turned and went away from the King's presence with the dwarf +Axatalese following close after him.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +loveth Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>Now Sir Gawaine sat not far distant from the King and so he had heard +all that had passed. And he beheld the indignation of Gareth against Sir +Kay, and the heart of Sir Gawaine went out very strongly +toward this haughty and beautiful youth—albeit he wist not +why it was that he felt love for him, nor that Gareth was his own brother. +So it befell that after Gareth had departed from the King's presence in that +wise, Sir Gawaine arose and followed after him; and when he had come up +with Gareth he touched him upon the arm and said, "Come with me, fair +youth." And Gareth did so. So after that Sir Gawaine led Gareth to another +place, and when they were come thither he said to him: "Fair youth, +I prythee tell me who you are and whence you come, and why it is that you +asked such a boon as that from the King's Majesty."</p> + +<p>Then Gareth looked upon Sir Gawaine and knowing that it was his +brother whom he gazed upon he loved him a very great deal. Ne'theless he +contained his love and said: "Messire, why ask you me that? See you not +from the raiment I wear who I am and what is my degree? As for the boon +which I asked, wit you that I asked it because I needed a roof to shelter me +and meat and drink to sustain my life."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine was astonished at the pride and haughtiness of the +youth's reply, wherefore he said: "Fair youth, I know not what to think; +yet I well believe it was not for the sake of the food and drink and lodging +that thou didst so beseech that boon of the King, for methinks that thou +art very different from what thou appearest to be. Now I find that my +heart goeth out to thee with a very singular degree of love, wherefore I +am of a mind to take thee into my favor and to have thee dwell near me +at mine inn." And Gareth said to his brother, "Sir, thou art very good +to me."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +traineth Gareth +in knightly skill.</i></div> + +<p>So it was that after that time Sir Gawaine took Gareth into his favor and +did many acts of kindness unto the youth. And so Gareth dwelt nigh to +Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gawaine instructed him in the use of arms. +And ever Sir Gawaine was astonished that the youth should +learn so quickly and so well the arts of chivalry and of knighthood. +For Sir Gawaine wist not that Gareth had been taught many of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +these things, and that others came easily to him by nature, because of the +royal and knightly blood from which he had sprung.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Kay +scorneth Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>And ever in the same measure that Sir Gawaine bestowed his favor upon +Gareth, in that degree Sir Kay scorned him. So it came to pass that when +Sir Kay would meet Gareth he would say to whomsoever was present at +that time, some such words as these: "Lo! you! this is our kitchen knave +who had no spirit to ask of the King's Majesty any higher boon than this, +that he be allowed to sup fat broth in the kitchen." So Sir +Kay ever called Gareth a kitchen knave, and so calling him he +would maybe say, "Sirrah, get thee upon the other side of me, for the wind +bloweth toward me and thou smellest vilely of the kitchen." And because +Sir Kay perceived that the hands of Gareth were soft and very white he +named the youth "Beaumains," saying, "Look you at this kitchen knave, +how fat and white are his hands from dwelling in lazy idleness." So Gareth +was known as "Beaumains" by all those who were of the King's court.</p> + +<p>But when Sir Gawaine heard this talk of Sir Kay he remembered him +of how Sir Percival had been one time scorned by Sir Kay in such a manner +as this. And Sir Gawaine said: "Messire, let be, and torment not this +youth, lest evil befall thee. Remember how thou didst hold Sir Percival in +scorn when he was a youth, and how he struck thee such a buffet that he +nigh broke thy neck."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Kay looked very sourly upon Sir Gawaine, and said, "This Beaumains +is not such as Sir Percival was when he was young." And Sir Gawaine +laughed and said, "Nevertheless, be thou warned in season."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So it was that Gareth dwelt for a year at the King's court, eating the +meat of idleness. And many laughed at him and made sport of him who +would have paid him court and honor had they known who he was and what +was his estate. Yet ever Gareth contained himself in patience, biding his +time until it should have come, and making no complaint of the manner in +which he was treated.</p> + +<p>And now if you would hear how young Gareth won him honor and knighthood, +I pray you read that which followeth, for therein are those things +told of at some length.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 421px;"> +<img src="images/s0061.png" width="421" height="600" alt="The Damsel Lynette" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0062.png" width="600" height="76" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Second</h3> + +<p><i>How Gareth set forth upon an adventure with a young damsel hight +Lynette; how he fought with Sir Kay, and how Sir Launcelot +made him a knight. Also in this it is told of several other happenings +that befell Gareth, called Beaumains, at this time.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>So passed a year as aforetold, and Gareth lodged with the household +of King Arthur and had food and drink as much as he desired. +And in all that time Gareth ate his food and drank his drink at +a side table, for Sir Kay would not permit him to sit at the same table with +the lords and knights and ladies of the King's court. For Sir Kay would +say, "This kitchen knave shall not eat at table with gentle folk but at a side +table by himself," and so Gareth fed at a table by himself. And ever Sir +Kay called Gareth "Beaumains" in scornful jest and all the court called him +"Beaumains" because Sir Kay did so.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur +sitteth again at +feast.</i></div> + +<p>Now at the end of that year when the Feast of Pentecost had come +again, King Arthur was holding his court at Caerleon-upon-Usk, +and at the high Feast of Pentecost there sat, as usual at the +King's table, the lords and the ladies of the court and all the +Knights of the Round Table who were not upon adventure that took them +elsewhither.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>A damsel +appeareth before +the King.</i></div> + +<p>As they so sat eating and drinking there came into the hall a slender +maiden of not more than sixteen years old. And the maiden was exceedingly +beautiful, for her hair was as black as ebony and was like to threads of +fine black silk for softness and brightness. And her eyes were +as black as jet and very bright and shining, and her face was +like ivory for clearness and whiteness and her lips were red like +to coral for redness. She was clad all in flame-colored satin, embroidered +with threads of gold and she wore a bright shining chaplet of gold about +her brows so that what with her raiment of flame-color and with her embroidery +and ornaments of shining gold, the maiden came up the hall like +to a fiery vision of beauty, insomuch that all turned to behold her in +passing, and many stood in their places that they might see her the better.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel +asketh for a +champion.</i></div> + +<p>Thus the damsel came up the hall until she had reached to that place +where King Arthur sat at the head of the feast, and when she had come +there she kneeled down and set her hands together as in prayer, +palm to palm. And King Arthur looked upon her and was +pleased with her beauty, and he said, "Damsel, what is it thou +wouldst have of us?" The damsel said: "Lord, I would have the aid of some +good worthy knight of thy court who should act as champion in behalf of +my sister." And the King said, "What ails thy sister?"</p> + +<p>Quoth the damsel: "Lord, my sister is tormented by a very evil disposed +knight who maketh demand of her for wife. But my sister hateth this +knight and will have naught to do with him, wherefore he sitteth ever before +her castle and challengeth whomsoever cometh thitherward, and will not +suffer any one to go in to the castle or come out thence without his permission. +Now I come hither upon my sister's behalf to seek a champion who +shall liberate her from this duress."</p> + +<p>Then said the King, "Who is thy sister and who is this knight who tormenteth +her?" To the which the damsel made reply: "I may not tell you +my sister's name, for she is very proud and haughty, and is very much +ashamed that she should be held in duress by that knight against her will. +But as for the knight who tormenteth her, I may tell you that he is hight +the Red Knight of the Red Lands."</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur said: "I know not any such knight as that. Is there +any one of you hereabouts who knoweth him?" And Sir Gawaine said: +"Lord, I know him very well, for I met him one time in battle and it was +such hard ado for me to hold mine own against him that even to this day +I know not rightly whether he was better than I or whether I was better +than he." Then King Arthur said: "Fair damsel, that must be a very +strong and powerful knight, since Sir Gawaine speaketh of him in this +wise. But touching this affair of thy sister, know you not that it is not +likely that any knight of renown will be found to champion a lady of +whose name or degree he knoweth naught? If thou wilt tell the name of +thy sister and wilt declare her degree I doubt not there are many good +worthy knights of this court any one of whom would gladly champion +her cause."</p> + +<p>So spake the King, but the damsel only shook her head and said, "Lord, +I may not tell my sister's name, for I am forbidden to do so."</p> + +<p>Then the King said: "That is a pity for I fear me thou wilt not easily +find thee a champion in that case." And he said, "Damsel, what is thy +name?" And she said, "Sir, it is Lynette." The King said, "That is a fair +name and thou art very fair of face."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then the King looked about him and he said: "Is there any knight in this +court who will undertake this adventure in behalf of that fair lady, even +though she will not declare her name and degree? If such there be, he hath +my free will and consent for to do so."</p> + +<p>So spake the King, but no one immediately answered, for no one cared +to take up such a quarrel against so strong a knight, not knowing for whom +it was that that quarrel was to be taken up.</p> + +<p>Now he whom all called Beaumains was at that time sitting at his +side table a little distance away, and he heard all that passed. Likewise he +observed how that no one arose to assume that adventure and at that he was +very indignant. For he said to himself: "This damsel is very fair, and +the case of her sister is a very hard case, and I wonder that no good and well-approved +knight will take that adventure upon him."</p> + +<p>But still no one appeared to assume that quarrel of the unknown lady +and so, at last, Beaumains himself arose from where he sat, and came forward +before them all to where the King was and at that time the damsel +was still kneeling before the King.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Gareth asketh +his second boon.</i></div> + +<p>Then the King beholding Beaumains standing there said, "Beaumains, +what is it thou wouldst have?" and Beaumains said: "Lord, I have now dwelt +in this court for a year from the time that I first came hither. +That time when I first stood before thee I besought two boons +of thee and one of them thou didst grant me and the other thou didst promise +to grant me. According to that first boon, I had since that time had lodging +beneath thy roof and food and drink from thy table, as much as ever I +desired. But now hath come the time when I would fain ask that other +boon of thee."</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur wondered a very great deal, and he said, "Speak, +Beaumains, and ask what thou wilt and the boon is thine."</p> + +<p>"Lord," said Beaumains, "this is the boon I would ask. I beseech thee +that thou wilt suffer me to assume this adventure upon behalf of that lady +who will not tell her name."</p> + +<p>Now when they of the court who sat near to the King heard what boon +it was that the kitchen knave, Beaumains, besought of the King, a great +deal of laughter arose upon all sides, for it seemed to all to be a very good +jest that Beaumains should assume such an undertaking as that, which no +knight of the court chose to undertake. Only King Arthur did not laugh. +Otherwise he spake with great dignity saying: "Beaumains, methinks thou +knowest not what boon it is thou hast asked. Ne'theless, be the peril thine. +For since thou hast asked that boon, and since I have passed my promise, +I cannot refrain from granting that which thou hast besought of me."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then Sir Kay came forward and he spake to the damsel, saying, "Fair +damsel, know you who this fellow is who asketh to be appointed champion +for to defend your lady sister?" and Lynette said, "Nay, I know not; but I +pray you tell me who he is."</p> + +<p>"I will do so," quoth Sir Kay. "Wit you that this fellow is a kitchen +knave who came hither a year ago and besought as a royal boon from the +King that he should have meat and drink and lodging. Since then he hath +been well fed every day at a table I have set aside for him. So he hath +grown fat and proud and high of spirit and thinketh himself haply to be a +champion worthy to undertake such an adventure as that which he hath +besought leave to assume."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel +Lynette is angry.</i></div> + +<p>So said Sir Kay, and when the damsel Lynette heard his words her face +flamed all as red as fire and she turned to King Arthur and said: "My +Lord King, what shame and indignity is this that you would +put upon me and my sister? I came hither beseeching you +for a champion to defend my sister against her oppressor and instead of a +champion you give me a kitchen knave for that service."</p> + +<p>"Lady," quoth King Arthur very calmly, "this Beaumains hath besought +a boon of me and I have promised him that favor. Accordingly, I must +needs fulfil my promise to him. But this I tell thee, that I believe him to be +very different from what he appeareth to be; and I tell thee that if he faileth +in this adventure which he hath assumed, then will I give thee another +champion that shall haply be more to thy liking than he."</p> + +<p>But Lynette was very exceedingly wroth and she would not be appeased +by the King's words; yet she dared say no word of her indignation to the +King's Majesty. Accordingly she turned and went away from that place +very haughtily, looking neither to the one side nor to the other, but gazing +straight before her as she went out from that hall.</p> + +<p>Then after she was gone Sir Gawaine came and stood before the King +and said: "Messire and Lord, I have faith that greater things shall come of +this adventure than any one hereabouts supposeth it possible to happen. +For Beaumains is no such kitchen knave as Sir Kay proclaimeth him to be, +but something very different from that, as Sir Kay himself shall mayhap +discover some day. For a year this Beaumains hath dwelt nigh me and I +have seen him do much that ye know not of. Now I pray you, Lord, to suffer +me to purvey him with armor fit for this undertaking and I believe he will +some time bring honor both to you and to me—to you because you granted +him this boon, to me because I provided him with armor." Then King +Arthur said to Sir Gawaine, "Messire, let it be as you say."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +armeth Beaumains.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine took Beaumains away with him to his own lodging-place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +and here he provided the youth with armor. And he provided him with +a shield and a sword and a good stout spear. And he provided +him with a fine horse, such as a knight who was to go errant +might well care to ride upon. Then when Beaumains was provided +in all this way, Sir Gawaine wished him God-speed and Beaumains +took horse and departed after the maiden Lynette. And Axatalese the +dwarf rode with Beaumains upon a gray mule, as his esquire.</p> + +<p>Now by the time all this had been accomplished—to wit, the arming and +horsing of Beaumains—Lynette had gone so far upon her way that Beaumains +and Axatalese were compelled to ride for two leagues and more at a +very fast pace ere they could overtake her.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette +scorneth Beaumains.</i></div> + +<p>And when they did overtake her she was more angry than ever to behold +that misshapen dwarf accompanying the kitchen knave who was her appointed +champion. Wherefore when Beaumains had come +nigh to her, she cried out, "Sirrah, art thou Beaumains, the +kitchen knave?" And Gareth said, "Aye, I am he whom +they call Beaumains." Then she cried out upon him, "Return thee whence +thou hast come for I will have none of thee!"</p> + +<p>To this angry address Beaumains replied, speaking very mildly and with +great dignity: "Lady, the King hath appointed me to ride with you upon +this adventure, wherefore, with you, I must now do as I have been commanded. +For having embarked in this affair, I must needs give my service +to you, even if you should order me to do otherwise." "Well," quoth she, +"if you will not do as I bid you, then I tell you this; that I will straightway +take a path that will lead you into such dangers as you have no thought +of, and from which you will be not at all likely to escape with your life."</p> + +<p>To this Beaumains replied, speaking still very calmly and with great +courtesy: "Lady, that shall be altogether as you ordain. And I venture to +say to you that no matter into what dangers you may bring me, still I have +great hope that I shall bring you out thence with safety and so be of service +to you and your lady sister. Wherefore, whithersoever you lead, thither +will I follow you."</p> + +<p>Then Lynette was still more angry that Beaumains should be so calm +and courteous to her who was so angry and uncourteous to him, wherefore +she hardened her heart toward him and said: "Sirrah, since I cannot rid me +of you, I bid you ride upon the other side of the way, for methinks you smell +very strongly of the kitchen in which you have dwelt."</p> + +<p>To these words Beaumains bowed his head with great dignity and said, +"Lady, it shall be as you command." And therewith he drew rein to the +other side of the highway to that upon which she rode. Then Lynette<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +laughed, and she said: "Ride a little farther behind me, for still methinks I +smell the savor of the kitchen." And Beaumains did as she commanded +and withdrew him still farther away from her.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Kay followeth +Beaumains.</i></div> + +<p>Now some while after Beaumains had ridden after Lynette as aforetold, +Sir Kay said to certain of those who were nigh him: "I am of a mind to ride +after our kitchen knave and to have a fall of him, for it would be a very +good thing to teach him such a lesson as he needs." So according to that +saying, Sir Kay went to his inn and donned his armor. And +he chose him a good stout spear and he took horse and rode +away after Beaumains with intent to do as he had said. So he rode at a +good pace and for a long time and by and by he beheld Lynette and Beaumains +and the dwarf where they rode along the highway at some distance +before him. Then Sir Kay called out in a great voice, saying: "Stay, Beaumains, +turn thou thitherward. For I am come to overthrow thee and to take +that damsel away from thee."</p> + +<p>Then Lynette turned her head and beheld Sir Kay where he came, and with +that she pointed and said: "Look, thou kitchen knave, yonder cometh a +right knight in pursuit of thee. Now haply thou hadst best flee away ere +harm befall thee."</p> + +<p>But to this address Beaumains paid no heed, otherwise he turned about +his horse and straightway put himself into array for defence. And as Sir +Kay drew nigh, Beaumains beheld the device upon his shield and knew who +was the knight who came thitherward and that it was Sir Kay who followed +after him and called upon him to stay.</p> + +<p>Then Beaumains remembered him of all the many affronts that Sir Kay +had put upon him for all that year past and with that his anger grew +very hot within him. And he said to himself: "This is well met; for +now my time hath come. For either this is the day of satisfaction for +me or else it is the day in which I shall lay my dead body down beside the +highroad."</p> + +<p>Meantime Sir Kay had come nigh, and finding that Beaumains had prepared +himself, he also made himself straightway ready for battle. Then +Lynette drew her palfrey to one side of the way and to a place whence she +might behold all that befell.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Kay doeth +battle with +Beaumains.</i></div> + +<p>So when Beaumains and Sir Kay were in all ways prepared, each gave +shout and drave forward very violently to the assault. And +they met in the midst of that course and in that encounter +the spear of Sir Kay held and the spear of Beaumains, because +it was not very well directed, was broken into several pieces, so that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +he would have fallen only for the address of horsemanship that Sir Gawaine +had taught him in the year that had passed.</p> + +<p>But when Lynette beheld how that the spear of Beaumains was broken in +that wise, and how that he was nearly cast out of the saddle in that encounter, +she laughed very high and shrill. And she cried out in a loud voice: "Hah! +thou kitchen knave, if thou showest not better address than that, thou wilt +not be likely to succeed in this adventure that thou hast undertaken."</p> + +<p>Now Beaumains heard the high laughter of Lynette and the words that she +called out to him and with that he was more angry than ever. So therewith +he ground his teeth together, and, casting aside the stump of his spear +which he still held in his hand, he drew his sword and made at Sir Kay with +all his might and main. And he put aside Sir Kay's defence with great +violence, and having done so he rose up in his stirrups and lashed a blow at +Sir Kay that fell upon his helm like to a bolt of lightning. For in that one +blow Beaumains lashed forth all his rage and the indignation of a whole year +of the scorn of Sir Kay. And he launched forth all the anger that he felt +against the damsel Lynette who had also scorned him.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Beaumains +smiteth down +Sir Kay.</i></div> + +<p>So fierce and terrible was that blow he struck that I misdoubt that any +knight in all the world could have stood against it, far less could Sir Kay +stand against it. For straightway upon receiving that stroke +the senses of Sir Kay scattered all abroad and darkness fell +roaring upon his sight and he fell down from off his horse and +lay there upon the ground as though he was dead. Then Beaumains stood +above him smiling very grimly. And he said, "Well, Sir Kay, how like you +that blow from the hands of the kitchen knave?" but Sir Kay answered him +not one word as you may suppose.</p> + +<p>Therewith, having so spoken, Beaumains dismounted from his horse and +he called the dwarf Axatalese to him and he said: "Axatalese, dismount +from thy mule and tie it to yonder bush and take thou the horse of this +knight and mount upon it instead." And Axatalese did as his master commanded. +And Beaumains said to Sir Kay when he still lay in his swoon, +"Sir Knight, I will borrow of you your spear, since I now have none of mine +own," and therewith he took the spear of Sir Kay into his hand. And he +took the shield of Sir Kay and hung it upon the pommel of the saddle of the +horse of Sir Kay that he had given to Axatalese, and after that he mounted +his own horse and rode away from that place, leaving Sir Kay lying where he +was in the middle of the way.</p> + +<p>And Lynette also rode away and ever Beaumains followed her in silence. +So they rode for a while and then at last and by and by the damsel fell +alaughing in great measure. And she turned her to Beaumains, and said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +"Sirrah, thou kitchen knave, dost thou take pride to thyself?" and Beaumains +said, "Nay, Lady." She said: "See that thou takest no pride, for +thou didst but overcome that knight by the force of thy youth and strength, +whilst he broke thy spear and wellnigh cast thee out of thy saddle because +of his greater skill."</p> + +<p>Then Beaumains bowed his head and said, "Lady, that may very well be." +At that Lynette laughed again, and she said, "Sirrah, thou art forgetting +thyself and thou ridest too near to me. Now I bid thee ride farther away +so that I may not smell the savor of the kitchen," and Beaumains said, +"As you command, so it shall be," and therewith he drew rein to a little +greater distance.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>And here it may be told of Sir Kay that some while after Beaumains had +gone he bestirred himself and arose and looked about him, and for some +while he knew not what had befallen him nor where he was. Then anon he +remembered and he wist that he had suffered great shame and humiliation +at the hands of Beaumains the kitchen knave. And he saw that in that +encounter he had lost his shield and his spear and his horse and that naught +was left for him to ride upon saving only that poor gray mule upon which +the dwarf of Beaumains had been riding.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Kay returneth +to court, +ashamed.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Kay wist not what to do, but there was naught else left for him +but to mount that mule and ride back again whence he had come. So he did +and when he reached the King's court there was such laughing +and jesting concerning his adventure that he scarce dared to lift +his voice in speech or to raise his face in the court for a week +from that time. But Sir Gawaine made no speech nor jest of the mishap +that Sir Kay had suffered, only he smiled very grimly and said, "Sir, you +would have done well to have hearkened to what I said to you," and Sir +Kay, though at most times he had bitter speech enough and to spare, had +naught whatever to say to Sir Gawaine in reply.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>And now we turn again to Beaumains and Lynette as they rode onward +upon their way as aforetold.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They behold a +white knight.</i></div> + +<p>For after that last speech of Lynette's, they went onward in silence, and +ever Lynette looked this way and that as though she wist not that any such +man as Beaumains was within the space of a league of that place. So +travelling they came, toward the sloping of the afternoon, to a place nigh to +the edge of a woodland where was a smooth and level space of grass surrounded +on all sides but one by the trees of the forest. Here they beheld a +knight who was just come out of the forest, and he was clad all in white<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +armor and he rode upon a white horse. And the sun was shining so far +aslant at that time that the light thereof was very red, like to pure gold. +And the beams of the sun fell upon the skirts of the forest so +that all the thick foliage of the woodland was entirely bathed in +that golden light. And the same light flashed upon the polished +armor of the knight and shone here and there very gloriously as +though several stars of singular radiance had fallen from heaven and had +catched upon that lonely knight-rider, who drew rein at their approach +and so sat watching their coming.</p> + +<p>Then Lynette turned to Beaumains and she said: "Sir kitchen knave, +look you! yonder is a right knight with whom you may hardly hope to have +ado. Now turn you about and get you gone while there is yet time, otherwise +you may suffer harm at his hands."</p> + +<p>To this Beaumains made no reply; otherwise, he rode forward very calmly +and when he had come pretty nigh he bespoke that single knight in a loud +clear voice, saying, "Sir Knight, I pray you do me battle."</p> + +<p>At this address that knight aforesaid was very much astonished, and he +said: "Sir, what offence have I done to you that you should claim battle of +me in so curt a fashion? Gladly will I give you your will, but wit you not +that all courtesy is due from one knight to another upon such an occasion?"</p> + +<p>To this Beaumains made no reply, but turning his horse about he rode +to a little distance and there made him ready for the encounter that was +about to befall. For at that time his heart was so full of anger at the scorn +of Lynette that he could not trust himself with speech, and indeed I verily +believe that he knew not very well where he was or what he did.</p> + +<p>Meantime the White Knight had also put himself into array for battle +and when all was prepared they immediately launched the one against the +other with such violence that the ground trembled and shook beneath +their charge.</p> + +<p>So they met with great crashing and uproar in the midst of the course +and in that meeting the spear of Beaumains was broken into a great many +pieces and he himself was cast out of his saddle and down to the ground with +such violence that he was for a little while altogether stunned by the force +of his fall.</p> + +<p>Then Lynette laughed so high and so shrill that Beaumains heard her +even in the midst of his swoon, and with that his spirit came back to him +again and straightway he leaped up to his feet and drew his sword. And he +cried out to the White Knight: "Sir Knight, come down from off thy horse +and do battle with me afoot, for never will I be satisfied with this mischance +that I have suffered."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then the White Knight said: "Messire, how is this? I have no such cause +of battle with you as that." But all the more Beaumains cried out with +great vehemence, "Descend, Sir Knight, descend and fight me afoot."</p> + +<p>"Well," quoth the White Knight, "since you will have it so, so it shall +be."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Beaumains +doeth battle with +the White +Knight.</i></div> + +<p>Thereupon he voided his horse and drew his sword and straightway setting +his shield before him, he came forward to the assault of Beaumains. +Then immediately they met together, each lashing very fiercely +at the other, and so that battle began. And so it continued, +each foining and tracing this way and that like two wild bulls +at battle, but ever lashing stroke upon stroke at one another. Soon the +armor of each was stained in places with red, for each had suffered some +wound or hurt at this place or at that. Yet ever Beaumains fought with +might and main, for he was so strengthened by his passion of rage that rather +would he have died than yield in that battle.</p> + +<p>So they fought with astounding fierceness for a considerable while, and +then, at last, the White Knight called out, "Sir, I pray you stay this battle +for a little," and with that Beaumains ceased his lashing and stood leaning +upon his sword, panting for breath.</p> + +<p>And the White Champion also leaned upon his sword and panted, and +anon he said, "Sir, I pray you tell me your name. For I make my vow to +you that never have I met any knight who hath fought a greater battle than +you have fought this day—and yet I may tell you that I have fought with +a great many of the very best knights of this realm."</p> + +<p>"Messire," quoth Beaumains, "I may not declare my name at this +present, for there are several good reasons why I will not do so. But though +I may not do as you demand of me, nevertheless I beseech you that you +will extend that favor unto me and will declare to me your name and +your degree."</p> + +<p>"Well," said the White Knight, "never yet have I refused that courtesy +to any one who hath asked it of me. Wit ye then that I am called Sir +Launcelot of the Lake."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Beaumains +knoweth +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Now when Beaumains heard this that the White Knight said and when +he wist that it was none other than Sir Launcelot against whom he had been +fighting for that while, he was filled with great wonder and astonishment +and a sort of fear. So straightway he flung aside his sword and he kneeled +down before Sir Launcelot and set his palms together. And he +said: "Messire, what have I done, to do battle against you? +Rather would I have done battle against mine own brother +than against you. Know you that you are the man of all others whom I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +most revere and admire. Now I pray you, Messire, if I have done well in +your sight in this battle which I have fought, that you grant me a boon that +I have to ask of you and of no other man."</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Launcelot: "What boon is it thou wouldst have? Ask it and +if it is meet that I grant it to thee, then assuredly it shall be thine. As for +that battle which thou hast done, let me tell thee of a truth that I believe +that I have never before met a stronger or a more worthy champion than +thou art. So now I prithee ask thy boon that I may have the pleasure +of granting it to thee."</p> + +<p>Then Beaumains said: "Sir, it is this. Wit you that I am not yet made +knight, but am no more than a bachelor at arms. So if you think that I am +not unworthy of that honor, I pray you make me a knight at this present +and with your own hand."</p> + +<p>"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "that may not be until I know thy name and of +what degree and worthiness thou art. For it is not allowed for a knight to +make a knight of another man until first he is well assured of that other's +degree and estate, no matter what deed of arms that other may have done. +But if thou wilt tell me thy name and thy degree, then I doubt not that I +shall be rejoiced to make a knight of thee."</p> + +<p>Unto this Beaumains said, "Sir, I will tell you my name and degree if +so be I may whisper it in your ear." And Sir Launcelot said, "Tell it to +me as you list and in such manner as may be pleasing to you." So Beaumains +set his lips to Sir Launcelot's ear and he told him his name and his +degree. And he told Sir Launcelot many things that had befallen him +of late, and Sir Launcelot was astonished beyond measure at all that +he heard. Then when Beaumains had told all these several things, +Sir Launcelot said: "Messire, I wonder no more that you should have +done so great battle as you did against me, seeing what blood you have +in your veins and of what royal race you are sprung. Gladly will I make +you knight, for I believe in time you will surpass even your own brothers +in glory of knighthood, wherefore I shall have great credit in having made +you a knight."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +maketh Sir +Gareth a knight.</i></div> + +<p>Therewith Sir Launcelot took his sword in his hand, and Beaumains +kneeled. And Sir Launcelot laid the blade thereof upon the shoulder of +Beaumains and so made him knight by accolade. And he said, +"Rise, Sir Gareth!" and Sir Gareth arose and stood upon his feet, +and his heart was so expanded with joy that it appeared to him +that he had the strength of ten men rather than one man in his single body.</p> + +<p>Now the damsel Lynette had been observing all this from afar, and from +that distance she could hear naught of what one champion said to the other,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +and she beheld what they did with very great wonderment and perplexity. +Anon came Sir Launcelot and Sir Gareth to where she was, and when they +were come near she said to Sir Launcelot, "Know you, Messire, who is this +with whom you walk?" And Sir Launcelot said, "Yea, damsel, methinks +I should know him." Lynette said: "I believe that you do not know him, +for I am well assured that he is a kitchen knave of King Arthur's court. +He hath followed me hither against my will, clad in armor which I believe +he hath no entitlement to wear, and I cannot drive him from me."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot laughed and he said: "Damsel, you know not what +you say. Peace! Be still, or else you will bring shame upon yourself."</p> + +<p>Then Lynette regarded Sir Launcelot for a while very seriously and anon +she said, "Messire, I pray you tell me who you are who take me thus to +task." And at that Sir Launcelot laughed again and said: "Damsel, I will +not tell you my name, but mayhap if you ask my name of this worthy gentleman +who is with you, he will tell you what it is."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +leaveth Sir +Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot turned him to Sir Gareth and he said: "Friend, here I +must leave you, for I have business that taketh me in another direction. +So God save you and fare you well until we shall meet again. +And if you will keep upon yonder path and follow it, it will +bring you by and by to a fair priory of the forest, and there +you and your damsel may have lodging for the night."</p> + +<p>Thereupon Sir Launcelot bowed in courtesy both to Sir Gareth and to the +damsel Lynette and so took his departure, wending his way whither he was +minded to go and so in a little was lost to sight.</p> + +<p>Then Lynette and Sir Gareth and the dwarf also went their way, taking +that path that led to the priory of which Sir Launcelot had spoken; and +there they found lodgment for the night—the damsel at one place, Sir Gareth +at another.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>And now if you would hear more concerning Sir Gareth and Lynette and +of what befell them, I pray you read further, for these things shall there be +duly set forth for your entertainment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 414px;"> +<img src="images/s0075.png" width="414" height="600" alt="Sir Gareth doeth Battle with the Knight of the River Ford." title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0076.png" width="600" height="78" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Third</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Gareth and Lynette travelled farther upon their way; how +Sir Gareth won the pass of the river against two strong knights, +and how he overcame the Black Knight of the Black Lands. Also +how he saved a good worthy knight from six thieves who held him +in duress.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Now when the next morning had come, all bright and dewy and very +clear like to crystal, Lynette arose and departed from that forest +priory where she had lodged over-night, giving no news to Sir +Gareth of her going. And at that time the birds were singing everywhere +with might and main. Everywhere the May was abloom, the apple orchards +were fragrant with blossoms, and field and meadow-land were spread +thick with a variegated carpet of pretty wild flowers of divers colors, very +fair to see.</p> + +<p>So Lynette rode alone, all through the dewy morn, amid these fair +meadow-lands and orchards belonging to the priory, making her way toward +the dark and shady belt of forest that surrounded those smooth and verdant +fields upon all sides. And ever she gazed behind her very slyly, but beheld +no one immediately following after her.</p> + +<p>For it was some while ere Sir Gareth arose from his couch to find the +damsel gone. And when he did arise he was vexed beyond measure that +she had departed. So he donned his armor in all haste and as soon as might +be he followed hard after her, galloping his horse very violently through +those fair and blooming meadows aforesaid, with the dwarf Axatalese following +fast after him upon Sir Kay's war-horse.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +followeth Lynette +again.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Gareth made all speed, and by and by he perceived the damsel +where she was, and at that time she was just entering into the forest shades. +So he drove forward still more rapidly and anon he came up +with her and thereupon he saluted and said, "Save you, Lady!" +Upon that salutation Lynette looked about, as though in +surprise, and said, "Hah, thou kitchen knave, art thou there?" And Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +Gareth said, "Yea, Lady." And Lynette said: "Methought thou hadst +enough of adventure yestereve when that same White Knight rolled thee +down into the dust and beat thee in a fair fight afterward." Sir Gareth +said, "Lady, thou speakest bitter words to me!" and Lynette laughed, and +she said: "Well, Sir Knave, it seems that I cannot speak words that are so +bitter as to prevent thee from following after me for I see that I am not +to be free from thee in spite of my will to that end." And then she said: +"Now I bid thee to ride a little farther away from me, for even yet thou +savorest very strongly of the kitchen, and the savor thereof spoileth the fair +savor of the morning."</p> + +<p>So spake Lynette, and thereupon Sir Gareth drew rein a little farther, +and so followed after her some distance away as he had done the day before.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette telleth +Sir Gareth of +the robber +knights.</i></div> + +<p>After that they went a considerable ways in silence, and then by and by +Lynette turned her head toward Sir Gareth and spake, saying: "Sirrah, +knowest thou whither this path upon which we travel will lead +us?" And Sir Gareth said, "Nay, Lady, I know not." "Alas +for thee," quoth Lynette, "for I am to tell thee that this path +leadeth toward a certain ford of a river, which same ford is +guarded by two strong and powerful knights who are brothers. Of these +two knights I heard yesternight at the priory that they are very savage +robbers, and that, of those who would pass the ford of the river, some they +slay and others they rob or else make captive for the sake of ransom. Now +I am making my way toward that place where are these two knights in the +belief that they may rid me of thee. So be thou advised whilst there is yet +time; withdraw thee from this adventure and return whither thou hast come, +or else, mayhap, a very great deal of harm may befall thee."</p> + +<p>"Lady," quoth Sir Gareth, "were there twenty knights instead of two +at that ford and were each of those twenty ten times as strong as either of +the two are likely to be, yet would I follow after thee to the end of this adventure. +Mayhap it may be my good fortune to rid the world of these two +evil knights."</p> + +<p>Then Lynette lifted up her eyes toward Heaven. "Alas," quoth she, +"I see that never will I be rid of this kitchen knave until all the pride is +beaten out of his body." And after that they rode their way without saying +anything more at that time.</p> + +<p>Anon, and when the sun had risen pretty high toward the middle of the +morning, they came out of the forest and into a fair open plain of considerable +extent. Here Sir Gareth perceived that there was a smooth wide +river that flowed down through the midst of the plain. And he perceived<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +that the road ran toward the river and crossed it by a shallow gravelly ford. +And he perceived that upon the other side of the river was a tall, grim, and +very forbidding castle that stood on high and overlooked the ford, and so +he wist that this must be the ford guarded by those two knights of whom +Lynette had spoken.</p> + +<p>So as they drew nearer to the ford, Sir Gareth beheld a pillar of stone +beside the way, and he saw that a great bugle horn of brass was chained +fast to this pillar. Then Lynette pointed to the bugle horn and she said: +"Sir Kitchen Knave, seest thou yon bugle horn? Thou had best not blow +upon that horn for if thou dost thou will arouse those two knights who +guard this ford and they will come forth from the castle and it will certes fare +very ill with thee."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +challengeth the +robber knights.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth said, "Say you so, Lady?" Therewith he went straight +to where the horn hung by its chain, and he seized it in both hands and +blew upon it so violently that it was as though the brazen horn +would be burst with his blowing. For the sound thereof flew +far and wide, and came echoing back from the distant walls +of the castle as though the trump of doom had been sounded in those parts.</p> + +<p>Therewith, and after a little while, the portcullis of the castle was uplifted +and the drawbridge let fall and there issued forth two knights very +large and stout of frame and very forbidding of appearance. These two +knights rode down toward the ford and when they had come nigh to it he +who was the bigger of the two drave down to the edge of the water and +called across to Sir Gareth, "Who are you who dareth to blow so loudly upon +our bugle horn?" And to him Sir Gareth replied: "Sir, I blew upon +that horn to let you know that I was here and that I come with intent to +rid the world of you, if so be God shall be with me in mine endeavor."</p> + +<p>At that the knight upon the other bank was so enraged that he cast aside +his spear and drew his sword and drave straightway into the waters of the +ford, splashing with a noise like to thunder. And Sir Gareth also cast aside +his spear and drew his sword and drave into the ford with great violence.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +overthroweth +the knight of +the ford.</i></div> + +<p>So they met in the midst of the river and the knight of the ford lashed at +Sir Gareth a most terrible and vehement blow, which stroke Sir Gareth put +aside with great skill so that it harmed him not. Then Sir +Gareth upon his part lifted himself on high and lashed at the +knight so woful and terrible a blow that his horse tottered +under the stroke and the knight himself catched at the pommel +of his saddle to save himself from falling. Then Sir Gareth lashed at +him another stroke and with that the knight swooned away into darkness +and fell out of his saddle and into the water. And the river where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +he fell was very deep so that when he sank beneath the water he did not +rise again, although Sir Gareth waited some while for him to do so.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +overthroweth +the second +knight.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth, perceiving how that he had finished this enemy, drave +his horse very violently across the ford, and to the farther bank, and the +knight who was there upon that side of the river drave down against Sir +Gareth with his spear in rest with intent to thrust him through the body. +But Sir Gareth was aware of his coming and so when the knight of the river +was immediately upon him, he put aside the point of the spear with his shield +with great skill and address. Then he rode up the length of the spear and +when he had come nigh enough he rose up in his stirrup and lashed at the +knight of the river so dreadful deadly a blow that nor shield nor helm could +withstand that stroke. For the sword of Sir Gareth clave +through the shield of the knight, and it clave through the helm +and deep into his brain-pan. And with that the knight of the +river fell headlong from his saddle and lay upon the ground +without life or motion wherewith to rise again. Then Sir Gareth leaped +very nimbly out of his saddle and ran to him to finish the work that he had +begun. And Sir Gareth plucked away the helm of the knight and looked +into his face and therewith beheld that his work was very well done, for +already that fallen knight was in the act of yielding up the ghost.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth wiped his sword and drave it back again into its sheath; +and he remounted his horse and rode very quietly back to where the +damsel waited for him upon the farther bank. And the damsel looked at +Sir Gareth very strangely but Sir Gareth regarded her not at all.</p> + +<p>So Sir Gareth brought Lynette safely across the ford and afterward they +rode on their way as they had aforetime done—the damsel in the lead and +Sir Gareth and Axatalese following after at a distance.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette mocketh +at Sir +Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>So after they had ridden a long while the damsel turned her about in the +saddle and looked at Sir Gareth and she said, "Hah, Beaumains, dost thou +take pride in what thou hast done?" And Sir Gareth said, +"Nay, Lady; God forbid that I should take pride in any such +thing as that." Quoth Lynette: "I am glad that thou dost not +take pride in it; for I beheld thy battle from afar and I saw how fortune favored +thee. For the first of those two knights, his horse stumbled in the +river and so he fell into the water and was drowned; and thou didst strike +the second knight with thy sword ere he was well prepared for his defence +and so thou wert able to slay him."</p> + +<p>"Lady," quoth Sir Gareth very calmly, "that which thou sayest doth not +in anywise change the circumstances of what I did. For now my work is done +and so I leave it to God His mercy to judge whether I did that thing well or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +whether I did it ill." "Hah," said Lynette, "meseemeth you speak very +saucily for a kitchen knave." And Sir Gareth said, still speaking very +calmly, "Think you so, Lady?" And Lynette said, "Yea," and she said, +"I see that thou still ever forgettest my commands, for thou art riding so nigh +to me that methinks I smell the kitchen. Now I prythee draw a little farther +away." And Sir Gareth said, "Damsel, it shall be as you command." And +therewith he drew rein so as to ride at a little greater distance, and Lynette +laughed to see him do so.</p> + +<p>Now some little while about the prime of the day they came to a certain +grassy place of considerable extent, and at that place was a black hawthorn +bush, very aged and gnarled and full of thorns that stood alone +beside the highroad, and as they drew nigh to it they perceived that there +was hung upon the thorn bush a great black shield bearing the device of +the red gryphon, and they saw that a great black spear, bearing a black +pennon with the device of a red gryphon leaned beside the shield. And +they beheld that near by the bush was a noble black horse with trappings +and housings all of black, and the horse cropped the grass that grew at that +place.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They behold +the black knight +at his meal.</i></div> + +<p>All this they beheld, and as they came still nearer they perceived that +upon the other side of the hawthorn bush there was a knight clad all in +black armor, and they saw that the knight sat beside a great +flat stone and ate his midday meal that lay spread out upon the +stone. And the knight was unaware of their coming but ever +ate with great appetite of the food that was spread before him.</p> + +<p>Then Lynette drew rein while they were yet at some distance and she +laughed and pointed toward the hawthorn bush, behind which sat the +knight, and she said: "Sir Kitchen Knave, look you yonder and behold that +knight. Seest thou the device upon his shield? I know that device very +well and so I may tell thee that that knight is hight Sir Perard and that he is +brother of Sir Percevant of Hind, and that he is a very strong, worthy, noble +knight and one of great renown in deeds of arms. This is a very different +sort of knight from those thou didst overcome at the ford of the river, +wherefore be thou advised by me and turn thee about and get thee gone +ere yonder knight seest thee, or else harm will certainly befall thee."</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Gareth: "Damsel, having followed you so far and through several +dangers it is not very likely that I shall turn back at this, even if there +be as much peril in it as you say."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Lynette, "then if ill befall thee thou art to blame thyself +therefor and not blame me." Therewith speaking, she tightened the +rein of her palfrey and so rode forward toward that hawthorn bush aforesaid.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now when they had come a little more close to that place, the Black +Knight, Sir Perard, was aware of their coming and looked up and beheld +them. Then, seeing that it was an armed knight and a damsel that were +coming thitherward, Sir Perard arose very slowly and with great dignity +and set his helm upon his head, and so he made him ready for whatsoever +might befall. Then when he had so prepared himself he came out into the +road for to meet them. Then when Sir Gareth and the damsel were come +pretty nigh, Sir Perard bespake Sir Gareth, saying: "Sir Knight, I pray you +of your courtesy for to tell me who you are and whither you go?"</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Gareth: "I may not tell you who I am, but ask you this damsel +and she will tell you."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Perard was greatly surprised at that reply and he said, "Is this +a jest?" And he said: "Damsel, since I am directed to you, I pray of you +tell to me the name and the degree of this knight."</p> + +<p>Upon this Lynette fell alaughing in great measure and she said: "Messire, +since you ask me that thing, I have to tell you that this fellow is a +certain kitchen knave, hight Beaumains, who hath followed me hither from +the court of King Arthur, and I have to tell you further that many times I +have bid him begone and leave me, but he will not do so, but continually +followeth after me."</p> + +<p>"Fair damsel," quoth the Black Knight, speaking with great dignity, +"you are pleased to jest with me, for this is no kitchen knave I trow but a +very good worshipful knight of whom you are pleased to say such things."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth spake very sternly, saying, "Messire, I will not have you +or any man gainsay what this lady sayeth." And the Black Knight, still +speaking with great dignity, said: "How may I do otherwise than gainsay +her, seeing that you wear armor that is indented with the marks of battle? +For who ever heard of a kitchen knave wearing such armor?" "Ne'theless," +quoth Sir Gareth, "either you must acknowledge what this lady sayeth of me, +or else you must do battle with me so that I may defend what she sayeth."</p> + +<p>"Sir," said the Black Knight, "in that case I will do battle with you, for +I cannot accept the saying of this lady."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth doeth +battle with the +Black Knight.</i></div> + +<p>So therewith Sir Perard took down his shield from off the blackthorn +bush and he took his spear into his hand and whistled his horse to him. +And he mounted his horse and made him in all ways ready for battle. +Meanwhile Sir Gareth waited very composedly and with great calmness of +bearing until the other was in all wise prepared. Then Sir Perard said, "I +am ready, Messire." And therewith each knight drew rein and withdrew to +such a distance as was fitting for a course to an assault. Then when this +was accomplished, each knight shouted to his steed and each charged for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>ward +against the other with a terrible speed and violence. So they met +in the midst of the course with a crash that might have been +heard for two furlongs. In that meeting the spear of each +knight was broken into many pieces, even to the hand that held +it, and the horse of each staggered back and would haply have fallen had not +the knight rider brought him to foot again with shout and prick of spur and +with great address of horsemanship. Then each knight voided his horse and +each drew his sword and therewith rushed to an assault at arms. And each +smote the other again and again and yet again, lashing such blows that it +sounded as though several blacksmiths were smiting amain upon their +anvils, and for a while neither knight had any advantage over the other, but +each fought for that time a well-matched battle. Then of a sudden Lynette +cried out very shrilly: "Sir Perard! Sir Perard! Noble, worthy knight! +Wilt thou suffer a kitchen knave to have his will of thee?"</p> + +<p>So she cried out very loud and shrill and Sir Gareth heard the words she +uttered. Then a great anger came upon him so that he was uplifted +by it, as though the strength of several had entered into his body. So +straightway he redoubled his battle to twice what it had been before, giving +stroke upon stroke, so that the Black Knight was forced to bear back before +the fierceness and violence of his assault. Then Sir Gareth perceived +that Sir Perard began to weary a very great deal in that fight and to bear +his defences full low, and therewith he redoubled his blows and smote Sir +Perard upon the helm so fiercely that his brains swam like water and his +head hung low upon his breast.</p> + +<p>Then, perceiving how that Sir Perard fainted, Sir Gareth ran to him and +catched him by the helm and dragged him down upon his knees, and he +rushed off the helm of Sir Perard, and catched him by the hair and dragged +down his neck so that he might have slain him had he chosen to do so.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Perard, perceiving how near death was to him, catched Sir +Gareth about the knees, and cried out on high, "Messire, spare my life, for +so thou hast it at thy mercy." Quoth Sir Gareth, "Sir Knight, I will +not spare thy life unless this lady beseech it of me."</p> + +<p>Then Lynette cried out: "Fie upon thee, thou saucy varlet! Who art +thou that I should ask a favor of thee?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette asketh +the life of the +Black Knight.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Perard cried out, "Fair Lady, I beseech thee that thou beg my life +at the hands of this knight," and thereupon Lynette said: "Fie +upon it that it must needs be so. But indeed I cannot suffer so +worshipful a knight as thou art, Sir Perard, to be slain by the +hand of a kitchen knave. So, Sirrah Beaumains, I bid thee stay thy hand +and spare this knight his life."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>Upon this speech, Sir Gareth released his hold upon Sir Perard and said, +"Arise, Sir Knight, for I will spare thy life upon this lady's behest." And +therewith Sir Perard arose and stood upon his feet. And Sir Perard said: +"Sir, thou hast conquered me in fair battle and for that reason I have yielded +me to thee. Now, I prythee tell me, hast thou any commands that thou +wouldst lay upon me?" Quoth Sir Gareth: "Yea, Messire, I have a command +to lay upon you and this is that command: It is that you straightway +go to the court of King Arthur and pay your duty unto him. And you +are to say unto King Arthur that Beaumains, the kitchen knave, hath sent +you unto him. And I pray you give him news of me and tell him it fareth +well with me." And Sir Perard said, "Messire, it shall be done according +to your bidding." And Sir Gareth said, "See that it is so."</p> + +<p>Now in all these things that Sir Gareth did and said he ever bore himself +with such dignity and haughtiness that a knight of ten years' standing would +not have acted with more dignity than he. And after he had settled those +affairs in that wise, he turned to Lynette and addressed himself to her, saying, +"Lady, if so be thou art now ready to depart I am ready to accompany +thee," and with that the damsel took her departure and Sir Gareth and Axatalese +followed after her. So they left that place of battle and soon after +they had gone Sir Perard departed upon his way to the court of King Arthur +as he had been commanded to do by Sir Gareth as aforesaid.</p> + +<p>Now after Lynette and Sir Gareth had ridden some while in silence, +Lynette turned her face and looked upon Sir Gareth. And she said, "Sir +Kitchen Knave, I would I knew who thou really art." To the which Sir +Gareth answered very calmly, "Thou hast declared several times who I am +and that I am a kitchen knave from King Arthur's court." Then Lynette +laughed and she said, "True, I had nigh forgot." And she said, "Ride +not so near to me for still, I believe, thou savorest of the kitchen." And +thereupon Sir Gareth withdrew to that same distance he had assumed +before.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They behold +one fleeing from +the forest.</i></div> + +<p>Now somewhile toward the approach of eventide, Sir Gareth and Lynette +and Axatalese came away from that part of the country and to where +the forest began again. And it befell that as they approached the forest +they beheld of a sudden one who came spurring out of the woodlands riding +upon a white horse, driving very furiously and at full speed. This rider +when he was come nigh suddenly drew rein, and flinging himself from the +saddle he ran to Sir Gareth and catched him by the stirrup, +crying out: "Sir Knight! Sir Knight! I crave you of your +worship that you will lend your aid in a case of woful need!" +Then Sir Gareth beheld that this one who had come to him in this wise was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +an esquire, clad in green and yellow and that he was one of good appearance +and of quality. And Sir Gareth said: "Fair Friend, I prythee tell me what +service it is that thou wouldst have of me?"</p> + +<p>"Sir," cried that esquire, "my master, who is a knight of these marches, +is beset within the forest yonder by several thieves and I fear they will slay +him unless help cometh to him in short order." Sir Gareth said, "Where is +your master?" And the esquire said, "Follow me and I will bring you to +him."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +driveth to rescue +the wounded +knight.</i></div> + +<p>So the esquire mounted his horse again and drave away with all speed +and Sir Gareth set spurs to his horse and also drave away at speed, and Lynette +and the dwarf followed with speed after Sir Gareth. So anon they +entered the forest and coursed therethrough for a little ways and then Sir +Gareth perceived where at a short distance there was a knight set with his +back against a tree defending himself against six great and brawny villains +clad in full armor. And Sir Gareth beheld that there were three other +villains who lay dead upon the ground, but that the knight was in a sorry +case, bleeding from several wounds and very weary with his +battle. Thereupon, beholding this, Sir Gareth drew his sword +and cried out in a very loud voice: "Have at ye, villains! +Have at ye!" and therewith drave into the midst of that +contest. And the thieves were astonished at the violence of his coming so +that they knew not what to do, for Sir Gareth drave into their midst without +let or pause of any sort. And ere they recovered from their astonishment, +Sir Gareth struck one of the villains to the earth at a single blow and +then he smote down another. And a third would have defended himself, +but Sir Gareth rose up in his stirrups and he smote him so full and terrible +a buffet that he clave through his morion and through his head to the very +teeth of his head.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth slayeth +the thieves.</i></div> + +<p>Then beholding that dreadful terrible blow that Sir Gareth had struck +their companion, the other three villains were adread for their lives, and fled +shrieking away into the forest. But Sir Gareth would not let them escape but +charged after them with great fury. And the three thieves found that they +could not escape, and that there was naught else for them to do but to turn +and stand at bay and so they did. But Sir Gareth would not be stayed +by this, but he drave straightway into their midst and struck +upon this side and upon that, so that maugre their defence all +three of those villains were presently stretched, all bathed in their blood, +upon the ground. Then Sir Gareth rode back again, wiping his sword very +calmly ere he put it back into its sheath.</p> + +<p>So anon he came to where was that knight whom he had saved and at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +that time Lynette and Axatalese and the esquire were lending such aid to +the wounded man as his case demanded.</p> + +<p>But when that knight beheld Sir Gareth returning from his battle, he +broke away from the others and came to Sir Gareth and embraced him +about the knee and said, "Messire, you have certes saved my life." And +he said: "I pray you tell me what great and worshipful knight you are who +doeth such wonderful battle as I beheld. Never would I have supposed it +possible that any single knight could have overthrown six armed men with +such ease as I have beheld you do this day."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette mocketh +Sir Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>Now Lynette was standing by at that time and her eyes were wonderfully +bright and shining and she looked very strangely upon Sir Gareth. Then +hearing what that knight said whom Sir Gareth had rescued +she burst out laughing very shrilly and piercingly and she cried +out, "Sir Knight, wit you who this is who hath saved your life?" The +knight said, "Nay, damsel, I know not." She said: "Wit you then that +this is a kitchen knave of King Arthur's court hight Beaumains, so hight +because of the whiteness of his hands. He hath followed me hither +against my will, and I cannot drive him from me."</p> + +<p>Then that knight was very much astonished and he said: "Fair damsel, +certes you jest with me, for indeed this is some very noble and well-approved +knight of great worship. For no one but such a knight as that could have +done such deeds of arms as I beheld this day."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +rebuketh the +knight.</i></div> + +<p>Now at that time Sir Gareth was very weary with the battles he had +fought during the day, and his body was sore with several wounds that he +had suffered, and his spirit was very greatly vexed with the scorn with +which Lynette had ever treated him for all this while, wherefore +he had but little patience to deal to any man. So straightway +he turned him toward that knight and he spake very +sternly to him, saying: "Messire, do you intend to gainsay that which this +lady sayeth to you concerning me? Wit you that I will not suffer her word +to be put in question in any wise. Wherefore, if she is pleased to say that +I am a scullion lad, so for her sake you must believe it to be."</p> + +<p>At this that knight was more astonished than before, and he wist not what +to think. So anon he said: "Messire, certes I meant no offence to you, for +how should I mean offence to one who hath done me such service as you +have rendered to me this day?"</p> + +<p>"Well," quoth Sir Gareth, "in this I am greatly offended that you should +gainsay that which this lady is pleased to say. Wit you that for this while +I am this lady's champion, and so I will suffer no one to gainsay her." So +said Sir Gareth, and when he had ended that saying, Lynette laughed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +laughed again with all her might and main. And she cried out, "Well said, +thou kitchen knave!" unto the which speech Sir Gareth made no reply.</p> + +<p>Then that knight said to Sir Gareth and to Lynette: "Messire, and thou, +fair damsel, I know not what all this meaneth but haply you know. But I +see, Sir Knight, that thou art wounded in several places, and I doubt not +that you are both aweary with your travels, wherefore I pray you that you +will come with me to my castle which is not a very great distance away +from this, and I beseech you there to lodge and to refresh you for this +night."</p> + +<p>To this Lynette said: "That which thou sayest pleases me very greatly, +Messire, for indeed I am aweary and would fain rest me a little. So let us +go forward to your castle. But this Beaumains must ride not so close to us +for indeed I cannot abide the odor of the kitchen."</p> + +<p>So after that they all departed from that place, and ever Sir Gareth rode +at a distance as the damsel had commanded him to do.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They come to +the castle of the +knight.</i></div> + +<p>Now after they had gone a considerable way they came out of the +forest and into a valley wherein stood the castle of that knight. And it was +a very fair and noble castle and the valley was exceedingly +fertile with many rich fields and meadows and with several +plantations of trees, both of fruit trees and otherwise. Through +this fruitful valley they came to the castle and they rode into the castle +courtyard with a great noise of horses' hoofs upon the cobblestones, and +at that coming many of the attendants of the castle came running for to +take their horses and to serve them.</p> + +<p>Then Lynette gazed about her and she said to the knight of the castle, +"Messire, who are these?" He said: "Fair damsel, these are they who would +take your horse and the horse of that noble knight your companion, and +others are they who would wait upon you and upon him to serve you both." +Then Lynette said: "Not so, Sir Knight, my horse they may take and me +they may serve, but it is not meet that a kitchen knave such as Beaumains +should be waited upon in that wise, wherefore I bid you to suffer him to +wait upon himself."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +serveth himself.</i></div> + +<p>Upon this speech Sir Gareth turned him to the knight of the castle and +his face was very calm, albeit his eyes shone like sparks of fire and he said, +speaking very haughtily: "Messire, whitherward is the stable? +I pray you to tell me so that I may house my good horse and +wait upon myself as this lady, whom I have undertaken to serve, hath commanded +me to do." Then the knight of the castle was much troubled and +knew not what to reply; yet anon he said, "Messire, I know not what to say +in this case but an you ask me I must say the stable lieth yonderways."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p>So spake the knight, and thereupon Sir Gareth turned him without another +word and rode away, still very calmly, leaving them alone.</p> + +<p>So after that the knight and Lynette entered the castle. But the knight, +when he was alone, called to him the steward of the castle and he said to +him: "Go you and search out that noble and worthy knight, for assuredly +he is some great and famous champion. See you that he is served in all wise +that such an one should be served, and spare naught to comfort him and put +him at his ease, for this day he hath certes saved my life." So the steward +did as he was bidden and that evening Sir Gareth was served in all wise +befitting for a knight royal such as he really was.</p> + +<p>Now when the next day was come, and when it was time for Lynette and +Sir Gareth and Axatalese the dwarf to depart from that place, the knight +of the castle came to Sir Gareth where he sat upon his horse. And he laid +his hand upon the stirrup of Sir Gareth and he said: "Messire, I pray you +tell me, is there any service that I may do you that you would have of me?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +biddeth the +knight to do +service.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth looked down upon that knight and he said: "Sir, there +is a service you could render me an you chose to do so, and this is that +service: it is that you should go to the court of King Arthur with +all the estate that is befitting for one of your degree. And +when you have come to the court I would fain have you tell +King Arthur that Beaumains, the kitchen knave, hath sent you +to him for to pay your court unto him. And I would have you tell the +King and Sir Gawaine how it hath fared with me so far as you are aware +of." Thus said Sir Gareth, and to him the knight of the castle made +reply: "Sir, it shall be done as you ordain; for all those things I will do +exactly as you commanded me."</p> + +<p>So after that they three departed upon their way, the damsel Lynette +riding ahead and Sir Gareth and the dwarf riding some distance behind.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>And now if you would hear what other adventures befell Sir Gareth and +Lynette at this time I pray you to read further, for there these several things +are told of in due order.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 419px;"> +<img src="images/s0089.png" width="419" height="600" alt="The Lady Layonnesse." title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0090.png" width="600" height="77" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Fourth</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Gareth met Sir Percevant of Hind, and how he came to +Castle Dangerous and had speech with the Lady Layonnesse. +Also how the Lady Layonnesse accepted him for her champion.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>So the damsel Lynette followed by Sir Gareth and the dwarf travelled +for all that morning and a part of the afternoon without let or stay +of any sort and without meeting with any adventure whatsoever, +and in all that time the damsel said no word to Sir Gareth whether of good +or ill, but ever kept her eyes fixed straight before her as though very much +occupied with thought.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They behold a +fair pavilion in +a valley.</i></div> + +<p>So about two hours or three after the prime of the day they came to the +top of a very long steep hill, and there beneath them in the valley that lay +below the hill, Sir Gareth perceived that a considerable company and one +that appeared to be of great estate were foregathered. For at +that place there were a number of pavilions of divers colored +silk and above each pavilion there flew a silken banner bearing +the device of the owner of that pavilion. And in the midst of all those other +pavilions there was one that was manifestly the pavilion of the knight-champion +or of the overlord of all the others. For that pavilion was of +crimson silk embroidered with figures in threads of silver and black, and +above the pavilion there flew a banner of very great size, which same was +also of crimson silk embroidered in silver and black with the figure of a +leopard couchant.</p> + +<p>And from where he stood upon the heights, Sir Gareth saw that all these +pavilions were spread in a fair level meadow with grass well mown, as +smooth as a cloth of green velvet, and all bright with gay and pretty flowers. +And this meadow and other meadows beyond it stretched away to a great +distance and at the extremity of the distance was a fair tall castle and a +goodly town of many towers, all shining very bright in the clear transparent +daylight.</p> + +<p>All this Sir Gareth beheld very plain, as it were upon the palm of his hand,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +and he beheld how above all that level, fruitful valley the sky arched like to a +roof of crystal—warm and perfectly blue, and filled full of a very great many +clouds.</p> + +<p>Then Lynette said: "Hah, Beaumains, see you yonder pavilions and see +you that pavilion which is in their midst?" And Sir Gareth said, "Yea, +damsel, I behold them all."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette telleth +Sir Gareth of +Sir Percevant.</i></div> + +<p>Quoth Lynette: "Wit you that that central pavilion belongeth to Sir +Percevant of Hind, for well do I know the device embroidered upon his +banner. And I have to tell you that Sir Percevant is one of the very greatest +of the knights champion of this realm and that he hath fought many +battles with some of the chiefest Knights of the Round Table +and hath come forth with great credit in all those encounters. +Now, Beaumains, this is a very different sort of knight from +any of those with whom you have hitherto had to do, wherefore be you +advised that it is not meet for a kitchen knave to have to do in such an adventure +as this. So turn you about and get you gone or else of a surety some +great ill will befall you in this affair."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth looked very calmly upon Lynette and he said: "Lady, +it may well be that a man who assumeth to have credit and honor may +fail in an undertaking of this sort, but when have you ever heard that such a +man of credit or of honor hath withdrawn him from an adventure because +there is great danger in it?"</p> + +<p>Then Lynette laughed and she said: "Hah, Beaumains, thou speakest +with a very high spirit for one who is but a kitchen knave. Now if harm +befalleth thee because of this undertaking, blame thyself therefor." And +Sir Gareth said: "So will I do, and rest you well assured, fair damsel, that +never shall I blame you for that or for anything else that may befall me." +And at that Lynette laughed again.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth drew rein and turned downhill to where were those +pavilions aforesaid, and so they all three descended from the height into the +valley and so came toward that fair meadow wherein the silken tents had +been erected.</p> + +<p>Now as they drew near to the pavilions, they beheld several esquires +who were sitting at a bench playing at dice. These, beholding Sir Gareth +coming in that wise with the fair damsel and the dwarf, they all arose, and he +that was chief among them said: "Sir, what knight are you, and what is +your degree, and why come you hitherward?" Him answered Sir Gareth, +saying: "Friend, it matters not who I am saving only that I am of sufficient +worth. As for my business, it is to have speech with Sir Percevant of Hind, +the lord of this company."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + +<p>Quoth the esquire: "Sir, you cannot come past this way nor may you +have speech with Sir Percevant of Hind without first making known your +name and your degree, for otherwise you come upon him at your peril." +Then Sir Gareth laughed, and said, "Say you so?" and therewith he drave +past all those esquires and Lynette and the dwarf went with him and no one +dared to stay him. So they came to the pavilion of Sir Percevant and Sir +Percevant was within his pavilion at that time.</p> + +<p>Now before the pavilion there was a tall painted post set into the ground, +and upon the post there hung a great shield, bearing upon it the device of a +leopard couchant in black and white, and so Sir Gareth perceived that this +was the shield of Sir Percevant.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth drew his sword and he went forward and smote the shield +such a blow that it rang like thunder beneath the stroke that he gave it.</p> + +<p>Therewith came Sir Percevant of Hind out of his pavilion and his countenance +was all aflame with anger and he cried out very fiercely: "Messire, +who are you who dare to smite my shield in that wise?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +challengeth Sir +Percevant.</i></div> + +<p>But Sir Gareth sat his horse very calmly, and he said: "Messire, I struck +your shield for to call you forth so that I might have speech +with you. As for my name, I will not tell you that nor my +degree. But if you would know these things, I bid you for to +ask them of this lady who is my companion."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percevant turned him to Lynette, and he said, "Damsel, who is +this knight?" And Lynette said: "Sir, I know not otherwise than that he +is a kitchen knave of King Arthur's court who hath clothed himself in armor. +He is called Beaumains, and fain would I have been rid of him several times, +but could not; for ever he followeth me, and, maugre my wishes, will ever +serve as my champion."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percevant turned unto Sir Gareth with great anger and he said: +"Sir, I know not what is this jest that you and your damsel seek to put upon +me, but this I do know, that since you have appointed her to speak for you, +and since she declareth you to be a kitchen knave, so must I believe you to +be. Wherefore, unless you straightway declare your name and your degree +to me upon your own account, and unless you prove to me that you are +otherwise than this damsel sayeth, I shall straightway have you stripped +of your armor and shall have you bound and beaten with cords for this +affront that you have put upon my shield."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth spake very calmly, saying: "Sir, that would be a pity +for you to do, for I have to tell you that, whether I be a kitchen knave or +no, nevertheless I have had to do with several good and worthy knights +of fair repute. For I have to tell you that one of these knights was Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +Launcelot of the Lake and that he made me knight. And I have to tell +you that another one of these was your own brother, Sir Perard, whom +I overcame yesterday in battle and whom I would have slain only that this +damsel besought his life at my hands. And I have to tell you that Sir +Perard is even now upon his way to the court of King Arthur, there to pay +his duty to the King upon my demand upon him to that end."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percevant cleared his brow of its anger, and he said: "Sir, I +perceive from all that you tell me that you are some knight of very good +quality and merit. Wherefore I will withdraw that which I said and will +do you battle because you have struck my shield. And it will go hard +with me but I shall serve you in such a way as shall well wipe out that +affront in your warm red blood. For I promise you that I shall not let or +stay in the battle against you."</p> + +<p>So spake Sir Percevant and straightway he withdrew him into his tent +and several of the knights who were his companions and several esquires +who had gathered about in this while of talk, went into his pavilion with him +and there aided him to don his armor and to fit himself for battle.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the meadow +of battle.</i></div> + +<p>So anon Sir Percevant came forth again in all wise prepared for that +battle. And his esquires brought to him a noble horse as white as milk and +they assisted him to mount thereon. And Sir Percevant took +a great spear into his hand and so turned and led the way +toward a fair smooth level lawn of grass whereon two knights might well +run atilt against one another. And all they who were of that company followed +Sir Percevant and Sir Gareth to that lawn of grass, and the damsel +Lynette and the dwarf Axatalese went thither along with the others.</p> + +<p>So coming to that place a marshal of the lists was appointed, and thereafter +each knight was assigned a certain station by that marshal. Then, +everything being duly prepared, the word for the assault was given, and +each knight launched forth against the other with all the speed with which +he was able to drive. So they met in the midst of the course with a great +roar and crashing of wood and metal and in that encounter the spear of each +knight was broken into small pieces and the horse of each staggered back +from beneath the blow and would have fallen had not the knight rider +recovered him with rein and spur and voice.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth doeth +battle with Sir +Percevant.</i></div> + +<p>Then each knight leaped down from his horse and drew his sword and rushed +to the assault afoot with all the fierceness of two wild boars engaged in +battle. And thereupon they fell to lashing such blows at one +another that even they who looked on from a distance were +affrighted at the violence and the uproar of that assault. For +the two champions fought very fiercely, and the longer they fought the more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +fiercely they did battle. And in a little while the armor of each was all stained +red, and the ground upon which they fought was all besprinkled with red, +yet neither knight had any thought of yielding to the other in any whit or +degree, but still each fought on with ever-increasing fury against the other.</p> + +<p>Now at this time neither knight had aught of advantage against the other, +and no man might have told how that battle would have gone, but at the +moment of the greatest doubt, Lynette uplifted her voice aloud, as it were +in terror, crying out very shrilly and vehemently: "Good worthy knight +Sir Percevant, will you then let a kitchen knave and a scullion stay you +thus in your battle?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +overcometh Sir +Percevant.</i></div> + +<p>Then it befell as it had befallen before when Sir Gareth fought with the +Black Knight, Sir Percevant's brother, for Sir Gareth heard the words that +Lynette cried out, and straightway it was as though the new strength of +several men had entered into his body because of his anger at those words. +And that anger consumed all else that was before it, whether that other were +of prudence or of temper. For straightway Sir Gareth flung aside his shield +and seized his sword in both hands and rushed upon Sir Percevant and +struck blow upon blow so fiercely and so violently that nor skill nor strength +might withstand his assault. Then Sir Percevant fell back before that +assault and could not do otherwise, and he bore his shield full low; but ever +Sir Gareth followed him and smote him more and more violently so that Sir +Percevant could no longer hold up his shield against the assault of his +enemy. And Sir Gareth perceived that Sir Percevant waxed feeble in his +defence and with that he rushed in and smote Sir Percevant upon the helm so +woeful a blow that Sir Percevant could no longer stand upon his feet but +sank slowly down upon his knees before Sir Gareth. Then Sir Gareth ran to +Sir Percevant and catched him by the helm and rushed the +helm off from his head and with that Sir Percevant wist that +death overshadowed him. Then Sir Percevant catched Sir +Gareth about the thighs and, embracing him, cried out: "Messire, spare my +life and do not slay me!" And all those knights and esquires who were in +attendance upon Sir Percevant pressed about Sir Gareth where he stood, +and lifted up their voices, also crying out: "Sir Knight, do not slay that +good worthy knight our champion, but spare his life to him."