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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-27 11:54:47 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-27 11:54:47 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7e08693 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60405 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60405) diff --git a/old/60405-0.txt b/old/60405-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e212357..0000000 --- a/old/60405-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10687 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Grail and the Passing of -Arthur, 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/license - - -Title: The Story of the Grail and the Passing of Arthur - -Author: Howard Pyle - -Release Date: October 2, 2019 [EBook #60405] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE GRAIL *** - - - - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Chuck Greif and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - BOOKS WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY - - HOWARD PYLE - - PUBLISHED BY CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS - - - THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS. - - THE STORY OF THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ROUND TABLE. - - THE STORY OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS COMPANIONS. - - THE STORY OF THE GRAIL AND THE PASSING OF ARTHUR. - - - THE MERRY ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, OF GREAT RENOWN IN - NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. - - THE GARDEN BEHIND THE MOON. A REAL STORY OF THE MOON ANGEL. - - OTTO OF THE SILVER HAND. - -[Illustration: Sir Galahad of the Grail.] - - - - -[Illustration: The Story _of_ - the Grail - _and the - Passing of_ - Arthur. - - _by_ - HOWARD PYLE. - - NEW YORK: - _CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS_ - 1910] - - - _Copyright, 1910 - By CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS_ - - Published September, 1910 - - - - -[Illustration] Foreword. - - -_In this volume there follows the fourth and last series of those -histories relating to the life and to the kingship of Arthur, King of -England. In this it shall first be told how it befell with Sir Geraint; -then it shall be told how the Holy Grail was achieved by Sir Galahad, -the son of Sir Launcelot; and then it shall be told how King Arthur -passed from this life, and how, after doing battle right royally for his -crown and having overcome his enemies, he was slain by one of them whom -he had wounded to death. - -Much in this is sad, but much is not sad; for all endings are sad, and -the passing of any hero is a sad thing to tell of; but the events and -the adventures and the achievements of such a man are not sad. Thus it -is here said that much of this is sad, but much is not sad. - -Now I have for seven years been writing these four books, and in them I -have put the best that I have to say concerning such things. Wherefore I -now hope that you may like that which I have thus written, for if you do -not like it, then I have written in vain; but if you do like these -narratives, and the several various incidents in them recounted, then -you put the seal of your approval upon my work, and my reward is full._ - -_Know you that it is a very glorious thing for any man to achieve the -approval of others; for all men write for approval, and all would win -approval of their fellows if they were able to do so; wherefore, it is -my strong hope that you may set the seal of your approval upon these -books. - -Be it said that some things in these histories are not recounted in -other histories of this momentous reign, but that most of the things -that I have written are recounted in such histories, and all those -things so recounted I have told to you as they have been aforetime -written by other men. In this I have shaped them and adapted them from -the ancient style in which they were first written so as to fit them to -the taste of those who read them to-day. - -And I thank God that He has spared my life to finish this work, and also -I hope that He may spare me that life still further, to achieve other -works which I desire to undertake. But nevertheless it would have been a -great regret to me to leave these books unfinished. For I have made a -study of this history and have read much concerning it; wherefore, it -was my earnest wish to finish that which I had begun if God would spare -me my life to do so. This He has done. - -So now I take leave of you upon the threshold of this book, and bid you -godspeed in reading it. And the first of these adventures that you shall -read shall be “The Story of Sir Geraint,” which was the first time -written in the ancient Welsh, but which is here re-written for your -delectation in the manner which I here set it forth._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: Contents] - - -PART I - -THE STORY OF SIR GERAINT - - -Chapter First - -_How Sir Geraint followed the knight and the lady to whom the dwarf -belongeth. How he lodged in a ruined castle, and how he found armor to -wear._ _9_ - - -Chapter Second - -_How Sir Geraint fought with the knight of the Sparrow-Hawk; how he set -right the wrongs of the earldom and how he returned to the Court of the -King._ _17_ - -Chapter Third - -_How Sir Geraint lived with the Lady Enid at Camelot. How he suspected -her truth; how his suspicions were confirmed, and how he departed with -her in search of adventure. Also how they met with three unusual -adventures in the forest._ _27_ - - -Chapter Fourth - -_How Sir Geraint and Enid came forth out of the forest into the land of -an earl. How they abided at an inn, and of what befell them thereafter._ - _39_ - - -Chapter Fifth - -_Sir Geraint is wounded in his encounter with another knight. He is -discovered by the Court of King Arthur and is healed of his wounds._ - _49_ - - -Chapter Sixth - -_How Sir Geraint destroyed three giants of the highway. How he was hurt, -and how he and the Lady Enid were carried off by a knight of that -country. Also how Sir Geraint slew the knight._ _59_ - - -PART II - -THE STORY OF SIR GALAHAD - - -Chapter First - -_How Sir Galahad was made a knight; how he came to the Court of King -Arthur, and of the several miracles that happened at that time._ _67_ - - -Chapter Second - -_How Sir Galahad was led by a strange lady to a monastery of White -Friars. How he met there two other Knights of the Round Table. How King -Bagdemagus wore the shield, and how it was taken from him and given unto -Sir Galahad. Also the story of the shield._ _79_ - - -Chapter Third - -_How Sir Galahad met with Sir Melyas. How Sir Melyas was overthrown, and -how Sir Galahad overthrew his enemies. Also how Sir Galahad did at the -Castle of Maidens._ _91_ - - -Chapter Fourth - -_How Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival met Sir Galahad, and what befell -them. Also how Sir Launcelot beheld the Grail in a dream._ _101_ - - -Chapter Fifth - -_How Sir Percival findeth a horse that nearly bringeth him to -destruction. Also he meeteth a fair damsel and feasts with her. Finally -he enters a boat and there finds rest and comfort._ _111_ - - -Chapter Sixth - -_How Sir Bors confessed himself to the Hermit of the Forest. How he -overthrew a knight, and how he came to the seashore and of what befell -him there._ _119_ - - -Chapter Seventh - -_How Sir Galahad smote down Sir Gawaine, and how he accompanied a fair -lady to the seashore. And of what happened thereafter._ _133_ - - -PART III - -THE PASSING OF ARTHUR - - -Chapter First - -_How Queen Guinevere visited Sir Launcelot in the forest; how Sir -Launcelot returned to Court as aforetime, and how he fled once more from -the Court._ _147_ - - -Chapter Second - -_How Queen Guinevere held a feast, and how Sir Patrice of Ireland was -poisoned at that feast._ _155_ - - -Chapter Third - -_How Sir Bors was relieved of the defence of the Queen, and of how Sir -Mador de la Porte was overthrown._ _163_ - - -Chapter Fourth - -_How there came quarrels at the Court, and how Sir Launcelot of the -Lake was assaulted by the brothers of Sir Gawaine._ _173_ - - -Chapter Fifth - -_How King Arthur attacked Sir Launcelot at Joyous Gard; how Sir Lionel -was slain and how Sir Bors was wounded._ _185_ - - -Chapter Sixth - -_Sir Launcelot brings the Queen to King Arthur at Camelot. He quitteth -England, and King Arthur and Sir Gawaine pursue him._ _199_ - - -Chapter Seventh - -_Of the battle betwixt Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine. Also how King -Arthur returned to Little Britain._ _211_ - - -Chapter Eighth - -_How King Arthur returned to England. How he fought his last battle with -Sir Mordred._ _223_ - - -Chapter Ninth - -_How King Arthur slew Sir Mordred, and how he himself was wounded so -that he was upon the edge of death. How his sword Excalibur was cast -away, and how three queens came from Avalon and took him away with -them._ _237_ - - -Chapter Tenth - -_How Sir Launcelot came to Queen Guinevere, and how Queen Guinevere -remained a nun. How Sir Launcelot went into the forest and became a -hermit, and how seven of his fellows joined him there. Also of the death -of Sir Launcelot of the Lake._ _249_ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - -_Sir Galahad of the Grail_ _Frontispiece_ - - PAGE - -_Head Piece--Foreword_ _vii_ - -_Tail Piece--Foreword_ _viii_ - -_Head Piece--Table of Contents_ _ix_ - -_Tail Piece--Table of Contents_ _xiv_ - -_Head Piece--List of Illustrations_ _xv_ - -_Tail Piece--List of Illustrations_ _xviii_ - -_Sir Geraint, Son of Erbin_ _2_ - -_Head Piece--Prologue_ _3_ - -_Tail Piece--Prologue_ _6_ - -_Enid and Geraint in the Garden_ _8_ - -_Head Piece--Part I_ _9_ - -_Sir Geraint and the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk_ _16_ - -_Sir Geraint lies asleep_ _26_ - -_Enid talks with the Earl_ _38_ - -_Enid and Geraint ride past the Town bridge_ _48_ - -_The King’s physicians attend Sir Geraint_ _58_ - -_Tail Piece--Part I_ _64_ - -_Sir Galahad cometh with the Hermit of the Forest_ _66_ - -_Head Piece--Part II_ _67_ - -_The Lady of the Lake and Sir Galahad_ _78_ - -_Sir Galahad meets Sir Melyas_ _90_ - -_The Grail is manifested, and Sir Launcelot Sleepeth_ _100_ - -_Sir Percival rideth the black horse_ _110_ - -_Sir Bors rides with the white knight_ _118_ - -_Sir Galahad rides with the Lady_ _132_ - -_Tail Piece--Part II_ _144_ - -_The Queen’s pages clothe Sir Launcelot_ _146_ - -_Head Piece--Part III_ _147_ - -_Sir Mador de la Porte_ _154_ - -_Sir Mador begs for his Life_ _162_ - -_Sir Launcelot defends the door_ _172_ - -_The Bishop of Rochester and the King_ _184_ - -_Sir Gawaine challenges Sir Launcelot_ _198_ - -_The Passing of Sir Gawaine_ _210_ - -_Sir Mordred the traitor_ _222_ - -_The Passing of Arthur_ _236_ - -_The Passing of Guinevere_ _248_ - -_Tail Piece--Part III_ _258_ - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Sir Geraint, Son of Erbin] - - - - -[Illustration] Prologue - - -[Sidenote: _King Arthur proclaims a hunting._] - -Upon a certain time, at Michaelmas tide, King Arthur held a high hunting -near to his court at Carleon-upon-Usk. Upon the morning of the day -appointed for this hunting, all the attendants of the King were gathered -in the courtyard of the castle ready to depart. The King cast his eyes -about him, but he did not see the Queen near at hand. Quoth he, “Where -is the Queen this morning, that I do not see her here?” One replied to -him, “Lord, she is yet abed and asleep; shall we go wake her?” The King -said, “No, if she would rather sleep than hunt, let her lie abed.” - -Then another said, “Lord, Sir Geraint is not here either. Shall we call -him?” King Arthur laughed. “Nay,” quoth he, “let him also lie abed if he -be drowsy.” Therewith they took horse and rode away into the dewy -sweetness of the early morning; the birds chaunting their roundelays and -the sun bathing the entire earth as in a great bath of golden radiance. - -Anon and after they had thus all departed, Queen Guinevere bestirred -herself and awoke, and she said to her attendants, “Where is the King?” -They say to her, “Lady, he hath ridden into the forest with his court.” -At that the Queen was vexed, and she said, “Why was I not awakened?” -They say to her, “Lady, the King forbade that you should be disturbed.” -“Well,” said she, “let that be as it may, but I shall yet go to view the -hunting.” So she arose and clad herself in a robe of sea-green taffeta, -and she belted herself with a belt of gold, and she had her lady to -enmesh her hair in a net of gold. And after she had broken her fast, -she and her court took horse, and rode forth to the woodlands to find -the King and his court. - -[Sidenote: _Queen Guinevere and her attendants ride into the forest._] - -[Sidenote: They meet Sir Geraint.] - -Now as the Queen and her ladies and their attendants wended onward in a -sedate and quiet fashion, they were presently aware of one who came -riding after them at a hand gallop. Then the Queen drew rein, and said -to her attendant ladies, “Who is yonder gentleman who follows us at a -hand gallop?” One of her attendants said, “Methinks, Lady, yonder is Sir -Geraint.” The Queen said, “Yea, it is indeed Sir Geraint,” so they all -drew rein and waited until Sir Geraint overtook them. Then the Queen -said to him, “Sir Geraint, I am glad that thou too art a sluggard, for -now, as a penance, we shall hold thee in attendance upon us.” “Lady,” -quoth Sir Geraint, “that is no penance but a pleasure, for what pleasure -could be greater than to wait upon you and your court upon so fair and -sweet a morning as this?” - -“Sir,” said the Queen, “that is very well said. Now I bid you to ride -beside me, and so together we will seek the King.” - -So Sir Geraint rode with the Lady Guinevere in that wise, and as they -rode they discoursed together concerning many things of interest. - -Now as they ambled thus through the forest they presently perceived a -small company of riders who came the other way through the checkered -lights of the woodland. - -The first of these riders was a very strong, powerful and lordly knight -in armor. Beside him rode a fair lady clad all in scarlet, and following -after these two there came a deformed and crooked dwarf clad in green. -And the dwarf sat perched upon a great tall horse like a toad upon a -mountain. - -Then the Lady Guinevere said, “What company is yonder?” But no one could -answer her question. Then the Queen said to one of her damsels, “Go, -maiden, and ask the dwarf who is the knight whom he follows.” - -[Sidenote: _The maiden bespeaks the dwarf._] - -So the maiden to whom the Queen spake made forward to meet that party, -and she accosted the dwarf, saying, “Sirrah, I pray you tell me, who is -the lordly knight whom you follow?” The dwarf said, “I will not tell -you, for it is not needful that you should know.” The maiden said, -“Then, since you are so ungentle to me, I will e’en go and ask the -knight his own name. For I do not think he will be so discourteous as -not to tell me his name and his degree.” The dwarf said, “I forbid you -to do that, and I will not permit you to ride forward, for my lord is of -such quality that the likes of you are not fit to speak with him.” And -when he saw that the Queen’s maiden was of a mind to follow the knight, -he catched the horse by the bridle rein and forced it backward so that -the maiden was in danger of falling. - -Then the maiden said, “Let go thy hold upon my horse!” and when the -dwarf had released her she drew rein and returned to the Queen -complaining of the discourtesy of the dwarf, and saying, “Lady, yonder -is a most rude and uncivil atomy, for he forbade me to speak to his -master, and when I would have done so in spite of him he catched my -horse by the bridle rein and forced him backward so that I well-nigh had -a fall.” - -The Queen frowned and was very much displeased, and she said, “Sir -Geraint, go you and find for me who is yonder knight.” And Sir Geraint -said, “I will do so.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint bespeaks the dwarf._] - -So Sir Geraint rode down to where the others were, and he followed after -the three until he had overtaken them. Then he rode up to the dwarf and -he said, “Sirrah, tell me the name of yonder knight.” The dwarf said, “I -will not do so, for it is not befitting that I should speak his name to -you.” - -Sir Geraint said, “Then I will ask for myself.” Therewith he set spurs -to his horse and drove forward toward the knight. But the dwarf, seeing -his intent, spurred his horse across the way, so that Sir Geraint could -not pass. And he cried out, “Sir Knight, forbear, for you know not what -you do.” - -[Sidenote: _The dwarf strikes Sir Geraint._] - -Sir Geraint said, “Sirrah, bear back!” and therewith would have -over-ridden the dwarf. Then the dwarf, in a rage, rose in his stirrups -and smote Sir Geraint in the face with a whip which he held in his hand. -And the whip struck Sir Geraint across the cheek and the eyelid, so that -a great red line immediately started out across his face. - -Then when Sir Geraint felt the smart of that blow he was filled with -rage and he turned upon the dwarf, clapping hand upon his sword. But he -straightway withdrew his hand, saying, “Sirrah, this shall be a sad day -for your knight!” Therewith he turned his horse and rode back to where -Queen Guinevere was waiting for him. Then he said to her, “Lady, I could -not learn the knight his name, but if I have your leave I will follow -after him, and when I come to some inhabited place I will purvey me -armor, and then I will compel him to return to you and to tell you his -name, and to ask pardon for the insult which his dwarf offered your -maiden.” - -Then the Lady Guinevere beheld Sir Geraint’s face, and the weal where -the dwarf had struck him, and she cried out, “Sir Geraint, what ails -your face?” Sir Geraint said, “The dwarf smote me with a whip.” The -Queen said, “What did you do to him for that blow?” Sir Geraint replied, -“I did nothing to him, for I will deal with the knight who is his -master, and not with him.” “Sir,” said the Lady Guinevere, “you did -right in that matter. So I pray you to follow after those people and to -do as you are able with the knight who is the master of the dwarf.” - -Sir Geraint said very proudly, “I need no revenge for the blow of such a -mannikin, but I would fain compel this knight to come to you, to -disclose to you his name, and to ask pardon of this maiden for the -discourtesy of his attendant.” The Queen said, “Go; follow him.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint departs after the knight._] - -So Sir Geraint departed after the knight, and the lady, and the dwarf, -as the Queen bade him to do. - - * * * * * - -So begins the Adventure of Sir Geraint, concerning which you will learn -much more if you will read this narrative to its conclusion. - -[Illustration] - - - - -PART I - -The Story of Sir Geraint - - -_Here beginneth the story of Sir Geraint, which same hath been noted in -many ancient histories of the reign of King Arthur, and which is here -inserted because it belongeth to the story of King Arthur at this place, -as follows:--_ - -[Illustration: Enid and Geraint in the garden:] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter First - -_How Sir Geraint followed the knight and the lady to whom the dwarf -belongeth. How he lodged in a ruined castle, and how he found armor to -wear._ - - -So Sir Geraint followed after that knight and the lady and the dwarf, -and they led him at first toward Camelot. Then they turned aside and led -him in another direction. For, by and by, they came to a cross-road and -they turned into it, and later they came to a high ridge of land that -overlooked a valley. And the valley was spread out beneath them, meadow -and dale, woodland and fallow, as though it had been carved very -minutely in ivory or in some sort of wood, very hard and fine, and so -exquisitely and wonderfully modelled that it was as though a man might -have covered it with the palm of his hand. - -Then, after awhile, they quitted this open ridge of land and entered a -woodland. Here they beheld no other thing than trees and green leaves, -for all else was shut from sight. And no other sound disturbed the ear -saving only the sweet song of the woodland birds, chaunting their pretty -roundelay. Anon they descended from these places, and so at last came to -a high-road that led beside a wide and brightly shining river, where -slow-moving barges and quick wherries drew silvery threads across the -smoothly mirroring surface. - -Thus, by highland and lowland, by farm and woodland and waterway, the -knight, the lady and the dwarf travelled for all that day; and for all -that day Sir Geraint followed patiently after them. - -So toward eventide they came to a town set on a hill. And overlooking -the town was a high grey castle, and there was a wall drawn all about -the castle and the town. And over against the town and the castle and -set up on a hill opposite to them was another castle, very ruinous and -neglected. - -[Sidenote: _The knight enters the town._] - -The knight, the lady, and the dwarf entered the town, and Sir Geraint -followed after them. And he followed them through the streets, and -everywhere he beheld great crowds of people, and his ears were confused -by the constant and continuous sound of laughing and chatting and -calling of voice to voice. For all these people cheered and applauded -the knight with his lady and the dwarf, when they entered the -town--crowding after them and about them, seeking to touch the knight or -his horse. And everywhere the lights of forge fires were burning, and -the bellows were blowing, and the anvils were ringing with the continual -beating of hammers upon armor. For all the town was in a bustle and -uproar, as though preparing an army for battle. - -Meantime the knight, the lady and the dwarf made their way through the -throng and the turmoil, which every moment became greater and greater -about them. For the street was presently full of people, and other -people appeared at the windows and looked out and down upon them as they -went forward upon their way. And some waved scarves and others cheered, -and everywhere there was an uproar around about that place. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint inquires concerning the knight._] - -Then Sir Geraint said to one who was near to him, “I prithee, friend, -what is all this bustle and noise and what does it all portend?” Quoth -he to whom Sir Geraint spoke, “The Sparrow-Hawk! The Sparrow-Hawk!” and -hurried away. - -Then Sir Geraint queried of another, “What is all this to do?” Quoth he, -“The Sparrow-Hawk, good friend, the Sparrow-Hawk!” and he also hurried -away. - -Then there came by a stout red-faced man, and of him Sir Geraint asked, -“What is all this noise and bustle? I prithee tell me.” Quoth the fat -man, “The Sparrow-Hawk, good sir, the Sparrow-Hawk.” - -Then Sir Geraint was angry, and he reached down from his horse and -caught the fat man by his collar, and held him fast. And he said, -“Sirrah, I will not let you go until you tell me what is the meaning of -all this tumult. Who is yonder knight, and whither goeth he?” - -“Hah! Sir! Do you not know?” said the fat man. “Yonder knight is the -Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk, and he goeth to the castle where he shall -lodge until the battle of to-morrow.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint inquires concerning lodging._] - -“Well,” said Sir Geraint, “that is something to know. Now I bid you tell -me where I may find lodgings in this town and where I may find arms -wherewith a knight may arm himself.” - -Quoth the fat man, “There is no lodging to be had in this town at such a -time as this, nor are there any arms to be found at any place. But if, -fair sir, you will cross the valley, to yonder ruined castle, you will -doubtless find lodgings for the night, and maybe you may find arms, and -to-morrow you may behold the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk overthrow in the -lists all who come against him.” - -Then Sir Geraint, seeing that the three whom he followed were now at the -ending of their day’s journey, let go the man, who immediately ran away -into the crowd that still followed after the knight, the lady, and the -dwarf. - -So Sir Geraint drew rein and he turned his horse and he quitted that -town and crossed over the valley to the ruined castle upon the other -side as he had been advised to do. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint approaches the ruined castle._] - -[Sidenote: _He bespeaks the old man._] - -As Sir Geraint drew near to the castle, he was aware of an old man who -walked along upon the parapet of the wall. When this old and reverend -man beheld Sir Geraint, that he approached, he descended from the wall -and he came down to the gate and there met Sir Geraint. And Sir Geraint -beheld that the old man was tall and lordly in his appearance and that -he had a noble and stately countenance. But Sir Geraint beheld that he -was clad in poor and simple garments, grey in color, and patched in -places, and worn and threadbare at the seams. Sir Geraint said to him, -“Sir, I pray you tell me--shall I find lodgings at this castle for -to-night? And I pray you also tell me if you know where I may procure a -suit of armor fit for me to wear?” - -Quoth the old man, “Fair Sir Knight, it hath been long since any of your -quality hath been to this place. For this is a poor and ruined house of -a poor and ruined man. Ne’ertheless, such as it is, you are welcome -hither. I pray you come in. As for armor, I have every belief that I -shall be able to supply you with the same, provided you will accept that -which is old and out of date.” - -Thus saying, the old man took the horse of Sir Geraint by the bridle -and he led it into the courtyard of the castle, and when he was come -there he set his fingers to his lips and whistled very loud and shrilly. -Anon a side door of the castle opened and there came forth a maiden both -young and graceful, very tall and slender. And she was clad in a plain -blue garment, straight and slim, and girdled with a girdle of blue -leather. Her hair was plaited and twisted, and was without any net or -ornament of any sort. But Sir Geraint looked at her very searchingly, -because it appeared to him that this was the most beautiful young maiden -whom he had ever beheld in all of the world. - -When the maiden had come to them the old man bade her to take the horse -of Sir Geraint to the stable and to see that it was fittingly groomed -and cared for. - -Then Sir Geraint would have protested at this service, but the old man -said, “Sir, I pray you to let be, for we have no servants in this house, -and we deem it a shame for a guest to do himself his own service. -Wherefore my daughter shall find it a pleasure for to serve our guest.” - -[Sidenote: _The maiden stables the horse of Sir Geraint._] - -So Sir Geraint dismounted from his horse and the maiden led it away to -the stable. Then the old lord took Sir Geraint into the castle and he -conducted him to an upper room wherein he was to lodge. And he prepared -a tepid bath for Sir Geraint, and he brought him a loose garment, faded -in color but trimmed with fur that had once been handsome and of rich -texture, and the garment was very soft and comfortable. - -Then the old man called to his wife and he gave some money into her -hand, and he said to her, “Go down into the town and procure the best -that you are able with this money, for it hath been many days since we -have had a guest of so much worth and nobility as this gentleman appears -to possess.” - -So the old gentlewoman went down into the town, and after a little she -returned again with a porter bearing a great hamper of food. - -Meanwhile, whilst this food was preparing for supper, Sir Geraint and -the old lord of the castle walked in the garden talking together. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint inquires concerning the knight of the -Sparrow-Hawk._] - -Quoth Sir Geraint, “Sir, I pray you tell me several matters. First, I -pray you tell me of this Sparrow-Hawk concerning whom yonder place -appears to have gone mad?” - -“Messire,” said the old lord, “I will tell you. Some years ago I was the -earl and overlord of yonder town. But my younger brother undermined me -with the inhabitants, and lately he hath gathered all of my power into -his hands. Wherefore he is there, lodged in all splendor, and I am here, -as thou seest. - -“Now you are to know that my brother hath a mind to assemble a court of -very worthy knights about him. Wherefore he hath had made a sparrow-hawk -of pure silver which same is mounted at the top of a silver staff. For -this sparrow-hawk many knights have come jousting; for what knight -soever gaineth it and keepeth it for three years in succession, that -knight shall be known as the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk. Wherefore many -have contested for it. - -“For two years now a knight, hight Sir Gaudeamus of the Moors, hath -overcome all who have come against him, and if he overcometh all the -knights contestant again for this year, he shall be acknowledged as the -true Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint asks for armor._] - -Thus spake the old lord of the ruined castle, and when he had done Sir -Geraint said, “Sir, with that armor which you say you have, I think that -I myself will contend with that knight to-morrow day. So I pray you to -let that armor be sent to my room, where I may have it to hand when I -want it.” - -Quoth the old lord, “Messire, I have, as I told you, such a suit of -armor, but it is of a sort that I know not whether you will wear it or -not, for it is old and beaten; but if so be you are not ashamed to wear -such ancient armor, I shall be glad to purvey it for you.” - -“Sir,” said Sir Geraint, “I give you high thanks. And now come I to -another matter. A short while ago I saw a maiden whom I thought was the -most beautiful that ever mine eyes beheld. Now if that damsel hath no -knight to serve her, I pray you tell me if I may fight for her sake -to-morrow in the field of the Sparrow-Hawk?” - -Said the old man, “Sir, that maiden is my daughter and my only child. -Her name is Enid. If so be she shall accept you for her knight, then -shall I be more than glad for her to do so. But I will send her to you, -and you may break that matter to her yourself.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint bespeaks Enid the Fair._] - -With this, the old lord took his departure; anon came Enid the Fair into -the garden where Sir Geraint awaited her, and when he beheld her coming, -his heart was very glad. So she came to him, and he took her very gently -by the hand, and he said to her, “Lady, here am I, a knight of King -Arthur’s Round Table and of his Court. I am of good repute and I believe -am not altogether unworthy of my belt and my spurs. You, I think, are -not more than twenty years of age, and I have nearly twice those years, -yet I find that I have great pleasure in gazing upon you. Now I pray -you, tell me if your heart may incline unto me sufficiently to suffer me -to be your knight in the tournament to-morrow day. For I purpose then to -endeavor for this Sparrow-Hawk, and I have no lady whom I might -consider as the lady of my heart upon such an occasion.” - -At this address Enid was very much astonished and abashed. She uplifted -her eyes and looked at Sir Geraint very steadily for a little. And she -beheld that he was tall and powerful of frame and that he possessed a -strong and very noble face. Wherefore her heart went out to him and she -said, “Noble Lord, it will give me great pleasure to accept you for my -knight champion, if it so be that one of your high nobility and splendid -distinction shall regard my poor estate. For my father hath not money to -buy him clothes for us all, nor hath he any honor or estate saving only -this ruined castle wherein we dwell. Wherefore it is not meet for me to -lift mine eyes to one of your high estate and exalted quality.” - -Then Sir Geraint regarded her very earnestly, and he found her to be -still more beautiful than he had at first thought her to be; and he -said, “Enid, it may be that thy present estate and quality is not very -great, yet thy face is more beautiful than that of any woman whom I ever -yet beheld, wherefore I would fain have thee to consign thyself for my -true and only lady. If thou wilt do this, it may be that I shall be able -to be of great help and assistance both to thee and to thy father.” - -She said to him, “Lord, I will accept thee for my true and faithful -knight.” - -[Sidenote: _Enid gives Sir Geraint her belt._] - -Then Sir Geraint said, “Now I have no favor of thine to wear. I pray -thee give me that belt thou wearest about thy waist, for I myself will -wear it twisted about mine arm to-morrow.” So Enid gave him her belt of -leather and he buckled it about his arm. - -Then he gave her his hand and she gave her hand to him. So, hand in -hand, they departed from that place and entered the castle. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Sir Geraint and the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Second - -_How Sir Geraint fought with the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk; how he set -right the wrongs of the earldom and how he returned to the Court of the -King._ - - -Now tell we of that notable battle betwixt Sir Geraint and the Knight of -the Sparrow-Hawk. - -[Sidenote: _Of the place of battle._] - -In the level field below the town there was a fine field of green grass, -such as was well fitted for knights to tilt upon. Here there was a high -seat arranged for the earl of that town, and for his court, and that -seat was hung and draped with crimson cloth embroidered with silver -gryphons (which same was the emblazonment of the earl). Below the place -of tilting and hard by that place was the silver sparrow-hawk under -guard of six esquires clad all in crimson embroidered with silver -gryphons. The sparrow-hawk was of pure silver, shining very brightly in -the glorious sunlight. And it was set upon a cross-bar of pure silver, -and the cross-bar of silver was supported by a rod of silver thrust into -the earth. - -Already the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk had fought with several opponents -that morning and had overthrown them all, the one after the other. So -now, as none came against him, he waited in his pavilion till noon, -against which time the silver sparrow-hawk should be assigned to him; -and as to the people who were gathered to view the sport, they were -grown restless and moved about and conversed together, for it seemed to -them that no one would come to contest again with Sir Gaudeamus. - -[Sidenote: _How Sir Geraint and his companions arrive at the place of -battle._] - -But of a sudden, a little group of four figures suddenly appeared coming -across the meadowland beyond. The first of these was the old Earl of -that town. Beside him rode a knight, tall and strong of figure, and -behind these two came the lady of the Earl and his daughter. These -presented a very dull and motley appearance, for the Earl was clad in -frayed and weather-worn black, and Sir Geraint was clad in the ancient -and battered armor of the Earl that had been given to him. In this he -presented a very singular appearance, as though he had stepped from an -olden painting. - -When those who were there perceived how poor and ancient was the armor -that Sir Geraint wore, there began a ripple of laughter that spread and -grew in magnitude until it was like a torrent of high sounding mirth. -But ever the Earl of the town did not join in this mirth, otherwise he -sat with great dignity in his seat, and neither laughed nor smiled, -although all of his court made great mirth and applauded at Sir Geraint -as though he were some jester clad in armor for their sport. - -But Sir Geraint paid no heed to all this merriment; otherwise he rode -forward through the field. And after he had found place for the old Lord -who was with him, and for the lady of that Earl and for Enid, he rode up -to the high seat of the Earl and bespoke him thus: - -“Lord, here stand I, a knight of the Court of King Arthur, and of his -Round Table, to do battle upon behalf of the Lady Enid of this place for -yonder silver sparrow-hawk. Now I pray thee tell me, have I thy -permission to engage in that battle?” - -But now no longer was there any sound of laughter or of jeering from the -lords and the ladies of that court; otherwise, all stood up to look upon -him, although they could see naught of his face by reason that the visor -of his helmet was lowered. - -“Sir Knight,” said the Earl, “this contest is open to all, wherefore it -is also free to thee.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint challenges the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk._] - -Then Sir Geraint saluted the Earl and his court, and riding across the -meadow of battle to the pavilion of Gaudeamus, the Knight of the -Sparrow-Hawk, he smote with his spear upon the shield of that knight -with all his might and main so that it rang again like a bell. Then the -Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk appeared at the door of his pavilion, and he -said, “Who art thou in that ancient, outland armor who smites my shield -with thy lance? Art thou a jester? If so, I think thy jest will cost -thee very dear.” - -Quoth Sir Geraint, “I am not a jester, but am one who hath come to do -battle with thee. Therefore, prepare thyself to meet me, for I have -great reason to be offended with thee. If fortune betide me, this day -shalt thou do penance to a great lady for thy dwarf and for his -discourtesy to her.” - -“Hah!” quoth the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk, “this is a very strange -thing, that thou shouldst have taken up such a quarrel as this against a -strange and misshapen dwarf. As for thy challenge, it shall be answered -immediately.” Therewith he of the Sparrow-Hawk went back into his -pavilion again to put on his helmet and to make him ready for combat. - -Meantime Sir Geraint rode to his stand, which he assumed in due order, -preparing himself in all wise for this encounter that was about to -befall. - -Anon came the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk, armed cap-a-pie in shining and -very splendid armor. Upon his shield he had emblazoned a silver -sparrow-hawk, and the crest upon his helmet was also a silver -sparrow-hawk wreathed with a thin silver scarf. And all who beheld those -two figures could not but applaud the splendor of his appearance, as -they could not but laugh at the quaint appearance of Sir Geraint. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint engages the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk._] - -So when these two knights were in all wise ready, each in his place, the -trumpets of the marshals of the list sounded the assault, and they -rushed together like thunder and so that the earth trembled and shook -beneath the trampling of their horses’ hoofs. - -So they crashed together in the midst of the course with a roar and a -crackle of splintered lance. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint overthrows the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk._] - -For in that assault the lance of the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk was -broken into as many as twenty pieces, but the lance of Sir Geraint held, -so that it pierced through the shield of the other knight, lifting him -completely out of the saddle and casting him with great violence to the -earth so that he rolled three times over ere he ceased to fall. - -But when the people of the town beheld their champion thus cast to the -earth by that strange knight in ancient armor they were very greatly -displeased and murmured together saying, the one to the other, “What -knight is this? Who is this clad in outland armor who overthroweth our -champion? Is he a hero? Is he Sir Launcelot of the Lake; or who is he?” - -But even whilst they thus spoke the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk recovered -from the terrible violence of his fall. His wits returned to him like a -flock of scattered birds, and with them a knowledge of the shame of his -overthrow. Then he leaped to his feet and drew his sword, crying out, -“Sir Knight! Come down and do me battle afoot! For though thou hast -overthrown me with thy lance, yet thou hast not yet conquered me.” - -And with that, others of those who were there assembled began to cry -out, “Come down, Sir Knight! Come down, and fight him afoot!” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint does battle with the Knight of the -Sparrow-Hawk._] - -So Sir Geraint leaped down from his horse and drew his sword. And he set -his shield before him and so approached his enemy, and meantime Sir -Gaudeamus had made ready for that assault. Then suddenly they sprang -together like two wild bulls in battle; lashing and lashing again and -again. The dust arose up around them and for a time no onlooker could -tell which had the better of that fight. But at last Sir Geraint waxed -very angry at being so withstood, wherefore he rained blow upon blow -like the continual crashing of thunder. Then the Knight of the -Sparrow-Hawk grew weak in his assault. He bore back and held his shield -full low. Upon that Sir Geraint uplifted his strength and smote his -enemy with so furious a might that Sir Gaudeamus let fall his shield -from his defence. Then again Sir Geraint smote him with all his might -upon the crown of his undefended helmet, so woful a blow that the blade -bit through the iron of the headpiece and deep into the bone of the -brain pan. - -[Sidenote: _He overcomes that knight._] - -With that blow the brains of the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk swam like -water; the strength left his limbs; his thighs trembled and he fell down -upon his knees and sought to catch hold of the thighs of Sir Geraint. -But Sir Geraint avoided him, and reaching forward, he catched him by the -helmet and snatched it from off his head. Then he catched the Knight of -the Sparrow-Hawk by the hair of the head and he drew his neck forward as -though to smite off his head upon the ground. But the Knight of the -Sparrow-Hawk, beholding death hovering above him, cried out in a muffled -voice, “Spare me, Sir Knight, spare my life!” - -Then Sir Geraint cried out, “I will not spare thy life, Sir Knight, -unless thou wilt thus, upon thy knees, tell me thy name.” - -[Sidenote: _The knight proclaims his name._] - -“My name,” said the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk, “is Sir Gaudeamus of the -Moors.” - -“Still will I not spare thee,” said Sir Geraint, “unless thou wilt bind -thyself with a pledge to go to the Court of King Arthur and there tell -to Queen Guinevere thy name and thy degree of arms.” - -“All this,” said the other, “I promise in full.” - -“Still I will not spare thee,” said Sir Geraint, “unless thou wilt -engage that thy dwarf shall go with thee to earn forgiveness for his -discourtesy to the damsel of the queen whom he hath offended.” - -“This also,” said the knight, “I will engage for him to do.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint spares the knight his life._] - -Then Sir Geraint said, “Arise, Sir Gaudeamus, for I spare thee.” And -therewith Sir Gaudeamus arose and stood upon his feet, still trembling -with the weakness of his battle, and the blood running in torrents from -the great wound upon his head. Then came several esquires and Sir -Geraint said to them, “Take him away and look to his hurts,” and they -did so. - -Now, after this, there came an herald upon the field of battle, and he -approached Sir Geraint and said to him, “Sir Knight, the earl of this -town hath sent me to beseech you to come to him.” Sir Geraint said, -“Take me to him.” - -So the herald led the way and Sir Geraint followed after him until he -stood face to face with the Earl. The Earl said to him, “Sir Knight, I -make my vow thou art a strong and terrible knight. I pray thee, tell me -thy name that I may know to whom I am to give the prize of battle.” - -“Sir,” said Sir Geraint, “I am called Geraint, and am the son of the -King of Erbin, and I am a Knight of King Arthur’s Court and of his Round -Table.” “Hah!” said the Earl, “then it is small wonder that thou didst -win thy battle so easily, for thy deeds are famous in all the courts of -chivalry. Now I pray thee, Sir, that thou wilt come to my castle and -will feast with me to-night, so that I may do honor to so famous a -knight, for all the world knoweth of thee and of thy deeds.” - -Then Sir Geraint looked at him very sternly and he said, “Messire, I -will not sit down with thee at table unless I know by what right thou -assumest thy state as earl, and by what right thou hast dispossessed the -former earl of his state and his property.” - -At this the Earl’s face fell, but he presently said, “Well, I will tell -all these and several other things to thee if thou wilt come with me to -my castle. And my brother the old Earl and his wife and his daughter -shall also come. And when we sit at feast, I will lay all things before -thee and thou shalt judge betwixt the old Earl and me, and I will abide -by what thou decidest as to the rights of this case.” - -“Then,” said Sir Geraint, “we will come to thy castle with thee.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint feasts with the young Earl._] - -So that night there was a great feast prepared in honor of Sir Geraint, -and Sir Geraint and the old Earl and his countess and their daughter -Enid sat with the Earl and his court at the castle of the Earl. Sir -Geraint sat upon the right hand of the Earl, and upon his left hand sat -the old Earl. - -So after they had eaten and whilst they sat with their wine before them, -quoth Sir Geraint, “I pray thee now, my Lord Earl, for to tell me what -thou promised to do; to wit, how it stands with thee and the old Earl of -this city.” - -“Sir Knight,” said the young Earl, “I will do so. Thus it was: When our -father died he left this town to my brother, whilst to me he left that -ruined castle yonderway across the valley. - -“Now my brother was a very passive man and would do little to benefit -this place either by regulating its laws or by punishing its criminals; -or by establishing in it a court of chivalry. - -[Sidenote: _The young Earl tells his story._] - -“All the affairs of state were left to my command, whilst my brother -contented himself with his domestic life and did very little to regulate -the affairs of the state. Hence it befell that the people of this town -looked to me to help them and to advise with them. Thus, at last, I -became the real ruler of all our affairs. This continued for several -years; then at last the people said, ‘Why should we support our Earl who -does nothing for us, whilst this lord whom we do not support giveth us -all that he hath in him to give?’ So the people arose one night, and -drove their earl and his wife and his daughter out of the castle and out -of the town, and since that time he hath been dwelling in that old -ruined castle that one time belonged to me, where thou didst find him; -and I have been dwelling here. This, Sir Geraint, is the true story of -our affairs.” - -Then Sir Geraint turned to the old Earl and he said, “Sir, I pray you -tell me, is this true?” The old Earl said, “Methinks it is true.” -“Then,” said Sir Geraint, “this is the doom that I pronounce: That the -present Earl shall rule this town as he hath ruled it heretofore, but -that he shall give to the old Earl the one-half of all the money -receipts of the town, so that he may support the style of living -befitting his rank. And I furthermore ordain that this Earl who rules -this city shall transmit the rule thereof to whatsoever heirs or assigns -he may elect to succeed him.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint proclaims the doom of the two Earls._] - -So Sir Geraint decided his doom, and that which he said was satisfactory -to all. And he abided several days at that place, and during that time -he saw much of Enid and the more he saw of her the more he loved her. - -So one day, they two walking in the garden of the old castle alone -together, he said to her, “Lady, I have seen many fair dames in my day, -but never did I behold one who was so dear to my heart as thou art. Now -I pray thee tell me, have I found favor in thy sight?” She said, “Yea, -Lord, thou hast found great favor.” Said Sir Geraint, “Have I found such -favor that thou wilt depart hence with me as my wife?” Enid said, “Lord, -if it is thy desire to have me do so I will gladly become thy wife, and -will depart with thee whithersoever thou dost command; for, in truth, I -have now no other thought in all the world but of thee.” - -Then Sir Geraint kissed her and thus was their troth plighted. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint is betrothed to Enid._] - -So they were wedded, and before they were wedded the young Earl said, -“Sir Geraint, suffer that I purvey thy lady with a robe of cloth of gold -meet for such an one to wear upon the occasion of her marriage.” But Sir -Geraint said to him, “Not so, Messire, for I won her whilst she was clad -in this robe of plain blue cloth. Thus will I take her to the Court of -King Arthur and thus will I present her to Queen Guinevere, and I will -have it that Queen Guinevere will provide her with fresh raiment meet -for her to wear.” - -Then the young Earl bowed his head and said, “As thou sayst, so let it -be.” - -Thus it befell that Sir Geraint was married, and the morning after his -marriage he and his lady departed from that town. And he seated his lady -before him upon the saddle and turned his horse’s head toward the Court -of King Arthur and so rode away. - - * * * * * - -Now return we to Queen Guinevere and to the Court of the King. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gaudeamus arrives at the court of Queen Guinevere._] - -Three days after the departure of Sir Geraint the Queen was riding -abroad, and several of her court attendants were with her, and amongst -them was the young damsel who had inquired of the dwarf concerning the -name of the knight whom he followed. As they rode talking and laughing -together--chattering in clear voices, like a bevy of bright and -gloriously tinted birds--they perceived coming toward them a procession. -First they beheld a litter borne by several bearers and on the litter -was a wounded knight. Behind the litter came the horse of the knight, -and the horse was laden with his bright and shining armor, and led by an -esquire. Behind the horse there came a fair young lady clad in scarlet -riding upon a white palfrey, and behind her a small misshapen dwarf. - -Now when this party had come a little nigher, Queen Guinevere perceived -the face of the dwarf more clearly and she knew him for that dwarf who -had rebuffed her damsel as aforetold. And she said to that one of her -attendants who had aforetime met the dwarf, “Is not that the dwarf who -rebuffed thee a few days ago?” The damsel said, “Yea, Lady.” “Then,” -said the Queen, “meseems the knight his master hath met Sir Geraint and -hath suffered in his encounter and is coming here to bespeak me. Let us -go forward to meet them.” - -So the Queen and her court hurried forward until they had come beside -the litter. Then the Queen said, “Sir Knight, I pray you tell me, what -is it that ails you?” “Lady,” said he, “I am a knight who hath suffered -in battle. Now I pray you tell me, where may I find Queen Guinevere?” - -The Queen said, “Messire, I am she.” Quoth the knight, “Lady, is it -truth you are telling me or are you making sport of me?” The Queen said, -“Sir, it is the truth.” - -Then Sir Gaudeamus raised himself upon his elbow in the litter, and he -said, “Lady, I come to thee upon command of Sir Geraint, who hath -overthrown me in battle; and upon his command I am to tell thee that my -name is Sir Gaudeamus of the Moors, and upon his command I am to seek -for the damsel to whom my dwarf was rude.” - -Said Queen Guinevere, “This is she.” - -Then Sir Gaudeamus said to the maiden, “Fair damsel, of thee I am to ask -pardon for the rudeness of my dwarf, and to crave of thee that thou from -thy grace and kindness wilt forgive his offence.” - -Then the heart of Queen Guinevere was moved with pity for the knight, -and she said to him, “Messire Sir Gaudeamus of the Moors, thou and thy -dwarf are fully forgiven by her and by me. Now I pray you to come -straightway to the castle where your hurts may be examined and cured.” - -So the Queen led the way to the castle of the King, and all they went -thitherward. And after they had come to the castle she had the wounded -knight laid upon a couch in a bright and cheerful room, and she had the -king’s physician to come and to look at his hurts and to dress them. And -so Sir Gaudeamus was made in all ways as comfortable as might be. - -So passed three or four days. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint and Enid arrive at the castle of King Arthur._] - -One morning the Queen looked out from her bower window and she beheld a -knight riding toward the castle. And there sat before him upon his -saddle a fair lady with golden hair, and the lady was clad in blue. The -Queen called to her bower women and said, “Who is that knight coming -yonder?” Said one of the women, “That, methinks, is Sir Geraint.” The -Queen said, “Yea, that is true. Methought it was he; let us hasten to -meet him.” - -So she and her ladies made haste and they met Sir Geraint and Enid at -the gateway of the castle. The Queen said, “Sir Geraint, who is it that -thou hast with thee?” He said, “Lady, this is my wife, to whom I am but -newly married. I have brought her here clad in blue cloth as I first -beheld her. And I have hope that thou wilt clothe her as beseemeth her -estate as the daughter of an earl, the lady of a knight-royal, and as my -wife.” - -Then the Queen said, “Welcome! welcome, Lady! I give thee welcome!” And -after that she assisted Enid to dismount from the horse. Thereafter she -took her to her bower, and there she clad her in the richest robes that -could be furnished for her. And the face of Enid shone from out of that -raiment of silver and gold as the face of the moon upon a summer night -shines from the thin and golden clouds that surround but do not obscure -it. - -Thus was the Fair Enid brought to the Court of King Arthur. - -[Illustration: Sir Geraint lies asleep] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Third - -_How Sir Geraint lived with the Lady Enid at Camelot. How he suspected -her truth; how his suspicions were confirmed, and how he departed with -her in search of adventure. Also how they met with three unusual -adventures in the forest._ - - -It is not always well for a man to be married to a woman of half his -age; for that which he thinks and loves she may neither think nor love, -and that which she thinks and loves, he maybe does not think and does -not love. - -Now Sir Geraint was serious, as became his years, and Enid was gay and -debonaire as became her youth, so that there were many sports and -pastimes that she engaged in that he looked upon remotely and from afar, -and not always without displeasure. - -Amongst the lords of the Court of King Arthur was a young knight and -lord, hight Sir Peregrans, who was son to King Ludd of Cornwall. This -noble young knight-royal was very full of joy and gladness. He was -ruddy-cheeked and gay, with broad black eyebrows and curly black hair, -and he was ever ready for any sport or pastime that fell his way. - -It befell that he and Enid were much together in company and sports of -several kinds, and though Sir Geraint was too proud to appear to observe -this, yet he did observe it and was much affected by it. For he would -sometimes say to himself, “What pity it is that this dear lady of mine -should be bound to my age and sobriety instead of to one like this Sir -Peregrans who is in all ways suited to her!” Yet Sir Geraint would say -nothing to Enid concerning his thoughts, but only kept those thoughts -locked in his own heart, and so withdrew himself from her afar off. - -This and several other things the Lady Enid observed, and it sometimes -seemed to her either that her lord was in trouble or that he was -offended, yet she wist not what offence she could have given to him in -any way. For it did not seem to her that it could be any offence for her -to play in the same sports with Sir Peregrans, but only that it was -natural and seemly upon her part to do so. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint sits in thought._] - -Now one day Sir Geraint sat meditating concerning these things, and as -he sat he gazed out of the window at the King’s Castle. What time his -eyes beheld a wide and fruitful stretch of meadow-land and fields, of -glebe and of a river that wound through all this fair level fruitful -campagne like to a ribbon of pure and shining silver. The sun at that -hour shot his slanting rays across the earth, so that all this fair -prospect appeared, as it were, to be bathed in a pure golden brightness. -From the level stretch of horizon, great clouds climbed up into the blue -and radiant sky, peeping, as it were, over one another’s shoulders down -upon the peaceful earth. - -All this the eyes of Sir Geraint beheld, yet he saw nothing of it. For -the sight of his soul was turned away from such things, and was directed -inward upon himself, and there he beheld naught but gloom and darkness. - -To that place where he sat came the Lady Enid, and she beheld him where -he was, but he did not turn his eyes upon her, nor seem to know that she -was there. - -[Sidenote: _Enid comes to Sir Geraint._] - -Then she came to him and seated herself upon his knee. She put her thin -fair arms about his neck, and interwove her fingers into one another. -Then she said, “Dear my Lord, I pray thee tell me in what way I have -offended thee. Thou art no longer toward me as thou wert when first I -came hitherward to this court.” - -He said to her, speaking very gently, “Enid, thou hast in no wise -offended me.” - -Then she said, “What is it that troubles thee, my husband?” - -He said, “I have no trouble.” Then, as in a second thought, he said, -“Enid, I will tell thee somewhat.” Therewith he unlocked her two hands -and sat, holding one of them in his. “Sometimes,” quoth he, “a man -loveth the home that is his very own. So love I the home of my childhood -and of my youth. There my father dwelleth in honor, and my mother also. -It hath been many years since I have seen it and I long to see it now.” - -She said, “Dear Lord! Let us go thither.” - -He said, “Wouldst thou like to go, Enid? Well, then, we shall do so, and -that as soon as my Lord the King shall grant us leave to depart.” - -So that very day Sir Geraint asked leave of King Arthur to leave the -court for awhile, and King Arthur gave him permission to withdraw. - -[Sidenote: _They two depart for the castle of Sir Geraint._] - -So the day after that day Sir Geraint and Enid departed from the Court -of King Arthur, and travelling with a small party of noble attendants -betook their way to Amadora (which was the name of the castle of Sir -Geraint’s father), which place they reached within three days of easy -journeying. - -There they abided for several months, in which time there was hunting -and hawking and jousting, so that the days were as full of joy and -pleasure as it was possible to be. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint takes sport at his castle._] - -But in all that while Sir Geraint did nothing of knightly daring or -adventure, so that by and by the people of Amadora began to talk to one -another concerning the matter, saying, “How is this? Our Prince, the -Lord Geraint, is surely besotted concerning his wife, for he is with her -all the while. The time was when he took his joys, but when the time of -those joys was past then he performed many works of knightly daring, so -that all we of this place were very proud of him. When now doth he enter -into any such undertaking? Never. He is always the first in the chase or -with the hawk or in the joust, yet his youthful glory is now departed -from him, so that he lieth forever, as it were, with his head upon the -knees of his wife.” - -Thus the people talked amongst themselves, and at last such words, or -words like these, came to the ears of the Lady Enid and troubled her -very sorely. - -[Sidenote: _Enid regards Sir Geraint whilst he sleeps._] - -One day in the summer weather she awoke very early in the morning and -the Lord Geraint lay upon his bed beside her. He had thrown aside the -coverlets and he now lay with his great breast and his arms and -shoulders bare to the softness of the air. These she beheld, how huge -and mighty they were and how comely in their strength and power. Then -she looked at her own arm, how slender and white it was, how lacking of -strength, how feeble and childish in its weakness, and she thought to -herself, “Is it then true what they say--that my white and tender limbs -may hold my husband away from those great adventures to which he -belongs? Is it then true that mine arms confine him in a little and -narrow circumference? Alas! Is it true that the love of a woman can sap -a man of all purpose and ambition in his life of activity? Nay; it is -not true, for many knights who are wedded to other ladies are still -noble knights in the field of adventure. Alas and alas! The weakness of -my lord must indeed reside in me.” Here she sighed very deeply and with -the deepness of that sigh Sir Geraint awoke from his slumbers and lay -with his eyes still closed. Then she said, whispering as though to -herself, “I am at fault and am no true, right wife for this noble hero.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint hears her words._] - -Now Sir Geraint, lying with his eyes closed, overheard these last words -that she thus whispered to herself. He heard her say that she was no -true, right wife to him, and it seemed to him that she thus confessed -that she was unfaithful to him. This thought was, as it were, a dagger -thrust into his life, sudden, shining and very deep. And though he still -lay with his eyes closed, he said to his heart, “Is she then false, and -was I too late in bringing her away from the Court of King Arthur? Woe -is me!” - -Thereupon he opened his eyes, and looked her full in the face, and she, -seeing that he was awake, smiled into his eyes. But he did not smile -upon her in return, otherwise he said, “Lady, art thou there?” Then the -smile slowly faded from her eyes, for she saw that he was in an angry -mood. And so they regarded one another. - -Then suddenly he arose and began dressing himself, and he said to her, -“Arise, Lady, and clothe yourself.” And she did as he commanded. He upon -his own part accoutred himself in his full armor, that hung erstwhile -shining against the stone wall of the room. - -When they were thus apparelled he said to her, “Follow me.” She said, -“Whither, Lord?” but he made no reply to her. So they went forth -together out of that apartment. And she followed him down the stairway -to the courtyard, and she followed him from the courtyard to the stable, -and still in all that while he spoke no further word to her. - -Now this time was still very early in the morning, for the sun had only -just arisen, round and red and full of the glory of daylight. The birds -were chaunting with might and main, but all of the castle folk were yet -asleep. All was cool and balmy and exceedingly pleasant, and the silence -of the early daytime was full of the remote sound of the river below the -castle, where it rushed down, roaring, through its deep and mossy gorges -of green and slimy rocks and stones. - -Sir Geraint entered the stables and Enid awaited him what he would do; -and that while she stood not far off from the stable. After awhile he -came forth from the stable again and by one hand he led the horse of -Enid by the bridle, and by the other hand he led his own horse by the -bridle. - -He said to Enid, “Mount thy horse, Lady,” and giving her his hand he -lifted her very lightly to her saddle. Then he in his turn mounted his -own horse. - -[Sidenote: _They depart from the castle._] - -Then when he was seated in his saddle, he said to the Lady Enid his -wife, “Lady, for this day and haply for several days I will endeavor to -prove to thee that strength and life have not yet left me, but that I am -still a strong and able knight and as well worth the love of any woman -as I was in the full heyday of my youth. Ride you forth and lead the -way, and I will follow after you. But make yourself well acquainted with -this: that under no circumstances are you to speak a word to me unless I -give you leave to speak to me. Only ride straight forward, anywhither -you may be inclined.” - -She said to him, “Lord, I will fulfil your commands.” - -So they rode away from the castle without any one knowing that they were -gone, for there stood no guard at the gateway at that hour and the -porter drowsed in his lodge. - - * * * * * - -So, according to the command of Sir Geraint, the Lady Enid rode ahead of -him and he himself followed after her some considerable distance behind. - -Thus they went forward for several leagues, and meantime the sun rose -very full and round and shone down hotly upon the earth. So by and by -they approached the purlieus of a thick dark forest, and as they drew -near to it the Lady Enid was aware of the sudden shining of armor -through the leaves, wherefore she wist that some threatening of danger -must lie before them. As they drew still nearer to that place, she -perceived that there were three armed men hidden in the thickets, and -anon she heard them speaking the one to the other. And she heard the -voice of him who was the chief of the three say to the other two, -“Hitherward cometh good fortune to us this morning. For here is one man, -well appointed in all ways, but sunk very deep in brooding thought, and -with him is a fair lady. Now if we engage him as three against one, it -is not likely that he can withstand our assault, and so he and his horse -and his armor and his lady shall be ours by right of battle.” - -[Sidenote: _Enid overhears the words of the robber chief._] - -These words, or words like these, the Lady Enid overheard the chief of -the robbers speak to the other two who were with him; and she said to -herself, “Here is great danger threatening my dear Lord. Well, if I warn -him he may be very angry with me and may even chastise me for disobeying -his command. But even if this is so, what will it matter?” So therewith -she turned her horse and rode back toward Sir Geraint. - -[Sidenote: _She tells Sir Geraint of the ambush._] - -He, when he beheld her coming, appeared to be very angry, and he said, -“Lady, what is it disturbs you?” She said, “Dear Lord, have I your -permission to speak?” Quoth he, “It seems that you have taken that -permission yourself. Well, say on.” She said, “Lord, at the edge of -yonder wood I perceived three men of ill intent hidden in the thicket. I -overheard them to say that they purposed presently to assail you. -Wherefore I deemed it expedient that I should warn you of their -presence.” - -Then Sir Geraint frowned so that his eyes shone with a bright green -light. “Lady,” said he, “it may perhaps be that you would not be -displeased to see me fall before the attack of those three men. -Nevertheless, I have hopes that I shall not fail in this encounter. -Meantime, continue here and consider you of your disobedience in -breaking my command laid upon you not to speak to me without my -permission.” Having thus spoken Sir Geraint closed and latched the visor -of his helmet, and then with spear in hand he rode forward toward the -edge of the woods. - -Now when Sir Geraint had come pretty close to the woodland, all three of -those armed men suddenly burst forth from their covert and bore down -upon him in full charge, whilst he, upon his part, drave spurs into his -war-horse and charged against them. So they met in the midst of the -course with such violence that a clap of thunder could not have been so -great. All three of their spears struck Sir Geraint upon the shield, but -he turned them so that all three were broken into a very great many -pieces. But the spear of Sir Geraint held against him toward whom it was -directed, so that it penetrated his shield and it penetrated his armor -and it penetrated his body, so that he was lifted out of his saddle and -cast dead the length of a spear and an arm’s length behind his horse. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint slays the robbers._] - -Then Sir Geraint threw aside his spear and drew his bright shining -sword. And he whirled his horse and with his sword in hand he bare down -upon those other two villains. Then he arose in his saddle, crying out, -“Hah, villain!” and therewith he smote down one. Then whirling about, he -cried out again, “Hah, villain!” and so crying he smote down the other. -Each man fell with a single blow of his sword. Thus in a little space of -time, he slew all three of those villains who had for a long time -infested those parts. - -When Sir Geraint had thus ended this work, he wiped his sword and -returned it to its scabbard. Then he removed the armor from each of the -fallen men, and he lashed the armor to the saddle-bow of the horse to -which it belonged. Then he tied all three bridle reins together and -returned to where Enid sat watching him with terror and admiration -commingled. And Sir Geraint said to her, “Lady, take thou the bridle -reins of these three horses. Then ride forward as before, and this time -bear well in mind that thou turn not to speak to me under any condition -whatsoever. Once I have forgiven thee; twice I may not do so.” - -To this speech Enid made no reply, but taking the bridle reins of the -three horses into her fair white hand, she rode forward into the forest, -leading those three horses, Sir Geraint following after her as -aforetime. - -Thus they proceeded onward for a very considerable length of time and -until high noontide, beholding nothing but the forest before them or -behind them or on either side of them. - -[Sidenote: _Enid overhears the words of the four men._] - -Thus they came almost to the centre of that wood where was a sudden turn -in the high-road, which here entered into a defile between two high and -very precipitous banks. At this place Enid perceived, not far away, -four armed and mounted men of a very evil appearance, and she overheard -these men talking among themselves. The one who was chief of them was -saying to his companions, “Look! yonder cometh a good prize for us to -take. For there is a very beautiful damsel and three sets of fine armor -and three horses. And all this is guarded only by one armed man. Let us -slay him and all these will be ours to do with as we choose.” - -Then Enid said to herself, “Well, I can die but once, and even though my -lord shall slay me for breaking his command, yet it would be by his -beloved hands that I should die. So I will turn back and tell him of -this.” - -Therewith she turned her horse about and rode backward to Sir Geraint, -and he, when he saw her coming, frowned very darkly. But she said, -speaking very steadily, “Lord, have I your leave to speak?” - -He said with great bitterness, “Lady, it appears that it does not need -my leave for you to speak whensoever you choose to speak. Say on.” - -[Sidenote: _She tells Sir Geraint._] - -She said, “Lord, I have to tell you that there are four very powerful -and fully armed men yonder. And I overheard the chief of them to say to -his fellows that their intent is to slay you so that they may have your -horse and your armor and me and these three horses and this armor to -dispose of as they see fit.” - -“Is that all,” quoth he, “that thou hast to tell me? It seems that thy -delight in talking is so great that thou canst not be checked. Bide thou -here and I will go forward and deal with these men, and so will clear -thy path for thee.” - -Thereupon he closed the visor of his helmet and latched it. Then he set -spurs to his horse, and being thus in all ways prepared, he drave -forward to meet his enemies. - -Suddenly they appeared bearing down upon him and riding two together -(because of the narrowness of the way that prevented them from riding -all four abreast). - -Then Sir Geraint drave his war-horse to the charge and so they came -together with a great crash and uproar, their spears striking him in the -centre of the shield. - -But in that encounter both their spears brake into several pieces, but -Sir Geraint’s spear did not break. Otherwise it held and burst through -the shield against which it was directed, and it burst through the armor -and pierced through the body of the man within the armor so that he was -cast dead upon the ground. - -Then Sir Geraint threw aside his spear and drew his sword, and rising in -his stirrups he smote the other man so fierce and direful a blow that -he split asunder his shield and his helmet and pierced through the -brain-pan of the head and into the brains themselves, so that he who was -thus smitten cried out most dolorously, “I die! I die!” and thereupon -fell grovelling to the earth. - -Then Sir Geraint whirled his horse and setting spurs to its flanks he -thundered down upon the other two, who sat beholding aghast how easily -and quickly he had overthrown their comrades. Nor hardly had they -recovered themselves than he was upon them, smiting to the right hand -and to the left. Then observing an opening in the defence of one of -them, he whirled upon him and smote with might and main, and the blade -of the sword clave that man through from the shoulder to the midriff. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint slays the four men._] - -Then the fourth villain, seeing his companions fall thus terribly into -death, would have escaped away, but death was upon him. For he beheld -Sir Geraint rise in his stirrups with sword lifted. Then the sword -descended like a thunderbolt, and he too fell with his brain dissolving -into death. - -Then Sir Geraint dismounted from his steed and wiped his terrible blade, -and thrust it back into its scabbard. And he stripped the armor off the -dead bodies, and tied each suit of armor upon the horse to whom it -appertained. After that he tied the reins of the four horses the one -with the other, and gave them all to Enid, and he said to her, “I call -upon thee to observe that I yet possess my knightly manhood, and that I -am not yet altogether devoid of strength and even of youth. Take thou -now these four horses together with the three horses which thou hast and -ride on before me as heretofore, leading all seven horses. And see to it -that this time thou dost not turn to me to say a word of any sort. For I -find that the anger of battle is upon me, and in my rage I may smite -thee with my sword in haste and ere I am able to control myself.” - -She said, “Lord, I will do as thou dost command.” - -So she rode on before Sir Geraint, and though she rode in silence yet -her heart sank within her, for she said to herself, “Did ever any lady -before me possess such a high-exalted and noble lord as this lord of -mine?” - -[Sidenote: _Enid overhears the words of the five outlaws._] - -Now as Enid rode forward thus exulting she heard of a sudden the sound -of voices talking together in the thickets near at hand. The one voice -said to the other voices, “Look! hither cometh a beautiful damsel, -leading seven good horses laden each with a noble suit of armor, and -here is only one man in guard of all this train. Let us five make here -an ambushment, and let us fall upon him from behind and from before. So -we shall easily overcome him and obtain all those things for -ourselves.” - -Then Enid said to herself, “It may be that my lord will do as he said, -and will strike me with his sword in his haste if I disobey him for the -third time by speaking to him. But what matters that? Rather would I die -by his hands than suffer his anger without his love.” - -So she turned her horse and rode back to him and when she had come to -him she said, “Lord, suffer me to speak to thee?” - -He said, “Did I not tell thee to speak to me no more?” - -She said, “Lord, this time I must speak to thee, for I cannot do -otherwise.” - -He said, “So it appeareth. Well, then, say on!” - -[Sidenote: _She tells Sir Geraint what they say._] - -She said, “Lord, this is what I have to say, that ahead of thee are five -men lying in ambushment against thee with intent to destroy thee.” - -Sir Geraint said, “Is this all that thou hast to say?” To which she -replied, “Yea, Lord.” He said, “Abide here with thy horses for a little -and suffer me to go forward alone, to clear thy path for thee.” - -So Enid abided at that place, and Sir Geraint rode forward into the -ambushment that was prepared for him. - -So he reached that ambushment, and of a sudden there leaped all those -five men out against him and about him. - -Then there followed a great and bitter fight betwixt Sir Geraint and -those who thus assailed him. And sometimes he might be seen and at other -times he might not be seen for the press that gathered about him. His -sword flashed like lightning and at every blow he uttered a great and -terrible cry of war, for the fury of battle was now fully upon him. At -first there were five against him and then there were but four, then -three, then two and at last only one who cried out in terror, “Spare me, -Lord! For I yield myself to thee.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint slays the five men._] - -[Sidenote: _Enid leads the twelve horses._] - -Sir Geraint said, “I will not spare thee,” and therewith he struck him -so dreadfully that he clave his head asunder and he fell down dead upon -the ground. After he had thus overthrown all five of his enemies, he -wiped his sword, panting, and put it away into its sheath. Then he -stripped the armor from off the dead bodies of the five, and bound a -suit of armor upon each horse. Then tying all five bridle reins -together, he attached them to the bridle reins of the other horses and -gave all twelve into Enid’s hands, saying to her, “Lead them forward and -speak to me no more, I charge thee.” - - * * * * * - -So they travelled upon their way through the wood, and anon the day -began to draw to a close, and the grey of twilight to descend. And Enid -led the twelve horses with difficulty. This Sir Geraint observed, and -was sorry for her, but still they rode onward. Then the darkness fell -and the moon arose, very bright and clear and round, silvering the tops -of the trees and laying patches of silver upon the earth between the -shadows of the leaves. - -Then Sir Geraint called to Enid and he said to her, “Lady, I do not -think we shall get out of this woods to-night. Let us rest here until -to-morrow.” - -She said to him, “Lord, may I speak?” He said, “Say on.” She said, “What -will we do to eat?” Quoth he, “Lady, it oftentimes happens when a knight -travelleth errant, as I have travelled to-day, that he goeth without -food to eat for the entire day--and sometimes for even longer than that. -Let that suffice.” - -Therewith she fell silent and sighed, for she was very hungry. - -Meantime Sir Geraint gathered the leaves together into a sort of bed and -he spread a cloak upon them. Then seeing that Enid was very weary and in -pity of her weariness, he said, “Lie thou here, Lady, and I will keep -watch for the night.” - -[Sidenote: _They abide that night in the forest._] - -So Enid laid herself down upon the bed of leaves and she was very sick -for weariness. And for awhile she watched her lord, Sir Geraint, as he -stood a little distance away, and she beheld how the moonlight flashed -and sparkled upon his polished armor whensoever the soft night wind of -summer stirred the leaves; and she heard the rustling and the stamp of -the horses as they moved at their stations; and she heard a distant -nightingale, singing from afar, now and then heard in the darkness, and -the murmurous silence, and now and then silent again. Then all these -things blended together, the darkness disappeared and she slept. - - * * * * * - -This was the first day of that journeying. Now if you would read of the -second day thereof, I pray you to peruse that which hereinafter -followeth, and which I have writ for your pleasure. - -[Illustration: Enid talks with the Earl] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Fourth - -_How Sir Geraint and Enid came forth out of the forest into the land of -an earl. How they abided at an inn, and of what befell them thereafter._ - - -When the next morning had come Sir Geraint, very early, awoke Enid from -her slumbers. The pangs of hunger were great upon her but she made no -complaint thereof. Otherwise, she mounted her horse and took the reins -of the twelve horses into her hands and rode away, followed by Sir -Geraint as upon the former day. - -[Sidenote: _Geraint and Enid come into the open country again._] - -Anon and after awhile the trees of the woodland grew thinner and the -sunlight came more freely through their branches. Anon again and the -trees of the forest ceased altogether, and so Enid and Geraint came -forth out of the woodland and into the open plains once more. - -Here were hedgerows upon either side of the way, and there were fields -and open country beyond the hedgerows; and there were meadow-lands, and -the mowers were mowing in the meadows. - -[Sidenote: _They cross the river._] - -Before them lay a river and toward that they took their way. And there -was a ford to the river and they entered the river, and all the horses -bowed their heads and drank of the water. Afterward they crossed the -ford and ascended a steep high bank upon the other side of the river. - -At the top of this bank there stood a slender youth with yellow hair. -And the youth had a satchel of leather slung over his shoulder, and in -his hands he carried an earthenware crock of milk. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint bespeaks the youth._] - -Sir Geraint spoke to the youth, saying to him, “Whence cometh thou, fair -youth?” Quoth the youth, “I come from the town which you cannot behold -from here, but which you may behold from the crest of yonder hill when -you have reached it. And now, Lord, if it be not too venturesome for me -to ask, I pray you to tell me whence you have come?” - -Said Sir Geraint, “Fair youth, we came from the forest yonder. All day -yesterday we travelled through the forest and all night we slept there -beneath the trees.” - -“Well,” said the youth, “I daresay you had but small entertainment at -that place, and I daresay also you are very hungry to-day.” - -“I would,” said Sir Geraint, “find food for this lady if it be possible -to do so.” Said the youth, “we are then well met, for in this satchel I -have bread and cheese, which I am taking to the mowers for their -breakfast; and in this crock I have milk, which also I am taking to them -for their breakfast. If you will partake of these things, I will gladly -give you to eat and to drink.” “I give thee thanks, fair friend,” said -Sir Geraint, “and gladly will I accept the offer of thy hospitality.” - -[Sidenote: _The youth gives them to eat._] - -So the youth assisted the Lady Enid to dismount from her saddle, and she -and Sir Geraint took their station at the roadside beneath the shade of -a crab-apple tree. And the youth gave them to eat of the white bread and -cheese from his satchel and he gave them to drink of the milk from the -crock, and they were both greatly refreshed. - -After the two had thus satisfied their hunger the youth said, “Now, Sir -Knight, by thy leave I will depart for more food for the mowers.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint gives the youth a horse and the armor thereof._] - -Sir Geraint said, “Fair youth, I pray you to return to the town whence -you came and to procure for us the best lodgings that are to be found at -that place. And I also pray you that you will, in return for these -courtesies of yours, choose whichsoever horse and suit of armor that -best pleases you out of all those that the lady is conducting, and I -pray you that you will keep that horse and armor for yourself.” “Lord,” -said the youth, “what have I done for such a great reward? That is too -much to accept for so small a service.” “Nevertheless,” said Sir -Geraint, “I pray you to do as I bid you.” - -So the youth joyfully chose a horse and a suit of armor that pleased him -the best, and leading these he departed for the town to fulfil Sir -Geraint’s behest as to securing him lodgings. - -Now as the youth entered the town a servant of the Earl of that town met -him and the servant of the Earl said to the youth, “Where got ye that -horse and that armor?” The youth said, “A noble and knightly lord, who -hath eleven other such horses and armor, gave this one to me.” - -The servant said, “This is a strange saying. Come with me to the Earl -and tell him concerning these things.” - -[Sidenote: _The youth tells the Earl of Sir Geraint._] - -So the servant of the Earl took the youth to that lord, and the youth -told his story to the Earl of how he had met the lordly knight and the -lady, and of how the lady had led twelve horses loaded with armor, and -of how the lord had given him one of those horses and the suit of armor -that best pleased him. To all this the Earl hearkened, and then he said -to the youth, “Go you and fetch that lord hitherward, for I would fain -see him and his lady and entertain them at my castle. He shall lodge -here with me.” - -So the youth hastened back to Sir Geraint where he sat with Enid resting -beneath the crab-apple tree, and he said to him, “Lord, the Earl of -yonder town hath sent me here to bid you come and lodge with him.” - -Then Geraint was displeased and he said to the youth, “How is this? I -bade thee secure us lodgings, not with an earl but at some good inn. I -will not lodge with the Earl, but will go to such an inn.” - -Then the youth was abashed, and he said, “I will take you to an inn.” - -[Sidenote: _The youth conducts them to an inn._] - -So the youth conducted Geraint and Enid into the town, and he conducted -him to the best inn in the town. Here the landlord came forth to meet -him and Geraint said, “Show us to the best room of this place,” and the -landlord did so. Geraint said to Enid, “Keep thou yonder to that side of -the chamber, and I will keep to this side, for I am weary and fain would -sleep.” And Enid said, “I will do so.” And Geraint said to the youth, -“When I awake, be thou here to serve me.” - -The youth said, “I will be here; but meantime I would fain go and see -the Earl and tell him where you are lodged.” Sir Geraint said, “Go, but -return again.” - -So whilst Sir Geraint slept, the youth hastened to the castle of the -Earl, and he said to the Earl, “Sir, certes this man is a prince or a -knight-royal, for he commandeth all things as he wills.” Then the Earl -said, “Where is he lodged?” And the youth told him, and the youth said, -“I go presently to serve him when he awakes, for now he sleepeth.” -“Commend me to him when he awakeneth,” said the Earl, and the youth -replied, “I will do so.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint bids the landlord to summon his friends to a -feast._] - -That afternoon when Geraint awoke, it was time for them to take their -food. So Sir Geraint summoned the landlord and bade him prepare him a -feast, and the landlord said he would do so. Then Sir Geraint inquired -of the landlord whether he had not some companions whom he would like to -entertain, and the landlord said, yea, that there were several. Upon -this Sir Geraint commanded the landlord to summon those companions and -to prepare for them the best that there was in the town both to eat and -to drink. “For,” quoth he, “though I be unhappy myself, yet do I love to -behold those about me as happy and as gay as may be.” So the landlord -went forth and bade many to come and feast with him, all these feasted -at Sir Geraint’s expense, so that the entire inn was full of light and -laughter and noise and merrymaking. - -[Sidenote: _The Earl visits Sir Geraint._] - -That evening the Earl came to visit Sir Geraint, and with him he brought -twelve of the worthiest knights of his court. Then Sir Geraint arose and -welcomed him, and the Earl greeted Sir Geraint and sat down and -conversed with him. And he asked Geraint the object of his journey, to -which Geraint replied, “I have no object, saving to seek adventure such -as may become the life of a knight-errant.” - -Then the Earl cast his eyes upon Enid, and he looked at her very -steadily, and he thought that he had never beheld a lady so fair and so -beautiful as she. And as he gazed upon her his heart went out to her and -he found that he loved her very extremely. Then he said to Geraint, -“Have I thy permission to converse with yonder lady? For I see that she -is not with thee.” “Thou hast it gladly,” said Geraint. - -[Sidenote: _The Earl bespeaks Enid the Fair._] - -So the Earl went to where Enid sat, and he said to her, “Lady, thy hands -are soft and white and thy body is fragile and delicate; it cannot be -pleasant for thee to travel through the rough and cruel world with this -man.” She said, “It is not unpleasant for me to journey with him -whithersoever he goeth.” - -The Earl said, “Lady, thou shouldst have youths and maidens to wait upon -thee and to attend thee and to serve thee.” She said, “It is pleasanter -to me to travel alone with yonder man than to live in state with youths -and maidens to wait upon me.” - -“Listen,” said the Earl, “I will give thee good advice. Give up that man -and come with me. All my earldom will be at thy disposal if thou wilt do -so, and thou shalt be the mistress of it and of me and of my life.” - -Then Enid was very angry, and she said, “Lord, I will not go with thee! -Know thou that yonder man is dearer to me than all the earth and its -kingdoms and principalities, its dukedoms and its earldoms. He was the -first man to whom I plighted my faith, and never hath it been withdrawn -from his keeping. Shall I then leave him now for the sake of this little -patch of ground, to live with thee in dishonor and suffer him to go -forth into the world alone?” - -Then the Earl said, “Lady, thou art in the wrong in this, for if I slay -that man, then can I take thee by force. And if I take thee by force, -then, when I tire of thee, I shall cast thee off into the world. But if -thou comest to me willingly, then I will never cast thee off, but will -keep thee as my most precious treasure so long as I am permitted to -breathe the breath of life. Come thou with me, and yonder man may be -suffered to depart in peace, hale and strong in limb and body, but come -thou not with me and he shall die.” - -Then Enid was greatly troubled at that which the Earl had said to her, -for she saw that he had the strength and the will and the power to do -with Sir Geraint whatsoever he chose. So at last she said to him, -“Listen, O great Lord and Earl. All this that I have said to thee I have -said for the sake of mine honor. But if thou art of the mind that thou -sayst, I would rather abide with thee. Come hither to-morrow morning -with twelve armed knights and bear me away as though by force. For thus -it shall appear that I have not yielded up to thee, except by force.” “I -will do so,” said the Earl. “This and all things shall be as thou -sayst.” After that, in a little while he arose and departed from that -place. - -But of all that had passed Enid said nothing to Geraint, lest he should -be blinded by his rage against the Earl. Otherwise, she kept it secretly -in her heart for that time. - -[Sidenote: _Enid prepares the armor of Sir Geraint._] - -That night they both lay in the same chamber. In a little while Sir -Geraint fell asleep, but Enid did not sleep. When she heard his deep -breathing she arose very softly and she gathered his armor together -piece by piece. And she piled all the armor where he could easily lay -hand upon it. Then she lay down and slept. - -[Sidenote: _Enid telleth Sir Geraint of the Earl._] - -Before the day broke she arose and went softly to where Sir Geraint -slept, and touched her finger upon his breast and with that he awoke and -started up. “Lord,” said she, “knowest thou what the Earl of this town -said to me last night?” Geraint said, “Tell me.” So Enid told him all -that the Earl had proposed to her. Then Geraint was very angry, and he -said, “Thy beauty bringeth evil whithersoever thou bringest it. Now I -will slay this Earl ere I leave this place, for he hath proposed -dishonor to me.” - -“Not so,” said Enid, “let be the Earl, for there are many scores against -thee, and thou art only one. Rather put thou on thy armor and let us go -hence with all the speed that we may, for there is yet time to escape, -and thus only may we escape in peace.” - -Then Geraint perceived that what she said was very true, and that he was -at that place in a parlous state. So he arose and put on his armor and -he summoned the landlord and the landlord came to him. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint gives all the horses and all of the armor to the -landlord._] - -Quoth Sir Geraint, “What do I owe thee, good fellow, for the -entertainment that I have had at this house?” Said the landlord, “Not a -great deal, Messire.” “Well,” said Sir Geraint, “take thou all those -eleven horses and the armor appertaining to them for thy reckoning. Will -that pay our score?” “Heaven bless thee, Messire,” cried the landlord, -“but that is far more than thou owest me; for thou hast not consumed in -this house the value of a single horse.” “Well,” said Sir Geraint, “in -that case thou wilt be all the richer. But put on thy cloak and thy hat -and conduct me out of this place by some way that is another way than -that by which we entered here, for I must hasten upon my quest.” Quoth -the landlord, “I will do so, Lord.” - -With that he hurried away. Anon he returned again, clad as for a -journey. Then Sir Geraint mounted his horse and Enid mounted her horse, -and they departed from that place after the landlord. - -[Sidenote: _The landlord leads them from the town._] - -So the landlord led them by another highway from the town, and when the -sun arose Sir Geraint dismissed him from their service. - -[Sidenote: _The Earl follows Sir Geraint and Enid the Fair._] - -Now when the landlord returned to the inn he beheld that several men -surrounded that place. Those men were the Earl of that town, and the -twelve chief knights of his state, and all were clad in full armor. The -Earl was very wroth and when he beheld the landlord he cried out to him, -“Fellow, where is the knight and where is that lady who were with thee -last night?” “Lord,” quoth the landlord, “they have departed and by now -are many miles from this. For I myself conducted them far upon the way, -and am only now returned from guiding them.” Quoth the Earl, “What way -went they?” and the landlord told him. Then the Earl and his court of -knights departed thence. And they rode at a swift gallop upon the way -that the landlord directed them. Anon they beheld the marks of horses’ -hoofs fresh upon the earth, wherefore they wist that they were upon the -right way. - - * * * * * - -Now as Enid and Sir Geraint rode onward upon their course, Enid looked -behind her many times. At last she beheld a cloud of dust that came -rapidly nearer, and she was aware that in that cloud of dust were the -Earl and his court of knights. Then she cried out to Sir Geraint, “Sir -Knight, prepare for battle, for yonder come thine enemies.” - -Then Sir Geraint, who had been sunk in thought, became aware of the -coming of those others. Thereupon he closed the visor of his helmet and -prepared himself in all ways for the encounter. Thereafter he turned his -horse in the middle of the highway and stood waiting for his enemies. - -Anon they reached him and drew rein a little distance away. Then the -Earl came forward and spake to Sir Geraint, saying, “Sir Knight, we mean -no harm to thee, but only ask thee that thou wilt give up that lady whom -thou hast with thee. For thou holdest her against her desire; her only -desire being to go with us.” - -Then Sir Geraint turned to Enid and said, “Lady, is this true? If thou -desirest to go with yonder Lord thou hast my leave to do so.” “Nay,” -said she, “I do not desire to go with him. Rather would I go with thee -to death than to go with him to joy.” - -So Sir Geraint said to the Earl, “Messire, the lady says thou art -mistaken and she does not desire to go with thee.” - -The Earl said to Enid, “Lady, what didst thou tell me yesterday?” And -Enid said, “Messire, I told thee many things to mislead thee, for the -occasion called upon me to do so.” - -Then the Earl talked aside for a little while with his followers. Anon -he called to Sir Geraint, “Sir Knight, I will not let thee go until thou -hast tried a fall or two with these knights of mine for the sake of thy -lady, her bright eyes and her slender body.” “Well,” said Sir Geraint, -“I am willing to do battle with thy knights now or at any time.” “And -this shall be the result of this battle,” said the Earl. “If thou -winnest this battle, thou mayst go free, but if we win then thy lady -must return with us.” Quoth Sir Geraint, “That is certes a hard saying.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint does battle with the followers of the Earl._] - -So the strongest and most powerful of all those knights made him ready -for the assault, and when he was in all ways prepared, he and Geraint -made a violent charge, the one against the other. Three times they -charged and at the third assault Sir Geraint overthrew him so violently -that he lay like one dead in the middle of the high-road. Then one after -the other all the others of those twelve knights assaulted Sir Geraint, -and each in turn was overthrown very violently upon the earth. - -Then the Earl said to Sir Geraint, “Sir Knight, thou hast fought well -and very valiantly for thy lady, and truly hast thou won her. Depart in -peace.” “Not so,” cried Sir Geraint in great passion, “for I have one -more to deal with, and that one is thou thyself. For I have yet to do -with thee ere I depart from this place.” - -“Well,” said the Earl, “be it as thou sayst. For I will fight with thee -till either thee or I have overcome the other. And to that one who -overthroweth the other thy lady shalt belong.” “So be it,” said Sir -Geraint. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint overthrows the Earl._] - -So each made him ready for the encounter, and when they were in all ways -prepared they set spur to flank and drave the one against the other with -such violence that they met with a crash as of thunder in the middle of -the course. In that encounter Sir Geraint was upborn by his passion so -that he smote true and fairly against his enemy’s shield. But the spear -of the Earl was shattered into a great many pieces. The spear of Sir -Geraint held, so that it pierced the shield of the Earl, and Sir Geraint -lifted the Earl out of his saddle and hurled him several ells behind -the crupper of his horse, where he lay like one dead upon the earth. - -Then Sir Geraint ran to where the Earl was. And he rushed off his helmet -and he drew his sword and catching the Earl by the long hair of his head -he drew forward his neck so as to sever his head from his body. -Thereupon the Earl awoke from his swoon and perceiving that death loomed -very near to him, he clutched Sir Geraint about the thighs, clinging to -them and crying out, “Sir Knight, spare my life!” “Why should I spare -thee?” cried out Sir Geraint very violently. “Hast thou not attempted my -life and hast thou not attempted mine honor and the honor of my lady, -and were we not guests in thy town? I will not spare thy life!” And he -whirled his sword as though to strike. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint spares the life of the Earl._] - -Then Enid came to where Sir Geraint was and clutched him by the arm and -she said, “Worthy knight, Sir Geraint! I pray thee spare this man his -life. For what canst thou gain by slaying him?” “Well,” said Sir -Geraint, “since this lady asks thy life at my hands I give it to her to -dispose of as she pleases.” Enid said, “I thank thee, Lord!” Then she -said to the Earl, “Arise, and go thou hence in peace!” - -So after that Sir Geraint remounted his horse and he and Enid departed -from that place, riding as aforetime. That is, Enid rode a long distance -ahead and Geraint rode behind, following after her. - -But of the knights whom he overthrew in that encounter it is to be -written that several were so sorely hurt that it was many weeks ere they -were sufficiently recovered to be abroad again. - - * * * * * - -And now followeth the further adventures of Sir Geraint and of Enid at -this time; so I pray you to read that which hereinafter appeareth. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Enid and Geraint ride past the Town bridge] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Fifth - -_Sir Geraint is wounded in his encounter with another knight. He is -discovered by the Court of King Arthur and is healed of his wounds._ - - -So Sir Geraint and Enid travelled in that wise until at last they came -through a thin, small woods and so out into another open place. - -Here they beheld before them a valley of singular beauty, for through -the centre of the valley there ran a wide, smoothly flowing river, and -upon either side of the river there were meadow-lands and fields, and -not far away from where they were there was a town, very large and -considerable. All around the town was a wall of stone, very high and -strong. And about the town was a fortress castle, tall and forbidding, -that looked down upon the town and upon the high-road. The high-road -upon which they travelled crossed a bridge over the river, and so -entered the town, but ere it reached the bridge it branched and one -branch ran down along one side of the river upon which they were. Upon -either side of the bridge head were two tall towers that overlooked the -bridge and guarded it. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint questions the horseman concerning the town._] - -So Sir Geraint and Enid sat for awhile looking down upon that fair -prospect, and the more they looked upon it the more they delighted in -it. As they so sat, anon they beheld a horseman come from the town and -cross the bridge, and when he had crossed the bridge he turned him in -their direction. By and by he had approached closely enough for Sir -Geraint to speak to him, and thereupon Sir Geraint rode forth and met -him and they two saluted one another. Then Sir Geraint said to him, -“Sir, I pray you tell me; what town is that yonder, and who is the lord -of this fair and beautiful valley and of yonder town?” “Messire,” said -the other, “I will gladly tell thee that and anything else that I am -able. The town itself is called the Town of Redlands. The lord of all -this country is a very brave, renowned and valiant Earl called the -Little King. He is so called because he rules this place away from all -other lords as though he were king of it in his own right.” - -Sir Geraint said, “May I pass by yonder bridge head where are the two -towers without crossing over the bridge and into the town?” The other -replied, “Messire, I will tell thee truly. The Little King hath ordained -it that no one shall pass into his land without his permission, -wherefore he will not allow that any knight shall pass by yonder bridge -and into the lands beyond it.” “Nevertheless,” said Sir Geraint, “I am -of a mind to pass by that bridge and into the country beyond it maugre -his will that wise or otherwise.” “If thou dost do so,” said the other, -“thou wilt in all likelihood meet with shame and disgrace.” “No matter -for that,” said Sir Geraint, “I shall assume even such a risk as that.” -At that the other laughed, and so they saluted each one the other again -and then the knight departed upon his way. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint and Enid pass by the bridge head._] - -So Sir Geraint followed the Lady Enid and she preceded and he followed -after her. Thus together they went down to the river. Coming there, he -bade her not to cross the bridge, so in obedience to that command they -went past the bridge and past the two towers at the bridge head, and so -rode along beside the river. Thus with Enid riding before him and he -riding behind her, he had gone a considerable distance when he became -suddenly aware that some one was galloping behind them. Then Sir Geraint -turned him about and beheld that an armed knight was following after -them at a swift gallop. - -So Sir Geraint drew rein and waited for the other to come up with them, -and when the other knight had come pretty close to where he stood, he -also drew rein. The Strange Knight said, “Sir Knight, is it through -ignorance or through presumption that you travel thus without leave -through my dominions?” Him Sir Geraint answered very proudly, saying, -“Messire, how should I know that this road was forbid to those who would -pass to travel along it?” - -“Nay,” said the other fiercely, “thou didst know that it is forbidden to -any one to pass into my land without my permission and so thou hast -infringed the rules of my earldom. Hence thou shalt come now with me to -my court and do me satisfaction.” “I will not come with thee to thy -castle,” said Sir Geraint, “and I will not do thee any satisfaction. For -this is an high-road and it is free for any one to travel upon it who -chooses to do so.” “Well,” said the other, “let that be as it may; but I -tell thee that thou shalt this day do satisfaction to me or else I will -suffer defeat at thy hands.” “That,” said Sir Geraint, “shall be as -Heaven shall foreordain.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint does battle with the knight._] - -So upon that each knight made him ready for the combat, and Enid stood -to one side to observe what happened. Anon they were in all ways -prepared, and each took post for a tilt. When all this was prepared, -each knight shouted to his horse, and each drave spurs into the flanks -of his steed and each launched the one against the other with wonderful -speed and vehemence. So they met in the midst of the course with a crash -like to thunder, and in that encounter the lance of each knight held so -that the horse of each sank back upon his haunches quivering from the -shock of that assault. - -Then each knight threw aside his lance and sprang from his saddle, and -each drew his sword and each rushed the one against the other like two -fierce bulls raging for battle. Each lashed at the other many terrible -and severe strokes, and for a time neither had any advantage over the -other. Several times Geraint was wounded and several times more he -wounded his adversary. Thus they fought for a long while, and Geraint -suffered many wounds, until at last, because of the smart of those -wounds, his anger flamed up like fire and added strength to his -strength. Then he rained blows fast and furious upon his assailant, -striking him with terrible violence again and again and yet again, so -rapidly and so fiercely, violently and furiously that the Little King -bore back before him, holding his shield full low because of his -weariness and wounds. Then Geraint beheld the opening that the other -gave him, and with that he rushed in upon him, and he smote him with -might and main upon the crown of the helmet. - -So terribly fierce was that blow that it split apart the helmet and the -iron cap beneath and cut deep into the bone beneath the cap. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint overthrows the knight._] - -Then the wits of the Little King flew away from him like a flock of -flies, his strength deserted him, his thighs trembled and he sank down -upon his knees. Thereupon Geraint rushed upon him and plucked the helmet -off of his head. Then he catched him by the hair of the head and drew -his head forward, whirling his sword aloft as though to strike the head -off from the body. - -At that the senses returned to the Little King, and he beheld that death -was very near to him. So he clutched Sir Geraint about the knees, and -cried out aloud, “Lord, spare me my life.” “I will spare thee,” said Sir -Geraint, “upon one condition, and that is that thou wilt swear to be -true fellow to me henceforth and shall be faithful to me as I shall be -to thee. For certes thou art the noblest, worthiest knight that ever I -have yet encountered.” Then the other arose from his knees. “Sir -Knight,” said he, “I know not who thou art.” “I am Sir Geraint,” said -Sir Geraint, “the son of King Erbin.” - -“Well do I know of thee,” said the Little King. “Often have I heard of -thee, and had I known who thou wert, I would not have assaulted thee.” -Then the Little King said to Sir Geraint, “Sir Knight, Sir Geraint, I -perceive that thou art hurt in several places, and I am very sorry for -that. For lo, the leg-pieces of thine armor are all red with blood, and -blood is flowing from thy body armor from several wounds. Thou art not -fit to travel in the hot sun, so I pray thee that thou and thy lady will -return with me to my castle. There thou mayst refresh and recover -thyself from thy hurts, and rest and reinvigorate thyself for thy -continued journeyings.” - -But Sir Geraint refused him. “Nay,” said he, “I will not go with thee to -thy castle, but instead of that I will go forward upon my way.” - -Then the Little King looked at Enid, and when he beheld how fragile and -how beautiful she was, and when he beheld how grieved she was that -Geraint had suffered so many and such grievous wounds, he felt great -pity for her. “Messire,” he said to Sir Geraint, “thou dost wrong not to -rest thyself and have thy wounds looked to and dressed, for if thou -fallest in with another adventure such as this, it is not likely that -thou wilt be able to defend thyself from assault. Who then would have -care of thy lady if harm should befall thee?” - -Then Sir Geraint cried out very fiercely, “Sir, already have I answered -thee that I will continue on my way, therefore do not try to dissuade me -any further, for both I and my lady are going forward upon our way!” So -saying he went to his horse and he mounted upon his saddle and he took -his spear in hand and rode away from that place, and he bade the Lady -Enid to ride on before him as aforetime she had ridden and so they -quitted that place. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint suffers because of his wounds._] - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint stands beneath a tree._] - -Now the day was very hot so that the blood within the armor of Sir -Geraint when he ceased to bleed, it dried upon him by reason of the heat -of the sun. Then the wounds that Sir Geraint had suffered were glued -with blood to the armor, so that he suffered three times more pain from -those wounds now than he suffered when he had received them. But of this -he said naught, only he rode along very grimly. But at last he could -endure his pain no more, wherefore he called upon the Lady Enid to halt -for a little while at a certain place where the oak trees of a woodland -came down to the road and shaded the high-road. Then the Lady Enid would -have helped him to dismount, but he would not suffer her to do so but -forbade her, saying to her, “Go and stand aside under yonder tree, for -my wounds ache me and I would be alone for a little while.” So Enid went -to the other tree and stood there weeping, and Sir Geraint dismounted -from his horse and stood under his tree, suffering very bitter pain from -his wounds. - -As they thus stood, there came the sound of a sudden tumult of horses -and of voices, and the cause of that tumult was that King Arthur and -his court were come hunting into the neighboring woodland. So whilst Sir -Geraint was considering which way he should go to escape from them, he -was espied by a foot-page who was attendant upon Sir Kay the Seneschal. - -This page went to Sir Kay, and he said to him, “Sir, yonder under that -tree is a man in broken and defaced armor who appeareth to be wounded.” -Sir Kay said, “Where is he?” and then he too beheld Sir Geraint. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Kay bespeaks Sir Geraint._] - -So Sir Kay came to where Sir Geraint was, and at his coming the Lady -Enid slipped behind her tree, for she was ashamed for Sir Kay to behold -her weeping in that place. So Sir Kay did not know Sir Geraint, but Sir -Geraint knew Sir Kay. Sir Kay said to Sir Geraint, “Sir, how is this? I -perceive you are wounded! What art thou doing here?” Sir Geraint -replied, “I am standing under the shade of this tree so as to avoid the -heat. For in the sun my armor clings to my wounds so that they ache me.” -Said Sir Kay, “Whither dost thou journey, and who art thou?” Quoth Sir -Geraint, “It matters not who I am. As for my journeying, wist thou that -I am in search of adventure.” Said Sir Kay, “I wit thou hast had -adventures enough for one day. Come with me and I will take thee to King -Arthur, who is near by.” “I will not go with thee,” said Sir Geraint, -“for I am not fit to stand before the King.” Said Sir Kay, “Thou must -needs come with me.” And so saying, he advanced and laid hold of the arm -of Sir Geraint. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint strikes Sir Kay._] - -Now in all this time, as hath been said, Sir Geraint knew Sir Kay who he -was, but Sir Kay knew not Sir Geraint because his shield was so defaced -with battle and his armor so stained with blood. But when Sir Kay laid -hold of Sir Geraint, the anger broke hot within the wounded man, -wherefore he lifted his spear, and he smote Sir Kay upon the head with -the butt of the spear (for he scorned to strike him with the point -thereof), and with the force of that blow Sir Kay fell down upon the -ground, like an ox when the butcher smites it with a mallet. - -After a little while Sir Kay stirred and then he sat up. Then he awoke -and arose and went away, leaving Sir Geraint standing where he was. - -Now it happened that the pavilion of Sir Percival was not far away. -Thither went Sir Kay, and Sir Percival was in his pavilion. Sir Kay said -to Sir Percival, “My page tells me that over yonder under that tree -there stands a wounded man in armor. Hadst thou not better go and see -who it is and bring him to King Arthur?” Sir Percival said, “Where is -he?” Sir Kay said, “Over yonder. But beyond doubt he is hasty of temper, -so be wary of thy approach to him.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival bespeaks Sir Geraint._] - -Then Sir Percival went thither to that tree and he beheld where Sir -Geraint was standing, and he knew him not because his armor was so -defaced and wounded and stained. But Sir Geraint knew Sir Percival who -he was. Sir Percival said to Sir Geraint, “Sir Knight, wilt thou not -come to the tent of King Arthur and have thy wounds searched and -dressed?” “No,” said Sir Geraint, “I will not do so.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival knoweth Enid the Fair._] - -Now the Lady Enid heard the voice of Sir Percival and knew it, so she -appeared from behind the tree and her face was all wet with weeping. And -she cried out to Sir Percival, “Sir Percival, I beseech thee to compel -him to go to King Arthur.” - -Then Sir Percival knew the Lady Enid and he wist that the wounded man -must be Sir Geraint. So he cried out, “Sir Geraint, is it thou?” Sir -Geraint said, “Nay, I am not Sir Geraint.” - -But Sir Percival put these words aside and he said, “What condition is -this that thou and thy lady are in, and whither wouldst thou go? If thou -goest forward, thou wilt die, and if thou stayest here thou wilt die.” - -Sir Geraint said, “I will go forward,” and at those words Enid fell to -weeping again. - -Now there was a page standing a little aside and Sir Percival beckoned -to him and the page came to Sir Percival. Sir Percival whispered to the -page, saying, “Go, find King Arthur and tell him that Sir Geraint is -standing here wounded,” and the page made haste and ran away. - -Then Sir Percival spoke aside to the Lady Enid and he said to her, “How -is it that thou and thy lord are in this outland place?” Enid replied, -“I know not how it is, but my lord commanded me to ride errant with him -and I have done so.” Sir Percival said, “Certes, I think he is mad.” - -[Sidenote: _King Arthur comes to Sir Geraint and Enid the Fair._] - -Anon King Arthur and several of his court and Queen Guinevere and -several of her court came to that place. Sir Percival said to King -Arthur, “Lord, this is Sir Geraint whom thou seest here in such a sad -melancholy condition.” And Geraint said nothing, only he groaned very -dolorously. King Arthur said to the Lady Enid, “Enid, how came ye to -this pass?” “Lord,” said Enid, “I know not how it is, only that -whithersoever my lord goeth, thither also I am bound to go.” Then King -Arthur said to Queen Guinevere, “Lady, I pray thee take the Lady Enid -and care for her. As for Sir Geraint, him shall I put beneath the care -of my physicians.” - -“Lord,” cried out Sir Geraint, “I beseech thee to let me go upon my way -thither I was going.” “I will not do so,” said King Arthur. “Thou art -mad, for that would let thee go to thy death. Thou canst not live with -such wounds as those that cover thee, fresh and undressed as they are.” -Then Sir Geraint said, “They are not so bad,” but King Arthur would not -listen to this. - -[Sidenote: _The physicians search the wounds of Sir Geraint._] - -So King Arthur had a tent pitched at that place, and he had a soft couch -laid within the tent, and he had Sir Geraint laid upon the couch. And -the King had his own physicians come to search the wounds of Sir Geraint -and to anoint them and to bind them up, and so Sir Geraint was put in -great comfort from their attention. - -Meanwhile the Queen brought the Lady Enid to her pavilion and she had -her change her riding robes for clothes of another sort. And she asked -Enid many things and Enid told her many things of her adventures, and -all marvelled at what the Lady Enid had to relate. - - * * * * * - -So Geraint and Enid remained at that woodland court of King Arthur for -nearly a month, and Enid was very well entertained by the court of the -King. And whilst it was so that she was not permitted to see Sir Geraint -nor to speak to him, yet she heard very intimately from him from day to -day, and wist that ever he was becoming healed of his wounds. For, after -that month was passed, Sir Geraint’s wounds were knit together and were -scarred over with fair white flesh. And even at that time Sir Geraint -grew restless, for as he grew stronger of body he remembered more and -more strongly the words that he had overheard the Lady Enid speak that -morning when he awakened, and again he doubted her. - -So one day he said to King Arthur, “Lord, I pray thee let me depart from -this place, for I must be upon my journeying again.” King Arthur said, -“Messire, whither wouldst thou go?” Geraint said, “I know not, saving -only that I would go errant in search of adventure.” - -King Arthur said, “Then let thy Lady abide at this place.” Quoth Sir -Geraint, “She cannot abide here, but she must travel abroad with me.” -King Arthur said, “Sir, this is not folly but madness, for thy lady’s -body is too soft and delicate for her to endure such hardships as thou -wilt have to endure.” “No matter,” said Sir Geraint, “she must travel -with me whithersoever I go.” - -Then King Arthur considered a little and after a little he said, “Sir, I -will not let you go until my physicians declare you to be healed.” Quoth -Sir Geraint, “Call the physicians.” - -So King Arthur summoned the physicians and he asked them if Sir Geraint -was healed of his wounds and the physicians declared that he was -healed. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint and Enid depart from the Court of the King._] - -So King Arthur gave leave to Sir Geraint to depart and that day Sir -Geraint took leave of King Arthur and his court and he and the Lady Enid -departed as aforetime. That is to say, the Lady Enid rode some distance -ahead of Sir Geraint, and Sir Geraint rode some distance behind the Lady -Enid as it was before. - - * * * * * - -Here followeth the further adventures of these two which you may read if -you will peruse that which is herein written. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: The King’s physicians attend Sir Geraint.] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Sixth - -_How Sir Geraint destroyed three giants of the highway. How he was hurt, -and how he and the Lady Enid were carried off by a knight of that -country. Also how Geraint slew the knight._ - - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint finds a lady in grief._] - -Now after they had travelled in that wise for some time they came to a -wood, and the wood was very thick and dark and dismal, and some way in -the wood they heard the sound of a voice lifted in lamentation. -Thitherward they directed their steps and anon they came to an open -glade of the forest. Here they beheld a lady and two horses and the -figure of a knight who lay dead, all covered with blood, upon the -ground. Sir Geraint said to that lady, “Lady what ails thee?” “Alas!” -she said, “I have journeyed thitherward, but three gigantic oafs broke -out of the woodland upon us. Him they slew as thou beholdest and so I -sit mourning for him here.” - -“What way went these giants of whom thou speakest?” said Sir Geraint. -“They went yonder way by that path,” said she. - -Geraint said to Enid, “Bide thou here for a little while with this lady, -and I will ride forward and punish those three giants.” Enid said, -“Lord, remember thou art only now fresh from thy bed of pain.” - -But Sir Geraint paid no heed to what Enid said, otherwise he rode -forward upon the path that the lady had pointed out. After awhile he -beheld before him the three gigantic men, walking side by side along the -way. - -Each wore about his body a huge body-piece of armor, and each carried -over his shoulder a huge club shod with iron. - -[Sidenote: _The giant strikes Sir Geraint._] - -Upon them Sir Geraint charged, and the first of the three he ran through -his body with the lance. Then he withdrew the lance very quickly, and -charged the second of the three, and him also he transfixed with his -spear. But ere he could withdraw his lance again the third of the three -smote him a terrible buffet with his club so that his shield was split -and his helmet was split and the armor was beaten off from his shoulder. -Under that blow Sir Geraint fell upon his knees, and all his wounds -burst out bleeding as though they were freshly given. But quickly he -recovered himself. He drew his sword, and rushing at the giant he smote -him with the sword so that his head and his neck and his shoulders were -split asunder even to the pap of the breast, and that giant also fell -dead to the ground. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint swoons a death-swoon._] - -Then leaving those three where they lay, Geraint mounted his horse again -and returned to where he had left Enid and the widowed lady. And when he -came to her he tried to speak but he could not speak. He began by saying -“Lady--” but then he stopped, and swaying from side to side, he fell -lifeless from his horse to the ground. - -Then Enid ran to him and lifted his head and laid it in her lap. And -Enid thought that he was dead, for his face was the color of wax for -whiteness. Then believing him to be dead she lifted up her voice and -wept very loud and shrill. - -Now it chanced that an earl known as the Earl of Limours was in that -part of the forest, and several of his attendant knights were with him. -These heard the loud piercing sound of Enid’s grief, and the Earl of -Limours said, “Hark! What is that sound?” And one of his attendant -knights said, “It is the sound of somebody in grief.” Quoth the Earl, -“Let us go thitherward.” - -[Sidenote: _The Earl of Limours comes to that place._] - -So the Earl of Limours and his attendants galloped toward that place, -and anon they came out into the forest glade. There they beheld the four -horses, and the two ladies and the two knights. - -The Earl of Limours said to Enid, “Lady, what is the cause of thy -grief?” “Alas, Sir,” she cried, “the only man that I ever loved or ever -shall love is slain.” Then the Earl of Limours said to the other lady, -“What is the cause of thy grief?” Quoth she, “They have slain my husband -also.” “Who was it slew them?” said the Earl of Limours. “My husband,” -said the Lady, “was slain by three giants. This other knight pursued the -three giants, and when he returned he was as thou seest.” “Whither went -those giants?” said the Earl. She replied, “They went yonder ways.” “I -will go and see what has befallen them,” said the Earl of Limours. - -[Sidenote: _The Earl finds the dead outlaws._] - -So that Earl took several of his knights and he went in that direction, -and in a little while he found all three giants lying dead upon the -ground. “Pardee,” quoth he, “yonder was a parlous strong knight to slay -all three of those giants.” - -[Sidenote: _The Earl carries Sir Geraint to his castle._] - -After that he returned to the forest glade and he made examination of -the knights that lay there. The one knight he found was dead, but it -did not seem to him that Sir Geraint was altogether dead. So the one -knight he buried, but Sir Geraint he laid in the hollow of a shield with -his sword behind him. And he laid him upon a bier and so he bore him -away toward his castle, the two ladies accompanying them. - -By and by, after a very long journeying, they came to the castle of the -Earl of Limours. And the castle was very large and comely and strong. - -The Earl and those who were with him entered the castle and he had the -shield with Sir Geraint stretched upon it borne into the hall of the -castle. And he had his physician to come and examine Geraint and the -leech came and made examination of him. Then after due examination the -leech said that he was not yet dead, but that he was exceedingly near to -death. - -Then the Earl bade the two ladies to go and change their clothes and to -assume garments that were more fitting to grace that hall, and the other -lady went as he bade, but Enid would not go. - -The Earl of Limours said to her, “Lady, thou art not wise in this, for I -mean well by thee. Thou pleasest me very greatly by thy appearance. When -thy lord is dead, then will I marry thee and will bestow upon thee -myself and this castle and all these lands through which we passed -to-day, and all other things thou shalt have that are mine.” But Enid -only wept, and she said, “Alas! I know not what to do, for I am very -lonely. If my lord dieth, nevermore shall I have any more joy or -happiness as long as I shall live.” - -The Earl of Limours said, “Take heart, my pretty one.” But she said, “I -cannot take any heart.” Then the Earl gave orders that a feast should be -made ready, and it was done according to his command. And when that -feast was ready, he said to Enid, “Come and sit here beside me and eat.” -She said, “I will not eat and I will not sit at table unless my lord -sits here also.” Then the Earl laughed, and he said, “Lady, thou art -very foolish in this, for thy knight will never sit at table again, for -he is dead, or else he is dying.” Then Enid wept again, very bitterly. - -[Sidenote: _The Earl of Limours strikes Enid the Fair._] - -The Earl said, “Come sit beside me, and I will have thy knight at table -also.” So he had them bring the bier whereon Sir Geraint lay to the side -of the table. Then he took Enid by the hand and led her to the table and -compelled her to sit beside him. But still she would not eat. Then the -Earl offered her a goblet of wine and he said, “Drink this wine, for it -will help thee to forget thy sorrows.” “I will not drink,” she said, -“until my husband shall arise and drink with me.” Then the Earl of -Limours became angry. “A plague upon thee and thy knight!” he cried, -and so crying he lifted his hand and delivered to her a box upon the -ear. - -Then Enid felt her loneliness as never before. For she knew that had -Geraint been with her the Earl of Limours would not have dared to serve -her thus. So when she felt that blow upon her face she lifted up her -voice and shrieked aloud. - -Now Geraint had been recovering from his swoon, but still he lay with -his eyes closed listening to what was said and done about him. And he -heard Enid how that she refused to eat or to drink, and he heard the -blow that the Earl of that place delivered upon her face, and he heard -her shriek with the pain thereof. At that the eyes of his soul were -opened, and he beheld how mad and how blind he had been, and he knew how -faithful to him Enid had been, maugre any words she might have uttered. -Then rage and shame flamed up like fire within him, the last vapors of -his swoon passed away, and he felt within him the strength of ten. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint slays the Earl of Limours._] - -Thereupon he grasped the sword that lay beside him in the hollow of the -shield and he arose from the shield all white and wan and smeared with -blood, and those who beheld him saw him arise as though from the dead. -Then they shrieked and screamed and fell aside before him. But Geraint -leaped from the hollow of the shield and he ran to where the Earl of -Limours sat, and crying out, “Wouldst thou dare to smite my wife?” he -smote him with all his might upon the head. So terrible was that blow -that it smote asunder the head and the neck and the breast of the Earl, -and was only stopped by the oaken board of the table against which the -sword blade smote in its descent. - -Then all those who thus beheld the dead man arise from his death and -strike that blow, shrieked and roared aloud, and they fled away from -that place in terror and amazement, and no one was left but Geraint and -Enid, and the dead man sitting dreadfully in his seat. - -Then Enid said, “O my lord! Art thou dead or art thou alive?” And -Geraint said, “Beloved, I am alive and well.” And Enid said, “I thank -God for that.” But Geraint said, “Let us hasten to escape from this -place whilst we may, for presently these people will return again.” And -he said to her, “Where are our horses?” She said, “I know not where is -my horse, but thy horse is in the house yonder, for I saw them put him -there.” - -So Geraint and Enid went to the house that was near at hand and there -Geraint found his horse. And Geraint took his horse out of the stable -and he mounted upon his horse and he reached his hand to Enid and lifted -her up from the ground and placed her upon the horse behind him; and -she clasped her arms around his body and felt his body with her arms -with great joy and delight. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Geraint and Enid depart from that place._] - -So they rode away from that place and no one dared to stop them, for all -believed that it was the living riding with the dead. - -Then, when they were come out into the sunlight again, Sir Geraint -turned his head and looked his lady, Enid, in the face, and he perceived -how she had lost her color and was grown thin and fragile because of the -hardships to which his anger and his injustice had subjected her. Then -he turned his own face away and bowed his head. - -By and by he lifted his head and said to her, “Lady, canst thou forgive -me?” To that she smiled a little, but very faintly. “I do forgive thee,” -said she, “but never shall I forget.” Therewith the tears ran from her -eyes and fell like diamonds down her cheeks, and Sir Geraint turned away -his face again and again bowed down his head. - -So they rode in silence, each occupied with his or her own thoughts, -until at last they came to a place where there were high hedges upon -either side of the way. At this place they heard the sound of many -horses coming toward them, and in a little while they perceived the -points of a number of spears between them and the sky over the top of -the hedge. So Geraint put Enid upon the other side of the hedge and made -him ready to face those who were coming. - -[Sidenote: _The Little King finds Sir Geraint and Enid._] - -Anon there came a small host of horsemen in armor into that road, and -the first of all those who came was the Little King. Then Geraint cried -out with joy, “Is that thou, the Little King?” And the other said, “Yea, -it is I, but who art thou?” For he did not know Sir Geraint because of -the blood that was upon him and because of his changed appearance. Then -Geraint said, “It is I, Geraint the son of Erbin.” - -Then the Little King came forward, and embraced him. And Enid came forth -from her hiding, and the Little King paid his respects to her. Quoth the -Little King, “I was in search of thee, Sir Geraint, for I heard thou -wert in trouble. So I am here.” And Sir Geraint said, “That is according -to the conditions of our bond.” - -So Sir Geraint and Enid and the Little King returned along the way -toward the castle of the Little King, and when they reached the castle -the wounds of Sir Geraint were searched and dressed and he was made in -all wise as comfortable as he could be. - - - - -[Illustration] Conclusion - - -Thus have I told you the story of Sir Geraint and of Lady Enid at this, -its fitting time. - -[Sidenote: _Of the story, how it hath been sung of old._] - -This story has been very often sung and told and so you have no doubt -heard of it or read it before this. For it hath been told by a great -poet, and it hath been told by the ancient bards of Wales, and both that -great poet and I have obtained it from those ancient chronicles of the -Welsh Mabinogi. - -But as this story concerns the story of King Arthur and his court, so it -must be written when it cometh in its due place and so I have written -it. - -So I pray you read it and consider it as a very famous story of one of -the chiefest knights of the Round Table of King Arthur. - -And now I shall have to tell you of the coming of Sir Galahad and of the -Quest of the Grail by certain of the Knights of King Arthur and his -Round Table, and of how certain other knights failed in that quest. So -if you will read that which followeth you shall be informed of all those -very wonderful things which many people for many years believed to be -sooth and real. - -[Illustration] - - - - -PART II - -The Story of Sir Galahad - -_Here beginneth the Story of Sir Galahad, which same includes the -history of the recovery of the Grail and its deposit in the Minster of -Sarras, also its exaltation into Paradise, as follows:--_ - -[Illustration: Sir Galahad cometh with the Hermit of the Forest] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter First - -_How Sir Galahad was made a knight; how he came to the Court of King -Arthur, and of the several miracles that happened at that time._ - - -[Sidenote: _A damsel comes to the Court of the King._] - -One day Sir Launcelot sat at court with many lords and ladies of high -degree who were gathered there at that time. Suddenly there entered that -place a maiden clad in a long, straight robe of white, girdled about the -middle of the body with a crimson girdle of leather. And the girdle was -embroidered with threads of gold. This maiden stood at the door of the -hall and called out in a high and very clear voice, “Sir Launcelot of -the Lake--which knight is he?” - -To this Sir Launcelot made reply, “I am he; what seekest thou of me?” -The maiden said, “Sir Launcelot, I bid thee arise and follow me.” Quoth -he, “To what purpose?” She said, “Thou shalt see.” - -So Sir Launcelot arose and, clad as he was and without armor of any -sort, he followed her. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot rides with her._] - -Outside of the hall were two horses standing; one of them was a white -palfrey, the other was a black stallion. Sir Launcelot assisted the -maiden to mount upon the white palfrey and he himself mounted upon the -black stallion, and so together they rode away from Camelot. - -They travelled for some while until they came to the skirts of the -forest. Then they rode into the forest, and all day they traversed the -woodlands. Toward eventide of that same day they came to an open place -amidst the surrounding trees, where was a quiet and very fruitful -valley, stretched out wide to the length and breadth of a league. In -that valley Sir Launcelot beheld orchards and fields of wheat and -barley, and meadow-lands where cattle were browsing in numbers. For it -was a very beautiful and fertile spot. - -In the midst of this valley there stood a nunnery, with white walls and -green trees all about it. Above the nunnery was the clear and radiant -sky, very blue and all full of floating clouds. A soft wind blew up the -length of the valley, and upon the breeze there came the remote sound of -a crowing cock and the voice of the ploughboy as he drave the plough -horses along the smoking, upturned furrows, the ploughman following -laboring behind them. - -Quoth the maiden, “Thither is where I am taking thee.” Said Sir -Launcelot, “To what end?” “That thou shalt presently see,” said the -maiden. - -[Sidenote: _They come to the nunnery._] - -So the maiden rode down into the valley and Sir Launcelot rode after -her. Thus, anon, they came to that pleasant and secluded convent. Here -the gate was opened to them by a fair and youthful esquire, and they -entered the portals of the place. Then several came and assisted them to -dismount, and took the horses of Sir Launcelot and the maiden. - -After that the maiden led Sir Launcelot across the quadrangle of the -convent and so to the chapel, and they entered the chapel. Here Sir -Launcelot beheld four ladies kneeling upon four cushions before the -altar; and he beheld that beside these ladies there were two knights -kneeling, each upon a cushion. Of the four ladies, one was the Lady -Abbess of that convent; and of the two knights, one was Sir Bors de -Ganis and the other was Sir Lionel. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot finds two whom he knows._] - -Anon they who kneeled there ceased their orisons and arose, and Sir -Launcelot beheld the faces of Sir Bors and Sir Lionel and knew them, and -they knew him. Then Sir Launcelot said to them, “Messires, what is it -brings you hitherward?” To this Sir Bors replied, “Sir, we were in -distant places and to each of us came a fair maiden who was the -messenger who brought each of us to this place. Since our coming we have -been waiting for thee, and now thou art here.” Sir Launcelot said, “For -what purpose have I been brought hither?” Sir Lionel said, “Thou shalt -see.” Then Sir Lionel said to the Abbess, “Bring him forth that Sir -Launcelot may behold him.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot finds his son._] - -Upon this the Lady Abbess turned to one of the nuns who stood beside -her and she spake aside to her, and with that the nun left them and went -away. For a little while she was gone, and then in a little while she -returned, bringing with her a youth of eighteen years of age, very tall -and fair, and clad from top to toe in clothes of white silk. Said Sir -Launcelot to the Abbess, “Lady, what youth is this?” The Abbess replied -to him, “Sir, this is thine own son, hight Galahad, and his mother was -the Lady Elaine the Fair.” - -Then Sir Launcelot cried out in a loud voice, “How is this? I knew not -that I had a son. I beheld the Lady Elaine the Fair upon a certain black -and terrible day, lying dead in a boat at Camelot, and I stood upon the -quay and the boat floated beneath my feet. All this I beheld, and never -shall I forget it; but I knew not that she left a son behind her.” Said -the Abbess, “Ne’ertheless she did so, and this is that son. Here hath he -lived with us since the time of his birth when Sir Bors fetched him -hither, and no one knew that he dwelt with us saving only Sir Bors de -Ganis. But now hath the time come that he must quit us, for the period -is imminent when the search for the Holy Grail shall be begun, and this -is he who shall achieve the Grail. He is now to be knighted, and for -that purpose thou hast been sent for that thou mightest make him a -knight. This is the reason for thy being brought hither.” Quoth Sir -Launcelot, “Let me then make him a knight. For I know of no joy that -would be greater than that, that I should make him a knight.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot makes Galahad a knight._] - -So that night Galahad watched his armor in the chapel, and Sir Bors and -Sir Lionel sat near to him to support him in his watch. And when the -morning was come, they two took him thence and bathed him, and Sir Bors -marked the sign of the cross upon his right shoulder and Sir Lionel -marked the sign of the cross upon his left shoulder, each with the water -of the bath. Thereafter that, they clad him in a robe of white, pure and -spotless, and they brought him to where Sir Launcelot was, and Sir -Launcelot made a knight of him, according to the accepted custom. - -So was Sir Galahad made a knight by the hand of his own father, Sir -Launcelot of the Lake. