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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..6d414a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66585 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66585) diff --git a/old/66585-0.txt b/old/66585-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index def9e21..0000000 --- a/old/66585-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9505 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Boy's King Arthur, by Sidney Lanier - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Boy's King Arthur - Sir Thomas Malory's History of King Arthur and His Knights of - the Round Table - -Author: Sidney Lanier - -Illustrator: N.C. Wyeth - -Release Date: October 21, 2021 [eBook #66585] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR *** - - - - - THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR - - SIR THOMAS MALORY'S HISTORY - OF - KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE - - EDITED FOR BOYS - BY - SIDNEY LANIER - - ILLUSTRATED BY N. C. WYETH - - _Copyright by Charles Scribner's Sons_ - - NEW YORK - CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS - 1929 - - COPYRIGHT, 1880, BY - CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS - - COPYRIGHT, 1908, 1922, BY - MARY DAY LANIER - - COPYRIGHT, 1917, BY - CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS - - Printed in the United States of America - - In this edition of Mr. Lanier's classic "Boy's King Arthur" - omission has been made of some minor passages and introductory - matter--all the greater tales, those of Arthur, Launcelot, Tristram, - Gareth, Galahad, Percival, and the Holy Grail, being retained. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - BOOK I. OF KING ARTHUR - - BOOK II. OF SIR LAUNCELOT DU LAKE - - BOOK III. OF SIR GARETH OF ORKNEY - - BOOK IV. OF SIR TRISTRAM - - BOOK V. OF SIR GALAHAD AND SIR PERCIVAL, AND THE - QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL - - BOOK VI. OF THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT - - BOOK VII. OF THE DEATH OF ARTHUR - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - - -And when they came to the sword that the hand held, King Arthur took it -up - -"I am Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of Benwick, and knight of -the Round Table" - -And lived by fruit and such as he might get - -The lady Lyoness ... had the dwarf in examination - -"They fought with him on foot more than three hours, both before him -and behind him" - -King Mark slew the noble knight Sir Tristram as he sat harping before -his lady la Belle Isolde - -Sir Mador's spear brake all to pieces, but the other's spear held - -He rode his way with the queen unto Joyous Gard - -Then Sir Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not greatly, but sighed - - - - - BOOK I - - OF KING ARTHUR - - -It befell in the days of the noble Utherpendragon, when he was King of -England, [that there was born to him a son who in after time was King -Arthur. Howbeit the boy knew not he was the king's son. For when he was -but a babe] the king commanded two knights and two ladies to take the -child bound in rich cloth of gold, "and deliver him to what poor man -you meet at the postern gate of the castle." So the child was delivered -unto Merlin, and so he bare it forth unto Sir Ector, and made an holy -man to christen him, and named him Arthur; and so Sir Ector's wife -nourished him. Then within two years King Uther fell sick of a great -malady; [and thereof he died]. Then stood the realm in great [danger] a -long while, for every lord made him strong, and many weened [_thought_] -to have been king. [And so, by Merlin's counsel, all the lords of -England came together in the greatest church of London on Christmas -morn before it was day, to see if God would not show by some miracle -who should be king.] And when the first mass was done there was seen -in the church-yard, against the high altar, a great stone four-square, -like to a marble stone, and in the midst thereof was an anvil of steel, -a foot of height, and therein stuck a fair sword naked by the point, -and letters of gold were written about the sword that said thus: -WHO SO PULLETH OUT THIS SWORD OF THIS STONE AND ANVIL, IS RIGHTWISE -KING BORN OF ENGLAND. - -So when all the masses were done, all the [lords] went for to behold -the stone and the sword. And when they saw the scripture, some assayed -[_tried_] such as would have been king. But none might stir the sword -nor move it. - -"He is not yet here," said the archbishop, "that shall achieve the -sword, but doubt not God will make him to be known. But this is my -counsel," said the archbishop, "that we let purvey [_provide_] ten -knights, men of good fame, and they to keep this sword." - -And upon New Year's day the barons let make a tournament for to keep -the lords together, for the archbishop trusted that God would make -him known that should win the sword. So upon New Year's day when the -service was done the barons rode to the field. - -And so it happened that Sir Ector rode to the jousts, and with him rode -Sir Kay, his son, and young Arthur that was his nourished brother. -[But Sir] Kay had lost his sword, for he had left it at his father's -lodging, and so he prayed young Arthur to ride for his sword. "I will -with a good will," said Arthur, and rode fast after the sword; and when -he came home, the lady and all were gone out to see the jousting. Then -was Arthur wroth, and said to himself, "I will ride to the church-yard -and take the sword with me that sticketh in the stone, for my brother -Sir Kay shall not be without a sword this day." And so when he came to -the church-yard Arthur alighted, and tied his horse to the stile, and -so went to the tent, and found no knights there, for they were all at -the jousting; and so he handled the sword by the handles, and lightly -and fiercely he pulled it out of the stone, and took his horse and rode -his way till he came to his brother Sir Kay, and delivered him the -sword. And as soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he wist [_knew_] well that -it was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his father, Sir Ector, -and said: "Sir, lo here is the sword of the stone; wherefore I must be -king of this land." When Sir Ector beheld the sword, he returned again -and came to the church, and there they alighted, all three, and went -into the church, and anon he made Sir Kay to swear upon a book how he -came to that sword. - -"Sir," said Sir Kay, "by my brother Arthur, for he brought it to me." - -"How gate [_got_] you this sword?" said Sir Ector to Arthur. - -"Sir, I will tell you. When I came home for my brother's sword, I found -nobody at home for to deliver me his sword, and so I thought my brother -Sir Kay should not be swordless, and so I came thither eagerly and -pulled it out of the stone without any pain." - -"Found ye any knights about this sword?" said Sir Ector. - -"Nay," said Arthur. - -"Now," said Sir Ector to Arthur, "I understand that you must be king of -this land." - -"Wherefore I?" said Arthur. - -"Sir," said Ector, "for there should never man have drawn out this -sword but he that shall be rightwise king of this land. Now let me see -whether ye can put the sword there as it was and pull it out again." - -"That is no mastery," said Arthur; and so he put it in the stone. -Therewith Sir Ector assayed to pull out the sword, and failed. - - * * * * * - -"Now assay," said Sir Ector to Sir Kay. And anon he pulled at the sword -with all his might but it would not be. "Now shall ye assay," said Sir -Ector to Arthur. - -"I will well," said Arthur, and pulled it out easily. And therewithal -Sir Ector kneeled down to the earth, and Sir Kay. - -"Alas," said Arthur, "mine own dear father and brother, why kneel ye to -me?" - -"Nay, nay, my lord Arthur, it is not so: I was never your father nor -of your blood, but I wote [_know_] well ye are of an higher blood than -I weened [_thought_] ye were." And then Sir Ector told him all. Then -Arthur made great moan when he understood that Sir Ector was not his -father. - -"Sir," said Ector unto Arthur, "will ye be my good and gracious lord -when ye are king?" - -"Else were I to blame," said Arthur, "for ye are the man in the world -that I am most beholding [_obliged_] to, and my good lady and mother -your wife, that as well as her own hath fostered and kept me. And if -ever it be God's will that I be king, as ye say, ye shall desire of me -what I may do, and I shall not fail you." - -"Sir," said Sir Ector, "I will ask no more of you but that you will -make my son, your fostered brother Sir Kay seneschal of all your -lands." - -"That shall be done, sir," said Arthur, "and more by the faith of my -body; and never man shall have that office but he while that he and I -live." - -Therewithal they went unto the archbishop, and told him how the sword -was achieved, and by whom. And upon the twelfth day all the barons -came thither for to assay to take the sword. But there afore them all, -there might none take it out but only Arthur; wherefore there were many -great lords wroth, and said, "It was great shame unto them all and the -realm to be governed with a boy of no high blood born." And so they -fell out at that time, that it was put off till Candlemas, and then all -the barons should meet there again. But always the ten knights were -ordained for to watch the sword both day and night; and so they set a -pavilion over the stone and the sword, and five always watched. And at -Candlemas many more great lords came thither for to have won the sword, -but none of them might prevail. And right as Arthur did at Christmas he -did at Candlemas, and pulled out the sword easily, whereof the barons -were sore aggrieved, and put it in delay till the high feast of Easter. -And as Arthur sped afore, so did he at Easter; and yet there were some -of the great lords had indignation that Arthur should be their king, -and put it off in delay till the feast of Pentecost. - - * * * * * - -And at the feast of Pentecost all manner of men assayed to pull at the -sword that would assay, and none might prevail; but Arthur pulled it -out afore all the lords and commons that were there, wherefore all the -commons cried at once: "We will have Arthur unto our king; we will -put him no more in delay; for we all see that it is God's will that he -shall be our king, and who that holdeth against it we will slay him." -And therewithal they kneeled down all at once, both rich and poor, and -cried Arthur mercy, because they had delayed him so long. And Arthur -forgave it them, and took the sword between both his hands, and offered -it upon the altar where the archbishop was, and so was he