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth, all wet with the blood and sweat of battle and panting +for breath said in a very hoarse voice: "Ask ye not for this knight's life for I +will not spare his life to him except upon one condition, and that condition +is that the damsel whose champion I am shall ask his life at my hands."</p> + +<p>Now at that time Lynette was weeping amain, though whether with dread +of that fierce battle or because of something else, who may tell? Yet ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +she wept, and ever she laughed and wept again. And she cried out: "Thou +saucy knave, Beaumains, who art thou to make such a demand as that?"</p> + +<p>But Sir Gareth said: "If I be saucy, let it pass, yet so it is as I have said, +and I will not spare this knight his life unless thou ask it of me," and therewith +he catched Sir Percevant by the hair and lifted his sword on high as +though to separate the head of Sir Percevant from off his body.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette +beseecheth Sir +Percevant's life.</i></div> + +<p>Then all those knights and esquires crowded around Lynette and besought +her that she would ask for the life of Sir Percevant. And Lynette +said: "Stay thy hand, Beaumains, and slay him not, for it +would be a pity for so good and worthy a knight as Sir Percevant +of Hind to lose his life at the hands of a kitchen knave +such as thou art."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth said: "Arise, Sir Knight, and stand up, for the word of +this lady hath saved thy life." And therewith Sir Gareth released his hold +of Sir Percevant and Sir Percevant arose and stood up.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +commandeth +service of Sir +Percevant.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Percevant said: "Sir, thou hast beaten me in a very fair and bitter +battle and so I yield myself to thee. Now I pray thee tell me what are +thy commands upon me?" And Sir Gareth said: "Sir, thou sayest well, +and these are my commands: that thou, together with all this +thy company of knights and esquires, do take your departure +from this field and that ye all go to the court of King Arthur. +And it is my desire that when thou hast come to the court of the +King thou shalt pay thy duty to him and say to him that Beaumains, the +kitchen knave, hath sent thee to pay that duty."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percevant bowed his head before Sir Gareth and said: "Sir, it +shall be as you command." And after that he said, "Sir, I pray you that +you will do me this favor; I pray you that you will come with me to yonder +castle at that town which you see afar off. For that is my castle and my +town and I am fain that you should rest you ere you go farther upon your +way, and that you should refresh yourself at my castle. I perceive that you +are wounded in several places, and I would fain that you should have your +wounds searched and dressed and that you should have rest and ease ere +you go forward, so that your wounds may be healed and that you may be +made hale when you undertake your further adventures."</p> + +<p>To this Sir Gareth said: "Sir, I thank you well for your courtesy and it will +pleasure me greatly to go to your castle with you and there to rest me awhile. +For indeed it hath been a sore battle that I have fought with you this day +and I suffer a very great deal of pain. Moreover I have fought other battles +of late and am aweary and in no fit case to go farther at this present."</p> + +<p>So after Sir Gareth and Sir Percevant had rested them a little, they and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +all of their companies departed thence and betook their way to the castle of +Sir Percevant. There Sir Gareth was bathed and his wounds were searched +and dressed and he was put in all ease that was possible.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +rests him in the +castle of Sir +Percevant.</i></div> + +<p>And Sir Percevant gave command that ever a company of knights should +stand guard over Sir Gareth where he lay so that no harm should befall +him, and it was done according to that command. So Sir +Gareth abided at the castle of Sir Percevant for five days and +in all that time he saw nothing whatsoever of the damsel Lynette; +for he lay in one part of the castle and she dwelt in +another part. Then at the end of five days, Sir Gareth was well healed of +his wounds and was in all ways hale and strong to carry out his further adventures.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette maketh +peace with Sir +Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>Now when those five days aforesaid were past, Sir Gareth made him ready +to depart, and Lynette also made herself ready to depart, and so they took +their leave of the castle of Sir Percevant. And they rode out through the +gateway of the castle and into the sunlight that lay beyond, and it was a +wonderfully bright cheerful pleasant day with all the little birds singing +amain and the blossoms falling like snow whensoever that the wind blew +through the branches of the apple-trees. Thus they departed and after +that they rode for a long while. So they came two or three leagues upon +their way, and in that time neither said anything to the other but both +rode in silence. Then at last Lynette turned her about and Sir Gareth perceived +that her eyes shone very bright. And Lynette said, "Sir, have you +anger against me?" Then Sir Gareth, who was riding some little distance +away, as he had aforetime done upon her bidding, came nearer to her and +said: "Nay, fair damsel; why think you that I should anger have against +you? Have I shown you any anger, that you should say those words to +me?" She said: "Nay, Messire, never at any time have you +shown anger toward me, but you have ever been to me all that +it was possible for any noble and worthy knight to be to a lady +who had treated him with all consideration and regard, and this you have +done in spite of the scornful way in which I have treated you. And also I +have very well perceived the manner in which you have borne yourself in +these several contests at arms which you have fought, and I have beheld +you to be as brave and haughty toward those knights who were strong and +valiant, as you have been gentle and kind to me who am a woman."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth smiled and he said: "Lady, you make much of that +which is very little. Know you not that it behooves all true knights to be +gentle and patient with all such as are not so strong as they? So it is that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +in being courteous to you I have done naught except that which I have been +taught to do in such a case. As for those bitter words you spake to me, I +may tell you that any anger which I might have felt therefor I visited upon +those knights against whom I fought. For when you gave me those bitter +words, then I gave them bitter blows therefor, and the more you scorned me +the more strongly and vehemently did I fight."</p> + +<p>Then Lynette said: "Sir, you are certes a very high, noble, and worthy +knight, and she unto whom you vouchsafe to give your belle regard that +lady will be as fortunate as any of whom I ever heard tell. For I believe +that it is not possible for any knight ever to have been so tried as I have +tried you for all this while that we have journeyed together; wherefore, if +you have proved yourself so worthy in this thing, how much more will you +prove yourself worthy in those greater things that shall in time come unto +you?"</p> + +<p>So spake Lynette and thereat Sir Gareth laughed a little and said: "Fair +damsel, have I now leave to ride beside you, and is there now peace betwixt +us?" And Lynette said, "Yea, Messire." So therewith Sir Gareth rode +forward until he was come beside Lynette, and from that time forward there +was peace and concord betwixt them; for Lynette was now as kind and +humble to him as she had been saucy and uncivil before.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They journey +together in concord.</i></div> + +<p>And so as they journeyed together Lynette told Sir Gareth many things +concerning the adventure which he was entered upon that he had not +known before. For she told him that this lady who was her +sister was hight the Lady Layonnesse and that she was but +eighteen years of age. And she told him that the Lady Layonnesse +was one of the most beautiful ladies in the world, and she told him +that the lady was the countess of a very great and rich town, hight Granderegard, +and of a noble castle appertaining to the town, which same was called +the Castle Dangerous. And she told him that the marches over which the +Lady Layonnesse was countess extended for several leagues upon this side +and upon that side of the town and the castle, and she told him that the +Knight of the Red Lands, who opposed her sister, was so strong and so +doughty a knight that she believed it would be hard to find in any part of +the realm so powerful a knight as he. And she said to Sir Gareth: "In good +sooth, Messire, I have great fear that you will have sad ado to hold your +own against this Red Knight of the Red Lands, for as Sir Perard was greater +and bigger than those two knights at the ford whom you overthrew so easily, +and as Sir Percevant of Hind was greater and bigger than Sir Perard, so I +believe is this Red Knight of the Red Lands greater and bigger than Sir +Percevant."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, Lynette," quoth Sir Gareth, "so far it hath been that I have had +success in all my battles but one, and in that one I suffered no dishonor. So +I believe I may hope to have a fair fortune with this knight also, for wit you +that the fortunes of any knight lie in the hands of God and not in man's +hands, wherefore if it is His will that I fare well in this undertaking, then +shall I assuredly do so."</p> + +<p>Thus they talked in great amity of many things, and so they travelled +for all that day and the next day and for a part of the day after that. And +somewhat early in the morning of the third day they came to the summit +of a certain highland whence Sir Gareth beheld a great plain, well tilled and +very fertile, spread out beneath that high place where he stood. And he +beheld that the plain was very broad and very long and that in the midst +thereof there was a hill and that upon the hill there stood a castle and that +behind the castle was a town of many fair and well-built houses.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They behold the +pavilions of the +Red Knight.</i></div> + +<p>Then Lynette pointed, and she said to Sir Gareth: "See you that castle +and that town? That castle is my sister's castle and that town is her town. +And, yonder, beneath the walls of the town and of the castle, you may see +a number of pavilions spread upon a considerable meadow. Those are the +pavilions of the Red Knight of the Red Lands and of the +knights and esquires attendant upon him. For there he keepeth +continual watch and ward over the castle of my sister, so that +no one may either come out thereof or enter thereinto without his leave for +to do so." And Sir Gareth said, "Let us go down unto yonder place."</p> + +<p>So straightway they descended from the highland into the plain, and so +went forward upon their way toward the town and the castle of the Lady +Layonnesse.</p> + +<p>Now as they drew more nigh to that place where the pavilions of the +Red Knight of the Red Lands and of his companions at arms had been +spread, they went past a great many pollard willow-trees standing all in a +row. And Sir Gareth beheld that upon each tree there hung either one +shield or two or three shields and that each shield bore some device of +knighthood. At that sight he was greatly astonished, and he said: "Fair +damsel, I prythee tell me what is the meaning of this sight and why those +shields are hung to yonder pollard willow-trees?" Quoth Lynette: "Sir, +each one of those shields is the shield of some knight whom the Red Knight +of the Red Lands hath overthrown. And some of these knights have been +slain in battle by the Knight of the Red Lands, and some have not been +slain, but all those who were not slain have been disgraced in the encounter +which they have fought. For from each knight which he hath overthrown +the Red Knight of the Red Lands hath taken his shield and his horse and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +hath sent him away afoot, unarmed and horseless, wherefore it is thought +by some that it were better to have been slain in battle than to have suffered +such disgrace as that."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth said: "Certes, Lynette, that must have been a very +doughty champion to have overcome so many knights as these. Now, +if it is my fortune to overthrow him in that battle which I am come to +fight with him, then do I believe I shall win for myself more honor and +credit than ever fell to any young knight of my age since first Sir Percival +of Gales assumed his knighthood."</p> + +<p>So said Sir Gareth, and after that he and Lynette rode onward a little +farther until they had come to that meadow where were the pavilions of the +Red Knight of the Red Lands and of his knights companion.</p> + +<p>And Sir Gareth and the damsel rode straight through the midst of those +pavilions and many knights and esquires came out thence to see who they +were who came thitherward. But ever Sir Gareth and Lynette and the +dwarf rode onward until they had come to the center pavilion of all and +that was the pavilion of the Red Knight aforesaid.</p> + +<p>Here at this place were several pages and of one of them Sir Gareth demanded +where was that Red Knight. They say, "Sir, he is within his +pavilion resting after his midday meal." Sir Gareth said, "Go ye and tell +him that there is one come who would have speech with him."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +beholdeth the +Red Knight.</i></div> + +<p>So those esquires departed, and anon there came forth the Red Knight from +his pavilion, and he was clad all in a loose robe of scarlet silk trimmed with +miniver. And Sir Gareth looked upon him and beheld that he +was very big of bone and thew and that the hair of his head and +his beard was exceedingly red and that his countenance was +terribly lowering and forbidding.</p> + +<p>Then the Red Knight when he saw Sir Gareth, said, "Who art thou, Sir +Knight, and what is thy business here?" And Sir Gareth said: "Messire, +I am one come from King Arthur's court to take up the quarrel of the Lady +Layonnesse of this place and to serve as her champion therein."</p> + +<p>Then the Knight of the Red Lands said: "Who are you? Are you a +knight of repute and fame at arms?" and Sir Gareth said: "Nay, Sir, not so; +for I have only been made knight fortnight, and I have but little service +at arms."</p> + +<p>Then the Red Knight laughed very boisterously and said: "How is this, +and what sort of a green knight are you, who dares to come against me! +Know that I have laid more than twoscore better knights than you very +low in the dust."</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Gareth: "That may very well be, Sir Knight. Yet is the fate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +of every one in the hands of God and so mayhap He will cause me to overthrow +you upon this occasion." And Sir Gareth said: "Now, I pray you +that you will let me go up to yonder castle and have speech with the lady +thereof and if so be she will accept me for her champion, then will I return +hitherward immediately to do battle with you." And the Red Knight +said, "Go and speak with her."</p> + +<p>So Sir Gareth went up toward the Castle Dangerous and Lynette went +with him. And when they had come pretty nigh to the castle, the lady +thereof appeared at an upper window and called down to Sir Gareth, saying, +"Sir, who are you and whence come you?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +beholdeth +the Lady +Layonnesse.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth looked up and beheld the lady where she stood at the +window, and he beheld her face that it was very exceedingly beautiful. +For, though she had dark hair like to Lynette's, and though +she had cheeks resembling in their clear whiteness the cheeks +of Lynette, and though her lips were red as coral like to +Lynette's, yet was she ten times more beautiful than ever was +Lynette. So, beholding how beautiful she was, the heart of Sir Gareth +leaped straightway up to her, even as a bird flyeth upward, and there it +rested within her bosom.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth said to her: "Lady, you ask me who I am, and I am to tell +you that I am one come from King Arthur's court to serve you as your +champion if so be you will accept me as such."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Layonnesse said, "Sir, are you a knight of good fame and +service?" And Sir Gareth said, "Nay, Lady, but only a green knight very +little used to arms. For I have but been a knight for these few days and +though I have fought several battles with good fortune in that time, yet I +know not as yet what may be my fate when I meet such a knight as the Red +Knight of the Red Lands. Yet this is true, Lady, that though I be but very +young and untried at arms, yet is my spirit very great for this undertaking."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Layonnesse said: "Sir, what is your name and what is +your degree?" And Sir Gareth said: "I may not tell you that at this present, +for I will not declare my name until that my kindred (who yet do not know +me) shall have acknowledged me." To this the Lady Layonnesse said: "This +is very strange, and I am much affronted that King Arthur should have sent +to me from his court a knight without a name and without any credit at +arms for to serve as my champion." And Sir Gareth said, "Lady, there was +reason for it."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Layonnesse said, "Is not that my sister Lynette whom I +behold with thee?" and Sir Gareth said, "Yea, Lady." The Lady said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +"Who is this knight, Lynette?" and Lynette replied, "I know not, my +sister, saving only that I have good reason to believe that he is the noblest +and the haughtiest and the most worthy of all knights whom I have ever +beheld." "Well," quoth the Lady Layonnesse, "if thou dost thus vouch +for him, then upon thee be the peril of my choosing." And Lynette said, +"Let it be so."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Layonnesse +giveth Sir Gareth +her scarf.</i></div> + +<p>Then the Lady Layonnesse said, "Sir Knight, I take thee for my champion." +And therewith she let fall from the window where she stood a fair +scarf of green samite embroidered with threads of gold. And +Sir Gareth catched the scarf with such joy that it was as +though his heart would burst for happiness. And he wrapped +the scarf about his arm, and immediately it was as though +the virtue of his strength had been increased threefold.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now if so be you would know how Sir Gareth sped in his business with +the Red Knight of the Red Lands, I beg of you for to read that which +followeth, for therein withal it shall be immediately declared.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0101.png" width="250" height="128" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 421px;"> +<img src="images/s0103.png" width="421" height="600" alt="The Lady Layonnesse cometh to the Pavilion of Sir Gareth" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0104.png" width="600" height="76" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Fifth</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Gareth fought with the Red Knight of the Red Lands +and how it fared with him in that battle. Also how his dwarf +was stolen, and how his name and estate became known and were +made manifest.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Now after Sir Gareth had received the scarf of the Lady Layonnesse +as aforetold, he and Lynette and the dwarf returned to a certain +meadow nigh to the pavilions where it had been ordained that the +battle should be held. There they found that the Red Knight of the Red +Lands had made himself in all ways ready for that battle. For he was now +clad all in armor as red as blood, and in his hand he bore a great spear that +was also altogether red; and on the tip of the spear was a red banneret that +was likewise as red as blood.</p> + +<p>At that field that had been prepared for battle, there was a great concourse +of people assembled and there also the damsel Lynette took her stand +at a place that had been assigned unto her; and the dwarf Axatalese was +near by in attendance upon her. And there had been a marshal of the field +appointed to judge of the battle that was to be fought, and as each knight +came to the field, the marshal led him to where he was to take his stand—which +stand was in such a place as should offer a fair course and so that the +sun should not shine into the eyes of either of the knights contestant.</p> + +<p>So when everything was duly prepared for battle and when the knights +had taken each his place and when each knight was in all ways ready for the +course to be run, the marshal cried out the call to the assault. Thereupon +each knight immediately leaped his horse away from where it stood and +hurtled the one against the other like a whirlwind with a great thunder of +galloping hoofs. So they came together in a cloud of dust and with a +terrible crashing of splintered wood. For in that encounter each knight +shattered his lance into pieces, even to the hand that held it, and so violent +was the blow that each gave the other that both horses staggered back as +though they had struck each against a solid rock instead of against an armed +rider.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then each knight voided his tottering horse, and each drew his sword, +and immediately they rushed together with such eagerness that it was as +though the lust of battle was the greatest joy that the world could have for +them. So they fell to fighting with the utmost and most terrible fury, lashing +such blows that the sound of the strokes of iron upon iron resembled the +continual roaring of thunder.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the battle of +Sir Gareth with +the Red Knight.</i></div> + +<p>So they fought for so long a while that it was a wonder that any man of +flesh and blood could withstand the blows that each gave and received. +For ever and anon the sword would find its place and upon such a blow +some cantel of armor would maybe be hewn from the body +of that knight who received the stroke. And the book that +telleth of this battle sayeth that the side of each knight was in +a while made naked in places because that the armor had been hewn away +from it. And it sayeth the armor of Sir Gareth was wellnigh as red as was +the armor of his enemy because of the blood that dyed it that ensanguine +color. And the same history says that they were somewhile so bemazed +by the blows that they endured that either would at times seize the sword +of the other for his own, for it is recorded in that history that they fought +in that wise for more than two hours at a stretch without taking any rest +from battle.</p> + +<p>But although the battle continued for that long time, yet by and by their +blows waxed somewhat faint and feeble compared to what they had at first +been, and each knight tottered upon his feet at times because of his weakness +and loss of blood. So at last the Red Knight of the Red Lands cried out +to Sir Gareth: "Sir Knight, stay thy hand and let us rest, for I see that +neither of us can fight this battle to its end as we are now fighting." So said +the Red Knight, and at that saying Sir Gareth held his hand and said, "So +be it, Sir Knight, as you ordain."</p> + +<p>So they stinted their fighting for that while and they sat them down to +rest, each upon a bank of earth. And a page came to the Red Knight of the +Red Lands and unlaced his helm and the dwarf Axatalese did the same for +Sir Gareth, and the page and the dwarf took each the helm from off the head +of his master, and so they two sat where the wind might blow cold upon their +faces.</p> + +<p>Then anon Sir Gareth lifted up his eyes and he beheld where that the +Lady Layonnesse stood at the high window of the castle aforesaid, and +several of the chief folk of the castle stood with her at that time. Then Sir +Gareth saluted the Lady Layonnesse and when she beheld him salute her +she cried out, in a very shrill and piercing voice: "Alas, Sir Knight! Fail me +not! For whom have I to depend upon but thee?" So she cried out in that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +very shrill voice, and Sir Gareth heard her words even from that distance. +Then when he heard those words his heart grew big within him once more +and his spirit waxed light and he called out, "Sir Red Knight, let us at our +battle again!"</p> + +<p>Therewith each knight resumed his helm and when each helm was laced +into place, Axatalese and the page of the Red Knight leaped aside, and the +two came together once more, greatly refreshed by that rest which they had +enjoyed.</p> + +<p>So they fought for a great while longer, and then they had pause again for +a little. Then Sir Gareth perceived that the Red Knight was panting as +though his bosom would burst and therewith he rushed at his enemy with +intent for to smite him one last blow and so to end the battle. But the Red +Knight was very wary and he was expecting that assault, wherefore he +quickly avoided Sir Gareth's stroke, and thereupon he himself launched an +overthwart blow that smote Sir Gareth upon the hand, and upon that blow +the sword of Sir Gareth fell down out of his hand into the grass of the field.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +falleth and is +in great danger.</i></div> + +<p>Then the Red Knight leaped upon Sir Gareth and he struck him again +and yet again and he struck him a third time a blow upon the helm and at +that third blow the brains of Sir Gareth melted within him and +he fell down upon his knees and then down to the ground for +he had not power to stand. Then the Red Knight leaped upon +Sir Gareth and fell upon him with intent to hold him down so that he might +finish with him and Sir Gareth could not put him away.</p> + +<p>But when the damsel Lynette beheld how that Sir Gareth was beneath +his enemy and was in danger of being slain, she shrieked out aloud in a very +shrill penetrating voice, crying, "Alas, Beaumains! Do you fail your lady, +and are you but a kitchen knave after all?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +overcometh the +Red Knight.</i></div> + +<p>Now Sir Gareth heard those words, even through the swooning of his +senses, and therewith it was with him as it had been twice before; for as +he heard the words there came new strength into his body, and with that he +heaved himself up and cast the Red Knight from him. And he leaped to +his feet and rushed to where his sword lay in the grass. And he catched up +his sword and sprang upon the Red Knight and smote him a very terrible +blow. And Sir Gareth so smote him again and yet again. And he smote +him a fourth time so woeful a blow upon the helm that the Red Knight fell +down to the earth and could not rise again. Then Sir Gareth +fell upon the Red Knight and held him where he was upon the +ground. And he drew his miseracordia and cut the thongs of +the helm of the Red Knight and plucked the helm from off the Red Knight's +head. And he set his miseracordia to the throat of the Red Knight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +and with that the Red Knight beheld Death, as it were, looking him in +the face.</p> + +<p>Then all they who were thereabouts came running to where the two +knights lay, and they cried out aloud to Sir Gareth, saying, "Sir Knight! +Sir Knight! Spare the knight our champion and slay him not!" And the +Red Knight said in a voice very faint and weak, "Sir Knight, spare me my +life!"</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth cried out, "I will not spare this knight unless he yield +him altogether to my will." And the knight said, "I yield me." And Sir +Gareth said, "Still I will not spare this knight his life unless yonder damsel +crave his life at my hands."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette asketh +for the life of the +Red Knight.</i></div> + +<p>Then Lynette came forward to where Sir Gareth still held his enemy to +earth and she was weeping a very great deal. And she said: "Brave Sir +Beaumains, be ye merciful as well as powerful and spare this +good worshipful knight his life." And Sir Gareth said, "So +will I do at thy demand."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +layeth his commands +upon the Red Knight.</i></div> + +<p>Therewith Sir Gareth got him up upon his feet and the Red Knight +arose also, and so sore had been their battle that both knights had to be held +upon their feet by those who stood near by. Then the Red Knight said, +speaking in a very weak and fainting voice, "Fair Sir Knight, what are thy +commands upon me?" and Sir Gareth said: "These are my commands: that +so soon as you shall be sufficiently healed of your hurts you and +all these your people shall depart hence and take your way to +the court of King Arthur. And my command is that you shall +tell King Arthur that Beaumains, the kitchen knave, hath sent +you thither for to pay your homage unto him. And because you have dishonored +other knights as you have done by taking away their shields and +horses, it is my will that you shall also be dishonored; for I ordain that your +shield shall be taken away from you and that it shall be hung upon one of +these willow-trees where you have hung the shields of those knights whom +you have overcome in battle as I have overcome you. And I ordain that +your horse shall be taken away from you and that your armor shall be taken +away from you and that you shall travel to the court of King Arthur afoot; +for so you have made other knights walk afoot whom you have beaten in +battle as I have beaten you."</p> + +<p>Then the Red Knight bowed his head full low for shame and he said: +"This is a very hard case, but as I have measured to others so it is meted +unto me, wherefore, Messire, it shall be done in all ways as you command."</p> + +<p>Then Lynette came to Sir Gareth and took him by the hand and set his +hand to her lips and she was still weeping at that time. Then Sir Gareth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +smiled upon her and said, "Hah! Lynette, have I done well?" and Lynette +still wept, and she said, with all her weeping, "Yea, Messire." And anon +she said: "I pray you, Messire, that you will go with me up to the castle of +my sister so that you may there be cherished and that your wounds may be +looked to and searched and dressed."</p> + +<p>But to this Sir Gareth said: "Not so, Lynette; for behold I am sorely +wounded and I am all foul with the blood and dust and sweat of battle and +so I will be refreshed and made clean ere I appear before that most fair lady +your sister. So this night I will lie in the pavilion of this Red Knight, +there to be cleansed of my hurts and to be refreshed. Then to-morrow I +will come up unto my lady your sister."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +abideth in the +pavilion of the +Red Knight.</i></div> + +<p>And so it was done as Sir Gareth would have it, for that night +he lay in the pavilion of the Red Knight and he was bathed +and refreshed, and a skillful leech came and dressed his hurts. +And the Red Knight of the Red Lands had a guard of several knights set +around about the pavilion so that the repose of Sir Gareth should not +be disturbed.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now after that battle aforetold the damsel Lynette betook her way to +the castle of her sister, and she entered into the castle and there was great +rejoicing at her return. Then they who first met her said to her: "Thy +sister awaiteth thee and she is in that room in a turret where she keeps her +bower." And Lynette said, "I will go thither."</p> + +<p>So she went to that place and there she found the Lady Layonnesse, and +her brother (who was Sir Gringamore) was with her. And Lynette ran to +her sister and embraced her and kissed her. And she said: "Save you, my +sister and give you joy that the champion whom I brought hither hath freed +you from your enemy."</p> + +<p>The Lady Layonnesse said: "Where is that knight and why hast thou not +brought him hither with thee so that I may render to him my thanks?"</p> + +<p>To this Lynette made reply: "Sister, he hath been sore wounded in his +fight and he is moreover so befouled with the blood and dust of battle that +he would not come hither at this present but lyeth in the pavilion of the Red +Knight until the morrow."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette telleth +her sister of +Sir Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>Then the Lady Layonnesse said: "I pray you tell us who is this champion +who hath thus set me free from my oppressor?" and Lynette +said: "That I know not, only this I may tell you: that at the +court of King Arthur there would no knight undertake the adventure +because I would not declare your name and your degree before +the King's court there assembled. Then there arose a youth of whom Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +Kay made great scorn and said that he was a kitchen knave hight Beaumains +and the youth did not deny that saying. And King Arthur gave +him leave to go with me and undertake this quest, and the youth did so. +So we travelled together. And I was very angry because I thought that +King Arthur had given me a kitchen knave for my champion instead of a +good worthy knight, and so I treated Beaumains with great scorn, but ever +he repaid all my scorn with very patient and courteous speeches. So he +followed me hither and now he is that champion who hath just now overthrown +thine enemy."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Layonnesse cried out, "What matters it if this young +knight is a kitchen knave? Lo! he is my champion and hath risked his +life for my sake. So because he hath fought that battle for me I will +even raise him up to sit beside me, so that whatsoever honors are mine, +they shall be his honors also. For if so be he is now lowly, then by me +shall he be exalted above the heads of all you that are hereabouts."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lynette defendeth +Beaumains.</i></div> + +<p>So said the Lady Layonnesse, and thereat Lynette laughed with great +heartiness. And when she had ended her laughter, she said, "My sister, +I believe that it shall not be necessary for you to lift up this young knight. +For if we should come to know who he really is, it might well be that we +should discover that it is he who would exalt you rather than you would +exalt him. For this champion can be no such kitchen knave as he pretends +to be, but rather is he some one of great worth and of high degree. For several +days I have so tried the patience of this knight that I do not believe that +any one was ever so tried before. But although I so tried him +very sorely he was always passing patient and gentle with me. +Think you that any kitchen knave would be so patient as that? Moreover, I +have beheld this knight in this short while fight six battles, and always he +bore himself with such haughtiness and courage that were he an old and well-seasoned +Knight of the Round Table of the King he could not have proved +himself to be more noble or more worthy. You yourself have beheld to-day +how he did battle against the Red Knight who is certes one of the greatest +knights in the world, seeing that he hath never before been overcome; +you have beheld how he hath suffered wounds and the danger of death; +think you then that any kitchen knave could have fought such a battle as +you beheld him fight? Nay, my sister, rather this young knight is someone +of a very great and high estate."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gringamore spake, saying: "Lynette speaketh very truly, my +sister, and in good sooth I believe that this is no kitchen knave, but one who +is sprung from the blood of right champions. Now tell me, Lynette, I pray +thee, is there no one who knoweth this knight who he really is?" and Lyn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>ette +replied: "Yea, there is one who knoweth and that is the dwarf +Axatalese. He could tell us who this knight really is, for he hath followed +him for a long time every where he hath gone."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gringamore bethought him for a little while, and anon he said: +"Meseemeth it is needful that we have this dwarf for so only shall we come +to know who that knight is. Now thou and I and Lynette will go down to +the place of those pavilions. And thou shalt go to the pavilion of the knight +and bring the dwarf out thence, for I doubt not he will come at thy bidding. +Meantime, whilst thou are finding that dwarf I shall be hidden in some +secret place, and when thou hast brought him near enough to me I will +leap out upon him and will catch him. Then we will fetch him hither, +and it will go hard but we learn who this knight is."</p> + +<p>So it was done as Sir Gringamore said; for he and the damsel Lynette +went to a place nigh to the place of pavilions where there was a hedge. And +Sir Gringamore hid him behind the hedge and so after he was hidden +Lynette went alone to the pavilion of the Red Knight where Sir Gareth lay. +Now at that time they all slept, even to the guard that surrounded the tent. +And so Lynette passed through their midst and none heard her. And Lynette +came to the pavilion where Sir Gareth lay and she lifted the curtain of +the door of the tent and looked within and beheld Sir Gareth where he lay +sleeping upon a couch with a night-light burning very faintly near by him. +And she beheld where the dwarf Axatalese lay sleeping near to the door of +the tent.</p> + +<p>Then Lynette entered the pavilion very softly and she reached out and +touched Axatalese upon the shoulder and therewith he immediately awoke. +And Axatalese was astonished at beholding the damsel at that place, but +Lynette laid her finger upon her lips and whispered very low to him, "Say +naught, Axatalese, but follow me." And Axatalese did so.</p> + +<p>So the maiden brought Axatalese out of the pavilion and he followed her +in silence. And she brought him through the other pavilions and still ever +he followed her in silence and no one stayed them in their going. So Axatalese +followed Lynette and she led him by a path that brought them out of +the field where the pavilions were and to that place near by where Sir Gringamore +lay hidden behind the hawthorn hedge. Then when Axatalese was +come very close to that place Sir Gringamore leaped out of a sudden from the +thicket and catched him. And Axatalese lifted up his voice and fell to +yelling very loud and shrill, but anon Sir Gringamore clapped his hand upon +the mouth of the creature and silenced him. And Sir Gringamore drew his +miseracordia and set it at the throat of Axatalese and said to him, "Sirrah, +be silent, if you would live." And at that Axatalese ceased to struggle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +and was perfectly silent. Then Sir Gringamore released his hand from the +mouth of Axatalese and Axatalese was afraid to utter any further outcry.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They bring +Axatalese to the +castle.</i></div> + +<p>So after that Sir Gringamore and Lynette brought Axatalese to the +castle and into the castle. And they brought him to that place where +the Lady Layonnesse awaited their coming. Then, when they +were safely come to that place, Sir Gringamore said to Axatalese, +"Sirrah Dwarf, tell us who is that knight, thy master, +and what is his degree?" And Axatalese cried out, "Alas, Messire, harm +me not." Quoth Sir Gringamore, "No harm shall befall thee, only speak as +I bid thee and tell us who thy master is."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Axatalese telleth +of Sir Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>Then Axatalese trembling with fear, said: "Fair Messire, the knight my +master is hight Sir Gareth and he is the son of King Lot of Orkney and the +Queen Margaise, the sister of King Arthur, and so it is that he is +right brother of those noble worthy champions, Sir Gawaine +and Sir Gaheris, and he is the brother of Sir Mordred of Orkney."</p> + +<p>Now when Lynette heard the words that Axatalese spoke she smote her +hands very violently together and she cried out in a loud and piercing voice: +"Said I not so? Well did I know that this was no kitchen knave, but otherwise +that he was some very noble and worthy knight. So he is, for there is +none better in all the world than he. Rejoice, my sister, for here indeed is +a great honor that hath befallen thee. For this is a very worthy champion +to have saved thee from thy distresses."</p> + +<p>And the Lady Layonnesse said: "Sister, I do indeed rejoice and that beyond +all measure." And she turned her to Sir Gringamore and said: "My +brother, let us straightway hasten and go to this worthy knight so that we +may give him such thanks as is fitting for one of his degree to receive."</p> + +<p>"Nay," quoth Sir Gringamore, "not so. Rather let us wait until to-morrow +and until he has altogether rested himself from this day of battle. +Meantime, I will take this dwarf back whence we brought him and to-morrow +we will pay Sir Gareth all due honor."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gringamore +payeth court to +Sir Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>So it was as Sir Gringamore ordained. For first he took Axatalese back +to the place of the pavilions, and after that they waited until the morn. +And when the morn was come Sir Gringamore and the Lady Layonnesse +and Lynette went down to that place of the pavilions and to the pavilion +of Sir Gareth, and the Lady Layonnesse and the damsel Lynette +waited outside of the tent and Sir Gringamore entered thereinto. +And Sir Gringamore came to where Sir Gareth lay and he saluted +Sir Gareth saying, "Save you, Sir Gareth of Orkney."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth was greatly astonished and he said: "How know you +my name and my degree, Messire?" And Sir Gringamore said: "Sir,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +my sister the damsel Lynette, and I, catched thy dwarf last night and +took him away to my sister's castle. There we compelled him to tell us +who you were, and so we had knowledge of your name and your condition." +And Sir Gringamore said: "Sir Gareth, we are rejoiced beyond +measure that you have so greatly honored us as to come hither and to +serve as the champion of my sister, the Lady Layonnesse. Now if you will +suffer her to have speech with you, she standeth without the door of the +pavilion." And Sir Gareth said, "Let her come in for I would fain see her +near at hand."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Layonnesse +cometh to Sir +Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Gringamore went out of the pavilion and immediately he returned, +bringing the Lady Layonnesse and Lynette with him. And the Lady +Layonnesse came and kneeled down beside the couch whereon +Sir Gareth lay. And Sir Gareth saw her face near by and he +saw that it was ten times more beautiful than he had supposed +it to be when he saw it from a distance at the upper window +of the Castle Dangerous as aforetold of. And Sir Gareth loved her from +that moment with all his heart and from that time forth his love never wavered +from her.</p> + +<p>That day they brought Sir Gareth to the castle in a litter and Sir Gareth +abided at the castle for a fortnight and in that time he was altogether healed +of his hurts that he had got in his battle with the Red Knight.</p> + +<p>And ever Sir Gareth loved the Lady Layonnesse more and more and ever +she loved him in like manner. So they were continually together and it was +said of all that heaven had never sent to the earth two more beautiful young +creatures than they.</p> + +<p>Then at the end of that fortnight aforesaid, Sir Gareth said: "Now it +behooves me to return to the court of the King to proclaim myself to my +brothers. For since I have succeeded in overthrowing the Red Knight of +the Red Lands and so of achieving this adventure, I believe I am not unworthy +to proclaim myself even unto my brothers."</p> + +<p>So spake Sir Gareth, and to this the Lady Layonnesse replied: "Sir, it is +indeed well that you return to the court of the King. But when you go I +beseech you that you will permit my brother, Sir Gringamore, and my sister +Lynette, and I myself for to go with you. For so you who departed alone +will return with a company of those who love and honor you." Thus +said the Lady Layonnesse for it had come to pass by this time that she +could not bear to be parted from Sir Gareth even for so short +a while as a few days.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They all depart +for the court +of the King.</i></div> + +<p>Accordingly, it was done as she said and straightway preparation +was made for their departure. So the next day they took leave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +of the Castle Dangerous for a while, betaking their way with a considerable +court of knights, esquires, and attendants to the King's court at Carleon +where the King was at that time still abiding.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now return we to the court of King Arthur ere those others shall come +thither, so that we may see how it befell at that place after the departure +of the kitchen knave Beaumains.</p> + +<p>Now it hath been told how that Sir Kay departed to follow after Beaumains +for to have a fall of him; and it hath been told how that Sir Kay +returned to court upon a gray mule; and it hath been told how that Sir Kay +was made the mock and laughing-stock, all because of the misadventure +that had befallen him.</p> + +<p>After that there passed five days, and at the end of that time there came +Sir Perard to the court with the word that Sir Gareth had bidden him for to +carry thither; to wit, that the kitchen knave, Beaumains, hath beaten him +in battle and had sent him thither for to pay his duty unto the King.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How the several +knights do homage.</i></div> + +<p>Then King Arthur said: "'Fore Heaven! What sort of a kitchen knave +is this to overcome so brave and well-seasoned a knight as Sir Perard? +This can be no kitchen knave, but rather is he some youth of +very heroic race who hath been dwelling for all this while unknown +in our midst, in the guise of a kitchen knave." So said +the King. And Sir Gawaine said, "Lord, I may well believe that what you +say is indeed the case."</p> + +<p>Then two days after Sir Perard had come to Carleon in that wise, there +came thither that knight whom Sir Gareth had saved from the six thieves. +And he brought a very considerable court of esquires and attendants with +him; and he also told of the further doings of Sir Gareth. And when they +at Carleon heard those things, both the King and the court made loud marvel +and acclaim that Beaumains should have become so wonderful a champion +as to do those things that were told of him.</p> + +<p>After that there passed a week and at the end of that time there came +Sir Percevant of Hind with a great court of knights and esquires accompanying +him; and he also brought the same word that Sir Perard had done; +to wit, that Beaumains, the kitchen knave, had overcome him in battle and +had sent him to the King's court for to pay his duty to the King. And at +that King Arthur and all of his court knew not what to think of a kitchen +knave who should do such wonderful works.</p> + +<p>So passed a fortnight and at the end of that time there came the Red +Knight of the Red Lands, walking afoot and without shield or armor but +surrounded by even a greater court of knights and esquires than Sir Per<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>cevant +had brought with him. And he also brought the same word to the +King—that the kitchen knave, Beaumains, had overcome him and had sent +him thither to pay his duty to the King. And besides this he told the King +many things concerning this same Beaumains that the others had not told; +to wit, how Beaumains had carried his adventure of the Castle Dangerous +through to a worthy ending and how that he was even then lodging at the +castle of the Lady Layonnesse of Granderegard.</p> + +<p>So when King Arthur and his court heard all these things, he and they +wist not what to think, but marvelled as to who this extraordinary young +champion was.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Queen Margaise +cometh to court.</i></div> + +<p>Now the day after the Red Knight of the Red Lands had come to Carleon +as aforetold, it befell that there came to the court of the King +an herald; and the herald brought news that Queen Margaise +of Orkney was even then upon her way for to visit the King.</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur was very glad that his sister was coming thither for +he loved her above all others of his kin. So it came to pass that when the +day after the next day had come, Queen Margaise reached the court of the +King as she had promised to do, and the King and the court gave her royal +greeting.</p> + +<p>Then Queen Margaise looked all about and by and by she said, "Where +is my son Gareth whom I sent thitherward a year ago?"</p> + +<p>At that King Arthur was very much astonished, and for a little he wist +not what to think; then he said, "I know of no such one as Gareth."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Queen Margaise +grieveth +for Sir Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>Upon this Queen Margaise was filled with anxiety, for she wist not what +to believe had happened to her son. So her color changed several times +and several times she tried to speak and could not. Then at +last she did speak, saying: "Woe is me if harm should have befallen +him, for certes he is the very flower of all my children."</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur took suddenly thought of Beaumains and he said: "Sister, +take heart and look up, for I believe that no harm but rather great honor +hath befallen thy son. Now tell me, did he come hither about the time of +the feast of Pentecost a year ago?" And the Queen said, "Yea." Then +King Arthur said: "Tell me, was thy son fair of face and had he ruddy hair +and was he tall and broad of girth and had he a dwarf named Axatalese +with him?" And the Queen said, "Yea, that was he!" Then King Arthur +said: "He hath been here, but we knew him not." And the Queen said, +"What hath befallen him?"</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur told the Queen his sister all that had befallen. For +he told her how that Gareth had come thither and in what guise; and he told +her how Gareth had dwelt all that year unknown at the court under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +name of Beaumains because of the whiteness of his hands; and he told her +how that Beaumains had gone forth upon that adventure to the Castle Dangerous; +and he told her how he had succeeded in that adventure; and he told +her of the several other things that are herein told, and ever Queen Margaise +listened to him.</p> + +<p>But when King Arthur had finished his telling the Queen was very angry +and she said: "Methinks, my brother, that you should have known my son +for one of high and noble degree, even though he were clad in green as you +tell me and even though he did beseech no greater boon of you than food +and drink and lodging. For certes there was ever that in his bearing that +bespake better things than these."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur +placates Queen +Margaise.</i></div> + +<p>Then King Arthur, speaking very mildly, said: "My sister, how may one +know another, his name and his degree, only by looking in his face? Yet +wit you that had I not thought there was somewhat high and +noble about this youth I had not given him leave to undertake +this adventure in which he hath succeeded so very gloriously."</p> + +<p>So spake King Arthur, but Queen Margaise was hardly yet appeased, nor +was she pacified for a long time afterward. Then, at last, she was pacified.</p> + +<p>Now a day or two after this time the King called Sir Gawaine and Sir +Gaheris to him and he said to these two: "Take you a noble court of knights +and gentlemen and go you forth and find your brother and bring him hither +to our court in all such royal estate as is befitting for such a knight to enjoy. +For of a surety it will be a great honor for to have such a knight amongst us."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Gaheris were much pleased that the King +should so favor their brother, wherefore they fulfilled that command to the +full, for they chose them such a court as was as noble as possible, and they +set forth upon that journey as the King had commanded.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +and Sir Gaheris +depart to find Sir +Gareth.</i></div> + +<p>So they travelled for one whole day and for a part of another day, and +toward the afternoon of that second day they beheld a great company of +knights and lords and ladies ahorseback coming toward them. +And many esquires and attendants accompanied that fair +company, and they so shone with cloth of gold and with many +jewels and with bright shining armor that it bedazzled the eyes +to look upon them. And Sir Gawaine and Sir Gaheris wondered what lordly +company that could be. And when that company had come nearer, they +two perceived that at the head thereof there rode two knights in armor and +two ladies upon ambling palfreys and they saw that the two ladies were very +beautiful. And when that company had come still nearer Sir Gawaine and +Sir Gaheris perceived that one of those knights who rode with the ladies +was none other than him whom they had aforetime called "Beaumains";<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +and that one of the damsels was the damsel Lynette who had come to court +a short time before.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They meet +Sir Gareth upon +the way.</i></div> + +<p>Then when Sir Gawaine and Sir Gaheris perceived their brother at the +head of that company they immediately set spurs to horse and raced forward +to meet him with all speed they could command. And +when they had come to where Sir Gareth was, they leaped +down from off their horses and ran to him, crying aloud, +"Brother, Brother!" and Sir Gareth leaped down from his horse and ran +to them and so they kissed and embraced each other upon the highroad, +weeping for joy.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that Sir Gareth was acknowledged by those two noble and +worthy knights-champion, his brothers, and so his kindred met him and +gave him welcome.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth +becometh a +Knight of the +Round Table.</i></div> + +<p>And now it remains but few things to say; for there remaineth only to +be said that Sir Gareth was received at the court with such +rejoicings as you may well suppose. And it remaineth to be +said that at that same time there suddenly appeared upon one +of the seats of the Round Table near to the seat of Sir Launcelot +of the Lake a name in letters of gold, and the name was this:</p> + + +<div class="figcenter padtop" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0116.png" width="600" height="47" alt="GARETH OF ORKNEY." title="" /> +</div><p><br /></p> + +<p>For from that time Sir Gareth became a Knight of the Round Table, being +elected thereto in that miraculous way that was usual in the case of those +who were chosen for that high and worshipful companionship.</p> + +<p>And it remaineth to be told that in a little while Sir Gareth was wedded +to the Lady Layonnesse with great pomp and ceremony and that thereafter +he returned with her to the Castle Dangerous of which he was now the lord.</p> + +<p>And in after times Sir Gareth became one of the most famous of all the +knights of the Table Round, so that much is told of him in divers books +of chivalry. Yet there shall be no more told of his adventures at this +place, albeit there may be more said concerning him in another book +which shall follow this book. Yet it is to be said that these are the most +famous adventures that befel him, and that the history of Gareth and +Lynette is the one which is most often told of in stories and sung in +ballads and poems.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So endeth the Story of Gareth of Orkney, which same was told at this +place in part because it is a good worthy history to tell at any place, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +in part because that time in which he did battle with and was knighted by +Sir Launcelot, as aforetold, was the only time that Sir Launcelot was seen +by any of the court of King Arthur until after he had accomplished the Adventure +of the Worm of Corbin.</p> + +<p>For that which followeth dealeth of the adventure of the Worm of Corbin +and with how that Sir Launcelot overcame that dragon and became acquainted +with the Lady Elaine the Fair, who was the mother of Sir Galahad, +who was the flower of all chivalry. Wherefore, if you would know that part +of the history of Sir Launcelot that relates to those things, you must needs +read that which is written hereinafter.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0117.png" width="250" height="98" alt="Angel's head" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></div> +<h2>PART III<br /> +The Story of Sir Launcelot and Elaine the Fair<br /><br /></h2> + + +<p><i>Here followeth the history of Sir Launcelot's wanderings and of how +he came to the town of Corbin, and of how he slew the great Worm +of Corbin that for somewhiles brought sorrow and death to the folk of Corbin. +Here you shall also read the history of Elaine the Fair, the King's +daughter of Corbin, and of how for her sake Sir Launcelot fought in the +tournament at Astolat.</i></p> + +<p><i>All these and several other things are herein duly set forth, so that, should +you please to read that which is hereafter written, I believe you shall find +a great deal of pleasure and entertainment in that history.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 419px;"> +<img src="images/s0119.png" width="419" height="600" alt="How Sir Launcelot held discourse with ye merry Minstrels." title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0120.png" width="600" height="328" alt="Knight on horse" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter First</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Launcelot rode errant and how he assumed to +undertake the Adventure of the Worm of Corbin.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>And now you shall be told how it befell Sir Launcelot after that +he had fought with Sir Gareth and had made him knight as told +in the history of Sir Gareth.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>You are to know that after Sir Launcelot left Sir Gareth he went his way +very cheerfully, and many times he bethought him of how the damsel Lynette +had taken Sir Gareth to be a kitchen knave, and at that thought he +would laugh with great joy of so excellent a jest.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +rideth errant.</i></div> + +<p>So with great cheerfulness of spirit he rode ever onward upon his way, +whilst the daylight slanted farther and farther toward sunset. And, after +awhile, the sun sunk in the West, and the silence of the +twilight fell like to a soft mantle of silence upon the entire +earth. The darkness fell, the earth melted here and there into shadow +and every sound came very clear and loud as though the bright and +luminous sky that arched overhead was a great hollow bell of crystal +that echoed back every sudden noise with extraordinary clearness. Then +Sir Launcelot was both hungry and athirst and he wist not where he +might find refreshment to satisfy the needs of his body.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +meeteth the +strolling +minstrels.</i></div> + +<p>So, thinking of food and drink, he was presently aware of the light of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +fire shining in the gray of the falling twilight and thitherward he directed +his way, and in a little pass, he came to where there was a merry party +of strolling minstrels gathered around about that bright +and cheerful fire. Some of these fellows were clad in blue +and some in yellow and some in red and some in green and +some in raiment pied of many colors. And all they were +eating with great appetite a savory stew of mutton and lentils seasoned +with onions and washed down with lusty draughts of ale and wine which +they poured forth, ever and anon, from big round-bellied skins into horns +and cups that were held to catch it.</p> + +<p>These jolly fellows, beholding Sir Launcelot coming to them through +the dusk, gave him welcome with loud voices of acclaim and besought +him to descend from horseback and to eat with them, and Sir Launcelot +was right glad to do so.</p> + +<p>So he dismounted from his horse and eased it of its saddle and turned +it loose to browse as it listed upon the grass of the wayside. And he laid +aside his shield and his spear and his sword and his helmet and he sat +him down with those minstrels and fell to eating and drinking with might +and main. And the minstrels bade him to take good cheer and to eat and +drink all that he desired and Sir Launcelot did so.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The minstrels +chaunt.</i></div> + +<p>Then, after Sir Launcelot and the minstrels had supped their fill, those +lusty fellows brought forth other skins of wine and filling again the several +cups and flagons they all fell to drinking and making merry. And +several of the minstrels brought forth lutes and others brought +forth viols, and anon he who was the chief minstrel called +upon one to stand forth and sing, and that fellow did so, chaunting a rondel +in praise of his sweetheart's eyes. After that, another sang of battle and +still another sang in praise of pleasant living; meantime the others accompanied, +with lute and viol, those who sang, and Sir Launcelot listened +to their music with great pleasure of heart.</p> + +<p>All about them lay the deep silence of the moonlit night with only that +one red spot of fire and of cheerful mirth in the midst of it, and the fire +shone very bright upon the armor of the knight and lit up all those quaint +fellows in red and green and yellow and blue and pied so that they stood +forth against the blackness behind them as though they had been carved +out from it with a sharp knife.</p> + +<p>Then he who was chief among the minstrels said to Sir Launcelot, "Messire, +will ye not also sing?" At this Sir Launcelot laughed, and quoth +he: "Nay, good fellows, I cannot sing as ye do, but I will tell ye a story +an ye list to hear me."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +telleth a conte.</i></div> + +<p>At that they all cried out to tell them that story and thereupon he did +so, telling them a certain goodly conte of two knights who +loved a lady, but she loved neither of them, having set her +heart upon an esquire of low degree. So of these two knights the one +became an hermit and the other by force of his knighthood brought it to +pass that the esquire was exalted from his squirehood to become a king. +But when the esquire became a king the lady would have none of him, but +turned her love to the knight who had exalted him to his high estate. +So the lady left the esquire who was king and married the noble knight +who had made him king, and so, having made choice of the greatest and the +noblest of all the three, she dwelt happily with him to the end of her life.</p> + +<p>To this the minstrels listed in silence and when Sir Launcelot had finished +they gave him great applause without measure.</p> + +<p>After that the minstrels sang again and Sir Launcelot told them another +tale of chivalry; and so with good cheer the night passed pleasantly away +until the great round moon, bright and full like to a bubble of shining +silver, floated high in the sky above their heads, very bright and as glorious +as day and bathing all the world in a flood of still white light, most wonderful +to behold.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +would leave +the minstrels.</i></div> + +<p>Then perceiving it to be midnight, Sir Launcelot bestirred himself, +and he said: "Good fellows, I thank ye with all my heart +for the entertainment ye have given me, but now I am refreshed +I must go again upon my way."</p> + +<p>To this he who was chief among the minstrels said: "Sir Knight, we +would fain that you would remain with us to-night and would travel with +us upon our way to-morrow, for indeed you are the pleasantest and cheerfulest +knight that ever we met in all of our lives."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>He asketh of +some adventure.</i></div> + +<p>At this Sir Launcelot laughed with great good will, and he said: "Good +fellows, I give you gramercy for your fair regard. Ye are indeed a +merry company and were I not a knight methinks I would rather be one +of your party than one of any other company that ever I fell in with. +But it may not be, for, lo! I am a knight and I must e'en go about my +business as becometh one who weareth spurs of gold. So here and now we +part. Ne'theless you may haply do me one service, and that +is to tell me whether anywhere hereabout is to be found an +adventure such as may beseem a knight of good credit to undertake."</p> + +<p>Upon this one of those minstrels spake saying: "Messire, I know where +there is an adventure, which, if you achieve it, will bring you such great +credit that I believe Sir Launcelot of the Lake himself would not have +greater credit than you."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this Sir Launcelot laughed with great good will. "Well," quoth he, +"I would not be overbold, yet this I may say, that anything Sir Launcelot +of the Lake might not fear to undertake, that also I shall not fear to assume, +and whatever he might find strength to do that also I may hope to accomplish. +For indeed I may tell ye that I hold myself to be altogether +as good and worthy a knight as ever is Sir Launcelot of the Lake."</p> + +<p>"Ha!" quoth the chief minstrel, "I perceive, Sir Knight, that thou +hast a very good opinion of thyself. Now, were Sir Launcelot here, haply +thou wouldst not venture to reckon thyself so high as thou now dost."</p> + +<p>At that all those minstrels laughed in great measure, and Sir Launcelot +laughed with them as loud as any. "Good fellows," said he, "I believe +I reckon myself to be no better than another man born of woman, yet +this I have to say: Oftentimes have I beheld Sir Launcelot and sometimes +have I contended against his will, but never at any time have I found +him to be stronger or worthier than am I myself. But let us not debate +so small a matter as this. Let us instead learn what is that adventure +concerning which yonder good fellow hath to advise us."</p> + +<p>"Messire," quoth the minstrel, "have ye ever heard tell of the Worm +of Corbin?"</p> + +<p>"Nay," said Sir Launcelot, "but tell thou me of it."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The minstrel +telleth of the +Worm of +Corbin.</i></div> + +<p>"Sir," said the minstrel, "I will do so. You are to know that some +ways to a considerable distance to the eastward of this place +there is a very large fair noble town hight Corbin; and the +King of that country is King Pelles. Now one time it chanced +that Queen Morgana le Fay and the Queen of North Wales +were upon a visit to Corbin, and whilst they were there there was given +in that place a great jousting and feast in their honor.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the damsel +who came to +the feast of +the King.</i></div> + +<p>"Whilst King Pelles sat at table with the two queens (all of his court +and his daughter Elaine the Fair being with him) there came into the pavilion +where the feast was held a wonderfully fair damsel, tall and straight +and clad from top to toe in flame-colored satin. In her hand +she bare a paten of silver and upon the paten was a napkin, +and on the napkin there was a wonderful ring of gold set with +a clear blue stone. And the damsel spoke in a voice both +high and clear, saying: 'Lords and Ladies, here have I a ring that may +only be worn by the fairest and worthiest lady in this room.'</p> + +<p>"At these words, as you may suppose, there was a great deal of wonder +and much expectation, and a great deal of talk. For some said that one +lady should by rights have that ring and some said that another lady +should have it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of how Queen +Morgana +tryeth the ring.</i></div> + +<p>"Now the first to essay that ring was Queen Morgana le Fay, for she +supposed that this was a masque devised by King Pelles in +honor of her. So she took the ring in her hand and essayed +to pass it upon her finger, but lo! it would not pass the first +joint thereof.</p> + +<p>"At that Queen Morgana was filled with wrath, but still she dissembled +her anger and sat, waiting to see what would next befall.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of how the +Queen of North +Wales tryeth +the ring.</i></div> + +<p>"So after Queen Morgana le Fay had thus failed to wear that ring, the +Queen of North Wales said unto herself, 'Haply King Pelles may intend +this ring for me.' So she also took the ring and would have +placed it upon her finger, but lo! it grew so large that it would +not stay where it was placed, but fell off upon the table before +the whole court of the King.</p> + +<p>"At this many who were there laughed aloud, and thereat the Queen +of North Wales was filled with anger and mortification as much as Queen +Morgana le Fay had been. But she also dissembled her anger before the +court and sat to watch what would befall.</p> + +<p>"So after these two queens had so essayed, several others of the ladies +who were there each tried to put the ring upon her finger, but no one +could do so, for either it was too large, or else it was too small. Then +last of all the Lady Elaine the Fair, the King's daughter, essayed the adventure +of the ring, and lo! it fitted her as exactly as though it had been +made for her.</p> + +<p>"At this both of those two queens aforesaid were more angered than +ever, for each said to herself, 'Certes, this King hath done this to put +affront upon us.' So that night they communed together what they +should do to punish King Pelles of Corbin and the Town of Corbin for +that affront which they deemed themselves to have suffered.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of how Queen +Morgana layeth +a curse +upon the +town.</i></div> + +<p>"Now the next morning those two queens quitted the court, and as +they and their attendants passed by the market-place of the town they +perceived where there lay a great flat stone that marked the centre of the +town. Then Queen Morgana le Fay cried out: 'See ye yonder +stone! Beneath that slab there shall breed a great Worm +and that Worm shall bring sorrow and dole to this place ten +thousand times more than the shame which I suffered here +yesterday. For that stone shall be enchanted so that no man may lift it. +And beneath that stone the Worm shall live; and ever and anon it shall +come forth and seize some fair young virgin of this town and shall bear her +away to its hiding-place and shall there devour her for its food.'</p> + +<p>"So it was as the Queen said, and now that Worm dwelleth at Corbin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +beneath the stone, and ever bringeth sorrow and death to that place. And +it cometh out only at night, so that the terror of the Worm of Corbin is +greater than it would otherwise be, for no eye hath ever beheld it in its +comings and its goings. So if any champion shall achieve the death of +that Worm, he shall be held to have done a deed worthy of Sir Launcelot +of the Lake himself."</p> + +<p>"Friend," said Sir Launcelot, "thou sayest true and that were indeed +a most worthy quest for any knight to undertake. As for me, I am so +eager to enter upon that quest that I can hardly stay my patience."</p> + +<p>With this saying, Sir Launcelot rose from where he sat; and he whistled +his horse to him and when his horse had come to where he was he put the +saddle upon its back. And he took his shield and spear in his hand and +mounted upon his charger and made him ready to leave that place.</p> + +<p>But ere he departed, the chief minstrel and several others came to him, +and the chief minstrel laid his hand upon the horse's neck and he said: +"I pray you, Messire, tell us who you are who have seen Sir Launcelot +of the Lake so often and who declare yourself to be as good a knight +as he."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +revealeth +himself to the +minstrels.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot laughed and he said: "Good friend, I am riding errant +as you behold. In these my travels I would fain withhold my name +from the knowledge of men. Nevertheless, since we have +eaten and drunk together, and since we have cohabited in +good fellowship together, I will tell you that I myself am that +very Sir Launcelot whom ye appear to hold in such high regard. +Wherefore it is that I am, certes, as good as he could possibly be, +let that be saying much or saying little."</p> + +<p>So saying, Sir Launcelot set spurs to his horse and rode away and left +them astonished at his words. And long after he had left those merry +fellows he could hear their voices in the distance babbling together very +loud with wonder that Sir Launcelot of the Lake had been amongst them +for all that time without any one of them suspecting him who he was. For +by this time all the world knew Sir Launcelot of the Lake to be the greatest +champion that ever the world had seen from the very beginning unto that +time.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>After that, Sir Launcelot rode forward upon his way toward the eastward +through the moonlit night, and by and by he entered a great space +of forest land. And somewhile after he had entered that woodland the +summer day began to dawn and all the birds began at first to chirp and +then to sing very blithely and with a great multitude of happy voices from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +out of every leafy thicket. Then up leapt the jolly sun and touched all +the upper leafage of the trees and turned them into gold.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +beholdeth +Corbin.</i></div> + +<p>And anon the sun rose high and higher and when it was very high +in the heavens Sir Launcelot came out of the forest into an open country +of level meadows and of pasture-lands. And in the midst of that +place, a great way off, he beheld where there was a fair +walled town set upon a hill with a smooth shining river +at its foot, and he wist that this must be the Town of +Corbin of which the strolling minstrels had told him the night before.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot rode forward and drew near the town. And as he drew +closer to it he thought that this was one of the fairest towns that ever he +had beheld in all of his life. For the castle of the town and the houses of +the town were all built else of stone or else of brick, and a thousand windows +sparkled in the brightness of the day, shining like to stars in heaven. +And the river that flowed beside the town wound down between fair green +meadows which lay upon either side, and betwixt banks of reeds and +rushes and pollard willows, and it was like to a great serpent of pure silver +lying in the grass. The walls of the castle and the walls of the town came +down to the river, and stood with their feet, as it were, in the clear and +crystal-bright water, and there were trees that overhung the water upon this +side and upon that, and there was a bridge with three arches that crossed +over the river and led to the town. All these things Sir Launcelot beheld +and so it was that the town appeared exceedingly pleasant to his eyes.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +bespeaks the +town's folk.</i></div> + +<p>Now when Sir Launcelot had come pretty close to the town he met a +party of town-folk with several pack-mules hung with bells +and laden with parcels of goods. These Sir Launcelot bespoke, +saying, "I pray ye, fair folk, tell me, is this the Town +of Corbin?" Thereunto they replied, "Yea, Sir Knight, this is that town." +Sir Launcelot said, "Why are ye so sad and downcast?" Whereunto the +chief of that party—a right reverend man with a long white beard—made +reply: "Sir Knight, wherefore do you ask us why we are sad? Whence +come you that you have not heard how we are cursed in this town by a +Worm that torments us very grievously; and how is it that you have not +heard tell how that Worm devoureth every now and then a tender virgin +from our midst?"</p> + +<p>"Sir," quoth Sir Launcelot, "I have indeed heard of this Worm that +bringeth you so much woe and dole. Know ye that it is because of this +very Worm that I have come hither. For I purpose, if God's grace be +with me, to destroy that vile thing and so to set ye all free from the curse +that lies upon you!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Alas, Sir Knight," quoth the old man, speaking very sorrowfully, "I +do not doubt that you are possessed of all the courage necessary for this +undertaking, yet for all that you may not hope to succeed in your quest. +For even if you were able to slay the Worm, yet you could not come at it. +For you are to know that it lyeth beneath a great stone and that the stone +is sealed by magic which Queen Morgana le Fay set upon it so that no man +may raise it from where it lyeth."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +speaketh +words of +cheer.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot spoke words of good cheer to that old man and to +his companions, saying: "Let that be as it may, yet for all that ye need +not despair of succor. Know ye not that naught can be +achieved until it first be essayed? As for that enchantment +that lyeth upon the stone, I tell ye this: Behold this ring +which I wear upon my finger! It is sovereign against all +magic whatsoever, wherefore I know that the spells which bind this stone +into its place cannot prevail against the counter magic of this ring. So +ye shall be well assured that I shall lift that stone, and after that, when +it shall be lifted and when it shall come to battle betwixt me and that +Worm, then shall the issue lie altogether with God, His Grace and Mercy."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Launcelot +entered +Corbin.</i></div> + +<p>Now when those who were there heard what Sir Launcelot said, their +hearts were filled with hope and joy, for it seemed to them +that here indeed might be a champion who should deliver +them out of their distresses. Wherefore when they heard +his words they presently lifted up their voices in loud acclaim, +some crying, "God be with you!" and some crying, "God save you from +destruction!" some crying this, and some crying that.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot smiled upon them and said, "Save you good people," +and therewith set spurs to flank and rode away.</p> + +<p>But many of those who were there went with him, running beside his horse, +seeking to touch him and even to touch the horse which he rode. And +all the time they gave him loud acclaim without measure and without stint.</p> + +<p>For the virtue of Sir Launcelot went forth from him like a shining light +wherefore it seemed to them that here was one who should certainly free +them from the curse that lay upon them.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>And thus it was that Sir Launcelot of the Lake rode across that three-spanned +bridge and into the Town of Corbin and so to his adventure with +the Worm of Corbin.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 422px;"> +<img src="images/s0129.png" width="422" height="600" alt="Sir Launcelot slayeth the Worm of Corbin:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0130.png" width="600" height="78" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Second</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Launcelot slew the Worm of Corbin, and how he was +carried thereafter to the Castle of Corbin and to King Pelles and to +the Lady Elaine the Fair.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The folk of +the town +welcome Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>So thus it was that Sir Launcelot entered the town of Corbin to +slay the Dragon that lay beneath the stone. And with his coming +a great multitude gathered very quickly, hurrying +from all sides, crying out and blessing him as he rode forward +upon his way. And ever a great roar of voices sounded +all about him like to the noise of many waters.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +cometh to the +place of the +Dragon.</i></div> + +<p>So, upborn by that multitude, Sir Launcelot went forward very steadfastly +toward the market-place of the town, in the midst of which lay +that great stone, aforetold of, with the Worm beneath it. And +when he had reached the place, he bade the multitude abide +where they were.</p> + +<p>So, upon that command, the people stood afar off, and Sir +Launcelot went forward alone to where was the slab of stone. And he +looked down upon the slab and beheld that it was very flat and wide +and so big that three men might hardly hope to lift it. Besides this, he +beheld that it had been sealed by magic as had been reported to him, for +many strange letters and figures had been engraved into the face of the +stone.</p> + +<p>Now you are to remember that it was aforetold of in the "Book of the +Champions of the Round Table" that Sir Launcelot wore upon his finger +a ring which the Lady of the Lake had given him when he quitted the +Lake; and you all remember that that ring was of such a sort that he who +wore it might dissolve all evil magic or enchantment against which he +should direct his efforts. Wherefore it was that Sir Launcelot was aware, +as he had already told the people outside of the walls of the town, that he +might lift that stone even if another, because of the magic that was upon +it, should not be able to stir it where it lay.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot put aside his sword and his shield and he went forward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +to the slab and he seized the slab in both of his hands. And he bent his +back and lifted, and lo! the bands of enchantment that lay upon the stone +were snapped and the slab moved and stirred in the bed wherein it lay.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +lifteth the +stone.</i></div> + +<p>Then when the multitude of the people who gazed upon him beheld the +slab how it moved and stirred in its bed, a great shout went +up from several thousand lips like to one mighty voice of outcry. +Therewith Sir Launcelot bent again to the stone and +heaved with all his might. And lo! he lifted the stone and he raised it +and he rolled it over upon the earth.</p> + +<p>Then he looked down into the hole that was beneath the stone and he +was aware that there lay something in the hole that moved. And anon +he beheld two green and glassy eyes that opened upon him and looked up +at him from out of the hole; and he beheld that those eyes were covered +over as with a thin film to shelter them from the dazzling light of the daytime. +And as Sir Launcelot gazed he beheld that that thing which lay +within the hole began to crawl out of the hole, and Sir Launcelot beheld +that it was a huge worm, covered all over with livid scales as hard as flint. +And the Worm lifted the fore part of its body to the height of a tall man +and gaped very dreadfully with a great mouth an ell wide, and all glistening +with three rows of white and shining teeth. And Sir Launcelot beheld +that the Worm had as many as a thousand feet, and that each foot +was armed with a great claw like the claw of a lion, as hard as flint, and +very venomous with poison. And the Worm hissed at Sir Launcelot. +And its breath was like the odor of Death.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Worm +of Corbin +cometh forth.</i></div> + +<p>Such was that dreadful terrible Worm that lay beneath the stone at +Corbin. And when the people of the town saw it thus appear +before them in the broad light of day, they shrieked aloud +with the terror of that which they beheld. For it was like to +something that had come to life out of a dreadful dream, and it did not +seem possible that such a thing should ever have been beheld by the living +eyes of man.</p> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot beholding the Worm in all its terror leaped to where +was his sword and he seized his sword in both hands and he ran at the +Worm and lashed at it a blow so mighty that it might easily have split +an oak tree. But the scales of the Worm were like adamant for hardness +wherefore the stroke of the sword pierced them not but glanced aside +without harming the creature.</p> + +<p>Then when the Worm felt itself thus smitten, it hissed again in a manner +very terrible and loud, and it reached out toward Sir Launcelot and strove +to catch him into the embrace of a hundred of its sharp claws. But Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +Launcelot sprang aside from the embraces of the Worm and he smote it +again and again, yet could not in any wise cut through the scales that +covered its body. And at every blow the Worm hissed more terribly and +sought to catch Sir Launcelot into its embraces.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +doeth battle +with the Worm.