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot returns to the court._] - -Now, after this ceremony was completed, Sir Launcelot besought Sir -Galahad that he would accompany them to the Court of King Arthur, so -that the King might behold him (for Sir Launcelot desired that Sir -Galahad should be manifested to the entire world of chivalry). But to -this Sir Galahad replied, “Sir, I cannot yet go to the Court of the -King, for all is not yet accomplished to prepare me for that going. -Anon, however, I shall come thither; meantime, do thou wait for me at -King Arthur’s Court.” So, shortly after this, Sir Launcelot and Sir -Lionel and Sir Bors de Ganis departed from that convent, and that same -day they reached the Court of the King at Camelot. - -But they said nothing to that court concerning the knighting of Galahad, -for at that present it was not to be made known to the world that there -was such an one as Galahad, and that he was Sir Launcelot’s son and a -knight of Sir Launcelot’s making. - - * * * * * - -So it befell Pentecost Day, what time the Feast of the Round Table was -held. Upon this day those miracles happened that are here written of, -and that were afterward so much talked of and concerning which so much -was written. - -[Sidenote: _Concerning the miracle of the sword._] - -For it happened upon that day, early in the morning when the -water-carriers went down to the river to draw water, they there beheld -at that place a very strange, and wonderful sight. For beside the river -they beheld where there stood a great block of red marble--cubical in -shape, and polished until it was smooth as glass. And into that cube of -stone there was thrust a sword, half way down its blade into the marble. -And the hilt of the sword and the haft, thereof, was studded all over -with precious stones of divers sizes and colors, very rich and glorious -to behold. And the blade of that sword (so much thereof as could be -seen) shone like to lightning for brightness. - -Then they who beheld the wonder that appeared before them made all haste -to the castle of the King, and straightway told the news of what they -had seen. Anon this reached the ears of the King and of several of those -lords who were in attendance upon him. Then the King spoke to those -lords, saying, “What is this I hear tell of? Let us straightway go and -see.” - -[Sidenote: _The King and his lords view the sword._] - -So the King, and those lords of the court who were in his company, went -down to the river to look upon that wonder, and amongst those lords were -Sir Launcelot of the Lake and Sir Percival of Gales and Sir Bors de -Ganis and Sir Lionel and Sir Ector and Sir Gawaine, and several other -high lords of chivalry. - -When they had come to that place where the sword was they beheld that -there were words written around about the blade thereof. So King Arthur -commanded Sir Launcelot that he should read those words, and Sir -Launcelot read as follows: - - “=This sword is for the greatest knight in the world and for him who - shall win the Holy Grail.=” - -Then he read: - - “=Whoso draweth forth this sword from the stone, to him shall that - sword belong; but upon him who shall endeavor to draw it forth and - shall not be able to do so, shall fall a wound from the blade - thereof.=” - -Then King Arthur said to Sir Launcelot of the Lake, “Messire, thou art -the greatest knight in the world, and perhaps thou shalt win the Holy -Grail. Let me see thee draw forth that blade.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot will not attempt the sword._] - -Quoth Sir Launcelot, “Lord, I know not that I am the greatest knight in -the world, and I fear me that I shall not be able to win the Grail, for -I am a sinful man. Look you; it saith here that he who shall endeavor to -draw it forth from the marble and shall fail to do so, he shall be -wounded by the blade thereof. So I would fain not endeavor to draw forth -this sword.” - -Then King Arthur turned him to Sir Gawaine, and he said, “Sir, let me -see thee attempt that sword, for mayhap thou mayst be able to draw it -forth out of the marble.” Sir Gawaine said, “Lord, if Sir Launcelot dare -not attempt that sword, so, also, do I not dare to do so.” King Arthur -said to him, “Gawaine, I command thee upon thy fealty to attempt that -sword.” Quoth Sir Gawaine, “Dear my Lord, if thou dost command me upon -my fealty, then I must attempt to obey thy command.” King Arthur said, -“I do command thee thus.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine attempts the sword._] - -So Sir Gawaine came forth and he laid hand to the hilt of the sword and -drew strongly upon it, but the sword did not move a hair’s breadth in -the marble stone in which it stood emplanted. - -Then Sir Launcelot spoke and said, “Alas, Sir Gawaine, that thou -shouldst have made that attempt and failed therein. For if thou art -wounded by that bright-shining blade it may be of more injury to thee -than it would be if thou shouldst lose three several castles.” Quoth Sir -Gawaine, “That may well be, Sir Launcelot, but yet it was incumbent upon -me to do that which the King’s command called upon me to do.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival attempts the sword._] - -Then up spake Sir Percival, “Lord,” said he, “let me also attempt that -sword, for if it should be turned against Sir Gawaine I would have it -that it should be turned equally against me. Else I would endeavor to -draw it forth from the stone for mine own.” The King said, “Try thou for -the sword.” So Sir Percival laid his hand to the sword and drew upon it -very strongly, but neither could he move it so much as the breadth of a -single hair. - -After that no other lord of all those present chose to attempt the -sword, but all avoided it from a distance, no one coming nigh enough to -it to touch it. - -So, thereafter, they all withdrew from that place and went away, -marvelling at the miracle. And all that day many came to where was that -sword and the block of marble, and these stood to look upon that sight -and to marvel at it. - -Such is the story of the sword so far as this, and so have I told it to -you as I have read of it in an ancient book of olden days, wherein these -adventures and several other adventures are spoken of. - - * * * * * - -Thus that day of marvels began, and by and by came the time of the Feast -of the Round Table. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad is brought to the Feast of the Round Table._] - -Now all they of the Round Table were gathered about that board and every -man sat in his place, and behind every knight stood a young knight to -serve him with meat and drink. Thus, as they all sat there, there came, -of a sudden, a commotion at the doorway, and after that commotion there -appeared at the doorway an old man clad all in white. That old man was -the Hermit of the Forest, and with him he brought a tall, fair young -knight and that knight was Sir Galahad. At that time Sir Galahad was -clad in flame-colored armor from top to toe, but he bare no shield for -his defence upon his shoulder, nor was there any sword within the sheath -that hung empty and hollow at his side. From his shoulders there hung a -long mantle of flame-colored cloth, and the mantle was lined with sable -and trimmed and bordered with sable. - -The old man lifted up his voice and spake aloud to all who were there, -saying, “Lords, here by the grace of God come I amongst you with him who -is to be the greatest knight that ever the world beheld. Also, he is to -be the one who shall achieve the Holy Grail. So I have brought him -hither to this place.” - -Him answered King Arthur, saying, “Holy Sir, if thou sayest sooth, then -this is a very great and marvellous thing. But soon shall we put it to -the test; yonder is the Seat Perilous wherein no one hath dared to seat -himself for all this while of the Round Table. Let this youth take there -his seat, for that seat is for him who is without sin of the flesh--then -will we believe that which thou tellest us. Also, down beside the river -there is a strange and marvellous sword in a cube of marble. Let him -draw that sword and then shall we certes believe in him.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad assumes the Seat Perilous._] - -The old hermit said, “Sir King, it shall be done as thou desirest. Let -him take that seat.” So the old man took him by one hand and King Arthur -arose and took him by the other, and so together they led Sir Galahad to -the Seat Perilous. Here he took his seat, and lo! no harm of any sort -befell him. Then, anon, Sir Launcelot reached forward and drew aside the -silken coverlet that hung at the back of the seat upon which Sir Galahad -sat, and, behold! there was a word estamped upon the back of the seat in -letters of gold; and that word was: - - =SIR GALAHAD= - -Then a great shout went up from all the Knights of the Round Table, for -thus was the Seat Perilous achieved, and so was the Round Table -completed. - -Then King Arthur said, “Lo! this youth is he for whom we have been -waiting for all this time. For so the miracle of the Round Table is -fulfilled. Let us now take him to the sword thrust into the marble -stone, for certes he shall draw forth that sword, and it shall be his. -For, wit ye, that this is he who shall indeed achieve the Holy Grail.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad draweth the sword._] - -So all they arose from their seats and went forth, and they conducted -Sir Galahad down to the river. There he beheld the stone of marble and -the sword thrust into the stone, and he said to those who stood about -that place, “This sword is assuredly mine, for I have no sword, and for -that sword I have come hitherward.” So Sir Galahad went to where was the -sword and he set hand to the sword and drew it forth from the stone very -smoothly and easily, and where the sword came forth it left no mark upon -the stone, for, lo! it was solid and whole and without any blemish -whatsoever. Then Sir Galahad thrust the bright-shining blade into the -scabbard that hung beside him, and it fitted to the scabbard, and so he -was armed. - -Thereafter King Arthur took him by the hand and kissed him upon either -cheek, and the King said, “Hail, Sir Galahad! All hail to thee! For thou -art to be the crowning glory of my entire reign. For many mysteries and -miracles have befallen in that reign, but thy coming is the greatest -miracle of all.” And he said, “Come, let us go up to the castle that I -may present thee to the Queen.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad will not stay at Camelot._] - -Then Sir Galahad said, “Not so, O Lord! I cannot go with thee now. For -one cometh and is nigh to here at this present, and with her I must go. -For I go first to seek for the shield of Balan, who slew his brother -Balin unwittingly at the time of Uther Pendragon. Through him the Holy -Grail was lost to the earth, so that I must recover first his shield and -then the Holy Grail. After I have thus armed me with that shield, then -must I go to search for the Holy Grail, for that same is my mission here -in life. Likewise I have this news to tell thee, that two of those -knights here present shall win the Grail along with me; but who those -two shall be, I may not relate to you at this time.” - -[Sidenote: _A maiden cometh for Galahad._] - -Thus said Sir Galahad, and even as he ceased speaking there appeared in -the distance a damsel clad all in white raiment, and the maiden came -thitherward, riding upon a white palfrey, and by her hand she led by its -bridle-rein a coal-black charger of great size and girth. So as she drew -near, Sir Galahad went forward to meet her, and to him the maiden said, -speaking very high and clear, “Art thou ready, Sir Galahad?” Whereunto -he said, “Yea, I am ready.” And she said, “Come!” So Sir Galahad mounted -upon the black charger, and he saluted King Arthur and he saluted Sir -Launcelot and he saluted Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, and after that he rode -away from that place, leaving them all in great wonder and amazement, -both at his coming and at his going, and at all that had befallen. - -So, when he had gone, King Arthur turned to his court of lords, and he -said, “This is certes a very wonderful visitation, for this youth came -to us like an angel from heaven, and, like an angel, he hath gone. Let -us now go and hear the mass ere we return to the Hall of the Round -Table.” - -So all they who were there went to the mass, and as they were going Sir -Gawaine said to Sir Launcelot, “Messire, this is a sad day for thee, for -now there is a greater knight than thou art in the world.” Him answered -Sir Launcelot, “Not so, Messire, there is no sadness in this for me, -for, wit you, that this is mine own and well-beloved son. Wherefore I, -being his father, may well surrender unto him that glory which I cannot -carry with me into paradise, but which I would not be willing to yield -to any other man.” - -So said Sir Launcelot, and thus all the world became acquainted with -that fact that no one but Sir Bors and Sir Lionel knew until then; to -wit, that Sir Galahad was the true son of Sir Launcelot of the Lake. - -[Sidenote: _The knights vow to attempt the Grail._] - -Now, after the mass in the minster was over, all they of the Knights of -the Round Table retired to the Hall of the Round Table, and there they -took their seats in due order. Then, when all were seated, King Arthur -up and said, “Messires and Lords of the Round Table, all ye have heard -what Sir Galahad hath said but a little while since; to wit, that two of -you who are here should achieve the Grail with him. Now it doth seem to -me that several of you who are the chief of all the knights should go -forth in search of that Holy Chalice, so as to be able to join him. For, -by not going, those two may miss the chance of achieving that great -glory.” - -So said King Arthur, and, in answer, all those who were there arose, -each man in his place. And each man drew his sword and each held up the -handle of his sword before his eyes as a crucifix. And each man swore -upon that crucifix that he would presently depart from the Court of the -King, and that he would search for the Holy Grail either until he -discovered it or until he should perish, or until the Grail should have -been achieved. - -[Sidenote: _King Arthur takes sorrow._] - -Then King Arthur was filled with sorrow, for he would not that all of -his knights should go in that wise, for many of them he would have kept -with him at his court. And most of all he was grieved that Sir Gawaine -should go, for he loved Sir Gawaine above all the knights of his court, -because Sir Gawaine was the son of the well-beloved sister of the King. -So he said to Sir Gawaine, “Alas, Gawaine, you have slain the joy of my -life! For with this oath that ye all have uttered there departeth from -this court all that was of joy therein. Until now there hath been great -joy and good content at this Court of Camelot, but now that joy hath -taken wing and hath flown away. For, though many of you shall return to -this place, yet I foresee that many shall die; and I foresee that from -this time there shall follow great bitterness and rancor, and anon that -death and devastation shall overtake us all. For this is the time -foretold by Merlin, of which ye all have heard tell. For, according to -that prophecy, this day the Round Table hath been filled to its -completion, so that hereafter it shall soon fall apart into warring and -contention until it be altogether destroyed.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot comforts King Arthur._] - -Then Sir Launcelot said to the King, “Comfort you, my lord, for though -the Round Table may indeed perish thus, yet, ere it be dissolved, there -shall come great honor and a great glory unto you and unto us all. For -what greater glory can there be to you than that the knights of your -Round Table should achieve the Holy Grail? And what greater honor can -there be than that we should endanger our lives in that quest? For we -all seek death hither and thither, and if it so befall that death cometh -to us in this cause, how much better is it to die in that wise than to -have death come to us in some vain quarrel or adventure.” - -Quoth King Arthur, “That which thou sayest, Launcelot, is very true, yet -do I greatly grieve for this happening. For though we may look forward -to a glorious sorrow, yet when that sorrow cometh to us it appeareth to -be so much greater than the glory that it hides that glory from our -eyes. So, Launcelot, is it with me; for though I may take glory that my -knights shall achieve the Holy Grail, yet is the sorrow very great to me -that this Round Table should be dissolved. Alas, and alas, that it -should be so!” - - * * * * * - -Thus the Knights of the Round Table went forth in quest of the -Grail--fifty of them in all. All of those who thus went had adventures, -and many of them lost their lives and did never return again. But of -those of whom this history telleth there is only Sir Launcelot, Sir -Gawaine, Sir Percival, Sir Bors, and Sir Galahad, and one or two others. -Of them and of their adventures it remains now to be told; wherefore, -followeth the history of those things hereinafter written. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: The Lady of the Lake and Sir Galahad] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Second - -_How Sir Galahad was led by a strange lady to a monastery of White -Friars. How he met there two other Knights of the Round Table. How King -Bagdemagus wore the shield, and how it was taken from him and given unto -Sir Galahad. Also the story of the shield._ - - -Sir Galahad rode away from Camelot, where was the Court of King Arthur, -following after the maiden clad all in white. Thus they wended onward -until they reached the skirts of the forest. At this place the maiden -said, “Sir Galahad, I must here leave you. But go you farther upon -yonder path, and by and by you will be met and entertained.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad comes to a strange country._] - -So Sir Galahad rode forward upon that path as the maiden directed. And -he rode a great distance into the forest until at last he reached the -Forest of Arroy, otherwise called the Forest of Adventure. Here, after -he had ridden for a considerable time, he came at last to a very strange -place. For he found the trees grew thin and thinner about him. Then, at -last, the trees ceased around him, and he found himself upon the edge of -a wide and open plain. And he beheld that all about him in this plain -there were great quantities of lilies, and there were also daffodils, -and all those flowers moved this way and that, very slowly in the gentle -air, as though they saluted him in coming. And Sir Galahad beheld that -this was a very wonderful place indeed, for the light that illumined it -was not the light of the sun nor of the moon, but it was a radiant and -golden glory that was not due to the light of either of those -luminaries. - -And in the midst of that flowery plain Sir Galahad beheld that there was -a wide and very placid lake that was in no wise troubled by the soft -breeze that blew across it, but that was otherwise like a smooth mirror -of clear water. - -So as Sir Galahad beheld all these things and marvelled at them, he was -aware that this was not the land of common earth, but that it was fay. - -Then anon he was aware that voices were calling aloud, saying, “Welcome, -welcome, Sir Galahad!” as it were with great rejoicing. So he looked, -and lo! he beheld to one side a fair and shining pavilion of green silk. -And there were many people gathered in the field near the pavilion, and -some of them were ladies and some were lords and others were pages, and -all were clad in very gay and rainbow colors, so that it appeared as -though it were a flock of gaudy birds of various plumage that was -gathered in that place. - -So Sir Galahad turned him toward that gay and jocund company, and as he -drew near to them he beheld that they were weaving garlands and wreaths -of fair flowers. - -(For these, you are to know, were the attendants of the Lady of the -Lake, and that was the lake in which was her habitation, and he had been -led to that place for a certain purpose that they and others might see -and know him.) - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad abides there for four days._] - -So this place pleased Sir Galahad very greatly, and he remained for -three days, taking great joy in that jocund company. For somewhiles they -feasted and somewhiles they sang; somewhiles they danced and somewhiles -they related pleasant tales and contes of several kinds. So it was that -these three days passed very pleasantly and very quickly with Sir -Galahad. - -[Sidenote: _There cometh the Lady of the Lake._] - -Then, upon the morning of the fourth day, there appeared a lady in their -midst to whom all who were there paid great deference and high respect; -and this lady was of a very wonderful appearance. For she was clad in -green samite from head to foot, and her hair was long and -extraordinarily black, and very soft and glossy. And her face was pale, -like to ivory, and her eyes were bright, like to jewels set in ivory. -And upon her neck and around her arms were chains and bracelets of gold -inset with emerald stones. Wherefore, from these things, and from the -appearance of all about him, Sir Galahad was aware that that lady was -not mortal, but that she was fay. - -(For this was indeed the Lady of the Lake, although he knew it not then -nor afterward.) - -So Sir Galahad kneeled in the grass before the lady and he set his palms -together. But she smiled upon him and she said to him, “Arise, Galahad, -and kneel not to me, who am not of the spirit, but of the earth.” And -she said to him, “Where is thy shield?” He said to her, “Lady, I have no -shield.” She said to him, “Let us go and find thee a shield.” - -So straightway there came several attendants, and some of these brought -Sir Galahad his black charger, and others brought for the lady a -beautiful janet as white as milk. And upon the back of the janet was a -saddle of scarlet Spanish leather, embossed with gold and jewels, so -that it shone and glistered with great splendor. - -Then Sir Galahad mounted his horse and the lady mounted herself upon the -janet, and so together they rode away from that place. - -[Sidenote: _The Lady of the Lake leadeth Sir Galahad to a shield._] - -Thus they rode for all that day, and against the sloping of the -afternoon they had come to the edge of the forest opposite to that part -of the forest where was the town of Camelot. At this place there was a -monastery of White Friars, and to this the lady pointed and said to Sir -Galahad, “Thither thou wilt find a shield.” - -Then Sir Galahad would have thanked her for bringing him thither, but -lo! she was gone from his sight and he was alone. Then the monastery -bell began ringing, and Sir Galahad rode down to that holy house. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad enters the monastery._] - -So he came to the monastery and smote with the butt of his lance upon -the gate. Then the porters came and opened the gate to him, and when -they beheld him they gave him welcome to that place. So he entered the -courtyard of the monastery, and several came and gathered about him. -Some of these took his horse and led it away to the stable; others -conducted him into the house and afterward brought him to the chamber -wherein he was to be lodged. Here they removed his armor and brought him -to a bath of tepid water. After that they clad him in raiment that was -soft and warm so that he had great ease and comfort. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad findeth Sir Bagdemagus and Sir Ewaine._] - -Then, when he was thus clad, they conducted him to the hall of that -monastery, and there he beheld that there were two other knights then -present. The one of these was Sir Ewaine, and the other was Sir -Bagdemagus, erstwhile called King Bagdemagus. These were both Knights of -the Round Table, wherefore they greeted him and gave him great welcome. - -Sir Ewaine said to him, “I pray you, sir, tell us how you came hither.” -Sir Galahad said, “I will tell you.” So he told them how he had abided -in the midst of the forest near to that magic lake for the space of -three days. And he told them how that lady, who was fay, had conducted -him to that place, and had told him that there was here a shield with -which he might provide himself. To all this Sir Ewaine and King -Bagdemagus listened, and then Sir Ewaine said to Sir Galahad, “Messire, -no doubt that lady who accompanied thee hitherward was the Lady of the -Lake, for so hath she appeared to several of King Arthur’s Court as she -hath appeared to thee.” - -[Sidenote: _The Abbot tells of the shield._] - -Just then came the Abbot of that place, and King Bagdemagus said to him, -“Sir, I pray you tell us, is there at this place a shield of such and -such a sort?” The Abbot replied to him, “Aye, sir, there is here a -strange and miraculous shield, and it hangeth behind the altar, and it -hath hung there for God knoweth how long.” King Bagdemagus said, “I -would fain see that shield.” The Abbot replied, “I will show it to you -to-morrow morning, but not to-night. For I am come to conduct you to -supper, and not to show you a shield.” - -So, when they were seated at supper, Sir Galahad said to the two -knights, “I pray you tell me how you came hitherward to this place.” -“That I will do,” quoth Sir Ewaine. And he said, “Sir Bagdemagus and I -set forth from Camelot in search of the Grail. After we had journeyed -for a long distance, we came to that part of the forest that is called -the Forest of Arroy, or otherwise the Forest of Adventure. Here we -wandered for some while without being freed from it, for the Forest of -Adventure is not very difficult to find, but is often very difficult to -escape from. After a while, however, we found a way to escape from that -forest, and so came out upon the further side of it. There we beheld, -below us, this place and so we came to it. Such, sir, is the way in -which we came hither.” - -Thus these three knights and the high officers of that monastery ate and -drank together, discoursing very pleasantly the while. And when they had -ceased eating and drinking and talking together, they were weary, and -each withdrew to his couch and to sleep. - -[Sidenote: _The Abbot takes the three knights to the shield._] - -Now, when the next morning had come and when they had broken their fast, -King Bagdemagus said to the Abbot, “I pray you now to show us that -shield concerning which we spoke last night.” The Abbot said, “I will do -so. Come with me.” So he led them to the chapel and he led them behind -the altar, and there they beheld the shield where it hung. And the -shield was exceedingly white and shining, as it were of brightly -polished silver. And upon the shield was marked a red cross, very strong -and bold in its marking. - -[Sidenote: _King Bagdemagus covets the shield._] - -But when King Bagdemagus beheld the shield, he coveted it exceedingly, -and he said, “That is a very beautiful shield. I pray you let me have -that shield for mine own, and I will give my shield to Sir Galahad.” To -him the Abbot replied, “Messire, I would gladly give you that shield, -but there is said of it that whoever taketh it except the one man for -whom it is destined, harm shall come to him, and great suffering.” King -Bagdemagus said, “That may be so, but, haply, I am he for whom it is -destined. At any rate, I am a tried and well-approved knight, wherefore -if I take it I will essay to keep it, as a knight of standing may hope -to keep his shield.” The Abbot said to him, “Then take it, sir, in God’s -name.” - -So King Bagdemagus took the shield and hung it about his neck. And he -said to those other two knights, “Messires, I know not whether there is -any malaventure appertaining to this shield, but, at any rate, I shall -essay to keep and to hold it. Nevertheless, I pray you to await me here -for this day. And if anything happeneth to me, I will return and give -you report as to that happening.” - -To this Sir Galahad and Sir Ewaine replied that they would remain at -that place until the following morning. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bagdemagus rides errant into the forest._] - -After that Sir Bagdemagus mounted horse and rode away. And he directed -his horse into the forest, and rode there a considerable distance away -from the monastery. So, by and by, he came to a place where two highways -parted, and where there was a cross of stone, and at that place he -beheld a knight in white armor, seated upon a white horse. This White -Knight stood across the way upon which Sir Bagdemagus was travelling, -and he appeared to be very threatening and austere. So, when Sir -Bagdemagus came pretty close to that White Knight, the White Knight said -to him, “Messire, I prithee tell me, where got you that shield that I -behold hanging upon your neck?” Sir Bagdemagus said to him, “I got this -shield at a monastery of White Friars, at some distance from this.” The -White Knight said to him, “I bid you take back that shield, and return -it whence you got it, for it belongeth not to you.” Quoth Sir -Bagdemagus, “That will I not do until I am compelled. For now that I -have this shield I propose to keep it for mine own, unless it is taken -away from me in battle.” To this the White Knight replied, “Very well, -then, thou shalt do battle for it, and that anon. Now prepare thyself -straightway for battle with me.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bagdemagus is overthrown by the White Knight._] - -Upon this each knight made himself ready, and when they were in all ways -prepared, they dashed together with great violence. In that encounter -the spear of Sir Bagdemagus passed very smoothly from the shield of the -White Knight, but the spear of the White Knight pierced the shoulder of -Sir Bagdemagus, over above the shield which protected not that part of -his body. And the point of the spear of the White Knight passed through -the shoulder of Sir Bagdemagus, so that he was flung with great violence -to the earth. - -Then anon the White Knight came to where Sir Bagdemagus lay, and he said -to him, “Sir, how fares it with you?” Quoth Sir Bagdemagus, “Alas, -Messire, I am very grievously hurt, for thou hast pierced through my -shoulder with thy lance, and I suffer very greatly.” - -Therewith the White Knight dismounted from his horse and he lifted and -raised Sir Bagdemagus. And after that he had beheld the wound, he laid -Sir Bagdemagus upon his horse. Then he took the bridle-rein of Sir -Bagdemagus’ horse, and he led the horse and the wounded man back to the -monastery whence he had that morning come. - -[Sidenote: _The White Knight bringeth Sir Bagdemagus to the monastery._] - -So, by and by, they two arrived there, and several came and took the -horse of Sir Bagdemagus. And they lifted him from his horse and carried -him into the house, and laid him upon a bed, and searched his wound. But -when they came to look for the White Knight, he was gone, nor wist they -whither he went. And the wound of Sir Bagdemagus was very deep, so that -for a long while he hung, as it were, balanced betwixt life and death. - -But Sir Bagdemagus did not die; otherwise, the next day, he summoned Sir -Galahad to him. And when Sir Galahad had come to him, Sir Bagdemagus -said to him, “Messire, I had no right to that shield and I suffered for -taking it. I believe that it belongeth, indeed, to you; wherefore I pray -you for to take it and to wear it, henceforth, for your own. But who -that White Knight was who met me, or whence he came, or how he knew that -I had that shield, I know not, nor perhaps ever shall know.” - -To this Sir Galahad answered, “Sir, I will assume that shield and all -the dangers that appertain to it, trusting that it belongs to me, and -doing battle to retain it if need be.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad takes the shield._] - -So Sir Galahad took the shield and hung it about his neck. Then he -called for his horse, and mounting upon it he rode away from that place. - -But King Bagdemagus lay there at the monastery for many days and for -several weeks ere he was fit to travel again. - -After that Sir Galahad travelled for all that day, and anon, toward the -sloping of the afternoon, he was an hungered, and he wist not where he -should come at refreshment for to eat. At that time he passed through a -little woodland, and when he had traversed it he came out of it upon a -small, open place upon the other side of it, where there was a fair -meadow of short green grass. - -Here he beheld a pavilion of particolored silks, and he beheld that -before the pavilion there stood a tall and noble-appearing knight, clad -in white armor. This knight, beholding Sir Galahad, said to him, “Sir, -whence come you?” - -To this Sir Galahad made answer, “Sir, I came from a monastery over -yonderways, where I got me this shield.” Quoth the White Knight, “Art -thou Sir Galahad?” and Sir Galahad replied, “Yea, I am he.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad meets the White Knight._] - -Then the White Knight said to him, “I pray you, sir, to dismount from -your horse and to come in and refresh yourself, for I have been awaiting -you this long while.” And Sir Galahad replied, “Sir, I give you -grammercy for your kindness.” - -So the White Knight assisted Sir Galahad to dismount from his horse. And -he brought him into the pavilion, and Sir Galahad beheld that there was -there set a feast spread ready for his coming. So they seated themselves -at table, and three esquires clad in green samite waited upon them, and -they both ate and drank of the food and drink that was set before them, -and which was very excellent. - -Then the White Knight said, “Sir, to-morrow we shall ride together for a -little way, meanwhile let us rest here to-night.” And Sir Galahad said, -“So let it be.” - -So, by and by, there came two other esquires who took Sir Galahad and -brought him to where was a soft and luxurious couch of down, and there -he rested and slept for the night. - -And when the morrow had come, Sir Galahad arose and the White Knight -arose and the esquires came and armed them. Then they each mounted his -horse, and so they rode away together. - -[Sidenote: _The White Knight tells Sir Galahad of the shield._] - -Now when these two, to wit, Sir Galahad and the White Knight, were thus -upon their way, the White Knight said to Sir Galahad, “Sir, wit you what -is the story of the Grail, and what is the history of that shield that -you wear at your neck?” Sir Galahad said, “Nay, but I pray you to tell -me that story.” Quoth the White Knight, “I will do so. It is as follows: - -“In the old days of Uther Pendragon there were two knights who were twin -brothers. One of these knights was hight Balan and the other was hight -Balin. - -“Now at that time there was in the enchanted city of Sarras two very -great marvels; one of these was the spear with which the blessed side -was wounded at the time of the crucifixion, and the other was the -chalice into which the blood was drained from that deep and pitiful -wound. But how they came to the city of Sarras is too long a story to -tell. - -[Sidenote: _How Sir Balan came to Sarras._] - -“Now Sir Balan was in the city of Sarras, and he was entertained at the -castle of the king of that country, whose name was King Pischer. This -King was at enmity with Sir Balan, whom he very greatly hated. So that -night when Sir Balan lay upon his bed, King Pischer, at the head of -several men, attacked Sir Balan where he lay unarmed. He, starting up -from his sleep, beheld them coming, and so he fled away from those who -would assail him, and so he escaped into the chapel of the castle, where -those two holy relics--to wit, the spear and the chalice--were kept. -Hither his enemies followed him and would have slain him, even upon the -steps of the altar, only that, beholding the spear, Sir Balan seized -upon it and ran with it against them. In that assault he smote King -Pischer with the spear, a very great and bitter stroke. For the point of -the spear penetrated the corselet of King Pischer, and inflicted a deep -wound in the shoulder. And after that Sir Balan attacked the others who -were with King Pischer, and drave them all before him. So Sir Balan used -that holy spear for his own preservation. - -“But as Sir Balan stood holding the spear and beholding his enemies -retreat from that place, there came to him a voice as from heaven, -saying to him, ‘Balan! Balan! what hast thou done?’ - -[Sidenote: _How there came an earthquake._] - -“And as the voice ceased its words there came, as from beneath, a deep -and hollow rumbling. And the rumbling grew louder and louder, until it -became a great earthquake, so that the earth rocked beneath the feet. -Then the chapel and the castle and all that place reeled, and the castle -fell, one stone upon another, so that all who were within it were buried -beneath the ruins. At the same time the spear and the chalice -disappeared from that place, and neither have they ever been seen from -that time--saving only that in visions they have been seen. For Sir -Percival beheld both the spear and the chalice, and others have beheld -them from time to time. - -[Sidenote: _How Sir Balan escapes._] - -“Sir Balan was not killed by the fall of that castle, nor was King -Pischer killed, but all others in the castle perished in its fall. But -rather had King Pischer been killed, for that wound in his shoulder -remained unhealed, and King Pischer could not die for a long while, -though he suffered very greatly from that wound every day that he lived. -Such, O Galahad! is the story of the Grail. - -“Now touching this shield; wit you it is the shield of Sir Balan, and -the way in which it came to the monastery of the White Friars is as -followeth: - -[Sidenote: _How Sir Balan fought with the Knight of the Ford._] - -“One day Sir Balan came to a certain part of the country where was a -monastery of White Friars, and where he had news of a knight who guarded -the ford of a river at that place. So Sir Balan went to that river and -he beheld there the knight guarding the ford. Then Sir Balan attempted -to pass the ford, but the knight would not allow him to do so, wherefore -they came to battle with one another. They fought for an entire morning, -and for longer than that, and each gave the other many grievous wounds, -and what with loss of blood and with continuous fighting they grew ever -weaker and weaker, so that neither of them could stand without great -ado. But at last Sir Balan gave to his enemy a deadly blow that brought -him to the earth. Then he rushed off his helmet to make an end of him, -but when the face beneath was free from its helmet he beheld it, and saw -that it was the face of his twin brother, Sir Balin, whom he was about -to slay. - -“Then he cried out in horror, ‘Alas, and woe is me! Is it thou, Balin, -whom I am about to slay? Lo! I am thy brother Balan!’ - -[Sidenote: _How Sir Balan slew his brother Balin._] - -“Then Balin, feeling that he was near to death, wept a great deal. And -he forgave his brother Balan, and he bade Balan, when he was dead, to -bury him at that place beneath a thorn tree that grew there and that was -covered all over with spikes, as it were a chevaux de frise. Then he -died, and Balan performed that task--to wit, to bury him there. - -“Anon came several White Friars from a monastery that was near by, and -these took Balan to the monastery and there he died, for he was very -sorely wounded, and his heart was broken. - -[Sidenote: _How Sir Balan marked the shield._] - -“But ere he died he took his shield to him and he drew upon it a great -cross in his own blood. And he told the friars of that place to keep -that shield until he should come who was to achieve the Holy Grail and -to return it unto Sarras again. And Sir Balan predicted of that shield -that it should always remain bright as silver until that time, and that -the cross of blood should ever remain as red as it was that day; and he -predicted of it that no one should be able to wear that shield saving -only that one for whom it was intended; and he predicted of that shield -that it should never be pierced by the point of any weapon forged by the -hand of man. So it was and such is that shield which thou carriest, Sir -Galahad.” - -All this Sir Galahad listened to and heard, and when the White Knight -had ended his words, he said, “Sir, I would that I knew who thou art. I -pray thee to tell me that.” But to this the White Knight only smiled and -made reply, “I may not tell thee who I am, only this I may say, that I -am he who hath had that shield under continual surveillance until now, -and now I find that it hath fallen into hands that are even better able -to care for it and to cherish it than were the hands of Sir Balan of -old.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad parts from the White Knight._] - -Thus these two knights travelled forward together until night to the -setting of the sun. Then at last they came to a place where the roadway -divided, and at that place the White Knight said to Sir Galahad, -“Messire, here I must leave thee. Continue upon that way and anon thou -wilt come to a chapel where thou mayst be refreshed, and where thou -mayst lodge for the night.” So saying, the White Knight saluted Sir -Galahad, and he saluted the White Knight again. Then the White Knight -rode down one path into the woods, and Sir Galahad entered upon the -other path as he had been directed to do. But Sir Galahad turned his -head to look after the White Knight ere he should reach the forest, but -lo! he was not there, nor was anything to be seen, saving only the trees -of the woodland and the red light of the sunset that lay upon the -ground, falling through the leaves of the trees like to liquid gold -spread there upon the earth in small, round, and brightly shining discs. - -After that Sir Galahad continued upon his way until, anon, he heard the -ringing of a bell, and with that he wist where he was, and that he was -not far distant from the chapel of the Hermit of the Forest. So Sir -Galahad spurred forward and in a little while he beheld the chapel, and -he beheld the Hermit of the Forest, ringing the bell for vespers. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad lodges with the Hermit of the Forest._] - -So he came to that place that was very quiet and innocent, for he beheld -that many birds sat perched upon the branches of the trees coadjacent to -that place, and that several of the wild creatures of the woods, -together with a wild doe and its fawn, were also there. For these things -loved the Hermit of the Forest, and followed him whithersoever he went -about that place. - -Then the Hermit of the Forest beheld Sir Galahad and gave him welcome, -and he brought him to eat and drink and prepared a lodging for him for -the night. - - * * * * * - -Thus, then, was Sir Galahad armed with his shield, and therewith was he -armed completely, for he needed no other thing to arm him for his -defence. - -So I have told you the history of these doings that you might know of -them how they were. Now, having thus armed him entirely, so shall we -turn to the further history of the adventures relating to these things. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Sir Galahad meets Sir Melyas] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Third - -_How Sir Galahad met with Sir Melyas. How Sir Melyas was overthrown, and -how Sir Galahad overthrew his enemies. Also how Sir Galahad did at the -Castle of Maidens._ - - -Now Sir Galahad departed next morning betimes, after he had broken his -fast. And he wended his way through the forest, he knew not whitherward. -After a considerable while he came to where two roads crossed one -another, and where there was a cross of stone. Here was a clear, limpid -fountain of cold water, and at the fountain Sir Galahad beheld that -there sat a young knight. - -This young knight had been refreshing himself with draughts of the -water, and now sat with his helmet beside him, whilst the soft and -gentle wind blew upon his forehead and his hair. - -[Sidenote: Sir _Galahad meets Sir Melyas._] - -Anon, when Sir Galahad had come nigh to him he said to the youthful -knight, “Sir, I pray you tell me who you are.” “I will do so,” replied -the young knight. “But you must also tell me your name and degree.” -“That I will do,” said Sir Galahad. “Wit you that I am called Galahad, -and that I am lately made a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table.” “And -I,” said the other, “am hight Melyas, and I am the son of the King of -Denmark.” Quoth Sir Galahad, “I give you grammercy for your -information.” And he said, “I pray you tell me, what do you here in the -forest alone?” - -“Last night,” said Sir Melyas, “I came hitherward, and since then I have -been travelling through the forest. I slept in the woodland then and I -have not broken my fast since the prime of yesterday.” “Hah!” said Sir -Galahad. “Now I will give you advice. Journey whence I came and by this -road, and you will, by and by, come to the chapel of the Hermit of the -Forest, which is not very far distant. He will give you to eat and to -drink.” - -Quoth Sir Melyas, “I give you thanks, Messire.” Thereupon he arose, and -assuming his helmet he mounted his horse; and, having saluted Sir -Galahad and Sir Galahad having saluted him, they parted company, each -going upon his way. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Melyas meets two strange knights._] - -Now Sir Melyas had not gone half a mile from that place when he met two -knights, and as Sir Melyas approached them, one of the knights set his -horse athwart the way and he said, “Sir, I pray you tell me who you are -and whither you go.” Him answered Sir Melyas very mildly, “Messire, my -name is Melyas, and I travel toward the chapel of the Hermit of the -Forest.” - -Quoth the knight, “Well, sir, since you come hitherward, I will have it -that you try a pass with me. So prepare yourself to encounter me -forthwith.” - -Him answered Sir Melyas, “Messire, I have naught against you, but if it -is your will that I do battle with you, then I must do so.” - -[Sidenote: _The strange knight overthrows Sir Melyas._] - -So Sir Melyas prepared himself in all ways for that encounter, and the -other knight likewise prepared himself, and when both were in all ways -ready they launched themselves the one against the other with the utmost -violence. So they met in the midst of the course and the spear of Sir -Melyas was broken into a great many pieces in that encounter, but the -spear of the other knight held, so that it pierced through the shield of -Sir Melyas, wounding him in the side, and casting him with such violence -to the earth that he lay there without motion, like one who is dead. -Then the other knight leaped from his horse and he ran to Sir Melyas and -rushed the helmet from his head and he set his misericordia to his -throat, saying, “Yield thee, Sir Knight, or I shall presently slay -thee.” And Sir Melyas reviving from his swoon said, “Sir, slay me not, -for I am sorely hurt.” - -Now turn we to Sir Galahad: - -As he rode onward upon his way, a voice suddenly spoke within him, as it -were in his very ears. And the voice said, “Return, Sir Galahad, for Sir -Melyas is in peril of his life.” And again it said, “Return in haste, -for Sir Melyas is in peril of his life.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad rides to rescue Sir Melyas._] - -Thereupon Sir Galahad turned his horse about and set it to the gallop, -for he thought that were he mistaken in the voice, then was there no -great harm done in returning. So he rode back whence he had come. And -anon he reached that place where Sir Melyas had fallen, and he beheld -the knight kneeling upon Sir Melyas with the misericordia at his throat, -and he heard the words that the knight uttered and that Sir Melyas -uttered. Then Sir Galahad cried out in a loud voice, “Sir Knight, -withhold thy hand. Turn thou to me, for I am here to defend that -knight.” - -Then the knight withheld his hand, and he cried out, “Who art thou, Sir -Knight, who cometh hither?” Sir Galahad replied, “It matters not who I -am, saving only that I am here to defend that fallen knight.” “Well,” -quoth the other, “let it be that way if such is your will. Make you -ready.” So the knight arose and ran to his horse and mounted thereon; -and he took his spear in hand, and when he was in all ways prepared, -each knight took stand for the assault. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad overthrows the strange knight._] - -Then they rushed together like a thunderbolt and each knight smote the -other in the midst of the shield. But the spear of the knight could not -penetrate the shield of Sir Galahad; otherwise, it slid away from it as -though it had been made of adamant, and in sliding away the spear was -broken into several pieces. But the spear of Sir Galahad held, so that -with it he pierced through the shield of the other, and pierced through -his body until the spear’s point stood a hand’s breadth out behind his -back. With that the knight was flung to the earth with such violence -that his neck was broken and he lay dead. - -When the other knight beheld him fall, he cried out, “Hah, Messire, what -have you done? You have slain my brother.” Therewith he drew his sword -and rushed at Sir Galahad, and Sir Galahad threw aside his spear and -drew his sword in defence. Then the knight launched a blow at Sir -Galahad, which he turned with his sword and his shield. Then rising in -his stirrups he launched a blow at the knight that was like a stroke of -lightning for speed and force. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad overcometh the other knight._] - -The other knight tried to turn that blow, and he did turn it from his -head, but the blow fell upon his left shoulder with great and terrible -force, so that the edge of the sword cut through the epulier of the -shoulder and it cut through the flesh and the bone of the arm so that -the arm was severed from the trunk. - -Then the knight emitted a great loud and bitter cry, and casting aside -his sword he set spurs to his horse and sped away through the forest, -crying aloud as he spurred, “Oh, God! Alas, and woe is me!” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad bringeth Sir Melyas to the Hermit of the -Forest._] - -Then Sir Galahad wiped his sword and thrust it back into its scabbard. -And he turned to Sir Melyas, and he said, “Sir, how fares it with you?” -Quoth Sir Melyas, “Messire, I am sorely wounded, but you have saved me; -for never did I behold so fierce and terrible a blow as that which you -struck just now, nor did I think it possible that anyone could strike -with such dreadful force as that.” Quoth Sir Galahad, “Nor could I have -struck such a blow were it not that meseemed that those two knights -represented two great sins; the one of the sin of pride, the other the -sin of cruelty. So that thought gave me, as it were, the strength of -ten, wherefore when I struck I struck with the strength as of ten.” -After that he turned to the knight lying upon the ground and found him -dead. And he raised Sir Melyas and set him upon his horse. And he upheld -him in that wise and returned with him to the chapel of the Hermit of -the Forest. There the Hermit received Sir Melyas, and laid him upon a -couch. And he searched his wound and dressed it, and Sir Melyas was put -to all possible ease with him. - -This was Sir Galahad’s first adventure, and so I have told it to you as -it happened, for so have I read it in the ancient history of these -things. - - * * * * * - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad heareth of the Castle of the Maidens._] - -Now, after Sir Galahad had quitted that forest he came out the next day -upon a fair and fertile plain. Anon he met an old man and a young lad. -These he saluted, and he said to the old man, “Reverend Sir, I pray you -tell me, is there any adventure hereabouts that a young knight such as I -am might undertake to his honor?” Quoth the old man, “Aye, I know of -such an adventure.” And he said, “Know you that there is not far from -this a castle called the Castle of Maidens. At that castle there are ten -knights dwelling, who exact tribute from every passer-by. Moreover, -these knights are very cruel and unruly, for they now govern all this -land as with a rod of iron, exacting taxes from the people thereof where -no taxes are due, so that all in this country groan beneath the burden -laid upon them. Pass you by that castle, fair sir, and you will have -adventure enough and to spare from those ten knights.” - -Then Sir Galahad inquired, “Whither is that castle whereof thou -speakest?” And the old man pointed in a certain direction with his hand, -saying, “Yonderway you will find it.” So Sir Galahad gave the old man -grammercy for that which he had told him, and he rode away whitherward -the other pointed. - -Anon he came to the crest of a high, steep hill of no very great extent, -and from that hilltop he beheld beneath him a large and noble castle. -And the castle had tall, red roofs of tile, and great quantities of -rooks and daws flew about those roofs like bees about a beehive. And a -river ran down past the castle and beyond it, and where it ran past the -castle the pollard willows were pressed close against the castle walls, -because of the narrowness of the space between the castle wall and the -waters of the river. Beside the walls of the castle there was a town, -and the town was very populous, for Sir Galahad, from the hilltop where -he sat, could behold many people coming and going along the stony -streets thereof. Then Sir Galahad surmised that this must be the Castle -of Maidens (though why it was so called he did not know then nor till -afterward). - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad cometh to that castle._] - -So Sir Galahad gathered up his reins and he rode down that hill and -toward the castle, and he was not aware that anyone knew of his coming. -But as he rode past the castle beneath the walls thereof, he was of a -sudden called to from above. And when he looked up he beheld there a -small turret, and he beheld that upon that turret there stood ten fair -maidens, and these were they who called to him. Beholding these ten fair -young ladies at that place, he bespoke them, saying, “Ladies, heaven -keep and defend you. Now, I pray you tell me, what is the name of this -castle, and what is it you do here?” They say to him, “Fair Sir, this -castle is called the Castle of Maidens. We are prisoners here, and are -kept in this duress by ten wicked and discourteous knights, from whom -heaven keep you. For if you travel on the road upon which you are -journeying, you will pass by the bridge-head of this castle, and they -will maybe come down to assail you.” To them Sir Galahad said, “Ladies, -I know not whether I could do battle with success as one against -ten--yet if I considered these knights as being the ten deadly sins, -methinks I would have strength given to me to do combat with them. Now I -pray you tell me, how may I assure myself to meet these knights?” - -Quoth one of the ladies upon the turret, “Sir, assuredly thou hast a -great heart within thee. Now if thou wilt pursue the way thou art going, -thou wilt by and by come by the bridge-head. Thereby thou wilt find an -iron horn hanging from a stone pillar. If those knights do not appear, -set thou that horn to thy lips and blow upon it, and anon thou wilt -behold those ten warriors of whom we have been speaking.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad bloweth the castle horn._] - -So Sir Galahad saluted them and rode away, and anon he came to where the -bridge crossed the stream, and there he beheld the post of stone and -from it, hanging by a chain, he beheld the horn of iron. This horn he -set to his lips and blew very loud and shrilly upon it, so that the -walls of the castle echoed back the bleat of that horn. - -Soon after that the gates of the castle were opened and the portcullis -let fall, and there came thundering forth from that place ten knights, -armed cap-a-pie in shining armor. - -The foremost of those knights rode up to Sir Galahad and said to him, -“Sir, art thou shriven?” “Why ask you that?” said Sir Galahad. -“Because,” said that knight, “thou art presently to die, therefore thou -shouldst be shriven.” “So far as that is concerned,” said Sir Galahad, -“I am not unready to die.” “Then,” said the other, “thou shalt presently -awaken in paradise, since thou art ready for it.” - -So each knight assumed such stand as appeared to him to be fitting, and -each set his spear in rest, and then each dashed at the other with might -and main. So they met in the middle of the course with such violence and -uproar as was wonderful to see and to hear. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad overcometh the first knight._] - -In that encounter the spear of the knight of the castle slipped from the -shield of Sir Galahad, and was broken into many pieces, but the spear of -Sir Galahad held, wherefore he overthrew that knight with such terrible -violence that his neck was broken in his fall, and he lay dead upon the -earth. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad doeth battle with nine._] - -Then when the other knights beheld the fall of that knight, they cried -out, “Hah! A rescue! a rescue!” Therewith they all nine made at Sir -Galahad to overwhelm him with numbers. All nine of them struck him upon -the shield at one time, but their spears glanced from the shield of Sir -Galahad and could not penetrate it, nor was he overthrown by their -assault, nor did he lose even a foot from his stirrup. - -Then Sir Galahad cast aside his spear and drew his bright, shining -sword, and he rode at those nine knights and he rode in amongst them, -striking with his blade to the right hand and to the left. Nor could -their blows harm him, for in that short time he struck down to the -ground three of those knights, so that there were but six of them left. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad overcometh the knights._] - -Then the hearts of those six knights began to fail them, and they bore -back across the bridge with intent to enter the castle once more. But -meantime the people of the castle, seeing how affairs went with them, -had raised the bridge and had closed the castle gates against them. Nor -would they lower the bridge nor open the gates again, wherefore those -knights wist not what to do in their hour of need. Then Sir Galahad was -upon them and smote down two more of them and with that the four who -were left fled with great speed and he pursued them back across the -bridge. And Sir Galahad still pursued them, and he struck once and -again, now to the right and now to the left, so that ere they could -escape from him and in those two blows Sir Galahad had struck down two -more of them. Then the two who were left made their escape and they fled -from that place with might and main. And Sir Galahad pursued them also -with might and main, but their horses were fresher than his, and so they -escaped away from him. - -So Sir Galahad rode back again slowly to the castle, and at his coming -the gates were opened with great sound of rejoicing. For the streets -were full of people of all sorts and conditions, and these lifted up -their voices with loud and prolonged applause. And of those eight whom -he had overthrown, all of them were dead. For those who had not died by -their fall, the people had put to death upon their own account. - -Then Sir Galahad said to the chief magistrate of that town, “Where are -those ten maidens who bespoke me ere I came to this place?” And the -chief magistrate answered him, “Sir, we will bring them to you.” So anon -came those ladies, and when they had come to Sir Galahad they kneeled -before him and kissed his hand and gave him great praise and loud -acclaim. Sir Galahad said to them, “Why do you kneel to me, and why do -you kiss my hand?” They say to him, “Because of your strength and your -prowess.” He said, “Nay, that strength and that prowess I gave not to -myself; therefore, if I have shown strength and prowess, give praise -therefor unto the God who gave them to me, and not to me who am their -continent.” And he said, “Where is the chief lord of this town?” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad liberates the captive lord._] - -The ten maidens said, “Sir, he is our father, and he is a prisoner now -in the dungeon of this place. For those ten knights overthrew him and -made him prisoner, wherefore he now lieth in duress.” Sir Galahad said, -“Bring him forth that I may behold him.” So several ran to where he was, -and anon they returned with him, and the chains that bound him were -still upon his hands and feet. Sir Galahad said, “Let these chains be -removed.” And when they were taken off of that knight, he said to him, -“Take back that which is thine own and oppress not thy people. For so -have they been oppressed of late by their ten masters, who were the ten -knights whom I have overthrown. But now thine enemies are either slain -or put to flight, so that thou art free. Nor shall you ever be put to -such pain again.” - -Then, again, was there great applause. - -Then the eldest of those ten maidens said to him, “Sir, will you not -rest here awhile with us?” Sir Galahad said, “I may not rest with you, -for my time is short and there is much to do in that time; wherefore I -must be again upon my way.” - -So he bade them farewell, and after that he departed from that place, -taking with him the thanks and the blessings of all the people dwelling -therein. Yet for many long years afterward, the memory of Sir Galahad -was held at that place, and parents told to their children, and those -children to their children for several generations, how that Sir Galahad -of the Grail had come thither and had done those great and redoubtable -actions at arms that are herein told of and recounted. For it was not -until afterward that he became known as the greatest knight that the -world had ever beheld until that time. - -Such is the story of Sir Galahad and of the Castle of the Maidens; so -he, one knight, overcame the ten knights of that castle, and thus he -departed thereafter. - -Now turn we from Sir Galahad and take we up the adventures of Sir -Launcelot at this time. Wherefore I pray you to read that which -followeth. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: The Grail is manifested, and Sir Launcelot sleepeth:] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Fourth - -_How Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival met Sir Galahad, and what befell -them. Also how Sir Launcelot beheld the Grail in a dream._ - - -After Sir Launcelot left the Court of the King of Camelot, he wended his -way from place to place, meeting no adventure anywhere. So, upon a -certain day, he came to a farmhouse, close to the borders of the forest, -and there sought shelter for the night. - -She who met him was the farmer’s wife, and she was both brown and buxom. -Beside her stood two children, holding by the skirts of her garments. -She gave Sir Launcelot welcome, and said to him, “Here, to-day, hath -come another knight who hath sought shelter as you now beseech it.” Sir -Launcelot said, “Who is he?” She said, “I know not, only that he is -gentle and kind.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot meets Sir Percival at the farmhouse._] - -So Sir Launcelot entered the house, and he whom he beheld there was Sir -Percival, and at that he was very glad. And Sir Percival was also very -glad to behold Sir Launcelot. So the next morning early, and after they -had broken their fast, they took horse and rode away very lovingly -together. - -So they journeyed for the great part of that morning, and about high -noontide they had come to a very pleasant part of the country where were -hills covered with green fields rising up against the sky; where were -many pleasant streams and watercourses; and where were flocks and herds -browsing in the long, damp grass of the pasture lands. - -Here in a dale where there was a small wooden bridge crossing a glassy -and smooth-flowing river, they beheld a knight coming from the other -direction, and Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival were upon one side of the -bridge, and that knight was upon the other side. And that other knight -was Sir Galahad, though neither of those two knew who he was. - -Then Sir Launcelot held up his hand, and he cried out, “Messire, I pray -you for to wait until we have crossed the bridge, for three of us cannot -cross it at the same time.” - -“Nay, sir,” quoth Sir Galahad, “my business does not allow me to wait, -so I pray you to let me pass.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot challenges Sir Galahad at the bridge._] - -“Not so,” quoth Sir Launcelot, “I cannot let you pass until you have -proven your right to pass. You must run a tilt with me, and if I -overthrow you, then will you wait to let us pass; but if you overthrow -me, then will we wait to let you pass.” So said Sir Launcelot, for it -did not seem to him to be possible that the strange knight could -overthrow him. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot is overthrown._] - -So each knight set his spear in rest, and anon each charged with great -violence at each other. Thus they swept together like a hurricane, and -so met in the centre of the bridge. In that encounter the spear of Sir -Launcelot struck the shield of Sir Galahad, directly in the centre -thereof; but the blow that he gave glanced aside as if the shield had -been a polished mirror. But the spear of Sir Galahad struck Sir -Launcelot in the middle of the shield and it held, and so violent was -the blow of Sir Galahad that both Sir Launcelot and his steed were -overthrown upon the planking of the bridge. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival is wounded._] - -Sir Percival looked with great amazement at the overthrow of Sir -Launcelot. Then, crying out in a great voice, “Sir, what have you done? -Defend yourself from me!” he drew his sword and rushed forward upon the -bridge. And Sir Galahad, when he beheld Sir Percival approach in that -manner, cast aside his spear and drew his sword likewise. So, when they -met in the middle of the bridge, Sir Percival smote Sir Galahad a great -buffet with his sword, which stroke Sir Galahad turned with his shield. -Then Sir Galahad rose up in his stirrups and he launched a blow like a -thunderbolt against Sir Percival. Sir Percival endeavored to turn that -blow with his shield, but he could not turn it, for it smote through his -shield and it smote through his helmet and it smote through the iron cap -beneath the helmet, and, had the blade not turned in the hand of Sir -Galahad, it would have slain Sir Percival. As it was, Sir Percival’s -head swam beneath that blow and he swooned away, swaying from side to -side in his saddle until he fell from his saddle and lay upon the bridge -without life or motion, like one who was dead. - -But Sir Galahad did not stop to inquire who were those two knights whom -he had overthrown, nor did he pause to inquire how badly he had hurt -them; but regaining his spear and setting spurs to his horse he rode -away from that place, leaving them lying upon the bridge. - -Anon Sir Launcelot aroused himself, and he beheld Sir Percival where he -lay. Then Sir Launcelot arose and went to Sir Percival, and removed his -helmet. And he cast water into the face of Sir Percival so that, in a -little while, Sir Percival was aroused from his swoon. Then Sir -Launcelot said, “I would God I knew who that knight was, for never have -I felt such a blow as I just now received, nor have I ever been so -shamed as I was shamed this day.” Said Sir Percival, “Wit ye not who -that knight was?” and he said, “Meseems it was none other than your son, -Sir Galahad.” Quoth Sir Launcelot, “At that I would take comfort were he -my son, but not at anything else.” - -Then each knight mounted his horse, and so together they presently rode -away from that place. But Sir Launcelot’s head hung down upon his -breast, for the memory of that blow which had overthrown him, and for -the shame thereof; for never had he been overthrown from his horse -before this day in all of his life. And, somewhiles, he thought that he -who had overthrown him was, maybe, Sir Galahad, and at that he took -comfort, because Sir Galahad was his son. But otherwhiles he thought -that it was not Sir Galahad, and then he was filled with shame because -of his overthrow. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival part company._] - -So riding in that wise they, by and by, came to where the road divided -into two ways, and here Sir Launcelot said, “Sir, let us part company, -for you shall take one road and I will take the other.” Quoth Sir -Percival, “Are you then weary of riding with me?” “Nay,” said Sir -Launcelot, “but I have been overthrown and I am ashamed.” Said Sir -Percival, “What shame do you take in that, seeing it was your own son -that overthrew you?” But to this Sir Launcelot made no reply. - -Then, seeing that Sir Launcelot was determined to quit him, Sir Percival -took the left-hand road, and Sir Launcelot took the right-hand road, and -so they parted. - -Now follow we Sir Launcelot after they had thus separated. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot findeth a deserted chapel._] - -Sir Launcelot rode for the rest of that day without meeting further -adventure, until about evening time, when he came to a bare and naked -knoll covered with furze bushes. Here, in the midst of that wild, he -beheld an ancient ruined chapel, and he said to himself, “Here will I -rest me for the night.” So he rode around that chapel, seeking for the -door thereof, but he could find no door upon any side of the chapel, but -only windows, very high raised from the ground. And he could not enter -that chapel by any of its windows, because they were built in the wall -so far beyond his reach that he could not attain to them. Then Sir -Launcelot said, “This is a very strange chapel that it should have no -doors, but only windows so high that I cannot enter by them. Now I will -rest here and see what is the meaning of this place.” - -So saying, he dismounted from his horse, and lay down beneath a -thornbush that was not far distant from the chapel. - -Now, as Sir Launcelot lay there, a drowsiness began to descend upon him, -and though he could not sleep yet it was as though he did sleep, for he -could move nor hand nor foot. Yet was he conscious of all that passed -about him as though he had been wide awake. For he was conscious of the -dark and silent vaults of sky, sprinkled all over with an incredible -number of stars, and he was conscious of his horse cropping the herbage -beside him in the darkness, and he was conscious of the wind that blew -across his face, and that moved the corner of his cloak in the silence -of the night time. Of all these things was he conscious, and yet he -could not move of his own will so much as a single hair. - -[Sidenote: _There cometh a wounded knight._] - -Anon, whilst he lay in that wise he was presently aware that some people -were approaching the chapel in the darkness, for he heard the sound of -voices and of the feet of horses moving upon the road. So, in a little -while, there came to that place a knight and an esquire. And the knight -was very sorely wounded, for his armor was broken and shattered by -battle, and the esquire sustained him in the saddle so that, except for -the upholding of the esquire’s arm and hand, he would have fallen -prostrate down upon the ground. - -Then Sir Launcelot, as he lay in that waking sleep, heard the knight say -to the esquire, “Floradaine, is the chapel near at hand, for mine eyes -are failing and I cannot see.” And the esquire wept and he said, “Yea, -Lord, it is here. Sustain yourself but for a little and you will be -there.” - -To this the knight made answer, “Floradaine, I cannot sustain myself for -long.” And the esquire said, “It is here.” The knight said, “Give thanks -to God for that, for had it been a little farther I would have fallen -from my horse. Now, Floradaine, lift me to earth.” - -Therewith the esquire drew rein and he dismounted from his horse and he -lifted the knight down from his charger, and the knight groaned very -dolorously as the esquire lifted him down. Then, breathing very heavily -and with great labor, the knight said, “Floradaine, is there a light?” -And the esquire said, “Not yet, Messire.” Again, after a little, the -knight said, “Is there yet a light?” And again the esquire answered, -“Not yet, Messire.” And again, after awhile, the knight said for the -third time, “Floradaine, is there yet a light?” And this time the knight -breathed the words as in a whisper of death. Then of a sudden the -esquire called out in a loud and joyful voice, “Yea, Lord, now I behold -a light!” - -[Sidenote: _There cometh a light._] - -All this Sir Launcelot beheld in that waking dream, and though it was in -the darkness of night, yet he beheld it very clearly, as though it were -by the sun of noonday. For he beheld the face of the knight that it was -white as of pure wax, and that the sweat of death stood in beads upon -his forehead. And he beheld that the esquire was young and fair, and -that he had long ringlets of yellow hair that curled down upon his -shoulder. Then when the esquire said that he beheld a light, Sir -Launcelot beheld the windows of the chapel that they were illuminated -from within with a pale blue lustre, as though the dawn were shining in -that chapel. And he heard the sound of chaunting voices, at first very -faint and far away, but anon ever growing stronger and stronger as the -light from the chapel grew stronger. And those voices chaunted a melody -that was so sweet and ravishing that it caused the heart to melt as with -an agony. - -Then the walls of that chapel opened like a door and a light shone forth -with a remarkable lustre so that it illuminated the face of that dying -knight, and of the page who upheld him. And at the same time the song -burst forth in great volume, as it were a thunder of chaunting. - -Then forthwith there came out of the chapel a bright shining spear, and -two fair hands held the spear by the butt, yet Sir Launcelot could not -behold the body to whom those two hands belonged. And after the spear -there came forth a chalice, and two fair, white hands held that chalice, -but neither could Sir Launcelot behold any body to which those hands -belonged. And the chalice seemed to send forth a light of such dazzling -radiance that it was as though one looked at the bright and shining sun -in his glory. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot beholdeth the Grail in a dream._] - -Then Sir Launcelot was aware that this was the Holy Grail of which he -was in search, and he strove with all his might to arouse himself, but -he could not do so. Then the tears burst out from his eyes and traced -down his cheeks in streams, but still he could not arouse himself, but -lay chained in that waking sleep. - -So the chalice advanced toward that knight, but the knight had not -strength to reach forth and touch it. Then the esquire took the arm of -the knight and raised it, and he raised the hand of the knight so that -the hand touched the chalice. - -[Sidenote: _The Grail healeth the wounded knight._] - -Then it was as though Sir Launcelot beheld the virtue of the Grail go -forth from it, and that it passed through the hand of the wounded -knight, and that it passed through his arm and penetrated into his body. -For he beheld that the blood ceased to flow from that wounded knight, -and that the color flooded back into his cheeks and that the light came -back into his eyes and that the strength returned to his body. - -Then the knight arose and he kneeled down before the Grail, and he set -his palms together and he prayed before the Grail. - -Then, slowly, the light that had been so bright from the Grail began to -wane. First the spear disappeared, and then the hands that held it -disappeared. Then, for awhile, the Grail glowed with a faint, pallid -light, and then it, too, vanished, and all was dark as it had been -before. - -So Sir Launcelot beheld the vision of the Grail, but as in the vision of -a dream as I have told it here to you. And still the tears rained from -his eyes, for he could not rouse himself to behold it with his waking -eyes. - -After this the knight and the esquire approached to the place where Sir -Launcelot lay asleep, and the esquire said to the knight, “Messire, who -is this man, and why sleepeth he here whilst all these wonders pass him -by?” And the knight said, “This knight is a very sinful man, and his -name is Sir Launcelot of the Lake.” Quoth the esquire, “How hath he -sinned?” To which the knight replied, “He hath sinned in this way. He -had a beautiful and gentle lady, and he deserted that wife for the sake -of Queen Guinevere. So his lady went away and left him, and anon she -gave birth to Galahad, and in that birth she also gave her life. So Sir -Launcelot betrayed his wife, and because of that betrayal he now lieth -sleeping, and he cannot waken until after we are gone away from this -place.” - -[Sidenote: _The knight taketh Sir Launcelot’s horse._] - -Then the esquire said to the knight, “Messire, behold; here this knight -hath a good, strong horse. Take thou this horse and leave thine own in -its stead. For this horse is fresh and full of life, and thine is spent -and weary with battle.” And the knight said, “I will take that horse.” - -So the knight took the horse of Sir Launcelot instead of his own. And he -left his own horse behind him. Then he mounted the horse of Sir -Launcelot and the esquire mounted his horse, and after that the knight -and the esquire rode away from that place. - -Then, after they had gone, Sir Launcelot bestirred himself and awoke. -And he would have thought that all that he had beheld was a dream, but -he beheld the worn and weary horse of the knight was there, and that his -horse was gone. Then he cried aloud in great agony of soul, “Lord, my -sin hath found me out!” And therewith he rushed about like a madman, -seeking to find a way into that chapel, and finding no way. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot is absolved by the Hermit of the Forest._] - -So when the day broke he mounted the worn and weary horse that the -knight had left, and he rode away from that place and back into the -forest; and his head hung low upon his breast. When he had come into the -forest and to the cell of the hermit thereof, he laid aside his armor -and he kneeled down before the Hermit of the Forest, and confessed all -his sins to him. And the Hermit of the Forest gave him absolution for -these sins, and he said, “Take peace, my son. For although thou shalt -not behold the Grail in thy flesh, yet shall God forgive thee these sins -of thine that lie so heavily upon thy soul.” - -Then Sir Launcelot arose chastened from his confession. And he left his -armor where it lay and assumed the garb of an anchorite. And he went -away from that place, into the remoter recesses of the forest. There he -dwelt in the caves and in the wilds, living upon berries and the fruits -of the forest. And he dwelt there a long time until he felt assured that -God had forgiven him. Then he returned to his kind again; but never -after that day was he seen to smile. - - * * * * * - -So hath this been told to you that you may see how it is that the sins -that one hath committed follow one through one’s life and in the end -bring the soul such distress and failure as that which Sir Launcelot -here suffered and endured. For it hath already been told in another -volume than this book (which same is called “The Story of Sir Launcelot -and His Companions”) how that Sir Launcelot of the Lake remained at the -Court of King Arthur whilst his Lady, Elaine the Fair, quitted the -court, and how that he remained at that court, being held there by the -wiles and the charms of Queen Guinevere. Then it was told how that the -Lady Elaine died for loneliness and grief in giving birth to Galahad, -and it was told how that Sir Launcelot repented him for that death with -deep and bitter remorse. - -So it was because of that sin that he was not now permitted to behold -the Grail with his waking eyes nor to touch it with his living hands. -For a sin doth not quit a man because he hath remorse for it nor is it -wiped from his soul because he repents him of it, but always it -remaineth by him and by and by the time cometh when he must pay to the -full the account of that sin which he hath one time committed. - - * * * * * - -For so it is with all of those who commit a sin, be it great or be it -less. For they cannot correct that sin by remorse or by repentance, but -only by so living a life of righteousness that that sin shall be removed -away from them, so that it becometh as though it were not. - - * * * * * - -So it was with Launcelot, for he was to pay in full for that sin which -he had committed. For never did he behold the Grail other than it was at -that time and never did he touch it with his hand; nay; never did he -touch it even with so much as a single finger; but otherwise he -remained as a recluse in a cell coadjacent to the cell of the Hermit of -the Forest, as aforesaid. - -There leave we him to follow the other parts of this story, for here -followeth the story of Sir Percival, which you are now to read if you -would enter further into the history of these things herein told of. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Sir Percival rideth the black horse] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Fifth - -_Sir Percival findeth a horse that nearly bringeth him to destruction. -Also he meeteth a fair damsel and feasts with her. Finally he enters a -boat and there finds rest and comfort._ - - -Now, after Sir Percival had left Sir Launcelot as aforetold of, he rode -upon his way alone. And his way led him, by and by, through a waste of -land where was nothing growing, but where there were great quantities of -stones scattered all over the earth. Here he rode for some time, looking -forward before him for something that grew. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival’s horse falleth lame._] - -So while the mind of Sir Percival was elsewhere, the horse which he rode -slipped his foot upon a round, loose stone, and the stone turned under -the horse’s foot so that it strained its shoulder. At first Sir Percival -knew naught of this mishap, but presently, anon, the horse began to limp -as it walked. And every minute the horse of Sir Percival limped worse -than it had limped the minute before. So Sir Percival wist not what to -do, for here was he with a horse that could not fare farther with him, -and there was no house within sight, and there was no person within -sight upon all that barren waste. - -So Sir Percival dismounted from his horse, and he took the bridle of the -horse over his arm, and so he walked with the bridle over his arm and -the horse limped behind him. - -Thus he travelled for a great way, and anon he left that stony waste -behind him, and came to a country where green things grew. And anon -after that he came to a place that was spread all over with fertile -fields of grass interspersed with plantations of trees, both oak trees -and elm trees. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival meeteth a damsel in red._] - -Here, passing by a small fountain of water, he beheld a fair damsel -sitting beside the margin of that fountain, and the damsel was clad all -in red, from top to toe. This damsel had with her a palfrey and a great -black horse beside that palfrey, and the black horse was very remarkable -for breadth and sinew, for his shoulders were deep and his legs were -corded with muscles, and his fetlocks were adorned with long and curling -hairs, and his eyes were very bright and shining as with fire beneath -them, and his ears were sharp and pointed, as though they had been cut -with a fine knife, and his mane and tail were thick and black, like the -clouds of night, and there was not a white hair upon him, from the tip -of his nose to the end of his tail. - -[Sidenote: _The damsel giveth a horse to Sir Percival._] - -Quoth Sir Percival, “Hah, maiden, that is a fine horse that thou hast -there.” Said she, “Yea, Messire; he is a very fine horse.” Said Sir -Percival, “I would that thou wouldst sell me that horse; for mine own, -as thou seest, is gone lame.” The maiden said, “Sir, are you not Sir -Percival of Gales?” Then Sir Percival was greatly astonished that the -damsel should know him, and he said, “Yea, damsel, that is my name.” -“Then,” quoth she, “I cannot accept money from you for this horse. But -if you will take him for your own, then you may have him. So leave you -your lame horse here, and take this horse instead of it. For wit you I -have been sent with this horse that you might have it to ride upon.” - -Then was Sir Percival still more astonished at what the damsel said, and -he knew not what to think that the damsel should be there at that place -with a fresh, sound horse for his use when his own horse had fallen -lame. So he thanked the damsel in great measure, and he handed her the -reins of his horse, and took the reins of the black horse. Then he put -his foot in the stirrup and mounted the black horse at one leap. - -[Sidenote: _The horse rideth away with Sir Percival._] - -So the horse stood quite still until Sir Percival had his seat and his -feet in the stirrups. After that it bowed its head and took the bit in -its teeth. Then immediately it rushed away to the southward with great -speed like the wind, and its mane and tail stood out straight behind it -because of its speed. Nor could Sir Percival control or guide it, for -the horse held the bit between its teeth and it was as though blinded, -rushing forward like the wind. And ever it ran toward the southward, -without let or stay. And Sir Percival said to himself, “What sort of a -beast is this upon which I am sitting, is it a horse or is it a lion or -is it a dæmon?” - -[Sidenote: _The horse bringeth him to the sea._] - -So the horse rushing onward began, by and by, to draw nigh to the sea, -for now and then Sir Percival could catch glimpses of the sea across the -uplands like a thread of bright silver against the distant horizon; for -by this time night had fallen. And anon he could hear the roaring of the -sea beating upon a place where there were a great many rocks, and where -the water spouted and churned amongst the rocks as white as milk. Then, -reaching this spot, the horse stopped all of a sudden, panting and -trembling and all a lather with sweating foam. - -Then Sir Percival dismounted from the horse, and as soon as his foot -touched the earth the black horse vanished and Sir Percival stood there -alone. And he wist not what to do, but stood there doubting and -wondering. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival meeteth a beautiful lady._] - -Anon as he so stood he beheld something coming a great way off, and ever -it came nearer and nearer, and by and by he perceived that it was a -boat, and that it was approaching very rapidly the place where he stood, -and that without either sails or oars to urge it upon its course. So Sir -Percival stood there and watched the boat as it drew rapidly nearer to -him, and by and by he perceived that there was someone in the boat, and -then he perceived that it was a beautiful lady, and that there were -seven beautiful damsels attendant upon her. And he beheld that this lady -was clad all in red, and that her hair was red, the color of gold, and -that it was emmeshed in a net of gold. And around her dress and her neck -he beheld that there were chains and ornaments of gold, so that the lady -sparkled and gleamed as though she had been an image of jewels and of -gold. And the attendants of the lady were also clad in red and also wore -ornaments of gold about their necks, wherefore the whole boat gleamed -and shone as with a shine of golden light. - -Thus that boat came to the beach where Sir Percival stood, and the lady -stepped from the boat upon the sand, and Sir Percival came forward and -assisted her to disembark. And the lady said, “Hail, Sir Percival, and -give thee peace.” And all the attendants of that lady also said, “Give -thee peace.” - -Quoth Sir Percival, “Who are ye who know me and I know not you?” To the -which the lady made reply, “We are fay and not of this earth, therefore -we know many things that you wit not of.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival sits at feast with the lady._] - -Then that lady bade her attendants to set up a pavilion and they did so, -and the pavilion was of red samite, and above it was a great banner of -white samite embroidered with the figure of a leopard in threads of -gold. And in the pavilion they set a table of gold, and they covered the -table with a napkin of finest linen, and the lady of the boat took Sir -Percival by the hand and led him into the pavilion. - -Then Sir Percival and the lady seated themselves at the table, and the -damsels attendant upon the lady served them with food. And certain of -these attendant maidens took harps into their hands, and they played -upon the harps, and sang in unison to those two, and so sweet was the -music they made that it melted the heart to listen to them. - -And those who waited upon Sir Percival and the lady brought to them all -manner of dishes, dressed with spices and condiments of all sorts, and -Sir Percival and the damsel ate together. Then others brought wines of -all sorts, both white wines and red, and this wine was very powerful and -sweet, and Sir Percival and the lady drank together. And the wine flowed -very strongly through the veins of Sir Percival so that his head swam -with the strength of that wine and with the potency thereof. - -Then, by and by, the lady grew very fond toward Sir Percival, and she -put her arms about his shoulders and held him very close to her. With -this the wine swam still more powerfully in Sir Percival’s head, and he -knew not very well what he said or did. And he said, “Lady, tell -me--what is this, and why am I here?” To this she answered, “Percival, -thou glorious knight! this is the pavilion of Love, and I am the spirit -of Venus who inhabits it. So yield thou to that spirit and take thou the -joy of thy life whiles thou mayst.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival kisses the lady._] - -Therewith she reached her arms again to Sir Percival and he reached his -arms toward her and he took her into his arms. And Sir Percival kissed -her upon the lips and the fire from her lips passed into his heart and -set his soul aflame. - -Then, in that moment, he knew not why, he suddenly bethought him of that -fair lady whom he had met in the tent when first he went forth as a -knight, clad in his armor of wicker-work. And he thought of how he had -kissed her that time; and he thought of how he had beheld her in that -cold and windy room of the castle, lying dead and white before him; and -he thought of how he had beheld the Spear and the Grail that time in the -castle. Then it was as though a wind of ice struck across the flame of -his passion, and he cried out thrice in a loud voice, “God! God! God! -What is this I would do, and why should I sin in this wise?” And -therewith he drew upon his forehead the sign of the cross. - -[Sidenote: _The lady disappears._] - -Then in an instant the lady who sat beside him shrieked very loud and -shrill, and all about him was confusion and turbulence. And Sir Percival -looked, and behold! it was not a strange and beautiful lady who sat -beside him like a wonderful goddess, but it was the Enchantress Vivien, -clad in red and bedecked with her jewels. For it was she who had thus -planned the undoing of Sir Percival by causing him to sin. - -Then Sir Percival cried, “Hah! Is it thou who wouldst betray me?” And -therewith he reached for his sword which he had laid aside. Then, seeing -what he intended, the Enchantress Vivien shrieked again, and she smote -her hands together, and in that instant she disappeared, and all her -attendants disappeared, and the pavilion and the table and all of the -feast and wine disappeared, and the boat in which she had come -disappeared, and Sir Percival found himself sitting alone upon the -seaside. - -Then Sir Percival kneeled down and he set his hands together and he -prayed. And he said, “O God! how hast thou saved thy servant by means of -a floating thought? For the thought of that which was sacred and holy -hath purged my sin that was very close to me.” And he said, “How shall I -thank thee for this; for lo! I trod upon a crust so thin that, had I -borne even a part of my weight upon it, I would have fallen through that -crust as into a lake of fire.” - -So he prayed for a long time and by and by he was comforted. Then he -arose and stood up, and he girded his sword tight about him. And he cast -his eyes all around and he beheld that he was alone and in a very -desolate place. And, at that time, the full moon was shining very -brightly. - -Anon he beheld in the gloom of the distance an object that approached -very rapidly. And this object also was a boat, but there was no one in -it. - -And when the boat approached nigh enough he beheld that there was a -couch within it, and that the couch was covered with white linen. But no -other thing was in the boat but that. - -Then Sir Percival said, “What is this? Is there a sin also in this, or -is it without sin?” And he said, “If this be sin, then let it declare -itself,” and therewith he marked the sign of the cross upon his -forehead. - -But there followed not any malignant sign after that, but the boat -remained there where it was. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival entereth a boat._] - -Then Sir Percival perceived that it was intended for him to enter that -boat, and he did enter it. And at that time the moon had arisen very -full and round. And the moon shone down upon the earth with a wonderful -radiance. So that what with the light in the sky from the moonlight, it -was as though a strange and magical radiance embalmed the entire earth. - -[Sidenote: _The boat sails away with him._] - -Then the boat moved away from the shore very rapidly and smoothly. And -it ran past the sharp and treacherous rocks, and it went past all -obstructions and so out into the broad and heaving surface of the sea -beyond. - - * * * * * - -Here all was stillness and peace, for all about was the hush and silence -of night time, and there was no sound whatsoever to mar that stillness, -but only the moon and the stars shining above in the sky. - -So Sir Percival laid him down upon the couch and anon he slept a very -deep and dreamless sleep. - -Now leave we Sir Percival lying in that boat, and turn we to the story -of Sir Bors de Ganis and how it befell with him at this time. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Sir Bors rides with the white knight] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Sixth - - _How Sir Bors confessed himself to the Hermit of the Forest. How he - overthrew a knight, and how he came to the seashore and of what - befell him there._ - - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors confesses to the Hermit of the Forest._] - -Upon a certain day Sir Bors rode into the forest, and by and by he came -to the chapel of the Hermit of the Forest. And the Hermit welcomed Sir -Bors, saying, “God save thee,” and Sir Bors greeted the Hermit, saying, -“God save thee and keep thee, Sir Hermit.” So Sir Bors abided that night -with the Hermit of the Forest, and when the next morning had come he -besought the Hermit to confess him. And the Hermit of the Forest shrived -Sir Bors, and he beheld that the soul of Sir Bors was very white and -clean and that he was extraordinarily free from sin. And the Hermit said -to him, “Sir, if valor and if purity of life may so recommend a man that -he may win the Grail, then will you certainly behold it with the eyes of -your body and touch it with the hand of your flesh. For you are both -very brave and very pure of life.” - -To this Sir Bors said, “Sir, that which you tell me is exceedingly -comforting to me, for so would I rather achieve a sight of the Grail and -touch that sacred vessel than anything else in all the world. Now, I -pray you, tell me if there is anything else that I may do that may -better fit me to find that holy chalice.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors vows a fast._] - -Quoth the Hermit, “There is but one thing, and that thing is that you -finally purify yourself by refraining from eating any manner of meat, -and that you fast upon bread and water until you have beheld and have -touched the Grail.” Said Sir Bors, “Holy Father, so will I fast from -meat and wine.” And the Hermit said, “And this also shall you do. You -shall lay aside your armor and shall ride forth in leathern doublet and -hose and shall wrap yourself in your red cloak against the inclemencies -of the weather.” Said Sir Bors, “That also will I do.” - -So Sir Bors laid aside his armor of defence, and he wrapped himself in -his red cloak, and thus he rode forth into the world. - -After that Sir Bors travelled for an entire day, and whensoever he came -to a roadside cross, he kneeled down before it and recited a prayer. So -against early eventide he came to a part of the country that was -altogether strange and new to him, for here were bogs and marshes, and -many pools and ponds of water where were heron and other water-fowl. So -Sir Bors wist not where he should lodge that night. But anon he beheld -in the distance before him a single tower standing upright upon that -flat expanse, and the tower was like a finger of stone pointing up into -the sky. So Sir Bors made his way toward the castle, and by and by he -came to where the castle was. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors cometh to a castle_.] - -Coming to that place Sir Bors smote upon the doorway of the castle, and -he smote again and again. By and by one came and opened the door, and -that one was a very aged porter clad all in buckram, and the buckram was -stained and blotched, as with the stain of many years. - -The porter said to Sir Bors, “Sir, who are you, and whence come you?” -And to this Sir Bors made reply, “I am one seeking lodging and shelter -for the night.” The porter said, “Sir, I pray you enter, for you are -exceedingly welcome, and the lady of this castle, though just now in -very great sorrow, is about to sit at supper.” - -So Sir Bors entered the courtyard, and he tied his horse to an iron ring -that was in the side wall of the castle in the courtyard. Then the aged -porter led Sir Bors to his room and there left him to wash and to -refresh himself, whilst he returned to the horse to put it into the -stable and to feed it. - -After Sir Bors had washed and refreshed himself he descended from his -room again, and there he found the aged porter awaiting him. The porter -said, “Sir, come with me,” and Sir Bors followed him. And the porter led -the way from that place into a hall, where there was a table set out for -refreshment. - -Here Sir Bors beheld a young and very beautiful lady, and she was the -chatelaine of the castle. The face of this lady was very white and -exceedingly sorrowful, and her eyelids were red as with continual -weeping. And she was clad in a long, straight black robe, without -ornament or adornment of any sort. She received Sir Bors with great -civility, albeit she did not smile at all; and anon they sat down at -table together. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors sups with a beautiful lady._] - -So the supper was brought in and set before them, and it was the old -porter who served them with their meal. But Sir Bors ate no meat, -neither did he drink any wine; otherwise, he ate of the bread and drank -of the water that was set before them. Anon the chatelaine of the castle -said to him, “Sir, you do not eat of the food of the castle that is set -before you. How doth that happen?” Quoth he, “Lady, I do not eat the -food because I have assumed a vow to eat no meat of any sort until I -have accomplished a certain purpose, and I drink the water because I -have made the same vow concerning wine.” And the lady said, “To what -purpose is that, Messire?” Quoth he, “I am in quest of the Grail, and to -that end I travel, fasting and mortifying myself.” - -[Sidenote: _The lady tells her story._] - -Then, after a little while, he said to her, “Lady, you are sad, will you -not tell me the cause of your sorrow?” To the which she said, “Sir, that -will I gladly do. It is thus: my father was the king of all this land as -far as you can see to the westward of this. For this castle standeth -upon the marches of my father’s country, and is very near to the lands -of another king who is neighbor to this place. My mother died, and my -father married another lady who was both wicked and cruel. So when my -father died this lady seized upon my inheritance, and cast me out into -the world upon mine own dependence. After that she drove me from castle -to castle until this is my last refuge and defence. For now I dwell -herein with only this ancient porter and his wife in attendance upon me. -Nor is she satisfied to leave even this poor house in my possession, for -to-morrow she cometh with several knights to drive me forth from this my -last refuge.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors offereth himself for her defence._] - -So said the Lady Chatelaine of that place, and when she had ceased -speaking she wept with a passion of tears. Then the heart of Sir Bors -was greatly moved with sympathy, and he said to her, “Lady, I am greatly -grieved at thy sorrow and at its cause.” And he said, “What is thy -name?” She said, “It is Leisette.” Then said Sir Bors, “Lady Leisette, -let me tell thee that had I but a suit of armor to wear, I would stand -as thy defender upon this occasion, and that to-morrow I would stand -between thy father’s wife and thee, even though the knights that follow -her be several and I be but one.” “Sir,” said the lady, “It may hardly -be that one knight could withstand the assault of several; but I may -tell you that in this castle there is a suit of armor (though of a -bygone date), that might serve your purpose. But to what end would you -use it? For the knights attendant upon this lady are all well-tried -knights of battle, and you are maybe not accustomed to wearing armor, -seeing that you travel through the world without armor of any sort upon -your body.” Then Sir Bors smiled, and he said, “Let that be as it may; -nevertheless, I have worn armor more than once in my life; so I pray you -to send that suit of armor to my room to-night, that I may look at it, -and perhaps try it on.” And the lady said, “It shall be done as you -ask.” - -So that night the old porter brought the armor to the room of Sir Bors, -and he assisted Sir Bors to clothe himself in the armor, and Sir Bors -found that the armor fitted him very exactly, and he was glad. - -Now when the next day was come Sir Bors walked with the Lady Leisette in -the gardens of the castle. And Sir Bors beheld that she was exceedingly -beautiful and his heart went out to her, and he said to her, “Lady, -meseems your trouble lyeth in this, that you have no knight for your -husband who may defend your rights and claims. Were you wedded to such a -knight, then, you would not suffer these wrongs.” Quoth she, “What -knight would take me for his wife, who am a dowerless lady, with only -one castle left of all her inheritance?” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors talketh at length with the lady._] - -He said to her, “I say naught concerning myself and mine own strength -and valor. But this I will say, that if I have such fortune as may lead -me to overcome your enemies to-day, I would offer myself to you as your -husband.” She said, “Sir, thou doest me great courtesy. Were I owner of -those three considerable towns that were once my father’s then I would -take thee for my suitor. But as I am now the puppet of so sad a fate, -what shall I say to thee?” Quoth he, “Say aye.” And she said, “Who art -thou, sir?” Quoth he, “I am called Sir Bors de Ganis.” Then she said, -“Aye,” speaking with downcast eyes, and so low a voice that he could -hardly hear her. For the name of Sir Bors was very well known throughout -the entire world, both because of his strength and his valor. Wherefore -she was very much pleased to have him with her. - -Just then there came to them the old porter of the castle and he said to -them, “Prepare yourselves, for hither cometh the Queen of this country, -together with a court of lords and ladies, and with several knights -champion for her escort.” Then Sir Bors said, “Now I will go and arm -myself for battle.” And she said, “Go!” - -So Sir Bors withdrew to his room and the porter of the castle went with -him, and the porter put upon him the pieces of armor and buckled them -very tightly together so that they joined and fitted. And they buckled a -great sword upon one side of him and a misericordia upon the other. Then -when he was in all wise prepared, he took a mighty lance into his hand -and went down into the courtyard and mounted upon his horse. Then came -the Lady Leisette to him and saluted him and he said to her, “Give me, I -pray you, some favor for to wear.” And she said, “I will do so,” and -therewith gave him the scarf from about her throat. And she tied the -scarf about his arm. Then the porter of the castle opened the gate, and -Sir Bors rode forth from the castle and took his stand in the high-road -in front of the castle, and awaited the coming of those others who were -now drawing near to that place. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors offereth himself as champion._] - -Anon the Queen of that country perceived Sir Bors where he stood and she -cried out to him, “Sir, who are you who stand there, and why do you -confront us so?” To the which Sir Bors made reply, “Lady, I am the -champion of the lady of this castle, and as her knight I stand here to -await your coming.” - -She said to him, “Know you to whom you speak?” and he said, “Yea, I know -very well; therefore I am here.” - -Then the Queen was very angry, and she cried out to one of her knights, -of whom there were seven in all, “Remove this man from our path so that -we may enter the castle and turn out of it that lady who now holdest -it.” - -Thereupon, with that saying, the knight to whom she spoke rode forth -from the others, and he said to Sir Bors, “Sir, will you do battle with -me?” Quoth Sir Bors, “Very gladly, and for that purpose am I here.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors overthroweth the knight._] - -So each knight prepared himself in all wise for battle, and when each -had assumed his proper place, the word of command was given and they -rushed together, thundering and with great violence. So they met in the -midst of the course, and in that encounter the spear of the knight who -assaulted Sir Bors was broken into as many as twenty or thirty pieces, -but the spear of Sir Bors held, so that the knight was hurled out of his -saddle and down to the earth with such violence that his neck was -broken, and he died. - -Then the Queen was astonished that her chiefest knight should be so -overthrown, and therewith she cried out to her other six knights, “Hey, -Messires! Assault him all at once so that he may be overthrown, and so -that we may enter this castle!” So, upon that word of command, all six -of those knights drew their swords and rushed upon Sir Bors. He, -beholding them coming thus, threw aside his spear and drew his brightly -shining sword, and so they all met together, Sir Bors in the midst of -them. - -In that battle he well proved his right to be a knight of the Round -Table, for he wheeled his horse to this side and to that, and ever as he -wheeled it about he smote from right to left and from left to right. Two -knights fell before those strokes, and then another fell, so that there -were but three left standing against him. - -These, seeing how he dealt with them, presently bore back before his -fierce assaults, and so he sat for awhile, panting for breath, and with -the crimson flowing from several wounds he had received. - -Then the Queen chided the three knights, crying out upon them, “How now! -How now! Are you, three knights, afraid of that one knight who is -already wounded in several places? Go ye against him and overthrow him!” - -But ere these three could bring themselves to assail him again, he, not -waiting for their assault, rushed upon them shouting and in that sudden -assault he smote down another of them with his sword. Then the two who -were left, beholding their comrade fall, were filled with terror and -dismay. Their hearts melted like wax within them, and they drew rein and -turned and immediately fled from that place. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors chases the fleeing knights._] - -So Sir Bors pursued them thence shouting, and the two fled straight -through the midst of the court of the Queen, and the court dissolved -away to right and left from before them, shrieking with terror. Just -beyond the purlieus of that court Sir Bors overtook the first of those -two who fled, and he smote him so that he fell like a sack from his -horse, and rolled over and over upon the ground. Then anon he reached -the last of those knights, and coming to him he rose up in his stirrups -and smote him with all his might and main. And the blade of that sword -shore through the helmet of that knight and it shore through the iron -cap beneath the helmet, and it shore through his skull to the throat. -Then that knight emitted a dreadful groan, and fell dead to the earth, -and his horse galloped on without him. - -Then Sir Bors rode back again to that court, and he rode up to the Queen -with a threatening countenance, and at his coming she was struck as -white as an ash of wood. And Sir Bors said to her, “Lady, what do you -here at this place?” Then the Queen trembled before him, and anon she -said, “Sir, I come hither seeking my rights.” He said, “Those rights you -seek are not yours, they are another’s. Come with me.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors takes the Queen into the castle._] - -So saying, he suddenly catched her horse by the bridle and drew her -thence, and no one of all that court dared to prevent him. And Sir Bors -led the horse of the Queen toward that solitary tower of stone, and when -he reached the gate he cried out aloud, “Open to me!” Then the porter of -that castle opened the gate thereof, and Sir Bors led the Queen into the -castle. Then the porter shut the gate of the castle again, and the Queen -was within the walls of the castle and her court of lords and ladies was -without the walls thereof. - -All this the lady of the castle had beheld from the battlements, and -her heart was filled with joy and triumph thereat. So anon when Sir Bors -appeared upon the roof of the turret where she was, she ran to him and -catched him and embraced him with great passion, wounded as he was. - -But Sir Bors put her aside, and he went to the edge of the wall, and he -spake to the court of the Queen, saying, “Why wait ye there? Your Queen -is here with us, and here she shall remain our prisoner until justice is -done to the lady of this castle. So return ye to your towns and tell -them this word of mine to you: that justice must be done to this lady, -or else she who called herself Queen cannot go free.” - -After that he withdrew himself from their sight, and he went to his room -where he might bathe himself and dress his hurts. Meantime the court of -the Queen went away from that place, and they were left alone. - -That same day in the afternoon there came three knights thitherward, and -with them came three esquires, and each esquire led a horse, and upon -each horse was a chest. - -Of these three knights, one each was from one of the towns of that -kingdom. - -[Sidenote: _Of the three knights of the towns, their mission._] - -Then the knight from the chiefest of those three towns blew upon a -bugle-horn, and anon Sir Bors appeared upon the battlement of the tower -where there was a small turret. Then the knight from without greeted -him, saying, “Sir, hail to you. We three come hither to tell you that we -repent us that we have done wrong to the lady of this tower, wherefore -we will accept her for our queen. Only this: that she shall marry some -good, worthy knight such as yourself, and that he shall be our King as -she is our Queen. For that which we need at this place is not a woman to -rule us, but a man.” - -Then Sir Bors laughed and he said, “Sir, I will take you at your word, -and in a little while this lady shall marry some gentleman who shall -rule over you.” For Sir Bors thought to himself, “Haply I shall be that -man.” - -So the gates of that castle were opened, and the three knights entered -the courtyard thereof. Then they opened the three chests that their -esquires had brought into the castle courtyard, and in those chests were -all manner of raiment of silks and velvets, together with jewels, and -golden ornaments of divers sorts and designs such as were fit for a -queen to adorn herself withal. - -These were conveyed to the rooms of the lady of the castle, and she -arrayed herself in them, and when she was thus arrayed she shone with a -wonderful beauty and splendor, even as the sun shines when the mists of -heaven dissolve before his face. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors and the lady ride away from the castle._] - -After that the lady of the castle and Sir Bors and the three knights and -their esquires all mounted upon their horses and rode away from that -castle, leaving behind them the lady who had been the Queen of that -land. For there she should abide for awhile under guard of the old -porter of that place. - -So, at last, they reached the chief city of that kingdom where were -great concourses of people assembled to welcome them. These shouted -aloud with a tumult of applause as their new Queen rode up the stony -street amongst them. And everywhere were banners and streamers of many -colored silks, fluttering in the sunlight from the pinnacles of the -houses. So that all the sunlight was gay with radiant tints of red and -blue and yellow and green, and divers gaudy colors, and all the air was -merry with the shouting of multitudinous voices. - -Thus they reached the castle, and so the rightful queen became queen -again. - - * * * * * - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors hath a dream._] - -Now one night Sir Bors had a dream. He saw before him a tall and -splendid knight, clad all in pure and shining white, and the knight said -to him, “Sir Bors! Sir Bors! What is it you do?” And Sir Bors dreamed -that he said to him in reply, “I would abide here and rule this kingdom -justly.” The knight said, “Hast thou so soon forgot the quest of the -Grail that in such a short time thou shouldst think only of this and not -of that?” - -Then it seemed to Sir Bors that he was stricken to the heart with -remorse and he cried out aloud, “I will not forget! I will not forget!” -And with that cry he awoke from his dream and found that it was a dream -and that he was trembling as with an ague. - -And all that day the thought of the dream haunted him, so that in the -afternoon, whilst he and the Queen were walking in the garden of the -castle, he spoke to her of it. And after he had told her what he had -dreamed, he said to her, “Lady, ere I wed thee and settle in this place, -there is a duty I must yet perform. For wit you I am in quest of the -Grail and the Grail hath not yet been found. So bid me now to go forth -and to continue my search of it, and when I have found it, then I shall -return to thee and wed thee.” To this the Queen made reply, “Sir Bors, -you have only been with me now for four days, and your wooing is not yet -grown warm. Would you then leave me before that wooing groweth warm so -that it may cool the quicker?” Quoth Sir Bors, “My wooing shall not grow -cold, for I will hold it close to my heart in thy remembrance, and there -I will keep it warm, so that when I return again it will be sprung into -life.” The lady said, “Do not leave me, Sir Bors, for now that my rights -are won, thou must remain near to me to help me to protect those rights. -Else it may be that my enemies shall rise against me once more and -overthrow me. It is well for thee to search for the Grail, but what -peculiar virtue will there be in it, or in thee when thou hast found -it?” - -Sir Bors said, “Lady, I do not think that thine enemies can arise -against thee. For thine enemy is thy father’s wife, and she is yet -confined in that solitary castle in which I found thee. But come what -may, I must now quit this place and go forth again upon my quest. For -when a knight hath vowed to undertake a certain thing, that thing he -must continue to pursue until he hath completed it--even though that -thing may appear to be small unto others. Yet the recovery of this Grail -is not a small thing; otherwise it is a very great and a very -considerable thing for any knight to undertake.” - -Then the Queen of that town began weeping, and she said, “Sir Bors, if -thou quittest me now, I know that it must be that thou quittest me for -aye. For in the recovery of the Grail thou wilt forget me, and wilt -never again return to this place. What, then, shall I do without thee?” -Then Sir Bors bowed his face full low and he said, “Lady, that is a hard -saying that thou utterest. Yet even were it so, still should I be -compelled to search for the Grail. For that is the crowning work of the -Round Table, and if so be I shall be instrumental in its recovery, then -shall I, indeed, have done a great work in the world and shall not have -lived in it in vain.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors quitteth the lady._] - -After that Sir Bors withdrew from that place. And he went to his rooms -and summoned three esquires. These assisted him to his armor, and when -he was armed he descended to the stables and there he gave orders that -his horse should be brought forth to him. And he mounted upon his horse, -and so he rode forth upon his way once more. And he did not again speak -to that Lady Queen; for he said to himself, “Of what avail can it be to -bid her adieu? It will but cause pain to her and pain to me. So I will -go without bidding her adieu.” - -For thus it was whenever a knight of old made a vow, then that knight -set behind him all that was of pleasure or of profit, and drave straight -forward to fulfil that vow which he had made. Hence it was that those -great knights of King Arthur’s Round Table achieved all their vows that -it was possible for them to achieve. For thus is it better to do one’s -duty at all hazards and no matter what may befall one in the doing -thereof. For duty lyeth before all the pleasures and all the glories of -the world, wherefore he who doeth his duty under all circumstances, that -man cannot go astray in his performances. - -So Sir Bors rode forward for all that day and for part of the next day, -and toward evening of the second day he found himself in a strange, wild -place. For he knew not where he was or what place it was to which he had -come. For there was a wide stretch of dark and dismal land upon all -sides of him. And very little grass grew upon that land, but many thorn -bushes, most of them without leaves or foliage of any kind. And anon a -carrion crow would spring from the earth and fly heavily away against -the grey and dismal sky, but beyond such things there was no eye of any -sort at that place, but only darkness without any soul alive within it. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors meets a White Knight._] - -Here he came to a cross-road and as he approached that cross-road he was -aware of a solitary knight who was there and waiting. And this knight -was clad all in white armor, and he sat upon a white horse, and he was -the knight whom Sir Bors had seen in his dream; and when Sir Bors drew -nigh he saluted him, saying, “Greeting, Sir Bors, whither goest thou?” - -Then Sir Bors said, “Messire, who art thou who knowest me and I know not -thee? For I beheld thee last night, but in a dream.” The White Knight -said, “It matters not who I am, but wit you this, that I know you very -well, and I know that you seek the Holy Grail. Sir Galahad shall achieve -that Grail, and you and Sir Percival, who am the next purest knight to -him, shall find it with him. Here have I been waiting for you for some -while, and at last you have come. So come now with me.” And Sir Bors -said, “I will do so.” - -So after that they two rode together side by side. And anon the sun sank -and the moon arose, very still and bright, and ever they two rode on in -that way side by side together. - -And Sir Bors spoke no word to the White Knight and the White Knight -spoke no word to Sir Bors, but ever they rode in silence all bathed by -the white moonlight; their shadows, black and obscure, following them. - -So at last they came to where there was a wide and stony waste without a -blade of grass or a tree growing upon it, but only a great stretch of -round hard stones of various sizes spread thick all over the earth -before them. Then the White Knight said to Sir Bors, “Yonder is our -road; let us go thither.” - -So they two rode straight forward as that knight had directed they -should do, and all about them lay the white and silent moonlight, like -to a bath of pure and limpid silver. So anon and after a considerable -while Sir Bors heard a great roaring, though far away from where they -were. Then the White Knight drew rein and said, “Hearken, Sir Bors, hear -ye that sound, and wit ye what it is?” Sir Bors said, “What is that -sound?” The White Knight said, “That is the sea breaking upon the -beach. Thither it is we go.” - -[Sidenote: _They come to the sea._] - -So by and by they came to where there was a little cove of the sea, and -beyond the cove the great waves burst upon the beach. So the White -Knight rode down to the shores of that cove, and Sir Bors followed, and -at that place there was a hard and level beach of pure white sand, and -some rocks were beyond that sand. - -Here Sir Bors beheld that there was a boat beside the rocks, and the -boat rested against the shore, and it was hung within with pure white -linen. And within the middle of the boat was a couch, and on the couch -there was a knight lying asleep. And Sir Bors perceived that that knight -was Sir Percival. - -Then the White Knight said to Sir Bors, “Sir Bors, enter yonder boat, -for so only shalt thou find the Grail.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors enters the boat._] - -So Sir Bors dismounted from his horse and he entered the boat, and with -that Sir Percival awoke and sat up. And when Sir Percival perceived Sir -Bors there in the boat he gave him greeting, and Sir Bors greeted Sir -Percival. - -Then the White Knight gave the boat a thrust from the shore, and the -boat immediately sped away very swiftly into the night-time. And as Sir -Bors and Sir Percival gazed back behind them they could yet see the -figure of the White Knight seated upon his horse as still and motionless -as though he were carved in marble stone. And though neither of them -knew it, yet that knight was the spirit of Sir Balan who had returned to -lead those knights champion to find the Grail. - -Then anon that white figure faded into the dimness of the moonlight and -was gone, and all about them lay the sea, very strange and mysterious -and yet full of motion. And the bright whiteness of the moonlight lay -moving upon the crests of the waves, and ever it wavered this way and -that as though it were liquid silver poured upon the waves. - - * * * * * - -Such were the adventures of Sir Bors at this time. - -Nor shall you think ill of him because he left that beautiful lady who -was his betrothed wife to seek the Grail. For wit you that the Grail was -thought by all the world to be the greatest and the most important thing -in that world; and its recovery was adjudged to be the most splendid and -the noblest deed that any knight could undertake. Wherefore it was that -Sir Bors would surrender all his hope of love and of riches and of -worldly honor to seek for that Grail. - -This he did not for his own glory but for the glory of heaven, and not -for his own honor, but for the honor of Paradise, where that Grail -really belonged. - -Wherefore he would turn aside from all that the world had to offer him -and would direct his face and all his endeavor to the recovery of that -sacred chalice, content, if he should recover it or aid in its recovery, -to sacrifice all the world for the sake of that recovery. - -For be it said at this place that the Lady Leisette did not wait the -return of Sir Bors, but, finding him gone, she took for her husband a -certain noble knight of that kingdom, and he ruled that land in her -behalf with great benignity of judgment and with high honor of knightly -wisdom. - -Now pass we from the story of Sir Bors and turn we to the further -adventures of Sir Galahad at that time, as followeth. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Sir Galahad rides with the Lady] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Seventh - -_How Sir Galahad smote down Sir Gawaine, and how he accompanied a Fair -Lady to the seashore. And of what happened thereafter._ - - -Now, after Sir Galahad had smitten down Sir Launcelot, as aforetold of, -he rode for a long while in a wild forest and had many adventures of -divers sorts, of which no account hath been given, though mention is -made of them in the ancient histories of those things which I have read. -That while he dwelt in the forest and slept in the forest, and was fed, -when he was an hungered, by the people of the forest. - -So it befell that one morning he rode out from the forest and found -himself in an open country that sloped down very deep to a valley, as -though it were a deep bowl of the earth. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad beholds several knights in the valley._] - -And Sir Galahad sat upon his horse on the edge of that bowl and gazed -down into it. And he beheld a great way off a castle; and he beheld that -there was a concourse of many knights gathered about that castle. For -the early sunlight shone down upon the armor of those knights, so that -the armor caught the light and flung it back again as it were in -brilliant points of pure and blazing flame. - -Then Sir Galahad said to himself, “What is that concourse of knights, -and why gather they around about that castle in such a wise?” And he -said to himself, “I will ride down thither into the valley, and will see -for myself what is the meaning of that assembly.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad bespeaketh those knights._] - -So therewith he drew rein and descended down into the valley as he -proposed to himself to do. And so he approached ever nearer to that -distant castle. So by and by he was near enough to them to bespeak them, -and when he had come still a little nearer he said to them, “Messires, -what is this that you do at this place?” They say to him, “Sir, at this -place there was not long since held a tournament of eight knights. In -that tournament a certain young knight was slain. We be his relatives -and his friends who have come hither to avenge him. So we wait here -outside the castle, and those seven knights hide them away from us -within the walls of the castle.” - -“For shame!” said Sir Galahad. “For shame, that ye who are several -should thus besiege seven men who cannot stand against ye. Get you gone -and let them come forth.” - -They say to him, “We will not get us gone from this place until we have -taken those seven men with us. Because it is for that purpose we have -come hither and for that purpose shall we stay until it be achieved.” - -“Well, then,” said Sir Galahad, “I will assail ye upon this side, and -then they will come forth and assail ye upon the other side, and so will -we raise this siege.” - -At this they all laughed, saying, “Is it possible that one knight can -lift the siege of so many against seven? Well, then, let us see if he -can do so.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad doeth battle with those knights._] - -So they began to prepare themselves for battle, and Sir Galahad began to -prepare himself also for battle. So, when he had cast aside his lance -and had drawn his sword he lifted up his shield on high, and, shouting, -he drave against them. And he drave into the midst of the press, lashing -upon this side and upon that. And so terrible were the strokes which he -gave that many fell down before them, and all bare away from him, so -that anon he had carved a small open space about him. - -Now in that party who were thus besieging the castle were Sir Gawaine -and Sir Ewaine his cousin. But Sir Galahad knew not these two knights, -and they knew not him. For his armor was much defaced in battle and in -the adventures through which he had passed, and at that time he wore a -leather covering to his shield. So they knew him not. - -So they stood about and looked upon Sir Galahad and he looked upon them, -and meantime the knights of the castle made them ready to come forth. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad overcometh Sir Gawaine._] - -Then Sir Gawaine said, “For shame that we should thus be driven back by -one man! Now I will have to do with him myself.” So he came forward -against Sir Galahad, and Sir Galahad awaited him. Then when Sir Gawaine -had come close enough, Sir Galahad arose in his stirrups, and he -launched a blow at Sir Gawaine that nor leather nor iron could stay. For -that blow clove asunder the shield of Sir Gawaine, and it clove asunder -his helmet, and it clove asunder the iron coif beneath the helmet, and -it bit deep into the bone of the brain-pan itself. - -Then the brains of Sir Gawaine swam like shallow water, and he reeled -this way and that in his saddle, and would have fallen had it not been -for Sir Ewaine, who catched him ere he fell beneath the feet of his -horse, and so held him up in the saddle. - -Then Sir Gawaine said, “Ah, Ewaine! That was none other than Galahad who -smote me that blow. For none other than he could give such a stroke as -that. So have I suffered for attempting to draw forth that sword out of -the marble stone. Ah! woe is me.” So saying, his dissolving wits left -him, and he swooned away as though he were dying. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad bringeth Sir Gawaine into the castle._] - -Meantime the knights within the castle had given command that the gates -should be opened. So they were flung open according to that command, and -the seven knights within the castle issued out to conduct the assault -from that side. But Sir Ewaine cried out, “Messires, give over, and we -will withdraw from this place. For here is most sorely wounded a very -excellent knight, who is the nephew of King Arthur.” “Alas!” cried Sir -Galahad. “Woe is me! For so have I carried out the provisions of that -prophecy relating to the sword. For it was predicted of this sword that -it should bite deep into the life of Sir Gawaine, and lo! it hath done -so.” And he said to Sir Ewaine, “Convey him into this castle, for here -shall his wound be searched, and he shall be cared for.” And he said to -those of the castle, “See to it that all care is given to this -gentleman.” And they say to him, “We will do so.” - -So Sir Gawaine was conveyed within the castle, and was laid upon a -couch. And his wound was searched, and balm was laid upon it. Thus was -he put at ease at that place, and so was the prophecy concerning that -sword fulfilled. - -Then they all beseeched Sir Galahad that he would stay at that castle -for a little while, but he would not stay at that place. Otherwise he -said, “I must go upon my way, I know not whither. For I have a mission -to fulfil, and in fulfilling it I know not whither I go.” So he drew -rein and rode away, leaving them behind him. - - * * * * * - -Now wit ye how the knights of those days fared when they rode errant? I -will tell you. - -About the middle of that day Sir Galahad came to the house of a farm -yeoman, and the wife of the yeoman and the daughter of the yeoman stood -in the doorway of the house. The woman who was the wife was large and -buxom, but the daughter was very slender and brown. - -[Sidenote: _How Sir Galahad refreshes himself._] - -Of these Sir Galahad besought food to eat, and they brought to him a -loaf of bread, a piece of cheese, and a crock of cider, and Sir Galahad -ate and drank, sitting under the shade of a wide-spreading tree. -Meanwhile, those people watched him from afar with great interest and -curiosity, for never had they beheld a knight so tall and so noble as -Sir Galahad. - -Thus did these bright-armed knights who wandered errant through the -world in those days refresh themselves, and so were they received and -entertained by the people whom they met. Thus have I told you of that so -that you might know thereof. - -That evening, after the sun had set, and the soft and starry night had -descended upon the earth like a sparkling coverlet of darkness, very -damp and warm, Sir Galahad found himself in a wide moorland, and he wist -not where he should sleep. - -So at last the moon arose, shining very brightly and tranquilly, and by -the light thereof Sir Galahad perceived before him a small chapel. And -he said to himself, “Here will I lodge me for the night.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad lodges at a chapel._] - -So Sir Galahad rode up to the door of the chapel and he smote very -loudly upon the boards of the door with the handle of his misericordia. -Anon there came the recluse to whom that chapel belonged, and when he -beheld Sir Galahad standing there he bade him to enter. So Sir Galahad -entered the chapel, and after the recluse had put the horse of Sir -Galahad into the stable nigh to the chapel, he came to where the knight -was, and set before him some broth and some pulse, together with some -freshly gathered fruit, and Sir Galahad ate thereof with great -heartiness. - -[Sidenote: _There cometh a lady to the chapel._] - -Now, whilst Sir Galahad sat there eating, there came another knock upon -the door, and when the recluse went to open it, he beheld standing there -a very beautiful lady clad all in white, and with her dark hair bound -around with a ribbon of silver. And the lady was mounted upon a -cream-white jennet, and the saddle of the jennet was of crimson Spanish -leather, embossed and studded with plates and buttons of silver. - -When the door was opened, the lady said to the recluse, “Sir, I pray you -tell me, is there here within a knight hight Galahad?” - -This heard Sir Galahad, and hearing it he arose and came forward, and he -said, “Lady, I am Galahad. What would you have of me?” - -She said, “Sir, I pray you to come and ride with me and I will lead you -to such an adventure as you have never had in all of your life before.” -Quoth he, “Where is that adventure?” She said to him, “It is not very -far distant from here. But I cannot tell you more than that.” Sir -Galahad said, “Whither would you lead me?” She said, “Come and I will -show you.” - -So Sir Galahad went back into the chapel and armed himself, and the -recluse brought forth his horse out of the stable. And anon Sir Galahad, -being in all ways armed, came forth out of the hermitage and mounted his -horse. - -Immediately he was mounted the lady drew rein and turned, and rode away -from that place, and Sir Galahad followed her. - -[Sidenote: _The lady and Sir Galahad ride together._] - -So they rode away across the moorland together. All around them was the -stillness of the night-time, and overhead and about them lay the silent -whiteness of the effulgent moon. And the shadows of each and the shadows -of the horse of each followed them across the moorland, very black and -mysterious. - -So they travelled a considerable while in silence, for the lady did not -speak to Sir Galahad, nor did Sir Galahad speak to her. But each rode in -silence, and each was occupied with his or her own thoughts. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Galahad beholds the sea._] - -Thus, by and by, they reached a high part of the moorland, and of a -sudden Sir Galahad beheld the sea, over above the downs. And the moon -shone down upon the sea so that it looked like a shining stretch of pure -and radiant silver against the night sky that lay behind it. Then Sir -Galahad said, “Lady, yonder is the sea.” “Aye,” quoth the other, “and it -is thither that I am bringing thee.” - -So after awhile they came to where the sea lay below them, and they -beheld the waves illuminated by the light of the moonshine lapping -against the shore. Then they rode down to the sea, and there was at that -place a rocky promontory that stretched out into the water. And they -rode across that promontory, and there Sir Galahad beheld a boat lying -in the moonlight moored, as it were, to the shore, although no rope -attached it to the shore. And as they two approached the boat, Sir -Galahad perceived that the boat was all draped and hanged with white -linen, and he perceived that there were two men within the boat. - -[Sidenote: _He perceives Sir Percival and Sir Bors in a boat._] - -The faces of these two were cut out very clear and sharp and white from -the darkness behind because of the moonlight that shone upon them, and -Sir Galahad perceived that the one of those faces was the face of Sir -Percival, and that the other face was the face of Sir Bors de Ganis. -These two, beholding Sir Galahad there upon the shore, gave him loud and -joyous greeting, crying out, “Greeting, Sir Galahad! And welcome to -thee!” - -Then Sir Galahad sprang down from off his horse, and he ran down to the -shore, leaping from rock to rock. And he sprang into the boat and kissed -each of those two upon the cheek, and they kissed him upon the cheek in -return. And Sir Galahad said to them, “What do ye here?” To the which -they replied, “We wait for thee.” And they say, “What lady is that with -whom thou hast come hither?” He replied, “I know her not, but she hath -brought me to this place.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival beholdeth his sister._] - -And then they beheld that the lady had also dismounted from her horse -and was approaching to them. And she came to them down the rocks and she -stood close to the boat, and when she did so Sir Percival saw her more -clearly and he knew her. Then he cried out, “I know thee! Thou art my -sister!” She said, “Yea, that is true.” He said to her, “Sister, what -doest thou here?” She replied, “I come to give you information, and it -is this: You shall sail away from this place, and by and by you shall -find another boat of a very magnificent sort. For that boat is the _Ship -of Solomon_, and it is waiting for you. In it you will find the Grail -established, and the ship itself will take you whither the Grail -belongeth. So enter the _Ship of Solomon_ freely, for no harm shall -befall you in it, and it shall convey you to the city of Sarras where -the Grail belongeth.” Then turned she to Sir Galahad, and she said, “And -to thee, Galahad, am I permitted to say this thing: That it is given to -thee that when thou willest thy soul shall depart from thy body. And it -shall leave thy body behind, and shall ascend with the glory of angels -into Paradise at thy command. All this I have to tell you, and now fare -you well.” - -Thereafter the lady turned away from them and mounted her horse and rode -away. And as she departed she wept, for she was aware that she would -never behold Sir Percival again. - -Then that boat in which they were moved away from the shore, and anon it -moved very swiftly. And it sailed past the headland and out into the -sea, and, in a little while, the land disappeared from sight, melting, -as it were, into the soft glory of the moonlight that illuminated all -the darkness of the earth. And so they sailed swiftly across the sea and -the great waves of the sea, and ever the moonlight lay all about them, -and they were cradled in the arms of the sea. - -So they sailed for all that night, and anon the day dawned, and then -they perceived before them another and a larger ship than the boat in -which they sailed. And the boat in which they were moved very swiftly -toward the ship and at last came close beside it. - -[Sidenote: _They come to the “Ship of Solomon.”