made knight -of[1] the best man that was there. And so anon was the coronation made, -and there was he sworn to the lords and commons for to be a true king, -to stand with true justice from thenceforth all the days of this life. -Also then he made all lords that held of the crown to come in, and to -do service as they ought to do. And many complaints were made unto King -Arthur of great wrongs that were done since the death of King Uther, of -many lands that were bereaved of lords, knights, ladies and gentlemen. -Wherefore King Arthur made the lands to be given again unto them that -owned them. When this was done that the king had stablished all the -countries about London, then he let make Sir Kay seneschal of England; -and Sir Baudwin of Britain was made constable; and Sir Ulfius was made -chamberlain; and Sir Brasias was made warden to wait upon the north -from Trent forwards, for it was that time for the most part enemy to -the king. - -[Footnote 1: "Of" was often used for the modern _by_ in Sir Thomas -Malory's time, and is still so used upon occasion. "Made knight of the -best man" thus means _made knight by the best man_.] - - * * * * * - -Then on a day there came into the court a squire on horseback, leading -a knight before him wounded to the death, and told him there was a -knight in the forest that had reared up a pavilion by a well [_spring_] -side, "and hath slain my master, a good knight, and his name was Miles; -wherefore I beseech you that my master may be buried, and that some -good knight may revenge my master's death." Then was in the court great -noise of the knight's death, and every man said his advice. Then came -Griflet, that was but a squire, and he was but young, of the age of -King Arthur, so he besought the king, for all his service that he had -done, to give him the order of knighthood. - -"Thou art full young and tender of age," said King Arthur, "for to take -so high an order upon thee." - -"Sir," said Griflet, "I beseech you to make me a knight." - -"Sir," said Merlin, "it were pity to leese [_lose_] Griflet, for he -will be a passing good man when he cometh to age, abiding with you the -term of his life; and if he adventure his body with yonder knight at -the fountain, he shall be in great peril if[2] ever he come again, for -he is one of the best knights of the world, and the strongest man of -arms." - -[Footnote 2: "If" here means _whether_. "In great peril if ever he come -again," _in great danger of never getting back_.] - -"Well," said King Arthur. So, at the desire of Griflet, the king made -him knight. - -"Now," said King Arthur to Sir Griflet, "sithen [_since_] that I have -made thee knight, thou must grant me a gift." - -"What ye will, my lord," said Sir Griflet. - -"Thou shalt promise me, by the faith of thy body, that when thou hast -jousted with the knight at the fountain, whether it fall [_happen_] -that ye be on foot or on horseback, that in the same manner ye shall -come again unto me without any question or making any more debate." - -"I will promise you," said Griflet, "as ye desire." Then Sir Griflet -took his horse in great haste, and dressed his shield, and took a great -spear in his hand, and so he rode a great gallop till he came to the -fountain, and thereby he saw a rich pavilion, and thereby under a cloth -stood a fair horse well saddled and bridled, and on a tree a shield -of divers colors, and a great spear. Then Sir Griflet smote upon the -shield with the end of his spear, that the shield fell down to the -ground. - -With that came the knight out of the pavilion, and said, "Fair knight, -why smote ye down my shield?" - -"For I will joust with you," said Sir Griflet. - -"It were better ye did not," said the knight, "for ye are but young and -late made knight, and your might is nothing to mine." - -"As for that," said Sir Griflet, "I will joust with you." - -"That is me loth," said the knight, "but sith [_since_] I must needs, I -will dress me thereto; but of whence be ye?" said the knight. - -"Sir, I am of King Arthur's court." So they ran together that Sir -Griflet's spear all to-shivered [_shivered all to pieces_], and -therewithal he smote Sir Griflet through the shield and the left side, -and brake the spear, that the truncheon stuck in his body, that horse -and knight fell down. - -When the knight saw him lie so on the ground he alighted, and was -passing heavy, for he wend [_weened_] he had slain him, and then he -unlaced his helm and got him wind, and so with the truncheon he set -him on his horse, and betook him to God, and said he had a mighty -heart, and if he might live he would prove a passing good knight. And -so Sir Griflet rode to the court, whereas great moan was made for him. -But through good leeches [_surgeons_] he was healed and his life saved. - - * * * * * - -And King Arthur was passing wroth for the hurt of Sir Griflet. And -by and by he commanded a man of his chamber that his best horse and -armor "be without the city or [_before_] to-morrow day." Right so in -the morning he met with his man and his horse, and so mounted up and -dressed his shield, and took his spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry -there till he came again. And so King Arthur rode but a soft pace till -it was day, and then was he ware of three churls which chased Merlin, -and would have slain him. Then King Arthur rode unto them a good pace, -and cried to them: "Flee, churls." Then were they afraid when they saw -a knight, and fled away. "O Merlin," said King Arthur, "here hadst thou -been slain for[3] all thy craft, had I not been." - -[Footnote 3: "For" here means _in spite of_; as still used, in certain -phrases.] - -"Nay," said Merlin, "not so, for I could save myself if I would, and -thou art more near thy death than I am, for thou goest towards thy -death, and[4] God be not thy friend." - -[Footnote 4: "And" means _if_, here. In later times it becomes -contracted into "an," when used in this sense.] - -So, as they went thus talking, they came to the fountain, and the rich -pavilion by it. Then King Arthur was ware where a knight sat all armed -in a chair. "Sir knight," said King Arthur, "for what cause abidest -thou here? That there may no knight ride this way but if he do joust -with thee?" said the king. "I rede [_advise_] thee leave that custom," -said King Arthur. - -"This custom," said the knight, "have I used and will use, maugre [_in -spite of_] who saith nay; and who is grieved with my custom, let him -amend it that will." - -"I will amend it," said King Arthur. - -"And I shall defend it," said the knight. Anon he took his horse, and -dressed his shield, and took a spear, and they met so hard either on -other's shield, that they all to-shivered [_shivered all to pieces_] -their spears. Therewith King Arthur drew his sword. "Nay, not so," said -the knight, "it is fairer that we twain run more together with sharp -spears." - -"I will well," said King Arthur, "and [_if_] I had any mo [_more_] -spears." - -"I have spears enough," said the knight. So there came a squire, and -brought two good spears, and King Arthur took one and he another. So -they spurred their horses, and came together with all their mights, -that either brake their spears to their hands. Then Arthur set hand -on his sword. "Nay," said the knight, "ye shall do better; ye are a -passing good jouster as ever I met withal, and for the love of the high -order of knighthood let us joust once again." - -"I assent me," said King Arthur. Anon there were brought two great -spears, and every knight gat a spear, and therewith they ran together -that Arthur's spear all to-shivered. But the other knight hit him so -hard in midst of the shield that horse and man fell to the earth, and -therewith Arthur was eager, and pulled out his sword, and said, "I -will assay thee, Sir knight, on foot, for I have lost the honor on -horseback." - -"I will be on horseback," said the knight. Then was Arthur wroth, and -dressed his shield towards him with his sword drawn. When the knight -saw that, he alight, for him thought no worship to have a knight at -such avail, he to be on horseback, and he on foot, and so he alight and -dressed his shield unto Arthur. And there began a strong battle with -many great strokes, and so hewed with their swords that the cantels -[_pieces, of armor or of flesh_] flew in the fields, and much blood -they bled both, that all the place there as they fought was over-bled -with blood, and thus they fought long, and rested them, and then they -went to the battle again, and so hurtled together like two rams that -either fell to the earth. So at the last they smote together, that both -their swords met even together. But the sword of the knight smote King -Arthur's sword in two pieces, wherefore he was heavy. Then said the -knight unto Arthur, "Thou art in my danger whether me list to save thee -or slay thee, and but thou yield thee as overcome and recreant thou -shalt die." - -"As for death," said King Arthur, "welcome be it when it cometh, but -as to yield me to thee as recreant, I had liever die than to be so -shamed." And there withal the king leapt unto Pellinore, and took him -by the middle, and threw him down, and raced[5] off his helm. When the -knight felt that, he was adread, for he was a passing big man of might, -and anon he brought King Arthur under him, and raced off his helm, and -would have smitten off his head. - -[Footnote 5: "Raced" off: _violently tore off_.] - -Therewithal came Merlin, and said: "Knight, hold thy hand, for and -[_if_] thou slay that knight, thou puttest this realm in the greatest -damage that ever realm was in, for this knight is a man of more worship -than thou wottest of." - -"Why, who is he?" said the knight. - -"It is King Arthur." - -Then would he have slain him for dread of his wrath, and heaved up his -sword, and therewith Merlin cast an enchantment on the knight, that he -fell to the earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin took up King Arthur, -and rode forth upon the knight's horse. "Alas," said King Arthur, "what -hast thou done, Merlin? hast thou slain this good knight by thy crafts? -There lived not so worshipful a knight as he was; I had liever than the -stint [_loss_] of my land a year, that he were on[6] live." - -[Footnote 6: "On live": old form of _alive_.] - -"Care ye not," said Merlin, "for he is wholer than ye, for he is but -on[7] sleep, and will awake within three hours. I told you," said -Merlin, "what a knight he was; here had ye been slain had I not been. -Also, there liveth not a better knight than he is, and he shall do you -hereafter right good service, and his name is Pellinore, and he shall -have two sons, that shall be passing good men." - -[Footnote 7: "On sleep," _asleep_: as just above "on live," _alive_.] - - * * * * * - -Right so the king and he departed, and went unto an hermit that was a -good man and a great leech. So the hermit searched all his wounds and -gave him good salves; and the king was there three days, and then were -his wounds well amended that he might ride and go. So Merlin and he -departed, and as they rode, Arthur said, "I have no sword." - -"No force,"[8] said Merlin, "hereby is a sword that shall be yours, and -[_if_] I may." So they rode till they came to a lake, which was a fair -water and a broad, and in the middest of the lake King Arthur was ware -of an arm clothed in white samite, that held a fair sword in the hand. -"Lo," said Merlin, "yonder is that sword that I spake of." With that -they saw a damsel going upon the lake. - -[Footnote 8: "No force," _no matter_.] - -"What damsel is that?" said Arthur. - -"That is the Lady of the Lake," said Merlin; "and this damsel will come -to you anon, and then speak ye fair to her that she will give you that -sword." Anon withal came the damsel unto Arthur and saluted him, and he -her again. - -"Damsel," said Arthur, "what sword is that, that yonder the arm holdeth -above the water? I would it were mine, for I have no sword." - -"Sir king," said the damsel, "that sword is mine, and if ye will give -me a gift when I ask it you, ye shall have it." - -"By my faith," said Arthur, "I will give you what gift ye will ask." - -"Well," said the damsel, "go ye into yonder barge and row yourself to -the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you, and I will ask my -gift when I see my time." - -So King Arthur and Merlin alighted and tied their horses to two trees, -and so they went into the ship, and when they came to the sword that -the hand held, King Arthur took it up by the handles, and took it with -him. And the arm and the hand went under the water; and so they came -unto the land and rode forth. And then King Arthur saw a rich pavilion: -"What signifieth yonder pavilion?" - -[Illustration: _And when they came to the sword that the hand held, -King Arthur took it up_] - -"It is the knight's pavilion," said Merlin, "that ye fought with last, -Sir Pellinore, but he is out, he is not there; he hath ado with a -knight of yours, that hight [_was named_] Egglame, and they have fought -together, but at the last Egglame fled, and else he had been dead, and -he hath chased him to Caerleon, and we shall anon meet with him in the -high way." - -"It is well said," quoth King Arthur, "now have I a sword, and now will -I wage battle with him and be avenged on him." - -"Sir, ye shall not do so," said Merlin, "for the knight is weary of -fighting and chasing, so that ye shall have no worship to have ado with -him; also he will not lightly be matched of one knight living; and -therefore my counsel is that ye let him pass, for he shall do you good -service in short time, and his sons after his days. Also ye shall see -that day in short space, that ye shall be right glad to give him your -sister to wife." - -"When I see him," said King Arthur, "I will do as ye advise me." - -Then King Arthur looked upon the sword and liked it passing well. - -"Whether liketh you better," said Merlin, "the sword or the scabbard?" - -"Me liketh better the sword," said King Arthur. - -"Ye are more unwise," said Merlin, "for the scabbard is worth ten of -the sword, for while ye have the scabbard upon you ye shall leese -[_lose_] no blood be ye never so sore wounded, therefore keep well the -scabbard alway with you." - -So they rode on to Caerleon, and by the way they met with Sir -Pellinore. But Merlin had done such a craft that Pellinore saw not -Arthur, and so he passed by without any words. - -"I marvel," said the king, "that the knight would not speak." - -"Sir," said Merlin, "he saw you not, for and [_if_] he had seen you he -had not lightly departed." - -So they came unto Caerleon, whereof the knights were passing glad; and -when they heard of his adventures, they marvelled that he would jeopard -his person so alone. But all men of worship said it was merry to be -under such a chieftain that would put his person in adventure as other -poor knights did. - - * * * * * - -It befell on a time that King Arthur said to Merlin: "My barons will -let me have no rest, but needs they will have that I take a wife, and I -will none take but by thy counsel and by thine advice." - -"It is well done," said Merlin, "that ye take a wife, for a man of your -bounty and nobleness should not be without a wife. Now is there any -fair lady that ye love better than another?" - -"Yea," said King Arthur, "I love Guenever, the king's daughter -Leodegrance[9] of the land of Cameliard, which Leodegrance holdeth in -his house the Table Round that ye told he had of my father Uther. And -this damsel is the most gentlest and fairest lady that I know living, -or yet that ever I could find." - -[Footnote 9: "The king's daughter Leodegrance," _King Leodegrance's -daughter_.] - -And Merlin went forth to King Leodegrance of Cameliard, and told him -of the desire of the king, that he would have to his wife Guenever his -daughter. - -"That is to me," said King Leodegrance, "the best tidings that ever I -heard, that so worthy a king of prowess and of nobleness will wed my -daughter. And as for my lands I will give him, wished I that it might -please him, but he hath lands enough, he needeth none; but I shall -send him a gift that shall please him much more, for I shall give him -the Table Round, the which Utherpendragon gave me; and when it is full -complete, there is an hundred knights and fifty, and as for an hundred -good knights I have myself, but I lack fifty, for so many have been -slain in my days." - -And so King Leodegrance delivered his daughter Guenever unto Merlin, -and the Table Round with the hundred knights; and so they rode freshly -with great royalty, what by water and what by land, till they came that -night unto London. - - * * * * * - -When King Arthur heard of the coming of Guenever and the hundred -knights with the Table Round, he made great joy for their coming, and -said openly, "This fair lady is passing welcome to me, for I loved -her long, and therefore there is nothing so pleasing to me. And these -knights with the Round Table please me more than right great riches." - -Then in all haste the king did ordain for the marriage and the -coronation in the most honorablest wise that could be devised. - -"Now Merlin," said King Arthur, "go thou and espy me in all this land -fifty knights which be of most prowess and worship." - -Within short time Merlin had found such knights that should fulfil -twenty and eight knights, but no more he could find. Then the bishop of -Canterbury was fetched, and he blessed the sieges [_seats_] with great -royalty and devotion, and there set the eight and twenty knights in -their sieges. - -And when this was done Merlin said, "Fair sirs, ye must all arise and -come to King Arthur for to do him homage; he will have the better will -to maintain you." - -And so they arose and did their homage. And when they were gone Merlin -found in every siege letters of gold that told the knights' names that -had sitten therein. But two sieges were void. - -"What is the cause," said King Arthur, "that there be two places void -in the sieges?" - -"Sir," said Merlin, "there shall no man sit in those places but they -that shall be of most worship. But in the Siege Perilous there shall no -man sit therein but one, and if there be any so hardy to do it he shall -be destroyed, and he that shall sit there shall have no fellow." - -And therewith Merlin took King Pellinore by the hand, and, in the -one hand next the two sieges and the Siege Perilous, he said in open -audience, "This is your place, and best ye be worthy to sit therein of -any that is here." - - - - - BOOK II - - OF SIR LAUNCELOT DU LAKE - - -Anon after that the noble and worthy King Arthur was come from Rome -into England, all the knights of the Round Table resorted unto the -king, and made many jousts and tournaments, and some there were that -were good knights, which increased so in arms and worship that they -passed all their fellows in prowess and noble deeds, and that was well -proved on many, but especially it was proved on Sir Launcelot du Lake. -For in all tournaments and jousts and deeds of arms, both for life and -death, he passed all knights, and at no time he was never overcome, but -it were by treason or enchantment. Wherefore Queen Guenever had him in -great favor above all other knights, and certainly he loved the queen -again above all other ladies and damsels all the days of his life, and -for her he did many great deeds of arms, and saved her from the fire -through his noble chivalry. Thus Sir Launcelot rested him a long while -with play and game; and then he thought to prove himself in strange -adventures. Then he bade his brother Sir Lionel to make him ready, "for -we two will seek adventures." - -So they mounted upon their horses armed at all points, and rode into -a deep forest; and after they came into a great plain, and then the -weather was hot about noon, and Sir Launcelot had great list [_desire_] -to sleep. - -Then Sir Lionel espied a great apple tree that stood by an hedge, and -said: "Brother, yonder is a fair shadow, there may we rest us and our -horses." - -"It is well said, fair brother," said Sir Launcelot; "for of all this -seven year I was not so sleepy as I am now." - -And so they there alighted and tied their horses under sundry trees, -and so Sir Launcelot laid him down under an apple tree, and his helm -he laid under his head. And Sir Lionel waked while he slept. So Sir -Launcelot was asleep passing fast. And in the mean while there came -three knights riding, as fast fleeing as ever they might ride. And -there followed them three but one knight. And when Sir Lionel saw -him, him thought he saw never so great a knight nor so well faring a -man, neither so well apparelled unto all rights. So within a while -this strong knight had overtaken one of these knights, and there he -smote him to the cold earth that he lay still. And then he rode unto -the second knight, and smote him so that man and horse fell down. And -then straight to the third knight he rode, and he smote him behind his -horse's tail a spear's length. And then he alighted down, and reined -his horse on the bridle, and bound all the three knights fast with -the reins of their own bridles. When Sir Lionel saw him do thus, he -thought to assay him, and made him ready, and stilly and privily he -took his horse, and thought not for to awake Sir Launcelot. And when -he was mounted upon his horse he overtook this strong knight and bade -him turn: and the other