</i></div> + +<p>Thus for a long time Sir Launcelot avoided the Worm, but, by and by +it came to pass that he began to wax faint and weary with +leaping from side to side, weighed down as he was with his +armor. So, at last, it befell that the Worm catched Sir Launcelot +in the hook of one of its claws, and thereupon they who looked on at +that battle beheld how in a moment it had embraced Sir Launcelot in several +hundred of its claws so that his body was wellnigh hidden in that +embrace. And the Worm, when it so held Sir Launcelot in its embrace, +tore at him with its claws and strove to bite him with its shining teeth. +And anon it catched its claws in the armor of Sir Launcelot and it tore +away the epaulier upon the left side of Sir Launcelot's shoulder, and it tore +away the iron boot that covered his left thigh, and it cut with its claws +through the flesh of the left shoulder of Sir Launcelot and through the flesh +of his thigh to the very bone, so that the blood gushed out in a crimson +stream and ran down over his armor and over the claws of the Worm.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot, finding himself as it were thus in the very embrace +of Death, put forth all his strength and tore away free from the clutches +of the Worm ere it was able to do him further harm. And seeing how that +the case was now so ill with him, he catched the haft of his sword in both +of his hands, and he rushed at the creature and he stabbed with his sword +into the gaping mouth of the creature and down into its gullet so that +the cross-piece of the sword smote against the teeth of the creature's mouth.</p> + +<p>Then when the Worm felt that dreadful terrible stroke driven thus into +its very vitals, it roared like a bull in its torments, and it straightway rolled +over upon the ground writhing and lashing the entire length of its body, +bellowing so that those who heard it felt the marrow in their bones melt +for terror.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +slayeth the +Worm.</i></div> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot, looking down upon the lashings of the Worm, beheld +where there appeared to be a soft place nigh to the belly and beneath +the scales of the back and sides, and therewith he rushed at the Worm +and plunged his sword twice and thrice into that soft spot, whereupon, lo! +thick blood, as black as ink, gushed forth after those strokes. +Then again Sir Launcelot pierced the Worm twice and thrice +in such another place and thereafter it presently ceased to +bellow in that wise and lay shuddering and writhing in death, rustling its +dry scales upon the earth in its last throes of life.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot beheld that his work was done and he stood leaning +upon his sword, panting and covered all over with the blood and slime of +that dreadful battle. And the people beholding how that the Worm was +now slain, fell to shouting aloud beyond measure. And they came running +from all sides to that place like to a flood so that they filled the entire +market-place. And they crowded around and gazed upon the Worm with +horror, and they gazed upon Sir Launcelot in wonder that Heaven should +have sent so wonderful a Champion to save them out of their distresses. +And ever Sir Launcelot stood there leaning upon his sword panting and +with the blood flowing down from his shoulder and his thigh so that all +that side of his body was ensanguined with shining red.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The knights +of Corbin do +honor to Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>So as he stood there, there came a party of knights riding into that +place. These thrust their way through the multitude to where Sir Launcelot +was in the midst of the crowd as aforesaid. When they +had come to Sir Launcelot the chief of those knights said, +"Sir, art thou he who hath slain the Worm?" Sir Launcelot +said, "Thou seest that I am he." Then he who spoke to Sir +Launcelot said, "Messire, I fear me you are sorely hurt in this battle." +Quoth Sir Launcelot: "I am hurt indeed, but not more hurt than I have +been several times before and yet live as you behold me."</p> + +<p>Then those knights went and looked upon the Worm where it lay and +they gazed upon it with wonder and with loathing. And they gave great +praise beyond measure to the knight who had slain it.</p> + +<p>After that they sent for a litter and they laid Sir Launcelot upon the +litter and bare him away into the Castle of Corbin where King Pelles of +Corbin was then holding his court in royal pomp of circumstance. And +they brought Sir Launcelot to a fair chamber of the castle where a number of +attendants came to him and eased him of his armor and led him to a bath +of tepid water steeped with healing herbs. And there came a skilful +leech and searched the wounds of Sir Launcelot and spread soothing unguents +upon them and bound them up with swathings of linen. And after +that they bare Sir Launcelot to a fair soft couch spread with snow-white +linen and laid him thereon, and he was greatly at ease and much +comforted in body.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Pelles +of Corbin +doeth honor +to Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Then after all this was done in that wise, there came King Pelles of Corbin +to that place for to visit Sir Launcelot, and with him came his son, +Sir Lavaine, and his daughter, the Lady Elaine the Fair. And Sir +Launcelot beheld that King Pelles was a very noble haughty lord, for his +beard and his hair were long and amplelike to the mane of a lion, and +resembled threads of gold sprinkled with threads of silver. And he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +clad all in a robe of purple studded over with shining jewels and he wore +a fillet of gold about his head set with several gems of great +price. Upon the right hand of King Pelles there came his +son, Sir Lavaine—a very noble young knight, newly created +by the bath—and upon his left hand there came his daughter, +the Lady Elaine the Fair.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the Lady +Elaine the +Fair.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot looked upon the Lady Elaine the Fair and it seemed +to him that she was the most beautiful maiden that ever he +had beheld in all of his life. For he saw that her hair was soft +and yellow and shining like to the finest silk; that her eyebrows +were curved and very fine, as though they had been marked with +a sharp and delicate pencil; that her eyes were very large and perfectly +blue and very lustrous, and as bright as precious jewels; that her forehead +was like cream for whiteness; that her cheeks were like roses for softness +of blush; that her lips were like coral for redness, and that betwixt her +lips her teeth were white, like to pearls for whiteness.</p> + +<p>Such was the Lady Elaine, as Sir Launcelot beheld her, and he was +amazed at her surpassing beauty, and at the tender grace of her virgin +youth.</p> + +<p>Then King Pelles and Sir Lavaine and the Fair Elaine came close to +where Sir Launcelot lay upon his couch, and there they kneeled them +down upon the ground. And King Pelles spake, saying: "Messire, what +thanks shall we find fit to give to you who have freed this entire land from +the dreadful curse that lay upon it?" "Lord," said Sir Launcelot, "thank +not me but give your thanks to God whose tool and instrument I was in +this undertaking." "Messire," quoth King Pelles, "I have not forgot +to give thanks to God. Nevertheless seeing the instrument which He +hath fitted to His hand is so perfect an instrument, one may praise that +also. So we do praise you and give thanks from our heart to you +for the deliverance which you have brought to us. Now I pray you tell +me who you are who have brought this great succor to our state, for methinks +you must be some famous hero, and I would fain thank you in +your own name for what you have done to benefit us."</p> + +<p>"Lord," said Sir Launcelot, "this you must forgive me if I tell you not +my name. For there is supposed to be shame upon my name, wherefore +I am now known as le Chevalier Malfait, because in the eyes of those to +whom I am accountable I have done amiss."</p> + +<p>"Well," quoth King Pelles, "I dare be sworn you have not at any time +done greatly amiss in that which you have done. Nevertheless an you +will have it so, so it shall be as you will, and with us all of this place you shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +be known as le Chevalier Malfait until such time as it pleases you to assume +your proper name and title."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +lyeth sick in +Corbin.</i> </div> + +<p>Thus I have told you all the circumstances of that famous adventure +of the Worm of Corbin and there remaineth now only this to say: +That Sir Launcelot did not recover from his hurt as soon as +he had supposed he would. For the venom of the Dragon +had got into his blood, wherefore even after a twelvemonth had gone by, +he still remained in the castle of King Pelles at Corbin, albeit he was by +that time quite healed in his body.</p> + +<p>And also there is this to tell—that at the end of the twelvemonth aforesaid, +King Pelles came to Sir Launcelot and said to him: "Messire, I would +that you would henceforth dwell with us at this court. For not only +would you be a great credit to any court in which you live, but here we +all love you as one loveth the apple of his eye."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +remaineth at +Corbin.</i></div> + +<p>"Lord," said Sir Launcelot, "ye cannot love me more than I love ye +all who have been so good to me in the days of my sickness +and disease. So I will be exceedingly rejoiced to remain +with ye yet a while longer; for this is indeed a pleasant +haven in which to rest in the long and toilsome journey of life, and I have +nowhere else to go."</p> + +<p>Then King Pelles took Sir Launcelot into his arms and kissed him upon +the brow and so they became plighted in friendship unto one another.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot remained at Corbin and went not any farther errant +at that time.</p> + +<p>But meantime, and for all that while, there was great wonder at the +court of King Arthur whither Sir Launcelot had gone and what had become +of him that no one in all of the world heard tell aught of him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 420px;"> +<img src="images/s0137.png" width="420" height="600" alt="Sir Launcelot confideth his Shield to Elaine the Fair" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0138.png" width="600" height="79" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Third</h3> + +<p><i>How King Arthur proclaimed a tournament at Astolat, and how +King Pelles of Corbin went with his court thither to that place. +Also how Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine had encounter with two +knights in the highway thitherward.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur +proclaimeth a +tournament.</i></div> + +<p>Now it fell upon a time that King Arthur proclaimed a great tournament +to be held at Astolat, upon Lady's Day Assumption. +And the King sent word of this tournament throughout all the +land, both east and west and north and south. So it came +about that word of the tournament was brought one day by +herald to King Pelles at Corbin, and when this news came to +him he ordained that his court should make them ready to go to Astolat to +that passage of arms, in pursuance of the word that the herald of King +Arthur had brought to Corbin.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +is troubled.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot was much troubled in his mind for he said to himself, +"I fear me that if I go unto Astolat with this court there may be some +one there who will know me." For Sir Launcelot was still very bitterly +affronted at his kinsmen because that they had chid him so +greatly for the manner in which he had ridden in a cart upon +that adventure to rescue Queen Guinevere as aforetold of. For the pride +of Sir Launcelot was stiff and stubborn and he could not bring himself +to bend it or to break it. Neither could he bring himself to overlook such +an affront as that which he had suffered from the words that Sir Lionel +and Sir Ector de Marishad said to him. Wherefore, until full justification +had been rendered unto him, he was unwilling that any of his former companions +should behold him or know him who he was.</p> + +<p>Yet did he not see how he could refuse to obey the behest of King Pelles, +for as he was now become a knight of the court of the King of Corbin he +was bound to obey whatsoever that King should command him to do. +Wherefore he wist not what to do in this case, and so was much troubled +in mind.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Pelles +talketh with +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Now King Pelles was aware how it was with le Chevalier Malfait and that +he was unwilling to go to the tournament at Astolat. So one +day the King took Sir Launcelot aside and he said to him: +"Messire, will you not also go with our court to this tournament +that King Arthur hath proclaimed?"</p> + +<p>To this Sir Launcelot said, "Lord, I would rather that I did not go."</p> + +<p>King Pelles said: "Sir Knight, far be it from me to urge you to go if it +be greatly against your wishes; yet you are to know that it will be a very +sad thing for all of us if you do not go with us. For it is the truth that +you are, beyond all others, the foremost of our court, and its most +bright and shining light; wherefore it will be sad for us if we go thither +without you."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot looked very steadfastly at King Pelles and his heart +went out toward the King and he said, "Do you then desire my company +so very greatly?" King Pelles said, "Yea." "Well," said Sir Launcelot, +"let it be so and I will go with you." And at that saying King Pelles +was glad beyond measure.</p> + +<p>So when the time came Sir Launcelot made him ready to go with the +others to Astolat, and when the day of departure arrived he went with +them.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Pelles +and his court +journey to +Astolat.</i></div> + +<p>Thereafter they travelled by easy stages toward Astolat, and upon the +third day after their departure from Corbin they came to the castle of a +certain Earl, which castle stood about three leagues or a little more from +the town. This Earl was a kinsman of King Pelles and in +great amity with him, wherefore he was glad to have the +King and his court to lodge with him at that time. And +they of Corbin were also glad, for this was a very noble excellent +place in which to lodge and all the other castles and inns nigh to +Astolat were at that time very full of folk.</p> + +<p>So it came about that King Pelles and his court remained several days +at that place, and in all that time Sir Launcelot kept himself ever in retreat, +lest some one with whom he was acquainted should chance to see +him and know him who he was. To this end, and that he might conceal +himself, Sir Launcelot was most often with the court of the Lady Elaine +the Fair and not often with the court of the King.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine and +Sir Launcelot +talk together.</i></div> + +<p>Now the Lady Elaine was not very well pleased with this, for she held Sir +Launcelot in great admiration above all other men, and she would fain +have had him stand forth with the other knights who were there, so that +his nobility might be manifested amongst them. So one day whilst they +two sat together in the garden of the castle of that Earl (the court of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +Lady Elaine and several lords of the King's court being near by playing +at ball) the Lady Elaine spake her mind to Sir Launcelot +upon this point saying: "Fair Sir, will you not take part in +this noble and knightly tournament the day after to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>To this Sir Launcelot replied, "Nay, Lady."</p> + +<p>She said to him: "Why will you not so, Messire? Methinks with your +prowess you might win yourself very great credit thereat."</p> + +<p>Then for a little Sir Launcelot was silent, and after a little he said to her: +"Lady, do you disremember that I call myself le Chevalier Malfait? That +name I have assumed because my friends and my kinsmen deem that I +have done amiss in a certain thing. Now, since they are of that opinion +I am very greatly displeased with them, and would fain avoid them until +I am justified in their sight. At this tournament there will be many of +those who knew me aforetime and I would fain avoid them if I am able +to do so. Wherefore it is that I am disinclined to take part in the battle +which the King hath ordained."</p> + +<p>After this they were silent for a little, and then by and by the Lady +Elaine said: "Sir Knight Malfait, I would I knew who you really are and +who are your fellows of whom you speak." At that Sir Launcelot smiled +and said: "Lady, I may not tell you at this present who I am nor +who they are, but only that they are very good worthy knights and +gentlemen." "Aye," quoth the Lady Elaine, "that I may very well +believe."</p> + +<p>So at that time no more was said concerning this matter but ever +the mind of the Lady Elaine rested upon that thing—to wit, that Sir +Launcelot should take part in that tournament aforesaid. So at another +time when they were alone together, she said: "Sir Knight Malfait, I would +that thou wouldst do me a great favor." Sir Launcelot said: "Lady, ask +whatsoever thou wilt, and if it is in my power to do that thing, and if it +is according to the honor of my knighthood, then I shall assuredly do +whatsoever thou dost ask of me."</p> + +<p>"Sir," quoth the Lady Elaine, "this is what I would fain ask of thee +if I might have it. It is that thou wouldst suffer me to purvey thee a suit +of strange armor so that thy friends might not know thee therein, and +that thou wouldst go to the tournament disguised in that wise. And I +would that thou wouldst wear my favor at that tournament so that I +might have glory in that battle because of thee."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +will take part +in the +tournament.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot sighed very deeply, and he looked steadfastly at the +Lady Elaine, and he said: "Lady, you know not how great a thing it is +you ask of my pride, for I would fain remain unknown as I am at this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +present. And you know not what it is you ask of my knighthood, for +wit ye it must be against my one-time friends and companions-in-arms +that you would have me contend. So it is that if I should have success +in such an affair as this, whatsoever credit I should win therein shall bring +discredit unto them. Moreover, I must tell you that never in all of my +life have I worn the favor of any lady, having vowed my +knighthood to one who is a queen and the wife of a king. +Natheless, though all this is so, yet far be it from me to refuse +a boon when it is you who ask it of me. For I speak +the truth, Lady, when I say that I would freely lay down my life at your +bidding. So in this case, maugre all that I have said, I will even do as +you ask me, wherefore, if you will purvey me that armor of which you +speak, I will do your will in all ways that I am able."</p> + +<p>So spake Sir Launcelot, and thereat the Lady Elaine smiled upon him +in such wise and with such great loving-kindness that it was as though +both her joy and her great love stood revealed in the midst of that smile. +Quoth she: "Assuredly I shall gain great honor and glory at thy hands. +For I believe that thou art indeed one of the very greatest and foremost +knights in all of the world, as well as the perfect peer of all noble gentlemen."</p> + +<p>Now the Earl, the lord of that castle, had a son hight Sir Tyre, who was +then lying abed, ill of a flux, and the armor of Sir Tyre was at that place. +So the Lady Elaine went to the Earl and she besought him to lend her +that armor for the use of Sir Launcelot, and the Earl listened to her and +gave it to her.</p> + +<p>So she had the armor of Sir Tyre brought to Sir Launcelot and thus +the Lady Elaine purveyed him in all wise for that tournament so that no +one might know him who he was.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine giveth +her sleeve to +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Then, after all this had been accomplished, the Lady Elaine came to the +chamber where Sir Launcelot was, and her brother Sir Lavaine +was with her. And the Lady bore in her hand a sleeve +of flame-colored satin very richly bedight with many pearls +of great price. And she said to Sir Launcelot: "I beseech +you to take this sleeve, Sir Knight, and I beseech you that you wear it as +a favor for my sake."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot smiled very kindly upon the Lady Elaine and he +said, "Will this give you pleasure?" and she said, "Yea." Then Sir +Launcelot smiled again and he said, "It shall be in all things as you will +have it." So he took the sleeve, and he wound it about the crest of the +helmet he was to wear at the tournament, and the sleeve formed a wreath<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +of satin about the helmet like to a wreath of fire. And the pearls upon +the wreath were like to drops of dew as you behold them of an early morning. +Wherefore because of the brightness of that wreath and because of +the pearls upon it, the favor of the Lady Elaine was of such a sort that all +the world could not but see it what it was. And so Sir Launcelot accepted +the favor of the Lady Elaine the Fair.</p> + +<p>Then after Sir Launcelot had thus accepted that favor, Sir Lavaine +spake and said: "Sir Knight Malfait, I beseech you that you will take me +with you unto this tournament as your knight-companion. For I believe +that in your company I shall assuredly gain me great honor and much +glory and renown, wherefore I ask of you that you will grant me this great +courtesy."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +accepteth Sir +Lavaine as his +companion.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot looked upon Sir Lavaine and smiled upon him and +loved him exceedingly, and he said to Sir Lavaine: "Friend, +I will gladly accept thee as my companion-in-arms, and I +believe in very sooth that it would be hard for me to find +any one whom I would be better pleased to have with me at +such a time." And so it was that Sir Lavaine also had his will with Sir +Launcelot.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot turned him to the Lady Elaine and said, "Lady, +see you this shield and this armor of mine?" And she said, "Yea, I see +them."</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot said: "Lady, this shield is a very precious thing to me, +for it and all mine armor was given to me by a very wonderful lady who +is not of this world in which we mortals dwell. Since that time she gave +mine armor to me I have sought ever and in all wise to use those defences +as became a gentleman so that whatever mark of battle there should be +upon them there should be no mark of dishonor to mar their brightness. +Now I beseech you for to take this shield and that armor to your maiden +bower and to hold them there in trust for me and that as sacredly as +though they were your very life." Therewith Sir Launcelot gave the +Lady Elaine his shield and he said: "I charge you, Lady, for to let no +one touch this shield or to meddle with it until I return hither to reclaim +it and mine armor of you." And the Lady Elaine said: "It shall be as +you say, and I shall hold this shield and this armor as sacred as my life."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +and Sir Lavaine +depart for +Astolat.</i></div> + +<p>So these matters were all brought to settlement and the +next day Sir Launcelot in the armor of Sir Tyre, and Sir +Lavaine in his own armor, rode out from the castle of that +Earl and away from that place and so betook their way +toward Astolat.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now it chanced that same day that two very worthy knights of King +Arthur's court were upon that road on which Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine +travelled to Astolat, and these two knights were Sir Gawaine and Sir Mador +de la Porte. With these were several lords who paid homage and respect +to them, and all that party stood beneath the shade of several trees nigh +to a water-mill where it was very cool and pleasant. And some of those +who were there sat upon their horses, and some had dismounted therefrom +and were lying in the cool and pleasant grass beneath the shade.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine perceived where Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came +riding and he said to those who were with him: "Behold yonder two knights +coming hitherward. Now I am of a mind that Sir Mador de la Porte and +I shall try a fall with them, so stand ye by and see what happeneth."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +and Sir Mador +bespeak Sir +Launcelot and +Sir Lavaine.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine and Sir Mador took horse and rode a little forward +and met the two and saluted them very courteously, and Sir +Launcelot and Sir Lavaine saluted those others in like manner. +Then Sir Gawaine said: "Messires, I pray ye tell me +who ye are and whither ye go upon this pass."</p> + +<p>Now Sir Launcelot knew very well who those two knights were because +of the devices upon their shields. Wherefore he changed his voice a little +when he answered Sir Gawaine so that Sir Gawaine should not know him. +And he said: "Messire, I know not by what right ye demand such knowledge +of us, nevertheless I may tell you that I am called le Chevalier Malfait, +and this, my comrade, is hight Sir Lavaine of Corbin. As for our +journey and its purpose, I may furthermore tell you that we intend, God +willing, to enter the tournament at Astolat to-morrow, in which friendly +battle you also, doubtless, intend to take a part."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine said: "Tell me, Sir Knight Malfait, will you and your +companion try a fall with me and my companions-in-arms?"</p> + +<p>Now Sir Launcelot had no very great relish for such an encounter as +that for he feared by some hap he should betray himself who he was. Yet +he wist that he must accept the challenge of Sir Gawaine, wherefore after +a little while of silence he said: "Sir Knight, we two would fain go our +way in peace, but an it cannot be otherwise we must needs accept your +challenge. But will you not let be and suffer us to pass onward?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said Sir Gawaine, "this is a strange thing that you should pretend +to aspire to that tournament of to-morrow and yet have no heart +to meet in friendly tilt two knights whom you encounter upon the way."</p> + +<p>"Sir," quoth Sir Launcelot, "we fear you not in any wise, wherefore, +make yourselves ready in God's name, and we upon our side will do our +endeavor."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The four +knights run a +tilt.</i></div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +is overthrown.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine and Sir Mador de la Porte made themselves ready as +Sir Launcelot had advised, and when they were in all ways prepared they +withdrew to a little distance so as to have a good course to run. Then +when all were ready for that encounter, each knight shouted and set spurs +to his horse, and all four thundered together with such violence that the +ground trembled beneath them. So they met in the middle of the course +and so furious was the meeting of those four good knights +that you might have heard the roar of that encounter for +half a mile away or more. In that encounter both Sir Lavaine +and Sir Mador broke each his spear upon his enemy and neither of +them suffered a fall. But Sir Gawaine had no such fortune for his spear +broke into splinters unto the very truncheon thereof, and the spear of Sir +Launcelot held, so that Sir Gawaine was lifted out from his +saddle and flung upon the ground with such violence that he +rolled thrice or four times over and over before he ceased to fall.</p> + +<p>Now those who looked upon that encounter were well assured that Sir +Gawaine would easily overthrow his opponent into the dust, for Sir Gawaine +was held to be one of the very greatest knights in all of the world. +Wherefore it was that when they beheld how violently he had been flung +to earth by that unknown knight against whom he had tilted, they were +astonished beyond all bounds of wonderment.</p> + +<p>But Sir Mador de la Porte, when he beheld how Sir Gawaine lay there +in the dust as though dead, voided his horse and ran to the fallen knight +where he lay. And he raised the umbril of Sir Gawaine's helmet, and lo! +the face of Sir Gawaine was like to the face of one who was dead. And at +first Sir Mador thought that he was dead, but after a while Sir Gawaine +sighed and then sighed again, and thereupon Sir Mador knew that he was +not dead, but in a swoon from the violence of the fall. And Sir Mador +rejoiced very greatly that no more ill had come of that encounter.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Mador turned to Sir Launcelot, and cried out: "Sir Knight +Malfait, go thy way in the fiend's name. For indeed thou art well named +Malfait, seeing what an evil thing it is that thou hast done to this worshipful +knight. For wit you that this is none other than Sir Gawaine, the +nephew of King Arthur himself, whom you have overthrown; and had +you slain him, as at first I believed you had, it would have been a very ill +thing for you. Moreover, you are to know that this knight was to have +been the leader of all those upon King Arthur's side in the battle to-morrow-day, +but now God knows if he will be able to wear armor again for +many days to come. Wherefore go thy way and trouble us no more."</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Launcelot: "Well, Sir Knight, this quarrel was altogether of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +your own seeking, and not of ours. Wherefore, if ill hath befallen this +worshipful knight, it is of his own devising and not of mine."</p> + +<p>But Sir Mador only cried out the more vehemently: "Go your way! Go +your way, and leave us in peace!" And thereupon Sir Launcelot and Sir +Lavaine drew their bridle reins and set heel to horse and rode away from +that place, leaving Sir Mador and those others who were there to cherish +Sir Gawaine and to revive him from his swoon as best they might.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bernard +of Astolat +followeth Sir +Launcelot and +Sir Lavaine.</i></div> + +<p>Now there was among those knights who were with Sir Gawaine and +Sir Mador a certain old and very worthy knight of Astolat, +hight Sir Bernard, surnamed of Astolat. Seeing Sir Launcelot +and Sir Lavaine departing in that wise, Sir Bernard hied +him after them and when he had come up with them he saluted +them, and said, "Messires, I pray ye tell me where it is ye lodge this +night."</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot said: "Fair Sir, we know not where we lodge for we go to +seek such lodging as we may find in Astolat."</p> + +<p>Sir Bernard said: "You will find no lodging in Astolat this night, for all +places are full. Now I pray ye that you will lodge with me, for I have a very +good and comely house and I shall be greatly honored for to have you +lodge with me. For I make my vow, Sir Knight Malfait, that never saw I +such a buffet as that which you gave to Sir Gawaine anon. Nor do I +believe that ever Sir Launcelot of the Lake himself could have done more +doughtily than you did in that encounter. Wherefore, I think that you +will win you great glory to-morrow-day, and that I shall have due worship +if so be that ye two shall have lodged with me over this night."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot laughed, and he said to Sir Bernard: "Well, Sir +Knight, I give you gramercy for your courtesy, and so we will gladly +take up our inn with you until the time of the tournament. Only this +I demand, that we shall be privily lodged apart from any one else, for we +wish it that we shall not be known until to-morrow and after this tournament +shall have transpired."</p> + +<p>"Messire," quoth Sir Bernard, "it shall all be as you desire."</p> + +<p>So those three rode on their way together until they had come to +Astolat and to the habitation of Sir Bernard of Astolat.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +lodgeth with +Sir Bernard.</i></div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur +knoweth Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Now the habitation of Sir Bernard was a very fair house over against +the castle of Astolat where King Arthur and his court had +taken up their inn. And there was a high terraced garden +belonging to the castle of Astolat, and the garden overlooked +the garden of the house of Sir Bernard. That day it chanced that King +Arthur was walking back and forth in that terraced garden where the air<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +blew cool over the plats of flowers and grass. As the King so walked he +chanced to look down over the edge of the terrace into the garden of Sir +Bernard's house, and at that time Sir Launcelot was walking privily in +the garden for to refresh himself, and no one was with him. At that +time Sir Launcelot had laid aside his armor for the sake of +coolness and was walking in light raiment and bareheaded +to the air, wherefore it befell that King Arthur immediately +knew him who he was.</p> + +<p>Then the King was much astonished to see Sir Launcelot in that place, +and he said to himself, "What does Sir Launcelot here?" And at first +the King was of a mind to send word to Sir Launcelot, bidding him to +come to where he was. But afterward he bethought him that mayhap +Sir Launcelot would be displeased at being thus summoned to declare +himself. For the King perceived that Sir Launcelot did not choose to +be known to any one at that time. So King Arthur said to himself: "Well, +let be! To-morrow, I dare say, Sir Launcelot will declare himself in such +a wise as shall astonish a great many knights who shall do battle against +him upon yonder meadow-of-battle. Wherefore, let him e'en declare +himself in his own fashion."</p> + +<p>Thus it was that King Arthur communed within himself. Wherefore +he did not betray the presence of Sir Launcelot to anybody at that time, +but kept that matter shut in his own bosom.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, when he had come again to where was his court, he said +to the knights there assembled: "Messires, I have this day beheld a certain +knight who hath come hither who will I believe play his play with the best +of you all at the jousts to-morrow." The knights who were there said to +the King: "We pray you, Lord, tell us who that knight is, so that we may +pay him such regard as he is worthy of." "Nay," quoth King Arthur, +"I will not tell you at this time who is that knight, but haply you will +know to-morrow who he is."</p> + +<p>Then one of the knights who was there said: "Mayhap that was the +knight who overthrew Sir Gawaine this day in the highroad over against +the town a little distance away. He calleth himself le Chevalier Malfait, +and hath for his companion a youthful knight hight Sir Lavaine, the +King's son of Corbin."</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur laughed, and said, "Like enough that was he." And +so the King departed into his lodging, leaving all those knights much wondering +who that knight could be of whom the King spoke to them.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Thus it was that Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came to Astolat, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +now followeth the history of that famous bout at arms so far as it affected +Sir Launcelot of the Lake and his companion-at-arms, Sir Lavaine of +Corbin. For in that affair at arms, as you shall presently hear tell, Sir +Lavaine gained him such great glory and renown that thereafter he was +regarded as one of the great heroes of chivalry, and by and by received +that crowning honor of becoming a knight-companion of the Round +Table.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0147.png" width="250" height="129" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 414px;"> +<img src="images/s0149.png" width="414" height="600" alt="Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine overlook the Field of Astolat:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0150.png" width="600" height="78" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Fourth</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine fought in the tournament at +Astolat. How Sir Launcelot was wounded in that affair, and +how Sir Lavaine brought him unto a place of safety.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the lists +at Astolat.</i></div> + +<p>So it is true that in these days one may not hope ever to behold a +sight like to the field-of-battle at Astolat upon Lady's Day Assumption, +when that tournament proclaimed by King Arthur +was about to be fought before the eyes of the King. For upon that morning—which +was wonderfully bright and clear and warm—the +entire green meadow was altogether covered over with a +moving throng of people of all degrees—lords and ladies, knights and +dames, esquires, burghers, yeomen and tradesfolk—all moving, each toward +some stand from whence he might view the battle that was about +to take place. And here were gay attires and bright colors and the fluttering +of silk and the flash and sparkle of shining baubles, and because +of the sheen and sparkle of all these the whole world appeared to be +quick with life and motion.</p> + +<p>Yet ever by little and little this confusion of many people pushing themselves +hither and thither resolved itself to order as one by one that multitude +took seat and brought itself to quietness. And so it came to pass at +last that the field prepared for battle was cleared of all save a few who +lingered and whom the guardians of the lists pushed back into their +places.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The knights-contestant +enter +the field-of-battle.</i></div> + +<p>Then, all being thus brought to order, the Marshal of the Tourney blew +his trumpet, and straightway there entered upon this side of +that wide meadow and upon that side thereof the two companies +of knights who were to contend the one against the +other.</p> + +<p>Then, lo! how the sunlight flashed upon shining armor! How it catched +the pens and bannerets so that they twinkled at tips of lances like to sparks +of fire! How war-horses neighed for love of battle! How armor clashed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +and shield plates rang as those goodly companies of knights brought themselves +by degrees into array for battle!</p> + +<p>Upon the one end of the meadow there gathered the knights-champion +who were of the party of King Arthur, and the chiefs of that party were +the King of Scots and the King of Ireland, and with them were many +knights of the Round Table, much renowned both in song and battle. +And the number of knights of that company were two hundred and ten +in all.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the two +parties-contestant.</i></div> + +<p>Upon the other end of the meadow of battle there assembled the party +of those who were to withstand the party of King Arthur; and +the chiefs of that company were the King of North Wales +and the King of an Hundred Knights, and the King of Northumberland +and Galahaut the High Prince. And though there were no +knights of the Round Table in that company, yet there were many champions +of very great renown and high credit in courts of chivalry. And +the number of that party were two hundred thirty and two.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +and Sir +Lavaine overlook +the field +of Astolat.</i></div> + +<p>Now near to a certain part of the field-of-battle the trees of the forest +came down close to the meadow, and made, as it were, a green wall of foliage +circumjacent to that part of the field. Here, beneath the shade of +the green trees of the forest where it was cool and shady and very still, +Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine had taken stand at a certain +place whence they could look out upon those two parties +of knights there gathered in battle array. And, that while, +the eyes of Sir Lavaine shone like sparks of light and his +cheeks were flaming red, like as though they were on fire, and his breath was +thick and stifled when he breathed it. For this was the first great battle +in which he had ever taken a part and he wist not what was to befall him +in that affair at arms.</p> + +<p>But that same while Sir Launcelot neither moved nor spake but sat +his horse like to a statue made of iron; calm and steadfast and gazing +very steadily out upon that plain before him.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Lavaine spake in a voice wonderfully high and clear. "Messire," +said he, "upon what side do you will that we take part in this +battle?"</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Launcelot: "To neither party do I yet will that we shall +join us. Rather let us wait a while and observe the issue of this battle, +and when we behold that one side is about to lose in the battle then will +we join with that side. For if so be we aid to bring victory out of defeat +for that party, then shall our credit and our glory be magnified in that same +degree." And Sir Lavaine said, "Sir, thou speakest with great wisdom."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then, as those two watched in that wise, they beheld that three knights-champion +came forth from one side and that three champions came forth +from the other side and they wist that these six champions were to engage +man to man and so to test the strength of this side and of that ere the two +arrays should join in battle-royal. And Sir Launcelot knew these six +champions very well and he declared to Sir Lavaine who they were. To +wit, he declared that the champions upon King Arthur's side were the +King of Scots and the King of Ireland and Sir Palamydes, and that the +knights of the other party were the King of Northumberland, and the +King of an Hundred Knights, and Galahaut the High Prince.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How the battle +openeth.</i></div> + +<p>Then, even as Sir Launcelot was telling Sir Lavaine who were these +six champions who thus stood forth to undertake battle against one another, +the herald blew his trumpet very loud and shrill. And +therewith, in an instant of time, each knight had set spurs +to his horse, and each horse leaped forward from his station and rushed +forward, and so they came, three knights against three, like to thunderbolts +launched against one another. So they met together in the midst +of the course with a crash of splintering wood and a roar of armor that +might easily have been heard a mile away. In that meeting Sir Palamydes +and Sir Galahaut the High Prince smote down one another into the +dust. And the King of an Hundred Knights smote down King Angus +of Ireland with such terrible violence that he lay like dead upon the ground +and had to be borne away out of the field by his esquires and could not +again do battle that day. As to the King of Northumberland and the +King of Scots, they broke each his lance upon the other without suffering +a fall. So that first encounter was somewhat to the advantage of the +party against King Arthur.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the grand +assault at arms.</i></div> + +<p>Then all who beheld that noble encounter of knight against knight +shouted aloud in acclaim, and the shout of that vast acclaim was like +the multitudinous roaring of a strong wind in the forest. +Thereupon in the midst of all that roaring the herald blew +his trump again and therewith the two parties contestant rushed the one +upon the other, the earth shaking and trembling beneath that charge like +to an earthquake. So in another moment they met together in such an +uproar of iron and cracking of splintered wood that the ears of those who +heard that meeting were stunned with the crash thereof. Then all the +air was full of dust and splinters of wood and scraps and shreds of silk +and of plumes. Anon, out of a thick red cloud of dust there arose the roar +of a mighty battle; the shouts of men, the neighing of horses, the crash of +blows and the groans of those who fell. At times, some knight would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +come forth out of the press reeling in the saddle and all red from some +wound he had got. At other times, a party of esquires would run into that +cloud, presently to come forth again bearing with them a wounded knight +whom they had rescued. At other parts of the field there were knights +armed with spears who ran tilt against one another, and ever and anon a +knight would be flung from the saddle or else horse and knight would roll +together upon the earth all in a smother of dust.</p> + +<p>So for a while the battle was toward and yet no one could see how it +went. For what with all that dust and the contending of single champions, +no one could tell whether it inclined to this side or to that.</p> + +<p>But after a while the dust lifted a little, and those who contended became +fewer upon one side than upon the other and so stinted the fierceness of +their battle.</p> + +<p>Then it was that those who looked down upon that battle beheld that +the party of King Arthur was pushing their opponents back, little by +little, toward the barriers upon their side of the field (and if so be they +were pushed altogether against that barrier then was their battle lost for +good).</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot said to Sir Lavaine: "Behold yonder company of +noble knights, how that they hold together and stand against their +enemies in spite of that defeat which must certainly fall upon them in +the end."</p> + +<p>"I see it," said Sir Lavaine, "and have great pity for them."</p> + +<p>"Hast thou so?" said Sir Launcelot. "Then let us take side with that side +which is so sore bestead, for I believe that if you will help me a little we +may well aid them and maybe stay the ill-fortune that seems like to +overwhelm them."</p> + +<p>"Sir," quoth Sir Lavaine, "spare not, and I upon my side will do the +best that I am able for to help you."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +and Sir Lavaine +take part +in the battle.</i></div> + +<p>So with that Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine rode out from the forest +wherein they had sheltered themselves, and they set their +spears in rest and they drove forward to where those knights +were doing combat. And they drove faster and faster forward +until they drove full tilt into the thickest of the press.</p> + +<p>The history of these things saith that in this charge and in other charges +that he made in that onset, Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Brandiles, and +Sir Sagramore, and Sir Dodinas, and Sir Kay, and Sir Griflet, and the +history saith that he smote down all those good knights of the Round +Table with one spear ere that spear burst asunder. And the same history +saith that Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Lucian the botteler and Sir Bedivere<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +with one spear in that charge and that then that spear also was burst +into pieces. And the history saith that Sir Launcelot got him another +spear and that Sir Lavaine did likewise and that thereafter they two charged +again as they had done before. And it saith that in this second assault +Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Agravaine, and Sir Gaheris and Sir Modred +and Sir Melyot of Logres, and that Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Hozanna le +Cure Hardy, and that after that those second spears were burst in assault +as the first had been.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Lavaine withdrew a little to get another spear, but by that +time the madness of battle was upon Sir Launcelot so that he drew his +sword and he ran into the thickest of the press and smote upon the right +hand and the left hand with all his might and main so that in a wonderfully +short pass he had smitten down Sir Safir and Sir Epynogris and Sir Galleron. +And so terrible were the buffets he gave that all who were nigh to him drew +away from him from fear of the terrible blows which he bestowed upon +whomsoever came within his reach.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine taketh +joy in the +battle.</i></div> + +<p>By now all who looked upon that field were aware of how terrible a battle +it was that the knight of the red sleeve fought against his enemies, wherefore +they shouted aloud with a great voice of outcry and loud acclaim. +And the Lady Elaine the Fair beheld how her champion did +battle, and seeing him she could not contain the passion of +her joy, but laughed and wept and trembled for that joy. +And she catched King Pelles ever by the arm and cried out +to him, "Lord! Lord! see what our champion doeth and what my brother +doeth!" and King Pelles said, "I see! I see!" and held tight hold of the +rail of the dais before him.</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur where he sat said to those about him: "Behold yonder +champion, what battle it is he doeth. Saw ye ever a better battle than +that?" And they say, "Nay, never so great a battle!"</p> + +<p>But when Sir Gawaine beheld the flame-colored sleeve that the champion +wore about his helmet, he said to King Arthur, "Yonder knight is he who +cast me down yesterday into the dust of the highway over against the +town," and Sir Gawaine said, "because of that and because of the battle +he now doeth, I would deem yonder knight to be none other than Sir +Launcelot of the Lake. And yet it cannot be Sir Launcelot, for this knight +weareth the sleeve of some lady as a favor upon his helmet, and all the +world knoweth that Sir Launcelot would never wear the favor of any lady +in such a wise as that."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the pause +in battle.</i></div> + +<p>Meantime the battle was stayed for a little while, for at that time it +seemed as though neither horse nor man could do any more for that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +while. Yet though the battle was stayed, nevertheless each knight braced +himself for a greater battle than that which had gone before. For all knew +that now indeed the time had come when either one party or +the other must win that battle. So in that pause of battle Sir +Launcelot and Sir Lavaine each chose him a good strong new spear of ash +wood, and each drank a cup of lusty spiced wine for to refresh his strength.</p> + +<p>And, ere they began to battle afresh, Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Ector +de Maris and Sir Lionel upon the other side called together such kindred +of their blood as were upon that field: to wit, Sir Blamor de Ganis, Sir +Bleoberis and Sir Aliduke, Sir Galihadan, and Sir Bellanger—all these +knights being of Sir Launcelot's kin. These say to one another: "If we +do not overthrow yonder single knight who fights so wonderfully against +us we shall certes lose this battle. For never knight fought so unless +it was Sir Launcelot. For lo! he himself is the single bulwark against +us in this battle."</p> + +<p>So it was that these kinsmen of Sir Launcelot ordained it that they +should join themselves together for to overthrow that knight by main +strength if need be.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>His kinsmen +take battle +against Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +is wounded.</i></div> + +<p>Then anon the battle was called again and anon each side hurled itself +against the other side, well knowing that at this time it must be else to +conquer or else to lose. And in that charge the kinsmen of Sir Launcelot +hurled themselves against that knight of the red sleeve and against those +who were by him. And Sir Bors and Sir Ector and Sir Lionel drave three +at once at Sir Launcelot and he drave against them—one +against three. But so heavy was the might of the assault of +those three, that they overthrew the horse of Sir Launcelot by +the weight of their three horses so that the horse of Sir Launcelot +and Sir Launcelot himself were cast down upon the earth beneath the +feet of the horses of those who charged against him. And in that charge +the spear of Sir Bors smote Sir Launcelot in the side, and the point of the +spear burst through the armor of Sir Launcelot and pierced deep into his +side. Therewith the head of the spear brake from the truncheon +and remained thrust deep into the side of Sir Launcelot, +and Sir Launcelot groaned aloud, deeming that he had got his death +wound.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot lay upon the ground and could not rise and he would +maybe have been beaten to death beneath the feet of the horses. But +Sir Lavaine beheld how it was with him, whereat he shouted aloud with +a great voice and he and all that party rushed to the aid of Sir Launcelot. +And Sir Lavaine smote down the King of Scots at one blow from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +out of his saddle. And he turned the horse of the King of Scots to where +Sir Launcelot lay. And he stood above Sir Launcelot and defended him +against the assault of all those others who were around about, and so, +maugre their vehement assaults, he brought Sir Launcelot to horse again.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot was clean wode because of the passion of agony he +suffered from that grievous wound he had got. Wherefore he drew his +sword and he stood up in his stirrups and he smote right and left like a +madman. And he smote down one after the other Sir Lionel and Sir Bors +de Ganis, and he smote Sir Bleoberis such a buffet that he fell down to the +earth in a swoon as if he had been dead. And in that time Sir Lavaine +smote down Sir Bellanger, and two other knights of worship and renown. +Then Sir Launcelot turned him about and smote Sir Blamor down from +off his horse and with that Sir Ector made at him. But Sir Launcelot +was blind with his passion of battle and of pain, and he wist not who that +was who came against him. Wherefore he turned upon Sir Ector and he +smote him so dreadful terrible a buffet, that the head of Sir Ector hung +down low upon the neck of his horse. Then Sir Launcelot catched Sir +Ector and rushed off the helm from the head of Sir Ector with intent to +slay him, for at that time he was so mad that he wist not where he was +or what he did.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +spareth Sir +Ector.</i></div> + +<p>Then he beheld the face of his brother Sir Ector, and he beheld that +face all white and wan from the blow he himself had struck, and he beheld +his brother's cheeks all white and streaked with blood, +and therewith his senses returned to him, and in that instant +he wist where he was and what he did. Thereupon he cried +out in a great and terrible voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe is me! what is it that +I do!" And therewith he rushed away from that place where Sir Ector +was, and he rushed into the thickest of the press, striking right and left +like a madman in fury.</p> + +<p>And it stands recorded that all in all in that battle Sir Launcelot struck +down thirty knights with his own hand, and that sixteen of those thirty were +knights of the Round Table. And it is recorded that Sir Lavaine struck +down fourteen knights and that six of those knights were knights of the +Round Table. And it was because of Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine that +their party prevailed in that battle. For, because beholding how they +fought, their party took great heart and added strength to strength and +so drave their enemies back across the meadow-of-battle until they were +pushed back against the barriers of their side of the meadow and so the +battle was won.</p> + +<p>And thus that was achieved that else had been lost had not Sir Launce<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>lot +and Sir Lavaine lent their aid to that party with whom they joined in +battle against the party of King Arthur.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot sat wounded nigh to death. Yea, he deemed that +the sickness and the sweat of death was even then upon him, for an +exceeding faintness overclouded his spirit. To him where he sat came +the King of North Wales and the King of Northumberland and the King +of an Hundred Knights and these say to him: "Sir, may God bless you, +for without your aid, and that of your companion this day had certes +been lost to us." And then they said: "Now we pray you that you will +come with us to King Arthur so that you may receive at his hands the +prize you have so worshipfully deserved." Thus they spake very cheerfully, +for not one of those worthies knew that Sir Launcelot had been so +sorely wounded in the battle he had fought.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +would fain +depart.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot spake in a very weak voice, so that it +sounded like to one speaking from a very great distance +away. And he said: "Fair lords, if I have won credit in this +I have paid a fair price for it, for I am sore hurt and wist not what to do. +Now this I pray of you that you will suffer me to depart from this place, +for I am in great pain and would fain go away from here to somewhere I +may have aid and comforts."</p> + +<p>Then those three kings would have had him go to a fair pavilion for +to have his wound searched and dressed, but ever he besought them to +suffer him to depart. So they suffered him, and he rode very slowly +away from that place, and Sir Lavaine rode with him.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So it was that Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine did battle at that famous +tournament at Astolat as I have told you.</p> + +<p>And now if you would know how it fared with Sir Launcelot after he +rode away from that place, wounded as aforesaid, you shall immediately +hear of it in that which followeth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a> +</span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 419px;"> +<img src="images/s0159.png" width="419" height="600" alt="Sir Gawaine knoweth the shield of Sir Launcelot" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0160.png" width="600" height="77" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Fifth</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Launcelot escaped wounded into the forest, and how Sir +Gawaine discovered to the court of King Pelles who was le +Chevalier Malfait.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>So Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine rode away from that field of battle. +And they rode together into the forest, and all that while +Sir Launcelot contained his suffering to himself so that Sir Lavaine +wist not how grievous was his wound nor how great was the passion +of agony that he then endured because of that hurt. But after they had +ridden a mile or two or three into the woodland, Sir Launcelot could no +longer thus contain himself, wherefore he let droop his head very low and +he groaned with great dolor. Then Sir Lavaine was aware that some grievous +hurt must have befallen Sir Launcelot. Wherefore he cried out: "Messire, +I fear me ye are sore hurt. Now tell me, I beseech you, how is it +with you?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +declareth his +wound.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot groaned again and he said: "Woe is me! I suffer much +pain." And therewith he made to dismount from his horse +and would have fallen had not Sir Lavaine catched him and +upheld him. After that Sir Lavaine aided Sir Launcelot down +from his horse, and Sir Launcelot leaned against a tree of the forest, groaning +as from the bottom of his soul, and Sir Lavaine wist not what to do to +help him. Then Sir Launcelot turned his eyes, all faint and dim, upon Sir +Lavaine, and he said: "Oh, gentle knight, Sir Lavaine, for the mercy of +God I beseech you to pluck forth the blade of a spear that has pierced into +my side, for I suffer a great pang of torment."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Lavaine was aware of what sort was that wound and he made +haste to strip off the body armor from Sir Launcelot. So, when that body +armor was thus removed, Sir Lavaine beheld a grievous wound where the +blade of the spear had pierced deep into the side of Sir Launcelot a little +above the midriff. And Sir Lavaine perceived that the blade of the +spear was yet in the wound and that the hurt was very deep. So behold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>ing +that wound Sir Lavaine wept, and cried out: "Dear my Lord! Woe +is me! I dare not pull out that blade; for an I do so, I dread me sore that +you will die here in the forest ere aid can be brought to you and so it shall +be I who killed you."</p> + +<p>"No matter," said Sir Launcelot, speaking very faint and with failing +breath. "Do as I bid you, for the point of that blade lieth near to my +heart and I suffer a great deal of pain from it."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lavaine +draweth for +the steel.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Lavaine laid hold of the shaft of the spear, and he strove to +draw forth the blade from out Sir Launcelot's side, yet he could not do so. +And thereupon Sir Launcelot cried aloud in a very piercing voice, "Spare +not! Spare not! but pull forth that steel!" So with that Sir Lavaine +plucked again with all his might and he drew the steel forth +from out of the wound. And as the blade came forth from +out of the flesh, Sir Launcelot cried out again in a voice very +loud and shrill, saying, "God! God! that this should be!" And with that a +great issue of blood gushed out of the wound like a crimson fountain and +Sir Launcelot sank down upon the ground in a swoon that was like the +swoon of death.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Lavaine believed that he had assuredly slain Sir Launcelot, +wherefore he wept aloud with a great passion of grief, smiting his hands +together and crying, "Woe is me! For I have slain my dear lord!" Thereupon +he kneeled down beside Sir Launcelot and fell to feeling his heart. +And he perceived that the heart still beat but very faintly, and so he +wist that Sir Launcelot was not dead but only in a deadly swoon.</p> + +<p>So Sir Lavaine turned Sir Launcelot where that the wind blew upon him +and after a while Sir Launcelot opened his eyes again. Then with his sight +all swimming he beheld Sir Lavaine kneeling beside him weeping, and he +said, speaking in a voice very weak and faint, "Lavaine, am I yet alive?" +And Sir Lavaine said, "Yea, Lord." Sir Launcelot said, "Then bear me +away from this place." And Sir Lavaine said, "Whither shall I take +you?" Sir Launcelot said: "Listen, Friend, bear me away into the forest +to the westward of here. For after a while to the westward of this place +you shall find a forest path that runs across your way. And you shall +take that path toward the right hand and so you will come after another +while to the hut of an hermit of the forest. Bring me to that holy man; +for if any one can cure me of this hurt he alone can do so." Sir Lavaine +said: "Lord, how shall I take you such a journey as that, so that you shall +not die?" Sir Launcelot replied: "I know not how you shall take me, +but this I know: that if you take me not to that place I shall certes die +here before your eyes in this forest."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lavaine +beareth Sir +Launcelot thence.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Lavaine, weeping, made a litter of straight young trees and he +laid his cloak upon the litter and he bound the litter to the +horses. Then he lifted Sir Launcelot and laid him upon the +litter as though it were a little child whom he laid there. +Thereafter he took the foremost horse by the bridle, and so, +led away into the forest whither Sir Launcelot had bidden him to go.</p> + +<p>So in that wise they travelled in the forest for a great while and by +and by night descended and the full moon arose all white and shining into +the sky. And it rose ever higher and higher and it shone down upon the +forest woodlands so that here it was all bright and there it was all agloom +with shadow; and anon Sir Lavaine, as he led the horses in that wise, +would walk in that silver silent light and anon he would be lost in those +shadows. And all that while Sir Launcelot lay so still that several times +Sir Lavaine thought haply he was dead. Then he would say, "Sir, art +thou dead?" And ever Sir Launcelot would answer, "Not yet."</p> + +<p>Thus they travelled for a great while in that still forest (all so silent +and wonderful) and beneath the clear pale moonlight that caused everything +to appear like to an enchantment of stillness. So, somewhat after +the middle watch of the night, Sir Lavaine beheld before him a little +chapel built up against the rocks of a cliff of stone and beneath the black +and umbrageous foliage of a large oak tree. And the moonlight shone +down past the oak tree and bathed all the front of that little chapel with +pure white silvery light, so still and silent that the chapel appeared as in a +strange and singular picture as it were seen in a dream.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They come to +the forest chapel.</i></div> + +<p>Thither Sir Lavaine led the horses bearing between them the wounded +knight, whose face, as white as the moon above, was turned upward against +the sky. And when Sir Lavaine had come to the door of the chapel he +smote upon it with the butt of his lance; and he smote again, +and therewith the door was opened and there appeared in +the doorway the figure of an aged man with a long white beard like to snow +for whiteness. And that man was the hermit of the forest afore spoken of +several times in these histories.</p> + +<p>Then when that reverend hermit beheld where Sir Launcelot lay in the +litter, so sorely wounded, he came to him and felt of his heart. So, perceiving +him to be alive, he aided Sir Lavaine to lift the wounded man from +the litter and to bear him into the hut and to lay him upon a soft and +fragrant couch of leaves and moss.</p> + +<p>At that time Sir Launcelot was in a deep swoon like as though he +were dead; yet he was not dead, for after the hermit had bathed his face +with strong wine, and after he had set pungent herbs to his nostrils, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +and by Sir Launcelot revived so as to sigh very deep and to open his eyes. +And Sir Launcelot said, "Where am I? Am I still alive?" The hermit +said, "Yea, Messire." Sir Launcelot said, "I wist that maybe I was +dead."</p> + +<p>Then the hermit searched Sir Launcelot's wound and bathed it and put +unguents upon it and bound it about with bandages of linen and so Sir +Launcelot was put at ease. And after that Sir Launcelot fell into a deep +sleep so still and profound that it was like to the slumber of a little child.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now whilst Sir Launcelot thus slept, Sir Lavaine and the hermit walked +in the moonlight upon a little lawn of grass before the door of the hermitage. +By and by the hermit said to Sir Lavaine: "Sir Knight, know you who +yonder knight is whom you brought hither to-night?" and Sir Lavaine +said, "Nay, I know not, save that he calleth himself le Chevalier Malfait."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The hermit +declareth Sir +Launcelot's name.</i></div> + +<p>"Well," quoth the hermit, "God knows that all we who live upon His +earth may easily do ill in His sight; yet I dare to say that +that yonder knight hath done as little ill as any of us. Sir, +you must know that he is none other than Sir Launcelot +of the Lake."</p> + +<p>At this Sir Lavaine cried out aloud in great wonder, saying: "What is +it that you tell me! Lo! This knight hath dwelt at the court of my father, +King Pelles of Corbin, for more than a year yet no one there wist that it +was Sir Launcelot of the Lake whom we entertained in our midst."</p> + +<p>"And yet," quoth the hermit, "that wounded man is none other than +he."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur +sits at feast.</i></div> + +<p>Now that same night whilst Sir Launcelot lay thus wounded in the +hermit's cell in the forest, a great feast was held at Astolat in the presence +of King Arthur. There were set fourteen tables in the great +hall of the castle of Astolat, and at those tables there sat +down seven hundred in all of the lords and knights and ladies of that +land—kings, earls, dukes, barons, knights, and esquires with their dames—fifty +at each table.</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur looked all about but he beheld no sign of Sir Launcelot, +wherefore he said to the King of North Wales who sat nigh to him: +"Where is that worthy knight who was with you to-day—he who wore +about his helmet a flame-colored sleeve embroidered with fair pearls +of price?" To this the King of North Wales replied: "Lord, we know +not where that worshipful champion now is. For although we besought +him to come hither with us, and although we besought him to come to you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +so that you might award unto him the prize of battle, yet he would not. +For he proclaimed himself to be wounded and craved our leave to withdraw +himself—wherefore we gave him that leave and he hied him away +and we know not whither he hath gone."</p> + +<p>"Now I am right sorry for that," quoth King Arthur, "for I would +rather have that knight to feast with us than any one of all those who +wear spurs in this hall. And I am still more sorry to hear that so worshipful +a champion as that should have met with mishap in this battle +of to-day. Yet do I hope that wound which he suffered is not so sore but +that he will soon be well again."</p> + +<p>"Lord," quoth the King of North Wales, "mefeareth that that noble +knight, whomsoever he may be, hath been very grievously hurt; for when +he spake to us his voice was passing weak and he appeared to suffer a great +deal of pain."</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur was much grieved at what he heard and he said: +"That is sad news for me, for rather would I lose half of my kingdom than +that death should befall that noble champion." So said King Arthur, +yet he would not say who was that champion of the red sleeve, for he +perceived that Sir Launcelot would fain conceal his name, wherefore +neither would he betray it.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine +grieveth.</i></div> + +<p>Now King Pelles sat not far from King Arthur's high seat at the table, +and the Lady Elaine the Fair sat with him and several lords of their court +were there also. These heard what was said between King +Arthur and the King of North Wales, and when the Lady +Elaine the Fair heard how that her champion was so sorely +wounded that he was like to die, it was as though a sword of terror had +been thrust into her bosom; for hearing those words she turned all as white +as ashes and sank back into her chair as though she would swoon.</p> + +<p>Seeing her thus, all white and stricken, King Pelles said, "Daughter, what +ails thee?" and she said: "My father, did you not hear how that the +Chevalier Malfait hath been sorely wounded and mayhap may be even now +lying nigh to death?" "Yea, I did hear that," said King Pelles, "but +such is the chance of battle that every good knight is called upon to face." +Then the Lady Elaine cried out: "Father! Father! I am sorely afraid +that great ill hath befallen that noble knight. Now I pray thee, let us +go hence." King Pelles said, "Whither shall we go?" She said: "Haply, +my brother, Sir Lavaine, will bring him to the castle of the earl our kinsman, +wherefore I pray you, sir, let us make haste thither and see if that +be so." And King Pelles said, "It shall be as you will have it."</p> + +<p>So King Pelles besought leave of King Arthur to quit that feast, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +King Arthur gave him leave and King Pelles withdrew with the Lady Elaine +and all of his court from that company.</p> + +<p>Yet when they returned to the castle of the earl, Sir Launcelot was not +there, for, as hath been told, he lay at that time in the hermit's cell in the +forest with his soul hanging in the scales betwixt life and death.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur +speaketh to +Sir Gawaine.</i></div> + +<p>But King Arthur ever bore in mind how it was Sir Launcelot had +been wounded, wherefore, when that feast was over, he took Sir Gawaine +aside, and he said to him: "Sir, I would that you would seek +out that knight of the red sleeve where he is and bring him +aid and succor." Sir Gawaine said: "Lord, I pray you tell +me; know you who is that knight? Methinks he should be Sir Launcelot +of the Lake, for I know of no other than he who could do so nobly in +battle as that champion did to-day. And yet, he cannot be Sir Launcelot, +for you wist very well that Sir Launcelot would not wear the favor +of any lady in such a wise as he wore the sleeve about his helm to-day. +So I know not who that knight can be."</p> + +<p>"Well," said King Arthur, "when you have succored him then you will +know who he is."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +departs in +search of Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine withdrew from the court to seek that wounded champion. +And he remembered him that the knight had called himself le +Chevalier Malfait and that his companion-in-arms was Sir +Lavaine, the son of King Pelles of Corbin. So Sir Gawaine +went to where were a number of knights who knew of King +Pelles, and he asked of these and of several others: "Know ye, +Messires, where I shall find King Pelles of Corbin?" They say to him, +"King Pelles is lodging at such and such a place." So Sir Gawaine took +horse and rode forth to the castle of the earl with whom King Pelles had +taken up his lodging, and King Pelles and his court were still at that place. +Then Sir Gawaine made demand to have speech with King Pelles and +therewith he was brought before the King where he was. And the Lady +Elaine the Fair was with King Pelles at that time, and Sir Gawaine, when +he beheld her, was amazed at her beauty.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine said to King Pelles: "Fair Lord, can you tell me +where I shall find that wounded knight who called himself le Chevalier +Malfait?" King Pelles said, "Alas! I know not where he is." Sir Gawaine +said, "Lord, I pray you tell me who he is and what is his name." +To this King Pelles made reply: "Messire, I know not who that knight is +saving only that he came to us somewhat more than a year ago and +that he slew the great Dragon of Corbin; and that he was sorely wounded +in his encounter with the Dragon. Since that he hath abided at our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +court but never have we known him by any other name than le Chevalier +Malfait."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine said: "Now I pray you tell me who was the lady who +gave her sleeve as a favor unto that knight, for no doubt she may know +who he is."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Elaine said: "Messire, it was I who gave my sleeve to +him, yet neither do I know who he is nor whence he came."</p> + +<p>Sir Gawaine said: "Have you naught that you may know him by?" +Whereunto the Lady Elaine made reply: "Sir, by leave of our cousin, the +earl of this castle, I purveyed armor in which le Chavalier Malfait might +do battle in this tournament. Now when he quitted us he confided his +armor and his shield to me that I might hold them in safe keeping for +him until his return hither. Perhaps you can tell from his shield who +is that worshipful knight."</p> + +<p>Sir Gawaine said: "I prithee, fair lady, tell me what device was painted +upon the shield?" And the Lady Elaine said: "I know not what was that +device for the shield was all encased in leather laced upon it and painted +white so that no one might see the device which it beareth."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +knoweth Sir +Launcelot's +shield.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine said, "Let me see that shield." And thereupon the +Lady Elaine sent her attendants to fetch the shield and they brought it +to her where they were. Then Sir Gawaine unlaced the leather from the +shield and drew the shield forth from its case, and lo! the shield shone all +dazzling bright, like to the sun in his glory. And Sir Gawaine beheld the +device upon the shield that it was a knight kneeling to a +lady upon a field of silver, and by that he knew (and several +others who were there knew) that it was the shield of Sir +Launcelot. Thereupon Sir Gawaine turned him to the Lady +Elaine the Fair and he said: "Lady, it is no wonder that this knight who +hath worn thy favor should have done so well in battle yesterday. For +wit ye that this is the shield of Sir Launcelot of the Lake and wit ye +that it is to none other than he to whom you gave your sleeve. So I wish +you much joy of that great honor that hath come to you through him; +for you are to know that never hath it ever been heard tell of before this +that Sir Launcelot hath worn the favor of any lady when he hath gone +to battle."</p> + +<p>But as for the Lady Elaine, when she knew that it was Sir Launcelot +of the Lake to whom she had given her sleeve, she was filled full of a great +joy and also with a sort of terror. For she had much joy that she should +have been so wonderfully honored by that noble knight Sir Launcelot of +the Lake, and yet when she bethought herself how she had set her regard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +upon him who regarded no lady in the light of love she was filled with a +sort of terror because she forecast that nothing but sorrow could come +to her who had placed her heart and all her happiness in the keeping of +this knight, who had no heart or happiness to bestow upon any lady in +return.</p> + +<p>But King Pelles was unaware of what thoughts lay within the heart of +his daughter. His spirit was greatly uplifted with the thought that Sir +Launcelot should have been a knight of his court for so long a while and +he said: "Messire, this is a very wonderful thing that you tell us, for who +would have thought that he was Sir Launcelot who has been with us all +this time? Now I know not any glory that could come to us that should be +greater than that; to wit, to have had that noble, worthy, and glorious +champion for to serve as a knight of our court. For now, because of him, +this court hath become famous for all time, that otherwise would not have +been known very far or for a very long while."</p> + +<p>"Lord," said Sir Gawaine, "I do indeed give you great joy of this honor +that you have had through him; for I must tell you that yours is the only +court in all the world in which Sir Launcelot has ever served as champion, +saving only in the Court of King Arthur. Wherefore this is a very singular +honor that hath been visited upon you."</p> + +<p>So spake King Pelles and so spake Sir Gawaine; but all that while the +Lady Elaine the Fair sat in silence saying naught to any one for her soul +was so deeply disturbed with joy and pride that Sir Launcelot should have +been her champion, and with fear and anxiety upon behalf of her knight—that +she wist not very well what was being done or said by any of those +who sat around about her.</p> + +<p>That night Sir Gawaine abided at the Court of Corbin, and there was a +great feast prepared for his entertainment and all honor and regard was +paid to him that was possible to pay any man, even were that man a king. +And at that feast Sir Gawaine sat at the right hand of King Pelles and the +Lady Elaine sat upon the left hand of the King. And Sir Gawaine and the +King talked a very great deal together, yet ever the Lady Elaine sat +wrapped in silence, very distraught, passing by her food without tasting of +it. For always her thoughts dwelt upon Sir Launcelot as aforesaid, and +ever her heart was filled with anxiety as to what had befallen him and where +he was, and how it fared with him and who was cherishing him in his sickness +and his pain. Yea, even, she wondered whether he was living or +whether he was dead. Wherefore it was she knew not what passed about +her, but sat silent with her spirit remote and afar off from all those who +made merry and laughed and talked and jested so nigh to her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>For the soul in such times of trouble and anxiety is oftentimes very +solitary and silent; ever wrapped in its own broody thoughts like to a spirit +wrapped in a cloud of darkness that shutteth out from its sight all the +bright world of gayety and rejoicing that lieth around about it. And so it +was with the Lady Elaine at this season.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now, when the morning had come, Sir Gawaine departed from that place +to return to the King's court which was still at Astolat, there to bring them +news that it was Sir Launcelot who had fought in that battle and that it +was he who had been wounded.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Queen Guinevere +is angered.</i></div> + +<p>But when that news came to Queen Guinevere she was filled full of a +great passion of anger and of indignation against Sir Launcelot +and against the Lady Elaine. For it is to be remembered +that Sir Launcelot had vowed his vows of service unto Queen Guinevere, +and she upon her part had accepted those vows and acknowledged him +as her knight-champion. Wherefore it was that finding he had worn the +favor of another lady in that wise, she was filled with a most consuming +passion of anger. At first she would not believe that it was true that Sir +Launcelot had worn the sleeve, and when she was convinced that it was true +she withdrew herself from the sight of all, and went and locked herself into +her chamber—and how it was with her in that place no one could tell.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Queen Guinevere +bespeaketh +Sir Bors.</i></div> + +<p>Then, after a while, she sent for Sir Bors de Ganis, who was the nighest +of kin to Sir Launcelot of all those then at court. And the +Queen said to Sir Bors: "What is this your kinsman hath done, +Messire? He hath forsworn himself and is shamed of his knighthood +in my sight and in the sight of all. For who ever heard of any knight +of worship who would swear his faith to one lady and yet wear the favor +of another? So I say this knight is forsworn and is no true knight."</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Bors: "Lady, there is no man in all the world who would dare +to say to me that Sir Launcelot is shamed of his knighthood, but you may +say that because you are a lady. Now I pray you tell me why should +not Sir Launcelot wear the favor of so kind and so beautiful a lady as that +of the Lady Elaine, the King's daughter of Corbin? Such service cannot +injure you, who have always to your service so high and noble a knight +as King Arthur himself!"</p> + +<p>So spake Sir Bors very sternly, and therewith Queen Guinevere's cheeks +flamed like fire and she stamped her foot upon the ground in wrath and +cried out in a very loud voice: "Do you dare to speak thus to me who am +your Queen? I say this unworthy knight is forsworn in that he sware his +faith to me, and that he came not to me to relieve him of that vow ere he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +accepted the favor of another lady. Now I bid you go, find Sir Launcelot +and bring him straightway hither that he may answer me to my face and +that he may clear himself if he is able of that unknightly faithlessness."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Bors was filled with indignation against the Queen and at the +same time he was filled with great pity for her. For many things came +into his mind at that time, wherefore he did not choose to look into the +Queen's face, but only bowed low before her and said: "Lady, it shall be +as you command. I shall straightway go seek my kinsman and will bring +your commands to him that he shall come and present himself before you."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors departeth +in +search of Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>So forthwith Sir Bors departed from the court to seek Sir +Launcelot. But after he had left her the Queen went into +her privy closet and fast locked herself in. And she wept +amain; and as she wept she communed in solitude with her +soul, saying: "My soul! My soul! Is it anger thou feelest or is it aught +else than anger?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0169.png" width="250" height="128" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 421px;"> +<img src="images/s0171.png" width="421" height="600" alt="Sir Launcelot leapeth from the window:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0172.png" width="600" height="77" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Sixth</h3> + +<p><i>How the Lady Elaine went to seek Sir Launcelot and how Sir +Launcelot afterwards returned to the court of King Arthur.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Now ever the Lady Elaine the Fair, as aforesaid, took great grief +beyond all measure concerning the fate of Sir Launcelot. +For he lay wounded she knew not where and she knew not +whether he were healing or dying. So upon a day she came to her father, +King Pelles, where he was, and she had been weeping a great deal—yea, +even whilst she spoke to her father she began weeping afresh. So, still +weeping, she said: "Sire, I pray thee let me go and seek for this noble +champion, Sir Launcelot of the Lake, where he lieth wounded, for mefeareth +he hath been so grievously hurt that he may even now be upon +the edge of death."</p> + +<p>Then King Pelles said: "My daughter, what is this thou wouldst do? +Wouldst thou, a young damsel, go thyself errant in search of this wounded +knight?" and the Lady Elaine said, "Yea." The King, her father said, +"This may not be." Then the Lady Elaine wept all the more and with +such passion that it was as though her heart would break. And therewith +she kneeled down before her father and cried most vehemently: "Sire, let +me go! Else I believe I shall become distracted with my fears lest he be +dying of his wounds."