_] - -Then they beheld that that ship was of a very wonderful sort, for it was -built all of santal wood, and was tinted with vermilion and ultramarine, -and was glorified with gold. And the sails of that ship were of -variegated silk, very wonderful to behold. And the decks were spread -with rich carpets, and there was no human being of any sort to be -perceived about that ship. - -Then Sir Percival said, “This wonderful ship must be the _Ship of -Solomon_, and into it we are destined to enter and to discover the -Grail. So let us enter it forthwith and without loss of time.” - -So they departed from their own boat and entered the _Ship of Solomon_, -and as soon as they had done so the boat in which they had sailed -disappeared and was gone, and they saw it no more. And at that time they -were hushed as with a great awe. - -[Sidenote: _They find the Grail._] - -Then Sir Percival said, “Come, let us behold the Grail, which is here.” -So with that saying they all descended below the deck of that boat, and -coming there they beheld a table of carved silver, and against the table -there leaned the spear and upon the table was a purple velvet cloth, -spread over something that stood upon the table, and the cloth was -embroidered very richly with gold and ornamented with many precious -stones of divers colors. And from beneath it there shone a clear and -brilliant light, and that light was emitted by the Grail. - -Sir Galahad went to the table and took the cloth by the corners and -lifted it up; and lo! beneath it was the Holy Chalice itself. And it -blazed with a light that was like that of the sun--very splendid and -effulgent--so that they could scarcely look upon the splendor thereof. - -Then they all three kneeled down before the Grail, and set their palms -together, and gave all honor and glory to its splendors. And Sir -Percival said, “I have seen this before, but never so near at hand as -this.” And again they all gave praise to it. - -So the _Ship of Solomon_ sailed very swiftly away with those three -knights in it, and it sailed for all that day, and near eventide it -approached a great city that stood upon a high and rocky hill. - -[Sidenote: _They come to the city of Sarras._] - -And that city was the city of Sarras, and it appeared to the eyes of the -three knights to be very great and beautiful. For they beheld that there -were very many high pinnacles and towers to that city, and they saw that -these were illuminated by the setting sun, so that they appeared as -though they were built of pure and shining gold. - -So the boat in which they sat sailed very swiftly toward the city, and -anon it ceased its voyage beside a wharf that was there. - -Then Sir Galahad said, “Let us convey this Holy Chalice to the minster, -for, certes, this is where it belongeth.” And Sir Bors and Sir Percival -said, “Let us do so.” - -So they three took up the silver table by three of its corners, and they -bare it toward the gate of the town. - -[Sidenote: _How the cripple was healed._] - -Now the history of these things telleth that at the town gate there sat -a cripple begging, and the cripple had not walked for thirty years. -They say to him, “Come, help us bear the fourth corner of this table.” -He said, “How can I help bear the table? Lo, I have been a cripple for -thirty years, and in that time I have not walked a step without my -crutches.” Sir Galahad said, “Nevertheless, arise and come hither.” Then -the man arose, supported by his crutches, and they brought the table of -the Grail to him, and he laid hands upon the silver table. - -Then, no sooner had he touched that table, than the strength flowed into -him; his joints became strongly knit and supple, and he was, as it were, -no longer a cripple. Then he cried out, “Lo! I am healed!” And with that -he skipped and leaped in his strength. - - * * * * * - -So the Grail was achieved, and now followeth the account of how those -three worthy knights brought it in return to the city of Sarras where it -belonged, and of what befell them there; so I pray you to read the -conclusion of this passage hereinafter written. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] Conclusion - - -Now the news of the healing of this cripple became known; it went all -through the town, so that when they entered the town, great crowds -presently gathered and followed them, and the noise of the tumult of -that following was like to the noise of the roaring of many waters. For -ever the crowd gathered more and more to it, until all that part of the -town was filled full of a slow-moving concourse of people. - -[Sidenote: _They bring the Grail to the minster._] - -Thus they came to the minster, what time the Bishop of that minster was -there, and seeing them enter with the silver table he said, “What have -you there?” Sir Galahad replied, “Sir, this is the Holy Grail upon this -table, and we who have achieved the quest of it have brought it hither -where it belongeth.” The Bishop said, “Let me see that Grail.” - -So Sir Galahad took the velvet covering of the Grail by the corners and -lifted it, and lo! the glory of the Grail blazed forth before the eyes -of all. And so great was that glory that it illuminated the entire -interior of the minster, so that it was like the illumination of -sunlight that was burst into that place. And all they who beheld the -Grail and that sudden illumination bowed down before it and uttered -their prayers of thanksgiving that it was returned to where it belonged. - -So the Grail and the spear were placed before the high altar, and there -they remained unveiled; and the glory of them illuminated all the -coadjacent spaces with brightness. - -So the Grail remained exposed in that city for three days, and at the -end of that time it was elevated from earth to heaven, as shall now be -told of. - -The three knights were there in the great minster, kneeling and praying -before the high altar where stood the Grail, when of a sudden they heard -a voice from on high, saying, “Hail, ye heroes, and all praise to ye! -For ye have recovered that Grail which here and now is to be translated -from earth to heaven.” - -[Sidenote: _How the Grail ascends to heaven._] - -With that voice there came two hands, very white and shining, and they -took the Grail, and there was no body to be seen with those hands, but -only the hands themselves. And there came two other hands and took the -spear, and neither was there any body to those hands. So those four -hands lifted the Grail and they lifted the spear, and they bore those -two holy relics aloft and away from that place. And they ascended, as it -were, through the roof of the minster and were gone in a burst of glory -that lingered for some little while and then faded away into darkness. - -So it happened with the Grail that it was elevated into heaven, and that -this was so was avouched for by many who were in the minster at that -time; and several of these beheld those four hands, and saw the Grail -elevated from earth to heaven. So this is to be believed in as here -narrated. - -Then there sounded from on high to the ears that were unstopped to hear -that sound, a great anthem as of thanksgiving, as it were the tones of a -mighty organ, or as it were the tones of a wonderful and melodious -thunder, and they three heard that melody of music, but no other who was -there heard it. And they were aware that it was the rejoicing of heaven -over the return of those sacred relics to that place, wherefore they -were filled with an ecstasy that was not of this world, but of heaven, -and that was of great joy, yet was of awfulness and of a sort of terror. - -Then was the spirit of Galahad exalted, and he lifted up his voice and -cried aloud, “There is nothing remaining for me to live for. So now let -me depart in peace.” - -[Sidenote: _Of the passing of Galahad._] - -Thereat with those words the soul was drawn out of his body and the eyes -of those two knights who kneeled beside him were opened and they beheld -his spirit ascend into glory, and they beheld that the illumination of -heaven shone round about it, and at the same time they heard, with a -louder and more momentous tone, the thunder peal of heavenly triumph as -the spirit of Galahad was received into its glory, together with the -Grail which he had achieved. - -Then the brightness closed from their eyes and they beheld themselves to -be kneeling in the dark and empty minster. And they looked at the body -of Sir Galahad, and behold! it was dead. - -So passed Sir Galahad, and at that time he was yet not twenty years of -age. - -Sir Bors went to the Bishop of that minster, and he said to him, “Sir, -this man was altogether a good, virtuous, and perfect knight. It is our -desire that his dead body should lie here in this minster at that spot -whence the Grail ascended into heaven but now. Wherefore, we beseech -you to suffer it to lie at that place.” To these the Bishop said, “Let, -then, that be fulfilled as you ask. For I believe that that knight was -indeed a very good, excellent, holy man withal.” - -So they buried the body of Sir Galahad there in the minster, beside the -spot whence the Holy Grail ascended into heaven, and there the tomb of -Sir Galahad remained to be seen for many years after his body was so -buried. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Percival taketh holy orders._] - -After this was over and done, it being then the fourth day after they -had come thither, Sir Bors said to Sir Percival, “Sir, whither now shall -we go?” And Sir Percival said to him, “I shall not go anywhere; for here -shall I remain, and here I shall take upon myself holy orders and shall -live and die as a monk in those orders. But return you, Sir Bors, to the -Court of King Arthur, and tell them of the court concerning all those -things that have befallen; to wit, tell them how the Grail was achieved -by us three, and how that it was taken up into heaven before our eyes, -and how we beheld it enter the gates of heaven. So go you to Camelot, -and tell them concerning all these things.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors returneth to the Court of the King._] - -Thus said Sir Percival, and Sir Bors said, “I will do as you bid me.” So -the next day Sir Bors kissed Sir Percival upon the cheeks and either -wept salt tears over the other. Then they parted company and Sir -Percival remained at that place and became a monk, and Sir Bors departed -thence, returning back again to Camelot. - -There he arrived at the ending of a year and a day, and all they who -were there made great joy over his return. For all those knights who had -gone forth in search of the Grail and had not died in that quest had now -returned, saving only Sir Launcelot of the Lake. For it had become known -throughout the world that the Grail had been found, and that it had been -elevated into heaven, so that all those who were seeking for it were -returned back home again. - -Then Sir Bors told them all the circumstances of the finding of the -Grail, and how it had been elevated in the minster at Sarras, and of how -Sir Galahad had died, and of how he had beheld the soul of Sir Galahad -exalted to heaven. - -And King Arthur had that history written down in three great books, and -one of those books was established at Salisbury, and another at Camelot -(which same is Winchester), and the third at Carleon upon the Usk; and -from these three volumes the story of the Grail has descended to us of -the present day, and so I have written a part of that for your -delectation. - -It remaineth now only to be said that Sir Bors, after all these events, -returned to that lady whom he had quitted to search for the Grail. But -the happiness of earth was not to be his, for he found that she had -wearied of waiting for his return, and had married elsewhere. So Sir -Bors returned to Camelot, and there he abided until the time of that -quarrel that preceded the ending of the reign of King Arthur. - -For wit ye that he who aims high will often miss the small joys of this -life, and so it was with Sir Bors de Ganis. For though he was one of -those who achieved the Grail, yet he missed the lesser joys of wedded -life, and of that kingdom which belonged to them. - - * * * * * - -Thus hath been told to you the famous history of the recovery of the -Grail and of its translation into Paradise. And this was the crowning -glory of the reign of King Arthur. For after these circumstances had -happened, as herein told of, there came dissensions and battles amongst -those knights--knight against knight--until the famous Round Table of -King Arthur was severed and shattered, never to be reunited again. - -But of that more anon, for it is hereinafter to be told of. So now I -pray you for to read that which followeth if you would learn the ending -of all these things. - -[Illustration] - - - - -PART III - -The Passing of Arthur - - -_Here beginneth the history of the passing of Arthur, of his Round -Table, and of many of the splendid and glorious knights thereof. With it -comes the conclusion of this history, for no more shall then remain to -be written thereof._ - -[Illustration: The Queen’s pages clothe Sir Launcelot] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter First - -_How Queen Guinevere visited Sir Launcelot in the forest; how Sir -Launcelot returned to Court as aforetime, and how he fled once more from -the Court._ - - -Now it hath been told how that after the quest of the Grail all those -knights who had not died in that quest, or who were able to return did -return to the Court of King Arthur. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot dwelleth in the forest._] - -But Sir Launcelot of the Lake did not return with the other knights, for -he abided in the forest not very far distant from the habitation of the -Hermit of the Forest. There he lived a recluse in pious meditation, -considering of his sins and repenting of them. - -Several knights had seen him at that place where he was dwelling and -they knew him, and they brought away from that place news of him and of -the life he led. That news became known at the Court of King Arthur, and -there was much talked of, and King Arthur said, “What a pity it is that -so great and so noble a knight as Sir Launcelot should thus deny himself -to the world. For in the world he is the greatest knight of the world, -but out of the world he is as any other man.” - -[Sidenote: _Queen Guinevere sendeth for Sir Launcelot._] - -All these things Queen Guinevere heard and she meditated upon them as -she sat thoughtfully in her bower. So one day she called to her a page, -and she said to him that he should ride to such and such a part of the -forest, and that there he would find Sir Launcelot. And the Queen said -to the page that he was then to tell Sir Launcelot to return to the -Court of the King. And she said to the page to tell Sir Launcelot that -all the court spake of him continually, and that all desired that he -should return to them. - -So the page went to that part of the forest as the Queen had commanded, -and there he found Sir Launcelot in his cell; and the cheeks of Sir -Launcelot were hollow and his limbs and body were thin and shrunken from -continual fasting and meditation. Then the page kneeled down before him -and said, “Sir, the Queen bids you for to return to the Court of King -Arthur; for all the ladies and the lords of the court desire you to -return there and be the ornament of that court as you were aforetime.” - -Sir Launcelot said to the page, “Return thou to the Queen and say to her -that I will not return back into the world as she desires me to do. For -here I dwell in peace and quietness and I repent me of all my manifold -sins as it becometh me to do. For those same sins have stood as a shadow -betwixt me and the Grail, so that when the Grail was present I slept, -and when it was gone I awoke and found that it was gone. Wherefore I -repent me of those sins. And so I will abide here and meditate upon them -for all the rest of my life.” - -So the page returned to Queen Guinevere and delivered these words of Sir -Launcelot to her, and the Queen said, “How is this? He will not come? -Then will I go myself and bring him.” - -[Sidenote: _Queen Guinevere goeth to Sir Launcelot._] - -So she procured a great white horse, and she procured rich and gaudy -raiment, such as a knight at court might wear, and with these things and -with a court of knights and ladies and several pages she betook her way -into the forest. - -Then all that part of the forest into which she penetrated became gay -and jocund with her coming. For it was as though the sunlight had -suddenly burst through the leaves of the forest. All the silent woodland -was made noisy with the clear sounds of talk and laughter, and of -musical and merry chattering. - -So the Queen came to that part of the forest where Sir Launcelot was, -and Sir Launcelot came forth from his hut to meet her. And he stood afar -off from her and said, “Lady, what wouldst thou here?” She said, -“Launcelot, I come to thee to bring thee away from this lonely place, -for the Court of the king is the fittest place for thee to be in. For -thou art the greatest knight in Christendom, wherefore it ill becometh -thee to hide thyself away in this desolate place.” - -Then Sir Launcelot lifted up his voice and cried aloud, “Get you gone, -Lady, and trouble me no more, for I know you not. Yet it was because of -you that I cast aside my wife so that she died because of my neglect. -Because of that sin and because of other sins that thou wottest of I -slept while the Grail passed before me, and could not awake until after -it was gone. So lie I here thinking of that and of other misfortunes -that have visited me because of my many sins. Thus it is that here in -the woodlands I endeavor to purify my soul of those sins.” - -[Sidenote: _The Queen speaketh to Sir Launcelot._] - -Then the Queen drew nearer to him and she said to him, “Launcelot, -thinkest thou that thus thy sins may be remitted unto thee? Wit thou -that thy sins are like an enemy, and that the only way in which thou -canst conquer those sins is to battle manfully with them and not to fly -from them. Arise! shake off this sluggishness and come forth into the -world again, for it awaits thee. There and there only may thy sins be -remitted unto thee.” - -Then Sir Launcelot groaned and he hid his face in his arms and anon he -said, “Lady, tempt me not.” Then after another while he said, “I cannot -go with thee, for I have no horse to ride.” - -Then Queen Guinevere smiled and she said, “Launcelot, I have purveyed -thee with a horse, and it is here.” Then Sir Launcelot cried out again -as in a sort of despair, “Still I cannot go with thee for I have no -clothes fit to wear at court.” - -And again Queen Guinevere smiled and she said, “Also I have provided -thee with clothes; they, too, are here.” Then she commanded two of her -pages to convey the chest of clothes into Sir Launcelot’s cell and they -did so. Then they opened the chest and Sir Launcelot gazed into it, and -beheld all that noble apparel of silks and velvets, of gold and jewels, -of silver and of lace. - -So Sir Launcelot suffered those two pages to clothe him in that raiment, -and presently he came forth from the cell, shining as with great glory. -And he mounted upon the great white horse which the Queen had brought -him, and so they rode away together from that place. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot returneth to the court._] - -Now there were at court several who were unfriends to Sir Launcelot; -some of these were unfriends because they were malicious, others because -they were jealous of his fame; others for this reason, and others for -that reason. Two of these were Sir Mordred and Sir Agravaine, who were -brothers to Sir Gawaine. Then there was Sir Kay the Seneschal and Sir -Florence and Sir Lovel, who were sons to Sir Gawaine, and who were -jealous of Sir Launcelot upon Sir Gawaine’s account. - -These and several others were unfriends to Sir Launcelot, and they -talked much amongst themselves concerning the return of Sir Launcelot, -saying, “Lo! this knight hath come forth out of the forest and hath -assumed his knighthood again over us all, yet at first he would not -come, but when the Queen went thither then he beheld her and followed -her forth.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot heareth unfriendly talk._] - -These words and words like them came to the ears of Sir Launcelot, and -because of them he withdrew himself from the presence of the Queen, and -consorted with other lords and ladies of the court. This the Queen -observed, and was grieved at it, for she wished for Sir Launcelot to be -with her, and she desired to have him near to her. So one day she sent -for Sir Launcelot to come to her and she gazed at him for some time -without speaking. Anon she said to him, “Launcelot, why dost thou keep -thyself afar off from me?” He replied, “Lady, I avoid thee for thine own -sake and not for my sake.” To the which she said, “How is that?” - -He said, “I will tell thee. There is much talk about this court -concerning thee and concerning me, and that talk links our names -together. I fear not this talk upon mine own account. For it cannot hurt -me, but it may do great injury to thee; therefore do I hold myself away -from thee.” - -Then Queen Guinevere began weeping, and she said, “Ah, Launcelot, -Launcelot! Thou art not to me as thou one time wert. For one time thou -wert ever ready to come to me, but now thou keepest thyself afar off -from me. That which thou sayst is thy excuse for not being with me, and -is not the cause of that absence.” Then she said of a sudden to him, -“Go! Get thee away from this court, for thou bringest nothing but -disturbance to my soul.” - -Then Sir Launcelot said very bitterly, “Lady, it would have been well -for both of us if thou hadst permitted me to remain where I was in the -forest, and not have tempted me to quit my sanctuary.” - -Then the Queen cried out upon him, “How now! What is this thou sayst? I -went to thee to save thee and not to tempt thee. If thou longest for thy -husks again, return to them. At any rate, get thee gone from me, and -never come near to me again. For thou bringest naught but sorrow and -great tribulation to me.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot departeth again from the court._] - -So Sir Launcelot bowed and withdrew from where he was, and his heart was -filled with a great despair. So he came to where Sir Bors and Sir Lionel -were and he told them all that had passed. And he cried out to them, -“What now shall I do who have sacrificed my sanctuary and have got -naught by that sacrifice?” - -Then quoth Sir Bors, “It would have been well for thee, if thou hadst -never quitted that safe sanctuary within the forest. But as thou now -hast quitted it, so mayst thou not return to it again. For so wouldst -thou strive to walk backward into that which hath passed. No man may do -that in the life which he leads. - -“As for the anger of the Queen, soon will she forget that anger, and as -soon as she forgets it, then will she desire to see thee again. For so -hath she done several times before, and so will she do again.” - -Said Sir Launcelot, “I will go to my castle of Joyous Gard and there -will I abide until her anger against me hath grown cold again.” - -[Sidenote: _He departeth to the castle of Sir Brasius._] - -“Not so,” said Sir Bors, “the Queen spake truly in this; that thy place -is in the field, and neither in the hermit’s cell, nor enclosed in the -walls of that castle. But get thee to the castle of Sir Brasius the Good -Knight, and there abide for a little while, seeking such adventures as -may be found around about. For when the Queen’s mind changes toward -thee, then wilt thou easily be found at that place, and either I or Sir -Ector will come to seek thee.” - -“Thou sayst well,” said Sir Launcelot. “Thither will I go and there will -I stay until thou or Sir Lionel sendest for me.” - -So Sir Launcelot took horse and rode away to the castle of Sir Brasius, -and there took up his inn. - -But never, at any time, did anyone ever behold him to smile. For though -in the earlier days of his knighthood he had a happy and jocund spirit -and frequently smiled, yet now that happiness had departed from him and -he never smiled. For many sad things had happened to him in his life, -and those things had destroyed that happiness as a hailstorm destroys -those flowers that to-day are and to-morrow are not, but are withered -and dead like the grass in the fields. - -Thus I have told you all those circumstances that led to Sir Launcelot’s -returning to Court, and as to his withdrawing himself thence again. For -so it is that though a man may think to return again into that life from -which he has passed, yet he cannot do so. For the life that is lived in -once and which hath been laid aside for another life, that first life is -dead and cannot be revivified again by the man’s entering into it again, -but remaineth dead for aye. - -So it was with Sir Launcelot, for, when he had committed the sin of -leaving the Lady Elaine the Fair, he had committed it, and all that -befell him thereafter became colored by that evil happening. For, -because of that sin he failed to behold the Holy Grail with the eyes of -his body, and now, because of that sin, and of what was said concerning -him and his doings, he was compelled to exile himself again from that -court in which, by grace of his chivalry and force of arms, he truly -belonged. - -So let us take warning by this example and let us not try to return to -the life which we may have left, but let us endeavor to live that other -life that now presents itself to us after such a happening, whether of -good or of evil. - - * * * * * - -Now followeth that which treats of the poisoning of Sir Patrice of -Ireland at the feast given by Queen Guinevere; so if you would hear how -Sir Launcelot saved the life of the Queen at that time, I pray you to -read what followeth. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Sir Mador de la Porte] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Second - -_How Queen Guinevere held a feast, and how Sir Patrice of Ireland was -poisoned at that feast._ - - -Now after Sir Launcelot had quitted the Court of King Arthur as -aforetold of, the Queen pretended to great joyousness of heart, although -there was no joyousness within her. “I was hasty,” she said to herself, -“and Sir Launcelot was hasty and hath left me again. But this was my -fault and I must show no repining, but must appear to be cheerful to -all. So I will give a feast, that my seeming joyousness may be made -manifest to the world, and no one shall have cause to say that I repine -at the loss of Sir Launcelot.” So said the Queen to herself upon that -occasion. - -[Sidenote: _Queen Guinevere proclaimeth a feast._] - -So she proclaimed a feast, and she had at that feast the following -knights of the Round Table: there were Sir Gawaine and his brothers, to -wit, Sir Agravaine, Sir Geharis, Sir Gareth, and Sir Mordred. Also there -were Sir Bors de Ganis, and Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, and Sir Blamor de -Ganis, and there were Sir Galahad and Sir Galyhadin and Sir Ector and -Sir Lionel and Sir Palamydes and Sir Safyr; and there were Sir Persavant -and Sir Ironside and Sir Brandiles; and there were Sir Kay the Seneschal -and Sir Mador de la Porte and Sir Patrice of Ireland, and Sir Alyduke -and Sir Artamore. - -Now at that time Sir Lamorack of Gales had been slain, and report placed -his death at the hands of Sir Gawaine (although this report was not -true), and of two of Sir Gawaine’s brothers, to wit, Sir Agravaine and -Sir Geharis. - -There was at the Court of King Arthur a certain knight hight Sir Pinal -the Savage, who was cousin to Sir Lamorack, and Sir Pinal was very -bitter against Sir Gawaine, and was anxious to be revenged upon him, yet -he wit not how to take that revenge. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Pinal, surnamed the Savage, poisoneth an apple._] - -Now Sir Gawaine had a custom of eating an apple immediately after he had -dined, and this Sir Pinal was aware of. So Sir Pinal took the fairest -apple he could find, and he introduced into it a very subtle and very -malignant poison, and this apple he placed in the centre of the table, -and in the midst of all the fruit. For he said to himself, “There will -Sir Gawaine find this apple, and he will take it and eat it and will -die.” And he said, “Queen Guinevere will be blamed for that death, for -all the world knoweth that she and Sir Gawaine are unfriends.” So said -Sir Pinal, for he thought thus to be revenged for the death of Sir -Lamorack upon Sir Gawaine, and he knew not how else to achieve that -vengeance. For next to Sir Launcelot, Sir Gawaine was the strongest -knight of the court, and he was besides nephew to King Arthur and of -great importance in the King’s household. Wherefore it was that Sir -Pinal sought to slay Sir Gawaine by that poisoned apple. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Patrice of Ireland eateth the apple, and dieth._] - -But at the end of that feast Sir Gawaine did not take the apple, but -instead of Sir Gawaine, Sir Patrice of Ireland took it. And Sir Patrice -bit a great bite into that apple, and he ate that piece. Then anon he -cried out in a very loud and piercing voice, “Hah! What is this that -ails me?” And then he cried out in a very terrible voice, “Alas! I am -poisoned and I die from eating this apple!” And he cried out again, -“Friends, see that my death is avenged!” - -Therewith he fell down to the ground in great agony, lashing with his -hands and feet and frothing at the mouth, and so in a little while he -died. - -Then Sir Gawaine rose up, and he turned his face toward the Queen, and -his face was very white, and he said, “Lady, how is this? This apple was -poisoned! For whom was it intended?” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine accuseth the Queen._] - -The Queen hid her face in her hands for horror of what she had beheld, -and she cried out in a very shrill voice, “I knew not that it was -poisoned, and I know not how it was poisoned!” Sir Gawaine said, “That -apple was poisoned, and thou knewest that it was poisoned. Methinks it -was intended for me. Thou hast always borne enmity toward me, wherefore -thou didst place that apple upon the table that I might eat of it. One -time thou wert innocent, but now thou art innocent no longer, but art -full of malice and guile, wherefore thou hadst the will to poison me.” - -Then the Queen cried out with a great passion, saying, “Gawaine, thou -and I were never friends, but rather would I cut off my right hand than -to do so evil a thing as this, to seek to poison thee.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mador de la Porte also accuseth the Queen._] - -Then Sir Mador de la Porte stood up before them all, and he said, “Lady, -that which thou sayst may deceive some who are here, but it shall not -deceive me. For I know of thy comings and of thy goings, and I know how -thou didst of malice hold Sir Launcelot here at court when he would fain -have followed the Lady Elaine away from this place, and because that Sir -Launcelot remained here the Lady Elaine died. From this I know that thy -heart is full of guile and wickedness, wherefore it is but a step from -that sin to the sin of poisoning.” - -[Sidenote: _The Queen weepeth._] - -So saying, Sir Mador went out from that place, and all the other knights -followed after him; for Sir Mador was a king’s son, and of great -importance at the court. Then the Queen was left there alone, weeping -with great passion, for she wist not how that poison had been -administered to Sir Patrice. After that came several men who were in the -suite of Sir Mador, and they took up the body of Sir Patrice and they -bore it away from that room. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mador appeareth before the High Court of the King._] - -As soon as might be, Sir Mador de la Porte appeared before the King as -he sat in council, and he appealed the Queen of treason in that she was -a murderess; and this he proclaimed before the King and all his council. - -Then King Arthur turned very white and he bowed his head and anon he -said, “Sir Mador, what wouldst thou have me do in this case? For lo! -thou dost attaint the Queen of murder, and I do not believe it possible -that she could do so wicked and so evil a thing as this. Wherefore thou -must tell me what thou wouldst have me do in this instance.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mador challengeth the Queen of treason._] - -Quoth Sir Mador, “Lord, I do accuse her of having administered poison at -her feast, whereof my cousin Sir Patrice died. In that she certes hath -committed treason against thee and against us all, for this feast of -hers was held here, in this castle, and we were her guests. So accusing -her, I am ready to defend that accusation with my body.” So saying, he -flung his glove down upon the ground, and he cried out, “Here lieth my -glove in gage of battle, and I will defend my accusation with my own -person, my accusation being that the Queen is a murderess.” Quoth the -King, “Hast thou no pity and no mercy for this lady who is thy Queen? -Hast thou no honor and no regard for me, thy King?” And Sir Mador made -reply, “Not in this case! For in this case I have no regard for anything -but to punish the guilty.” - -Then the King arose, and he said, “Send for the Queen to come hither, so -that she may face her accuser.” - -[Sidenote: _The Queen appeareth at the High Court._] - -So anon the Queen came, and two ladies supported her, one upon one side -and the other upon the other. And the Queen wore her veil over her face -for she had been weeping continually and with great passion ever since -the ending of that feast. Now there were many knights gathered there and -many lords and ladies of several sorts, and some of these were the -Queen’s friends and felt sorrow for her, but some of them felt -satisfaction that she was accused. - -The King said, “Arise, Lady, and stand.” And thereupon the Queen stood -up before the King and Sir Mador de la Porte and the entire council. -Then the King said to her, “Lady, this knight, Sir Mador de la Porte, -accuses thee of having used poison at thy feast. What hast thou to say -to that?” - -Then the Queen put back her veil and she had ceased to weep, and her -eyes were very hard and proud, albeit her face was extraordinarily -white. “Sir,” she said, “thou knowest me well--no one better--and thou -knowest that with all my shortcomings (and they be many), I could never -do such a thing as that, to poison an enemy at mine own table. For I -have many enemies at this court, and amongst them is thine own nephew, -Sir Gawaine; for he is my bitterest enemy, and hath always been so. It -was he who first accused me at that feast of having used poison, and -because he is thy nephew and because he is so powerful at court, there -be few knights here who will defend mine innocence against mine -accusers, when he stands at the head of those accusers, holding that I -attempted to poison him. Had I Sir Launcelot here at court, then would I -have had a good worthy defender of mine honor, but I have driven Sir -Launcelot away from me by my pride and anger, and he is not now here to -defend mine innocence. Yet I believe that someone will arise to defend -it, wherefore I will accept this knight’s gage of battle and will abide -by it, come life, come death.” - -Then the King groaned, and he bowed his head, and at last he said, “Lady -and Queen; thou art the wife of my youth, and I would fain defend thee -myself. But this cannot be, for I am the King, and the head of all the -laws. Nevertheless, I believe that some champion will arise for thee; -for it is not possible that in this court there is no knight who will -arise to defend thine innocence. Wherefore, let it be as thou sayst. -Here shall the glove of Sir Mador de la Porte lie upon the ground, until -some defender arises to take it up, and if no other defender arises, -then will I take it up mine own self. Let us now depart.” - -So with that they all arose and left that place, and left Sir Mador de -la Porte’s glove still lying upon the floor of the council chamber. - -[Sidenote: _The Queen asketh Sir Bors to defend her._] - -That night a messenger came to Sir Bors asking him to come to the Queen, -and Sir Bors went with the messenger, who took him to the bower of the -Queen where she was. When Sir Bors entered that place he found that the -King was with the Queen. Then the Queen arose and stood before him. And -she set her hands together, the palm of one against the palm of the -other, and she said, “Sir Bors, will you not serve as my champion in -this quarrel?” - -Then Sir Bors bowed his head, and anon he said, “Lady, I would you had -asked someone else to act as your champion.” - -The Queen looked at him very proudly, and she said, “Why do you say -that? Had I known that your feelings were such, then I would not have -troubled you by asking that service of you. But you are the nephew of -Sir Launcelot, and you are a good worthy knight and one of those three -who have achieved the Grail. Wherefore I ask you why you are not willing -to serve as my champion. Do you then also believe that I would poison a -guest at the feast which I prepared for the entertainment of such noble -and worthy champions?” - -“Nay,” said Sir Bors, “I think no such thing as that of you, Lady. But -in this quarrel there be many upon either side who are my friends, and -if I fight upon one side then my friends upon the other side would fall -away from me because I did so.” - -“Alas!” said the Queen. “The time was when I had many knights upon my -side. For did not Sir Pelles in the days of my youth take a foolish -quarrel upon him for my sake? And did not Sir Launcelot stand ever ready -to defend me? Oh, Launcelot, Launcelot! If thou wert but here to stand -my champion in this quarrel! But thou art not here, for I, in my haste, -have driven thee away from me, I know not whither.” So said Queen -Guinevere, and with that she began weeping as though her heart would -break. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors will serve as the Queen’s champion._] - -Then Sir Bors was very much moved and he said, “Weep not, Lady, for thou -hast yet no cause for weeping. Thou yet hast many good true knights who -would defend thee. Yea; I will serve as thy champion unless a better -champion arise to defend thee. So take thou heart of grace in this, that -thou art innocent of this crime; wherefore, may God defend the right.” - -[Sidenote: _The Queen declareth her innocence._] - -At this the Queen took comfort and wiped her eyes and smiled, and she -said, “Sir Bors, for thy satisfaction I hereby make thee my solemn vow -that I did not do this thing of which I am accused. And methinks I know -who it was who laid that poisoned apple upon the table, for there was an -attendant at that table who stood behind a screen, and this attendant -beheld a knight come into that room ere others came thither. But I -cannot accuse that knight now, for I myself am accused, wherefore if I -accuse him, all will say that it is to shelter myself that I make that -accusation.” - -Sir Bors said, “Lady, if this be true, it shall be as you wish, and I -will certes do all that I am able to defend you.” - -Then King Arthur spoke and said, “Sir Bors, there is not any knight in -all the court who is so well fitted to defend my Queen as thou. For as -thou art one of the most virtuous knights who ever lived, so will thy -virtue shine upon any undertaking to which thou settest thy hand. And -besides this high virtue of thine, there is no knight at this court, -unless it be Sir Gawaine, who is so strong and so excellent a knight as -thou.” - -So spake they at that time, and after those speeches Sir Bors went to -the council chamber where lay the glove of Sir Mador de la Porte, and he -took up that glove and he thrust it into his belt. With that glove he -paraded the court, and many beheld the glove of Sir Mador in his belt. -Some came to him and proclaimed that they were secretly pleased that he -had assumed the championship of the Queen; but others came and were very -angry that he had assumed it. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine is angry with Sir Bors._] - -Amongst these last was Sir Gawaine who said to him, “Sir, what is this -you do? Are you not aware that the poison served to us at dinner was -meant by the Queen for me and not for Sir Patrice who was poisoned by -it?” To him replied Sir Bors, “Friend, in this you are mistook. For -though the poison might have been intended for you and not for Sir -Patrice, yet it was not the Queen who placed it there. For I think I -know who placed it there, and by and by it will be made manifest to all -after that the Queen is freed from this accusation under which she -lieth.” - -Then Sir Gawaine smiled very bitterly and he said, “Thou art easily -satisfied, Sir.” “If I am,” said Sir Bors very calmly, “there is this -virtue in my belief; that I cannot believe that my Queen and the wife of -my King should do this thing. Nor do I envy those who so easily believe -evil of their Queen.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors rideth to Sir Launcelot._] - -Now when the next day was come, Sir Bors took horse and rode to the -castle of Sir Blasius, which place he reached before the sun set. There -he found Sir Launcelot, and he told Sir Launcelot all that had befallen, -and when Sir Launcelot heard it he was very angry. “How is this?” he -cried. “Do they dare accuse the Queen of this offence? They do it -because they know I am absent and cannot defend her.” And Sir Bors said, -“Yet even so it is. For there is a large party at court that is willing -to ascribe that wickedness to her. And that party is headed by several -of those who are of most influence at court.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot and Sir Bors talk together._] - -“Well,” said Sir Launcelot, “I ask not who they are who believe this -evil of her. But I will be there to defend the Queen when her trial -cometh. Meantime, do thou take her championship upon thee till I come; -for if it be necessary to prove the innocence of that noble lady, then -thou, who art one of the three knights of the Grail, can best sustain -it. Besides this, Sir Mador is a very hot and heady knight, wherefore, -if thou wilt keep up this quarrel against him till I come, he will be -the more ready to do battle according to his beliefs. And it is -necessary that the Queen should be defended by arms.” - -Then Sir Bors told Sir Launcelot that it was the Queen’s belief that it -was Sir Pinal the Savage who had placed the poisoned apple upon the -table; and he also told how the Queen did not dare to bring this -accusation against Sir Pinal until she herself was cleared of that -accusation. - -All this while Sir Launcelot sat frowning as he listened, but at the end -of Sir Bors’s speech he only said, “I will be there as the Queen’s -defender, but tell nobody that thou hast spoken to me.” And Sir Bors -said, “I will not tell of this.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors returneth to court._] - -So Sir Bors bid adieu to Sir Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot bid adieu to -Sir Bors, and Sir Bors returned that night to Camelot again, reaching -his inn at that place before the dawn of the day. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Sir Mador begs for his Life] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Third - -_How Sir Bors was relieved of the defence of the Queen, and of how Sir -Mador de la Porte was overthrown._ - - -So came the eve of the day of that conflict when the innocence of the -Queen was to be approved by conflict. That evening the Queen sent for -Sir Bors de Ganis, and she said to him, “Sir, what is your mind in this -battle which you are to fight to-morrow?” Quoth Sir Bors, “Lady, it is -even as it was aforetime. For ever I do believe in your innocence and -deem it be impossible that you could administer poison to one of your -guests. So I will do battle for you to the best of my ability as I -promised you I would do. But should another knight, better fitted by -skill at arms than I, appear to assume that honor, then would I -surrender the honor to that knight; yea, even at the last minute.” - -[Sidenote: _The King praiseth Sir Bors._] - -So after Sir Bors had departed from her, the Queen went to the King and -told him what Sir Bors had said to her. Quoth the King, “Lady, thou hast -one of the best champions that can be found in the entire world to -defend this case in thy behalf. For I know of no knight who could be -better chosen to defend thine honor than Sir Bors, unless it were his -kinsman, Sir Launcelot of the Lake. For even Sir Gawaine is not stronger -nor better, nor was Sir Percival stronger nor better than is Sir Bors de -Ganis.” - -So said the King, and at his words the Queen took great comfort and -cheerfulness. - -[Sidenote: _The Queen cometh with the King to the lists._] - -So came the next day of trial. For at about the eleventh hour of the -morning there came to the open square within the walls of the town the -King and the Queen and the Court of the King. At that place the Lord -Constable was already come, and to one side was a great pile of dried -fagots laid cross wise, the one upon the other, and in the midst of that -pile of fagots was an iron stake with fetterlocks attached to it about -as high as one could reach, standing before that stake. Those high lords -and ladies who were there looked very closely at the Queen, and they -beheld that she smiled as she looked about her, but that her face was -white like to purified wax for whiteness. And the Queen was clad -entirely in white; for her robe was long and spotless of color, and she -wore a belt of white leather, studded with silver, bound about her -waist, and her hair hung down upon either side and was wound about with -ribbons of white and silver. And some of those who looked upon her were -grieved and sorrow-struck at her trouble, but others were pleased and -triumphant to see her thus brought low, even to the trial of her life -and her good fame. - -Then King Arthur called the constable to him and he said to him, “Lord -Constable, here do I commit to thee the tender body of this my Queen, -who stands here wrongfully accused of the crime of murder. Take her; she -is thine until after this trial of battle.” So saying, the King took the -Queen by the right hand and led her to the constable, and he gave the -right hand of the Queen into the hand of the constable. And the -constable took the Queen by the hand, and he said, “Lord King; here take -I the body of this lady who is my Queen. But I take that body only to -return it unto thy ward; so hold thou this lady in thy keeping, and may -God keep ye both, amen.” - -[Sidenote: _The King sitteth beside the Queen._] - -Therewith the constable replaced the hand of the Queen into the hand of -the King, and thereupon withdrew to one side. Thereafter the King -conducted the Queen by the hand up the flight of steps to a high seat -that had been prepared for her beside his own seat. Then the King said, -“Let the accusers of this lady be summoned.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mador de la Porte appeareth._] - -Then came Sir Mador de la Porte, clad all in very brilliantly shining -armor, and riding a red-roan horse, whose coat glistened like red silk. -So he drew rein in front of the King’s pew in the list. And the King -looked at Sir Mador, frowning till his eyes disappeared beneath his -brows; yea, till the veins at his forehead became expanded and knotted, -and until his entire visage became empurpled with blood. - -Anon he found his voice, and he said, “Sir, what brings you here? For -you claim to be a gentleman of my court and of my Round Table, and yet -you bring accusation against your Queen, and the lady of all others whom -you should be most called upon by honor to defend.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mador challengeth the Queen._] - -Then Sir Mador spoke up in a very bold voice, both high and loud. -“Sovereign and awful lord,” said he, “here stand I for justice and for -right; without awe and without fear of anyone or of anything. Wit ye -then, that some days ago I and several others sat at feast with the -Queen. What time my near kinsman, Sir Patrice of Ireland, ate an apple -at that feast, and the apple was poisoned and he died of eating thereof. -Now that was the Queen’s feast and we were the Queen’s guests; how, -then, was the poisoning done, saving by the Queen’s orders? So here -stand I now to accuse that Queen of the treason of poisoning; nor will I -rest satisfied from that accusation, saving only as someone shall -overthrow me in this, my coming battle.” - -[Sidenote: _The King challengeth Sir Mador._] - -Then spake the King, “Sir, did you make research concerning this -accusation, or did you question anyone concerning this affair? For -certes it is very criminal and very wicked to administer poison to -another; but it is none the less criminal and none the less wicked to -utter such treason as you do by accusing the Queen unjustly and without -cause. Wherefore, Sir, you should be very certain of your accusation.” - -Quoth Sir Mador, “Sir, I believe the testimony of mine eyes; for they -beheld that which my lips have spoken, and so my hand shall uphold in -this, my just encounter against the Queen’s strong champion.” - -Then the King spoke very haughtily. “Sir,” quoth he, “you have entrusted -the verity of your case to the testimony of your eyes, and that -testimony has deceived and misled you. Nevertheless, I shall not answer -you here, for anon you shall be answered to your pain.” Then the King -spake to an esquire who stood below in the tilt yard. “Hasten,” said he, -“and bid Sir Bors de Ganis to come hither.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors appeareth._] - -So the esquire departed and anon he returned, leading the white horse of -Sir Bors by the bridle. And Sir Bors was clad all in armor of pure and -virgin white, and all his trappings and the trappings of his horse were -white, so that he shone glistening, like to a figure of pure silver. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors appealeth for delay._] - -“Sir,” said Sir Mador to Sir Bors, “Knowest thou why I am here, and upon -what accusation?” Sir Bors said, “Aye, I know it well.” Then said Sir -Mador, “Dost thou stand for the other side?” Sir Bors said, “Yea, I -stand heart and soul for the other side. But I will tell thee truly. I -said that I would undertake this quarrel upon the Queen’s behalf unless -some better knight than I should take that battle upon him. I know you, -Sir Mador, for a noble and valiant knight, and you know me for what you -have beheld of me, wherefore you know that I fear not to meet you or any -knight in all of the world, and that I would do battle with anyone with -all of my might in a lesser quarrel than this. Wherefore I ask you now -to postpone this battle until the hour of noon, for by that time there -may come more worthy than I to defend this honorable and much abused -lady.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mador denieth him any delay._] - -“Is that all you have to say?” said Sir Mador. “Well, then, Messire, -either come you to battle with me without loss of time, or else withdraw -you from the field for someone else to take your place.” - -“Take your horse and your arms,” said Sir Bors, “and as I suppose you -will not tarry long, so also will I not tarry long, but will be with you -anon.” So each knight withdrew from the field, and each busied himself -in preparing for the conflict. In this Sir Mador was the quicker, and so -rode out of his pavilion and around the course, and whilst none -applauded him in that procession, yet there were some who frowned not -upon him. - -[Sidenote: _A new champion appeareth upon the Queen’s behalf._] - -So Sir Bors, when he was made ready, came forth from his pavilion, and -he cast his eyes toward the forest and immediately he was aware that a -knight was coming thence, riding easily yet swiftly. And this knight was -clad in strange armor, and he bore a shield without any escutcheon, nor -was there any emblazonment about him whatsoever to tell what knight he -was. But Sir Bors knew very well that that knight was none other than -Sir Launcelot of the Lake. - -Anon this knight came quickly to where Sir Bors was, and he said to him, -“Messire, I give you grammercy for assuming this quarrel upon behalf of -the Queen. But now I come to assume that quarrel myself and so you are -freed from it.” Sir Bors said, “Come you to King Arthur.” And the knight -said, “Conduct me to him.” - -[Sidenote: _The new knight appeareth before the King._] - -So Sir Bors conducted the knight to where King Arthur sat, and when he -was come there King Arthur said to him, “Sir, what knight are you? For -that I should know ere I consent to establish you instead of Sir Bors in -this quarrel.” To which Sir Bors made reply, “Lord, I know this knight, -and I know that he is a better knight than I am, so I yield my rights in -this quarrel unto him.” - -Then King Arthur said to Sir Mador de la Porte, “Sir, will you accept -this new knight in your quarrel?” To which Sir Mador replied, “Sir, I -will accept him or any.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mador is overthrown._] - -So each knight withdrew to his end of the lists and there they made -themselves ready. And when they were all prepared, then each launched -against the other with all the speed and vehemence that he possessed. So -they met in the midst of the course and in that encounter the spear of -Sir Mador was broken all to pieces, but the spear of the other knight -held so that Sir Mador and his horse were both overturned into the -dust. - -But Sir Mador recovered from his fall very suddenly, and drawing his -sword and setting his shield in front of him he came forward to the -assault of his enemy as though this were the very beginning of the -battle. Upon this the other knight leaped very nimbly and quickly down -from his horse, and setting his shield before him, he drew his sword and -came forward as with great eagerness for battle. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mador is beaten in battle._] - -Each struck at the other with great fierceness, for Sir Mador was a very -strong and powerful knight, and was further upheld by his indignation. -So they fought for above an hour, and in that time Sir Launcelot held -his strength, but the strength of Sir Mador began to wane so that he -could hardly sustain his arm. Then Sir Launcelot redoubled his strokes -until Sir Mador held his shield full low. At that Sir Launcelot lifted -up his sword and he smote Sir Mador so terribly upon the helm that he -fell grovelling to the earth. Then Sir Launcelot drew near to Sir Mador -to smite him again, but Sir Mador raised himself a little and lifting -his sword he smote Sir Launcelot through the thick of the thigh. - -But when Sir Launcelot felt himself to be thus wounded and when he -beheld how that the blood flowed forth in a red stream from the wound in -his thigh, he drew away and waited for Sir Mador to rise again. And when -Sir Mador had arisen he rushed upon him and smote him again, so terrible -a blow that the blade bit through the iron helmet, and the leather coif -and into the bone beneath the coif. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot spareth Sir Mador._] - -Then Sir Mador fell down and lay upon the ground like one who was dead, -and Sir Launcelot ran in to where he lay and seizing the helmet that -covered the head, he cut the thongs with his misericordia and rushed it -off from his head. With that the light shone in upon the face of Sir -Mador and aroused him from his swoon; and beholding Sir Launcelot -standing terribly above him, he cried out, in a loud piercing voice, -“Spare me my life, Sir Knight! Spare me my life!” Quoth Sir Launcelot, -“I will not spare thee thy life, unless thou dost confess that thou wert -mistaken concerning the guilt of the Queen, and that she is innocent of -evil.” Said Sir Mador, “I do confess it.” - -Then Sir Launcelot called the Lord Constable of the lists to him and he -said to Sir Mador, “Confess what thou hast confessed to me to this -gentleman.” And Sir Mador said, “Sir, to this constable I do confess and -acknowledge that I was mistook as to the guilt of the Queen, and that -she is indeed guiltless of that of which I have accused her, and of all -other crimes whatsoever.” - -Then Sir Launcelot said, “Bear this knight hence away from this spot.” - -Upon that there came several attendants to that place and they lifted -Sir Mador and carried him away from that place. - -Then Sir Launcelot and the constable went from that place of conflict to -the presence of King Arthur, and the King and the Queen descended from -their high seats to welcome him. Quoth the King, “Sir, well have you -fought this day, and well may we guess who you are who have done this -battle. We do both give you thanks--I for that you have saved to me my -Queen; she that you have saved to her her life and her honor.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mador confesseth a wrong accusation._] - -“Lord,” said Sir Launcelot, “here have I brought with me this constable -to avouch for it that Sir Mador hath confessed that he hath wrongfully -accused the Queen of this crime, and that she is as guiltless of it as -she is of any other crime at this present.” And the constable said, “I -do avouch for the truth of that.” Then the King said to Sir Launcelot, -“Sir, I perceive that thou art wounded. Wilt thou not refresh thyself -with a glass of wine?” And Sir Launcelot said, “Yea, Lord, for wine -would be exceedingly grateful to me at this present.” - -So a little page ran and presently returned, bringing a flagon of -sparkling yellow wine, and Sir Launcelot unlaced his helmet and removed -it from his head, so that all beheld his face and knew him for Sir -Launcelot. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot pledgeth the Queen._] - -And then King Arthur said, “Sir, methought that you were Sir Launcelot -of the Lake when I beheld how you did battle a little while ago. -Moreover, when Sir Bors spoke of a better knight than he rising for the -Queen’s defence, I wist he must mean you, for you are the only one who -is better than he. But now we have you, we will not let you go again.” -“Lord,” quoth Sir Launcelot, “I will not leave this court again unless I -am bidden to go. For here may I defend both your honor and the honor of -your Queen. For first of all do I owe my duty to you who made me a -knight; and then do I owe my duty to her who is my revered and honored -lady.” Then, taking the flagon of wine into his hands he turned him -about and lifting that flagon on high, he cried in a loud, clear voice -so that all might hear him, “Here do I drink this flagon of golden wine -to the truth and innocence of my Queen. Health to her friends, confusion -to her enemies, and may harm fall upon those who contemplate harm to -her!” - -Then he put the brim of the flagon to his lips and drank off the entire -draught of wine ere he removed it again. - -Then King Arthur said, “Let us go visit that wounded knight, for I have -something that I would say to him.” So Sir Launcelot and the constable -and King Arthur went across the meadow of battle to the pavilion of Sir -Mador. And they entered the pavilion and Sir Mador was lying upon a -couch and the surgeon was searching his wounds. - -[Sidenote: _King Arthur dismisseth Sir Mador from the court._] - -King Arthur said to him, “Sir, who besides yourself were the accusers of -the Queen?” Sir Mador said, “Lord, I was her only accuser.” The King -said, “Thou liest, for there was a conspiracy against her to undo her, -and thou wert but the instrument of that conspiracy. I will ask thee no -further to betray those who were with thee in this affair. Only I have -this to say to thee, that if by to-morrow morning thou art within the -purlieus of this court, or if at any future time thou comest into my -power again, or if ever I meet thee in battle or out of battle, that -time spells for thee thy death. Bear my words well in mind; for though I -spare thee this time upon behest of the Queen, yet will I not spare thee -again upon the beseeching of anyone in all of the world.” - -Sir Mador said very bitterly to the King, “My Lord, thou speakest as a -sound man to one who is very grievously wounded and who may not defend -himself.” “Not so,” said the King very calmly, “I speak, first of all, -as a king to his knight, and next I speak as one knight to another -knight who hath wrought him a grievous injury. For thou canst not undo -what thou hast done; for thy quarrel hath sowed dissension and evil -thought among my entire court, so that I, who was one time loved by my -entire court, know not now who are my friends and who mine enemies.” -Then the King turned to the constable, and he said, “Lord Constable, -thou hearest what I have said. If this man is found hereabouts to-morrow -day, cast him immediately into prison and report the same to me. For if -after this day he falleth into my power, then he shall himself suffer -destruction by the flames, as he would have consigned his own Queen to -the flames.” - -Thereupon the King turned upon his heel and left Sir Mador de la Porte -gnawing his finger nails. - -[Sidenote: _The servant telleth how Sir Pinal placed the apple._] - -That day the King held a council of his chief lords and subordinate -kings. And before this council came that servant who had hidden behind -the screen as aforetold of. And this servant told of how he had beheld -Sir Pinal place the apple upon the table whereon the feast was to be -held. This evidence they all heard and listened to, and when it was -ended the King said, “Send for this Sir Pinal and let us hear what he -hath to say to this.” - -So they sent for Sir Pinal, but he was nowhere to be found, for the -Queen’s enemies had told him that that evidence was to be admitted and -he had fled away from the court into the wilderness, never to return -again. - -[Sidenote: _Yet is the Queen accused by many._] - -So was the innocence of the Queen proven. But still there were some who -disbelieved that evidence, for they said, “See ye not how it is? For -first they overthrow Sir Mador and then they drive him away from this -court. Then they bring in this evidence to clear the Queen from guilt -and they lay that guilt upon poor Sir Pinal, who is not of the Round -Table. Thus there is no one to contradict the evidence of this poor -knave, and so the Queen is to be cleared of the suspicion of guilt.” - -So spake several, and the news of this was brought to the ears of Sir -Gawaine. But Sir Gawaine would say no word upon the matter, for whilst -he felt bitter enmity toward the Queen, and whilst he suspected the -worst things of her, yet he would not give voice to that which he -suspected. Neither would he give accusation against her, but went his -own way thinking his own thoughts and keeping those thoughts within his -own bosom. - - * * * * * - -[Sidenote: _Of the dissensions at the court._] - -Thus have I told you the history of these things as I myself have read -of them in the ancient books that treat of them. For this was the first -beginning of the end. For now that the Grail had been lifted from the -earth, there was naught to hold together the Court of King Arthur as it -had been held together before. But each knight began now to think of his -own glory and of himself, and not of the glory of the King and the Good -of the world. - -So now begin we with the history of those dissensions that presently -broke forth in the Court of the King. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Sir Launcelot defends the door] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Fourth - -_How there came quarrels at the court, and how Sir Launcelot of the Lake -was assaulted by the brothers of Sir Gawaine._ - - -Now there was at court at that time much dissension and many angry -recriminations back and forth between the one party and the other party. -For the one party maintained that the Queen had been ill-used and had -suffered much, and would have suffered death, saving only for the -defence of Sir Launcelot of the Lake; and the other party maintained -that the Queen possessed an evil soul, and that Sir Launcelot was her -dishonorable lover and that it was for this reason that he had fought -for her. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mordred and Sir Agravaine accuse Sir Launcelot of -treason._] - -Of this latter party were some of the brothers of Sir Gawaine, who were -at the head of that party; to wit, there was Sir Mordred and Sir -Agravaine. These knights spoke very boldly and openly, saying that Sir -Launcelot practised treachery with the Queen against the King’s high -honor. Sir Agravaine said, “Well is it that Sir Launcelot is the -greatest knight now living on the earth (for this is true now that Sir -Galahad had departed in glory), yet it is not to be forgotten that he is -not greater in his strength than several knights who might come against -him at once. So when Sir Launcelot next visits the Queen, if a number of -us shall fall upon him, it can scarcely be but that those knights should -overcome him, and that so the King’s honor should be revenged.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine will not join with them._] - -Whilst he so spoke, Sir Gawaine sat at one side gnawing his mustache. -Then he up and spake, saying, “What is this you would do? Would you -practise treachery against Sir Launcelot and against the Queen? God -knows I have no love for the Queen, and never have had love for her, but -neither would I practise treachery against her, but would assail her -openly and against the entire world. As for Sir Launcelot of the Lake; -long hath he been my dearest friend and companion at arms; am I then to -practise treason against him?” Then turning to Sir Geharis and Sir -Gareth, he said, “What say you, my brothers? Speak!” Then Sir Geharis -and Sir Gareth said, “What thou sayst, Gawaine, we also say.” And Sir -Gareth said upon his part, “I cannot now forget and I can never fail to -remember that it was Sir Launcelot of the Lake who made me a knight. -Shall I then sit in judgment upon my godfather in knighthood, and -undertake to practise evil against him?” - -Quoth Sir Mordred, “I say with my brother Agravaine that the Queen is -altogether evil and that Sir Launcelot is her lover, and that saying I -am ready to maintain to the peril of my life.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mordred declares that he will arrest Sir Launcelot._] - -Said Sir Gawaine, “I pray you tell me; what is it you seek to do?” Him -answered Sir Mordred, “We seek to spy upon Sir Launcelot and, when next -he visits the Queen in her apartments, we would make assault upon him. -When we have thus espied upon him, then we and several others will fall -upon him and seize him and hale him before the King for trial.” Said Sir -Gawaine, “That is no such easy matter for to do. And when you have done -it, it will be but of little avail; for the King will not condemn Sir -Launcelot upon such uncertain accusation. For what accusation shall you -bring against Sir Launcelot and the Queen that you dare mention to the -King?” - -Then Sir Mordred made no immediate answer, but when he was come to a -place apart from those three, he said to Sir Agravaine, “Sir Launcelot -is guilty of thou knowest what treason against the King. Now I told -Gawaine that we would arrest him and bring him to the King. What I -really purpose is this: that we assault Sir Launcelot in the Queen’s -apartments, and that we slay him. For once he is dead the King will -quickly forgive us and will believe the Queen to have been guilty, but -if Sir Launcelot is alive he will never forgive us. Hah, brother, a dead -lion is a less dangerous enemy to a man than a living fox. So it were -best that Sir Launcelot died.” In this Sir Agravaine agreed with him; so -after that they set watch upon Sir Launcelot to take him when next he -should visit the Queen. But Sir Launcelot was warned by one who -overheard them, and for that while he did not visit the Queen in her -apartments. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mordred betrayeth Sir Launcelot._] - -So one night Sir Mordred called to him a page of the Queen’s court when -the page was passing, and he said to him, “Lanadel” (for such was the -page’s name)--“Lanadel, go you to Sir Launcelot of the Lake and tell him -that the Queen would fain speak with him in her bower.” Thereupon the -page, suspecting no evil, went to Sir Launcelot, and delivered that -message to him, and Sir Launcelot, suspecting no evil, fulfilled the -terms of that message, and went secretly thither to the Queen’s -apartments. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot goeth to the Queen’s bower._] - -Finding the Queen there, Sir Launcelot said to her, “Lady, what is it -thou wouldst say to me?” She looked upon him in astonishment and said, -“Sir, I did not send for you to say anything to you.” Sir Launcelot -said, “How is this? Your page, Lanadel, came to me and brought it to me -as a message that you would speak to me at this place.” She said, -“Launcelot, I sent no such message as that to thee. Yet, in very truth, -it hath been long since thou hast been hither to speak to me. Art thou -affronted with me, Launcelot?” - -He said to her, “Lady, thou knowest that I am not affronted with thee. -But there is this: I must consider thine honor and reputation as I do -mine own. But, Lady, touching this message of late delivered to me, here -is treachery of some sort, for certes that message came to me as from -thee, wherefore I know that some treachery is brewing against us, though -I know not what that treachery is.” - -Now turn we to those enemies of Sir Launcelot to see what they did upon -this occasion. For Sir Mordred watched at the entrance of the Queen’s -apartments until that he beheld Sir Launcelot enter them. Upon that he -ran to Sir Agravaine, and said to him, “Brother, wit ye that Sir -Launcelot is at this time in the Queen’s chamber. Let us now make haste -to take him.” So those two called about them certain knights who were at -enmity with Sir Launcelot, and they said to them, “Gentlemen, let us -hasten and take that traitor knight who is even now in the Queen’s -bower.” - -Now those knights whom they called upon to accompany them were as -follows: There were Sir Colgrance and Sir Gingaline, and Sir Melyot of -Logris, and Sir Galleron of Galway; there were Sir Melion of the -Mountain, and Sir Petypas of Winchelsea; there were Sir Gromer Somerjour -and Sir Astamore, Sir Cuselaine, Sir Florence, and Sir Lovel. And these -last two were sons to Sir Gawaine. - -[Sidenote: _The Queen is warned._] - -These eleven knights, together with Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, -making thirteen in all, went together in a party to the apartments of -the Queen. And the ladies of the Queen beheld them coming, and wist that -they came for no good purpose. Wherefore these ladies ran screaming and -in haste and bolted and barred the door. Then they ran to the Queen’s -apartment and they found that Sir Launcelot was there and they cried -out, “Lady, arouse you, for your enemies are upon you!” - -[Sidenote: _The thirteen knights challenge Sir Launcelot to appear._] - -By this those knights were at the door, and Sir Agravaine knocked and -cried aloud in a very loud and thunderous voice, “Thou traitor knight! -What doest thou here? Why liest thou behind locked doors in the Queen’s -apartments? Come forth to us who are thy fellows of the court and of -the Round Table, and render an account to us. For we are here to receive -thine account!” - -These words were uttered so loudly and so powerfully that they echoed -and re-echoed throughout that entire part of the castle, and when they -struck upon the Queen’s ears, she fell as white as an ash of wood and -sank back upon a couch, placing her hand above her heart. - -Then Sir Launcelot stood up from where he sat and he cast his eyes -around him from side to side, but he could see no armor for defence, and -no way of escape. And ever those knights without smote upon the door, -and ever Sir Agravaine cried out, “Sir Launcelot of the Lake; what doest -thou there in the Queen’s chamber? Come forth and deliver thyself to -us.” - -Then Sir Launcelot said, “Lady, I prithee tell me, is there ere a suit -of armor in this place as I could clothe myself withal?” She said, “Nay, -Launcelot, there is no armor in this room.” Then Sir Launcelot said to -her, “Then must I defend myself without armor; for I know that these -knights have no purpose for to take me prisoner to the King. Otherwise, -that which they purpose is to take my life.” Then the Queen sank down -terrified upon her knees before him, and said, “Launcelot, go not forth -to them, for assuredly they mean thy death.” He said to her, “Lady, I -must go; but this I beseech of thee, that thou wilt pray for me. And -this also I beseech of thee, that, should I fall in this encounter, thou -wilt go with my relatives, Sir Ector and Sir Bors and Sir Lionel and Sir -Ure, and bid them that they shall take thee to an asylum of refuge at my -castle of Joyous Gard. For there is now no safety for thee at this -place, and only great and continual dangers. For ever there is growing -at this court against thee a rooted jealousy of all that thou sayest or -doest, and if so be I lose my life, then these, mine enemies, will -overwhelm thee.” Then the Queen wept, and she cried out, “Launcelot! -Launcelot! Go not forth to them!” - -[Sidenote: _The thirteen knights threaten to burst in the door._] - -As thus they spake, those knights without continually beat upon the -door, crying ever in louder and more violent tones, “Traitor! Open to -us!” And the door was not opened, but remained closed. Then they cast -their eyes about and they beheld a great form that stood there in the -hall. And Sir Agravaine said to certain of the others, “Bring hither -yonder form, and let us beat down the door with it. For thus alone may -we hope to come at this traitor!” So they brought that form and they -beat with it upon the door, and the door cracked and bent beneath their -blows. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot defendeth himself with a cloak._] - -Then Sir Launcelot wrapped his cloak about his arm, and he took his -sword in his hand, and he said to those who were beating upon the door, -“Messire, cease your uproar and I will come forth to you.” Then he -turned the key in the lock of the door, and he opened the door a little, -but not very far, setting his foot against it lest they should burst it -open from without and so rush in, many at once, upon him. - -But when the door was opened and they beheld Sir Launcelot standing -there without any armor of defence whatsoever saving only the cloak that -was wrapped about his arm, they took heart of grace that they should -easily overcome him. Then there came forward a tall and very powerful -knight, hight Sir Colgrance of Gore, and he struck a terrible strong and -powerful blow at Sir Launcelot with intent to hew him down. This blow -Sir Launcelot put aside with his sword and immediately delivered a blow -in return. - -[Sidenote: _He slayeth Sir Colgrance._] - -In that blow he smote Sir Colgrance upon the head, and the blow bit -through the bascinet upon his head and it smote deep into the bone of -the brain so that Sir Colgrance fell down grovelling to the earth, and -immediately he died. - -Then Sir Launcelot seized Sir Colgrance’s body by the shoulders and -dragged it into the room ere the others had recovered, and immediately -he bolted and barred the door as it was before. And Sir Launcelot said -to the Queen, “Lady, here hath Providence delivered armor into my hands. -I prithee aid me to arm myself.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot armeth himself in Sir Colgrance’s armor._] - -So the Queen and her affrighted ladies hastened to Sir Launcelot and -together they stripped the armor off the body of Sir Colgrance. And they -assisted Sir Launcelot to clothe himself very quickly and nimbly in that -armor. Then, having thus armed himself in the armor of Sir Colgrance, -Sir Launcelot came to the door of the room and he spoke to those -without, and he said to them, “Messires, what is it you would have with -me?” They say, “We would have you come forth and surrender yourself to -us so that we may take you to King Arthur.” Sir Launcelot said, “I -cannot surrender myself to you, but this I will promise to do: if you -will go hence and leave me in peace, I will surrender myself to King -Arthur to-morrow morning, and will then abide by his justice.” Sir -Agravaine said, “We will not do this. We will not trust thee. Deliver -thyself to us immediately, or we will slay thee.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot assaileth his enemies._] - -Then Sir Launcelot said, “I come!” and therewith he flung wide open the -door. And Sir Launcelot strode out amongst them like to a lion into the -midst of a pack of dogs. And they beheld that Sir Launcelot was clad all -in the armor of Sir Colgrance. And Sir Launcelot fronted Sir Agravaine -and the eyes of Sir Launcelot flashed forth pure fire from under the -vizor of his bascinet. And Sir Launcelot strode to Sir Agravaine, crying -out, “Thou first!” And therewith he smote Sir Agravaine with might and -main. - -Sir Agravaine warded the blow, but so wonderfully powerful was it that -it smote down that ward; and it smote Sir Agravaine upon the bascinet; -and it cut through the iron of the bascinet and through the bone of the -brain pan and into the brain itself. - -[Sidenote: _He slayeth Sir Agravaine and several others._] - -Then Sir Agravaine cried out very terribly and fell down dying to the -earth; and Sir Launcelot put his foot upon the neck of Sir Agravaine, -and wrenched forth the sword out of the cut that he had made. Then Sir -Launcelot smote to the right hand and to the left; and of those eleven -knights who were with Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred he slew nine in that -little room. And he smote Sir Mordred upon the shoulder so that he -sheared the flesh of the arm, a great slice from the bone, and the other -two knights were more or less wounded, so that anon they fled in tumult -from that place. - -And Sir Launcelot was also wounded in many places in that conflict, so -that he was, as it were, all bathed in crimson from head to foot. Then, -having put his enemies to flight, he turned him and re-entered the -Queen’s chamber. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot is wounded._] - -But when the Queen beheld him thus all bathed in red, she shrieked -aloud, for she thought him to be mortally wounded. But Sir Launcelot -said to her, “Fear not, Lady, thine enemies are put to flight and I am -not sorely hurt.” And he said to her, “Lady, my love for thee hath ever -been my curse, and now it hath brought us to this end. For in thy -defence and in my defence I have slain the nephew of the King and two of -the sons of Sir Gawaine. So now the King will be my foe, and so I must -quit this place for aye. But I cannot leave thee, Lady, for without me -thou wilt be defenceless. So I prithee prepare thyself for a journey. I -will go forth and gather about me a number of knights of mine own -kindred and friends, and we will take thee hence away from this place. -For to-morrow they will bring thee forth to trial, and when they bring -thee forth, then will we seize thee and carry thee away.” - -Then the Queen fell to weeping very bitterly, and she said, “Ah, -Launcelot! Alas and alas! Is this then the end?” And he said, “Aye, -Lady.” Therewith he went forth from that place and left her. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot adviseth with Sir Bors._] - -So Sir Launcelot came to Sir Bors’s inn, and when Sir Bors beheld him, -all covered and ensanguined with blood, he cried out, “God save us! -What is this? What aileth thee?” Then Sir Launcelot told Sir Bors all -that had befallen, and when he had told it Sir Bors sent for Sir Ector -and for Sir Lionel and for Sir Ure, and fourteen other knights, -relatives and friends of Sir Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot told unto them -what he had told to Sir Bors. - -Then Sir Bors said to those who were there gathered, “Messires his is a -very sad and bitter quarrel. For I do avouch that my relative, Sir -Launcelot, is in all ways perfectly innocent toward the Queen. For we -know that he was deceived into her presence by a false message delivered -unto him by someone who was an enemy to him and who meant to undo him. -So this lady hath also been misused in such a way that it is contrary to -his honor as a knight that we should suffer such harm to approach her. -Now it is my advice that we await to see what shall presently befall. -For if this quarrel is condoned by the King, then is all very well; but -if the King seek to punish Sir Launcelot by bringing the Queen to a -trial, then shall he save her from that trial and shall convey her away -to Joyous Gard where she may remain safe from harm.” - -[Sidenote: _Other knights swear fealty to Sir Launcelot._] - -Then all those other knights to whom Sir Bors spake held up their swords -with their handles before them, and they said, “Herewith and upon this -holy sign of the crucifix do we swear that we will ride with and aid Sir -Launcelot of the Lake in this undertaking. And, if it be demanded of us, -we will assist him to bring this lady to Joyous Gard, and we will there -aid and defend him and her with our bodies until the last extremity and -until death.” - - * * * * * - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mordred accuseth Sir Launcelot to the King._] - -Meantime, Sir Mordred had had his wound bound up and had taken horse and -had ridden to the inn of King Arthur, and he appeared before King Arthur -in the room when the King was then with several of his court. And when -the King beheld him thus wounded, he started up and cried out, “Hah, Sir -Mordred! What bringeth thee before me in this plight? Where gottest thou -that wound?” Then Sir Mordred kneeled down before the King, and he said, -“Sovereign Lord and Master, I got this wound in thy service. For Sir -Launcelot visited the Queen recently in her bower, and I and twelve -other knights sought to arrest him there and to bring him before thee. -But he resisted that arrest, and of the thirteen who assaulted him nine -are dead and one is like to die.” - -Then the King drew his breath very hard between his teeth, at that news, -and anon he said, “Who are dead? Are they any of my friends?” Sir -Mordred said, “All are thy friends, and three are of thy kin.” Quoth -King Arthur, “Who are those of my kin?” And Sir Mordred said, “One of -them is Sir Agravaine, thy nephew, and the others are Sir Florence and -Sir Lovel, the young sons of Sir Gawaine.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine sorroweth._] - -Then the King groaned and Sir Gawaine who was with him covered his head -and also groaned in sorrow. Quoth the King, “To-morrow day this shall be -inquired into, and the Queen shall be brought to trial for this -treason.” And with those words he arose and withdrew from that place, -accompanied only by Sir Gawaine, Sir Geharis and Sir Gareth and Sir -Mordred; and leaving the other knights who were attendant upon him sunk -in silence, not knowing which way to look or what to say. - -So when the King was come to a private place, he seated himself and -buried his face in his hands. And he groaned aloud, and he said, “Alas -is me! This is certes the beginning of the end that was foretold by -Merlin!” And anon he said to Sir Gawaine, “To thee, Gawaine, will I -entrust the pushing of that inquiry which must follow. For thou and -Geharis and Gareth shall go with a company of an hundred knights, and ye -shall arrest the Queen, and shall bring her for trial for this offence.” - -Then Sir Gawaine kneeled down before King Arthur, and he said, -“Sovereign and lawful Lord and Master, I pray you to spare me from -this.” King Arthur said, “Why should I spare thee?” Sir Gawaine said, -“For these two causes: firstly, I am sworn brother in arms to Sir -Launcelot; secondly, I am not friendly with my lady the Queen and so am -not fit to serve her as her escort.” - -Then King Arthur said, “I do not understand your refusal, Messire. Was -not Sir Agravaine your brother? And was not he a strong and noble -knight? And were not Sir Florence and Sir Lovel your sons?” - -“Yea, Lord,” said Sir Gawaine. “All this is true; but I suspected evil -in this affair, and I strongly advised them to refrain therefrom. This -they have refused to hearken to and so they have perished, armed and in -fair conflict with Sir Launcelot--he one against many.” - -Then King Arthur’s face flushed very red with anger, and he turned to -Sir Geharis and Sir Gareth. “And you, Messires,” said he, “do you also -refuse me this duty?” “Sir,” said Sir Gareth, “if you bid us upon our -duty to undertake this commission, we will do so. Yet wit you that Sir -Launcelot was he who made me a knight; wherefore I will not go in arms -to escort the Queen. But if thou commandest me to go, then will I go -without armor or defence of any sort to protect me. For I will not stand -in arms before the avowed lady of him who made me a knight.” - -King Arthur said, “I do command you both to go, so let there be an end -to this argument. But see to it that the Queen shall be brought to her -trial in a plain white robe without a girdle and that she come in her -bare feet like to any criminal. For I shall not believe her to be -innocent until she be proved so.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth and Sir Geharis go unarmed to arrest Sir -Launcelot._] - -Now when the next day was come, it being then about the tenth hour of -the morning, Sir Geharis and Sir Gareth took those five score knights -and they rode to the lodgings of the Queen. Meantime, word had been sent -to the Queen that she was to clothe her in such a guise as the King had -said; to wit, ungirdled and in white, and in her bare feet. And it was -said to her that she was to come to her trial like to a -criminal--barefoot in that wise, and without a girdle about her waist. - -[Sidenote: _The Queen weepeth._] - -Then the Queen wept very many bitter tears, and said, “Alas, my lord, -the King, hath already condemned me in his heart, so that my trial will -mean my death.” And the ladies of the Queen wept with her and they said, -“Lady, alas for thy happiness! For this is certes the end.” Then the -Queen dried her tears and she said to them, “Comfort ye! For I have done -many evil deeds in my life, but ye know that I am innocent of this -deed.” They say, “Yea, we know it and will avouch for it.” - -Now word of all these things had also been brought to Sir Launcelot, and -when he heard of them he aroused himself and called his esquires about -him. Then he went forth in his full armor and he found Sir Bors and Sir -Lionel together. And Sir Launcelot said to them, “Messires, do you -remember that you and several others promised to aid me in the rescue of -the Queen? Well, then, the time is come, for she is about to be brought -forth to her trial, for they have sent for her. She shall not come to -the disgrace of trial, for I will bear her hence. Go you and summon all -those who will support me and bring them in haste to the Queen’s inn, -for I go there immediately.” Sir Bors said, “Go not thither from this -place until we summon aid.” Sir Launcelot said, “Then make haste.” - -So Sir Bors and Sir Lionel hastened away from that place, leaving Sir -Launcelot walking in great strides up and down the length of the room. - -Anon came one running to where Sir Launcelot was, and said to him, “Sir, -the Queen biddeth thee to come to her in haste, for they are taking her -barefoot to her trial.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot hasteneth to aid the Queen._] - -Then Sir Launcelot waited for no further word, but hastened with all -speed to where the Queen was, and when he had come there he found many -of his knights already there, and several came immediately thereafter. -And as Sir Launcelot approached he beheld the Queen seated upon her -horse in her bare feet and surrounded by that armed escort which the -King had sent. Then the Queen beheld Sir Launcelot and she called to -him, saying, “Sir Launcelot, make haste!” And she reached out her arms -toward him. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot slayeth Sir Gareth._] - -Then Sir Launcelot emitted a great loud and bitter cry. And therewith he -drew his sword like lightning and his friends drew their swords and they -rushed into the throng smiting from right to left and from left to right -again. And those who were thus assaulted smote back again at those -knights and bore them hither and thither by weight of numbers because -they who fought for the Queen were so few. But the knights of Sir -Launcelot were prepared for this assault and the knights of King Arthur -were not prepared for it, wherefore those latter were quickly separated -and driven back. Now in the fury of that small battle Sir Gareth was -pushed near to Sir Launcelot and he was unarmed as hath been told of, -and Sir Launcelot saw him but knew him not. So Sir Launcelot smote Sir -Gareth upon the head with his sword and he clave asunder the head of Sir -Gareth to the throat and Sir Gareth fell dead beneath the horses’ feet. - -And Sir Launcelot thought nothing of what he had done by that blow; for -in his fury and raging he beheld the Lady Queen Guinevere before him. -With that he spurred forward without looking down upon the earth to see -who it was whom he had smitten down, and he catched the Queen up from -her saddle and seated her on his saddle before him. Then he shouted, -“Let us away and escape while there is yet time!” - -[Sidenote: _He slayeth Sir Geharis._] - -So with that Sir Geharis put himself forward to stay Sir Launcelot, and -Sir Launcelot, beholding him there in the way and not witting who he -was, smote him also with his sword and slew him. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot escapeth with the Queen._] - -So with that they all ceased fighting and spurred away from that place, -cleaving their way before them and taking Queen Guinevere with them. And -they rode away from that place and from that city, and they ceased not -to ride until they had come to the confines of Joyous Gard, where there -was an asylum of peace and safety. And in that battle there were lost -twenty-seven knights of the King, and of these there were eleven knights -of the Round Table. And there were lost sixteen knights of Sir -Launcelot’s party and of them there were nine knights of the Round -Table. And in that battle Sir Kay the Seneschal and Sir Gareth and Sir -Geharis and Sir Griflet lost their lives. - -[Illustration: The Bishop of Rochester and the King.] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Fifth - -_How King Arthur attacked Sir Launcelot at Joyous Gard; how Sir Lionel -was slain and how Sir Bors was wounded._ - - -Now come we to the beginning of the end of this great and glorious reign -of King Arthur of Britain. For so Sir Launcelot stepped between the -Queen and the law as hath afore been told of, and having done so there -was no recession for him from that act. For so was he bound to protect -the Queen and to cherish her if he could do so; and King Arthur was -bound to recover his Queen to bring her back to her duty again if he -could do so. - -[Sidenote: _Concerning Queen Guinevere and Sir Launcelot._] - -Yet in all this the Queen had not sinned against King Arthur, saving -only that she had escaped from her enemies and from justice at Camelot, -and also because King Arthur supposed that her affections had wandered -from him and toward Sir Launcelot. For in all other respects the Queen -was ever as honorable and as pure as she had been when first she came to -King Arthur that long while before at Camilard (which same hath been -told in full in the Book of King Arthur). Yet there was this, that the -coming of Sir Launcelot from the Lake and the greatness of Sir Launcelot -as a knight, and the beauty of the person of Sir Launcelot, so -fascinated her that she could not let him go his way without meddling -with his fortunes. Wherefore she demanded him for her knight, and she -was angry at any interference that prevented him from serving her as her -knight both singly and in all things. - -But now had come to her the end of all this. For now was she escaped -from her lord the King, and from justice, and she was hiding under the -protection of Sir Launcelot of the Lake and of those knights of his -blood and kindred at Joyous Gard. So had the end come to her of all the -joy of her life, for King Arthur could now never condone or forgive her -offence. - -[Sidenote: _King Arthur grieveth._] - -For when the news of that battle came to the ears of King Arthur, he was -filled with anger and with grief. “Alas!” cried he, “that this quarrel -should have begun, for in it I behold the end of my reign. For already -the joy of the Round Table is past and gone, and never shall it return -again.” - -For wit ye that that joy which is gone can never return, but only its -memory shall live in the heart to lend a dim and distant lustre upon the -sorrows of the present, and of that King Arthur was very well aware. So -also he knew that the glory of the Round Table had departed, and he knew -that ere the end of that Round Table should come many knights should die -in that quarrel that was now toward. - -Then the King said, “Doth Sir Gawaine, the high prince, know that his -two brothers have been slain?” They say to him, “No, Lord.” (For they -did not then know that Sir Gawaine had already been informed thereof.) -The King said, “Then let him not be told of it, for if he is told of it -now he will, in his haste, vow vengeance against Sir Launcelot who was -his sworn comrade in arms and his very dear friend, and so there will be -added war to this war.” They say to the King, “He shall not be told, but -it shall be kept secret from him.” - -[Sidenote: _The news cometh to Sir Gawaine._] - -But meantime there had come a messenger hastening to Sir Gawaine, and -said to him, “Lord, the Queen hath escaped and is now upon her way to -Joyous Gard with Sir Launcelot of the Lake.” - -At this Sir Gawaine gazed at the messenger and for a little while he -said nothing, though he thought many things. And the face of Sir Gawaine -grew white like to wax for whiteness, for he feared what further news -should come to him. Anon he said, “What news is this? Were not my -brethren set as a guard upon her? How then did they suffer her to escape -from them?” - -The messenger said, “Sir, Sir Launcelot, and others of his blood, -assaulted that guard and they seized upon the Queen and took her away. -And in the mêlée at that time Sir Gareth was slain unwittingly. And then -Sir Geharis was also slain whilst attempting to stay Sir Launcelot.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine grieveth._] - -Then Sir Gawaine covered his head with his cloak, and he sat there for a -long time with his head covered. And ever he wept beneath the cloak, but -his face was hidden, and no one could behold his tears. And anon he said -in a muffled voice, “Five of them are gone! Five of them are gone!” -meaning by that that his two sons and his three brothers had already -died in that war. And after a little while he said, “There was comfort -for me in that those three of them who died aforetime were armed for -battle. For so I advised them that they should not enter this dispute; -and yet they did enter it, and lost their lives therein. But these -latter two were naked and unarmed, and of one of them Sir Launcelot was -godfather when he was knighted. And he loved Sir Launcelot more than he -loved his own blood and his own brethren. Ah, Gareth! Gareth! All things -could I forgive in Sir Launcelot saving only thy death. For I loved Sir -Launcelot above all others in the world, and to him could much be -forgiven; but this I can never forgive. For those two were his friends -and not his enemies, and they meant him good and not harm; yet he slew -them, all naked and unarmed as they were.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine cometh to the King._] - -And Sir Gawaine said, “Where is the King?” They say, “The King is at -such and such a place.” So by and by Sir Gawaine arose and went to where -King Arthur was. And Sir Gawaine said to King Arthur, “Lord, what now -will you do?” King Arthur said, “I know not what I shall do.” Sir -Gawaine said, “Sir, know you that my two brothers are slain?” And King -Arthur bowed his head and said, “Yea, I know it.” Sir Gawaine said, “I -will tell you what you shall do. You shall wage war to the extremity of -life against this false and traitorous knight, Sir Launcelot of the -Lake. What? Hath he not taken your Queen from you and carried her away -to his own castle? Hath he not slain your blood and kindred? Hath he not -bathed his hands in the blood of your knights of the Round Table? Hath -he not slain Sir Kay, your foster brother, in this last assault? Hath he -not slain Sir Griflet and my kinsman Sir Aglaval and my two sons and my -two other brethren who were all unarmed and defenceless against his -attack? Sir, arouse yourself. Call for your kings and princes, your -earls and barons and knights, and let us set forth as an army and -utterly destroy this nest of traitors and murderers. I myself will call -my dependants around me and will accompany you to that war, for now it -shall either be Sir Launcelot’s life or my life. For never will I -forgive him so long as I have breath in my body.” - -[Sidenote: _The King offers forgiveness._] - -Quoth the King, “Nephew, if these knights will return the Queen to me, -then I will forgive them, and if I forgive them cannot you also forgive? -For these are Knights of the Round Table, and I must not destroy the -Round Table so utterly as you advise me to do.” - -Sir Gawaine said, “I cannot forgive Sir Launcelot, nor shall I ever -forgive the deaths of my innocent brothers. For they were naked and -unarmed, and they loved Sir Launcelot, and yet Sir Launcelot slew them. -Naught can wipe this from my memory saving only the blood of him who -slew those two gentlemen. Wherefore, prepare for war and I will join -you.” - -[Sidenote: _The King summoneth his vassals._] - -So King Arthur armed himself and he summoned those knights and princes, -earls and barons who were dependent upon him to his assistance. And he -summoned all of those knights who were still allied to him. All this he -did, but he did it very reluctantly, for he wished not to wage war with -Sir Launcelot and his knights. - -And news of this call to arms that King Arthur had made came to Sir -Launcelot, and he upon his part gave call to all of those lords and -knights who were allied to him to come to him and to aid him to defend -Joyous Gard. And they or many of them went to him as he bade them. - -[Sidenote: _How the King cometh to Joyous Gard._] - -Then King Arthur led his army to Joyous Gard and it was so vast and -multitudinous that it covered all the hills and valleys as it advanced. -And red clouds of dust hung over it as it passed forward so that the -bright and tranquil light of the sun was obscured by those clouds. And -great flocks of carrion crows accompanied the army, for they smelt the -blood of many carcasses as from afar, wherefore they flew accompanying -that army. So this army came and settled down and about Joyous Gard, and -it was like an army of locusts that had settled at that place. - -And Sir Launcelot and his brother Sir Ector stood upon the parapet of -the castle of Joyous Gard, and they looked out upon the hills and upon -the multitude of the hosts that were there foregathered and that -encompassed them. And when Sir Ector beheld the vast and limitless -extent of that army, his heart failed within him and he said to Sir -Launcelot, “Behold, oh brother! the vast and limitless host that -surrounds us. However shall we withstand such a host as that? Would it -not be better to compromise with the King and to surrender the Queen to -him?” Quoth Sir Launcelot, “How talk you of compromise, Messire, and how -talk you of surrendering the Queen? Wit you that to surrender the Queen -at this time would be to dishonor ourselves in surrendering her to -dishonor? For unless we fight for her, what terms can we now make that -would insure her safety? No, brother, let us abide their coming, and -defend ourselves with all our mights.” - -[Sidenote: _The Queen adviseth Sir Launcelot._] - -That night the Queen also spoke to Sir Launcelot, and she said, -“Launcelot, why do you suffer for me? Surrender me unto King Arthur and -with that this war will cease. Else will there many worthy knights -perish in this war. For there are a great many knights here foregathered -of the Round Table, and there be many other famous and worthy knights -and nobles and kings here foregathered. Is my one life then worth more -than all their lives?” - -Then Sir Launcelot groaned, but he said, “Lady, I will not surrender -you until I am sure that your safety is insured. Let first the King -assure your safety and then we shall consider whether or not you shall -return to him.” - -Then the Queen burst out weeping and she cried out, “Oh, woe is me that -I should have brought so much trouble and sorrow upon this world!” - - * * * * * - -[Sidenote: _The King assaults Joyous Gard._] - -Now the army of King Arthur made assault upon Joyous Gard and they made -assault upon assault. And somewhiles they made breaches in the walls; -but ever those breaches were rebuilded at night so that they could not -enter the castle. And the army of King Arthur lost many hundreds of men, -both of knights and yeomen; but the defence of the castle lost many -scores, and those scores were of greater loss to them than the hundreds -that King Arthur lost. For those hundreds could be replaced by other -hundreds, but the scores could not be replaced by other scores. - -[Sidenote: _The friends of Sir Launcelot advise with him._] - -So the knights who kept the castle held a council of defence, and there -were at that council Sir Bors and Sir Lionel and Sir Ector and Sir -Bleoberis and Sir Blamor de Ganis, and there were other knights and -worthies of the blood of Sir Launcelot. Sir Lionel said, “Why remain we -here within this castle? Ever we grow weaker and weaker, and by and by -our enemies will break within the castle and then we shall all be put to -the edge of the sword. Let us sally forth against those who thus -surround us, for so haply we may cut our way through them and thus -escape to the sea-shore and to France. There we shall be safe from those -who could work for us our undoing.” Sir Launcelot said, “Sir, even if we -could do this thing, what blood would be spilt in doing it, and what -friends would we slay in that attempt!” Quoth Sir Ector, “What matters -that? Are they not seeking our lives and our blood, and are we not -defending ourselves? These men are no longer our friends; they are our -enemies, and are seeking our lives. Let us then go forth and assail -them.” All this Queen Guinevere heard, and she wept many and very bitter -tears as she listened to that council. As for Sir Launcelot, he groaned -very deeply but anon he said, “Let it then be so as you say, only first -I must bespeak King Arthur.” - -So that afternoon he appeared upon the battlements of the castle. And he -leaned out over the battlements and called out to those who were below, -saying to them, “Where is King Arthur? I would speak with him.” - -Those who heard him ran to King Arthur, and they said to the King, -“Lord, Sir Launcelot asks to speak to thee. Haply he meaneth to -surrender to thee.” - -[Sidenote: _The King speaketh to Sir Launcelot._] - -So King Arthur hurried to that place where Sir Launcelot was: and Sir -Gawaine and the King of North Wales were with him. King Arthur said to -Sir Launcelot, “What wouldst thou have of me, Messires? Dost thou -surrender this castle?” “Not so,” quoth Sir Launcelot, “I do not -surrender it, but I would speak to you of other things.” - -“Sir,” said King Arthur, “concerning what other things have you to speak -to me withal?” - -“Lord,” said Sir Launcelot, “this is what I would say to you. What seek -you here in thus assaulting this castle? Here within are many lordly -knights and many knights of the Round Table who were a short time ago -your friends and dependants. Some of them you yourself made knights as -you made me a knight, and all of those would gladly surrender their -lives for your sake. What benefit or what honor can it then be to you to -slay them, who were your support and your defence, and who would be so -again if you would live in peace with them? Would it be to your honor -that you should slay these good, worthy honorable knights?” - -“Sir,” said King Arthur, “you forget that you have seized upon my Queen -and that you hold her from me in this castle. First surrender to me my -Queen, and then I will consider all these things that you have to say -and will reply to them as I deem to be fitting.” - -“Lord,” said Sir Launcelot, “thy Queen is held here in high and -honorable regard. With us she is safe from harm or injury of any sort. -Would she be thus free from danger of harm and dishonor if she were with -you? Pledge me first that you would do her no harm or injury, and then -it will beseem us as true and honorable knights to consider the -surrender of her to you.” - -“Am I then,” said the King, “to make treaty with you for the return to -me of that wife with whom I have lived in amity for all these years? -Sir, you do not consider how unfit such a treaty would be upon my part.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine accuseth Sir Launcelot._] - -Then up spake Sir Gawaine. “Also, Messire, you have forgot another -thing, and that is that you have slain my two young brothers who stood -before you defenceless and unarmed. I reckon naught of those whom you -slew, armed and in battle. For I loved you well and truly for many -years, and I advised them not to hazard battle with you; but they would -hazard battle and so they were slain by you. But of those two others, -they did not hazard battle; for they were unarmed and naked, and they -would have stood your friends; yet you slew them as though they had been -enemies. This I will never forgive you, but either you will answer for -it with your blood, or I will answer for it with mine.” - -Then Sir Launcelot groaned, and he said, “God pity us all for our sins, -and God pity you, Sir Gawaine, for your unchristian hatred.” And with -that he turned away. - -[Sidenote: _The defenders of the castle sally forth._] - -So when the next day had come, they of the castle prepared themselves -for battle and for escape. They placed the Queen in their midst and they -surrounded her upon all sides. Then, of a sudden, all the gates upon one -side of the castle were flung wide open and they issued out in full -armor. And at that time the sun shone out very brightly, and it gleamed -and sparkled like flames of fire upon the brightly polished steel of -those knights. Then they, the defenders of the castle, shouted very -loud, and they charged against their enemies, bearing the Queen with -them in their midst. - -And for awhile they carried all before them and no one could withstand -them; and so they might have escaped, had it not been that the Queen was -with them and retarded them in their charge and their advance. For, in a -little while, owing to that delay, those of King Arthur’s army armed -themselves, and in another little while the friends of Sir Launcelot -were almost entirely surrounded by that vast multitude. - -Then Sir Launcelot beheld that in a short time they would be shut off -from return to the castle, but that as yet the way was still open to -them. Wherefore he lifted up his voice and shouted, “Retreat! Retreat!” - -[Sidenote: _They of the castle retreat into it again._] - -Then, through the roar and thunder of battle and of blows and of sword -blade upon steel armor, all those who were there heard these words, -“Retreat! Retreat!” And they beheld that that retreat was nearly cut -off, but not quite. So they turned their horses and made their way -slowly backward toward the castle again, with the Queen still in their -midst. Those before turned their horses toward the castle, and those -behind fought with their faces toward their foes. And many who assaulted -that band tried to come to the Queen, but none could do it because of -the close array of horsemen that surrounded her. Many lost their lives -in that attempt, for if they penetrated the first line of horsemen they -were slain by the second line of defence. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine overthroweth Sir Lionel._] - -In that mêlée Sir Gawaine sought ever to come at Sir Launcelot, but he -could not do so because that Sir Launcelot remained ever near to the -person of the Queen. But Sir Gawaine charged against Sir Bors and -pierced him with his lance through the shoulder; and then he charged -with great violence against Sir Lionel, and in that charge he pierced -through the body armor of Sir Lionel so that the point of the spear -stood a hand’s breadth out behind his back. Then Sir Lionel would have -fallen from his horse only that the press that surrounded him held him -up and kept him from falling. And with that blow against Sir Lionel, the -end of Sir Gawaine’s spear broke off, and it remained penetrated into -the body of Sir Lionel, a part of it showing in front and a part of it -showing behind. - -Then Sir Lionel felt that he had received his death-wound, and he -groaned very dolorously. And Sir Gawaine heard him groan and perceived -how badly he was hurt. And he redoubled his attack, endeavoring to -obtain the body of Sir Lionel. But he could not obtain that body for it -was still held upright upon the horse, supported by several, and others -gathered about to defend it. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Lionel dieth._] - -Then Sir Gawaine was furious with rage and he fought as though he had -gone wode. For his sword flashed like flashes of lightning, and ever as -he struck he cried out in a loud and terrible voice, “That for Sir -Launcelot!” and “That for Sir Launcelot!” and ever again “That and that -for Sir Launcelot!” And so fierce and terrible were the blows that he -gave that many fell down before them and never moved again. But in spite -of his striving, they bore away Sir Lionel from his endeavor and so -brought him into the castle, where that night he died in a great agony -of thirst and of torment. - -[Sidenote: _King Arthur is overthrown._] - -In that battle, King Arthur and those who were with him made many -charges against the centre of Sir Launcelot’s array, and anon they had -come so close to where was the Queen that the King could almost have -touched her with his lance. So King Arthur came at last face to face -with Sir Launcelot, and Sir Ector was beside Sir Launcelot. And ever the -King strove to come at Sir Launcelot, but was unable to do so. For -somewhiles Sir Launcelot warded the blows from himself, and otherwhiles -those who were with him took those blows from him. Then Sir Ector -perceived how the King neglected his guard in assaulting Sir Launcelot, -and he arose in his stirrups and smote the King a terrible buffet upon -the helmet. At that blow the King’s brains swam, and he reeled and fell -off from his horse upon the earth. Then Sir Ector leaped from his horse -and he said, “Here will I put a stop to this war at its fountain-head.” -Whereupon he rushed off the King’s helmet and whirled his sword, and -prepared to smite the head off from the King. - -[Sidenote: _They spare the King his life._] - -But Queen Guinevere perceived the King’s danger and she shrieked out -very dolorously, “Spare the King his life, Sir Ector!” And Sir Launcelot -said to Sir Ector, “Sir, how is this? Would you slay your King? Remember -it was he who made you a knight and who made me a knight. Haply he may -forget that he made us knights, but let us not forget it.” - -So with that Sir Ector put up his sword again, and he and Sir Launcelot -lifted the King and set him upon his horse once more. And the King wept -bitter tears to see how noble and knightly was Sir Launcelot, and he -said, “Ah, Launcelot, Launcelot, that this should be!” - -So after that Sir Launcelot withdrew into the castle with the Queen and -the gates were closed behind him. But ever King Arthur sat still weeping -and saying, “Ah, Launcelot, Launcelot, that this should be!” - -Then the friends of Sir Launcelot wist not what they should do in this -extremity, for there were they within the castle again, and could not -come out thence because of those who besieged them in that place. And -ever they were growing weaker with each assault, but the armies of King -Arthur were not growing weaker. - -[Sidenote: _The Bishop of Rochester cometh to the King._] - -At this extremity there came the Bishop of Rochester to the camp of King -Arthur, and the purpose of the Bishop was to make peace betwixt these -parties. So the Bishop came to where King Arthur was, and he found King -Arthur sunk in grief. For already three-and-twenty Knights of the Round -Table had lost their lives in these wars and contentions, and King -Arthur grieved for them very sorely. For there were no more knights like -those first knights foregathered about the Round Table, nor have there -ever been such knights as they were from that day to this. - -Then the Bishop stood before the King, and the King looked at him -remotely as though he were a great distance away, for his eyes were -dimmed with weeping. And the Bishop said to the King, “Lord, let this -quarrel cease between you and Sir Launcelot, and let there be peace in -the land. For now is the entire land distracted with this quarrel. For -friend fighteth against friend, neighbor against neighbor;--yea, even -brother against brother. As for you, my lord, these knights are of your -Round Table and of your making; what pleasure or what honor then can it -be to you to destroy them?” - -The King said to him, “Sir, this war was not of my forming or my -seeking, but of Sir Launcelot’s. For first Sir Launcelot resisted arrest -in a just cause, and then he resisted the arrest of the Queen. So he and -his fellows took the Queen away from me, and they have her in this -castle. Let them then deliver the Queen to me and there shall be peace -betwixt the friends of Sir Launcelot and my friends.” - -[Sidenote: _The Bishop intercedes for the Queen._] - -The Bishop said, “They will not deliver the Queen to thee, Lord, -excepting thou wilt declare upon thine honor that no harm shall befall -her. For it is said of all that the life of the Queen is in danger from -thee. Yet she is an honorable lady and as pure to thee as the day upon -which she came to thee. For she is free from sin or from guilt of any -sort. Wherefore, unless thou wilt declare that no harm shall befall the -life of the Queen and wilt declare that same in writing, she will not be -returned, but otherwise they will lay down their lives to guard her -safety.” - -Then the King sat with his fist upon his forehead, and he considered for -a long time what the Bishop had said, and at last he said, as in a -smothered voice, “Well, then, let the Queen be delivered to me at -Camelot, and I upon my part shall promise that no harm shall be done to -her life, either to threaten it or to deprive her of it.” The Bishop -said, “Let me have that in writing.” And the King said, “I will do so.” - -So the King called to him his scribe and he had him write those words; -to wit, that if the Queen would return to him, no harm should befall or -threaten her life in any way. And the King signed and sealed that -document and the Bishop took it with him and entered the Castle of -Joyous Gard. - -[Sidenote: _The Bishop grieveth for the Queen._] - -Thus the Bishop came before Sir Launcelot and his kindred, and Queen -Guinevere was with them at that time. And the Bishop looked at the face -of the Queen and he beheld that it was all white and wan with sorrow and -that her eyelids were red with continual weeping. And the Bishop was -very sorry for the Queen and for her sadness. So the Bishop came to her -and took her by the hand and he said to her, “Lady, stint thy sorrow, -for the time of sorrow is passed. For here am I with this document that -saith that no harm or injury of any kind shall be meditated against thy -life, but if thou wilt return to the King all shall be forgiven thee. -For wit you well that the King is determined that you shall return to -him, even if it cometh to the tearing down of this castle stone from -stone.” - -Then the Queen took the document that the Bishop had and she read it -very carefully, and when she had ended she said, “Lord Bishop, how is -this? I see here that mine own safety is provided for, but that the -safety of no one else is mentioned. How of those good worthy knights and -gentlemen who have endangered their safety in my behalf; where is their -safety provided for in this parchment?” - -Quoth the Bishop, “I will bespeak the King that point. Meantime, do you -remain here without endeavoring either to attack or to escape.” - -She said, “I will remain here in peace until this time to-morrow.” - -So the Bishop returned to the King and he brought that word to him; -that a pledge must also be given for the safety to the life of those -knights who thus guarded and sheltered the Queen. Then the King frowned, -and he said, “What other conditions will they impose upon me; why should -I give this pledge to those who have acted treasonably against me?” - -[Sidenote: _The King promises to spare the knights of the castle._] - -Then Sir Gawaine plucked the King by the sleeve and the King turned -aside with him. And Sir Gawaine whispered for awhile with the King and -by and by the King turned again to the Bishop and he said to the Bishop, -“Very well, then; take thou this my word to those knights that I will in -no wise do harm to them whilst they are within this Kingdom of Britain. -Take thou that word unto them.” - -So the Bishop took that word to them within the castle and they were -very glad of it. And Sir Launcelot said to the Bishop, “Let the King -return to Camelot, and I will bring the Queen to him in three days’ time -surrounded by all the pomp and circumstance that appertain to her lordly -grace.” - -So the King withdrew his army from that place and he returned to -Camelot. And Sir Launcelot made ready to bring the Queen to him at -Camelot. - - * * * * * - -Thus came to an ending that sad and cruel war in the which many good -knights and warriors lost their lives and in which fourteen worthy -knights of the Round Table lost their lives. - -For though all those knights were commanders of armies and of -battalions, yet death came to them as to other men of lesser note, so -that many of them, even to the highest, laid down their lives in this -dolorous war. - -For so the hand of Fate lay heavy on that great and glorious company, -for though all grieved and made great sorrow over the war, and over -those who had died therein, and though comrade grieved over comrade who -died therein--even over those who were upon the other side and who were -enemies--yet the hand of Fate thrust them forward to do what they were -compelled to do, and to slay and to be slain in that sorrowful battle. - -And so it was to the end, for ere that end was reached others who were -the foremost and the greatest of them all laid their bodies down to an -eternal sleep upon the bosom of that earth that gave them shape and -foothold. For yet were there other wars to come until all but a very -few of those who were left had given all that they had of the earth to -give in those wars. - -But of this anon, for that which followeth has to treat of those things. - - * * * * * - -So now followeth the history of those things that remain to be -hereinafter related in that which followeth, as shall now appear. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Sir Gawaine challenges Sir Launcelot] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Sixth - -_Sir Launcelot brings the Queen to King Arthur at Camelot. He quitteth -England, and King Arthur and Sir Gawaine pursue him._ - - -So the King went to Camelot, and upon the third day the Queen was -brought to him at that place. - -Thus saith the history of these things when the Queen was brought to the -Court of the King, to wit: - -[Sidenote: _How Sir Launcelot brings the Queen to Camelot._] - -First there came an hundred knights clad cap-a-pie all in armor and with -fittings and trimmings of green velvet. And these knights wore olive -wreaths upon their heads, indicative of peace. Followed these, four and -twenty esquires clad all in green velvet, and these were also crowned -with olive wreaths. After these came four and twenty ladies in waiting -upon the Queen, and these, like all the others, were clad in green -velvet and were embroidered with pearls and precious stones even to the -heels of their horses, and the bridles of their horses were bound with -wreaths of olive. Then came the Queen and Sir Launcelot clad all in -white samite, and the Queen carried an olive branch in her hand and Sir -Launcelot was crowned with an olive wreath. And the raiment of these two -was all aglitter with the jewels and pearls with which their clothes -were embroidered until they were stiff with that embroidery. - -[Sidenote: _How the King sat at Camelot._] - -At that time King Arthur received them seated upon his throne with great -dignity in the hall of the Castle at Camelot. And the throne upon which -he sat was of wrought gold and was cushioned and trimmed with crimson -velvet, embroidered in gold with the figures of leopards. And over above -the throne was a great canopy of crimson velvet ornamented with the -figures of leopards, embroidered with threads of gold. The King was -clothed all in white, and he wore a gold chain studded with jewels about -his neck and he wore his royal crown upon his head. Upon the left hand -of the King stood seven bishops in full canonical robes, and upon his -right hand was a throne like to his, and on that throne the Queen -should have been seated. But she was not seated there, for otherwise it -was empty. - -Upon the left hand of the King, but upon the second step below the -throne, sat Sir Gawaine, the beloved nephew of the King. And all about -the hall were several hundred knights in full armor and armed cap-a-pie -with sword and lance, so that that hall glittered and gleamed with the -shine of that armor. - -So King Arthur sat in state to receive the return of the Queen, and anon -she came to that place where the King awaited her. First came the -knights and esquires of Sir Launcelot, and these drew up in two parties -extending the length of the hall, leaving a line between them. Then came -Sir Launcelot and the Queen walking hand in hand up the length of that -lane, and the faces of Sir Launcelot and of that lady were both of them -exceedingly pale--hers with fear and his with fear for her. Behind these -two came the four and twenty ladies in waiting upon the Queen, and these -stopped in the midst of that lane and waited, whilst she and Sir -Launcelot approached King Arthur. - -So Sir Launcelot and the Queen came to the foot of the throne where sat -the King, and when they had come to that spot Sir Launcelot kneeled and -the Queen stood before King Arthur. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot speaketh._] - -Quoth Sir Launcelot, “Dread Lord and King, here I bring to you your -Queen as I have promised to do, and if I took her away in sorrow and in -haste, then do I return her to you with ten thousand times the joy as -compared to what was that sorrow, and in ten thousand times the peace -and amity to what was that haste. Lord, for thirteen weeks has she dwelt -at Joyous Gard with all the state and circumstance due to her royalty, -and she cometh to you now as pure and as virginal as she came to you at -Camilard when first you loved her at that place and she loved you. Lord, -I pray you that you will take the Queen to your heart, and will cherish -her there as you one time cherished her, for, excepting that you pledged -me your word that no harm should befall her, she otherwise would not -have been thus brought to you as she is brought to-day.” - -[Sidenote: _The King rebukes Sir Launcelot._] - -Then King Arthur frowned until his eyes disappeared beneath his -eyebrows. For a little he answered nothing, then in a little he said, -“Messire, one time you were my friend and the best-beloved of all my -knights, but that time is past and gone, never to return again, for now -it is altogether otherwise with me and with you. Messire, I admire at -your coolness and phlegm. For you took my Queen away from me by force -and by force have you held her for all these several months. Many -knights have died by your hand and through your instrumentality, and -several of those knights were knights of my Round Table that one time -held you to it in bonds of love and amity. Yet now you stand before me -and recommend to me that I shall take back my Queen into my heart again. -Messire, wit you not that that which hath been done can never be undone, -but is and must remain altogether finished and completed? So it is with -this thing that you have done; for it also is and must remain altogether -finished and completed. Look you, Messire, here beside me is this -throne, which is empty. So it shall remain forever empty for me, for -never again shall Queen Guinevere or any other queen occupy it, for I -hereby and herewith renounce her utterly and entirely. She hath -withdrawn herself from my court and my bed and so she shall forever -remain withdrawn from them, for never again will I take her to my heart, -or place her in that estate which she once occupied. - -[Sidenote: _The King sendeth the Queen to a convent._] - -“I have pledged myself that no harm shall come to her through me; but -herewith I give her over to the Church. There she shall remain a recluse -until the day of her death.” - -So said King Arthur, and at a motion of his hand the Lord Bishop of -Rochester came forth and took the Lady by the hand and led her away; and -as he led her away, she was weeping very bitterly. - -So the Bishop of Rochester took the Queen to the Convent of Saint -Bridget at Rochester, and there she remained the lady abbess of that -convent even to the day of her death, as shall hereinafter be related. - -Now all this while Sir Launcelot still kneeled before King Arthur, and -anon the King said to him again, “Messire, your own doom I will not -announce to you; but I will relegate the annunciation of that doom to -this lord, my well-beloved nephew, Sir Gawaine. For the injury which you -did to him is a thousand times greater than the injury which you did to -me. For though you took my Queen away from me, yet you did her no harm. -But with him, you slew five of his blood; to wit, three of his brethren -and two of his sons. And whilst three of them were in arms against you -so that you slew them wittingly and in self-defence, yet two of those -stood unarmed and naked before you, and those two loved you better than -anyone in all the world. One of those two your own hand made a knight -and the other was knit to you with many acts and deeds of friendship and -of love. Accordingly, I commit your doom to Sir Gawaine to announce to -you.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine pronounces the doom of banishment against Sir -Launcelot._] - -Then Sir Gawaine smiled very bitterly upon Sir Launcelot, and he said, -“Messire, this is the doom that I pronounce. The King hath, in his great -clemency, promised you that no harm shall befall you in life or in limb. -So no harm shall come to you in that way if you are reasonable and obey -the commands of the King. This is his command--that in fifteen days from -this you must quit this kingdom, and that you shall never again return -to it whilst I live or while the King liveth. - -[Sidenote: _And against his knights._] - -“Also I pronounce the doom of banishment against those who have been -associated with you in these late affairs, to wit, against Sir Ector de -Maris, Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Ure, and Sir Blamor and Sir Bleoberis -de Ganis, against Sir Galahautin, and Sir Galahud, and Sir Menaduke, and -Sir Galahadin, and Sir Hebes, and Sir Lavaine, and Sir Melias de Lisle, -and Sir Palamydes, and Sir Safyr, and Sir Clegis. Upon all of these I -pronounce the doom of banishment upon behalf of this King, and if any of -you be found within this isle of Britain fifteen days from now, you will -be arrested and hanged as traitors. Meantime all your castles, earldoms, -and baronies shall be forfeited to the King.” - -Said Sir Launcelot, “Sir, that is a bitter sentence; for here in this -island have I lived all my life, and of it I love every stock and stone -that mine eyes behold. But if I be outlawed and cast forth from this -kingdom, then will I go to my Castle of Chillion in the land of France, -and there I believe I shall be right well welcome and protected. So -come, my lords, and let us be gone to that country whiles there yet -remains time for us to depart.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot and his knights withdraw._] - -So Sir Launcelot and all those lords who were condemned with him -departed from the coast of England and entered into France, where they -took up their lodging with much sorrow and repining. - -And King Arthur seized upon all their earldoms, baronies, and estates, -and some of these he bestowed elsewhere and some of them he held for the -crown. - - * * * * * - -Now after those knights had departed for France, Sir Gawaine urged upon -King Arthur that he should follow them to that kingdom and attack them -there at the Castle of Chillion. King Arthur said, “Sir, why should I do -this thing? Did not Sir Launcelot bring back my Queen to me and did I -not forgive him for what he had done? Is he not now banished from the -land, and is he not then punished for all those things that he has done? -Let him now live and die in peace.” - -But to this Sir Gawaine ever answered, “Sir, I cannot reconcile it to -myself thus to surrender my rights in this case. For Sir Launcelot slew -my brothers and my sons, and never will I forgive him for that offence. -Either his blood or my blood shall answer for this; wherefore, if thou -wilt not follow him to France, then I myself will go thither and will -seek him out and punish him. As for thee, thou mayst forgive him as a -man, but yet thou mayst not forgive him as a king. For as a king thou -art the head of the law, wherefore thou mayst not forgive one who hath -broken the law. So with Sir Launcelot of the Lake, for he broke the laws -and he brought these Knights of the Round Table against thee and to -follow him; wherefore it is thy duty under the law to assail him and to -punish him for his treason, and also to punish those who follow him -likewise for their treason.” - -[Sidenote: _The King moveth against Sir Launcelot._] - -Now by this time King Arthur was growing toward being an old man, and he -was much broken by sorrow and by cares, wherefore these words of Sir -Gawaine so moved him that at last he agreed to sail with an army into -France and to attack Sir Launcelot and his friends at Chillion. So King -Arthur entrusted the government of Britain to his nephew, Sir Mordred -(who was brother to Sir Gawaine), and he and Sir Gawaine departed with a -great army for France. - -So this army appeared before the Castle of Chillion, and they shut Sir -Launcelot and his friends up within the castle and besieged them at that -place. - -Then said Sir Launcelot, “How is this; hath not King Arthur any mercy -upon us, or doth he seek our lives and our blood? Well, if he seeks -those lives and that blood, then will there be many cruel and bitter -battles betwixt us, and many knights shall fall, and so will come the -entire end of the Round Table. Ah, well, if God willeth that it be so, -so it must be.” - -[Sidenote: _Of the battles about Chillion._] - -So there were many battles around about Chillion and many lost their -lives. And though the knights of King Arthur lost more lives than did -the knights of Sir Launcelot, yet they could better afford to lose those -lives because new knights were constantly coming from Britain to -replenish the army of King Arthur, but no new knights were coming to the -army of Sir Launcelot, wherefore his losses were not replenished to him. - - * * * * * - -Now at that time there was a very wise and learned physician in the camp -of King Arthur, and one day Sir Gawaine sent for this learned man to -come to him. When that wise man stood before Sir Gawaine, Sir Gawaine -said to him this, “Sir, can you not produce for me a lotion that shall -render me free from all wounds of any sort?” - -[Sidenote: _The wise man provides medicine for Sir Gawaine._] - -Quoth the wise man, “Sir, this is impossible. But I can give to you a -medicine of this sort, that if you take it, you will, from the ninth -hour of morning until the prime of noon, have the strength in your limbs -and in your arms as of ten men.” Sir Gawaine laughed, and said, “Provide -me then with that medicine.” - -So the wise man prepared that medicine and gave it to Sir Gawaine, and -so it was for him as that physician had promised. For from the ninth -hour of the morning until the prime of noon, Sir Gawaine was uplifted in -arm and body to the strength of ten men. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine giveth challenge against Sir Launcelot._] - -So the next day after this medicine had been delivered to him, Sir -Gawaine went to the walls of the castle and he paraded under the walls -of the castle, and he called out, “Sir Launcelot, come forth and do me -battle. For this satisfaction thou owest to me for slaying my kindred.” -But Sir Launcelot would not come forth to do him battle. For Sir -Launcelot still loved Sir Gawaine and he loved King Arthur; both for the -sake of those times that were past and gone, when they had joy and -pleasure together. So because that the one was Sir Gawaine and the other -was King Arthur, he would not come forth to do battle. Nay, because of -his love for those two, Sir Launcelot would not fight in that part of -the battle where Sir Gawaine or King Arthur was, but would do battle at -other parts. - -But when the next day had come, Sir Gawaine came again and the strength -of ten men was in his arms and his body. And he paraded back and forth -under the walls of the castle, and ever as he paraded he cried out -aloud, “Sir Launcelot, thou caitiff knight! Come forth and do me battle! -For thy doom is upon thee, and thou shalt die in this war; wherefore, -come and do me battle, or else announce that thou art afraid of me.” - -But still Sir Launcelot would not go forth against him, but he sat in -the castle and groaned for sorrow and bitterness of spirit. Then Sir -Ector came to Sir Launcelot, and he said, “Kinsman, suffer me that I go -forth and do battle in thy behalf; for this man sharneth us by this -challenge.” - -Then Sir Launcelot wept, and he said, “Thou shalt not go, for wit you -that I loved this man better than mine own blood. And if he should be -slain, then will my heart be filled with grief such as can never vacate -it again. And if thou art killed, then will I be without my brother, and -must take it upon me to fight Sir Gawaine upon the behalf of thy death. -Wherefore, I pray thee go not forth to meet him.” - -But ever Sir Ector besought Sir Launcelot saying, “Brother, suffer me to -go!” And at last Sir Launcelot said, “Well go, and may God be with -thee!” - -So Sir Ector armed himself and departed out of the castle to meet Sir -Gawaine. - -Then Sir Gawaine rode up to Sir Ector and he said to him, “Sir, what -knight are you?” Quoth Sir Ector, “I am Sir Ector de Maris, the brother -of Sir Launcelot of the Lake.” Said Sir Gawaine, “Why come you here?” -And Sir Ector replied, “I come to do battle with you upon my brother’s -behalf.” Then Sir Gawaine laughed and he said, “Sir, you are welcome. -Rather would I have it that you were Sir Launcelot, but failing him I -will accept you as his proxy. So make yourself ready to encounter me.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine overthroweth Sir Ector._] - -So each of those two knights rode to a certain distance and prepared -himself for that encounter. And when they were in all ways prepared they -charged very furiously against one another. In that meeting the spear of -Sir Ector broke into many pieces, but the spear of Sir Gawaine held. And -because he had the strength of ten men behind his spear, it penetrated -the shield of Sir Ector and it penetrated his body, so that it stood a -haeadth out behind his back. - -Then Sir Ector fell from his horse and, in passing, the spear of Sir -Gawaine was broken so that the baton of the spear of Sir Gawaine -remained sticking in the body of Sir Ector; a part of it sticking out -before, and a part of it sticking out behind. - -Then Sir Gawaine rode back to where Sir Ector lay, and he said to him, -“Sir, how fares it with you?” Quoth Sir Ector, “Alas, Messire! I have -received my death-wound.” Then Sir Gawaine laughed very bitterly, and he -said, “So shall it always be with traitors, such as thou.” - -Then with that Sir Gawaine turned his horse and rode away from that -place, leaving Sir Ector lying where he was. - -Anon there came forth those from within the castle and they lifted up -Sir Ector where he lay. And they laid him in the hollow of the shield -and bare him into the castle. And all who saw Sir Ector in that -condition wept to behold him so. - -So they bore him to a chamber and laid him upon a soft couch and Sir -Ector groaned very dolorously with the agony of his wound, and Sir -Launcelot and several others stood before him, and ever as Sir Launcelot -considered him, the tears welled out of his eyes and rolled like shining -jewels down his cheeks. - -So about the eleventh hour of the night Sir Ector said to Sir Launcelot, -“Sir, this wound is my death-wound. I pray you to draw out the baton of -that spear and let me pass.” Sir Launcelot said, “I cannot draw it -forth.” Sir Ector said, “Is there no friend here who will draw forth -this baton, and suffer me to die?” - -Then said Sir Bors, “I will draw it forth,” and with that he came to the -bedside of Sir Ector and he laid hold of the baton of the spear. And he -drew very strongly upon that baton and it came forth out of that wound -and with it came a great effusion of blood. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Ector dieth._] - -Then Sir Ector groaned very deeply and he said, “I pass,” and with that -he closed his eyes and in a little while he was dead. Then they who were -there wept a great passion of tears, for Sir Ector was well-beloved of -all of them. - -Now when the next morning was come, Sir Gawaine came again before the -castle and rode there as aforetime. And ever as he rode he cried out, -“Sir Launcelot, thou craven knight, come forth and do me battle.” But -still Sir Launcelot would not come forth against him. Then Sir Bors de -Ganis came to Sir Launcelot and he said to him, “Sir, suffer me to go -forth against this knight, for he bringeth shame upon us all.” - -Quoth Sir Launcelot, “I crave you not to go, Sir; for this knight, Sir -Gawaine, is a very strong and powerful knight. Already hath he slain Sir -Ector, and should you also lose your life, what great loss that would be -to us all.” “Nevertheless,” said Sir Bors, “I would fain go forth -against him. For God may give me the victory, in which it will be a -great benefit to us all in that he will no more come to trouble us.” - -Then Sir Launcelot turned away his head, and anon he said, “Go, in God’s -name, and may good fortune attend you. As for me, I cannot go against -Sir Gawaine because of the love I held for him. For should he slay me, -that would be a great misfortune for us all, but should I slay him, -never would I cease to sorrow and to repine for his death. Wherefore, I -cannot now go against him, but you may go against him.” - -So Sir Bors armed himself and went forth out of the castle, and when Sir -Gawaine beheld him coming he was rejoiced, for he thought that this was -Sir Launcelot. - -So Sir Gawaine rode up to him as he approached, and he said to him, -“Messire, what knight are you?” Him Sir Bors made answer, “Sir I am Sir -Bors de Ganis, and I have come forth here against you upon behalf of Sir -Launcelot of the Lake.” - -“Sir,” said Sir Gawaine, “you are very welcome; though rather would I -have to do with Sir Launcelot of the Lake than with any other man in -all of the world. For I have no quarrel against you, but against him I -have a quarrel.” - -“Nevertheless,” said Sir Bors, “I stand here now upon his behalf to do -battle for him.” - -Quoth Sir Gawaine, “Prepare yourself then for battle!” So Sir Bors took -his assigned place and when they were in all wise prepared they rushed -together with great violence and fury. - -In that encounter the spear of each knight was broken into many pieces, -even to the very fist that held the spear, and the horse of each -recoiled so that it sunk back upon its haunches and would, perhaps, have -fallen, had not the address of the knight rider recovered it. Then each -knight cast aside the truncheon of his spear and voided his horse, and -each drew his sword with great readiness and rushed to the battle very -furiously, violently and impetuously. Each smote the other many sore -buffets and strokes so that each knight was wounded in several places. - -But Sir Gawaine was possessed of the strength of ten, and Sir Bors was -possessed but of the strength of one, so that by and by Sir Bors was -obliged to hold his shield low because of weariness from the redoubled -fury of Sir Gawaine’s attack. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine woundeth Sir Bors._] - -So Sir Gawaine perceived that opening which he made in his defence, and, -grinding his teeth together, he whirled up his sword and smote Sir Bors -upon the shoulder of that arm that held his sword. So violent and savage -was the blow that it sheared through the iron of the epulier and it -sheared through the flesh and bone of the shoulder so that the arm of -Sir Bors fell and hung down from the shoulder and his hand dropped the -sword that he held. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors asks his life._] - -Then Sir Gawaine laughed and ran forward and he set his foot upon the -sword of Sir Bors. And Sir Bors sank down upon his knees and he said in -a weak and faltering voice, “Sir Gawaine, I am sorely wounded. If it -please thee to do so, I pray thee to spare my life.” - -Quoth Sir Gawaine, “Why should I spare thee thy life? Thou art a traitor -knave, and it is not fit that I should spare thee, but rather I should -slay thee as thou kneelest before me. But I cannot forget our long and -many associations; and I cannot forget that thou wert one of those three -knights who achieved the Grail, and brought the Grail back again to -Sarras. So I will forgive thee, and will spare thee thy life, if so be -that God will also spare it.” - -Then Sir Gawaine turned and sheathed his sword, and he mounted his horse -and rode away. And anon there came the friends of Sir Bors from the -Castle of Chillion, and they lifted him up and laid him upon a litter, -and so they bore him away into the castle. - -And they took Sir Bors to a room of the castle and stripped off his -armor and beheld the wound that it was very ghastly and dismal. And so -much blood was emitted from that wound that Sir Bors fainted and for -awhile he hung hovering upon the edge of death. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors doth not die._] - -But he did not die then or afterward, but he revived and his wound was -healed so that he, by and by, became well and strong again. - -Then Sir Launcelot came to where Sir Bors was, and he said to him, “Sir -Bors, how fared it with thee?” And Sir Bors said in a fainting voice, -“Sir, I know not how it was with Sir Gawaine. For I found him to be so -passing strong that never have I found a stronger. For he smote down my -defences and he smote me this blow that I have received, and from which -I shall maybe die. For mine arm is nearly severed from its shoulder, and -I wit not whether I shall ever be strong and hale again.” - -Then Sir Launcelot wept and he said, “Alas, that this is so! For now I -cannot forego this battle with Sir Gawaine any longer. For yesterday he -slew my brother, Sir Ector, and to-day he hath nearly slain thee. So -to-morrow I shall have to have ado with him, or else, by and by, all -shall perish at this place.” - -Then Sir Bors said, “Sir, beware of him, for he hath strength more than -human, wherefore I fear that he may prove to thee thy undoing.” - -To that Sir Launcelot answereth, “I should be sorry to find it so. But -whether it is thus or not, still must I have ado with him upon the -chance that I may thus save the lives of others within this place.” - -So it came that Sir Launcelot was prepared to do battle with Sir -Gawaine. - - * * * * * - -Now if you would hear more of this famous fight betwixt Sir Launcelot -and Sir Gawaine, I pray you to read that which followeth. For there it -shall be fully and distinctly set forth as it hath been told of in -several ancient histories dealing with these things. - -[Illustration: The Passing of Sir Gawaine:] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Seventh - -_Of the battle betwixt Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine. Also how King -Arthur returned to Little Britain._ - - -So came the next day and Sir Gawaine had his esquires to enclose his -body in full armor of proof, and he mounted his horse and took a good -stout lance of ashwood in his hand, and he set forth once more to seek -Sir Launcelot as aforetime he had done. So Sir Gawaine came beneath the -wall of the castle, and he paraded before the wall, and ever as he thus -paraded he cried aloud and on high, “Come forth, Sir Launcelot of the -Lake! Come forth, thou caitiff knight, and do me battle!” - -Then Sir Launcelot wist that now the time was come for him to do that -battle. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot goeth against Sir Gawaine._] - -So Sir Launcelot mounted upon his horse and took into his hand a good -stout lance of ashwood for his defence, and thus armed he gave orders -and the portcullis of the castle was raised and the drawbridge was let -fall and Sir Launcelot rode forth all clad in that armor of proof to -meet Sir Gawaine. - -Then Sir Gawaine rode up to Sir Launcelot and gave him greeting and he -said to Sir Launcelot of the Lake, “Sir, I pray you tell me, are you Sir -Launcelot of the Lake, or are you another knight than he? For by your -figure and by your conduct and by that device which is upon your shield, -I wit you to be Sir Launcelot, and yet I know not whether you are he or -not he. For this is the third time I have challenged, and heretofore he -would not come out against me.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot bespeaks Sir Gawaine._] - -Quoth Sir Launcelot of the Lake, “Sir, I am Sir Launcelot indeed, and -wit you, Sir Gawaine, I have well tried to avoid this battle, for I fear -me in this battle or in some other battle of its kind, either you or I -shall be slain. And I would not slay you for the love that was of old -betwixt us; for still I remember me of that love, and I hold it very -dear to my heart. Wherefore I would not do battle with you if that -battle could be avoided.” - -Quoth Sir Gawaine, “What prate you of love, Sir? This battle cannot be -avoided, for wit you that even if ever I loved you, yet all that love is -now passed away, or rather it is transformed into hate. For you have -wounded me so deeply in my heart that no man can wound me so deeply and -yet live while I live also upon the earth. Wherefore either you or I -shall die by the hand of the other, if not at this time, then at some -other time.” - -Quoth Sir Launcelot, “How have I wounded thee, Gawaine, or in what way -have I done thee such hurt as this? Tell me that I may make that wrong -right again.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine accuses Sir Launcelot._] - -Said Sir Gawaine, “Wit you not that I have often told you how that first -you slew two of my sons, and my brother, and how that afterward you slew -two more of my brothers? Is not that injury enough for any man to bear -within his heart and yet to live under that injury?” - -Then Sir Launcelot sighed and he said, “Sir, wit you that those two sons -and that brother I slew in battle and they were armed, and assaulting -me, and I knew them not. As for those two of your brothers whom I -afterward slew, them I slew in the press and fury of fighting. For I saw -not their faces in that fury and knew them not. For if I had known them, -wit you that I would have held my hand and spared them? Sir, for that I -am grieved to the heart, for I loved them both very well; more -especially Sir Gareth whom I made a knight in the field.” - -Then Sir Gawaine laughed very bitterly, and he said, “Sir, you make a -very good excuse, still you did that which you did, and having done it -you must pay for it. For so every man must pay for that which he hath -done; let it be good or let it be ill. Come, Sir, prepare yourself for -battle, for I am hungry to have battle with you.” - -Then again Sir Launcelot sighed, this time so deeply that his heart had -been lifted from its strings within his bosom by that sigh. And with -that sigh he closed his helmet, and reined in his horse and withdrew to -that part of the field which was to be his assigned place of battle. - -[Sidenote: _Many view the battle._] - -Then many of the defenders of the castle came down to the walls of the -castle and stood there, and looked down from those walls upon the two -who stood so in array of battle. And King Arthur and many others came -from the camp of the besiegers, and also stood them afar off to behold -the battle, so that with those and with these who were there it was as -good an assembly as any knights could have chosen in which to do battle. - -And the sun shone very clear and strong--yet not too strong. And the -breeze blew very freely so that all the poplar trees around about the -castle were turned white with its blowing, and the river that ran down -past the castle was dusked and rippled by that wind, and all the reeds -of the river bowed and dipped into the water thereof. - -So those two knights prepared themselves for the assault, making their -armor in all ways tight and secure. Then when they were in all ways -ready, they shouted to their horses and so sprang to the charge, -galloping against one another with a noise like to the noise of thunder. - -So they met in the midst of the course and smote one another, in the -centre of the other’s shield. And before that shock the spear of each -was split into a great many very small pieces, even to the hand that -held it. And each horse sank quivering back upon its haunches at the -recoil of that blow, and would have fallen, were it not that the -extraordinary address of the knight rider recovered his horse with spur -and rein and voice. Then each knight cast aside the truncheon of his -spear and drew his sword, and each rushed at the other very furiously -and valiantly. Then each smote the other with great power and strength. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot faileth._] - -But though Sir Launcelot smote with all of his strength, yet Sir Gawaine -smote with the strength of ten. So that Sir Launcelot was driven -backward, and around and around in small circles, and in that assault he -was altogether astonished at the fury and the strength of Sir Gawaine. -For he wist not that Sir Gawaine had that strength of ten men, and he -knew not that Sir Gawaine had taken that medicine to lend him that -strength. - -And Sir Launcelot had much ado to defend himself so that he made no -attack, but only a defence with sword and shield against the attack of -Sir Gawaine. And Sir Launcelot thought that never in all of his life had -he fought with so strong and so powerful a knight as Sir Gawaine--nay, -not even when he fought with Sir Turquine that day at the ford before -the castle of Sir Turquine. For anon the blood began to flow forth from -him in spite of all his defence, so that in a little while the ground on -which he fought was all sprinkled red with that blood, and his armor was -all ensanguined with the crimson streams that bathed it. And in all that -while Sir Gawaine had hardly any wounds at all, but he fought with all -his strength and might, and with the purpose to beat down his assailant. - -But though Sir Gawaine fought in that wise, yet, by and by, it reached -the prime of noon, and still he had not struck down Sir Launcelot. Then -that strength of ten that he had with the medicine that he had taken -began to fade and wane away as the flame of a candle flickers and wanes -away when the wax is consumed. So anon Sir Launcelot felt that the -attack of Sir Gawaine was no longer so furious and so violent as it had -been, but that it was weaker. Therewith he redoubled his own battle with -tenfold violence. And now he no longer made defence, but instead of -defence he made attack. And he drave Sir Gawaine backward before him, -for Sir Gawaine could not stand before the fierceness of that attack now -that his strength was waning. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine faileth and is overthrown._] - -So Sir Gawaine bore back from before those blows, and by and by he began -to hold his shield full low for weariness. Then Sir Launcelot perceived -his opening, so he rushed the attack with double fury, and anon he swung -his sword and smote Sir Gawaine with it full upon the head. And so -violent was that blow that it clave asunder the helmet and the coif, and -it wounded the head beneath the coif. - -Then Sir Gawaine sank down upon his knees, his hand relaxed and the -sword that was in his hand fell out from it upon the ground. Then Sir -Launcelot ran to Sir Gawaine and he set his foot upon the sword and he -rushed off the helmet of Sir Gawaine and he cried out very fiercely, -“Sir, yield yourself to me or I will slay you!” But Sir Gawaine said, “I -will not yield me to thee, so thou mayst slay me at thy pleasure!” Then -Sir Launcelot gazed at Sir Gawaine, and as he gazed at him the fury of -battle passed away from his soul like a mist from before the face of the -sun; and Sir Launcelot felt such great love for Sir Gawaine and such -great pity for him that his eyes ran all with tears. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot spareth him his life._] - -Then Sir Launcelot said, “Sir Gawaine, even if you do not ask me for -your life, yet will I grant it to you. Arise and depart!” To this Sir -Gawaine said, “Messire, in this you are foolish. For if you do not slay -me now, then when I am well and healed again, I will come back against -you, and will assail you again as I have assailed you to-day. For wit -you that in this quarrel either you shall die or I shall die.” - -Sir Launcelot said, “Sir, this matters not to me! I cannot slay you now -and I will not slay you.” - -So Sir Launcelot turned away from that place. And he mounted his horse -and departed thence. And as he rode back to the castle Sir Launcelot -wept so that hardly could he see the way before him because of the tears -that rained down from his eyes. - -Then came those from King Arthur’s side who had looked upon the battle, -and they raised Sir Gawaine up and led him away to his tent. And when he -had come to his couch they unarmed Sir Gawaine and searched his wounds -and found that they were very deep and sore. So they dressed the wounds -of Sir Gawaine and put salves and unguents upon them, and so he was made -in all ways as comfortable as could be. - -And Sir Gawaine sent for that cunning and learned physician who had -given him the medicine of strength, and he said to him, “Cannot you give -me a stronger medicine than that, and one that will make in me the -strength of twenty?” The physician said, “Sir, I cannot do that, for I -have no such power.” Sir Gawaine said, “Then can you not give me a -medicine that will make me stronger for a longer time than till the -prime of noon?” But the physician said, “Sir, I cannot do that either.” -Then Sir Gawaine sighed and he said, “Woe is me! I fear me I shall never -be able to overcome Sir Launcelot.” - -Meanwhile the wounds of Sir Launcelot were being searched at the castle -and also were found to be very sore and very deep. So it was several -weeks before Sir Gawaine or Sir Launcelot recovered from those wounds. -But after those several weeks were over, then each knight was as strong -and as hale as he had ever been. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine is healed. He challengeth Sir Launcelot._] - -So, after Sir Gawaine was in all ways healed again, he clad himself in -armor and took in his hand a very strong and powerful lance and mounted -upon his horse once more. And Sir Gawaine rode out to the castle and he -rode up and down before the walls of the castle, and ever as he rode he -called out on high, “Sir Launcelot, come forth, thou caitiff knight, and -do me battle!” - -Then they who heard those words went to Sir Launcelot, and they said to -him, “Sir, here Sir Gawaine is riding beneath the walls of the castle, -and he uttereth his challenge against you.” Sir Launcelot sighed and -anon he said, “Send mine armor here to me”; and he said, “Send Galliard -hither” (Galliard being the name of the esquire of Sir Launcelot). - -So the esquire came and he aided Sir Launcelot to put his armor upon his -body and his limbs, and so Sir Launcelot was in all wise armed cap-a-pie -in that armor. Then Sir Launcelot took a good stout strong spear in his -hand, and he mounted his horse. And the gates of the castle were opened -to him as they had been aforetime; and Sir Launcelot rode forth into the -sunlight to meet Sir Gawaine as he had aforetime done. - -So Sir Launcelot rode up to where Sir Gawaine was and he said to Sir -Gawaine, “Sir, I am here to meet thee.” Sir Gawaine said, “I see that -thou art, and I give thee welcome.” Sir Launcelot said, “Sir, it is with -greater grief than ever that I come forth to meet you to-day. For this -is the fourth challenge that you have given to me, and I cannot receive -any more challenges from you. So it is this day either you or I shall -have to die. For I cannot suffer it that you shall come to me for day -after day as you do, to utter your challenge against me.” Said Sir -Gawaine, “Messire, it is to my mind also that either you or I lay down -our life to-day. If it be I who must die, then am I glad to lay down my -life for my sons and my brothers whom you have slain; if it be you who -are to die, then am I still more glad to sacrifice you to their spirits. -Yet as you slew them unarmed, so it will be a greater pleasure to me to -slay you for their sakes.” - -Quoth Sir Launcelot, “Are you ready?” and Sir Gawaine said, “Yea, I am -in all wise ready.” - -So once more as it was before so it was now, for many of those of the -castle came and stood upon the walls of the castle to behold that -battle; and also there came many from the camp of King Arthur, and these -stood upon the surrounding hills so that all those hills were covered -with a multitude of men watching that combat. - -So each knight having assumed his place of battle, and each being in all -wise prepared, each set his spear in rest and each shouted to his horse -to advance. Then the one charged against the other with great speed and -violence, and so each met the other in the middle of the course with a -crash like to a clap of thunder. - -[Sidenote: _They two do battle together._] - -As it was before, so now each lance was shivered to splinters, even to -the very truncheon of the spear, and each horse reeled back from that -assault. Then again each knight recovered his horse with spur and voice -so that he did not fall in that recoil. - -Then each knight cast aside the stump of his spear, and each leaped from -his horse, drawing his sword from its scabbard for the assault. So they -rushed together as aforetime, striking and lashing with might and main. - -But again Sir Launcelot found Sir Gawaine possessed of such strength as -astonished him, for he felt that he was fighting with his own strength -against the strength of ten men. - -In that battle he received many wounds that were worse than they had -been before; for this time Sir Gawaine fought with great desperation to -end that battle before high noontide. But ever Sir Launcelot made very -strong and powerful defence, striking but few blows of assault, but -putting himself ever in the posture of defence. Yet in spite of that -defence, both the armor upon his body and the earth upon which he stood -were all ensanguined with the blood that flowed from the many wounds -that he received in that battle. - -But at last it came high noontide, and with the coming and passing of -noon the strength of Sir Gawaine reached its height and limit, and then -it began its decline. So Sir Launcelot felt the waning of Sir Gawaine’s -strength and therewith ceased from his defence and began to frame his -attack against the other. Then Sir Gawaine retreated backward, and he -assumed such defence as he was able. But Sir Launcelot rushed upon him -and beat him again and again and yet again with his sword. And Sir -Gawaine was wounded in many places, for the blood gushed in streams out -of many deep cuts through his armor plate. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot wounds Sir Gawaine mortally._] - -Then from weariness the shield of Sir Gawaine began to fall full low, -and Sir Launcelot perceived this and ran in upon him. And Sir Launcelot -whirled his sword and smote Sir Gawaine with all his might upon the neck -upon the left-hand side. And the blade of Sir Launcelot’s sword sheared -through the armor at that place, and it sheared through the neck and the -breast, and so deep was that wound that Sir Gawaine suffered from that -blow his death-wound. - -Yet Sir Gawaine would have stood to fight if he could have done so; but -he could not stand. Otherwise, he sank slowly down upon his knees and -there rested, with his hand upon the earth. And the blood poured down -his arm and wet the earth beneath him. - -Then Sir Launcelot ran in upon him and he rushed the helmet off Sir -Gawaine’s head, and he cried out, “Sir Gawaine, yield thee or I will -slay thee!” - -Quoth Sir Gawaine, “Messire, already thou hast slain me. For this wound -which thou hast given to me is my death-wound. So I feel it to be, for -the life is already passing out of me through that wound.” - -Then Sir Launcelot wept and he said, “Sir, say not so. Now I pray thee -that thou wilt forgive me for this wound and for all else that I have -done against thee!” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine will not forgive Sir Launcelot._] - -But Sir Gawaine looked at the blood that ran in streams down his arm, -and he said, “I will not forgive thee, Launcelot, for otherwise, I will -die in my hatred of thee. For thou hast slain me as thou hast slain my -brothers, and upon thee I voice my curse and their curse as well. For my -curse and their curse is this: that never after this day shalt thou -prosper in anything that thou shalt undertake. Never shalt thou join in -any battle from this time forth; and the dearest wish of thy heart shall -disappear from thy hands when thou closest them upon that wish. Thou -shalt live in sorrow and shall die shut away from all sounds and sights -of knightly battle. This is my curse and my sons’ curse and my brothers’ -curse upon thee, so wit you that though I die yet you shall be in a -worse estate than I who am dead.” - -Then Sir Launcelot knelt weeping before Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gawaine -said, “Get you hence, Sir knight, for my friends are coming.” - -Then Sir Launcelot raised his head and looked and he beheld that the -Knights of King Arthur were coming in that direction. So he turned and -mounted his horse and rode away at a hard gallop toward the castle, and -he entered the castle and the gates thereof were closed behind him. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot grieveth._] - -Then many of those knights who were dearest to Sir Launcelot came about -him to give him praise for overthrowing Sir Gawaine. But Sir Launcelot -would not look at them. Otherwise, he turned away his head from them and -withdrew to his own inn. For wit you that Sir Launcelot loved Sir -Gawaine better than any man in all of the world; yea, better than his -own blood and kindred. And now he knew that he had slain that one whom -he loved the best of all; wherefore he lay with his face turned to the -wall and melancholy enclosed him all over, like to a cloak of black. - -But meanwhile Sir Gawaine had swooned so that when those knights and -gentlemen, his friends, came to him, he lay on the ground like one who -was dead. Those gathered him up and laid him upon a litter, and they -bore him away in that litter to his tent. There they unlaced the armor -and removed it, and anon the chirurgeon came to him to search his -wounds. But when the chirurgeon beheld that great wound in his neck, he -wit that Sir Gawaine could not live. So the chirurgeon sent for King -Arthur to come hither, and he said to the King, “This man cannot live, -but must die.” King Arthur wept, and he said to the chirurgeon, “How -know ye that he must die?” To which the chirurgeon replied, “Lord, when -I looked in at that wound in the lower part of his neck, methought I -could see his heart beating beneath it. Wherefore, I know that if the -heart groweth cold through his wound, then he must die.” - -Then King Arthur hid his face and for awhile he said nothing. Then he -went to the bedside of Sir Gawaine, and he said to him, “Messire, how is -it with you?” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine advises the King._] - -Sir Gawaine smiled at him and said to him, “Sir, wit you that I must die -of this hurt.” King Arthur said, “I trow not.” Sir Gawaine said, “In -that you are mistook, for here have I my death-wound, and in a little -while I must die.” King Arthur said, “Sir, keep up your heart.” To this -Sir Gawaine made answer, “My heart faileth not, but my life hangeth -fluttering upon my lips, and soon it must pass away from me.” And Sir -Gawaine said, “Sir, wit ye of this, your own case is as bad as mine. -Return you again to Britain as fast as you are able, for I trust not -more than need be to Sir Mordred’s truth, albeit he is my brother. For -he hath ever had a dark and gloomy spirit. And he hath ambition for the -throne, and now that he hath the power behind that ambition, and now -that you have lost so many good and worthy knights at this castle, he -will certes seize upon your throne unless you are by to wrest it out of -his hands. Wherefore I pray you to return to Britain as soon as may be.” - -King Arthur said, “Sir, these are imaginings upon your part. For Sir -Mordred is a Knight of the Round Table, and is bound to me in fealty. -Why, therefore, think you he would be treacherous to me?” - -Sir Gawaine said, “Lord, I lie now very close to the edge of death and -all things appear extraordinarily clear and distinct to mine eyes. Sir -Mordred hath no love for any soul save only for himself. Wherefore, I -fear me he will sacrifice you to his desires, and will seize upon your -throne. Lord, I shall not live until to-morrow morning, wherefore, I -charge you that when I am dead, you shall bury me here in haste, and -depart straightway for England, for I fear me for your kingdom in -Britain.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine dieth._] - -So that night in the second hour after midnight, Sir Gawaine drew his -last breath and died. And King Arthur was there at that passing, and -several knights companions of the Round Table were there, so that Sir -Gawaine did not die in loneliness. And after he had passed, King Arthur -wept and he said as follows: - - THE LAMENT OF KING ARTHUR - -[Sidenote: _King Arthur’s lament._] - -“So passeth this dear and faithful friend. There is not of all those who -are left anyone whom I love so well as I loved him. For though he was -passionate in his angers and his indignations, yet to me he was always -loving and full of dutifulness and kindliness. He was the right hand and -support of my throne and its chiefest prop in all of its weaknesses, and -I had hoped that he would have occupied that throne after I had departed -from this earth. - -“But now this is past and gone and he is taken who was, next to Sir -Launcelot of the Lake, the brightest and most glorious figure of all my -Round Table. - -“He was the companion of my youth. For when I had fought my battles and -come to my throne, he was among the first who came and laid his hands -between my palms. Also he was one of the first of all those -knights-elect of the Round Table to take his seat at that table. - -“But now he is gone and I am left alone, like the tree in the forest -that hath been struck by lightning. Yea, like that tree my foliage is -withered and now I stand stark and bare against the sky. For my Queen, -who was the lover of my youth, is estranged from me, and I shall never -behold her more. My Round Table, that was otherwise the chiefest glory -of my reign, is broken and scattered and many of those who were one time -dearest to me in love are now my foes. Where are now the defenders of my -throne? They are gone; and that throne itself totters to its fall. - -“All these are sad and woful happenings, but the saddest and most woful -of all is that this good worthy knight hath died. Would that I had died -in his stead and that he had not died, but that I had died for him. What -worse hath Fate in store for me than this that he is dead?” - -So in words such as these or in words like to them, King Arthur mourned -for Sir Gawaine; for it seemed that no worse blow could befall him than -this; to wit, the death of Sir Gawaine. - - * * * * * - -[Sidenote: _News cometh to the King of Sir Mordred._] - -That morning King Arthur was aroused very early from his couch of grief -by a messenger that came to him with a message from Britain, and that -message was this: that Sir Mordred had seized upon the throne and the -crown of Britain, and was holding them for his own. - -This message came from Sir Constantine of Cornwall, who was the cousin -of Sir Gawaine and who was yet living in England. And Sir Constantine -said, “Hasten! Hasten your return, O Lord King, and let nothing delay -that return!” - -Then King Arthur gave command that the siege of Chillion should be -raised, and that after Sir Gawaine was buried they should all return -again to Britain. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine is buried._] - -So that day the funeral of Sir Gawaine was held with great pomp and -circumstance. Four bishops conducted the mass for the rest of his soul, -and the whole army knelt to pray for him. And those people within the -Castle of Chillion also kneeled upon the battlements of the castle wall -and prayed for the rest of his soul. For next to Sir Launcelot, he was -the greatest knight in the world. - -So they laid him at rest at that place--a good worthy knight and one -well established in all courts of chivalry both then and thereafter. For -if he was violent of temper and if he sought revenge upon Sir Launcelot -for the death of his sons and his brethren, yet he gave his life for -that anger and that revenge, and that the manes of his kindred might be -satisfied. - - * * * * * - -So endeth the history of Sir Gawaine. - -[Illustration: Sir Mordred the traitor] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Eighth - -_How King Arthur returned to England. How he fought his last battle with -Sir Mordred._ - - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mordred despaireth._] - -So the news came to Britain that King Arthur was returning to that -realm, and that news was conveyed to Sir Mordred where he was. And when -Sir Mordred heard thereof he sat sunk in melancholy, his head bowed upon -his breast, and his food and wine standing untasted beside him. - -And several of the friends of Sir Mordred were with him at that time, -and with them was Sir Mador de la Porte, who had, since his battle with -Sir Launcelot, been an enemy to King Arthur. These say to Sir Mordred, -“Sir, why are you so cast down? Wit you that King Arthur is not yet -returned, and that when he doth return he must do battle with you to -regain his kingdom.” - -Quoth Sir Mordred, “Yes, that is very true, but wit you that I have -given out word to the world that King Arthur was slain in battle before -the Castle of Chillion, and in that word lay my strength. Wherefore now, -when King Arthur returneth to Britain, and when the people find that he -is yet alive, they will turn to him and will cast me out.” - -[Sidenote: _His friends advise him._] - -Quoth Sir Mador de la Porte, “Then it behooves you, Sir, to make stir -and to proclaim to the people that with King Arthur there will be -continued wars, but that with you there will be peace and tranquillity. -For wit you that King Arthur for this year past hath been continually at -war against Sir Launcelot, and during that time you have not had one -single war in all of Britain. Wherefore, as people love peace, so they -will cling to you. Beside this, you should summon the Archbishop of -Canterbury to your presence and have him crown you as king. For if you -be a king in your own right, then will you have that much more strength -to do battle for your own rights. Now here at hand is the Archbishop of -Canterbury, and he shall be summoned and shall crown you at your -demand.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mordred beseeches the Archbishop to crown him._] - -So they sent for the Archbishop of Canterbury, and he came to where Sir -Mordred was. Sir Mordred said to him, “Sir, wit you why I have sent for -you? It is that you shall crown me King of Britain.” - -[Sidenote: _The Archbishop refuses._] - -Quoth the Archbishop, “I cannot do this thing that you ask of me, for -the news is that King Arthur is returning to Britain. How then can you -be crowned King of Britain when the rightful King of Britain is still -alive?” - -To this Sir Mordred made reply, “I have not set for you to reason with -me, but to crown me as the King of this realm. For if you crown me, then -do I believe that I shall be well able to defend my crown and my -kingship, but if you do not crown me, then will I do battle with King -Arthur as a usurper to make myself a king instead of him.” - -Then said the Archbishop, “Sir, you shall not do this thing. For I, as -the head of the Church in this realm, bid you to surrender your rights -and claims unto the just and lawful king who now returneth. For he -surrendered his kingship to you for a little while whilst he was away -from Britain, and not for a permanency. Yet you would make that -surrender permanent, for you would make yourself king instead of him. -Wherefore, if you do not surrender yourself to King Arthur’s mercy upon -the day of his landing, then will the Church curse you with bell, book -and candle as the usurper of those rights that belong to another.” Then -Sir Mordred was filled with rage against the Archbishop and he cried -out, “Sir, get you gone, or I shall forget myself and draw my sword and -slay you perhaps.” - -[Sidenote: _The Archbishop withdraweth._] - -So the Archbishop withdrew from the presence of Sir Mordred, and he -called his court about him, and he recounted to that court all that had -passed between him and Sir Mordred. And he said, “Let us fly from this -place. For we are in danger here.” So the Archbishop took him a strong -horse and he mounted upon it and his court also mounted upon horses, and -then he and his court rode with great haste away from that place and to -Dover, where King Arthur was expected to be about to land. - -After the Archbishop had gone and when Sir Mordred found that he had -gone, Sir Mordred collected such of his army together as were there at -hand; and he also descended to Dover, taking that army with him; his -intent being to prevent the King from landing if he could do so. - -So came King Arthur to Dover, and as one stood upon the cliffs one -beheld that his ships and galleys covered the entire sea as far as the -eye could behold. And as the King approached the shore, he beheld that -there was a considerable army drawn up in array upon the beach where he -was to land, and he knew not whether that array were to welcome him or -to do battle with him. But at length he perceived Sir Mordred in the -forefront of that array, and he wist that that army was there to do -battle with him. Then he groaned aloud and he said, “Is there yet more -blood to be shed? Well, then, it must be shed, for never will I give up -my throne unless I give it up with my life. For eight and twenty years -have I held that throne, and shall I now surrender it to this man, my -nephew Mordred? No; never!” - -[Sidenote: _Of the battle of Dover._] - -So as the boats drew near to the shore, those who were in them leaped -into the water and waded to the shore. And the army of Sir Mordred came -down to the water and did battle with those who sought to land. And so a -great battle was fought there at the edge of the water, so that the -water was all discolored red with the blood of those who were wounded or -slain and who fell into the flood. Wherefore it was that with each -recurring wave this red water ran upward upon the white sands, and then -receded, leaving the sands all stained red where it had flowed upon it. - -But yet Sir Mordred did not prevent that army from landing, for ever -more knights and yeomen and still more leaped from the boats and into -that shallow water, and so at last the army of Sir Mordred was forced -back from the water and King Arthur’s army landed upon the shore. - -Then Sir Mordred withdrew his army from that place and King Arthur took -possession of that part of Britain. - -After that the Archbishop of Canterbury came to where King Arthur was, -and he gave him greeting, saying, “Greeting, King Arthur, and give thee -joy of landing upon this soil. For here am I who am the head of the -Church and I give thee welcome to thy realm. For wit you that Sir -Mordred would fain have had me crown him king, but I would not crown -him, having heard that thou wert still alive.” - -Then King Arthur embraced the Bishop and kissed him upon either cheek, -and said to him, “Sir, I thank you for your welcome. And I thank you -that you have guarded and protected my rights.” - -Now, after having been thus driven away from Dover, Sir Mordred withdrew -to Baremdown, and at that place he gathered about him all those of his -followers who had hitherto been tardy in coming to him. And he assembled -with him all those who had been friends to Sir Launcelot (for these were -now at enmity with King Arthur). So at that place Sir Mordred had a very -considerable army to confront King Arthur withal. - -Then Sir Mordred stationed that army upon a rise of land where were -three steep hills. For so he could charge down those hills against his -enemies, whilst they must charge up those hills against him. - -So came King Arthur, and when he perceived the dispersion of Sir -Mordred’s army, he also arranged his army into three divisions. The -centre division he took himself; the right division he entrusted to the -King of North Wales, and the left division he placed under the -leadership of Sir Ewaine, who had not quitted Britain for all this time. - -[Sidenote: _Of the battle of Baremdown._] - -Then King Arthur charged his army up those hills against his enemy, but -he could not climb those hills because of the steepness thereof, and -because of the defence of the enemy at the top of the steeps. And -afterward he charged again and again, but still he could not gain the -crest of those hills. - -Then Sir Ewaine’s division overlapped the army of Sir Mordred, and he -charged up that hill both before and behind. And he doubled Sir -Mordred’s party up upon itself and threw it into great confusion. - -But that wing of Sir Mordred’s army could not retreat to the rear by -reason that Sir Ewaine’s knights were there; wherefore, it fled back -upon the centre of the army and threw that centre also into confusion. -Then King Arthur charged for the fourth time, and this time he took the -centre hill of the three, and with that the army of Sir Mordred broke -and fled. And the army of Sir Mordred fled toward Salisbury, and a great -many knights were slain in that flight. And the army of Sir Mordred took -up its station not far from Salisbury, and not far distant from the sea. - -So King Arthur won the battle of Baremdown, but with sad and bitter -loss. For many knights fell in that assault and amongst them was Sir -Ewaine, who was mortally hurt. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine is wounded._] - -Now when King Arthur heard that Sir Ewaine was hurt, he went to where -the wounded knight lay in his pavilion. And Sir Ewaine’s face was very -wan and hollow and pale, and the dew of death stood upon his forehead. -Then King Arthur went to the couch of Sir Ewaine and he kneeled beside -the couch and embraced Sir Ewaine about the body with his arms. And the -tears ran down King Arthur’s face and wet the face of Sir Ewaine that -was beneath him. And Sir Ewaine said, “Art thou there, my king? For I -cannot see thee, and yet meseems I feel thee weeping upon me.” And King -Arthur said, “Ewaine, it is I.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine biddeth King Arthur to send for Sir Launcelot._] - -Then Sir Ewaine said, “Sir, send for Sir Launcelot to aid thee in this -war. For Sir Launcelot is the best of all thy knights and he has with -him several knights that are very good and strong. These will come to -thine aid if thou wilt ask it of them, and so thou wilt easily overthrow -Sir Mordred. For many of the knights also are friends with Sir Launcelot -who are now in the army of Sir Mordred, thinking that thou art at enmity -with Sir Launcelot. But if Sir Launcelot cometh to thee, then will -those knights quit Sir Mordred and will cleave to thee. But if thou dost -not send for Sir Launcelot then it may be that Sir Mordred will -overthrow thee. Wherefore I beseech thee to send for Sir Launcelot and -for his knights to aid thee.” - -Quoth King Arthur, “How shall I send for him? And by what right shall I -ask him to come to mine aid? Sir Launcelot is my foe, for he took from -me my wife and held her from me for several months. And he hath slain my -nephews and he slew Sir Gawaine, who was my best beloved of all. How, -then, shall I now ask him to come to mine aid?” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine writeth a letter to Sir Launcelot._] - -Quoth Sir Ewaine, “Give me parchment and ink.” So they brought ink and -parchment to Sir Ewaine and they propped him up upon his bed. And with -that his wounds burst out bleeding afresh, so that he wist that he had -but a short time to live. - -Then Sir Ewaine wrote to Sir Launcelot and he said to him, “Sir, this -day hath been fought a great battle upon Baremdown, and King Arthur, -mine uncle, won that battle. But many knights have died in that battle, -and I in it have received my death-wound. Sir, I pray you let all -bygones pass and be done betwixt you and King Arthur. And I pray you to -forget and forgive any injury you may have received or given; for in -this war King Arthur is put to such a pass that maybe he shall win and -maybe he shall not win; wherefore I pray you to come to him without any -delay, and so make his winning this war a certainty. - -“Sir, I myself have been sorely wounded and am dying, and in an hour I -shall have passed and gone from this earth. So, with my dying strength I -write you to come to the aid of your king who made you a knight some -while ago.” - -Such as this was Sir Ewaine’s letter, and after he had written it he -signed his name to it. - -This letter King Arthur sent by a messenger to Sir Launcelot of the Lake -in France. There Sir Launcelot received it and paid heed to it. For he -summoned his knights about him and he read that letter to them, and he -said to them, “Messires, such as this is the need of King Arthur. Now -who will go with me to Britain and do battle in this for the King of -Britain?” And those knights said, “I will go!”--“And I!”--“And I!”--“And -I!”--until they all of them agreed to go to Britain and fight for King -Arthur. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine dieth._] - -Now return we to King Arthur again. For there was he left kneeling -beside the couch of Sir Ewaine. And so he continued to kneel and -presently Sir Ewaine said, “Good, my Lord, are you there?” For Sir -Ewaine’s eyes were now darkening in death and he could not see -anything. And King Arthur said, “Yea, I am here.” And he took Sir -Ewaine’s hand in his, and Sir Ewaine’s hand was cold and very heavy, -like to lead. And Sir Ewaine said, “Hold my hand and do not let it go.” -So King Arthur held the hand of Sir Ewaine. So Sir Ewaine lay for a -little while, breathing deep draughts of death; and by and by he sighed -very deeply and then he lay still; for his spirit had passed from him -with that deep sigh. - -Then King Arthur arose and he said, “Alas, that this good worthy knight -is gone. For he was my nephew and he was very faithful to me.” And he -said, “To-day we will bury him, and to-morrow we shall follow Sir -Mordred, and either he shall die or I shall die. For so through him and -his deeds hath this kind and noble gentleman died; wherefore he must pay -the price of that death--he must slay me as well, or else I will slay -him.” - -So King Arthur arose and went forth from that place. And when the day -was come, Sir Ewaine was buried at the minster at that place, and it was -said in the history of these things that his skull was to be seen there -even to the very day of the ancient writing of this history. - -[Sidenote: _King Arthur advances against Sir Mordred._] - -Then after all honors had been paid to the body of Sir Ewaine, King -Arthur gathered his army together and he arose and pursued Sir Mordred -in the direction of Salisbury. And the next day he came to that place -where Sir Mordred was, and there he halted his army. - -That night King Arthur lay in his pavilion and he slept very deeply and -profoundly, as sleeps the man who is weary of toil and marching. And -anon while he slept he had a dream and the dream was this: - -[Sidenote: _The King hath a dream._] - -He dreamed that he sat upon his throne, and that his throne was -established upon a monstrous wheel. And the wheel rose high with him -sitting upon his throne. And anon the wheel rose above the rim of the -earth, and he beheld the sun shining in all his glory. And the sun -glittered upon him and he felt all the joy and all the delight of that -sunlight. And it seemed to King Arthur that he was a great while in that -sunlight, but he was not, for the wheel was turning very slowly with -him. So the wheel reached its highest apex, and then it began to -descend. And the wheel descended more and more swiftly, and anon it -descended below the rim of the world, and so the sunlight had left the -King. And the wheel descended more and more swiftly, so that King Arthur -began to fear he would be cast out of his throne by the turning of the -wheel. And King Arthur dreamed that he looked down beneath him, and he -beheld that the wheel was descending very rapidly to a great pool, as it -were a lake. And this pool was filled with blackness and with blood, -and behold there was no bottom to that pool. And by then the throne of -King Arthur was inclining very greatly toward that pool, and the King -felt that he was slipping from his throne, and at that his soul was -filled with terror. Then he tried to awaken, but he could not. So, in -his terror, he screamed very loudly and shrilly, “Save me! Save me, or I -fall!” And so shrill was his calling that several knights and attendants -ran into the pavilion where he was, and these beheld the King struggling -in his sleep. And they cried out, “Lord, Lord! What aileth thee? -Awaken!” And with that King Arthur awoke. - -And King Arthur sat up upon his couch and gazed about him, as one sunk -in great amazement, and he said, “I slept and I dreamed a dream; and it -was a dreadful dream.” And he said to those in attendance upon him, “Do -not go from me yet, for that dream hath affrighted me.” - -So they all sat near to him and by and by they beheld that he breathed -very deeply and softly, wherefore they wist that he slept again. Then -all they withdrew from the pavilion, saving only two of his attendants -who still sat beside him. - -But King Arthur did not sleep, though it was a manner of sleep, for he -beheld all the things about him as though he were partly awake, yet he -could not move. - -[Sidenote: _The King dreameth again._] - -Then, while he was in this sleep, King Arthur beheld a vision. For he -saw the flap at the doorway of the pavilion that it moved, and anon it -was raised and Sir Gawaine entered the tent. And Sir Gawaine held the -flap of the doorway aside, and King Arthur beheld that fourteen ladies -entered the tent behind Sir Gawaine. - -And when these ladies had all entered the tent, Sir Gawaine let fall the -flap of the doorway, and so he came forward to where King Arthur lay. -And the face of Sir Gawaine was very calm and smiling and cheerful, and -King Arthur felt great peace and happiness when he beheld him standing -there. - -Then King Arthur dreamed that he spoke to Sir Gawaine, and he said, -“Sir, how is this? Methought that you were dead, and here I behold you -alive. Was it not then you whom we buried in France some while ago?” - -Sir Gawaine said, “Nay, Lord, that was not I, that was but my shell--my -poor, crumbling, perishable carcass that you buried. This is I myself, -and I have come to you from Paradise.” - -Quoth King Arthur, “Who are these ladies whom you have with you?” To -this Sir Gawaine made answer, “These are those ladies for whom I one -time did battle. For some of those ladies I saved from grief, some of -them from misfortune, some of them I saved from danger, and of some of -them I saved their lives. So they have accompanied me hither from -Paradise that I might speak to you.” - -Said King Arthur, “Sir Gawaine, my nephew, what is it you would say to -me?” To the which Sir Gawaine made reply, “Sir, I come to you to charge -you that you shall not do battle to-morrow-day. For great danger lieth -before you, and if you do battle you will assuredly perish. Wherefore I -come to you to beseech you that you will not enter into war with your -enemies. Wit you that Sir Launcelot will in a little while come to your -assistance, for already the letter from Sir Ewaine hath well-nigh -reached him, and when it reacheth him then will he come to you with all -speed. Wherefore I pray you make such terms with Sir Mordred as you may, -but do not join battle with him.” - -King Arthur said, “How shall I know that this that thou tellest me is a -vision of prophecy and not a dream? For if it is a dream, then perhaps -it is mistaken, as many dreams are mistaken; but if it be a vision of -prophecy, then I shall believe that it is sooth.” - -“Sir,” said Sir Gawaine, “you may believe it from this sign that will -remain unto you. And from it you may know that what you now behold is -indeed a vision of prophecy, and not a dream.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine leaveth a sign._] - -So with that Sir Gawaine reached forth his finger and touched with it -the back of King Arthur’s hand. And when the finger of Sir Gawaine -touched his hand, lo! upon the hand of King Arthur there was left a spot -as white as wax. - -Then the figure of Sir Gawaine melted slowly from his sight, and the -figures of the ladies also melted away and King Arthur awoke from his -sleep. And King Arthur sat up upon his couch and he beheld that the -day-light was streaming into his pavilion, for the sun had already -arisen. - -And King Arthur looked at the back of his hand, and he beheld that there -was the spot as white as wax where Sir Gawaine had touched him. Then -King Arthur was very much perturbed in spirit, for he wist that what he -had just beheld was no dream, but that it was a vision of prophecy. - -[Sidenote: _The King advises with his counsellors._] - -So King Arthur called at him his knights and gentlemen and yeomen, and -he told them to bring to him those bishops who were with him, and also -the wisest of his counsellors. When these were come he told to them the -vision of his sleep, and he showed them the white spot upon his hand, -where the finger of Sir Gawaine had touched him. And he said to those -counsellors, “Sirs, is it better to treat with these our enemies to-day -than to do battle with them? For if it be true that Sir Launcelot cometh -to us, then all those knights who for his sake are now in the army of -Sir Mordred, will leave that army and will join them with us for the -sake of Sir Launcelot. Thus will many lives be spared and much blood -remain unshed, for there will be no battle with Sir Mordred.” - -Then all those counsellors agreed with him and they said, “That which -thou sayst is true. Do not fight with Sir Mordred to-day, but treat with -him. For thy dream and thy vision foretell thy death if thou fightest -with him.” - -So King Arthur chose him two of those bishops, and he chose him Sir -Lucian the Bottelier and Sir Bedivere, his brother, from all the Knights -of the Round Table, and these two knights and those two worthies he sent -as his ambassadors to Sir Mordred. And he said to them, “Spare not your -promises of land and of estate, but make this treaty for a month and a -day; for by that time we will know how Sir Launcelot standeth toward -us.” - -[Sidenote: _The envoys treat with Sir Mordred._] - -So those two envoys went to Sir Mordred, and they entered into treaty -with him and his advisers. And they argued for all that day, and against -eventide they had not decided. So the next day they went to Sir Mordred, -and that day it was determined that Sir Mordred should hold Cornwall and -Kent for his own during the life of King Arthur, and that upon the death -of King Arthur all Britain should be his to rule as king. - -This treaty they brought to King Arthur, and when he read it he frowned -until his eyes were hidden. “Well,” said he, “this traitor claimeth -much. Let him be thankful that instead of all this land he demandeth, he -hath given to him instead only six feet of earth in which to lie.” - -So it was arranged that Sir Mordred and King Arthur should meet upon the -next day at high noontide, at a certain place betwixt the two armies. -And it was there arranged that each of them should sign this covenant, -and that there should then be peace in all the land. - -And the place where this meeting was to be held was a certain smooth and -gentle valley, that sloped upward upon either hand. And upon one -extremity of the valley one could behold the distant ocean, and upon the -other side of the valley one could behold the plains of Salisbury. At -this place those two armies were gathered upon the hills looking down -upon the middle of that valley. - -[Sidenote: _Of the meeting of King Arthur and Sir Mordred._] - -And in the centre of that valley there was a great pavilion of -particolored silk erected for the accommodation of the King and of Sir -Mordred. And a great banner emblazoned with the arms of the King and -another emblazoned with the arms of Sir Mordred flew from the peak of -the pavilion. And King Arthur came with six knights, and Sir Mordred -came with six knights, and these twelve knights--six upon either -side--stood some short distance away separate from one another, and King -Arthur and Sir Mordred entered the pavilion. - -There upon the table lay the treaty to be signed, and those two drew -near to the table to sign it. - -Now it was understood that none of those twelve knights who had come -with King Arthur and Sir Mordred should draw a weapon of any sort, but -that all should remain with sword in scabbard. For King Arthur did not -trust Sir Mordred, and Sir Mordred did not trust King Arthur. For King -Arthur said, “This man is altogether unnatural. His soul is black and he -is full of treason and guile. Wherefore, if you see any of his knights -draw a sword, then do you draw your swords and fall upon them and upon -Sir Mordred.” And Sir Mordred said, “I trust not this King in any way. -For he giveth too readily of that which he cannot spare. Wherefore, be -you ready, and if you behold any of his six knights draw a sword, draw -your swords and fall on, and, if possible, see to it that you slay King -Arthur himself.” - -[Sidenote: _A knight slayeth an adder._] - -Now whilst those two parties of six knights each stood talking to one -another, it chanced that an adder that lay hidden in a furze bush came -forth from its hiding. And one of the knights of Sir Mordred’s party -stepped back from his place and trod upon the adder, and the adder stung -the knight in the heel. Then the knight looked down to see what it was -that stung him, and he beheld the adder beneath his heel. So without -thinking of those commands that had been laid upon him, he drew his -sword to slay that adder. - -This the knights of King Arthur’s party beheld, and they beheld the -knight draw his sword, and they beheld the bright and trenchant blade -gleam in the sunlight as the knight swung his sword to slay the adder. - -Then the knights of King Arthur’s party immediately drew their swords -and they shouted aloud, crying, “Treason! treason! A rescue! A rescue!” -And the knights of Sir Mordred’s party, upon their part also drew their -swords and ran so to the defence of Sir Mordred. - -But King Arthur heard the outcry of those knights, and upon that outcry -he thought that Sir Mordred had betrayed him, wherefore he cried out in -a terrible voice, “Hah! Wouldst thou betray me?” And with that he -catched Sir Mordred by the throat and as he catched him thus he drew his -misericordia to slay him. But Sir Mordred tore himself loose from King -Arthur, and he rushed out from the tent, crying aloud, “I come! I come!” - -[Sidenote: _The armies rush to battle._] - -Then King Arthur also rushed out from the tent and he beheld his six -knights at battle with the six knights of Sir Mordred, and he beheld his -army and Sir Mordred’s army rushing toward them. And the beat of the -hoofs of those approaching armies was like to the sound of distant -thunder ever coming nearer and nearer and louder and louder. And the -cloud of dust behind those armies was like the smoke of a great -conflagration rising up into the sky. And in the midst of those clouds -he could see the flashing and blazing of polished armor catching the -sunlight and flinging it off again as those armies rode rapidly down the -slopes and toward them. - -Thus those armies came together with great uproar and thunder and a -flashing like to flaming lightning in the midst of a storm. And King -Arthur ran to his horse and mounted nimbly thereon, and he spurred back -to meet his army, and an esquire who rode with that army gave to him a -good stout spear of ashwood. - -So those two armies met with a shock that might have been heard a -league. In that shock of meeting one recoiled from the other by the -force of the assault it had itself delivered. And many knights fell in -that first assault, and most of those that fell died as they fell. For -the horses pressed upon them with their hoofs and many died beneath that -pressure. And after the horsemen came the yeomen afoot, and these ran -hither and thither and slew many who yet lived. - -Then those knights who were still a-horseback cast aside their spears, -for they could not longer use their spears in that narrow pass, -wherefore they cast them away and drew their swords. And with their -swords they hewed about them from right to left, and from left to right. -And so, in a while, the ground was littered with cantles of armor and -with men lying dead or dying beneath the hoofs of the horses. - -So that fierce battle began a little before the prick of noon, and it -continued for all that afternoon, and it continued through the twilight -of the evening and until the falling of the night. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mordred is defeated._] - -For that was the last and the greatest battle that King Arthur ever -fought, and in it were slain twelve thousand knights and gentlemen and -yeomen. But as night descended the army of Sir Mordred broke and fled -from the field, and King Arthur was left the victor of that battle. - -But when King Arthur sat his horse in the midst of the battle-field, he -wept so that the tears ran in streams down his face. Yea, he tasted -those tears in his mouth and they were salt to his taste. - -For of all those knights who had once surrounded the Court of King -Arthur and had made it so glorious, there were hardly any left. And of -all those Knights of the Round Table who had once been his crowning -honor, there were not twelve who were yet alive. All others had -perished, and the ground was sown thick with them as the sea-shore is -sown thick with the cobbles that lie upon it. - -Wherefore, when King Arthur beheld all this ruin of his life, and when -he heard the doleful groans of those who were wounded, and when he -beheld those who were dead lying still in death and gazing with -sightless eyes up into the sky, the tears ran from his eyes in great -streams and traced down his face and into his beard, so that he tasted -the salt of those tears. - -For now indeed the glory of his reign was past, and nothing remained for -him but an empty kingdom devoid of all honor and all that was of worth. -“Alas, and woe is me!” cried he, “for my fate hath now overtaken me and -my day is done.” - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: The Passing of Arthur] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Ninth - -_How King Arthur slew Sir Mordred, and how he himself was wounded so -that he was upon the edge of death. How his sword Excalibur was cast -away, and how three queens came from Avalon and took him away with -them._ - - -[Sidenote: _The King rideth upon the battle-field._] - -So that night, after the battle afore told of, the moon arose very full -and round, and very clearly shining. What time King Arthur rode across -the field of battle, with intent to discover what friends and what foes -had been slain. And the King discovered many knights lying there who -were friends and many other knights who were foes. - -For at that time the sky was without any cloud at all upon it; and the -light of the moon was as clear and bright as though it were daylight, -wherefore one could see all things upon the earth and to a great -distance away upon all sides of the earth. - -And with King Arthur there rode Sir Bedivere and Sir Lucian the -Bottelier, who was brother to Sir Bedivere. And Sir Lucian was very sore -wounded, even to the death; but of this he made no mention nor any -complaint whatsoever, but ever he rode with King Arthur and his brother, -and neither of those two wist that he had any wound whatsoever. - -[Sidenote: _He perceiveth Sir Mador de la Porte dead._] - -And amongst many other knights that lay there dead upon the field of -battle, they discovered Sir Mador de la Porte lying dead. Then King -Arthur pointed his finger at the body of Sir Mador and he said, “See you -that man, Messires? That was once a good, strong and very valiant -knight. One time he was my friend, but then he accused the Queen of -treason, and so I exiled him from me and from my court. So he took arms -against me and now he lieth dead here as you perceive. Ah me! That he -should have brought that false accusation, for it was the beginning of -the end that hath been my undoing, and woe for him, for he was a good -strong knight, and a Knight of the Round Table. And one while he was -very dear to me.” - -So said King Arthur and they listened to his words. - -Now as they progressed still farther upon the field of battle, they -were, by and by, aware of a knight who stood alone beside a bramble -bush. And the knight stood very silent and still, like to a statue of -iron. And the light of the moon shone down upon him and glistened upon -his armor. And at certain places that armor was stained with red, for he -had been wounded in several places. - -[Sidenote: _He findeth Sir Mordred standing alone._] - -So they came nearer to that knight, and in a little while they knew him, -and they knew that it was Sir Mordred who stood there alone. And all -about Sir Mordred there lay several dead knights; for here Sir Mordred -had made his last stand with several of his knights. And these were of -the dead knights that lay around him, and others of those dead knights -were the knights of King Arthur. - -But the horse of Sir Mordred had been slain and Sir Mordred himself had -been wounded in the thighs so that he could not escape with those of his -army who fled away from that field of battle. - -Then King Arthur said to Sir Bedivere and Sir Lucian, “Look you! Yonder -is Mordred himself. He is the destroyer of all my court of knighthood -and of all my joy of life. For through him hath come all this later evil -upon me, wherefore he is meet for death at my hands.” And the King said -to Sir Bedivere, “Lend me thy spear and I will go and slay him.” - -Quoth Sir Bedivere, “Let him be, Lord, for anon will come those who know -him and will slay him even here where he standeth.” - -King Arthur said, “I will not entrust his death to any other hands but -mine own. For as he hath brought all this misfortune upon me, so will I -slay him with mine own hands. Wherefore, Sir, give me your sword that I -may slay him.” - -Then Sir Bedivere said to the King, “Look you, Sir, how he stands -looking at us in the moonlight, like a wounded hawk looking upon those -who have wounded him. Beware, Sir, and remember the dream that you had -last night when Sir Gawaine appeared to you in that dream. So far have -you escaped all harm, but should you assail this desperate man, who -knoweth but that you may yet meet your death at this time and at his -hands?” - -But King Arthur said, “What is my life to me now, and what have I to -lose in losing my life? Have I not lost my Queen, who was the lover of -my youth? Have I not lost all these knights, who were the chiefest glory -and pride of my reign? What, then, have I to live for, saving it be an -empty throne of royalty? Tide me life, tide me death, I will slay this -man, so give me your spear, Messire.” - -Then Sir Bedivere gave his spear to King Arthur and King Arthur took it -into his hands. And he set that spear in rest against Sir Mordred. - -Now all this Sir Mordred beheld, and he believed that the King was now -threatening his life. And he heard all that the King said to those -knights who were with him, and he wist that now his life was forfeit to -him. - -[Sidenote: _King Arthur pierces Sir Mordred through with his spear._] - -So Sir Mordred drew his sword and it flashed like white light in the -moonlight. And he came forward to meet King Arthur and his death, and as -he came he whirled his sword on high. And King Arthur drave his spurs -into his horse and charged against Sir Mordred. And King Arthur directed -the point of his spear against the body of Sir Mordred beneath where the -shield sheltered his bosom, and the point of the spear penetrated the -body of Sir Mordred and it pierced the body and stood an ell out behind -the back of Sir Mordred’s body. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Mordred smiteth the King with his sword._] - -Then Sir Mordred felt that he had received his wound of death, wherefore -he bethought him only of revenge against King Arthur. So he pressed up -against the spear with all of his might. And he thrust himself up the -length of the spear until he had reached the burr thereof. And when his -body was against the burr of the spear, he took his sword in both his -hands and he swung the sword above his head, and he smote King Arthur -with the edge of the sword upon the helmet. - -In that blow was all the last desperation of Sir Mordred’s life, and so -strong was the blow that it sheared through the helmet of King Arthur, -and through the coif beneath the helmet, and it sheared through the -brain-pan of the King and deep into the brain itself. - -Then King Arthur reeled upon his saddle and his body swayed this way and -that, and from side to side. And he would have fallen from his saddle -only that Sir Bedivere catched him and held him up upon his saddle. - -And Sir Mordred wist that he had given King Arthur his death wound, -wherefore he fell down upon the ground and he laughed and he said, “So I -die, but ere I die I have finished my work, for the King also shall -die.” Therewith he breathed very deep, and it was his last breath, for -with it his spirit left his body. - -Sir Bedivere said to King Arthur, “Lord, are you hurt?” And King Arthur, -breathing very heavily, said, “Sir, this wound is the wound of my death -as that knight declared. For the wound, I believe, hath pierced into my -brain and I cannot live. Messires, take me hence to a shelter.” And King -Arthur said, “What building is that yonder?” - -Sir Bedivere said, “Lord, it is a chapel upon the field of battle.” King -Arthur said, “Take me thither and let me be at peace, for I cannot live -but a little while.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bedivere and Sir Lucian bring the King, wounded, to the -chapel._] - -So Sir Bedivere dismounted from his horse and he took the horse of King -Arthur by the bridle and he led the horse toward the chapel. And Sir -Lucian held King Arthur up upon the saddle, and King Arthur swayed from -this side to that side, and he would have fallen only that Sir Lucian -held him up in his place. - -So they two brought King Arthur to the chapel in safety, and they bore -him into the chapel and laid him upon a bench that was there. And in -thus lifting King Arthur the wounds of Sir Lucian burst out bleeding -afresh. And with that Sir Lucian, after King Arthur had been laid upon -the bench, sank down upon the ground and lay there frothing at the -mouth, and the froth was red. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Lucian dieth._] - -Then Sir Bedivere cried out, “Ah, my brother! My brother! Art thou -hurt?” And King Arthur said, “Search him and see if he be wounded.” So -Sir Bedivere examined Sir Lucian and felt his face and his hands, and -anon he said, “Lord, my brother is indeed dead. And I knew not even that -he had been wounded; for all this while he hath borne his wounds in -patience, speaking no words of it, or making no complaint of it. Ah, my -brother! My brother! That thou shouldst be dead!” - -Then King Arthur groaned very deeply, and he said, “Alas and alas! So -hath another of my noble Knights of the Round Table died and left me!” -And then he said, “So would I weep for him, but I cannot weep; for also -in a little while I shall be with him and with them who are gone.” And -he said to Sir Bedivere, “Remove my helmet, and search my hurt.” So Sir -Bedivere removed the helmet of King Arthur and he beheld the wound upon -his head that it was very deep and bitter, so that the brains of his -head were exposed in that wound. And Sir Bedivere wept when he beheld -that wound; for he wist that of it King Arthur must die. - -But King Arthur said, “Weep not, Sir Bedivere, but do straightway as I -tell thee.” And he said, “Beholdest thou Excalibur strapped about my -loins?” - -And Sir Bedivere said, “Yea, Lord,” and ever Sir Bedivere wept. - -King Arthur said, “Take that sword and carry him to the water and cast -him into the water: then return thou hither and tell me what thou -seest.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bedivere taketh Excalibur._] - -Then Sir Bedivere unbuckled the strap from about the loins of King -Arthur, and he drew the strap from beneath him. Then he folded the -strap around the blade of Excalibur and he took the sword with him and -went away with it. But when Sir Bedivere had come out into the -moonlight, the moonlight shone very brightly down upon the hilt of -Excalibur, and Sir Bedivere beheld how that the hilt and the handle of -the sword were studded all over with jewels, and the gold into which -they were inset flamed and blazed in the moonlight as with a thousand -colors. - -And Sir Bedivere said to himself, “Why should I cast this splendid sword -into the sea? Behold how richly it is studded with jewels so that it -flashes and flames with pure light. Certes, the King raves when he -telleth me to cast it into the sea! Rather will I keep this sword, to -show to those generations who are yet to come how great and how splendid -was the estate of King Arthur.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bedivere doth not cast the sword away._] - -So Sir Bedivere looked about him and he beheld a dead and riven tree -that stood there, all stark and leafless in the moonlight. So he took -the sword Excalibur and he hid it beneath the roots of that tree. Anon -he returned to King Arthur, and he said to the King, “Lord, your behest -is done and I have cast that sword into the sea.” - -Quoth the King, “What sawest thou, Sir Bedivere?” - -Quoth Sir Bedivere, “What should I have beheld, Lord? I beheld nothing -but the waves beating upon the shore. And the moon shone upon those -waves, as it were a path of living and of glittering silver.” - -Then King Arthur said, “Ah, liar and caitiff knight! I am undone for -trusting to thee. For thou hast deceived me, who trusted in thee. For -thou hast coveted the jewels set upon the handle of the sword, and hast -refrained from casting it into the water of the sea.” Then Sir Bedivere -said, “Lord, I repent me of this.” - -But King Arthur said, “Go now, and do what I bid thee do, and see to it -that this time thou failest not. For my time draweth near and I have now -but a little while to live.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bedivere goeth forth again. - -He doth not cast away the sword._] - -So Sir Bedivere went forth again and he went to that place where he had -hidden the sword. And he took the sword from where it lay hidden and -lifted it in his hands. And when he again beheld the light of the moon -illuminating its handle of gold and flaming upon the jewels of the -handle, his heart and his purpose weakened within him, and he said to -himself, “Surely, it would be a sin to cast away this sword. For it is -the most beautiful and noblest sword in all of the world. Wherefore then -should I destroy this sword that belongeth not more to the King himself -than to the world in which he lives? Certes, the King raved in this, -wherefore for the sake of posterity and for the sake of those who are to -come after, I will not cast this sword into the sea.” - -So Sir Bedivere returned to the King, and the King said to him, panting -as he spake, “Sir, have you performed that which I have commanded you to -undertake?” - -And Sir Bedivere said, “Yea, Lord.” - -Quoth the King, “What saw you in doing this thing?” - -Said Sir Bedivere, “Lord, I beheld the moon shining on high, and I -beheld the waves of the sea breaking noisily up against the pebbles of -the beach; but naught else did I behold.” - -Then the King was silent for a little while and then he cried out, “Oh, -woe is me! that all my authority hath departed from me with my strength! -For it was to be supposed that mine enemies would betray me but not that -my friends would betray me. But here lie I hovering upon the edge of -death, and now this knight who is my sworn knight and vassal will not do -that which I bid him to do because of the jewels that enrich the hilt of -that sword.” - -Then Sir Bedivere wept and he said, “Lord, I will do that which thou -biddest me to do.” And King Arthur said, “Do it, and make haste.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bedivere casteth away the sword._] - -So Sir Bedivere ran forth from that chapel. And he ran to where the -sword was hidden and he took the sword and wrapped the belt of the sword -about it. And he ran down the rocks to the sea shore, and when he had -come there he whirled the sword several times about his head and cast it -far out over the water. - -[Sidenote: _An arm catcheth the sword._] - -And Sir Bedivere beheld the sword that it whirled, flashing in the -moonlight like to pure circles of light, whirling in the darkness. So -the sword described a circle above the water and it descended to the -water, and as the sword descended to the water there emerged from the -water an arm. And around the arm was a sleeve of white samite and about -the arm were many bracelets of gold inset with precious stones. And the -arm catched the sword by the haft and brandished it thrice, and then -drew it down beneath the water. And the water closed over it and the -sword and the arm were gone. - -All this Sir Bedivere beheld, and when he had beheld it he returned, -musing, to where King Arthur lay in that small chapel above the cliffs. - -And when he returned, King Arthur said to him, “Sir, did you do as I -commanded you to, and did you fling Excalibur into the water?” Sir -Bedivere said, “Lord, I did as you commanded me.” - -Quoth King Arthur, “And what did you behold?” - -Said Sir Bedivere, “When I thus threw that sword into the water of the -sea, an arm came out of that water. And the arm had to it a sleeve of -white samite and it was enclasped with many bracelets of gold, and the -bracelets were set with many precious stones of various sorts. And the -hand of the arm catched Excalibur by the hilt and it brandished him -three times in the air and then it drew him beneath the water. That is -what I saw.” - -Said King Arthur, “Well hast thou served me in this! But the time -groweth short and mine end draweth near. Take me upon thy shoulders and -bear me to the sea shore at that place where thou didst cast Excalibur -into the sea. There thou wilt find a boat with several ladies in it. -That boat is intended for me, and now I know that boat will be there -waiting for me since that arm arose and the hand of the arm seized upon -Excalibur.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bedivere beareth the King to the boat._] - -So Sir Bedivere stooped his shoulders. And he drew the arms of King -Arthur upon either side of his neck, and the arms of the King were very -weak and limp like to those of a little child that is ill. And Sir -Bedivere raised himself and he lifted King Arthur from his couch, and -King Arthur groaned when Sir Bedivere lifted him. And Sir Bedivere bore -King Arthur out of that chapel and into the moonlight. And Sir Bedivere -bore King Arthur in that wise down to the cliffs of the sea. And by now -a chill was upon the night so that the panting breath of Sir Bedivere -came forth from his nostrils like to thin smoke. And ever the iron shoes -of Sir Bedivere smote upon the rocks as he walked, so that the rocks -rang beneath his tread. - -So Sir Bedivere bore King Arthur down that cliff to where the sea -splashed and moaned upon the rocks of the sea, and the shadows of Sir -Bedivere and of the King were very black and shapeless upon those rocks, -and the shadows walked with them down to the sea. - -So by and by Sir Bedivere perceived that they were coming close to that -place where he had cast the sword into the sea. And as he drew near he -perceived that there was there a boat drawn up to the shore at that spot -where he had stood to cast the sword into the water. And Sir Bedivere -saw that there were several people standing within the boat and that -these people were three queens and their attendants. - -[Sidenote: _The three queens take the King into the boat._] - -Two of those queens Sir Bedivere knew, for they were the one Queen -Morgana le Fay and the other the Queen of North Wales. But the third of -those queens he did not know. Yet he saw that she was very tall and -straight and that she was clad in garments of green, very thin and -glistering. And her hair was black and glossy, shining in the moonlight -like to fine and very glassy threads of silk. And her face was -exceedingly white, like to wax for whiteness, and her eyes were very -black and brilliant, like to brilliant jewels set into that ivory -whiteness. And around the neck of this lady were many necklaces of -jewels of gold inset with emerald stones, very bright and shining. - -This lady stood at the tiller of that strange boat and she was the Lady -of the Lake, though Sir Bedivere wist not who she was. And she held the -tiller very steadily and so held the boat close to the shore. - -And in that boat were several other ladies who stood there very silently -and looked ever toward the shore where was Sir Bedivere; but these were -the ladies attendant upon those queens. - -Then when Sir Bedivere came thitherward carrying King Arthur upon his -shoulders, those ladies lifted up their voices in piercing lamentation -so that the heart of Sir Bedivere ached to hear that lament. And Queen -Morgana le Fay and the Queen of North Wales arose and reached their arms -for King Arthur; and Sir Bedivere gave King Arthur into their arms and -they two took him--Queen Morgana by the shoulders and the Queen of North -Wales by the knees--and they lifted him into the boat. - -And they laid him upon a couch within the boat, and he lay with his head -pillowed upon the lap of Queen Morgana. And Sir Bedivere stood upon the -shore and looked upon the face of King Arthur as it lay within the lap -of Queen Morgana, and he beheld that the face of King Arthur was white -like to the ashes of wood, wherefore he wist that he was dead. And Sir -Bedivere cried out in a loud and wailing voice, saying, “My Lord and -King, wilt thou leave me? What then shall I do? For here am I alone in -the midst of mine enemies.” - -[Sidenote: _The King speaketh to Sir Bedivere._] - -Then King Arthur opened his eyes and he said, “Hah, Messire, thou hast -no enemies about thee, for thine enemies are put to flight, and in a -little while Sir Launcelot comes who will be thy friend. But go thou -back into the world and tell them all that thou hast beheld at this -place. For wit you that now I know that I shall not die at this place, -but that I shall go in this boat and with my sister, Queen Morgana, to -Avalon. There in the Vale of Avalon I shall live, and by and by and -after many years I shall again return to Britain and no man shall know -of my return. But with that return shall come peace and tranquillity. -And war shall be no more, but the arts of peace shall flourish. So take -that message back with thee into the world, for now I go to leave thee; -and so farewell.” - -Then for the third time those ladies lifted up their voices and wailed -in lamentation, and with that lamentation the boat trembled and moved. -And it moved away from the shore; at first slowly, then more and more -swiftly until it disappeared in the moonlight of the night. And for -awhile Sir Bedivere saw it, and then he was not sure that he saw it, and -then it vanished away into the whiteness of the moonlight, and was gone -from his vision. - -Then Sir Bedivere moved weeping away from that shore and he wept so that -hardly could he see what next step he took. And so Sir Bedivere came -away from that shore, and in his sorrow he wist not whither he went. But -ever he walked forward for all that night, and when the morning was come -he found himself to be near to a considerable city. So he went forward -to that city and he found that there was a great bustle and turmoil of -people coming and going. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bedivere cometh to the Archbishop._] - -So Sir Bedivere entered the city and he said, “Who is here?” They say to -him, “It is the Archbishop of Canterbury who is here.” Sir Bedivere said -to them, “Take me to him.” - -[Sidenote: _He telleth the Archbishop what hath befallen._] - -So they took him to where the Archbishop was, and several other bishops -were with him. And when the Archbishop beheld Sir Bedivere he said, -“Sir, why are you so pale?” Then Sir Bedivere said, “Sir, I am pale -because of all that I have beheld.” Then Sir Bedivere told the -Archbishop and those who were with him of that great battle they had -fought the day before between Salisbury and the sea. And he told him of -all that had happened in that battle and of the knights who were slain -therein. And he told him how that Sir Mordred was slain and how King -Arthur had been wounded by Sir Mordred and had departed at night in that -boat as aforetold of. - -To all this the Archbishop listened with great astonishment and he cried -out, “How is this, and what is this thou tellest me? Is King Arthur -gone, and has that good and wise King disappeared thus mysteriously from -amongst us?” And he said, “What next of kin doth the King leave behind -him?” Sir Bedivere said, “His nighest of kin is Sir Constantine of -Cornwall, who is cousin unto Sir Gawaine.” - -The Archbishop said, “Him then shall we crown to be the next King of -Britain. For so will he succeed in rightful line from the strain of King -Uther Pendragon.” - -And so it was done as the Archbishop said, for shortly after that Sir -Constantine of Cornwall was crowned King of Britain at Camelot--which -same, saith the history of these things, is Winchester of these present -days. - - * * * * * - -So I have told you of the Passing of Arthur, which in all the other -histories of those things is told as I have told it. But of that which -happened thereafter there are many distinct and separate histories. - -But that history which hath been accepted of old by the people of -England is this: That King Arthur did not die, but that he was taken by -Queen Morgana le Fay and by those two other queens to Avalon, and that -there he was salved so that he did not die. And that history saith that -he lives there yet, and that some day he shall come back to Britain as -he promised to do, and that when he thus shall come there, there shall -likewise come continual peace and plenty and joy and happiness as he -promised. - -[Sidenote: _Concerning Avalon._] - -And touching Avalon there is this to say--that it is the dwelling-place -of Queen Morgana le Fay, and that it is a strange and wonderful island -that floats forever upon the sea to the westward. And many people -declare that they have beheld that land, but always from a distance. For -sometimes they call it Fata Morgana, and sometimes they call it Avalon. -But always when they see it it is to behold high towers and glittering -pinnacles reaching into the sky; and it is to behold the embowerment of -trees, both of forest trees and of shade trees; and it is to behold hill -and vale of that mysterious country more beautiful than are the hills -and vales of the dark and gloomy earth. For Avalon is sometimes called -the Vale of Avalon and sometimes it is called Avalon the Beautiful. - -There in that pleasant country is no snow and no ice; neither is there -the scorching heats and droughts of summer, but all forever and for aye -is the tepid warmth of vernal springtime. - -And the people of Avalon are always happy, for never do they weep and -never do they bear enmity to one another, but all live in peace and -tranquillity watching their flocks, which are as white as snow, and -their herds, whose breath smelleth of wild thyme and parsley. - -There, people believe, yet liveth King Arthur, and he is not dead nor is -he yet awake, but ever he lyeth sleeping as in peace. - -But it is believed by many that the time shall come when he will awake -again. Then he will return once more to this earth, and all shall be -peace and concord amongst men. - -And many believe that this time is now nigh at hand. For less and less -is there war within the world, and more and more is there peace and -concord and good will amongst men. Wherefore, let every man live at -peace with other men, and wish them well and do them well, and then will -King Arthur awake from his sleep. Then will his dreadful wound be healed -and then will he return unto his own again. - - * * * * * - -Of such was the passing of Arthur. - -[Illustration: The Passing of Guinevere] - - - - -[Illustration] Chapter Tenth - -_How Sir Launcelot came to Queen Guinevere, and how Queen Guinevere -remained a nun. How Sir Launcelot went into the forest and became a -hermit, and how seven of his fellows joined him there. Also of the death -of Sir Launcelot of the Lake._ - - -Now it hath already been told how that Sir Launcelot of the Lake -received the note of Sir Ewaine, and of how he and his knights decided -to come to the aid of King Arthur. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot landeth at Dover._] - -So Sir Launcelot and his knights to the number of two hundred and twelve -came to England in ships and galleys, and they landed at Dover as King -Arthur had done. - -And when Sir Launcelot arrived at Dover there came to him a messenger -and told him of that battle that had been fought upon the plains not far -from Salisbury, and how that Sir Mordred had been slain and how that -King Arthur had died of his wound thereafter. And that messenger also -told him how that Sir Constantine of Cornwall had been crowned King of -Britain, in the room of King Arthur. - -All this Sir Launcelot heard and also the knights who were with him. And -Sir Launcelot wept a very great deal and several of those knights who -were with him wept also. And Sir Launcelot cried out, “Ah, my dear noble -and gracious lord, King Arthur! Woe is me that in that first battle I -should have slain Sir Agravaine and not Sir Mordred! For it is now upon -me to believe that Sir Mordred was the instigator of all this mischief. -But now is King Arthur gone and all is turned to ruin and to loss about -us. For here be hardly any of the Knights of the Round Table yet living, -and many of those who were amongst the best and noblest of those knights -have been slain. To wit, Sir Gawaine hath been slain, and Sir Lionel and -Sir Ector have been slain, and Sir Ewaine hath been slain, and Sir -Gareth who was my dear and loving friend hath been slain, and Sir -Geharis hath been slain. All these have died and several others, and had -it not been for Sir Mordred and his treachery these would yet have been -alive. But all these have died because of the treachery of Sir Mordred. -Would that he had died in the beginning, for these would all then have -been saved!” - -So Sir Launcelot made his lament, and in making it the tears flowed down -his face in streams. And Sir Launcelot said, “Who of us can now serve -under King Constantine as vassals?” They say to him, “none of us can so -serve him.” Said Sir Launcelot, “nor can I serve him.” Then he said, -“Where is now Queen Guinevere?” They say to him, “Sir, she is at this -present at the convent of Saint Bridget at Rochester and she is the -Abbess of that convent. For since King Arthur gave her to the church she -hath taken up the orders of the church and hath become a nun of black -and white.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot goeth to Rochester to seek the Queen._] - -So that night Sir Launcelot took horse and he rode away alone, and he -rode to Rochester and to the convent of Saint Bridget. And Sir Launcelot -came into the room of that convent and he said to those who were there, -“Let me have speech with the Abbess of this place.” - -Then anon came Queen Guinevere to where he was, and Sir Launcelot stood -in the middle of the room and looked toward her. And he beheld that her -face was grown very white and thin and that she was clad in robes of -black and white. And the Queen looked toward Sir Launcelot and she knew -him. And when she beheld him she cried out in a very loud and piercing -voice, “God save me! Is it thou?” And with that she felt around behind -her as though in a blindness. And she felt that there was a form behind -her and she sat down upon the form. And she swooned upon that form so -that her head fell backward across the back of the form. And Sir -Launcelot perceived that she had swooned. - -Then Sir Launcelot called to the ladies of that convent in a very loud -voice, “Make haste! Make haste! For the Queen hath swooned!” So several -of those ladies came hastening and they loosened the robes of the Queen -at the throat and they chafed her hands and bathed her temples with -vinegar, and anon she awoke from her swoon and found Sir Launcelot -kneeling before her. - -[Sidenote: _The Queen bespeaks Sir Launcelot._] - -And the Queen reached out and touched Sir Launcelot and she said, “Art -thou real, or art thou a spirit?” And Sir Launcelot replied, “Lady, I am -flesh and blood as thou art.” Then the Queen said to him, “Sir, what -seek you here?” And Sir Launcelot replied, “I seek thee, Lady. For ever -thou art present with me by day and by night, and never art thou absent -from my thoughts.” - -The Queen said, “Ah, Launcelot! It is vain for thee to seek me here, for -ever my heart is here in this place and here it will always remain. For -here have I bethought me of my life and of all the joys and pleasures of -my life, and of all the sinfulness and the evil that I have committed. -And I wit that my lord, King Arthur, is now ever first within my -thoughts and within my heart. For though I fled from King Arthur that -time and betook myself with thee to Joyous Gard, yet there at Joyous -Gard my heart turned ever to my lord and my King. For he was the lover -of my youth, and first and last my heart turned ever to him in all my -joys and in all my troubles. So now my King is passed, and my heart -cleaveth to him in Paradise, and there I will haply rejoin my King and -will dwell with him for aye. For there we shall be together in bliss and -naught that is of sorrow or uncertainty shall ever come betwixt us.” - -Then Sir Launcelot cried out, “And I, Lady, is there naught in thy -thoughts for me?” - -She said, “Yea, Launcelot, there is great friendship and love for thee, -but not that sort of love. So get thee back to Joyous Gard and there -take thee to wife some fair and gentle lady of that place. For so thou -mayst rear to thee children in the stead of that Sir Galahad who hath -departed from thee some while ago.” - -Sir Launcelot said, “Lady, I can never wed any woman in this world but -thee.” And the Queen said, “Ah, Launcelot, that is a pity.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot departeth from the Queen._] - -So that speech between those two came to an end, and Sir Launcelot rode -away from that place with his head bowed low upon his breast. And Sir -Launcelot rode ever toward the forest and anon he rode into the forest. -And when Sir Launcelot had come to that place he kneeled down before -that Hermit of the Forest and he said to him “Sir, I pray you to confess -me and assoil me. For here henceforth and to the end of my days will I -remain a hermit of the forest like as thou art. Several times have I -lived here as a recluse, yet have I ever returned by and by to the -world. But now will I never return to that world again; for all the -pleasure of that world was taken away from me and I am left barren of -hope and of joy.” - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot becometh a forest recluse._] - -So Sir Launcelot withdrew to another part of the forest, and he took his -armor from off his body and hung his armor up upon the branches of a -tree that was near at hand. And he took the harness and trappings from -off his horse and he turned his horse loose to browse at will upon the -grass that grew there at that place. So Sir Launcelot became a recluse -of the forest with intent never more to be anything else than that -forest recluse. - - * * * * * - -Now when those knights who were in attendance upon Sir Launcelot at -Dover discovered that he had gone from them, they wist not where he had -gone and they searched for him at all places, and yet they could not -find him. So most of those knights separated and divided, each knight -departing to his own home. But several of those who were kin to Sir -Launcelot joined them together to search for him. And these were the -knights that searched for Sir Launcelot: there were Sir Bors and Sir -Bleoberis and Sir Blamor de Ganis, and there was Sir Galahud and Sir -Galahadin, and there was Sir Villiars, and there was Sir Clarus. These -seven knights searched Britain from end to end and all athwart the land, -and ever they sought for Sir Launcelot. So, at last, they came to that -part of the forest where Sir Launcelot abided. - -And those knights beheld a horse browsing in the open parts of the -forest, and Sir Bors said to the others, “Messires, yonder an I mistake -not is the horse of Sir Launcelot.” Then they went a little farther and -they beheld the armor of Sir Launcelot hanging upon the branches of the -tree. And Sir Bors examined that armor and he said, “This, certes, is -the armor of Sir Launcelot. Now he cannot be far distant from this -place.” - -Anon they heard the knelling of a little vesper bell, and Sir Bors said, -“Yonder is the bell of the Hermit of the Forest. Let us go thitherward -and mayhap we may hear news of Sir Launcelot.” So they went in that -direction and by and by they came to the chapel of the Hermit of the -Forest. And they looked within the chapel door and they beheld the -Hermit and another anchorite kneeling in prayer. And there were little -birds within the chapel and they hopped about there upon the floor and -about those two kneeling figures and were not afraid of either of them. - -[Sidenote: _The knights companion find Sir Launcelot._] - -So, by and by, those two ended their prayers, and they arose. Then those -knights beheld the face of the anchorite and they saw that it was the -face of Sir Launcelot. For though the face of Sir Launcelot was covered -with a beard and though it was very thin and peaked from fasting, yet -they knew it for his face. For Sir Launcelot had eaten no meat and but -little food of any sort, but had deprived himself of food for the -betterment of his soul. - -Then Sir Bors spake and he said, “Sir Launcelot, is it thou who art -here?” And Sir Launcelot said, “Aye, it is indeed I whom thou -beholdest.” Sir Bors said, “Sir, this life does not beseem thee to lead, -wherefore place upon thee thine armor and come forth with us into the -world again. For thy life is certes of value to that world.” “Nay,” said -Sir Launcelot, “I will not leave this place, for here I dwell in peace -and amity with the world. Why then should I again go forth into strife -as of old?” Quoth Sir Bors, “Sir, this life thou art leading is but the -neglect of duty, for the duty of every knight is to be within the world -and to do the work of the world, be that work to battle or to labor. -Why then shouldst thou rest here in this hermitage and without action of -any sort?” - -“Messire,” said Sir Launcelot, “were there a call for me to go forth -into the world, then would I go. For my duty would then demand of me to -assume again the armor of my knighthood. But there is no such call, nor -am I any longer young, as one time I was. Wherefore, now hath come my -time for rest, and so I remain here in quiet within the woodlands.” - -[Sidenote: _The knights companion become recluses._] - -Sir Bors said, “Sir, we are your knights and your followers, wherefore -if you remain here within the forest, so also do we remain with you. For -your life shall be our life and your fare shall be our fare until the -end.” And Sir Launcelot said, “Let it be that way.” - -So all those knights remained there within the forest and all of them -assumed the holy orders of hermits. Thus they remained there for three -years and in that time they dwelt in great peace and concord. And they -disturbed none of those things that were living within the forest, so -that the wild creatures of the forest presently grew tame to them. For -they could lay their hands upon the haunches of the wild doe of the -forest and it would not flee away from them, for the wild thing wist -that they meant it no harm. - -Thus they lived there in solitude and they cultivated their plots of -pulse and barley, and the fame of their virtues and of their holiness -spread far and wide, so that many people came thither from the world for -the sake of their prayers and of their benediction. - -Now one night as he slept Sir Launcelot had a dream, and the dream came -to him in the second watch of the night. And the dream of Sir Launcelot -was this: - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot dreameth._] - -He dreamed that he beheld Queen Guinevere standing before him, and her -face smiled and was very radiant as though a bright light shone through -her face from behind. For her face was translated by that light so that -it was all of a glorious and rosy pink in its color. And the Queen was -clad all in a very straight robe of cloth of gold and that robe shone -with a very singular lustre. And around her neck and her arms were many -ornaments of gold and these also shone and glittered as she moved or -breathed. And this vision of Queen Guinevere said, “Rejoice, O Sir -Launcelot! For my troubles and cares are at an end. For now I am in -Paradise and my body sleepeth and is dead.” - -Then Sir Launcelot awoke and he found that it was morning and that the -sun was shining. - -And Sir Launcelot arose and went forth and he came to where the Hermit -was, and he told the Hermit of that dream. Then the Hermit said to him, -“Sir, meseems from this dream that the Queen is no more, but that she is -dead and that her soul hath been translated unto Paradise. Make haste -and go thither where she is and see if this be so.” - -So Sir Launcelot mounted his horse and his seven companions mounted -their horses and together they rode unto Rochester. And Sir Launcelot -rode to the nunnery at that place and he said to them that came to him, -“Where is the Lady Abbess of this monastery?” - -They say to him, “Sir, she died last night at the second watch of the -night.” Sir Launcelot said, “Bring me to her.” - -[Sidenote: _He beholdeth the dead Queen._] - -So they took Sir Launcelot to where lay the body of the Queen, and it -was in a large upper room and the windows were open and the breeze blew -cold through the room. And Sir Launcelot beheld the Queen that her body -lay upon a couch of white linen, and he perceived that the face of the -body was white like to wax. And he saw that the lips of the body smiled -as he had beheld the Queen to smile in the dream that he had had of her -the night before. - -Then Sir Launcelot did not weep, only he stood with his hands clasped -very tightly together, and he reviewed in his mind all that had befallen -him and her. And he reviewed the first time that he had come to the -King’s Court at Camelot. And he reviewed how he had sacrificed the life -of his lady for the love of the Queen. And he reviewed how he had done -battle for the Queen, and how he had saved her life by that battle, and -he reviewed how he had fought and slain his friends that he might bring -her away from her trial to Joyous Gard. All those things he reviewed, -and some of those things were of peace to him and some of them were of -torment. Then he spake and he said, “Ah, Lady! Would that I were lying -as thou lyest. For then would I too be at peace, whiles now I am not at -peace.” - -So died Queen Guinevere, and at that time she was in the forty-sixth -year of her age and was exceedingly beautiful. - -So those eight knights remained there at the nunnery for two days, and -upon the third day the body of Queen Guinevere was interred before the -altar of the nunnery. And upon the stone that covered that body were -these words: - - Hir jaret Guinevera Regina Quondam Regina Brittaniæ erat. - -And for many years that entablature was to be seen at Rochester, -wherefore it may be known that Queen Guinevere was indeed there buried. -For so saith the history of those things and so those things must be. - -After all those things had passed, those knights again retired to the -forest and there they again took up their abode as of old. And so they -lived there for two or three years longer. Then they left that forest as -shall presently be told. - -For now speak we of the Passing of Sir Launcelot, which was as follows: - -[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot cometh not to prayers._] - -One morning all they who were there awoke very early and they went to -their matin prayers. That morning was in the May time, all the trees -were in leaf and the apple trees were in blossom. For whensoever the -soft warm wind blew through the trees, then did those blossoms shed -their fragrant pink snow until all the grass around about was spread -therewith. And the birds were singing in every bush and tree so that all -the air was full of their melodious and harmonious jubilation. - -That time when they were assembled they looked around and beheld that -Sir Launcelot was not there and they said, “Where is Sir Launcelot, that -he cometh not to matin prayers?” So Sir Bors went to the cell of Sir -Launcelot and he beheld that Sir Launcelot was lying very peacefully -upon his couch. And Sir Bors went to Sir Launcelot to arouse him, and he -saw that Sir Launcelot was dead. And the hands of Sir Launcelot were -folded upon his breast, and there was a smile of great peace and good -content upon the lips of Sir Launcelot. - -[Sidenote: _Sir Bors beholdeth him, dead._] - -Then Sir Bors went to the door of the cell of Sir Launcelot and he -called those others to come thither and they did so. And Sir Bors said -to them, “Behold! Here lyeth that which was once Sir Launcelot, but -which is that knight no more. But God be praised that he died in such -peace and tranquillity as he hath done.” - -And all they, as they gazed upon Sir Launcelot, beheld that it was so, -and that he had indeed died in great peace and tranquillity with his -God. - -And Sir Bors said, “Let us take the body of this good knight and carry -it to Joyous Gard that it may be buried there. For so would he have it -that his body should be buried at Joyous Gard.” - -So they brought them to that forest place a horse bier and they laid the -body of Sir Launcelot upon that horse bier, and they covered the body so -that no one might see it in passing. And they bore the body thence and -to Joyous Gard, and so, after many tribulations and many sufferings and -sorrows, the body of Sir Launcelot lay in peace and quietness at that -place. - -[Sidenote: _He lyeth at Joyous Gard._] - -And those knights who were with him did not return to the forest, -otherwise they continued at Joyous Gard. And one of those knights always -sat at vigil beside the tomb of Sir Launcelot and kept burning there -seven waxen tapers. And so the tomb was always illuminated with those -waxen tapers whiles those knights lived. - -[Sidenote: _Of the death of Sir Bors._] - -And the last of those knights to die was Sir Bors de Ganis, for Sir Bors -was over fourscore years of age when he died. For when the priest came -thither one morning, he found Sir Bors sitting beside the tomb of Sir -Launcelot, and Sir Bors had died at that time. And one of those seven -candles (which same was the candle of Sir Bors) was not lit but was -burned out. For so the life of Sir Bors had flickered out, even as the -light of that candle had departed. - - * * * * * - -So with this endeth the history of the lives of those knights, and so I -have told it to you. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] Conclusion - - -Thus have I written the history of King Arthur and of sundry of those -knights that comprised his Round Table. For so may you see with what -patience, what labor and what self-devotion those knights served their -king, their Round Table and their fellows. - -For those knights were very gallant gentlemen who thought but little of -care and trouble and who practised self-denial when that self-denial -could be of avail to help their friends or to benefit the world. - -For ever they brought aid to those who were in trouble and comfort to -those who were afflicted ever they brought food to the hungry and drink -to the thirsty; and ever they destroyed giants and monsters and wicked -men, and so made the world a better and a comelier place in which to -dwell. And wit ye that no man can do better than that in this world: to -bring aid to the afflicted; food to the hungry, and a release from -trouble to those who are in anxiety. - -Yea; for seven years have I been engaged in writing these books, which -contain the history of these things. Many other things have I done in -that time. For I have painted many pictures besides having written these -books and other works of a like sort. And these books are four in -number: first, there is the Book of King Arthur; then there is the Book -of the Champions of the Round Table; then there is the Book of Sir -Launcelot and his companions, and now there is this Book of the Grail -and the Passing of Arthur, and this book is the last. For those books -comprise a history of all this time; for though there be many things -left untold in them, yet those things are of small consequence. For all -that is of greater note hath been here told, and that in full. - -And I thank God that he hath permitted me to finish this work, for wit -ye that when a man taketh seven years of his life to complete an -undertaking, he knoweth not whether he shall live to complete that -which he hath begun. - -But so I have completed it, and for that I thank God who permitted me to -complete it. Amen. - - _Finished at Wilmington, Delaware, - This 16th day of April - in the year of grace - MCMX._ - -[Illustration] - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Grail and the Passing -of Arthur, by Howard Pyle - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE GRAIL *** - -***** This file should be named 60405-0.txt or 60405-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/4/0/60405/ - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Chuck Greif and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -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. 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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/license - - -Title: The Story of the Grail and the Passing of Arthur - -Author: Howard Pyle - -Release Date: October 2, 2019 [EBook #60405] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE GRAIL *** - - - - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Chuck Greif and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="382" height="550" alt="" title="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_ii" id="page_ii">{ii}</a></span></p> - -<div class="bbox"> - -<p class="c">BOOKS WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY<br /><br /> -<big>H O W A R D P Y L E</big><br /><br /> -PUBLISHED BY CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="hang">THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS.</p> - -<p class="hang">THE STORY OF THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ROUND TABLE.</p> - -<p class="hang">THE STORY OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS COMPANIONS.</p> - -<p class="hang">THE STORY OF THE GRAIL AND THE PASSING OF ARTHUR.</p> - -<p class="hang">THE MERRY ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, <span class="smcap1">of Great Renown in -Nottinghamshire</span>.</p> - -<p class="hang">THE GARDEN BEHIND THE MOON. <span class="smcap1">A Real Story of the Moon Angel.</span></p> - -<p class="hang">OTTO OF THE SILVER HAND.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_iii" id="page_iii">{iii}</a></span> </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_iv" id="page_iv">{iv}</a></span> </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_v" id="page_v">{v}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 381px;"><a name="Frontispiece" id="Frontispiece"></a> -<img src="images/ill_001.jpg" width="381" height="550" alt="" /> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/title.jpg" height="500" alt="title page" /> -</div> - -<h1> -The Story <i>of</i><br /> -the Grail<br /> -<i>and the<br /> -Passing of</i><br /> -Arthur.<br /> -<br /> -<i>by</i><br /> -<small>HOWARD PYLE.<br /> -============<br /> -NEW YORK:<br /> -<i>CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS</i><br /> -1910<br /></small> -</h1> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_vi" id="page_vi">{vi}</a></span> </p> - -<p class="c"> -<i>Copyright, 1910<br /> -By CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS</i><br /> -——<br /> -Published September, 1910<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_vii" id="page_vii">{vii}</a></span></p> - -<h2> -<img src="images/ill_002.jpg" width="450" height="276" alt="Foreword." /> -</h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">I</span><i>N this volume there follows the fourth and last series of those -histories relating to the life and to the kingship of Arthur, King of -England. In this it shall first be told how it befell with Sir Geraint; -then it shall be told how the Holy Grail was achieved by Sir Galahad, -the son of Sir Launcelot; and then it shall be told how King Arthur -passed from this life, and how, after doing battle right royally for his -crown and having overcome his enemies, he was slain by one of them whom -he had wounded to death.</i></p> - -<p><i>Much in this is sad, but much is not sad; for all endings are sad, and -the passing of any hero is a sad thing to tell of; but the events and -the adventures and the achievements of such a man are not sad. Thus it -is here said that much of this is sad, but much is not sad.</i></p> - -<p><i>Now I have for seven years been writing these four books, and in them I -have put the best that I have to say concerning such things. Wherefore I -now hope that you may like that which I have thus written, for if you do -not like it, then I have written in vain; but if you do like these -narratives, and the several various incidents in them recounted, then -you put the seal of your approval upon my work, and my reward is full.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_viii" id="page_viii">{viii}</a></span></p> - -<p><i>Know you that it is a very glorious thing for any man to achieve the -approval of others; for all men write for approval, and all would win -approval of their fellows if they were able to do so; wherefore, it is -my strong hope that you may set the seal of your approval upon these -books.</i></p> - -<p><i>Be it said that some things in these histories are not recounted in -other histories of this momentous reign, but that most of the things -that I have written are recounted in such histories, and all those -things so recounted I have told to you as they have been aforetime -written by other men. In this I have shaped them and adapted them from -the ancient style in which they were first written so as to fit them to -the taste of those who read them to-day.</i></p> - -<p><i>And I thank God that He has spared my life to finish this work, and also -I hope that He may spare me that life still further, to achieve other -works which I desire to undertake. But nevertheless it would have been a -great regret to me to leave these books unfinished. For I have made a -study of this history and have read much concerning it; wherefore, it -was my earnest wish to finish that which I had begun if God would spare -me my life to do so. This He has done.</i></p> - -<p><i>So now I take leave of you upon the threshold of this book, and bid you -godspeed in reading it. And the first of these adventures that you shall -read shall be “The Story of Sir Geraint,” which was the first time -written in the ancient Welsh, but which is here re-written for your -delectation in the manner which I here set it forth.</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> -<img src="images/angel.jpg" width="200" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_ix" id="page_ix">{ix}</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="Contents" id="Contents"></a> -<img src="images/ill_003.jpg" width="450" height="273" alt="Contents." /> -</h2> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#PART_I">PART I<br /><br /> -THE STORY OF SIR GERAINT</a></th></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_First-a">Chapter First</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Geraint followed the knight and the lady to whom the dwarf -belongeth. How he lodged in a ruined castle, and how he found armor to -wear.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_9">9</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Second-a">Chapter Second</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Geraint fought with the knight of the Sparrow-Hawk; how he set -right the wrongs of the earldom and how he returned to the Court of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_x" id="page_x">{x}</a></span>King.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_17">17</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Third-a">Chapter Third</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Geraint lived with the Lady Enid at Camelot. How he suspected -her truth; how his suspicions were confirmed, and how he departed with -her in search of adventure. Also how they met with three unusual -adventures in the forest.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_27">27</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Fourth-a">Chapter Fourth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Geraint and Enid came forth out of the forest into the land of -an earl. How they abided at an inn, and of what befell them thereafter.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_39">39</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Fifth-a">Chapter Fifth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>Sir Geraint is wounded in his encounter with another knight. He is -discovered by the Court of King Arthur and is healed of his wounds. -</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_49">49</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Sixth-a">Chapter Sixth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Geraint destroyed three giants of the highway. How he was hurt, -and how he and the Lady Enid were carried off by a knight of that -country. Also how Sir Geraint slew the knight.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_59">59</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#PART_II">PART II<br /><br /> -THE STORY OF SIR GALAHAD</a></th></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_First-b">Chapter First</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Galahad was made a knight; how he came to the Court of <span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xi" id="page_xi">{xi}</a></span>King -Arthur, and of the several miracles that happened at that time.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_67">67</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Second-b">Chapter Second</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Galahad was led by a strange lady to a monastery of White -Friars. How he met there two other Knights of the Round Table. How King -Bagdemagus wore the shield, and how it was taken from him and given unto -Sir Galahad. Also the story of the shield.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_79">79</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Third-b">Chapter Third</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Galahad met with Sir Melyas. How Sir Melyas was overthrown, and -how Sir Galahad overthrew his enemies. Also how Sir Galahad did at the -Castle of Maidens.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_91">91</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Fourth-b">Chapter Fourth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival met Sir Galahad, and what befell -them. Also how Sir Launcelot beheld the Grail in a dream.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_101">101</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Fifth-b">Chapter Fifth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Percival findeth a horse that nearly bringeth him to -destruction. Also he meeteth a fair damsel and feasts with her. Finally -he enters a boat and there finds rest and comfort.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_111">111</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Sixth-b">Chapter Sixth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Bors confessed himself to the Hermit of the Forest. How he -overthrew a knight, and how he came to the seashore and of what befell -<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xii" id="page_xii">{xii}</a></span>him there.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_119">119</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Seventh-b">Chapter Seventh</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Galahad smote down Sir Gawaine, and how he accompanied a fair -lady to the seashore. And of what happened thereafter.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_133">133</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#PART_III">PART III<br /><br /> -THE PASSING OF ARTHUR</a></th></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_First-c">Chapter First</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Queen Guinevere visited Sir Launcelot in the forest; how Sir -Launcelot returned to Court as aforetime, and how he fled once more from -the Court.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_147">147</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Second-c">Chapter Second</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Queen Guinevere held a feast, and how Sir Patrice of Ireland was -poisoned at that feast.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_155">155</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Third-c">Chapter Third</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Bors was relieved of the defence of the Queen, and of how Sir -Mador de la Porte was overthrown.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_163">163</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Fourth-c">Chapter Fourth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How there came quarrels at the Court, and how Sir Launcelot of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xiii" id="page_xiii">{xiii}</a></span>Lake was assaulted by the brothers of Sir Gawaine.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_173">173</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Fifth-c">Chapter Fifth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How King Arthur attacked Sir Launcelot at Joyous Gard; how Sir Lionel -was slain and how Sir Bors was wounded.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_185">185</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Sixth-c">Chapter Sixth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>Sir Launcelot brings the Queen to King Arthur at Camelot. He quitteth -England, and King Arthur and Sir Gawaine pursue him.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_199">199</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Seventh-c">Chapter Seventh</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>Of the battle betwixt Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine. Also how King -Arthur returned to Little Britain.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_211">211</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Eighth-c">Chapter Eighth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How King Arthur returned to England. How he fought his last battle with -Sir Mordred.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_223">223</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Ninth-c">Chapter Ninth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How King Arthur slew Sir Mordred, and how he himself was wounded so -that he was upon the edge of death. How his sword Excalibur was cast -away, and how three queens came from Avalon and took him away with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xiv" id="page_xiv">{xiv}</a></span>them.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_237">237</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th colspan="2"><a href="#Chapter_Tenth-c">Chapter Tenth</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="italc" valign="top"><p>How Sir Launcelot came to Queen Guinevere, and how Queen Guinevere -remained a nun. How Sir Launcelot went into the forest and became a -hermit, and how seven of his fellows joined him there. Also of the death -of Sir Launcelot of the Lake.</p></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_249">249</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> -<img src="images/ill_004.jpg" width="200" height="137" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xv" id="page_xv">{xv}</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS"></a> -<img src="images/ill_005.jpg" width="450" height="215" alt="LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS" /> -</h2> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0" summary=""> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Galahad of the Grail</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#Frontispiece">Frontispiece</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td> </td><td class="rt"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Head Piece—Foreword</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_vii">vii</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Tail Piece—Foreword</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_viii">viii</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Head Piece—Table of Contents</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_ix">ix</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Tail Piece—Table of Contents</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_xiv">xiv</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Head Piece—List of Illustrations<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xvi" id="page_xvi">{xvi}</a></span></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_xv">xv</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Tail Piece—List of Illustrations</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_xviii">xviii</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Geraint, Son of Erbin</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_2">2</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Head Piece—Prologue</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_3">3</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Tail Piece—Prologue</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_6">6</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Enid and Geraint in the Garden</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_8">8</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Head Piece—Part I</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_9">9</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Geraint and the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_16">16</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Geraint lies asleep</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_26">26</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Enid talks with the Earl</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_38">38</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Enid and Geraint ride past the Town bridge</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_48">48</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">The King’s physicians attend Sir Geraint</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_58">58</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Tail Piece—Part I</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_64">64</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Galahad cometh with the Hermit of the Forest</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_66">66</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Head Piece—Part II<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xvii" id="page_xvii">{xvii}</a></span></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_67">67</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">The Lady of the Lake and Sir Galahad</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_78">78</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Galahad meets Sir Melyas</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_90">90</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">The Grail is manifested, and Sir Launcelot Sleepeth</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_100">100</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Percival rideth the black horse</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_110">110</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Bors rides with the white knight</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_118">118</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Galahad rides with the Lady</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_132">132</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Tail Piece—Part II</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_144">144</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">The Queen’s pages clothe Sir Launcelot</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_146">146</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Head Piece—Part III</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_147">147</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Mador de la Porte</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_154">154</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Mador begs for his Life</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_162">162</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Launcelot defends the door</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_172">172</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">The Bishop of Rochester and the King</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_184">184</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Gawaine challenges Sir Launcelot<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xviii" id="page_xviii">{xviii}</a></span></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_198">198</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">The Passing of Sir Gawaine</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_210">210</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Sir Mordred the traitor</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_222">222</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">The Passing of Arthur</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_236">236</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">The Passing of Guinevere</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_248">248</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td valign="top" class="italc">Tail Piece—Part III</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_258">258</a></td></tr> - -</table> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> -<img src="images/ill_006.jpg" width="200" height="162" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_1" id="page_1">{1}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_2" id="page_2">{2}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 386px;"> -<img src="images/ill_007.jpg" width="386" height="550" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_3" id="page_3">{3}</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="Prologue" id="Prologue"></a> -<img src="images/ill_008.jpg" width="450" height="211" alt="Prologue" /> -</h2> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur proclaims a hunting.</i></div> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">U</span>PON a certain time, at Michaelmas tide, King Arthur held a high hunting -near to his court at Carleon-upon-Usk. Upon the morning of the day -appointed for this hunting, all the attendants of the King were gathered -in the courtyard of the castle ready to depart. The King cast his eyes -about him, but he did not see the Queen near at hand. Quoth he, “Where -is the Queen this morning, that I do not see her here?” One replied to -him, “Lord, she is yet abed and asleep; shall we go wake her?” The King -said, “No, if she would rather sleep than hunt, let her lie abed.”</p> - -<p>Then another said, “Lord, Sir Geraint is not here either. Shall we call -him?” King Arthur laughed. “Nay,” quoth he, “let him also lie abed if he -be drowsy.” Therewith they took horse and rode away into the dewy -sweetness of the early morning; the birds chaunting their roundelays and -the sun bathing the entire earth as in a great bath of golden radiance.</p> - -<p>Anon and after they had thus all departed, Queen Guinevere bestirred -herself and awoke, and she said to her attendants, “Where is the King?” -They say to her, “Lady, he hath ridden into the forest with his court.” -At that the Queen was vexed, and she said, “Why was I not awakened?” -They say to her, “Lady, the King forbade that you should be disturbed.” -“Well,” said she, “let that be as it may, but I shall yet go to view the -hunting.” So she arose and clad herself in a robe of sea-green taffeta, -and she belted herself with a belt of gold, and she had her lady to -enmesh<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_4" id="page_4">{4}</a></span> her hair in a net of gold. And after she had broken her fast, -she and her court took horse, and rode forth to the woodlands to find -the King and his court.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Queen Guinevere and her attendants ride into the forest.</i></div> - -<div class="sidenote">They meet Sir Geraint.</div> - -<p>Now as the Queen and her ladies and their attendants wended onward in a -sedate and quiet fashion, they were presently aware of one who came -riding after them at a hand gallop. Then the Queen drew rein, and said -to her attendant ladies, “Who is yonder gentleman who follows us at a -hand gallop?” One of her attendants said, “Methinks, Lady, yonder is Sir -Geraint.” The Queen said, “Yea, it is indeed Sir Geraint,” so they all -drew rein and waited until Sir Geraint overtook them. Then the Queen -said to him, “Sir Geraint, I am glad that thou too art a sluggard, for -now, as a penance, we shall hold thee in attendance upon us.” “Lady,” -quoth Sir Geraint, “that is no penance but a pleasure, for what pleasure -could be greater than to wait upon you and your court upon so fair and -sweet a morning as this?”</p> - -<p>“Sir,” said the Queen, “that is very well said. Now I bid you to ride -beside me, and so together we will seek the King.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Geraint rode with the Lady Guinevere in that wise, and as they -rode they discoursed together concerning many things of interest.</p> - -<p>Now as they ambled thus through the forest they presently perceived a -small company of riders who came the other way through the checkered -lights of the woodland.</p> - -<p>The first of these riders was a very strong, powerful and lordly knight -in armor. Beside him rode a fair lady clad all in scarlet, and following -after these two there came a deformed and crooked dwarf clad in green. -And the dwarf sat perched upon a great tall horse like a toad upon a -mountain.</p> - -<p>Then the Lady Guinevere said, “What company is yonder?” But no one could -answer her question. Then the Queen said to one of her damsels, “Go, -maiden, and ask the dwarf who is the knight whom he follows.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The maiden bespeaks the dwarf.</i></div> - -<p>So the maiden to whom the Queen spake made forward to meet that party, -and she accosted the dwarf, saying, “Sirrah, I pray you tell me, who is -the lordly knight whom you follow?” The dwarf said, “I will not tell -you, for it is not needful that you should know.” The maiden said, -“Then, since you are so ungentle to me, I will e’en go and ask the -knight his own name. For I do not think he will be so discourteous as -not to tell me his name and his degree.” The dwarf said, “I forbid you -to do that, and I will not permit you to ride forward, for my lord is of -such quality that the likes of you are not fit to speak with him.” And -when he saw that the Queen’s maiden was of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_5" id="page_5">{5}</a></span> mind to follow the knight, -he catched the horse by the bridle rein and forced it backward so that -the maiden was in danger of falling.</p> - -<p>Then the maiden said, “Let go thy hold upon my horse!” and when the -dwarf had released her she drew rein and returned to the Queen -complaining of the discourtesy of the dwarf, and saying, “Lady, yonder -is a most rude and uncivil atomy, for he forbade me to speak to his -master, and when I would have done so in spite of him he catched my -horse by the bridle rein and forced him backward so that I well-nigh had -a fall.”</p> - -<p>The Queen frowned and was very much displeased, and she said, “Sir -Geraint, go you and find for me who is yonder knight.” And Sir Geraint -said, “I will do so.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint bespeaks the dwarf.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Geraint rode down to where the others were, and he followed after -the three until he had overtaken them. Then he rode up to the dwarf and -he said, “Sirrah, tell me the name of yonder knight.” The dwarf said, “I -will not do so, for it is not befitting that I should speak his name to -you.”</p> - -<p>Sir Geraint said, “Then I will ask for myself.” Therewith he set spurs -to his horse and drove forward toward the knight. But the dwarf, seeing -his intent, spurred his horse across the way, so that Sir Geraint could -not pass. And he cried out, “Sir Knight, forbear, for you know not what -you do.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The dwarf strikes Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>Sir Geraint said, “Sirrah, bear back!” and therewith would have -over-ridden the dwarf. Then the dwarf, in a rage, rose in his stirrups -and smote Sir Geraint in the face with a whip which he held in his hand. -And the whip struck Sir Geraint across the cheek and the eyelid, so that -a great red line immediately started out across his face.</p> - -<p>Then when Sir Geraint felt the smart of that blow he was filled with -rage and he turned upon the dwarf, clapping hand upon his sword. But he -straightway withdrew his hand, saying, “Sirrah, this shall be a sad day -for your knight!” Therewith he turned his horse and rode back to where -Queen Guinevere was waiting for him. Then he said to her, “Lady, I could -not learn the knight his name, but if I have your leave I will follow -after him, and when I come to some inhabited place I will purvey me -armor, and then I will compel him to return to you and to tell you his -name, and to ask pardon for the insult which his dwarf offered your -maiden.”</p> - -<p>Then the Lady Guinevere beheld Sir Geraint’s face, and the weal where -the dwarf had struck him, and she cried out, “Sir Geraint, what ails -your face?” Sir Geraint said, “The dwarf smote me with a whip.” The -Queen said, “What did you do to him for that blow?” Sir Geraint replied, -“I did<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_6" id="page_6">{6}</a></span> nothing to him, for I will deal with the knight who is his -master, and not with him.” “Sir,” said the Lady Guinevere, “you did -right in that matter. So I pray you to follow after those people and to -do as you are able with the knight who is the master of the dwarf.”</p> - -<p>Sir Geraint said very proudly, “I need no revenge for the blow of such a -mannikin, but I would fain compel this knight to come to you, to -disclose to you his name, and to ask pardon of this maiden for the -discourtesy of his attendant.” The Queen said, “Go; follow him.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint departs after the knight.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Geraint departed after the knight, and the lady, and the dwarf, -as the Queen bade him to do.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So begins the Adventure of Sir Geraint, concerning which you will learn -much more if you will read this narrative to its conclusion.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> -<img src="images/ill_009.jpg" width="250" height="123" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_7" id="page_7">{7}</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="PART_I" id="PART_I"></a>PART I<br /><br /> -The Story of Sir Geraint</h2> - -<p class="nind"><i><span class="letra">H</span>ERE beginneth the story of Sir Geraint, which same hath been noted in -many ancient histories of the reign of King Arthur, and which is here -inserted because it belongeth to the story of King Arthur at this place, -as follows:—</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_8" id="page_8">{8}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 385px;"> -<img src="images/ill_010.jpg" width="385" height="550" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_9" id="page_9">{9}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_First-a" id="Chapter_First-a"></a> -<img src="images/ill_011.jpg" width="450" height="235" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter First -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Geraint followed the knight and the lady to whom the dwarf -belongeth. How he lodged in a ruined castle, and how he found armor to -wear.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">S</span>O Sir Geraint followed after that knight and the lady and the dwarf, -and they led him at first toward Camelot. Then they turned aside and led -him in another direction. For, by and by, they came to a cross-road and -they turned into it, and later they came to a high ridge of land that -overlooked a valley. And the valley was spread out beneath them, meadow -and dale, woodland and fallow, as though it had been carved very -minutely in ivory or in some sort of wood, very hard and fine, and so -exquisitely and wonderfully modelled that it was as though a man might -have covered it with the palm of his hand.