smote Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man -he bare to the earth, and so he alighted down and bound him fast, and -threw him overthwart his own horse, and so he served them all four, and -rode with them away to his own castle. And when he came there, he made -unarm them, and beat them with thorns all naked, and after put them in -a deep prison where there were many more knights that made great dolor. - - * * * * * - -When Sir Ector de Maris wist that Sir Launcelot was past out of the -court to seek adventures he was wroth with himself, and made him ready -to seek Sir Launcelot, and as he had ridden long in a great forest, he -met with a man that was like a forester. "Fair fellow," said Sir Ector, -"knowest thou in this country any adventures that be here nigh hand?" - -"Sir," said the forester, "this country know I well, and hereby within -this mile is a strong manor, and well diked, and by that manor, on the -left hand, there is a fair ford for horses to drink of, and over that -ford there groweth a fair tree, and thereon hangeth many fair shields -that wielded sometime good knights: and at the hole of the tree hangeth -a basin of copper and laton [_brass_], and strike upon that basin -with the butt of thy spear thrice, and soon after thou shalt hear new -tidings, and else hast thou the fairest grace that many a year had ever -knight that passed through this forest." - -"Gramercy," [_thanks_] said Sir Ector, and departed and came to the -tree, and saw many fair shields, and among them he saw his brother's -shield, Sir Lionel, and many more that he knew that were his fellows -of the Round Table, the which grieved his heart, and he promised to -revenge his brother. Then anon Sir Ector beat on the basin as he were -wood [_crazy_], and then he gave his horse drink at the ford: and -there came a knight behind him and bade him come out of the water and -make him ready; and Sir Ector anon turned him shortly, and in fewter -cast[10] his spear, and smote the other knight a great buffet that his -horse turned twice about. - -[Footnote 10: "In fewter cast his spear," _in rest placed his spear_.] - -"This was well done," said the strong knight, "and knightly thou hast -stricken me:" and therewith he rushed his horse on Sir Ector and caught -him under his right arm, and bare him clean out of the saddle, and rode -with him away into his own hall, and threw him down in the midst of the -floor. The name of this knight was Sir Turquine. Then he said unto Sir -Ector, "For thou hast done this day more unto me than any knight did -these twelve years, now will I grant thee thy life, so thou wilt be -sworn to be my prisoner all thy life-days." - -"Nay," said Sir Ector, "that will I never promise thee, but that I will -do mine advantage." - -"That me repenteth," said Sir Turquine. - -And then he made to unarm him, and beat him with thorns all naked, -and after put him down in a deep dungeon, where he knew many of his -fellows. But when Sir Ector saw Sir Lionel, then made he great sorrow. - -"Alas, brother," said Sir Ector, "where is my brother Sir Launcelot?" - -"Fair brother, I left him on sleep when that I from him went, under an -apple tree, and what is become of him I cannot tell you." - -"Alas," said the knights, "but Sir Launcelot help us we may never be -delivered, for we know now no knight that is able to match our master -Turquine." - - * * * * * - -Now leave we these knights prisoners, and speak we of Sir Launcelot -du Lake that lieth under the apple tree sleeping. Even about the noon -there came by him four queens of great estate; and, for the heat of the -sun should not annoy them, there rode four knights about them and bare -a cloth of green silk on four squares, betwixt them and the sun, and -the queens rode on four white mules. - -Thus as they rode they heard by them a great horse grimly neigh, and -then were they ware of a sleeping knight that lay all armed under an -apple tree; anon as these queens looked on his face they knew that it -was Sir Launcelot. Then they began for to strive for that knight; every -one said she would have him to her love. - -"We shall not strive," said Morgan le Fay that was King Arthur's -sister; "I shall put an enchantment upon him that he shall not awake in -six hours, and then I will lead him away unto my castle, and when he is -surely within my hold I shall take the enchantment from him, and then -let him choose which of us he will have for his love." - -So this enchantment was cast upon Sir Launcelot, and then they laid -him upon his shield, and bare him so on horseback betwixt two knights, -and brought him unto the castle Chariot, and there they laid him in a -chamber cold, and at night they sent unto him a fair damsel with his -supper ready dight. By that the enchantment was past, and when she came -she saluted him, and asked him what cheer? - -"I cannot say, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "for I wot not how I -came into this castle but it be by an enchantment." - -"Sir," said she, "ye must make good cheer, and if ye be such a knight -as is said ye be, I shall tell you more to-morn [_to-morrow_] by prime -[_the first hour_] of the day." - -"Gramercy, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "of your good will I -require you." - -And so she departed. And there he lay all that night without comfort of -anybody. - -And on the morn early came these four queens, passingly well beseen, -all they bidding him good morn, and he them again. - -"Sir knight," the four queens said, "thou must understand thou art -our prisoner, and we here know thee well, that thou art Sir Launcelot -du Lake, King Ban's son. And truly we understand your worthiness that -thou art the noblest knight living; and therefore thee behoveth now -to choose one of us four. I am the Queen Morgan le Fay, Queen of the -land of Gore, and here is the Queen of Northgalis, and the Queen of -Eastland, and the Queen of the Out Isles; now choose ye one of us which -thou wilt have to thy love, for thou mayst not choose or else in this -prison to die." - -"This is an hard case," said Sir Launcelot, "that either I must die -or else choose one of you, yet had I liever to die in this prison -with worship, than to have one of you to my love maugre my head. And -therefore ye be answered, for I will have none of you, for ye be false -enchantresses." - -"Well," said the queens, "is this your answer, that you will refuse us?" - -"Yea, upon my life," said Sir Launcelot, "refused ye be of me." - -So they departed, and left him there alone that made great sorrow. - - * * * * * - -Right so at noon came the damsel to him, and brought him his dinner, -and asked him what cheer. - -"Truly, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "in all my life-days never so -ill." - -"Sir," said she, "that me repenteth; but and ye will be ruled by me, -I shall help you out of this distress, and ye shall have no shame nor -villany, so that ye hold me a promise." - -"Fair damsel, that I will grant you, and sore I am afeared of these -queen's witches, for they have destroyed many a good knight." - -"Sir," said she, "that is sooth, and for the renown and bounty they -hear of you, they would have your love, and, sir, they say that your -name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, the flower of all the knights that been -living, and they been passing wroth with you that ye have refused them; -but, sir, and ye would promise me for to help my father on Tuesday -next coming, that hath made a tournament between him and the King of -Northgalis; for the Tuesday last past my father lost the field through -three knights of King Arthur's court, and if ye will be there upon -Tuesday next coming and help my father, to-morrow or [_ere_] prime, by -the grace of God, I shall deliver you clean." - -"Fair maiden," said Sir Launcelot, "tell me what is your father's name, -and then shall I give you an answer." - -"Sir knight," said the damsel, "my father is King Bagdemagus, that was -foully rebuked at the last tournament." - -"I know your father well," said Sir Launcelot, "for a noble king and a -good knight, and by the faith of my body, ye shall have my body ready -to do your father and you service at that day." - -"Sir," said the damsel, "gramercy, and to-morrow await that ye be ready -betimes, and I shall deliver you; and take you your armor and your -horse, shield, and spear; and hereby within these ten miles is an abbey -of white monks, and there I pray you to abide, and thither shall I -bring my father unto you." - -"All this shall be done," said Sir Launcelot, "as I am a true knight." - -And so she departed, and came on the morrow early and found him ready. -Then she brought him out of twelve locks, and brought him unto his -armor. And when he was all armed and arrayed, she brought him unto his -own horse, and lightly he saddled him, and took a great spear in his -hand, and so rode forth, and said, "Fair damsel, I shall not fail you, -by the grace of God." - -And so he rode into a great forest all that day, and in no wise could -he find any highway, and so the night fell on him, and then was he ware -in a slade [_glade_] of a pavilion of red sendall.