</p> + +<p>Then King Pelles was very sorry for the Lady Elaine and he lifted her +up and embraced her in his arms and kissed her upon the face. And King +Pelles sought to comfort her, wiping away the tears from her face. And +he said, "My daughter, weep not so." She said, "Lord, I cannot help it." +Then he said: "My daughter, weep no more, for it shall be as thou wouldst +have it. Go now in God's name upon this quest, if so be it will ease thy +heart to do so, and I will send safe escort with thee."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine departeth +in search of +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>So it was that the Lady Elaine the Fair went upon that +quest in search of Sir Launcelot, and her father purveyed for +her such an escort as he had said. For he sent with her a +company of seven worthy and noble knights with their esquires +and attendants; and seven damsels of her court also went with her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +These betook their way to Astolat, for it seemed to the Lady Elaine that +there they might best hope to have news of the wounded knight. And +when they had come to Astolat she took up her inn at that place, and +sent forth several to make diligent inquiry if any news might be heard of +the wounded knight.</p> + +<p>So those whom she sent made inquiry upon all sides, and upon a certain +day, they found a woodchopper who had come out of the forest with a +cart load of wooden fagots. This woodman brought news of Sir Launcelot +and of Sir Lavaine; for he declared that he had seen them when they had +entered the forest after the tournament. So her agents brought the +woodchopper to where the Lady Elaine was, and she said to him, "What +knowest thou, good fellow?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The woodman +telleth of Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>To this the woodman made reply: "Lady, I will tell you all. One +day whiles I was in the forest I heard the sound of voices +talking together, and greatly wondering what those voices +were, I made my way privily to that place where I heard them +speaking. There I beheld a half-armed knight who lay upon the ground +all bathed in his own blood, and another knight, armed at all points, stood +beside this knight, and the hands of the second knight were all red with +blood. So methought that the armed knight had haply slain his fellow +there in the woodlands in foul wise, for so it appeared to be. So whilst I +stood there I heard that knight who lay on the ground complaining very +grievously that he was hurt nigh to death, and I heard him entreat that +knight who was armed that he should bear him to the westward and so +by a forest path to the cabin of a certain hermit that dwelleth in those +parts. Therewith I went away from that place as privily as I had come +thither, for methought that maybe some ill deed had been done at that +place and that so I should be punished if I meddled in it; wherefore I went +away and left those two knights in that wise."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Elaine the Fair asked that woodman if one of those +horses was white and the other piebald and he said: "Yea, as white as +milk and piebald with white and black." And the Lady said, "Then that +must be they."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine cometh to the forest +chapel.</i></div> + +<p>So that same day she and her company made them ready and they rode +away from Astolat and so came into the forest toward the +westward. And after a while they came to a path that went +across the way and they took that path to the right hand. So +they travelled that path for a great while, and by and by they +beheld before them the hut of the hermit where it was all built up against +a great rock of the forest and overshadowed by the thick foliage of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +aged oak tree that grew above it. Then as they drew near they heard the +neighing of horses and they wist that they must be the horses of Sir Launcelot +and of Sir Lavaine.</p> + +<p>Then, as the horses neighed in that wise, and as the horses of the Lady +Elaine's party answered their neighing, there came one and opened the +door of the hut and stood gazing at the Lady Elaine and her party as they +drew near, shading his eyes from the slanting sun. And the Lady Elaine +beheld who it was who stood there and she knew that it was Sir Lavaine, +wherefore she cried out in a loud and piercing voice, "My brother! My +brother!" Then Sir Lavaine, when he heard her, cried out upon his part +as in great amazement, "My sister, is it thou?" and therewith he ran to +her and he took her hand and she stooped from her horse and kissed his +lips.</p> + +<p>Then she said to Sir Lavaine, "How is it with him, doth he live?" +Whereunto Sir Lavaine said, "Yea, he liveth and will live, albeit he is +weak like to a little child." She said, "Where is he?" And Sir Lavaine +said, "Come and you shall see."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine beholdeth +Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>So he lifted the Lady Elaine down from her horse and he took her by +the hand and led her into the hut of the hermit and there she +beheld Sir Launcelot where he lay upon a pallet and lo! his +face was white like to white wax and his eyes were closed as +though in slumber and it seemed to the Lady Elaine that +he rather resembled a white and sleeping spirit than a living man.</p> + +<p>So the Lady Elaine went silently forward to where Sir Launcelot lay +and she kneeled down beside the pallet and the tears ran down her face +like to sparks of fire. Therewith Sir Launcelot opened his eyes and he beheld +her who she was and he smiled upon her. And Sir Launcelot said, +"Is it thou?" She said: "Yea, Messire." He said, "Whence cometh +thou?" She said, "I come from my father's house." He said, "And +have you come hitherward from thence only for to find me?" whereunto +she said, "Yea." Sir Launcelot said, "Why have you taken so great +trouble as that upon my account?" And at that she bowed her head low +and said, "Certes, thou knowest why." And this she spake not above a +whisper, and so that I believe they two alone heard her words.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot said no more but lay gazing upon her albeit he could +see naught but her head, for her face was hidden from him. So after a +while he sighed very deep and said: "Lady, God knows I am no happy +man. For even though I may see happiness within my reach yet I cannot +reach out my hand to take it. For my faith lieth pledged in the keeping +of one with whom I have placed it and that one can never be aught to me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +but what she now is. And it is my unhappy lot that whether it be wrong +or whether it be right I would not have it otherwise, and so my faith +remaineth pledged as aforesaid."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +and the Lady +Elaine commune +together.</i></div> + +<p>Now the Lady Elaine wist what Sir Launcelot meant and that he spoke +of the Lady Queen Guinevere unto whom he had vowed his +faith of knighthood. And Elaine wept and she said, "Alas, +Launcelot, I have great pity both for thee and for me." And +at that Sir Launcelot sighed again as from the bottom of his +heart and said, "Yea, it is great pity."</p> + +<p>Then after a while the Lady Elaine came out from where Sir Launcelot +lay, and she gave command that they should abide at that place until the +wounded knight was healed of his hurt. So the Lady Elaine established +her court there in the forest nigh to where Sir Launcelot lay. And they +set up pavilions around about that place so that all that erstwhile lonely +and silent woodland was presently gay with bright colors and cheerful +with the sound of many voices.</p> + +<p>And methinks that these days, whilst the Lady Elaine dwelt there in +the forest nigh to the chapel of the good old hermit of the forest, and +whilst she abided ever close to Sir Launcelot in that time of his grievous +sickness, were the happiest days of all her life unto that time. For it +was as though Sir Launcelot were all her own and as though there was +none in the world but they two. For ever she was nigh to him and +cherished him in all ways, the whiles the voices of those others who were +there sounded remote and afar off as though they were of a different world +than hers.</p> + +<p>So ever the Lady Elaine drank deep draughts of love and joy, and +thought not of the morrow, but only of the day and of the joys that the +day set to the lips of her soul, as it were, in a bright, shining chalice of +pure gold.</p> + +<p>For so it is, oftentimes, that the soul drinketh deep from that chalice +and reckoneth not that at the bottom of the cup there lyeth the dregs +of sorrow or of despair that must by and by likewise be quaffed, and +which, when drunk, must turn all the life thereafter to bitterness, as +though those dregs were compounded of the gall and of the wormwood of +death.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They return +to Corbin.</i></div> + +<p>Thus the Lady Elaine the Fair abided with her court there in the forest +for nigh a month and by the end of that time Sir Launcelot was healed of +his infirmities, though like to a little child for weakness. And after he was +healed she then had a fair litter prepared with several soft cushions of +down. And she had that litter hung with hangings of flame-colored satin;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +and she had them lay Sir Launcelot therein and so they bore him thence. +Thus they bore him in that litter by easy stages until they +had brought him to Corbin and there he was received with +great rejoicing and high honor.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now it hath been told how that Queen Guinevere bade Sir Bors for to +go seek Sir Launcelot and to bear him a command for to return to the +court of the King. So Sir Bors did as the Queen bade him, but he did not +find Sir Launcelot until after he had been brought back to Corbin as aforetold +of.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors cometh +to Corbin.</i></div> + +<p>Thereafter it happened that one day Sir Bors had news that Sir Launcelot +was lying at the court of King Pelles. So he went +thither and there he beheld Sir Launcelot who was then wellnigh +entirely recovered from his wound.</p> + +<p>But when Sir Launcelot beheld Sir Bors, such joy seized upon him that +it was as though his heart would break, wherefore he ran to Sir Bors and +he catched him in his arms, and embraced him with great passion and +kissed him many times upon the face.</p> + +<p>And they of the court of King Pelles were very glad that so famous a +knight had come thither, wherefore they paid him great honor.</p> + +<p>Only the Lady Elaine was troubled in spirit, for she wist that now Sir +Bors was come Sir Launcelot would not stay with them for long, but that +he would in a little while desire to return again to the court of King Arthur.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors +speaketh to +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>And so she had reason for her fears, for the next day after he had arrived +at Corbin, Sir Bors took Sir Launcelot aside and he said to +him, "Sir Knight, I am a messenger." Sir Launcelot said, +"What message have you, and from whom?" Sir Bors said: +"I bear a message from Queen Guinevere and it is that you return immediately +to the court of King Arthur and that you present yourself to +her and pay your duty to her as of old."</p> + +<p>Then after Sir Bors had thus spoken, Sir Launcelot turned him away +and stood at a window with his back to Sir Bors. And then after a considerable +while he said, "Sir, do you not know that my duty lieth here?" +Sir Bors said: "That I believe full well. Nor can I find fault with you if +you remain here in spite of the message I bring you. That which I am +here for is not to command you to come to Camelot, but only to give you +the commands of another."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot said: "Would you return to Camelot if you were me +and I were you?" Sir Bors said, "That I cannot tell." Then after another +while Sir Launcelot cried out: "Nay, I will not go; for though my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +heart lieth there and not here, yet I hold the happiness of another in my +hand and I cannot cast it away."</p> + +<p>"Then," quoth Sir Bors, "I will return and tell them at the court of the +King that your honor binds you here." And Sir Launcelot said, "Do so." +And then he said, "There is but one favor I beseech of you, Messire." +Sir Bors said, "What is that?" Sir Launcelot said: "It is this: I pray +you of your courtesy that you will depart immediately from this place, +for the sight of you bringeth to me such great desire to behold my kinsmen +and my friends once more that I believe that I shall not be able to +contain myself because of that desire if you remain here any longer." +And Sir Bors said, "I will go within the hour."</p> + +<p>So that very hour Sir Bors betook himself away from Corbin and returned +to the court of King Arthur, and when he had come there he delivered +his message to the Queen and thereat she was like one whose heart +had been broken. For when she received that news from Sir Launcelot she +withdrew into her bower and no one saw her for a long time thereafter.</p> + +<p>Now after Sir Bors had departed from Corbin in that wise, Sir Launcelot +was very heavy and sad, and though several days went by, yet was he +not less sad at the end of that time, but still walked like one in a dream +with his thoughts a great way off.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine biddeth +Sir Launcelot +to return.</i></div> + +<p>And all this the Lady Elaine observed and her spirit was troubled because +of the sadness of Sir Launcelot. So one day she sent for Sir Launcelot +to come to her bower and when Sir Launcelot had come +thither she said to him, "Launcelot, I know what is in thy +heart." Sir Launcelot said, "What is there in my heart?" +She said, "It is in thy heart that thou wouldst fain return +to the court of King Arthur." "Lady," said Sir Launcelot, "it matters +not what may be my inclination at this present, for above all those inclinations +it is my will that I remain at this place."</p> + +<p>Then Elaine looked very steadfastly at him and she smiled, but there +was as it were despair in her face even though she smiled. And after a +little she said: "Not so, Messire, for I cannot bear to see you dwell with us +thus in sadness. Wherefore, this command I lay upon you that you leave +this court and that you return to the court of King Arthur, which same is +the place where you do rightly belong."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot turned away from her, for he wist that there was +joy in his face at the thought of returning to his kinsmen and his friends +once more, and he would not have her see that joy. Then after a while, +and with his back turned, he said, speaking as with a smothered voice: +"Lady, if that be your command I must needs obey, but if I do obey you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +it shall be only to go for a little while and then to return after that while." +So for a little no more was said, but the Lady Elaine ever gazed upon Sir +Launcelot where he stood with his back to her, and after a while she said, +"Ah, Launcelot! Launcelot!" Upon that Sir Launcelot turned him +about and cried out, "Elaine, bid me stay and I will stay!" But she said, +"Nay, I bid thee not, I bid thee go."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot went from that place with his head bowed down +upon his bosom, and after he had gone she wept in great measure, for it +was as though she had cut off her hope of happiness with her own hand, as +though it had been a part of her body.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +returneth to +court.</i></div> + +<p>So the next day Sir Launcelot took horse and departed from Corbin, +betaking his way toward Camelot, where was the court of +King Arthur, and though he thought a very great deal of the +Lady Elaine, yet he could not but look forward with joy in +coming back again to the court of the King and of beholding the Queen +and his knights companions once more.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +cometh to the +Queen.</i></div> + +<p>Now when Sir Launcelot reached Camelot the news of his coming spread +like fire throughout the entire place and everywhere was heard +the noise of loud rejoicing and acclaim. But Sir Launcelot +spake to nobody but came straight to where Queen Guinevere +was and he stood before the Queen and his face was very gloomy and +he said to her, "Lady, here am I."</p> + +<p>Then Queen Guinevere gazed at him with great coldness and she said +to him, "Sir Knight, what brings thee hither?" Sir Launcelot said: +"Lady, it is thy command that brings me. For alas! I find it to be thus +with me that thy word hath power to bring me to thee whether it be from +glory or from happiness or from peace or from prosperity. Yea; all these +things would I sacrifice at thy behest."</p> + +<p>Then Queen Guinevere gazed upon Sir Launcelot for a long while and +her soul was tossed and troubled with a great ferment of passion, and yet +she wist not whether that passion was of indignation or of grief or of anger +or of something else that was not like any of these. And first her face had +been very white when he stood before her, and anon it flamed red like to +fire, and she said: "Sir Knight, one time I sent my word to thee by a +messenger and thou heeded him not. Now it matters not that thou comest, +for thy coming and thy going are henceforth of no moment to me."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot's heart was filled to bursting with bitterness and +despair, and he cried out aloud: "Lady, thou beholdest me a miserable +man. For I have left all my duty and all my service and all my hope of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +peace and happiness and have come to thee. Hast thou not then some +word of kindness for me?"</p> + +<p>But the Queen only hardened her heart and would not answer.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot cried out in great despair: "Alas! what is there then +left for me? Lo! I have cast away from me all my hope of peace and +now even thy friendship is withdrawn from me. Nothing then is left to +me and my life is dead."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen +is angry.</i></div> + +<p>Then Queen Guinevere's eyes flashed like fire, and she cried out: "Sir +Knight, you speak I know not what. Now I bid you tell me +this—is it true that you wore as a favor the sleeve of the Lady +Elaine the Fair at the tournament of Astolat?"</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot said, "Yes, it is true."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Queen Guinevere laughed with flaming cheeks and she +said: "Well, Sir Knight I see that you are not very well learned in knighthood +not to know that it is both unknightly and dishonorable for a knight +to sware faith to one lady and to wear the favor of another. Yet what +else than that may be expected of one who knoweth so little of the duties +and of the obligations of knighthood that he will ride errant in a hangman's +cart?"</p> + +<p>So spake Queen Guinevere in haste not knowing what she said, her +words being driven onwards by her passion as feathers are blown by a +tempest over which they have no control. But when she had spoken +those words she was terrified at what she had said and would have recalled +them. But she could not do that, for who can recall the spoken +word after it is uttered? Wherefore, after she had spoken those words +she could do nothing but gaze into Sir Launcelot's face in a sort of terror. +And as she thus gazed she beheld that his face became red and redder +until it became all empurpled as though the veins of his head would +burst. And she beheld that his eyes started as though from his head and +that they became shot with blood. And she beheld that he clutched at +his throat as though he were choking. And he strove to speak but at +first he could not and then he cried out in a harsh and choking voice, +"Say you so!" and then again in the same voice he cried, "Say you so!"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +leapeth from +the window.</i></div> + +<p>Therewith he turned, staggering like a drunken man. And there was a +tall window open behind him, and straightway he leaped out +of that window into the courtyard beneath, where he fell with +a loud and dreadful crash.</p> + +<p>But yet it was as though he had not fallen for he immediately leaped +up to his feet and ran away all bruised and bloody from that place like +one gone wode.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then Queen Guinevere shrieked aloud with a great passion of terror and +remorse. And she cried out she knew not what and smote her hands very +violently together. Thereat several came running to her and to them she +cried out in a voice of vehement passion: "Go you, run with might and +main and fetch Sir Launcelot hither to me again!"</p> + +<p>So those ran with all despatch but they could not find Sir Launcelot. +For immediately after leaving the Queen as aforesaid, he had leaped upon +his horse and had thundered away with all speed, and no one knew whither +he had betaken himself.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors +is indignant.</i></div> + +<p>Now the word of all this was talked about the court of the King almost +as soon as it had happened, for all the court was loud with the noise of it. +Thereat, when the kinsmen of Sir Launcelot had heard what had passed, +they were filled with great indignation at the manner in which +he had been treated; and most of all Sir Bors was indignant, +for he said to himself: "Lo! this Lady first sends me to seek my kinsman +and to bring him to her and when he cometh at her bidding then she treats +him with contumely altogether unworthy for a knight to endure. What +then must Sir Launcelot think of me who was her foolish messenger to +fetch him hither?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Queen Guinevere +bespeaketh +the kinsmen of +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>But Queen Guinevere, not knowing of the indignation of the kinsmen +of Sir Launcelot, sent for three of them to come to her, and these three +were Sir Ector and Sir Lionel and Sir Bors de Ganis. When these three +had come to her they found her weeping and when they stood before her +she said, "Messires, I have done amiss." To this they said nothing lest +from anger they should say too much. Yet the Queen beheld +their anger, wherefore she dried her tears and spake +with pride, saying: "Messires, I ask you not to forgive me +who am your Queen, but I would fain ask Sir Launcelot to +forgive me and I know that out of his gentleness he will do so. Now as +your Queen and sovereign I lay this command upon you, that you straightway +go in quest of Sir Launcelot and that you find him and that you bring +him hither to me so that I may beseech his forgiveness for all that I have +said amiss to him."</p> + +<p>So spake Queen Guinevere, and those knights who were there, though +they were very angry with her yet they could not but obey the command +which she laid upon them.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the Quest of +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>So began the Quest of Sir Launcelot concerning which a very great deal +hath been both written and said. For upon that quest there +went forth those three knights as aforesaid, to wit; Sir Ector,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +Sir Lionel, and Sir Bors de Ganis, and after that there went forth Sir +Gawaine and Sir Ewaine and Sir Sagramore the Desirous and Sir Agravaine +and Sir Percival of Gales.</p> + +<p>All these undertook the Quest of Sir Launcelot and in that quest several +adventures happened to them. Yet of all those adventures little of anything +shall here be said saving only that which shall concern those adventures +that befell Sir Ewaine and Sir Percival and Sir Gawaine; of which +more anon.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>And now there followeth the story of the Madness of Sir Launcelot, and +of how he returned in a very strange manner to the Lady Elaine the Fair—and +of how she was made happy by that return.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> +<img src="images/s0181.png" width="350" height="87" alt="Woman's head" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></div> +<h2>PART IV<br /> +The Madness of Sir Launcelot<br /><br /></h2> + + +<p><i>Here follows the story of how Sir Launcelot went mad from grief and +of how he roamed the woods as a wild man of the woods. Also +many other adventures that befell him are herein told, wherefore I hope that +you may have pleasure in reading that which is here written for your entertainment.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 417px;"> +<img src="images/s0183.png" width="417" height="600" alt="The Madman of the Forest who was Sir Launcelot:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0184.png" width="600" height="329" alt="Sir Launcelot in forest" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter First</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Launcelot became a madman of the forest and how he +was brought to the castle of Sir Blyant.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +driveth through +the forest.</i></div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +falleth in a fit.</i></div> + +<p>Now when Sir Launcelot had quitted the presence of Queen Guinevere +as aforetold, and having leaped to horse as aforetold, he +rode very furiously away, he wist not whither and cared not. +And he raced like a whirlwind, striving, as it were, to escape from himself +and his own despair. Thus he drove onward until he reached +the shades of the forest, and he rode through the forest, rending +the branches with his body, until his horse was all a lather +of sweat. So he pursued his way till night descended upon him, and still +he drove ever forward, he knew not whitherward. And he travelled in +that wise all that night until about the dawning of the day, what time he +came to that part of the woodland where was the hut of the hermit of the +forest, and there he beheld the chapel and the cell of the hermit. Here +Sir Launcelot leaped down from his horse, and he burst very violently +into the dwelling-place of that good man so that the hermit +was amazed at his coming. And Sir Launcelot cried out in +a loud and violent voice, "God save you!" and therewith he fell forward +and lay with his face upon the floor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then the hermit ran to him and he lifted up his head and looked in his +face and he beheld that Sir Launcelot was in a fit.</p> + +<p>So the hermit eased Sir Launcelot of his armor and he loosed the jerkin +and the shirt at his throat so that his throat was bare. And he lifted Sir +Launcelot and brought him to his own cot and he laid him down thereon +and there Sir Launcelot lay for the entire day.</p> + +<p>But toward the sloping of the afternoon the sick man opened his eyes +and he aroused and sat up and gazed about him, and he said, "Where +am I?" The hermit said, "Thou art with me," and he further said, +"What aileth thee, Sir Launcelot?"</p> + +<p>But to this Sir Launcelot answered naught but ever looked about him as +though not knowing who he was or where he was; for he was like to one who +is bedazed by a heavy blow he hath received. Then by and by Sir Launcelot +said, "I know not what it is that hath happened." Thus he spake +because his brains were bewildered by the passion through which he had +passed, for even at that time the madness which afterward gat hold of +him had begun to ferment in his brains so that he wist not very well what +he said or did.</p> + +<p>Then the hermit knew that some great trouble had befallen Sir Launcelot, +and he thought that maybe if Sir Launcelot would eat he would perhaps +be refreshed and might maybe recover his mind once more. So the good +man said, "Messire, will you not eat?" and Sir Launcelot said, "Yea, give +me to eat."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The hermit +cherisheth Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>So the hermit brought bread and milk and honey and fruit and he set +those things before Sir Launcelot. And Sir Launcelot fell +upon those things and ate of them very fiercely and voraciously, +devouring them more like a savage than a worshipful and +worthy knight.</p> + +<p>Then after Sir Launcelot had thus eaten he said, "I am aweary," and +therewith he arose and ungirded his armor, and laid it aside, piece by +piece, even to the very last piece thereof. Then when he was thus eased +of his armor, he flung himself down in his jerkin and hose upon the hermit's +pallet and therewith in a moment had fallen into a slumber so deep that +it was like the sleep of death. And as he slept thus the hermit sat +beside the pallet whereon Sir Launcelot lay. And he gazed very steadfastly +upon Sir Launcelot, and was greatly grieved to see him in that +condition.</p> + +<p>Now it happened that about the middle of the night the hermit fell +asleep where he sat and shortly after that Sir Launcelot awoke and was +aware how the old man slept. And Sir Launcelot took of a sudden a great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +fear of the hermit he wist not wherefore, so that the only thought in his +mind was to escape from the hermit. Wherefore he arose and went very +softly and in his bare feet out from that place, doing this so silently that +he did not awaken the hermit from his sleep.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +escapeth from +the hermitage.</i></div> + +<p>Thus Sir Launcelot came outside the hermit's hut, and after he had +thus escaped therefrom, he took of a sudden great fear lest +the hermit should awake and pursue him for to bring him back +to the hut again. So straightway he turned him and sped +away into the forest with great speed, like as though he were a wild animal +pursued by the hunter. And he fled away for all the rest of that night. +And when the dawn had come he ceased to fly and he crouched down and +hid himself in the thickets of the forest. For in his madness he was ever +pursued by the fear that the hermit would follow him and that he was even +then hunting for him for to bring him back to the hut again.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that Sir Launcelot escaped from the hut of the hermit, and +after that he abided in the forest for a long while. What time he gathered +the wild fruit of the forest for his food. And he drank of the forest fountains +and that was all the food and drink that he had. And after a while the +clothes of Sir Launcelot were all torn into shreds by the thorns and briars, +and his hair grew down into his eyes and his beard grew down upon his +breast so that he became in all appearance a wild man of the forest, all +naked, and shaggy, and gaunt like to a hungry wolf.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +becometh the +forest madman.</i></div> + +<p>And now and again it chanced that some one who travelled in the +forest would see him as he ran through the thickets of the +woodland like to a wild creature, and hence it was that much +talk of that wild man of the forest went about the countryside, +and folk were afraid of all that part of the woodlands because of him.</p> + +<p>Now one pleasant morning in the autumn season when the early frosts +were come, and when all the trees had taken on their clothing of crimson +and russet and gold, Sir Launcelot, in his mad wanderings, came to the +edge of the woodland and there before him he beheld a little open plain all +yellow and bright in the broad beams of the shining sunlight. And Sir +Launcelot beheld that in the midst of that small plain was a fair pavilion +of blue silk. And he beheld that near by the pavilion there were three +horses tethered browsing upon the autumn grass. And he beheld that a +bright shield hung to a tree that grew near the pavilion, and that a fair +sword hung nigh the shield, and that a spear leaned against the tree beside +the shield and sword.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot was pleased with the bright color of the pavilion +and something of knighthood awoke within him at the sight of the shield<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +and the sword and the spear, wherefore he desired to handle the sword +and the spear and to touch the shield.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +beateth upon +the shield of +Sir Blyant.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot went forward into that plain and he came to the tree where +were the sword and the shield and the spear. And he took the pommel of +the sword into his hand. Thereupon a great desire for battle came upon him, +and he straightway catched the pommel of the sword in both his hands and +he drew the blade forth from the sheath. And he whirled the +sword about his head and he smote the shield; and he smote it +again and again, striking great dents into it with the blade of +the sword; and the sound of those blows made such a din and +uproar that it was as though ten men were fighting in that place.</p> + +<p>Therewith, at all that sudden din and uproar, there came running out +of that pavilion a misshapen dwarf very broad of shoulder and strong of +limb. And when that dwarf beheld a madman smiting the shield in that +wise, he ran at him with intent to take the sword away from him.</p> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot beheld the dwarf coming in that wise, and straightway +he dropped the sword which he held, and he catched the dwarf by +the shoulders and he flung him so violently down upon the earth that the +neck of the dwarf was wellnigh broken by that fall.</p> + +<p>Then the dwarf was overwhelmed with the terror of Sir Launcelot, +wherefore he did not dare to arise from the ground whereon he had fallen, +but lay there calling out for help in a loud voice of outcry.</p> + +<p>Thereupon, there immediately came forth from out of the pavilion +a noble knight clad all in scarlet and wrapped in a scarlet cloak +trimmed with miniver. And that knight was Sir Blyant whose castle +stood not more than four or five leagues from that place. For at such +pleasant season of the year, Sir Blyant was wont to ride forth with his +lady, and ever when he chose he would have a pavilion set up in some +such pleasant place as this little glade. And sometimes Sir Blyant and his +lady would lodge in that pavilion over-night, as was the case at this time.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Blyant +pitieth the +madman.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Blyant came forth out of the pavilion as aforesaid, and he beheld +the dwarf lying upon the ground. And he beheld that Sir Launcelot had +catched up the sword again, and that he stood above the dwarf, making +play with his sword as though there were many enemies thereabouts; and +Sir Blyant wist that he whom he beheld must be the Madman of the Forest +of whom folk talked so much. Then Sir Blyant pitied that +madman a very great deal, and he spake very mildly to him, +saying: "Good man, put down that sword, for meseems thou +art in greater need of food and of warm clothes and of nourishing and +comforting than of playing with a sharp sword in that wise."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p>But ever Sir Launcelot waved the sword this way and that, crying out +in a great loud voice, "Keep thou away or I will slay thee."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Blyant perceived that there was great danger in having to do +unarmed with that madman, wherefore he called upon his dwarf to arise +and come to him, and therewith he withdrew into the pavilion with intent +to arm himself and so to take away that sword from Sir Launcelot +by force.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Blyant +armeth himself.</i></div> + +<p>So the dwarf, who by that time had arisen from where he lay, went +into the pavilion to where Sir Blyant was, and he aided Sir Blyant to don +his armor, and so Sir Blyant armed himself from head to foot. When he +was thus armed he took sword in hand and went forth from out of the +pavilion prepared to deal with the madman in such wise as +was necessary to take that dangerous sword from him. For +even if it must be that he had to slay that madman, Sir Blyant wist that +he must not leave him thus with a sharp sword in his hand. So Sir Blyant +came out of the pavilion armed at all points.</p> + +<p>But when Sir Launcelot beheld him coming forth thus armed as for +battle, the love of battle awoke to full life in his heart, wherefore he shouted +aloud. And he rushed at Sir Blyant and he struck Sir Blyant upon the +helm so fierce and terrible a buffet that nor guard nor armor could withstand +that stroke. And had the sword not turned a little in the hands of +Sir Launcelot that had been Sir Blyant's last day upon earth.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The madman +overthroweth +Sir Blyant.</i></div> + +<p>Natheless, the sword, though turned, fell with full force upon the crest +of Sir Blyant, and at that dreadful, terrible stroke the brains of Sir Blyant +flashed fire into his eyeballs. Then blackness came roaring +upon him and therewith he fell down in a deathly swoon, the +blood running out from his nose and ears from the force of +that woeful stroke he had suffered.</p> + +<p>So when Sir Launcelot beheld Sir Blyant fall thus beneath the blow, he +shouted aloud for joy. And straightway with the naked sword in his +hand he ran into the pavilion with intent to find what other enemies there +might be in that place.</p> + +<p>Now the lady of Sir Blyant was alone in that pavilion, so when she beheld +that half-naked madman rush therein with the shining sword in his +hand, and a terrible fierce look of madness upon his face, she shrieked +with terror and straightway ran forth from the tent upon the other side +thereof.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot stood and gazed all about him, waving his sword from +side to side, but could behold no enemies such as he might assault. And +then he saw where there was a fine soft couch spread with a covering of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +flame-colored linen in that place, and therewith he ran to that bed and +leaped into it and straightway covered himself all over with the coverlet.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +is adread.</i></div> + +<p>When the lady of Sir Blyant ran in that wise out of the pavilion as +aforesaid, she beheld where her lord, Sir Blyant, lay stretched out upon +the ground, and she beheld the dwarf bending over him, removing the helm +from his head. And beholding that sight she shrieked more than ever +and ran frantically to where that stricken knight lay. Therewith, beholding +his face all white as milk and streaked with blood, she +thought that he had certes been killed by that madman, +whereupon she flung herself down upon his body, crying aloud in a most +piercing voice, "My lord! My lord! Assuredly thou art dead!"</p> + +<p>"Not so, lady," said the dwarf, "he is not dead, but aswoon." And +even as the dwarf spoke, Sir Blyant sighed very deeply and opened his +eyes. And he said: "Where is that madman who struck me anon? Never +in all my life felt I such a buffet as that which he gave me." The dwarf +said, "Lord, that madman ran but now into the pavilion and drove your +lady out thence." "Go, Sirrah," said Sir Blyant, "and see what he is at +in the pavilion."</p> + +<p>So the dwarf went very fearfully to the door of the pavilion and peeped +within, and he beheld where Sir Launcelot lay sleeping upon the couch. +Thereupon the dwarf returned to Sir Blyant and he said: "Sir, that madman +hath taken to your bed, and he lyeth there now very soundly asleep +as he were in a swoon." And then the dwarf said: "Give me leave to take +this sword and go thither and I will slay him where he lieth. For only +so may we hope to save ourselves from the madness of his phrenzy when +he shall awake."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Blyant +looketh upon +the madman.</i></div> + +<p>But Sir Blyant pitied the madman and he said: "Let be and harm him +not, for I misdoubt this madman is not what he seemeth to be." And he +said, "Help me to arise, for my head swimmeth." So the lady and the +dwarf helped Sir Blyant to his feet and in a little while he was able to stand +and to walk. And anon Sir Blyant went into the pavilion, and he went +to where Sir Launcelot lay and he stood and looked down upon him. And +he beheld that Sir Launcelot wore a rich ring upon his finger (and that was +the ring of magic which the Lady of the Lake had given him) and he beheld +that Sir Launcelot's body was covered with many scars of wounds +such as a knight might receive in battle. So seeing these +things, Sir Blyant said: "This is no common madman, but +some great champion who has fallen into misfortune, for I +behold that he weareth a ring such as only a knight of great credit might +wear, and I behold that he beareth many honorable scars of battle."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>And Sir Blyant said to the dwarf: "Take thou thy horse and ride with +all speed to my castle. When thou art come there, bid my brother Sir +Selivant to make haste hither with several men. And bid him to fetch a +horse litter with him so that we may be able to bring this mad knight to +where he may have succor and where he may haply be cured of his infirmities."</p> + +<p>So the dwarf did as Sir Blyant commanded him; he took horse and rode +with all speed to the castle of Sir Blyant, and there he gave Sir Blyant's +word to Sir Selivant. And straightway Sir Selivant came to that place +with those men and a horse litter for to bring Sir Launcelot away; and he +reached that place within three hours after the messenger had been sent +to him.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They bear +the madman +thence.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Selivant and Sir Blyant and those men lifted Sir Launcelot as he +lay in his bed, and they laid him on the litter and Sir Launcelot +did not awake. And they took him away from that +place and still he did not awake; for all that while he lay in a +deep slumber that was like to a swoon. Thus they brought him to the +castle of Sir Blyant without his ever arousing from that swoonlike +sleep.</p> + +<p>After that they fetched the barber of the castle and the barber trimmed +the hair and the beard of Sir Launcelot and they put fresh decent clothes +upon him, and all that time Sir Launcelot did not awake but lay ever in +that swoonlike sleep.</p> + +<p>Now when they of that castle beheld Sir Launcelot as he lay after he +had been thus clothed and clipped; and when they beheld how noble +and comely was his appearance, they said, "Certes, this is indeed some +noble and haughty champion of high estate, though who he may be we +know not."</p> + +<p>So they all took great pity for Sir Launcelot, but yet they feared his +phrenzy when he should awake. So they sent for the smith of the castle, +and the smith fastened light strong chains of steel to the wrists of Sir +Launcelot and to his ankles; so that he might do no harm to any one.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The madman +is made +prisoner.</i></div> + +<p>So when Sir Launcelot awoke he was a prisoner in chains in the castle +of Sir Blyant. And Sir Launcelot remained dwelling in the +castle of Sir Blyant for a year and a half, and ever he remained +bound with those light strong chains of steel. For still his +wits flitted and he wist not where he was or who he was, wherefore they +feared he might at any moment break forth into a phrenzy.</p> + +<p>But ever the folk of the castle treated Sir Launcelot with great kindness +and gentleness. And especially Sir Blyant was kind to him, wherefore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +Sir Launcelot loved Sir Blyant as some dumb creature loveth its master, +and he would follow Sir Blyant about whithersoever he went.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that Sir Launcelot went mad and thus he came to be chained +in the castle of Sir Blyant.</p> + +<p>And now remaineth other adventures to be told that befell at this time.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0191.png" width="250" height="128" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 420px;"> +<img src="images/s0193.png" width="420" height="600" alt="The Forest Madman saveth ye Life of King Arthur:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0194.png" width="600" height="77" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Second</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Launcelot saved the life of Sir Blyant. How he escaped +from the castle of Sir Blyant, and how he slew the great wild +boar of Lystenesse and saved the life of King Arthur, his liege +lord.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Blyant +rideth in the +woodland.</i></div> + +<p>Now it happened upon a day that Sir Blyant rode in a little +wood nigh to his castle, and whilst he was thus alone +he beheld two knights riding side by side all in the +clear bright springtime. As these drew nigh to him Sir +Blyant was aware from the devices upon their shields that one of them +was Sir Breuce sans Pitie and that the other was Sir Bertolet his brother, +which same, you are to know, were Sir Blyant's bitter enemies. For in the +tournament at Astolat Sir Blyant had very grievously hurt a young +knight who was their brother, and afterward that knight (whose name +was Sir Gelotius) had died of those hurts.</p> + +<p>Yet though Sir Blyant wist that this meeting boded ill for him yet +would he not withdraw therefrom but went forward. So it came about +that when he was pretty close to those two knights, the foremost of them +(who was Sir Breuce sans Pitie) rode forth and bespoke him, saying, "Sir +Knight, who are you and whither go you?" Sir Blyant said: "Messires, +I am a knight of these marches, riding errant in search of adventure." +Sir Breuce said, "Art thou not Sir Blyant of the White Castle?" Sir +Blyant said, "Thou sayest it and I am he."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Breuce sans Pitie spoke very savagely, saying: "Sir Knight, +this is well that we meet you here who are the slayer of our brother Sir +Gelotius at the tournament of Astolat." To this Sir Blyant said: "Messires, +what do you have against me for that? Certes, it is that I overthrew Sir +Gelotius and that he died thereafter, yet it was by chance of battle that +this happened and with no evil intent of mine. Moreover, your brother, +Sir Gelotius, took his chances of battle as did all those who entered that +tournament."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Say no more!" said Sir Breuce. "Say no more! but prepare you straight +for battle with us who have every day sought you from that time till now, +and so have found you here to our hand."</p> + +<p>"Messires," cried Sir Blyant, "would you fall upon me thus, two against +one?" They say, "Aye," and thereupon they drew sword and prepared +themselves for battle.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Blyant is +assailed in +the woodland.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Blyant perceiving how it was, and that there was no other way +for him to do than to fight this battle against odds, straightway +drew his sword and put himself into posture of defence. +Then in a moment they three came to battle together in the +woods, two of them against the one.</p> + +<p>Yet, for a while, although he stood one to two, Sir Blyant defended +himself with great courage and address, striking now upon this side +and now upon that, anon wheeling his horse away from a stroke, +anon lashing a stroke at his enemies. And so great was the defence +he made that it was a long time ere that those two knights had their +will of him.</p> + +<p>But one knight could not hope to fight thus a continued battle against +two who were his equals, wherefore it befell that in a little while Sir Blyant +was wounded here and there, and in another place; and then, in a little +while longer it came about that, what with weariness and what from the +loss of blood, he was aware that he must die in that battle alone in the +woodlands unless he saved himself from his enemies.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Blyant +fleeth.</i></div> + +<p>Therewith a great despair fell upon him and with that he put his horse +straight at Sir Breuce as though to strike him a buffet. Then as Sir Breuce +drew aside to avoid that stroke, Sir Blyant drave his horse +very fiercely against Sir Breuce's horse, so that Sir Breuce's +horse wellnigh fell to the ground with his rider upon his back. Therewith +Sir Blyant thrust past his enemy and quickly fled away toward his castle +with all the speed that he could drive his horse to make.</p> + +<p>Now at first those two knights were astonished at the sudden escape +of their enemy. But immediately they awoke to his going and so set spurs +to horse upon their part and chased after Sir Blyant; and if he sped fast, +they sped as fast after him. And ever and anon they lashed furiously at +him, yet because of his speed they could do him no great harm.</p> + +<p>So Sir Blyant raced for his castle and he rushed forward beneath the +walls of the castle with those two knights thundering after him amain. +And because they were so close upon him, Sir Blyant could not draw rein +to turn his steed into the drawbridge of the castle, but must needs rush +past the drawbridge, calling for aid to those who were within the walls.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The madman +beholdeth Sir +Blyant's +danger.</i></div> + +<p>Now at that time Sir Launcelot lay (chained as was aforetold) in a certain +window of the castle where the sun shone down strong and warm upon +him, and Sir Launcelot slumbered there in the sunlight. And as Sir +Launcelot so slumbered he was aroused by the sound of galloping horses +and a loud noise of shouting and the din of lashing of blows. So, looking +forth from that window, he beheld the three knights as they came thundering +past the walls of the castle. And Sir Launcelot beheld that the one +knight who was pursued by the two knights was his master, +Sir Blyant; and he beheld that Sir Blyant was much put to +it to save his life; for he was all covered over with blood and, +whilst anon he would wheel his horse and strike right and +left, yet anon he would wheel again and flee for his life; and Sir Launcelot +beheld that Sir Blyant reeled in his saddle under every blow that his enemies +lashed at him. Meanwhile, in the castle was a great shouting and calling +to arms, wherefore it came to Sir Launcelot to know that Sir Blyant was +being slain.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The madman +breaketh his +bonds.</i></div> + +<p>Then a great rage of battle awoke in Sir Launcelot's heart against those +who pressed his beloved master, Sir Blyant, in that wise, wherefore he +would have hastened to the aid of Sir Blyant, but could not because of the +chains that bound him. Then, in his madness, and being driven furious at +being thus bound, Sir Launcelot catched those strong steel chains in his +hands and wrestled with them. And the chains bit deep into his flesh in +his wrestlings so that he was sore wounded by the iron. But in spite of +that Sir Launcelot put forth his entire strength, and even +though the blood flowed from his arms and hands yet he +snapped the chains that bound his arms. After that he +catched up a great stone in his hands and he beat upon the chains that +bound his legs and brake those also, and so he was free again.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot leaped upon the window-ledge, and he leaped out +of the window of the castle and into the moat below and he swam the +moat and so came out upon the other side thereof.</p> + +<p>Right there came Sir Blyant striving to defend himself against those +who followed him, and at that time he was very nigh falling from his horse +at every blow he received. This Sir Launcelot beheld and when he saw +how those two knights ever smote Sir Blyant and how that Sir Blyant +reeled in his saddle beneath those blows, he roared aloud in pity and in rage.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The madman +doeth battle for +Sir Blyant.</i></div> + +<p>Therewith, thus roaring, he straightway rushed upon Sir +Bertolet, who was nighest to him, and he leaped up and catched +that knight about the body and dragged him down upon the +pommel of his saddle with great force of strength, and Sir Launcelot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +catched the sword of Sir Bertolet and he wrestled with Sir Bertolet and +so plucked the sword out of Sir Bertolet's hand.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Bertolet cried out to Sir Breuce: "Help! Help! my brother! +For this madman slayeth me."</p> + +<p>Therewith Sir Breuce turned from Sir Blyant for to succor his brother, +and upon that Sir Launcelot quitted Sir Bertolet and rushed at Sir Breuce. +And Sir Launcelot gave Sir Breuce such a buffet upon the helm with the +sword of Sir Bertolet that he smote Sir Breuce with that one blow clean +over the crupper of his horse.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Bertolet took his spear in hand and therewith rushed his horse +upon Sir Launcelot with intent to pierce him through the body. But +from that assault Sir Launcelot leaped nimbly aside. Thereupon he +rushed in and catched the spear of Sir Bertolet in his hand; and he ran +up the length of the spear, and reached forward, and smote Sir Bertolet +such a blow that he cut through the epaulier of the shoulder and deep into +the shoulder to the very bone thereof, so that the arm of Sir Bertolet was +half cut away from the body at that blow. Then Sir Launcelot would +have struck again only that Sir Bertolet let go his spear from his hand, +shrieking aloud, and wheeled his horse to escape.</p> + +<p>Now by that time Sir Breuce sans Pitie had got him to horse again +wherefore, beholding that terrible blow and beholding how his brother +Sir Bertolet fled away from that madman, he also drove spurs to flank +and fled away with might and main.</p> + +<p>So it was that Sir Launcelot, unarmed, save for the sword in his naked +hand, defeated two strong and doughty knights and so saved his master's +life.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Blyant +cherisheth the +madman.</i></div> + +<p>But by now the castle folk had come running to where were Sir Blyant +and him whom they called the mad fool of the castle, and they beheld +them both panting and bleeding. And Sir Blyant looked +upon Sir Launcelot and beheld how his arms and hands were +torn and bleeding from breaking those chains, and he said, +"Poor fool! and hast thou suffered all that for my sake?" And at that +Sir Launcelot laughed and nodded. Then Sir Blyant said to the folk of +the castle: "Never let those chains be put upon his body again, for he is +gentle and kind, and meaneth harm to no one."</p> + +<p>So they did not chain Sir Launcelot again, but suffered him to go free, +and after that he wandered whithersoever he willed to go, and no one +stayed him in his going or his coming. And ever he was kind and gentle +to all so that no one in all that place had any fear of him but all were +pleased and merry with him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> + +<p>Yet ever there lay within the heart of Sir Launcelot some remembrance +that told him that he was too worthy to content himself with being a mad +fool in a lord's castle, wherefore it was always in his will to escape from +the castle of Sir Blyant if he was able to do so.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The madman +escapeth from +the castle of +Sir Blyant.</i></div> + +<p>So now, being unchained, it happened one night when none observed +him, that he dropped privily from the wall of the castle into +the moat thereof, and swam the moat to the other side. And +after he had thus escaped into the night he ran on without +stopping until he had reached the forest, and there he roamed +once more altogether wild as he had been aforetime. For the remnant +of his knighthood said to him that it would be better for him to die alone +there in the woodlands than to dwell in shame in a lord's castle.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now at that time there was a great wild boar in those parts that was +the terror of all men, and this boar was called the boar of Lystenesse—taking +its name from that part of the forest which was called the Forest +of Lystenesse.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur +hunts the boar +of Lystenesse.</i></div> + +<p>So word of this great wild boar, and news of its ravages came to the +ears of King Arthur, whereupon the King ordained that a +day should be set apart for a hunt in which the beast should +be slain and the countryside set free from the ravages thereof.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The madman +chases the boar.</i></div> + +<p>Thus it befell that upon a time Sir Launcelot, where he lived in his +madness alone in the forest, was aware of the baying of hounds and the +shouting of voices sounding ever nearer and nearer to where he was. Anon +the baying of the hounds approached him very near indeed, and presently +there came a great cracking and rending of the bushes and the small trees. +Thereupon as he gazed, there burst out of the forest that great savage +wild boar of Lystenesse. And lo! the jowl of that boar was all white with +the foam that was churned by his tusks, and the huge tusks +of the boar gleamed white in the midst of the foam. And the +bristles of that great beast were like sharp wires of steel, and they too +were all flecked with the foam that had fallen from the jowl of the beast. +And the eyes of the wild boar gleamed like to two coals of fire, and it +roared like to a devil as it fled, rending, through the forest. And ever +the hounds pursued the boar, hanging upon its flanks but not daring to +grapple with it in its flight, because of the terror that surrounded it.</p> + +<p>Then when Sir Launcelot beheld that sight the love of the chase flamed +up within his heart and thereupon he shouted aloud and fell to running +beside the dogs after the boar, tearing his way through the briars and +thorns and thickets, even as the boar and the hounds burst through them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +And so Sir Launcelot and the dogs chased the boar for a great while, until +at last the beast came to bay, with his back set against a great crag of +stone, and there the dogs surrounded it, yelling and baying. And ever +Sir Launcelot shouted them on to the assault, yet not one of the hounds +dared to grapple with the wild beast because of the terror of its appearance.</p> + +<p>So as Sir Launcelot and the dogs joined in assault about the boar, there +came the sound of a horseman riding with speed and winding his horn. +Then in a moment there came King Arthur himself, bursting out of the +forest alone; for he had outridden all his court and was the first of all +upon the field.</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur, beholding the boar where he stood at bay, set his lance +in rest with intent to charge the beast and to pierce him through the body. +But the boar, all fierce and mad with the chase it had suffered, did not wait +that charge of the King but himself charged the horseman. And at that +charge King Arthur's horse was affrighted, with the terror of the beast and +flung suddenly aside so that the lance of King Arthur failed of its aim.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The boar +overthroweth +King Arthur.</i></div> + +<p>Therewith the boar ran up under the point of the lance and he catched +the horse of the King with his tusks and ripped the horse so +that both horse and rider fell to the ground; King Arthur +beneath the wounded animal, so that he could not free his +leg to rise from his fall.</p> + +<p>Then it would have been ill indeed with King Arthur but for that forest +madman. For beholding the fall of the King, Sir Launcelot ran straightway +to him. And he seized the sword of the King and plucked it forth +from its sheath. Therewith he leaped at the boar and lashed at it a mighty +buffet, and as he did so his foot slipped in the blood of the horse which +there lay upon the ground, and he fell flat with the force of that blow which +he purposed should destroy the boar.</p> + +<p>Thereupon the boar, finding himself thus attacked by another, turned +upon that other and ere Sir Launcelot could arise from his fall it was upon +him. And the boar ripped Sir Launcelot with its tusks through the flesh +of the thigh, even to the hip bone.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The madman +slayeth the +boar.</i></div> + +<p>Now, when Sir Launcelot felt the pang of that dreadful wound which the +boar gave him he yelled aloud. At the same time his soul was filled with +a great passion of rage and madness so that, ere the boar +could charge him again, he leaped to his feet and rushed upon +the boar. And Sir Launcelot smote the boar such a terrible +dreadful stroke that he cut through the bristles of the neck and through +the spine of the neck and half-way through the neck itself, so that the +head of the boar was wellnigh cut away from its body.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>Therewith the boar fell down dead and Sir Launcelot staggered and +stood leaning upon the sword, groaning amain with the bitter pangs of +pain that racked him.</p> + +<p>Right so, as Sir Launcelot stood thus, the other huntsmen of the King's +party came bursting out of the forest with the sound of horses and of +shouting voices.</p> + +<p>Then when Sir Launcelot beheld them he thought, because of his madness +and the raging of his torments, that these were they who had hurt +him. So therewith he roared like to a wild beast and he ran at those newcomers, +whirling the sword of King Arthur like lightning around his +head.</p> + +<p>Then several of those set their lances in rest with intent to run the madman +through the body ere he could do a harm to any one, but King Arthur +cried out: "Beware what you do! Do him no harm, for he hath saved my +life." So those who would else have charged Sir Launcelot held their +hands and drew away in retreat before him.</p> + +<p>But already Sir Launcelot's strength was failing him, for his brains were +even then swimming with faintness. So in a little he sank down in a +swoon and lay all of a heap upon the ground.</p> + +<p>Then the King, and the others who were there came to where he lay +bleeding and swooning, and all looked down upon him, and because he was +all naked and unkempt they knew him not. But nevertheless, they beheld +that he was of great girth and that he was covered over with a great +many scars of battle, and they all felt deep pity for him as he lay there. +Then King Arthur said: "This is the framework of a mighty champion. +Pity indeed that he should have come to this as we behold him." And he +said: "Lift him up tenderly and bear him hence to where he may have +comfort and nourishment."</p> + +<p>So they lifted Sir Launcelot with great gentleness, and they bare him +away from that place, and they brought him to the hut of that hermit +where he had been healed aforetime when he had received that grievous +wound in the tournament at Astolat.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So the hermit received Sir Launcelot and wist not who he was. For +though he beheld that here was a man of mighty girth and stature, yet +was the great champion so changed by his madness and by his continued +fasting in the forest that even his nearest friends might not know him. +Nevertheless, though the hermit knew him not, yet he had them lay that +forest madman upon a cot in his cell, and he searched that wound in the +madman's thigh and bathed it with tepid water, and anointed it with balm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +and bound it up with bands of smooth white linen, so that that wound +was in all ways well searched and dressed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The madman +lyeth in the +hermit's cell.</i></div> + +<p>And the hermit looked upon Sir Launcelot and beheld that he was all +gaunt and hollow with hunger and he said: "If this poor mad creature is +not fed, he will die in a little while." So when Sir Launcelot +had revived him from that swoon, the good old man fetched +milk and white bread and offered them to the sick man. But +he would not touch that food. For, though he was dying of hunger, yet he +loathed that food because of his madness.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot lay there wounded and famishing and the hermit wist +not what to do to make him eat. And he lay in that wise for three days +and ever the hermit watched him and tried to make him partake of food, +and ever the madman would fling away from the food that was offered +him.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The madman +escapeth from +the cell of the +hermit.</i></div> + +<p>Now upon the fourth day, the hermit being at his orisons in the chapel, +Sir Launcelot made assay to rise, and in spite of his weakness, he did arise. +And having thus arisen, he found strength in some wise for to crawl out +of the hut of the hermit, and the hermit at his prayers wist +not that the wounded man was gone. And after that Sir +Launcelot crept away into the forest and so hid himself, very +cunningly, like to a wild creature, so that, though the hermit +searched for him ever so closely, yet he was not able to find him. And the +hermit said: "Alas for this! For certes this poor madman will die of his +wound and of starvation all alone here in the forest, and no one can bring +him succor."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So it was that Sir Launcelot escaped from the cell of the hermit a second +time. And now it remaineth to be told how he returned to Corbin and to +the Lady Elaine the Fair, and how the Lady Elaine cherished him and +brought him back to health and strength and comeliness again. So I pray +you to read that which followeth if you would fain learn concerning those +things.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0201.png" width="250" height="127" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 416px;"> +<img src="images/s0203.png" width="416" height="600" alt="The Lady Elaine the Fair knoweth Sir Launcelot:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0204.png" width="600" height="79" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Third</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Launcelot returned to Corbin again and how the Lady +Elaine the Fair cherished him and brought him back to health. +Also how Sir Launcelot with the Lady Elaine withdrew to Joyous +Isle.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>So Sir Launcelot escaped from the cell of the hermit as aforetold. +And he lay hidden in the thickets all that day till the night had +come. And when the night had come he arose and turned his +face toward the eastward and thitherward he made his way.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Launcelot +returneth to +Corbin.</i></div> + +<p>For death was very close to Sir Launcelot and there was but one thought +in his mind and that thought was to return to Corbin. For +even through his clouds of madness, Sir Launcelot wist that +there at Corbin a great love awaited him and that if he might +reach that place he might there have rest and peace; wherefore +in this time of weakness and of pain, he willed to return to that place +once more.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot made his way toward Corbin, and he travelled thitherward +several days and God alone knows how he did so. And one morning +at the breaking of the day he came to the town of Corbin, and he +entered the town by a postern gate he knew of old. And after he had entered +the town he made his way slowly and with great pain up through the +streets of the town and the town was still asleep. So he came unseen to +the market-place of Corbin where he had aforetime slain the Worm of Corbin +as aforetold, and there sat him down upon that slab of stone beneath +which the Worm had made its habitation. And why he came there who shall +say except that maybe there lay very dimly within his mind some remembrance +that here he had one time had great honor and glory of knighthood.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The people +behold the +madman.</i></div> + +<p>So there he sat, and when the people of the town awoke +they beheld sitting there in the midst of that market-place +one all naked and famished who gazed about him with wild +and terrified looks like to a starving wolf who had come out of the forest +driven by hunger.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>And many gathered and stared at Sir Launcelot from a distance, and +these laughed and jeered at him as he sat there in his nakedness, and not +one of those wist that this was he who had aforetime slain the Worm of +Corbin and so saved them in a time of their direst need. So they laughed +and mocked him and anon some of those who were there began to cast +stones at him with intent to drive him away from that place. So, at last, +one of those stones struck Sir Launcelot where he sat, and at that his +rage flamed up and took possession of him, whereupon he leaped up and +ran at those who were tormenting him. And he catched a young man of +the town and heaved him up and cast him down so violently upon the +earth that he broke the bone of his thigh.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The people +assail the +madman.</i></div> + +<p>Upon that all those who were there shouted and screamed and fled away. +And anon they returned and began stoning Sir Launcelot +where he stood glaring and gnashing his teeth with the man +whom he had hurt lying upon the ground at his feet. And +many stones struck Sir Launcelot, some wounding him upon the head and +some upon the body. And now and then Sir Launcelot would charge +the mob in his rage, and the mob would scatter before him like chaff +before a gust of wind; but ever they would return and begin stoning him +again.</p> + +<p>So stoning Sir Launcelot and so Sir Launcelot charging the mob, the +people drove him out of the market-place. And they drave him through +the town and Sir Launcelot retreated before them toward the castle; for +he wist even in his madness that there were friends there who should help +him. So he ever retreated until he had come to a postern gate of the +castle, and there he took stand with his back set against a wall. So at +that place he maintained his stand, facing the mob and glaring upon them, +until at last a stone smote him upon the head and he fell to the earth.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They of the +castle save +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Then it would have fared very hard with Sir Launcelot, even to his +death, had not they within the castle, hearing the uproar of the multitude, +flung open the postern gate of a sudden and so come charging +out upon the mob. Thereupon the multitude, being thus +charged by the armed folk of the castle, scattered upon all +sides and ran away, leaving Sir Launcelot lying where he was.</p> + +<p>Then they of the castle came and gazed upon Sir Launcelot where he +lay, and they beheld what a great and noble frame of man it was that lay +there, and thereupon they took great pity that such a man should be in +that condition. So the captain of the guard said: "Alas, that such a man +as this has been should come to such a pass. Now let us lift him up and +bear him away into the castle where he may have care and nourishment."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + +<p>So they did as that captain said, and they brought Sir Launcelot into +the castle of Corbin and to safety.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine knoweth +Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Now it chanced that the Lady Elaine the Fair happened to be at her +window, and looking down therefrom and into the courtyard she beheld +where several men at arms bore a wounded man into the castle from +that postern gate. As they passed beneath where she was, +the Lady Elaine looked down upon the countenance of the +wounded man. Then she beheld his face with the sun shining +bright upon it, and at that a thought struck through her +like to the stroke of a keen, sharp knife, whereat the Lady Elaine clasped +her hands and cried out aloud: "My soul! My soul! What is this? Can it +be he?"</p> + +<p>Now there was in attendance upon the Lady Elaine at that time a certain +very old and sedate lady of the court who had been her nurse and +caretaker ever since her mother had died, leaving her a little helpless babe +cast adrift upon the world. And the name of that lady was Dame Brysen. +So Elaine ran to where Dame Brysen was and she cast herself upon +her knees before Dame Brysen and buried her face in Dame Brysen's lap +even as though it were her mother who sat there. And she cried out from +where she lay with her face in that lady's lap, "Alas! Alas! Alas! Methinks +I have beheld a most terrible sight!" Dame Brysen, speaking as +in affright, said, "What hast thou seen, my child?" The Lady Elaine +said: "Methinks I have beheld Sir Launcelot all starved with famine, and +bruised and bleeding, and lying so nigh to death that I know not whether +he is dead or not."</p> + +<p>Dame Brysen said: "What is this thou sayst, my child? Where sawst +thou such a sight as that? Hast thou been dreaming?" The Lady Elaine +said: "Nay, I have not been dreaming, for, certes, as I stood at the window +a little while ago I saw Sir Launcelot, and several men bore him into +the castle courtyard through the postern gate, and he was all naked and +starved and wounded and bruised."</p> + +<p>The Dame Brysen said: "Nay, child, calm thyself; what ails thee to +think so strange a thing as that? That man whom thou didst see was not +Sir Launcelot, but was a poor madman whom the townsfolk were stoning +at the postern gate."</p> + +<p>But the Lady Elaine cried out all the more vehemently: "I fear! I fear! +Certes that was Sir Launcelot! Now take me to him so that I may be assured +whether it was he or not, for otherwise meseems I shall go mad!"</p> + +<p>Then Dame Brysen perceived how it was with the Lady Elaine and +that she was like one gone distracted, and she wist that there was naught<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +to do but to let her have her will of this matter. Wherefore she said, "It +shall be as thou wilt have it."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine cometh +to Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>So Dame Brysen arose and she took the Lady Elaine by the hand and +she led her to that place where the madman lay, and they beheld that he +lay in a little cell of stone, very gloomy and dark. For the only light +that came into that place was through a small window, barred +with iron, and the window was not more than two hands' +breadth in width. Yet by the dim light of this small window +they beheld the wounded man where he lay upon a hard +pallet of straw. And they beheld that he was in a sleep as though it were +a swoon of death and they beheld that his face was like death for whiteness.</p> + +<p>Then in that gloomy light the Lady Elaine came and kneeled down +beside the couch whereon he lay and looked down into Sir Launcelot's +face and she studied his face as though it were a book written very fine +and small; and ever her breath came more and more quickly as it would +suffocate her, for she felt assured that this was indeed Sir Launcelot. And +anon she took Sir Launcelot's hand, all thin with famine and as cold as ice, +and she looked at it and she beheld a ring upon the finger and the ring was +set with a clear blue stone, and thereupon the Lady Elaine knew that this +was the ring which the Lady of the Lake had given Sir Launcelot aforetime.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine weepeth.</i></div> + +<p>Thereupon she knew that this was indeed Sir Launcelot and she cried +out in a very loud and piercing voice, "It is he! It is he!" +and so crying she fell to weeping with great passion. And she +kissed Sir Launcelot's hand and pressed it to her throat and kissed it +again and yet again.</p> + +<p>Then Dame Brysen leaned over the Lady Elaine and catched her beneath +the arm and said: "Lady, Lady! restrain your passion! remember +yourself, and that people are here who will see you." Therewith +Dame Brysen lifted the Lady Elaine up from where she kneeled, and she +brought her out of that gloomy place, still weeping with a great passion +of love and pity. But yet the Lady Elaine had so much thought for herself +that she drew her veil across her face so that none might behold her +passion, and she said to Dame Brysen, "Take me to my father," and so, +Dame Brysen, embracing her with one arm, led her to where King Pelles was.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine telleth +her father of +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Then, when the Lady Elaine beheld her father standing before her, she +flung herself upon her knees and embraced him about the +thighs, crying: "Father! Father! I have seen him and he is +in this castle!" At this passion of sorrow King Pelles was +much amazed and he said, "Whom hast thou seen, my daughter?" +She said: "I have seen Sir Launcelot, and it was he whom they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +fetched into the castle but now to save him from the townsfolk who were +stoning him to death at the postern gate." Then King Pelles was amazed +beyond measure and he said: "Can such a thing be true? How knowest +thou it was he?" She said: "I know him by many signs, for I knew him +by my love for him and I knew him by his face, and I knew him by the +ring set with a blue stone which he weareth upon his finger."</p> + +<p>Then King Pelles lifted up the Lady Elaine where she kneeled at his +feet and he said: "Daughter, stay thy weeping and I will go and examine +into this."</p> + +<p>So he did as he said and he went to the cell and he looked long upon Sir +Launcelot as he lay there. And he looked at the ring which the wounded +man wore upon his finger. So after a while King Pelles knew that that +was indeed Sir Launcelot who lay there, albeit he would not have known +him, had not the Lady Elaine first declared that it was he.</p> + +<p>So immediately King Pelles bade those who were in attendance to lift +Sir Launcelot up and to bear him very tenderly away from that place and +to bring him to a fair large room. So they did as King Pelles commanded +and they laid Sir Launcelot upon a couch of down spread with a coverlet +of wadded satin. And King Pelles sent for a skilful leech to come and to +search Sir Launcelot's hurts and he bade the physician for to take all heed +to save his life. And all that while Sir Launcelot lay in that deep swoon +like to death and awoke not.</p> + +<p>And Sir Launcelot slept in that wise for three full days and when he +awoke the Lady Elaine and her father and Dame Brysen and the leech +alone were present. And lo! when Sir Launcelot awoke his brain was clear +of madness and he was himself again, though weak, like to a little child +who hath been ill abed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Launcelot +awoke from +his madness.</i></div> + +<p>That time the Lady Elaine was kneeling beside Sir Launcelot's couch +and hers was the face he first beheld. Then Sir Launcelot +said, speaking very faint and weak, "Where am I?" and the +Lady Elaine wept and said, "Lord, you are safe with those +who hold you very dear." Sir Launcelot said, "What has +befallen me?" She said: "Lord, thou hast been bedazed in thy mind and +hast been sorely hurt with grievous wounds, wherefore thou hast been +upon the very edge of death. But now thou art safe with those who love +thee."</p> + +<p>He said, "Have I then been mad?" And to that they who were there +said naught. Then Sir Launcelot said again, "Have I been mad?" and +thereupon King Pelles said, "Yea, Messire."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot groaned as from his soul, and he covered his face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +with one hand (for the Lady Elaine held the other hand in hers) and he +said, "What shame! What shame!" And therewith he groaned again.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Launcelot was +cherished.</i></div> + +<p>Then, ever weeping, the Lady Elaine said, "No shame, Lord, but only +very great pity!" and she kissed his hand and washed it with +her tears. And Sir Launcelot wept also because of his great +weakness, and by and by he said, "Elaine, meseems I have +no hope or honor save in thee," and she said, "Take peace, Sir, for in my +heart there is indeed both honor for you and hope for your great happiness." +And so Sir Launcelot did take peace.</p> + +<p>Then after a while Sir Launcelot said, "Who here knoweth of my madness?" +and King Pelles said, "Only a very few in this castle, Messire."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot said: "I pray you that this be all as secret as possible, +and that no word concerning me goes beyond these walls." And +King Pelles said, "It shall be as you would have it, Messire."</p> + +<p>So it was that the news of Sir Launcelot's madness and of his recovery +was not carried beyond those walls.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +and Elaine +commune +together.</i></div> + +<p>Now after a fortnight had passed, Sir Launcelot was fast becoming +cured in body and mind. And one day he and the Lady Elaine were +alone in that room where he lay and he said, "Lady, meseems you have +had great cause to hate me." At this she looked upon him and smiled, +and she said, "How could I hate thee, Launcelot?" Sir +Launcelot said, "Elaine, I have done thee great and grievous +wrong in times gone by." She said, "Say naught of that." +"Yea," he said, "I must say much of that, for I have this +to say of it, that I would that I could undo that wrong which I did thee +by my neglect. But what have I aught to offer thee in compensation? +Naught but mine own broken and beggared life. Yet that poor life and +all that it holds dearest I would fain offer thee if only it might be a compensation +to thee."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Elaine looked very long and intently at Sir Launcelot +and she said: "Sir Launcelot, thy lips speak of duty, but that which boots +is that thy heart should speak of duty. For if so be that thou hast ever +done me wrong, thou canst not hope to remove that wrong by the words of +thy mouth. But if from thy heart thou sayst, 'I have wronged this one +and I would fain make amends,' then indeed may that wrong be very +quickly amended."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot smiled and he said: "And so I have looked well +into my heart ere I spake to thee, and so it is my heart that speaks and +not my lips. For in my heart meseems I find great love for thee and +certes I find all honor and reverence for thee lying therein, and moving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +me to everything that I now hope to do or to perform. Now tell me, +Lady, what can any heart hold more than that?" And Elaine said, +"Meseems it can hold no more."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot took her by the hand and drew her to him and she +went to him, and he kissed her upon the lips and she forbade him not. +So they two were reconciled in peace and happiness.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +and the Lady +Elaine are +wedded.</i></div> + +<p>So when Sir Launcelot was altogether healed of his sickness, they two +were married. And after they were married, King Pelles +gave to them a very noble castle for to be their dwelling-place +and that castle was called the Castle of Blayne.</p> + +<p>That castle stood upon a very beautiful island in the midst +of a lake of pure water as clear as crystal. And the island was covered +over with many plantations and orchards of beautiful trees of various foliages. +And there were gardens and meadows upon that island and there +was a town about the castle so fair that when one stood upon the margin +of that lake and gazed across the lake to the town and the castle he beheld +such a place as one may see in a shining dream.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot, because of the great peace of that island and because +of the peace which he hoped to find there, called it the Joyous Isle, and +so it was known of all men from that time forth.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So endeth this part of the history of Sir Launcelot with only this to +say. That he dwelt there in Joyous Isle in seeming peace and contentment.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Launcelot +dwelt in +Joyous Isle.</i></div> + +<p>Yet was it indeed peace and contentment that he felt? Alas, that it +should be so, but so it was that ever and anon he would remember him of +other days of doughty deeds of glory and renown, and ever +and anon he would bethink him of that beautiful queen to +whom he had one time uplifted his eyes, and of whom he +had now no right to think of in that wise. Then his soul +would up in arms and would cry out aloud: "Let us go hence and seek +that glory and that other's love once more! Are not all thy comrades +waiting for thee to return, and doth not she also look for thee?" Then +Sir Launcelot would ever say to his soul, "Down, proud spirit, and think +not of these things, but of duty." But ever and anon that spirit would +arise again within him and would struggle with the bonds of honor that +held it in check. And ever Sir Launcelot would say, "That which remaineth +for me is my duty and my peace of soul."</p> + +<p>For indeed it is so that the will of a man is but a poor weak defence +against the thoughts that arise within a stubborn heart. For, though a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +man may will to do that which is right, yet may his thoughts ever turn +to that which is wrong; and though he may refrain from doing wrong, yet +it is in spite of his desirings that he thus refraineth. Yea; there is no help for +a man to contain himself within the bounds of duty, save only that he hath +the love of God within his heart. For only when his feet are planted +upon that rock may he hope to withstand the powerful thoughts that +urge him to do that which is wrong.</p> + +<p>So it was with Sir Launcelot at that time; for though he ever willed +to do that which was right, yet his desires ever called to him to depart +from the paths of honor and truth in which he walked, and so he was +oftentimes much troubled in his spirit.