</p> - -<p>Then, after awhile, they quitted this open ridge of land and entered a -woodland. Here they beheld no other thing than trees and green leaves, -for all else was shut from sight. And no other sound disturbed the ear -saving only the sweet song of the woodland birds, chaunting their pretty -roundelay. Anon they descended from these places, and so at last came to -a high-road that led beside a wide and brightly shining river, where<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_10" id="page_10">{10}</a></span> -slow-moving barges and quick wherries drew silvery threads across the -smoothly mirroring surface.</p> - -<p>Thus, by highland and lowland, by farm and woodland and waterway, the -knight, the lady and the dwarf travelled for all that day; and for all -that day Sir Geraint followed patiently after them.</p> - -<p>So toward eventide they came to a town set on a hill. And overlooking -the town was a high grey castle, and there was a wall drawn all about -the castle and the town. And over against the town and the castle and -set up on a hill opposite to them was another castle, very ruinous and -neglected.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The knight enters the town.</i></div> - -<p>The knight, the lady, and the dwarf entered the town, and Sir Geraint -followed after them. And he followed them through the streets, and -everywhere he beheld great crowds of people, and his ears were confused -by the constant and continuous sound of laughing and chatting and -calling of voice to voice. For all these people cheered and applauded -the knight with his lady and the dwarf, when they entered the -town—crowding after them and about them, seeking to touch the knight or -his horse. And everywhere the lights of forge fires were burning, and -the bellows were blowing, and the anvils were ringing with the continual -beating of hammers upon armor. For all the town was in a bustle and -uproar, as though preparing an army for battle.</p> - -<p>Meantime the knight, the lady and the dwarf made their way through the -throng and the turmoil, which every moment became greater and greater -about them. For the street was presently full of people, and other -people appeared at the windows and looked out and down upon them as they -went forward upon their way. And some waved scarves and others cheered, -and everywhere there was an uproar around about that place.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint inquires concerning the knight.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint said to one who was near to him, “I prithee, friend, -what is all this bustle and noise and what does it all portend?” Quoth -he to whom Sir Geraint spoke, “The Sparrow-Hawk! The Sparrow-Hawk!” and -hurried away.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint queried of another, “What is all this to do?” Quoth he, -“The Sparrow-Hawk, good friend, the Sparrow-Hawk!” and he also hurried -away.</p> - -<p>Then there came by a stout red-faced man, and of him Sir Geraint asked, -“What is all this noise and bustle? I prithee tell me.” Quoth the fat -man, “The Sparrow-Hawk, good sir, the Sparrow-Hawk.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint was angry, and he reached down from his horse and -caught the fat man by his collar, and held him fast. And he said, -“Sirrah,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_11" id="page_11">{11}</a></span> I will not let you go until you tell me what is the meaning of -all this tumult. Who is yonder knight, and whither goeth he?”</p> - -<p>“Hah! Sir! Do you not know?” said the fat man. “Yonder knight is the -Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk, and he goeth to the castle where he shall -lodge until the battle of to-morrow.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint inquires concerning lodging.</i></div> - -<p>“Well,” said Sir Geraint, “that is something to know. Now I bid you tell -me where I may find lodgings in this town and where I may find arms -wherewith a knight may arm himself.”</p> - -<p>Quoth the fat man, “There is no lodging to be had in this town at such a -time as this, nor are there any arms to be found at any place. But if, -fair sir, you will cross the valley, to yonder ruined castle, you will -doubtless find lodgings for the night, and maybe you may find arms, and -to-morrow you may behold the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk overthrow in the -lists all who come against him.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint, seeing that the three whom he followed were now at the -ending of their day’s journey, let go the man, who immediately ran away -into the crowd that still followed after the knight, the lady, and the -dwarf.</p> - -<p>So Sir Geraint drew rein and he turned his horse and he quitted that -town and crossed over the valley to the ruined castle upon the other -side as he had been advised to do.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint approaches the ruined castle.</i></div> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He bespeaks the old man.</i></div> - -<p>As Sir Geraint drew near to the castle, he was aware of an old man who -walked along upon the parapet of the wall. When this old and reverend -man beheld Sir Geraint, that he approached, he descended from the wall -and he came down to the gate and there met Sir Geraint. And Sir Geraint -beheld that the old man was tall and lordly in his appearance and that -he had a noble and stately countenance. But Sir Geraint beheld that he -was clad in poor and simple garments, grey in color, and patched in -places, and worn and threadbare at the seams. Sir Geraint said to him, -“Sir, I pray you tell me—shall I find lodgings at this castle for -to-night? And I pray you also tell me if you know where I may procure a -suit of armor fit for me to wear?”</p> - -<p>Quoth the old man, “Fair Sir Knight, it hath been long since any of your -quality hath been to this place. For this is a poor and ruined house of -a poor and ruined man. Ne’ertheless, such as it is, you are welcome -hither. I pray you come in. As for armor, I have every belief that I -shall be able to supply you with the same, provided you will accept that -which is old and out of date.”</p> - -<p>Thus saying, the old man took the horse of Sir Geraint by the bridle -and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_12" id="page_12">{12}</a></span> he led it into the courtyard of the castle, and when he was come -there he set his fingers to his lips and whistled very loud and shrilly. -Anon a side door of the castle opened and there came forth a maiden both -young and graceful, very tall and slender. And she was clad in a plain -blue garment, straight and slim, and girdled with a girdle of blue -leather. Her hair was plaited and twisted, and was without any net or -ornament of any sort. But Sir Geraint looked at her very searchingly, -because it appeared to him that this was the most beautiful young maiden -whom he had ever beheld in all of the world.</p> - -<p>When the maiden had come to them the old man bade her to take the horse -of Sir Geraint to the stable and to see that it was fittingly groomed -and cared for.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint would have protested at this service, but the old man -said, “Sir, I pray you to let be, for we have no servants in this house, -and we deem it a shame for a guest to do himself his own service. -Wherefore my daughter shall find it a pleasure for to serve our guest.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The maiden stables the horse of Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Geraint dismounted from his horse and the maiden led it away to -the stable. Then the old lord took Sir Geraint into the castle and he -conducted him to an upper room wherein he was to lodge. And he prepared -a tepid bath for Sir Geraint, and he brought him a loose garment, faded -in color but trimmed with fur that had once been handsome and of rich -texture, and the garment was very soft and comfortable.</p> - -<p>Then the old man called to his wife and he gave some money into her -hand, and he said to her, “Go down into the town and procure the best -that you are able with this money, for it hath been many days since we -have had a guest of so much worth and nobility as this gentleman appears -to possess.”</p> - -<p>So the old gentlewoman went down into the town, and after a little she -returned again with a porter bearing a great hamper of food.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, whilst this food was preparing for supper, Sir Geraint and -the old lord of the castle walked in the garden talking together.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint inquires concerning the knight of the -Sparrow-Hawk.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth Sir Geraint, “Sir, I pray you tell me several matters. First, I -pray you tell me of this Sparrow-Hawk concerning whom yonder place -appears to have gone mad?”</p> - -<p>“Messire,” said the old lord, “I will tell you. Some years ago I was the -earl and overlord of yonder town. But my younger brother undermined me -with the inhabitants, and lately he hath gathered all of my power into -his hands. Wherefore he is there, lodged in all splendor, and I am here, -as thou seest.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_13" id="page_13">{13}</a></span></p> - -<p>“Now you are to know that my brother hath a mind to assemble a court of -very worthy knights about him. Wherefore he hath had made a sparrow-hawk -of pure silver which same is mounted at the top of a silver staff. For -this sparrow-hawk many knights have come jousting; for what knight -soever gaineth it and keepeth it for three years in succession, that -knight shall be known as the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk. Wherefore many -have contested for it.</p> - -<p>“For two years now a knight, hight Sir Gaudeamus of the Moors, hath -overcome all who have come against him, and if he overcometh all the -knights contestant again for this year, he shall be acknowledged as the -true Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint asks for armor.</i></div> - -<p>Thus spake the old lord of the ruined castle, and when he had done Sir -Geraint said, “Sir, with that armor which you say you have, I think that -I myself will contend with that knight to-morrow day. So I pray you to -let that armor be sent to my room, where I may have it to hand when I -want it.”</p> - -<p>Quoth the old lord, “Messire, I have, as I told you, such a suit of -armor, but it is of a sort that I know not whether you will wear it or -not, for it is old and beaten; but if so be you are not ashamed to wear -such ancient armor, I shall be glad to purvey it for you.”</p> - -<p>“Sir,” said Sir Geraint, “I give you high thanks. And now come I to -another matter. A short while ago I saw a maiden whom I thought was the -most beautiful that ever mine eyes beheld. Now if that damsel hath no -knight to serve her, I pray you tell me if I may fight for her sake -to-morrow in the field of the Sparrow-Hawk?”</p> - -<p>Said the old man, “Sir, that maiden is my daughter and my only child. -Her name is Enid. If so be she shall accept you for her knight, then -shall I be more than glad for her to do so. But I will send her to you, -and you may break that matter to her yourself.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint bespeaks Enid the Fair.</i></div> - -<p>With this, the old lord took his departure; anon came Enid the Fair into -the garden where Sir Geraint awaited her, and when he beheld her coming, -his heart was very glad. So she came to him, and he took her very gently -by the hand, and he said to her, “Lady, here am I, a knight of King -Arthur’s Round Table and of his Court. I am of good repute and I believe -am not altogether unworthy of my belt and my spurs. You, I think, are -not more than twenty years of age, and I have nearly twice those years, -yet I find that I have great pleasure in gazing upon you. Now I pray -you, tell me if your heart may incline unto me sufficiently to suffer me -to be your knight in the tournament to-morrow day. For I purpose then to -endeavor for this Sparrow-<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_14" id="page_14">{14}</a></span>Hawk, and I have no lady whom I might -consider as the lady of my heart upon such an occasion.”</p> - -<p>At this address Enid was very much astonished and abashed. She uplifted -her eyes and looked at Sir Geraint very steadily for a little. And she -beheld that he was tall and powerful of frame and that he possessed a -strong and very noble face. Wherefore her heart went out to him and she -said, “Noble Lord, it will give me great pleasure to accept you for my -knight champion, if it so be that one of your high nobility and splendid -distinction shall regard my poor estate. For my father hath not money to -buy him clothes for us all, nor hath he any honor or estate saving only -this ruined castle wherein we dwell. Wherefore it is not meet for me to -lift mine eyes to one of your high estate and exalted quality.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint regarded her very earnestly, and he found her to be -still more beautiful than he had at first thought her to be; and he -said, “Enid, it may be that thy present estate and quality is not very -great, yet thy face is more beautiful than that of any woman whom I ever -yet beheld, wherefore I would fain have thee to consign thyself for my -true and only lady. If thou wilt do this, it may be that I shall be able -to be of great help and assistance both to thee and to thy father.”</p> - -<p>She said to him, “Lord, I will accept thee for my true and faithful -knight.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Enid gives Sir Geraint her belt.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint said, “Now I have no favor of thine to wear. I pray -thee give me that belt thou wearest about thy waist, for I myself will -wear it twisted about mine arm to-morrow.” So Enid gave him her belt of -leather and he buckled it about his arm.</p> - -<p>Then he gave her his hand and she gave her hand to him. So, hand in -hand, they departed from that place and entered the castle.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_15" id="page_15">{15}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_16" id="page_16">{16}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_012.jpg" width="385" height="550" alt="Sir Geraint and the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk" /> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_17" id="page_17">{17}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Second-a" id="Chapter_Second-a"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Second -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Geraint fought with the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk; how he set -right the wrongs of the earldom and how he returned to the Court of the -King.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW tell we of that notable battle betwixt Sir Geraint and the Knight of -the Sparrow-Hawk.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the place of battle.</i></div> - -<p>In the level field below the town there was a fine field of green grass, -such as was well fitted for knights to tilt upon. Here there was a high -seat arranged for the earl of that town, and for his court, and that -seat was hung and draped with crimson cloth embroidered with silver -gryphons (which same was the emblazonment of the earl). Below the place -of tilting and hard by that place was the silver sparrow-hawk under -guard of six esquires clad all in crimson embroidered with silver -gryphons. The sparrow-hawk was of pure silver, shining very brightly in -the glorious sunlight. And it was set upon a cross-bar of pure silver, -and the cross-bar of silver was supported by a rod of silver thrust into -the earth.</p> - -<p>Already the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk had fought with several opponents -that morning and had overthrown them all, the one after the other. So -now, as none came against him, he waited in his pavilion till noon, -against which time the silver sparrow-hawk should be assigned to him; -and as to the people who were gathered to view the sport, they were -grown restless and moved about and conversed together, for it seemed to -them that no one would come to contest again with Sir Gaudeamus.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir Geraint and his companions arrive at the place of -battle.</i></div> - -<p>But of a sudden, a little group of four figures suddenly appeared coming -across the meadowland beyond. The first of these was the old Earl of -that town. Beside him rode a knight, tall and strong of figure, and -behind these two came the lady of the Earl and his daughter. These -presented a very dull and motley appearance, for the Earl was clad in -frayed and weather-worn black, and Sir Geraint was clad in the ancient -and battered armor of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_18" id="page_18">{18}</a></span> Earl that had been given to him. In this he -presented a very singular appearance, as though he had stepped from an -olden painting.</p> - -<p>When those who were there perceived how poor and ancient was the armor -that Sir Geraint wore, there began a ripple of laughter that spread and -grew in magnitude until it was like a torrent of high sounding mirth. -But ever the Earl of the town did not join in this mirth, otherwise he -sat with great dignity in his seat, and neither laughed nor smiled, -although all of his court made great mirth and applauded at Sir Geraint -as though he were some jester clad in armor for their sport.</p> - -<p>But Sir Geraint paid no heed to all this merriment; otherwise he rode -forward through the field. And after he had found place for the old Lord -who was with him, and for the lady of that Earl and for Enid, he rode up -to the high seat of the Earl and bespoke him thus:</p> - -<p>“Lord, here stand I, a knight of the Court of King Arthur, and of his -Round Table, to do battle upon behalf of the Lady Enid of this place for -yonder silver sparrow-hawk. Now I pray thee tell me, have I thy -permission to engage in that battle?”</p> - -<p>But now no longer was there any sound of laughter or of jeering from the -lords and the ladies of that court; otherwise, all stood up to look upon -him, although they could see naught of his face by reason that the visor -of his helmet was lowered.</p> - -<p>“Sir Knight,” said the Earl, “this contest is open to all, wherefore it -is also free to thee.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint challenges the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint saluted the Earl and his court, and riding across the -meadow of battle to the pavilion of Gaudeamus, the Knight of the -Sparrow-Hawk, he smote with his spear upon the shield of that knight -with all his might and main so that it rang again like a bell. Then the -Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk appeared at the door of his pavilion, and he -said, “Who art thou in that ancient, outland armor who smites my shield -with thy lance? Art thou a jester? If so, I think thy jest will cost -thee very dear.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Geraint, “I am not a jester, but am one who hath come to do -battle with thee. Therefore, prepare thyself to meet me, for I have -great reason to be offended with thee. If fortune betide me, this day -shalt thou do penance to a great lady for thy dwarf and for his -discourtesy to her.”</p> - -<p>“Hah!” quoth the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk, “this is a very strange -thing, that thou shouldst have taken up such a quarrel as this against a -strange and misshapen dwarf. As for thy challenge, it shall be answered -immediately.” Therewith he of the Sparrow-Hawk went back into his -pavilion again to put on his helmet and to make him ready for combat.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_19" id="page_19">{19}</a></span></p> - -<p>Meantime Sir Geraint rode to his stand, which he assumed in due order, -preparing himself in all wise for this encounter that was about to -befall.</p> - -<p>Anon came the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk, armed cap-a-pie in shining and -very splendid armor. Upon his shield he had emblazoned a silver -sparrow-hawk, and the crest upon his helmet was also a silver -sparrow-hawk wreathed with a thin silver scarf. And all who beheld those -two figures could not but applaud the splendor of his appearance, as -they could not but laugh at the quaint appearance of Sir Geraint.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint engages the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk.</i></div> - -<p>So when these two knights were in all wise ready, each in his place, the -trumpets of the marshals of the list sounded the assault, and they -rushed together like thunder and so that the earth trembled and shook -beneath the trampling of their horses’ hoofs.</p> - -<p>So they crashed together in the midst of the course with a roar and a -crackle of splintered lance.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint overthrows the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk.</i></div> - -<p>For in that assault the lance of the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk was -broken into as many as twenty pieces, but the lance of Sir Geraint held, -so that it pierced through the shield of the other knight, lifting him -completely out of the saddle and casting him with great violence to the -earth so that he rolled three times over ere he ceased to fall.</p> - -<p>But when the people of the town beheld their champion thus cast to the -earth by that strange knight in ancient armor they were very greatly -displeased and murmured together saying, the one to the other, “What -knight is this? Who is this clad in outland armor who overthroweth our -champion? Is he a hero? Is he Sir Launcelot of the Lake; or who is he?”</p> - -<p>But even whilst they thus spoke the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk recovered -from the terrible violence of his fall. His wits returned to him like a -flock of scattered birds, and with them a knowledge of the shame of his -overthrow. Then he leaped to his feet and drew his sword, crying out, -“Sir Knight! Come down and do me battle afoot! For though thou hast -overthrown me with thy lance, yet thou hast not yet conquered me.”</p> - -<p>And with that, others of those who were there assembled began to cry -out, “Come down, Sir Knight! Come down, and fight him afoot!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint does battle with the Knight of the -Sparrow-Hawk.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Geraint leaped down from his horse and drew his sword. And he set -his shield before him and so approached his enemy, and meantime Sir -Gaudeamus had made ready for that assault. Then suddenly they sprang -together like two wild bulls in battle; lashing and lashing again and -again. The dust arose up around them and for a time no onlooker could -tell which had the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_20" id="page_20">{20}</a></span> better of that fight. But at last Sir Geraint waxed -very angry at being so withstood, wherefore he rained blow upon blow -like the continual crashing of thunder. Then the Knight of the -Sparrow-Hawk grew weak in his assault. He bore back and held his shield -full low. Upon that Sir Geraint uplifted his strength and smote his -enemy with so furious a might that Sir Gaudeamus let fall his shield -from his defence. Then again Sir Geraint smote him with all his might -upon the crown of his undefended helmet, so woful a blow that the blade -bit through the iron of the headpiece and deep into the bone of the -brain pan.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He overcomes that knight.</i></div> - -<p>With that blow the brains of the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk swam like -water; the strength left his limbs; his thighs trembled and he fell down -upon his knees and sought to catch hold of the thighs of Sir Geraint. -But Sir Geraint avoided him, and reaching forward, he catched him by the -helmet and snatched it from off his head. Then he catched the Knight of -the Sparrow-Hawk by the hair of the head and he drew his neck forward as -though to smite off his head upon the ground. But the Knight of the -Sparrow-Hawk, beholding death hovering above him, cried out in a muffled -voice, “Spare me, Sir Knight, spare my life!”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint cried out, “I will not spare thy life, Sir Knight, -unless thou wilt thus, upon thy knees, tell me thy name.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The knight proclaims his name.</i></div> - -<p>“My name,” said the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk, “is Sir Gaudeamus of the -Moors.”</p> - -<p>“Still will I not spare thee,” said Sir Geraint, “unless thou wilt bind -thyself with a pledge to go to the Court of King Arthur and there tell -to Queen Guinevere thy name and thy degree of arms.”</p> - -<p>“All this,” said the other, “I promise in full.”</p> - -<p>“Still I will not spare thee,” said Sir Geraint, “unless thou wilt -engage that thy dwarf shall go with thee to earn forgiveness for his -discourtesy to the damsel of the queen whom he hath offended.”</p> - -<p>“This also,” said the knight, “I will engage for him to do.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint spares the knight his life.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint said, “Arise, Sir Gaudeamus, for I spare thee.” And -therewith Sir Gaudeamus arose and stood upon his feet, still trembling -with the weakness of his battle, and the blood running in torrents from -the great wound upon his head. Then came several esquires and Sir -Geraint said to them, “Take him away and look to his hurts,” and they -did so.</p> - -<p>Now, after this, there came an herald upon the field of battle, and he -approached Sir Geraint and said to him, “Sir Knight, the earl of this -town hath sent me to beseech you to come to him.” Sir Geraint said, -“Take me to him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_21" id="page_21">{21}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>So the herald led the way and Sir Geraint followed after him until he -stood face to face with the Earl. The Earl said to him, “Sir Knight, I -make my vow thou art a strong and terrible knight. I pray thee, tell me -thy name that I may know to whom I am to give the prize of battle.”</p> - -<p>“Sir,” said Sir Geraint, “I am called Geraint, and am the son of the -King of Erbin, and I am a Knight of King Arthur’s Court and of his Round -Table.” “Hah!” said the Earl, “then it is small wonder that thou didst -win thy battle so easily, for thy deeds are famous in all the courts of -chivalry. Now I pray thee, Sir, that thou wilt come to my castle and -will feast with me to-night, so that I may do honor to so famous a -knight, for all the world knoweth of thee and of thy deeds.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint looked at him very sternly and he said, “Messire, I -will not sit down with thee at table unless I know by what right thou -assumest thy state as earl, and by what right thou hast dispossessed the -former earl of his state and his property.”</p> - -<p>At this the Earl’s face fell, but he presently said, “Well, I will tell -all these and several other things to thee if thou wilt come with me to -my castle. And my brother the old Earl and his wife and his daughter -shall also come. And when we sit at feast, I will lay all things before -thee and thou shalt judge betwixt the old Earl and me, and I will abide -by what thou decidest as to the rights of this case.”</p> - -<p>“Then,” said Sir Geraint, “we will come to thy castle with thee.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint feasts with the young Earl.</i></div> - -<p>So that night there was a great feast prepared in honor of Sir Geraint, -and Sir Geraint and the old Earl and his countess and their daughter -Enid sat with the Earl and his court at the castle of the Earl. Sir -Geraint sat upon the right hand of the Earl, and upon his left hand sat -the old Earl.</p> - -<p>So after they had eaten and whilst they sat with their wine before them, -quoth Sir Geraint, “I pray thee now, my Lord Earl, for to tell me what -thou promised to do; to wit, how it stands with thee and the old Earl of -this city.”</p> - -<p>“Sir Knight,” said the young Earl, “I will do so. Thus it was: When our -father died he left this town to my brother, whilst to me he left that -ruined castle yonderway across the valley.</p> - -<p>“Now my brother was a very passive man and would do little to benefit -this place either by regulating its laws or by punishing its criminals; -or by establishing in it a court of chivalry.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The young Earl tells his story.</i></div> - -<p>“All the affairs of state were left to my command, whilst my brother -contented himself with his domestic life and did very little to regulate -the affairs of the state. Hence it befell that the people of this town -looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_22" id="page_22">{22}</a></span> to me to help them and to advise with them. Thus, at last, I -became the real ruler of all our affairs. This continued for several -years; then at last the people said, ‘Why should we support our Earl who -does nothing for us, whilst this lord whom we do not support giveth us -all that he hath in him to give?’ So the people arose one night, and -drove their earl and his wife and his daughter out of the castle and out -of the town, and since that time he hath been dwelling in that old -ruined castle that one time belonged to me, where thou didst find him; -and I have been dwelling here. This, Sir Geraint, is the true story of -our affairs.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint turned to the old Earl and he said, “Sir, I pray you -tell me, is this true?” The old Earl said, “Methinks it is true.” -“Then,” said Sir Geraint, “this is the doom that I pronounce: That the -present Earl shall rule this town as he hath ruled it heretofore, but -that he shall give to the old Earl the one-half of all the money -receipts of the town, so that he may support the style of living -befitting his rank. And I furthermore ordain that this Earl who rules -this city shall transmit the rule thereof to whatsoever heirs or assigns -he may elect to succeed him.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint proclaims the doom of the two Earls.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Geraint decided his doom, and that which he said was satisfactory -to all. And he abided several days at that place, and during that time -he saw much of Enid and the more he saw of her the more he loved her.</p> - -<p>So one day, they two walking in the garden of the old castle alone -together, he said to her, “Lady, I have seen many fair dames in my day, -but never did I behold one who was so dear to my heart as thou art. Now -I pray thee tell me, have I found favor in thy sight?” She said, “Yea, -Lord, thou hast found great favor.” Said Sir Geraint, “Have I found such -favor that thou wilt depart hence with me as my wife?” Enid said, “Lord, -if it is thy desire to have me do so I will gladly become thy wife, and -will depart with thee whithersoever thou dost command; for, in truth, I -have now no other thought in all the world but of thee.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint kissed her and thus was their troth plighted.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint is betrothed to Enid.</i></div> - -<p>So they were wedded, and before they were wedded the young Earl said, -“Sir Geraint, suffer that I purvey thy lady with a robe of cloth of gold -meet for such an one to wear upon the occasion of her marriage.” But Sir -Geraint said to him, “Not so, Messire, for I won her whilst she was clad -in this robe of plain blue cloth. Thus will I take her to the Court of -King Arthur and thus will I present her to Queen Guinevere, and I will -have it that Queen Guinevere will provide her with fresh raiment meet -for her to wear.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_23" id="page_23">{23}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Then the young Earl bowed his head and said, “As thou sayst, so let it -be.”</p> - -<p>Thus it befell that Sir Geraint was married, and the morning after his -marriage he and his lady departed from that town. And he seated his lady -before him upon the saddle and turned his horse’s head toward the Court -of King Arthur and so rode away.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Now return we to Queen Guinevere and to the Court of the King.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gaudeamus arrives at the court of Queen Guinevere.</i></div> - -<p>Three days after the departure of Sir Geraint the Queen was riding -abroad, and several of her court attendants were with her, and amongst -them was the young damsel who had inquired of the dwarf concerning the -name of the knight whom he followed. As they rode talking and laughing -together—chattering in clear voices, like a bevy of bright and -gloriously tinted birds—they perceived coming toward them a procession. -First they beheld a litter borne by several bearers and on the litter -was a wounded knight. Behind the litter came the horse of the knight, -and the horse was laden with his bright and shining armor, and led by an -esquire. Behind the horse there came a fair young lady clad in scarlet -riding upon a white palfrey, and behind her a small misshapen dwarf.</p> - -<p>Now when this party had come a little nigher, Queen Guinevere perceived -the face of the dwarf more clearly and she knew him for that dwarf who -had rebuffed her damsel as aforetold. And she said to that one of her -attendants who had aforetime met the dwarf, “Is not that the dwarf who -rebuffed thee a few days ago?” The damsel said, “Yea, Lady.” “Then,” -said the Queen, “meseems the knight his master hath met Sir Geraint and -hath suffered in his encounter and is coming here to bespeak me. Let us -go forward to meet them.”</p> - -<p>So the Queen and her court hurried forward until they had come beside -the litter. Then the Queen said, “Sir Knight, I pray you tell me, what -is it that ails you?” “Lady,” said he, “I am a knight who hath suffered -in battle. Now I pray you tell me, where may I find Queen Guinevere?”</p> - -<p>The Queen said, “Messire, I am she.” Quoth the knight, “Lady, is it -truth you are telling me or are you making sport of me?” The Queen said, -“Sir, it is the truth.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gaudeamus raised himself upon his elbow in the litter, and he -said, “Lady, I come to thee upon command of Sir Geraint, who hath -overthrown me in battle; and upon his command I am to tell thee that my -name is Sir Gaudeamus of the Moors, and upon his command I am to seek -for the damsel to whom my dwarf was rude.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_24" id="page_24">{24}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Said Queen Guinevere, “This is she.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gaudeamus said to the maiden, “Fair damsel, of thee I am to ask -pardon for the rudeness of my dwarf, and to crave of thee that thou from -thy grace and kindness wilt forgive his offence.”</p> - -<p>Then the heart of Queen Guinevere was moved with pity for the knight, -and she said to him, “Messire Sir Gaudeamus of the Moors, thou and thy -dwarf are fully forgiven by her and by me. Now I pray you to come -straightway to the castle where your hurts may be examined and cured.”</p> - -<p>So the Queen led the way to the castle of the King, and all they went -thitherward. And after they had come to the castle she had the wounded -knight laid upon a couch in a bright and cheerful room, and she had the -king’s physician to come and to look at his hurts and to dress them. And -so Sir Gaudeamus was made in all ways as comfortable as might be.</p> - -<p>So passed three or four days.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint and Enid arrive at the castle of King Arthur.</i></div> - -<p>One morning the Queen looked out from her bower window and she beheld a -knight riding toward the castle. And there sat before him upon his -saddle a fair lady with golden hair, and the lady was clad in blue. The -Queen called to her bower women and said, “Who is that knight coming -yonder?” Said one of the women, “That, methinks, is Sir Geraint.” The -Queen said, “Yea, that is true. Methought it was he; let us hasten to -meet him.”</p> - -<p>So she and her ladies made haste and they met Sir Geraint and Enid at -the gateway of the castle. The Queen said, “Sir Geraint, who is it that -thou hast with thee?” He said, “Lady, this is my wife, to whom I am but -newly married. I have brought her here clad in blue cloth as I first -beheld her. And I have hope that thou wilt clothe her as beseemeth her -estate as the daughter of an earl, the lady of a knight-royal, and as my -wife.”</p> - -<p>Then the Queen said, “Welcome! welcome, Lady! I give thee welcome!” And -after that she assisted Enid to dismount from the horse. Thereafter she -took her to her bower, and there she clad her in the richest robes that -could be furnished for her. And the face of Enid shone from out of that -raiment of silver and gold as the face of the moon upon a summer night -shines from the thin and golden clouds that surround but do not obscure -it.</p> - -<p>Thus was the Fair Enid brought to the Court of King Arthur.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_26" id="page_26">{26}</a></span><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_25" id="page_25">{25}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_013.jpg" width="390" height="550" alt="Sir Geraint lies asleep" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_27" id="page_27">{27}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Third-a" id="Chapter_Third-a"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Third -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Geraint lived with the Lady Enid at Camelot. How he suspected -her truth; how his suspicions were confirmed, and how he departed with -her in search of adventure. Also how they met with three unusual -adventures in the forest.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">I</span>T is not always well for a man to be married to a woman of half his -age; for that which he thinks and loves she may neither think nor love, -and that which she thinks and loves, he maybe does not think and does -not love.</p> - -<p>Now Sir Geraint was serious, as became his years, and Enid was gay and -debonaire as became her youth, so that there were many sports and -pastimes that she engaged in that he looked upon remotely and from afar, -and not always without displeasure.</p> - -<p>Amongst the lords of the Court of King Arthur was a young knight and -lord, hight Sir Peregrans, who was son to King Ludd of Cornwall. This -noble young knight-royal was very full of joy and gladness. He was -ruddy-cheeked and gay, with broad black eyebrows and curly black hair, -and he was ever ready for any sport or pastime that fell his way.</p> - -<p>It befell that he and Enid were much together in company and sports of -several kinds, and though Sir Geraint was too proud to appear to observe -this, yet he did observe it and was much affected by it. For he would -sometimes say to himself, “What pity it is that this dear lady of mine -should be bound to my age and sobriety instead of to one like this Sir -Peregrans who is in all ways suited to her!” Yet Sir Geraint would say -nothing to Enid concerning his thoughts, but only kept those thoughts -locked in his own heart, and so withdrew himself from her afar off.</p> - -<p>This and several other things the Lady Enid observed, and it sometimes -seemed to her either that her lord was in trouble or that he was -offended, yet she wist not what offence she could have given to him in -any way. For it did not seem to her that it could be any offence for her -to play in the same sports with Sir Peregrans, but only that it was -natural and seemly upon her part to do so.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_28" id="page_28">{28}</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint sits in thought.</i></div> - -<p>Now one day Sir Geraint sat meditating concerning these things, and as -he sat he gazed out of the window at the King’s Castle. What time his -eyes beheld a wide and fruitful stretch of meadow-land and fields, of -glebe and of a river that wound through all this fair level fruitful -campagne like to a ribbon of pure and shining silver. The sun at that -hour shot his slanting rays across the earth, so that all this fair -prospect appeared, as it were, to be bathed in a pure golden brightness. -From the level stretch of horizon, great clouds climbed up into the blue -and radiant sky, peeping, as it were, over one another’s shoulders down -upon the peaceful earth.</p> - -<p>All this the eyes of Sir Geraint beheld, yet he saw nothing of it. For -the sight of his soul was turned away from such things, and was directed -inward upon himself, and there he beheld naught but gloom and darkness.</p> - -<p>To that place where he sat came the Lady Enid, and she beheld him where -he was, but he did not turn his eyes upon her, nor seem to know that she -was there.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Enid comes to Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>Then she came to him and seated herself upon his knee. She put her thin -fair arms about his neck, and interwove her fingers into one another. -Then she said, “Dear my Lord, I pray thee tell me in what way I have -offended thee. Thou art no longer toward me as thou wert when first I -came hitherward to this court.”</p> - -<p>He said to her, speaking very gently, “Enid, thou hast in no wise -offended me.”</p> - -<p>Then she said, “What is it that troubles thee, my husband?”</p> - -<p>He said, “I have no trouble.” Then, as in a second thought, he said, -“Enid, I will tell thee somewhat.” Therewith he unlocked her two hands -and sat, holding one of them in his. “Sometimes,” quoth he, “a man -loveth the home that is his very own. So love I the home of my childhood -and of my youth. There my father dwelleth in honor, and my mother also. -It hath been many years since I have seen it and I long to see it now.”</p> - -<p>She said, “Dear Lord! Let us go thither.”</p> - -<p>He said, “Wouldst thou like to go, Enid? Well, then, we shall do so, and -that as soon as my Lord the King shall grant us leave to depart.”</p> - -<p>So that very day Sir Geraint asked leave of King Arthur to leave the -court for awhile, and King Arthur gave him permission to withdraw.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They two depart for the castle of Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>So the day after that day Sir Geraint and Enid departed from the Court -of King Arthur, and travelling with a small party of noble attendants -betook their way to Amadora (which was the name of the castle of Sir -Geraint’s father), which place they reached within three days of easy -journeying.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_29" id="page_29">{29}</a></span></p> - -<p>There they abided for several months, in which time there was hunting -and hawking and jousting, so that the days were as full of joy and -pleasure as it was possible to be.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint takes sport at his castle.</i></div> - -<p>But in all that while Sir Geraint did nothing of knightly daring or -adventure, so that by and by the people of Amadora began to talk to one -another concerning the matter, saying, “How is this? Our Prince, the -Lord Geraint, is surely besotted concerning his wife, for he is with her -all the while. The time was when he took his joys, but when the time of -those joys was past then he performed many works of knightly daring, so -that all we of this place were very proud of him. When now doth he enter -into any such undertaking? Never. He is always the first in the chase or -with the hawk or in the joust, yet his youthful glory is now departed -from him, so that he lieth forever, as it were, with his head upon the -knees of his wife.”</p> - -<p>Thus the people talked amongst themselves, and at last such words, or -words like these, came to the ears of the Lady Enid and troubled her -very sorely.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Enid regards Sir Geraint whilst he sleeps.</i></div> - -<p>One day in the summer weather she awoke very early in the morning and -the Lord Geraint lay upon his bed beside her. He had thrown aside the -coverlets and he now lay with his great breast and his arms and -shoulders bare to the softness of the air. These she beheld, how huge -and mighty they were and how comely in their strength and power. Then -she looked at her own arm, how slender and white it was, how lacking of -strength, how feeble and childish in its weakness, and she thought to -herself, “Is it then true what they say—that my white and tender limbs -may hold my husband away from those great adventures to which he -belongs? Is it then true that mine arms confine him in a little and -narrow circumference? Alas! Is it true that the love of a woman can sap -a man of all purpose and ambition in his life of activity? Nay; it is -not true, for many knights who are wedded to other ladies are still -noble knights in the field of adventure. Alas and alas! The weakness of -my lord must indeed reside in me.” Here she sighed very deeply and with -the deepness of that sigh Sir Geraint awoke from his slumbers and lay -with his eyes still closed. Then she said, whispering as though to -herself, “I am at fault and am no true, right wife for this noble hero.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint hears her words.</i></div> - -<p>Now Sir Geraint, lying with his eyes closed, overheard these last words -that she thus whispered to herself. He heard her say that she was no -true, right wife to him, and it seemed to him that she thus confessed -that she was unfaithful to him. This thought was, as it were, a dagger -thrust into his life, sudden, shining and very deep. And though he still -lay with his eyes closed, he said to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_30" id="page_30">{30}</a></span> his heart, “Is she then false, and -was I too late in bringing her away from the Court of King Arthur? Woe -is me!”</p> - -<p>Thereupon he opened his eyes, and looked her full in the face, and she, -seeing that he was awake, smiled into his eyes. But he did not smile -upon her in return, otherwise he said, “Lady, art thou there?” Then the -smile slowly faded from her eyes, for she saw that he was in an angry -mood. And so they regarded one another.</p> - -<p>Then suddenly he arose and began dressing himself, and he said to her, -“Arise, Lady, and clothe yourself.” And she did as he commanded. He upon -his own part accoutred himself in his full armor, that hung erstwhile -shining against the stone wall of the room.</p> - -<p>When they were thus apparelled he said to her, “Follow me.” She said, -“Whither, Lord?” but he made no reply to her. So they went forth -together out of that apartment. And she followed him down the stairway -to the courtyard, and she followed him from the courtyard to the stable, -and still in all that while he spoke no further word to her.</p> - -<p>Now this time was still very early in the morning, for the sun had only -just arisen, round and red and full of the glory of daylight. The birds -were chaunting with might and main, but all of the castle folk were yet -asleep. All was cool and balmy and exceedingly pleasant, and the silence -of the early daytime was full of the remote sound of the river below the -castle, where it rushed down, roaring, through its deep and mossy gorges -of green and slimy rocks and stones.</p> - -<p>Sir Geraint entered the stables and Enid awaited him what he would do; -and that while she stood not far off from the stable. After awhile he -came forth from the stable again and by one hand he led the horse of -Enid by the bridle, and by the other hand he led his own horse by the -bridle.</p> - -<p>He said to Enid, “Mount thy horse, Lady,” and giving her his hand he -lifted her very lightly to her saddle. Then he in his turn mounted his -own horse.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They depart from the castle.</i></div> - -<p>Then when he was seated in his saddle, he said to the Lady Enid his -wife, “Lady, for this day and haply for several days I will endeavor to -prove to thee that strength and life have not yet left me, but that I am -still a strong and able knight and as well worth the love of any woman -as I was in the full heyday of my youth. Ride you forth and lead the -way, and I will follow after you. But make yourself well acquainted with -this: that under no circumstances are you to speak a word to me unless I -give you leave to speak to me. Only ride straight forward, anywhither -you may be inclined.”</p> - -<p>She said to him, “Lord, I will fulfil your commands.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_31" id="page_31">{31}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>So they rode away from the castle without any one knowing that they were -gone, for there stood no guard at the gateway at that hour and the -porter drowsed in his lodge.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So, according to the command of Sir Geraint, the Lady Enid rode ahead of -him and he himself followed after her some considerable distance behind.</p> - -<p>Thus they went forward for several leagues, and meantime the sun rose -very full and round and shone down hotly upon the earth. So by and by -they approached the purlieus of a thick dark forest, and as they drew -near to it the Lady Enid was aware of the sudden shining of armor -through the leaves, wherefore she wist that some threatening of danger -must lie before them. As they drew still nearer to that place, she -perceived that there were three armed men hidden in the thickets, and -anon she heard them speaking the one to the other. And she heard the -voice of him who was the chief of the three say to the other two, -“Hitherward cometh good fortune to us this morning. For here is one man, -well appointed in all ways, but sunk very deep in brooding thought, and -with him is a fair lady. Now if we engage him as three against one, it -is not likely that he can withstand our assault, and so he and his horse -and his armor and his lady shall be ours by right of battle.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Enid overhears the words of the robber chief.</i></div> - -<p>These words, or words like these, the Lady Enid overheard the chief of -the robbers speak to the other two who were with him; and she said to -herself, “Here is great danger threatening my dear Lord. Well, if I warn -him he may be very angry with me and may even chastise me for disobeying -his command. But even if this is so, what will it matter?” So therewith -she turned her horse and rode back toward Sir Geraint.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>She tells Sir Geraint of the ambush.</i></div> - -<p>He, when he beheld her coming, appeared to be very angry, and he said, -“Lady, what is it disturbs you?” She said, “Dear Lord, have I your -permission to speak?” Quoth he, “It seems that you have taken that -permission yourself. Well, say on.” She said, “Lord, at the edge of -yonder wood I perceived three men of ill intent hidden in the thicket. I -overheard them to say that they purposed presently to assail you. -Wherefore I deemed it expedient that I should warn you of their -presence.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint frowned so that his eyes shone with a bright green -light. “Lady,” said he, “it may perhaps be that you would not be -displeased to see me fall before the attack of those three men. -Nevertheless, I have hopes that I shall not fail in this encounter. -Meantime, continue here and consider you of your disobedience in -breaking my command laid<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_32" id="page_32">{32}</a></span> upon you not to speak to me without my -permission.” Having thus spoken Sir Geraint closed and latched the visor -of his helmet, and then with spear in hand he rode forward toward the -edge of the woods.</p> - -<p>Now when Sir Geraint had come pretty close to the woodland, all three of -those armed men suddenly burst forth from their covert and bore down -upon him in full charge, whilst he, upon his part, drave spurs into his -war-horse and charged against them. So they met in the midst of the -course with such violence that a clap of thunder could not have been so -great. All three of their spears struck Sir Geraint upon the shield, but -he turned them so that all three were broken into a very great many -pieces. But the spear of Sir Geraint held against him toward whom it was -directed, so that it penetrated his shield and it penetrated his armor -and it penetrated his body, so that he was lifted out of his saddle and -cast dead the length of a spear and an arm’s length behind his horse.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint slays the robbers.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint threw aside his spear and drew his bright shining -sword. And he whirled his horse and with his sword in hand he bare down -upon those other two villains. Then he arose in his saddle, crying out, -“Hah, villain!” and therewith he smote down one. Then whirling about, he -cried out again, “Hah, villain!” and so crying he smote down the other. -Each man fell with a single blow of his sword. Thus in a little space of -time, he slew all three of those villains who had for a long time -infested those parts.</p> - -<p>When Sir Geraint had thus ended this work, he wiped his sword and -returned it to its scabbard. Then he removed the armor from each of the -fallen men, and he lashed the armor to the saddle-bow of the horse to -which it belonged. Then he tied all three bridle reins together and -returned to where Enid sat watching him with terror and admiration -commingled. And Sir Geraint said to her, “Lady, take thou the bridle -reins of these three horses. Then ride forward as before, and this time -bear well in mind that thou turn not to speak to me under any condition -whatsoever. Once I have forgiven thee; twice I may not do so.”</p> - -<p>To this speech Enid made no reply, but taking the bridle reins of the -three horses into her fair white hand, she rode forward into the forest, -leading those three horses, Sir Geraint following after her as -aforetime.</p> - -<p>Thus they proceeded onward for a very considerable length of time and -until high noontide, beholding nothing but the forest before them or -behind them or on either side of them.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Enid overhears the words of the four men.</i></div> - -<p>Thus they came almost to the centre of that wood where was a sudden turn -in the high-road, which here entered into a defile between two high and -very precipitous banks. At this place Enid perceived, not far away,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_33" id="page_33">{33}</a></span> -four armed and mounted men of a very evil appearance, and she overheard -these men talking among themselves. The one who was chief of them was -saying to his companions, “Look! yonder cometh a good prize for us to -take. For there is a very beautiful damsel and three sets of fine armor -and three horses. And all this is guarded only by one armed man. Let us -slay him and all these will be ours to do with as we choose.”</p> - -<p>Then Enid said to herself, “Well, I can die but once, and even though my -lord shall slay me for breaking his command, yet it would be by his -beloved hands that I should die. So I will turn back and tell him of -this.”</p> - -<p>Therewith she turned her horse about and rode backward to Sir Geraint, -and he, when he saw her coming, frowned very darkly. But she said, -speaking very steadily, “Lord, have I your leave to speak?”</p> - -<p>He said with great bitterness, “Lady, it appears that it does not need -my leave for you to speak whensoever you choose to speak. Say on.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>She tells Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>She said, “Lord, I have to tell you that there are four very powerful -and fully armed men yonder. And I overheard the chief of them to say to -his fellows that their intent is to slay you so that they may have your -horse and your armor and me and these three horses and this armor to -dispose of as they see fit.”</p> - -<p>“Is that all,” quoth he, “that thou hast to tell me? It seems that thy -delight in talking is so great that thou canst not be checked. Bide thou -here and I will go forward and deal with these men, and so will clear -thy path for thee.”</p> - -<p>Thereupon he closed the visor of his helmet and latched it. Then he set -spurs to his horse, and being thus in all ways prepared, he drave -forward to meet his enemies.</p> - -<p>Suddenly they appeared bearing down upon him and riding two together -(because of the narrowness of the way that prevented them from riding -all four abreast).</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint drave his war-horse to the charge and so they came -together with a great crash and uproar, their spears striking him in the -centre of the shield.</p> - -<p>But in that encounter both their spears brake into several pieces, but -Sir Geraint’s spear did not break. Otherwise it held and burst through -the shield against which it was directed, and it burst through the armor -and pierced through the body of the man within the armor so that he was -cast dead upon the ground.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint threw aside his spear and drew his sword, and rising in -his stirrups he smote the other man so fierce and direful a blow that -he<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_34" id="page_34">{34}</a></span> split asunder his shield and his helmet and pierced through the -brain-pan of the head and into the brains themselves, so that he who was -thus smitten cried out most dolorously, “I die! I die!” and thereupon -fell grovelling to the earth.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint whirled his horse and setting spurs to its flanks he -thundered down upon the other two, who sat beholding aghast how easily -and quickly he had overthrown their comrades. Nor hardly had they -recovered themselves than he was upon them, smiting to the right hand -and to the left. Then observing an opening in the defence of one of -them, he whirled upon him and smote with might and main, and the blade -of the sword clave that man through from the shoulder to the midriff.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint slays the four men.</i></div> - -<p>Then the fourth villain, seeing his companions fall thus terribly into -death, would have escaped away, but death was upon him. For he beheld -Sir Geraint rise in his stirrups with sword lifted. Then the sword -descended like a thunderbolt, and he too fell with his brain dissolving -into death.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint dismounted from his steed and wiped his terrible blade, -and thrust it back into its scabbard. And he stripped the armor off the -dead bodies, and tied each suit of armor upon the horse to whom it -appertained. After that he tied the reins of the four horses the one -with the other, and gave them all to Enid, and he said to her, “I call -upon thee to observe that I yet possess my knightly manhood, and that I -am not yet altogether devoid of strength and even of youth. Take thou -now these four horses together with the three horses which thou hast and -ride on before me as heretofore, leading all seven horses. And see to it -that this time thou dost not turn to me to say a word of any sort. For I -find that the anger of battle is upon me, and in my rage I may smite -thee with my sword in haste and ere I am able to control myself.”</p> - -<p>She said, “Lord, I will do as thou dost command.”</p> - -<p>So she rode on before Sir Geraint, and though she rode in silence yet -her heart sank within her, for she said to herself, “Did ever any lady -before me possess such a high-exalted and noble lord as this lord of -mine?”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Enid overhears the words of the five outlaws.</i></div> - -<p>Now as Enid rode forward thus exulting she heard of a sudden the sound -of voices talking together in the thickets near at hand. The one voice -said to the other voices, “Look! hither cometh a beautiful damsel, -leading seven good horses laden each with a noble suit of armor, and -here is only one man in guard of all this train. Let us five make here -an ambushment, and let us fall upon him from behind and from before. So -we shall easily overcome him and obtain all those things for -ourselves.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_35" id="page_35">{35}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Then Enid said to herself, “It may be that my lord will do as he said, -and will strike me with his sword in his haste if I disobey him for the -third time by speaking to him. But what matters that? Rather would I die -by his hands than suffer his anger without his love.”</p> - -<p>So she turned her horse and rode back to him and when she had come to -him she said, “Lord, suffer me to speak to thee?”</p> - -<p>He said, “Did I not tell thee to speak to me no more?”</p> - -<p>She said, “Lord, this time I must speak to thee, for I cannot do -otherwise.”</p> - -<p>He said, “So it appeareth. Well, then, say on!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>She tells Sir Geraint what they say.</i></div> - -<p>She said, “Lord, this is what I have to say, that ahead of thee are five -men lying in ambushment against thee with intent to destroy thee.”</p> - -<p>Sir Geraint said, “Is this all that thou hast to say?” To which she -replied, “Yea, Lord.” He said, “Abide here with thy horses for a little -and suffer me to go forward alone, to clear thy path for thee.”</p> - -<p>So Enid abided at that place, and Sir Geraint rode forward into the -ambushment that was prepared for him.</p> - -<p>So he reached that ambushment, and of a sudden there leaped all those -five men out against him and about him.</p> - -<p>Then there followed a great and bitter fight betwixt Sir Geraint and -those who thus assailed him. And sometimes he might be seen and at other -times he might not be seen for the press that gathered about him. His -sword flashed like lightning and at every blow he uttered a great and -terrible cry of war, for the fury of battle was now fully upon him. At -first there were five against him and then there were but four, then -three, then two and at last only one who cried out in terror, “Spare me, -Lord! For I yield myself to thee.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint slays the five men.</i></div> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Enid leads the twelve horses.</i></div> - -<p>Sir Geraint said, “I will not spare thee,” and therewith he struck him -so dreadfully that he clave his head asunder and he fell down dead upon -the ground. After he had thus overthrown all five of his enemies, he -wiped his sword, panting, and put it away into its sheath. Then he -stripped the armor from off the dead bodies of the five, and bound a -suit of armor upon each horse. Then tying all five bridle reins -together, he attached them to the bridle reins of the other horses and -gave all twelve into Enid’s hands, saying to her, “Lead them forward and -speak to me no more, I charge thee.”</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So they travelled upon their way through the wood, and anon the day -began to draw to a close, and the grey of twilight to descend. And Enid<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_36" id="page_36">{36}</a></span> -led the twelve horses with difficulty. This Sir Geraint observed, and -was sorry for her, but still they rode onward. Then the darkness fell -and the moon arose, very bright and clear and round, silvering the tops -of the trees and laying patches of silver upon the earth between the -shadows of the leaves.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint called to Enid and he said to her, “Lady, I do not -think we shall get out of this woods to-night. Let us rest here until -to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>She said to him, “Lord, may I speak?” He said, “Say on.” She said, “What -will we do to eat?” Quoth he, “Lady, it oftentimes happens when a knight -travelleth errant, as I have travelled to-day, that he goeth without -food to eat for the entire day—and sometimes for even longer than that. -Let that suffice.”</p> - -<p>Therewith she fell silent and sighed, for she was very hungry.</p> - -<p>Meantime Sir Geraint gathered the leaves together into a sort of bed and -he spread a cloak upon them. Then seeing that Enid was very weary and in -pity of her weariness, he said, “Lie thou here, Lady, and I will keep -watch for the night.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They abide that night in the forest.</i></div> - -<p>So Enid laid herself down upon the bed of leaves and she was very sick -for weariness. And for awhile she watched her lord, Sir Geraint, as he -stood a little distance away, and she beheld how the moonlight flashed -and sparkled upon his polished armor whensoever the soft night wind of -summer stirred the leaves; and she heard the rustling and the stamp of -the horses as they moved at their stations; and she heard a distant -nightingale, singing from afar, now and then heard in the darkness, and -the murmurous silence, and now and then silent again. Then all these -things blended together, the darkness disappeared and she slept.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>This was the first day of that journeying. Now if you would read of the -second day thereof, I pray you to peruse that which hereinafter -followeth, and which I have writ for your pleasure.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_38" id="page_38">{38}</a></span><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_37" id="page_37">{37}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_014.jpg" width="383" height="550" alt="Enid talks with the Earl" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_39" id="page_39">{39}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Fourth-a" id="Chapter_Fourth-a"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Fourth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Geraint and Enid came forth out of the forest into the land of -an earl. How they abided at an inn, and of what befell them thereafter.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">W</span>HEN the next morning had come Sir Geraint, very early, awoke Enid from -her slumbers. The pangs of hunger were great upon her but she made no -complaint thereof. Otherwise, she mounted her horse and took the reins -of the twelve horses into her hands and rode away, followed by Sir -Geraint as upon the former day.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Geraint and Enid come into the open country again.</i></div> - -<p>Anon and after awhile the trees of the woodland grew thinner and the -sunlight came more freely through their branches. Anon again and the -trees of the forest ceased altogether, and so Enid and Geraint came -forth out of the woodland and into the open plains once more.</p> - -<p>Here were hedgerows upon either side of the way, and there were fields -and open country beyond the hedgerows; and there were meadow-lands, and -the mowers were mowing in the meadows.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They cross the river.</i></div> - -<p>Before them lay a river and toward that they took their way. And there -was a ford to the river and they entered the river, and all the horses -bowed their heads and drank of the water. Afterward they crossed the -ford and ascended a steep high bank upon the other side of the river.</p> - -<p>At the top of this bank there stood a slender youth with yellow hair. -And the youth had a satchel of leather slung over his shoulder, and in -his hands he carried an earthenware crock of milk.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint bespeaks the youth.</i></div> - -<p>Sir Geraint spoke to the youth, saying to him, “Whence cometh thou, fair -youth?” Quoth the youth, “I come from the town which you cannot behold -from here, but which you may behold from the crest of yonder hill when -you have reached it. And now, Lord, if it be not too venturesome for me -to ask, I pray you to tell me whence you have come?”</p> - -<p>Said Sir Geraint, “Fair youth, we came from the forest yonder. All day<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_40" id="page_40">{40}</a></span> -yesterday we travelled through the forest and all night we slept there -beneath the trees.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said the youth, “I daresay you had but small entertainment at -that place, and I daresay also you are very hungry to-day.”</p> - -<p>“I would,” said Sir Geraint, “find food for this lady if it be possible -to do so.” Said the youth, “we are then well met, for in this satchel I -have bread and cheese, which I am taking to the mowers for their -breakfast; and in this crock I have milk, which also I am taking to them -for their breakfast. If you will partake of these things, I will gladly -give you to eat and to drink.” “I give thee thanks, fair friend,” said -Sir Geraint, “and gladly will I accept the offer of thy hospitality.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The youth gives them to eat.</i></div> - -<p>So the youth assisted the Lady Enid to dismount from her saddle, and she -and Sir Geraint took their station at the roadside beneath the shade of -a crab-apple tree. And the youth gave them to eat of the white bread and -cheese from his satchel and he gave them to drink of the milk from the -crock, and they were both greatly refreshed.</p> - -<p>After the two had thus satisfied their hunger the youth said, “Now, Sir -Knight, by thy leave I will depart for more food for the mowers.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint gives the youth a horse and the armor thereof.</i></div> - -<p>Sir Geraint said, “Fair youth, I pray you to return to the town whence -you came and to procure for us the best lodgings that are to be found at -that place. And I also pray you that you will, in return for these -courtesies of yours, choose whichsoever horse and suit of armor that -best pleases you out of all those that the lady is conducting, and I -pray you that you will keep that horse and armor for yourself.” “Lord,” -said the youth, “what have I done for such a great reward? That is too -much to accept for so small a service.” “Nevertheless,” said Sir -Geraint, “I pray you to do as I bid you.”</p> - -<p>So the youth joyfully chose a horse and a suit of armor that pleased him -the best, and leading these he departed for the town to fulfil Sir -Geraint’s behest as to securing him lodgings.</p> - -<p>Now as the youth entered the town a servant of the Earl of that town met -him and the servant of the Earl said to the youth, “Where got ye that -horse and that armor?” The youth said, “A noble and knightly lord, who -hath eleven other such horses and armor, gave this one to me.”</p> - -<p>The servant said, “This is a strange saying. Come with me to the Earl -and tell him concerning these things.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The youth tells the Earl of Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>So the servant of the Earl took the youth to that lord, and the youth -told his story to the Earl of how he had met the lordly knight and the -lady, and of how the lady had led twelve horses loaded with armor, and -of how the lord had given him one of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_41" id="page_41">{41}</a></span> those horses and the suit of armor -that best pleased him. To all this the Earl hearkened, and then he said -to the youth, “Go you and fetch that lord hitherward, for I would fain -see him and his lady and entertain them at my castle. He shall lodge -here with me.”</p> - -<p>So the youth hastened back to Sir Geraint where he sat with Enid resting -beneath the crab-apple tree, and he said to him, “Lord, the Earl of -yonder town hath sent me here to bid you come and lodge with him.”</p> - -<p>Then Geraint was displeased and he said to the youth, “How is this? I -bade thee secure us lodgings, not with an earl but at some good inn. I -will not lodge with the Earl, but will go to such an inn.”</p> - -<p>Then the youth was abashed, and he said, “I will take you to an inn.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The youth conducts them to an inn.</i></div> - -<p>So the youth conducted Geraint and Enid into the town, and he conducted -him to the best inn in the town. Here the landlord came forth to meet -him and Geraint said, “Show us to the best room of this place,” and the -landlord did so. Geraint said to Enid, “Keep thou yonder to that side of -the chamber, and I will keep to this side, for I am weary and fain would -sleep.” And Enid said, “I will do so.” And Geraint said to the youth, -“When I awake, be thou here to serve me.”</p> - -<p>The youth said, “I will be here; but meantime I would fain go and see -the Earl and tell him where you are lodged.” Sir Geraint said, “Go, but -return again.”</p> - -<p>So whilst Sir Geraint slept, the youth hastened to the castle of the -Earl, and he said to the Earl, “Sir, certes this man is a prince or a -knight-royal, for he commandeth all things as he wills.” Then the Earl -said, “Where is he lodged?” And the youth told him, and the youth said, -“I go presently to serve him when he awakes, for now he sleepeth.” -“Commend me to him when he awakeneth,” said the Earl, and the youth -replied, “I will do so.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint bids the landlord to summon his friends to a -feast.</i></div> - -<p>That afternoon when Geraint awoke, it was time for them to take their -food. So Sir Geraint summoned the landlord and bade him prepare him a -feast, and the landlord said he would do so. Then Sir Geraint inquired -of the landlord whether he had not some companions whom he would like to -entertain, and the landlord said, yea, that there were several. Upon -this Sir Geraint commanded the landlord to summon those companions and -to prepare for them the best that there was in the town both to eat and -to drink. “For,” quoth he, “though I be unhappy myself, yet do I love to -behold those about me as happy and as gay as may be.” So the landlord -went forth and bade many to come and feast with him, all these feasted -at Sir Geraint’s expense, so that the entire inn was full of light and -laughter and noise and merrymaking.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_42" id="page_42">{42}</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Earl visits Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>That evening the Earl came to visit Sir Geraint, and with him he brought -twelve of the worthiest knights of his court. Then Sir Geraint arose and -welcomed him, and the Earl greeted Sir Geraint and sat down and -conversed with him. And he asked Geraint the object of his journey, to -which Geraint replied, “I have no object, saving to seek adventure such -as may become the life of a knight-errant.”</p> - -<p>Then the Earl cast his eyes upon Enid, and he looked at her very -steadily, and he thought that he had never beheld a lady so fair and so -beautiful as she. And as he gazed upon her his heart went out to her and -he found that he loved her very extremely. Then he said to Geraint, -“Have I thy permission to converse with yonder lady? For I see that she -is not with thee.” “Thou hast it gladly,” said Geraint.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Earl bespeaks Enid the Fair.</i></div> - -<p>So the Earl went to where Enid sat, and he said to her, “Lady, thy hands -are soft and white and thy body is fragile and delicate; it cannot be -pleasant for thee to travel through the rough and cruel world with this -man.” She said, “It is not unpleasant for me to journey with him -whithersoever he goeth.”</p> - -<p>The Earl said, “Lady, thou shouldst have youths and maidens to wait upon -thee and to attend thee and to serve thee.” She said, “It is pleasanter -to me to travel alone with yonder man than to live in state with youths -and maidens to wait upon me.”</p> - -<p>“Listen,” said the Earl, “I will give thee good advice. Give up that man -and come with me. All my earldom will be at thy disposal if thou wilt do -so, and thou shalt be the mistress of it and of me and of my life.”</p> - -<p>Then Enid was very angry, and she said, “Lord, I will not go with thee! -Know thou that yonder man is dearer to me than all the earth and its -kingdoms and principalities, its dukedoms and its earldoms. He was the -first man to whom I plighted my faith, and never hath it been withdrawn -from his keeping. Shall I then leave him now for the sake of this little -patch of ground, to live with thee in dishonor and suffer him to go -forth into the world alone?”</p> - -<p>Then the Earl said, “Lady, thou art in the wrong in this, for if I slay -that man, then can I take thee by force. And if I take thee by force, -then, when I tire of thee, I shall cast thee off into the world. But if -thou comest to me willingly, then I will never cast thee off, but will -keep thee as my most precious treasure so long as I am permitted to -breathe the breath of life. Come thou with me, and yonder man may be -suffered to depart in peace, hale and strong in limb and body, but come -thou not with me and he shall die.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_43" id="page_43">{43}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Then Enid was greatly troubled at that which the Earl had said to her, -for she saw that he had the strength and the will and the power to do -with Sir Geraint whatsoever he chose. So at last she said to him, -“Listen, O great Lord and Earl. All this that I have said to thee I have -said for the sake of mine honor. But if thou art of the mind that thou -sayst, I would rather abide with thee. Come hither to-morrow morning -with twelve armed knights and bear me away as though by force. For thus -it shall appear that I have not yielded up to thee, except by force.” “I -will do so,” said the Earl. “This and all things shall be as thou -sayst.” After that, in a little while he arose and departed from that -place.</p> - -<p>But of all that had passed Enid said nothing to Geraint, lest he should -be blinded by his rage against the Earl. Otherwise, she kept it secretly -in her heart for that time.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Enid prepares the armor of Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>That night they both lay in the same chamber. In a little while Sir -Geraint fell asleep, but Enid did not sleep. When she heard his deep -breathing she arose very softly and she gathered his armor together -piece by piece. And she piled all the armor where he could easily lay -hand upon it. Then she lay down and slept.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Enid telleth Sir Geraint of the Earl.</i></div> - -<p>Before the day broke she arose and went softly to where Sir Geraint -slept, and touched her finger upon his breast and with that he awoke and -started up. “Lord,” said she, “knowest thou what the Earl of this town -said to me last night?” Geraint said, “Tell me.” So Enid told him all -that the Earl had proposed to her. Then Geraint was very angry, and he -said, “Thy beauty bringeth evil whithersoever thou bringest it. Now I -will slay this Earl ere I leave this place, for he hath proposed -dishonor to me.”</p> - -<p>“Not so,” said Enid, “let be the Earl, for there are many scores against -thee, and thou art only one. Rather put thou on thy armor and let us go -hence with all the speed that we may, for there is yet time to escape, -and thus only may we escape in peace.”</p> - -<p>Then Geraint perceived that what she said was very true, and that he was -at that place in a parlous state. So he arose and put on his armor and -he summoned the landlord and the landlord came to him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint gives all the horses and all of the armor to the -landlord.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth Sir Geraint, “What do I owe thee, good fellow, for the -entertainment that I have had at this house?” Said the landlord, “Not a -great deal, Messire.” “Well,” said Sir Geraint, “take thou all those -eleven horses and the armor appertaining to them for thy reckoning. Will -that pay our score?” “Heaven bless thee, Messire,” cried the landlord, -“but that is far more than thou owest me; for thou hast not consumed in -this house the value of a single<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_44" id="page_44">{44}</a></span> horse.” “Well,” said Sir Geraint, “in -that case thou wilt be all the richer. But put on thy cloak and thy hat -and conduct me out of this place by some way that is another way than -that by which we entered here, for I must hasten upon my quest.” Quoth -the landlord, “I will do so, Lord.”</p> - -<p>With that he hurried away. Anon he returned again, clad as for a -journey. Then Sir Geraint mounted his horse and Enid mounted her horse, -and they departed from that place after the landlord.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The landlord leads them from the town.</i></div> - -<p>So the landlord led them by another highway from the town, and when the -sun arose Sir Geraint dismissed him from their service.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Earl follows Sir Geraint and Enid the Fair.</i></div> - -<p>Now when the landlord returned to the inn he beheld that several men -surrounded that place. Those men were the Earl of that town, and the -twelve chief knights of his state, and all were clad in full armor. The -Earl was very wroth and when he beheld the landlord he cried out to him, -“Fellow, where is the knight and where is that lady who were with thee -last night?” “Lord,” quoth the landlord, “they have departed and by now -are many miles from this. For I myself conducted them far upon the way, -and am only now returned from guiding them.” Quoth the Earl, “What way -went they?” and the landlord told him. Then the Earl and his court of -knights departed thence. And they rode at a swift gallop upon the way -that the landlord directed them. Anon they beheld the marks of horses’ -hoofs fresh upon the earth, wherefore they wist that they were upon the -right way.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Now as Enid and Sir Geraint rode onward upon their course, Enid looked -behind her many times. At last she beheld a cloud of dust that came -rapidly nearer, and she was aware that in that cloud of dust were the -Earl and his court of knights. Then she cried out to Sir Geraint, “Sir -Knight, prepare for battle, for yonder come thine enemies.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint, who had been sunk in thought, became aware of the -coming of those others. Thereupon he closed the visor of his helmet and -prepared himself in all ways for the encounter. Thereafter he turned his -horse in the middle of the highway and stood waiting for his enemies.</p> - -<p>Anon they reached him and drew rein a little distance away. Then the -Earl came forward and spake to Sir Geraint, saying, “Sir Knight, we mean -no harm to thee, but only ask thee that thou wilt give up that lady whom -thou hast with thee. For thou holdest her against her desire; her only -desire being to go with us.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint turned to Enid and said, “Lady, is this true? If thou -desirest to go with yonder Lord thou hast my leave to do so.” “Nay,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_45" id="page_45">{45}</a></span>” -said she, “I do not desire to go with him. Rather would I go with thee -to death than to go with him to joy.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Geraint said to the Earl, “Messire, the lady says thou art -mistaken and she does not desire to go with thee.”</p> - -<p>The Earl said to Enid, “Lady, what didst thou tell me yesterday?” And -Enid said, “Messire, I told thee many things to mislead thee, for the -occasion called upon me to do so.”</p> - -<p>Then the Earl talked aside for a little while with his followers. Anon -he called to Sir Geraint, “Sir Knight, I will not let thee go until thou -hast tried a fall or two with these knights of mine for the sake of thy -lady, her bright eyes and her slender body.” “Well,” said Sir Geraint, -“I am willing to do battle with thy knights now or at any time.” “And -this shall be the result of this battle,” said the Earl. “If thou -winnest this battle, thou mayst go free, but if we win then thy lady -must return with us.” Quoth Sir Geraint, “That is certes a hard saying.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint does battle with the followers of the Earl.</i></div> - -<p>So the strongest and most powerful of all those knights made him ready -for the assault, and when he was in all ways prepared, he and Geraint -made a violent charge, the one against the other. Three times they -charged and at the third assault Sir Geraint overthrew him so violently -that he lay like one dead in the middle of the high-road. Then one after -the other all the others of those twelve knights assaulted Sir Geraint, -and each in turn was overthrown very violently upon the earth.</p> - -<p>Then the Earl said to Sir Geraint, “Sir Knight, thou hast fought well -and very valiantly for thy lady, and truly hast thou won her. Depart in -peace.” “Not so,” cried Sir Geraint in great passion, “for I have one -more to deal with, and that one is thou thyself. For I have yet to do -with thee ere I depart from this place.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said the Earl, “be it as thou sayst. For I will fight with thee -till either thee or I have overcome the other. And to that one who -overthroweth the other thy lady shalt belong.” “So be it,” said Sir -Geraint.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint overthrows the Earl.</i></div> - -<p>So each made him ready for the encounter, and when they were in all ways -prepared they set spur to flank and drave the one against the other with -such violence that they met with a crash as of thunder in the middle of -the course. In that encounter Sir Geraint was upborn by his passion so -that he smote true and fairly against his enemy’s shield. But the spear -of the Earl was shattered into a great many pieces. The spear of Sir -Geraint held, so that it pierced the shield of the Earl, and Sir Geraint -lifted the Earl out of his saddle and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_46" id="page_46">{46}</a></span> hurled him several ells behind -the crupper of his horse, where he lay like one dead upon the earth.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint ran to where the Earl was. And he rushed off his helmet -and he drew his sword and catching the Earl by the long hair of his head -he drew forward his neck so as to sever his head from his body. -Thereupon the Earl awoke from his swoon and perceiving that death loomed -very near to him, he clutched Sir Geraint about the thighs, clinging to -them and crying out, “Sir Knight, spare my life!” “Why should I spare -thee?” cried out Sir Geraint very violently. “Hast thou not attempted my -life and hast thou not attempted mine honor and the honor of my lady, -and were we not guests in thy town? I will not spare thy life!” And he -whirled his sword as though to strike.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint spares the life of the Earl.</i></div> - -<p>Then Enid came to where Sir Geraint was and clutched him by the arm and -she said, “Worthy knight, Sir Geraint! I pray thee spare this man his -life. For what canst thou gain by slaying him?” “Well,” said Sir -Geraint, “since this lady asks thy life at my hands I give it to her to -dispose of as she pleases.” Enid said, “I thank thee, Lord!” Then she -said to the Earl, “Arise, and go thou hence in peace!”</p> - -<p>So after that Sir Geraint remounted his horse and he and Enid departed -from that place, riding as aforetime. That is, Enid rode a long distance -ahead and Geraint rode behind, following after her.</p> - -<p>But of the knights whom he overthrew in that encounter it is to be -written that several were so sorely hurt that it was many weeks ere they -were sufficiently recovered to be abroad again.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>And now followeth the further adventures of Sir Geraint and of Enid at -this time; so I pray you to read that which hereinafter appeareth.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_47" id="page_47">{47}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_48" id="page_48">{48}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_015.jpg" width="390" height="550" alt="Enid and Geraint ride past the Town bridge" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_49" id="page_49">{49}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Fifth-a" id="Chapter_Fifth-a"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Fifth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>Sir Geraint is wounded in his encounter with another knight. He is -discovered by the Court of King Arthur and is healed of his wounds.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">S</span>O Sir Geraint and Enid travelled in that wise until at last they came -through a thin, small woods and so out into another open place.</p> - -<p>Here they beheld before them a valley of singular beauty, for through -the centre of the valley there ran a wide, smoothly flowing river, and -upon either side of the river there were meadow-lands and fields, and -not far away from where they were there was a town, very large and -considerable. All around the town was a wall of stone, very high and -strong. And about the town was a fortress castle, tall and forbidding, -that looked down upon the town and upon the high-road. The high-road -upon which they travelled crossed a bridge over the river, and so -entered the town, but ere it reached the bridge it branched and one -branch ran down along one side of the river upon which they were. Upon -either side of the bridge head were two tall towers that overlooked the -bridge and guarded it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint questions the horseman concerning the town.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Geraint and Enid sat for awhile looking down upon that fair -prospect, and the more they looked upon it the more they delighted in -it. As they so sat, anon they beheld a horseman come from the town and -cross the bridge, and when he had crossed the bridge he turned him in -their direction. By and by he had approached closely enough for Sir -Geraint to speak to him, and thereupon Sir Geraint rode forth and met -him and they two saluted one another. Then Sir Geraint said to him, -“Sir, I pray you tell me; what town is that yonder, and who is the lord -of this fair and beautiful valley and of yonder town?” “Messire,” said -the other, “I will gladly tell thee that and anything else that I am -able. The town itself is called the Town of Redlands. The lord of all -this country is a very brave, renowned and valiant Earl called the -Little King. He is so called because he rules this place away from all -other lords as though he were king of it in his own right.”</p> - -<p>Sir Geraint said, “May I pass by yonder bridge head where are the two<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_50" id="page_50">{50}</a></span> -towers without crossing over the bridge and into the town?” The other -replied, “Messire, I will tell thee truly. The Little King hath ordained -it that no one shall pass into his land without his permission, -wherefore he will not allow that any knight shall pass by yonder bridge -and into the lands beyond it.” “Nevertheless,” said Sir Geraint, “I am -of a mind to pass by that bridge and into the country beyond it maugre -his will that wise or otherwise.” “If thou dost do so,” said the other, -“thou wilt in all likelihood meet with shame and disgrace.” “No matter -for that,” said Sir Geraint, “I shall assume even such a risk as that.” -At that the other laughed, and so they saluted each one the other again -and then the knight departed upon his way.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint and Enid pass by the bridge head.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Geraint followed the Lady Enid and she preceded and he followed -after her. Thus together they went down to the river. Coming there, he -bade her not to cross the bridge, so in obedience to that command they -went past the bridge and past the two towers at the bridge head, and so -rode along beside the river. Thus with Enid riding before him and he -riding behind her, he had gone a considerable distance when he became -suddenly aware that some one was galloping behind them. Then Sir Geraint -turned him about and beheld that an armed knight was following after -them at a swift gallop.</p> - -<p>So Sir Geraint drew rein and waited for the other to come up with them, -and when the other knight had come pretty close to where he stood, he -also drew rein. The Strange Knight said, “Sir Knight, is it through -ignorance or through presumption that you travel thus without leave -through my dominions?” Him Sir Geraint answered very proudly, saying, -“Messire, how should I know that this road was forbid to those who would -pass to travel along it?”</p> - -<p>“Nay,” said the other fiercely, “thou didst know that it is forbidden to -any one to pass into my land without my permission and so thou hast -infringed the rules of my earldom. Hence thou shalt come now with me to -my court and do me satisfaction.” “I will not come with thee to thy -castle,” said Sir Geraint, “and I will not do thee any satisfaction. For -this is an high-road and it is free for any one to travel upon it who -chooses to do so.” “Well,” said the other, “let that be as it may; but I -tell thee that thou shalt this day do satisfaction to me or else I will -suffer defeat at thy hands.” “That,” said Sir Geraint, “shall be as -Heaven shall foreordain.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint does battle with the knight.</i></div> - -<p>So upon that each knight made him ready for the combat, and Enid stood -to one side to observe what happened. Anon they were in all ways -prepared, and each took post for a tilt. When all this was prepared, -each knight shouted to his horse, and each<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_51" id="page_51">{51}</a></span> drave spurs into the flanks -of his steed and each launched the one against the other with wonderful -speed and vehemence. So they met in the midst of the course with a crash -like to thunder, and in that encounter the lance of each knight held so -that the horse of each sank back upon his haunches quivering from the -shock of that assault.</p> - -<p>Then each knight threw aside his lance and sprang from his saddle, and -each drew his sword and each rushed the one against the other like two -fierce bulls raging for battle. Each lashed at the other many terrible -and severe strokes, and for a time neither had any advantage over the -other. Several times Geraint was wounded and several times more he -wounded his adversary. Thus they fought for a long while, and Geraint -suffered many wounds, until at last, because of the smart of those -wounds, his anger flamed up like fire and added strength to his -strength. Then he rained blows fast and furious upon his assailant, -striking him with terrible violence again and again and yet again, so -rapidly and so fiercely, violently and furiously that the Little King -bore back before him, holding his shield full low because of his -weariness and wounds. Then Geraint beheld the opening that the other -gave him, and with that he rushed in upon him, and he smote him with -might and main upon the crown of the helmet.</p> - -<p>So terribly fierce was that blow that it split apart the helmet and the -iron cap beneath and cut deep into the bone beneath the cap.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint overthrows the knight.</i></div> - -<p>Then the wits of the Little King flew away from him like a flock of -flies, his strength deserted him, his thighs trembled and he sank down -upon his knees. Thereupon Geraint rushed upon him and plucked the helmet -off of his head. Then he catched him by the hair of the head and drew -his head forward, whirling his sword aloft as though to strike the head -off from the body.</p> - -<p>At that the senses returned to the Little King, and he beheld that death -was very near to him. So he clutched Sir Geraint about the knees, and -cried out aloud, “Lord, spare me my life.” “I will spare thee,” said Sir -Geraint, “upon one condition, and that is that thou wilt swear to be -true fellow to me henceforth and shall be faithful to me as I shall be -to thee. For certes thou art the noblest, worthiest knight that ever I -have yet encountered.” Then the other arose from his knees. “Sir -Knight,” said he, “I know not who thou art.” “I am Sir Geraint,” said -Sir Geraint, “the son of King Erbin.”</p> - -<p>“Well do I know of thee,” said the Little King. “Often have I heard of -thee, and had I known who thou wert, I would not have assaulted thee.” -Then the Little King said to Sir Geraint, “Sir Knight, Sir Geraint, I -perceive that thou art hurt in several places, and I am very sorry for<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_52" id="page_52">{52}</a></span> -that. For lo, the leg-pieces of thine armor are all red with blood, and -blood is flowing from thy body armor from several wounds. Thou art not -fit to travel in the hot sun, so I pray thee that thou and thy lady will -return with me to my castle. There thou mayst refresh and recover -thyself from thy hurts, and rest and reinvigorate thyself for thy -continued journeyings.”</p> - -<p>But Sir Geraint refused him. “Nay,” said he, “I will not go with thee to -thy castle, but instead of that I will go forward upon my way.”</p> - -<p>Then the Little King looked at Enid, and when he beheld how fragile and -how beautiful she was, and when he beheld how grieved she was that -Geraint had suffered so many and such grievous wounds, he felt great -pity for her. “Messire,” he said to Sir Geraint, “thou dost wrong not to -rest thyself and have thy wounds looked to and dressed, for if thou -fallest in with another adventure such as this, it is not likely that -thou wilt be able to defend thyself from assault. Who then would have -care of thy lady if harm should befall thee?”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Geraint cried out very fiercely, “Sir, already have I answered -thee that I will continue on my way, therefore do not try to dissuade me -any further, for both I and my lady are going forward upon our way!” So -saying he went to his horse and he mounted upon his saddle and he took -his spear in hand and rode away from that place, and he bade the Lady -Enid to ride on before him as aforetime she had ridden and so they -quitted that place.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint suffers because of his wounds.</i></div> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint stands beneath a tree.</i></div> - -<p>Now the day was very hot so that the blood within the armor of Sir -Geraint when he ceased to bleed, it dried upon him by reason of the heat -of the sun. Then the wounds that Sir Geraint had suffered were glued -with blood to the armor, so that he suffered three times more pain from -those wounds now than he suffered when he had received them. But of this -he said naught, only he rode along very grimly. But at last he could -endure his pain no more, wherefore he called upon the Lady Enid to halt -for a little while at a certain place where the oak trees of a woodland -came down to the road and shaded the high-road. Then the Lady Enid would -have helped him to dismount, but he would not suffer her to do so but -forbade her, saying to her, “Go and stand aside under yonder tree, for -my wounds ache me and I would be alone for a little while.” So Enid went -to the other tree and stood there weeping, and Sir Geraint dismounted -from his horse and stood under his tree, suffering very bitter pain from -his wounds.</p> - -<p>As they thus stood, there came the sound of a sudden tumult of horses -and of voices, and the cause of that tumult was that King Arthur and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_53" id="page_53">{53}</a></span> -his court were come hunting into the neighboring woodland. So whilst Sir -Geraint was considering which way he should go to escape from them, he -was espied by a foot-page who was attendant upon Sir Kay the Seneschal.</p> - -<p>This page went to Sir Kay, and he said to him, “Sir, yonder under that -tree is a man in broken and defaced armor who appeareth to be wounded.” -Sir Kay said, “Where is he?” and then he too beheld Sir Geraint.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Kay bespeaks Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Kay came to where Sir Geraint was, and at his coming the Lady -Enid slipped behind her tree, for she was ashamed for Sir Kay to behold -her weeping in that place. So Sir Kay did not know Sir Geraint, but Sir -Geraint knew Sir Kay. Sir Kay said to Sir Geraint, “Sir, how is this? I -perceive you are wounded! What art thou doing here?” Sir Geraint -replied, “I am standing under the shade of this tree so as to avoid the -heat. For in the sun my armor clings to my wounds so that they ache me.” -Said Sir Kay, “Whither dost thou journey, and who art thou?” Quoth Sir -Geraint, “It matters not who I am. As for my journeying, wist thou that -I am in search of adventure.” Said Sir Kay, “I wit thou hast had -adventures enough for one day. Come with me and I will take thee to King -Arthur, who is near by.” “I will not go with thee,” said Sir Geraint, -“for I am not fit to stand before the King.” Said Sir Kay, “Thou must -needs come with me.” And so saying, he advanced and laid hold of the arm -of Sir Geraint.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint strikes Sir Kay.</i></div> - -<p>Now in all this time, as hath been said, Sir Geraint knew Sir Kay who he -was, but Sir Kay knew not Sir Geraint because his shield was so defaced -with battle and his armor so stained with blood. But when Sir Kay laid -hold of Sir Geraint, the anger broke hot within the wounded man, -wherefore he lifted his spear, and he smote Sir Kay upon the head with -the butt of the spear (for he scorned to strike him with the point -thereof), and with the force of that blow Sir Kay fell down upon the -ground, like an ox when the butcher smites it with a mallet.</p> - -<p>After a little while Sir Kay stirred and then he sat up. Then he awoke -and arose and went away, leaving Sir Geraint standing where he was.</p> - -<p>Now it happened that the pavilion of Sir Percival was not far away. -Thither went Sir Kay, and Sir Percival was in his pavilion. Sir Kay said -to Sir Percival, “My page tells me that over yonder under that tree -there stands a wounded man in armor. Hadst thou not better go and see -who it is and bring him to King Arthur?” Sir Percival said, “Where is -he?” Sir Kay said, “Over yonder. But beyond doubt he is hasty of temper, -so be wary of thy approach to him.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival bespeaks Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Percival went thither to that tree and he beheld where Sir -Geraint was standing, and he knew him not because his armor was so<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_54" id="page_54">{54}</a></span> -defaced and wounded and stained. But Sir Geraint knew Sir Percival who -he was. Sir Percival said to Sir Geraint, “Sir Knight, wilt thou not -come to the tent of King Arthur and have thy wounds searched and -dressed?” “No,” said Sir Geraint, “I will not do so.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival knoweth Enid the Fair.</i></div> - -<p>Now the Lady Enid heard the voice of Sir Percival and knew it, so she -appeared from behind the tree and her face was all wet with weeping. And -she cried out to Sir Percival, “Sir Percival, I beseech thee to compel -him to go to King Arthur.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Percival knew the Lady Enid and he wist that the wounded man -must be Sir Geraint. So he cried out, “Sir Geraint, is it thou?” Sir -Geraint said, “Nay, I am not Sir Geraint.”</p> - -<p>But Sir Percival put these words aside and he said, “What condition is -this that thou and thy lady are in, and whither wouldst thou go? If thou -goest forward, thou wilt die, and if thou stayest here thou wilt die.”</p> - -<p>Sir Geraint said, “I will go forward,” and at those words Enid fell to -weeping again.</p> - -<p>Now there was a page standing a little aside and Sir Percival beckoned -to him and the page came to Sir Percival. Sir Percival whispered to the -page, saying, “Go, find King Arthur and tell him that Sir Geraint is -standing here wounded,” and the page made haste and ran away.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Percival spoke aside to the Lady Enid and he said to her, “How -is it that thou and thy lord are in this outland place?” Enid replied, -“I know not how it is, but my lord commanded me to ride errant with him -and I have done so.” Sir Percival said, “Certes, I think he is mad.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur comes to Sir Geraint and Enid the Fair.</i></div> - -<p>Anon King Arthur and several of his court and Queen Guinevere and -several of her court came to that place. Sir Percival said to King -Arthur, “Lord, this is Sir Geraint whom thou seest here in such a sad -melancholy condition.” And Geraint said nothing, only he groaned very -dolorously. King Arthur said to the Lady Enid, “Enid, how came ye to -this pass?” “Lord,” said Enid, “I know not how it is, only that -whithersoever my lord goeth, thither also I am bound to go.” Then King -Arthur said to Queen Guinevere, “Lady, I pray thee take the Lady Enid -and care for her. As for Sir Geraint, him shall I put beneath the care -of my physicians.”</p> - -<p>“Lord,” cried out Sir Geraint, “I beseech thee to let me go upon my way -thither I was going.” “I will not do so,” said King Arthur. “Thou art -mad, for that would let thee go to thy death. Thou canst not live with -such wounds as those that cover thee, fresh and undressed as they<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_55" id="page_55">{55}</a></span> are.” -Then Sir Geraint said, “They are not so bad,” but King Arthur would not -listen to this.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The physicians search the wounds of Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>So King Arthur had a tent pitched at that place, and he had a soft couch -laid within the tent, and he had Sir Geraint laid upon the couch. And -the King had his own physicians come to search the wounds of Sir Geraint -and to anoint them and to bind them up, and so Sir Geraint was put in -great comfort from their attention.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the Queen brought the Lady Enid to her pavilion and she had -her change her riding robes for clothes of another sort. And she asked -Enid many things and Enid told her many things of her adventures, and -all marvelled at what the Lady Enid had to relate.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So Geraint and Enid remained at that woodland court of King Arthur for -nearly a month, and Enid was very well entertained by the court of the -King. And whilst it was so that she was not permitted to see Sir Geraint -nor to speak to him, yet she heard very intimately from him from day to -day, and wist that ever he was becoming healed of his wounds. For, after -that month was passed, Sir Geraint’s wounds were knit together and were -scarred over with fair white flesh. And even at that time Sir Geraint -grew restless, for as he grew stronger of body he remembered more and -more strongly the words that he had overheard the Lady Enid speak that -morning when he awakened, and again he doubted her.</p> - -<p>So one day he said to King Arthur, “Lord, I pray thee let me depart from -this place, for I must be upon my journeying again.” King Arthur said, -“Messire, whither wouldst thou go?” Geraint said, “I know not, saving -only that I would go errant in search of adventure.”</p> - -<p>King Arthur said, “Then let thy Lady abide at this place.” Quoth Sir -Geraint, “She cannot abide here, but she must travel abroad with me.” -King Arthur said, “Sir, this is not folly but madness, for thy lady’s -body is too soft and delicate for her to endure such hardships as thou -wilt have to endure.” “No matter,” said Sir Geraint, “she must travel -with me whithersoever I go.”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur considered a little and after a little he said, “Sir, I -will not let you go until my physicians declare you to be healed.” Quoth -Sir Geraint, “Call the physicians.”</p> - -<p>So King Arthur summoned the physicians and he asked them if Sir Geraint -was healed of his wounds and the physicians declared that he was -healed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_56" id="page_56">{56}</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint and Enid depart from the Court of the King.</i></div> - -<p>So King Arthur gave leave to Sir Geraint to depart and that day Sir -Geraint took leave of King Arthur and his court and he and the Lady Enid -departed as aforetime. That is to say, the Lady Enid rode some distance -ahead of Sir Geraint, and Sir Geraint rode some distance behind the Lady -Enid as it was before.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Here followeth the further adventures of these two which you may read if -you will peruse that which is herein written.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_57" id="page_57">{57}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_58" id="page_58">{58}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_016.jpg" width="380" height="550" alt="The King’s physicians attend Sir Geraint." /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_59" id="page_59">{59}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Sixth-a" id="Chapter_Sixth-a"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Sixth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Geraint destroyed three giants of the highway. How he was hurt, -and how he and the Lady Enid were carried off by a knight of that -country. Also how Geraint slew the knight.</i></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint finds a lady in grief.</i></div> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW after they had travelled in that wise for some time they came to a -wood, and the wood was very thick and dark and dismal, and some way in -the wood they heard the sound of a voice lifted in lamentation. -Thitherward they directed their steps and anon they came to an open -glade of the forest. Here they beheld a lady and two horses and the -figure of a knight who lay dead, all covered with blood, upon the -ground. Sir Geraint said to that lady, “Lady what ails thee?” “Alas!” -she said, “I have journeyed thitherward, but three gigantic oafs broke -out of the woodland upon us. Him they slew as thou beholdest and so I -sit mourning for him here.”</p> - -<p>“What way went these giants of whom thou speakest?” said Sir Geraint. -“They went yonder way by that path,” said she.</p> - -<p>Geraint said to Enid, “Bide thou here for a little while with this lady, -and I will ride forward and punish those three giants.” Enid said, -“Lord, remember thou art only now fresh from thy bed of pain.”</p> - -<p>But Sir Geraint paid no heed to what Enid said, otherwise he rode -forward upon the path that the lady had pointed out. After awhile he -beheld before him the three gigantic men, walking side by side along the -way.</p> - -<p>Each wore about his body a huge body-piece of armor, and each carried -over his shoulder a huge club shod with iron.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The giant strikes Sir Geraint.</i></div> - -<p>Upon them Sir Geraint charged, and the first of the three he ran through -his body with the lance. Then he withdrew the lance very quickly, and -charged the second of the three, and him also he transfixed with his -spear. But ere he could withdraw his lance again the third of the three -smote him a terrible buffet with his club so that his shield was split -and his helmet was split and the armor was beaten off from his shoulder. -Under that blow Sir Geraint fell upon his knees,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_60" id="page_60">{60}</a></span> and all his wounds -burst out bleeding as though they were freshly given. But quickly he -recovered himself. He drew his sword, and rushing at the giant he smote -him with the sword so that his head and his neck and his shoulders were -split asunder even to the pap of the breast, and that giant also fell -dead to the ground.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint swoons a death-swoon.</i></div> - -<p>Then leaving those three where they lay, Geraint mounted his horse again -and returned to where he had left Enid and the widowed lady. And when he -came to her he tried to speak but he could not speak. He began by saying -“Lady—” but then he stopped, and swaying from side to side, he fell -lifeless from his horse to the ground.</p> - -<p>Then Enid ran to him and lifted his head and laid it in her lap. And -Enid thought that he was dead, for his face was the color of wax for -whiteness. Then believing him to be dead she lifted up her voice and -wept very loud and shrill.</p> - -<p>Now it chanced that an earl known as the Earl of Limours was in that -part of the forest, and several of his attendant knights were with him. -These heard the loud piercing sound of Enid’s grief, and the Earl of -Limours said, “Hark! What is that sound?” And one of his attendant -knights said, “It is the sound of somebody in grief.” Quoth the Earl, -“Let us go thitherward.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Earl of Limours comes to that place.</i></div> - -<p>So the Earl of Limours and his attendants galloped toward that place, -and anon they came out into the forest glade. There they beheld the four -horses, and the two ladies and the two knights.</p> - -<p>The Earl of Limours said to Enid, “Lady, what is the cause of thy -grief?” “Alas, Sir,” she cried, “the only man that I ever loved or ever -shall love is slain.” Then the Earl of Limours said to the other lady, -“What is the cause of thy grief?” Quoth she, “They have slain my husband -also.” “Who was it slew them?” said the Earl of Limours. “My husband,” -said the Lady, “was slain by three giants. This other knight pursued the -three giants, and when he returned he was as thou seest.” “Whither went -those giants?” said the Earl. She replied, “They went yonder ways.” “I -will go and see what has befallen them,” said the Earl of Limours.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Earl finds the dead outlaws.</i></div> - -<p>So that Earl took several of his knights and he went in that direction, -and in a little while he found all three giants lying dead upon the -ground. “Pardee,” quoth he, “yonder was a parlous strong knight to slay -all three of those giants.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Earl carries Sir Geraint to his castle.</i></div> - -<p>After that he returned to the forest glade and he made examination of -the knights that lay there. The one knight he found was dead, but it<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_61" id="page_61">{61}</a></span> -did not seem to him that Sir Geraint was altogether dead. So the one -knight he buried, but Sir Geraint he laid in the hollow of a shield with -his sword behind him. And he laid him upon a bier and so he bore him -away toward his castle, the two ladies accompanying them.</p> - -<p>By and by, after a very long journeying, they came to the castle of the -Earl of Limours. And the castle was very large and comely and strong.</p> - -<p>The Earl and those who were with him entered the castle and he had the -shield with Sir Geraint stretched upon it borne into the hall of the -castle. And he had his physician to come and examine Geraint and the -leech came and made examination of him. Then after due examination the -leech said that he was not yet dead, but that he was exceedingly near to -death.</p> - -<p>Then the Earl bade the two ladies to go and change their clothes and to -assume garments that were more fitting to grace that hall, and the other -lady went as he bade, but Enid would not go.</p> - -<p>The Earl of Limours said to her, “Lady, thou art not wise in this, for I -mean well by thee. Thou pleasest me very greatly by thy appearance. When -thy lord is dead, then will I marry thee and will bestow upon thee -myself and this castle and all these lands through which we passed -to-day, and all other things thou shalt have that are mine.” But Enid -only wept, and she said, “Alas! I know not what to do, for I am very -lonely. If my lord dieth, nevermore shall I have any more joy or -happiness as long as I shall live.”</p> - -<p>The Earl of Limours said, “Take heart, my pretty one.” But she said, “I -cannot take any heart.” Then the Earl gave orders that a feast should be -made ready, and it was done according to his command. And when that -feast was ready, he said to Enid, “Come and sit here beside me and eat.” -She said, “I will not eat and I will not sit at table unless my lord -sits here also.” Then the Earl laughed, and he said, “Lady, thou art -very foolish in this, for thy knight will never sit at table again, for -he is dead, or else he is dying.” Then Enid wept again, very bitterly.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Earl of Limours strikes Enid the Fair.</i></div> - -<p>The Earl said, “Come sit beside me, and I will have thy knight at table -also.” So he had them bring the bier whereon Sir Geraint lay to the side -of the table. Then he took Enid by the hand and led her to the table and -compelled her to sit beside him. But still she would not eat. Then the -Earl offered her a goblet of wine and he said, “Drink this wine, for it -will help thee to forget thy sorrows.” “I will not drink,” she said, -“until my husband shall arise and drink with me.” Then the Earl of -Limours became angry. “A plague upon thee and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_62" id="page_62">{62}</a></span> thy knight!” he cried, -and so crying he lifted his hand and delivered to her a box upon the -ear.</p> - -<p>Then Enid felt her loneliness as never before. For she knew that had -Geraint been with her the Earl of Limours would not have dared to serve -her thus. So when she felt that blow upon her face she lifted up her -voice and shrieked aloud.</p> - -<p>Now Geraint had been recovering from his swoon, but still he lay with -his eyes closed listening to what was said and done about him. And he -heard Enid how that she refused to eat or to drink, and he heard the -blow that the Earl of that place delivered upon her face, and he heard -her shriek with the pain thereof. At that the eyes of his soul were -opened, and he beheld how mad and how blind he had been, and he knew how -faithful to him Enid had been, maugre any words she might have uttered. -Then rage and shame flamed up like fire within him, the last vapors of -his swoon passed away, and he felt within him the strength of ten.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint slays the Earl of Limours.</i></div> - -<p>Thereupon he grasped the sword that lay beside him in the hollow of the -shield and he arose from the shield all white and wan and smeared with -blood, and those who beheld him saw him arise as though from the dead. -Then they shrieked and screamed and fell aside before him. But Geraint -leaped from the hollow of the shield and he ran to where the Earl of -Limours sat, and crying out, “Wouldst thou dare to smite my wife?” he -smote him with all his might upon the head. So terrible was that blow -that it smote asunder the head and the neck and the breast of the Earl, -and was only stopped by the oaken board of the table against which the -sword blade smote in its descent.</p> - -<p>Then all those who thus beheld the dead man arise from his death and -strike that blow, shrieked and roared aloud, and they fled away from -that place in terror and amazement, and no one was left but Geraint and -Enid, and the dead man sitting dreadfully in his seat.</p> - -<p>Then Enid said, “O my lord! Art thou dead or art thou alive?” And -Geraint said, “Beloved, I am alive and well.” And Enid said, “I thank -God for that.” But Geraint said, “Let us hasten to escape from this -place whilst we may, for presently these people will return again.” And -he said to her, “Where are our horses?” She said, “I know not where is -my horse, but thy horse is in the house yonder, for I saw them put him -there.”</p> - -<p>So Geraint and Enid went to the house that was near at hand and there -Geraint found his horse. And Geraint took his horse out of the stable -and he mounted upon his horse and he reached his hand to Enid and lifted -her up from the ground and placed her upon the horse behind him; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_63" id="page_63">{63}</a></span> -she clasped her arms around his body and felt his body with her arms -with great joy and delight.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Geraint and Enid depart from that place.</i></div> - -<p>So they rode away from that place and no one dared to stop them, for all -believed that it was the living riding with the dead.</p> - -<p>Then, when they were come out into the sunlight again, Sir Geraint -turned his head and looked his lady, Enid, in the face, and he perceived -how she had lost her color and was grown thin and fragile because of the -hardships to which his anger and his injustice had subjected her. Then -he turned his own face away and bowed his head.</p> - -<p>By and by he lifted his head and said to her, “Lady, canst thou forgive -me?” To that she smiled a little, but very faintly. “I do forgive thee,” -said she, “but never shall I forget.” Therewith the tears ran from her -eyes and fell like diamonds down her cheeks, and Sir Geraint turned away -his face again and again bowed down his head.</p> - -<p>So they rode in silence, each occupied with his or her own thoughts, -until at last they came to a place where there were high hedges upon -either side of the way. At this place they heard the sound of many -horses coming toward them, and in a little while they perceived the -points of a number of spears between them and the sky over the top of -the hedge. So Geraint put Enid upon the other side of the hedge and made -him ready to face those who were coming.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Little King finds Sir Geraint and Enid.</i></div> - -<p>Anon there came a small host of horsemen in armor into that road, and -the first of all those who came was the Little King. Then Geraint cried -out with joy, “Is that thou, the Little King?” And the other said, “Yea, -it is I, but who art thou?” For he did not know Sir Geraint because of -the blood that was upon him and because of his changed appearance. Then -Geraint said, “It is I, Geraint the son of Erbin.”</p> - -<p>Then the Little King came forward, and embraced him. And Enid came forth -from her hiding, and the Little King paid his respects to her. Quoth the -Little King, “I was in search of thee, Sir Geraint, for I heard thou -wert in trouble. So I am here.” And Sir Geraint said, “That is according -to the conditions of our bond.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Geraint and Enid and the Little King returned along the way -toward the castle of the Little King, and when they reached the castle -the wounds of Sir Geraint were searched and dressed and he was made in -all wise as comfortable as he could be.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_64" id="page_64">{64}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Conclusion-a" id="Conclusion-a"></a> -<img src="images/angel.jpg" width="200" height="101" alt="Conclusion" /> -</h3> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">T</span>HUS have I told you the story of Sir Geraint and of Lady Enid at this, -its fitting time.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the story, how it hath been sung of old.</i></div> - -<p>This story has been very often sung and told and so you have no doubt -heard of it or read it before this. For it hath been told by a great -poet, and it hath been told by the ancient bards of Wales, and both that -great poet and I have obtained it from those ancient chronicles of the -Welsh Mabinogi.</p> - -<p>But as this story concerns the story of King Arthur and his court, so it -must be written when it cometh in its due place and so I have written -it.</p> - -<p>So I pray you read it and consider it as a very famous story of one of -the chiefest knights of the Round Table of King Arthur.</p> - -<p>And now I shall have to tell you of the coming of Sir Galahad and of the -Quest of the Grail by certain of the Knights of King Arthur and his -Round Table, and of how certain other knights failed in that quest. So -if you will read that which followeth you shall be informed of all those -very wonderful things which many people for many years believed to be -sooth and real.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/angel.jpg" width="200" height="101" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_65" id="page_65">{65}</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="PART_II" id="PART_II"></a>PART II<br /><br /> -The Story of Sir Galahad</h2> - -<p class="nind"><i><span class="letra">H</span>ERE beginneth the Story of Sir Galahad, which same includes the -history of the recovery of the Grail and its deposit in the Minster of -Sarras, also its exaltation into Paradise, as follows:—</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_66" id="page_66">{66}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_017.jpg" width="383" height="550" alt="Sir Galahad cometh with the Hermit of the Forest" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_67" id="page_67">{67}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_First-b" id="Chapter_First-b"></a> -<img src="images/ill_018.jpg" width="450" height="202" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Firsts -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Galahad was made a knight; how he came to the Court of King -Arthur, and of the several miracles that happened at that time.</i></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>A damsel comes to the Court of the King.</i></div> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">O</span>NE day Sir Launcelot sat at court with many lords and ladies of high -degree who were gathered there at that time. Suddenly there entered that -place a maiden clad in a long, straight robe of white, girdled about the -middle of the body with a crimson girdle of leather. And the girdle was -embroidered with threads of gold. This maiden stood at the door of the -hall and called out in a high and very clear voice, “Sir Launcelot of -the Lake—which knight is he?”</p> - -<p>To this Sir Launcelot made reply, “I am he; what seekest thou of me?” -The maiden said, “Sir Launcelot, I bid thee arise and follow me.” Quoth -he, “To what purpose?” She said, “Thou shalt see.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot arose and, clad as he was and without armor of any -sort, he followed her.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot rides with her.</i></div> - -<p>Outside of the hall were two horses standing; one of them was a white -palfrey, the other was a black stallion. Sir Launcelot assisted the -maiden to mount upon the white palfrey and he himself mounted upon the -black stallion, and so together they rode away from Camelot.</p> - -<p>They travelled for some while until they came to the skirts of the -forest. Then they rode into the forest, and all day they traversed the -woodlands.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_68" id="page_68">{68}</a></span> Toward eventide of that same day they came to an open place -amidst the surrounding trees, where was a quiet and very fruitful -valley, stretched out wide to the length and breadth of a league. In -that valley Sir Launcelot beheld orchards and fields of wheat and -barley, and meadow-lands where cattle were browsing in numbers. For it -was a very beautiful and fertile spot.</p> - -<p>In the midst of this valley there stood a nunnery, with white walls and -green trees all about it. Above the nunnery was the clear and radiant -sky, very blue and all full of floating clouds. A soft wind blew up the -length of the valley, and upon the breeze there came the remote sound of -a crowing cock and the voice of the ploughboy as he drave the plough -horses along the smoking, upturned furrows, the ploughman following -laboring behind them.</p> - -<p>Quoth the maiden, “Thither is where I am taking thee.” Said Sir -Launcelot, “To what end?” “That thou shalt presently see,” said the -maiden.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They come to the nunnery.</i></div> - -<p>So the maiden rode down into the valley and Sir Launcelot rode after -her. Thus, anon, they came to that pleasant and secluded convent. Here -the gate was opened to them by a fair and youthful esquire, and they -entered the portals of the place. Then several came and assisted them to -dismount, and took the horses of Sir Launcelot and the maiden.</p> - -<p>After that the maiden led Sir Launcelot across the quadrangle of the -convent and so to the chapel, and they entered the chapel. Here Sir -Launcelot beheld four ladies kneeling upon four cushions before the -altar; and he beheld that beside these ladies there were two knights -kneeling, each upon a cushion. Of the four ladies, one was the Lady -Abbess of that convent; and of the two knights, one was Sir Bors de -Ganis and the other was Sir Lionel.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot finds two whom he knows.</i></div> - -<p>Anon they who kneeled there ceased their orisons and arose, and Sir -Launcelot beheld the faces of Sir Bors and Sir Lionel and knew them, and -they knew him. Then Sir Launcelot said to them, “Messires, what is it -brings you hitherward?” To this Sir Bors replied, “Sir, we were in -distant places and to each of us came a fair maiden who was the -messenger who brought each of us to this place. Since our coming we have -been waiting for thee, and now thou art here.” Sir Launcelot said, “For -what purpose have I been brought hither?” Sir Lionel said, “Thou shalt -see.” Then Sir Lionel said to the Abbess, “Bring him forth that Sir -Launcelot may behold him.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot finds his son.</i></div> - -<p>Upon this the Lady Abbess turned to one of the nuns who stood beside<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_69" id="page_69">{69}</a></span> -her and she spake aside to her, and with that the nun left them and went -away. For a little while she was gone, and then in a little while she -returned, bringing with her a youth of eighteen years of age, very tall -and fair, and clad from top to toe in clothes of white silk. Said Sir -Launcelot to the Abbess, “Lady, what youth is this?” The Abbess replied -to him, “Sir, this is thine own son, hight Galahad, and his mother was -the Lady Elaine the Fair.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot cried out in a loud voice, “How is this? I knew not -that I had a son. I beheld the Lady Elaine the Fair upon a certain black -and terrible day, lying dead in a boat at Camelot, and I stood upon the -quay and the boat floated beneath my feet. All this I beheld, and never -shall I forget it; but I knew not that she left a son behind her.” Said -the Abbess, “Ne’ertheless she did so, and this is that son. Here hath he -lived with us since the time of his birth when Sir Bors fetched him -hither, and no one knew that he dwelt with us saving only Sir Bors de -Ganis. But now hath the time come that he must quit us, for the period -is imminent when the search for the Holy Grail shall be begun, and this -is he who shall achieve the Grail. He is now to be knighted, and for -that purpose thou hast been sent for that thou mightest make him a -knight. This is the reason for thy being brought hither.” Quoth Sir -Launcelot, “Let me then make him a knight. For I know of no joy that -would be greater than that, that I should make him a knight.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot makes Galahad a knight.</i></div> - -<p>So that night Galahad watched his armor in the chapel, and Sir Bors and -Sir Lionel sat near to him to support him in his watch. And when the -morning was come, they two took him thence and bathed him, and Sir Bors -marked the sign of the cross upon his right shoulder and Sir Lionel -marked the sign of the cross upon his left shoulder, each with the water -of the bath. Thereafter that, they clad him in a robe of white, pure and -spotless, and they brought him to where Sir Launcelot was, and Sir -Launcelot made a knight of him, according to the accepted custom.</p> - -<p>So was Sir Galahad made a knight by the hand of his own father, Sir -Launcelot of the Lake.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot returns to the court.</i></div> - -<p>Now, after this ceremony was completed, Sir Launcelot besought Sir -Galahad that he would accompany them to the Court of King Arthur, so -that the King might behold him (for Sir Launcelot desired that Sir -Galahad should be manifested to the entire world of chivalry). But to -this Sir Galahad replied, “Sir, I cannot yet go to the Court of the -King, for all is not yet accomplished to prepare me for that going. -Anon, however, I shall come thither; meantime, do<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_70" id="page_70">{70}</a></span> thou wait for me at -King Arthur’s Court.” So, shortly after this, Sir Launcelot and Sir -Lionel and Sir Bors de Ganis departed from that convent, and that same -day they reached the Court of the King at Camelot.</p> - -<p>But they said nothing to that court concerning the knighting of Galahad, -for at that present it was not to be made known to the world that there -was such an one as Galahad, and that he was Sir Launcelot’s son and a -knight of Sir Launcelot’s making.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So it befell Pentecost Day, what time the Feast of the Round Table was -held. Upon this day those miracles happened that are here written of, -and that were afterward so much talked of and concerning which so much -was written.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Concerning the miracle of the sword.</i></div> - -<p>For it happened upon that day, early in the morning when the -water-carriers went down to the river to draw water, they there beheld -at that place a very strange, and wonderful sight. For beside the river -they beheld where there stood a great block of red marble—cubical in -shape, and polished until it was smooth as glass. And into that cube of -stone there was thrust a sword, half way down its blade into the marble. -And the hilt of the sword and the haft, thereof, was studded all over -with precious stones of divers sizes and colors, very rich and glorious -to behold. And the blade of that sword (so much thereof as could be -seen) shone like to lightning for brightness.</p> - -<p>Then they who beheld the wonder that appeared before them made all haste -to the castle of the King, and straightway told the news of what they -had seen. Anon this reached the ears of the King and of several of those -lords who were in attendance upon him. Then the King spoke to those -lords, saying, “What is this I hear tell of? Let us straightway go and -see.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King and his lords view the sword.</i></div> - -<p>So the King, and those lords of the court who were in his company, went -down to the river to look upon that wonder, and amongst those lords were -Sir Launcelot of the Lake and Sir Percival of Gales and Sir Bors de -Ganis and Sir Lionel and Sir Ector and Sir Gawaine, and several other -high lords of chivalry.</p> - -<p>When they had come to that place where the sword was they beheld that -there were words written around about the blade thereof. So King Arthur -commanded Sir Launcelot that he should read those words, and Sir -Launcelot read as follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"><p class="eng">“<b>This sword is for the greatest knight in the world and for him who -shall win the Holy Grail.</b>”</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_71" id="page_71">{71}</a></span></p> - -<p>Then he read:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"><p class="eng">“<b>Whoso draweth forth this sword from the stone, to him shall that -sword belong; but upon him who shall endeavor to draw it forth and -shall not be able to do so, shall fall a wound from the blade -thereof.</b>”</p></div> - -<p>Then King Arthur said to Sir Launcelot of the Lake, “Messire, thou art -the greatest knight in the world, and perhaps thou shalt win the Holy -Grail. Let me see thee draw forth that blade.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot will not attempt the sword.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth Sir Launcelot, “Lord, I know not that I am the greatest knight in -the world, and I fear me that I shall not be able to win the Grail, for -I am a sinful man. Look you; it saith here that he who shall endeavor to -draw it forth from the marble and shall fail to do so, he shall be -wounded by the blade thereof. So I would fain not endeavor to draw forth -this sword.”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur turned him to Sir Gawaine, and he said, “Sir, let me -see thee attempt that sword, for mayhap thou mayst be able to draw it -forth out of the marble.” Sir Gawaine said, “Lord, if Sir Launcelot dare -not attempt that sword, so, also, do I not dare to do so.” King Arthur -said to him, “Gawaine, I command thee upon thy fealty to attempt that -sword.” Quoth Sir Gawaine, “Dear my Lord, if thou dost command me upon -my fealty, then I must attempt to obey thy command.” King Arthur said, -“I do command thee thus.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine attempts the sword.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Gawaine came forth and he laid hand to the hilt of the sword and -drew strongly upon it, but the sword did not move a hair’s breadth in -the marble stone in which it stood emplanted.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot spoke and said, “Alas, Sir Gawaine, that thou -shouldst have made that attempt and failed therein. For if thou art -wounded by that bright-shining blade it may be of more injury to thee -than it would be if thou shouldst lose three several castles.” Quoth Sir -Gawaine, “That may well be, Sir Launcelot, but yet it was incumbent upon -me to do that which the King’s command called upon me to do.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival attempts the sword.</i></div> - -<p>Then up spake Sir Percival, “Lord,” said he, “let me also attempt that -sword, for if it should be turned against Sir Gawaine I would have it -that it should be turned equally against me. Else I would endeavor to -draw it forth from the stone for mine own.” The King said, “Try thou for -the sword.” So Sir Percival laid his hand to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_72" id="page_72">{72}</a></span> the sword and drew upon it -very strongly, but neither could he move it so much as the breadth of a -single hair.</p> - -<p>After that no other lord of all those present chose to attempt the -sword, but all avoided it from a distance, no one coming nigh enough to -it to touch it.</p> - -<p>So, thereafter, they all withdrew from that place and went away, -marvelling at the miracle. And all that day many came to where was that -sword and the block of marble, and these stood to look upon that sight -and to marvel at it.</p> - -<p>Such is the story of the sword so far as this, and so have I told it to -you as I have read of it in an ancient book of olden days, wherein these -adventures and several other adventures are spoken of.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Thus that day of marvels began, and by and by came the time of the Feast -of the Round Table.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad is brought to the Feast of the Round Table.