[11] "By my faith," -said Sir Launcelot, "in that pavilion will I lodge all this night." -And so there he alighted down, and tied his horse to the pavilion, and -there he unarmed him, and found there a rich bed and laid him therein, -and anon he fell on sleep. - -[Footnote 11: "Sendall," _a kind of silk_.] - -So thus within a while the night passed and the day appeared, and then -Sir Launcelot armed him and mounted upon his horse, and took his leave, -and they showed him the way towards the abbey, and thither they rode -within the space of two hours. - - * * * * * - -As soon as Sir Launcelot came within the abbey yard, King Bagdemagus' -daughter heard a great horse go on the pavement. And then she arose and -went unto a window, and there she saw that it was Sir Launcelot, and -anon she made men hastily to go to him, which took his horse and led -him into a stable, and himself was led into a fair chamber, and there -he unarmed him, and the lady sent to him a long gown, and anon she -came herself. And then she made Sir Launcelot passing good cheer, and -she said he was the knight in the world that was most welcome to her. -Then she in all the haste sent for her father King Bagdemagus, that was -within twelve miles of that abbey, and before even he came with a fair -fellowship of knights with him. And when the king was alighted from -his horse, he went straight unto Sir Launcelot's chamber, and there -found his daughter, and then the king embraced Sir Launcelot in his -arms, and either made other good cheer. Anon Sir Launcelot made his -complaint unto the king how he was betrayed, and how his brother Sir -Lionel was departed from him he wist not whither, and how his daughter -had delivered him out of prison, "wherefore I shall while I live do her -service and all her friends and kindred." - -"Then am I sure of your help," said the king, "now on Tuesday next -coming?" - -"Ye, sir," said Sir Launcelot, "I shall not fail you, for so have I -promised unto my lady, your daughter. As I hear say that the tournament -shall be within this three mile of this abbey, ye shall send unto -me three knights of yours such as ye trust, and look that the three -knights have all white shields, and I also, and no painture on the -shields, and we four will come out of a little wood in the midst of -both parties, and we shall fall in the front of our enemies and grieve -them that we may; and thus shall I not be known what knight I am." So -they took their rest that night, and this was on the Sunday. And so the -king departed, and sent unto Sir Launcelot three knights, with the four -white shields. - -And on the Tuesday they lodged them in a little leaved wood beside -where the tournament should be. And there were scaffolds that lords -and ladies might behold, and to give the prize. Then came into the -field the King of Northgalis with eightscore helms. And then the three -knights of Arthur stood by themselves. Then came into the field King -Bagdemagus with fourscore of helms. And then they fewtred [_placed -in rest_] their spears, and came together with a great dash, and -there were slain of knights, at the first encounter, twelve of King -Bagdemagus' party, and six of the King of Northgalis' party, and King -Bagdemagus' party was far set aback. - - * * * * * - -With that came Sir Launcelot du Lake, and he thrust in with his spear -in the thickest of the press, and there he smote down with one spear -five knights, and of four of them he brake their backs. And in that -throng he smote down the King of Northgalis, and brake his thigh in -that fall. All this doing of Sir Launcelot saw the three knights of -Arthur. - -"Yonder is a shrewd guest," said Sir Mador de la Porte, "therefore have -here once at him." - -So they encountered, and Sir Launcelot bare him down horse and man, so -that his shoulder went out of joint. - -"Now befalleth it to me to joust," said Mordred, "for Sir Mador hath a -sore fall." - -Sir Launcelot was ware of him, and gat a great spear in his hand, and -met him, and Sir Mordred brake a spear upon him, and Sir Launcelot -gave him such a buffet that the bow of his saddle brake, and so he -flew over his horse's tail, that his helm went into the earth a foot -and more, that nigh his neck was broken, and there he lay long in a -swoon. Then came in Sir Gahalantine with a spear, and Launcelot against -him, with all their strength that they might drive, that both their -spears to-brast [_burst to pieces_] even to their hands, and then they -flung out with their swords, and gave many a grim stroke. Then was Sir -Launcelot wroth out of measure, and then he smote Sir Gahalantine on -the helm, that his nose burst out on blood, and ears and mouth both, -and therewith his head hung low. And therewith his horse ran away with -him, and he fell down to the earth. - -Anon therewithal Sir Launcelot gat a great spear in his hand, and, or -[_ere_] ever that great spear brake, he bare down to the earth sixteen -knights, some horse and man, and some the man and not the horse, and -there was none but that he hit surely. He bare none arms [_no device -to be known by_] that day. And then he gat another great spear, and -smote down twelve knights, and the most part of them never throve -after. And then the knights of the King of Northgalis would joust no -more, and there the prize was given unto King Bagdemagus. So either -party departed unto his own place, and Sir Launcelot rode forth with -King Bagdemagus unto his castle, and there he had passing good cheer -both with the king and with his daughter, and they proffered him great -gifts. And on the morn he took his leave, and told King Bagdemagus that -he would go and seek his brother Sir Lionel, that went from him when -that he slept. So he took his horse, and betaught [_commended_] them -all to God. And there he said unto the king's daughter, "If ye have -need any time of my service, I pray you let me have knowledge, and I -shall not fail you, as I am a true knight." - -And so Sir Launcelot departed, and by adventure he came into the same -forest where he was taken sleeping. And in the midst of an highway he -met a damsel riding on a white palfrey, and there either saluted other. - -"Fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "know ye in this country any -adventures?" - -"Sir knight," said that damsel, "here are adventures near hand, and -[_if_] thou durst prove them." - -"Why should I not prove adventures?" said Sir Launcelot; "for that -cause came I hither." - -"Well," said she, "thou seemest well to be a good knight, and if thou -dare meet with a good knight, I shall bring thee where is the best -knight and the mightiest that ever thou foundest, so thou wilt tell me -what is thy name, and what knight thou art." - -"Damsel, as for to tell thee my name, I take no great force: truly, my -name is Sir Launcelot du Lake." - -[Illustration: "_I am Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of Benwick, -and knight of the Round Table_"] - -"Sir, thou beseemest well, here be adventures by that fall for thee, -for hereby dwelleth a knight that will not be overmatched for no man -that I know, unless ye overmatch him, and his name is Sir Turquine. -And, as I understand, he hath in his prison of Arthur's court good -knights threescore and four that he hath won with his own hands. But -when ye have done that day's work ye shall promise me as ye are a true -knight for to go with me, and to help me and other damsels that are -distressed daily with a false knight." - -"All your intent, damsel, and desire I will fulfil, so ye will bring me -unto this knight." - -"Now, fair knight, come on your way." - -And so she brought him unto the ford, and unto the tree where hung the -basin. So Sir Launcelot let his horse drink, and then he beat on the -basin with the butt of his spear so hard with all his might till the -bottom fell out, and long he did so, but he saw nothing. Then he rode -along the gates of that manor nigh half an hour. And then was he ware -of a great knight that drove an horse afore him, and overthwart the -horse there lay an armed knight bound. And ever as they came near and -near, Sir Launcelot thought he should know him; then Sir Launcelot was -ware that it was Sir Gaheris, Gawaine's brother, a knight of the Table -Round. - -"Now, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "I see yonder cometh a knight -fast bound that is a fellow of mine, and brother he is unto Sir -Gawaine. And at the first beginning I promise you, by the leave of God, -to rescue that knight; and unless his master sit better in the saddle -I shall deliver all the prisoners that he hath out of danger, for I am -sure that he hath two brethren of mine prisoners with him." - -By that time that either had seen other they gripped their spears unto -them. - -"Now, fair knight," said Sir Launcelot, "put that wounded knight off -the horse, and let him rest awhile, and let us two prove our strengths. -For as it is informed me, thou doest and hast done great despite and -shame unto knights of the Round Table, and therefore now defend thee." - -"And [_if_] thou be of the Table Round," said Turquine, "I defy thee -and all thy fellowship." - -"That is overmuch said," said Sir Launcelot. - - * * * * * - -And then they put their spears in the rests, and came together with -their horses as fast as they might run, and either smote other in the -midst of their shields, that both their horses' backs brast under -them, and the knights were both astonied, and as soon as they might -avoid their horses they took their shields afore them, and drew out -their swords, and came together eagerly, and either gave other many -strong strokes, for there might neither shields nor harness hold their -strokes. And so within a while they had both grimly wounds, and bled -passing grievously. Thus they fared two hours or more, trasing and -rasing [_feinting and thrusting_] either other where they might hit -any bare place. Then at the last they were breathless both, and stood -leaning on their swords. - -"Now, fellow," said Sir Turquine, "hold thy hand awhile, and tell me -what I shall ask thee." - -"Say on." - -Then Turquine said, "Thou art the biggest man that ever I met withal, -and the best breathed, and like one knight that I hate above all other -knights; so be it that thou be not he I will lightly accord with thee, -and for thy love I will deliver all the prisoners that I have, that is -threescore and four, so thou wilt tell me thy name. And thou and I will -be fellows together, and never to fail the while that I live." - -"It is well said," said Sir Launcelot, "but since it is so that I may -have thy friendship, what knight is he that thou so hatest above all -other?" - -"Truly," said Sir Turquine, "his name is Launcelot du Lake, for he slew -my brother Sir Carados at the Dolorous Tower, which was one of the best -knights then living, and therefore him I except of all knights, for -and [_if_] I may once meet with him, that one of us shall make an end -of another, and do that I make a vow. And for Sir Launcelot's sake I -have slain an hundred good knights, and as many I have utterly maimed, -that never after they might help themselves, and many have died in my -prison, and yet I have threescore and four, and all shall be delivered, -so that thou wilt tell me thy name, and so it be that thou be not Sir -Launcelot." - -"Now see I well," said Sir Launcelot, "that such a man I might be I -might have peace, and such a man I might be there should be between -us two mortal war; and now, sir knight, at thy request, I will that -thou wit and know that I am Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of -Benwick, and knight of the Round Table. And now I defy thee do thy -best." - -"Ah!" said Sir Turquine, "Launcelot, thou art unto me most welcome, as -ever was any knight, for we shall never depart till the one of us be -dead." - -And then hurtled they together as two wild bulls, rashing and lashing -with their shields and swords, that sometime they fell both on their -noses. Thus they fought still two hours and more, and never would rest, -and Sir Turquine gave Sir Launcelot many wounds that all the ground -there as they fought was all besprinkled with blood. - -Then at last Sir Turquine waxed very faint, and gave somewhat back, and -bare his shield full low for weariness. That