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/s0211.png" width="300" height="81" alt="Angel's head" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></div> +<h2>PART V<br /> +The Story of Sir Ewaine and the Lady of the Fountain<br /><br /></h2> + +<p><i>Here beginneth the story of Sir Ewaine; of how he went forth to search +for Sir Launcelot in company with Sir Percival of Gales; of how +they two met Sir Sagramore in a condition of great disrepute; and of how +Sir Ewaine undertook a very strange adventure, in which he succeeded, +after great danger to his life, in winning the most fair Lady of the Fountain +for his wife.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 420px;"> +<img src="images/s0213.png" width="420" height="600" alt="Sir Gawaine, Knight of the Fountain:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0214.png" width="600" height="330" alt="Woman playing stringed instrument" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter First</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Ewaine and Sir Percival departed together in quest of Sir +Launcelot, and how they met Sir Sagramore, who had failed in +a certain adventure. Also how Sir Sagramore told his story concerning +that adventure.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>It hath already been told in this book how certain knights of King +Arthur's court—to wit, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Lionel, Sir Bors +de Ganis, Sir Gawaine, Sir Ewaine, Sir Percival, Sir Sagramore +the Desirous and Sir Agravaine went forth upon Queen Guinevere's command +to search for Sir Launcelot and to bring him back to the court of +the King.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Ewaine +ride forth +together.</i></div> + +<p>Upon that quest, Sir Percival and Sir Ewaine rode together for the sake +of companionship. And they made agreement to travel together +in that wise until the fortunes of adventure should +separate them.</p> + +<p>So they rode side by side in very pleasant companionship, +taking the way that chance led them, yet everywhere seeking for news of +Sir Launcelot, of whom they could find no word of any sort.</p> + +<p>In those days the world was very fresh and young, so that it was great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +pleasure to journey in that wise, for anon they two rode beneath blue skies +and anon through gentle showers, anon up hill and anon down dale, anon +through countryside, anon through town, anon through forest and anon +through wold. Yea; in those days, when the world was young, all things +of life were so gay and joyous that it was little wonder that good knights +like those twain took delight in being abroad in that wise, for so they might +breathe more freely, out in the wider expanses of God's world, and so the +spirit within them might expand to a greater joy of life than would be +possible in court or in lady's bower.</p> + +<p>So those two worthy gentlemen travelled as aforesaid in good-fellowship +together, journeying hither or yon for a fortnight, neither hearing aught +of Sir Launcelot, or meeting with any adventure whatsoever, and lodging +them at night at what place chance might happen to bring them.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They perceive +a castle in +a valley.</i></div> + +<p>At the end of that time—to wit, a fortnight—they came to a certain +high hill and from the summit thereof they beheld a valley that lay stretched +out beneath them. And they beheld a fair tall castle that stood in the +midst of that valley, and the castle was surrounded by a little +town and the town was surrounded by many fair fields and +plantations and orchards of fruit-trees. And at that time +evening was coming on apace, and all the golden sky was fading into +a pale silver, wonderfully clear and fine, with a single star, like a jewel, +shining in the midst of the bright yet fading firmament.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine said: "Sir, let us go down to yonder place and seek +lodging at that fair castle, for meseems that must be a very pleasant place +to abide for the coming night." To the which Sir Percival replied, "Let +it be so, brother," and therewith they rode down into that valley and to +that castle. And when they had reached the castle, Sir Percival blew +his bugle horn very loud and clear, and straightway there came several +of the attendants of the castle who bade them welcome and led them +within the gateway thereof. There, when they had arrived, came the +major of the castle, and requested them that they would tell what was +their name and their degree, and when the two knights had announced +these there was great rejoicing that two such famous champions had come +thitherward. So several ran and took their horses in charge and others +came and assisted them to dismount and others again led them into the +castle and thence brought them each to a fair chamber, well bedight and +with a very cheerful outlook. Then came other attendants and assisted +each knight to disarm and to disrobe, and after that they brought each to a +bath of tepid water. Thereafter, when they had bathed and dried themselves +with fair linen towels, very soft and fragrant with lavender, these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +same attendants brought them rich robes of silk and garments of silk, and +they dressed them and were at great ease and comfort.</p> + +<p>For thus it was that good knights of old were received in such castles +and halls wheresoever they chose to abide in that adventurous wise.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Ewaine +refresh themselves +at the +castle.</i></div> + +<p>Now after Sir Ewaine and Sir Percival had refreshed themselves and +bathed themselves and had clad themselves as aforetold, there came to +them a certain dignitary of the castle, who brought them +word that the lord of the castle desired to have speech with +them. So they two went down with that attendant, and he +brought them to the great hall of the castle where was the +lord thereof, standing to give them welcome. He was a haughty and +noble worthy with a long gray beard and he was clad in a dark purple robe +embroidered with silver. When he beheld Sir Ewaine and Sir Percival +coming into that place, he hastened to meet them and give them greeting +and welcome beyond stint. And he said: "Welcome, welcome, fair lords! +Thrice welcome to this castle! For certes it is a great glory to us all to +have you with us. Moreover, I may tell you that already there is one of +your fellows here at this place, and I believe you will be very glad to see +him."</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Ewaine, "Sir, who is it that is here?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They hear +news of Sir +Sagramore.</i></div> + +<p>"It is Sir Sagramore who hath come hither," said the lord of the castle, +and at that Sir Ewaine and Sir Percival cried out with amazement. +And Sir Ewaine said, "How came Sir Sagramore +hither, fair lord?"</p> + +<p>"I will tell you," said the lord of the castle. "A little before you came +hitherward, there arrived at this place a knight riding without a shield +and seated upon a white mule. This knight requested rest and refreshment +for the night, and upon our asking him his name and degree, he at +first refused to tell, for shame of his condition; yet afterward he declared +that he was Sir Sagramore of King Arthur's court, and a knight of the +Round Table. He also declared that he had met with a sad mischance and +had lost his shield and his war-horse, wherefore he was travelling in that +wise as I have told you."</p> + +<p>"Sir," quoth Sir Ewaine, "this is a very strange thing I hear, that Sir +Sagramore should be travelling in that unknightly wise. Wit you that as +Sir Sagramore is a knight of the Round Table, this matter concerns both +Sir Percival and myself very closely. Now I pray you for to let me have +speech with him, so that I may know why it is that he hath travelled in +that wise and without his knightly shield."</p> + +<p>"It shall be as you command, Messire," said the lord of the castle, "and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +so I will straightway send a messenger to Sir Sagramore with word that +you would have speech with him."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Sagramore +appeareth.</i></div> + +<p>So the lord of the castle sent the messenger as he said, and anon there +came Sir Sagramore to where they were. But when Sir Sagramore +stood before Sir Ewaine and Sir Percival, he hung his +head full low, as though not wishing to look those knights in the face because +of shame that they should find him there in such a condition. Then +Sir Ewaine said to him: "Sir, I pray you tell me how you came by such a +mischance as this, so that you ride without your shield and upon a white +mule like to a strolling demoiselle?"</p> + +<p>"Messire," said Sir Sagramore, "I will tell you the whole story, for +I would have you know that it was through no disgrace but by mishap +of battle that I am come to this pass."</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Ewaine, "I may well believe that."</p> + +<p>Then the lord of the castle said: "Messires, ere you talk of these things +I pray you to come to table and eat and drink and refresh yourselves. +After that we may listen with a better spirit to what this knight has to tell +us."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They all sit +at feast together.</i></div> + +<p>So that which the lord of the castle said seemed very good to those +knights, wherefore they straightway went in to table in the hall and sat +down thereat. And the table was spread with all manner of meats, and +there was wine of divers sorts, both red and white, and they +ate and drank with much appetite and great good-will. Then +when they were satisfied as to their hunger, Sir Ewaine said +to Sir Sagramore: "Now, Messire, I pray you to tell us concerning that +adventure which hath befallen you."</p> + +<p>Sir Sagramore said, "I will do so." Then he said:</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Sagramore +telleth of his +adventures.</i></div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir Sagramore +came to +a wonderful +valley of +enchantment.</i></div> + +<p>"You must know that when I travelled forth errant in search of Sir +Launcelot, as several of my fellows did, I went forward upon my way, +making diligent inquiries concerning him, but still could get +no news of him. So I travelled onward in that wise, ever +making inquiries as aforesaid, until two days ago, what time +in the evening I came to a certain place a considerable distance to the east +of this. There I found myself in a valley that I verily believe must be +the fairest valley in the world. For in that valley I beheld +a very pleasant expanse of meadow-lands all abloom with +flowers, and I beheld many glades of trees of an even size, +some abloom with blossoms and some full of fruit. And there +was a river of very clear water that flowed down through +the centre of the valley, and everywhere there were birds of curious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +plumage that sang very bewitchingly, so from these things I wist that +this valley was very likely a place of enchantment. In the midst of that +valley I beheld a very noble castle that was of as wonderful an appearance +as the valley itself, so I rode forward into the valley and approached +the castle.</p> + +<p>"As I drew near thereunto I beheld two youths clad in flame-colored +satin who shot at a mark with bows and arrows. And the hair of the +youths was yellow and curling, and each bore a frontlet of gold upon his +head, and they wore upon their feet shoes of embossed leather with latchets +of gold upon the insteps.</p> + +<p>"These two youths, as I drew near, gave me very courteous greeting, +and besought me that I would declare to them my name and degree, and +I did so. Then they besought me that I would come with them to the +castle, and I went with them with great content of spirit; for it seemed +to me that this was likely to be a very fair and cheerful place to lodge +over-night. So I entered with those two youths into the castle, and there +came attendants and took my horse and there came others who unarmed +me and led me to a bath of tepid water. After that I descended to the +hall of that castle, and there I beheld that it was all hung with tapestries +and fabrics of divers sorts and of very rich and beautiful designs.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Sagramore +meets the Lady +Vivien.</i></div> + +<p>"In that hall there were twelve ladies who sat embroidering cloth of +satin at a window, and I think I have hardly ever seen any ladies who +were so beautiful as they. Immediately I entered that room +these twelve ladies arose, and she who was the fairest amongst +them came forward and gave me greeting. And immediately +I knew that lady that she was the Lady Vivien who beguiled the Enchanter +Merlin to his undoing and his ruin. Yet in this time, I do assure you, she +has grown more beautiful than ever she was before; for her hair, which +was ruddy, is now like to pure gold for brightness, and it was enmeshed +in a golden net, and yet one could not tell whether the net or the hair +shone the more brightly. And her eyes, which are perfectly black are as +bright as jewels, and her lips are like red corals and very fragrant, and +her teeth are like to rich pearls. Moreover, she was clad in garments of +flame-colored satin, and her neck and arms were adorned with ornaments +of gold set with jewels of a great many kinds and colors. And well ye +wist, Messires, that it was very difficult not to be altogether enchanted by +her beauty of face and appearance.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Sagramore +feasteth with +the Lady +Vivien.</i></div> + +<p>"Yet well knowing how this lady loved mischief, I was for a time very +ill at ease, not knowing whether or not she might be minded to cast some +evil spell upon me. Yet she made no sign of such intent, but spake me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +very fair and gave me courteous greeting. And she took my hand and +led me into an adjoining apartment where there was a feast set with all +sorts of meats and wines, and we two took our places at the +board side by side. And as we feasted so together, there came +some who sang and others who made sweet music and I felt +such great pleasure as I have hardly ever felt in all of my life +before. Meanwhile, as we sat at the table, the Lady Vivien conversed +with me upon such matters as she deemed would be of entertainment to +me. And she inquired of many lords and ladies at the court of the King +and spake well of them all. Then after a considerable while she inquired +of me whether it would be pleasant to me to tell her upon what errand +I was bound, and so I told her I was errant in search of Sir Launcelot.</p> + +<p>"'Ha!' quoth she, 'if thou wert in search of adventure, I could bring +you to one that would be well worth undertaking.'</p> + +<p>"I said to her: 'Lady, though I am errant upon a certain business, yet +I am very ready to stay my affairs for a while if so be I may meet with an +adventure that may bring me any credit.'</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Vivien telleth +Sir Sagramore +of an adventure.</i></div> + +<p>"At that the Lady Vivien laughed, and she said: 'Sir Sagramore, I know +not what credit you may obtain in this adventure, but I will +tell you what you are to do to enter into it. To-morrow I will +ordain that one of the youths who brought you hither shall +conduct you to a certain path that leads through the forest +that lies beyond this valley. If you will follow that path, you will by and +by come to a mound of earth, and on that mound you will very likely behold +a man of gigantic stature who is herdsman to a herd of cattle thereabouts. +Ask him where is the enchanted fountain, and he will direct you +still farther upon the way.'</p> + +<p>"I said to her: 'Lady, I am very much beholden to you for the information +you give me, and I will very gladly take up with this adventure.' +Upon this she laughed a very great deal and said: 'Sir Knight, it may be +that after you have passed through this adventure, you will not be so pleased +either with me or with yourself. Now I have this to ask of you in return +for my entertainment of to-night. My request is that you will return hitherward +to me after you have finished this adventure so that I may see how it +hath happened with you.' I said to the lady, 'It shall be as you ask.'</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Sagramore +departs upon +the adventure.</i></div> + +<p>"So when the next morning had come I arose very early and donned +mine armor. And there came to me one of those youths +aforetold of, and he aided me to my horse and afterward +guided me through that valley. So he brought me to the +borders of a woodland that lay beyond the valley and there he showed me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +a path and bade me take that path and it would bring me to that adventure +I sought.</p> + +<p>"Thereafter I followed that path, and after I had gone upon the way a +considerable distance I came, some time before midday, to that mound +whereof the lady had spoken.</p> + +<p>"On the top of the mound there sat a man of gigantic size and so hideously +ugly that I never beheld his like in all of my life before that time. +This being called to me in a voice exceedingly loud and rough, demanding +of me whither I went and upon what business. Thereupon I told him +that I sought a certain magic fountain and that I would be much beholden +to him if he would direct me upon my way. Upon this he laughed very +boisterously, and after a while he said: 'Take that path yonder through +the glade. Follow that path until you come to a hill. From the hilltop +you will find before you a valley, and you will see in the valley a fountain +of water that flows into a small lake with many lilies about the margin. +At the fountain is a tall tree with wide-spreading branches, and beneath +the tree is a marble slab, and upon the slab is a silver bowl attached to it by +a chain of silver. Take some of the water of that fountain into the silver +bowl and fling it upon the marble slab, and I believe you will find an +adventure that will satisfy your desires for a very long time to come.'</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Sagramore +cometh to the +valley of the +fountain.</i></div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Sagramore +poureth water +upon the slab.</i></div> + +<p>"So spake that gigantic oaf. I took the path to which he directed me, +and I followed the path until I came to the hill, and I climbed +the hill and there I beheld the valley of which he spake. And +I beheld the lake of lilies of which he spake and I beheld the +fountain that flowed into the lake and I beheld the tree that +overshadowed the fountain, so I straightway rode down into the valley +thereunto. And when I had come to the tree I beheld the slab of stone +and the bowl of silver just as that gigantic herdsman had said that I +would find them. Then I dipped the silver bowl into the +water as he had told me to do and I flung the water of the +fountain upon the marble slab.</p> + +<p>"Then immediately a very singular thing happened, for lo! the earth +began to tremble and to shake, and the skies began, as it were, to thunder, +and all over the sky there spread a cloud of very great blackness and +density so that whilst it was still midday, it began to grow dark like night-time. +Then there came a great wind of such strength that I thought it +would blow me away, and after that there fell a rain in such quantities +and with such deluge that methought I would be drowned by that rain. +And the rain roared down in torrents everywhere through that valley as it +were a deluge. And, as the rain fell and the thunder burst forth from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +sky and the lightning flamed like living fire, I heard, as from a very great +distance, the sound of many voices raised in lamentation.</p> + +<p>"Then, by and by, the storm passed and the clouds disappeared and +the sun came forth with extraordinary brightness. Then lo! there happened +another singular thing, for presently there came a great multitude +of birds flying through the air, and they lodged in that tree above the +fountain, and they sang with such exquisite melody that methought that +my heart would break with the joy of their singing.</p> + +<p>"Now whilst I sat there listening to those birds, I beheld where, a great +way off, there came a horseman riding with extraordinary rapidity across +the plain, and as he drew nigh I beheld that he was a knight seated upon +a black horse and clad all in black armor. This knight came riding very +violently toward where I was, and he called out in a very fierce loud voice: +'Sir Knight, wherefore did you meddle with my fountain. Know that +you have brought a great deluge upon this land, and for that I am come +hither to punish you. Now defend yourself from my anger, for it is very +great.'</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Sagramore +is overthrown +by the Knight +of the +Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>"Therewith he made ready to assail me, and I upon my part immediately +put myself into a posture of defence, and dressed my shield +and my spear, and took post upon the meadow close to the +fountain. After that I ran a tilt against that knight and he +ran against me, and he cast me out of my saddle with such +violence that methinks I have never before felt a buffet like to that which +I then received.</p> + +<p>"Having thus cast me down, he paid no more heed to me than if I had +been a billet of wood, but he took from me my shield and he laid it upon +the saddle of my horse and he took my horse by the rein and rode away +from that place, leaving me still lying upon the ground. And in departing +he said not one single word to me. And indeed I do think, Messires, +that I was never so abashed in all my life before.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Vivien mocketh +Sir Sagramore.</i></div> + +<p>"Then I remembered how that I had pledged myself to return to the +Lady Vivien, and at that I was more ashamed than ever. So, in obedience +to that promise, I had to make my way back whence I came on foot. +When I passed by where was that mound, the gigantic creature who sat +thereon made great mock of me. And when I reached the castle, the +Lady Vivien looked at me out of a window and laughed at +me beyond measure. And when I requested admission to +the castle, she denied me entrance thereunto, and when I besought +her for to lend me a horse to ride upon my way, she gave me instead +a white mule for to bear me thence. So I returned hitherward upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +a white mule without any shield, and thus I have confessed everything to +you to the last word."</p> + +<p>Such was the story of Sir Sagramore, and thereunto all those who were +there listened with great attention and with much amazement. Then Sir +Ewaine spake, saying: "That was a very great shame that was put upon +you, Messire; and I take it so greatly to heart that had I suffered it in my +own person methinks I could not feel much greater shame than I do. For +that which hath befallen you is, as it were, a despite put upon all of us who +are knights of the Round Table. Wherefore, being a fellow of that company, +your despite is my despite also. As for that mischievous Lady Vivien, +methinks that she is at the bottom of all this coil, and I am much misled +if this hath not all been devised by her to bring shame upon you who are a +knight of King Arthur's court and of the Round Table."</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Percival, "That may very well be so, Messire."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine said: "Well, Messires, as for me, I am of no mind +to sit down quietly under this affront."</p> + +<p>"Sir," said Sir Sagramore, "what would you do?"</p> + +<p>"I would do this," said Sir Ewaine. "I would go upon that same quest +in which you have failed, and if I succeed therein, then will the shame +of your mischance be wiped away from us all."</p> + +<p>Thus spake Sir Ewaine with great feeling; for you are to know that those +noble knights of the Round Table were so closely knit into brotherly fellowship +that whatsoever ill thing befell to the injury of one was in that same +measure an injury to all, and that whatsoever quarrel was taken up by +one of that company, was a quarrel appertaining to all. Wherefore it was +the injury that had been done to Sir Sagramore was also an injury done to +Sir Ewaine, and so it was that Sir Ewaine felt himself called upon to undertake +that adventure in which Sir Sagramore had failed as aforesaid.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine said: "Now I prithee tell me where that path is that +may bring me to this adventure and to-morrow I will part from you and +will myself enter upon it. Meantime, do you both resume your quest of +Sir Launcelot, and if I should not prosper in this undertaking, I will return +hither and leave report of my happenings. Wherefore at this place +you may, at any time, easily hear what hath befallen me if you will come +hither."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +departeth upon +the Adventure +of the Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Sagramore gave Sir Ewaine such directions for that adventure as +were necessary and after that they all went to bed to rest them after their +travails of the day. And when the next morning had come and while +the dew still lay upon the grass, shining like to a thin veil of fine, bright +silver spread over the level meadow-lands, Sir Ewaine arose all in the fresh<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>ness +of the early daytime and busked him whilst the rest of the castle still +lay fast asleep. And he donned his armor and went down and +aroused the sleeping groom and gave command that his horse +should be brought to him; and after the groom had apparelled +his horse he mounted and rode forth upon that way +which Sir Sagramore had advised him would lead him toward the castle +of the Lady Vivien.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>And now if you would know how Sir Ewaine prospered in that undertaking +which he had assumed, I pray you to read further in this history +and you shall hear how it befell with him.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0223.png" width="250" height="126" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 415px;"> +<img src="images/s0225.png" width="415" height="600" alt="Sir Ewaine poureth water on the slab:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0226.png" width="600" height="80" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Second</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Ewaine undertook that adventure in which Sir Sagramore +had failed, and how it sped with him thereafter.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Thus it was that Sir Ewaine departed upon that adventure whilst Sir +Percival and Sir Sagramore were still asleep, and no one wist of his +going saving only the groom. After he wended his way from that +place until he had come to the woodlands, and he entered the woodlands +and travelled therein for a long while, breaking his fast with the charcoal +burners whom he found there at a curious place. About the middle of the +morning he came to a high hill, and when he had climbed this hill he beheld +before him a very strangely beautiful valley, and he beheld that in the midst +of the valley there stood a wonderful castle, and he wist that this must be +the castle of the Lady Vivien of which Sir Sagramore had aforetold of.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +cometh to the +castle of the +Lady Vivien.</i></div> + +<p>And Sir Ewaine was astonished at the wonderful appearance of that +castle and the valley in which it stood. For this castle was bright and +shining as though of polished stone, and the roofs thereof +were of bright red tile variegated with dark green tiles and +black tiles, laid in sundry figures and patterns very strange +to behold. And the valley in which the castle stood was +spread out with fair lawns and gardens and meadow-lands and plantations +of comely trees. And everywhere there were flowers abloom in incredible +quantities, and there were thousands of birds of bright plumage that sang +in the trees throughout the valley, so that the multitudinous sounds of their +singing came even to Sir Ewaine where he sat so far distant. And ever those +birds flitted like bright sparks of color hither and thither through the +foliage of the trees, and Sir Ewaine had never beheld their like before +in all of his life. So because of the wonderfulness of all that he beheld, +Sir Ewaine wist that this must be a land of faery and enchantment with +which the Lady Vivien had surrounded her castle and herself and her +court. So for a while Sir Ewaine sat there observing all these things, and +after a while he set spurs to horse and rode down into that valley and +toward the castle.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now when Sir Ewaine had come pretty near to the castle, he beheld two +youths with golden hair, clad in garments of flame-colored satin, and he +knew that these must be the two fair youths of whom Sir Sagramore had +spoken. And he saw that those two youths were playing at ball under +the walls of the castle just as Sir Sagramore had beheld them when he had +visited that place.</p> + +<p>These, when Sir Ewaine drew nigh, ceased their play, and he who was +the chief of the twain came forward and greeted that noble knight with +great courtesy, saying: "Sir Knight, you are very welcome to these parts +where not many ever come. For she who is the lady of this castle ever +takes pleasure in giving welcome to such as you who come thitherward. +Now I pray you of your courtesy to tell me who you are and upon what +quest you are bound and what is your degree, for I would fain announce +you with all dignity to the lady of the castle."</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Ewaine: "Fair youth, you are to know that I am a knight of +King Arthur's court, and that I am a fellow of the Round Table. My +name is Sir Ewaine, and I am King Uriens' son of Gore, my mother being +Queen Morgana le Fay. As for your lady, I know very well who +she is, and that she is none other than the Enchantress Vivien. Moreover, +I know that she is not at all above devising mischief against me +because I am a knight of King Arthur and of his Round Table. Yet +I will that you bring me before this lady, for I would fain have speech +with her."</p> + +<p>Upon this, so boldly said by Sir Ewaine, those two fair youths were +adoubt, wherefore they withdrew a little to one side and held consultation +together. Then he who had before spoken to Sir Ewaine spake again, +saying: "Messire, I trust you have it not in your mind to do any ill to the +lady of this castle, for unless we are well assured upon that point we will +not bring you to her."</p> + +<p>"Rest ye easy," quoth Sir Ewaine; "I am a true knight, and mean no ill +to any lady, be she evil or good. Only I would have speech with her as +presently as may be."</p> + +<p>Then the youth who was the speaker for the two said, "Sir, I will take +you to her."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +cometh to the +Lady Vivien.</i></div> + +<p>So forthwith that youth led the way into the enchanted castle and +Sir Ewaine followed closely after him. And after they had come unto the +castle and after Sir Ewaine had dismounted from his horse and +after they had traversed various spaces, the youth brought Sir +Ewaine to where the Lady Vivien was. And she was in her +own fair bower with her eleven damsels gathered about her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Vivien giveth +welcome to Sir +Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>Now the news of the coming of Sir Ewaine had gone before him, so that +when he came to the Lady Vivien she arose from her seat and went forward +to meet him and received him with her face all wreathed +with smiles. And she said: "Welcome! Welcome! Thrice +welcome, Sir Ewaine! Now I pray you to let my attendants +conduct you to a fair room where you may bathe and refresh +yourself, for we would fain have you stay with us at this place for a day +or two or three if so be you will favor us so greatly."</p> + +<p>But Sir Ewaine neither smiled nor made acknowledgment of any sort; +otherwise he spake with great sternness, saying: "Fair Lady, I know you +well, and I know that you have no very good will toward us who are of +King Arthur's court. I know that you continually devise mischief and +enchantments against all who come near you, and I well believe that could +you do so without danger to yourself, you would this moment practise +mischiefs against me. Nevertheless, I am not come hither to chide you +because of your shortcomings, for though all those things are well known +to me and to others, yet I leave it to God to judge you in His own wisdom +and am not come hither to be myself your judge. What I have come +for is this: not long since you sent my fellow, Sir Sagramore, upon an adventure +that brought great shame upon him. Now I pray you that you will +direct me to that same adventure so that I may undertake it, for, if so be +I have that good fortune, I would fain punish that discourteous knight who +so shamed my companion at arms."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Vivien laughed very high and shrill. "Sir," quoth she, +"you are very brave for to undertake that adventure wherein so good a +knight as Sir Sagramore failed so signally. Gladly will I direct you upon +your way, and all that I ask in return is that when you have sped in that +adventure, you will also return hither as did Sir Sagramore, so that I may +bestow a white mule upon you as I bestowed one to him."</p> + +<p>To this Sir Ewaine bowed his head very gravely and said: "Be it so. +Show me the way to that adventure, and if I fail therein, then I will submit +myself to you so that you may humiliate me as you humiliated Sir +Sagramore."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +entereth into +the Adventure +of the Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>Then the Lady Vivien called to her that youth who had afore spoken +to Sir Ewaine, and she bade him set Sir Ewaine upon the path that should +lead him to that adventure he sought. And after that Sir +Ewaine left the Lady Vivien without any further word and +he took horse and departed thence. And that fair youth with +the golden hair went before Sir Ewaine to the skirts of the +forest that lay upon the other side of the valley from that side upon which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +Sir Ewaine had entered it. Then the youth showed Sir Ewaine a certain +path that led into the forest and he said: "Take that path, fair lord, and +it will bring you to your adventure."</p> + +<p>So Sir Ewaine took the path as the youth directed and he travelled +upon it for an hour or two and by and by he came to an open place in the +woodland. And in the midst of that open place there was a high mound +of earth covered with fair green grass and many sheep browsed upon the +slopes of the mound and coadjacent thereunto. And on the mound there +sat the being of whom Sir Sagramore had spoken, and Sir Ewaine was amazed +at his hideous aspect. For he was of giant stature and swarthy black, +and his hair was red as brick. His mouth gaped wide like a cavern and +the teeth within were sharp like the teeth of a wild beast.</p> + +<p>To this creature Sir Ewaine spake, saying, "Sirrah, whither shall I go +to find that Adventure of the Fountain?"</p> + +<p>Upon this that giant being laughed like the pealing of thunder and he +said: "Ho! little man, have you come also to that adventure? The day +before yesterday one came hither and sped but ill, and so also, I doubt not, +it will fare with you. Take you yonder path, and I believe you will come +to that adventure all too soon for your own good."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +cometh to the +valley of the +fountain.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Ewaine took the path that that being directed, and so entering +the woodlands again he rode for a long while through the thick forests. +Then after a while he came to a hill and he ascended the hill, and when he +had reached the top thereof he found that the forest ceased +and that the open country lay spread out before him and he +beheld a fair and level valley lying beneath the hill. And he +beheld that the valley was very fertile with many fields and +plantations of fair trees. And Sir Ewaine beheld in that valley a lake and +a fountain that flowed into the lake and a tree that overshadowed the +fountain, and he wist that this was the place where Sir Sagramore had met +with that adventure aforetold of. So straightway he rode down into that +valley and toward that place where was the enchanted fountain overshadowed +by the tree. And when he reached that place he beheld the slab +of stone and the silver bowl chained to the slab by a silver chain just as +Sir Sagramore had beheld those things.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +casteth water +upon the slab.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine took the silver bowl into his hand and he dipped up +water therein from the fountain, and he flung the water upon +the marble slab as Sir Sagramore had done.</p> + +<p>Then straightway it befell as it had with Sir Sagramore, for +first the earth began to tremble and to quake and then the sky began to +thunder, and then there arose a great cloud that overspread the sky, so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +that it became all black like unto night time, although it was still the middle +of the day. Then there came the great wind, the like of which Sir +Ewaine had never before known in all his life, for it blew with such strength +of fury that he was afraid it would blow him away from that place. Then +there fell such a deluge of rain that he feared he would be drowned therewith. +And whilst the rain fell in that wise he heard a multitude of voices +in lamentation as though a great way off, just as Sir Sagramore had heard +these voices.</p> + +<p>Anon the rain ceased and the clouds passed away, and the sun came +forth and shone with wonderful warmth and brightness, and thereupon +a great flock of small birds came flying to that tree and perched in the +branches thereof so that the tree was entirely filled with the multitude of +feathered creatures gathered there. And that multitude of birds began +to sing in such a wise, that when Sir Ewaine listened to that singing he +wist not whether he were in paradise or upon earth, so sweet and piercing +was the melody of their singing. And all these things befell with Sir +Ewaine as they had befallen aforetime with Sir Sagramore.</p> + +<p>Now, whilst Sir Ewaine stood listening in that wise, all bewitched by the +singing of those birds, he was aware of one who came riding very rapidly +toward him across the plain. And as that rider drew nigh unto Sir Ewaine, +he beheld that he was a knight clad all in black armor and seated upon a +great charger which was entirely black and which was hung with trappings +as black as any raven. And the knight bore a shield which was altogether +black and without any device whatsoever. And he was of a very terrible +appearance, being huge of form and violent and fierce in his advance.</p> + +<p>This black knight, when he had come close to that place where Sir +Ewaine awaited him, cried out in a great voice: "Sir Knight, why didst +thou come hither to meddle with my fountain? Know thou that thou +hast brought a great deluge upon all this land so that thou hast wrought +great damage to us who are the people thereof. But now thou shalt pay +very dearly for the injury thou hast done. Prepare thyself straightway +for battle!"</p> + +<p>Unto this Sir Ewaine made reply: "Sir Knight, I wist not that in throwing +water upon yonder slab I was doing injury to thee or to any one. Nevertheless, +I am ready to meet thee in battle as thou dost make demand." +Therewith Sir Ewaine dressed his shield and his spear and took his station +in the meadow near the fountain and beside the lake, and put himself in +such array for defence as he was able.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +doeth battle +with the +Knight of the +Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>So when they both had prepared themselves in all ways they let go their +horses the one against the other, in very violent assault, rushing together<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +like a whirlwind. And so they met together in the midst of the course +with an uproar as of thunder; the one smiting against the other with +such violence that the spear of each was burst all into +pieces unto the very truncheon thereof. And in that assault +both knights would assuredly have been overthrown excepting +for the wonderful address of each. For each drave spur into +steed and shouted aloud so that each charger recovered his feet and fell +not. Then each knight threw away the truncheon of his spear and each +drew his sword and straightway fell to battle with might and main. And +in that combat each knight gave the other many sore buffets and, for a +long while, no one could have told how that encounter was like +to go.</p> + +<p>But at last Sir Ewaine waxed very furious with the opposition of that +other knight, wherefore he arose in his stirrups and lashed at that black +knight such a buffet that nor guard nor shield nor helm could withstand +the stroke. For under that blow the black Knight of the Fountain reeled +in his saddle as though he would fall from his horse. Then he drooped his +shield and hung his head full low and catched at the horn of his saddle as +though to stay himself from falling. Herewith Sir Ewaine lashed another +buffet at him, and with that blow the sword of Sir Ewaine pierced through +the helmet of the black knight and deep into his brain pan and with that +stroke the black knight received his mortal hurt.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine, perceiving that the black knight was so sorely hurt, +repented him of what he had done in the heat of his battle and stayed his +hand, though all too late. And he cried out: "Sir Knight, I fear me that +I have given thee a very woeful hurt. I repent me of that, so yield thou +thyself to me, and forthwith I will look to thy wound and will give thee +such ease as I may."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Knight of +the Fountain +fleeth from +Sir Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>But to this the black Knight of the Fountain made no reply. Otherwise +he immediately wheeled his horse about, and set spurs to flank, and drove +away with all speed from that place. And so rapidly did he +race away from the field of battle that he appeared to fly, +as it were, like to the shadow of a bird across the +plain.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +pursueth the +Black Knight.</i></div> + +<p>At first Sir Ewaine was altogether amazed at the suddenness of the +flight of the Black Knight, but presently he awoke and set spurs to his +horse and sped away in pursuit as fast as he could race his +horse forward. And ever Sir Ewaine pursued the Black +Knight in that wise and called upon him to stay, and ever +the Black Knight fled all the more rapidly away as though he heard not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +the voice of Sir Ewaine. And ever though he strove, Sir Ewaine could +not reach the Black Knight in his flight.</p> + +<p>Thus they sped as swift as the wind across the plain, the Black Knight +fleeing and Sir Ewaine pursuing, and by and by Sir Ewaine was aware that +they were approaching a walled town and a very tall and noble castle with +many high towers, and steep roofs that overlooked the houses of the town. +And Sir Ewaine perceived that many people were running hither and +thither about the castle as though in great disturbance, and that many +people were upon the walls of the town, watching the Black Knight and +him as they drew nigh. And ever the knight rode toward the gate of the +town and of the castle, speeding like the wind, and ever Sir Ewaine pursued +him without being able to overtake him. So, in a little while, the +Black Knight reached the drawbridge of the gate and he thundered across +the drawbridge and Sir Ewaine thundered after him.</p> + +<p>Now as the knight had approached the gateway of the town the portcullis +had been lifted for to admit him, and so he rode through the gateway +with all speed. But when Sir Ewaine would have followed, the portcullis +was let fall for to keep him without.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +is caught +within the +portcullis of +the town.</i></div> + +<p>Yet so great was the fury of Sir Ewaine's chase and so closely did he +follow the Black Knight in pursuit that he was within the portcullis as it +fell. And the portcullis fell upon the horse of Sir Ewaine +and smote him just behind the saddle and cut him in twain, +so that the half of the horse fell within the portcullis and the +other half of the horse fell without the castle. And so violent +was the blow of the falling of the portcullis, and so sudden the fall of the +horse, that Sir Ewaine was flung down to the ground with so dreadful and +terrible a shock that he lay in a swoon as though he had been killed.</p> + +<p>So as Sir Ewaine lay there, there came a number of those who were in +attendance at that part of the castle. These looked in through a wicket +of iron and beheld Sir Ewaine where he lay in that swoon in the space +between the portcullis and the inner gate. So when they beheld him lying +thus with the half of his dead horse, they said: "Behold! yonder is the +man who wounded our champion and who pursued him hither. Let him +lie where he is until that our champion tells us what we shall do unto him. +For lo! he is a prisoner here and cannot escape from our hands, and so we +have it in our power to do with him whatsoever we please."</p> + +<p>Thus they said, not knowing that even at that time their champion was +lying very nigh to death because of the wound he had received at the +hands of Sir Ewaine.</p> + +<p>So these went away from that place, leaving Sir Ewaine lying as though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +dead in the swoon that his violent fall had caused him. But after a while +life came back to him and he opened his eyes and gazed about him, and +after that he made shift to arise, though with great pain. Then he beheld +that he was a prisoner at that place, and that he lay with the half of his +dead horse betwixt the portcullis and the inner gate of the castle so that +he could neither get into the castle nor out but was there a prisoner like +to a creature caught in a trap.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine went to the wicket of the inner gate and he looked +forth through the iron bars of the wicket for to see what sort of a place it +was into which he had come. And he beheld that within the gate was +the street of the town. And he perceived that the street was very steep +and that it was cobbled with stones. And he beheld that the houses of +the town that stood upon either side of the street were built either of +brick or else of stone, and that they were fair and tall with overhanging +gables and with shining windows of glass and roofs of bright red tiles. +And he beheld that there were many booths and stores with fair fabrics +and merchandise displayed for sale. And he saw that there were many +people in the street but that all they were moving in one direction as though +in great agitation. And as he stood, so gazing, he was aware of a great +sound of lamentation that arose from all parts of the town, wherefore he +thought that maybe the knight whom he had chased thither must now +be lying nigh to death. At that he was much grieved, for not only was +that a very noble and valorous knight, but his death would certes put Sir +Ewaine himself into great jeopardy as soon as the people of the castle +should come to deal with him in that place where he was now a prisoner.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>And now followeth the history of the further adventures of Sir Ewaine +as it is told in the books of chivalry that relate to these happenings, so I +pray you to read that which followeth if that other which hath gone before +hath been pleasing to you.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0233.png" width="250" height="130" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 421px;"> +<img src="images/s0235.png" width="421" height="600" alt="The Damsel Elose giveth a ring to Sir Ewaine:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0236.png" width="600" height="76" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Third</h3> + +<p><i>How a damsel, hight Elose, who was in service with the Lady +Lesolie of the Fountain, brought succor to Sir Ewaine in his +captivity.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>So Sir Ewaine stood gazing out of the wicket of the gate as aforetold; +and he wist not what to do to save his life; for he knew he could do +naught but wait there until those who had to deal with him might +come to slay him.</p> + +<p>Now, as he stood thuswise in great trouble of spirit, he was aware of a +damsel who came thitherward. And as that damsel approached, Sir Ewaine +perceived that she was very comely of appearance, and that she had yellow +curling hair and it seemed to Sir Ewaine that he had hardly ever beheld +a damsel more fair than she who approached his place of captivity.</p> + +<p>This damsel came close to the wicket where Sir Ewaine stood, and she +gazed upon his face and her own face was pitiful and kind, and neither +angry nor scornful. Then Sir Ewaine, beholding that her face was kind, +said to her: "Damsel, why do you come to gaze thus upon a poor captive +who is waiting for his death?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Damsel of +the Fountain +pitieth Sir +Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>To this the damsel made reply: "Alas, Sir Knight, I come hither because +I take great pity that a noble champion such as you appear +to be should be in so sad a case as this. For certes the people +of this castle will come to slay you in a very little while."</p> + +<p>"Damsel," said Sir Ewaine, "thy pity is a great comfort +to me, but it would be a still greater comfort if thou couldst help me to +escape from this place."</p> + +<p>To this the damsel made no reply. But presently she said: "Tell me, +Sir Knight, why did you do so grievous a hurt to our knight-champion +who was the defender of this land against those who would meddle with +the fountain to bring a deluge upon our land. Wit you that because of +the woeful buffets you gave him he lieth so near to death that he is like +to die in a few hours."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Damsel," said Sir Ewaine, "to tell you the very truth, I meant not to +bring an injury upon this land, neither did I mean to visit so grievous a hurt +as I did upon that good worthy knight your champion. But first I entered +upon this adventure because a fellow of mine failed in it and because +I deemed that it behooved me to redeem with mine own hand the honor +he had lost to your champion. As for the hurts which he suffered at my +hand—wit you that when a knight fights in battle with another knight, +as I fought of late with your champion, that one knoweth not how hard +he smites until the mischief is done. So it was with me, and when I smote +I smote in the heat and the passion of battle. Then, when I perceived +that I had hurt him so sorely I pursued your knight with intent to help +him whom I had so sadly hurt. But ever your knight-champion fled away +from me, so that at last I pursued him in anger; wherefore I rushed into +this place without thinking, and so am caught here a helpless prisoner."</p> + +<p>Then the damsel said, "Sir Knight, I pray you tell me what is your name +and your degree?" To the which Sir Ewaine made reply: "My name is +Sir Ewaine and I am King Uriens' son of Gore, and my mother is Queen +Morgana, surnamed Le Fay."</p> + +<p>Now when the damsel heard this announcement of the name and the +degree of Sir Ewaine, she made great admiration, crying out: "Is it then +possible that so famous a knight as thou art, and one so renowned in all +the world both of chivalry and of common history, shouldst be caught a +prisoner in this wise?" And she regarded Sir Ewaine through the aperture +of the gate with very great wonder, and by and by she regarded him with +still greater pity. Then after a little, she said: "Sir Knight Ewaine, I take +great sorrow that so worthy a knight as thou art shouldst suffer harm. +Now I am of a great mind for to help thee if thou wilt do my bidding in all +things that I shall ordain for thee to do. For if I release thee from thy +captivity, there are several things I would have thee do upon my commandment."</p> + +<p>"Lady," said Sir Ewaine, "I believe that you mean me well, and I believe +that you would not lay any command upon me that would be contrary +to my knightly honor or my integrity as a right knight of royal +blood to fulfill." And the damsel said: "Take no thought that I intend +ill faith against thee, Sir Ewaine, for instead I am of a mind to be thy +friend in this affair if so be thou wilt put thy trust in me."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine said: "Lady, I yield myself to your will, and if you +will set me free from this captivity I will do whatsoever you ordain for me +to perform. But tell me, how mean ye for to bring me forth from this +peril unless you may get the keys of this gate from the porter thereof?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel +giveth succor +to Sir Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>"Sir," said the damsel, "I cannot get those keys but I have another way +than that to set you free. For wit you that though locks and bars be +strong, yet the power of enchantment is still stronger than they." With +this the damsel drew from her bosom a locket that hung there by a chain +of gold, and she opened the locket and she brought forth +therefrom a ring set with a clear red stone like to a pure ruby—bright—shining +and very brilliant. And she said, "See you +this ring?" and Sir Ewaine said, "Yea." "Well, Messire," said she, "this +is a very wonderful ring, for it hath had many potent spells set upon it by +the magician Merlin, who gave it in days gone by to my father, King Magnus +of Leograns. So my father gave it to me and it is the most precious +thing of all my possessions. For the property of this ring is of such a sort +that if you turn the stone inward upon your hand so as to hide it within +your palm, then you shall become invisible; and if you turn the stone out +upon your hand again, then you shall become visible as you were before. +Take this ring, Sir Ewaine, and when you have made yourself invisible by +means of it, then you shall escape from your enemies. After you have +so escaped, come you to the garden of this castle and I will be there. Do +you come and lay your hand upon my shoulder, and then I will know +you are there. After that I will then conduct you to a certain apartment +where you shall be privily lodged until this present danger hath +passed."</p> + +<p>Therewith speaking, the damsel gave the ring to Sir Ewaine and he took +it, giving her thanks beyond measure for her kindness to him. And immediately +he set the ring upon his finger and turned the stone inward so as +to hide it in his palm. Then lo! as soon as he had done that he became +immediately invisible to the eyes.</p> + +<p>Then the damsel Elose fled away from that place, lest those who would +come to slay Sir Ewaine should find her there talking to him.</p> + +<p>So, shortly after she had gone, there came a great party of armed men +with intent to slay Sir Ewaine, and some of these were armed and all +bore swords and guisarms. These came to the gate and flung it open, +and rushed into the space between it and the portcullis with a great tumult, +for they expected to find Sir Ewaine there and to slay him. But lo! +he was gone and they beheld nothing there but the half of his dead horse +and the saddle and the bridle and the trappings thereof. For there was +neither sight nor sign of him anywhere to be seen.</p> + +<p>At that they were all amazed beyond measure to find their prisoner +gone, for they wist not how he could have escaped from that place. So +they raised a great tumult and some cried out to hurry hither and others<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +to hurry thither, and in the tumult and confusion Sir Ewaine passed out +from their midst and none of them were aware of his going.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +escapeth from +the gateway.</i></div> + +<p>After that Sir Ewaine went away from that place and into the town +within the walls. And he came to the castle of the town and +no one saw him in his going. And he entered the castle and +the people of the castle saw him not.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Ewaine entereth +the garden +of the castle.</i></div> + +<p>So, invisible to all, Sir Ewaine went to the privy garden of the castle, +and he perceived that that was a very pleasant place, with many shady +trees and with plats of flowers and with fountains and long straight walks +where the lady of the castle might take her pleasure when +she chose to be out of doors. And Sir Ewaine entered that +garden and he perceived that there were several damsels +therein and that all they were very sorrowful and downcast +because that the knight-champion of that place had been slain, and several +of them wept. But amongst these damsels was the damsel Elose, +and she alone of all who were there was cheerful and bore a smiling countenance.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine went to her and laid his hand upon her shoulder as she +had bidden him to do, and thereupon she knew that he was there though +she could not see him. So straightway she arose and went forth from +out of the garden and Sir Ewaine followed her.</p> + +<p>After that the damsel led Sir Ewaine to a certain part of the castle and +up a long flight of steps and so brought him to an apartment that was immediately +beneath the eaves of a certain part of the tower of the castle.</p> + +<p>And Sir Ewaine beheld that here was a large and noble apartment hung +with woven hangings representing pictures of battle and of court, and he +beheld that the floor was spread with finely woven fabrics of divers sorts. +And he saw that there were several large windows that overlooked the +streets of the town and a fair prospect beyond. And the breeze blew into +those windows very softly and pleasantly, and great flocks of pigeons flew +about in the air with noisy and clapping flight, and numbers of other +pigeons strutted on the tiles of the roof and bridled and cooed to each +other in the red sunlight of the waning day. So this was a very pleasant +place in which to dwell. And the damsel said to Sir Ewaine, "Here shall +you abide until my further purpose is ripe."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel +serveth Sir +Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>Then the damsel Elose brought an ewer full of tepid water and she poured +the water into a basin, and the ewer and the basin were both +of them of silver. And the damsel held the basin and Sir +Ewaine bathed his hands and his face, and after that she gave +him a large napkin of fine white linen and he dried his hands and his face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +thereon. So, when he was thus refreshed she brought him food and drink, +and Sir Ewaine ate and drank with much appetite and was greatly uplifted +in spirit. And by that time the evening was come.</p> + +<p>Now all this while Sir Ewaine was greatly astonished that the damsel +should be so kind to him, wherefore he said, "Damsel, why art thou so +kind to me?" To this she made reply: "Messire, I have a purpose in all +this, that by and by and in good season I will unfold to thee."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine said to her: "I pray you, fair damsel, tell me now the +mystery of that fountain and of the knight who guarded it? For I am +very curious to know why there came that quaking of the earth and that +thundering and rain when I cast water upon the slab beside the fountain."</p> + +<p>"Sir," said Elose, "I will tell you that mystery." And so she did, as +followeth:</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel +telleth Sir +Ewaine of the +enchantment of +the fountain.</i></div> + +<p>"You are to know," quoth she, "that somewhile ago there was appointed +a joust at a place not very distant from this. And +to that joust there went the lady of this castle who is hight +the Lady Lesolie. Thither also went the Lady Vivien, of +whom thou either knowest or hast heard tell, for she is one +of the greatest and most mischievous enchantresses in all of the world.</p> + +<p>"At that jousting there was one knight who distinguished himself above +all others, and he was Sir Sagron surnamed Cœur de Fer. For that noble +knight won the battle of the joust, overthrowing all who came against him +without once suffering defeat himself. So to him was awarded the prize +of battle, which prize was a fillet of gold. This fillet the victor had the +right to bestow upon the lady whom he deemed the fairest of all who were +there.</p> + +<p>"Now the Lady Vivien thought that she would be chosen by whomsoever +won that prize, for that day she had put on all the enchantments of +beauty that she possessed. Nevertheless, and in spite of these charms, +Sir Sagron bestowed the prize of beauty, not upon the Lady Vivien, but +upon the Lady Lesolie, who is the countess of this castle where we are.</p> + +<p>"Now when the Lady Vivien saw that she was passed over by Sir Sagron, +she took great affront with Lady Lesolie who had been chosen, and +vowed vengeance upon her.</p> + +<p>"So afterward by her enchantments she had that slab of stone laid +by the fountain and she ordained that whensoever any one should cast the +water of the fountain upon the slab then there would come a great deluge +to this land. Thereafter she established herself not very far distant from +this valley of the fountain, and whenever a knight cometh by her castle, +that knight she sets upon the adventure of the fountain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of Sir Sagron +of the Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>"Meantime Sir Sagron had offered himself as champion of the fountain, +undertaking to defend it if the Lady Lesolie would upon her part consent to +wed him and make him lord of this domain. To this the +lady was constrained to say yea. So it was ordained that if +Sir Sagron would defend the fountain without fail or default for the space +of a year and a day, after that time she would give herself and all her domain +to him as the lord thereof. So Sir Sagron hath ever since defended +the fountain with great honor until to-day, when you overcame him in +battle, and pursued him hither wounded unto death. Had he defended +a fortnight longer, he had won his suit with the Lady Lesolie and would +have been lord of this land. But now he will to-morrow awake in Paradise.</p> + +<p>"This, Sir Ewaine, is the story of the mystery of the fountain, and now I tell +thee I know not who will defend it unless haply it is thou who wilt do so."</p> + +<p>"Fair damsel," quoth Sir Ewaine, "how may I look to defend the fountain +who will immediately be slain if it be known that I am here?"</p> + +<p>To this the damsel laughed and said: "Sir Ewaine, all that may come +about if fortune be with me in these matters I am about to undertake."</p> + +<p>Now by this time the darkness being come, the damsel lit two tapers of +perfumed wax, and thereafter she conducted Sir Ewaine into another +apartment. There he beheld a couch, very soft and comfortable and +spread with a coverlet of crimson satin. And the damsel Elose said: "Sir +Ewaine, doubtless thou art aweary. If that be so, here thou mayst rest +thyself and be at ease." And therewith she set down the candles of wax +upon a table and quitted the room and Sir Ewaine was left alone.</p> + +<p>And Sir Ewaine was very weary, wherefore he laid aside his armor and +disrobed himself and laid himself down upon that fair soft bed with great +joy of comfort. And straightway thereafter he fell asleep as though he +were a little weary child.</p> + +<p>Now about the twelfth hour of the night and whilst Sir Ewaine lay thus +asleep, he became aware of a great disturbance—the sound of weeping +and a great outcry of lamentation that filled the entire silence of the night.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +beholdeth the +funeral at night.</i></div> + +<p>Anon came the damsel Elose, and she said: "Sir Ewaine, the knight Sir +Sagron is dead whom thou wounded yesterday, and now they are bearing +him to the church. Come and see!" So Sir Ewaine arose quickly and +covered himself with a cloak, and he went with the damsel +to a certain window that overlooked a street of the town. +From that window and beneath him he beheld a great concourse +of people that filled the entire street. Many of those were clad +in armor of proof and others bare torches so that the entire night was +aflame with the light thereof. And there were many women who rode<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +upon horseback beside the armed knights. And all of this great assembly +of people were crying out in lamentation so that it was as though all the +hollow beneath the space of heaven were full of the voice of their sorrow. +With this lamentation of many voices were mingled the sound of trumpets +and the chaunting of priests and acolytes who recited the services for the +dead. In the midst of all the press there was a bier, and over the bier +there had been spread a veil of white linen and upon the bier there lay +stretched the knight-champion of that place with his hands crossed upon +his sword. All about the bier were many people carrying long candles of +wax, and these also added their lamentation to the voices of those others +who lamented.</p> + +<p>Then when Sir Ewaine beheld this spectacle he said: "Woe is me, Elose, +this is surely a very sorry sight to behold! Now I grieve me greatly that +I am the cause of this, for I meant not to slay that knight. Yet in the +heat of battle who may stay the hand for to measure the stroke that one +giveth to his enemy?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +beholdeth the +Lady Lesolie of +the Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>Then anon as Sir Ewaine still gazed upon that scene, he beheld that a +lady followed after the bier, and he saw that her hair was hanging loose +and that she was in great disarray. But maugre that, it +appeared to him that she was the most beautiful lady his +eyes had ever looked upon. Then Sir Ewaine said to Elose, +who was looking out of the window beside him, "What fair +lady is that who followeth the bier of the dead knight?" To the which +she made answer: "That is the lady of this castle, and she is making sorrow +for the knight her champion who is slain."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine gazed and gazed at that lady for as long as he could +see her, and when she had gone by, he said: "Elose, certes that lady is the +most beautiful dame that ever mine eyes looked upon. Now I tell thee +truly that I do not wonder that your knight-champion was willing for to +serve her for a whole year with faithfulness; for I would willingly serve +for even a longer time than that to win her good regard."</p> + +<p>At this Elose laughed with great good will. "Is it so with you, Sir +Knight?" quoth she, "and do you then find that your heart is inclined +toward this lady?" And Sir Ewaine said, "Yea, it is even so with me." +Elose said: "And wouldst thou be pleased, Sir Ewaine, if I could devise +it in such wise that the lady of this castle should look kindly upon thee?" +And again Sir Ewaine said, "Yea."</p> + +<p>Then Elose smiled very cheerfully upon Sir Ewaine and she said: "Well, +Messire, let be till to-morrow and then we shall see what that day shall +bring forth."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel +Elose serveth +Sir Ewaine in +the morning.</i></div> + +<p>So when the next morning had come, Sir Ewaine arose greatly refreshed, +and by and by Elose came to him with food with which to +break his fast. And after he had broken his fast she brought +a bowl of ivory with tepid water, and she brought a razor +with a heft of ivory studded with gold, and she hung a fine +linen towel upon her shoulder and she shaved Sir Ewaine so that his face +was both fresh and clean. After that she brought him fine raiment—an +undervest of soft cambric linen and a surcoat and hose of azure silk embroidered +with silver, and a cloak with a clasp of gold, and with pears of +silver hanging from the corners thereof. And she brought a circlet of gold +for his head, such as became the son of a king. Then she looked upon Sir +Ewaine and he was very comely.</p> + +<p>After all this had been done in that wise, Elose left Sir Ewaine and went +to where was the Lady Lesolie, and the lady sat alone in her bower in +great sorrow that her knight-champion was dead. But Elose entered that +place with a very cheerful countenance, and she said, "Lady, what cheer?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady Lesolie +rebuketh +the damsel.</i></div> + +<p>Then the Lady Lesolie looked upon Elose with great indignation because +of her cheerful aspect, and she said: "Damsel, I am much displeased +that thou shouldst appear so cheerful and gay of spirit when +thou beholdest me in such sorrow. And I think very ill of +thee that thou who art the best beloved of all my damsels +hast not come nigh me in all this time for to offer me cheer or comfort in +mine affliction."</p> + +<p>Now Elose was greatly in favor with the Lady Lesolie so that she feared +her not, wherefore she still bore a very cheerful aspect. And she said: +"Lady, I know not wherefore I should take such sorrow as I see the sorrow +to be that you assume for Sir Sagron. I did not love him so much that +I should take more than reasonable grief when he suffered such misfortune +of battle as may befall any knight."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Lesolie's eyes sparkled very brightly with anger, and +she said: "Ha! Damsel! Thou goest beyond all measure of the liberty of +speech which I allow to thee. Mayhap I loved not Sir Sagron as he would +have had me, yet I honored him a very great deal, and now that he is gone +I know not who may defend the fountain in his stead. So, because thou +dost smile and take cheer in this time of trouble, thy presence is displeasing +to me, wherefore I would have thee gone from hence."</p> + +<p>Then Elose said: "Very well, Lady, I will go as thou hast bidden me, +but I think thou wilt be sorry that thou didst not talk more with me and +that thou dost not inquire of me why I appear so cheerful as I do."</p> + +<p>Therewith Elose turned as though to go forth from that place. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +after she had gone a little distance, the Lady Lesolie arose and followed +her to the door of the chamber and began coughing very softly. Then +when Elose turned, the lady beckoned to her and said, "Come hither!" +and Elose laughed and came. Then the lady said: "Thou art very saucy +of disposition, but nevertheless I love thee more than thou deservest. +Now tell me what it is that thou hast upon thy mind."</p> + +<p>Then Elose said, "I will tell thee, but it must be where none may hear."</p> + +<p>The lady said, "Come hither, then," and therewith she led Elose into a +place where they were altogether by themselves, and when they were +come there the Lady Lesolie said, "What is it, Elose?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel +bespeaketh the +Lady Lesolie.</i></div> + +<p>Then Elose said: "Lady, there is in this castle a knight who loveth thee +a very great deal, and this knight is exceedingly noble and of very great +skill at arms, and he is a king's son, and he is a knight of +King Arthur's court, and he is a knight of the Round Table. +So great is the love of this knight for thee that thou mightest +demand anything of him. Now it appeareth to me that since thou hast +lost the knight who was our champion, thou wouldst do well to call upon +this knight to defend thee. And if in good time thou shouldest choose +him for thy lord, then it would be much to thy pride and greatly to the +joy of this land."</p> + +<p>Now all this while the lady had been regarding Elose very steadfastly, +and when the maiden ended she said: "Who is this knight, and what is his +name and his degree?" Elose said: "Lady, thou hast heard of him a great +many times, for he is Sir Ewaine, the son of King Uriens of Gore and of +Queen Morgana le Fay." Then the lady said in a very strange voice: +"Elose, it is wonderful that a knight so famous as this should have been +in our castle and yet we knew nothing thereof. Now tell me, when was +it he came hither?" Then Elose was confused and said: "Lady, he hath +only been here a little while, for he did but come this morning."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Lesolie smiled very curiously, and she said: "Bring that +knight hither, that I may see him and speak with him." Then straightway +Elose went to where Sir Ewaine was. And Elose said: "Sir Ewaine, +arise and come with me, for my lady would have speech with thee."</p> + +<p>So Sir Ewaine arose and went forth with Elose, and Elose brought him +to where the Lady Lesolie was. And Elose introduced Sir Ewaine to the +Lady Lesolie, and Sir Ewaine paid great homage to her for he beheld that +she was very wonderfully beautiful. The lady looked at Sir Ewaine +very steadily, and by and by she said, "Elose, this knight hath not the +appearance of one who is a traveller new arrived from a journey; rather +he appeareth like one who is fresh and well-bedight."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then at first Elose was confused and wist not where to look. Then +presently the lady said: "Elose, I believe this was the knight who slew +Sir Sagron."</p> + +<p>Then Elose looked very steadily into the lady's face, and anon she +spake boldly and without fear, and she said: "Well, lady, what then? +So much the better for thee if this knight overcame Sir Sagron, who was +the best knight in all this land. For if this knight overcame Sir Sagron, +then is he better than Sir Sagron, and so he is better to be the defender +of the Fountain."</p> + +<p>Then the lady said: "Say no more, but go ye both away until I meditate +upon this for a while." And thereupon Elose and Sir Ewaine quitted +the apartment of the lady and went away to another part of the castle.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel +bringeth Sir +Ewaine to the +Lady of the +Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>After that they waited for word to come to them from the lady of the +castle, yet no word came for a long while. But when the evening had +come, the chatelaine sent a very courteous message to Sir Ewaine that it +would pleasure her to have him sup with her. So Sir Ewaine +went upon that command, and the lady received him very +graciously and made place for him beside her at the table, +and they sat and ate and drank together and talked of many +things of court and field. And ever as they talked together the Lady +Lesolie regarded Sir Ewaine very closely, and she perceived that he was +very noble and haughty of appearance, and she wist that he was greater +champion than she had ever beheld before.</p> + +<p>Then, by and by, she said of a sudden to Sir Ewaine: "Messire, dost +thou not think thou didst very ill to come hitherward to the destruction +of our peace?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +promiseth to +defend the +Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine spake very boldly, saying: "Lady, I am very sorry to +have caused thee grief, but I did only as any knight-adventurer would do, +taking my chance of battle and of death with him as he took his chance +with me. Yet now that the chance of war hath brought me hither, I cannot +repent me of anything that hath befallen me. For that chance hath +brought me into thy presence and hath made me acquainted with thee." +Then the lady said: "Well, Messire, what am I to do now that thou hast +slain the knight-champion of this place?" To the which Sir Ewaine made +reply: "Lady, if thou wilt take me for thy champion, I will serve thee very +faithfully and will ask no guerdon from thee. For I know +of no greater joy that could befall me than to be thy chosen +champion." Then the Lady Lesolie smiled and said: "Sir +Ewaine, thou speakest very well, and I believe that thy deeds +are every whit as trustworthy as thy words. So I will accept thee as my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +champion to do combat in my behalf and to protect my fountain and myself +for a year and a day. If by the end of that time thou hast proved +thyself to be entirely faithful, then I will consider anything else that thou +mayst have to say to me."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So Sir Ewaine abided at that place and he defended the Fountain so +well that no one came thither to assail it who was not overthrown, and +from all whom he thus overthrew, Sir Ewaine took horse and shield and +sent them away from that place afoot.</p> + +<p>And Sir Ewaine dwelt in the Valley of the Fountain for nigh a year, +and in that time he and the Lady Lesolie of the Fountain were betrothed +to one another with intent to be wedded when the year was ended. And +ever Sir Ewaine loved the Lady of the Fountain more and more, and ever +she loved him more and more.</p> + +<p>Yet oftentimes Sir Ewaine bethought him of the King's court and of +his friends thereat and at those times he would long for them with a very +great passion of desire. So it befell upon a day that Sir Ewaine and the +Lady Lesolie were in the garden of the castle and Sir Ewaine sat sunk in +deep and silent thought concerning those friends and that court. And +meanwhile the lady watched him askance. Then by and by she said: +"What is it that lieth upon thy mind, Messire, that causeth thee to take +so much thought to thyself?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +longeth for +the court of +the King.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine aroused himself and said: "Lady, it is that I think +much of my friends and companions of the court of King +Arthur. For now nigh to a year hath passed and in all of +that time I have heard no single word of any of them."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Lesolie said, "Ewaine, art thou discontent +with us at this place?" He said: "Nay, lady, thou knowest I am very +well content and more than well content to be thus forever with thee. Yet +ne'theless I would that I might have word of my companions, for I know +not how it fareth with them. And furthermore, I would fain know whether +they who went in quest of Sir Launcelot with me have yet heard anything +of that noble and worthy champion."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Lesolie said: "Ah, Ewaine, I fear me that thou thinkest +so much of thy friends that thou wilt, in a little while, be discontent to +remain with us any longer." To which Sir Ewaine said: "Lady, thou +knowest very well that that could never be." And she said, "Art thou +sure of that?" "Yea," quoth Sir Ewaine, "I am well assured of it."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady of the Fountain said: "Ewaine, I have it in my mind +that thou shalt go and visit thy friends at the court of the great king.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +For after thou hast seen them and hast satisfied thyself, I believe that +thou wilt be better content to be here. So I lay it as my command upon +thee that thou shalt go to Camelot, and have converse once again with +thy friends and companions. Yet I would not have thee remain too long +away from us, wherefore I lay it as a further injunction upon thee that +thou shalt return hither as soon as possible, for we can ill spare our champion +who is so dear to us."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0247.png" width="250" height="129" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 425px;"> +<img src="images/s0249.png" width="425" height="600" alt="The Lady of the Fountain:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0250.png" width="600" height="78" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Fourth</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Ewaine returned to the court of King Arthur, and how +he forgot the Lady Lesolie and his duty to the Fountain.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>So it came about that the day after that day, Sir Ewaine took horse +and departed from the Valley of the Fountain as the Lady Lesolie +had commanded him to do; and he travelled alone, going from +that place in the same manner that he had come thither.</p> + +<p>Now as he went upon his way in return to Camelot he must needs travel +upon that same road by which he came thitherward. So by and by he +again beheld that huge herdsman oaf who sat upon the mound as aforetold +of, guarding his cattle. When this being beheld Sir Ewaine he shouted +to him aloud in a great voice, "Hello, little man! Whither goest thou?" +But to him Sir Ewaine made no reply, but rode steadfastly upon his way.</p> + +<p>Anon, and about the hour of noon, he came to within sight of that wonderful +valley wherein stood the enchanted castle of the Lady Vivien. And +Sir Ewaine rode down into the valley and toward the castle, and as he drew +nigh they of the castle were aware of his coming from afar.</p> + +<p>So it was that as Sir Ewaine came nigh to the castle there issued forth +a multitude of people, who approached him singing and making joy and +giving him great voice of welcome. For ever they cried aloud: "Welcome, +O noble champion! Welcome! And welcome still again!"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +cometh to the +castle of Vivien.</i></div> + +<p>So they met him and brought him as it were in triumph to the castle, +and when he had come nigh thereunto the Lady Vivien herself +came forth to add her welcome to his coming. And she +wore a very smiling and cheerful countenance, and she also +cried, as did the others, "Welcome, Sir Ewaine! Welcome! Thrice welcome!" +and she said: "Messire, I well know that thou didst come forth +victorious from that adventure which thou didst undertake against the +Knight of the Fountain, wherefore it is that I am rejoiced to see thee. For, +as thou already must know, I bore no very high regard for that knight +whom thou didst overthrow."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now Sir Ewaine was very well pleased with the welcome he found at +that place, for he did not suspect that the Lady Vivien, who smiled so +kindly upon him, nourished any thought of mischief against him. Wherefore +he suffered them all to bear him into the castle in triumph and to relieve +him of his armor and to bring him to a bath and to fit him with fine +soft raiment wherewith he might with a good appearance come before the +Lady Vivien in her bower.</p> + +<p>After that Sir Ewaine went to where that lady was, and he sat with her +and talked in great amity with her. Yet he knew not that all that while +he talked with her she was planning mischief against him. So by and by, +still in great amity, they went to a place where a noble feast was prepared, +and there Sir Ewaine sat beside the Lady Vivien with great pleasure in +being thus near to her. Then, after a while, having in mind those several +mischiefs she had planned against the knights of King Arthur and of the +Round Table, he said to her: "Lady, you who are so kind and fair to me, +I know not why you do mischief against those others, my companions, who +are of King Arthur's court; and I know not why you do mischief against +the Lady Lesolie of the Fountain so as to bring trouble upon that land. +She hath done you no ill that you should so practise evil against her."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Vivien assumed an appearance of great meekness and +contrition, and she said: "Messire, what you say is true, and I repent me +of all those evil things which I have done." And she said: "Would it +pleasure you if all enchantment should be removed from that fountain, +and if the land of the fountain should be left at peace?" Sir Ewaine +said, "Lady, it would pleasure me beyond measure." Then the Lady +Vivien said: "So it shall be, and I promise you very faithfully that that +enchantment shall be entirely removed from that land this very day forward +unto all time." Then she looked upon Sir Ewaine and smiled upon +him in such wise that he was bewitched with her smiling, and she said, +"Sir Ewaine, let there be peace betwixt us from this time forth for aye!" +and he said, "Lady, God knows I bear you no ill will and so there is peace +betwixt us."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Vivien said, "Sir, I would that thou wouldst accept a +pledge of peace from me." And he said, "What is that pledge?" Quoth +she, "I will show thee."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Vivien giveth +Sir Ewaine +the ring of +forgetfulness.</i></div> + +<p>Thereupon saying, she smote her hands together, and in +answer there came a fair young page clad in cloth of gold and +with long, curling ringlets of golden hair hanging down upon +his shoulders. To this youth the lady gave sundry commands, +and he departed, returning anon bearing in his hands a patten of gold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +and upon the patten was a fair white napkin of fine linen, and upon the +napkin a ring of gold very cunningly wrought, and inset with a bright shining +yellow stone. These the fair young page brought to the Lady Vivien, +kneeling upon one knee, and she took the ring from the patten and gave +it to Sir Ewaine, saying: "Sir, behold this ring! This I give to thee to +wear as a pledge of the amity that lieth betwixt us." Therewith Sir +Ewaine took the ring and set it upon his finger.</p> + +<p>Now that ring was enchanted with very potent spells. For it was a +ring of forgetfulness, so that whosoever wore it, that person would forget +whatever the Lady Vivien would have him disremember.