</i></div> - -<p>Now all they of the Round Table were gathered about that board and every -man sat in his place, and behind every knight stood a young knight to -serve him with meat and drink. Thus, as they all sat there, there came, -of a sudden, a commotion at the doorway, and after that commotion there -appeared at the doorway an old man clad all in white. That old man was -the Hermit of the Forest, and with him he brought a tall, fair young -knight and that knight was Sir Galahad. At that time Sir Galahad was -clad in flame-colored armor from top to toe, but he bare no shield for -his defence upon his shoulder, nor was there any sword within the sheath -that hung empty and hollow at his side. From his shoulders there hung a -long mantle of flame-colored cloth, and the mantle was lined with sable -and trimmed and bordered with sable.</p> - -<p>The old man lifted up his voice and spake aloud to all who were there, -saying, “Lords, here by the grace of God come I amongst you with him who -is to be the greatest knight that ever the world beheld. Also, he is to -be the one who shall achieve the Holy Grail. So I have brought him -hither to this place.”</p> - -<p>Him answered King Arthur, saying, “Holy Sir, if thou sayest sooth, then -this is a very great and marvellous thing. But soon shall we put it to -the test; yonder is the Seat Perilous wherein no one hath dared to seat -himself for all this while of the Round Table. Let this youth take there -his seat, for that seat is for him who is without sin of the flesh—then -will we believe that which thou tellest us. Also, down beside the river -there is a strange and marvellous sword in a cube of marble. Let him -draw that sword and then shall we certes believe in him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_73" id="page_73">{73}</a></span>”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad assumes the Seat Perilous.</i></div> - -<p>The old hermit said, “Sir King, it shall be done as thou desirest. Let -him take that seat.” So the old man took him by one hand and King Arthur -arose and took him by the other, and so together they led Sir Galahad to -the Seat Perilous. Here he took his seat, and lo! no harm of any sort -befell him. Then, anon, Sir Launcelot reached forward and drew aside the -silken coverlet that hung at the back of the seat upon which Sir Galahad -sat, and, behold! there was a word estamped upon the back of the seat in -letters of gold; and that word was:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"><p class="engc"><b>SIR GALAHAD</b></p></div> - -<p>Then a great shout went up from all the Knights of the Round Table, for -thus was the Seat Perilous achieved, and so was the Round Table -completed.</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur said, “Lo! this youth is he for whom we have been -waiting for all this time. For so the miracle of the Round Table is -fulfilled. Let us now take him to the sword thrust into the marble -stone, for certes he shall draw forth that sword, and it shall be his. -For, wit ye, that this is he who shall indeed achieve the Holy Grail.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad draweth the sword.</i></div> - -<p>So all they arose from their seats and went forth, and they conducted -Sir Galahad down to the river. There he beheld the stone of marble and -the sword thrust into the stone, and he said to those who stood about -that place, “This sword is assuredly mine, for I have no sword, and for -that sword I have come hitherward.” So Sir Galahad went to where was the -sword and he set hand to the sword and drew it forth from the stone very -smoothly and easily, and where the sword came forth it left no mark upon -the stone, for, lo! it was solid and whole and without any blemish -whatsoever. Then Sir Galahad thrust the bright-shining blade into the -scabbard that hung beside him, and it fitted to the scabbard, and so he -was armed.</p> - -<p>Thereafter King Arthur took him by the hand and kissed him upon either -cheek, and the King said, “Hail, Sir Galahad! All hail to thee! For thou -art to be the crowning glory of my entire reign. For many mysteries and -miracles have befallen in that reign, but thy coming is the greatest -miracle of all.” And he said, “Come, let us go up to the castle that I -may present thee to the Queen.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad will not stay at Camelot.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad said, “Not so, O Lord! I cannot go with thee now. For -one cometh and is nigh to here at this present, and with her I must go. -For I go first to seek for the shield of Balan, who slew his brother -Balin unwittingly at the time of Uther<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_74" id="page_74">{74}</a></span> Pendragon. Through him the Holy -Grail was lost to the earth, so that I must recover first his shield and -then the Holy Grail. After I have thus armed me with that shield, then -must I go to search for the Holy Grail, for that same is my mission here -in life. Likewise I have this news to tell thee, that two of those -knights here present shall win the Grail along with me; but who those -two shall be, I may not relate to you at this time.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>A maiden cometh for Galahad.</i></div> - -<p>Thus said Sir Galahad, and even as he ceased speaking there appeared in -the distance a damsel clad all in white raiment, and the maiden came -thitherward, riding upon a white palfrey, and by her hand she led by its -bridle-rein a coal-black charger of great size and girth. So as she drew -near, Sir Galahad went forward to meet her, and to him the maiden said, -speaking very high and clear, “Art thou ready, Sir Galahad?” Whereunto -he said, “Yea, I am ready.” And she said, “Come!” So Sir Galahad mounted -upon the black charger, and he saluted King Arthur and he saluted Sir -Launcelot and he saluted Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, and after that he rode -away from that place, leaving them all in great wonder and amazement, -both at his coming and at his going, and at all that had befallen.</p> - -<p>So, when he had gone, King Arthur turned to his court of lords, and he -said, “This is certes a very wonderful visitation, for this youth came -to us like an angel from heaven, and, like an angel, he hath gone. Let -us now go and hear the mass ere we return to the Hall of the Round -Table.”</p> - -<p>So all they who were there went to the mass, and as they were going Sir -Gawaine said to Sir Launcelot, “Messire, this is a sad day for thee, for -now there is a greater knight than thou art in the world.” Him answered -Sir Launcelot, “Not so, Messire, there is no sadness in this for me, -for, wit you, that this is mine own and well-beloved son. Wherefore I, -being his father, may well surrender unto him that glory which I cannot -carry with me into paradise, but which I would not be willing to yield -to any other man.”</p> - -<p>So said Sir Launcelot, and thus all the world became acquainted with -that fact that no one but Sir Bors and Sir Lionel knew until then; to -wit, that Sir Galahad was the true son of Sir Launcelot of the Lake.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The knights vow to attempt the Grail.</i></div> - -<p>Now, after the mass in the minster was over, all they of the Knights of -the Round Table retired to the Hall of the Round Table, and there they -took their seats in due order. Then, when all were seated, King Arthur -up and said, “Messires and Lords of the Round Table, all ye have heard -what Sir Galahad hath said but a little while since; to wit, that two of -you who are here should achieve the Grail with him. Now it doth seem to -me that several of you who are the chief of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_75" id="page_75">{75}</a></span> the knights should go -forth in search of that Holy Chalice, so as to be able to join him. For, -by not going, those two may miss the chance of achieving that great -glory.”</p> - -<p>So said King Arthur, and, in answer, all those who were there arose, -each man in his place. And each man drew his sword and each held up the -handle of his sword before his eyes as a crucifix. And each man swore -upon that crucifix that he would presently depart from the Court of the -King, and that he would search for the Holy Grail either until he -discovered it or until he should perish, or until the Grail should have -been achieved.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur takes sorrow.</i></div> - -<p>Then King Arthur was filled with sorrow, for he would not that all of -his knights should go in that wise, for many of them he would have kept -with him at his court. And most of all he was grieved that Sir Gawaine -should go, for he loved Sir Gawaine above all the knights of his court, -because Sir Gawaine was the son of the well-beloved sister of the King. -So he said to Sir Gawaine, “Alas, Gawaine, you have slain the joy of my -life! For with this oath that ye all have uttered there departeth from -this court all that was of joy therein. Until now there hath been great -joy and good content at this Court of Camelot, but now that joy hath -taken wing and hath flown away. For, though many of you shall return to -this place, yet I foresee that many shall die; and I foresee that from -this time there shall follow great bitterness and rancor, and anon that -death and devastation shall overtake us all. For this is the time -foretold by Merlin, of which ye all have heard tell. For, according to -that prophecy, this day the Round Table hath been filled to its -completion, so that hereafter it shall soon fall apart into warring and -contention until it be altogether destroyed.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot comforts King Arthur.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot said to the King, “Comfort you, my lord, for though -the Round Table may indeed perish thus, yet, ere it be dissolved, there -shall come great honor and a great glory unto you and unto us all. For -what greater glory can there be to you than that the knights of your -Round Table should achieve the Holy Grail? And what greater honor can -there be than that we should endanger our lives in that quest? For we -all seek death hither and thither, and if it so befall that death cometh -to us in this cause, how much better is it to die in that wise than to -have death come to us in some vain quarrel or adventure.”</p> - -<p>Quoth King Arthur, “That which thou sayest, Launcelot, is very true, yet -do I greatly grieve for this happening. For though we may look forward -to a glorious sorrow, yet when that sorrow cometh to us it appeareth<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_76" id="page_76">{76}</a></span> to -be so much greater than the glory that it hides that glory from our -eyes. So, Launcelot, is it with me; for though I may take glory that my -knights shall achieve the Holy Grail, yet is the sorrow very great to me -that this Round Table should be dissolved. Alas, and alas, that it -should be so!”</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Thus the Knights of the Round Table went forth in quest of the -Grail—fifty of them in all. All of those who thus went had adventures, -and many of them lost their lives and did never return again. But of -those of whom this history telleth there is only Sir Launcelot, Sir -Gawaine, Sir Percival, Sir Bors, and Sir Galahad, and one or two others. -Of them and of their adventures it remains now to be told; wherefore, -followeth the history of those things hereinafter written.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_77" id="page_77">{77}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_78" id="page_78">{78}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_019.jpg" width="390" height="550" alt="The Lady of the Lake and Sir Galahad" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_79" id="page_79">{79}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Second-b" id="Chapter_Second-b"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Second -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Galahad was led by a strange lady to a monastery of White -Friars. How he met there two other Knights of the Round Table. How King -Bagdemagus wore the shield, and how it was taken from him and given unto -Sir Galahad. Also the story of the shield.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">S</span>IR Galahad rode away from Camelot, where was the Court of King Arthur, -following after the maiden clad all in white. Thus they wended onward -until they reached the skirts of the forest. At this place the maiden -said, “Sir Galahad, I must here leave you. But go you farther upon -yonder path, and by and by you will be met and entertained.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad comes to a strange country.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Galahad rode forward upon that path as the maiden directed. And -he rode a great distance into the forest until at last he reached the -Forest of Arroy, otherwise called the Forest of Adventure. Here, after -he had ridden for a considerable time, he came at last to a very strange -place. For he found the trees grew thin and thinner about him. Then, at -last, the trees ceased around him, and he found himself upon the edge of -a wide and open plain. And he beheld that all about him in this plain -there were great quantities of lilies, and there were also daffodils, -and all those flowers moved this way and that, very slowly in the gentle -air, as though they saluted him in coming. And Sir Galahad beheld that -this was a very wonderful place indeed, for the light that illumined it -was not the light of the sun nor of the moon, but it was a radiant and -golden glory that was not due to the light of either of those -luminaries.</p> - -<p>And in the midst of that flowery plain Sir Galahad beheld that there was -a wide and very placid lake that was in no wise troubled by the soft -breeze that blew across it, but that was otherwise like a smooth mirror -of clear water.</p> - -<p>So as Sir Galahad beheld all these things and marvelled at them, he was -aware that this was not the land of common earth, but that it was fay.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_80" id="page_80">{80}</a></span></p> - -<p>Then anon he was aware that voices were calling aloud, saying, “Welcome, -welcome, Sir Galahad!” as it were with great rejoicing. So he looked, -and lo! he beheld to one side a fair and shining pavilion of green silk. -And there were many people gathered in the field near the pavilion, and -some of them were ladies and some were lords and others were pages, and -all were clad in very gay and rainbow colors, so that it appeared as -though it were a flock of gaudy birds of various plumage that was -gathered in that place.</p> - -<p>So Sir Galahad turned him toward that gay and jocund company, and as he -drew near to them he beheld that they were weaving garlands and wreaths -of fair flowers.</p> - -<p>(For these, you are to know, were the attendants of the Lady of the -Lake, and that was the lake in which was her habitation, and he had been -led to that place for a certain purpose that they and others might see -and know him.)</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad abides there for four days.</i></div> - -<p>So this place pleased Sir Galahad very greatly, and he remained for -three days, taking great joy in that jocund company. For somewhiles they -feasted and somewhiles they sang; somewhiles they danced and somewhiles -they related pleasant tales and contes of several kinds. So it was that -these three days passed very pleasantly and very quickly with Sir -Galahad.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>There cometh the Lady of the Lake.</i></div> - -<p>Then, upon the morning of the fourth day, there appeared a lady in their -midst to whom all who were there paid great deference and high respect; -and this lady was of a very wonderful appearance. For she was clad in -green samite from head to foot, and her hair was long and -extraordinarily black, and very soft and glossy. And her face was pale, -like to ivory, and her eyes were bright, like to jewels set in ivory. -And upon her neck and around her arms were chains and bracelets of gold -inset with emerald stones. Wherefore, from these things, and from the -appearance of all about him, Sir Galahad was aware that that lady was -not mortal, but that she was fay.</p> - -<p>(For this was indeed the Lady of the Lake, although he knew it not then -nor afterward.)</p> - -<p>So Sir Galahad kneeled in the grass before the lady and he set his palms -together. But she smiled upon him and she said to him, “Arise, Galahad, -and kneel not to me, who am not of the spirit, but of the earth.” And -she said to him, “Where is thy shield?” He said to her, “Lady, I have no -shield.” She said to him, “Let us go and find thee a shield.”</p> - -<p>So straightway there came several attendants, and some of these brought -Sir Galahad his black charger, and others brought for the lady a -beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_81" id="page_81">{81}</a></span> janet as white as milk. And upon the back of the janet was a -saddle of scarlet Spanish leather, embossed with gold and jewels, so -that it shone and glistered with great splendor.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad mounted his horse and the lady mounted herself upon the -janet, and so together they rode away from that place.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Lady of the Lake leadeth Sir Galahad to a shield.</i></div> - -<p>Thus they rode for all that day, and against the sloping of the -afternoon they had come to the edge of the forest opposite to that part -of the forest where was the town of Camelot. At this place there was a -monastery of White Friars, and to this the lady pointed and said to Sir -Galahad, “Thither thou wilt find a shield.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad would have thanked her for bringing him thither, but -lo! she was gone from his sight and he was alone. Then the monastery -bell began ringing, and Sir Galahad rode down to that holy house.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad enters the monastery.</i></div> - -<p>So he came to the monastery and smote with the butt of his lance upon -the gate. Then the porters came and opened the gate to him, and when -they beheld him they gave him welcome to that place. So he entered the -courtyard of the monastery, and several came and gathered about him. -Some of these took his horse and led it away to the stable; others -conducted him into the house and afterward brought him to the chamber -wherein he was to be lodged. Here they removed his armor and brought him -to a bath of tepid water. After that they clad him in raiment that was -soft and warm so that he had great ease and comfort.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad findeth Sir Bagdemagus and Sir Ewaine.</i></div> - -<p>Then, when he was thus clad, they conducted him to the hall of that -monastery, and there he beheld that there were two other knights then -present. The one of these was Sir Ewaine, and the other was Sir -Bagdemagus, erstwhile called King Bagdemagus. These were both Knights of -the Round Table, wherefore they greeted him and gave him great welcome.</p> - -<p>Sir Ewaine said to him, “I pray you, sir, tell us how you came hither.” -Sir Galahad said, “I will tell you.” So he told them how he had abided -in the midst of the forest near to that magic lake for the space of -three days. And he told them how that lady, who was fay, had conducted -him to that place, and had told him that there was here a shield with -which he might provide himself. To all this Sir Ewaine and King -Bagdemagus listened, and then Sir Ewaine said to Sir Galahad, “Messire, -no doubt that lady who accompanied thee hitherward was the Lady of the -Lake, for so hath she appeared to several of King Arthur’s Court as she -hath appeared to thee.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_82" id="page_82">{82}</a></span>”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Abbot tells of the shield.</i></div> - -<p>Just then came the Abbot of that place, and King Bagdemagus said to him, -“Sir, I pray you tell us, is there at this place a shield of such and -such a sort?” The Abbot replied to him, “Aye, sir, there is here a -strange and miraculous shield, and it hangeth behind the altar, and it -hath hung there for God knoweth how long.” King Bagdemagus said, “I -would fain see that shield.” The Abbot replied, “I will show it to you -to-morrow morning, but not to-night. For I am come to conduct you to -supper, and not to show you a shield.”</p> - -<p>So, when they were seated at supper, Sir Galahad said to the two -knights, “I pray you tell me how you came hitherward to this place.” -“That I will do,” quoth Sir Ewaine. And he said, “Sir Bagdemagus and I -set forth from Camelot in search of the Grail. After we had journeyed -for a long distance, we came to that part of the forest that is called -the Forest of Arroy, or otherwise the Forest of Adventure. Here we -wandered for some while without being freed from it, for the Forest of -Adventure is not very difficult to find, but is often very difficult to -escape from. After a while, however, we found a way to escape from that -forest, and so came out upon the further side of it. There we beheld, -below us, this place and so we came to it. Such, sir, is the way in -which we came hither.”</p> - -<p>Thus these three knights and the high officers of that monastery ate and -drank together, discoursing very pleasantly the while. And when they had -ceased eating and drinking and talking together, they were weary, and -each withdrew to his couch and to sleep.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Abbot takes the three knights to the shield.</i></div> - -<p>Now, when the next morning had come and when they had broken their fast, -King Bagdemagus said to the Abbot, “I pray you now to show us that -shield concerning which we spoke last night.” The Abbot said, “I will do -so. Come with me.” So he led them to the chapel and he led them behind -the altar, and there they beheld the shield where it hung. And the -shield was exceedingly white and shining, as it were of brightly -polished silver. And upon the shield was marked a red cross, very strong -and bold in its marking.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>King Bagdemagus covets the shield.</i></div> - -<p>But when King Bagdemagus beheld the shield, he coveted it exceedingly, -and he said, “That is a very beautiful shield. I pray you let me have -that shield for mine own, and I will give my shield to Sir Galahad.” To -him the Abbot replied, “Messire, I would gladly give you that shield, -but there is said of it that whoever taketh it except the one man for -whom it is destined, harm shall come to him, and great suffering.” King -Bagdemagus said, “That may be so, but, haply, I am he for whom it is -destined. At any rate, I am a tried and well-approved knight, wherefore -if I take it I will essay to keep it, as a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_83" id="page_83">{83}</a></span> knight of standing may hope -to keep his shield.” The Abbot said to him, “Then take it, sir, in God’s -name.”</p> - -<p>So King Bagdemagus took the shield and hung it about his neck. And he -said to those other two knights, “Messires, I know not whether there is -any malaventure appertaining to this shield, but, at any rate, I shall -essay to keep and to hold it. Nevertheless, I pray you to await me here -for this day. And if anything happeneth to me, I will return and give -you report as to that happening.”</p> - -<p>To this Sir Galahad and Sir Ewaine replied that they would remain at -that place until the following morning.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bagdemagus rides errant into the forest.</i></div> - -<p>After that Sir Bagdemagus mounted horse and rode away. And he directed -his horse into the forest, and rode there a considerable distance away -from the monastery. So, by and by, he came to a place where two highways -parted, and where there was a cross of stone, and at that place he -beheld a knight in white armor, seated upon a white horse. This White -Knight stood across the way upon which Sir Bagdemagus was travelling, -and he appeared to be very threatening and austere. So, when Sir -Bagdemagus came pretty close to that White Knight, the White Knight said -to him, “Messire, I prithee tell me, where got you that shield that I -behold hanging upon your neck?” Sir Bagdemagus said to him, “I got this -shield at a monastery of White Friars, at some distance from this.” The -White Knight said to him, “I bid you take back that shield, and return -it whence you got it, for it belongeth not to you.” Quoth Sir -Bagdemagus, “That will I not do until I am compelled. For now that I -have this shield I propose to keep it for mine own, unless it is taken -away from me in battle.” To this the White Knight replied, “Very well, -then, thou shalt do battle for it, and that anon. Now prepare thyself -straightway for battle with me.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bagdemagus is overthrown by the White Knight.</i></div> - -<p>Upon this each knight made himself ready, and when they were in all ways -prepared, they dashed together with great violence. In that encounter -the spear of Sir Bagdemagus passed very smoothly from the shield of the -White Knight, but the spear of the White Knight pierced the shoulder of -Sir Bagdemagus, over above the shield which protected not that part of -his body. And the point of the spear of the White Knight passed through -the shoulder of Sir Bagdemagus, so that he was flung with great violence -to the earth.</p> - -<p>Then anon the White Knight came to where Sir Bagdemagus lay, and he said -to him, “Sir, how fares it with you?” Quoth Sir Bagdemagus, “Alas, -Messire, I am very grievously hurt, for thou hast pierced through my -shoulder with thy lance, and I suffer very greatly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_84" id="page_84">{84}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Therewith the White Knight dismounted from his horse and he lifted and -raised Sir Bagdemagus. And after that he had beheld the wound, he laid -Sir Bagdemagus upon his horse. Then he took the bridle-rein of Sir -Bagdemagus’ horse, and he led the horse and the wounded man back to the -monastery whence he had that morning come.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The White Knight bringeth Sir Bagdemagus to the monastery.</i></div> - -<p>So, by and by, they two arrived there, and several came and took the -horse of Sir Bagdemagus. And they lifted him from his horse and carried -him into the house, and laid him upon a bed, and searched his wound. But -when they came to look for the White Knight, he was gone, nor wist they -whither he went. And the wound of Sir Bagdemagus was very deep, so that -for a long while he hung, as it were, balanced betwixt life and death.</p> - -<p>But Sir Bagdemagus did not die; otherwise, the next day, he summoned Sir -Galahad to him. And when Sir Galahad had come to him, Sir Bagdemagus -said to him, “Messire, I had no right to that shield and I suffered for -taking it. I believe that it belongeth, indeed, to you; wherefore I pray -you for to take it and to wear it, henceforth, for your own. But who -that White Knight was who met me, or whence he came, or how he knew that -I had that shield, I know not, nor perhaps ever shall know.”</p> - -<p>To this Sir Galahad answered, “Sir, I will assume that shield and all -the dangers that appertain to it, trusting that it belongs to me, and -doing battle to retain it if need be.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad takes the shield.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Galahad took the shield and hung it about his neck. Then he -called for his horse, and mounting upon it he rode away from that place.</p> - -<p>But King Bagdemagus lay there at the monastery for many days and for -several weeks ere he was fit to travel again.</p> - -<p>After that Sir Galahad travelled for all that day, and anon, toward the -sloping of the afternoon, he was an hungered, and he wist not where he -should come at refreshment for to eat. At that time he passed through a -little woodland, and when he had traversed it he came out of it upon a -small, open place upon the other side of it, where there was a fair -meadow of short green grass.</p> - -<p>Here he beheld a pavilion of particolored silks, and he beheld that -before the pavilion there stood a tall and noble-appearing knight, clad -in white armor. This knight, beholding Sir Galahad, said to him, “Sir, -whence come you?”</p> - -<p>To this Sir Galahad made answer, “Sir, I came from a monastery over -yonderways, where I got me this shield.” Quoth the White Knight, “Art -thou Sir Galahad?” and Sir Galahad replied, “Yea, I am he.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_85" id="page_85">{85}</a></span>”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad meets the White Knight.</i></div> - -<p>Then the White Knight said to him, “I pray you, sir, to dismount from -your horse and to come in and refresh yourself, for I have been awaiting -you this long while.” And Sir Galahad replied, “Sir, I give you -grammercy for your kindness.”</p> - -<p>So the White Knight assisted Sir Galahad to dismount from his horse. And -he brought him into the pavilion, and Sir Galahad beheld that there was -there set a feast spread ready for his coming. So they seated themselves -at table, and three esquires clad in green samite waited upon them, and -they both ate and drank of the food and drink that was set before them, -and which was very excellent.</p> - -<p>Then the White Knight said, “Sir, to-morrow we shall ride together for a -little way, meanwhile let us rest here to-night.” And Sir Galahad said, -“So let it be.”</p> - -<p>So, by and by, there came two other esquires who took Sir Galahad and -brought him to where was a soft and luxurious couch of down, and there -he rested and slept for the night.</p> - -<p>And when the morrow had come, Sir Galahad arose and the White Knight -arose and the esquires came and armed them. Then they each mounted his -horse, and so they rode away together.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The White Knight tells Sir Galahad of the shield.</i></div> - -<p>Now when these two, to wit, Sir Galahad and the White Knight, were thus -upon their way, the White Knight said to Sir Galahad, “Sir, wit you what -is the story of the Grail, and what is the history of that shield that -you wear at your neck?” Sir Galahad said, “Nay, but I pray you to tell -me that story.” Quoth the White Knight, “I will do so. It is as follows:</p> - -<p>“In the old days of Uther Pendragon there were two knights who were twin -brothers. One of these knights was hight Balan and the other was hight -Balin.</p> - -<p>“Now at that time there was in the enchanted city of Sarras two very -great marvels; one of these was the spear with which the blessed side -was wounded at the time of the crucifixion, and the other was the -chalice into which the blood was drained from that deep and pitiful -wound. But how they came to the city of Sarras is too long a story to -tell.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir Balan came to Sarras.</i></div> - -<p>“Now Sir Balan was in the city of Sarras, and he was entertained at the -castle of the king of that country, whose name was King Pischer. This -King was at enmity with Sir Balan, whom he very greatly hated. So that -night when Sir Balan lay upon his bed, King Pischer, at the head of -several men, attacked Sir Balan where he lay unarmed. He, starting up -from his sleep, beheld them coming, and so he fled away from those who -would assail him, and so he escaped into the chapel of the castle, where -those two holy relics—to wit,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_86" id="page_86">{86}</a></span> the spear and the chalice—were kept. -Hither his enemies followed him and would have slain him, even upon the -steps of the altar, only that, beholding the spear, Sir Balan seized -upon it and ran with it against them. In that assault he smote King -Pischer with the spear, a very great and bitter stroke. For the point of -the spear penetrated the corselet of King Pischer, and inflicted a deep -wound in the shoulder. And after that Sir Balan attacked the others who -were with King Pischer, and drave them all before him. So Sir Balan used -that holy spear for his own preservation.</p> - -<p>“But as Sir Balan stood holding the spear and beholding his enemies -retreat from that place, there came to him a voice as from heaven, -saying to him, ‘Balan! Balan! what hast thou done?’</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How there came an earthquake.</i></div> - -<p>“And as the voice ceased its words there came, as from beneath, a deep -and hollow rumbling. And the rumbling grew louder and louder, until it -became a great earthquake, so that the earth rocked beneath the feet. -Then the chapel and the castle and all that place reeled, and the castle -fell, one stone upon another, so that all who were within it were buried -beneath the ruins. At the same time the spear and the chalice -disappeared from that place, and neither have they ever been seen from -that time—saving only that in visions they have been seen. For Sir -Percival beheld both the spear and the chalice, and others have beheld -them from time to time.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir Balan escapes.</i></div> - -<p>“Sir Balan was not killed by the fall of that castle, nor was King -Pischer killed, but all others in the castle perished in its fall. But -rather had King Pischer been killed, for that wound in his shoulder -remained unhealed, and King Pischer could not die for a long while, -though he suffered very greatly from that wound every day that he lived. -Such, O Galahad! is the story of the Grail.</p> - -<p>“Now touching this shield; wit you it is the shield of Sir Balan, and -the way in which it came to the monastery of the White Friars is as -followeth:</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir Balan fought with the Knight of the Ford.</i></div> - -<p>“One day Sir Balan came to a certain part of the country where was a -monastery of White Friars, and where he had news of a knight who guarded -the ford of a river at that place. So Sir Balan went to that river and -he beheld there the knight guarding the ford. Then Sir Balan attempted -to pass the ford, but the knight would not allow him to do so, wherefore -they came to battle with one another. They fought for an entire morning, -and for longer than that, and each gave the other many grievous wounds, -and what with loss of blood and with continuous fighting they grew ever -weaker and weaker, so that neither of them could stand without great -ado. But at last Sir Balan gave to his enemy a deadly blow that brought -him to the earth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_87" id="page_87">{87}</a></span> Then he rushed off his helmet to make an end of him, -but when the face beneath was free from its helmet he beheld it, and saw -that it was the face of his twin brother, Sir Balin, whom he was about -to slay.</p> - -<p>“Then he cried out in horror, ‘Alas, and woe is me! Is it thou, Balin, -whom I am about to slay? Lo! I am thy brother Balan!’</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir Balan slew his brother Balin.</i></div> - -<p>“Then Balin, feeling that he was near to death, wept a great deal. And -he forgave his brother Balan, and he bade Balan, when he was dead, to -bury him at that place beneath a thorn tree that grew there and that was -covered all over with spikes, as it were a chevaux de frise. Then he -died, and Balan performed that task—to wit, to bury him there.</p> - -<p>“Anon came several White Friars from a monastery that was near by, and -these took Balan to the monastery and there he died, for he was very -sorely wounded, and his heart was broken.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir Balan marked the shield.</i></div> - -<p>“But ere he died he took his shield to him and he drew upon it a great -cross in his own blood. And he told the friars of that place to keep -that shield until he should come who was to achieve the Holy Grail and -to return it unto Sarras again. And Sir Balan predicted of that shield -that it should always remain bright as silver until that time, and that -the cross of blood should ever remain as red as it was that day; and he -predicted of it that no one should be able to wear that shield saving -only that one for whom it was intended; and he predicted of that shield -that it should never be pierced by the point of any weapon forged by the -hand of man. So it was and such is that shield which thou carriest, Sir -Galahad.”</p> - -<p>All this Sir Galahad listened to and heard, and when the White Knight -had ended his words, he said, “Sir, I would that I knew who thou art. I -pray thee to tell me that.” But to this the White Knight only smiled and -made reply, “I may not tell thee who I am, only this I may say, that I -am he who hath had that shield under continual surveillance until now, -and now I find that it hath fallen into hands that are even better able -to care for it and to cherish it than were the hands of Sir Balan of -old.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad parts from the White Knight.</i></div> - -<p>Thus these two knights travelled forward together until night to the -setting of the sun. Then at last they came to a place where the roadway -divided, and at that place the White Knight said to Sir Galahad, -“Messire, here I must leave thee. Continue upon that way and anon thou -wilt come to a chapel where thou mayst be refreshed, and where thou -mayst lodge for the night.” So saying, the White Knight saluted Sir -Galahad, and he saluted the White Knight again. Then the White Knight -rode down one path into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_88" id="page_88">{88}</a></span> woods, and Sir Galahad entered upon the -other path as he had been directed to do. But Sir Galahad turned his -head to look after the White Knight ere he should reach the forest, but -lo! he was not there, nor was anything to be seen, saving only the trees -of the woodland and the red light of the sunset that lay upon the -ground, falling through the leaves of the trees like to liquid gold -spread there upon the earth in small, round, and brightly shining discs.</p> - -<p>After that Sir Galahad continued upon his way until, anon, he heard the -ringing of a bell, and with that he wist where he was, and that he was -not far distant from the chapel of the Hermit of the Forest. So Sir -Galahad spurred forward and in a little while he beheld the chapel, and -he beheld the Hermit of the Forest, ringing the bell for vespers.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad lodges with the Hermit of the Forest.</i></div> - -<p>So he came to that place that was very quiet and innocent, for he beheld -that many birds sat perched upon the branches of the trees coadjacent to -that place, and that several of the wild creatures of the woods, -together with a wild doe and its fawn, were also there. For these things -loved the Hermit of the Forest, and followed him whithersoever he went -about that place.</p> - -<p>Then the Hermit of the Forest beheld Sir Galahad and gave him welcome, -and he brought him to eat and drink and prepared a lodging for him for -the night.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Thus, then, was Sir Galahad armed with his shield, and therewith was he -armed completely, for he needed no other thing to arm him for his -defence.</p> - -<p>So I have told you the history of these doings that you might know of -them how they were. Now, having thus armed him entirely, so shall we -turn to the further history of the adventures relating to these things.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_89" id="page_89">{89}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_90" id="page_90">{90}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_020.jpg" width="386" height="550" alt="Sir Galahad meets Sir Melyas" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_91" id="page_91">{91}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Third-b" id="Chapter_Third-b"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Third -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Galahad met with Sir Melyas. How Sir Melyas was overthrown, and -how Sir Galahad overthrew his enemies. Also how Sir Galahad did at the -Castle of Maidens.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW Sir Galahad departed next morning betimes, after he had broken his -fast. And he wended his way through the forest, he knew not whitherward. -After a considerable while he came to where two roads crossed one -another, and where there was a cross of stone. Here was a clear, limpid -fountain of cold water, and at the fountain Sir Galahad beheld that -there sat a young knight.</p> - -<p>This young knight had been refreshing himself with draughts of the -water, and now sat with his helmet beside him, whilst the soft and -gentle wind blew upon his forehead and his hair.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">Sir <i>Galahad meets Sir Melyas.</i></div> - -<p>Anon, when Sir Galahad had come nigh to him he said to the youthful -knight, “Sir, I pray you tell me who you are.” “I will do so,” replied -the young knight. “But you must also tell me your name and degree.” -“That I will do,” said Sir Galahad. “Wit you that I am called Galahad, -and that I am lately made a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table.” “And -I,” said the other, “am hight Melyas, and I am the son of the King of -Denmark.” Quoth Sir Galahad, “I give you grammercy for your -information.” And he said, “I pray you tell me, what do you here in the -forest alone?”</p> - -<p>“Last night,” said Sir Melyas, “I came hitherward, and since then I have -been travelling through the forest. I slept in the woodland then and I -have not broken my fast since the prime of yesterday.” “Hah!” said Sir -Galahad. “Now I will give you advice. Journey whence I came and by this -road, and you will, by and by, come to the chapel of the Hermit of the -Forest, which is not very far distant. He will give you to eat and to -drink.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Melyas, “I give you thanks, Messire.” Thereupon he arose, and -assuming his helmet he mounted his horse; and, having saluted Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_92" id="page_92">{92}</a></span> -Galahad and Sir Galahad having saluted him, they parted company, each -going upon his way.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Melyas meets two strange knights.</i></div> - -<p>Now Sir Melyas had not gone half a mile from that place when he met two -knights, and as Sir Melyas approached them, one of the knights set his -horse athwart the way and he said, “Sir, I pray you tell me who you are -and whither you go.” Him answered Sir Melyas very mildly, “Messire, my -name is Melyas, and I travel toward the chapel of the Hermit of the -Forest.”</p> - -<p>Quoth the knight, “Well, sir, since you come hitherward, I will have it -that you try a pass with me. So prepare yourself to encounter me -forthwith.”</p> - -<p>Him answered Sir Melyas, “Messire, I have naught against you, but if it -is your will that I do battle with you, then I must do so.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The strange knight overthrows Sir Melyas.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Melyas prepared himself in all ways for that encounter, and the -other knight likewise prepared himself, and when both were in all ways -ready they launched themselves the one against the other with the utmost -violence. So they met in the midst of the course and the spear of Sir -Melyas was broken into a great many pieces in that encounter, but the -spear of the other knight held, so that it pierced through the shield of -Sir Melyas, wounding him in the side, and casting him with such violence -to the earth that he lay there without motion, like one who is dead. -Then the other knight leaped from his horse and he ran to Sir Melyas and -rushed the helmet from his head and he set his misericordia to his -throat, saying, “Yield thee, Sir Knight, or I shall presently slay -thee.” And Sir Melyas reviving from his swoon said, “Sir, slay me not, -for I am sorely hurt.”</p> - -<p>Now turn we to Sir Galahad:</p> - -<p>As he rode onward upon his way, a voice suddenly spoke within him, as it -were in his very ears. And the voice said, “Return, Sir Galahad, for Sir -Melyas is in peril of his life.” And again it said, “Return in haste, -for Sir Melyas is in peril of his life.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad rides to rescue Sir Melyas.</i></div> - -<p>Thereupon Sir Galahad turned his horse about and set it to the gallop, -for he thought that were he mistaken in the voice, then was there no -great harm done in returning. So he rode back whence he had come. And -anon he reached that place where Sir Melyas had fallen, and he beheld -the knight kneeling upon Sir Melyas with the misericordia at his throat, -and he heard the words that the knight uttered and that Sir Melyas -uttered. Then Sir Galahad cried out in a loud voice, “Sir Knight, -withhold thy hand. Turn thou to me, for I am here to defend that -knight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_93" id="page_93">{93}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Then the knight withheld his hand, and he cried out, “Who art thou, Sir -Knight, who cometh hither?” Sir Galahad replied, “It matters not who I -am, saving only that I am here to defend that fallen knight.” “Well,” -quoth the other, “let it be that way if such is your will. Make you -ready.” So the knight arose and ran to his horse and mounted thereon; -and he took his spear in hand, and when he was in all ways prepared, -each knight took stand for the assault.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad overthrows the strange knight.</i></div> - -<p>Then they rushed together like a thunderbolt and each knight smote the -other in the midst of the shield. But the spear of the knight could not -penetrate the shield of Sir Galahad; otherwise, it slid away from it as -though it had been made of adamant, and in sliding away the spear was -broken into several pieces. But the spear of Sir Galahad held, so that -with it he pierced through the shield of the other, and pierced through -his body until the spear’s point stood a hand’s breadth out behind his -back. With that the knight was flung to the earth with such violence -that his neck was broken and he lay dead.</p> - -<p>When the other knight beheld him fall, he cried out, “Hah, Messire, what -have you done? You have slain my brother.” Therewith he drew his sword -and rushed at Sir Galahad, and Sir Galahad threw aside his spear and -drew his sword in defence. Then the knight launched a blow at Sir -Galahad, which he turned with his sword and his shield. Then rising in -his stirrups he launched a blow at the knight that was like a stroke of -lightning for speed and force.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad overcometh the other knight.</i></div> - -<p>The other knight tried to turn that blow, and he did turn it from his -head, but the blow fell upon his left shoulder with great and terrible -force, so that the edge of the sword cut through the epulier of the -shoulder and it cut through the flesh and the bone of the arm so that -the arm was severed from the trunk.</p> - -<p>Then the knight emitted a great loud and bitter cry, and casting aside -his sword he set spurs to his horse and sped away through the forest, -crying aloud as he spurred, “Oh, God! Alas, and woe is me!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad bringeth Sir Melyas to the Hermit of the -Forest.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad wiped his sword and thrust it back into its scabbard. -And he turned to Sir Melyas, and he said, “Sir, how fares it with you?” -Quoth Sir Melyas, “Messire, I am sorely wounded, but you have saved me; -for never did I behold so fierce and terrible a blow as that which you -struck just now, nor did I think it possible that anyone could strike -with such dreadful force as that.” Quoth Sir Galahad, “Nor could I have -struck such a blow were it not that meseemed that those two knights -represented two great sins; the one of the sin of pride, the other the -sin of cruelty. So that thought gave<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_94" id="page_94">{94}</a></span> me, as it were, the strength of -ten, wherefore when I struck I struck with the strength as of ten.” -After that he turned to the knight lying upon the ground and found him -dead. And he raised Sir Melyas and set him upon his horse. And he upheld -him in that wise and returned with him to the chapel of the Hermit of -the Forest. There the Hermit received Sir Melyas, and laid him upon a -couch. And he searched his wound and dressed it, and Sir Melyas was put -to all possible ease with him.</p> - -<p>This was Sir Galahad’s first adventure, and so I have told it to you as -it happened, for so have I read it in the ancient history of these -things.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad heareth of the Castle of the Maidens.</i></div> - -<p>Now, after Sir Galahad had quitted that forest he came out the next day -upon a fair and fertile plain. Anon he met an old man and a young lad. -These he saluted, and he said to the old man, “Reverend Sir, I pray you -tell me, is there any adventure hereabouts that a young knight such as I -am might undertake to his honor?” Quoth the old man, “Aye, I know of -such an adventure.” And he said, “Know you that there is not far from -this a castle called the Castle of Maidens. At that castle there are ten -knights dwelling, who exact tribute from every passer-by. Moreover, -these knights are very cruel and unruly, for they now govern all this -land as with a rod of iron, exacting taxes from the people thereof where -no taxes are due, so that all in this country groan beneath the burden -laid upon them. Pass you by that castle, fair sir, and you will have -adventure enough and to spare from those ten knights.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad inquired, “Whither is that castle whereof thou -speakest?” And the old man pointed in a certain direction with his hand, -saying, “Yonderway you will find it.” So Sir Galahad gave the old man -grammercy for that which he had told him, and he rode away whitherward -the other pointed.</p> - -<p>Anon he came to the crest of a high, steep hill of no very great extent, -and from that hilltop he beheld beneath him a large and noble castle. -And the castle had tall, red roofs of tile, and great quantities of -rooks and daws flew about those roofs like bees about a beehive. And a -river ran down past the castle and beyond it, and where it ran past the -castle the pollard willows were pressed close against the castle walls, -because of the narrowness of the space between the castle wall and the -waters of the river. Beside the walls of the castle there was a town, -and the town was very populous, for Sir Galahad, from the hilltop where -he sat, could behold many people coming and going along the stony -streets thereof. Then<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_95" id="page_95">{95}</a></span> Sir Galahad surmised that this must be the Castle -of Maidens (though why it was so called he did not know then nor till -afterward).</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad cometh to that castle.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Galahad gathered up his reins and he rode down that hill and -toward the castle, and he was not aware that anyone knew of his coming. -But as he rode past the castle beneath the walls thereof, he was of a -sudden called to from above. And when he looked up he beheld there a -small turret, and he beheld that upon that turret there stood ten fair -maidens, and these were they who called to him. Beholding these ten fair -young ladies at that place, he bespoke them, saying, “Ladies, heaven -keep and defend you. Now, I pray you tell me, what is the name of this -castle, and what is it you do here?” They say to him, “Fair Sir, this -castle is called the Castle of Maidens. We are prisoners here, and are -kept in this duress by ten wicked and discourteous knights, from whom -heaven keep you. For if you travel on the road upon which you are -journeying, you will pass by the bridge-head of this castle, and they -will maybe come down to assail you.” To them Sir Galahad said, “Ladies, -I know not whether I could do battle with success as one against -ten—yet if I considered these knights as being the ten deadly sins, -methinks I would have strength given to me to do combat with them. Now I -pray you tell me, how may I assure myself to meet these knights?”</p> - -<p>Quoth one of the ladies upon the turret, “Sir, assuredly thou hast a -great heart within thee. Now if thou wilt pursue the way thou art going, -thou wilt by and by come by the bridge-head. Thereby thou wilt find an -iron horn hanging from a stone pillar. If those knights do not appear, -set thou that horn to thy lips and blow upon it, and anon thou wilt -behold those ten warriors of whom we have been speaking.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad bloweth the castle horn.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Galahad saluted them and rode away, and anon he came to where the -bridge crossed the stream, and there he beheld the post of stone and -from it, hanging by a chain, he beheld the horn of iron. This horn he -set to his lips and blew very loud and shrilly upon it, so that the -walls of the castle echoed back the bleat of that horn.</p> - -<p>Soon after that the gates of the castle were opened and the portcullis -let fall, and there came thundering forth from that place ten knights, -armed cap-a-pie in shining armor.</p> - -<p>The foremost of those knights rode up to Sir Galahad and said to him, -“Sir, art thou shriven?” “Why ask you that?” said Sir Galahad. -“Because,” said that knight, “thou art presently to die, therefore thou -shouldst be shriven.” “So far as that is concerned,” said Sir Galahad, -“I am not unready to die.” “Then,” said the other, “thou shalt presently -awaken in paradise, since thou art ready for it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_96" id="page_96">{96}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>So each knight assumed such stand as appeared to him to be fitting, and -each set his spear in rest, and then each dashed at the other with might -and main. So they met in the middle of the course with such violence and -uproar as was wonderful to see and to hear.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad overcometh the first knight.</i></div> - -<p>In that encounter the spear of the knight of the castle slipped from the -shield of Sir Galahad, and was broken into many pieces, but the spear of -Sir Galahad held, wherefore he overthrew that knight with such terrible -violence that his neck was broken in his fall, and he lay dead upon the -earth.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad doeth battle with nine.</i></div> - -<p>Then when the other knights beheld the fall of that knight, they cried -out, “Hah! A rescue! a rescue!” Therewith they all nine made at Sir -Galahad to overwhelm him with numbers. All nine of them struck him upon -the shield at one time, but their spears glanced from the shield of Sir -Galahad and could not penetrate it, nor was he overthrown by their -assault, nor did he lose even a foot from his stirrup.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad cast aside his spear and drew his bright, shining -sword, and he rode at those nine knights and he rode in amongst them, -striking with his blade to the right hand and to the left. Nor could -their blows harm him, for in that short time he struck down to the -ground three of those knights, so that there were but six of them left.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad overcometh the knights.</i></div> - -<p>Then the hearts of those six knights began to fail them, and they bore -back across the bridge with intent to enter the castle once more. But -meantime the people of the castle, seeing how affairs went with them, -had raised the bridge and had closed the castle gates against them. Nor -would they lower the bridge nor open the gates again, wherefore those -knights wist not what to do in their hour of need. Then Sir Galahad was -upon them and smote down two more of them and with that the four who -were left fled with great speed and he pursued them back across the -bridge. And Sir Galahad still pursued them, and he struck once and -again, now to the right and now to the left, so that ere they could -escape from him and in those two blows Sir Galahad had struck down two -more of them. Then the two who were left made their escape and they fled -from that place with might and main. And Sir Galahad pursued them also -with might and main, but their horses were fresher than his, and so they -escaped away from him.</p> - -<p>So Sir Galahad rode back again slowly to the castle, and at his coming -the gates were opened with great sound of rejoicing. For the streets -were full of people of all sorts and conditions, and these lifted up -their voices with loud and prolonged applause. And of those eight whom -he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_97" id="page_97">{97}</a></span> overthrown, all of them were dead. For those who had not died by -their fall, the people had put to death upon their own account.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad said to the chief magistrate of that town, “Where are -those ten maidens who bespoke me ere I came to this place?” And the -chief magistrate answered him, “Sir, we will bring them to you.” So anon -came those ladies, and when they had come to Sir Galahad they kneeled -before him and kissed his hand and gave him great praise and loud -acclaim. Sir Galahad said to them, “Why do you kneel to me, and why do -you kiss my hand?” They say to him, “Because of your strength and your -prowess.” He said, “Nay, that strength and that prowess I gave not to -myself; therefore, if I have shown strength and prowess, give praise -therefor unto the God who gave them to me, and not to me who am their -continent.” And he said, “Where is the chief lord of this town?”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad liberates the captive lord.</i></div> - -<p>The ten maidens said, “Sir, he is our father, and he is a prisoner now -in the dungeon of this place. For those ten knights overthrew him and -made him prisoner, wherefore he now lieth in duress.” Sir Galahad said, -“Bring him forth that I may behold him.” So several ran to where he was, -and anon they returned with him, and the chains that bound him were -still upon his hands and feet. Sir Galahad said, “Let these chains be -removed.” And when they were taken off of that knight, he said to him, -“Take back that which is thine own and oppress not thy people. For so -have they been oppressed of late by their ten masters, who were the ten -knights whom I have overthrown. But now thine enemies are either slain -or put to flight, so that thou art free. Nor shall you ever be put to -such pain again.”</p> - -<p>Then, again, was there great applause.</p> - -<p>Then the eldest of those ten maidens said to him, “Sir, will you not -rest here awhile with us?” Sir Galahad said, “I may not rest with you, -for my time is short and there is much to do in that time; wherefore I -must be again upon my way.”</p> - -<p>So he bade them farewell, and after that he departed from that place, -taking with him the thanks and the blessings of all the people dwelling -therein. Yet for many long years afterward, the memory of Sir Galahad -was held at that place, and parents told to their children, and those -children to their children for several generations, how that Sir Galahad -of the Grail had come thither and had done those great and redoubtable -actions at arms that are herein told of and recounted. For it was not -until afterward that he became known as the greatest knight that the -world had ever beheld until that time.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_98" id="page_98">{98}</a></span></p> - -<p>Such is the story of Sir Galahad and of the Castle of the Maidens; so -he, one knight, overcame the ten knights of that castle, and thus he -departed thereafter.</p> - -<p>Now turn we from Sir Galahad and take we up the adventures of Sir -Launcelot at this time. Wherefore I pray you to read that which -followeth.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_99" id="page_99">{99}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_100" id="page_100">{100}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_021.jpg" width="382" height="550" alt="The Grail is manifested, and Sir Launcelot sleepeth:" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_101" id="page_101">{101}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Fourth-b" id="Chapter_Fourth-b"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Fourth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival met Sir Galahad, and what befell -them. Also how Sir Launcelot beheld the Grail in a dream.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">A</span>FTER Sir Launcelot left the Court of the King of Camelot, he wended his -way from place to place, meeting no adventure anywhere. So, upon a -certain day, he came to a farmhouse, close to the borders of the forest, -and there sought shelter for the night.</p> - -<p>She who met him was the farmer’s wife, and she was both brown and buxom. -Beside her stood two children, holding by the skirts of her garments. -She gave Sir Launcelot welcome, and said to him, “Here, to-day, hath -come another knight who hath sought shelter as you now beseech it.” Sir -Launcelot said, “Who is he?” She said, “I know not, only that he is -gentle and kind.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot meets Sir Percival at the farmhouse.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot entered the house, and he whom he beheld there was Sir -Percival, and at that he was very glad. And Sir Percival was also very -glad to behold Sir Launcelot. So the next morning early, and after they -had broken their fast, they took horse and rode away very lovingly -together.</p> - -<p>So they journeyed for the great part of that morning, and about high -noontide they had come to a very pleasant part of the country where were -hills covered with green fields rising up against the sky; where were -many pleasant streams and watercourses; and where were flocks and herds -browsing in the long, damp grass of the pasture lands.</p> - -<p>Here in a dale where there was a small wooden bridge crossing a glassy -and smooth-flowing river, they beheld a knight coming from the other -direction, and Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival were upon one side of the -bridge, and that knight was upon the other side. And that other knight -was Sir Galahad, though neither of those two knew who he was.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot held up his hand, and he cried out, “Messire, I pray -you for to wait until we have crossed the bridge, for three of us cannot -cross it at the same time.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_102" id="page_102">{102}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“Nay, sir,” quoth Sir Galahad, “my business does not allow me to wait, -so I pray you to let me pass.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot challenges Sir Galahad at the bridge.</i></div> - -<p>“Not so,” quoth Sir Launcelot, “I cannot let you pass until you have -proven your right to pass. You must run a tilt with me, and if I -overthrow you, then will you wait to let us pass; but if you overthrow -me, then will we wait to let you pass.” So said Sir Launcelot, for it -did not seem to him to be possible that the strange knight could -overthrow him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot is overthrown.</i></div> - -<p>So each knight set his spear in rest, and anon each charged with great -violence at each other. Thus they swept together like a hurricane, and -so met in the centre of the bridge. In that encounter the spear of Sir -Launcelot struck the shield of Sir Galahad, directly in the centre -thereof; but the blow that he gave glanced aside as if the shield had -been a polished mirror. But the spear of Sir Galahad struck Sir -Launcelot in the middle of the shield and it held, and so violent was -the blow of Sir Galahad that both Sir Launcelot and his steed were -overthrown upon the planking of the bridge.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival is wounded.</i></div> - -<p>Sir Percival looked with great amazement at the overthrow of Sir -Launcelot. Then, crying out in a great voice, “Sir, what have you done? -Defend yourself from me!” he drew his sword and rushed forward upon the -bridge. And Sir Galahad, when he beheld Sir Percival approach in that -manner, cast aside his spear and drew his sword likewise. So, when they -met in the middle of the bridge, Sir Percival smote Sir Galahad a great -buffet with his sword, which stroke Sir Galahad turned with his shield. -Then Sir Galahad rose up in his stirrups and he launched a blow like a -thunderbolt against Sir Percival. Sir Percival endeavored to turn that -blow with his shield, but he could not turn it, for it smote through his -shield and it smote through his helmet and it smote through the iron cap -beneath the helmet, and, had the blade not turned in the hand of Sir -Galahad, it would have slain Sir Percival. As it was, Sir Percival’s -head swam beneath that blow and he swooned away, swaying from side to -side in his saddle until he fell from his saddle and lay upon the bridge -without life or motion, like one who was dead.</p> - -<p>But Sir Galahad did not stop to inquire who were those two knights whom -he had overthrown, nor did he pause to inquire how badly he had hurt -them; but regaining his spear and setting spurs to his horse he rode -away from that place, leaving them lying upon the bridge.</p> - -<p>Anon Sir Launcelot aroused himself, and he beheld Sir Percival where he -lay. Then Sir Launcelot arose and went to Sir Percival, and removed his -helmet. And he cast water into the face of Sir Percival so that, in a -little<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_103" id="page_103">{103}</a></span> while, Sir Percival was aroused from his swoon. Then Sir -Launcelot said, “I would God I knew who that knight was, for never have -I felt such a blow as I just now received, nor have I ever been so -shamed as I was shamed this day.” Said Sir Percival, “Wit ye not who -that knight was?” and he said, “Meseems it was none other than your son, -Sir Galahad.” Quoth Sir Launcelot, “At that I would take comfort were he -my son, but not at anything else.”</p> - -<p>Then each knight mounted his horse, and so together they presently rode -away from that place. But Sir Launcelot’s head hung down upon his -breast, for the memory of that blow which had overthrown him, and for -the shame thereof; for never had he been overthrown from his horse -before this day in all of his life. And, somewhiles, he thought that he -who had overthrown him was, maybe, Sir Galahad, and at that he took -comfort, because Sir Galahad was his son. But otherwhiles he thought -that it was not Sir Galahad, and then he was filled with shame because -of his overthrow.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival part company.</i></div> - -<p>So riding in that wise they, by and by, came to where the road divided -into two ways, and here Sir Launcelot said, “Sir, let us part company, -for you shall take one road and I will take the other.” Quoth Sir -Percival, “Are you then weary of riding with me?” “Nay,” said Sir -Launcelot, “but I have been overthrown and I am ashamed.” Said Sir -Percival, “What shame do you take in that, seeing it was your own son -that overthrew you?” But to this Sir Launcelot made no reply.</p> - -<p>Then, seeing that Sir Launcelot was determined to quit him, Sir Percival -took the left-hand road, and Sir Launcelot took the right-hand road, and -so they parted.</p> - -<p>Now follow we Sir Launcelot after they had thus separated.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot findeth a deserted chapel.</i></div> - -<p>Sir Launcelot rode for the rest of that day without meeting further -adventure, until about evening time, when he came to a bare and naked -knoll covered with furze bushes. Here, in the midst of that wild, he -beheld an ancient ruined chapel, and he said to himself, “Here will I -rest me for the night.” So he rode around that chapel, seeking for the -door thereof, but he could find no door upon any side of the chapel, but -only windows, very high raised from the ground. And he could not enter -that chapel by any of its windows, because they were built in the wall -so far beyond his reach that he could not attain to them. Then Sir -Launcelot said, “This is a very strange chapel that it should have no -doors, but only windows so high that I cannot enter by them. Now I will -rest here and see what is the meaning of this place.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_104" id="page_104">{104}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>So saying, he dismounted from his horse, and lay down beneath a -thornbush that was not far distant from the chapel.</p> - -<p>Now, as Sir Launcelot lay there, a drowsiness began to descend upon him, -and though he could not sleep yet it was as though he did sleep, for he -could move nor hand nor foot. Yet was he conscious of all that passed -about him as though he had been wide awake. For he was conscious of the -dark and silent vaults of sky, sprinkled all over with an incredible -number of stars, and he was conscious of his horse cropping the herbage -beside him in the darkness, and he was conscious of the wind that blew -across his face, and that moved the corner of his cloak in the silence -of the night time. Of all these things was he conscious, and yet he -could not move of his own will so much as a single hair.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>There cometh a wounded knight.</i></div> - -<p>Anon, whilst he lay in that wise he was presently aware that some people -were approaching the chapel in the darkness, for he heard the sound of -voices and of the feet of horses moving upon the road. So, in a little -while, there came to that place a knight and an esquire. And the knight -was very sorely wounded, for his armor was broken and shattered by -battle, and the esquire sustained him in the saddle so that, except for -the upholding of the esquire’s arm and hand, he would have fallen -prostrate down upon the ground.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot, as he lay in that waking sleep, heard the knight say -to the esquire, “Floradaine, is the chapel near at hand, for mine eyes -are failing and I cannot see.” And the esquire wept and he said, “Yea, -Lord, it is here. Sustain yourself but for a little and you will be -there.”</p> - -<p>To this the knight made answer, “Floradaine, I cannot sustain myself for -long.” And the esquire said, “It is here.” The knight said, “Give thanks -to God for that, for had it been a little farther I would have fallen -from my horse. Now, Floradaine, lift me to earth.”</p> - -<p>Therewith the esquire drew rein and he dismounted from his horse and he -lifted the knight down from his charger, and the knight groaned very -dolorously as the esquire lifted him down. Then, breathing very heavily -and with great labor, the knight said, “Floradaine, is there a light?” -And the esquire said, “Not yet, Messire.” Again, after a little, the -knight said, “Is there yet a light?” And again the esquire answered, -“Not yet, Messire.” And again, after awhile, the knight said for the -third time, “Floradaine, is there yet a light?” And this time the knight -breathed the words as in a whisper of death. Then of a sudden the -esquire called out in a loud and joyful voice, “Yea, Lord, now I behold -a light!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>There cometh a light.</i></div> - -<p>All this Sir Launcelot beheld in that waking dream, and though it was in -the darkness of night, yet he beheld it very clearly, as though it were -by<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_105" id="page_105">{105}</a></span> the sun of noonday. For he beheld the face of the knight that it was -white as of pure wax, and that the sweat of death stood in beads upon -his forehead. And he beheld that the esquire was young and fair, and -that he had long ringlets of yellow hair that curled down upon his -shoulder. Then when the esquire said that he beheld a light, Sir -Launcelot beheld the windows of the chapel that they were illuminated -from within with a pale blue lustre, as though the dawn were shining in -that chapel. And he heard the sound of chaunting voices, at first very -faint and far away, but anon ever growing stronger and stronger as the -light from the chapel grew stronger. And those voices chaunted a melody -that was so sweet and ravishing that it caused the heart to melt as with -an agony.</p> - -<p>Then the walls of that chapel opened like a door and a light shone forth -with a remarkable lustre so that it illuminated the face of that dying -knight, and of the page who upheld him. And at the same time the song -burst forth in great volume, as it were a thunder of chaunting.</p> - -<p>Then forthwith there came out of the chapel a bright shining spear, and -two fair hands held the spear by the butt, yet Sir Launcelot could not -behold the body to whom those two hands belonged. And after the spear -there came forth a chalice, and two fair, white hands held that chalice, -but neither could Sir Launcelot behold any body to which those hands -belonged. And the chalice seemed to send forth a light of such dazzling -radiance that it was as though one looked at the bright and shining sun -in his glory.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot beholdeth the Grail in a dream.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot was aware that this was the Holy Grail of which he -was in search, and he strove with all his might to arouse himself, but -he could not do so. Then the tears burst out from his eyes and traced -down his cheeks in streams, but still he could not arouse himself, but -lay chained in that waking sleep.</p> - -<p>So the chalice advanced toward that knight, but the knight had not -strength to reach forth and touch it. Then the esquire took the arm of -the knight and raised it, and he raised the hand of the knight so that -the hand touched the chalice.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Grail healeth the wounded knight.</i></div> - -<p>Then it was as though Sir Launcelot beheld the virtue of the Grail go -forth from it, and that it passed through the hand of the wounded -knight, and that it passed through his arm and penetrated into his body. -For he beheld that the blood ceased to flow from that wounded knight, -and that the color flooded back into his cheeks and that the light came -back into his eyes and that the strength returned to his body.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_106" id="page_106">{106}</a></span></p> - -<p>Then the knight arose and he kneeled down before the Grail, and he set -his palms together and he prayed before the Grail.</p> - -<p>Then, slowly, the light that had been so bright from the Grail began to -wane. First the spear disappeared, and then the hands that held it -disappeared. Then, for awhile, the Grail glowed with a faint, pallid -light, and then it, too, vanished, and all was dark as it had been -before.</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot beheld the vision of the Grail, but as in the vision of -a dream as I have told it here to you. And still the tears rained from -his eyes, for he could not rouse himself to behold it with his waking -eyes.</p> - -<p>After this the knight and the esquire approached to the place where Sir -Launcelot lay asleep, and the esquire said to the knight, “Messire, who -is this man, and why sleepeth he here whilst all these wonders pass him -by?” And the knight said, “This knight is a very sinful man, and his -name is Sir Launcelot of the Lake.” Quoth the esquire, “How hath he -sinned?” To which the knight replied, “He hath sinned in this way. He -had a beautiful and gentle lady, and he deserted that wife for the sake -of Queen Guinevere. So his lady went away and left him, and anon she -gave birth to Galahad, and in that birth she also gave her life. So Sir -Launcelot betrayed his wife, and because of that betrayal he now lieth -sleeping, and he cannot waken until after we are gone away from this -place.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The knight taketh Sir Launcelot’s horse.</i></div> - -<p>Then the esquire said to the knight, “Messire, behold; here this knight -hath a good, strong horse. Take thou this horse and leave thine own in -its stead. For this horse is fresh and full of life, and thine is spent -and weary with battle.” And the knight said, “I will take that horse.”</p> - -<p>So the knight took the horse of Sir Launcelot instead of his own. And he -left his own horse behind him. Then he mounted the horse of Sir -Launcelot and the esquire mounted his horse, and after that the knight -and the esquire rode away from that place.</p> - -<p>Then, after they had gone, Sir Launcelot bestirred himself and awoke. -And he would have thought that all that he had beheld was a dream, but -he beheld the worn and weary horse of the knight was there, and that his -horse was gone. Then he cried aloud in great agony of soul, “Lord, my -sin hath found me out!” And therewith he rushed about like a madman, -seeking to find a way into that chapel, and finding no way.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot is absolved by the Hermit of the Forest.</i></div> - -<p>So when the day broke he mounted the worn and weary horse that the -knight had left, and he rode away from that place and back into the -forest; and his head hung low upon his breast. When he had come into the -forest and to the cell of the hermit thereof, he laid aside his armor -and he kneeled down before<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_107" id="page_107">{107}</a></span> the Hermit of the Forest, and confessed all -his sins to him. And the Hermit of the Forest gave him absolution for -these sins, and he said, “Take peace, my son. For although thou shalt -not behold the Grail in thy flesh, yet shall God forgive thee these sins -of thine that lie so heavily upon thy soul.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot arose chastened from his confession. And he left his -armor where it lay and assumed the garb of an anchorite. And he went -away from that place, into the remoter recesses of the forest. There he -dwelt in the caves and in the wilds, living upon berries and the fruits -of the forest. And he dwelt there a long time until he felt assured that -God had forgiven him. Then he returned to his kind again; but never -after that day was he seen to smile.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So hath this been told to you that you may see how it is that the sins -that one hath committed follow one through one’s life and in the end -bring the soul such distress and failure as that which Sir Launcelot -here suffered and endured. For it hath already been told in another -volume than this book (which same is called “The Story of Sir Launcelot -and His Companions”) how that Sir Launcelot of the Lake remained at the -Court of King Arthur whilst his Lady, Elaine the Fair, quitted the -court, and how that he remained at that court, being held there by the -wiles and the charms of Queen Guinevere. Then it was told how that the -Lady Elaine died for loneliness and grief in giving birth to Galahad, -and it was told how that Sir Launcelot repented him for that death with -deep and bitter remorse.</p> - -<p>So it was because of that sin that he was not now permitted to behold -the Grail with his waking eyes nor to touch it with his living hands. -For a sin doth not quit a man because he hath remorse for it nor is it -wiped from his soul because he repents him of it, but always it -remaineth by him and by and by the time cometh when he must pay to the -full the account of that sin which he hath one time committed.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>For so it is with all of those who commit a sin, be it great or be it -less. For they cannot correct that sin by remorse or by repentance, but -only by so living a life of righteousness that that sin shall be removed -away from them, so that it becometh as though it were not.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So it was with Launcelot, for he was to pay in full for that sin which -he had committed. For never did he behold the Grail other than it was at -that time and never did he touch it with his hand; nay; never did he -touch it even with so much as a single finger; but otherwise he<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_108" id="page_108">{108}</a></span> -remained as a recluse in a cell coadjacent to the cell of the Hermit of -the Forest, as aforesaid.</p> - -<p>There leave we him to follow the other parts of this story, for here -followeth the story of Sir Percival, which you are now to read if you -would enter further into the history of these things herein told of.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_109" id="page_109">{109}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_110" id="page_110">{110}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_022.jpg" width="378" height="550" alt="Sir Percival rideth the black horse" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_111" id="page_111">{111}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Fifth-b" id="Chapter_Fifth-b"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Fifth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>Sir Percival findeth a horse that nearly bringeth him to destruction. -Also he meeteth a fair damsel and feasts with her. Finally he enters a -boat and there finds rest and comfort.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW, after Sir Percival had left Sir Launcelot as aforetold of, he rode -upon his way alone. And his way led him, by and by, through a waste of -land where was nothing growing, but where there were great quantities of -stones scattered all over the earth. Here he rode for some time, looking -forward before him for something that grew.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival’s horse falleth lame.</i></div> - -<p>So while the mind of Sir Percival was elsewhere, the horse which he rode -slipped his foot upon a round, loose stone, and the stone turned under -the horse’s foot so that it strained its shoulder. At first Sir Percival -knew naught of this mishap, but presently, anon, the horse began to limp -as it walked. And every minute the horse of Sir Percival limped worse -than it had limped the minute before. So Sir Percival wist not what to -do, for here was he with a horse that could not fare farther with him, -and there was no house within sight, and there was no person within -sight upon all that barren waste.</p> - -<p>So Sir Percival dismounted from his horse, and he took the bridle of the -horse over his arm, and so he walked with the bridle over his arm and -the horse limped behind him.</p> - -<p>Thus he travelled for a great way, and anon he left that stony waste -behind him, and came to a country where green things grew. And anon -after that he came to a place that was spread all over with fertile -fields of grass interspersed with plantations of trees, both oak trees -and elm trees.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival meeteth a damsel in red.</i></div> - -<p>Here, passing by a small fountain of water, he beheld a fair damsel -sitting beside the margin of that fountain, and the damsel was clad all -in red, from top to toe. This damsel had with her a palfrey and a great -black horse beside that palfrey, and the black horse was very remarkable -for breadth and sinew, for his shoul<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_112" id="page_112">{112}</a></span>ders were deep and his legs were -corded with muscles, and his fetlocks were adorned with long and curling -hairs, and his eyes were very bright and shining as with fire beneath -them, and his ears were sharp and pointed, as though they had been cut -with a fine knife, and his mane and tail were thick and black, like the -clouds of night, and there was not a white hair upon him, from the tip -of his nose to the end of his tail.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The damsel giveth a horse to Sir Percival.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth Sir Percival, “Hah, maiden, that is a fine horse that thou hast -there.” Said she, “Yea, Messire; he is a very fine horse.” Said Sir -Percival, “I would that thou wouldst sell me that horse; for mine own, -as thou seest, is gone lame.” The maiden said, “Sir, are you not Sir -Percival of Gales?” Then Sir Percival was greatly astonished that the -damsel should know him, and he said, “Yea, damsel, that is my name.” -“Then,” quoth she, “I cannot accept money from you for this horse. But -if you will take him for your own, then you may have him. So leave you -your lame horse here, and take this horse instead of it. For wit you I -have been sent with this horse that you might have it to ride upon.”</p> - -<p>Then was Sir Percival still more astonished at what the damsel said, and -he knew not what to think that the damsel should be there at that place -with a fresh, sound horse for his use when his own horse had fallen -lame. So he thanked the damsel in great measure, and he handed her the -reins of his horse, and took the reins of the black horse. Then he put -his foot in the stirrup and mounted the black horse at one leap.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The horse rideth away with Sir Percival.</i></div> - -<p>So the horse stood quite still until Sir Percival had his seat and his -feet in the stirrups. After that it bowed its head and took the bit in -its teeth. Then immediately it rushed away to the southward with great -speed like the wind, and its mane and tail stood out straight behind it -because of its speed. Nor could Sir Percival control or guide it, for -the horse held the bit between its teeth and it was as though blinded, -rushing forward like the wind. And ever it ran toward the southward, -without let or stay. And Sir Percival said to himself, “What sort of a -beast is this upon which I am sitting, is it a horse or is it a lion or -is it a dæmon?”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The horse bringeth him to the sea.</i></div> - -<p>So the horse rushing onward began, by and by, to draw nigh to the sea, -for now and then Sir Percival could catch glimpses of the sea across the -uplands like a thread of bright silver against the distant horizon; for -by this time night had fallen. And anon he could hear the roaring of the -sea beating upon a place where there were a great many rocks, and where -the water spouted and churned amongst the rocks as white as milk. Then, -reaching this spot, the horse<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_113" id="page_113">{113}</a></span> stopped all of a sudden, panting and -trembling and all a lather with sweating foam.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Percival dismounted from the horse, and as soon as his foot -touched the earth the black horse vanished and Sir Percival stood there -alone. And he wist not what to do, but stood there doubting and -wondering.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival meeteth a beautiful lady.</i></div> - -<p>Anon as he so stood he beheld something coming a great way off, and ever -it came nearer and nearer, and by and by he perceived that it was a -boat, and that it was approaching very rapidly the place where he stood, -and that without either sails or oars to urge it upon its course. So Sir -Percival stood there and watched the boat as it drew rapidly nearer to -him, and by and by he perceived that there was someone in the boat, and -then he perceived that it was a beautiful lady, and that there were -seven beautiful damsels attendant upon her. And he beheld that this lady -was clad all in red, and that her hair was red, the color of gold, and -that it was emmeshed in a net of gold. And around her dress and her neck -he beheld that there were chains and ornaments of gold, so that the lady -sparkled and gleamed as though she had been an image of jewels and of -gold. And the attendants of the lady were also clad in red and also wore -ornaments of gold about their necks, wherefore the whole boat gleamed -and shone as with a shine of golden light.</p> - -<p>Thus that boat came to the beach where Sir Percival stood, and the lady -stepped from the boat upon the sand, and Sir Percival came forward and -assisted her to disembark. And the lady said, “Hail, Sir Percival, and -give thee peace.” And all the attendants of that lady also said, “Give -thee peace.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Percival, “Who are ye who know me and I know not you?” To the -which the lady made reply, “We are fay and not of this earth, therefore -we know many things that you wit not of.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival sits at feast with the lady.</i></div> - -<p>Then that lady bade her attendants to set up a pavilion and they did so, -and the pavilion was of red samite, and above it was a great banner of -white samite embroidered with the figure of a leopard in threads of -gold. And in the pavilion they set a table of gold, and they covered the -table with a napkin of finest linen, and the lady of the boat took Sir -Percival by the hand and led him into the pavilion.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Percival and the lady seated themselves at the table, and the -damsels attendant upon the lady served them with food. And certain of -these attendant maidens took harps into their hands, and they played -upon the harps, and sang in unison to those two, and so sweet was the -music they made that it melted the heart to listen to them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_114" id="page_114">{114}</a></span></p> - -<p>And those who waited upon Sir Percival and the lady brought to them all -manner of dishes, dressed with spices and condiments of all sorts, and -Sir Percival and the damsel ate together. Then others brought wines of -all sorts, both white wines and red, and this wine was very powerful and -sweet, and Sir Percival and the lady drank together. And the wine flowed -very strongly through the veins of Sir Percival so that his head swam -with the strength of that wine and with the potency thereof.</p> - -<p>Then, by and by, the lady grew very fond toward Sir Percival, and she -put her arms about his shoulders and held him very close to her. With -this the wine swam still more powerfully in Sir Percival’s head, and he -knew not very well what he said or did. And he said, “Lady, tell -me—what is this, and why am I here?” To this she answered, “Percival, -thou glorious knight! this is the pavilion of Love, and I am the spirit -of Venus who inhabits it. So yield thou to that spirit and take thou the -joy of thy life whiles thou mayst.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival kisses the lady.</i></div> - -<p>Therewith she reached her arms again to Sir Percival and he reached his -arms toward her and he took her into his arms. And Sir Percival kissed -her upon the lips and the fire from her lips passed into his heart and -set his soul aflame.</p> - -<p>Then, in that moment, he knew not why, he suddenly bethought him of that -fair lady whom he had met in the tent when first he went forth as a -knight, clad in his armor of wicker-work. And he thought of how he had -kissed her that time; and he thought of how he had beheld her in that -cold and windy room of the castle, lying dead and white before him; and -he thought of how he had beheld the Spear and the Grail that time in the -castle. Then it was as though a wind of ice struck across the flame of -his passion, and he cried out thrice in a loud voice, “God! God! God! -What is this I would do, and why should I sin in this wise?” And -therewith he drew upon his forehead the sign of the cross.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The lady disappears.</i></div> - -<p>Then in an instant the lady who sat beside him shrieked very loud and -shrill, and all about him was confusion and turbulence. And Sir Percival -looked, and behold! it was not a strange and beautiful lady who sat -beside him like a wonderful goddess, but it was the Enchantress Vivien, -clad in red and bedecked with her jewels. For it was she who had thus -planned the undoing of Sir Percival by causing him to sin.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Percival cried, “Hah! Is it thou who wouldst betray me?” And -therewith he reached for his sword which he had laid aside. Then, seeing -what he intended, the Enchantress Vivien shrieked again, and she smote -her hands together, and in that instant she disappeared, and all her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_115" id="page_115">{115}</a></span> -attendants disappeared, and the pavilion and the table and all of the -feast and wine disappeared, and the boat in which she had come -disappeared, and Sir Percival found himself sitting alone upon the -seaside.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Percival kneeled down and he set his hands together and he -prayed. And he said, “O God! how hast thou saved thy servant by means of -a floating thought? For the thought of that which was sacred and holy -hath purged my sin that was very close to me.” And he said, “How shall I -thank thee for this; for lo! I trod upon a crust so thin that, had I -borne even a part of my weight upon it, I would have fallen through that -crust as into a lake of fire.”</p> - -<p>So he prayed for a long time and by and by he was comforted. Then he -arose and stood up, and he girded his sword tight about him. And he cast -his eyes all around and he beheld that he was alone and in a very -desolate place. And, at that time, the full moon was shining very -brightly.</p> - -<p>Anon he beheld in the gloom of the distance an object that approached -very rapidly. And this object also was a boat, but there was no one in -it.</p> - -<p>And when the boat approached nigh enough he beheld that there was a -couch within it, and that the couch was covered with white linen. But no -other thing was in the boat but that.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Percival said, “What is this? Is there a sin also in this, or -is it without sin?” And he said, “If this be sin, then let it declare -itself,” and therewith he marked the sign of the cross upon his -forehead.</p> - -<p>But there followed not any malignant sign after that, but the boat -remained there where it was.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival entereth a boat.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Percival perceived that it was intended for him to enter that -boat, and he did enter it. And at that time the moon had arisen very -full and round. And the moon shone down upon the earth with a wonderful -radiance. So that what with the light in the sky from the moonlight, it -was as though a strange and magical radiance embalmed the entire earth.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The boat sails away with him.</i></div> - -<p>Then the boat moved away from the shore very rapidly and smoothly. And -it ran past the sharp and treacherous rocks, and it went past all -obstructions and so out into the broad and heaving surface of the sea -beyond.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Here all was stillness and peace, for all about was the hush and silence -of night time, and there was no sound whatsoever to mar that stillness, -but only the moon and the stars shining above in the sky.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_116" id="page_116">{116}</a></span></p> - -<p>So Sir Percival laid him down upon the couch and anon he slept a very -deep and dreamless sleep.</p> - -<p>Now leave we Sir Percival lying in that boat, and turn we to the story -of Sir Bors de Ganis and how it befell with him at this time.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_117" id="page_117">{117}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_118" id="page_118">{118}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_023.jpg" width="386" height="550" alt="Sir Bors rides with the white knight" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_119" id="page_119">{119}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Sixth-b" id="Chapter_Sixth-b"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Sixth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Bors confessed himself to the Hermit of the Forest. How he -overthrew a knight, and how he came to the seashore and of what -befell him there.</i></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors confesses to the Hermit of the Forest.</i></div> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">U</span>PON a certain day Sir Bors rode into the forest, and by and by he came -to the chapel of the Hermit of the Forest. And the Hermit welcomed Sir -Bors, saying, “God save thee,” and Sir Bors greeted the Hermit, saying, -“God save thee and keep thee, Sir Hermit.” So Sir Bors abided that night -with the Hermit of the Forest, and when the next morning had come he -besought the Hermit to confess him. And the Hermit of the Forest shrived -Sir Bors, and he beheld that the soul of Sir Bors was very white and -clean and that he was extraordinarily free from sin. And the Hermit said -to him, “Sir, if valor and if purity of life may so recommend a man that -he may win the Grail, then will you certainly behold it with the eyes of -your body and touch it with the hand of your flesh. For you are both -very brave and very pure of life.”</p> - -<p>To this Sir Bors said, “Sir, that which you tell me is exceedingly -comforting to me, for so would I rather achieve a sight of the Grail and -touch that sacred vessel than anything else in all the world. Now, I -pray you, tell me if there is anything else that I may do that may -better fit me to find that holy chalice.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors vows a fast.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth the Hermit, “There is but one thing, and that thing is that you -finally purify yourself by refraining from eating any manner of meat, -and that you fast upon bread and water until you have beheld and have -touched the Grail.” Said Sir Bors, “Holy Father, so will I fast from -meat and wine.” And the Hermit said, “And this also shall you do. You -shall lay aside your armor and shall ride forth in leathern<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_120" id="page_120">{120}</a></span> doublet and -hose and shall wrap yourself in your red cloak against the inclemencies -of the weather.” Said Sir Bors, “That also will I do.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Bors laid aside his armor of defence, and he wrapped himself in -his red cloak, and thus he rode forth into the world.</p> - -<p>After that Sir Bors travelled for an entire day, and whensoever he came -to a roadside cross, he kneeled down before it and recited a prayer. So -against early eventide he came to a part of the country that was -altogether strange and new to him, for here were bogs and marshes, and -many pools and ponds of water where were heron and other water-fowl. So -Sir Bors wist not where he should lodge that night. But anon he beheld -in the distance before him a single tower standing upright upon that -flat expanse, and the tower was like a finger of stone pointing up into -the sky. So Sir Bors made his way toward the castle, and by and by he -came to where the castle was.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors cometh to a castle</i>.</div> - -<p>Coming to that place Sir Bors smote upon the doorway of the castle, and -he smote again and again. By and by one came and opened the door, and -that one was a very aged porter clad all in buckram, and the buckram was -stained and blotched, as with the stain of many years.</p> - -<p>The porter said to Sir Bors, “Sir, who are you, and whence come you?” -And to this Sir Bors made reply, “I am one seeking lodging and shelter -for the night.” The porter said, “Sir, I pray you enter, for you are -exceedingly welcome, and the lady of this castle, though just now in -very great sorrow, is about to sit at supper.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Bors entered the courtyard, and he tied his horse to an iron ring -that was in the side wall of the castle in the courtyard. Then the aged -porter led Sir Bors to his room and there left him to wash and to -refresh himself, whilst he returned to the horse to put it into the -stable and to feed it.</p> - -<p>After Sir Bors had washed and refreshed himself he descended from his -room again, and there he found the aged porter awaiting him. The porter -said, “Sir, come with me,” and Sir Bors followed him. And the porter led -the way from that place into a hall, where there was a table set out for -refreshment.</p> - -<p>Here Sir Bors beheld a young and very beautiful lady, and she was the -chatelaine of the castle. The face of this lady was very white and -exceedingly sorrowful, and her eyelids were red as with continual -weeping. And she was clad in a long, straight black robe, without -ornament or adornment of any sort. She received Sir Bors with great -civility, albeit she did not smile at all; and anon they sat down at -table together.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_121" id="page_121">{121}</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors sups with a beautiful lady.</i></div> - -<p>So the supper was brought in and set before them, and it was the old -porter who served them with their meal. But Sir Bors ate no meat, -neither did he drink any wine; otherwise, he ate of the bread and drank -of the water that was set before them. Anon the chatelaine of the castle -said to him, “Sir, you do not eat of the food of the castle that is set -before you. How doth that happen?” Quoth he, “Lady, I do not eat the -food because I have assumed a vow to eat no meat of any sort until I -have accomplished a certain purpose, and I drink the water because I -have made the same vow concerning wine.” And the lady said, “To what -purpose is that, Messire?” Quoth he, “I am in quest of the Grail, and to -that end I travel, fasting and mortifying myself.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The lady tells her story.</i></div> - -<p>Then, after a little while, he said to her, “Lady, you are sad, will you -not tell me the cause of your sorrow?” To the which she said, “Sir, that -will I gladly do. It is thus: my father was the king of all this land as -far as you can see to the westward of this. For this castle standeth -upon the marches of my father’s country, and is very near to the lands -of another king who is neighbor to this place. My mother died, and my -father married another lady who was both wicked and cruel. So when my -father died this lady seized upon my inheritance, and cast me out into -the world upon mine own dependence. After that she drove me from castle -to castle until this is my last refuge and defence. For now I dwell -herein with only this ancient porter and his wife in attendance upon me. -Nor is she satisfied to leave even this poor house in my possession, for -to-morrow she cometh with several knights to drive me forth from this my -last refuge.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors offereth himself for her defence.</i></div> - -<p>So said the Lady Chatelaine of that place, and when she had ceased -speaking she wept with a passion of tears. Then the heart of Sir Bors -was greatly moved with sympathy, and he said to her, “Lady, I am greatly -grieved at thy sorrow and at its cause.” And he said, “What is thy -name?” She said, “It is Leisette.” Then said Sir Bors, “Lady Leisette, -let me tell thee that had I but a suit of armor to wear, I would stand -as thy defender upon this occasion, and that to-morrow I would stand -between thy father’s wife and thee, even though the knights that follow -her be several and I be but one.” “Sir,” said the lady, “It may hardly -be that one knight could withstand the assault of several; but I may -tell you that in this castle there is a suit of armor (though of a -bygone date), that might serve your purpose. But to what end would you -use it? For the knights attendant upon this lady are all well-tried -knights of battle, and you are maybe not accustomed to wearing armor, -seeing that you travel through the world without armor of any sort<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_122" id="page_122">{122}</a></span> upon -your body.” Then Sir Bors smiled, and he said, “Let that be as it may; -nevertheless, I have worn armor more than once in my life; so I pray you -to send that suit of armor to my room to-night, that I may look at it, -and perhaps try it on.” And the lady said, “It shall be done as you -ask.”</p> - -<p>So that night the old porter brought the armor to the room of Sir Bors, -and he assisted Sir Bors to clothe himself in the armor, and Sir Bors -found that the armor fitted him very exactly, and he was glad.</p> - -<p>Now when the next day was come Sir Bors walked with the Lady Leisette in -the gardens of the castle. And Sir Bors beheld that she was exceedingly -beautiful and his heart went out to her, and he said to her, “Lady, -meseems your trouble lyeth in this, that you have no knight for your -husband who may defend your rights and claims. Were you wedded to such a -knight, then, you would not suffer these wrongs.” Quoth she, “What -knight would take me for his wife, who am a dowerless lady, with only -one castle left of all her inheritance?”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors talketh at length with the lady.</i></div> - -<p>He said to her, “I say naught concerning myself and mine own strength -and valor. But this I will say, that if I have such fortune as may lead -me to overcome your enemies to-day, I would offer myself to you as your -husband.” She said, “Sir, thou doest me great courtesy. Were I owner of -those three considerable towns that were once my father’s then I would -take thee for my suitor. But as I am now the puppet of so sad a fate, -what shall I say to thee?” Quoth he, “Say aye.” And she said, “Who art -thou, sir?” Quoth he, “I am called Sir Bors de Ganis.” Then she said, -“Aye,” speaking with downcast eyes, and so low a voice that he could -hardly hear her. For the name of Sir Bors was very well known throughout -the entire world, both because of his strength and his valor. Wherefore -she was very much pleased to have him with her.</p> - -<p>Just then there came to them the old porter of the castle and he said to -them, “Prepare yourselves, for hither cometh the Queen of this country, -together with a court of lords and ladies, and with several knights -champion for her escort.” Then Sir Bors said, “Now I will go and arm -myself for battle.” And she said, “Go!”</p> - -<p>So Sir Bors withdrew to his room and the porter of the castle went with -him, and the porter put upon him the pieces of armor and buckled them -very tightly together so that they joined and fitted. And they buckled a -great sword upon one side of him and a misericordia upon the other. Then -when he was in all wise prepared, he took a mighty lance into his hand -and went down into the courtyard and mounted upon his horse. Then came<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_123" id="page_123">{123}</a></span> -the Lady Leisette to him and saluted him and he said to her, “Give me, I -pray you, some favor for to wear.” And she said, “I will do so,” and -therewith gave him the scarf from about her throat. And she tied the -scarf about his arm. Then the porter of the castle opened the gate, and -Sir Bors rode forth from the castle and took his stand in the high-road -in front of the castle, and awaited the coming of those others who were -now drawing near to that place.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors offereth himself as champion.</i></div> - -<p>Anon the Queen of that country perceived Sir Bors where he stood and she -cried out to him, “Sir, who are you who stand there, and why do you -confront us so?” To the which Sir Bors made reply, “Lady, I am the -champion of the lady of this castle, and as her knight I stand here to -await your coming.”</p> - -<p>She said to him, “Know you to whom you speak?” and he said, “Yea, I know -very well; therefore I am here.”</p> - -<p>Then the Queen was very angry, and she cried out to one of her knights, -of whom there were seven in all, “Remove this man from our path so that -we may enter the castle and turn out of it that lady who now holdest -it.”</p> - -<p>Thereupon, with that saying, the knight to whom she spoke rode forth -from the others, and he said to Sir Bors, “Sir, will you do battle with -me?” Quoth Sir Bors, “Very gladly, and for that purpose am I here.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors overthroweth the knight.</i></div> - -<p>So each knight prepared himself in all wise for battle, and when each -had assumed his proper place, the word of command was given and they -rushed together, thundering and with great violence. So they met in the -midst of the course, and in that encounter the spear of the knight who -assaulted Sir Bors was broken into as many as twenty or thirty pieces, -but the spear of Sir Bors held, so that the knight was hurled out of his -saddle and down to the earth with such violence that his neck was -broken, and he died.</p> - -<p>Then the Queen was astonished that her chiefest knight should be so -overthrown, and therewith she cried out to her other six knights, “Hey, -Messires! Assault him all at once so that he may be overthrown, and so -that we may enter this castle!” So, upon that word of command, all six -of those knights drew their swords and rushed upon Sir Bors. He, -beholding them coming thus, threw aside his spear and drew his brightly -shining sword, and so they all met together, Sir Bors in the midst of -them.</p> - -<p>In that battle he well proved his right to be a knight of the Round -Table, for he wheeled his horse to this side and to that, and ever as he -wheeled it about he smote from right to left and from left to right. Two -knights fell before those strokes, and then another fell, so that there -were but three left standing against him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_124" id="page_124">{124}</a></span></p> - -<p>These, seeing how he dealt with them, presently bore back before his -fierce assaults, and so he sat for awhile, panting for breath, and with -the crimson flowing from several wounds he had received.</p> - -<p>Then the Queen chided the three knights, crying out upon them, “How now! -How now! Are you, three knights, afraid of that one knight who is -already wounded in several places? Go ye against him and overthrow him!”</p> - -<p>But ere these three could bring themselves to assail him again, he, not -waiting for their assault, rushed upon them shouting and in that sudden -assault he smote down another of them with his sword. Then the two who -were left, beholding their comrade fall, were filled with terror and -dismay. Their hearts melted like wax within them, and they drew rein and -turned and immediately fled from that place.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors chases the fleeing knights.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Bors pursued them thence shouting, and the two fled straight -through the midst of the court of the Queen, and the court dissolved -away to right and left from before them, shrieking with terror. Just -beyond the purlieus of that court Sir Bors overtook the first of those -two who fled, and he smote him so that he fell like a sack from his -horse, and rolled over and over upon the ground. Then anon he reached -the last of those knights, and coming to him he rose up in his stirrups -and smote him with all his might and main. And the blade of that sword -shore through the helmet of that knight and it shore through the iron -cap beneath the helmet, and it shore through his skull to the throat. -Then that knight emitted a dreadful groan, and fell dead to the earth, -and his horse galloped on without him.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bors rode back again to that court, and he rode up to the Queen -with a threatening countenance, and at his coming she was struck as -white as an ash of wood. And Sir Bors said to her, “Lady, what do you -here at this place?” Then the Queen trembled before him, and anon she -said, “Sir, I come hither seeking my rights.” He said, “Those rights you -seek are not yours, they are another’s. Come with me.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors takes the Queen into the castle.</i></div> - -<p>So saying, he suddenly catched her horse by the bridle and drew her -thence, and no one of all that court dared to prevent him. And Sir Bors -led the horse of the Queen toward that solitary tower of stone, and when -he reached the gate he cried out aloud, “Open to me!” Then the porter of -that castle opened the gate thereof, and Sir Bors led the Queen into the -castle. Then the porter shut the gate of the castle again, and the Queen -was within the walls of the castle and her court of lords and ladies was -without the walls thereof.</p> - -<p>All this the lady of the castle had beheld from the battlements, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_125" id="page_125">{125}</a></span> -her heart was filled with joy and triumph thereat. So anon when Sir Bors -appeared upon the roof of the turret where she was, she ran to him and -catched him and embraced him with great passion, wounded as he was.</p> - -<p>But Sir Bors put her aside, and he went to the edge of the wall, and he -spake to the court of the Queen, saying, “Why wait ye there? Your Queen -is here with us, and here she shall remain our prisoner until justice is -done to the lady of this castle. So return ye to your towns and tell -them this word of mine to you: that justice must be done to this lady, -or else she who called herself Queen cannot go free.”</p> - -<p>After that he withdrew himself from their sight, and he went to his room -where he might bathe himself and dress his hurts. Meantime the court of -the Queen went away from that place, and they were left alone.</p> - -<p>That same day in the afternoon there came three knights thitherward, and -with them came three esquires, and each esquire led a horse, and upon -each horse was a chest.</p> - -<p>Of these three knights, one each was from one of the towns of that -kingdom.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the three knights of the towns, their mission.</i></div> - -<p>Then the knight from the chiefest of those three towns blew upon a -bugle-horn, and anon Sir Bors appeared upon the battlement of the tower -where there was a small turret. Then the knight from without greeted -him, saying, “Sir, hail to you. We three come hither to tell you that we -repent us that we have done wrong to the lady of this tower, wherefore -we will accept her for our queen. Only this: that she shall marry some -good, worthy knight such as yourself, and that he shall be our King as -she is our Queen. For that which we need at this place is not a woman to -rule us, but a man.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bors laughed and he said, “Sir, I will take you at your word, -and in a little while this lady shall marry some gentleman who shall -rule over you.” For Sir Bors thought to himself, “Haply I shall be that -man.”</p> - -<p>So the gates of that castle were opened, and the three knights entered -the courtyard thereof. Then they opened the three chests that their -esquires had brought into the castle courtyard, and in those chests were -all manner of raiment of silks and velvets, together with jewels, and -golden ornaments of divers sorts and designs such as were fit for a -queen to adorn herself withal.</p> - -<p>These were conveyed to the rooms of the lady of the castle, and she -arrayed herself in them, and when she was thus arrayed she shone with a -wonderful beauty and splendor, even as the sun shines when the mists of -heaven dissolve before his face.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_126" id="page_126">{126}</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors and the lady ride away from the castle.</i></div> - -<p>After that the lady of the castle and Sir Bors and the three knights and -their esquires all mounted upon their horses and rode away from that -castle, leaving behind them the lady who had been the Queen of that -land. For there she should abide for awhile under guard of the old -porter of that place.</p> - -<p>So, at last, they reached the chief city of that kingdom where were -great concourses of people assembled to welcome them. These shouted -aloud with a tumult of applause as their new Queen rode up the stony -street amongst them. And everywhere were banners and streamers of many -colored silks, fluttering in the sunlight from the pinnacles of the -houses. So that all the sunlight was gay with radiant tints of red and -blue and yellow and green, and divers gaudy colors, and all the air was -merry with the shouting of multitudinous voices.</p> - -<p>Thus they reached the castle, and so the rightful queen became queen -again.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors hath a dream.</i></div> - -<p>Now one night Sir Bors had a dream. He saw before him a tall and -splendid knight, clad all in pure and shining white, and the knight said -to him, “Sir Bors! Sir Bors! What is it you do?” And Sir Bors dreamed -that he said to him in reply, “I would abide here and rule this kingdom -justly.” The knight said, “Hast thou so soon forgot the quest of the -Grail that in such a short time thou shouldst think only of this and not -of that?”</p> - -<p>Then it seemed to Sir Bors that he was stricken to the heart with -remorse and he cried out aloud, “I will not forget! I will not forget!” -And with that cry he awoke from his dream and found that it was a dream -and that he was trembling as with an ague.</p> - -<p>And all that day the thought of the dream haunted him, so that in the -afternoon, whilst he and the Queen were walking in the garden of the -castle, he spoke to her of it. And after he had told her what he had -dreamed, he said to her, “Lady, ere I wed thee and settle in this place, -there is a duty I must yet perform. For wit you I am in quest of the -Grail and the Grail hath not yet been found. So bid me now to go forth -and to continue my search of it, and when I have found it, then I shall -return to thee and wed thee.” To this the Queen made reply, “Sir Bors, -you have only been with me now for four days, and your wooing is not yet -grown warm. Would you then leave me before that wooing groweth warm so -that it may cool the quicker?” Quoth Sir Bors, “My wooing shall not grow -cold, for I will hold it close to my heart in thy remembrance, and there -I will keep it warm, so that when I return again it will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_127" id="page_127">{127}</a></span> sprung into -life.” The lady said, “Do not leave me, Sir Bors, for now that my rights -are won, thou must remain near to me to help me to protect those rights. -Else it may be that my enemies shall rise against me once more and -overthrow me. It is well for thee to search for the Grail, but what -peculiar virtue will there be in it, or in thee when thou hast found -it?”</p> - -<p>Sir Bors said, “Lady, I do not think that thine enemies can arise -against thee. For thine enemy is thy father’s wife, and she is yet -confined in that solitary castle in which I found thee. But come what -may, I must now quit this place and go forth again upon my quest. For -when a knight hath vowed to undertake a certain thing, that thing he -must continue to pursue until he hath completed it—even though that -thing may appear to be small unto others. Yet the recovery of this Grail -is not a small thing; otherwise it is a very great and a very -considerable thing for any knight to undertake.”</p> - -<p>Then the Queen of that town began weeping, and she said, “Sir Bors, if -thou quittest me now, I know that it must be that thou quittest me for -aye. For in the recovery of the Grail thou wilt forget me, and wilt -never again return to this place. What, then, shall I do without thee?” -Then Sir Bors bowed his face full low and he said, “Lady, that is a hard -saying that thou utterest. Yet even were it so, still should I be -compelled to search for the Grail. For that is the crowning work of the -Round Table, and if so be I shall be instrumental in its recovery, then -shall I, indeed, have done a great work in the world and shall not have -lived in it in vain.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors quitteth the lady.</i></div> - -<p>After that Sir Bors withdrew from that place. And he went to his rooms -and summoned three esquires. These assisted him to his armor, and when -he was armed he descended to the stables and there he gave orders that -his horse should be brought forth to him. And he mounted upon his horse, -and so he rode forth upon his way once more. And he did not again speak -to that Lady Queen; for he said to himself, “Of what avail can it be to -bid her adieu? It will but cause pain to her and pain to me. So I will -go without bidding her adieu.”</p> - -<p>For thus it was whenever a knight of old made a vow, then that knight -set behind him all that was of pleasure or of profit, and drave straight -forward to fulfil that vow which he had made. Hence it was that those -great knights of King Arthur’s Round Table achieved all their vows that -it was possible for them to achieve. For thus is it better to do one’s -duty at all hazards and no matter what may befall one in the doing -thereof. For duty lyeth before all the pleasures and all the glories of -the world, wherefore he who doeth his duty under all circumstances, that -man cannot go astray in his performances.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_128" id="page_128">{128}</a></span></p> - -<p>So Sir Bors rode forward for all that day and for part of the next day, -and toward evening of the second day he found himself in a strange, wild -place. For he knew not where he was or what place it was to which he had -come. For there was a wide stretch of dark and dismal land upon all -sides of him. And very little grass grew upon that land, but many thorn -bushes, most of them without leaves or foliage of any kind. And anon a -carrion crow would spring from the earth and fly heavily away against -the grey and dismal sky, but beyond such things there was no eye of any -sort at that place, but only darkness without any soul alive within it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors meets a White Knight.</i></div> - -<p>Here he came to a cross-road and as he approached that cross-road he was -aware of a solitary knight who was there and waiting. And this knight -was clad all in white armor, and he sat upon a white horse, and he was -the knight whom Sir Bors had seen in his dream; and when Sir Bors drew -nigh he saluted him, saying, “Greeting, Sir Bors, whither goest thou?”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bors said, “Messire, who art thou who knowest me and I know not -thee? For I beheld thee last night, but in a dream.” The White Knight -said, “It matters not who I am, but wit you this, that I know you very -well, and I know that you seek the Holy Grail. Sir Galahad shall achieve -that Grail, and you and Sir Percival, who am the next purest knight to -him, shall find it with him. Here have I been waiting for you for some -while, and at last you have come. So come now with me.” And Sir Bors -said, “I will do so.”</p> - -<p>So after that they two rode together side by side. And anon the sun sank -and the moon arose, very still and bright, and ever they two rode on in -that way side by side together.</p> - -<p>And Sir Bors spoke no word to the White Knight and the White Knight -spoke no word to Sir Bors, but ever they rode in silence all bathed by -the white moonlight; their shadows, black and obscure, following them.</p> - -<p>So at last they came to where there was a wide and stony waste without a -blade of grass or a tree growing upon it, but only a great stretch of -round hard stones of various sizes spread thick all over the earth -before them. Then the White Knight said to Sir Bors, “Yonder is our -road; let us go thither.”</p> - -<p>So they two rode straight forward as that knight had directed they -should do, and all about them lay the white and silent moonlight, like -to a bath of pure and limpid silver. So anon and after a considerable -while Sir Bors heard a great roaring, though far away from where they -were. Then the White Knight drew rein and said, “Hearken, Sir Bors, hear -ye that sound, and wit ye what it is?” Sir Bors said, “What is that -sound?<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_129" id="page_129">{129}</a></span>” The White Knight said, “That is the sea breaking upon the -beach. Thither it is we go.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They come to the sea.</i></div> - -<p>So by and by they came to where there was a little cove of the sea, and -beyond the cove the great waves burst upon the beach. So the White -Knight rode down to the shores of that cove, and Sir Bors followed, and -at that place there was a hard and level beach of pure white sand, and -some rocks were beyond that sand.</p> - -<p>Here Sir Bors beheld that there was a boat beside the rocks, and the -boat rested against the shore, and it was hung within with pure white -linen. And within the middle of the boat was a couch, and on the couch -there was a knight lying asleep. And Sir Bors perceived that that knight -was Sir Percival.</p> - -<p>Then the White Knight said to Sir Bors, “Sir Bors, enter yonder boat, -for so only shalt thou find the Grail.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors enters the boat.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Bors dismounted from his horse and he entered the boat, and with -that Sir Percival awoke and sat up. And when Sir Percival perceived Sir -Bors there in the boat he gave him greeting, and Sir Bors greeted Sir -Percival.</p> - -<p>Then the White Knight gave the boat a thrust from the shore, and the -boat immediately sped away very swiftly into the night-time. And as Sir -Bors and Sir Percival gazed back behind them they could yet see the -figure of the White Knight seated upon his horse as still and motionless -as though he were carved in marble stone. And though neither of them -knew it, yet that knight was the spirit of Sir Balan who had returned to -lead those knights champion to find the Grail.</p> - -<p>Then anon that white figure faded into the dimness of the moonlight and -was gone, and all about them lay the sea, very strange and mysterious -and yet full of motion. And the bright whiteness of the moonlight lay -moving upon the crests of the waves, and ever it wavered this way and -that as though it were liquid silver poured upon the waves.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Such were the adventures of Sir Bors at this time.</p> - -<p>Nor shall you think ill of him because he left that beautiful lady who -was his betrothed wife to seek the Grail. For wit you that the Grail was -thought by all the world to be the greatest and the most important thing -in that world; and its recovery was adjudged to be the most splendid and -the noblest deed that any knight could undertake. Wherefore it was that -Sir Bors would surrender all his hope of love and of riches and of -worldly honor to seek for that Grail.</p> - -<p>This he did not for his own glory but for the glory of heaven, and not -for his own honor, but for the honor of Paradise, where that Grail -really belonged.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_130" id="page_130">{130}</a></span></p> - -<p>Wherefore he would turn aside from all that the world had to offer him -and would direct his face and all his endeavor to the recovery of that -sacred chalice, content, if he should recover it or aid in its recovery, -to sacrifice all the world for the sake of that recovery.</p> - -<p>For be it said at this place that the Lady Leisette did not wait the -return of Sir Bors, but, finding him gone, she took for her husband a -certain noble knight of that kingdom, and he ruled that land in her -behalf with great benignity of judgment and with high honor of knightly -wisdom.</p> - -<p>Now pass we from the story of Sir Bors and turn we to the further -adventures of Sir Galahad at that time, as followeth.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_131" id="page_131">{131}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_132" id="page_132">{132}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_024.jpg" width="390" height="550" alt="Sir Galahad rides with the Lady" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_133" id="page_133">{133}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Seventh-b" id="Chapter_Seventh-b"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Seventh -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Galahad smote down Sir Gawaine, and how he accompanied a Fair -Lady to the seashore. And of what happened thereafter.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW, after Sir Galahad had smitten down Sir Launcelot, as aforetold of, -he rode for a long while in a wild forest and had many adventures of -divers sorts, of which no account hath been given, though mention is -made of them in the ancient histories of those things which I have read. -That while he dwelt in the forest and slept in the forest, and was fed, -when he was an hungered, by the people of the forest.</p> - -<p>So it befell that one morning he rode out from the forest and found -himself in an open country that sloped down very deep to a valley, as -though it were a deep bowl of the earth.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad beholds several knights in the valley.</i></div> - -<p>And Sir Galahad sat upon his horse on the edge of that bowl and gazed -down into it. And he beheld a great way off a castle; and he beheld that -there was a concourse of many knights gathered about that castle. For -the early sunlight shone down upon the armor of those knights, so that -the armor caught the light and flung it back again as it were in -brilliant points of pure and blazing flame.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad said to himself, “What is that concourse of knights, -and why gather they around about that castle in such a wise?” And he -said to himself, “I will ride down thither into the valley, and will see -for myself what is the meaning of that assembly.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad bespeaketh those knights.</i></div> - -<p>So therewith he drew rein and descended down into the valley as he -proposed to himself to do. And so he approached ever nearer to that -distant castle. So by and by he was near enough to them to bespeak them, -and when he had come still a little nearer he said to them, “Messires, -what is this that you do at this place?” They say to him, “Sir, at this -place there was not long since<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_134" id="page_134">{134}</a></span> held a tournament of eight knights. In -that tournament a certain young knight was slain. We be his relatives -and his friends who have come hither to avenge him. So we wait here -outside the castle, and those seven knights hide them away from us -within the walls of the castle.”</p> - -<p>“For shame!” said Sir Galahad. “For shame, that ye who are several -should thus besiege seven men who cannot stand against ye. Get you gone -and let them come forth.”</p> - -<p>They say to him, “We will not get us gone from this place until we have -taken those seven men with us. Because it is for that purpose we have -come hither and for that purpose shall we stay until it be achieved.”</p> - -<p>“Well, then,” said Sir Galahad, “I will assail ye upon this side, and -then they will come forth and assail ye upon the other side, and so will -we raise this siege.”</p> - -<p>At this they all laughed, saying, “Is it possible that one knight can -lift the siege of so many against seven? Well, then, let us see if he -can do so.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad doeth battle with those knights.</i></div> - -<p>So they began to prepare themselves for battle, and Sir Galahad began to -prepare himself also for battle. So, when he had cast aside his lance -and had drawn his sword he lifted up his shield on high, and, shouting, -he drave against them. And he drave into the midst of the press, lashing -upon this side and upon that. And so terrible were the strokes which he -gave that many fell down before them, and all bare away from him, so -that anon he had carved a small open space about him.</p> - -<p>Now in that party who were thus besieging the castle were Sir Gawaine -and Sir Ewaine his cousin. But Sir Galahad knew not these two knights, -and they knew not him. For his armor was much defaced in battle and in -the adventures through which he had passed, and at that time he wore a -leather covering to his shield. So they knew him not.</p> - -<p>So they stood about and looked upon Sir Galahad and he looked upon them, -and meantime the knights of the castle made them ready to come forth.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad overcometh Sir Gawaine.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine said, “For shame that we should thus be driven back by -one man! Now I will have to do with him myself.” So he came forward -against Sir Galahad, and Sir Galahad awaited him. Then when Sir Gawaine -had come close enough, Sir Galahad arose in his stirrups, and he -launched a blow at Sir Gawaine that nor leather nor iron could stay. For -that blow clove asunder the shield of Sir Gawaine, and it clove asunder -his helmet, and it clove asunder the iron coif beneath the helmet, and -it bit deep into the bone of the brain-pan itself.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_135" id="page_135">{135}</a></span></p> - -<p>Then the brains of Sir Gawaine swam like shallow water, and he reeled -this way and that in his saddle, and would have fallen had it not been -for Sir Ewaine, who catched him ere he fell beneath the feet of his -horse, and so held him up in the saddle.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine said, “Ah, Ewaine! That was none other than Galahad who -smote me that blow. For none other than he could give such a stroke as -that. So have I suffered for attempting to draw forth that sword out of -the marble stone. Ah! woe is me.” So saying, his dissolving wits left -him, and he swooned away as though he were dying.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad bringeth Sir Gawaine into the castle.</i></div> - -<p>Meantime the knights within the castle had given command that the gates -should be opened. So they were flung open according to that command, and -the seven knights within the castle issued out to conduct the assault -from that side. But Sir Ewaine cried out, “Messires, give over, and we -will withdraw from this place. For here is most sorely wounded a very -excellent knight, who is the nephew of King Arthur.” “Alas!” cried Sir -Galahad. “Woe is me! For so have I carried out the provisions of that -prophecy relating to the sword. For it was predicted of this sword that -it should bite deep into the life of Sir Gawaine, and lo! it hath done -so.” And he said to Sir Ewaine, “Convey him into this castle, for here -shall his wound be searched, and he shall be cared for.” And he said to -those of the castle, “See to it that all care is given to this -gentleman.” And they say to him, “We will do so.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Gawaine was conveyed within the castle, and was laid upon a -couch. And his wound was searched, and balm was laid upon it. Thus was -he put at ease at that place, and so was the prophecy concerning that -sword fulfilled.</p> - -<p>Then they all beseeched Sir Galahad that he would stay at that castle -for a little while, but he would not stay at that place. Otherwise he -said, “I must go upon my way, I know not whither. For I have a mission -to fulfil, and in fulfilling it I know not whither I go.” So he drew -rein and rode away, leaving them behind him.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Now wit ye how the knights of those days fared when they rode errant? I -will tell you.</p> - -<p>About the middle of that day Sir Galahad came to the house of a farm -yeoman, and the wife of the yeoman and the daughter of the yeoman stood -in the doorway of the house. The woman who was the wife was large and -buxom, but the daughter was very slender and brown.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir Galahad refreshes himself.</i></div> - -<p>Of these Sir Galahad besought food to eat, and they brought to him a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_136" id="page_136">{136}</a></span> -loaf of bread, a piece of cheese, and a crock of cider, and Sir Galahad -ate and drank, sitting under the shade of a wide-spreading tree. -Meanwhile, those people watched him from afar with great interest and -curiosity, for never had they beheld a knight so tall and so noble as -Sir Galahad.</p> - -<p>Thus did these bright-armed knights who wandered errant through the -world in those days refresh themselves, and so were they received and -entertained by the people whom they met. Thus have I told you of that so -that you might know thereof.</p> - -<p>That evening, after the sun had set, and the soft and starry night had -descended upon the earth like a sparkling coverlet of darkness, very -damp and warm, Sir Galahad found himself in a wide moorland, and he wist -not where he should sleep.</p> - -<p>So at last the moon arose, shining very brightly and tranquilly, and by -the light thereof Sir Galahad perceived before him a small chapel. And -he said to himself, “Here will I lodge me for the night.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad lodges at a chapel.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Galahad rode up to the door of the chapel and he smote very -loudly upon the boards of the door with the handle of his misericordia. -Anon there came the recluse to whom that chapel belonged, and when he -beheld Sir Galahad standing there he bade him to enter. So Sir Galahad -entered the chapel, and after the recluse had put the horse of Sir -Galahad into the stable nigh to the chapel, he came to where the knight -was, and set before him some broth and some pulse, together with some -freshly gathered fruit, and Sir Galahad ate thereof with great -heartiness.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>There cometh a lady to the chapel.</i></div> - -<p>Now, whilst Sir Galahad sat there eating, there came another knock upon -the door, and when the recluse went to open it, he beheld standing there -a very beautiful lady clad all in white, and with her dark hair bound -around with a ribbon of silver. And the lady was mounted upon a -cream-white jennet, and the saddle of the jennet was of crimson Spanish -leather, embossed and studded with plates and buttons of silver.</p> - -<p>When the door was opened, the lady said to the recluse, “Sir, I pray you -tell me, is there here within a knight hight Galahad?”</p> - -<p>This heard Sir Galahad, and hearing it he arose and came forward, and he -said, “Lady, I am Galahad. What would you have of me?”</p> - -<p>She said, “Sir, I pray you to come and ride with me and I will lead you -to such an adventure as you have never had in all of your life before.” -Quoth he, “Where is that adventure?” She said to him, “It is not very -far distant from here. But I cannot tell you more than<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_137" id="page_137">{137}</a></span> that.” Sir -Galahad said, “Whither would you lead me?” She said, “Come and I will -show you.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Galahad went back into the chapel and armed himself, and the -recluse brought forth his horse out of the stable. And anon Sir Galahad, -being in all ways armed, came forth out of the hermitage and mounted his -horse.