soon espied Sir Launcelot, -and then leaped upon him fiercely as a lion, and got him by the banner -of his helmet, and so he plucked him down on his knees, and anon he -rased [_tore off_] his helm, and then he smote his neck asunder. - - * * * * * - -So on the third day he rode over a long bridge, and there started -upon him suddenly a passing foul churl, and he smote his horse on the -nose that he turned about, and asked him why he rode over that bridge -without his license. - -"Why should I not ride this way?" said Sir Launcelot. "I may not ride -beside." - -"Thou shalt not choose," said the churl, and lashed at him with a great -club shod with iron. Then Sir Launcelot drew a sword, and put the -stroke aback, and clave his head unto the breast. At the end of the -bridge was a fair village, and all the people men and women cried on -Sir Launcelot, and said, "A worse deed didst thou never for thyself, -for thou hast slain the chief porter of our castle." - -Sir Launcelot let them say what they would, and straight he went into -the castle; and when he came into the castle he alighted, and tied his -horse to a ring on the wall; and there he saw a fair green court, and -thither he dressed himself, for there him thought was a fair place to -fight in. So he looked about, and saw much people in doors and windows, -that said, "Fair knight, thou art unhappy." - -Anon withal came there upon him two great giants, well armed all save -the heads, with two horrible clubs in their hands. Sir Launcelot put -his shield afore him, and put the stroke away of the one giant, and -with his sword he clave his head asunder. When his fellow saw that, he -ran away as he were wood [_crazy_], for fear of the horrible strokes, -and Sir Launcelot after him with all his might, and smote him on the -shoulder, and clave him to the middle. Then Sir Launcelot went into the -hall, and there came afore him threescore ladies and damsels, and all -kneeled unto him, and thanked God and him of their deliverance. - -"For, sir," said they, "the most part of us have been here this seven -year their prisoners, and we have worked all manner of silk works for -our meat, and we are all great gentlewomen born, and blessed be the -time, knight, that ever thou wert born; for thou hast done the most -worship that ever did knight in the world, that will we bear record, -and we all pray you to tell us your name, that we may tell our friends -who delivered us out of prison." - -"Fair damsels," he said, "my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake." - -"Ah, sir," said they all, "well mayest thou be he, for else save -yourself, as we deemed, there might never knight have the better of -these two giants, for many fair knights have assayed it, and here have -ended, and many times have we wished after you, and these two giants -dread never knight but you." - -"Now may ye say," said Sir Launcelot, "unto your friends, how and who -hath delivered you, and greet them all from me, and if that I come -in any of your marches [_boundaries_] show me such cheer as ye have -cause; and what treasure that there is in this castle I give it you for -a reward for your grievance: and the lord that is the owner of this -castle I would that he received it as is right." - -"Fair sir," said they, "the name of this castle is Tintagil and a duke -owned it some time that had wedded fair Igraine, and after wedded her -Utherpendragon." - -"Well," said Sir Launcelot, "I understand to whom this castle -belongeth." - -And so he departed from them and betaught [_commended_] them unto God. -And then he mounted upon his horse, and rode into many strange and wild -countries and through many waters and valleys, and evil was he lodged. -And at the last by fortune him happened against a night to come to a -fair curtilage [_enclosure_], and therein he found an old gentlewoman -that lodged him with a good will, and there he had good cheer for him -and his horse. And when time was, his host brought him into a fair -garret over the gate to his bed. There Sir Launcelot unarmed him, and -set his harness by him, and went to bed, and anon he fell on sleep. -So soon after there came one on horseback, and knocked at the gate in -great haste. And when Sir Launcelot heard this he arose up, and looked -out at the window, and saw by the moonlight three knights came riding -after one man, and all three lashed on him at once with swords, and -that one knight turned on them knightly again and defended him. - -"Truly," said Sir Launcelot, "yonder one knight shall I help, for it -were shame for me to see three knights on one, and if he be slain I am -partner of his death." - -And therewith he took his harness and went out at a window by a sheet -down to the four knights, and then Sir Launcelot said on high [_in a -loud voice_], "Turn you knights unto me, and leave your fighting with -that knight." - -And then they all three left Sir Kay, and turned unto Sir Launcelot, -and there began great battle, for they alighted all three, and struck -many great strokes at Sir Launcelot, and assailed him on every side. -Then Sir Kay dressed him for to have holpen Sir Launcelot. - -"Nay, sir," said he, "I will none of your help, therefore as ye will -have my help let me alone with them." - -Sir Kay for the pleasure of the knight suffered him to do his will, -and so stood aside. And then anon within six strokes Sir Launcelot had -stricken them to the earth. - -And then they all three cried, "Sir knight, we yield us unto you as man -of might matchless." - -"As to that," said Sir Launcelot, "I will not take your yielding unto -me, but so that ye yield you unto Sir Kay the seneschal; on that -covenant I will save your lives and else not." - -"Fair knight," said they, "that were we loath to do; for as for Sir Kay -we chased him hither, and had overcome him had not ye been; therefore -to yield us unto him it were no reason." - -"Well, as to that," said Sir Launcelot, "advise you well, for ye may -choose whether ye will die or live, for and [_if_] ye be yielden it -shall be unto Sir Kay." - -"Fair knight," then they said, "in saving our lives we will do as thou -commandest us." - -"Then shall ye," said Sir Launcelot, "on Whitsunday next coming go -unto the court of King Arthur, and there shall ye yield you unto Queen -Guenever, and put you all three in her grace and mercy, and say that -Sir Kay sent you thither to be her prisoners." - -"Sir," they said, "it shall be done by the faith of our bodies, and we -be living." - -And there they swore, every knight upon his sword. And so Sir Launcelot -suffered them so to depart. And then Sir Launcelot knocked at the gate -with the pommel of his sword, and with that came his host, and in they -entered, Sir Kay and he. - -"Sir," said his host, "I wend ye had been in your bed." - -"So I was," said Sir Launcelot, "but I arose and leaped out at my -window for to help an old fellow of mine." - -And so when they came nigh the light Sir Kay knew well that it was Sir -Launcelot, and therewith he kneeled down and thanked him of all his -kindness that he hath holpen him twice from the death. - -"Sir," he said, "I have done nothing but that I ought to do, and ye are -welcome, and here shall ye repose you and take your rest." - -So when Sir Kay was unarmed he asked after meat, so there was meat -fetched him, and he ate strongly. And when he had supped they went -to their beds, and were lodged together in one bed. On the morn Sir -Launcelot arose early, and left Sir Kay sleeping: and Sir Launcelot -took Sir Kay's armor and his shield and armed him: and so he went to -the stable and took his horse, and took his leave of his host, and so -he departed. Then soon after arose Sir Kay and missed Sir Launcelot: -and then he espied that he had his armor and his horse. - -"Now, by my faith, I know well that he will grieve some of King -Arthur's court: for on him knights will be bold, and deem that it is I, -and that will beguile them; and because of his armor and shield, I am -sure that I shall ride in peace." And then soon after departed Sir Kay, -and thanked his host. - - * * * * * - -Now let us speak of Sir Launcelot, that rode a great while in a deep -forest, where he saw a black brachet [_small hound_], seeking in -manner as it had been in the fealty [_track_] of an hurt deer, and -therewith he rode after the brachet; and he saw lie on the ground a -large fealty of blood, and then Sir Launcelot rode after, and ever -the brachet looked behind her. And so she went through a great marish -[_marsh_], and ever Sir Launcelot followed; and then was he ware of -an old manor, and thither ran the brachet, and so over the bridge. -So Sir Launcelot rode over the bridge, that was old and feeble. And -when he came into the midst of a great hall, there saw he lie a dead -knight, that was a seemly man, and that brachet licked his wounds. And -therewith came out a lady weeping and wringing her hands, and she said, -"O knight, too much sorrow hast thou brought me." - -"Why say ye so?" said Sir Launcelot, "I did never this knight no harm, -for hither by track of blood this brachet brought me; and therefore, -fair lady, be not displeased with me, for I am full sore aggrieved of -your grievance." - -"Truly, sir," she said, "I trow it be not ye that have slain my -husband, for he that did that deed is sore wounded, and he is never -likely to recover, that shall I ensure him." - -"What was your husband's name?" said Sir Launcelot. - -"Sir," said she, "his name was called Sir Gilbert, one of the best -knights of the world, and he that hath slain him I know not his name." - -"Now God send you better comfort," said Sir Launcelot. - -And so he departed and went into the forest again, and there he met -with a damsel, the which knew him well, and she said aloud, "Well be -ye found, my lord; and now I require thee on thy knighthood help my -brother that is sore wounded, and never stinteth bleeding, for this -day fought he with Sir Gilbert and slew him in plain battle, and there -was my brother sore wounded, and there is a lady a sorceress that -dwelleth in a castle here beside, and this day she told me my brother's -wounds should never be whole till I could find a knight that would go -into the Chapel Perilous, and there he should find a sword and a bloody -cloth that the wounded knight was lapped in, and a piece of that cloth -and sword should heal my brother's wounds, so that his wounds were -searched [_touched_] with the sword and the cloth." - -"This is a marvellous thing," said Sir Launcelot, "but what is your -brother's name?" - -"Sir," said she, "his name is Sir Meliot de Logres." - -"That me repenteth," said Sir Launcelot, "for he is a fellow of the -Table Round, and to his help I will do my power." - -"Then, sir," said