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +forgetteth the +Lady Lesolie.</i></div> + +<p>So when Sir Ewaine set the ring upon his finger, that moment he forgot +all about the Lady of the Fountain. And he forgot all the pledges that +had passed betwixt himself and that lady, and he forgot all +the other things that belonged to that part of his life. But +all else he remembered: to wit, how he had undertaken that +Adventure of the Fountain, and how he had overthrown the knight-champion +of the Fountain and all other parts of his life.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine looked at the Lady Vivien very strangely, like to one +who is newly awakened from a sleep, and he said, "What is it we were +speaking of anon?" And at that the Lady Vivien laughed and said, "Sir, +it matters not." Sir Ewaine said, "Meseems I have had a dream, but I +cannot remember what it was"; and then the Lady Vivien laughed again +and said, "Neither does it matter what was thy dream." And she said: +"It only matters that we are friends, and that thou wearest my pledge of +amity upon thy hand. Now I prithee never remove that ring from thy +finger, for from that moment the friendship that now exists shall cease +betwixt us." Sir Ewaine said: "This ring shall remain upon my finger +for aye, and I shall never take it from my finger even for a single moment."</p> + +<p>So Sir Ewaine rested with great pleasure for that night at the castle +of the Lady Vivien, and, when the next morning was come, he departed +from the castle, betaking his way to the court of King Arthur.</p> + +<p>For he said to himself: "Haply by this time they have some news of Sir +Launcelot. So I will straightway return to the court of the King and +learn if that be so."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +returneth to +the court of +the King.</i></div> + +<p>Now Sir Ewaine, because he had forgotten all about his life at the Valley +of the Fountain, had no thought that he had been gone from +that court for a longer time than a fortnight, wherefore when +he was come amongst his friends again and when he found +that wellnigh a year had passed, he knew not what to think. +"How is this," he said, "and what hath befallen me? Surely there was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +something that was like to a dream that I cannot remember. What is it +that hath happened to me? I know not what it is." So Sir Ewaine was +ashamed that he should not be able to remember what had happened to +him for the year that had passed, wherefore he held his peace and said +nothing concerning the matter. But ever Sir Ewaine feared lest he should +betray to his friends that he had forgotten a whole year of his life. So it +was he said to himself: "After that I have rested a little here at the court +of the King I will set forth again in quest of news of Sir Launcelot. For +maybe by and by I may be able to remember what I have forgotten of +this year that hath passed."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur +rideth afield.</i></div> + +<p>But Sir Ewaine did not immediately depart from the court, and so it +chanced upon a certain day, the weather being very pleasant, +King Arthur went afield with certain of his court and Sir +Ewaine was one of those. That time it was early summer weather, and +the breezes were soft and balmy, and full of the odor of growing things. +So when the heat of the day was come the King ordained that a pavilion +should be erected at a certain spot that pleased him very well, and he and +the Queen and their courts sat in that pavilion at a fair feast which the +attendants of the court had prepared for them.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>There cometh a +damsel to the +King's pavilion.</i></div> + +<p>Now whilst they so sat, there came of a sudden a bustle and a sound +of several voices talking without, and anon there came into the pavilion +a damsel very fair of face and with curling yellow hair. And +the damsel was clad in garments of yellow silk and she wore +a frontlet of gold upon her head, and she wore shoes of variegated +leather with latchets of gold upon her feet. And she +was further adorned with necklaces of gold and with armlets of gold, +wherefore they who sat there were astonished at the beauty of the damsel +and at the suddenness of her coming.</p> + +<p>(Now you are to know that maiden was the damsel Elose, and yet Sir +Ewaine knew her not because of the ring of forgetfulness which he wore.)</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur arose where he sat, and he said: "Fair demoiselle, +whence come you and what would you here? Tell us, I pray, who are +you who cometh hither like to a fair vision from a dream."</p> + +<p>Yet ever the damsel stood within the door of the pavilion, and because +of the dazzling brightness of the sunlight whence she had come she could +not at first see very well within the shadow of the tent. So she said, "I +pray you tell me, is Sir Ewaine at this place?"</p> + +<p>To that King Arthur, much wondering, said, "Yea, lady, yonder he +sits," and thereupon the damsel Elose beheld Sir Ewaine where he +was.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel +Elose accuseth +Sir Ewaine +of treason.</i></div> + +<p>Then Elose entered farther into the pavilion and came to where Sir +Ewaine sat. Her eyes shone very bright with anger, and +she said: "Sir Ewaine, I denounce thee as a false knight and +a traitor!"</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine looked upon the damsel with great astonishment, +and said, "Who art thou, lady, who dost accuse me of being +false?"</p> + +<p>Upon that the damsel cried out in a very shrill voice, "Thou knowest +very well who I am!"</p> + +<p>But ever Sir Ewaine looked very steadily at her and almost he remembered +her, but he could not quite remember her because of that ring which +he wore. Wherefore he said, "Nay, I know thee not."</p> + +<p>Then Elose smiled upon Sir Ewaine very bitterly, and she said: "Thou +didst not forget me when thou didst lay in peril of thy life in the Castle +of the Fountain; but now that thou art enjoying thyself with thy fellows, +it pleases thee to forget so poor an one as I, who preserved thy life for +thee. But that I could forgive thee if the need were to forgive it; yet I +cannot forgive thee that thou hast also forgotten that dear lady, my mistress, +unto whom thou didst pledge thy faith, and unto whom thou art +bound in fealty. Messire, thou hast a very short memory."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine cried out in an exceedingly bitter voice like one +in great pain: "Lady, why say ye these things to me? I know you +not."</p> + +<p>Then Elose came very close to Sir Ewaine and she took his hand, and +she said, "Do you not know me now?" He said, "Nay, I know thee not." +Upon that the damsel raised her right hand with her glove in it, and she +smote Sir Ewaine upon the face with the glove so that the mark of her +glove lay upon his cheek. And Sir Ewaine made no defence against her +assault, but ever he gazed very steadfastly at her, and he said very bitterly: +"Lady, if thou wert a knight, thou wouldst not dare to do that to me, +for either thou wouldst pay for that blow with thy life, or else I would +wipe out the disgrace thereof with mine own blood."</p> + +<p>But Elose laughed, and she went out from that pavilion and mounted +her horse and rode away, leaving Sir Ewaine with his head bowed full low +upon his breast as though he had been struck a mortal blow.</p> + +<p>Then after the damsel had gone, King Arthur said, "Ewaine, who was +that lady?" And at that Sir Ewaine lifted his head and cried out with great +vehemence: "Sire, I know her not; nor can I remember that I have ever +seen her before."</p> + +<p>At that King Arthur was silent and all those who were there looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +askance at Sir Ewaine and whispered together concerning those things +that had happened. And Sir Ewaine was aware of how they regarded +him and how they whispered together, yet he heeded them not, but +ever sat with his head bowed low with shame and humiliation. And +ever he strove to remember who that damsel was, but could not remember.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The King's court +is adoubt +concerning +Sir Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>So after that time there was much talk amongst those at the court concerning +that which had befallen in the King's pavilion. And many of +them said to one another: "How is it possible for a knight of honor and +of repute thus to forget one who had saved his life? And +if he did indeed remember her, what of honor hath he who +would deny her before those who know him?"</p> + +<p>So those of the court spake together, and Sir Ewaine was +aware that they regarded him with disfavor and he was hurt to the quick by +that knowledge. So one day he came to King Arthur where he was, and he +said: "Lord, I am aware that I am held in disrepute in this court. Now +I crave thy leave to depart from hence at least for a season." And King +Arthur said: "Messire, I will not deny that many things displeasing to +me are said concerning thee. So if it be that thou art of a mind to quit +us for a while until thou art able to approve thy truth and thy honor, +and until thou hast disproved these things which thy calumniators +say against thee, thou hast my fair leave to depart according to thy +request."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +departeth from +the court.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Ewaine took his departure from court, and his heart was filled +with bitterness and anger toward those who were one time +his friends. For he ever said to himself: "Why is it that they +should contemn me because I cannot remember that which +I have forgot? For I cannot remember me of that damsel."</p> + +<p>Thus he rode upon his way in great bitterness of spirit and with anger +toward all the world, because that all the world appeared to be set against +him.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now Sir Ewaine journeyed for a long time he knew not whither, for he +travelled somewhiles like to one in a dream.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +cometh to a +lonely hut.</i></div> + +<p>So it befell one day that he came to a thick woodland of great extent, +and there night overtook him and he wist not where he was nor how he +should be able to come out of that wilderness. And whilst he was travelling +thus in darkness and perplexity, he was suddenly aware of a light +shining at a distance, and he followed that light until he came to a rude +hut of the forest, which same stood in an open glade of no very great ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span>tent. +To this forest habitation came Sir Ewaine, and he smote upon the +door thereof with the butt of his spear and anon came one +and opened the door, and that one was an ancient and grisly +beldame of a most repulsive and forbidding appearance. +When she beheld Sir Ewaine before her at the door of the hut she would +have shut the door again, but he would not let her do so, but thrust his +spear into the opening of the door so that she could not close it.</p> + +<p>Then that beldame, finding that he would not be denied, spake to him +very harshly, saying, "What would you here, Sir Knight?" Sir Ewaine +said, "I would have lodging for the night."</p> + +<p>Then the hag laughed very loud and shrill, and she said: "Well, since +thou wilt not be denied, thou shalt have thy desire. Enter, and may +thy lodging be for long."</p> + +<p>So Sir Ewaine dismounted from his horse, and turned it loose to graze +upon the grass by night. Meantime he himself entered the hut.</p> + +<p>Here he beheld a great fire burning, with loud roaring in the chimney, +and over the fire he beheld a great cauldron, in which was seething a stew +of venison, the flavor of which filled the hut with a very savory odor. And +Sir Ewaine beheld a great table, whereon were many platters of wood, +and beholding these things spread as for a feast, he said, "Good dame, +I pray thee tell me who dwells here in this hut with thee?" The beldame +said, "My husband and my sons dwell here with me." Sir Ewaine said, +"Certes, thou hast a great family." And at that the beldame laughed +very violently and said, "Yea, that is true."</p> + +<p>After that the hag ladled forth a mess of the stew into a wooden bowl, +and she poured forth a great flagon of strong ale and she set these things +upon the board with a hunch of black bread, and Sir Ewaine sat him +down and ate and drank with great appetite. Then, after he had thus +satisfied his hunger and his thirst he was very drowsy, wherefore he laid +aside his armor and stretched himself upon a wooden bench that stood to +one side and placed his helmet beneath his head and presently was enwrapped +in a sound sleep.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The thieves +return to the +hut.</i></div> + +<p>Now that hut was a den of thieves and that old hag was their housekeeper +and there were twenty and seven in all of those thieves. So about +the middle watch of the night that band of robbers returned with a considerable +booty which they had seized from a party of townsfolk who +were traversing a part of the forest that was not very far +distant from that place. These beholding Sir Ewaine where +he was sleeping, withdrew a little to one side and whispered +together. And they whispered to the old beldame, saying, "Who is yon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span>der +man, and what doth he here?" She said: "He is an errant knight, who +demanded housing awhile since. So here he lieth now asleep and at your +mercy to dispose of as you see fit."</p> + +<p>Then the captain of the thieves came softly to where Sir Ewaine lay, +and he looked closely at him and he beheld the rich chain of gold about +his neck and he beheld the ring upon his finger that the Lady Vivien had +given him. After that he withdrew a little and whispered to his fellow: +"Here is a rich booty upon this sleeping knight. Now fetch hither cords +and let us bind him. After that we may rob him at our ease, and after +that again we may either slay him or else keep him here for a great +ransom."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The thieves +bind Sir +Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>So some of the thieves brought a strong cord and they made a noose +thereof, and first they privily took away all Sir Ewaine's +weapons from him, and then they slipped the noose over his +arms and in a trice and ere he was fully awake they had bound +him several times about the body so that as to his hands and arms he was +altogether helpless.</p> + +<p>Thus Sir Ewaine was rudely awakened to find himself a captive in that +place.</p> + +<p>But when he saw who it was had made him captive, he assumed all +the majesty of his high estate and he said: "Know ye what ye do? Wit +ye that he whom you have thus bound is a king's son and a knight of the +Round Table so that you have through me committed a very grievous +offence."</p> + +<p>Then several of those thieves were abashed at his words and at the +great nobility of his bearing, but the captain of the band who was a hardened +wretch, spake very boldly, saying: "It matters not who you are, +only if you be truly a king's son and a knight of such worship, then will +your ransom be all the greater." And he said: "First of all we will take +this rich golden bawble from about your neck, and then we will take the +fair golden ring from off your finger."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The thieves rob +Sir Ewaine of +the ring of +forgetfulness.</i></div> + +<p>So the chief robber first took the chain from about Sir Ewaine's neck, +as he said, and then he drew the ring from his finger, and +because Sir Ewaine was bound he could in no wise prevent +the robber chief from taking those jewels from him in that +way.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +remembereth all.</i></div> + +<p>But lo! when the robber had plucked the ring from the finger +of Sir Ewaine, then in an instant the magic of forgetfulness departed +from him, and he remembered upon that instant all that had befallen him +in the Valley of the Fountain. And he remembered the Lady Lesolie of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +Fountain, and he remembered him of all the vows of faith he had plighted +to her. And he knew now of why Elose had come to him at +the King's court and had struck him in the face before them +all; for he wist that the damsel had come because she thought he had +proved himself unfaithful and false to her lady. So it was as though a +sword of remembrance had been struck through the heart of Sir Ewaine, +wherefore he cried out in a loud and piercing voice, "Betrayed! Betrayed! +Betrayed!" saying that word three times over. And the thieves wist not +what he meant by those words, but thought that he meant that he had +been betrayed by the beldame, not knowing that he meant that he had +been betrayed by the Lady Vivien.</p> + +<p>Then of a sudden in the fury of that remembrance of his own dishonor, +it was as though the strength of ten descended upon Sir Ewaine. Wherefore, +putting forth all his strength, he strained at his bonds so that they +cut into his flesh. And he strained even more and more violently at his +bonds until, of a sudden, they were burst and immediately he was +free.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +doeth battle with +the thieves.</i></div> + +<p>After that Sir Ewaine looked about him, but could find no weapon to +his hand, wherefore he catched up the solid wooden bench whereon he had +been lying awhile since. And he whirled that bench about +his head and he smote with it upon the right hand and the +left and he smote the thieves down upon the one side and the +other. And so great was his fury that they bore back from before him in +terror of his madness.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine is +wounded.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Ewaine might have slain all those thieves (though there were a +score and seven of them in all) only for the captain of the band. He, beholding +the fury of Sir Ewaine, ran to where there was a javelin +that stood in a corner of that place. And he catched up +the javelin and threw it at Sir Ewaine; and the javelin pierced through +the shoulder of Sir Ewaine and pinned him fast to the wall of the +hut.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine wist that he was very sorely wounded, wherefore he +roared aloud. And he strove with the javelin and anon he wrenched himself +loose from the wall to which he had been pinned. Then he rushed +at the thieves with the javelin still pinned through his shoulder and they +made way before the terror of his onset.</p> + +<p>Now as the robbers parted from before his onset, Sir Ewaine perceived +that there was a way for him to the door. Thereupon he cast himself +upon the door and he burst it open and fled away into the forest with the +javelin still transfixed in his shoulder.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +escapeth.</i></div> + +<p>Therewith, perceiving that their captive was escaping from them, the +thieves rushed after Sir Ewaine and pursued him with great +outcry. But ever they were afraid of the violence of his +anger (for he had slain or broken the bones of eleven of them) wherefore +they followed him not with as good a will as they would else have done. +Hence it befell that Sir Ewaine made his escape from them and so got safe +away into the cover of the night and of the forest, though sorely and woefully +wounded.</p> + +<p>After he had thus escaped from that danger, Sir Ewaine knew not what +to do. For he was faint and bedizzied because of his wound and the +agony thereof. But he wist that he must free himself from that javelin, +wherefore he catched the haft of the weapon and he broke it in twain. After +that he plucked out the javelin by the point which had transfixed his +shoulder and with that a great issue of blood burst forth from the wound +so that Sir Ewaine was nigh to swooning therewith.</p> + +<p>But he did not swoon, but bare up under the passion of pain that lay +upon him and from the issue of blood that followed what he had done. +Wherefore, after he had rested him for a while, he went forward through +the forest, tottering like a drunken man, now and then falling, and ever +anon arising again and betaking his way he knew not whither.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0259.png" width="250" height="127" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 419px;"> +<img src="images/s0261.png" width="419" height="600" alt="A Damsel bringeth aid unto Sir Ewaine:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0262.png" width="600" height="77" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Fifth</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Ewaine was succored and brought back to life by a certain +noble lady, how he brought aid to that lady in a time of +great trouble, and how he returned once again to the Lady Lesolie +of the Fountain.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Thus Sir Ewaine wandered for all that night he knew not whither, +and sometimes he fell and anon he would arise and go onward +again. So against the dawn of day, he began to approach the +outskirts of the forest and there, as he wandered painfully onward, he met +a fagot-maker who had a cart and who was coming, all early in the morning, +into the forest to chop fagots.</p> + +<p>This fellow, beholding that figure of misery with a face like to wax and +a body all covered with blood, wist not whether it was ghost or mortal man +whom he beheld, wherefore he fell to crossing himself and pattering prayers +for fear. But Sir Ewaine spake, though in a very weak and plaintive +voice, saying: "Alas, good fellow! I pray you, for the sake of God's mercy +to take pity upon me and to bear me hence in your cart to where I may +secure aid and succor, else I must assuredly die all alone in the forest."</p> + +<p>Then the woodchopper was aware that Sir Ewaine was no ghost or +spirit left behind by the night, but that he was mortal man, and when he +looked upon that sad woeful figure, he was moved to great pity, and said: +"Alas, poor mortal, thou art in a sad plight indeed and so I will be glad +to aid thee as thou desirest."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The woodchopper +giveth +aid to Sir +Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>So after that the fagot-maker spread a soft thick bed of leaves in his +cart and laid the wounded knight thereon. And so he bore +Sir Ewaine out of the forest, with intent to take him to some +place where he might be cherished with care and attention.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that a poor woodchopper of the forest lent aid +and assistance to one of the most noble knights of the Round Table and +nephew to King Arthur. As for that fellow, he wist not who it was to +whom he was giving aid, but only thought that it was some poor wretch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +who had fallen amongst thieves, for Sir Ewaine had neither armor nor +weapons of any sort that might indicate how exalted was his estate, and +even his golden chain of knighthood had been stolen from him by those +thieves of the forest. Wherefore it was not possible for any one to know +that he was other than a poor wayfarer of the forest. So the fagot-maker, +unknowing who he was, bare that good knight out of the forest, and Sir +Ewaine lay fainting, and all covered with blood and nigh to death, upon a +bed of leaves in a poor woodchopper's cart.</p> + +<p>Now when the fagot-maker had brought the wounded knight out of the +woodlands and into the open country, he turned to find how it fared with +him, for it seemed to the honest fellow that his burden was lying wonderful +still and quiet. So the fagot-maker called out, "Friend, what cheer +have you?" To this Sir Ewaine answered him not, for in the meantime +as they travelled onward he had fallen into a swoon and now he lay like +one who was dying or was dead.</p> + +<p>Then the woodchopper came and looked upon the face of Sir Ewaine, +and he beheld that it was white like to death. And he could not see that +Sir Ewaine breathed, wherefore he thought that the wounded man was dead.</p> + +<p>Thereat the poor knave was filled with great fear, for he said to himself: +"Of a surety if they find me thus with a dead man lying in my cart, they +will believe that I have committed a murder and they will hale me before +the judge and they will hang me." Wherefore, reasoning in that wise, +he began to cast about him how he might rid himself of that which was +within his cart so that he should not thus be found in company with a +dead man.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The woodchopper +layeth +Sir Ewaine +beside a lake.</i></div> + +<p>Now at that time the cart chanced to be passing through a park coadjacent +to a castle, the towers and the roofs and the chimneys of which might +be seen through the leaves of the intervening trees. And at that place +there was a little lake of water with many flags and sweet +rushes growing around about the margin thereof, and this +was a very secret, quiet place, for no one was nigh at that still +early hour of day.</p> + +<p>So here perceiving that no one could see what he would do, the fagot-maker +stopped his cart and lifted Sir Ewaine out thereof and still he thought +that the wounded man was dead. After that the woodchopper laid Sir +Ewaine down very gently upon a soft bed of moss under the shadow of an +oak tree and beside the margin of the lake. Having thus got rid of his +burden in that wise he then went away and left the wounded knight lying +alone in that place.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The lady of +the castle +perceiveth +Sir Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>Now that part of the park where Sir Ewaine lay was a very favorite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +spot of the lady of the castle, who was wont to take the air and to walk +with her court of damsels beside the lake. So it befell that morning, it +being a very pleasant and cheerful day, that she walked +thither with those maidens in attendance upon her. So coming +to that place, she perceived from afar where Sir Ewaine +lay beneath the oak tree in the centre of the park. And when +she saw him she said, "Who is yonder man and what does he do here?"</p> + +<p>Then one of the damsels went more near to where Sir Ewaine lay, and she +looked closely upon him and anon she said: "Lady, I believe this man is dead, +for he is all covered with blood, and I do not see him move or breathe."</p> + +<p>The lady said, "See if that be so," and therewith the damsel went closer +to Sir Ewaine and reached forth and she laid her hand upon his bosom. +Then she was aware that his heart beat, but only a little, and she knew +that there was life in him. So she said: "Nay, he is not dead, but in a +swoon that is like to death."</p> + +<p>Then the lady came and also looked upon Sir Ewaine, and she was +moved with pity to behold that great and noble frame of a man lying there +in that way. Wherefore she said, "I am of a mind to save this man."</p> + +<p>So after that she and her court retired to her castle, and when she was +come there she took a very precious casket of ointment from a cabinet +and gave it to that damsel who had touched Sir Ewaine. To her she said: +"Take this ointment, damsel, to where that man lieth in a swoon. For +wit you, this is a very potent oil to heal all manner of sickness and weakness +even if one be upon the edge of death. Pour a little of this ointment +upon the bosom of that man above his heart. Then rub it well with thy +hand, and by and by he will revive. Take thou also yonder horse and +some decent raiment fit for such a well-appearing man to wear, and let +the horse be nigh to him when he awakens. Then do thou observe him +from secret place, and bring me word of what he doeth."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>A damsel of +the castle +bringeth succor +to Sir Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>So the damsel did all as the lady had commanded her to do; she took +the horse, and the raiment and the precious balm and went to +where Sir Ewaine lay in that deathly swoon. But when she +came to anoint him with the ointment, she poured not a little +upon him, nor did she rub with her hand the bosom of him +who lay there; otherwise she poured the whole of the balm upon Sir Ewaine's +bosom, and then she went away to a little distance and hid herself to observe +what he would do.</p> + +<p>So in a little she saw that the wounded man began to bestir himself and +move his arms this way and that. Anon he uplifted himself from where +he lay and gazed all about him, and so, being revived, remembered all that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +he had aforetime forgotten. Then he groaned with great travail of soul, +for the memory of his dishonor came upon him and he still suffered a +grievous pain from that sore wound in his shoulder. Then anon he beheld +the horse near by and the garments that were beside the horse, and +he thought that maybe those things had been placed there for his use, +though who had been so kind to him he knew not. So he arose with great +pain and he took the clothes from the horse and he went to the lake and +bathed himself. After that he put on the clothes and mounted upon the +horse with intent to depart from that place.</p> + +<p>Then the maiden, who had beheld all that he did, came forth from the +thicket where she had been hidden and whence she had observed him, +and when Sir Ewaine saw her he said, "Maiden, was it thou who purveyed +me with this horse and with these garments?" She said, "Nay, it was the +lady to whom this place belongs." Sir Ewaine said, "Who is that lady?" +And the maiden replied: "She is the widow of a very powerful lord, and +she hath saved thy life this day. For she sent me with an ointment with +which I bathed thee, and which gave thee strength to arise again. And +she sent thee that horse and those clothes which thou hast put on." Sir +Ewaine said: "Certes, she is most kind and charitable in her heart. Perhaps +some time I may do her a service that will be equal to this service which +she hath rendered to me."</p> + +<p>Now the maiden did not suspect who it was with whom she spake, for +his face was white like milk, and very haggard and wild with pain and weakness, +so that his countenance showed none of that nobility that belonged +to him. And, as aforesaid, he had no armor, for the thieves had taken away +his armor and he had left it behind him in the hut whence he had escaped. +So the maiden had no cause to think that he was one of great worship whom +she beheld, so she said: "Good fellow, my lady hath need enough of aid, but +I do not believe that thou art one who may help her in her trouble."</p> + +<p>"Why dost thou think that?" quoth Sir Ewaine. "Thou shouldst not +judge of my ability from what thou seest, for I may be other than what +I appear to be."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +declareth himself +to the +maiden.</i></div> + +<p>Then the damsel was greatly astonished at the dignity of manner with +which he spoke, for he spoke as one having authority and very calmly +and haughtily. So she began to misdoubt that this was some +one else than she had first thought him to be, wherefore she +said, "I pray you, Sir, tell me who you are?" To the which +he replied: "I am Sir Ewaine of King Arthur's court and of +his Round Table, son to King Uriens of Gore and of the Lady Queen Morgana +surnamed le Fay."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this proclamation the damsel was greatly astonished, wherefore she +cried out aloud: "Is it indeed possible that this is so, and that so famous +and so remarkable a knight should have come to such a pass as that in +which you were found?" and the damsel said: "Now the lady of this castle +will be very highly honored when she comes to know that she hath lent +succor to so noble and haughty a champion as you proclaim yourself to be. +Let us go to her so that you may tell her the story of your misfortunes." +And Sir Ewaine said: "So be it, and let us go."</p> + +<p>So they both departed from that place and as they wended their way +thence Sir Ewaine said: "Now tell me, damsel, what is the need of help +that thy lady hath and concerning which thou didst speak to me anon?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel +telleth Sir +Ewaine concerning +the +lady of the +castle.</i></div> + +<p>The damsel said: "I will tell thee. The lady of this castle is a widow, +and at the death of her husband she had two very noble +castles and two great estates belonging to those castles. Those +castles and that land her lord bequeathed to her to have and +to hold for her own. Now after she was thus left a widow, +it befell that a certain very proud and haughty lord who was +her neighbor, desired to make her his wife; but she would not listen to his +suit, having great love for that worthy knight her husband who was dead. +So she refused the knight who desired to wed her and at that he was very +angry. After that he came with a great array of armed men, and he +despoiled her of one of her estates by force. And now, unless she should +yield to him, he threatens to take away this other estate whereon she +dwelleth and which is all that she hath in the world.</p> + +<p>"So my lady is in a great pass and knoweth not what to do, having no +knight for to defend her; for all those who should defend her, fall away +from her in this time of trouble for fear of the anger of that lord who seeks +her hand."</p> + +<p>"Certes, this is a sad story which thou tellest me," said Sir Ewaine, +"and indeed I will do what I may to help thy lady, who hath been so kind +to me."</p> + +<p>Thus talking together, they two approached the castle, and the lady +of the castle, beholding them coming from a distance, was greatly surprised +to see the damsel conversing in that wise with the wounded man +whom she had been sent to succor.</p> + +<p>Then when they were come to her the lady said to the damsel, "Didst +thou use that balm as I told thee to do?" And the damsel said, "Yea." +The lady said, "How much didst thou use thereof?" And the damsel +said, "I used it all."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The lady of +the castle is +affronted at +the maiden.</i></div> + +<p>Then the lady when she heard how that the damsel had poured all of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +that balm at one time upon Sir Ewaine, was much affronted and very +angry with her, and she said: "What is this that thou hast +done? I cannot easily forgive thee this, for thou hast wasted +several score pounds worth of the precious ointment upon a +stranger whom we know not and who hath no appearance +of worship."</p> + +<p>Unto her the maiden made reply: "Lady, be not offended at this, for +wit you that this stranger is of far greater worth than all the balm you +could pour upon him."</p> + +<p>At these words the lady was much surprised, wherefore she said, "Who +is he that is of such great worth as thou sayst?" and the damsel replied: +"Lady, this is none other than Sir Ewaine, Knight of the Round Table +and nephew of King Arthur."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The lady giveth +welcome to +Sir Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>Then the lady of the castle cried out with astonishment and said, "Is +this true that I hear?" And Sir Ewaine said, "Yea, Lady." +Then the lady of the castle came to Sir Ewaine and took +him by the hand, and said: "Welcome, welcome, Sir Ewaine! +Now this is a great honor that hath befallen us at this place to have given +aid and succor to a knight so famous in chivalry as thou art."</p> + +<p>"Lady," quoth Sir Ewaine, "you do me honor beyond my worth, and +so you put me under still greater obligations than I rested under afore +this. Now I am most desirous of repaying you in some measure for all +the kindness that you have visited upon me, wherefore, if it be sooth as +I have been informed by this maiden that you have need of such a knight-champion +at this place, then do I offer myself as such a champion, trusting +that I may be of aid to you and so repay to you in some measure those +favors which you have bestowed upon me."</p> + +<p>At this the lady was rejoiced beyond all measure, and she said: "Messire, +I accept thy offer of championship with all gratitude and with much +pride, for indeed I believe it would not be possible to find in all of the +world a champion as haughty and as puissant as thou art."</p> + +<p>So it came about that Sir Ewaine abided at the castle of that widowed +chatelaine for a long time, and until he was altogether healed of his wound. +And every day he grew more strong and sturdy of body and more noble +of appearance, so that all they of the castle took great pride in having him +there as their champion.</p> + +<p>Now it befell upon a day that there came to this castle that evil-minded +lord of whom the damsel had spoken to Sir Ewaine, and this lord brought +with him six other knights, and all these seven knights pitched their pavilions +before the castle gates. And they mocked at those in the castle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +and dared any one to come forth therefrom, for they knew not, as you may +believe, that Sir Ewaine was there as the champion of the castle.</p> + +<p>So when Sir Ewaine heard how that knight mocked at the people of the +castle, he was very wroth, wherefore he quickly made him ready, and +donned a suit of rich armor that the lady had provided for him. And he +mounted upon his horse, and so being in all wise prepared, he gave command +to uplift the portcullis and to let fall the drawbridge. Then he rode +forth from the castle, his horse's hoofs smiting the planks of the drawbridge +with a noise like to thunder as he rode. And all of the people of the +castle crowded out upon the walls, and when they beheld him ride past +in that wise, they shouted with a loud voice because that such a champion +was to defend the rights of their lady chatelaine.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +doeth battle for +the lady of +the castle.</i></div> + +<p>But when the knight and his companions who had come against the +lady of the castle beheld that one champion ride forth in defence thereof, +he was greatly surprised, and wist not what to think. So +presently he rode forward to meet Sir Ewaine, and he said to +him, "Sir, what knight art thou?" Sir Ewaine said: "I am +the champion of the lady of this castle, and I come forth with +intent to do battle in her behalf." Then that lord said, "What is thy +estate?" To the which, Sir Ewaine, speaking with great pride and haughtiness, +made reply: "It matters not that I tell thee at this present, but I may +assure thee of this, that mine is a higher estate and a greater credit than +thine own." Then the knight said, "Wouldst thou fight against us who are +seven?" And Sir Ewaine said, "Yea, verily." And the knight said, "Thou +art very foolish, but be it so."</p> + +<p>So Sir Ewaine withdrew himself a little, and made himself ready in all +wise for battle. Meantime that knight who had bespoken him withdrew to +his party and he said to a knight who was the champion of his party, "Go +thou forth against yon fellow." And the champion of that party did so.</p> + +<p>Now that knight was the greatest and most powerful knight in all the +country in which he dwelt. And he was very huge of girth and thick of limb, +and so great had been his success at arms that he made sure that he could +easily be able to overthrow his opponent. Wherefore he made him ready very +proudly and took his station with great confidence. And when he was in all +wise prepared, he shouted aloud and launched his horse against the horse +of Sir Ewaine with full expectation that he would overthrow his enemy.</p> + +<p>So they two rushed together like thunder and so met in the very middle +of the course with such a crash of encounter that those who heard it stood +appalled at the sound. But in that encounter the spear of the champion +of that wicked lord's party broke all into splinters, but the spear of Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +Ewaine held so that the other was cast to earth with such force that he lay +stunned and altogether devoid of life and motion.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Ewaine overthrew +the +enemies of +the lady.</i></div> + +<p>Then when the other knights of that party beheld how their champion +had been overthrown so violently to earth, all they were greatly amazed +at the result of that encounter; for as was said, there was no knight in all +of that region who was so strong as that champion. Then they were +filled with rage, and dropping their lances in rest, they all rushed upon +Sir Ewaine together, with intent to overthrow him by force of numbers +and might of metal, and afterward to slay him when he was unhorsed. +But Sir Ewaine did not give them their will, but wheeled his horse with +great address and dexterity and in such a wise as to separate +those who thus came upon him in a body. Then suddenly +he wheeled about again, and ere they were prepared for attack, +he smote down one knight and then another and another, +so that only three of those who assailed him were left. With that +the others were filled with a great terror of the woeful buffets that Sir +Ewaine struck, wherefore, without further combat, they all three turned +and fled. But ever Sir Ewaine pursued them with great fury and he came +nigh to one who was fleeing and smote him down from his horse. And he +came nigh to another and smote him down also. Then last of all he overtook +that lord who was the enemy of that lady, and he smote him so sorely +with his sword that he would have fallen from his horse had not Sir Ewaine +catched him ere he fell. Then Sir Ewaine plucked that knight out of his +saddle and he laid him across the bow of his own saddle. So after having +overthrown all those seven knights in that wise, he rode back again into +the castle bearing that wicked lord lying across his saddle bow.</p> + +<p>Now when those who stood upon the castle walls beheld what wonderful +battle their champion did, they were amazed beyond measure at his +prowess and they shouted aloud for joy at the victory of their champion +over their enemies. So Sir Ewaine rode into the castle, in the midst of all +that shouting and loud acclaim. And he came to where the lady was +standing in a balcony that overlooked the courtyard of the castle, and he +looked up to where she stood and he said: "Lady, lo! I have brought you +back your enemy in payment for that blessed balm with which you brought +me back to life."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The lady of +the castle giveth +praise to +Sir Ewaine.</i></div> + +<p>Then the lady of the castle knew not what to do for joy. +Wherefore she came down from where she was and catched +Sir Ewaine by the hand and kissed it repeatedly. And she +called upon Sir Ewaine as her savior, but Sir Ewaine withdrew +his hand in great confusion, and said: "Lady, do not do so, for wit you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +I am a man who hath done a dishonorable thing. And though I did that +ill thing unwittingly, yet I am attainted because of that which I did."</p> + +<p>Then the lady said: "Sir, I will not believe that you were ever dishonorable, +and I would that you would remain always in this castle."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine smiled and said: "I thank you for that wish. But it +may not be, for now that I have done my service in your behalf and +have brought your enemy to you to deal with at your pleasure, to-morrow +I must depart upon my way once more."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine delivered the captive knight from the pommel of his +saddle into the hands of the lady, and afterward that wicked knight +was bound with many securities and hostages to good behavior, and so he +tormented that lady no more from that time forth unto the end of her life.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +departeth from +the castle as a +pilgrim.</i></div> + +<p>Now when the next day was come Sir Ewaine appeared before the lady +of the castle and besought her that she would take back the armor she +had given him and that in place of that armor she would +purvey him the dress of a pilgrim. So that lady did as she +was asked, and when she had done so Sir Ewaine clad himself +as a pilgrim and departed from the castle of that chatelaine.</p> + +<p>And Sir Ewaine wandered hither and thither as a pilgrim for several +weeks; and after much journeying he came at last to that valley where +dwelt the Lady of the Fountain. For ever his will led him thitherward, +and so it came about that at last he beheld that town and castle once +more. And when he beheld that place and when he brought to mind all +that had befallen him of good and of ill thereat the tears arose into his +eyes so that all things that he beheld swam as in a flood of water.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +returneth to the +Castle of the +Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>Then by and by he went toward that Castle of the Fountain and when +he had come thereunto, he knocked upon the postern +door and besought those who opened to him that he might +have speech with the lady of the castle. So anon he +was shown into the apartment where the lady was, and +Elose was with her, and several others of the damsels of her court.</p> + +<p>Now the hood of the cloak that Sir Ewaine wore, and the pilgrim's hat, +so concealed his face that no one who was there knew who he was. Wherefore +the Lady Lesolie, speaking as to a stranger, said, "Sir, what wouldst +thou have of me?" And Sir Ewaine answered saying: "Lady, I come +hither to bear to you a message from one who has unwittingly done you +a great injury."</p> + +<p>Upon this the lady cried out very vehemently: "Sir, if you come from +that recreant knight, Sir Ewaine, then you may return unto him again<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +who hath sent you hither." To which Sir Ewaine said, "Lady, I cannot +return unto him, for it would be impossible."</p> + +<p>At these words the Lady Lesolie's countenance fell, and for a while she +spake not. Then after a while she said, "Dost thou bring ill news of him?" +And Sir Ewaine said: "I know not whether the news be ill unto thee or +not, but some while ago I beheld that unfortunate knight where he lay +dying in a park beside a lake of water."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady of the Fountain pressed her handkerchief to her lips as +though to check an outcry, and after a little while she said, "Good Sir, +tell me what you know." Sir Ewaine said, "I will do so." And he said: +"You are to know that when Sir Ewaine left this court to return to the +court of King Arthur, he fell in with the Enchantress Vivien, who gave +him a ring of forgetfulness so that he disremembered all that had happened +to him at your court. Afterward there came a young damsel from +this place who put him to shame before all those who were his companions +at the court of King Arthur. This that damsel did because she +thought that Sir Ewaine was unfaithful to you. But he was not unfaithful +and so he was shamed for no good reason. Now after being thus +shamed before all the court of King Arthur in that wise, this woeful knight +departed from his friends because he could not bear to dwell in his humiliation +before them. So he left all those his friends and journeyed afar, +and in his journeyings he fell among thieves, and these finding him unarmed, +bound him whilst he slept, and robbed him and wounded him to +death. So it was that I beheld him lying by the wayside, pierced through +with a javelin and dying of that wound, and so have I come thither to tell +you of this story."</p> + +<p>Now when the Lady of the Fountain heard what that pilgrim had to +say, she shrieked with great violence and immediately swooned away and +fell upon the ground.</p> + +<p>Then several of her maidens ran to her and these served her until by +and by she revived from her swoon. Yet when she was thus recovered +she straightway fell to smiting her hands together and crying aloud in a +very bitter agony of spirit: "Woe is me that I should have disbelieved in +the honor of that noble and worthy knight, for now because of my disbelief +in him I perceive that I have lost him forever. For so hath died +the best and truest knight that ever lived in all of the world." Saying +this, she fell to weeping in great measure, and Elose strove to comfort +her, also weeping, but the lady would not be comforted. Then Sir Ewaine +said, "Lady, hast thou yet such a kind regard for the knight as this?" +And the Lady Lesolie said with great passion: "Yea, truly, and so I al<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>ways +shall have, for methinks that never such another knight as he lived +in this world."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +declareth himself +to the Lady +of the Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine said: "Lady, you understood not my words. Sir +Ewaine is not dead, and if you will you may easily have him +here again." She said, "How know you that?" Then Sir +Ewaine cast off his hood and laid aside his hat and said: +"Lady, I am that man; and if I have deceived thee in this, +it is that I may again behold thy face that is so dear to me—yea, that is +dearer than all the world besides." So saying, Sir Ewaine kneeled before +the lady and embraced her about the knees, and she stooped and embraced +his head and both of them wept with a great passion of love and +joy. And so they were reconciled to one another.</p> + +<p>And in that reconciliation there was much rejoicing, for all the town was +bedraped with silken scarves and banners by day and illuminated by night +because of joy for the return of the champion-defender of the Fountain. +And there was feasting and drinking at the castle of the Fountain, and +there was jousting from day to day for seven days, and in those joustings +the knights of the court of the Fountain under the lead of Sir Ewaine defended +their chivalry with such skill and valor that none of those that +came against them were able to withstand them, but all those companies +of knights-contestant were defeated, to the great glory of the Lady Lesolie +of the Fountain.</p> + +<p>Then after seven days of this rejoicing, Sir Ewaine was wedded with great +pomp of circumstance to the Lady of the Fountain. And of that wedding +it is to be recorded in the history of these things that Sir Ewaine +and the Lady Lesolie rode to the minster upon milk-white horses, and +that they were all clad in white samite embroidered with silver and inset +with so many precious stones of all sorts and kinds that they glistened +in the sunlight as though they were two figures of living fire. And it is +recorded that tenscore damsels of wonderful beauty, clad all in white, preceded +them upon the way, and spread the way with flowers, chaunting +the while in voices of great rejoicing.</p> + +<p>Thus Sir Ewaine was wedded at the castle of the Fountain, and after +that he dwelt in the land of the Fountain with great peace and good +content.</p> + +<p>And Sir Ewaine ever defended the Fountain as he had aforetime, so that +the fame of the Knight of the Fountain was known throughout the length +and breadth of the land and in every court of chivalry. And many +knights undertook the Adventure of the Fountain but in every case such +errant knights were overthrown by the valor and the skill of the Knight of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +the Fountain. And in every case where that knight adventurer was thus +overthrown, the Knight of the Fountain would take from him his horse +and his shield and would send him away upon foot, disarmed and ashamed.</p> + +<p>So, because of the valor of the Knight of the Fountain, it came about +in course of time that a very noble and worthy court of chivalry became +established at the castle of the city of the Fountain, insomuch that the +renown of that court of the Fountain hath been handed down in the histories +of chivalry even to this day, when knighthood no longer dwelleth +upon the earth.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Such is the history of Sir Ewaine when he undertook the Adventure of +the Fountain whilst upon the quest of Sir Launcelot. And now if you +choose to read further you shall hear how Sir Percival and Sir Sagramore +found Sir Launcelot in the Island of Joy and of how Sir Launcelot returned +to his friends once more.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/s0273.png" width="300" height="128" alt="Woman's head" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></div> +<h2>PART VI<br /> +The Return of Sir Launcelot<br /><br /></h2> + + +<p><i>Here followeth the further history of Sir Launcelot of the Lake; of how +Sir Percival and Sir Ector de Maris found Sir Launcelot where he +was dwelling very peacefully and happily (albeit not with perfect content) +in the Island of Joy, of which you have heard mention in that which hath +gone before; of the notable affair-at-arms betwixt Sir Launcelot and Sir +Percival, and of how Sir Launcelot, with Elaine the Fair, returned with +Sir Percival and Sir Ector de Maris to the court of King Arthur. Likewise +you shall there read of what befell that noble company in the Valley +of the Fountain aforetold of.</i></p> + +<p><i>All this history is of such a sort that it hath given me great pleasure to +write it; wherefore if so be it may give you a like sort of pleasure to read it, +then shall I be very well content with that which I have done in my endeavor +to set forth these several events aforesaid.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 417px;"> +<img src="images/s0275.png" width="417" height="600" alt="Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival receive their Mother's Blessing:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0276.png" width="600" height="283" alt="Knight approaching castle" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter First</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Percival met his brother, and how they two journeyed to +the priory where their mother dwelt and what befell them thereafter.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Now return we to Sir Percival and Sir Sagramore whom Sir Ewaine +left (as aforetold of) still sleeping in that castle whence we departed +so early in the morning—even before the break of day—to +undertake the Adventure of the Fountain.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Sagramore +depart together.</i></div> + +<p>When those two good knights awoke and founds that Sir Ewaine had +departed, they communed together in the bedchamber of Sir Percival. +And they agreed that thereafter they two should join company and that +in their further search for Sir Launcelot they should travel +together as companions. So when they had broken their +fast, they bade farewell to the lord of the castle, and departed +upon their way, travelling very cheerfully together, +side by side, and taking great joy in the gay and jocund weather, and in +all the sweet freshness and the warmth of the springtide that embalmed +them around about.</p> + +<p>So they travelled as companions in arms for more than a year, and in +that time they met with several bel-adventures, some of which are told of +in books of chivalry and some of which are not told of. And I would that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +I could recount those adventures that befell them, but I cannot, for it +would take another book as great as this to tell all of the things that happened +to them in their journeyings. Yet it shall here be said that in +those adventurings they fell in with a great many sorts of folk of different +condition, both gentle and simple, and that several times they met certain +knights-companion of the Round Table. And it shall here be said that +they met in that wise with Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors de Ganis, concerning +which meeting there shall be more said anon.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the manner +in which they +journey.</i></div> + +<p>And if you would ask how they lodged them during their travels I would +say that they lodged them in divers sorts and ways. For if it happened +that at one time they would lodge them in such a noble castle as that where +Sir Gawaine and Sir Percival met Sir Sagramore, then it would happen at +another time that they would find shelter in the hut of some +lonely shepherd upon the moorlands, and then it would happen +at still another time that they would even have no shelter +at all, but would maybe wrap themselves each in his cloak with nothing +beneath him for a bed but the cold honest earth, and nothing above him +for a coverlet but the silent company of God's own sky, all sprinkled over +with a countless multitude of brightly shining stars. For so those good +knights of old travelled errant in those days, taking whatever befell them +in good part, and accepting all that came to them with a cheerful spirit.</p> + +<p>If you would ask me in what sort of weather they travelled, I would tell +you that they were content with whatsoever weather God sent to them; +for if the weather were pleasant, as upon that first day of their journey, +then they would travel very cheerfully up hill and down dale, in sunshine +or shadow as the case might be; and if the weather were foul, then they +would abide wheresoever heaven sent them shelter wherein to stay until +the storm would pass by and be gone.</p> + +<p>For this is true, that even wintry weather cannot chill a cheerful heart; +wherefore, when the north wind would bluster loud and boisterously, and +when the falling snow would be covering all the earth with frozen white, +then those two worthy champions would be well content to lodge them +at some wayside inn. For there they might warm them beside the roaring +fire, whereof the blaze would shine in red sparks of light at several +places upon the polished plates of their armor, and whilst they took cheer +in the heat of the fire, and whilst they listened to the storm, how it beat +and drummed upon the windows, and whilst they harkened at the wind, +how it roared and thundered about the gables of the house, that while +they would take great pleasure in the company of the good folk of the +neighborhood, who would be gathered around a merry bowl of hot mulled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +ale, with roasted crab-apples bobbing afloat in it, singing merry songs +the while and telling jolly contes, and laughing and making rude and +homely sport in several ways that afforded good entertainment to those +two belted knights who listened thereunto.</p> + +<p>Thus you may know how in several ways it was that those two good +worthy knights travelled during that considerable time when they were +journeying together as companions in arms, for in this wise I have taken +great pleasure in telling you thereof.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Sagramore +come to a +fair valley.</i></div> + +<p>Now after those two had thus been companions in amity together for +the space of a year or a little more than a year, it chanced +upon a certain day that they found themselves at a place +where a woodland ceased and where there began a very fair +valley with a smooth shining river winding like a ribbon +down the length thereof. And they sat at the head of that valley and they +gazed down for some while thereinto, and they beheld that valley with +great joy because it was so fair and fruitful. For in it were several meadow-lands, +all smiling with verdure, and there were many fields of growing +corn, and these fields and meadows rose ever upward until they cut +against the sky, as smooth with fertility as though carved out with the +edge of a sharp keen knife. And beside the river were banks of reeds +and rushes and pollard willows and thickets of alder and aspen. And the +broad highroad followed the course of the stream and there were several +mills in the valley and broad ponds of water with bosky trees and with +houses clustered upon the banks thereof. And ever the breeze blew mild +and steady, and very balmy and warm, and great round white clouds +moved slowly across the high arch of the bright blue sky.</p> + +<p>All this Sir Percival and Sir Sagramore beheld and they took such joy +in it that so I cannot forbear to tell you of it as I have done because of the +joy that I also take in what they beheld. Wherefore I pray you to forgive +me if I have recounted more of those things than need be, who am +writing a history of chivalry and of knightly daring.</p> + +<p>So those two worthies sat there where were the highlands at the edge +of the forest, and gazed their fill down upon that valley, all spread out, +as it were, upon a table beneath them, and when they had thus gazed +their fill they aroused themselves from their pleasant contemplations and +descended down into that valley, riding along beside the shining river.</p> + +<p>So they followed the highway, and by and by came to where the road +crossed the river by a high-arched bridge of stone. At that place were +several houses of stone with white walls that stood sheltered with great,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +umbrageous trees and the walls of the houses touched the edge of the +smooth and gently flowing river. Coadjacent to this place was a mill and +a sheet of wide-spreading bright water where were so many swifts, flitting +hither and thither above the smooth surface, that they resembled bees +flying about a hive upon a warm day in June.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Sagramore +meet a +knight at the +bridge.</i></div> + +<p>Now as Sir Sagramore and Sir Percival approached that bridge aforesaid +with intent to cross it, they were presently aware of another +knight who came toward them from the other end +thereof. And as they went forward he also came forward +so that it was likely that they three would meet in the midst +of the bridge. And they beheld that the knight rode upon a great Flemish +charger as black as a coal, and that he was of a very noble, haughty +appearance, showing no fear at their advance, though they were two and he +was but one. For ever he rode forward very boldly, and with great spirit, +even though it would bring him to meet them in the middle of the way.</p> + +<p>There was no device of any sort upon the shield or the armor of that +knight, for it appeared that he was minded to travel unknown; so they +wist not who he was, but in his appearance they beheld that he was strong +and big and very lusty.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Sagramore +exchanges +words with the +knight on the +bridge.</i></div> + +<p>Then as they approached one another Sir Sagramore bespake that +knight, saying: "Sir, what mean you, coming so boldly thus +against us? Would you who are one against two dispute +the passage of this bridge with us?"</p> + +<p>To this the other said: "Messire, I have no mind to assume +any dispute with you; yet you must be aware that it would ill beseem +any one of true knightly courage to draw aside and to give you way. For, +as you say, you are two and I am but one; wherefore, if I should withdraw +me from this meeting it might be that you would impute a lack of courage +to me. So, meseems, it would be better for you to give way for me, +for you could do so without any impeachment of fear, whilst I would do an +injury to the pure nobility of my knighthood if I should give way to you."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Sagramore said: "Sir Knight, it need not be that there should +be two of us against one. Let my companion withdraw to the farther +side of the bridge and let us two try a fall together. So it shall be decided +which of us shall of a verity have the right first to cross this bridge."</p> + +<p>"Well," said the stranger knight, "that falleth in with my will in the +matter; therefore let it be as you say."</p> + +<p>So, it being thus decided, Sir Percival drew away from the bridge upon +his side, and those two knights-contestant made each himself ready for +combat. Each chose his station, and when they were in all wise pre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span>pared, +each set spur to horse and shouted to the assault and so dashed +together across the space of bridge, each in a cloud of dust and with a +noise like to thunder of horses' hoof beats upon the roadway of the bridge.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The strange +knight overthrows +Sir +Sagramore.</i></div> + +<p>So they met in the very centre of the bridge with a crash one might have +heard a furlong or more away. In that encounter the spear +of Sir Sagramore broke into many pieces but the spear of +the other knight held so that Sir Sagramore was hurtled +with great violence over the crupper of his horse, and, striking +the ground with a roar of falling armor, he lay there like one who had +been struck dead.</p> + +<p>Now Sir Percival was greatly astonished to see so potent a knight as Sir +Sagramore thus overthrown, wherefore he hurried forward with all speed +to where his companion lay upon the ground. And Sir Percival leaped +from his horse and went to his friend and found that he was not dead but +only stunned by the violence of the fall he had suffered. For anon Sir +Sagramore began to move and to bestir himself and so, after another +while, Sir Percival was able to raise him up and set him upon his feet +again, albeit Sir Sagramore's head was as light as a feather and swam +like to running water.</p> + +<p>Now all this while that other knight had been sitting very steadfastly +observing Sir Percival what he was about. So when he beheld that no +great harm had befallen that knight whom he had overthrown, he spake +to Sir Percival, saying: "Sir Knight, are you satisfied upon your part, or +will you also have to do with me in disputing the pass of this bridge?"</p> + +<p>"Sir," quoth Sir Percival, "I would fain have had you go in peace, but +since you have thus offered me the chance of battle or no battle, lo! I +have no such choice, but must needs take this knight's quarrel upon myself. +So make you ready that I may avenge his fall upon you."</p> + +<p>Therewith Sir Percival gat Sir Sagramore to horse and cleared the +bridge of him. Then he mounted upon his own horse and made him +ready for that assault which he had undertaken.</p> + +<p>So when he was in all wise prepared and perceiving that his enemy was also +ready, he shouted to the charge and therewith drave forward in the assault.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and the strange +knight do battle +together.</i></div> + +<p>Then again those two knights-contestant met in the centre of the bridge +with such a violence of meeting that the spear of each was broken into +splinters to the very truncheon thereof. And each would +have fallen before the assault of the other except that, with +spur and bridle-rein, each uplifted his charger to foot again. +Thereupon, having no spear wherewith to do further battle, +each knight voided his saddle and each drew his sword and made him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +ready for further battle. So they came together to assault afoot, and +presently each fell to lashing at the other such violent buffets that the +sound thereof could be heard in echo both far and near.</p> + +<p>So they fought for a long time and in that while neither gained any advantage +whatsoever over the other. But ever Sir Percival was more +and more astonished at the valor and the prowess of his enemy, for, unless +it were Sir Launcelot of the Lake, he knew not of any one in that land +who might withstand his assault unless it were his own brother, Sir Lamorack.</p> + +<p>So by and by Sir Percival stinted his battle, and he cried out, "Hold, +Sir Knight!" and therewith upon that demand the other also stayed his +assault, and stood leaning upon his sword, panting from the violence of +the battle he had done.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percival said: "Sir, you assuredly fight a very wonderful battle, +for I knew not there was any knight in this realm could withstand my +assault, unless it were Sir Launcelot of the Lake or mine own brother who +is Sir Lamorack of Gales. Wherefore I much marvel who you can be. +Now I pray you tell me, are you Sir Launcelot, or are you my brother, +Sir Lamorack?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lamorack +and Sir Percival +declare +themselves.</i></div> + +<p>So spake Sir Percival, and at those words that other knight cried out +in a loud voice: "What say you! What say you! Who are +you who layeth claim to be brother to Sir Lamorack of Gales? +Know I myself am Sir Lamorack of Gales, so that if you are +my brother, then you can be none other than that good +worthy knight Sir Percival."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percival cried out in a loud voice, "I am indeed Sir Percival!" +and with that he uplifted the umbril of his helmet and showed his face. +So also Sir Lamorack (for that other knight was indeed he) uplifted the +umbril of his helmet and showed his face.</p> + +<p>Then when Sir Percival beheld his brother's face and wist that it was +indeed he against whom he had been doing battle, he cried out aloud: +"My brother! My brother! Is it indeed thou with whom I have fought!" +And Sir Lamorack also cried out, "My brother! My brother!" and thereupon +each ran to the other and embraced him in his arms. And each +kissed the other upon his cheek in great affection of spirit.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Lamorack said: "My brother, I prithee tell me who was that +knight whom I chanced to overthrow but now?" and Sir Percival said, +"That was Sir Sagramore." Sir Lamorack said: "That is a great pity +that I should have assaulted him and done him a hurt. Let us now go +see how he doeth."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lamorack +knoweth Sir +Sagramore.</i></div> + +<p>So they two went together to where Sir Sagramore was, and they found +that he was now altogether recovered from his fall. And when Sir Sagramore +heard that it was Sir Lamorack against whom he had +run atilt, he made great exclamation of astonishment and he +said: "Hah! I am not at all surprised that I should have +met with such a mishap as that fall which I suffered, seeing that it was +thou, Sir Lamorack, against whom I ran atilt."</p> + +<p>After that there was much amicable talk betwixt the three. And after +they had so talked for a considerable while, Sir Percival said to Sir Lamorack, +"My brother, whither goest thou?" To this Sir Lamorack said: +"I go to visit our mother at the Priory of Saint Bridget's. For wit you +it hath now been three years since either of us hath seen her." Quoth +Sir Percival: "Brother, what thou sayst is true, and I am greatly ashamed +that it should be so long a time since I have beheld our mother. Now I +am of a mind to go with thee upon this errand, and I will do so if my companion, +Sir Sagramore, is willing to part company with me." And Sir +Lamorack said, "I pray you do so."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Sagramore said to Sir Percival: "Sir, I would not stay you +from your duty. Go you with your brother in God's name and think +naught of me." And Sir Percival said, "I will do so."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Lamorack +depart +together.</i></div> + +<p>So after a little while longer of friendly talk, Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack +bade adieu to Sir Sagramore, and after that the two +brothers betook their way toward the Priory of St. Bridget's +as aforesaid and Sir Sagramore went his way alone.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Lamorack +behold +their mother.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack travelled upon their way +for all that day, and upon the afternoon of the second day they came to +that place where was the Priory of St. Bridget. Then you may suppose +what joy that noble lady prioress, their mother, had in beholding +her two knightly sons side by side before her once +more. For it is recorded that when she beheld those two +noble lords kneeling upon the ground so that she might bestow +her blessing upon them, she wept very tenderly and said: "Ah, my +dear sons! When your father was slain he left me four sons, of whom +twain were slain by treachery so that now but you two are alive." And +she said: "I pray God He may take you into His keeping and cherish you +in all ways that be for your good, so that you may be spared your lives +and not perish by violence as did your father and your two brothers."</p> + +<p>After that they three sat together talking very tenderly to one another; +and they sat together far into the night, so that it was past midnight when +they parted company to seek their repose. And as they said good night<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +to their mother, Sir Percival said: "Before the dawn of day cometh, dear +mother, I must depart upon my journey once more." And Sir Lamorack +said: "Is it so? Then I must depart with thee, my brother, for to keep +thee company." At that the lady prioress fell to weeping, and still weeping +she kissed them both and prayed that God might shield them both +from sin and sorrow; and so they parted for the night.</p> + +<p>So it befell that upon the first breaking of the morn, they two took +horse and departed from that place. And when the lady prioress awoke, +they were far upon their way. Then when the lady, their mother, found +them gone, she cried out, "Alas! who would be a mother to suffer such +partings as these!"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Lamorack +depart +from the +Priory.</i></div> + +<p>Now after Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival had left the Priory of St. +Bridget's in that wise, they rode side by side through the +dawning of the day, what time a thin, cool mist like to a veil +of silver lay all about the meadow-lands; what time everywhere +the birds were singing their pretty matins with great +joy; what time the leaves of the trees rustled with the first breath of the +coming day. Anon the sky grew bright like to shining silver, very clear +and remote, and then anon uprose the glorious sun and sent his beams +across the meadow-land and wold.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack drew rein and dismounted each +from his steed. Each turned his horse to grass and then each opened +his wallet and broke his fast, quenching his thirst at a forest fountain +that burst out of a cleft rock near by, as clear as crystal and as cold as ice.</p> + +<p>After that they had thus refreshed themselves they took horse again +and once more travelled onward as before.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Lamorack +hear a +voice lamenting.</i></div> + +<p>Now about the middle of the day, they being then journeying in a +leafy woodland, they became aware of a sound of lamentation +in a part of the forest and they wist that there was in that +place some one who was in distress. So with one accord they +followed that sound of lamentation a little to one side, and +away from the path, and so, by and by, they came to a certain open glade +of the woodlands where they perceived the figure of a knight stretched +out upon the ground. And that knight was covered with blood and his +armor was cleft and broken as with battle. Beside the knight there knelt +an esquire clad all in garments pied of red and white. And as the esquire +thus kneeled beside the knight he wiped the face of the knight continually +with a napkin, and ever made that outcry of sorrow which they two had +heard from a distance.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack rode forward into that glade and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> +when the esquire perceived those two strange knights coming toward him, +he arose and stood as though not rightly knowing whether to flee away +or to remain where he was. This Sir Lamorack perceived and so called +out: "Fair youth, be not afraid, but stay and tell us what is this sad sight +which we behold, for we are knights errant and we mean ye well and not +ill."</p> + +<p>So the esquire, perceiving their intention to be friendly, remained where +he was, and thereupon they two rode up to him and to where that figure +of misfortune lay stretched in his blood upon the ground. Then Sir Lamorack +said: "Is this noble knight living, or is he dead?" And the esquire +said, "Alas, Messire! He is not dead, but mefeareth he is dying."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Lamorack +succor a +wounded knight.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival dismounted from their horses and +they went to where lay the unfortunate knight aforesaid. And they examined +him to see whether he were alive; and for a while they +thought that he was dead, but after a while they perceived +that he was not dead, but that he was grievously wounded +and very nigh to death. Then Sir Lamorack lifted up his +face and looked at that esquire, and he said, "Who is this knight, and +how came he here?" "Messire," quoth the esquire, "I will tell you all. +This is a very worthy knight hight Sir Tarn. He and his lady with only +myself in attendance were riding this morning through this part of the +forest with intent to go to the castle of a brother of Sir Tarn's. Right +as we rode thus, there met us a very cruel and savage knight of these +marches hight Sir Godwin. This Sir Godwin had with him several armed +men and these fell upon my lord and his lady, and him they struck down +with many dolorous blows and left for dead and her they have led captive +away with them. As for me, I escaped from their hands into the +thick woodlands and after they had gone I returned hither to lend such +aid as I might to my sad, unfortunate lord."</p> + +<p>"Ha!" said Sir Lamorack, "this is a very sorry story and that is indeed +a wicked and unkindly knight who treated thy lord in this wise. Well +do I know this Sir Godwin, for I slew his brother, Sir Gaudelin, for such +another piece of mischief as this of which thou complainest." And Sir +Lamorack said to Sir Percival: "Brother, let us put this good knight to +such ease and comfort as we may, and then let us go to the castle of Sir +Godwin and succor that lady of Sir Tarn whom he hath taken away captive." +And Sir Percival also said, "Let us do so."</p> + +<p>So they two dismounted from their horses and, with the help of that +esquire they eased Sir Tarn of his armor. After that they searched his +wounds and bathed them from the waters of a near-by fountain of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> +forest. And they bound up those wounds with such bandages as they +had at hand and so brought all the ease and comfort they were able to the +wounded man. So anon Sir Tarn opened his eyes and sighed, and anon +he moved and upraised himself upon his elbow.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Lamorack said: "Lie still, Sir Tarn, and move not for this while +and until thou art better than thou now art. And take comfort to thyself, +for I am Sir Lamorack of Gales and this is my brother, Sir Percival +of Gales, and presently we go to the castle of Sir Godwin for to succor +thy lady and to bring her to thee again. For indeed I have great faith +that God will be with us in that undertaking, and that we shall bring you +peace of soul as we have brought you comfort of body."</p> + +<p>So Sir Lamorack comforted Sir Tarn, and after that they bade the +wounded man adieu for the time and so left him and departed thence, +betaking their way to the castle of Sir Godwin.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Lamorack +come to +the castle of +Sir Godwin.</i></div> + +<p>So after a while they perceived the castle of Sir Godwin where it was in +the midst of the woodland. And they came close to the castle +and when they were very near they dismounted from their horses +and tied the bridles each to a sapling. After that they two +went up to the gate of the castle and demanded admission.</p> + +<p>Then presently the porter came to the gate and looked forth at them +through the wicket, and he said: "Who are ye that demand admission, +and what is your business?" Sir Lamorack said: "We be two knights who +come to demand of Sir Godwin full satisfaction for the wounding of Sir +Tarn and to demand that the lady of Sir Tarn be set free from durance."</p> + +<p>So spake Sir Lamorack, and thereat the porter laughed and said: "Certes, +ye be mad, or else ye be two fearless men to come thus upon such an +errand." Therewith he shut the wicket and went away. And he went +to where Sir Godwin was and told him how those two knights had come +thither and what was their business.</p> + +<p>When Sir Godwin heard that message he also laughed and he said to +the porter: "Go thou and admit these two knights, and when they have +entered the courtyard do thou shut to the gate after them. So we will +have them catched as in a trap. After that we may deal with them as we +please."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Lamorack +enter the +castle of Sir +Godwin.</i></div> + +<p>So the porter did as Sir Godwin commanded; he went and opened the +gates to Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival and he said, "Come +in!" and when they were within the castle he shut to the +gate again so that they might not go forth until they of the +castle chose to let them out again. And at that time Sir +Percival and Sir Lamorack were in a courtyard of the castle and there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +was no way whereby they might escape from that place upon any side, +for all the doors and passes were closed against them.</p> + +<p>Anon came Sir Godwin, the lord of the castle, clad all in full armor. +And he appeared at a balcony that overlooked the courtyard beneath, +and he said: "Who are ye who come hither, meddling with that which +concerns you not?"</p> + +<p>Him answered Sir Lamorack very boldly: "Thou wicked and unworthy +knight! Know thou that I am Sir Lamorack of Gales, and that I am he +who slew thy brother, Sir Gaudelin, for such an offence as this that thou +hast this morning committed. I and my brother, Sir Percival, are come +hither with intent to punish thee for the evil thing which thou hast done +this morning, for we will not suffer that such things shall be done as +thou doest. For those were like the deeds that thy brother did and for +them he died. So repent thee or his fate shall presently be thy fate also +unless thou dost presently repent and make amends for the injury thou +hast done."</p> + +<p>So spake Sir Lamorack, and at that speech Sir Godwin was so filled +with rage that it was as though all the light of heaven turned red before +his eyes. For a while he could not speak because of that rage, and then +by and by he cried out: "Hah! Hah! Art thou indeed Sir Lamorack +who slew my brother? Now I am right glad of that. Make thine orisons, +for this night thou shalt assuredly sup in Paradise with thy brother for +company."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Godwin attacks +Sir Percival +and Sir +Lamorack in +force.</i></div> + +<p>Therewith he departed and was gone, and Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack +knew not what was to happen next. Then, after a while, a door of the +castle was suddenly opened upon the courtyard and a score or more of +full-armed men rushed very violently into the space where +Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival were. At that same time another +door was opened upon the other side of the courtyard +and thereupon there rushed in Sir Godwin and other armed +men. All of these ran forward and flung themselves upon Sir Lamorack +and Sir Percival with intent to overthrow them by dint of numbers.</p> + +<p>But when Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack were aware of their coming, +they straightway set themselves back to back and each whirled his bright +shining sword about his head so that it flashed like lightning. Then there +befell a great battle in that narrow courtyard, many against two. Yet +ever those two bare themselves very valiantly so that in a little space of +time there were six or ten men lying groaning upon the ground, and the +pavement of the courtyard was become all slippery with blood. Yea; so +great was the terror that those two spread about them that in a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> +while they who assaulted them drew away from the death that was measured +out to those who were nearest to the two.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lamorack +slayeth Sir +Godwin.</i></div> + +<p>So, for a while, there came a pause in that battle, and in that pause +Sir Lamorack perceived where Sir Godwin stood in the midst of the castle +folk, urging them to the attack. Thereat of a sudden the madness of +battle fell upon Sir Lamorack, so that he waited not for another assault, +but, shouting aloud, he ran at his enemy, whirling his sword about his +head. At that fierce attack the castle folk scattered from before him like +to chaff before the wind, and so Sir Lamorack and Sir Godwin stood face +to face with no one to stay Sir Lamorack in his assault. Then Sir Lamorack +whirled his sword and smote such a buffet that though Sir Godwin took that +buffet upon his shield, yet his wits melted away from him because of the +blow he had received. Then his defences fell low before him, his head hung +upon his breast, he staggered, and his thighs trembled with weakness. Then +he cried out, "Mercy! Mercy!" saying those words twice +over. But Sir Lamorack would not hear him, but lifting up +his sword he smote Sir Godwin again, and with that second +stroke Sir Godwin fell down upon his knees to the ground. Then Sir +Lamorack rushed off the helmet of Sir Godwin and he catched Sir Godwin's +head by the hair and drew his neck forward. And he whirled up his +sword and he smote Sir Godwin's head from his body so that it rolled down +upon the stones of the courtyard.</p> + +<p>Now when the followers of Sir Godwin beheld how their master was +slain they were seized with a great terror of death insomuch that they +crowded away to the extremities of the courtyard like to rats caught +in a pit. And they held up their hands and cried aloud, "Mercy! +Mercy!"