</p> - -<p>Immediately he was mounted the lady drew rein and turned, and rode away -from that place, and Sir Galahad followed her.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The lady and Sir Galahad ride together.</i></div> - -<p>So they rode away across the moorland together. All around them was the -stillness of the night-time, and overhead and about them lay the silent -whiteness of the effulgent moon. And the shadows of each and the shadows -of the horse of each followed them across the moorland, very black and -mysterious.</p> - -<p>So they travelled a considerable while in silence, for the lady did not -speak to Sir Galahad, nor did Sir Galahad speak to her. But each rode in -silence, and each was occupied with his or her own thoughts.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Galahad beholds the sea.</i></div> - -<p>Thus, by and by, they reached a high part of the moorland, and of a -sudden Sir Galahad beheld the sea, over above the downs. And the moon -shone down upon the sea so that it looked like a shining stretch of pure -and radiant silver against the night sky that lay behind it. Then Sir -Galahad said, “Lady, yonder is the sea.” “Aye,” quoth the other, “and it -is thither that I am bringing thee.”</p> - -<p>So after awhile they came to where the sea lay below them, and they -beheld the waves illuminated by the light of the moonshine lapping -against the shore. Then they rode down to the sea, and there was at that -place a rocky promontory that stretched out into the water. And they -rode across that promontory, and there Sir Galahad beheld a boat lying -in the moonlight moored, as it were, to the shore, although no rope -attached it to the shore. And as they two approached the boat, Sir -Galahad perceived that the boat was all draped and hanged with white -linen, and he perceived that there were two men within the boat.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He perceives Sir Percival and Sir Bors in a boat.</i></div> - -<p>The faces of these two were cut out very clear and sharp and white from -the darkness behind because of the moonlight that shone upon them, and -Sir Galahad perceived that the one of those faces was the face of Sir -Percival, and that the other face was the face of Sir Bors de Ganis. -These two, beholding Sir Galahad there upon the shore, gave him loud and -joyous greeting, crying out, “Greeting, Sir Galahad! And welcome to -thee!”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad sprang down from off his horse, and he ran down to the -shore, leaping from rock to rock. And he sprang into the boat and kissed -each of those two upon the cheek, and they kissed him upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_138" id="page_138">{138}</a></span> cheek in -return. And Sir Galahad said to them, “What do ye here?” To the which -they replied, “We wait for thee.” And they say, “What lady is that with -whom thou hast come hither?” He replied, “I know her not, but she hath -brought me to this place.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival beholdeth his sister.</i></div> - -<p>And then they beheld that the lady had also dismounted from her horse -and was approaching to them. And she came to them down the rocks and she -stood close to the boat, and when she did so Sir Percival saw her more -clearly and he knew her. Then he cried out, “I know thee! Thou art my -sister!” She said, “Yea, that is true.” He said to her, “Sister, what -doest thou here?” She replied, “I come to give you information, and it -is this: You shall sail away from this place, and by and by you shall -find another boat of a very magnificent sort. For that boat is the <i>Ship -of Solomon</i>, and it is waiting for you. In it you will find the Grail -established, and the ship itself will take you whither the Grail -belongeth. So enter the <i>Ship of Solomon</i> freely, for no harm shall -befall you in it, and it shall convey you to the city of Sarras where -the Grail belongeth.” Then turned she to Sir Galahad, and she said, “And -to thee, Galahad, am I permitted to say this thing: That it is given to -thee that when thou willest thy soul shall depart from thy body. And it -shall leave thy body behind, and shall ascend with the glory of angels -into Paradise at thy command. All this I have to tell you, and now fare -you well.”</p> - -<p>Thereafter the lady turned away from them and mounted her horse and rode -away. And as she departed she wept, for she was aware that she would -never behold Sir Percival again.</p> - -<p>Then that boat in which they were moved away from the shore, and anon it -moved very swiftly. And it sailed past the headland and out into the -sea, and, in a little while, the land disappeared from sight, melting, -as it were, into the soft glory of the moonlight that illuminated all -the darkness of the earth. And so they sailed swiftly across the sea and -the great waves of the sea, and ever the moonlight lay all about them, -and they were cradled in the arms of the sea.</p> - -<p>So they sailed for all that night, and anon the day dawned, and then -they perceived before them another and a larger ship than the boat in -which they sailed. And the boat in which they were moved very swiftly -toward the ship and at last came close beside it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They come to the “Ship of Solomon.”</i></div> - -<p>Then they beheld that that ship was of a very wonderful sort, for it was -built all of santal wood, and was tinted with vermilion and ultramarine, -and was glorified with gold. And the sails of that ship were of -variegated silk, very wonderful to behold. And the decks were spread -with rich carpets, and there was no human being of any sort to be -perceived about that ship.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_139" id="page_139">{139}</a></span></p> - -<p>Then Sir Percival said, “This wonderful ship must be the <i>Ship of -Solomon</i>, and into it we are destined to enter and to discover the -Grail. So let us enter it forthwith and without loss of time.”</p> - -<p>So they departed from their own boat and entered the <i>Ship of Solomon</i>, -and as soon as they had done so the boat in which they had sailed -disappeared and was gone, and they saw it no more. And at that time they -were hushed as with a great awe.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They find the Grail.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Percival said, “Come, let us behold the Grail, which is here.” -So with that saying they all descended below the deck of that boat, and -coming there they beheld a table of carved silver, and against the table -there leaned the spear and upon the table was a purple velvet cloth, -spread over something that stood upon the table, and the cloth was -embroidered very richly with gold and ornamented with many precious -stones of divers colors. And from beneath it there shone a clear and -brilliant light, and that light was emitted by the Grail.</p> - -<p>Sir Galahad went to the table and took the cloth by the corners and -lifted it up; and lo! beneath it was the Holy Chalice itself. And it -blazed with a light that was like that of the sun—very splendid and -effulgent—so that they could scarcely look upon the splendor thereof.</p> - -<p>Then they all three kneeled down before the Grail, and set their palms -together, and gave all honor and glory to its splendors. And Sir -Percival said, “I have seen this before, but never so near at hand as -this.” And again they all gave praise to it.</p> - -<p>So the <i>Ship of Solomon</i> sailed very swiftly away with those three -knights in it, and it sailed for all that day, and near eventide it -approached a great city that stood upon a high and rocky hill.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They come to the city of Sarras.</i></div> - -<p>And that city was the city of Sarras, and it appeared to the eyes of the -three knights to be very great and beautiful. For they beheld that there -were very many high pinnacles and towers to that city, and they saw that -these were illuminated by the setting sun, so that they appeared as -though they were built of pure and shining gold.</p> - -<p>So the boat in which they sat sailed very swiftly toward the city, and -anon it ceased its voyage beside a wharf that was there.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad said, “Let us convey this Holy Chalice to the minster, -for, certes, this is where it belongeth.” And Sir Bors and Sir Percival -said, “Let us do so.”</p> - -<p>So they three took up the silver table by three of its corners, and they -bare it toward the gate of the town.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How the cripple was healed.</i></div> - -<p>Now the history of these things telleth that at the town gate there sat -a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_140" id="page_140">{140}</a></span> cripple begging, and the cripple had not walked for thirty years. -They say to him, “Come, help us bear the fourth corner of this table.” -He said, “How can I help bear the table? Lo, I have been a cripple for -thirty years, and in that time I have not walked a step without my -crutches.” Sir Galahad said, “Nevertheless, arise and come hither.” Then -the man arose, supported by his crutches, and they brought the table of -the Grail to him, and he laid hands upon the silver table.</p> - -<p>Then, no sooner had he touched that table, than the strength flowed into -him; his joints became strongly knit and supple, and he was, as it were, -no longer a cripple. Then he cried out, “Lo! I am healed!” And with that -he skipped and leaped in his strength.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So the Grail was achieved, and now followeth the account of how those -three worthy knights brought it in return to the city of Sarras where it -belonged, and of what befell them there; so I pray you to read the -conclusion of this passage hereinafter written.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_141" id="page_141">{141}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Conclusion-b" id="Conclusion-b"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="Conclusion" /> -</h3> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW the news of the healing of this cripple became known; it went all -through the town, so that when they entered the town, great crowds -presently gathered and followed them, and the noise of the tumult of -that following was like to the noise of the roaring of many waters. For -ever the crowd gathered more and more to it, until all that part of the -town was filled full of a slow-moving concourse of people.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They bring the Grail to the minster.</i></div> - -<p>Thus they came to the minster, what time the Bishop of that minster was -there, and seeing them enter with the silver table he said, “What have -you there?” Sir Galahad replied, “Sir, this is the Holy Grail upon this -table, and we who have achieved the quest of it have brought it hither -where it belongeth.” The Bishop said, “Let me see that Grail.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Galahad took the velvet covering of the Grail by the corners and -lifted it, and lo! the glory of the Grail blazed forth before the eyes -of all. And so great was that glory that it illuminated the entire -interior of the minster, so that it was like the illumination of -sunlight that was burst into that place. And all they who beheld the -Grail and that sudden illumination bowed down before it and uttered -their prayers of thanksgiving that it was returned to where it belonged.</p> - -<p>So the Grail and the spear were placed before the high altar, and there -they remained unveiled; and the glory of them illuminated all the -coadjacent spaces with brightness.</p> - -<p>So the Grail remained exposed in that city for three days, and at the -end of that time it was elevated from earth to heaven, as shall now be -told of.</p> - -<p>The three knights were there in the great minster, kneeling and praying -before the high altar where stood the Grail, when of a sudden they heard -a voice from on high, saying, “Hail, ye heroes, and all praise to ye! -For ye have recovered that Grail which here and now is to be translated -from earth to heaven.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_142" id="page_142">{142}</a></span>”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How the Grail ascends to heaven.</i></div> - -<p>With that voice there came two hands, very white and shining, and they -took the Grail, and there was no body to be seen with those hands, but -only the hands themselves. And there came two other hands and took the -spear, and neither was there any body to those hands. So those four -hands lifted the Grail and they lifted the spear, and they bore those -two holy relics aloft and away from that place. And they ascended, as it -were, through the roof of the minster and were gone in a burst of glory -that lingered for some little while and then faded away into darkness.</p> - -<p>So it happened with the Grail that it was elevated into heaven, and that -this was so was avouched for by many who were in the minster at that -time; and several of these beheld those four hands, and saw the Grail -elevated from earth to heaven. So this is to be believed in as here -narrated.</p> - -<p>Then there sounded from on high to the ears that were unstopped to hear -that sound, a great anthem as of thanksgiving, as it were the tones of a -mighty organ, or as it were the tones of a wonderful and melodious -thunder, and they three heard that melody of music, but no other who was -there heard it. And they were aware that it was the rejoicing of heaven -over the return of those sacred relics to that place, wherefore they -were filled with an ecstasy that was not of this world, but of heaven, -and that was of great joy, yet was of awfulness and of a sort of terror.</p> - -<p>Then was the spirit of Galahad exalted, and he lifted up his voice and -cried aloud, “There is nothing remaining for me to live for. So now let -me depart in peace.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the passing of Galahad.</i></div> - -<p>Thereat with those words the soul was drawn out of his body and the eyes -of those two knights who kneeled beside him were opened and they beheld -his spirit ascend into glory, and they beheld that the illumination of -heaven shone round about it, and at the same time they heard, with a -louder and more momentous tone, the thunder peal of heavenly triumph as -the spirit of Galahad was received into its glory, together with the -Grail which he had achieved.</p> - -<p>Then the brightness closed from their eyes and they beheld themselves to -be kneeling in the dark and empty minster. And they looked at the body -of Sir Galahad, and behold! it was dead.</p> - -<p>So passed Sir Galahad, and at that time he was yet not twenty years of -age.</p> - -<p>Sir Bors went to the Bishop of that minster, and he said to him, “Sir, -this man was altogether a good, virtuous, and perfect knight. It is our -desire that his dead body should lie here in this minster at that spot -whence the Grail ascended into heaven but now. Wherefore, we beseech<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_143" id="page_143">{143}</a></span> -you to suffer it to lie at that place.” To these the Bishop said, “Let, -then, that be fulfilled as you ask. For I believe that that knight was -indeed a very good, excellent, holy man withal.”</p> - -<p>So they buried the body of Sir Galahad there in the minster, beside the -spot whence the Holy Grail ascended into heaven, and there the tomb of -Sir Galahad remained to be seen for many years after his body was so -buried.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Percival taketh holy orders.</i></div> - -<p>After this was over and done, it being then the fourth day after they -had come thither, Sir Bors said to Sir Percival, “Sir, whither now shall -we go?” And Sir Percival said to him, “I shall not go anywhere; for here -shall I remain, and here I shall take upon myself holy orders and shall -live and die as a monk in those orders. But return you, Sir Bors, to the -Court of King Arthur, and tell them of the court concerning all those -things that have befallen; to wit, tell them how the Grail was achieved -by us three, and how that it was taken up into heaven before our eyes, -and how we beheld it enter the gates of heaven. So go you to Camelot, -and tell them concerning all these things.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors returneth to the Court of the King.</i></div> - -<p>Thus said Sir Percival, and Sir Bors said, “I will do as you bid me.” So -the next day Sir Bors kissed Sir Percival upon the cheeks and either -wept salt tears over the other. Then they parted company and Sir -Percival remained at that place and became a monk, and Sir Bors departed -thence, returning back again to Camelot.</p> - -<p>There he arrived at the ending of a year and a day, and all they who -were there made great joy over his return. For all those knights who had -gone forth in search of the Grail and had not died in that quest had now -returned, saving only Sir Launcelot of the Lake. For it had become known -throughout the world that the Grail had been found, and that it had been -elevated into heaven, so that all those who were seeking for it were -returned back home again.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bors told them all the circumstances of the finding of the -Grail, and how it had been elevated in the minster at Sarras, and of how -Sir Galahad had died, and of how he had beheld the soul of Sir Galahad -exalted to heaven.</p> - -<p>And King Arthur had that history written down in three great books, and -one of those books was established at Salisbury, and another at Camelot -(which same is Winchester), and the third at Carleon upon the Usk; and -from these three volumes the story of the Grail has descended to us of -the present day, and so I have written a part of that for your -delectation.</p> - -<p>It remaineth now only to be said that Sir Bors, after all these events, -returned to that lady whom he had quitted to search for the Grail. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_144" id="page_144">{144}</a></span> -the happiness of earth was not to be his, for he found that she had -wearied of waiting for his return, and had married elsewhere. So Sir -Bors returned to Camelot, and there he abided until the time of that -quarrel that preceded the ending of the reign of King Arthur.</p> - -<p>For wit ye that he who aims high will often miss the small joys of this -life, and so it was with Sir Bors de Ganis. For though he was one of -those who achieved the Grail, yet he missed the lesser joys of wedded -life, and of that kingdom which belonged to them.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Thus hath been told to you the famous history of the recovery of the -Grail and of its translation into Paradise. And this was the crowning -glory of the reign of King Arthur. For after these circumstances had -happened, as herein told of, there came dissensions and battles amongst -those knights—knight against knight—until the famous Round Table of -King Arthur was severed and shattered, never to be reunited again.</p> - -<p>But of that more anon, for it is hereinafter to be told of. So now I -pray you for to read that which followeth if you would learn the ending -of all these things.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/angel.jpg" width="200" height="101" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_145" id="page_145">{145}</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="PART_III" id="PART_III"></a>PART III<br /><br /> -The Passing of Arthur</h2> - -<p class="nind"><i><span class="letra">H</span>ERE beginneth the history of the passing of Arthur, of his Round -Table, and of many of the splendid and glorious knights thereof. With it -comes the conclusion of this history, for no more shall then remain to -be written thereof.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_146" id="page_146">{146}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_025.jpg" width="390" height="550" alt="The Queen’s pages clothe Sir Launcelot" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_147" id="page_147">{147}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_First-c" id="Chapter_First-c"></a> -<img src="images/ill_026.jpg" width="450" height="216" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter First -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Queen Guinevere visited Sir Launcelot in the forest; how Sir -Launcelot returned to Court as aforetime, and how he fled once more from -the Court.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW it hath been told how that after the quest of the Grail all those -knights who had not died in that quest, or who were able to return did -return to the Court of King Arthur.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot dwelleth in the forest.</i></div> - -<p>But Sir Launcelot of the Lake did not return with the other knights, for -he abided in the forest not very far distant from the habitation of the -Hermit of the Forest. There he lived a recluse in pious meditation, -considering of his sins and repenting of them.</p> - -<p>Several knights had seen him at that place where he was dwelling and -they knew him, and they brought away from that place news of him and of -the life he led. That news became known at the Court of King Arthur, and -there was much talked of, and King Arthur said, “What a pity it is that -so great and so noble a knight as Sir Launcelot should thus deny himself -to the world. For in the world he is the greatest knight of the world, -but out of the world he is as any other man.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Queen Guinevere sendeth for Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>All these things Queen Guinevere heard and she meditated upon them as -she sat thoughtfully in her bower. So one day she called to her a page,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_148" id="page_148">{148}</a></span> -and she said to him that he should ride to such and such a part of the -forest, and that there he would find Sir Launcelot. And the Queen said -to the page that he was then to tell Sir Launcelot to return to the -Court of the King. And she said to the page to tell Sir Launcelot that -all the court spake of him continually, and that all desired that he -should return to them.</p> - -<p>So the page went to that part of the forest as the Queen had commanded, -and there he found Sir Launcelot in his cell; and the cheeks of Sir -Launcelot were hollow and his limbs and body were thin and shrunken from -continual fasting and meditation. Then the page kneeled down before him -and said, “Sir, the Queen bids you for to return to the Court of King -Arthur; for all the ladies and the lords of the court desire you to -return there and be the ornament of that court as you were aforetime.”</p> - -<p>Sir Launcelot said to the page, “Return thou to the Queen and say to her -that I will not return back into the world as she desires me to do. For -here I dwell in peace and quietness and I repent me of all my manifold -sins as it becometh me to do. For those same sins have stood as a shadow -betwixt me and the Grail, so that when the Grail was present I slept, -and when it was gone I awoke and found that it was gone. Wherefore I -repent me of those sins. And so I will abide here and meditate upon them -for all the rest of my life.”</p> - -<p>So the page returned to Queen Guinevere and delivered these words of Sir -Launcelot to her, and the Queen said, “How is this? He will not come? -Then will I go myself and bring him.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Queen Guinevere goeth to Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>So she procured a great white horse, and she procured rich and gaudy -raiment, such as a knight at court might wear, and with these things and -with a court of knights and ladies and several pages she betook her way -into the forest.</p> - -<p>Then all that part of the forest into which she penetrated became gay -and jocund with her coming. For it was as though the sunlight had -suddenly burst through the leaves of the forest. All the silent woodland -was made noisy with the clear sounds of talk and laughter, and of -musical and merry chattering.</p> - -<p>So the Queen came to that part of the forest where Sir Launcelot was, -and Sir Launcelot came forth from his hut to meet her. And he stood afar -off from her and said, “Lady, what wouldst thou here?” She said, -“Launcelot, I come to thee to bring thee away from this lonely place, -for the Court of the king is the fittest place for thee to be in. For -thou art the greatest knight in Christendom, wherefore it ill becometh -thee to hide thyself away in this desolate place.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_149" id="page_149">{149}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot lifted up his voice and cried aloud, “Get you gone, -Lady, and trouble me no more, for I know you not. Yet it was because of -you that I cast aside my wife so that she died because of my neglect. -Because of that sin and because of other sins that thou wottest of I -slept while the Grail passed before me, and could not awake until after -it was gone. So lie I here thinking of that and of other misfortunes -that have visited me because of my many sins. Thus it is that here in -the woodlands I endeavor to purify my soul of those sins.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen speaketh to Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Then the Queen drew nearer to him and she said to him, “Launcelot, -thinkest thou that thus thy sins may be remitted unto thee? Wit thou -that thy sins are like an enemy, and that the only way in which thou -canst conquer those sins is to battle manfully with them and not to fly -from them. Arise! shake off this sluggishness and come forth into the -world again, for it awaits thee. There and there only may thy sins be -remitted unto thee.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot groaned and he hid his face in his arms and anon he -said, “Lady, tempt me not.” Then after another while he said, “I cannot -go with thee, for I have no horse to ride.”</p> - -<p>Then Queen Guinevere smiled and she said, “Launcelot, I have purveyed -thee with a horse, and it is here.” Then Sir Launcelot cried out again -as in a sort of despair, “Still I cannot go with thee for I have no -clothes fit to wear at court.”</p> - -<p>And again Queen Guinevere smiled and she said, “Also I have provided -thee with clothes; they, too, are here.” Then she commanded two of her -pages to convey the chest of clothes into Sir Launcelot’s cell and they -did so. Then they opened the chest and Sir Launcelot gazed into it, and -beheld all that noble apparel of silks and velvets, of gold and jewels, -of silver and of lace.</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot suffered those two pages to clothe him in that raiment, -and presently he came forth from the cell, shining as with great glory. -And he mounted upon the great white horse which the Queen had brought -him, and so they rode away together from that place.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot returneth to the court.</i></div> - -<p>Now there were at court several who were unfriends to Sir Launcelot; -some of these were unfriends because they were malicious, others because -they were jealous of his fame; others for this reason, and others for -that reason. Two of these were Sir Mordred and Sir Agravaine, who were -brothers to Sir Gawaine. Then there was Sir Kay the Seneschal and Sir -Florence and Sir Lovel, who were sons to Sir Gawaine, and who were -jealous of Sir Launcelot upon Sir Gawaine’s account.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_150" id="page_150">{150}</a></span></p> - -<p>These and several others were unfriends to Sir Launcelot, and they -talked much amongst themselves concerning the return of Sir Launcelot, -saying, “Lo! this knight hath come forth out of the forest and hath -assumed his knighthood again over us all, yet at first he would not -come, but when the Queen went thither then he beheld her and followed -her forth.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot heareth unfriendly talk.</i></div> - -<p>These words and words like them came to the ears of Sir Launcelot, and -because of them he withdrew himself from the presence of the Queen, and -consorted with other lords and ladies of the court. This the Queen -observed, and was grieved at it, for she wished for Sir Launcelot to be -with her, and she desired to have him near to her. So one day she sent -for Sir Launcelot to come to her and she gazed at him for some time -without speaking. Anon she said to him, “Launcelot, why dost thou keep -thyself afar off from me?” He replied, “Lady, I avoid thee for thine own -sake and not for my sake.” To the which she said, “How is that?”</p> - -<p>He said, “I will tell thee. There is much talk about this court -concerning thee and concerning me, and that talk links our names -together. I fear not this talk upon mine own account. For it cannot hurt -me, but it may do great injury to thee; therefore do I hold myself away -from thee.”</p> - -<p>Then Queen Guinevere began weeping, and she said, “Ah, Launcelot, -Launcelot! Thou art not to me as thou one time wert. For one time thou -wert ever ready to come to me, but now thou keepest thyself afar off -from me. That which thou sayst is thy excuse for not being with me, and -is not the cause of that absence.” Then she said of a sudden to him, -“Go! Get thee away from this court, for thou bringest nothing but -disturbance to my soul.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot said very bitterly, “Lady, it would have been well -for both of us if thou hadst permitted me to remain where I was in the -forest, and not have tempted me to quit my sanctuary.”</p> - -<p>Then the Queen cried out upon him, “How now! What is this thou sayst? I -went to thee to save thee and not to tempt thee. If thou longest for thy -husks again, return to them. At any rate, get thee gone from me, and -never come near to me again. For thou bringest naught but sorrow and -great tribulation to me.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot departeth again from the court.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot bowed and withdrew from where he was, and his heart was -filled with a great despair. So he came to where Sir Bors and Sir Lionel -were and he told them all that had passed. And he cried out to them, -“What now shall I do who have sacrificed my sanctuary and have got -naught by that sacrifice?”</p> - -<p>Then quoth Sir Bors, “It would have been well for thee, if thou hadst<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_151" id="page_151">{151}</a></span> -never quitted that safe sanctuary within the forest. But as thou now -hast quitted it, so mayst thou not return to it again. For so wouldst -thou strive to walk backward into that which hath passed. No man may do -that in the life which he leads.</p> - -<p>“As for the anger of the Queen, soon will she forget that anger, and as -soon as she forgets it, then will she desire to see thee again. For so -hath she done several times before, and so will she do again.”</p> - -<p>Said Sir Launcelot, “I will go to my castle of Joyous Gard and there -will I abide until her anger against me hath grown cold again.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He departeth to the castle of Sir Brasius.</i></div> - -<p>“Not so,” said Sir Bors, “the Queen spake truly in this; that thy place -is in the field, and neither in the hermit’s cell, nor enclosed in the -walls of that castle. But get thee to the castle of Sir Brasius the Good -Knight, and there abide for a little while, seeking such adventures as -may be found around about. For when the Queen’s mind changes toward -thee, then wilt thou easily be found at that place, and either I or Sir -Ector will come to seek thee.”</p> - -<p>“Thou sayst well,” said Sir Launcelot. “Thither will I go and there will -I stay until thou or Sir Lionel sendest for me.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot took horse and rode away to the castle of Sir Brasius, -and there took up his inn.</p> - -<p>But never, at any time, did anyone ever behold him to smile. For though -in the earlier days of his knighthood he had a happy and jocund spirit -and frequently smiled, yet now that happiness had departed from him and -he never smiled. For many sad things had happened to him in his life, -and those things had destroyed that happiness as a hailstorm destroys -those flowers that to-day are and to-morrow are not, but are withered -and dead like the grass in the fields.</p> - -<p>Thus I have told you all those circumstances that led to Sir Launcelot’s -returning to Court, and as to his withdrawing himself thence again. For -so it is that though a man may think to return again into that life from -which he has passed, yet he cannot do so. For the life that is lived in -once and which hath been laid aside for another life, that first life is -dead and cannot be revivified again by the man’s entering into it again, -but remaineth dead for aye.</p> - -<p>So it was with Sir Launcelot, for, when he had committed the sin of -leaving the Lady Elaine the Fair, he had committed it, and all that -befell him thereafter became colored by that evil happening. For, -because of that sin he failed to behold the Holy Grail with the eyes of -his body, and now, because of that sin, and of what was said concerning -him and his doings, he was compelled to exile himself again from that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_152" id="page_152">{152}</a></span> -court in which, by grace of his chivalry and force of arms, he truly -belonged.</p> - -<p>So let us take warning by this example and let us not try to return to -the life which we may have left, but let us endeavor to live that other -life that now presents itself to us after such a happening, whether of -good or of evil.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Now followeth that which treats of the poisoning of Sir Patrice of -Ireland at the feast given by Queen Guinevere; so if you would hear how -Sir Launcelot saved the life of the Queen at that time, I pray you to -read what followeth.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_153" id="page_153">{153}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_154" id="page_154">{154}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_027.jpg" width="392" height="550" alt="Sir Mador de la Porte" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_155" id="page_155">{155}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Second-c" id="Chapter_Second-c"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Second -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Queen Guinevere held a feast, and how Sir Patrice of Ireland was -poisoned at that feast.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW after Sir Launcelot had quitted the Court of King Arthur as -aforetold of, the Queen pretended to great joyousness of heart, although -there was no joyousness within her. “I was hasty,” she said to herself, -“and Sir Launcelot was hasty and hath left me again. But this was my -fault and I must show no repining, but must appear to be cheerful to -all. So I will give a feast, that my seeming joyousness may be made -manifest to the world, and no one shall have cause to say that I repine -at the loss of Sir Launcelot.” So said the Queen to herself upon that -occasion.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Queen Guinevere proclaimeth a feast.</i></div> - -<p>So she proclaimed a feast, and she had at that feast the following -knights of the Round Table: there were Sir Gawaine and his brothers, to -wit, Sir Agravaine, Sir Geharis, Sir Gareth, and Sir Mordred. Also there -were Sir Bors de Ganis, and Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, and Sir Blamor de -Ganis, and there were Sir Galahad and Sir Galyhadin and Sir Ector and -Sir Lionel and Sir Palamydes and Sir Safyr; and there were Sir Persavant -and Sir Ironside and Sir Brandiles; and there were Sir Kay the Seneschal -and Sir Mador de la Porte and Sir Patrice of Ireland, and Sir Alyduke -and Sir Artamore.</p> - -<p>Now at that time Sir Lamorack of Gales had been slain, and report placed -his death at the hands of Sir Gawaine (although this report was not -true), and of two of Sir Gawaine’s brothers, to wit, Sir Agravaine and -Sir Geharis.</p> - -<p>There was at the Court of King Arthur a certain knight hight Sir Pinal -the Savage, who was cousin to Sir Lamorack, and Sir Pinal was very -bitter against Sir Gawaine, and was anxious to be revenged upon him, yet -he wit not how to take that revenge.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Pinal, surnamed the Savage, poisoneth an apple.</i></div> - -<p>Now Sir Gawaine had a custom of eating an apple immediately after he had -dined, and this Sir Pinal was aware of. So Sir Pinal took the fair<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_156" id="page_156">{156}</a></span>est -apple he could find, and he introduced into it a very subtle and very -malignant poison, and this apple he placed in the centre of the table, -and in the midst of all the fruit. For he said to himself, “There will -Sir Gawaine find this apple, and he will take it and eat it and will -die.” And he said, “Queen Guinevere will be blamed for that death, for -all the world knoweth that she and Sir Gawaine are unfriends.” So said -Sir Pinal, for he thought thus to be revenged for the death of Sir -Lamorack upon Sir Gawaine, and he knew not how else to achieve that -vengeance. For next to Sir Launcelot, Sir Gawaine was the strongest -knight of the court, and he was besides nephew to King Arthur and of -great importance in the King’s household. Wherefore it was that Sir -Pinal sought to slay Sir Gawaine by that poisoned apple.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Patrice of Ireland eateth the apple, and dieth.</i></div> - -<p>But at the end of that feast Sir Gawaine did not take the apple, but -instead of Sir Gawaine, Sir Patrice of Ireland took it. And Sir Patrice -bit a great bite into that apple, and he ate that piece. Then anon he -cried out in a very loud and piercing voice, “Hah! What is this that -ails me?” And then he cried out in a very terrible voice, “Alas! I am -poisoned and I die from eating this apple!” And he cried out again, -“Friends, see that my death is avenged!”</p> - -<p>Therewith he fell down to the ground in great agony, lashing with his -hands and feet and frothing at the mouth, and so in a little while he -died.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine rose up, and he turned his face toward the Queen, and -his face was very white, and he said, “Lady, how is this? This apple was -poisoned! For whom was it intended?”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine accuseth the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>The Queen hid her face in her hands for horror of what she had beheld, -and she cried out in a very shrill voice, “I knew not that it was -poisoned, and I know not how it was poisoned!” Sir Gawaine said, “That -apple was poisoned, and thou knewest that it was poisoned. Methinks it -was intended for me. Thou hast always borne enmity toward me, wherefore -thou didst place that apple upon the table that I might eat of it. One -time thou wert innocent, but now thou art innocent no longer, but art -full of malice and guile, wherefore thou hadst the will to poison me.”</p> - -<p>Then the Queen cried out with a great passion, saying, “Gawaine, thou -and I were never friends, but rather would I cut off my right hand than -to do so evil a thing as this, to seek to poison thee.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mador de la Porte also accuseth the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Mador de la Porte stood up before them all, and he said, “Lady, -that which thou sayst may deceive some who are here, but it shall not -de<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_157" id="page_157">{157}</a></span>ceive me. For I know of thy comings and of thy goings, and I know how -thou didst of malice hold Sir Launcelot here at court when he would fain -have followed the Lady Elaine away from this place, and because that Sir -Launcelot remained here the Lady Elaine died. From this I know that thy -heart is full of guile and wickedness, wherefore it is but a step from -that sin to the sin of poisoning.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen weepeth.</i></div> - -<p>So saying, Sir Mador went out from that place, and all the other knights -followed after him; for Sir Mador was a king’s son, and of great -importance at the court. Then the Queen was left there alone, weeping -with great passion, for she wist not how that poison had been -administered to Sir Patrice. After that came several men who were in the -suite of Sir Mador, and they took up the body of Sir Patrice and they -bore it away from that room.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mador appeareth before the High Court of the King.</i></div> - -<p>As soon as might be, Sir Mador de la Porte appeared before the King as -he sat in council, and he appealed the Queen of treason in that she was -a murderess; and this he proclaimed before the King and all his council.</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur turned very white and he bowed his head and anon he -said, “Sir Mador, what wouldst thou have me do in this case? For lo! -thou dost attaint the Queen of murder, and I do not believe it possible -that she could do so wicked and so evil a thing as this. Wherefore thou -must tell me what thou wouldst have me do in this instance.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mador challengeth the Queen of treason.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth Sir Mador, “Lord, I do accuse her of having administered poison at -her feast, whereof my cousin Sir Patrice died. In that she certes hath -committed treason against thee and against us all, for this feast of -hers was held here, in this castle, and we were her guests. So accusing -her, I am ready to defend that accusation with my body.” So saying, he -flung his glove down upon the ground, and he cried out, “Here lieth my -glove in gage of battle, and I will defend my accusation with my own -person, my accusation being that the Queen is a murderess.” Quoth the -King, “Hast thou no pity and no mercy for this lady who is thy Queen? -Hast thou no honor and no regard for me, thy King?” And Sir Mador made -reply, “Not in this case! For in this case I have no regard for anything -but to punish the guilty.”</p> - -<p>Then the King arose, and he said, “Send for the Queen to come hither, so -that she may face her accuser.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen appeareth at the High Court.</i></div> - -<p>So anon the Queen came, and two ladies supported her, one upon one side -and the other upon the other. And the Queen wore her veil over her face -for she had been weeping<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_158" id="page_158">{158}</a></span> continually and with great passion ever since -the ending of that feast. Now there were many knights gathered there and -many lords and ladies of several sorts, and some of these were the -Queen’s friends and felt sorrow for her, but some of them felt -satisfaction that she was accused.</p> - -<p>The King said, “Arise, Lady, and stand.” And thereupon the Queen stood -up before the King and Sir Mador de la Porte and the entire council. -Then the King said to her, “Lady, this knight, Sir Mador de la Porte, -accuses thee of having used poison at thy feast. What hast thou to say -to that?”</p> - -<p>Then the Queen put back her veil and she had ceased to weep, and her -eyes were very hard and proud, albeit her face was extraordinarily -white. “Sir,” she said, “thou knowest me well—no one better—and thou -knowest that with all my shortcomings (and they be many), I could never -do such a thing as that, to poison an enemy at mine own table. For I -have many enemies at this court, and amongst them is thine own nephew, -Sir Gawaine; for he is my bitterest enemy, and hath always been so. It -was he who first accused me at that feast of having used poison, and -because he is thy nephew and because he is so powerful at court, there -be few knights here who will defend mine innocence against mine -accusers, when he stands at the head of those accusers, holding that I -attempted to poison him. Had I Sir Launcelot here at court, then would I -have had a good worthy defender of mine honor, but I have driven Sir -Launcelot away from me by my pride and anger, and he is not now here to -defend mine innocence. Yet I believe that someone will arise to defend -it, wherefore I will accept this knight’s gage of battle and will abide -by it, come life, come death.”</p> - -<p>Then the King groaned, and he bowed his head, and at last he said, “Lady -and Queen; thou art the wife of my youth, and I would fain defend thee -myself. But this cannot be, for I am the King, and the head of all the -laws. Nevertheless, I believe that some champion will arise for thee; -for it is not possible that in this court there is no knight who will -arise to defend thine innocence. Wherefore, let it be as thou sayst. -Here shall the glove of Sir Mador de la Porte lie upon the ground, until -some defender arises to take it up, and if no other defender arises, -then will I take it up mine own self. Let us now depart.”</p> - -<p>So with that they all arose and left that place, and left Sir Mador de -la Porte’s glove still lying upon the floor of the council chamber.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen asketh Sir Bors to defend her.</i></div> - -<p>That night a messenger came to Sir Bors asking him to come to the Queen, -and Sir Bors went with the messenger, who took him to the bower of the -Queen where she was. When Sir Bors entered that place he found that the -King was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_159" id="page_159">{159}</a></span> with the Queen. Then the Queen arose and stood before him. And -she set her hands together, the palm of one against the palm of the -other, and she said, “Sir Bors, will you not serve as my champion in -this quarrel?”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bors bowed his head, and anon he said, “Lady, I would you had -asked someone else to act as your champion.”</p> - -<p>The Queen looked at him very proudly, and she said, “Why do you say -that? Had I known that your feelings were such, then I would not have -troubled you by asking that service of you. But you are the nephew of -Sir Launcelot, and you are a good worthy knight and one of those three -who have achieved the Grail. Wherefore I ask you why you are not willing -to serve as my champion. Do you then also believe that I would poison a -guest at the feast which I prepared for the entertainment of such noble -and worthy champions?”</p> - -<p>“Nay,” said Sir Bors, “I think no such thing as that of you, Lady. But -in this quarrel there be many upon either side who are my friends, and -if I fight upon one side then my friends upon the other side would fall -away from me because I did so.”</p> - -<p>“Alas!” said the Queen. “The time was when I had many knights upon my -side. For did not Sir Pelles in the days of my youth take a foolish -quarrel upon him for my sake? And did not Sir Launcelot stand ever ready -to defend me? Oh, Launcelot, Launcelot! If thou wert but here to stand -my champion in this quarrel! But thou art not here, for I, in my haste, -have driven thee away from me, I know not whither.” So said Queen -Guinevere, and with that she began weeping as though her heart would -break.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors will serve as the Queen’s champion.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Bors was very much moved and he said, “Weep not, Lady, for thou -hast yet no cause for weeping. Thou yet hast many good true knights who -would defend thee. Yea; I will serve as thy champion unless a better -champion arise to defend thee. So take thou heart of grace in this, that -thou art innocent of this crime; wherefore, may God defend the right.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen declareth her innocence.</i></div> - -<p>At this the Queen took comfort and wiped her eyes and smiled, and she -said, “Sir Bors, for thy satisfaction I hereby make thee my solemn vow -that I did not do this thing of which I am accused. And methinks I know -who it was who laid that poisoned apple upon the table, for there was an -attendant at that table who stood behind a screen, and this attendant -beheld a knight come into that room ere others came thither. But I -cannot accuse that knight now, for I myself am accused, wherefore if I -accuse him, all will say that it is to shelter myself that I make that -accusation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_160" id="page_160">{160}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Sir Bors said, “Lady, if this be true, it shall be as you wish, and I -will certes do all that I am able to defend you.”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur spoke and said, “Sir Bors, there is not any knight in -all the court who is so well fitted to defend my Queen as thou. For as -thou art one of the most virtuous knights who ever lived, so will thy -virtue shine upon any undertaking to which thou settest thy hand. And -besides this high virtue of thine, there is no knight at this court, -unless it be Sir Gawaine, who is so strong and so excellent a knight as -thou.”</p> - -<p>So spake they at that time, and after those speeches Sir Bors went to -the council chamber where lay the glove of Sir Mador de la Porte, and he -took up that glove and he thrust it into his belt. With that glove he -paraded the court, and many beheld the glove of Sir Mador in his belt. -Some came to him and proclaimed that they were secretly pleased that he -had assumed the championship of the Queen; but others came and were very -angry that he had assumed it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine is angry with Sir Bors.</i></div> - -<p>Amongst these last was Sir Gawaine who said to him, “Sir, what is this -you do? Are you not aware that the poison served to us at dinner was -meant by the Queen for me and not for Sir Patrice who was poisoned by -it?” To him replied Sir Bors, “Friend, in this you are mistook. For -though the poison might have been intended for you and not for Sir -Patrice, yet it was not the Queen who placed it there. For I think I -know who placed it there, and by and by it will be made manifest to all -after that the Queen is freed from this accusation under which she -lieth.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine smiled very bitterly and he said, “Thou art easily -satisfied, Sir.” “If I am,” said Sir Bors very calmly, “there is this -virtue in my belief; that I cannot believe that my Queen and the wife of -my King should do this thing. Nor do I envy those who so easily believe -evil of their Queen.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors rideth to Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Now when the next day was come, Sir Bors took horse and rode to the -castle of Sir Blasius, which place he reached before the sun set. There -he found Sir Launcelot, and he told Sir Launcelot all that had befallen, -and when Sir Launcelot heard it he was very angry. “How is this?” he -cried. “Do they dare accuse the Queen of this offence? They do it -because they know I am absent and cannot defend her.” And Sir Bors said, -“Yet even so it is. For there is a large party at court that is willing -to ascribe that wickedness to her. And that party is headed by several -of those who are of most influence at court.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot and Sir Bors talk together.</i></div> - -<p>“Well,” said Sir Launcelot, “I ask not who they are who believe this -evil of her. But I will be there to defend the Queen when her trial -cometh.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_161" id="page_161">{161}</a></span> Meantime, do thou take her championship upon thee till I come; -for if it be necessary to prove the innocence of that noble lady, then -thou, who art one of the three knights of the Grail, can best sustain -it. Besides this, Sir Mador is a very hot and heady knight, wherefore, -if thou wilt keep up this quarrel against him till I come, he will be -the more ready to do battle according to his beliefs. And it is -necessary that the Queen should be defended by arms.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bors told Sir Launcelot that it was the Queen’s belief that it -was Sir Pinal the Savage who had placed the poisoned apple upon the -table; and he also told how the Queen did not dare to bring this -accusation against Sir Pinal until she herself was cleared of that -accusation.</p> - -<p>All this while Sir Launcelot sat frowning as he listened, but at the end -of Sir Bors’s speech he only said, “I will be there as the Queen’s -defender, but tell nobody that thou hast spoken to me.” And Sir Bors -said, “I will not tell of this.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors returneth to court.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Bors bid adieu to Sir Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot bid adieu to -Sir Bors, and Sir Bors returned that night to Camelot again, reaching -his inn at that place before the dawn of the day.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_162" id="page_162">{162}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_028.jpg" width="395" height="550" alt="Sir Mador begs for his Life" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_163" id="page_163">{163}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Third-c" id="Chapter_Third-c"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Third -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Bors was relieved of the defence of the Queen, and of how Sir -Mador de la Porte was overthrown.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">S</span>O came the eve of the day of that conflict when the innocence of the -Queen was to be approved by conflict. That evening the Queen sent for -Sir Bors de Ganis, and she said to him, “Sir, what is your mind in this -battle which you are to fight to-morrow?” Quoth Sir Bors, “Lady, it is -even as it was aforetime. For ever I do believe in your innocence and -deem it be impossible that you could administer poison to one of your -guests. So I will do battle for you to the best of my ability as I -promised you I would do. But should another knight, better fitted by -skill at arms than I, appear to assume that honor, then would I -surrender the honor to that knight; yea, even at the last minute.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King praiseth Sir Bors.</i></div> - -<p>So after Sir Bors had departed from her, the Queen went to the King and -told him what Sir Bors had said to her. Quoth the King, “Lady, thou hast -one of the best champions that can be found in the entire world to -defend this case in thy behalf. For I know of no knight who could be -better chosen to defend thine honor than Sir Bors, unless it were his -kinsman, Sir Launcelot of the Lake. For even Sir Gawaine is not stronger -nor better, nor was Sir Percival stronger nor better than is Sir Bors de -Ganis.”</p> - -<p>So said the King, and at his words the Queen took great comfort and -cheerfulness.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen cometh with the King to the lists.</i></div> - -<p>So came the next day of trial. For at about the eleventh hour of the -morning there came to the open square within the walls of the town the -King and the Queen and the Court of the King. At that place the Lord -Constable was already come, and to one side was a great pile of dried -fagots laid cross wise, the one upon the other, and in the midst of that -pile of fagots was an iron stake with fetterlocks attached to it about -as high as one could reach, standing before that stake. Those high lords -and ladies who were there looked very closely<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_164" id="page_164">{164}</a></span> at the Queen, and they -beheld that she smiled as she looked about her, but that her face was -white like to purified wax for whiteness. And the Queen was clad -entirely in white; for her robe was long and spotless of color, and she -wore a belt of white leather, studded with silver, bound about her -waist, and her hair hung down upon either side and was wound about with -ribbons of white and silver. And some of those who looked upon her were -grieved and sorrow-struck at her trouble, but others were pleased and -triumphant to see her thus brought low, even to the trial of her life -and her good fame.</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur called the constable to him and he said to him, “Lord -Constable, here do I commit to thee the tender body of this my Queen, -who stands here wrongfully accused of the crime of murder. Take her; she -is thine until after this trial of battle.” So saying, the King took the -Queen by the right hand and led her to the constable, and he gave the -right hand of the Queen into the hand of the constable. And the -constable took the Queen by the hand, and he said, “Lord King; here take -I the body of this lady who is my Queen. But I take that body only to -return it unto thy ward; so hold thou this lady in thy keeping, and may -God keep ye both, amen.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King sitteth beside the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>Therewith the constable replaced the hand of the Queen into the hand of -the King, and thereupon withdrew to one side. Thereafter the King -conducted the Queen by the hand up the flight of steps to a high seat -that had been prepared for her beside his own seat. Then the King said, -“Let the accusers of this lady be summoned.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mador de la Porte appeareth.</i></div> - -<p>Then came Sir Mador de la Porte, clad all in very brilliantly shining -armor, and riding a red-roan horse, whose coat glistened like red silk. -So he drew rein in front of the King’s pew in the list. And the King -looked at Sir Mador, frowning till his eyes disappeared beneath his -brows; yea, till the veins at his forehead became expanded and knotted, -and until his entire visage became empurpled with blood.</p> - -<p>Anon he found his voice, and he said, “Sir, what brings you here? For -you claim to be a gentleman of my court and of my Round Table, and yet -you bring accusation against your Queen, and the lady of all others whom -you should be most called upon by honor to defend.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mador challengeth the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Mador spoke up in a very bold voice, both high and loud. -“Sovereign and awful lord,” said he, “here stand I for justice and for -right; without awe and without fear of anyone or of anything. Wit ye -then, that some days ago I and several others sat at feast with the -Queen. What time my near kinsman, Sir Pa<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_165" id="page_165">{165}</a></span>trice of Ireland, ate an apple -at that feast, and the apple was poisoned and he died of eating thereof. -Now that was the Queen’s feast and we were the Queen’s guests; how, -then, was the poisoning done, saving by the Queen’s orders? So here -stand I now to accuse that Queen of the treason of poisoning; nor will I -rest satisfied from that accusation, saving only as someone shall -overthrow me in this, my coming battle.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King challengeth Sir Mador.</i></div> - -<p>Then spake the King, “Sir, did you make research concerning this -accusation, or did you question anyone concerning this affair? For -certes it is very criminal and very wicked to administer poison to -another; but it is none the less criminal and none the less wicked to -utter such treason as you do by accusing the Queen unjustly and without -cause. Wherefore, Sir, you should be very certain of your accusation.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Mador, “Sir, I believe the testimony of mine eyes; for they -beheld that which my lips have spoken, and so my hand shall uphold in -this, my just encounter against the Queen’s strong champion.”</p> - -<p>Then the King spoke very haughtily. “Sir,” quoth he, “you have entrusted -the verity of your case to the testimony of your eyes, and that -testimony has deceived and misled you. Nevertheless, I shall not answer -you here, for anon you shall be answered to your pain.” Then the King -spake to an esquire who stood below in the tilt yard. “Hasten,” said he, -“and bid Sir Bors de Ganis to come hither.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors appeareth.</i></div> - -<p>So the esquire departed and anon he returned, leading the white horse of -Sir Bors by the bridle. And Sir Bors was clad all in armor of pure and -virgin white, and all his trappings and the trappings of his horse were -white, so that he shone glistening, like to a figure of pure silver.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors appealeth for delay.</i></div> - -<p>“Sir,” said Sir Mador to Sir Bors, “Knowest thou why I am here, and upon -what accusation?” Sir Bors said, “Aye, I know it well.” Then said Sir -Mador, “Dost thou stand for the other side?” Sir Bors said, “Yea, I -stand heart and soul for the other side. But I will tell thee truly. I -said that I would undertake this quarrel upon the Queen’s behalf unless -some better knight than I should take that battle upon him. I know you, -Sir Mador, for a noble and valiant knight, and you know me for what you -have beheld of me, wherefore you know that I fear not to meet you or any -knight in all of the world, and that I would do battle with anyone with -all of my might in a lesser quarrel than this. Wherefore I ask you now -to postpone this battle until the hour of noon, for by that time there -may come more worthy than I to defend this honorable and much abused -lady.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_166" id="page_166">{166}</a></span>”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mador denieth him any delay.</i></div> - -<p>“Is that all you have to say?” said Sir Mador. “Well, then, Messire, -either come you to battle with me without loss of time, or else withdraw -you from the field for someone else to take your place.”</p> - -<p>“Take your horse and your arms,” said Sir Bors, “and as I suppose you -will not tarry long, so also will I not tarry long, but will be with you -anon.” So each knight withdrew from the field, and each busied himself -in preparing for the conflict. In this Sir Mador was the quicker, and so -rode out of his pavilion and around the course, and whilst none -applauded him in that procession, yet there were some who frowned not -upon him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>A new champion appeareth upon the Queen’s behalf.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Bors, when he was made ready, came forth from his pavilion, and -he cast his eyes toward the forest and immediately he was aware that a -knight was coming thence, riding easily yet swiftly. And this knight was -clad in strange armor, and he bore a shield without any escutcheon, nor -was there any emblazonment about him whatsoever to tell what knight he -was. But Sir Bors knew very well that that knight was none other than -Sir Launcelot of the Lake.</p> - -<p>Anon this knight came quickly to where Sir Bors was, and he said to him, -“Messire, I give you grammercy for assuming this quarrel upon behalf of -the Queen. But now I come to assume that quarrel myself and so you are -freed from it.” Sir Bors said, “Come you to King Arthur.” And the knight -said, “Conduct me to him.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The new knight appeareth before the King.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Bors conducted the knight to where King Arthur sat, and when he -was come there King Arthur said to him, “Sir, what knight are you? For -that I should know ere I consent to establish you instead of Sir Bors in -this quarrel.” To which Sir Bors made reply, “Lord, I know this knight, -and I know that he is a better knight than I am, so I yield my rights in -this quarrel unto him.”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur said to Sir Mador de la Porte, “Sir, will you accept -this new knight in your quarrel?” To which Sir Mador replied, “Sir, I -will accept him or any.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mador is overthrown.</i></div> - -<p>So each knight withdrew to his end of the lists and there they made -themselves ready. And when they were all prepared, then each launched -against the other with all the speed and vehemence that he possessed. So -they met in the midst of the course and in that encounter the spear of -Sir Mador was broken all to pieces, but the spear of the other knight -held so that Sir Mador and his horse were both overturned into the -dust.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_167" id="page_167">{167}</a></span></p> - -<p>But Sir Mador recovered from his fall very suddenly, and drawing his -sword and setting his shield in front of him he came forward to the -assault of his enemy as though this were the very beginning of the -battle. Upon this the other knight leaped very nimbly and quickly down -from his horse, and setting his shield before him, he drew his sword and -came forward as with great eagerness for battle.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mador is beaten in battle.</i></div> - -<p>Each struck at the other with great fierceness, for Sir Mador was a very -strong and powerful knight, and was further upheld by his indignation. -So they fought for above an hour, and in that time Sir Launcelot held -his strength, but the strength of Sir Mador began to wane so that he -could hardly sustain his arm. Then Sir Launcelot redoubled his strokes -until Sir Mador held his shield full low. At that Sir Launcelot lifted -up his sword and he smote Sir Mador so terribly upon the helm that he -fell grovelling to the earth. Then Sir Launcelot drew near to Sir Mador -to smite him again, but Sir Mador raised himself a little and lifting -his sword he smote Sir Launcelot through the thick of the thigh.</p> - -<p>But when Sir Launcelot felt himself to be thus wounded and when he -beheld how that the blood flowed forth in a red stream from the wound in -his thigh, he drew away and waited for Sir Mador to rise again. And when -Sir Mador had arisen he rushed upon him and smote him again, so terrible -a blow that the blade bit through the iron helmet, and the leather coif -and into the bone beneath the coif.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot spareth Sir Mador.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Mador fell down and lay upon the ground like one who was dead, -and Sir Launcelot ran in to where he lay and seizing the helmet that -covered the head, he cut the thongs with his misericordia and rushed it -off from his head. With that the light shone in upon the face of Sir -Mador and aroused him from his swoon; and beholding Sir Launcelot -standing terribly above him, he cried out, in a loud piercing voice, -“Spare me my life, Sir Knight! Spare me my life!” Quoth Sir Launcelot, -“I will not spare thee thy life, unless thou dost confess that thou wert -mistaken concerning the guilt of the Queen, and that she is innocent of -evil.” Said Sir Mador, “I do confess it.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot called the Lord Constable of the lists to him and he -said to Sir Mador, “Confess what thou hast confessed to me to this -gentleman.” And Sir Mador said, “Sir, to this constable I do confess and -acknowledge that I was mistook as to the guilt of the Queen, and that -she is indeed guiltless of that of which I have accused her, and of all -other crimes whatsoever.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot said, “Bear this knight hence away from this spot.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_168" id="page_168">{168}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Upon that there came several attendants to that place and they lifted -Sir Mador and carried him away from that place.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot and the constable went from that place of conflict to -the presence of King Arthur, and the King and the Queen descended from -their high seats to welcome him. Quoth the King, “Sir, well have you -fought this day, and well may we guess who you are who have done this -battle. We do both give you thanks—I for that you have saved to me my -Queen; she that you have saved to her her life and her honor.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mador confesseth a wrong accusation.</i></div> - -<p>“Lord,” said Sir Launcelot, “here have I brought with me this constable -to avouch for it that Sir Mador hath confessed that he hath wrongfully -accused the Queen of this crime, and that she is as guiltless of it as -she is of any other crime at this present.” And the constable said, “I -do avouch for the truth of that.” Then the King said to Sir Launcelot, -“Sir, I perceive that thou art wounded. Wilt thou not refresh thyself -with a glass of wine?” And Sir Launcelot said, “Yea, Lord, for wine -would be exceedingly grateful to me at this present.”</p> - -<p>So a little page ran and presently returned, bringing a flagon of -sparkling yellow wine, and Sir Launcelot unlaced his helmet and removed -it from his head, so that all beheld his face and knew him for Sir -Launcelot.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot pledgeth the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>And then King Arthur said, “Sir, methought that you were Sir Launcelot -of the Lake when I beheld how you did battle a little while ago. -Moreover, when Sir Bors spoke of a better knight than he rising for the -Queen’s defence, I wist he must mean you, for you are the only one who -is better than he. But now we have you, we will not let you go again.” -“Lord,” quoth Sir Launcelot, “I will not leave this court again unless I -am bidden to go. For here may I defend both your honor and the honor of -your Queen. For first of all do I owe my duty to you who made me a -knight; and then do I owe my duty to her who is my revered and honored -lady.” Then, taking the flagon of wine into his hands he turned him -about and lifting that flagon on high, he cried in a loud, clear voice -so that all might hear him, “Here do I drink this flagon of golden wine -to the truth and innocence of my Queen. Health to her friends, confusion -to her enemies, and may harm fall upon those who contemplate harm to -her!”</p> - -<p>Then he put the brim of the flagon to his lips and drank off the entire -draught of wine ere he removed it again.</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur said, “Let us go visit that wounded knight, for I have -something that I would say to him.” So Sir Launcelot and the constable -and King Arthur went across the meadow of battle to the pavilion of Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_169" id="page_169">{169}</a></span> -Mador. And they entered the pavilion and Sir Mador was lying upon a -couch and the surgeon was searching his wounds.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur dismisseth Sir Mador from the court.</i></div> - -<p>King Arthur said to him, “Sir, who besides yourself were the accusers of -the Queen?” Sir Mador said, “Lord, I was her only accuser.” The King -said, “Thou liest, for there was a conspiracy against her to undo her, -and thou wert but the instrument of that conspiracy. I will ask thee no -further to betray those who were with thee in this affair. Only I have -this to say to thee, that if by to-morrow morning thou art within the -purlieus of this court, or if at any future time thou comest into my -power again, or if ever I meet thee in battle or out of battle, that -time spells for thee thy death. Bear my words well in mind; for though I -spare thee this time upon behest of the Queen, yet will I not spare thee -again upon the beseeching of anyone in all of the world.”</p> - -<p>Sir Mador said very bitterly to the King, “My Lord, thou speakest as a -sound man to one who is very grievously wounded and who may not defend -himself.” “Not so,” said the King very calmly, “I speak, first of all, -as a king to his knight, and next I speak as one knight to another -knight who hath wrought him a grievous injury. For thou canst not undo -what thou hast done; for thy quarrel hath sowed dissension and evil -thought among my entire court, so that I, who was one time loved by my -entire court, know not now who are my friends and who mine enemies.” -Then the King turned to the constable, and he said, “Lord Constable, -thou hearest what I have said. If this man is found hereabouts to-morrow -day, cast him immediately into prison and report the same to me. For if -after this day he falleth into my power, then he shall himself suffer -destruction by the flames, as he would have consigned his own Queen to -the flames.”</p> - -<p>Thereupon the King turned upon his heel and left Sir Mador de la Porte -gnawing his finger nails.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The servant telleth how Sir Pinal placed the apple.</i></div> - -<p>That day the King held a council of his chief lords and subordinate -kings. And before this council came that servant who had hidden behind -the screen as aforetold of. And this servant told of how he had beheld -Sir Pinal place the apple upon the table whereon the feast was to be -held. This evidence they all heard and listened to, and when it was -ended the King said, “Send for this Sir Pinal and let us hear what he -hath to say to this.”</p> - -<p>So they sent for Sir Pinal, but he was nowhere to be found, for the -Queen’s enemies had told him that that evidence was to be admitted and -he had fled away from the court into the wilderness, never to return -again.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Yet is the Queen accused by many.</i></div> - -<p>So was the innocence of the Queen proven. But still there were some<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_170" id="page_170">{170}</a></span> who -disbelieved that evidence, for they said, “See ye not how it is? For -first they overthrow Sir Mador and then they drive him away from this -court. Then they bring in this evidence to clear the Queen from guilt -and they lay that guilt upon poor Sir Pinal, who is not of the Round -Table. Thus there is no one to contradict the evidence of this poor -knave, and so the Queen is to be cleared of the suspicion of guilt.”</p> - -<p>So spake several, and the news of this was brought to the ears of Sir -Gawaine. But Sir Gawaine would say no word upon the matter, for whilst -he felt bitter enmity toward the Queen, and whilst he suspected the -worst things of her, yet he would not give voice to that which he -suspected. Neither would he give accusation against her, but went his -own way thinking his own thoughts and keeping those thoughts within his -own bosom.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the dissensions at the court.</i></div> - -<p>Thus have I told you the history of these things as I myself have read -of them in the ancient books that treat of them. For this was the first -beginning of the end. For now that the Grail had been lifted from the -earth, there was naught to hold together the Court of King Arthur as it -had been held together before. But each knight began now to think of his -own glory and of himself, and not of the glory of the King and the Good -of the world.</p> - -<p>So now begin we with the history of those dissensions that presently -broke forth in the Court of the King.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_171" id="page_171">{171}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_172" id="page_172">{172}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_029.jpg" width="373" height="550" alt="Sir Launcelot defends the door" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_173" id="page_173">{173}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Fourth-c" id="Chapter_Fourth-c"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br /> -Chapter Fourth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How there came quarrels at the court, and how Sir Launcelot of the Lake -was assaulted by the brothers of Sir Gawaine.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW there was at court at that time much dissension and many angry -recriminations back and forth between the one party and the other party. -For the one party maintained that the Queen had been ill-used and had -suffered much, and would have suffered death, saving only for the -defence of Sir Launcelot of the Lake; and the other party maintained -that the Queen possessed an evil soul, and that Sir Launcelot was her -dishonorable lover and that it was for this reason that he had fought -for her.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mordred and Sir Agravaine accuse Sir Launcelot of -treason.</i></div> - -<p>Of this latter party were some of the brothers of Sir Gawaine, who were -at the head of that party; to wit, there was Sir Mordred and Sir -Agravaine. These knights spoke very boldly and openly, saying that Sir -Launcelot practised treachery with the Queen against the King’s high -honor. Sir Agravaine said, “Well is it that Sir Launcelot is the -greatest knight now living on the earth (for this is true now that Sir -Galahad had departed in glory), yet it is not to be forgotten that he is -not greater in his strength than several knights who might come against -him at once. So when Sir Launcelot next visits the Queen, if a number of -us shall fall upon him, it can scarcely be but that those knights should -overcome him, and that so the King’s honor should be revenged.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine will not join with them.</i></div> - -<p>Whilst he so spoke, Sir Gawaine sat at one side gnawing his mustache. -Then he up and spake, saying, “What is this you would do? Would you -practise treachery against Sir Launcelot and against the Queen? God -knows I have no love for the Queen, and never have had love for her, but -neither would I practise treachery against her, but would assail her -openly and against the entire world. As for Sir Launcelot of the Lake; -long hath he been my dearest friend and companion at arms; am I then to -practise treason against him?” Then<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_174" id="page_174">{174}</a></span> turning to Sir Geharis and Sir -Gareth, he said, “What say you, my brothers? Speak!” Then Sir Geharis -and Sir Gareth said, “What thou sayst, Gawaine, we also say.” And Sir -Gareth said upon his part, “I cannot now forget and I can never fail to -remember that it was Sir Launcelot of the Lake who made me a knight. -Shall I then sit in judgment upon my godfather in knighthood, and -undertake to practise evil against him?”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Mordred, “I say with my brother Agravaine that the Queen is -altogether evil and that Sir Launcelot is her lover, and that saying I -am ready to maintain to the peril of my life.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mordred declares that he will arrest Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Said Sir Gawaine, “I pray you tell me; what is it you seek to do?” Him -answered Sir Mordred, “We seek to spy upon Sir Launcelot and, when next -he visits the Queen in her apartments, we would make assault upon him. -When we have thus espied upon him, then we and several others will fall -upon him and seize him and hale him before the King for trial.” Said Sir -Gawaine, “That is no such easy matter for to do. And when you have done -it, it will be but of little avail; for the King will not condemn Sir -Launcelot upon such uncertain accusation. For what accusation shall you -bring against Sir Launcelot and the Queen that you dare mention to the -King?”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Mordred made no immediate answer, but when he was come to a -place apart from those three, he said to Sir Agravaine, “Sir Launcelot -is guilty of thou knowest what treason against the King. Now I told -Gawaine that we would arrest him and bring him to the King. What I -really purpose is this: that we assault Sir Launcelot in the Queen’s -apartments, and that we slay him. For once he is dead the King will -quickly forgive us and will believe the Queen to have been guilty, but -if Sir Launcelot is alive he will never forgive us. Hah, brother, a dead -lion is a less dangerous enemy to a man than a living fox. So it were -best that Sir Launcelot died.” In this Sir Agravaine agreed with him; so -after that they set watch upon Sir Launcelot to take him when next he -should visit the Queen. But Sir Launcelot was warned by one who -overheard them, and for that while he did not visit the Queen in her -apartments.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mordred betrayeth Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>So one night Sir Mordred called to him a page of the Queen’s court when -the page was passing, and he said to him, “Lanadel” (for such was the -page’s name)—“Lanadel, go you to Sir Launcelot of the Lake and tell him -that the Queen would fain speak with him in her bower.” Thereupon the -page, suspecting no evil, went to Sir Launcelot, and delivered that -message to him, and Sir Launcelot, suspecting no evil, fulfilled the -terms of that message, and went secretly thither to the Queen’s -apartments.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_175" id="page_175">{175}</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot goeth to the Queen’s bower.</i></div> - -<p>Finding the Queen there, Sir Launcelot said to her, “Lady, what is it -thou wouldst say to me?” She looked upon him in astonishment and said, -“Sir, I did not send for you to say anything to you.” Sir Launcelot -said, “How is this? Your page, Lanadel, came to me and brought it to me -as a message that you would speak to me at this place.” She said, -“Launcelot, I sent no such message as that to thee. Yet, in very truth, -it hath been long since thou hast been hither to speak to me. Art thou -affronted with me, Launcelot?”</p> - -<p>He said to her, “Lady, thou knowest that I am not affronted with thee. -But there is this: I must consider thine honor and reputation as I do -mine own. But, Lady, touching this message of late delivered to me, here -is treachery of some sort, for certes that message came to me as from -thee, wherefore I know that some treachery is brewing against us, though -I know not what that treachery is.”</p> - -<p>Now turn we to those enemies of Sir Launcelot to see what they did upon -this occasion. For Sir Mordred watched at the entrance of the Queen’s -apartments until that he beheld Sir Launcelot enter them. Upon that he -ran to Sir Agravaine, and said to him, “Brother, wit ye that Sir -Launcelot is at this time in the Queen’s chamber. Let us now make haste -to take him.” So those two called about them certain knights who were at -enmity with Sir Launcelot, and they said to them, “Gentlemen, let us -hasten and take that traitor knight who is even now in the Queen’s -bower.”</p> - -<p>Now those knights whom they called upon to accompany them were as -follows: There were Sir Colgrance and Sir Gingaline, and Sir Melyot of -Logris, and Sir Galleron of Galway; there were Sir Melion of the -Mountain, and Sir Petypas of Winchelsea; there were Sir Gromer Somerjour -and Sir Astamore, Sir Cuselaine, Sir Florence, and Sir Lovel. And these -last two were sons to Sir Gawaine.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen is warned.</i></div> - -<p>These eleven knights, together with Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, -making thirteen in all, went together in a party to the apartments of -the Queen. And the ladies of the Queen beheld them coming, and wist that -they came for no good purpose. Wherefore these ladies ran screaming and -in haste and bolted and barred the door. Then they ran to the Queen’s -apartment and they found that Sir Launcelot was there and they cried -out, “Lady, arouse you, for your enemies are upon you!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The thirteen knights challenge Sir Launcelot to appear.</i></div> - -<p>By this those knights were at the door, and Sir Agravaine knocked and -cried aloud in a very loud and thunderous voice, “Thou traitor knight! -What doest thou here? Why liest thou behind locked doors in the Queen’s -apartments?<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_176" id="page_176">{176}</a></span> Come forth to us who are thy fellows of the court and of -the Round Table, and render an account to us. For we are here to receive -thine account!”</p> - -<p>These words were uttered so loudly and so powerfully that they echoed -and re-echoed throughout that entire part of the castle, and when they -struck upon the Queen’s ears, she fell as white as an ash of wood and -sank back upon a couch, placing her hand above her heart.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot stood up from where he sat and he cast his eyes -around him from side to side, but he could see no armor for defence, and -no way of escape. And ever those knights without smote upon the door, -and ever Sir Agravaine cried out, “Sir Launcelot of the Lake; what doest -thou there in the Queen’s chamber? Come forth and deliver thyself to -us.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot said, “Lady, I prithee tell me, is there ere a suit -of armor in this place as I could clothe myself withal?” She said, “Nay, -Launcelot, there is no armor in this room.” Then Sir Launcelot said to -her, “Then must I defend myself without armor; for I know that these -knights have no purpose for to take me prisoner to the King. Otherwise, -that which they purpose is to take my life.” Then the Queen sank down -terrified upon her knees before him, and said, “Launcelot, go not forth -to them, for assuredly they mean thy death.” He said to her, “Lady, I -must go; but this I beseech of thee, that thou wilt pray for me. And -this also I beseech of thee, that, should I fall in this encounter, thou -wilt go with my relatives, Sir Ector and Sir Bors and Sir Lionel and Sir -Ure, and bid them that they shall take thee to an asylum of refuge at my -castle of Joyous Gard. For there is now no safety for thee at this -place, and only great and continual dangers. For ever there is growing -at this court against thee a rooted jealousy of all that thou sayest or -doest, and if so be I lose my life, then these, mine enemies, will -overwhelm thee.” Then the Queen wept, and she cried out, “Launcelot! -Launcelot! Go not forth to them!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The thirteen knights threaten to burst in the door.</i></div> - -<p>As thus they spake, those knights without continually beat upon the -door, crying ever in louder and more violent tones, “Traitor! Open to -us!” And the door was not opened, but remained closed. Then they cast -their eyes about and they beheld a great form that stood there in the -hall. And Sir Agravaine said to certain of the others, “Bring hither -yonder form, and let us beat down the door with it. For thus alone may -we hope to come at this traitor!” So they brought that form and they -beat with it upon the door, and the door cracked and bent beneath their -blows.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot defendeth himself with a cloak.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot wrapped his cloak about his arm, and he took his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_177" id="page_177">{177}</a></span> -sword in his hand, and he said to those who were beating upon the door, -“Messire, cease your uproar and I will come forth to you.” Then he -turned the key in the lock of the door, and he opened the door a little, -but not very far, setting his foot against it lest they should burst it -open from without and so rush in, many at once, upon him.</p> - -<p>But when the door was opened and they beheld Sir Launcelot standing -there without any armor of defence whatsoever saving only the cloak that -was wrapped about his arm, they took heart of grace that they should -easily overcome him. Then there came forward a tall and very powerful -knight, hight Sir Colgrance of Gore, and he struck a terrible strong and -powerful blow at Sir Launcelot with intent to hew him down. This blow -Sir Launcelot put aside with his sword and immediately delivered a blow -in return.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He slayeth Sir Colgrance.</i></div> - -<p>In that blow he smote Sir Colgrance upon the head, and the blow bit -through the bascinet upon his head and it smote deep into the bone of -the brain so that Sir Colgrance fell down grovelling to the earth, and -immediately he died.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot seized Sir Colgrance’s body by the shoulders and -dragged it into the room ere the others had recovered, and immediately -he bolted and barred the door as it was before. And Sir Launcelot said -to the Queen, “Lady, here hath Providence delivered armor into my hands. -I prithee aid me to arm myself.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot armeth himself in Sir Colgrance’s armor.</i></div> - -<p>So the Queen and her affrighted ladies hastened to Sir Launcelot and -together they stripped the armor off the body of Sir Colgrance. And they -assisted Sir Launcelot to clothe himself very quickly and nimbly in that -armor. Then, having thus armed himself in the armor of Sir Colgrance, -Sir Launcelot came to the door of the room and he spoke to those -without, and he said to them, “Messires, what is it you would have with -me?” They say, “We would have you come forth and surrender yourself to -us so that we may take you to King Arthur.” Sir Launcelot said, “I -cannot surrender myself to you, but this I will promise to do: if you -will go hence and leave me in peace, I will surrender myself to King -Arthur to-morrow morning, and will then abide by his justice.” Sir -Agravaine said, “We will not do this. We will not trust thee. Deliver -thyself to us immediately, or we will slay thee.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot assaileth his enemies.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot said, “I come!” and therewith he flung wide open the -door. And Sir Launcelot strode out amongst them like to a lion into the -midst of a pack of dogs. And they beheld that Sir Launcelot was clad all -in the armor of Sir Col<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_178" id="page_178">{178}</a></span>grance. And Sir Launcelot fronted Sir Agravaine -and the eyes of Sir Launcelot flashed forth pure fire from under the -vizor of his bascinet. And Sir Launcelot strode to Sir Agravaine, crying -out, “Thou first!” And therewith he smote Sir Agravaine with might and -main.</p> - -<p>Sir Agravaine warded the blow, but so wonderfully powerful was it that -it smote down that ward; and it smote Sir Agravaine upon the bascinet; -and it cut through the iron of the bascinet and through the bone of the -brain pan and into the brain itself.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He slayeth Sir Agravaine and several others.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Agravaine cried out very terribly and fell down dying to the -earth; and Sir Launcelot put his foot upon the neck of Sir Agravaine, -and wrenched forth the sword out of the cut that he had made. Then Sir -Launcelot smote to the right hand and to the left; and of those eleven -knights who were with Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred he slew nine in that -little room. And he smote Sir Mordred upon the shoulder so that he -sheared the flesh of the arm, a great slice from the bone, and the other -two knights were more or less wounded, so that anon they fled in tumult -from that place.</p> - -<p>And Sir Launcelot was also wounded in many places in that conflict, so -that he was, as it were, all bathed in crimson from head to foot. Then, -having put his enemies to flight, he turned him and re-entered the -Queen’s chamber.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot is wounded.</i></div> - -<p>But when the Queen beheld him thus all bathed in red, she shrieked -aloud, for she thought him to be mortally wounded. But Sir Launcelot -said to her, “Fear not, Lady, thine enemies are put to flight and I am -not sorely hurt.” And he said to her, “Lady, my love for thee hath ever -been my curse, and now it hath brought us to this end. For in thy -defence and in my defence I have slain the nephew of the King and two of -the sons of Sir Gawaine. So now the King will be my foe, and so I must -quit this place for aye. But I cannot leave thee, Lady, for without me -thou wilt be defenceless. So I prithee prepare thyself for a journey. I -will go forth and gather about me a number of knights of mine own -kindred and friends, and we will take thee hence away from this place. -For to-morrow they will bring thee forth to trial, and when they bring -thee forth, then will we seize thee and carry thee away.”</p> - -<p>Then the Queen fell to weeping very bitterly, and she said, “Ah, -Launcelot! Alas and alas! Is this then the end?” And he said, “Aye, -Lady.” Therewith he went forth from that place and left her.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot adviseth with Sir Bors.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot came to Sir Bors’s inn, and when Sir Bors beheld him, -all covered and ensanguined with blood, he cried out, “God save us!<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_179" id="page_179">{179}</a></span> -What is this? What aileth thee?” Then Sir Launcelot told Sir Bors all -that had befallen, and when he had told it Sir Bors sent for Sir Ector -and for Sir Lionel and for Sir Ure, and fourteen other knights, -relatives and friends of Sir Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot told unto them -what he had told to Sir Bors.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bors said to those who were there gathered, “Messires his is a -very sad and bitter quarrel. For I do avouch that my relative, Sir -Launcelot, is in all ways perfectly innocent toward the Queen. For we -know that he was deceived into her presence by a false message delivered -unto him by someone who was an enemy to him and who meant to undo him. -So this lady hath also been misused in such a way that it is contrary to -his honor as a knight that we should suffer such harm to approach her. -Now it is my advice that we await to see what shall presently befall. -For if this quarrel is condoned by the King, then is all very well; but -if the King seek to punish Sir Launcelot by bringing the Queen to a -trial, then shall he save her from that trial and shall convey her away -to Joyous Gard where she may remain safe from harm.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Other knights swear fealty to Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Then all those other knights to whom Sir Bors spake held up their swords -with their handles before them, and they said, “Herewith and upon this -holy sign of the crucifix do we swear that we will ride with and aid Sir -Launcelot of the Lake in this undertaking. And, if it be demanded of us, -we will assist him to bring this lady to Joyous Gard, and we will there -aid and defend him and her with our bodies until the last extremity and -until death.”</p> - -<p> </p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mordred accuseth Sir Launcelot to the King.</i></div> - -<p>Meantime, Sir Mordred had had his wound bound up and had taken horse and -had ridden to the inn of King Arthur, and he appeared before King Arthur -in the room when the King was then with several of his court. And when -the King beheld him thus wounded, he started up and cried out, “Hah, Sir -Mordred! What bringeth thee before me in this plight? Where gottest thou -that wound?” Then Sir Mordred kneeled down before the King, and he said, -“Sovereign Lord and Master, I got this wound in thy service. For Sir -Launcelot visited the Queen recently in her bower, and I and twelve -other knights sought to arrest him there and to bring him before thee. -But he resisted that arrest, and of the thirteen who assaulted him nine -are dead and one is like to die.”</p> - -<p>Then the King drew his breath very hard between his teeth, at that news, -and anon he said, “Who are dead? Are they any of my friends?” Sir -Mordred said, “All are thy friends, and three are of thy kin.” Quoth<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_180" id="page_180">{180}</a></span> -King Arthur, “Who are those of my kin?” And Sir Mordred said, “One of -them is Sir Agravaine, thy nephew, and the others are Sir Florence and -Sir Lovel, the young sons of Sir Gawaine.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine sorroweth.</i></div> - -<p>Then the King groaned and Sir Gawaine who was with him covered his head -and also groaned in sorrow. Quoth the King, “To-morrow day this shall be -inquired into, and the Queen shall be brought to trial for this -treason.” And with those words he arose and withdrew from that place, -accompanied only by Sir Gawaine, Sir Geharis and Sir Gareth and Sir -Mordred; and leaving the other knights who were attendant upon him sunk -in silence, not knowing which way to look or what to say.</p> - -<p>So when the King was come to a private place, he seated himself and -buried his face in his hands. And he groaned aloud, and he said, “Alas -is me! This is certes the beginning of the end that was foretold by -Merlin!” And anon he said to Sir Gawaine, “To thee, Gawaine, will I -entrust the pushing of that inquiry which must follow. For thou and -Geharis and Gareth shall go with a company of an hundred knights, and ye -shall arrest the Queen, and shall bring her for trial for this offence.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine kneeled down before King Arthur, and he said, -“Sovereign and lawful Lord and Master, I pray you to spare me from -this.” King Arthur said, “Why should I spare thee?” Sir Gawaine said, -“For these two causes: firstly, I am sworn brother in arms to Sir -Launcelot; secondly, I am not friendly with my lady the Queen and so am -not fit to serve her as her escort.”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur said, “I do not understand your refusal, Messire. Was -not Sir Agravaine your brother? And was not he a strong and noble -knight? And were not Sir Florence and Sir Lovel your sons?”</p> - -<p>“Yea, Lord,” said Sir Gawaine. “All this is true; but I suspected evil -in this affair, and I strongly advised them to refrain therefrom. This -they have refused to hearken to and so they have perished, armed and in -fair conflict with Sir Launcelot—he one against many.”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur’s face flushed very red with anger, and he turned to -Sir Geharis and Sir Gareth. “And you, Messires,” said he, “do you also -refuse me this duty?” “Sir,” said Sir Gareth, “if you bid us upon our -duty to undertake this commission, we will do so. Yet wit you that Sir -Launcelot was he who made me a knight; wherefore I will not go in arms -to escort the Queen. But if thou commandest me to go, then will I go -without armor or defence of any sort to protect me. For I will not stand -in arms before the avowed lady of him who made me a knight.”</p> - -<p>King Arthur said, “I do command you both to go, so let there be an<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_181" id="page_181">{181}</a></span> end -to this argument. But see to it that the Queen shall be brought to her -trial in a plain white robe without a girdle and that she come in her -bare feet like to any criminal. For I shall not believe her to be -innocent until she be proved so.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gareth and Sir Geharis go unarmed to arrest Sir -Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Now when the next day was come, it being then about the tenth hour of -the morning, Sir Geharis and Sir Gareth took those five score knights -and they rode to the lodgings of the Queen. Meantime, word had been sent -to the Queen that she was to clothe her in such a guise as the King had -said; to wit, ungirdled and in white, and in her bare feet. And it was -said to her that she was to come to her trial like to a -criminal—barefoot in that wise, and without a girdle about her waist.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen weepeth.</i></div> - -<p>Then the Queen wept very many bitter tears, and said, “Alas, my lord, -the King, hath already condemned me in his heart, so that my trial will -mean my death.” And the ladies of the Queen wept with her and they said, -“Lady, alas for thy happiness! For this is certes the end.” Then the -Queen dried her tears and she said to them, “Comfort ye! For I have done -many evil deeds in my life, but ye know that I am innocent of this -deed.” They say, “Yea, we know it and will avouch for it.”</p> - -<p>Now word of all these things had also been brought to Sir Launcelot, and -when he heard of them he aroused himself and called his esquires about -him. Then he went forth in his full armor and he found Sir Bors and Sir -Lionel together. And Sir Launcelot said to them, “Messires, do you -remember that you and several others promised to aid me in the rescue of -the Queen? Well, then, the time is come, for she is about to be brought -forth to her trial, for they have sent for her. She shall not come to -the disgrace of trial, for I will bear her hence. Go you and summon all -those who will support me and bring them in haste to the Queen’s inn, -for I go there immediately.” Sir Bors said, “Go not thither from this -place until we summon aid.” Sir Launcelot said, “Then make haste.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Bors and Sir Lionel hastened away from that place, leaving Sir -Launcelot walking in great strides up and down the length of the room.</p> - -<p>Anon came one running to where Sir Launcelot was, and said to him, “Sir, -the Queen biddeth thee to come to her in haste, for they are taking her -barefoot to her trial.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot hasteneth to aid the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot waited for no further word, but hastened with all -speed to where the Queen was, and when he had come there he found many -of his knights already there, and several came immediately there<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_182" id="page_182">{182}</a></span>after. -And as Sir Launcelot approached he beheld the Queen seated upon her -horse in her bare feet and surrounded by that armed escort which the -King had sent. Then the Queen beheld Sir Launcelot and she called to -him, saying, “Sir Launcelot, make haste!” And she reached out her arms -toward him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot slayeth Sir Gareth.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot emitted a great loud and bitter cry. And therewith he -drew his sword like lightning and his friends drew their swords and they -rushed into the throng smiting from right to left and from left to right -again. And those who were thus assaulted smote back again at those -knights and bore them hither and thither by weight of numbers because -they who fought for the Queen were so few. But the knights of Sir -Launcelot were prepared for this assault and the knights of King Arthur -were not prepared for it, wherefore those latter were quickly separated -and driven back. Now in the fury of that small battle Sir Gareth was -pushed near to Sir Launcelot and he was unarmed as hath been told of, -and Sir Launcelot saw him but knew him not. So Sir Launcelot smote Sir -Gareth upon the head with his sword and he clave asunder the head of Sir -Gareth to the throat and Sir Gareth fell dead beneath the horses’ feet.</p> - -<p>And Sir Launcelot thought nothing of what he had done by that blow; for -in his fury and raging he beheld the Lady Queen Guinevere before him. -With that he spurred forward without looking down upon the earth to see -who it was whom he had smitten down, and he catched the Queen up from -her saddle and seated her on his saddle before him. Then he shouted, -“Let us away and escape while there is yet time!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He slayeth Sir Geharis.</i></div> - -<p>So with that Sir Geharis put himself forward to stay Sir Launcelot, and -Sir Launcelot, beholding him there in the way and not witting who he -was, smote him also with his sword and slew him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot escapeth with the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>So with that they all ceased fighting and spurred away from that place, -cleaving their way before them and taking Queen Guinevere with them. And -they rode away from that place and from that city, and they ceased not -to ride until they had come to the confines of Joyous Gard, where there -was an asylum of peace and safety. And in that battle there were lost -twenty-seven knights of the King, and of these there were eleven knights -of the Round Table. And there were lost sixteen knights of Sir -Launcelot’s party and of them there were nine knights of the Round -Table. And in that battle Sir Kay the Seneschal and Sir Gareth and Sir -Geharis and Sir Griflet lost their lives.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_184" id="page_184">{184}</a></span><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_183" id="page_183">{183}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_030.jpg" width="391" height="550" alt="The Bishop of Rochester and the King." /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_185" id="page_185">{185}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Fifth-c" id="Chapter_Fifth-c"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Fifth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How King Arthur attacked Sir Launcelot at Joyous Gard; how Sir Lionel -was slain and how Sir Bors was wounded.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW come we to the beginning of the end of this great and glorious reign -of King Arthur of Britain. For so Sir Launcelot stepped between the -Queen and the law as hath afore been told of, and having done so there -was no recession for him from that act. For so was he bound to protect -the Queen and to cherish her if he could do so; and King Arthur was -bound to recover his Queen to bring her back to her duty again if he -could do so.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Concerning Queen Guinevere and Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Yet in all this the Queen had not sinned against King Arthur, saving -only that she had escaped from her enemies and from justice at Camelot, -and also because King Arthur supposed that her affections had wandered -from him and toward Sir Launcelot. For in all other respects the Queen -was ever as honorable and as pure as she had been when first she came to -King Arthur that long while before at Camilard (which same hath been -told in full in the Book of King Arthur). Yet there was this, that the -coming of Sir Launcelot from the Lake and the greatness of Sir Launcelot -as a knight, and the beauty of the person of Sir Launcelot, so -fascinated her that she could not let him go his way without meddling -with his fortunes. Wherefore she demanded him for her knight, and she -was angry at any interference that prevented him from serving her as her -knight both singly and in all things.</p> - -<p>But now had come to her the end of all this. For now was she escaped -from her lord the King, and from justice, and she was hiding under the -protection of Sir Launcelot of the Lake and of those knights of his -blood and kindred at Joyous Gard. So had the end come to her of all the -joy of her life, for King Arthur could now never condone or forgive her -offence.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur grieveth.</i></div> - -<p>For when the news of that battle came to the ears of King Arthur, he was -filled with anger and with grief. “Alas!<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_186" id="page_186">{186}</a></span>” cried he, “that this quarrel -should have begun, for in it I behold the end of my reign. For already -the joy of the Round Table is past and gone, and never shall it return -again.”</p> - -<p>For wit ye that that joy which is gone can never return, but only its -memory shall live in the heart to lend a dim and distant lustre upon the -sorrows of the present, and of that King Arthur was very well aware. So -also he knew that the glory of the Round Table had departed, and he knew -that ere the end of that Round Table should come many knights should die -in that quarrel that was now toward.</p> - -<p>Then the King said, “Doth Sir Gawaine, the high prince, know that his -two brothers have been slain?” They say to him, “No, Lord.” (For they -did not then know that Sir Gawaine had already been informed thereof.) -The King said, “Then let him not be told of it, for if he is told of it -now he will, in his haste, vow vengeance against Sir Launcelot who was -his sworn comrade in arms and his very dear friend, and so there will be -added war to this war.” They say to the King, “He shall not be told, but -it shall be kept secret from him.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The news cometh to Sir Gawaine.</i></div> - -<p>But meantime there had come a messenger hastening to Sir Gawaine, and -said to him, “Lord, the Queen hath escaped and is now upon her way to -Joyous Gard with Sir Launcelot of the Lake.”</p> - -<p>At this Sir Gawaine gazed at the messenger and for a little while he -said nothing, though he thought many things. And the face of Sir Gawaine -grew white like to wax for whiteness, for he feared what further news -should come to him. Anon he said, “What news is this? Were not my -brethren set as a guard upon her? How then did they suffer her to escape -from them?”</p> - -<p>The messenger said, “Sir, Sir Launcelot, and others of his blood, -assaulted that guard and they seized upon the Queen and took her away. -And in the mêlée at that time Sir Gareth was slain unwittingly. And then -Sir Geharis was also slain whilst attempting to stay Sir Launcelot.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine grieveth.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine covered his head with his cloak, and he sat there for a -long time with his head covered. And ever he wept beneath the cloak, but -his face was hidden, and no one could behold his tears. And anon he said -in a muffled voice, “Five of them are gone! Five of them are gone!” -meaning by that that his two sons and his three brothers had already -died in that war. And after a little while he said, “There was comfort -for me in that those three of them who died aforetime were armed for -battle. For so I advised them that they should not enter this dispute; -and yet they did enter it, and lost their lives therein. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_187" id="page_187">{187}</a></span> these -latter two were naked and unarmed, and of one of them Sir Launcelot was -godfather when he was knighted. And he loved Sir Launcelot more than he -loved his own blood and his own brethren. Ah, Gareth! Gareth! All things -could I forgive in Sir Launcelot saving only thy death. For I loved Sir -Launcelot above all others in the world, and to him could much be -forgiven; but this I can never forgive. For those two were his friends -and not his enemies, and they meant him good and not harm; yet he slew -them, all naked and unarmed as they were.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine cometh to the King.</i></div> - -<p>And Sir Gawaine said, “Where is the King?” They say, “The King is at -such and such a place.” So by and by Sir Gawaine arose and went to where -King Arthur was. And Sir Gawaine said to King Arthur, “Lord, what now -will you do?” King Arthur said, “I know not what I shall do.” Sir -Gawaine said, “Sir, know you that my two brothers are slain?” And King -Arthur bowed his head and said, “Yea, I know it.” Sir Gawaine said, “I -will tell you what you shall do. You shall wage war to the extremity of -life against this false and traitorous knight, Sir Launcelot of the -Lake. What? Hath he not taken your Queen from you and carried her away -to his own castle? Hath he not slain your blood and kindred? Hath he not -bathed his hands in the blood of your knights of the Round Table? Hath -he not slain Sir Kay, your foster brother, in this last assault? Hath he -not slain Sir Griflet and my kinsman Sir Aglaval and my two sons and my -two other brethren who were all unarmed and defenceless against his -attack? Sir, arouse yourself. Call for your kings and princes, your -earls and barons and knights, and let us set forth as an army and -utterly destroy this nest of traitors and murderers. I myself will call -my dependants around me and will accompany you to that war, for now it -shall either be Sir Launcelot’s life or my life. For never will I -forgive him so long as I have breath in my body.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King offers forgiveness.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth the King, “Nephew, if these knights will return the Queen to me, -then I will forgive them, and if I forgive them cannot you also forgive? -For these are Knights of the Round Table, and I must not destroy the -Round Table so utterly as you advise me to do.”</p> - -<p>Sir Gawaine said, “I cannot forgive Sir Launcelot, nor shall I ever -forgive the deaths of my innocent brothers. For they were naked and -unarmed, and they loved Sir Launcelot, and yet Sir Launcelot slew them. -Naught can wipe this from my memory saving only the blood of him who -slew those two gentlemen. Wherefore, prepare for war and I will join -you.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_188" id="page_188">{188}</a></span>”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King summoneth his vassals.</i></div> - -<p>So King Arthur armed himself and he summoned those knights and princes, -earls and barons who were dependent upon him to his assistance. And he -summoned all of those knights who were still allied to him. All this he -did, but he did it very reluctantly, for he wished not to wage war with -Sir Launcelot and his knights.</p> - -<p>And news of this call to arms that King Arthur had made came to Sir -Launcelot, and he upon his part gave call to all of those lords and -knights who were allied to him to come to him and to aid him to defend -Joyous Gard. And they or many of them went to him as he bade them.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How the King cometh to Joyous Gard.</i></div> - -<p>Then King Arthur led his army to Joyous Gard and it was so vast and -multitudinous that it covered all the hills and valleys as it advanced. -And red clouds of dust hung over it as it passed forward so that the -bright and tranquil light of the sun was obscured by those clouds. And -great flocks of carrion crows accompanied the army, for they smelt the -blood of many carcasses as from afar, wherefore they flew accompanying -that army. So this army came and settled down and about Joyous Gard, and -it was like an army of locusts that had settled at that place.</p> - -<p>And Sir Launcelot and his brother Sir Ector stood upon the parapet of -the castle of Joyous Gard, and they looked out upon the hills and upon -the multitude of the hosts that were there foregathered and that -encompassed them. And when Sir Ector beheld the vast and limitless -extent of that army, his heart failed within him and he said to Sir -Launcelot, “Behold, oh brother! the vast and limitless host that -surrounds us. However shall we withstand such a host as that? Would it -not be better to compromise with the King and to surrender the Queen to -him?” Quoth Sir Launcelot, “How talk you of compromise, Messire, and how -talk you of surrendering the Queen? Wit you that to surrender the Queen -at this time would be to dishonor ourselves in surrendering her to -dishonor? For unless we fight for her, what terms can we now make that -would insure her safety? No, brother, let us abide their coming, and -defend ourselves with all our mights.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen adviseth Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>That night the Queen also spoke to Sir Launcelot, and she said, -“Launcelot, why do you suffer for me? Surrender me unto King Arthur and -with that this war will cease. Else will there many worthy knights -perish in this war. For there are a great many knights here foregathered -of the Round Table, and there be many other famous and worthy knights -and nobles and kings here foregathered. Is my one life then worth more -than all their lives?”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot groaned, but he said, “Lady, I will not surrender<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_189" id="page_189">{189}</a></span> -you until I am sure that your safety is insured. Let first the King -assure your safety and then we shall consider whether or not you shall -return to him.”</p> - -<p>Then the Queen burst out weeping and she cried out, “Oh, woe is me that -I should have brought so much trouble and sorrow upon this world!”</p> - -<p> </p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King assaults Joyous Gard.</i></div> - -<p>Now the army of King Arthur made assault upon Joyous Gard and they made -assault upon assault. And somewhiles they made breaches in the walls; -but ever those breaches were rebuilded at night so that they could not -enter the castle. And the army of King Arthur lost many hundreds of men, -both of knights and yeomen; but the defence of the castle lost many -scores, and those scores were of greater loss to them than the hundreds -that King Arthur lost. For those hundreds could be replaced by other -hundreds, but the scores could not be replaced by other scores.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The friends of Sir Launcelot advise with him.</i></div> - -<p>So the knights who kept the castle held a council of defence, and there -were at that council Sir Bors and Sir Lionel and Sir Ector and Sir -Bleoberis and Sir Blamor de Ganis, and there were other knights and -worthies of the blood of Sir Launcelot. Sir Lionel said, “Why remain we -here within this castle? Ever we grow weaker and weaker, and by and by -our enemies will break within the castle and then we shall all be put to -the edge of the sword. Let us sally forth against those who thus -surround us, for so haply we may cut our way through them and thus -escape to the sea-shore and to France. There we shall be safe from those -who could work for us our undoing.” Sir Launcelot said, “Sir, even if we -could do this thing, what blood would be spilt in doing it, and what -friends would we slay in that attempt!” Quoth Sir Ector, “What matters -that? Are they not seeking our lives and our blood, and are we not -defending ourselves? These men are no longer our friends; they are our -enemies, and are seeking our lives. Let us then go forth and assail -them.” All this Queen Guinevere heard, and she wept many and very bitter -tears as she listened to that council. As for Sir Launcelot, he groaned -very deeply but anon he said, “Let it then be so as you say, only first -I must bespeak King Arthur.”</p> - -<p>So that afternoon he appeared upon the battlements of the castle. And he -leaned out over the battlements and called out to those who were below, -saying to them, “Where is King Arthur? I would speak with him.”</p> - -<p>Those who heard him ran to King Arthur, and they said to the King, -“Lord, Sir Launcelot asks to speak to thee. Haply he meaneth to -surrender to thee.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_190" id="page_190">{190}</a></span>”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King speaketh to Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>So King Arthur hurried to that place where Sir Launcelot was: and Sir -Gawaine and the King of North Wales were with him. King Arthur said to -Sir Launcelot, “What wouldst thou have of me, Messires? Dost thou -surrender this castle?” “Not so,” quoth Sir Launcelot, “I do not -surrender it, but I would speak to you of other things.”</p> - -<p>“Sir,” said King Arthur, “concerning what other things have you to speak -to me withal?”</p> - -<p>“Lord,” said Sir Launcelot, “this is what I would say to you. What seek -you here in thus assaulting this castle? Here within are many lordly -knights and many knights of the Round Table who were a short time ago -your friends and dependants. Some of them you yourself made knights as -you made me a knight, and all of those would gladly surrender their -lives for your sake. What benefit or what honor can it then be to you to -slay them, who were your support and your defence, and who would be so -again if you would live in peace with them? Would it be to your honor -that you should slay these good, worthy honorable knights?”</p> - -<p>“Sir,” said King Arthur, “you forget that you have seized upon my Queen -and that you hold her from me in this castle. First surrender to me my -Queen, and then I will consider all these things that you have to say -and will reply to them as I deem to be fitting.”</p> - -<p>“Lord,” said Sir Launcelot, “thy Queen is held here in high and -honorable regard. With us she is safe from harm or injury of any sort. -Would she be thus free from danger of harm and dishonor if she were with -you? Pledge me first that you would do her no harm or injury, and then -it will beseem us as true and honorable knights to consider the -surrender of her to you.”</p> - -<p>“Am I then,” said the King, “to make treaty with you for the return to -me of that wife with whom I have lived in amity for all these years? -Sir, you do not consider how unfit such a treaty would be upon my part.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine accuseth Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Then up spake Sir Gawaine. “Also, Messire, you have forgot another -thing, and that is that you have slain my two young brothers who stood -before you defenceless and unarmed. I reckon naught of those whom you -slew, armed and in battle. For I loved you well and truly for many -years, and I advised them not to hazard battle with you; but they would -hazard battle and so they were slain by you. But of those two others, -they did not hazard battle; for they were unarmed and naked, and they -would have stood your friends; yet you slew them as though they had been -enemies. This I will never forgive<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_191" id="page_191">{191}</a></span> you, but either you will answer for -it with your blood, or I will answer for it with mine.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot groaned, and he said, “God pity us all for our sins, -and God pity you, Sir Gawaine, for your unchristian hatred.” And with -that he turned away.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The defenders of the castle sally forth.</i></div> - -<p>So when the next day had come, they of the castle prepared themselves -for battle and for escape. They placed the Queen in their midst and they -surrounded her upon all sides. Then, of a sudden, all the gates upon one -side of the castle were flung wide open and they issued out in full -armor. And at that time the sun shone out very brightly, and it gleamed -and sparkled like flames of fire upon the brightly polished steel of -those knights. Then they, the defenders of the castle, shouted very -loud, and they charged against their enemies, bearing the Queen with -them in their midst.</p> - -<p>And for awhile they carried all before them and no one could withstand -them; and so they might have escaped, had it not been that the Queen was -with them and retarded them in their charge and their advance. For, in a -little while, owing to that delay, those of King Arthur’s army armed -themselves, and in another little while the friends of Sir Launcelot -were almost entirely surrounded by that vast multitude.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot beheld that in a short time they would be shut off -from return to the castle, but that as yet the way was still open to -them. Wherefore he lifted up his voice and shouted, “Retreat! Retreat!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They of the castle retreat into it again.</i></div> - -<p>Then, through the roar and thunder of battle and of blows and of sword -blade upon steel armor, all those who were there heard these words, -“Retreat! Retreat!” And they beheld that that retreat was nearly cut -off, but not quite. So they turned their horses and made their way -slowly backward toward the castle again, with the Queen still in their -midst. Those before turned their horses toward the castle, and those -behind fought with their faces toward their foes. And many who assaulted -that band tried to come to the Queen, but none could do it because of -the close array of horsemen that surrounded her. Many lost their lives -in that attempt, for if they penetrated the first line of horsemen they -were slain by the second line of defence.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine overthroweth Sir Lionel.</i></div> - -<p>In that mêlée Sir Gawaine sought ever to come at Sir Launcelot, but he -could not do so because that Sir Launcelot remained ever near to the -person of the Queen. But Sir Gawaine charged against Sir Bors and -pierced him with his lance through the shoulder; and then he charged -with great violence against Sir Lionel, and in that charge he pierced -through the body armor of Sir Lionel so<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_192" id="page_192">{192}</a></span> that the point of the spear -stood a hand’s breadth out behind his back. Then Sir Lionel would have -fallen from his horse only that the press that surrounded him held him -up and kept him from falling. And with that blow against Sir Lionel, the -end of Sir Gawaine’s spear broke off, and it remained penetrated into -the body of Sir Lionel, a part of it showing in front and a part of it -showing behind.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Lionel felt that he had received his death-wound, and he -groaned very dolorously. And Sir Gawaine heard him groan and perceived -how badly he was hurt. And he redoubled his attack, endeavoring to -obtain the body of Sir Lionel. But he could not obtain that body for it -was still held upright upon the horse, supported by several, and others -gathered about to defend it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lionel dieth.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine was furious with rage and he fought as though he had -gone wode. For his sword flashed like flashes of lightning, and ever as -he struck he cried out in a loud and terrible voice, “That for Sir -Launcelot!” and “That for Sir Launcelot!” and ever again “That and that -for Sir Launcelot!” And so fierce and terrible were the blows that he -gave that many fell down before them and never moved again. But in spite -of his striving, they bore away Sir Lionel from his endeavor and so -brought him into the castle, where that night he died in a great agony -of thirst and of torment.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur is overthrown.</i></div> - -<p>In that battle, King Arthur and those who were with him made many -charges against the centre of Sir Launcelot’s array, and anon they had -come so close to where was the Queen that the King could almost have -touched her with his lance. So King Arthur came at last face to face -with Sir Launcelot, and Sir Ector was beside Sir Launcelot. And ever the -King strove to come at Sir Launcelot, but was unable to do so. For -somewhiles Sir Launcelot warded the blows from himself, and otherwhiles -those who were with him took those blows from him. Then Sir Ector -perceived how the King neglected his guard in assaulting Sir Launcelot, -and he arose in his stirrups and smote the King a terrible buffet upon -the helmet. At that blow the King’s brains swam, and he reeled and fell -off from his horse upon the earth. Then Sir Ector leaped from his horse -and he said, “Here will I put a stop to this war at its fountain-head.” -Whereupon he rushed off the King’s helmet and whirled his sword, and -prepared to smite the head off from the King.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They spare the King his life.</i></div> - -<p>But Queen Guinevere perceived the King’s danger and she shrieked out -very dolorously, “Spare the King his life, Sir Ector!” And Sir Launcelot -said to Sir Ector, “Sir, how is this? Would you slay your King? Remember -it was he who made you a knight and who<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_193" id="page_193">{193}</a></span> made me a knight. Haply he may -forget that he made us knights, but let us not forget it.”</p> - -<p>So with that Sir Ector put up his sword again, and he and Sir Launcelot -lifted the King and set him upon his horse once more. And the King wept -bitter tears to see how noble and knightly was Sir Launcelot, and he -said, “Ah, Launcelot, Launcelot, that this should be!”</p> - -<p>So after that Sir Launcelot withdrew into the castle with the Queen and -the gates were closed behind him. But ever King Arthur sat still weeping -and saying, “Ah, Launcelot, Launcelot, that this should be!”</p> - -<p>Then the friends of Sir Launcelot wist not what they should do in this -extremity, for there were they within the castle again, and could not -come out thence because of those who besieged them in that place. And -ever they were growing weaker with each assault, but the armies of King -Arthur were not growing weaker.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Bishop of Rochester cometh to the King.</i></div> - -<p>At this extremity there came the Bishop of Rochester to the camp of King -Arthur, and the purpose of the Bishop was to make peace betwixt these -parties. So the Bishop came to where King Arthur was, and he found King -Arthur sunk in grief. For already three-and-twenty Knights of the Round -Table had lost their lives in these wars and contentions, and King -Arthur grieved for them very sorely. For there were no more knights like -those first knights foregathered about the Round Table, nor have there -ever been such knights as they were from that day to this.</p> - -<p>Then the Bishop stood before the King, and the King looked at him -remotely as though he were a great distance away, for his eyes were -dimmed with weeping. And the Bishop said to the King, “Lord, let this -quarrel cease between you and Sir Launcelot, and let there be peace in -the land. For now is the entire land distracted with this quarrel. For -friend fighteth against friend, neighbor against neighbor;—yea, even -brother against brother. As for you, my lord, these knights are of your -Round Table and of your making; what pleasure or what honor then can it -be to you to destroy them?”</p> - -<p>The King said to him, “Sir, this war was not of my forming or my -seeking, but of Sir Launcelot’s. For first Sir Launcelot resisted arrest -in a just cause, and then he resisted the arrest of the Queen. So he and -his fellows took the Queen away from me, and they have her in this -castle. Let them then deliver the Queen to me and there shall be peace -betwixt the friends of Sir Launcelot and my friends.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Bishop intercedes for the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>The Bishop said, “They will not deliver the Queen to thee, Lord, -excepting thou wilt declare upon thine honor that no harm shall befall -her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_194" id="page_194">{194}</a></span> For it is said of all that the life of the Queen is in danger from -thee. Yet she is an honorable lady and as pure to thee as the day upon -which she came to thee. For she is free from sin or from guilt of any -sort. Wherefore, unless thou wilt declare that no harm shall befall the -life of the Queen and wilt declare that same in writing, she will not be -returned, but otherwise they will lay down their lives to guard her -safety.”</p> - -<p>Then the King sat with his fist upon his forehead, and he considered for -a long time what the Bishop had said, and at last he said, as in a -smothered voice, “Well, then, let the Queen be delivered to me at -Camelot, and I upon my part shall promise that no harm shall be done to -her life, either to threaten it or to deprive her of it.” The Bishop -said, “Let me have that in writing.” And the King said, “I will do so.”</p> - -<p>So the King called to him his scribe and he had him write those words; -to wit, that if the Queen would return to him, no harm should befall or -threaten her life in any way. And the King signed and sealed that -document and the Bishop took it with him and entered the Castle of -Joyous Gard.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Bishop grieveth for the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>Thus the Bishop came before Sir Launcelot and his kindred, and Queen -Guinevere was with them at that time. And the Bishop looked at the face -of the Queen and he beheld that it was all white and wan with sorrow and -that her eyelids were red with continual weeping. And the Bishop was -very sorry for the Queen and for her sadness. So the Bishop came to her -and took her by the hand and he said to her, “Lady, stint thy sorrow, -for the time of sorrow is passed. For here am I with this document that -saith that no harm or injury of any kind shall be meditated against thy -life, but if thou wilt return to the King all shall be forgiven thee. -For wit you well that the King is determined that you shall return to -him, even if it cometh to the tearing down of this castle stone from -stone.”</p> - -<p>Then the Queen took the document that the Bishop had and she read it -very carefully, and when she had ended she said, “Lord Bishop, how is -this? I see here that mine own safety is provided for, but that the -safety of no one else is mentioned. How of those good worthy knights and -gentlemen who have endangered their safety in my behalf; where is their -safety provided for in this parchment?”</p> - -<p>Quoth the Bishop, “I will bespeak the King that point. Meantime, do you -remain here without endeavoring either to attack or to escape.”</p> - -<p>She said, “I will remain here in peace until this time to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>So the Bishop returned to the King and he brought that word to him;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_195" id="page_195">{195}</a></span> -that a pledge must also be given for the safety to the life of those -knights who thus guarded and sheltered the Queen. Then the King frowned, -and he said, “What other conditions will they impose upon me; why should -I give this pledge to those who have acted treasonably against me?”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King promises to spare the knights of the castle.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine plucked the King by the sleeve and the King turned -aside with him. And Sir Gawaine whispered for awhile with the King and -by and by the King turned again to the Bishop and he said to the Bishop, -“Very well, then; take thou this my word to those knights that I will in -no wise do harm to them whilst they are within this Kingdom of Britain. -Take thou that word unto them.”</p> - -<p>So the Bishop took that word to them within the castle and they were -very glad of it. And Sir Launcelot said to the Bishop, “Let the King -return to Camelot, and I will bring the Queen to him in three days’ time -surrounded by all the pomp and circumstance that appertain to her lordly -grace.”</p> - -<p>So the King withdrew his army from that place and he returned to -Camelot. And Sir Launcelot made ready to bring the Queen to him at -Camelot.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Thus came to an ending that sad and cruel war in the which many good -knights and warriors lost their lives and in which fourteen worthy -knights of the Round Table lost their lives.</p> - -<p>For though all those knights were commanders of armies and of -battalions, yet death came to them as to other men of lesser note, so -that many of them, even to the highest, laid down their lives in this -dolorous war.</p> - -<p>For so the hand of Fate lay heavy on that great and glorious company, -for though all grieved and made great sorrow over the war, and over -those who had died therein, and though comrade grieved over comrade who -died therein—even over those who were upon the other side and who were -enemies—yet the hand of Fate thrust them forward to do what they were -compelled to do, and to slay and to be slain in that sorrowful battle.</p> - -<p>And so it was to the end, for ere that end was reached others who were -the foremost and the greatest of them all laid their bodies down to an -eternal sleep upon the bosom of that earth that gave them shape and -foothold. For yet were there other wars to come until all but a very -few<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_196" id="page_196">{196}</a></span> of those who were left had given all that they had of the earth to -give in those wars.</p> - -<p>But of this anon, for that which followeth has to treat of those things.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So now followeth the history of those things that remain to be -hereinafter related in that which followeth, as shall now appear.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_197" id="page_197">{197}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_198" id="page_198">{198}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_031.jpg" width="389" height="550" alt="Sir Gawaine challenges Sir Launcelot" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_199" id="page_199">{199}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Sixth-c" id="Chapter_Sixth-c"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br /> -Chapter Sixth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>Sir Launcelot brings the Queen to King Arthur at Camelot. He quitteth -England, and King Arthur and Sir Gawaine pursue him.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">S</span>O the King went to Camelot, and upon the third day the Queen was -brought to him at that place.</p> - -<p>Thus saith the history of these things when the Queen was brought to the -Court of the King, to wit:</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How Sir Launcelot brings the Queen to Camelot.</i></div> - -<p>First there came an hundred knights clad cap-a-pie all in armor and with -fittings and trimmings of green velvet. And these knights wore olive -wreaths upon their heads, indicative of peace. Followed these, four and -twenty esquires clad all in green velvet, and these were also crowned -with olive wreaths. After these came four and twenty ladies in waiting -upon the Queen, and these, like all the others, were clad in green -velvet and were embroidered with pearls and precious stones even to the -heels of their horses, and the bridles of their horses were bound with -wreaths of olive. Then came the Queen and Sir Launcelot clad all in -white samite, and the Queen carried an olive branch in her hand and Sir -Launcelot was crowned with an olive wreath. And the raiment of these two -was all aglitter with the jewels and pearls with which their clothes -were embroidered until they were stiff with that embroidery.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>How the King sat at Camelot.</i></div> - -<p>At that time King Arthur received them seated upon his throne with great -dignity in the hall of the Castle at Camelot. And the throne upon which -he sat was of wrought gold and was cushioned and trimmed with crimson -velvet, embroidered in gold with the figures of leopards. And over above -the throne was a great canopy of crimson velvet ornamented with the -figures of leopards, embroidered with threads of gold. The King was -clothed all in white, and he wore a gold chain studded with jewels about -his neck and he wore his royal crown upon his head. Upon the left hand -of the King stood seven bishops in full canonical robes, and upon his -right hand was a throne like to his, and on<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_200" id="page_200">{200}</a></span> that throne the Queen -should have been seated. But she was not seated there, for otherwise it -was empty.