she, "follow even this highway, and it will bring you -unto the Chapel Perilous, and here I shall abide till God send you here -again, and but you speed I know no knight living that may achieve that -adventure." - - * * * * * - -Right so Sir Launcelot departed, and when he came unto the Chapel -Perilous he alighted down, and tied his horse to a little gate. And as -soon as he was within the church-yard he saw on the front of the chapel -many fair rich shields turned up so down [_upside down_], and many of -the shields Sir Launcelot had seen knights bear beforehand. With that -he saw by him stand there thirty great knights, more by a yard than -any man that ever he had seen, and all those grinned and gnashed at -Sir Launcelot. And when he saw their countenance he dread him sore, -and so put his shield afore him, and took his sword in his hand ready -unto battle; and they were all armed in black harness, ready with their -shields and their swords drawn. And when Sir Launcelot would have gone -throughout them, they scattered on every side of him, and gave him the -way, and therewith he waxed all bold and entered into the chapel, and -then he saw no light but a dim lamp burning, and then was he ware of a -corpse covered with a cloth of silk. Then Sir Launcelot stooped down -and cut a piece away of that cloth, and then it fared under him as -the earth had quaked a little; therewithal he feared. And then he saw -a fair sword lie by the dead knight, and that he gat in his hand and -hied him out of the chapel. Anon as ever he was in the chapel-yard all -the knights spake to him with a grimly voice, and said, "Knight, Sir -Launcelot, lay that sword from thee, or else thou shalt die." - -"Whether I live or die," said Sir Launcelot, "will no great word get it -again, therefore fight for it and ye list." - -Then right so he passed throughout them, and beyond the chapel-yard -there met him a fair damsel, and said, "Sir Launcelot, leave that sword -behind thee, or thou wilt die for it." - -"I leave it not," said Sir Launcelot, "for no entreaties." - -"No," said she, "and thou didst leave that sword, Queen Guenever should -ye never see." - -"Then were I a fool and I would leave this sword," said Launcelot. - -"Now, gentle knight," said the damsel, "I require thee to kiss me but -once." - -"Nay," said Sir Launcelot, "that God me forbid." - -"Well, sir," said she, "and thou hadst kissed me thy life-days had -been done, but now alas," she said, "I have lost all my labor, for I -ordained this chapel for thy sake. And, Sir Launcelot, now I tell thee, -I have loved thee this seven year. But since I may not have [thee] -alive, I had kept no more joy in this world but to have [thee] dead. -Then would I have balmed [thee] and preserved [thee], and so have kept -[thee] my life-days, and daily I should have kissed thee." - -"Ye say well," said Sir Launcelot, "God preserve me from your subtle -crafts." - -And therewithal he took his horse and so departed from her. And when -Sir Launcelot was departed she took such sorrow that she died within a -fourteen night [_fortnight_], and her name was Hellawes the sorceress, -lady of the castle Nigramous. Anon Sir Launcelot met with the damsel, -Sir Meliot's sister. And when she saw him she clapped her hands and -wept for joy, and then they rode unto a castle thereby, where Sir -Meliot lay. And anon as Sir Launcelot saw him he knew him, but he was -pale as the earth for bleeding. When Sir Meliot saw Sir Launcelot, he -kneeled upon his knees and cried on high: "O lord Sir Launcelot help -me!" Anon Sir Launcelot leaped unto him, and touched his wounds with -Sir Gilbert's sword, and then he wiped his wounds with a part of the -bloody cloth that Sir Gilbert was wrapped in, and anon a wholer man -in his life was he never. And then there was great joy between them, -and they made Sir Launcelot all the cheer that they might, and so on -the morn Sir Launcelot took his leave, and bade Sir Meliot hie him -to the court of my lord Arthur, "for it draweth nigh to the feast of -Pentecost, and there, by the grace of God, ye shall find me." And -therewith they departed. - - * * * * * - -Sir Launcelot came home two days afore the feast of Pentecost. And -King Arthur and all the court were full glad of his coming. And when -Sir Gawaine, Sir Ewaine, Sir Sagramor, and Sir Ector de Maris saw Sir -Launcelot in Sir Kay's armor, then they wist well it was he that smote -them down all with one spear. Then there was laughing and smiling among -them. And ever now and then came all the knights home that Sir Turquine -had taken prisoners, and they all honored and worshipped Sir Launcelot. -When Sir Gaheris heard them speak, he said: "I saw all the battle, from -the beginning to the ending." - -And there he told King Arthur all how it was, and how Sir Turquine was -the strongest knight that ever he saw except Sir Launcelot; there were -many knights bare him record, nigh threescore. Then Sir Kay told the -king how Sir Launcelot had rescued him when he was in danger to have -been slain, and how "he made the knights to yield them to me, and not -to him." And there they were, all three, and bare record. "And," said -Sir Kay, "because Sir Launcelot took my harness, and left me his, I -rode in good peace, and no man would have to do with me." Then anon -therewithal came the three knights that fought with Sir Launcelot at -the long bridge, and there they yielded them unto Sir Kay, and Sir Kay -forsook them, and said he fought never with them; "but I shall ease -your hearts," said Sir Kay, "yonder is Sir Launcelot that overcame -you." When they understood that, they were glad. And then Sir Meliot -de Logres came home, and told King Arthur how Sir Launcelot had saved -him from the death. And all his deeds were known, how four queens, -sorceresses, had him in prison, and how he was delivered by King -Bagdemagus' daughter. Also there were told all the great deeds of arms -that Sir Launcelot did betwixt the two kings, that is to say, the King -of Northgalis and King Bagdemagus. All the truth Sir Gahalatine did -tell, and Sir Mador de la Porte, and Sir Mordred, for they were at that -same tournament. Then came in the lady that knew Sir Launcelot when -that he wounded Sir Belleus at the pavilion. And there at the request -of Sir Launcelot, Sir Belleus was made knight of the Round Table. - -And so at that time Sir Launcelot had the greatest name of any knight -of the world, and most he was honored of high and low. - - * * * * * - -[On a day, that might be a matter of two years before that feast of -Pentecost whereof it will be told in the Book of Sir Tristram, it -happened that Queen Guenever was angered with Sir Launcelot, yet truly -for no fault of his, but only because a certain enchantress had wrought -that Sir Launcelot seemed to have shamed his knighthood. - -Then the queen was nigh out of her wit, and then she writhed and -weltered as a mad woman; and at the last the queen met with Sir -Launcelot, and thus she said,] "False traitor knight that thou art, -look thou never abide in my court, and not so hardy, thou false traitor -knight that thou art, that ever thou come in my sight." - -"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot: and therewith he took such an heartly -sorrow at her words that he fell down to the floor in a swoon. And -therewithal Queen Guenever departed. And when Sir Launcelot awoke of -his swoon he leaped out at a bay window into a garden, and there with -thorns he was all to-scratched in his visage and his body, and so he -ran forth he wist not whither, and was wild wood [_insane_] as ever was -man. - -"Wit ye well," said dame Elaine[12] to Sir Bors, "I would lose my life -for him rather than he should be hurt; but alas, I cast me never for to -see him; and the chief causer of this is dame Guenever." - -[Footnote 12: This is not Elaine, the maid of Astolat--whom we shall -meet hereafter--but another Elaine.] - -"Madam," said dame Brisen, the which had made the enchantment before -betwixt Sir Launcelot and her, "I pray you heartily let Sir Bors -depart and hie him with all his might, as fast as he may, to seek Sir -Launcelot. For I warn you he is clean out of his mind, and yet he shall -be well holpen, and but by miracle." - -Then wept dame Elaine, and so did Sir Bors de Ganis, and so they -departed; and Sir Bors rode straight unto Queen Guenever, and when she -saw Sir Bors she wept as she were wood. - -"Fie on your weeping," said Sir Bors, "for ye weep never but when -there is no boot. Alas!" said Sir Bors, "that ever Sir Launcelot's -kin saw you. For now have ye lost the best knight of our blood, and -he that was all our leader and our succor. And I dare say and make -it good, that all kings, Christian nor heathen, may not find such a -knight, for to speak of his nobleness and courtesy with his beauty and -his gentleness. Alas," said Sir Bors, "what shall we do that be of his -blood?" - -"Alas!" said Sir Ector de Maris. - -"Alas!" said Sir Lionel. - - * * * * * - -And when the queen heard them say so, she fell to the ground in a -deadly sound [_swoon_]; and then Sir Bors took her, and [roused] her, -and when she was come to herself again she kneeled afore the three -knights, and held up both her hands, and besought them to seek him, and -not to spare for no goods but that he be found, "for I wot well he is -out of his mind." And Sir Bors, Sir Ector, Sir Lionel, departed from -the queen, for they might not abide no longer for sorrow: and then the -queen sent them treasure enough for their expenses, and so they took -their horses and their armor, and departed. And then they rode from -country to country, in forests and in wildernesses and in wastes, and -ever they laid watch as well both at forests and at all manner of men -as they rode, to hearken and to inquire after him, as he that was a -naked man in his shirt, with a sword in his hand. And thus they rode -well nigh a quarter of a year, endlong and overthwart,[13] in many -places, forests and wildernesses, and oftentimes were evil lodged for -his sake, and yet for all their labor and seeking could they never hear -word of him. And wit ye well these three knights were passing sorry. - -[Footnote 13: "Endlong and overthwart," _lengthways and erossways_ of -the land.] - -Then Sir Gawaine, Sir Uwaine, Sir Sagramor le Desirous, Sir Agloval, -and Sir Percival de Galis, took upon them by the great desire of King -Arthur, and in especial by the queen, to seek throughout all England, -Wales, and Scotland, to find Sir Launcelot. And with them rode eighteen -knights more to bear them fellowship. And wit ye well they lacked no -manner of spending: and so were they three and twenty knights. - -And thus as these noble knights rode together, they