</p> + +<p>Then Sir Lamorack, panting for breath from his fight and leaning upon +his sword, said, "Take your mercy." And he said, "Where is the major +of this castle?" They say, "We will get him for you, lord," and therewith +several ran upon that errand. Anon they came bringing a fat old +man all trembling and quaking with fear. This fat old man kneeled down +before Sir Lamorack, and Sir Lamorack said, "Art thou the major of this +place?" And he said, "Yea, Messire." Sir Lamorack said, "What captives +have ye here?" to the which the major replied, "There be seven +captives, and four of those seven are ladies." Sir Lamorack said, "Take us +to them."</p> + +<p>So upon the command of Sir Lamorack the major arose from his knees, +trembling with fear. And he conducted Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival +to the keep of the castle and to the secret dungeons that were within the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +keep. There they found and liberated those seven poor and miserable +creatures who were held prisoners in that place.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lamorack +liberates the +castle captives.</i></div> + +<p>Amongst those ladies who were captive was the lady of Sir Tarn, and +amongst the knights who were captive was Sir Percevant of +Hind. All these seven captives Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival +liberated and they gave great praise and loud acclaim +to those two most worthy champions who had set them free from their +piteous and miserable durance.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Lamorack said, "Where is the treasure of this castle?" and in +obedience to that command, the major conducted Sir Lamorack and Sir +Percival to the treasure-house. There they found twelve great chests +full of treasure, which same Sir Godwin had gathered by murder and +robbery and rapine.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Lamorack said: "Let this treasure be divided equally amongst +these captives so that they may be recompensed for all the misery they +have suffered."</p> + +<p>So it was done as he commanded and thus it was that those who had +been so sad in captivity were made glad in their liberation. Nor would Sir +Lamorack take any of that treasure for himself; otherwise he gave it all +to those who had suffered so much at the hands of Sir Godwin.</p> + +<p>Then after all this was accomplished, it being then come eventide, Sir +Lamorack said: "Let every living soul quit this place, for it is a den of +thieves, and shall no longer be permitted to stand stone upon stone."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lamorack +setteth fire to +the castle.</i></div> + +<p>So all they of the castle came and stood without the walls, both young +and old, strong and weak, man and woman, the sick and the well. And +when all had thus come forth, Sir Lamorack gave command +that torches should be set here and there to the castle. So it +was done according to that command, and in a little while +all that castle was in a flame of fire, so that the falling night was made +bright with the illumination thereof.</p> + +<p>In the light of that illumination Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival rode +away with the lady of Sir Tarn. And they brought the lady to where the +wounded man lay—and he had then recovered his strength in a great measure +and was in a way of regaining his life and his health once more.</p> + +<p>So a pavilion was set up over Sir Tarn and after he was in all wise made +comfortable, Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack departed from that place and +went upon their way, riding through the night and all enwrapped around +about by the darkness of the night and of the woodlands.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Thus it was that Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival met at that bridge in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +the valley; thus they visited together their mother, the prioress of St. +Bridget's Priory; thus they destroyed that nest of thieves, and thus they +departed once more upon their way.</p> + +<p>And now followeth the story of how Sir Percival met Sir Ector de Maris; +of how Sir Percival joined company with Sir Ector; of how they discovered a +certain very wonderful isle in a lake of clear water, and of how Sir Ector had +to do with a certain knight who was the champion of that island aforesaid.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0289.png" width="250" height="128" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 418px;"> +<img src="images/s0291.png" width="418" height="600" alt="Sir Percival and Sir Ector look upon the Isle of Joy:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0292.png" width="600" height="75" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Second</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Percival and Sir Ector de Maris came to a very wonderful +place where was a castle in the midst of a lake.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>That night Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival lay in the woodlands, +each wrapped in his cloak, and each sleeping very soundly +after all the travails of the day. And when the next morning had +come Sir Percival awoke a little before the dawning of the day and Sir +Lamorack still slept.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +leaveth Sir +Lamorack +asleep.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Percival bethought him that he must again depart in quest of +Sir Launcelot and that his brother, Sir Lamorack, was not upon that quest. +So he rose very softly and he went aside and donned his +armor so quietly that he did not disturb his brother's slumbers. +After he had thus donned his armor, he took horse and +rode alone into the forest, leaving Sir Lamorack still asleep where he lay.</p> + +<p>And Sir Percival traversed that woodland for a long while, not knowing +whither he went, but trusting ever to God to bring him out thence all in +good time. So as he journeyed he came about the prime of day to a certain +open place where there was a crossroad and a wayside shrine and a +little chapel. And as Sir Percival drew nigh to this place, he beheld that +a knight in shining armor was kneeling at that wayside shrine, reciting his +orisons.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +meets with Sir +Ector de Maris.</i></div> + +<p>Beside the kneeling knight there stood a noble dapple-gray war-horse, +and the spear of the knight leaned against the bole of a near-by oak tree, +and the shield of the knight hung suspended to the spear. +And the knight wore neither helm nor bascinet, wherefore +Sir Percival could see his face and so could know who he was. +And Sir Percival knew that the knight who kneeled there was Sir Ector de +Maris, the brother of Sir Launcelot of the Lake.</p> + +<p>Now though Sir Ector heard the sound of the footsteps of the horse as +Sir Percival drew nigh, yet he neither ceased his orisons nor turned his head, +but ever continued very steadfastly to recite his prayers. And so Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +Percival drew rein at a little distance and waited until Sir Ector was done +his prayers, nor did he disturb the kneeling knight in any wise until he +had crossed himself and arisen to his feet.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percival said, "This is well met, Sir Ector," and because the +umbril of Sir Percival's helmet was uplifted, Sir Ector knew him and so he +said, giving him greeting, "Well met indeed, Sir Percival."</p> + +<p>Therewith Sir Percival dismounted from his horse, and he came to Sir +Ector and clasped Sir Ector in his arms, and each kissed the other upon +the cheek as though they had been brothers.</p> + +<p>After that they went a little to one side and sat them down in the soft +long grass of the wayside and beneath the shadow of a wide-spreading +tree.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percival said to Sir Ector: "Sir, hast thou any news of thy +brother, Sir Launcelot?" And Sir Ector said: "Nay, I have no news of +him, but I had hoped that you might have news."</p> + +<p>Sir Percival said, "I have no news," and he said, "Do you still go in +quest of that noble and gentle knight your brother?" And Sir Ector said, +"Yea." Sir Percival said: "So do I go upon that quest, and I would fain +that we might travel somewhile together for the sake of companionship." +And Sir Ector said: "So also would I wish it to be."</p> + +<p>Now as they thus talked there came the hermit of that chapel to them +where they sat, and he said to them: "Messires, will ye not break bread +with me ere ye depart from this place?" Whereunto they said: "Yea; +gladly will we do so."</p> + +<p>So they all went together to the hermit's cell, and therewith he prepared +for them such food as he had at his dwelling-place; to wit, sweet brown +bread, with honey of the forest and berries freshly gathered from the +thickets. So those two noble knights ate with great appetite and were +fully refreshed and their hunger stayed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Ector +ride together.</i></div> + +<p>Then, after they had thus eaten their fill, they gave many thanks to the +good man for their refreshment and so departed from that pleasant place, +riding side by side together, talking in pleasant discourse, and +now and then chanting a bit of song, either one alone or both +together. Meantime the warm sun shone very brightly, flickering +ever and anon through the leaves and blazing of a sudden with a quick +and wonderful glory as it catched upon the polished plates of their +armor.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Ector +behold a fair +valley.</i></div> + +<p>In this wise Sir Percival and Sir Ector travelled and by and by they +came out of that forest. And they travelled for several days, until at last +they one day came to a certain place whence they overlooked a valley.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +Here they drew rein upon the heights and looked down into that valley, +and they beheld that it was a very fair place. And in the midst +thereof they beheld that there was a lake of water, wonderfully +clear and very blue and tranquil, as it were a part of the bright +shining sky that lay within the cup of that valley. And they +beheld that in the midst of the lake there was an island, and that upon the +island there stood a castle, very tall and stately, and with many tall roofs +of tile that shone all red like to several separate flames of fire against the +mild blue sky behind. And they beheld that there was a little town of +houses of stone and brick not far away from that castle, and they beheld +that the rest of the island was very fertile and green, like to a pure emerald +of bright fertility. And they beheld that there were several groves and +plantations of trees and of fruit-trees at several places upon the island, so +that, what with this and what with that, it was like a fragment of paradise +planted in that place.</p> + +<p>All these they beheld, as it were, upon the palm of the hand. And after +they had gazed for a while, Sir Ector said: "Methinks that yonder is as +fair a place as ever I saw in all of my life. Now let us descend thitherward +and let us seek to discover to what noble lord yonder island castle +belongeth." To the which Sir Percival said, "That meeteth altogether +my wishes."</p> + +<p>So thereupon those two rode down into that valley and so came to the +margin of the lake. And they beheld that the waters of the lake were as +clear as crystal and that all around the lake was a strand of yellow pebbles +that appeared like pebbles of gold in the sunlight, wherefore it was as +though that lake was altogether surrounded with the ring of gold. And +beyond this strand of pebbles were meadows of long grass and of flowers, +and chiefly these flowers were daffodils.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and Sir Ector +ride beside +the lake.</i></div> + +<p>So those two knights proceeded along that golden strand, all in the +shining sunlight, until, by and by, they came to a certain part +of the lake that was nighest to the castle. And the island +at that point sloped very gently down to the water, and as +these two knights gazed across the waters they saw how that +a wide, smooth meadow lay betwixt the castle and the waters of the lake, +and that the meadow was besprinkled with an incredible number of bright +daffodil flowers like to the meadows upon the other side of that strand +of pebbles. And they perceived that there was a lady standing deep in +the long grass of the meadow and in the midst of the flowers, and they +saw that she wore many ornaments of gold set with jewels and that she +carried a sparrow-hawk upon her wrist.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +bespeaketh a +lady of Joyous +Isle.</i></div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the champion +of Joyous +Isle.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Percival called to that lady across the water, saying, "Lady, +what is this castle and who is the lord thereof?" To this the +lady also called out in reply (speaking in a voice that was +wonderfully high and clear), saying: "This is hight the Joyous +Isle and yonder is the castle of Joyous Isle, and the lord +of the castle is a very noble knight hight, le Chevalier Malfait. We of +this castle are exceedingly proud of that knight, holding him to be the +most noble champion in all of the world. For there have been several +tournaments and jousts held in these marches, and in none +of them hath any one been able to stand against our knight. +And many knights have come hither at different times to try +an adventure against our knight, but all these hath he overthrown with +wonderful skill and strength."</p> + +<p>Thus spake that lady; and to her Sir Percival said: "Certes, lady, this +must be a very noble knight according to your accounting. Now I pray +you tell me how came so puissant a knight as that into this remote place?"</p> + +<p>Quoth she: "I cannot rightly tell you that, only I know that he came +hither as a madman and that he was healed of his madness, and that he +was wedded to the daughter of the king of this country, who is one of the +most beautiful ladies in the world, and that since then he hath been living +here at Joyous Isle."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percival said: "Lady, we came not hither upon any such adventure +as that of trying the skill of your champion, but what you inform +us concerning him giveth me a great appetite to try of what mettle he is. +Now I pray you tell me, how may I come at this knight so as to adventure +myself against him."</p> + +<p>At this the lady laughed, and she said: "Messire, if such be your wish, +you will find yourself very welcome at this place. If you would come at +this adventure, you must travel by the margin of the lake a little farther +upon the way you are going and until you have come to that part of the +lake that is back of the castle. There you will find a ferryman and his +two sons. Make your want known to this ferryman and he will take you +into his boat and will ferry both you and your two horses across the water +of the lake so that you may come to the other side."</p> + +<p>So spake the lady; and after that Sir Percival gave her gramercy and +therewith he and Sir Ector took their departure. And so they travelled +some little while by the margin of the lake as the lady with the sparrow-hawk +had directed, and by and by they came to that part of the lake that +was back of the castle. Here they beheld a vessel such as the lady had +described, and they beheld a hut beside the margin of the lake; and when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +they called there came forth out of the hut the ferryman and two others +who were his sons. Of these Sir Percival made demand that they should +transport him across the lake to the island and thereupon the ferryman +immediately prepared to do so.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percival said to Sir Ector: "Sir, I pray you of your courtesy +for one thing," and Sir Ector said, "What is that?" Sir Percival said: +"I pray you that you will abide here and let me undertake this adventure +alone. For I would not have it that two of us together should go forth +against this one knight. And indeed I have great hope that I may be +successful in this, even though I go thus alone, wherefore it is that I pray +you of your courtesy that you will abide here, and patiently await my +return."</p> + +<p>So spake Sir Percival, and Sir Ector said: "Messire, let it be as you say +and I will even abide here at this place and await your return. And if +you should fail in that which you undertake, then will I also essay this +adventure to discover if I may meet with better success."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +passeth to +Joyous Isle.</i></div> + +<p>So therewith Sir Percival entered the boat, and the ferryman and his +two sons also entered it, and they bent to their oars and in +a little while they had rowed Sir Percival across the water +to the island that lay upon the farther side.</p> + +<p>Then when Sir Percival had safely come to the island in that wise, he +rode up toward the castle through that very pleasant meadow aforetold +of, and so came to the castle gateway. Here he beheld a bugle horn +hanging by a chain. Then he took that bugle horn into his hands and +blew upon it until the walls of the castle rang with the sound thereof. +Anon, in answer to that blast, there came the porter of that castle and +looked at Sir Percival through the wicket of the gate. And the porter +said: "Messire, what would you have of us of this castle?"</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Percival: "Good man, I have heard news of the great prowess +of the knight-champion of this castle, and so I have come hither to make +a better acquaintance of that prowess. Now I, pray you to go to him and +to tell him that there hath come an errant knight who would fain do battle +with him in a friendly tilt if so be he will come forth hither without +the castle and meet me in the meadow that lieth beneath the walls. For +that meadow is a pleasant place, smooth and level, where two knights +may have great joy in running atilt in friendly contest."</p> + +<p>"Messire," quoth the porter, "it needs not that the knight of this castle +should come forth out of the castle to meet you. For inside of this castle +is a very pleasant tilt yard, and there is a gallery around about the tilt +yard whence the lords and ladies of this place may view the contest be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span>tween +you and our knight. Wherefore, I pray you enter and take no +fear, for you will be very well received at this place."</p> + +<p>"I give you gramercy," said Sir Percival, "and I find that this is indeed +a very gentle and kindly place whereunto I have come. So I pray +you give me way and I will enter as you desire me to do."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +entereth the +castle of +Joyous Isle.</i></div> + +<p>So anon the portcullis of the castle was raised and the drawbridge was +let fall and thereupon Sir Percival rode forward across the +drawbridge and entered the castle and the courtyard thereof, +the iron hoofs of his horse sounding very loud and noisy upon +the stones of the pavement.</p> + +<p>Then immediately there came several esquires running to him and +asked of him what was his will and why he had come to that place. Sir +Percival told them what he would have, and that he would have a friendly +contest of arms with the knight of that place; whereunto the esquires +said, "It shall be as you desire."</p> + +<p>So two of those esquires ran to find the knight of the castle to tell him +how that a challenger was come to run atilt against him, and meantime +several other esquires led Sir Percival's horse to the tilt yard of the castle +and others still again brought him a cup of fair spiced wine for his refreshment. +Anon the folk of the castle began to gather in the balcony +that overlooked the tilt yard, and Sir Percival, casting upward his eyes +toward those who gathered there, beheld that that was as fair a court of +chivalry as ever had looked down upon any battle that he had fought in +all of his life.</p> + +<p>After that, and by and by, there came the knight-champion of the castle, +riding into the farther extremity of the tilt yard, and when Sir Percival +looked upon him it seemed to him that he had hardly ever seen so noble +and haughty a figure as that castle champion presented.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +doeth battle +with the champion +of Joyous +Isle.</i></div> + +<p>Then straightway those two knights prepared each himself for the encounter, +and when they were in all ways made ready the marshal of the +lists came forward and proclaimed the conditions of battle—that it was +to be ahorseback or afoot as the knights-contestant chose. After that +proclamation the marshal withdrew a little to one side. Then he called +upon those knights to make them ready. Then in another little while, +and beholding that they were both ready in all wise, he blew +a loud blast upon his trumpet, whereupon in an instant they +quitted each his post and launched the one against the other +like to two bulls rushing together in a charge. So they two +met in the midst of the course with such an uproar of encounter that the +ears of those who stood near by were stunned with the noise thereof.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> + +<p>In that encounter each knight splintered his lance to the very butt +thereof, and at the violence of the blow that each gave the other, the +horse of each tottered back upon his haunches and would have fallen but +for the address of the knight rider, who quickly recovered him with spur +and voice and rein.</p> + +<p>Then each knight voided his saddle and leaped to the ground, and each +drew his sword from its sheath for an encounter afoot. Then flashed +their swords like lightning in the sunlight, and blow followed blow with +such great spirit and good will that the sound thereof deafened the ears +of those who looked down upon that encounter from the balcony. And +ever these two champions lashed at the other such buffets that it was a +wonder that any skill and address at arms could have turned aside such +strokes as fell in that friendly battle.</p> + +<p>So they two fought for so long a time that those who onlooked were +astonished at the strength and the courage and the endurance of those +two champions, and in all that while neither knight had suffered aught +of harm and neither had had aught of advantage over the other.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +and the champion +stint +their battle.</i></div> + +<p>Then at last the champion of the castle cried out, "Sir Knight, hold thy +hand!" and thereupon Sir Percival ceased his battle and stood leaning +upon the pommel of his sword, panting because of the great +endeavor which he had put forth during that conflict. Then +the knight-champion of the castle said: "Messire, I have met +many knights in my day and amongst them I have encountered +those who were regarded to be the best knights in the world, yet I +make my vow that never until this time have ever I met any knight who +hath proved himself to be so strong and so powerful as you have shown +yourself to be in this battle. Now I pray you, Messire, that you of your +courtesy will declare your name and degree, for I doubt me not that you +are one whom we shall find to have conferred great honor upon us by +coming to this place."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +declareth +himself.</i></div> + +<p>To this Sir Percival said: "Messire, your civility of words is equal to +your address at arms. Gladly will I declare my name and degree, and +happy will I be if it hath aught of significance to you, for I do not think +that even Sir Launcelot of the Lake himself was ever a better knight +than you have shown yourself to be. Know you that I am Sir Percival +of Gales and that I am son to King Pellinore and brother +unto Sir Lamorack of Gales. And now I beseech you upon +your part to declare your name and title to me."</p> + +<p>But to this speech the champion of the castle made no reply. Otherwise, +when he heard what Sir Percival said, and when he heard the name<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> +and degree of Sir Percival, he gave forth a great cry, either of joy or of +something different from joy. Therewith, and thus crying out, he flung +away his sword and he flung away his shield, and he ran to Sir Percival +and threw himself down upon his knees before Sir Percival and embraced +him about the thighs. And he cried out: "What have I done! What +have I done to do battle with thee in this wise!"</p> + +<p>At this Sir Percival was very greatly astonished and he said: "Sir, what +is this thou doest to kneel to me? Who art thou who sayst such words +as these I hear? Now I pray thee that thou wilt immediately declare +thyself to me who thou art!"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +declareth +himself.</i></div> + +<p>Then that knight, still kneeling, said: "Sir Percival, I am he whom men +one time called Sir Launcelot of the Lake." Therewith saying, +that knight of the castle lifted up the umbril of his helmet and +Sir Percival beheld that it was indeed Sir Launcelot.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Percival cried out even as Sir Launcelot had done, and thus +crying out he said: "At last, at last I have found thee!" Therewith he +lifted up Sir Launcelot into his arms, and he embraced Sir Launcelot and +kissed him upon the cheek and they wept over one another with a great +joy of meeting, and all those in the balcony who beheld that sight wondered +what was its occasion.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +beholdeth Elaine +the Fair.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot said to Sir Percival: "Sir, let me bring you to my +lady." And therewith he took Sir Percival by the hand and led him up +into the gallery and to where the Lady Elaine sat in the midst of her court. +And Sir Percival looked with a very earnest regard upon that lady, and it +appeared to him that he had never before beheld so sweet and +gentle and beautiful a countenance as that which he then +looked upon. And Sir Percival said: "Lady, now that I see +thee I wonder not that Sir Launcelot hath remained thus hidden away from +the sight of all of us for these two years past. For if this island wherein +ye dwell is a fair paradise then certes art thou a very fitting queen to that +dwelling-place."</p> + +<p>So spake Sir Percival, and after he had spoken the Lady Elaine smiled +very kindly upon him and she said: "Messire, your words are very fair +and they flatter me far beyond my deserving. Great is your renown +amongst us and I declare that you are very welcome to this place. Now +I pray you put aside your armor and bathe and refresh yourself, and +after that we shall all take gentle sport together."</p> + +<p>Sir Percival said: "Lady, gladly would I stay with you at this present. +But there is awaiting me at another place not far distant from this one +whom Sir Launcelot will be even more glad to behold than he was glad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +to behold me. Now I pray you, suffer me first to go and bring that one +hither and then will we both remain with you in greater joy of your company."</p> + +<p>Quoth Sir Launcelot, "Who is it that could give me more pleasure to +see than you, Sir Percival?"</p> + +<p>"Sir," said Sir Percival, "it is your own brother, Sir Ector. For I left +him upon the other side of the water of this lake whilst I came hither alone +to try my fortune with you. Now I pray you let me go to him and bring +him hitherward so that we may all rejoice together."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot cried out: "This is indeed joy upon joy. Now I +pray you, Sir Percival, go and bring him!" Therewith Sir Percival departed +to fetch Sir Ector thither in accordance with that saying.</p> + +<p>So Sir Percival rode down through the meadow of the island to the +margin of the lake, and when he had come there the ferryman ferried +him across the water as they had brought him across before. And Sir +Percival found Sir Ector waiting for him, who, when he beheld Sir Percival +coming, said: "Sir, what fortune had you in your adventure?" Quoth +Sir Percival: "Oh, friend! that fortune which I had was greater than you +or I could have deemed to be possible."</p> + +<p>At these words Sir Ector was greatly astonished, and he said: "What +great fortune is this of which thou speakest?" and Sir Percival said: "I +will tell thee. Whom thinkest thou I have found upon this adventure? +None other than thine own brother, Sir Launcelot, for he it is who is +the lord of this castle."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ector cried out with astonishment, and he said: "Can this be +so indeed?" And then he said: "Let us make haste and go to him upon +the wings of the wind."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival +bringeth Sir +Ector to +Joyous Isle.</i></div> + +<p>So again they entered the ferry and were ferried across the water. And +after they were upon the farther side they rode together +through that meadow of flowers and up to the castle.</p> + +<p>Now as they drew nigh to the castle in that wise they beheld +a great concourse of the castle folk coming forth to meet +them and giving great sound of jubilation and rejoicing. At the head of +these who approached to meet them came Sir Launcelot and the Lady +Elaine, they two riding side by side, Sir Launcelot upon a great black +horse, and she upon a white palfrey. And she was clad all in garments +of white sarsanet embellished with pearls and embroidered with threads +of silver, and she was adorned with ornaments of shining gold and she +wore a golden crown upon her head such as was befitting the daughter of a +king to wear. Her fair hair was enmeshed in a network of golden threads<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> +so that what with this and that her beauty shone from afar with exceeding +lustre. And though Sir Ector had beheld her aforetime yet it was +as though he had never beheld her until that day, for her joy and her +pride of Sir Launcelot and in his meeting Sir Ector and Sir Percival again +so illuminated her countenance that it was as though her beauty shone +with a singular brightness from within; yea, it was as though her soul itself +had illuminated her body of flesh with a pure and shining beauty that +was other than of this world.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ector and +Sir Launcelot +meet one another.</i></div> + +<p>So as they met, Sir Launcelot and Sir Ector each leaped from his horse +and they ran together and embraced and kissed each other +and wept one upon another in such a wise that all of those +who looked on wept also for joy of their joy. And then Sir +Ector came to the lady and took her by the hand and kissed +her hand and kissed it again and yet again.</p> + +<p>After that they all went up to the castle of the Joyous Isle together, +and they entered into the castle with sounds of rejoicing and loud acclaim +so that the very walls of the castle seemed, as it were, to cry out +with joy. So after they had thus entered the castle, a number of attendants +took Sir Percival and Sir Ector and made them comfortable in all +wise. And they were given rich robes of royal make for to wear and after +that there was feasting and rejoicing beyond measure.</p> + +<p>Thereafter day followed day in great cheer and mirth and there were +many joustings and tournaments held in honor of these two royal knights +who had come thither.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ector +bespeaketh +Sir Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Now one day Sir Launcelot and Sir Ector were walking together in the +garden of that fair castle and they were alone, no attendants being with +them at that time. Anon Sir Ector said to Sir Launcelot, +"My brother, I pray ye read me a riddle." Quoth Sir Launcelot, +"What is your riddle?" "It is this," said Sir Ector: +"What should one do if a messenger came to him with command from a +queen to whom he had sworn duty—that command being that he should +show himself at court? Should that one neglect the command that his +queen had transmitted to him, or should he obey that command."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot turned his face aside so that Sir Ector might not +read his eyes, and after a little he said, "I will not return to court."</p> + +<p>"Why will ye not do so?" said Sir Ector, and Sir Launcelot made reply: +"Because a duty that is greater than any queen's command keeps me +here with this lady unto whom I have pledged all my truth and all my +faith."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span></p> + +<p>After that Sir Ector was silent for a little, and then after a little while +he said: "Sir, you know very well that I would do naught to advise you +against that which I believe to be your duty and your honor. But are +you so doubtful of yourself that you fear to perform one duty lest you +should fail in another duty? Now we are commanded by that queen +whom you swore to serve to search you out and to find you and to tell +you that it is her command unto you that you return to the court of the +Great King and make your peace with her. Are you then so doubtful +of your truth to the Lady Elaine that you fear to obey the command of +the Queen?"</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot cried out, "Say no more to me of this!" and so Sir +Ector said no more. So, shortly afterward they parted company.</p> + +<p>After that they had so parted Sir Launcelot went to a certain chamber +of the castle where he was alone and there he communed with his spirit, +and these communings were very bitter and sad. Anon came the Lady +Elaine to that place and knocked upon the door and demanded entrance, +but for a while Sir Launcelot denied her. But ever she knocked, and so +after a while he opened the door a little and admitted her into that place +where he was.</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Elaine came close to Sir Launcelot and looked very deeply +into his eyes, and by and by she said, "Launcelot, what ails thee?" He +said, "My brother hath been talking to me concerning certain matters." +She said, "What was it he said to thee?" And Sir Launcelot replied, "I +will not tell thee."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine bespeaketh +Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Then the Lady Elaine smiled into Sir Launcelot's face and she said: +"It needs not that thou shouldst tell me what thy brother said, for I can +guess very well what it was." Then she took Sir Launcelot's +head into her embrace and she said, "Launcelot! Launcelot!" +and he said, "Elaine! Elaine!" And the Lady Elaine said: +"Alas, love, thou must return with these good knights unto +the court of the King, for it is thy duty to do so. After that thou mayst +return hither, and I pray God that thy staying away from this place may +not be for very long."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot said: "Elaine, I will not go away from this place +unless it be that thou also goest with me. Wherefore, if thou wilt have +me go to King Arthur's court, then go thou along with me. Otherwise, +if thou wilt not do that, then I will disobey the Queen's commands and +will stay forever here with thee."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Elaine smiled again though somewhat sadly and she +said: "Ah, Launcelot, I am sorry for thee and for thy doubts. But as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> +thou wilt have it so, so let it be and I will go with thee to the court of the +King." Therewith she kissed Sir Launcelot upon the face and he kissed +her as with a great passion.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They all depart +from +Joyous Isle.</i></div> + +<p>So three days after that time all they departed from Joyous Isle—to +wit, Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival and Sir Ector and the +Lady Elaine—and in the court who went along with them there +also travelled Sir Lavaine, the Lady Elaine's brother, who +had aforetime been Sir Launcelot's companion at arms in that tournament +at Astolat as aforetold of. These with their courts of esquires and ladies +and demoiselles wended their way from that place with great state of departure +and with all the pomp and circumstance that befitted the high +estate of those who travelled.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So it was that Sir Launcelot was found, and now if you will read this +history further you shall hear of a very pleasant adventure that befell +them upon their way to the castle of King Arthur and of how Sir Ewaine +and the Lady of the Fountain joined them and went with them to the +court of the King.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0303.png" width="250" height="129" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 414px;"> +<img src="images/s0305.png" width="414" height="600" alt="Sir Lavaine the Son of Pelles:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0306.png" width="600" height="75" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Third</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival and Sir Ector and the Lady +Elaine progressed to the court of King Arthur, and how a very +good adventure befell them upon their way.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Now, as was said, Sir Launcelot and the Lady Elaine departed for +Camelot, together with Sir Percival and Sir Ector and Sir Lavaine, +for their intent was to return to King Arthur's court. With them +went a very noble court of knights and ladies, and of many attendants of +all degrees in waiting upon them. So it was that whensoever their cavalcade +would make a halt, that place where they would rest would suddenly +bloom forth, as it were, with the glory of their coming. For upon such +a halt there would immediately be spread a number of pavilions of all +sorts and colors for the accommodation of those lords and ladies, wherefore +the green fields and meadow-lands would presently be covered all +over with a great multitude of gay colors of all sorts, bedazzling the eye +with their brightness and their variety. Then all the air would be aflutter +with silken pennants and banners, and all would be bright with the shining +of armor and the movement of gaily clad figures, and all would be merry +with the chatter and music of many voices talking together, and all would +be alive with movement and bustle—some running hither and some running +thither—and everywhere pages and esquires would be busy polishing pieces +of armor, and damsels would be busy in gentle attendance upon the lady.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How they rest +within the +forest.</i></div> + +<p>So it was that they made progression in that wise, all gay and debonnaire, +and so one day they made halt toward the sloping of the afternoon +in a certain very pleasant woodland where a fair fountain of +water, as clear as crystal and as cold as ice, came gushing +forth from a mossy rock of the woodland. Here was a very +pleasant meadow of lush green grass all besprinkled with pretty flowers +and around about stood the trees of the forest, ever rustling and murmuring +their leaves in the soft and balmy breezes that caused their ancient +heads to move, very slowly this way and that, as though they were whispering +to one another concerning the doings of those gay travellers aforesaid.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now as those knights and ladies who had been travelling all that day +were anhungered with journeying, a repast had been spread in the open +air, and all they sat at table with only the blue sky and the bright floating +clouds above their heads for a canopy, and only the soft green grass and +the pretty flowers beneath their feet for a carpet. And so as they sat, +pages and attendants ran hither and thither with plates and dishes and +pattens of silver and of gold full of meats of all kinds, and with beakers +and pitchers and goblets of silver and of gold full of wines of various sorts; +and with these foods the attendants served that noble company as they +sat at table. And all the stillness of the forest was filled full of the noise +of the chanting of many voices, and of laughter and of snatches of song. +What time there stood near by several minstrels who played upon harps +for the entertainment of those who ate at the table.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>A strange damsel +appeareth +in the forest.</i></div> + +<p>So, as they sat, all enjoying themselves with feasting and good cheer, +there came forth of a sudden from the forest a very beautiful +damsel riding upon a milk-white horse with two esquires in +attendance upon her—the one walking upon the one side of +her horse, and the other upon the other. This damsel and the esquires +were all clad in flame-colored satin and all these were adorned with many +ornaments of gold. And the damsel wore about her neck several shining +necklaces of gold inset with jewels of divers sorts, and she wore armlets +of gold also inset with jewels upon her arms, and her hair was gathered +into a net of gold. So it was, what with that flaming raiment and the +shining of those several ornaments of gold, that she who came thither +was all one living flame of fire.</p> + +<p>So she drew nigh to them who sat at table, and they beheld that the face +of that damsel was of a very singularly beautiful appearance, being like +to ivory for whiteness; and they beheld that her lips were like to coral for +redness, and that her eyes were like two jewels, very bright and shining. +And they beheld that her hands were long and slender, and were adorned +with many rings of wrought gold, so that each finger shone, as it were, with +pure brightness because of those several hoops of gold that encircled them.</p> + +<p>Such was the appearance of that damsel and all they who sat there at +feast were astonished with wonderment when they beheld her, for they +all wist that without doubt she was fay.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel bespeaketh +them.</i></div> + +<p>Now when that damsel had come pretty close to where they sat at their +feast, she drew rein and cried out: "God save you, gentles! +Now I pray you tell me if there is any knight here who hath +a mind for an adventure that would doubtless be very pleasant for him to +undertake?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p> + +<p>To this Sir Launcelot made reply: "I dare say, fair maiden, that there +are several knights here who would take pleasure in assuming any adventure +that one so beautiful as you are might call upon him to perform. +Speaking for myself, I shall be very glad to assume such an adventure; +wherefore, I pray thee, tell me what that adventure is."</p> + +<p>"I will tell you," said the damsel. "The adventure which I would have +you undertake is hight the Adventure of the Fountain, and if you would +assume it, you have only to take yonder path that leads through the +woodlands in that direction and you shall come to it anon. For if you go +in that way you will come, by and by, to a high mound, where you will +find a huge black man sitting, watching a herd of cattle. Tell him that +you are come to assume the Adventure of the Fountain, and he will direct +you farther upon your way."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot said: "This is a very strange thing that thou hast +set me to undertake. Now I prithee tell me further concerning this adventure, +and what will befall after I have bespoken that black herdsman +of whom thou tellest." But at this the maiden only laughed and said: +"The black man who sits upon the mound, he will tell you all that is necessary +for you to know." Thereupon she turned her horse about and immediately +departed with those two esquires who attended her. And so +presently she reached the edge of the woodland and disappeared into the +forest whence she had emerged not a very long while before. And all that +court of knights and ladies were equally amazed at her coming and at her +going.</p> + +<p>Then after she had thus gone Sir Launcelot said: "I know not what it is +that this damsel has set me to do, but let us abide here to-night as we had +purposed, and when to-morrow comes then we will all depart together in +quest of this adventure which she calleth the 'Adventure of the Fountain.' +For I doubt not that it is some very excellent undertaking that +will afford us extraordinary entertainment."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They depart +upon the Adventure +of the +Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>Accordingly, that night they abided where they were, and when the +early breaking of the day had come they departed thence +upon the way that the damsel had pointed out.</p> + +<p>After they had thus departed, they travelled for a considerable +distance through the forest in that direction and anon +they came to that mound of which the damsel had spoken. And they +beheld that the mound stood in a wide open space of the woodland. And +they beheld that there were many cattle grazing around about this mound +and upon the mound, and they beheld that upon the mound there sat a +gigantic being of such a hideous aspect that they were astonished at his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> +appearance. For his skin was wellnigh black, and his half naked body +was covered all over with hairs like to the hairs upon the body of an ape.</p> + +<p>Then, when this being beheld them where they came, he roared at them +in a great voice, saying, "Where go ye, little people, and what is your +business?"</p> + +<p>To him Sir Launcelot made reply: "Fellow, I came hither to assay that +Adventure of the Fountain and these are my companions who come with +me. Now tell me what that adventure is and what I shall do to fulfill it."</p> + +<p>Then that gigantic oaf bellowed with loud laughter and he cried out: +"Seekest thou that adventure? Now I warrant thee, thou wilt be well +satisfied when thou hast found it. For so all have been satisfied who +have come this way. Take thou yonder path and by and by thou wilt +come to a certain valley that is very fair and beautiful. In that valley is +a lake and there is a fountain nigh to the lake, and thou mayst know the +fountain because a great tree stands beside it and shelters the waters +thereof. Beside the fountain is a slab of stone and upon the slab is a silver +bowl attached to the slab by a chain of silver. Dip up some water from +the fountain into the silver bowl and cast the water upon the slab of stone, +and thou shalt straightway meet with an adventure that will, I doubt not, +satisfy all thy desires for a long time to come."</p> + +<p>So spake that gigantic being in a voice like to thunder, and after he had +spoken they presently all departed upon further quest of that adventure.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They behold +the valley of +the Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>So they travelled a very long distance until by and by they came to +that steep hill aforetold of in this history. Thereafter they +climbed to the top of this hill and found themselves at a place +where the forest ceased and whence beneath them lay a very +fair valley. And they perceived from a distance the lake and the fountain +of which they had been told, and after that they all rode down in that +valley and to the place of the fountain.</p> + +<p>Here, finding a fair level meadow, they pitched their pavilions around +about the place of the fountain and Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival and +Sir Ector and their knights armed themselves in all wise so as to be ready +for any sort of adventure that might befall.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +poureth water +upon the slab.</i></div> + +<p>Thus being in all ways prepared, Sir Launcelot approached the fountain, +and when he had come to it he found the silver cup +chained to the slab of stone as the gigantic herdsman had +said that he would find it. So he took the silver cup into his +hand, and he dipped up the water of the fountain therein, and he cast +that water upon the slab of stone.</p> + +<p>Then it befell just as it had aforetime befallen with Sir Sagramore and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> +Sir Ewaine. For the earth trembled and shook so that all those who +were there were filled with a great terror at the earthquake. Then there +arose a mighty wind, so violent that all the pavilions that had been erected +were overthrown and blown away before the blast. Then the skies thundered +and thick dark clouds gathered over the heavens so that the light +was presently altogether obscured, although it was hardly yet come to the +prime of the day. After that the rain fell in such a deluge that all they +who were there feared for some while that they would be drowned in that +rainfall. And ever, as it rained, they heard, as from a distance, the voices +of many raised, as it were in lamentation. For all this was just as it had +been when Sir Sagramore and Sir Ewaine had come to that place.</p> + +<p>Then after a while it ceased raining and the clouds cleared away from +the sky, and the sun shone forth once more with an extraordinary brilliancy. +And anon there came that multitude of birds flying, as aforetold of +in this history, and these, descending upon the tree by the fountain, straightway +fell to singing with such a piercing rapture of melody that the hearts of +those who listened were altogether ravished with the charm of their song.</p> + +<p>Then, whilst those who were there stood listening to that singing of the +birds, they perceived a great distance away the form of a knight who +came riding toward that place with great speed. And that knight was +clad altogether in black armor and he rode upon a great black horse, and +all the trappings and the furniture of that horse were as black as all the +other things that belonged to that knight. So that knight came violently +riding to where they were, and perceiving that great court of knights and +ladies who stood there all drenched and wet with the rain, he cried out +in a proud and menacing voice, "Who are ye, and which of ye was it who +meddled with this fountain?"</p> + +<p>To this Sir Launcelot replied, "Sir, it was I."</p> + +<p>Then the black knight, speaking very fiercely, said: "Know ye that ye +have done a very woeful mischief, for, because you have meddled with +this fountain, ye have brought a deluge upon this land that hath done +great damage to all they that dwell therein. Now make you straightway +ready for battle, for I have great hopes of punishing you for the mischief +you have done to this land by thus meddling with the fountain."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot answered, speaking both with great pride and with +dignity of demeanor. "Messire," quoth he, "never yet have I refused +any call to battle, nor shall I do so at this present. As for that mischief +of which you speak, wit you that I knew not I was making any mischief +in what I did. Ne'theless, now that that mischief is done, I am ready +to defend mine act since you have called upon me to do so."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span></p> + +<p>So saying, Sir Launcelot withdrew to one side in that meadow near to +the fountain as aforetold of; and the Knight of the Fountain likewise +withdrew himself to that same place, and when they had come there each +chose such ground as seemed to him to be best fitted for the encounter. +Meantime, all they who were there gathered in a good place whence they +might onlook that encounter and behold the upshot of the adventure.</p> + +<p>So when all was ready for the encounter, as aforesaid, each knight +shouted aloud and drave spur to horse and each charged against the other +with all the fury of two wild bulls.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +doeth battle +with the Knight +of the Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>So they met in the midst of the course with such a roar of encountering +spears and armor that the ears of those who heard it were +stunned with the noise thereof. In that encounter the spear +of each knight was shattered to splinters up to the hand that +held it, and the horse of each sunk back upon his haunches +as though he had encountered a stone wall. But each knight recovered +his horse with spur and voice and with wonderful skill and dexterity, so +that neither horse nor man suffered a fall from that encounter.</p> + +<p>Then each knight voided his horse and leaped to the earth and each +straightway drew his shining sword, all flashing in the bright sunlight. +And each rushed upon the other with a great rage for battle, smiting and +slashing with their swords, and dealing such dreadful buffets that those +who beheld that battle were affrighted at the vehemence with which those +two champions fought. So they did combat for a great while and in all that +time neither suffered any great harm from the buffets of the other. Then, +at last, that knight who did battle against Sir Launcelot cried out, "Stay +thy hand for a little, Sir Knight, while I hold speech with thee!"</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot ceased his battle and each knight-champion stood +panting, leaning the while upon his sword. Then the Knight of the Fountain +said: "I pray thee, Sir Knight, if so be thou wilt do me that courtesy +for to tell me thy name. For I declare unto thee that never before this +day have I ever met so great a champion in battle."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +declareth himself.</i></div> + +<p>Then said Sir Launcelot: "Sir, wit you that I am Sir Launcelot of the +Lake. As for you, I know not who you are, only know I for +a certainty that you must be some very puissant champion, +for never did I encounter a more worthy battle than this that +I have met with to-day."</p> + +<p>Now when the Knight of the Fountain heard the name that Sir Launcelot +declared, and when he wist who it was against whom he had been +doing battle, he cried out in a loud and piercing voice, "What say you?" +And again he cried out, saying: "Art thou indeed Sir Launcelot of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span> +Lake? Then have I been fighting against him whom I love very dearly +and whom I have sought for both long and far." So crying out, he threw +aside his sword and his shield and ran to Sir Launcelot where he was. +And he cast his arms around the body of Sir Launcelot and embraced him +as with a great passion of joy.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot was greatly astonished to find himself embraced by +that strange knight, wherefore he said: "Messire, who art thou, and why +dost thou embrace me in this wise?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +declareth +himself.</i></div> + +<p>Upon this the Knight of the Fountain uplifted the umbril of his helmet +and he said: "Behold me! I am thy one-time companion in +arms. I am Ewaine, the son of King Uriens of Gore." Therewith +Sir Launcelot beheld the face of Sir Ewaine and knew +him, and thus knowing him, he cried out with astonishment even as Sir +Ewaine had cried out, saying: "Ewaine, is it thou against whom I have +contended? Alas, what have I been doing to fight against thee in this +wise!" Therewith he also cast aside his sword and shield and took Sir +Ewaine into his arms and embraced him before them all, even as Sir Ewaine +had embraced him. Then either kissed the other upon the face, and after +that all the others of those who were one-time companions of Sir Ewaine +came forth and also gave him greeting, rejoicing beyond measure to see +him again.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot brought Sir Ewaine to where was the Lady Elaine +and he made the one acquainted with the other, and Sir Ewaine took the +Lady Elaine's hand into his and kissed it with a great ardor of love. After +that they all sat down together in full amity of discourse.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot said to Sir Ewaine: "Messire, I prithee tell me how +it is that you have come hither and are now dwelling here as the champion +of this fountain. For certes, it is a very strange thing to find you thus +engaged."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine +telleth his story.</i></div> + +<p>To this Sir Ewaine made reply, "I will tell thee." And thereupon he +told them all that had befallen him since he had left Sir +Percival to go upon that Adventure of the Fountain in the +which Sir Sagramore had failed to achieve success as aforetold. Meantime +all they listened to him with great attention and with close regard. +And when he had ended, all said that that was as wonderful an adventure +as ever they had heard tell of in all of their lives.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Ewaine said: "Gentles all, I pray you of your courtesy that +you will wend with me to the castle where dwelleth my fair beloved lady, +for certes it would be a great honor to her and to me to have you become +acquainted with her."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They come to +the castle of +the Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>So said Sir Ewaine, and all agreed with great joy to what he said, so +shortly afterward they departed from that place and betook +their way down that Valley of the Fountain to the castle of +the Fountain as Sir Ewaine asked them to do, and they arrived +at that place somewhat past the noon of the day.</p> + +<p>There they were received with great joy and rejoicing, and after that +for several days there was feasting and merrymaking and pleasant sports +of all sorts at the castle of the Fountain.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now after several days had passed thus joyously at the castle of the +Fountain, it chanced that Sir Ewaine and his lady and Sir Launcelot and +the Lady Elaine were together in the garden of the castle, and no one else +was there but they. So as they sat in discourse Sir Launcelot said to Sir +Ewaine: "Messire, as we are going to the court of the King, will you not +join our company with your fair Lady of the Fountain to accompany us? +Certes it is that there would be great joy at court if so be we would all return +together in that wise."</p> + +<p>To this Sir Ewaine said: "Sir, that would indeed be a very good thing +for us to do, and we will be glad to go with you as you ask us."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They all depart +from the castle +of the Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>So straightway they of that place of the Fountain began to prepare +themselves for journey, and three days after all the court of +Sir Launcelot and his lady and all the court of Sir Ewaine +and his lady made their departure from the Valley of the +Fountain and betook their way toward Camelot.</p> + +<p>Now the way they took led them toward that mound whereon sat that +gigantic black man herding his cattle. And when this being perceived +all those people passing that way, he sat there and laughed like to the +pealing of thunder, though why he laughed not one of them wist, for there +was naught of mirth to be seen in their progression. Yet ever that great +black creature laughed and laughed until they had passed by and gone, +still leaving him laughing in that wise.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Vivien hath +vanished.</i></div> + +<p>And as they went still farther along that way they came by and by to +where was the valley of the Lady Vivien. And they looked +for that castle of the Lady Vivien whereunto Sir Ewaine had +twice come as aforetold and, lo! it had entirely disappeared. +Yea, there was not to be seen nor stick nor stone nor sign of it anywhere, +and at that they all greatly marvelled, much wondering what had become +of that enchanted place.</p> + +<p>Nor was it ever known what had become of it, nor was it ever known +whether the enchantress had wearied of her mischiefs, or whether she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +feared the anger of so many who had now been raised up against her. +Only this was known to be true, that she had betaken herself and her court +and her castle altogether away from that place, nor was she seen there +any more again.</p> + +<p>Moreover, it is to be said at this place that from that time forth the +enchantment of the fountain was removed and the cup and the slab of +stone disappeared from where they lay, and thenceforward they of the +valley were at peace. So endeth that part of the story of the Fountain.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They behold +Camelot again.</i></div> + +<p>Now when that noble concourse of knights and ladies who were in attendance +upon Sir Launcelot and Sir Ewaine and their ladies +drew nigh to the neighborhood of Camelot (which same was +upon the fourth day after they had left the valley of the Lady Vivien) Sir +Launcelot sent an herald messenger before them to announce their coming. +So it befell that when they came within sight of the town, they beheld a +great concourse of knights and esquires of the court who had come forth to +meet them. These gave loud acclaim to Sir Launcelot and his companions, +crying, "Welcome, ye glorious champions who are returning to us again!"</p> + +<p>This welcome they gave on behalf of King Arthur, by whom they had +been sent, for the King was glad beyond measure to have those champions +who were so dear to his heart return to him once more. So it was that +those who came to meet them cried out, "Welcome, welcome, ye glorious +champions," in that wise. So rejoicing and giving welcome all they progressed +toward the King's town—Sir Launcelot and his lady and Sir Ewaine +and his lady, and their companions and all their courts, surrounded with +great pomp of circumstance by those knights and esquires of the court of +King Arthur, who had been sent to meet them.</p> + +<p>And all they who had thus come forth from the town looked with great +curiosity upon the Lady Elaine and the Lady Lesolie and all were astonished +at the beauty and the grace of these two high dames. But more +especially were they astonished at the beauty of the Lady Elaine, for her +loveliness shone like to a star in the midst of her court, wherefore they +who looked upon her said to one another: "Certes, even Queen Guinevere +herself is not more beautiful than yonder lady."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They kneel before +the King +and the Queen.</i></div> + +<p>So they came to the King's town and they entered the town and they +entered the castle of the King, and there they found King Arthur and +Queen Guinevere sitting in state to receive them. Both the King and +the Queen were crowned with golden crowns, and each sat +upon a throne to receive those who came in fitting pomp +and with sufficient ceremony. So Sir Launcelot and the +Lady Elaine and all those who were with them came before the King and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> +Queen and kneeled down before them as they sat high aloft in royal state. +Then as they kneeled there the King arose and descended from his throne +and came forward and gave great welcome to them all; for his heart was +filled with gladness and joy to behold them kneeling before him in that +wise.</p> + +<p>And all that while the Queen's face was smiling like to a beautiful mask. +And ever she gazed very steadily at the Lady Elaine, beholding how that +the countenance of that lady was exceedingly beautiful and very noble +and gentle. And as the Queen gazed thus upon the Lady Elaine she hated +her with great bitterness, yet ever she hid that hatred beneath a smiling +countenance.</p> + +<p>That day there was great feasting and rejoicing at the court of the +King because of the return of Sir Launcelot and Sir Ewaine and Sir Percival +and Sir Ector. And ever the Lady Guinevere took part in that rejoicing, +albeit her heart was full of great bitterness and of a sort of despair.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen +withdraweth the +Lady Elaine +from Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Now the next day after that day, the Lady Guinevere sent for the Lady +Elaine to come to her, and when she was come the Queen +said to her: "Lady, I have it in mind to do thee a singular +honor that I would bestow upon thee, and this is that thou +shouldst be in personal attendance upon me. To this end I +have purveyed thee a room next to mine own chamber in mine own part +of this castle, and there thou and thy attendants may lodge so that ye +shall ever be near to my person. And ever thou shalt be in close attendance +upon me and never shalt thou be parted from me for all the time +that thou remainest at this place."</p> + +<p>Thus spake the Lady Guinevere, for so, under the mask of friendliness +and pretence of doing honor to the Lady Elaine, she purposed to separate +Sir Launcelot from his lady and after that to keep them separate from one +another. This she did, though why she should do it she could not rightly +tell even to her own heart.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So it was that Sir Launcelot returned to the court of the King; so it +was that they were received at Camelot, and so it was that the Lady Elaine +the Fair was separated from Sir Launcelot as I have recounted above.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0316.png" width="600" height="78" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Conclusion</h3> + + +<p>Now at this time the Lady Elaine was in very tender health, wherefore, +after a day or two or three, she began to repine at being thus +separated from Sir Launcelot as aforesaid; wherefore it befell that +she grew lonely in that strange place and wept a great deal and ate little +and slept little.</p> + +<p>Now there was at this time with the Lady Elaine that Lady hight Dame +Brysen before spoken of—she who went with the Lady Elaine to Sir Launcelot +when he lay so nigh to death in the castle of Corbin. This lady saw +how it was with the Lady Elaine and how that she pined in that wise for +Sir Launcelot, and she wist that the Lady Elaine was like to fall sick unless +she had sight of her lord. So Dame Brysen went to Sir Launcelot one +day and she said to him: "Sir, if you find not some opportunity to see +your lady, she will fall ill and maybe wane away to death because of her +longing for you." Sir Launcelot said: "How may I see her?" Dame +Brysen said: "Come to me this night in a certain passage of the castle +during the mid-watch of the night and I will bring you to her. So you +may cherish and comfort her for that while and so she will take good +cheer once more."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Launcelot visiteth +the Lady Elaine.</i></div> + +<p>So that night Sir Launcelot came to the place where Dame Brysen had +appointed and Dame Brysen took him to where was the Lady +Elaine. And when the Lady Elaine beheld Sir Launcelot she +could scarce control the transports of her joy in having him +with her once more, for she catched him in her arms and +held to him like as one sinking in deep waters holds to another who comes +to save him. And ever she cried in her transport, "Thou art here! Thou +art here!" And ever Sir Launcelot soothed her and spake words of comfort +to her. So at last she took good cheer and smiled and laughed as +she was wont to do aforetime.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot remained with the Lady Elaine for a long while, and +Dame Brysen was with them for all that while, and the damsels of the +court of the Lady Elaine were with them, for Sir Launcelot did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> +quit that place until the early watches of the morning were come, what +time the Lady Elaine had fallen asleep like to a child who slumbers.</p> + +<p>Then ere it was come the dawning of the day, Sir Launcelot took his +departure and Dame Brysen conducted him thence as she had brought +him thither.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen +is angered.</i></div> + +<p>Now there was a fair young damsel of the court of the Queen who acted +as a spy upon Sir Launcelot. So when the next morning had come this +damsel went to the Queen and told her how Dame Brysen had brought +Sir Launcelot to the apartments of the Lady Elaine the night +before, and when the Queen heard that news she was wroth +as though she were gone wode, yet what she did and what she said and +how she behaved hath never been told, for no one beheld her in the madness +of her wrath but that damsel who was the spy and one other. Only +it is known that after a while the Queen cried out in a voice very harsh +and loud: "Where is that false traitor knight, Sir Launcelot! Bring him +hither!" And then she said: "Let no one else come in to me but him, +and when he comes let us be alone together!"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +standeth before +the Queen.</i></div> + +<p>So anon came Sir Launcelot conducted to that place where the Queen +was, and then all those who were there withdrew, and no one +was left in that apartment but Sir Launcelot and the Queen +herself. So Sir Launcelot stood before the Queen and he +said, "Here am I."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Guinevere looked for a long time upon Sir Launcelot, +and her eyes were very wide as she stared upon him and her face was +white like to wax. Anon she said, speaking in a voice that was very harsh +but not loud: "Is it true that thou camest to this part of the castle last +night?" and Sir Launcelot said, "Yea, lady." Then the Queen ground +her white teeth together, and she said, still speaking in that same voice +that was not loud: "Traitor! Traitor! how didst thou dare to come hither +without my permission?"</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot looked very long into the Queen's face, and at last +he said, "I am betrayed, it seems." "Yea," said the Queen, "thou art +betrayed indeed, but it is thou who hast betrayed thyself."</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot said: "In what way have I betrayed myself, and in what +way am I a traitor to thee or to anyone? Is not my duty first of all toward +that lady to whom I have sworn my duty? What treason did I then do +in cherishing her who is sick and weak and sad and helpless in this place +where thou keepest her prisoner?"</p> + +<p>So said Sir Launcelot and after that those two, to wit, the Queen and +the knight champion, stared very fiercely at one another for a while.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span> +Then by and by the Queen's eyes fell before his eyes, and anon she fell to +trembling. Then, of a sudden, she cried out in a very bitter voice: "Ah, +Launcelot, Launcelot! May God have pity upon me for I am most unhappy!" +Therewith she lifted her handkerchief to her eyes and so covered +her face with it. And that while her face was altogether hidden +excepting her lips which were all writhed and twisted with her passion. +And yet she wept not, but ever her bosom rose and fell very violently as +with a convulsion.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +pitieth the +Queen.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot wist not what to do, albeit his heart was rent with +love and pity. Then by and by he came close to her and +he said: "Lady, lady! What is this you do! May God have +pity on us both, for you tear my heart strings with your +grief." Therewith, they two being alone, he sank down upon his knees +before her, and he took her hands into his and strove to draw them away +from her face. And for a while she would not let him withdraw her hands +and then after a while she did let him, and so he held them imprisoned +very tight in his own. Yet ever she kept her face turned away from him +so that he could see but little of it. So with her face turned away she +said after a while, "Launcelot! Launcelot! Art thou not sorry for me?" +He said: "Yea, lady, I am sorry for thee and I am sorry for myself, and +for which of the two I am more sorry I cannot tell. For God knoweth +I would abide by my duty and my faith, and mefeareth thou wouldst +have me do otherwise." Then the Queen said: "Launcelot, what is duty +and what is faith when we measure these things with the measurement +of happiness and unhappiness?" And Sir Launcelot said, "Lady, for +God's sake, forbear."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine appeareth +at that +place.</i></div> + +<p>Now as Sir Launcelot said those words he became of a sudden aware +that some one was in that room. So he looked up and behold! not far +away from them there stood the Lady Elaine, and she was +regarding them both and her face was as white as death, for +she had entered that place without their knowing and she +had heard much of that which had passed.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot was aware that she had overheard his words to the +Queen and with that he was overwhelmed with confusion and with pity. +So he arose from his knees, though not quickly, and stood there before +the Lady Elaine with folded arms and with his gaze downcast upon the +floor. Then the Queen also looked up and likewise beheld the Lady +Elaine where she stood, and therewith her face flamed all red like to fire.</p> + +<p>Then the Queen arose very haughtily and she said: "Lady, this is well +met, for I was about to send for you. Now tell me, was it by your will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +that this knight came last night to this part of the castle?" and the Lady +Elaine said: "Yea, lady, it was by my will he came, for I was sad, and no +one but he could comfort me."</p> + +<p>Then the Queen's eyes sparkled with anger and she said: "Then you +have broken an ordinance of the King's court, for well you know that +such a thing as that is not permitted. For this I might punish you even +unto death an I chose to do so. Yet I will not so punish you, but will +have mercy upon you and will spare you. Nevertheless I command you +that you quit this place with all expedition that is possible."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine chideth +the Queen.</i></div> + +<p>So spake the angry Queen. But ever the Lady Elaine looked very +proudly upon her. And when the Queen had ended that speech she said: +"Lady, it shall be as you ordain, and to-morrow I shall be glad to depart +from this place, for it is a place of great unhappiness to me. But tell me +this, lady, ere I go: What would you say of one who took +from another who harmed her not, all the happiness and joy +that that other had in her life? And what would you say +if that one who would so rob the other had for herself a lord who was the +most noble and the most worthy knight of any in all of the world?"</p> + +<p>At this speech the eyes of the Queen shone very wild like to the eyes +of a hawk. And first she strove to speak and could not, and then she did +speak, yet it was as though the words strangled her. And she said, "Go! +Leave me! You know not what you say!" and other than that she could +not say, but only strove to speak without any sound issuing out from her +throat.</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Elaine turned with great dignity and went away leaving +those two alone together, and she neither turned her head nor paused +at any time in her going.</p> + +<p>Then the Queen, turning to Sir Launcelot, said: "Messire, I lay this +command upon you, that though your lady shall depart, yet that you shall +remain here at this court until such time as I give you leave to depart +hence." Then she also turned and went away, and for a while Sir Launcelot +remained, standing alone like to a statue of stone.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine quitteth +the court.</i></div> + +<p>So the next day the Lady Elaine quitted the court of the King but +Sir Launcelot remained. And he said not to any one that the +Queen had commanded him to stay, for he would not betray +her, so it was that all who were of the King's court thought +that he stayed of his own will.</p> + +<p>But ere the court of the Lady Elaine departed from that place Sir Lavaine, +the brother of the Lady Elaine, came to Sir Launcelot and no one +was present but they two. And Sir Lavaine said to Sir Launcelot: "Mes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span>sire, +do you not go hence with your lady?" and Sir Launcelot said: "Nay, +but maybe I shall follow her anon."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lavaine +accuseth Sir +Launcelot of +treason.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Lavaine said: "Sir, see you not that your lady, my sister, is +in exceeding tender health?" and Sir Launcelot said, "Yea, +I see it." Then Sir Lavaine said, speaking very fiercely: +"What honor hath a man who will leave his own lady for the +smiles of another woman? If you do such a thing you are dishonored +as a knight and are a traitor to your troth."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot looked very steadily at Sir Lavaine and his face was +exceedingly white and his eyes were like to coals of fire. Anon he said: +"Messire, you speak bitter words, but you are safe from mine anger." +Then Sir Lavaine laughed, though not with mirth, and immediately he +went away from Sir Launcelot and left him where he was.</p> + +<p>That same hour the Lady Elaine quitted the court of King Arthur, +riding thence in a closed litter so that few, saving those immediately in +attendance upon her, could know aught of what she thought or said or did.</p> + +<p>And yet the whole world might have seen her countenance, for it was +very calm and steadfast and without any mark of passion. And all the +world might have heard her words for those words were also without passion +of any sort. Yea, I believe that at that time her soul itself was altogether +cheerful and well-content and without any shadow of sorrow upon it.</p> + +<p>For once, when Sir Lavaine spoke with great anger and indignation, she +chid him for his heat, saying: "My brother, let be. What matters it? +Could you but see into the future as I gaze thereinto, you would know that +it mattereth but very little indeed that such things as this befall a poor +wayfarer in this brief valley of tears."</p> + +<p>And at another time she said: "My poor lord, Sir Launcelot! Him +do I pity indeed, for God is like to chasten him before long, and to bend +him and to bruise him as though he were a reed that was bent and bruised +so that it may never be able to stand fully erect again. Yet even this +mattereth but little; for the span of life is but very short, and all is in the +hands of God."</p> + +<p>So spake the Lady Elaine, very calmly and without passion or sorrow +of any sort! For, as aforesaid, I believe that even at that time her eyes +penetrated into the future and that she beheld therein what was to befall +all of them.</p> + +<p>Thus they journeyed by easy stages for two days, what time they came +out from the mazes of the forest and into an open plain where they beheld +a fair priory of the forest set in the midst of fair and fertile fields of corn +and of rye. And the walls of the priory gleamed as white as snow in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> +sunlight, and the red roofs thereof shone like flames of fire against the deep +blue sky against which they stood. And the road whereon they travelled +went down beside the banks of a smooth and placid river, very bright and +shining like to polished silver; and there were willows and aspens upon the +one hand and smooth fields of ripening grain upon the other.</p> + +<p>Now at that time the Lady Elaine was suffering great pangs of sickness, +wherefore she said to those in attendance upon her: "Dear friends, it is +well that we have come hither to this place. For this is a house of peace, +and I am very sick. Wherefore I pray you let me rest here till God shall +have dealt with me in my travails in such a manner as He shall see fit."</p> + +<p>So spake the Lady Elaine, and upon that command they bare her to the +gates of the priory. And they bare her into the priory and laid her upon +a soft couch and there she had such ease in her sickness as they could bring +to her at that time.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Meantime Sir Launcelot abided at the court of the King, very heavy of +heart and very sorrowful of spirit. For his soul was dragged this way +and that way. And whether he had gone away from the court or whether +he had stayed as he did, in either case he would have been most unhappy. +Yet to his present unhappiness was added many pangs like to the pangs of +remorse. For he could not tell whether he did altogether ill or somewhat +well in remaining at the King's court as he did.</p> + +<p>Yet ever his thoughts went out after the Lady Elaine and he said to +himself: "So soon as I can escape from this place with courtesy to the +Queen, I will follow after her." Wherefore had he wist that even then she +was lying so sick at the priory in the forest, it may well be believed that +he would not have tarried a single moment longer, but would have flown +to her upon the wings of the wind.</p> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot knew not how it was with his lady, and so God was +even then preparing a great punishment for him for which he might never +hope to escape for as long as he should live.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span></div> +<h2>PART VII<br /> +The Nativity of Galahad<br /><br /></h2> + + +<p><i>Here followeth the story of the nativity of Sir Galahad and of how Sir +Gawaine heard a miraculous prophecy concerning the Achievement of +the Holy Grail, and of how it was prophesied that Sir Galahad should achieve +that holy chalice. Also it shall be told how the infant Galahad was confided +to the care of Sir Bors de Ganis, who alone knew what then became of him, +until in due time he was manifested to the world as the greatest and the most +puissant knight who ever lived.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 418px;"> +<img src="images/s0323.png" width="418" height="600" alt="Merlin Prophesieth from a Cloud of Mist:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0324.png" width="600" height="309" alt="Angel holding child" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter First</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Gawaine went forth in search of +Sir Launcelot. How they parted company, and what befell Sir +Gawaine thereafter.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<p>Now the history hath been told of those things that happened +to several of the knights who went forth in quest of Sir Launcelot +after that he went mad as aforetold; to wit, the history hath +been told of Sir Percival and of Sir Ewaine and of Sir Sagramore and +of Sir Ector de Maris. Here followeth an account of that which befell +Sir Gawaine, when he, together with Sir Bors de Ganis, also went forth in +search of Sir Launcelot.</p> + +<p>After they two had left the court of King Arthur they joined company +for a while. Thus travelling together as companions in arms, they met +with several adventures, some of which are told in histories of chivalry +and some of which are not. In such companionship there passed the spring +and the summer and by and by it was the fall of the year.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Gawaine and +Sir Bors rode +forth together.</i></div> + +<p>Now some there be who love the summer time the best and some there +be that love the spring; yet others still there be who love the autumn the +best of all. And certes each season hath its beauties, so that one cannot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span> +wonder that there are some who love the beauties of the fall above the +beauties of all other seasons. For in that time of the year there comes +the nutting season, when country folk take joy in being abroad +in the hazel thickets, gathering the bright brown fruits of +the hazel bushes. Then are days so clear and frosty, all early +in the morning, that it is as though the whole vault of +heaven were made of clear crystal. Then, when you look into the cold +blue shadows of the wayside bank, there you behold everywhere the sparkling +of many myriads of bright points of light where the thin frosts catch +the shining of the early and yet slanting sun. Then do the birds cry with +a wilder note as though heralding the approach of dreary winter. Then +do the squirrels gambol in the dry, dead foliage in search of their winter +store of food. Then is all the world clad very gloriously in russet and gold, +and when the bright and jolly sun shines down through the thin yellow +leaves of the woodland, all the earth appears to be illuminated with a +wonderful splendor of golden light, so that it may be that even the glory +of Paradise is not more wonderful than that unusual radiance.</p> + +<p>Such was the world of autumn in which in the latter part of their journeyings +in company those two noble knights made progress together. +For anon they would ride along the smooth and dusty highways, where +were hedgerows, growing thin of leaves but all bright with red and purple +berries; and anon they would be riding through some thin woodland +where the dry and fallen leaves rustled under foot with a sound like to a +faint thunder of multitudinous rustlings; and anon they would be journeying +along the wolds where the wind blew strong and free and the great white +clouds sailed very smoothly and solemnly across the sky above their heads.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They meet Sir +Percival and Sir +Sagramore.</i></div> + +<p>So travelling ever in that wise—sometimes here, sometimes there—they +came one day in the early morning to where there was a smooth and +shining lake, the chill waters whereof were all asmoke in the gentle warmth +of the newly risen sun. And here were sedge and reeds, all fading brown +and yellow, and at many places, wild fowl, disturbed at their coming, would +spring up with loud and noisy splashings from the entangled water. So +as they went beside that lake they beheld two knights coming toward +them, riding side by side in the sunlight. And when they four had met +together and had saluted one another and had bespoken one another, +they found that those two knights were Sir Percival and Sir +Sagramore, and that they also were journeying as armed +companions, as aforetold of in this history.</p> + +<p>So they four went a little farther to where there was a pleasant thatched +farmhouse not far distant from the roadside, and there they broke their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span> +fast with bread and milk and fresh laid eggs and honey, which the farmer's +wife served to them.