</p> - -<p>Upon the left hand of the King, but upon the second step below the -throne, sat Sir Gawaine, the beloved nephew of the King. And all about -the hall were several hundred knights in full armor and armed cap-a-pie -with sword and lance, so that that hall glittered and gleamed with the -shine of that armor.</p> - -<p>So King Arthur sat in state to receive the return of the Queen, and anon -she came to that place where the King awaited her. First came the -knights and esquires of Sir Launcelot, and these drew up in two parties -extending the length of the hall, leaving a line between them. Then came -Sir Launcelot and the Queen walking hand in hand up the length of that -lane, and the faces of Sir Launcelot and of that lady were both of them -exceedingly pale—hers with fear and his with fear for her. Behind these -two came the four and twenty ladies in waiting upon the Queen, and these -stopped in the midst of that lane and waited, whilst she and Sir -Launcelot approached King Arthur.</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot and the Queen came to the foot of the throne where sat -the King, and when they had come to that spot Sir Launcelot kneeled and -the Queen stood before King Arthur.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot speaketh.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth Sir Launcelot, “Dread Lord and King, here I bring to you your -Queen as I have promised to do, and if I took her away in sorrow and in -haste, then do I return her to you with ten thousand times the joy as -compared to what was that sorrow, and in ten thousand times the peace -and amity to what was that haste. Lord, for thirteen weeks has she dwelt -at Joyous Gard with all the state and circumstance due to her royalty, -and she cometh to you now as pure and as virginal as she came to you at -Camilard when first you loved her at that place and she loved you. Lord, -I pray you that you will take the Queen to your heart, and will cherish -her there as you one time cherished her, for, excepting that you pledged -me your word that no harm should befall her, she otherwise would not -have been thus brought to you as she is brought to-day.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King rebukes Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Then King Arthur frowned until his eyes disappeared beneath his -eyebrows. For a little he answered nothing, then in a little he said, -“Messire, one time you were my friend and the best-beloved of all my -knights, but that time is past and gone, never to return again, for now -it is altogether otherwise with me and with you. Messire, I admire at -your coolness and phlegm. For you took my Queen away from me by force -and by force have you held her for all these several<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_201" id="page_201">{201}</a></span> months. Many -knights have died by your hand and through your instrumentality, and -several of those knights were knights of my Round Table that one time -held you to it in bonds of love and amity. Yet now you stand before me -and recommend to me that I shall take back my Queen into my heart again. -Messire, wit you not that that which hath been done can never be undone, -but is and must remain altogether finished and completed? So it is with -this thing that you have done; for it also is and must remain altogether -finished and completed. Look you, Messire, here beside me is this -throne, which is empty. So it shall remain forever empty for me, for -never again shall Queen Guinevere or any other queen occupy it, for I -hereby and herewith renounce her utterly and entirely. She hath -withdrawn herself from my court and my bed and so she shall forever -remain withdrawn from them, for never again will I take her to my heart, -or place her in that estate which she once occupied.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King sendeth the Queen to a convent.</i></div> - -<p>“I have pledged myself that no harm shall come to her through me; but -herewith I give her over to the Church. There she shall remain a recluse -until the day of her death.”</p> - -<p>So said King Arthur, and at a motion of his hand the Lord Bishop of -Rochester came forth and took the Lady by the hand and led her away; and -as he led her away, she was weeping very bitterly.</p> - -<p>So the Bishop of Rochester took the Queen to the Convent of Saint -Bridget at Rochester, and there she remained the lady abbess of that -convent even to the day of her death, as shall hereinafter be related.</p> - -<p>Now all this while Sir Launcelot still kneeled before King Arthur, and -anon the King said to him again, “Messire, your own doom I will not -announce to you; but I will relegate the annunciation of that doom to -this lord, my well-beloved nephew, Sir Gawaine. For the injury which you -did to him is a thousand times greater than the injury which you did to -me. For though you took my Queen away from me, yet you did her no harm. -But with him, you slew five of his blood; to wit, three of his brethren -and two of his sons. And whilst three of them were in arms against you -so that you slew them wittingly and in self-defence, yet two of those -stood unarmed and naked before you, and those two loved you better than -anyone in all the world. One of those two your own hand made a knight -and the other was knit to you with many acts and deeds of friendship and -of love. Accordingly, I commit your doom to Sir Gawaine to announce to -you.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_202" id="page_202">{202}</a></span>”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine pronounces the doom of banishment against Sir -Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine smiled very bitterly upon Sir Launcelot, and he said, -“Messire, this is the doom that I pronounce. The King hath, in his great -clemency, promised you that no harm shall befall you in life or in limb. -So no harm shall come to you in that way if you are reasonable and obey -the commands of the King. This is his command—that in fifteen days from -this you must quit this kingdom, and that you shall never again return -to it whilst I live or while the King liveth.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>And against his knights.</i></div> - -<p>“Also I pronounce the doom of banishment against those who have been -associated with you in these late affairs, to wit, against Sir Ector de -Maris, Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Ure, and Sir Blamor and Sir Bleoberis -de Ganis, against Sir Galahautin, and Sir Galahud, and Sir Menaduke, and -Sir Galahadin, and Sir Hebes, and Sir Lavaine, and Sir Melias de Lisle, -and Sir Palamydes, and Sir Safyr, and Sir Clegis. Upon all of these I -pronounce the doom of banishment upon behalf of this King, and if any of -you be found within this isle of Britain fifteen days from now, you will -be arrested and hanged as traitors. Meantime all your castles, earldoms, -and baronies shall be forfeited to the King.”</p> - -<p>Said Sir Launcelot, “Sir, that is a bitter sentence; for here in this -island have I lived all my life, and of it I love every stock and stone -that mine eyes behold. But if I be outlawed and cast forth from this -kingdom, then will I go to my Castle of Chillion in the land of France, -and there I believe I shall be right well welcome and protected. So -come, my lords, and let us be gone to that country whiles there yet -remains time for us to depart.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot and his knights withdraw.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot and all those lords who were condemned with him -departed from the coast of England and entered into France, where they -took up their lodging with much sorrow and repining.</p> - -<p>And King Arthur seized upon all their earldoms, baronies, and estates, -and some of these he bestowed elsewhere and some of them he held for the -crown.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Now after those knights had departed for France, Sir Gawaine urged upon -King Arthur that he should follow them to that kingdom and attack them -there at the Castle of Chillion. King Arthur said, “Sir, why should I do -this thing? Did not Sir Launcelot bring back my Queen to me and did I -not forgive him for what he had done? Is he not now banished from the -land, and is he not then punished for all those things that he has done? -Let him now live and die in peace.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_203" id="page_203">{203}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>But to this Sir Gawaine ever answered, “Sir, I cannot reconcile it to -myself thus to surrender my rights in this case. For Sir Launcelot slew -my brothers and my sons, and never will I forgive him for that offence. -Either his blood or my blood shall answer for this; wherefore, if thou -wilt not follow him to France, then I myself will go thither and will -seek him out and punish him. As for thee, thou mayst forgive him as a -man, but yet thou mayst not forgive him as a king. For as a king thou -art the head of the law, wherefore thou mayst not forgive one who hath -broken the law. So with Sir Launcelot of the Lake, for he broke the laws -and he brought these Knights of the Round Table against thee and to -follow him; wherefore it is thy duty under the law to assail him and to -punish him for his treason, and also to punish those who follow him -likewise for their treason.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King moveth against Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Now by this time King Arthur was growing toward being an old man, and he -was much broken by sorrow and by cares, wherefore these words of Sir -Gawaine so moved him that at last he agreed to sail with an army into -France and to attack Sir Launcelot and his friends at Chillion. So King -Arthur entrusted the government of Britain to his nephew, Sir Mordred -(who was brother to Sir Gawaine), and he and Sir Gawaine departed with a -great army for France.</p> - -<p>So this army appeared before the Castle of Chillion, and they shut Sir -Launcelot and his friends up within the castle and besieged them at that -place.</p> - -<p>Then said Sir Launcelot, “How is this; hath not King Arthur any mercy -upon us, or doth he seek our lives and our blood? Well, if he seeks -those lives and that blood, then will there be many cruel and bitter -battles betwixt us, and many knights shall fall, and so will come the -entire end of the Round Table. Ah, well, if God willeth that it be so, -so it must be.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the battles about Chillion.</i></div> - -<p>So there were many battles around about Chillion and many lost their -lives. And though the knights of King Arthur lost more lives than did -the knights of Sir Launcelot, yet they could better afford to lose those -lives because new knights were constantly coming from Britain to -replenish the army of King Arthur, but no new knights were coming to the -army of Sir Launcelot, wherefore his losses were not replenished to him.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Now at that time there was a very wise and learned physician in the camp -of King Arthur, and one day Sir Gawaine sent for this learned man to -come to him. When that wise man stood before Sir Gawaine, Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_204" id="page_204">{204}</a></span> Gawaine -said to him this, “Sir, can you not produce for me a lotion that shall -render me free from all wounds of any sort?”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The wise man provides medicine for Sir Gawaine.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth the wise man, “Sir, this is impossible. But I can give to you a -medicine of this sort, that if you take it, you will, from the ninth -hour of morning until the prime of noon, have the strength in your limbs -and in your arms as of ten men.” Sir Gawaine laughed, and said, “Provide -me then with that medicine.”</p> - -<p>So the wise man prepared that medicine and gave it to Sir Gawaine, and -so it was for him as that physician had promised. For from the ninth -hour of the morning until the prime of noon, Sir Gawaine was uplifted in -arm and body to the strength of ten men.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine giveth challenge against Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>So the next day after this medicine had been delivered to him, Sir -Gawaine went to the walls of the castle and he paraded under the walls -of the castle, and he called out, “Sir Launcelot, come forth and do me -battle. For this satisfaction thou owest to me for slaying my kindred.” -But Sir Launcelot would not come forth to do him battle. For Sir -Launcelot still loved Sir Gawaine and he loved King Arthur; both for the -sake of those times that were past and gone, when they had joy and -pleasure together. So because that the one was Sir Gawaine and the other -was King Arthur, he would not come forth to do battle. Nay, because of -his love for those two, Sir Launcelot would not fight in that part of -the battle where Sir Gawaine or King Arthur was, but would do battle at -other parts.</p> - -<p>But when the next day had come, Sir Gawaine came again and the strength -of ten men was in his arms and his body. And he paraded back and forth -under the walls of the castle, and ever as he paraded he cried out -aloud, “Sir Launcelot, thou caitiff knight! Come forth and do me battle! -For thy doom is upon thee, and thou shalt die in this war; wherefore, -come and do me battle, or else announce that thou art afraid of me.”</p> - -<p>But still Sir Launcelot would not go forth against him, but he sat in -the castle and groaned for sorrow and bitterness of spirit. Then Sir -Ector came to Sir Launcelot, and he said, “Kinsman, suffer me that I go -forth and do battle in thy behalf; for this man sharneth us by this -challenge.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot wept, and he said, “Thou shalt not go, for wit you -that I loved this man better than mine own blood. And if he should be -slain, then will my heart be filled with grief such as can never vacate -it again. And if thou art killed, then will I be without my brother, and -must<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_205" id="page_205">{205}</a></span> take it upon me to fight Sir Gawaine upon the behalf of thy death. -Wherefore, I pray thee go not forth to meet him.”</p> - -<p>But ever Sir Ector besought Sir Launcelot saying, “Brother, suffer me to -go!” And at last Sir Launcelot said, “Well go, and may God be with -thee!”</p> - -<p>So Sir Ector armed himself and departed out of the castle to meet Sir -Gawaine.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine rode up to Sir Ector and he said to him, “Sir, what -knight are you?” Quoth Sir Ector, “I am Sir Ector de Maris, the brother -of Sir Launcelot of the Lake.” Said Sir Gawaine, “Why come you here?” -And Sir Ector replied, “I come to do battle with you upon my brother’s -behalf.” Then Sir Gawaine laughed and he said, “Sir, you are welcome. -Rather would I have it that you were Sir Launcelot, but failing him I -will accept you as his proxy. So make yourself ready to encounter me.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine overthroweth Sir Ector.</i></div> - -<p>So each of those two knights rode to a certain distance and prepared -himself for that encounter. And when they were in all ways prepared they -charged very furiously against one another. In that meeting the spear of -Sir Ector broke into many pieces, but the spear of Sir Gawaine held. And -because he had the strength of ten men behind his spear, it penetrated -the shield of Sir Ector and it penetrated his body, so that it stood a -haeadth out behind his back.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Ector fell from his horse and, in passing, the spear of Sir -Gawaine was broken so that the baton of the spear of Sir Gawaine -remained sticking in the body of Sir Ector; a part of it sticking out -before, and a part of it sticking out behind.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine rode back to where Sir Ector lay, and he said to him, -“Sir, how fares it with you?” Quoth Sir Ector, “Alas, Messire! I have -received my death-wound.” Then Sir Gawaine laughed very bitterly, and he -said, “So shall it always be with traitors, such as thou.”</p> - -<p>Then with that Sir Gawaine turned his horse and rode away from that -place, leaving Sir Ector lying where he was.</p> - -<p>Anon there came forth those from within the castle and they lifted up -Sir Ector where he lay. And they laid him in the hollow of the shield -and bare him into the castle. And all who saw Sir Ector in that -condition wept to behold him so.</p> - -<p>So they bore him to a chamber and laid him upon a soft couch and Sir -Ector groaned very dolorously with the agony of his wound, and Sir -Launcelot and several others stood before him, and ever as Sir Launcelot -considered him, the tears welled out of his eyes and rolled like shining -jewels down his cheeks.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_206" id="page_206">{206}</a></span></p> - -<p>So about the eleventh hour of the night Sir Ector said to Sir Launcelot, -“Sir, this wound is my death-wound. I pray you to draw out the baton of -that spear and let me pass.” Sir Launcelot said, “I cannot draw it -forth.” Sir Ector said, “Is there no friend here who will draw forth -this baton, and suffer me to die?”</p> - -<p>Then said Sir Bors, “I will draw it forth,” and with that he came to the -bedside of Sir Ector and he laid hold of the baton of the spear. And he -drew very strongly upon that baton and it came forth out of that wound -and with it came a great effusion of blood.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ector dieth.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Ector groaned very deeply and he said, “I pass,” and with that -he closed his eyes and in a little while he was dead. Then they who were -there wept a great passion of tears, for Sir Ector was well-beloved of -all of them.</p> - -<p>Now when the next morning was come, Sir Gawaine came again before the -castle and rode there as aforetime. And ever as he rode he cried out, -“Sir Launcelot, thou craven knight, come forth and do me battle.” But -still Sir Launcelot would not come forth against him. Then Sir Bors de -Ganis came to Sir Launcelot and he said to him, “Sir, suffer me to go -forth against this knight, for he bringeth shame upon us all.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Launcelot, “I crave you not to go, Sir; for this knight, Sir -Gawaine, is a very strong and powerful knight. Already hath he slain Sir -Ector, and should you also lose your life, what great loss that would be -to us all.” “Nevertheless,” said Sir Bors, “I would fain go forth -against him. For God may give me the victory, in which it will be a -great benefit to us all in that he will no more come to trouble us.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot turned away his head, and anon he said, “Go, in God’s -name, and may good fortune attend you. As for me, I cannot go against -Sir Gawaine because of the love I held for him. For should he slay me, -that would be a great misfortune for us all, but should I slay him, -never would I cease to sorrow and to repine for his death. Wherefore, I -cannot now go against him, but you may go against him.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Bors armed himself and went forth out of the castle, and when Sir -Gawaine beheld him coming he was rejoiced, for he thought that this was -Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<p>So Sir Gawaine rode up to him as he approached, and he said to him, -“Messire, what knight are you?” Him Sir Bors made answer, “Sir I am Sir -Bors de Ganis, and I have come forth here against you upon behalf of Sir -Launcelot of the Lake.”</p> - -<p>“Sir,” said Sir Gawaine, “you are very welcome; though rather would I -have to do with Sir Launcelot of the Lake than with any other man in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_207" id="page_207">{207}</a></span> -all of the world. For I have no quarrel against you, but against him I -have a quarrel.”</p> - -<p>“Nevertheless,” said Sir Bors, “I stand here now upon his behalf to do -battle for him.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Gawaine, “Prepare yourself then for battle!” So Sir Bors took -his assigned place and when they were in all wise prepared they rushed -together with great violence and fury.</p> - -<p>In that encounter the spear of each knight was broken into many pieces, -even to the very fist that held the spear, and the horse of each -recoiled so that it sunk back upon its haunches and would, perhaps, have -fallen, had not the address of the knight rider recovered it. Then each -knight cast aside the truncheon of his spear and voided his horse, and -each drew his sword with great readiness and rushed to the battle very -furiously, violently and impetuously. Each smote the other many sore -buffets and strokes so that each knight was wounded in several places.</p> - -<p>But Sir Gawaine was possessed of the strength of ten, and Sir Bors was -possessed but of the strength of one, so that by and by Sir Bors was -obliged to hold his shield low because of weariness from the redoubled -fury of Sir Gawaine’s attack.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine woundeth Sir Bors.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Gawaine perceived that opening which he made in his defence, and, -grinding his teeth together, he whirled up his sword and smote Sir Bors -upon the shoulder of that arm that held his sword. So violent and savage -was the blow that it sheared through the iron of the epulier and it -sheared through the flesh and bone of the shoulder so that the arm of -Sir Bors fell and hung down from the shoulder and his hand dropped the -sword that he held.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors asks his life.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine laughed and ran forward and he set his foot upon the -sword of Sir Bors. And Sir Bors sank down upon his knees and he said in -a weak and faltering voice, “Sir Gawaine, I am sorely wounded. If it -please thee to do so, I pray thee to spare my life.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Gawaine, “Why should I spare thee thy life? Thou art a traitor -knave, and it is not fit that I should spare thee, but rather I should -slay thee as thou kneelest before me. But I cannot forget our long and -many associations; and I cannot forget that thou wert one of those three -knights who achieved the Grail, and brought the Grail back again to -Sarras. So I will forgive thee, and will spare thee thy life, if so be -that God will also spare it.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine turned and sheathed his sword, and he mounted his horse -and rode away. And anon there came the friends of Sir Bors from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_208" id="page_208">{208}</a></span> -Castle of Chillion, and they lifted him up and laid him upon a litter, -and so they bore him away into the castle.</p> - -<p>And they took Sir Bors to a room of the castle and stripped off his -armor and beheld the wound that it was very ghastly and dismal. And so -much blood was emitted from that wound that Sir Bors fainted and for -awhile he hung hovering upon the edge of death.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors doth not die.</i></div> - -<p>But he did not die then or afterward, but he revived and his wound was -healed so that he, by and by, became well and strong again.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot came to where Sir Bors was, and he said to him, “Sir -Bors, how fared it with thee?” And Sir Bors said in a fainting voice, -“Sir, I know not how it was with Sir Gawaine. For I found him to be so -passing strong that never have I found a stronger. For he smote down my -defences and he smote me this blow that I have received, and from which -I shall maybe die. For mine arm is nearly severed from its shoulder, and -I wit not whether I shall ever be strong and hale again.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot wept and he said, “Alas, that this is so! For now I -cannot forego this battle with Sir Gawaine any longer. For yesterday he -slew my brother, Sir Ector, and to-day he hath nearly slain thee. So -to-morrow I shall have to have ado with him, or else, by and by, all -shall perish at this place.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bors said, “Sir, beware of him, for he hath strength more than -human, wherefore I fear that he may prove to thee thy undoing.”</p> - -<p>To that Sir Launcelot answereth, “I should be sorry to find it so. But -whether it is thus or not, still must I have ado with him upon the -chance that I may thus save the lives of others within this place.”</p> - -<p>So it came that Sir Launcelot was prepared to do battle with Sir -Gawaine.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Now if you would hear more of this famous fight betwixt Sir Launcelot -and Sir Gawaine, I pray you to read that which followeth. For there it -shall be fully and distinctly set forth as it hath been told of in -several ancient histories dealing with these things.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_210" id="page_210">{210}</a></span><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_209" id="page_209">{209}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_032.jpg" width="391" height="550" alt="The Passing of Sir Gawaine:" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_211" id="page_211">{211}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Seventh-c" id="Chapter_Seventh-c"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Seventh -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>Of the battle betwixt Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine. Also how King -Arthur returned to Little Britain.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">S</span>O came the next day and Sir Gawaine had his esquires to enclose his -body in full armor of proof, and he mounted his horse and took a good -stout lance of ashwood in his hand, and he set forth once more to seek -Sir Launcelot as aforetime he had done. So Sir Gawaine came beneath the -wall of the castle, and he paraded before the wall, and ever as he thus -paraded he cried aloud and on high, “Come forth, Sir Launcelot of the -Lake! Come forth, thou caitiff knight, and do me battle!”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot wist that now the time was come for him to do that -battle.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot goeth against Sir Gawaine.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot mounted upon his horse and took into his hand a good -stout lance of ashwood for his defence, and thus armed he gave orders -and the portcullis of the castle was raised and the drawbridge was let -fall and Sir Launcelot rode forth all clad in that armor of proof to -meet Sir Gawaine.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine rode up to Sir Launcelot and gave him greeting and he -said to Sir Launcelot of the Lake, “Sir, I pray you tell me, are you Sir -Launcelot of the Lake, or are you another knight than he? For by your -figure and by your conduct and by that device which is upon your shield, -I wit you to be Sir Launcelot, and yet I know not whether you are he or -not he. For this is the third time I have challenged, and heretofore he -would not come out against me.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot bespeaks Sir Gawaine.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth Sir Launcelot of the Lake, “Sir, I am Sir Launcelot indeed, and -wit you, Sir Gawaine, I have well tried to avoid this battle, for I fear -me in this battle or in some other battle of its kind, either you or I -shall be slain. And I would not slay you for the love that was of old -betwixt us; for still I remember me of that love, and I hold it very -dear to my heart. Wherefore I would not do battle with you if that -battle could be avoided.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_212" id="page_212">{212}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Gawaine, “What prate you of love, Sir? This battle cannot be -avoided, for wit you that even if ever I loved you, yet all that love is -now passed away, or rather it is transformed into hate. For you have -wounded me so deeply in my heart that no man can wound me so deeply and -yet live while I live also upon the earth. Wherefore either you or I -shall die by the hand of the other, if not at this time, then at some -other time.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Launcelot, “How have I wounded thee, Gawaine, or in what way -have I done thee such hurt as this? Tell me that I may make that wrong -right again.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine accuses Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Said Sir Gawaine, “Wit you not that I have often told you how that first -you slew two of my sons, and my brother, and how that afterward you slew -two more of my brothers? Is not that injury enough for any man to bear -within his heart and yet to live under that injury?”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot sighed and he said, “Sir, wit you that those two sons -and that brother I slew in battle and they were armed, and assaulting -me, and I knew them not. As for those two of your brothers whom I -afterward slew, them I slew in the press and fury of fighting. For I saw -not their faces in that fury and knew them not. For if I had known them, -wit you that I would have held my hand and spared them? Sir, for that I -am grieved to the heart, for I loved them both very well; more -especially Sir Gareth whom I made a knight in the field.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine laughed very bitterly, and he said, “Sir, you make a -very good excuse, still you did that which you did, and having done it -you must pay for it. For so every man must pay for that which he hath -done; let it be good or let it be ill. Come, Sir, prepare yourself for -battle, for I am hungry to have battle with you.”</p> - -<p>Then again Sir Launcelot sighed, this time so deeply that his heart had -been lifted from its strings within his bosom by that sigh. And with -that sigh he closed his helmet, and reined in his horse and withdrew to -that part of the field which was to be his assigned place of battle.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Many view the battle.</i></div> - -<p>Then many of the defenders of the castle came down to the walls of the -castle and stood there, and looked down from those walls upon the two -who stood so in array of battle. And King Arthur and many others came -from the camp of the besiegers, and also stood them afar off to behold -the battle, so that with those and with these who were there it was as -good an assembly as any knights could have chosen in which to do battle.</p> - -<p>And the sun shone very clear and strong—yet not too strong. And the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_213" id="page_213">{213}</a></span> -breeze blew very freely so that all the poplar trees around about the -castle were turned white with its blowing, and the river that ran down -past the castle was dusked and rippled by that wind, and all the reeds -of the river bowed and dipped into the water thereof.</p> - -<p>So those two knights prepared themselves for the assault, making their -armor in all ways tight and secure. Then when they were in all ways -ready, they shouted to their horses and so sprang to the charge, -galloping against one another with a noise like to the noise of thunder.</p> - -<p>So they met in the midst of the course and smote one another, in the -centre of the other’s shield. And before that shock the spear of each -was split into a great many very small pieces, even to the hand that -held it. And each horse sank quivering back upon its haunches at the -recoil of that blow, and would have fallen, were it not that the -extraordinary address of the knight rider recovered his horse with spur -and rein and voice. Then each knight cast aside the truncheon of his -spear and drew his sword, and each rushed at the other very furiously -and valiantly. Then each smote the other with great power and strength.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot faileth.</i></div> - -<p>But though Sir Launcelot smote with all of his strength, yet Sir Gawaine -smote with the strength of ten. So that Sir Launcelot was driven -backward, and around and around in small circles, and in that assault he -was altogether astonished at the fury and the strength of Sir Gawaine. -For he wist not that Sir Gawaine had that strength of ten men, and he -knew not that Sir Gawaine had taken that medicine to lend him that -strength.</p> - -<p>And Sir Launcelot had much ado to defend himself so that he made no -attack, but only a defence with sword and shield against the attack of -Sir Gawaine. And Sir Launcelot thought that never in all of his life had -he fought with so strong and so powerful a knight as Sir Gawaine—nay, -not even when he fought with Sir Turquine that day at the ford before -the castle of Sir Turquine. For anon the blood began to flow forth from -him in spite of all his defence, so that in a little while the ground on -which he fought was all sprinkled red with that blood, and his armor was -all ensanguined with the crimson streams that bathed it. And in all that -while Sir Gawaine had hardly any wounds at all, but he fought with all -his strength and might, and with the purpose to beat down his assailant.</p> - -<p>But though Sir Gawaine fought in that wise, yet, by and by, it reached -the prime of noon, and still he had not struck down Sir Launcelot. Then -that strength of ten that he had with the medicine that he had taken -began to fade and wane away as the flame of a candle flickers and wanes -away when the wax is consumed. So anon Sir Launcelot felt that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_214" id="page_214">{214}</a></span> -attack of Sir Gawaine was no longer so furious and so violent as it had -been, but that it was weaker. Therewith he redoubled his own battle with -tenfold violence. And now he no longer made defence, but instead of -defence he made attack. And he drave Sir Gawaine backward before him, -for Sir Gawaine could not stand before the fierceness of that attack now -that his strength was waning.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine faileth and is overthrown.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Gawaine bore back from before those blows, and by and by he began -to hold his shield full low for weariness. Then Sir Launcelot perceived -his opening, so he rushed the attack with double fury, and anon he swung -his sword and smote Sir Gawaine with it full upon the head. And so -violent was that blow that it clave asunder the helmet and the coif, and -it wounded the head beneath the coif.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine sank down upon his knees, his hand relaxed and the -sword that was in his hand fell out from it upon the ground. Then Sir -Launcelot ran to Sir Gawaine and he set his foot upon the sword and he -rushed off the helmet of Sir Gawaine and he cried out very fiercely, -“Sir, yield yourself to me or I will slay you!” But Sir Gawaine said, “I -will not yield me to thee, so thou mayst slay me at thy pleasure!” Then -Sir Launcelot gazed at Sir Gawaine, and as he gazed at him the fury of -battle passed away from his soul like a mist from before the face of the -sun; and Sir Launcelot felt such great love for Sir Gawaine and such -great pity for him that his eyes ran all with tears.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot spareth him his life.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot said, “Sir Gawaine, even if you do not ask me for -your life, yet will I grant it to you. Arise and depart!” To this Sir -Gawaine said, “Messire, in this you are foolish. For if you do not slay -me now, then when I am well and healed again, I will come back against -you, and will assail you again as I have assailed you to-day. For wit -you that in this quarrel either you shall die or I shall die.”</p> - -<p>Sir Launcelot said, “Sir, this matters not to me! I cannot slay you now -and I will not slay you.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot turned away from that place. And he mounted his horse -and departed thence. And as he rode back to the castle Sir Launcelot -wept so that hardly could he see the way before him because of the tears -that rained down from his eyes.</p> - -<p>Then came those from King Arthur’s side who had looked upon the battle, -and they raised Sir Gawaine up and led him away to his tent. And when he -had come to his couch they unarmed Sir Gawaine and searched his wounds -and found that they were very deep and sore. So they dressed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_215" id="page_215">{215}</a></span> the wounds -of Sir Gawaine and put salves and unguents upon them, and so he was made -in all ways as comfortable as could be.</p> - -<p>And Sir Gawaine sent for that cunning and learned physician who had -given him the medicine of strength, and he said to him, “Cannot you give -me a stronger medicine than that, and one that will make in me the -strength of twenty?” The physician said, “Sir, I cannot do that, for I -have no such power.” Sir Gawaine said, “Then can you not give me a -medicine that will make me stronger for a longer time than till the -prime of noon?” But the physician said, “Sir, I cannot do that either.” -Then Sir Gawaine sighed and he said, “Woe is me! I fear me I shall never -be able to overcome Sir Launcelot.”</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the wounds of Sir Launcelot were being searched at the castle -and also were found to be very sore and very deep. So it was several -weeks before Sir Gawaine or Sir Launcelot recovered from those wounds. -But after those several weeks were over, then each knight was as strong -and as hale as he had ever been.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine is healed. He challengeth Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>So, after Sir Gawaine was in all ways healed again, he clad himself in -armor and took in his hand a very strong and powerful lance and mounted -upon his horse once more. And Sir Gawaine rode out to the castle and he -rode up and down before the walls of the castle, and ever as he rode he -called out on high, “Sir Launcelot, come forth, thou caitiff knight, and -do me battle!”</p> - -<p>Then they who heard those words went to Sir Launcelot, and they said to -him, “Sir, here Sir Gawaine is riding beneath the walls of the castle, -and he uttereth his challenge against you.” Sir Launcelot sighed and -anon he said, “Send mine armor here to me”; and he said, “Send Galliard -hither” (Galliard being the name of the esquire of Sir Launcelot).</p> - -<p>So the esquire came and he aided Sir Launcelot to put his armor upon his -body and his limbs, and so Sir Launcelot was in all wise armed cap-a-pie -in that armor. Then Sir Launcelot took a good stout strong spear in his -hand, and he mounted his horse. And the gates of the castle were opened -to him as they had been aforetime; and Sir Launcelot rode forth into the -sunlight to meet Sir Gawaine as he had aforetime done.</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot rode up to where Sir Gawaine was and he said to Sir -Gawaine, “Sir, I am here to meet thee.” Sir Gawaine said, “I see that -thou art, and I give thee welcome.” Sir Launcelot said, “Sir, it is with -greater grief than ever that I come forth to meet you to-day. For this -is the fourth challenge that you have given to me, and I cannot receive -any more challenges from you. So it is this day either you or I shall -have to die. For I cannot suffer it that you shall come to me for day -after day as<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_216" id="page_216">{216}</a></span> you do, to utter your challenge against me.” Said Sir -Gawaine, “Messire, it is to my mind also that either you or I lay down -our life to-day. If it be I who must die, then am I glad to lay down my -life for my sons and my brothers whom you have slain; if it be you who -are to die, then am I still more glad to sacrifice you to their spirits. -Yet as you slew them unarmed, so it will be a greater pleasure to me to -slay you for their sakes.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Launcelot, “Are you ready?” and Sir Gawaine said, “Yea, I am -in all wise ready.”</p> - -<p>So once more as it was before so it was now, for many of those of the -castle came and stood upon the walls of the castle to behold that -battle; and also there came many from the camp of King Arthur, and these -stood upon the surrounding hills so that all those hills were covered -with a multitude of men watching that combat.</p> - -<p>So each knight having assumed his place of battle, and each being in all -wise prepared, each set his spear in rest and each shouted to his horse -to advance. Then the one charged against the other with great speed and -violence, and so each met the other in the middle of the course with a -crash like to a clap of thunder.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>They two do battle together.</i></div> - -<p>As it was before, so now each lance was shivered to splinters, even to -the very truncheon of the spear, and each horse reeled back from that -assault. Then again each knight recovered his horse with spur and voice -so that he did not fall in that recoil.</p> - -<p>Then each knight cast aside the stump of his spear, and each leaped from -his horse, drawing his sword from its scabbard for the assault. So they -rushed together as aforetime, striking and lashing with might and main.</p> - -<p>But again Sir Launcelot found Sir Gawaine possessed of such strength as -astonished him, for he felt that he was fighting with his own strength -against the strength of ten men.</p> - -<p>In that battle he received many wounds that were worse than they had -been before; for this time Sir Gawaine fought with great desperation to -end that battle before high noontide. But ever Sir Launcelot made very -strong and powerful defence, striking but few blows of assault, but -putting himself ever in the posture of defence. Yet in spite of that -defence, both the armor upon his body and the earth upon which he stood -were all ensanguined with the blood that flowed from the many wounds -that he received in that battle.</p> - -<p>But at last it came high noontide, and with the coming and passing of -noon the strength of Sir Gawaine reached its height and limit, and then -it began its decline. So Sir Launcelot felt the waning of Sir Gawaine’s -strength and therewith ceased from his defence and began to frame his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_217" id="page_217">{217}</a></span> -attack against the other. Then Sir Gawaine retreated backward, and he -assumed such defence as he was able. But Sir Launcelot rushed upon him -and beat him again and again and yet again with his sword. And Sir -Gawaine was wounded in many places, for the blood gushed in streams out -of many deep cuts through his armor plate.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot wounds Sir Gawaine mortally.</i></div> - -<p>Then from weariness the shield of Sir Gawaine began to fall full low, -and Sir Launcelot perceived this and ran in upon him. And Sir Launcelot -whirled his sword and smote Sir Gawaine with all his might upon the neck -upon the left-hand side. And the blade of Sir Launcelot’s sword sheared -through the armor at that place, and it sheared through the neck and the -breast, and so deep was that wound that Sir Gawaine suffered from that -blow his death-wound.</p> - -<p>Yet Sir Gawaine would have stood to fight if he could have done so; but -he could not stand. Otherwise, he sank slowly down upon his knees and -there rested, with his hand upon the earth. And the blood poured down -his arm and wet the earth beneath him.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot ran in upon him and he rushed the helmet off Sir -Gawaine’s head, and he cried out, “Sir Gawaine, yield thee or I will -slay thee!”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Gawaine, “Messire, already thou hast slain me. For this wound -which thou hast given to me is my death-wound. So I feel it to be, for -the life is already passing out of me through that wound.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot wept and he said, “Sir, say not so. Now I pray thee -that thou wilt forgive me for this wound and for all else that I have -done against thee!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine will not forgive Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>But Sir Gawaine looked at the blood that ran in streams down his arm, -and he said, “I will not forgive thee, Launcelot, for otherwise, I will -die in my hatred of thee. For thou hast slain me as thou hast slain my -brothers, and upon thee I voice my curse and their curse as well. For my -curse and their curse is this: that never after this day shalt thou -prosper in anything that thou shalt undertake. Never shalt thou join in -any battle from this time forth; and the dearest wish of thy heart shall -disappear from thy hands when thou closest them upon that wish. Thou -shalt live in sorrow and shall die shut away from all sounds and sights -of knightly battle. This is my curse and my sons’ curse and my brothers’ -curse upon thee, so wit you that though I die yet you shall be in a -worse estate than I who am dead.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot knelt weeping before Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gawaine -said, “Get you hence, Sir knight, for my friends are coming.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_218" id="page_218">{218}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot raised his head and looked and he beheld that the -Knights of King Arthur were coming in that direction. So he turned and -mounted his horse and rode away at a hard gallop toward the castle, and -he entered the castle and the gates thereof were closed behind him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot grieveth.</i></div> - -<p>Then many of those knights who were dearest to Sir Launcelot came about -him to give him praise for overthrowing Sir Gawaine. But Sir Launcelot -would not look at them. Otherwise, he turned away his head from them and -withdrew to his own inn. For wit you that Sir Launcelot loved Sir -Gawaine better than any man in all of the world; yea, better than his -own blood and kindred. And now he knew that he had slain that one whom -he loved the best of all; wherefore he lay with his face turned to the -wall and melancholy enclosed him all over, like to a cloak of black.</p> - -<p>But meanwhile Sir Gawaine had swooned so that when those knights and -gentlemen, his friends, came to him, he lay on the ground like one who -was dead. Those gathered him up and laid him upon a litter, and they -bore him away in that litter to his tent. There they unlaced the armor -and removed it, and anon the chirurgeon came to him to search his -wounds. But when the chirurgeon beheld that great wound in his neck, he -wit that Sir Gawaine could not live. So the chirurgeon sent for King -Arthur to come hither, and he said to the King, “This man cannot live, -but must die.” King Arthur wept, and he said to the chirurgeon, “How -know ye that he must die?” To which the chirurgeon replied, “Lord, when -I looked in at that wound in the lower part of his neck, methought I -could see his heart beating beneath it. Wherefore, I know that if the -heart groweth cold through his wound, then he must die.”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur hid his face and for awhile he said nothing. Then he -went to the bedside of Sir Gawaine, and he said to him, “Messire, how is -it with you?”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine advises the King.</i></div> - -<p>Sir Gawaine smiled at him and said to him, “Sir, wit you that I must die -of this hurt.” King Arthur said, “I trow not.” Sir Gawaine said, “In -that you are mistook, for here have I my death-wound, and in a little -while I must die.” King Arthur said, “Sir, keep up your heart.” To this -Sir Gawaine made answer, “My heart faileth not, but my life hangeth -fluttering upon my lips, and soon it must pass away from me.” And Sir -Gawaine said, “Sir, wit ye of this, your own case is as bad as mine. -Return you again to Britain as fast as you are able, for I trust not -more than need be to Sir Mordred’s truth, albeit he is my brother. For -he hath ever had a dark and gloomy spirit. And he hath ambition for the -throne, and now that he hath the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_219" id="page_219">{219}</a></span> power behind that ambition, and now -that you have lost so many good and worthy knights at this castle, he -will certes seize upon your throne unless you are by to wrest it out of -his hands. Wherefore I pray you to return to Britain as soon as may be.”</p> - -<p>King Arthur said, “Sir, these are imaginings upon your part. For Sir -Mordred is a Knight of the Round Table, and is bound to me in fealty. -Why, therefore, think you he would be treacherous to me?”</p> - -<p>Sir Gawaine said, “Lord, I lie now very close to the edge of death and -all things appear extraordinarily clear and distinct to mine eyes. Sir -Mordred hath no love for any soul save only for himself. Wherefore, I -fear me he will sacrifice you to his desires, and will seize upon your -throne. Lord, I shall not live until to-morrow morning, wherefore, I -charge you that when I am dead, you shall bury me here in haste, and -depart straightway for England, for I fear me for your kingdom in -Britain.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine dieth.</i></div> - -<p>So that night in the second hour after midnight, Sir Gawaine drew his -last breath and died. And King Arthur was there at that passing, and -several knights companions of the Round Table were there, so that Sir -Gawaine did not die in loneliness. And after he had passed, King Arthur -wept and he said as follows:</p> - -<p class="c"> -<small>THE LAMENT OF KING ARTHUR </small><br /> -</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur’s lament.</i></div> - -<p>“So passeth this dear and faithful friend. There is not of all those who -are left anyone whom I love so well as I loved him. For though he was -passionate in his angers and his indignations, yet to me he was always -loving and full of dutifulness and kindliness. He was the right hand and -support of my throne and its chiefest prop in all of its weaknesses, and -I had hoped that he would have occupied that throne after I had departed -from this earth.</p> - -<p>“But now this is past and gone and he is taken who was, next to Sir -Launcelot of the Lake, the brightest and most glorious figure of all my -Round Table.</p> - -<p>“He was the companion of my youth. For when I had fought my battles and -come to my throne, he was among the first who came and laid his hands -between my palms. Also he was one of the first of all those -knights-elect of the Round Table to take his seat at that table.</p> - -<p>“But now he is gone and I am left alone, like the tree in the forest -that hath been struck by lightning. Yea, like that tree my foliage is -withered and now I stand stark and bare against the sky. For my Queen, -who was the lover of my youth, is estranged from me, and I shall never -behold her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_220" id="page_220">{220}</a></span> more. My Round Table, that was otherwise the chiefest glory -of my reign, is broken and scattered and many of those who were one time -dearest to me in love are now my foes. Where are now the defenders of my -throne? They are gone; and that throne itself totters to its fall.</p> - -<p>“All these are sad and woful happenings, but the saddest and most woful -of all is that this good worthy knight hath died. Would that I had died -in his stead and that he had not died, but that I had died for him. What -worse hath Fate in store for me than this that he is dead?”</p> - -<p>So in words such as these or in words like to them, King Arthur mourned -for Sir Gawaine; for it seemed that no worse blow could befall him than -this; to wit, the death of Sir Gawaine.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>News cometh to the King of Sir Mordred.</i></div> - -<p>That morning King Arthur was aroused very early from his couch of grief -by a messenger that came to him with a message from Britain, and that -message was this: that Sir Mordred had seized upon the throne and the -crown of Britain, and was holding them for his own.</p> - -<p>This message came from Sir Constantine of Cornwall, who was the cousin -of Sir Gawaine and who was yet living in England. And Sir Constantine -said, “Hasten! Hasten your return, O Lord King, and let nothing delay -that return!”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur gave command that the siege of Chillion should be -raised, and that after Sir Gawaine was buried they should all return -again to Britain.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine is buried.</i></div> - -<p>So that day the funeral of Sir Gawaine was held with great pomp and -circumstance. Four bishops conducted the mass for the rest of his soul, -and the whole army knelt to pray for him. And those people within the -Castle of Chillion also kneeled upon the battlements of the castle wall -and prayed for the rest of his soul. For next to Sir Launcelot, he was -the greatest knight in the world.</p> - -<p>So they laid him at rest at that place—a good worthy knight and one -well established in all courts of chivalry both then and thereafter. For -if he was violent of temper and if he sought revenge upon Sir Launcelot -for the death of his sons and his brethren, yet he gave his life for -that anger and that revenge, and that the manes of his kindred might be -satisfied.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So endeth the history of Sir Gawaine.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_222" id="page_222">{222}</a></span><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_221" id="page_221">{221}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_033.jpg" width="387" height="550" alt="Sir Mordred the traitor" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_223" id="page_223">{223}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Eighth-c" id="Chapter_Eighth-c"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Eighth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How King Arthur returned to England. How he fought his last battle with -Sir Mordred.</i></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mordred despaireth.</i></div> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">S</span>O the news came to Britain that King Arthur was returning to that -realm, and that news was conveyed to Sir Mordred where he was. And when -Sir Mordred heard thereof he sat sunk in melancholy, his head bowed upon -his breast, and his food and wine standing untasted beside him.</p> - -<p>And several of the friends of Sir Mordred were with him at that time, -and with them was Sir Mador de la Porte, who had, since his battle with -Sir Launcelot, been an enemy to King Arthur. These say to Sir Mordred, -“Sir, why are you so cast down? Wit you that King Arthur is not yet -returned, and that when he doth return he must do battle with you to -regain his kingdom.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Mordred, “Yes, that is very true, but wit you that I have -given out word to the world that King Arthur was slain in battle before -the Castle of Chillion, and in that word lay my strength. Wherefore now, -when King Arthur returneth to Britain, and when the people find that he -is yet alive, they will turn to him and will cast me out.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>His friends advise him.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth Sir Mador de la Porte, “Then it behooves you, Sir, to make stir -and to proclaim to the people that with King Arthur there will be -continued wars, but that with you there will be peace and tranquillity. -For wit you that King Arthur for this year past hath been continually at -war against Sir Launcelot, and during that time you have not had one -single war in all of Britain. Wherefore, as people love peace, so they -will cling to you. Beside this, you should summon the Archbishop of -Canterbury to your presence and have him crown you as king. For if you -be a king in your own right, then will you have that much more strength -to do battle for your own rights. Now here at hand is the Archbishop of -Canterbury, and he shall be summoned and shall crown you at your -demand.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_224" id="page_224">{224}</a></span>”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mordred beseeches the Archbishop to crown him.</i></div> - -<p>So they sent for the Archbishop of Canterbury, and he came to where Sir -Mordred was. Sir Mordred said to him, “Sir, wit you why I have sent for -you? It is that you shall crown me King of Britain.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Archbishop refuses.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth the Archbishop, “I cannot do this thing that you ask of me, for -the news is that King Arthur is returning to Britain. How then can you -be crowned King of Britain when the rightful King of Britain is still -alive?”</p> - -<p>To this Sir Mordred made reply, “I have not set for you to reason with -me, but to crown me as the King of this realm. For if you crown me, then -do I believe that I shall be well able to defend my crown and my -kingship, but if you do not crown me, then will I do battle with King -Arthur as a usurper to make myself a king instead of him.”</p> - -<p>Then said the Archbishop, “Sir, you shall not do this thing. For I, as -the head of the Church in this realm, bid you to surrender your rights -and claims unto the just and lawful king who now returneth. For he -surrendered his kingship to you for a little while whilst he was away -from Britain, and not for a permanency. Yet you would make that -surrender permanent, for you would make yourself king instead of him. -Wherefore, if you do not surrender yourself to King Arthur’s mercy upon -the day of his landing, then will the Church curse you with bell, book -and candle as the usurper of those rights that belong to another.” Then -Sir Mordred was filled with rage against the Archbishop and he cried -out, “Sir, get you gone, or I shall forget myself and draw my sword and -slay you perhaps.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Archbishop withdraweth.</i></div> - -<p>So the Archbishop withdrew from the presence of Sir Mordred, and he -called his court about him, and he recounted to that court all that had -passed between him and Sir Mordred. And he said, “Let us fly from this -place. For we are in danger here.” So the Archbishop took him a strong -horse and he mounted upon it and his court also mounted upon horses, and -then he and his court rode with great haste away from that place and to -Dover, where King Arthur was expected to be about to land.</p> - -<p>After the Archbishop had gone and when Sir Mordred found that he had -gone, Sir Mordred collected such of his army together as were there at -hand; and he also descended to Dover, taking that army with him; his -intent being to prevent the King from landing if he could do so.</p> - -<p>So came King Arthur to Dover, and as one stood upon the cliffs one -beheld that his ships and galleys covered the entire sea as far as the -eye could behold. And as the King approached the shore, he beheld that -there was a considerable army drawn up in array upon the beach where he<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_225" id="page_225">{225}</a></span> -was to land, and he knew not whether that array were to welcome him or -to do battle with him. But at length he perceived Sir Mordred in the -forefront of that array, and he wist that that army was there to do -battle with him. Then he groaned aloud and he said, “Is there yet more -blood to be shed? Well, then, it must be shed, for never will I give up -my throne unless I give it up with my life. For eight and twenty years -have I held that throne, and shall I now surrender it to this man, my -nephew Mordred? No; never!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the battle of Dover.</i></div> - -<p>So as the boats drew near to the shore, those who were in them leaped -into the water and waded to the shore. And the army of Sir Mordred came -down to the water and did battle with those who sought to land. And so a -great battle was fought there at the edge of the water, so that the -water was all discolored red with the blood of those who were wounded or -slain and who fell into the flood. Wherefore it was that with each -recurring wave this red water ran upward upon the white sands, and then -receded, leaving the sands all stained red where it had flowed upon it.</p> - -<p>But yet Sir Mordred did not prevent that army from landing, for ever -more knights and yeomen and still more leaped from the boats and into -that shallow water, and so at last the army of Sir Mordred was forced -back from the water and King Arthur’s army landed upon the shore.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Mordred withdrew his army from that place and King Arthur took -possession of that part of Britain.</p> - -<p>After that the Archbishop of Canterbury came to where King Arthur was, -and he gave him greeting, saying, “Greeting, King Arthur, and give thee -joy of landing upon this soil. For here am I who am the head of the -Church and I give thee welcome to thy realm. For wit you that Sir -Mordred would fain have had me crown him king, but I would not crown -him, having heard that thou wert still alive.”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur embraced the Bishop and kissed him upon either cheek, -and said to him, “Sir, I thank you for your welcome. And I thank you -that you have guarded and protected my rights.”</p> - -<p>Now, after having been thus driven away from Dover, Sir Mordred withdrew -to Baremdown, and at that place he gathered about him all those of his -followers who had hitherto been tardy in coming to him. And he assembled -with him all those who had been friends to Sir Launcelot (for these were -now at enmity with King Arthur). So at that place Sir Mordred had a very -considerable army to confront King Arthur withal.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Mordred stationed that army upon a rise of land where were -three steep hills. For so he could charge down those hills against his -enemies, whilst they must charge up those hills against him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_226" id="page_226">{226}</a></span></p> - -<p>So came King Arthur, and when he perceived the dispersion of Sir -Mordred’s army, he also arranged his army into three divisions. The -centre division he took himself; the right division he entrusted to the -King of North Wales, and the left division he placed under the -leadership of Sir Ewaine, who had not quitted Britain for all this time.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the battle of Baremdown.</i></div> - -<p>Then King Arthur charged his army up those hills against his enemy, but -he could not climb those hills because of the steepness thereof, and -because of the defence of the enemy at the top of the steeps. And -afterward he charged again and again, but still he could not gain the -crest of those hills.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Ewaine’s division overlapped the army of Sir Mordred, and he -charged up that hill both before and behind. And he doubled Sir -Mordred’s party up upon itself and threw it into great confusion.</p> - -<p>But that wing of Sir Mordred’s army could not retreat to the rear by -reason that Sir Ewaine’s knights were there; wherefore, it fled back -upon the centre of the army and threw that centre also into confusion. -Then King Arthur charged for the fourth time, and this time he took the -centre hill of the three, and with that the army of Sir Mordred broke -and fled. And the army of Sir Mordred fled toward Salisbury, and a great -many knights were slain in that flight. And the army of Sir Mordred took -up its station not far from Salisbury, and not far distant from the sea.</p> - -<p>So King Arthur won the battle of Baremdown, but with sad and bitter -loss. For many knights fell in that assault and amongst them was Sir -Ewaine, who was mortally hurt.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine is wounded.</i></div> - -<p>Now when King Arthur heard that Sir Ewaine was hurt, he went to where -the wounded knight lay in his pavilion. And Sir Ewaine’s face was very -wan and hollow and pale, and the dew of death stood upon his forehead. -Then King Arthur went to the couch of Sir Ewaine and he kneeled beside -the couch and embraced Sir Ewaine about the body with his arms. And the -tears ran down King Arthur’s face and wet the face of Sir Ewaine that -was beneath him. And Sir Ewaine said, “Art thou there, my king? For I -cannot see thee, and yet meseems I feel thee weeping upon me.” And King -Arthur said, “Ewaine, it is I.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine biddeth King Arthur to send for Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Ewaine said, “Sir, send for Sir Launcelot to aid thee in this -war. For Sir Launcelot is the best of all thy knights and he has with -him several knights that are very good and strong. These will come to -thine aid if thou wilt ask it of them, and so thou wilt easily overthrow -Sir Mordred. For many of the knights also are friends with Sir Launcelot -who are now in the army of Sir Mordred, thinking that thou art at enmity -with Sir Launcelot. But if<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_227" id="page_227">{227}</a></span> Sir Launcelot cometh to thee, then will -those knights quit Sir Mordred and will cleave to thee. But if thou dost -not send for Sir Launcelot then it may be that Sir Mordred will -overthrow thee. Wherefore I beseech thee to send for Sir Launcelot and -for his knights to aid thee.”</p> - -<p>Quoth King Arthur, “How shall I send for him? And by what right shall I -ask him to come to mine aid? Sir Launcelot is my foe, for he took from -me my wife and held her from me for several months. And he hath slain my -nephews and he slew Sir Gawaine, who was my best beloved of all. How, -then, shall I now ask him to come to mine aid?”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine writeth a letter to Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>Quoth Sir Ewaine, “Give me parchment and ink.” So they brought ink and -parchment to Sir Ewaine and they propped him up upon his bed. And with -that his wounds burst out bleeding afresh, so that he wist that he had -but a short time to live.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Ewaine wrote to Sir Launcelot and he said to him, “Sir, this -day hath been fought a great battle upon Baremdown, and King Arthur, -mine uncle, won that battle. But many knights have died in that battle, -and I in it have received my death-wound. Sir, I pray you let all -bygones pass and be done betwixt you and King Arthur. And I pray you to -forget and forgive any injury you may have received or given; for in -this war King Arthur is put to such a pass that maybe he shall win and -maybe he shall not win; wherefore I pray you to come to him without any -delay, and so make his winning this war a certainty.</p> - -<p>“Sir, I myself have been sorely wounded and am dying, and in an hour I -shall have passed and gone from this earth. So, with my dying strength I -write you to come to the aid of your king who made you a knight some -while ago.”</p> - -<p>Such as this was Sir Ewaine’s letter, and after he had written it he -signed his name to it.</p> - -<p>This letter King Arthur sent by a messenger to Sir Launcelot of the Lake -in France. There Sir Launcelot received it and paid heed to it. For he -summoned his knights about him and he read that letter to them, and he -said to them, “Messires, such as this is the need of King Arthur. Now -who will go with me to Britain and do battle in this for the King of -Britain?” And those knights said, “I will go!”—“And I!”—“And I!”—“And -I!”—until they all of them agreed to go to Britain and fight for King -Arthur.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Ewaine dieth.</i></div> - -<p>Now return we to King Arthur again. For there was he left kneeling -beside the couch of Sir Ewaine. And so he continued to kneel and -presently Sir Ewaine said, “Good, my Lord, are you there?” For Sir -Ewaine’s eyes were now darkening in death and he could<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_228" id="page_228">{228}</a></span> not see -anything. And King Arthur said, “Yea, I am here.” And he took Sir -Ewaine’s hand in his, and Sir Ewaine’s hand was cold and very heavy, -like to lead. And Sir Ewaine said, “Hold my hand and do not let it go.” -So King Arthur held the hand of Sir Ewaine. So Sir Ewaine lay for a -little while, breathing deep draughts of death; and by and by he sighed -very deeply and then he lay still; for his spirit had passed from him -with that deep sigh.</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur arose and he said, “Alas, that this good worthy knight -is gone. For he was my nephew and he was very faithful to me.” And he -said, “To-day we will bury him, and to-morrow we shall follow Sir -Mordred, and either he shall die or I shall die. For so through him and -his deeds hath this kind and noble gentleman died; wherefore he must pay -the price of that death—he must slay me as well, or else I will slay -him.”</p> - -<p>So King Arthur arose and went forth from that place. And when the day -was come, Sir Ewaine was buried at the minster at that place, and it was -said in the history of these things that his skull was to be seen there -even to the very day of the ancient writing of this history.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur advances against Sir Mordred.</i></div> - -<p>Then after all honors had been paid to the body of Sir Ewaine, King -Arthur gathered his army together and he arose and pursued Sir Mordred -in the direction of Salisbury. And the next day he came to that place -where Sir Mordred was, and there he halted his army.</p> - -<p>That night King Arthur lay in his pavilion and he slept very deeply and -profoundly, as sleeps the man who is weary of toil and marching. And -anon while he slept he had a dream and the dream was this:</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King hath a dream.</i></div> - -<p>He dreamed that he sat upon his throne, and that his throne was -established upon a monstrous wheel. And the wheel rose high with him -sitting upon his throne. And anon the wheel rose above the rim of the -earth, and he beheld the sun shining in all his glory. And the sun -glittered upon him and he felt all the joy and all the delight of that -sunlight. And it seemed to King Arthur that he was a great while in that -sunlight, but he was not, for the wheel was turning very slowly with -him. So the wheel reached its highest apex, and then it began to -descend. And the wheel descended more and more swiftly, and anon it -descended below the rim of the world, and so the sunlight had left the -King. And the wheel descended more and more swiftly, so that King Arthur -began to fear he would be cast out of his throne by the turning of the -wheel. And King Arthur dreamed that he looked down beneath him, and he -beheld that the wheel was descending very rapidly to a great pool, as it -were a lake. And this pool was filled with blackness and with blood,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_229" id="page_229">{229}</a></span> -and behold there was no bottom to that pool. And by then the throne of -King Arthur was inclining very greatly toward that pool, and the King -felt that he was slipping from his throne, and at that his soul was -filled with terror. Then he tried to awaken, but he could not. So, in -his terror, he screamed very loudly and shrilly, “Save me! Save me, or I -fall!” And so shrill was his calling that several knights and attendants -ran into the pavilion where he was, and these beheld the King struggling -in his sleep. And they cried out, “Lord, Lord! What aileth thee? -Awaken!” And with that King Arthur awoke.</p> - -<p>And King Arthur sat up upon his couch and gazed about him, as one sunk -in great amazement, and he said, “I slept and I dreamed a dream; and it -was a dreadful dream.” And he said to those in attendance upon him, “Do -not go from me yet, for that dream hath affrighted me.”</p> - -<p>So they all sat near to him and by and by they beheld that he breathed -very deeply and softly, wherefore they wist that he slept again. Then -all they withdrew from the pavilion, saving only two of his attendants -who still sat beside him.</p> - -<p>But King Arthur did not sleep, though it was a manner of sleep, for he -beheld all the things about him as though he were partly awake, yet he -could not move.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King dreameth again.</i></div> - -<p>Then, while he was in this sleep, King Arthur beheld a vision. For he -saw the flap at the doorway of the pavilion that it moved, and anon it -was raised and Sir Gawaine entered the tent. And Sir Gawaine held the -flap of the doorway aside, and King Arthur beheld that fourteen ladies -entered the tent behind Sir Gawaine.</p> - -<p>And when these ladies had all entered the tent, Sir Gawaine let fall the -flap of the doorway, and so he came forward to where King Arthur lay. -And the face of Sir Gawaine was very calm and smiling and cheerful, and -King Arthur felt great peace and happiness when he beheld him standing -there.</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur dreamed that he spoke to Sir Gawaine, and he said, -“Sir, how is this? Methought that you were dead, and here I behold you -alive. Was it not then you whom we buried in France some while ago?”</p> - -<p>Sir Gawaine said, “Nay, Lord, that was not I, that was but my shell—my -poor, crumbling, perishable carcass that you buried. This is I myself, -and I have come to you from Paradise.”</p> - -<p>Quoth King Arthur, “Who are these ladies whom you have with you?” To -this Sir Gawaine made answer, “These are those ladies for whom I one -time did battle. For some of those ladies I saved from grief, some of -them from misfortune, some of them I saved from danger, and of some of -them I<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_230" id="page_230">{230}</a></span> saved their lives. So they have accompanied me hither from -Paradise that I might speak to you.”</p> - -<p>Said King Arthur, “Sir Gawaine, my nephew, what is it you would say to -me?” To the which Sir Gawaine made reply, “Sir, I come to you to charge -you that you shall not do battle to-morrow-day. For great danger lieth -before you, and if you do battle you will assuredly perish. Wherefore I -come to you to beseech you that you will not enter into war with your -enemies. Wit you that Sir Launcelot will in a little while come to your -assistance, for already the letter from Sir Ewaine hath well-nigh -reached him, and when it reacheth him then will he come to you with all -speed. Wherefore I pray you make such terms with Sir Mordred as you may, -but do not join battle with him.”</p> - -<p>King Arthur said, “How shall I know that this that thou tellest me is a -vision of prophecy and not a dream? For if it is a dream, then perhaps -it is mistaken, as many dreams are mistaken; but if it be a vision of -prophecy, then I shall believe that it is sooth.”</p> - -<p>“Sir,” said Sir Gawaine, “you may believe it from this sign that will -remain unto you. And from it you may know that what you now behold is -indeed a vision of prophecy, and not a dream.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Gawaine leaveth a sign.</i></div> - -<p>So with that Sir Gawaine reached forth his finger and touched with it -the back of King Arthur’s hand. And when the finger of Sir Gawaine -touched his hand, lo! upon the hand of King Arthur there was left a spot -as white as wax.</p> - -<p>Then the figure of Sir Gawaine melted slowly from his sight, and the -figures of the ladies also melted away and King Arthur awoke from his -sleep. And King Arthur sat up upon his couch and he beheld that the -day-light was streaming into his pavilion, for the sun had already -arisen.</p> - -<p>And King Arthur looked at the back of his hand, and he beheld that there -was the spot as white as wax where Sir Gawaine had touched him. Then -King Arthur was very much perturbed in spirit, for he wist that what he -had just beheld was no dream, but that it was a vision of prophecy.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King advises with his counsellors.</i></div> - -<p>So King Arthur called at him his knights and gentlemen and yeomen, and -he told them to bring to him those bishops who were with him, and also -the wisest of his counsellors. When these were come he told to them the -vision of his sleep, and he showed them the white spot upon his hand, -where the finger of Sir Gawaine had touched him. And he said to those -counsellors, “Sirs, is it better to treat with these our enemies to-day -than to do battle with them? For if it be true that Sir Launcelot cometh -to us, then all those knights who for his sake are now in the army of -Sir Mordred, will leave that army and will<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_231" id="page_231">{231}</a></span> join them with us for the -sake of Sir Launcelot. Thus will many lives be spared and much blood -remain unshed, for there will be no battle with Sir Mordred.”</p> - -<p>Then all those counsellors agreed with him and they said, “That which -thou sayst is true. Do not fight with Sir Mordred to-day, but treat with -him. For thy dream and thy vision foretell thy death if thou fightest -with him.”</p> - -<p>So King Arthur chose him two of those bishops, and he chose him Sir -Lucian the Bottelier and Sir Bedivere, his brother, from all the Knights -of the Round Table, and these two knights and those two worthies he sent -as his ambassadors to Sir Mordred. And he said to them, “Spare not your -promises of land and of estate, but make this treaty for a month and a -day; for by that time we will know how Sir Launcelot standeth toward -us.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The envoys treat with Sir Mordred.</i></div> - -<p>So those two envoys went to Sir Mordred, and they entered into treaty -with him and his advisers. And they argued for all that day, and against -eventide they had not decided. So the next day they went to Sir Mordred, -and that day it was determined that Sir Mordred should hold Cornwall and -Kent for his own during the life of King Arthur, and that upon the death -of King Arthur all Britain should be his to rule as king.</p> - -<p>This treaty they brought to King Arthur, and when he read it he frowned -until his eyes were hidden. “Well,” said he, “this traitor claimeth -much. Let him be thankful that instead of all this land he demandeth, he -hath given to him instead only six feet of earth in which to lie.”</p> - -<p>So it was arranged that Sir Mordred and King Arthur should meet upon the -next day at high noontide, at a certain place betwixt the two armies. -And it was there arranged that each of them should sign this covenant, -and that there should then be peace in all the land.</p> - -<p>And the place where this meeting was to be held was a certain smooth and -gentle valley, that sloped upward upon either hand. And upon one -extremity of the valley one could behold the distant ocean, and upon the -other side of the valley one could behold the plains of Salisbury. At -this place those two armies were gathered upon the hills looking down -upon the middle of that valley.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the meeting of King Arthur and Sir Mordred.</i></div> - -<p>And in the centre of that valley there was a great pavilion of -particolored silk erected for the accommodation of the King and of Sir -Mordred. And a great banner emblazoned with the arms of the King and -another emblazoned with the arms of Sir Mordred flew from the peak of -the pavilion. And King Arthur came with six knights, and Sir Mordred -came with six knights, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_232" id="page_232">{232}</a></span> these twelve knights—six upon either -side—stood some short distance away separate from one another, and King -Arthur and Sir Mordred entered the pavilion.</p> - -<p>There upon the table lay the treaty to be signed, and those two drew -near to the table to sign it.</p> - -<p>Now it was understood that none of those twelve knights who had come -with King Arthur and Sir Mordred should draw a weapon of any sort, but -that all should remain with sword in scabbard. For King Arthur did not -trust Sir Mordred, and Sir Mordred did not trust King Arthur. For King -Arthur said, “This man is altogether unnatural. His soul is black and he -is full of treason and guile. Wherefore, if you see any of his knights -draw a sword, then do you draw your swords and fall upon them and upon -Sir Mordred.” And Sir Mordred said, “I trust not this King in any way. -For he giveth too readily of that which he cannot spare. Wherefore, be -you ready, and if you behold any of his six knights draw a sword, draw -your swords and fall on, and, if possible, see to it that you slay King -Arthur himself.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>A knight slayeth an adder.</i></div> - -<p>Now whilst those two parties of six knights each stood talking to one -another, it chanced that an adder that lay hidden in a furze bush came -forth from its hiding. And one of the knights of Sir Mordred’s party -stepped back from his place and trod upon the adder, and the adder stung -the knight in the heel. Then the knight looked down to see what it was -that stung him, and he beheld the adder beneath his heel. So without -thinking of those commands that had been laid upon him, he drew his -sword to slay that adder.</p> - -<p>This the knights of King Arthur’s party beheld, and they beheld the -knight draw his sword, and they beheld the bright and trenchant blade -gleam in the sunlight as the knight swung his sword to slay the adder.</p> - -<p>Then the knights of King Arthur’s party immediately drew their swords -and they shouted aloud, crying, “Treason! treason! A rescue! A rescue!” -And the knights of Sir Mordred’s party, upon their part also drew their -swords and ran so to the defence of Sir Mordred.</p> - -<p>But King Arthur heard the outcry of those knights, and upon that outcry -he thought that Sir Mordred had betrayed him, wherefore he cried out in -a terrible voice, “Hah! Wouldst thou betray me?” And with that he -catched Sir Mordred by the throat and as he catched him thus he drew his -misericordia to slay him. But Sir Mordred tore himself loose from King -Arthur, and he rushed out from the tent, crying aloud, “I come! I come!”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The armies rush to battle.</i></div> - -<p>Then King Arthur also rushed out from the tent and he beheld his six<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_233" id="page_233">{233}</a></span> -knights at battle with the six knights of Sir Mordred, and he beheld his -army and Sir Mordred’s army rushing toward them. And the beat of the -hoofs of those approaching armies was like to the sound of distant -thunder ever coming nearer and nearer and louder and louder. And the -cloud of dust behind those armies was like the smoke of a great -conflagration rising up into the sky. And in the midst of those clouds -he could see the flashing and blazing of polished armor catching the -sunlight and flinging it off again as those armies rode rapidly down the -slopes and toward them.</p> - -<p>Thus those armies came together with great uproar and thunder and a -flashing like to flaming lightning in the midst of a storm. And King -Arthur ran to his horse and mounted nimbly thereon, and he spurred back -to meet his army, and an esquire who rode with that army gave to him a -good stout spear of ashwood.</p> - -<p>So those two armies met with a shock that might have been heard a -league. In that shock of meeting one recoiled from the other by the -force of the assault it had itself delivered. And many knights fell in -that first assault, and most of those that fell died as they fell. For -the horses pressed upon them with their hoofs and many died beneath that -pressure. And after the horsemen came the yeomen afoot, and these ran -hither and thither and slew many who yet lived.</p> - -<p>Then those knights who were still a-horseback cast aside their spears, -for they could not longer use their spears in that narrow pass, -wherefore they cast them away and drew their swords. And with their -swords they hewed about them from right to left, and from left to right. -And so, in a while, the ground was littered with cantles of armor and -with men lying dead or dying beneath the hoofs of the horses.</p> - -<p>So that fierce battle began a little before the prick of noon, and it -continued for all that afternoon, and it continued through the twilight -of the evening and until the falling of the night.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mordred is defeated.</i></div> - -<p>For that was the last and the greatest battle that King Arthur ever -fought, and in it were slain twelve thousand knights and gentlemen and -yeomen. But as night descended the army of Sir Mordred broke and fled -from the field, and King Arthur was left the victor of that battle.</p> - -<p>But when King Arthur sat his horse in the midst of the battle-field, he -wept so that the tears ran in streams down his face. Yea, he tasted -those tears in his mouth and they were salt to his taste.</p> - -<p>For of all those knights who had once surrounded the Court of King -Arthur and had made it so glorious, there were hardly any left. And of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_234" id="page_234">{234}</a></span> -all those Knights of the Round Table who had once been his crowning -honor, there were not twelve who were yet alive. All others had -perished, and the ground was sown thick with them as the sea-shore is -sown thick with the cobbles that lie upon it.</p> - -<p>Wherefore, when King Arthur beheld all this ruin of his life, and when -he heard the doleful groans of those who were wounded, and when he -beheld those who were dead lying still in death and gazing with -sightless eyes up into the sky, the tears ran from his eyes in great -streams and traced down his face and into his beard, so that he tasted -the salt of those tears.</p> - -<p>For now indeed the glory of his reign was past, and nothing remained for -him but an empty kingdom devoid of all honor and all that was of worth. -“Alas, and woe is me!” cried he, “for my fate hath now overtaken me and -my day is done.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_235" id="page_235">{235}</a></span> </p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_236" id="page_236">{236}</a></span> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_034.jpg" width="392" height="550" alt="The Passing of Arthur" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_237" id="page_237">{237}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Ninth-c" id="Chapter_Ninth-c"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Ninth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How King Arthur slew Sir Mordred, and how he himself was wounded so -that he was upon the edge of death. How his sword Excalibur was cast -away, and how three queens came from Avalon and took him away with -them.</i></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King rideth upon the battle-field.</i></div> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">S</span>O that night, after the battle afore told of, the moon arose very full -and round, and very clearly shining. What time King Arthur rode across -the field of battle, with intent to discover what friends and what foes -had been slain. And the King discovered many knights lying there who -were friends and many other knights who were foes.</p> - -<p>For at that time the sky was without any cloud at all upon it; and the -light of the moon was as clear and bright as though it were daylight, -wherefore one could see all things upon the earth and to a great -distance away upon all sides of the earth.</p> - -<p>And with King Arthur there rode Sir Bedivere and Sir Lucian the -Bottelier, who was brother to Sir Bedivere. And Sir Lucian was very sore -wounded, even to the death; but of this he made no mention nor any -complaint whatsoever, but ever he rode with King Arthur and his brother, -and neither of those two wist that he had any wound whatsoever.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He perceiveth Sir Mador de la Porte dead.</i></div> - -<p>And amongst many other knights that lay there dead upon the field of -battle, they discovered Sir Mador de la Porte lying dead. Then King -Arthur pointed his finger at the body of Sir Mador and he said, “See you -that man, Messires? That was once a good, strong and very valiant -knight. One time he was my friend, but then he accused the Queen of -treason, and so I exiled him from me and from my court. So he took arms -against me and now he lieth dead here as you perceive. Ah me! That he -should have brought that false accusation, for it was the beginning of -the end that hath been my undoing, and woe for him, for he was a good -strong knight, and a Knight of the Round Table. And one while he was -very dear to me.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_238" id="page_238">{238}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>So said King Arthur and they listened to his words.</p> - -<p>Now as they progressed still farther upon the field of battle, they -were, by and by, aware of a knight who stood alone beside a bramble -bush. And the knight stood very silent and still, like to a statue of -iron. And the light of the moon shone down upon him and glistened upon -his armor. And at certain places that armor was stained with red, for he -had been wounded in several places.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He findeth Sir Mordred standing alone.</i></div> - -<p>So they came nearer to that knight, and in a little while they knew him, -and they knew that it was Sir Mordred who stood there alone. And all -about Sir Mordred there lay several dead knights; for here Sir Mordred -had made his last stand with several of his knights. And these were of -the dead knights that lay around him, and others of those dead knights -were the knights of King Arthur.</p> - -<p>But the horse of Sir Mordred had been slain and Sir Mordred himself had -been wounded in the thighs so that he could not escape with those of his -army who fled away from that field of battle.</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur said to Sir Bedivere and Sir Lucian, “Look you! Yonder -is Mordred himself. He is the destroyer of all my court of knighthood -and of all my joy of life. For through him hath come all this later evil -upon me, wherefore he is meet for death at my hands.” And the King said -to Sir Bedivere, “Lend me thy spear and I will go and slay him.”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Bedivere, “Let him be, Lord, for anon will come those who know -him and will slay him even here where he standeth.”</p> - -<p>King Arthur said, “I will not entrust his death to any other hands but -mine own. For as he hath brought all this misfortune upon me, so will I -slay him with mine own hands. Wherefore, Sir, give me your sword that I -may slay him.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere said to the King, “Look you, Sir, how he stands -looking at us in the moonlight, like a wounded hawk looking upon those -who have wounded him. Beware, Sir, and remember the dream that you had -last night when Sir Gawaine appeared to you in that dream. So far have -you escaped all harm, but should you assail this desperate man, who -knoweth but that you may yet meet your death at this time and at his -hands?”</p> - -<p>But King Arthur said, “What is my life to me now, and what have I to -lose in losing my life? Have I not lost my Queen, who was the lover of -my youth? Have I not lost all these knights, who were the chiefest glory -and pride of my reign? What, then, have I to live for, saving it be an -empty throne of royalty? Tide me life, tide me death, I will slay this -man, so give me your spear, Messire.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_239" id="page_239">{239}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere gave his spear to King Arthur and King Arthur took it -into his hands. And he set that spear in rest against Sir Mordred.</p> - -<p>Now all this Sir Mordred beheld, and he believed that the King was now -threatening his life. And he heard all that the King said to those -knights who were with him, and he wist that now his life was forfeit to -him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>King Arthur pierces Sir Mordred through with his spear.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Mordred drew his sword and it flashed like white light in the -moonlight. And he came forward to meet King Arthur and his death, and as -he came he whirled his sword on high. And King Arthur drave his spurs -into his horse and charged against Sir Mordred. And King Arthur directed -the point of his spear against the body of Sir Mordred beneath where the -shield sheltered his bosom, and the point of the spear penetrated the -body of Sir Mordred and it pierced the body and stood an ell out behind -the back of Sir Mordred’s body.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Mordred smiteth the King with his sword.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Mordred felt that he had received his wound of death, wherefore -he bethought him only of revenge against King Arthur. So he pressed up -against the spear with all of his might. And he thrust himself up the -length of the spear until he had reached the burr thereof. And when his -body was against the burr of the spear, he took his sword in both his -hands and he swung the sword above his head, and he smote King Arthur -with the edge of the sword upon the helmet.</p> - -<p>In that blow was all the last desperation of Sir Mordred’s life, and so -strong was the blow that it sheared through the helmet of King Arthur, -and through the coif beneath the helmet, and it sheared through the -brain-pan of the King and deep into the brain itself.</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur reeled upon his saddle and his body swayed this way and -that, and from side to side. And he would have fallen from his saddle -only that Sir Bedivere catched him and held him up upon his saddle.</p> - -<p>And Sir Mordred wist that he had given King Arthur his death wound, -wherefore he fell down upon the ground and he laughed and he said, “So I -die, but ere I die I have finished my work, for the King also shall -die.” Therewith he breathed very deep, and it was his last breath, for -with it his spirit left his body.</p> - -<p>Sir Bedivere said to King Arthur, “Lord, are you hurt?” And King Arthur, -breathing very heavily, said, “Sir, this wound is the wound of my death -as that knight declared. For the wound, I believe, hath pierced into my -brain and I cannot live. Messires, take me hence to a shelter.” And King -Arthur said, “What building is that yonder?<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_240" id="page_240">{240}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Sir Bedivere said, “Lord, it is a chapel upon the field of battle.” King -Arthur said, “Take me thither and let me be at peace, for I cannot live -but a little while.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bedivere and Sir Lucian bring the King, wounded, to the -chapel.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Bedivere dismounted from his horse and he took the horse of King -Arthur by the bridle and he led the horse toward the chapel. And Sir -Lucian held King Arthur up upon the saddle, and King Arthur swayed from -this side to that side, and he would have fallen only that Sir Lucian -held him up in his place.</p> - -<p>So they two brought King Arthur to the chapel in safety, and they bore -him into the chapel and laid him upon a bench that was there. And in -thus lifting King Arthur the wounds of Sir Lucian burst out bleeding -afresh. And with that Sir Lucian, after King Arthur had been laid upon -the bench, sank down upon the ground and lay there frothing at the -mouth, and the froth was red.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Lucian dieth.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere cried out, “Ah, my brother! My brother! Art thou -hurt?” And King Arthur said, “Search him and see if he be wounded.” So -Sir Bedivere examined Sir Lucian and felt his face and his hands, and -anon he said, “Lord, my brother is indeed dead. And I knew not even that -he had been wounded; for all this while he hath borne his wounds in -patience, speaking no words of it, or making no complaint of it. Ah, my -brother! My brother! That thou shouldst be dead!”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur groaned very deeply, and he said, “Alas and alas! So -hath another of my noble Knights of the Round Table died and left me!” -And then he said, “So would I weep for him, but I cannot weep; for also -in a little while I shall be with him and with them who are gone.” And -he said to Sir Bedivere, “Remove my helmet, and search my hurt.” So Sir -Bedivere removed the helmet of King Arthur and he beheld the wound upon -his head that it was very deep and bitter, so that the brains of his -head were exposed in that wound. And Sir Bedivere wept when he beheld -that wound; for he wist that of it King Arthur must die.</p> - -<p>But King Arthur said, “Weep not, Sir Bedivere, but do straightway as I -tell thee.” And he said, “Beholdest thou Excalibur strapped about my -loins?”</p> - -<p>And Sir Bedivere said, “Yea, Lord,” and ever Sir Bedivere wept.</p> - -<p>King Arthur said, “Take that sword and carry him to the water and cast -him into the water: then return thou hither and tell me what thou -seest.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bedivere taketh Excalibur.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere unbuckled the strap from about the loins of King -Arthur, and he drew the strap from beneath him. Then he folded the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_241" id="page_241">{241}</a></span> -strap around the blade of Excalibur and he took the sword with him and -went away with it. But when Sir Bedivere had come out into the -moonlight, the moonlight shone very brightly down upon the hilt of -Excalibur, and Sir Bedivere beheld how that the hilt and the handle of -the sword were studded all over with jewels, and the gold into which -they were inset flamed and blazed in the moonlight as with a thousand -colors.</p> - -<p>And Sir Bedivere said to himself, “Why should I cast this splendid sword -into the sea? Behold how richly it is studded with jewels so that it -flashes and flames with pure light. Certes, the King raves when he -telleth me to cast it into the sea! Rather will I keep this sword, to -show to those generations who are yet to come how great and how splendid -was the estate of King Arthur.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bedivere doth not cast the sword away.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Bedivere looked about him and he beheld a dead and riven tree -that stood there, all stark and leafless in the moonlight. So he took -the sword Excalibur and he hid it beneath the roots of that tree. Anon -he returned to King Arthur, and he said to the King, “Lord, your behest -is done and I have cast that sword into the sea.”</p> - -<p>Quoth the King, “What sawest thou, Sir Bedivere?”</p> - -<p>Quoth Sir Bedivere, “What should I have beheld, Lord? I beheld nothing -but the waves beating upon the shore. And the moon shone upon those -waves, as it were a path of living and of glittering silver.”</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur said, “Ah, liar and caitiff knight! I am undone for -trusting to thee. For thou hast deceived me, who trusted in thee. For -thou hast coveted the jewels set upon the handle of the sword, and hast -refrained from casting it into the water of the sea.” Then Sir Bedivere -said, “Lord, I repent me of this.”</p> - -<p>But King Arthur said, “Go now, and do what I bid thee do, and see to it -that this time thou failest not. For my time draweth near and I have now -but a little while to live.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><p><i>Sir Bedivere goeth forth again.</i></p> - -<p><i>He doth not cast away the sword.</i></p></div> - -<p>So Sir Bedivere went forth again and he went to that place where he had -hidden the sword. And he took the sword from where it lay hidden and -lifted it in his hands. And when he again beheld the light of the moon -illuminating its handle of gold and flaming upon the jewels of the -handle, his heart and his purpose weakened within him, and he said to -himself, “Surely, it would be a sin to cast away this sword. For it is -the most beautiful and noblest sword in all of the world. Wherefore then -should I destroy this sword that belongeth not more to the King himself -than to the world in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_242" id="page_242">{242}</a></span> which he lives? Certes, the King raved in this, -wherefore for the sake of posterity and for the sake of those who are to -come after, I will not cast this sword into the sea.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Bedivere returned to the King, and the King said to him, panting -as he spake, “Sir, have you performed that which I have commanded you to -undertake?”</p> - -<p>And Sir Bedivere said, “Yea, Lord.”</p> - -<p>Quoth the King, “What saw you in doing this thing?”</p> - -<p>Said Sir Bedivere, “Lord, I beheld the moon shining on high, and I -beheld the waves of the sea breaking noisily up against the pebbles of -the beach; but naught else did I behold.”</p> - -<p>Then the King was silent for a little while and then he cried out, “Oh, -woe is me! that all my authority hath departed from me with my strength! -For it was to be supposed that mine enemies would betray me but not that -my friends would betray me. But here lie I hovering upon the edge of -death, and now this knight who is my sworn knight and vassal will not do -that which I bid him to do because of the jewels that enrich the hilt of -that sword.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere wept and he said, “Lord, I will do that which thou -biddest me to do.” And King Arthur said, “Do it, and make haste.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bedivere casteth away the sword.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Bedivere ran forth from that chapel. And he ran to where the -sword was hidden and he took the sword and wrapped the belt of the sword -about it. And he ran down the rocks to the sea shore, and when he had -come there he whirled the sword several times about his head and cast it -far out over the water.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>An arm catcheth the sword.</i></div> - -<p>And Sir Bedivere beheld the sword that it whirled, flashing in the -moonlight like to pure circles of light, whirling in the darkness. So -the sword described a circle above the water and it descended to the -water, and as the sword descended to the water there emerged from the -water an arm. And around the arm was a sleeve of white samite and about -the arm were many bracelets of gold inset with precious stones. And the -arm catched the sword by the haft and brandished it thrice, and then -drew it down beneath the water. And the water closed over it and the -sword and the arm were gone.</p> - -<p>All this Sir Bedivere beheld, and when he had beheld it he returned, -musing, to where King Arthur lay in that small chapel above the cliffs.</p> - -<p>And when he returned, King Arthur said to him, “Sir, did you do as I -commanded you to, and did you fling Excalibur into the water?” Sir -Bedivere said, “Lord, I did as you commanded me.”</p> - -<p>Quoth King Arthur, “And what did you behold?<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_243" id="page_243">{243}</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Said Sir Bedivere, “When I thus threw that sword into the water of the -sea, an arm came out of that water. And the arm had to it a sleeve of -white samite and it was enclasped with many bracelets of gold, and the -bracelets were set with many precious stones of various sorts. And the -hand of the arm catched Excalibur by the hilt and it brandished him -three times in the air and then it drew him beneath the water. That is -what I saw.”</p> - -<p>Said King Arthur, “Well hast thou served me in this! But the time -groweth short and mine end draweth near. Take me upon thy shoulders and -bear me to the sea shore at that place where thou didst cast Excalibur -into the sea. There thou wilt find a boat with several ladies in it. -That boat is intended for me, and now I know that boat will be there -waiting for me since that arm arose and the hand of the arm seized upon -Excalibur.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bedivere beareth the King to the boat.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Bedivere stooped his shoulders. And he drew the arms of King -Arthur upon either side of his neck, and the arms of the King were very -weak and limp like to those of a little child that is ill. And Sir -Bedivere raised himself and he lifted King Arthur from his couch, and -King Arthur groaned when Sir Bedivere lifted him. And Sir Bedivere bore -King Arthur out of that chapel and into the moonlight. And Sir Bedivere -bore King Arthur in that wise down to the cliffs of the sea. And by now -a chill was upon the night so that the panting breath of Sir Bedivere -came forth from his nostrils like to thin smoke. And ever the iron shoes -of Sir Bedivere smote upon the rocks as he walked, so that the rocks -rang beneath his tread.</p> - -<p>So Sir Bedivere bore King Arthur down that cliff to where the sea -splashed and moaned upon the rocks of the sea, and the shadows of Sir -Bedivere and of the King were very black and shapeless upon those rocks, -and the shadows walked with them down to the sea.</p> - -<p>So by and by Sir Bedivere perceived that they were coming close to that -place where he had cast the sword into the sea. And as he drew near he -perceived that there was there a boat drawn up to the shore at that spot -where he had stood to cast the sword into the water. And Sir Bedivere -saw that there were several people standing within the boat and that -these people were three queens and their attendants.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The three queens take the King into the boat.</i></div> - -<p>Two of those queens Sir Bedivere knew, for they were the one Queen -Morgana le Fay and the other the Queen of North Wales. But the third of -those queens he did not know. Yet he saw that she was very tall and -straight and that she was clad in garments of green, very thin and -glistering. And her hair was black and glossy, shining in the moonlight -like to fine and very glassy<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_244" id="page_244">{244}</a></span> threads of silk. And her face was -exceedingly white, like to wax for whiteness, and her eyes were very -black and brilliant, like to brilliant jewels set into that ivory -whiteness. And around the neck of this lady were many necklaces of -jewels of gold inset with emerald stones, very bright and shining.</p> - -<p>This lady stood at the tiller of that strange boat and she was the Lady -of the Lake, though Sir Bedivere wist not who she was. And she held the -tiller very steadily and so held the boat close to the shore.</p> - -<p>And in that boat were several other ladies who stood there very silently -and looked ever toward the shore where was Sir Bedivere; but these were -the ladies attendant upon those queens.</p> - -<p>Then when Sir Bedivere came thitherward carrying King Arthur upon his -shoulders, those ladies lifted up their voices in piercing lamentation -so that the heart of Sir Bedivere ached to hear that lament. And Queen -Morgana le Fay and the Queen of North Wales arose and reached their arms -for King Arthur; and Sir Bedivere gave King Arthur into their arms and -they two took him—Queen Morgana by the shoulders and the Queen of North -Wales by the knees—and they lifted him into the boat.</p> - -<p>And they laid him upon a couch within the boat, and he lay with his head -pillowed upon the lap of Queen Morgana. And Sir Bedivere stood upon the -shore and looked upon the face of King Arthur as it lay within the lap -of Queen Morgana, and he beheld that the face of King Arthur was white -like to the ashes of wood, wherefore he wist that he was dead. And Sir -Bedivere cried out in a loud and wailing voice, saying, “My Lord and -King, wilt thou leave me? What then shall I do? For here am I alone in -the midst of mine enemies.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The King speaketh to Sir Bedivere.</i></div> - -<p>Then King Arthur opened his eyes and he said, “Hah, Messire, thou hast -no enemies about thee, for thine enemies are put to flight, and in a -little while Sir Launcelot comes who will be thy friend. But go thou -back into the world and tell them all that thou hast beheld at this -place. For wit you that now I know that I shall not die at this place, -but that I shall go in this boat and with my sister, Queen Morgana, to -Avalon. There in the Vale of Avalon I shall live, and by and by and -after many years I shall again return to Britain and no man shall know -of my return. But with that return shall come peace and tranquillity. -And war shall be no more, but the arts of peace shall flourish. So take -that message back with thee into the world, for now I go to leave thee; -and so farewell.”</p> - -<p>Then for the third time those ladies lifted up their voices and wailed -in lamentation, and with that lamentation the boat trembled and moved.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_245" id="page_245">{245}</a></span> -And it moved away from the shore; at first slowly, then more and more -swiftly until it disappeared in the moonlight of the night. And for -awhile Sir Bedivere saw it, and then he was not sure that he saw it, and -then it vanished away into the whiteness of the moonlight, and was gone -from his vision.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere moved weeping away from that shore and he wept so that -hardly could he see what next step he took. And so Sir Bedivere came -away from that shore, and in his sorrow he wist not whither he went. But -ever he walked forward for all that night, and when the morning was come -he found himself to be near to a considerable city. So he went forward -to that city and he found that there was a great bustle and turmoil of -people coming and going.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bedivere cometh to the Archbishop.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Bedivere entered the city and he said, “Who is here?” They say to -him, “It is the Archbishop of Canterbury who is here.” Sir Bedivere said -to them, “Take me to him.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He telleth the Archbishop what hath befallen.</i></div> - -<p>So they took him to where the Archbishop was, and several other bishops -were with him. And when the Archbishop beheld Sir Bedivere he said, -“Sir, why are you so pale?” Then Sir Bedivere said, “Sir, I am pale -because of all that I have beheld.” Then Sir Bedivere told the -Archbishop and those who were with him of that great battle they had -fought the day before between Salisbury and the sea. And he told him of -all that had happened in that battle and of the knights who were slain -therein. And he told him how that Sir Mordred was slain and how King -Arthur had been wounded by Sir Mordred and had departed at night in that -boat as aforetold of.</p> - -<p>To all this the Archbishop listened with great astonishment and he cried -out, “How is this, and what is this thou tellest me? Is King Arthur -gone, and has that good and wise King disappeared thus mysteriously from -amongst us?” And he said, “What next of kin doth the King leave behind -him?” Sir Bedivere said, “His nighest of kin is Sir Constantine of -Cornwall, who is cousin unto Sir Gawaine.”</p> - -<p>The Archbishop said, “Him then shall we crown to be the next King of -Britain. For so will he succeed in rightful line from the strain of King -Uther Pendragon.”</p> - -<p>And so it was done as the Archbishop said, for shortly after that Sir -Constantine of Cornwall was crowned King of Britain at Camelot—which -same, saith the history of these things, is Winchester of these present -days.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So I have told you of the Passing of Arthur, which in all the other -histories of those things is told as I have told it. But of that which -happened thereafter there are many distinct and separate histories.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_246" id="page_246">{246}</a></span></p> - -<p>But that history which hath been accepted of old by the people of -England is this: That King Arthur did not die, but that he was taken by -Queen Morgana le Fay and by those two other queens to Avalon, and that -there he was salved so that he did not die. And that history saith that -he lives there yet, and that some day he shall come back to Britain as -he promised to do, and that when he thus shall come there, there shall -likewise come continual peace and plenty and joy and happiness as he -promised.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Concerning Avalon.</i></div> - -<p>And touching Avalon there is this to say—that it is the dwelling-place -of Queen Morgana le Fay, and that it is a strange and wonderful island -that floats forever upon the sea to the westward. And many people -declare that they have beheld that land, but always from a distance. For -sometimes they call it Fata Morgana, and sometimes they call it Avalon. -But always when they see it it is to behold high towers and glittering -pinnacles reaching into the sky; and it is to behold the embowerment of -trees, both of forest trees and of shade trees; and it is to behold hill -and vale of that mysterious country more beautiful than are the hills -and vales of the dark and gloomy earth. For Avalon is sometimes called -the Vale of Avalon and sometimes it is called Avalon the Beautiful.</p> - -<p>There in that pleasant country is no snow and no ice; neither is there -the scorching heats and droughts of summer, but all forever and for aye -is the tepid warmth of vernal springtime.</p> - -<p>And the people of Avalon are always happy, for never do they weep and -never do they bear enmity to one another, but all live in peace and -tranquillity watching their flocks, which are as white as snow, and -their herds, whose breath smelleth of wild thyme and parsley.</p> - -<p>There, people believe, yet liveth King Arthur, and he is not dead nor is -he yet awake, but ever he lyeth sleeping as in peace.</p> - -<p>But it is believed by many that the time shall come when he will awake -again. Then he will return once more to this earth, and all shall be -peace and concord amongst men.</p> - -<p>And many believe that this time is now nigh at hand. For less and less -is there war within the world, and more and more is there peace and -concord and good will amongst men. Wherefore, let every man live at -peace with other men, and wish them well and do them well, and then will -King Arthur awake from his sleep. Then will his dreadful wound be healed -and then will he return unto his own again.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Of such was the passing of Arthur.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_248" id="page_248">{248}</a></span><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_247" id="page_247">{247}</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_035.jpg" width="387" height="550" alt="The Passing of Guinevere" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_249" id="page_249">{249}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Chapter_Tenth-c" id="Chapter_Tenth-c"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="" /> -<br />Chapter Tenth -</h3> - -<p class="hang1"><i>How Sir Launcelot came to Queen Guinevere, and how Queen Guinevere -remained a nun. How Sir Launcelot went into the forest and became a -hermit, and how seven of his fellows joined him there. Also of the death -of Sir Launcelot of the Lake.</i></p> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">N</span>OW it hath already been told how that Sir Launcelot of the Lake -received the note of Sir Ewaine, and of how he and his knights decided -to come to the aid of King Arthur.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot landeth at Dover.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot and his knights to the number of two hundred and twelve -came to England in ships and galleys, and they landed at Dover as King -Arthur had done.</p> - -<p>And when Sir Launcelot arrived at Dover there came to him a messenger -and told him of that battle that had been fought upon the plains not far -from Salisbury, and how that Sir Mordred had been slain and how that -King Arthur had died of his wound thereafter. And that messenger also -told him how that Sir Constantine of Cornwall had been crowned King of -Britain, in the room of King Arthur.</p> - -<p>All this Sir Launcelot heard and also the knights who were with him. And -Sir Launcelot wept a very great deal and several of those knights who -were with him wept also. And Sir Launcelot cried out, “Ah, my dear noble -and gracious lord, King Arthur! Woe is me that in that first battle I -should have slain Sir Agravaine and not Sir Mordred! For it is now upon -me to believe that Sir Mordred was the instigator of all this mischief. -But now is King Arthur gone and all is turned to ruin and to loss about -us. For here be hardly any of the Knights of the Round Table yet living, -and many of those who were amongst the best and noblest of those knights -have been slain. To wit, Sir Gawaine hath been slain, and Sir Lionel and -Sir Ector have been slain, and Sir Ewaine hath been slain, and Sir -Gareth who was my dear and loving friend hath been slain, and Sir -Geharis hath been slain. All these have died and several others, and had -it not been for Sir Mordred and his treachery these would yet have been -alive. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_250" id="page_250">{250}</a></span> all these have died because of the treachery of Sir Mordred. -Would that he had died in the beginning, for these would all then have -been saved!”</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot made his lament, and in making it the tears flowed down -his face in streams. And Sir Launcelot said, “Who of us can now serve -under King Constantine as vassals?” They say to him, “none of us can so -serve him.” Said Sir Launcelot, “nor can I serve him.” Then he said, -“Where is now Queen Guinevere?” They say to him, “Sir, she is at this -present at the convent of Saint Bridget at Rochester and she is the -Abbess of that convent. For since King Arthur gave her to the church she -hath taken up the orders of the church and hath become a nun of black -and white.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot goeth to Rochester to seek the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>So that night Sir Launcelot took horse and he rode away alone, and he -rode to Rochester and to the convent of Saint Bridget. And Sir Launcelot -came into the room of that convent and he said to those who were there, -“Let me have speech with the Abbess of this place.”</p> - -<p>Then anon came Queen Guinevere to where he was, and Sir Launcelot stood -in the middle of the room and looked toward her. And he beheld that her -face was grown very white and thin and that she was clad in robes of -black and white. And the Queen looked toward Sir Launcelot and she knew -him. And when she beheld him she cried out in a very loud and piercing -voice, “God save me! Is it thou?” And with that she felt around behind -her as though in a blindness. And she felt that there was a form behind -her and she sat down upon the form. And she swooned upon that form so -that her head fell backward across the back of the form. And Sir -Launcelot perceived that she had swooned.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot called to the ladies of that convent in a very loud -voice, “Make haste! Make haste! For the Queen hath swooned!” So several -of those ladies came hastening and they loosened the robes of the Queen -at the throat and they chafed her hands and bathed her temples with -vinegar, and anon she awoke from her swoon and found Sir Launcelot -kneeling before her.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The Queen bespeaks Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>And the Queen reached out and touched Sir Launcelot and she said, “Art -thou real, or art thou a spirit?” And Sir Launcelot replied, “Lady, I am -flesh and blood as thou art.” Then the Queen said to him, “Sir, what -seek you here?” And Sir Launcelot replied, “I seek thee, Lady. For ever -thou art present with me by day and by night, and never art thou absent -from my thoughts.”</p> - -<p>The Queen said, “Ah, Launcelot! It is vain for thee to seek me here, for -ever my heart is here in this place and here it will always remain. For<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_251" id="page_251">{251}</a></span> -here have I bethought me of my life and of all the joys and pleasures of -my life, and of all the sinfulness and the evil that I have committed. -And I wit that my lord, King Arthur, is now ever first within my -thoughts and within my heart. For though I fled from King Arthur that -time and betook myself with thee to Joyous Gard, yet there at Joyous -Gard my heart turned ever to my lord and my King. For he was the lover -of my youth, and first and last my heart turned ever to him in all my -joys and in all my troubles. So now my King is passed, and my heart -cleaveth to him in Paradise, and there I will haply rejoin my King and -will dwell with him for aye. For there we shall be together in bliss and -naught that is of sorrow or uncertainty shall ever come betwixt us.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot cried out, “And I, Lady, is there naught in thy -thoughts for me?”</p> - -<p>She said, “Yea, Launcelot, there is great friendship and love for thee, -but not that sort of love. So get thee back to Joyous Gard and there -take thee to wife some fair and gentle lady of that place. For so thou -mayst rear to thee children in the stead of that Sir Galahad who hath -departed from thee some while ago.”</p> - -<p>Sir Launcelot said, “Lady, I can never wed any woman in this world but -thee.” And the Queen said, “Ah, Launcelot, that is a pity.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot departeth from the Queen.</i></div> - -<p>So that speech between those two came to an end, and Sir Launcelot rode -away from that place with his head bowed low upon his breast. And Sir -Launcelot rode ever toward the forest and anon he rode into the forest. -And when Sir Launcelot had come to that place he kneeled down before -that Hermit of the Forest and he said to him “Sir, I pray you to confess -me and assoil me. For here henceforth and to the end of my days will I -remain a hermit of the forest like as thou art. Several times have I -lived here as a recluse, yet have I ever returned by and by to the -world. But now will I never return to that world again; for all the -pleasure of that world was taken away from me and I am left barren of -hope and of joy.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot becometh a forest recluse.</i></div> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot withdrew to another part of the forest, and he took his -armor from off his body and hung his armor up upon the branches of a -tree that was near at hand. And he took the harness and trappings from -off his horse and he turned his horse loose to browse at will upon the -grass that grew there at that place. So Sir Launcelot became a recluse -of the forest with intent never more to be anything else than that -forest recluse.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Now when those knights who were in attendance upon Sir Launcelot at -Dover discovered that he had gone from them, they wist not where he<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_252" id="page_252">{252}</a></span> had -gone and they searched for him at all places, and yet they could not -find him. So most of those knights separated and divided, each knight -departing to his own home. But several of those who were kin to Sir -Launcelot joined them together to search for him. And these were the -knights that searched for Sir Launcelot: there were Sir Bors and Sir -Bleoberis and Sir Blamor de Ganis, and there was Sir Galahud and Sir -Galahadin, and there was Sir Villiars, and there was Sir Clarus. These -seven knights searched Britain from end to end and all athwart the land, -and ever they sought for Sir Launcelot. So, at last, they came to that -part of the forest where Sir Launcelot abided.</p> - -<p>And those knights beheld a horse browsing in the open parts of the -forest, and Sir Bors said to the others, “Messires, yonder an I mistake -not is the horse of Sir Launcelot.” Then they went a little farther and -they beheld the armor of Sir Launcelot hanging upon the branches of the -tree. And Sir Bors examined that armor and he said, “This, certes, is -the armor of Sir Launcelot. Now he cannot be far distant from this -place.”</p> - -<p>Anon they heard the knelling of a little vesper bell, and Sir Bors said, -“Yonder is the bell of the Hermit of the Forest. Let us go thitherward -and mayhap we may hear news of Sir Launcelot.” So they went in that -direction and by and by they came to the chapel of the Hermit of the -Forest. And they looked within the chapel door and they beheld the -Hermit and another anchorite kneeling in prayer. And there were little -birds within the chapel and they hopped about there upon the floor and -about those two kneeling figures and were not afraid of either of them.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The knights companion find Sir Launcelot.</i></div> - -<p>So, by and by, those two ended their prayers, and they arose. Then those -knights beheld the face of the anchorite and they saw that it was the -face of Sir Launcelot. For though the face of Sir Launcelot was covered -with a beard and though it was very thin and peaked from fasting, yet -they knew it for his face. For Sir Launcelot had eaten no meat and but -little food of any sort, but had deprived himself of food for the -betterment of his soul.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bors spake and he said, “Sir Launcelot, is it thou who art -here?” And Sir Launcelot said, “Aye, it is indeed I whom thou -beholdest.” Sir Bors said, “Sir, this life does not beseem thee to lead, -wherefore place upon thee thine armor and come forth with us into the -world again. For thy life is certes of value to that world.” “Nay,” said -Sir Launcelot, “I will not leave this place, for here I dwell in peace -and amity with the world. Why then should I again go forth into strife -as of old?” Quoth Sir Bors, “Sir, this life thou art leading is but the -neglect of duty, for the duty of every knight is to be within the world -and to do the work<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_253" id="page_253">{253}</a></span> of the world, be that work to battle or to labor. -Why then shouldst thou rest here in this hermitage and without action of -any sort?”</p> - -<p>“Messire,” said Sir Launcelot, “were there a call for me to go forth -into the world, then would I go. For my duty would then demand of me to -assume again the armor of my knighthood. But there is no such call, nor -am I any longer young, as one time I was. Wherefore, now hath come my -time for rest, and so I remain here in quiet within the woodlands.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The knights companion become recluses.</i></div> - -<p>Sir Bors said, “Sir, we are your knights and your followers, wherefore -if you remain here within the forest, so also do we remain with you. For -your life shall be our life and your fare shall be our fare until the -end.” And Sir Launcelot said, “Let it be that way.”</p> - -<p>So all those knights remained there within the forest and all of them -assumed the holy orders of hermits. Thus they remained there for three -years and in that time they dwelt in great peace and concord. And they -disturbed none of those things that were living within the forest, so -that the wild creatures of the forest presently grew tame to them. For -they could lay their hands upon the haunches of the wild doe of the -forest and it would not flee away from them, for the wild thing wist -that they meant it no harm.</p> - -<p>Thus they lived there in solitude and they cultivated their plots of -pulse and barley, and the fame of their virtues and of their holiness -spread far and wide, so that many people came thither from the world for -the sake of their prayers and of their benediction.</p> - -<p>Now one night as he slept Sir Launcelot had a dream, and the dream came -to him in the second watch of the night. And the dream of Sir Launcelot -was this:</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot dreameth.</i></div> - -<p>He dreamed that he beheld Queen Guinevere standing before him, and her -face smiled and was very radiant as though a bright light shone through -her face from behind. For her face was translated by that light so that -it was all of a glorious and rosy pink in its color. And the Queen was -clad all in a very straight robe of cloth of gold and that robe shone -with a very singular lustre. And around her neck and her arms were many -ornaments of gold and these also shone and glittered as she moved or -breathed. And this vision of Queen Guinevere said, “Rejoice, O Sir -Launcelot! For my troubles and cares are at an end. For now I am in -Paradise and my body sleepeth and is dead.”</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot awoke and he found that it was morning and that the -sun was shining.</p> - -<p>And Sir Launcelot arose and went forth and he came to where the Her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_254" id="page_254">{254}</a></span>mit -was, and he told the Hermit of that dream. Then the Hermit said to him, -“Sir, meseems from this dream that the Queen is no more, but that she is -dead and that her soul hath been translated unto Paradise. Make haste -and go thither where she is and see if this be so.”</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot mounted his horse and his seven companions mounted -their horses and together they rode unto Rochester. And Sir Launcelot -rode to the nunnery at that place and he said to them that came to him, -“Where is the Lady Abbess of this monastery?”</p> - -<p>They say to him, “Sir, she died last night at the second watch of the -night.” Sir Launcelot said, “Bring me to her.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He beholdeth the dead Queen.</i></div> - -<p>So they took Sir Launcelot to where lay the body of the Queen, and it -was in a large upper room and the windows were open and the breeze blew -cold through the room. And Sir Launcelot beheld the Queen that her body -lay upon a couch of white linen, and he perceived that the face of the -body was white like to wax. And he saw that the lips of the body smiled -as he had beheld the Queen to smile in the dream that he had had of her -the night before.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot did not weep, only he stood with his hands clasped -very tightly together, and he reviewed in his mind all that had befallen -him and her. And he reviewed the first time that he had come to the -King’s Court at Camelot. And he reviewed how he had sacrificed the life -of his lady for the love of the Queen. And he reviewed how he had done -battle for the Queen, and how he had saved her life by that battle, and -he reviewed how he had fought and slain his friends that he might bring -her away from her trial to Joyous Gard. All those things he reviewed, -and some of those things were of peace to him and some of them were of -torment. Then he spake and he said, “Ah, Lady! Would that I were lying -as thou lyest. For then would I too be at peace, whiles now I am not at -peace.”</p> - -<p>So died Queen Guinevere, and at that time she was in the forty-sixth -year of her age and was exceedingly beautiful.</p> - -<p>So those eight knights remained there at the nunnery for two days, and -upon the third day the body of Queen Guinevere was interred before the -altar of the nunnery. And upon the stone that covered that body were -these words:</p> - -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="poem"> -Hir · jaret · Guinevera · Regina<br /> -Quondam · Regina · Brittaniæ · erat.</div> -</div> - -<p>And for many years that entablature was to be seen at Rochester, -wherefore it may be known that Queen Guinevere was indeed there buried. -For so saith the history of those things and so those things must be.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_255" id="page_255">{255}</a></span></p> - -<p>After all those things had passed, those knights again retired to the -forest and there they again took up their abode as of old. And so they -lived there for two or three years longer. Then they left that forest as -shall presently be told.</p> - -<p>For now speak we of the Passing of Sir Launcelot, which was as follows:</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Launcelot cometh not to prayers.</i></div> - -<p>One morning all they who were there awoke very early and they went to -their matin prayers. That morning was in the May time, all the trees -were in leaf and the apple trees were in blossom. For whensoever the -soft warm wind blew through the trees, then did those blossoms shed -their fragrant pink snow until all the grass around about was spread -therewith. And the birds were singing in every bush and tree so that all -the air was full of their melodious and harmonious jubilation.</p> - -<p>That time when they were assembled they looked around and beheld that -Sir Launcelot was not there and they said, “Where is Sir Launcelot, that -he cometh not to matin prayers?” So Sir Bors went to the cell of Sir -Launcelot and he beheld that Sir Launcelot was lying very peacefully -upon his couch. And Sir Bors went to Sir Launcelot to arouse him, and he -saw that Sir Launcelot was dead. And the hands of Sir Launcelot were -folded upon his breast, and there was a smile of great peace and good -content upon the lips of Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sir Bors beholdeth him, dead.</i></div> - -<p>Then Sir Bors went to the door of the cell of Sir Launcelot and he -called those others to come thither and they did so. And Sir Bors said -to them, “Behold! Here lyeth that which was once Sir Launcelot, but -which is that knight no more. But God be praised that he died in such -peace and tranquillity as he hath done.”</p> - -<p>And all they, as they gazed upon Sir Launcelot, beheld that it was so, -and that he had indeed died in great peace and tranquillity with his -God.</p> - -<p>And Sir Bors said, “Let us take the body of this good knight and carry -it to Joyous Gard that it may be buried there. For so would he have it -that his body should be buried at Joyous Gard.”</p> - -<p>So they brought them to that forest place a horse bier and they laid the -body of Sir Launcelot upon that horse bier, and they covered the body so -that no one might see it in passing. And they bore the body thence and -to Joyous Gard, and so, after many tribulations and many sufferings and -sorrows, the body of Sir Launcelot lay in peace and quietness at that -place.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>He lyeth at Joyous Gard.</i></div> - -<p>And those knights who were with him did not return to the forest, -otherwise they continued at Joyous Gard. And one of those knights always -sat at vigil beside the tomb of Sir Launcelot<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_256" id="page_256">{256}</a></span> and kept burning there -seven waxen tapers. And so the tomb was always illuminated with those -waxen tapers whiles those knights lived.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Of the death of Sir Bors.</i></div> - -<p>And the last of those knights to die was Sir Bors de Ganis, for Sir Bors -was over fourscore years of age when he died. For when the priest came -thither one morning, he found Sir Bors sitting beside the tomb of Sir -Launcelot, and Sir Bors had died at that time. And one of those seven -candles (which same was the candle of Sir Bors) was not lit but was -burned out. For so the life of Sir Bors had flickered out, even as the -light of that candle had departed.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>So with this endeth the history of the lives of those knights, and so I -have told it to you.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/end.jpg" width="190" height="100" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_257" id="page_257">{257}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a name="Conclusion-c" id="Conclusion-c"></a> -<img src="images/chapter-bar.jpg" width="450" height="65" alt="Conclusion" /> -</h3> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">T</span>HUS have I written the history of King Arthur and of sundry of those -knights that comprised his Round Table. For so may you see with what -patience, what labor and what self-devotion those knights served their -king, their Round Table and their fellows.</p> - -<p>For those knights were very gallant gentlemen who thought but little of -care and trouble and who practised self-denial when that self-denial -could be of avail to help their friends or to benefit the world.</p> - -<p>For ever they brought aid to those who were in trouble and comfort to -those who were afflicted ever they brought food to the hungry and drink -to the thirsty; and ever they destroyed giants and monsters and wicked -men, and so made the world a better and a comelier place in which to -dwell. And wit ye that no man can do better than that in this world: to -bring aid to the afflicted; food to the hungry, and a release from -trouble to those who are in anxiety.</p> - -<p>Yea; for seven years have I been engaged in writing these books, which -contain the history of these things. Many other things have I done in -that time. For I have painted many pictures besides having written these -books and other works of a like sort. And these books are four in -number: first, there is the Book of King Arthur; then there is the Book -of the Champions of the Round Table; then there is the Book of Sir -Launcelot and his companions, and now there is this Book of the Grail -and the Passing of Arthur, and this book is the last. For those books -comprise a history of all this time; for though there be many things -left untold in them, yet those things are of small consequence. For all -that is of greater note hath been here told, and that in full.</p> - -<p>And I thank God that he hath permitted me to finish this work, for wit -ye that when a man taketh seven years of his life to complete an -under<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_258" id="page_258">{258}</a></span>taking, he knoweth not whether he shall live to complete that -which he hath begun.</p> - -<p>But so I have completed it, and for that I thank God who permitted me to -complete it. Amen.</p> - -<p class="fint"> -<i>Finished at Wilmington, Delaware,<br /> -This 16th day of April<br /> -in the year of grace<br /> -MCMX.</i><br /> -</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/ill_036.jpg" width="200" height="129" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_259" id="page_259">{259}</a></span></p> - -<hr class="full" /> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Grail and the Passing -of Arthur, by Howard Pyle - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE GRAIL *** - -***** This file should be named 60405-h.htm or 60405-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/4/0/60405/ - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Chuck Greif and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -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. 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