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Sagramore +telleth of the +Adventure of +the Fountain.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors besought Sir Percival and Sir Sagramore +for news, and therewith they two told Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors how they +had parted with Sir Ewaine and how that he had gone upon +that Adventure of the Fountain. Then Sir Sagramore told +them how it had befallen with him upon that same adventure, +and to all this Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors listened very intently. +And after Sir Sagramore had ended his story, Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine +asked him many questions concerning those happenings, and he answered +all that they asked him. Then Sir Gawaine said: "Well, Messire, I +wot that all this mischief of which thou tellest us was brewed by that +sorceress the Lady Vivien. Well I know her, and often have I had reason +to chide her in times gone by for the mischiefs she was continually plotting +against innocent folk. Now I have a mind to turn aside from my present +quest and to find that lady and to bring her to repentance. And if I may +not bring her to repentance then I shall compel her to undo all these mischiefs +she hath done in this matter of the Fountain." Then Sir Sagramore +said: "Sir, hearken to me and let be, or else thou wilt entangle thyself +in those mischiefs also."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +seeketh the +Lady Vivien.</i></div> + +<p>So spake Sir Sagramore very wisely, but Sir Gawaine would not listen +to what he said; otherwise he declared and affirmed that he would go and +find the Lady Vivien and have speech with her so that he +would either persuade or else compel her to better conduct. +So ere Sir Percival and Sir Sagramore had departed from that +farmhouse, Sir Gawaine had diligently inquired the way in which he should +go so as to be likely to find the Lady Vivien, and after that he bade Sir +Sagramore and Sir Percival farewell, and he bade Sir Bors farewell, and +so took horse and rode away in quest of the Lady Vivien.</p> + +<p>Now after Sir Gawaine had thus parted company with those other +knights, he travelled all alone upon his way for the entire day, and that +night he lodged in the woodland, near to where there was a fountain of +clear pure water. And as he had no other shelter he wrapped himself +in his cloak and laid his head upon his helmet and so fell asleep with great +comfort and peace of mind.</p> + +<p>So also he awoke very cheerfully in the dawning of the day, and laying +aside his armor he went to the fountain of water near to which he had +reposed and bathed himself therein and so was refreshed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +findeth the +Lady Vivien.</i></div> + +<p>Now after that and while Sir Gawaine was still unarmed, he was suddenly +aware that several people were coming thitherward toward him through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> +the yellow woodlands, and when they had come pretty near he beheld +that those who approached were a company in attendance upon a lady. +And he beheld that the company and the lady who rode in +the midst of that company were clad all in flame-colored satin, +so that the entire woodland was illuminated, as it were, by a +great shining, flaming fire. And when that lady had come pretty nigh to +Sir Gawaine, he knew who she was and wist that she was the Lady Vivien.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine went to meet that lady, and he laid his hand upon the +bridle rein of her palfrey and he said: "Lady, if I mistake not, thou art the +Lady Vivien."</p> + +<p>Quoth she: "Yea, I am that one, and thou, I perceive, art Sir Gawaine." +To the which Sir Gawaine said, "Yea, I am he," and he said, "I have +come hither with the especial purpose of having speech with thee."</p> + +<p>Upon this the Lady Vivien looked at Sir Gawaine very strangely, and +by and by she said, "What is it thou wouldst have of me, Messire?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +rebuketh the +Lady Vivien.</i></div> + +<p>Sir Gawaine said: "Lady, I am informed that thou hast done much +mischief to a certain valley called the Valley of the Fountain, and I know +that through this mischief thou hast brought mischance upon +many good worthy knights. Now what I would have to say +to thee is this: I would beseech thee to remove all of those +mischievous enchantments from that Valley of the Fountain and so set +that valley free from the ills that happen to it. This I beseech thee of thy +gentleness to do, but if thou wilt not do it because I so beseech thee, then +I will compel thee here and now to remove those enchantments."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Vivien's brows drew together into a frown and her cheeks +grew very red and her eyes shown like sparks of fire, and she said: "Hah, +Messire, methinks thou art very saucy in thy speech. What is it to thee +what mischiefs I may do to others? Lo! I do no mischiefs to thee, wherefore +this is none of thy affairs. Now I bid thee straightway to take thy hand +from off my bridle rein or else a greater ill than thou hast any thought of +will speedily befall thee."</p> + +<p>Sir Gawaine said: "I will not take away my hand until thou hast promised +me to do that thing which I have demanded of thee and to remove the +enchantments of the Valley of the Fountain."</p> + +<p>The Lady Vivien said, "Take away thy hand, Messire!" Sir Gawaine +said, "I will not."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Vivien cried out: "Thou fool! Then thank thyself for +what thou shalt suffer."</p> + +<p>Now the Lady Vivien had in her hand a long white wand and as she +spake she lifted this wand and smote Sir Gawaine with it upon the shoulder.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span> +And as she smote him she cried out: "Quit the shape that thou now hast +and take instead the shape of a misshapen dwarf."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Vivien bewitcheth +Sir +Gawaine.</i></div> + +<p>Then as she cried in that shrill and piercing voice, there befell a very +wonderful thing, for, upon the instant, it happened in that +wise as she commanded. For Sir Gawaine immediately began +to shrink and to shrivel so that in the space one might count +five he had ceased to be what he was and became instead a misshapen +and diminutive dwarf.</p> + +<p>Then all they of the Lady Vivien's party laughed and laughed until +all the woods echoed with their mirth. And thus laughing, they took +their departure, and rode away from that place, leaving Sir Gawaine standing +there all bewildered and astonished with terror at what had befallen him.</p> + +<p>So he stood for a little, like one in a maze, but after those others had +entirely gone, he suddenly awoke, as it were, to his woful case. Then +straightway he began running hither and thither, as though he had gone +mad. And he ran in this direction and in that direction, seeking for the +Lady Vivien, but nowhere could he discover any sign of her or her court. +And ever as he ran he cried aloud in a voice of exceeding agony, "Have +mercy! Have mercy!" But, as aforesaid, the lady and those who were +with her had disappeared, and only the lonely woodlands surrounded him. +Yet it appeared to him that he heard the sound of mocking laughter +echoing through the forest, though whether that was really so or whether +he was cheated by his fancy he could not certainly tell.</p> + +<p>So after a while Sir Gawaine flung himself down upon the earth and wept +with despair. Then after another while he bestirred himself and prayed +God for help and wiped his eyes. And after that he gathered together the +pieces of his armor which he could not now wear upon his shrunken and +misshapen body, and he carried these pieces of armor away and hid them +in a cave which he had observed not far distant from that place. Then he +mounted upon his horse and rode away, not knowing whither to turn or +what to do in the direful trouble that had fallen upon him.</p> + +<p>Now after he had ridden for a while in that way, perched high upon his +horse like some diminutive and withered ape, being still in the woodlands, +he was aware of the sound of voices and of horses' hoofs coming toward +him and then he was further aware of a company approaching from a distance +through the half-naked forest.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Forest company +behold +Sir Gawaine as +a dwarf.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine was filled with a great panic of shame, +and he thought of naught but how he might hide himself and +his misshapen body from those who were coming. But ere +he was able to hide himself, those others had catched sight of him. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span> +they saw how singularly small and deformed and withered was his shape, +wherefore they shouted aloud and gave chase to him as though he had been +a wild creature. So they pursued him for a long distance and at last they +came up with him and surrounded him.</p> + +<p>Then, finding that he could not escape, Sir Gawaine leaped down from his +horse's back, and flinging himself upon the ground he covered his face with +his hands and sought to bury it, as it were, under the earth, so that they +who had caught him might not behold the shame of his misshapen countenance. +But they dragged him to his feet and they pulled his hands away +from his face and beheld it what it was. Then, when they beheld that +his face was like the face of an ape they all shouted aloud again and again +with laughter.</p> + +<p>Then he who was the chief of that party said: "Who are you and how +is it that a misshapen dwarf such as you should be riding about here in the +forest upon a noble and knightly war-horse?" To the which Sir Gawaine +said: "Sir, a great misfortune hath befallen me, and I am not he whom +I was a little while ago." So said Sir Gawaine, and when they heard his +speech they thought he jested wherefore they laughed again and again +with a great uproar of laughter.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They mock at +Sir Gawaine.</i></div> + +<p>Then he who had spoken to Sir Gawaine turned to those others and +said, "This poor creature is mad," but Sir Gawaine cried out: +"Nay, I am not mad, but very miserable and unfortunate. +For this morning I was a noble knight of royal lineage and now I am what +you behold me."</p> + +<p>At this speech they who heard laughed more than ever, for they thought +no otherwise than that this poor dwarf was mad and was making sport +for them.</p> + +<p>Then he who had before spoken to Sir Gawaine spake still again, saying: +"Sirrah, you are to know that the pet dwarf of the lady of the castle +at which we dwell hath died only a few days ago. Now I will that you +shall go with us to her, and that you shall serve her instead of the other +creature who is dead. For certes you are the smallest and the most misshapen +elf that ever I beheld in all of my life. What think you of this? +If you go with us you shall have meat and drink in plenty and you shall +have good clothes and lodging and fifty bright silver pennies a year for +your hire."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine cried out in a voice of great anguish: "I will not go +with you for such a service. For if you did but know who I am and what +it is that hath befallen me, you would know that such as I are not they +to take such service upon them, nor am I one to make sport for a lady<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> +by exhibiting the miserable condition into which I have fallen from an +one time high estate."</p> + +<p>Thus said Sir Gawaine in a great agony of spirit, but still those that heard +him did but laugh. Then seeing that he was of no mind to go with them, +they bound his hands and his feet together so that he could not escape and +so they constrained him to go whether he would or not.</p> + +<p>After that they departed out of that forest and away therefrom, and by +and by Sir Gawaine beheld that they were approaching a castle and that +the castle was a very noble, stately, and lordly dwelling place.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They bring +Sir Gawaine +to the castle of +a lady.</i></div> + +<p>So they came to the castle and entered into the courtyard thereof, and +after they had so arrived, he who was the leader of that party +took Sir Gawaine up to a certain place where the lady of the +castle was, and he said to her: "Lady, behold this dwarf; +we have caught him in the woodlands and have brought him +to you to serve you instead of that creature who died a while since. Saw +ye ever such a wonderful dwarf as this?"</p> + +<p>Then the lady of the castle looked upon Sir Gawaine and beheld how +exceedingly diminutive he was and how exceedingly misshapen. And she +was astonished at his appearance, and she said to him, "Who art thou, +and whence comest thou?" She spake with such kindness and gentleness +that Sir Gawaine was emboldened to tell her of his misfortune wherefore he +cried out: "Lady, if I would tell you you would not believe me, for I am +not what I appear to be, but am something altogether different. This +morning I was a noble knight, but I have been enchanted and now I am +what you behold me."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The lady +pitieth Sir +Gawaine.</i></div> + +<p>At this the lady of the castle also thought that Sir Gawaine was certainly +mad, wherefore she said: "This poor creature is not in his senses. Take +him hence and treat him very kindly. Let him be fed and +clothed and then chain him with a very light chain of silver +so that he may not escape until he hath become used to this +place, and yet so that he may not be burdened with these chains."</p> + +<p>So spoke the lady very kindly and gently, but Sir Gawaine was filled +full of an utter despair at her words. So he was taken away and fed like +to some pet creature and he was chained as the lady had said and ever he +wept for pure despair.</p> + +<p>Now the lady of that castle was very tender of heart, wherefore she +pitied Sir Gawaine because he appeared to be so misshapen and deformed. +So ever she spoke kindly and gently to him and she would not suffer that +any of the people of the castle should torment him. Thus it was that +though at first Sir Gawaine was minded to escape from the castle, yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> +afterward he would not escape, for he said to himself: "Why should I +leave this place; and where can I, poor wretch that I be, find a better and +kinder shelter in my misfortunes than I have at this castle?" So he +became gentle and tractable and would not have quitted that place even +if he could have done so.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir +Gawaine dwelleth +at the castle.</i></div> + +<p>And Sir Gawaine abode in that castle for more than a year, and ever +the lady treated him with kindness and with gentle tenderness and ever +he treated her with such courtliness as a knight royal might bestow upon +a lady. So great was his courtliness of demeanor that the +lady marvelled much thereat, yea, insomuch that she said to +herself: "Certes this poor creature must have been reared in +a noble court or else he must have dwelt a long time in such a place, for +to have learned such courtliness of manner as he showeth."</p> + +<p>And sometimes it befell that the lady would question Sir Gawaine as +to what had happened to him in times gone by; but Sir Gawaine had taught +himself wisdom upon that point and now he would tell her nothing; for +he was aware that whenever he had been moved to speak about himself +and what had befallen him, then they who heard him would think him to +be mad, and would laugh at him and mock him, wherefore he would no +longer give any one the chance to declare that he was mad. So ever he +held his peace and ever the lady of the castle wondered how it was that he +had come to have so much of gentleness and dignity of demeanor.</p> + +<p>So that winter and another winter passed, and during all that time Sir +Gawaine abode at the castle of the gentle lady as aforesaid. Then came +the springtime and the summertime again, and the season when all the trees +were green and bosky and when the days were warm and balmy once more.</p> + +<p>Now it befell about the middle of that summer that the lord and the +lady of the castle whereof Sir Gawaine was now the dwarf went forth +ahawking, and a very gay court of the castle folk went with them. With +these the lady took her dwarf, for it was now come that she could hardly +ever bear to be parted from him. And it befell that when the heat of the +day had come the lord of the castle gave orders that a pavilion should +be pitched in a pleasant shady place, and there he and his lady took their +midday meal and rested until the sun should shed a less fervid heat.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +beholdeth the +golden bird.</i></div> + +<p>That time Sir Gawaine was wandering very sadly about the skirts of the +forest, making great moan of that enchantment that lay upon him. So +as he wandered he was suddenly aware of a bird with plumage +of gold that sat upon the ground at a little distance, regarding +him with eyes that were very bright and shining. Now +when Sir Gawaine beheld that bird, his heart leaped very strangely in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span> +his breast, for he bethought him that this was that same golden bird of the +Lady Nymue of the Lake which she had sent to him one time before to +guide him to the valley where Sir Pellias was abiding. For it hath been +aforetime told in that Book of King Arthur (which hath been written +before this book) how that same golden bird had conducted Sir Gawaine and +Sir Ewaine and Sir Marhaus of Ireland through the forest to where Sir +Pellias was at that time in great trouble and anxiety of soul. So Sir +Gawaine, beholding that bird there in the forest, wist that it was the Lady +Nymue's bird, and he thought that if he should follow it now, maybe it +might bring him to the Lady of the Lake, and that she would release +him from his deformity.</p> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine went back to that pavilion whence he had come, and he +took a palfrey that he found there, and no one stayed him, for the dwarf +was now permitted to go whithersoever he pleased. So Sir Gawaine +mounted the palfrey and departed without saying a single word to any +one, and no one stayed him in his going.</p> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine came again to where he had seen the bird and the bird +was still sitting upon the ground where he had first beheld it.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +followeth the +golden bird into +the forest.</i></div> + +<p>Then as Sir Gawaine approached the bird it took wing and flew with +shrill chirping to a little distance and then settled again upon +the ground. And when Sir Gawaine approached it again, +again it took wing and flew chirping to a little distance. So +ever it flew and so ever Sir Gawaine followed, and thus it conducted +him into the forest and away from that place where was the pavilion +of the lord and lady.</p> + +<p>Thus ever the golden bird led the way and ever Sir Gawaine followed, +until, at last, the bird brought Sir Gawaine out of the forest and to a strange +place which he had never beheld before. For beyond the edge of the woodland +he beheld a dreary valley, naked and bare, and covered all over with +a great multitude of stones and rocks. And in that valley could be seen +no sign of vegetation or of herbage of any sort, but only those naked and +desolate rocks and stones all shining bright in the heat of the sun as though +they were ribs of stones shining in a furnace of fire.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +beholdeth the +cloudy mist.</i></div> + +<p>And Sir Gawaine beheld that in the centre of the valley there was a +cloud of thick mist in the shape of a solid pillar of smoke. +And he beheld that that cloud of mist moved not in any way +but remained fixed in its place as it were a pillar of stone.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine looked for that golden bird and he beheld it perched +upon the high branches of a tree near by. And he saw that the bird had +folded its wings as though to rest, wherefore he knew that there must be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span> +somewhat at this place for him to undertake, and that the bird must have +conducted him to this place for that purpose.</p> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine, in that enchanted appearance of a dwarf, went down +into the valley and drew near to that pillar of mist. And he came close +to the cloud and he stood and looked upon it. Then as he so stood, a +voice issued of a sudden out of the midst of the cloud saying, "Gawaine! +Gawaine! is it thou who art there?" And Sir Gawaine was astonished +beyond all measure that a voice should thus address him from out of the +midst of the pillar of cloud, for he had long since ceased to think that any +creature, mortal or otherwise, would know him in the guise into which +the Lady Vivien had bewitched him.</p> + +<p>But though he was so astonished, yet he answered in the voice of the +dwarf, saying, "Who art thou who callest upon the name of Gawaine, the +son of Lot of Orkney?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +heareth the +voice of Merlin.</i></div> + +<p>Then the voice replied: "I who speak to thee am Merlin. Here for +twelve years have I been lying asleep, enclosed in a coffer of stone, yet +once in every six years I awake for one hour of life and at the +end of that hour I relapse into sleep again. This is my time +for waking, and so hast thou been brought hither that thou +mightest hear that prophecy that I have to utter.</p> + +<p>"And this is my prophecy:</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the prophecy +of Merlin.</i></div> + +<p>"The Sacred Grail that has been lost to the earth for so long shall be +brought back to that earth again. Yea, the time draweth +nigh and now is when he who shall achieve the Quest of that +Holy Chalice is about to be born into the world."</p> + +<p>And the voice from out of the cloud continued, saying:</p> + +<p>"When that babe is born into the world he shall be taken away by that +knight who is most worthy to handle him, and after he hath been taken +away he shall be hidden by that knight from the eyes of man until his +time hath come.</p> + +<p>"You, who are a sinful man, may not have that babe in your keeping, +but there is one who hath but little of sin and he may do so. So do you +according to the ordination of this command:</p> + +<p>"Follow that golden-winged thing that hath conducted you hither +and it will lead you to where you may become purified of your enchantment. +After that you shall follow that golden bird still farther and it will lead +you to where you shall find Sir Bors de Ganis. He it is who is most worthy +in all of the world at this present for to handle that babe, and so he shall +care for him and shall hide him in a place of safety until his time shall +be come.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Bid Sir Bors to follow that golden bird along with you and it shall +bring you both to where you shall find that wonderful infant aforesaid.</p> + +<p>"Thereafter, when that babe shall have been taken away by Sir Bors, +go you forth and proclaim to all men that when eighteen years have passed, +then shall the Knights of the Round Table depart in quest of the Holy +Grail. And do you proclaim this prophecy: that when that Grail hath +been recovered, then soon after shall come the end of the Round Table, +and so shall end the days of all this chivalry that shall forever be remembered +to all the world.</p> + +<p>"And this is the prophecy of the Grail which you have been brought +hither to hear, so go you forth and declare it abroad so that all good worthy +knights may know that this prophecy hath been uttered."</p> + +<p>So spake that voice, and then it ceased and Sir Gawaine listened for a +while, but still it spake no more. Then Sir Gawaine cried out aloud: "Merlin, +what may I do to free thee from the enchantment that lieth upon thee?" +And he waited for a reply, but no reply was vouchsafed him. And he cried +out again, "Merlin, what may I do to free thee from where thou liest?" +but still no answer was given to him.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +striveth to enter +the cloud of +mist.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine went forward with intent to enter that cloud of mist, +but lo! it was like to a wall of adamant and he could nowhere enter into +it. And he strove at several places but still there was no place +where he might penetrate it. For the enchantment that lay +upon that pillar of mist was so potent that it was not possible +for any one to enter it saving only the enchantress Vivien, +who herself had created that cloud by her powerful enchantments.</p> + +<p>And ever Sir Gawaine called repeatedly upon the name of Merlin, but +at no time did Merlin answer him. Then by and by Sir Gawaine was +aware that the golden bird that had brought him to that place was flitting +hither and thither near by, as though it were very restless to depart. So +Sir Gawaine was aware that it behooved him presently to quit that place +whither he might never return again. So once more he called aloud upon +Merlin, saying, "Farewell, Merlin," and it appeared to him that he heard +a voice, very faint and distant as though sounding from a dream that is +fading, and he seemed that voice said, "Farewell."</p> + +<p>Thereafter Sir Gawaine mounted his palfrey and turned him about and +departed from that place, still in the guise of a dwarf, and so that prophecy +of Merlin was completed.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the sleep +of Merlin.</i></div> + +<p>And never more after that time was the voice of Merlin heard again, for +no one saving Sir Gawaine ever found that valley with its pillar of cloud.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span> +Yet it may be that Merlin did but sleep, for it was prophesied of him that +at the ending of the age he should come forth again into the world, but +whether he should come forth in the spirit or in the flesh, +no one knew. Yea, there be many who opine that Merlin +hath awakened again and is alive this very day, for such miracles are performed +in these times that it is hardly possible to suppose otherwise than +that the spirit of Merlin is in the world once more. Wherefore it is that +many suppose that he is now again alive, though haply in the spirit.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Now followeth the story of the birth of Galahad, who was the most +famous knight who ever lived in the world and who achieved the Quest +of the Grail as was foretold by Merlin in that prophecy herein recounted. +So I pray you to read that story as it shall presently be told.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/s0335.png" width="250" height="128" alt="Decoration" title="" /> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 414px;"> +<img src="images/s0337.png" width="414" height="600" alt="Sir Bors de Ganis, the good:" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0338.png" width="600" height="76" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Chapter Second</h3> + +<p><i>How Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine came to a priory in the forest, +and how Galahad was born at that place.</i><br /><br /></p> + + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +cometh to the +magic lake.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine followed the golden bird away from that valley of +enchantment where Merlin lay bound in sleep in the stone coffer +(and concerning that stone coffer and the enchantment of Merlin +it was aforetold of at length in the Book of King Arthur). And ever he +followed that winged golden creature both long and far, and ever the bird +ceased not to flit before him, but led him onward in a certain direction. +So thus it befell that toward the evening of that same day Sir Gawaine, still +following the golden bird, came out of the forest again and to a wonderful +place, lit by a strange golden light that was not like the light of the moon +nor like the light of the sun nor like any other kind of light that was to +be found in the world of mortal man. For though it was +toward evening when Sir Gawaine came to that place, yet +everywhere there was that golden radiance both upon earth +and in the sky. And in this light Sir Gawaine beheld a wide and circular +lake, very still and shining, and without any ripple upon the face thereof, +so that it was rather like to a lake of crystal than to a lake of water. And +all about the margin of the lake there bloomed an incredible number of +tall flowers, both lily flowers and asphodels.</p> + +<p>Then, as Sir Gawaine drave his horse forward through those flowers, he +became aware that this was that magic lake where dwelt the Lady Nymue +of the Lake and where dwelt Sir Pellias who was her lord and the knight-champion +of the lake—for he had beheld that lake aforetime by moonlight +when he had followed Sir Pellias to that place.</p> + +<p>Now as Sir Gawaine thus advanced amidst the flowers, he was aware +that a little distance away there stood a pavilion of green satin adorned +with golden figures of cherubim and so he went forward toward that pavilion, +for ever the golden bird led him thitherward.</p> + +<p>So as he came toward that pavilion there issued forth therefrom a lady<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span> +who came to meet him. And that lady was clad all in a garment of shining +green; and she wore about her neck many bright and glistering ornaments +of gold inset with stones about her wrists and arms. And her hair was +perfectly black and her face was white like to ivory for whiteness and her +eyes were black and shining like to two jewels set in ivory. And Sir +Gawaine immediately knew that lady who she was and that she was the +Lady of the Lake herself; for so she appeared to King Arthur and +so she appeared to several others, as you may read of if it should +please you in those volumes of this history that were written before this +volume.</p> + +<p>So the Lady of the Lake came forward to meet Sir Gawaine, and she +beheld Sir Gawaine how that he was bewitched into the guise of a dwarf +as aforetold. And the lady said: "Certes, Messire, this is a great misfortune +that hath befallen thee. Now I prithee come with me until I +make an end of thy enchantment."</p> + +<p>So the Lady of the Lake took the horse of Sir Gawaine by the bridle, +and she led the horse through those flowers for some little distance, and +so brought him to the margin of the waters of the lake. And when they +had come there the Lady of the Lake stooped and dipped up some of the +water of the lake into her hand; and she flung the water upon Sir Gawaine, +crying out in a high and piercing voice: "Cease from thy present shape, +and assume that shape that is thine own!"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady of +the Lake healeth +Sir Gawaine +of his enchantment.</i></div> + +<p>Therewith, upon an instant, the enchantment that had +rested upon Sir Gawaine was released from him and he became +himself again, resuming his own knightly appearance instead +of that semblance of a misshapen dwarf into which the enchantment +of the Lady Vivien had cast him.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine leaped down from off the back of that poor palfrey +upon which he had been riding, and he kneeled down before that fair and +gentle Lady of the Lake, and he set the palms of his hands together and +gave her words of pure gratitude beyond stint that she had removed that +enchantment from him. And ever the Lady of the Lake looked down +upon Sir Gawaine and smiled very kindly upon him. And she said: "Messire, +abide this night in yonder pavilion, for it hath been prepared for thee to +rest in. To-morrow, after thou hast thus rested and refreshed thyself, +then thou shalt go forward upon thy way again."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady of the +Lake departeth.</i></div> + +<p>Then the Lady of the Lake gave her hand to Sir Gawaine and he took it +and kissed it. And after that she turned and approached the lake, and +at that time the sky was all golden both with the glory of the fading day +and with that other glory, the strange magic light that embalmed that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span> +wonderful lake as aforetold. And Sir Gawaine, still kneeling upon the +strand of the lake, beheld that the Lady of the Lake reached the water, +and stretched forth her foot and set it upon the surface of the +lake as though the water had been a sheet of clear glass. +And as soon as that lady thus touched the water of the lake, she immediately +disappeared from sight, and thenceforth was seen no more at that +time.</p> + +<p>After that Sir Gawaine arose from where he kneeled, and he went toward +the pavilion and as he approached it there came forth two esquires to +meet him. And those esquires were people of the lake, for they also were +clad in garments of green like the garments of the Lady of the Lake, and +those garments also shone with a singular lustre as did her garments. +And their hair was perfectly black and each wore a fillet of gold about his +head.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +is served by the +people of the +lake.</i></div> + +<p>These came to Sir Gawaine and conducted him to the pavilion and into +the pavilion. In the pavilion was a couch and Sir Gawaine seated himself +thereon, and after he had done so the two esquires brought +a table of gold and placed it before him. Then they spread +a napkin of white linen upon the table and anon they set +before Sir Gawaine a very bounteous feast of various meats, +and of manchets of white bread and of divers wines both red and white. +So Sir Gawaine ate and drank and refreshed himself, and meantime the +two esquires of the lake served him in all ways.</p> + +<p>After that Sir Gawaine laid him down to sleep, and he slept very peacefully +and gently and without any anxiety whatsoever. And when the +morning had come he bestirred himself and presently there came to him +those two esquires and aided him to arise. And they brought new rich +garments for him to wear, and they brought him food wherewith to refresh +himself, and after that they brought him a suit of splendid armor, polished +like a mirror and inlaid with various singular devices in gold.</p> + +<p>Then those esquires of the lake armed Sir Gawaine and brought him +forth from the pavilion, and Sir Gawaine beheld a noble and lordly war-horse +caparisoned in all ways, and in all ways fitting for a Knight Royal +to ride upon. And the esquire said to him: "Sir, this is your horse, and it +hath been purveyed expressly for you."</p> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine viewed the war-horse and saw how noble it was, and he +mounted upon it with great joy of possession and he gave thanks without +measure to those two esquires who had served him. After that he rode +away from that place with such lightness of heart and with such peace +and happiness of spirit as doth not often come to any man in this life.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +followeth the +golden bird +once more.</i></div> + +<p>Then presently there came that golden bird once more and flitted before +Sir Gawaine as it had aforetime done, chirping very shrilly the while. +And Sir Gawaine followed the bird once more as aforetime, +and it led him as it had before done ever in a certain direction. +So it brought him onward in that wise until about the middle +of the day, what time he came forth into an open place of the +forest and there beheld before him the forest hermitage several times +mentioned in these histories.</p> + +<p>And Sir Gawaine saw that a noble black war-horse stood beside that +forest sanctuary, and he saw that a great spear leaned against a tree beside +the hermitage and that a shield hung from the spear. And when Sir +Gawaine had come close enough he knew by the device upon that shield +that it was Sir Bors de Ganis who was there at the hermitage.</p> + +<p>Now as Sir Gawaine approached the cell of the hermit of the forest, the +horse of Sir Bors neighed aloud, and the horse of Sir Gawaine neighed in +answer. Therewith, as though that neighing had been a summons, the +door of the hut opened and the hermit appeared in the doorway, shading +his eyes with his hand from the glare of the sun. So when he perceived that +it was Sir Gawaine who approached that lonely place he cried out aloud: +"Welcome Sir Gawaine! Welcome to this place! Sir Bors is here and +awaiting thee. For it hath been told him in a dream that thou wouldst +meet him here at this time to-day, and so he is here awaiting thy coming +in fulfillment of that dream."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +meets Sir +Bors again.</i></div> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine dismounted from his horse and he entered the cell of +the hermit and there he beheld Sir Bors kneeling at prayer at a little altar, +and Sir Gawaine stood and waited until Sir Bors had finished +his orisons. And when Sir Bors had crossed himself and had +arisen to his feet, he turned with great joy and took Sir Gawaine +into his arms; and either embraced the other and either kissed the other +upon the cheek.</p> + +<p>After that they sat down and the hermit brought them food and they ate +of the simple fare of the hermit's cell, and meantime Sir Gawaine told Sir +Bors all that had happened to him since they had parted company. To +all that was said Sir Bors listened with deep attention, for he was much, +astonished at that which had befallen Sir Gawaine and at the enchantment +he had suffered at the hands of the Lady Vivien. And indeed it was, of a +surety, a very wonderful adventure, such as any one might well have marvelled +to hear tell of.</p> + +<p>But when Sir Gawaine told Sir Bors concerning the prophecy of Merlin, +then Sir Bors became all enwrapped as with a certain exaltation of spirit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span> +Wherefore, when Sir Gawaine had finished that part of his story, Sir Bors +cried out: "How wonderful is this miracle that thou tellest me! Know +ye that certain things of this sort have been presented before me of late in +several dreams, but lo! now they have been manifested to thee in reality." +And he said: "Let us straightway arise and go forth hence, for methinks +that even now we have tarried too long in performing the bidding of this +prophecy." Accordingly they arose and they gave thanks in full measure +to that good old hermit and they bade him farewell. Thereafter they went +forth and mounted their horses and took shield and spear in hand and +departed thence, and after they had so departed, straightway the golden +bird appeared once more and flew chirping before them.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Bors, beholding the bird, said: "Lo! is not yonder the bird that +has been sent to lead us upon our way?" And Sir Gawaine said, "Yea; +that is it." And then Sir Bors said, "Let us follow it apace."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +and Sir Bors +follow the +golden bird.</i></div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They come to +the priory of +the valley.</i></div> + +<p>So they followed the bird, and ever it flew before them, leading them +upon the way. Thus they travelled for a long while, until +at last, toward the sloping of the afternoon, they became +aware that the forest wherein they rode was becoming thinner. +And anon they were aware of the ringing of a bell somewhere +not a great distance away. And the bird led them toward where that +bell was ringing, and so in a little pass they came forth out of the forest and +into a very fertile valley. And there was a smooth river, not very broad, +that flowed down through the valley, and beside the river there was a fair +priory, not large in size but very comely, with white walls +and red roofs and many shining windows, very bright in the sun. +And all about the priory were fair fields and orchards and +gardens, all illuminated very bright and warm, in the full light of the +slanting sun that was now turning all the world to gold by its bright, +yellow and very glorious shining.</p> + +<p>So when Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine entered this pleasant plain, the golden +bird that had led them thitherward suddenly chirped very loud and shrill, +and straightway flew high aloft into the air and immediately disappeared +over the tree tops. Thereupon those two champions knew with certainty +that this must be the place whither they were to come, and they wist that +here they should doubtless find that young child of which the prophecy +of Merlin had spoken. So they went forward toward the priory with a +certain awe, as not knowing what next of mystery was to happen to them.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They meet +Sir Lavaine.</i></div> + +<p>So as they approached that holy place, the gateway of the priory was +suddenly opened, and there came forth a young knight of a very noble<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span> +and haughty appearance, and both Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors knew that +one, that he was Sir Lavaine, the brother of the Lady Elaine, and whilom +the companion in arms of Sir Launcelot of the Lake. And +as they drew more near they beheld that the face of Sir Lavaine +was very sad and that he smiled not at all as he gave them greeting, saying: +"Ye are welcome, Messires, and ye come none too soon, for we have been +waiting for you since the morning." And he said, "Dismount and come +with me."</p> + +<p>So Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine dismounted from their horses and straightway +there came several attendants and took the steeds and led them away +to stable. Then Sir Lavaine turned, and he beckoned with his hand, and +Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine followed after as he had commanded them to do. +So Sir Lavaine brought them through several passageways and from place +to place until at last he brought them to a small cell of the priory, very +cold and bare and white as snow.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They behold +the Lady +Elaine.</i></div> + +<p>In the centre of the cell there lay a couch and upon the couch there +lay a figure as still as death and Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine beheld that +it was the Lady Elaine who lay there. Her hair lay spread out all over +the pillow of the couch, shining like to pure gold, and in the +midst of the hair her face shone very white, like to pure +clear wax for whiteness. Her eyes looked, as it were, from +out of a faint shadow and gazed ever straight before her and she never +stirred nor moved her gaze as Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine and Sir Lavaine +entered her cell; for it was as though her looks were fixed upon something +very strange that she beheld a great distance away.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>They behold +the young +child.</i></div> + +<p>Then Sir Lavaine, speaking in a whisper, said, "Come near and behold," +and thereupon Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine came close to the couch upon +which the Lady Elaine lay. So when they had come nigh, Sir Lavaine +lifted the coverlet very softly and they beheld that a new-born +babe lay beside the lady upon that couch. Then they wist +that that babe was the child of Sir Launcelot of the Lake +and the Lady Elaine; and they wist that this was the babe of whom Merlin +had spoken in his prophecy. For the child was very wonderfully beautiful, +and it was as though a certain clear radiance of light shone forth from its +face; and it lay so perfectly still that it was like as though it did not live. +So Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine knew because of these and several other +things that this must indeed be that very child whom they had come to +find. Yea, it was as though a voice from a distance said: "Behold! this +is that one who shall achieve the Quest of the Holy Grail according to the +prophecy of Merlin."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span></p> + +<p>So Sir Bors and Sir Gawaine kneeled down beside the bed and set their +palms together, and Sir Lavaine stood near them, and for a while all was +very silent in that place. Then suddenly the Lady Elaine spake in that silence +in a voice very faint and remote but very clear, and as she spake she turned +not her eyes toward any one of them, but gazed ever straight before her. +And she said, "Sir Bors, art thou there?" and Sir Bors said, "Yea, Lady."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady +Elaine bespeaketh +Sir Bors.</i></div> + +<p>Then she said: "Behold this child and look you upon him, for this is +he who shall achieve the Quest of the Holy Grail and shall bring it back +to the earth again. So he shall become the greatest knight +that ever the world beheld. But though he shall be the greatest +champion at arms that ever lived, yet also he shall be gentle +and meek and without sin, innocent like to a little child. And because +he is to be so high in chivalry and so pure of life, therefore his name shall +be called Galahad." And she said again, "Sir Bors, art thou there?" +and he said, "Yea, Lady."</p> + +<p>She said: "My time draweth near, for even now I behold the shining +gates of Paradise, though it yet is that I behold them faintly, as through +a vapor of mist. Yet anon that mist shall pass, and I shall behold those +gates very near by and shining in glory; for soon I shall quit this troubled +world for that bright and beautiful country. Nevertheless, I shall leave +behind me this child who lieth beside me, and his life shall enlighten that +world from which I am withdrawing." Then she said for the third time, +"Sir Bors, art thou there?" And Sir Bors wept, and he said, "Yea, Lady, +I am here."</p> + +<p>Then the Lady Elaine said: "Take thou this child and bear him hence +unto a certain place that thou shalt find. Thou shalt know that place +because there shall go before thee a bird with golden plumage, and it shall +show thee where thou art to take this child. Leave the child at that place +whither the bird shall lead thee, and tell no man where that place is. For +this child must hide in secret until the time shall come when he shall be +manifested to the world." And she said, "Hearest thou me, Sir Bors?" +And Sir Bors, still weeping, said, "Yea, Lady."</p> + +<p>Then she said: "Go and tarry not in thy going, for the ending is very +near. Wait not until that end cometh, but go immediately and do as I +have asked thee to do."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors departeth +with the +young child.</i></div> + +<p>Then, still weeping, Sir Bors arose from where he kneeled, and he took +the young child and he wrapped it in his cloak and he went +out thence and was gone, taking the babe with him.</p> + +<p>And this while Sir Gawaine and Sir Lavaine also wept, +and ever Sir Gawaine still kneeled and Sir Lavaine stood beside him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span></p> + +<p>Such is the story of the nativity of Sir Galahad, who afterward achieved +the Quest of the Holy Grail as was prophesied in the prophecy of Merlin.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>The passing +of Elaine the Fair.</i></div> + +<p>That same day the Lady Elaine died about the middle watch of the +night, departing from this world in great peace and good content, +and Sir Gawaine and Sir Lavaine were with her at the +time of her passing.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gawaine said, weeping, "Let me go and fetch Sir Launcelot +of the Lake hither." But Sir Lavaine, speaking very sternly, said: "Let +be and bring him not, for he is not worthy to be brought hither. But as +for you, do you depart, for I have yet that to do I would do alone. So go you +immediately and return unto the court of the King. But when you have +come to the King's court, I charge you to say nothing unto any one concerning +the birth of the child Galahad, nor of how this sweet, fair lady is no more, +for I have a certain thing to do that I would fain perform before those +things are declared. So when you have come to court say nothing of these +matters of which I have spoken." To the which Sir Gawaine said, "Messire, +it shall be as you desire in all things."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine +departeth from +the priory.</i></div> + +<p>So immediately Sir Gawaine went forth and called for his +horse, and they brought his horse to him and he mounted +and departed from that place, leaving Sir Lavaine alone +with his dead.</p> + +<p>And it remaineth here to be said that Sir Gawaine went directly from +that place to the court of the King, and when he had come there he told +only of those adventures that had happened to him when the Lady Vivien +had bewitched him. But of those other matters: to wit, of the nativity of +Galahad and of the death of the Lady Elaine, he said naught to any one +but concealed those things for the time being in his own heart.</p> + +<p>Yet ever he pondered those things and meditated upon them in the +silent watches of the night. For the thought of those things filled him at +once with joy and with a sort of terror; with hope and with a manner of +despair; wherefore his spirit was troubled because of those things which +he had beheld, for he knew not what their portent might be.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span></div><div class="figcenter" style="width: 415px;"> +<img src="images/s0347.png" width="415" height="600" alt="The Barge of the Dead" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/s0348.png" width="600" height="77" alt="Decorative banner" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>Conclusion</h3> + + +<p>Now after Sir Bors had departed and after Sir Gawaine had departed +as aforesaid—the one at the one time and the other +at the other—there came several of those of the priory to that +cell of death. And they lifted up that still and peaceful figure and bare +it away to the chapel of the priory. And they laid it upon a bier in the +chapel and lit candles around about the bier, and they chanted all night +in the chapel a requiem to the repose of the gentle soul that was gone. +And when the morning light had dawned Sir Lavaine came to that chapel +when the candles were still alight in the dull gray of the early day and +he kneeled for a long time in prayer beside the bier.</p> + +<p>Thereafter and when he had ended his prayers, he arose and departed +from that place, and he went to the people of the priory, and he said to +them, "Whither is it that this river floweth?" They say: "It floweth down +from this place past the King's town of Camelot, and thence it floweth +onward until it floweth into the sea to the southward."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lavaine +findeth a boat.</i></div> + +<p>Sir Lavaine said, "Is there ere a boat at this place that may float upon +the river?" And they say to him: "Yea, Messire, there is +a barge and there is a man that saileth that barge and that +man is deaf and dumb from birth." At that Sir Lavaine said: "I pray you +to bring me to where that deaf and dumb bargeman is."</p> + +<p>So one of those to whom he spake took him to a certain place where was +that barge, and the deaf and dumb bargeman. And the bargeman was +a very old man with a long beard as white as snow and he gazed very steadfastly +upon Sir Lavaine as he drew near thitherward. So Sir Lavaine +came close to the bargeman and he made signs to him, asking him if he +would ferry him down the stream to the King's town, and the dumb bargeman +understood what Sir Lavaine would have and he made signs in answer +that it should be as Sir Lavaine desired.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lavaine +with the dead +lady departeth +in the barge.</i></div> + +<p>After that Sir Lavaine gave command that the barge should be hung +and draped all with white samite embroidered with silver and he gave +command that a couch of white samite should be established upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span> +barge, and the covering of the couch was also embroidered with silver. +So when all was in readiness there came forth a procession +from the chapel, bearing that still and silent figure, and they +brought it to the barge and laid it upon the couch of white +samite that had been prepared for it. Thereafter Sir Lavaine +entered the barge and took his station in the bow of the boat and the deaf +and dumb man took his station in the stern thereof.</p> + +<p>Then the bargeman trimmed the sail and so the barge drew slowly away +from that place, many standing upon the landing-stage and watching its +departure.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>So they descend +the flood.</i></div> + +<p>And after that the barge floated gently down the smooth stream of the +river, and ever the deaf and dumb man guided it upon its way. And anon +they floated down betwixt banks of rushes, with here and +there a row of pollard willow-trees and thickets of alder. And +all about them was the pleasant weather of the summertime, with everything +abloom with grace and beauty.</p> + +<p>Then anon, departing from those marshy stretches with their rushes +and their willows and their alders, they drifted past some open meadow-lands, +with fields and uplands all trembling in the still hot sunlight. And +after that they came to a more populous country where were several small +towns and villages with here and there a stone bridge crossing the river. +And at those places of habitation many came and stood upon a bridge +beneath which they passed, and others stood upon the smooth and grassy +banks of the stream and gazed in awe at that wonderful barge as it drifted +by adown the flood. And they who thus gazed would whisper and marvel +at what they beheld and would cross themselves for awe and terror.</p> + +<p>So ever they floated onward until at last they came to within sight of +the town of Camelot.</p> + +<p>After that, in a little they came to the town and as they passed by the +town walls, lo! a great multitude of people came and stood upon the walls +and gazed down upon that white bedraped barge and those who were +within. And all the people whispered to one another in awe, saying: +"What is this and what doth it portend? Is this real or is it a vision +that we behold?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>So they come +to Camelot.</i></div> + +<p>But ever that barge drifted onward past the walls and past those who +stood thereon, and so, at last, it came to a landing-place of +stone steps not far distant from the castle of the King. There +the dumb bargeman made fast the barge to the iron rings of the landing-stage, +and so that strange voyage was ended.</p> + +<p>Now at that time King Arthur and many of the lords and some of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span> +ladies of his court sat at feast in the royal hall of the castle, and amongst +those was Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere. So as they sat thus, there +came one of a sudden running into the hall as in affright, and thereat all +looked upon him and wondered wherefore he came into the hall in that +way. Then King Arthur said, "What ails thee that thou comest hither +to us thus?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur +heareth news of +the barge.</i></div> + +<p>Then he who came kneeled before King Arthur, and he said: "Lord, +here is a wonderful thing. For down by the river there hath come a barge +to the landing-stairs of the castle, and that barge is hung all with white +samite embroidered with silver. And in the barge and upon a couch of +white samite there lieth a dead lady so beautiful that I do not think her +like is to be found in all of the earth. And a dumb man sits +in the stern of the boat, and a noble young knight sits in the +bow of the boat with his face shrouded in his mantle as +though for grief. And that knight sits there as silent and as motionless +as the dead lady, and the dumb man sits there also, like to an image of a +man rather than a man of flesh and blood. Wherefore it is that I have +come hither to bring you word of this wonderful thing."</p> + +<p>Then King Arthur said: "This is indeed a most singular story that thou +tellest us. Now let us all straightway go and see what this portendeth."</p> + +<p>So the King arose from where he sat, and he descended therefrom, and +he went forth out of the hall, and all who were there went with him.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur +and his court +go to where is +the barge.</i></div> + +<p>Now first of all there went King Arthur, and among those who were last +there went Sir Launcelot of the Lake. For when he had heard of that +dead lady he bethought him of the Lady Elaine and of how +she was even then in tender health, wherefore he repented him +with great bitterness of heart that he was not with her at that +time instead of lingering at court as he did. And he said to +himself: "Suppose that she should die like to this dead lady in the barge—what +would I do if that should have happened unto me?" So it was that +his feet lagged because of his heavy thoughts, and so it was that he was +near the last who came to the riverside where was that barge as aforesaid.</p> + +<p>Now, there were many of the towns folk standing there, but upon King +Arthur's coming all those made way for him, and so he came and stood +upon the upper step of the landing-stairs and looked down into the boat. +And he beheld that figure that was lying there and knew it that it was the +Lady Elaine who lay there dead.</p> + +<p>Then the King looked for a little upon that dead figure as it were in a +sort of terror, and then he said, "Where is Sir Launcelot?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +beholdeth the +dead.</i></div> + +<p>Now when the King so spake, they who stood there made way, and Sir +Launcelot came through the press and stood also at the head +of the stairs and looked down into the barge. Then of a +sudden—as it were in an instant of time—he beheld with his +very eyes that thing which he had been thinking of anon; for there before +him and beneath him lay in very truth the dead image of that dear lady +of whom he had been thinking only a moment before.</p> + +<p>Then it was as though Sir Launcelot had suddenly been struck with a +shaft of death, for he neither moved nor stirred. Nay, it was not to be +perceived that he even so much as breathed. But ever he stood there +gazing down into that boat as though he had forgotten for that while that +there was anybody else in all of the world saving only himself and that dead +lady. And many of those who were there looked upon the face of Sir +Launcelot, and they beheld that his countenance was altogether as white +as the face of that dead figure who lay in the barge beneath them.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lavaine +accuseth Sir +Launcelot.</i></div> + +<p>Then a great hush of silence fell over all and every voice was stilled, +and at that hush of silence Sir Lavaine lifted the hood from his face and +looked up from where he sat in the boat at the feet of the dead lady, and +so beheld Sir Launcelot where he stood. Then upon the +instant Sir Lavaine stood up in the barge and he cried out in +a great loud harsh voice: "Hah! art thou there, thou traitor +knight? Behold the work that thou hast done; for this that thou beholdest +is thy handiwork. Thou hast betrayed this lady's love for the love of +another, and so thou hast brought her to her death!"</p> + +<p>So said Sir Lavaine before all those who were there, but it was as though +Sir Launcelot heard him not, for ever he stood as though he were a dead +man and not a living man of flesh and blood. Then of a sudden he awoke, +as it were, to life, and he clasped the back of his hands across his eyes, and +cried out in a voice as though that voice tore his heart asunder, "Remorse! +Remorse! Remorse!" saying those words three times over in that wise.</p> + +<p>Then he shut his lips tight as though to say no more, and thereupon +turned and went away from that place.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot +departeth.</i></div> + +<p>And he turned neither to this side nor to that, but went straight to the +castle of the King, and there ordered that his horse should be brought +forth to him upon the instant. So when his horse was brought +he mounted it and rode away; and he bade farewell to no +one, and no one was there when he thus departed.</p> + +<p>So for a long while Sir Launcelot rode he knew not whither, but after +a while he found himself in the forest not far away from the cell of the +hermit of the forest. And he beheld the hermit of the forest, that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span> +stood in an open plat of grass in front of his cell and that he was feeding +the wild birds of the woodland; for the little feathered creatures were +gathered in great multitudes about him, some resting upon his head and +some upon his shoulders and some upon his hands. And a wild doe and a +fawn of the forest browsed near by and all was full of peace and good +content.</p> + +<p>But at the coming of Sir Launcelot, all those wild creatures took alarm; +the birds they flew chirping away, and the doe and the fawn they fled +away into the thickets of the forest. For they wist, by some instinct, that +a man of sin and sorrow was coming thitherward; wherefore they were +afeared and fled away in that wise.</p> + +<p>But Sir Launcelot thought nothing of this, but leaped from his horse, +and ran to the hermit and flung himself down upon the ground before him +and embraced him about the feet. And the hermit was greatly astonished +and said, "What ails thee, Sir Launcelot?" Whereunto Sir Launcelot cried +out: "Woe is me! Woe is me! I have sinned very grievously and have +been grievously punished and now my heart is broken!"</p> + +<p>Then the hermit perceived that some great misfortune had befallen Sir +Launcelot, wherefore he lifted Sir Launcelot to his feet and after that he +brought him into his cell. And after they were in the cell together, he said: +"Now tell me what ails thee, Sir Launcelot. For I believe that in telling +me thou shalt find a great deal of ease."</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot confessed everything to the hermit—yea, everything +to the very bottom of his soul, and the good, holy man hearkened to him.</p> + +<p>Then after Sir Launcelot had said all that lay upon his heart, the hermit +sat for a while in silence, communing with his spirit. And after a while he +said: "Messire, God telleth me that if thy sin hath been grievous, so also +hath thy punishment been full sore. Wherefore meseemeth I speak what +God would have me say when I tell thee that though neither thou nor any +man may undo that which is done, nor recommit that which is committed, +yet there is this which thou or any man mayest do. Thou mayst bathe thy +soul in repentance as in a bath of clear water (for repentance is not remorse +but something very different from remorse), and that having so bathed +thyself thou mayst clothe thyself as in a fresh raiment of new resolve. So +bathed and so clad, thou mayst stand once more upon thy feet and mayst +look up to God and say: 'Lo, God! I am Thy handiwork. I have sinned +and have done great evil, yet I am still Thy handiwork, who hath made me +what I am. So, though I may not undo that which I have done, yet I may, +with Thy aid, do better hereafter than I have done heretofore.'</p> + +<p>"For every man may sin, and yet again may sin; yet still is he God's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span> +handiwork, and still God is near by His handiwork to aid him ever to a fresh +endeavor to righteousness.</p> + +<p>"So, though thou hast sinned, thou art still the creation of God and may +yet do His will in the world who hath sent thee hither."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Launcelot wept, and he said, "There is much comfort in thy +words."</p> + +<p>After that he abode for three days in the cell of the hermit and at the +end of that time he went forth again into the world, a broken yet a contrite +man, and one full of a strong resolve to make good the life that God +thenceforth intended him to live.</p> + +<p>So by and by you shall hear of further adventures that befell him; yet +not at this place.</p> + +<p>So it was with Sir Launcelot, and now it only remaineth to be said that, +after his departure from the King's court as aforesaid, they brought the +dead figure of the Lady Elaine to the minster at Camelot and there high +mass was said for the peace of her pure and gentle soul. So for two days +(what time Sir Launcelot was bathing himself in the waters of repentance +as aforetold) that figure lay in state in the minster and with many candles +burning about it, and then it was buried in the minster and a monument +of marble was erected to the memory of that kind and loving spirit that +had gone.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So endeth the history of the Nativity of Galahad and so therewith this +book also cometh to an end.</p> + +<p>Yet after a while, if God giveth me life to finish that work which I have +undertaken in writing these histories (and I pray He may give me to finish +that and several other things), then I shall tell you many things more than +these. For I shall tell you how Sir Launcelot came back again into the +world, and I shall tell you of the history of the Quest of the Grail, and I +shall tell you of other knights who came in later days to make the court +of King Arthur even more glorious than it was before.</p> + +<p>Already two histories have been written concerning these things and this +makes the third, and another, I believe, will complete that work which I +have assigned myself to do; wherefore, as was said, I pray that God may +grant that I shall be able to finish that fourth book and so end my work +that I have here undertaken. Amen.</p> + +<p class="center padtop">THE END</p> + + +<div class="bbox"> +<p><b>Transcriber's Note</b></p> + +<p>Punctuation has been standardised.</p> + +<p>Spelling inconsistencies occur throughout this text.</p> + +<p>Page 11, "Befel" changed to "Befell" (What Befell him)</p> + +<p>Page 32, "ne'ertheless" changed to "ne'theless" (ne'theless, I cannot find)</p> + +<p>Page 36, "shie d" changed to "shield" (bare that shield.)</p> + +<p>Page 78, "Lynnette" changed to "Lynette" (Lynette telleth Sir)</p> + +<p>Page 84, "Grandregarde" changed to "Grandregard" (hight Granderegard)</p> + +<p>Page 98, "Axaltalese" changed to "Axatalese" (Gringamore said to Axatalese)</p> + +<p>Page 98, "Layonesse" changed to "Layonnesse" (Layonnesse and the damsel)</p> + +<p>Page 99, "Layonesse" changed to "Layonnesse" (my sister, the Lady Layonnesse)</p> + +<p>Page 101, "the" changed to "then" (even then upon her way)</p> + +<p>Page 102, "Geharis" changed to "Gaheris" (Sir Gaheris wondered)</p> + +<p>Page 139, "Palamedes" changed to "Palamydes" (meeting Sir Palamydes)</p> + +<p>Page 151, "thust" changed to "thrust" (thrust into her bosom)</p> + +<p>Page 153, "Chavelier" changed to "Chevalier" (in which le Chevalier)</p> + +<p>Page 176, "Adred" changed to "adread" (The lady is adread)</p> + +<p>Page 181, "than" changed to "that" (that the other was)</p> + +<p>Page 195, "knowst" changed to "knowest" (How knowest thou)</p> + +<p>Page 214, "travered" changed to "traversed" (had traversed various)</p> + +<p>Page 275, "Percivant" changed to "Percevant" (captive was Sir Percevant)</p> + +<p>Page 282, "Le" changed to "le" (hight, le Chevalier)</p> + +<p>Page 297, "Ne'ertheless" changed to "Ne'theless" (Ne'theless, now that)</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Sir Launcelot and His +Companions, by Howard Pyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF SIR LAUNCELOT *** + +***** This file should be named 33702-h.htm or 33702-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/7/0/33702/ + +Produced by Sharon Verougstraete, Suzanne Shell and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +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 +https://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 1.F.3. 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 https://www.pglaf.org. + + +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. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. 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 https://pglaf.org + +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 https://pglaf.org + +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 including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was 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: + + https://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. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0001.png b/33702-h/images/s0001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2b627cd --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0001.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0002.png b/33702-h/images/s0002.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..39a4b37 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0002.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0004.png b/33702-h/images/s0004.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..df439c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0004.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0005.png b/33702-h/images/s0005.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..894228b --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0005.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0006.png b/33702-h/images/s0006.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1313caa --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0006.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0011.png b/33702-h/images/s0011.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b319515 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0011.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0012.png b/33702-h/images/s0012.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9aeafb7 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0012.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0013.png b/33702-h/images/s0013.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..36e5337 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0013.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0014.png b/33702-h/images/s0014.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5a0d43c --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0014.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0015.png b/33702-h/images/s0015.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e993557 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0015.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0016.png b/33702-h/images/s0016.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ac7dac0 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0016.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0021.png b/33702-h/images/s0021.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c15e4c --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0021.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0023.png b/33702-h/images/s0023.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c68aae1 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0023.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0024.png b/33702-h/images/s0024.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6bd5b5b --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0024.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0029.png b/33702-h/images/s0029.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..08e1a23 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0029.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0031.png b/33702-h/images/s0031.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f7de58 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0031.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0032.png b/33702-h/images/s0032.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8b3d485 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0032.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0039.png b/33702-h/images/s0039.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cd9d28c --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0039.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0041.png b/33702-h/images/s0041.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a0565cc --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0041.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0042.png b/33702-h/images/s0042.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1011465 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0042.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0051.png b/33702-h/images/s0051.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4c73ef --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0051.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0052.png b/33702-h/images/s0052.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0906ad0 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0052.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0061.png b/33702-h/images/s0061.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8af10e6 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0061.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0062.png b/33702-h/images/s0062.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5bacece --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0062.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0075.png b/33702-h/images/s0075.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f791358 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0075.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0076.png b/33702-h/images/s0076.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..265b1d2 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0076.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0089.png b/33702-h/images/s0089.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..409bffd --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0089.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0090.png b/33702-h/images/s0090.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..266f796 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0090.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0101.png b/33702-h/images/s0101.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7f576c2 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0101.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0103.png b/33702-h/images/s0103.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f7f52d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0103.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0104.png b/33702-h/images/s0104.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d898c1 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0104.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0116.png b/33702-h/images/s0116.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e157ea --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0116.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0117.png b/33702-h/images/s0117.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..09f2b50 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0117.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0119.png b/33702-h/images/s0119.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f684ae4 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0119.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0120.png b/33702-h/images/s0120.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d9a332 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0120.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0129.png b/33702-h/images/s0129.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..327ddad --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0129.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0130.png b/33702-h/images/s0130.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..74d638d --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0130.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0137.png b/33702-h/images/s0137.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..be0d8e8 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0137.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0138.png b/33702-h/images/s0138.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..16540d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0138.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0147.png b/33702-h/images/s0147.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ee8b27 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0147.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0149.png b/33702-h/images/s0149.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e345602 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0149.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0150.png b/33702-h/images/s0150.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d703fb5 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0150.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0159.png b/33702-h/images/s0159.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..89e69bd --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0159.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0160.png b/33702-h/images/s0160.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..96071d1 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0160.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0169.png b/33702-h/images/s0169.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fc93889 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0169.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0171.png b/33702-h/images/s0171.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8e99314 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0171.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0172.png b/33702-h/images/s0172.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..275fe3b --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0172.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0181.png b/33702-h/images/s0181.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e940f52 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0181.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0183.png b/33702-h/images/s0183.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ced5729 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0183.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0184.png b/33702-h/images/s0184.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6284df9 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0184.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0191.png b/33702-h/images/s0191.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7788553 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0191.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0193.png b/33702-h/images/s0193.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..36f2612 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0193.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0194.png b/33702-h/images/s0194.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d73743 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0194.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0201.png b/33702-h/images/s0201.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..08a0786 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0201.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0203.png b/33702-h/images/s0203.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2575482 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0203.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0204.png b/33702-h/images/s0204.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..77db1f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0204.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0211.png b/33702-h/images/s0211.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..64e91cb --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0211.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0213.png b/33702-h/images/s0213.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..377fbc4 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0213.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0214.png b/33702-h/images/s0214.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1033aba --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0214.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0223.png b/33702-h/images/s0223.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..384cf40 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0223.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0225.png b/33702-h/images/s0225.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..768ec9b --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0225.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0226.png b/33702-h/images/s0226.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b8f2789 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0226.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0233.png b/33702-h/images/s0233.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..288141e --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0233.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0235.png b/33702-h/images/s0235.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..708da98 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0235.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0236.png b/33702-h/images/s0236.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..557d6ab --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0236.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0247.png b/33702-h/images/s0247.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c842ad1 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0247.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0249.png b/33702-h/images/s0249.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cdd828d --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0249.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0250.png b/33702-h/images/s0250.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ec462af --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0250.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0259.png b/33702-h/images/s0259.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..82d94bb --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0259.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0261.png b/33702-h/images/s0261.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bb8301f --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0261.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0262.png b/33702-h/images/s0262.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f61ff1f --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0262.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0273.png b/33702-h/images/s0273.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..27ba60b --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0273.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0275.png b/33702-h/images/s0275.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6997b24 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0275.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0276.png b/33702-h/images/s0276.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..671478b --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0276.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0289.png b/33702-h/images/s0289.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1ac77b --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0289.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0291.png b/33702-h/images/s0291.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4f0c7ca --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0291.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0292.png b/33702-h/images/s0292.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c77faec --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0292.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0303.png b/33702-h/images/s0303.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..660f989 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0303.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0305.png b/33702-h/images/s0305.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..751ce7a --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0305.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0306.png b/33702-h/images/s0306.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4964c1d --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0306.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0316.png b/33702-h/images/s0316.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c41438d --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0316.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0323.png b/33702-h/images/s0323.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9aabc02 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0323.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0324.png b/33702-h/images/s0324.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..394e901 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0324.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0335.png b/33702-h/images/s0335.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..700b9f1 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0335.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0337.png b/33702-h/images/s0337.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d4290be --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0337.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0338.png b/33702-h/images/s0338.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e9c5524 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0338.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0347.png b/33702-h/images/s0347.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ff593ca --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0347.png diff --git a/33702-h/images/s0348.png b/33702-h/images/s0348.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3812cf8 --- /dev/null +++ b/33702-h/images/s0348.png |