by one assent -departed, and then they rode by two, by three, and by four, and by -five; and ever they assigned where they should meet. - - * * * * * - -And now leave we a little of Sir Ector and Sir Percival, and speak we -of Sir Launcelot, that suffered and endured many sharp showers, which -ever ran wild wood, from place to place, and lived by fruit and such -as he might get, and drank water, two years; and other clothing had he -but little, save his shirt and his breeches. And thus, as Sir Launcelot -wandered here and there, he came into a fair meadow where he found a -pavilion, and there upon a tree hung a white shield and two swords -hung thereby, and two spears there leaned against a tree; and when Sir -Launcelot saw the swords, anon he leaped to the one sword, and took it -in his hand, and drew it out, and then he lashed at the shield that all -the meadow rang of the dints that he gave with such a noise as ten -knights had fought together. Then there came forth a dwarf, and leaped -unto Sir Launcelot, and would have had the sword out of his hand; -and then Sir Launcelot took him by both the shoulders and threw him -to the ground upon his neck, that he had almost broken his neck; and -therewithal the dwarf cried for help. Then came forth a likely knight, -and well apparelled in scarlet, furred with miniver. And anon as he saw -Sir Launcelot, he deemed that he should be out of his wit: and then -he said with fair speech, "Good man, lay down that sword, for, as me -seemeth, thou hast more need of sleep, and of warm clothes, than to -wield that sword." - -[Illustration: _And lived by fruit and such as he might get_] - -"As for that," said Sir Launcelot, "come not too nigh; for, and thou -do, wit thou well I will slay thee." - -And when the knight of the pavilion saw that, he started backward -within the pavilion. And then the dwarf armed him lightly, and so the -knight thought by force and might to take the sword from Sir Launcelot, -and so he came stepping out, and when Sir Launcelot saw him come so -all armed with his sword in his hand, then Sir Launcelot flew to him -with such a might and hit him upon the helm such a buffet that the -stroke troubled his brains, and therewith the sword brake in three. And -the knight fell to the earth as he had been dead, the blood bursting -out of his mouth, nose, and ears. And then Sir Launcelot ran into the -pavilion, and rushed even into the warm bed. - -Then the knight awaked out of his swoon, and looked up weakly with his -eyes, and then he asked where was that mad man that had given him such -a buffet? "for such a buffet had I never of man's hand." - -"Sir," said the dwarf, "it is not worship to hurt him, for he is a man -out of his wit, and doubt ye not he hath been a man of great worship, -and for some heartly sorrow that he hath taken he is fallen mad; and -me seemeth he resembleth much unto Sir Launcelot; for him I saw at the -great tournament beside Lonazep." - -"Jesu defend," said that knight, "that ever that noble knight Sir -Launcelot should be in such a plight. But whatsoever he be, harm will I -none do him." - -And this knight's name was Sir Bliant. Then he said unto the dwarf, -"Go thou in all haste on horseback unto my brother Sir Seliaunt, that -is at the Castle Blanche, and tell him of mine adventure, and bid him -bring with him an horse-litter and then will we bear this knight unto -my castle." - - * * * * * - -So the dwarf rode fast, and came again, and brought Sir Seliaunt -with him, and six men with an horse-litter; and so they took up the -feather-bed with Sir Launcelot, and so carried all with them to the -Castle Blanche, and he never wakened until he was within the castle; -and then they bound his hands and his feet, and gave him good meats and -good drinks, and brought him again to his strength and his fairness; -but in his wit they could not bring him again, nor to know himself. -Thus Sir Launcelot was there more than a year and a half. - -Then upon a day this lord of that castle, Sir Bliant, took his arms on -horseback with a spear to seek adventures, and as he rode in a forest -there met him two knights adventurous; the one was Sir Breuse sans -Pitie, and his brother Sir Bertlot. And these two ran both at once -upon Sir Bliant, and brake both their spears upon his body, and then -they drew out their swords and made a great battle and fought long -together; but at the last Sir Bliant was sore wounded, and felt himself -faint, and then he fled on horseback towards his castle. And as they -came hurling under the castle, where Sir Launcelot lay in a window and -saw two knights laid upon Sir Bliant with their swords, and when Sir -Launcelot saw that, yet as wood [_crazy_] as he was, he was sorry for -his lord Sir Bliant; and then Sir Launcelot brake his chains from his -legs. - -And so Sir Launcelot ran out at a postern, and there he met with the -two knights that chased Sir Bliant, and there he pulled down Bertlot -with his bare hands from his horse, and therewithal he writhed his -sword out of his hands, and so he leaped unto Sir Breuse, and gave him -such a buffet upon the head that he tumbled backward over his horse's -crupper. And when Sir Bertlot saw his brother have such a fall, he gat -a spear in his hand, and would have run Sir Launcelot through. That saw -Sir Bliant, and struck off the hand of Sir Bertlot; and then Sir Breuse -and Sir Bertlot gat their horses and fled away. When Sir Seliaunt came, -and saw what Sir Launcelot had done for his brother, then he thanked -God, and so did his brother, that ever they did him any good. But when -Sir Bliant saw that Sir Launcelot was hurt with the breaking of his -chains, then he was sorry that he had bound him. "Bind him no more," -said Sir Seliaunt, "for he is happy and gracious." Then they made great -joy of Sir Launcelot, and they bound him no more; and so he abode -there half a year and more. And in a morning early Sir Launcelot was -ware where came a great boar, with many hounds nigh him; but the boar -was so big that there might no hounds tear him, and the hunters came -after blowing their horns both on horseback and on foot; and at the -last Sir Launcelot was ware where one of them alighted and tied his -horse to a tree, and leaned his spear against the tree. - -So came Sir Launcelot and found the horse bound to a tree, and a -spear leaning against a tree, and a sword tied unto the saddle-bow. -And then Sir Launcelot leaped into the saddle, and gat that spear in -his hand, and then he rode after the boar; and then Sir Launcelot was -ware where the boar set his back to a tree, fast by an hermitage. Then -Sir Launcelot ran at the boar with his spear. And therewith the boar -turned him nimbly, and rove [_gashed_] out the lungs and the heart of -the horse, so that Sir Launcelot fell to the earth, and or ever Sir -Launcelot might get from the horse, the boar rove him on the brawn of -the thigh, up to the hough bone. And then Sir Launcelot was wroth, -and up he gat upon his feet, and drew his sword, and he smote off the -boar's head at one stroke. And therewithal came out the hermit, and -saw him have such a wound; then the hermit came to Sir Launcelot and -bemoaned him, and would have had him home unto his hermitage. But when -Sir Launcelot heard him speak, he was so wroth with his wound that he -ran upon the hermit to have slain him, and the hermit ran away, and -when Sir Launcelot might not overget him he threw his sword after him, -for Sir Launcelot might go no farther for bleeding. Then the hermit -turned again, and asked Sir Launcelot how he was hurt. - -"Fellow," said Sir Launcelot, "this boar hath bitten me sore." - -"Then come with me," said the hermit, "and I shall heal you." - -"Go thy way," said Sir Launcelot, "and deal not with me." - -Then the hermit ran his way, and there he met with a good knight with -many men. - -"Sir," said the hermit, "here is fast by my place the goodliest man -that ever I saw, and he is sore wounded with a boar, and yet he hath -slain the boar. But well I wot and he be not holpen, that goodly man -shall die of that wound, and that were great pity." - -Then that knight, at the desire of the hermit, gat a cart, and in that -cart that knight put the boar and Sir Launcelot, for Sir Launcelot -was so feeble that they might right easily deal with him. And so -Sir Launcelot was brought unto the hermitage, and there the hermit -healed him of his wound. But the hermit might not find Sir Launcelot's -sustenance, and so he impaired and waxed feeble, both of his body and -of his wit, for the default of his sustenance, and waxed more wood than -he was aforehand. And then, upon a day, Sir Launcelot ran his way into -the forest; and by adventure came into the city of Corbin, where dame -Elaine was. - -And so when he was entered into the town, he ran through the town -to the castle; and then all the young men of the city ran after Sir -Launcelot, and there they threw turfs at him, and gave him many sad -strokes; and as Sir Launcelot might reach any of them, he threw them -so that they would never more come in his hands, for of some he brake -their legs, and some their arms, and so fled into the castle. And then -came out knights and squires for to rescue Sir Launcelot, and when -they beheld him and looked upon his person, they thought they saw -never so goodly a man; and when they saw so many wounds upon him, they -all deemed that he had been a man of worship. And then they ordained -clothes unto his body, and straw underneath him, and a little house, -and then every day they would throw him meat, and set him drink, but -there were few or none that would bring meat to his hands. - - * * * * * - -So it befell that King Pelles had a nephew whose name was Castor, and -he desired of the king his uncle for to be made knight; and so at -the request of this Castor, the king made him knight at the feast of -Candlemas. And when Castor was made knight, that same day he gave many -gowns; and so Sir Castor sent for the fool, that was Sir Launcelot, and -when [Sir Launcelot] saw his time, he went into the garden and there -laid him down by a well and slept. And in the afternoon dame Elaine and -her maidens went into the garden for to play them; and as they roamed -up and down, one of dame Elaine's maidens espied where lay a goodly man -by the well sleeping, and anon showed him to dame Elaine. - -"Peace," said dame Elaine, "and say no word." - -And then she brought dame Elaine where he lay. And when that she -beheld him, anon she fell in remembrance of him, and knew him verily -for Sir Launcelot, and therewithal she fell on weeping so heartily that -she sank even to the earth. And when she had thus wept a great while, -then she arose and called her maidens, and said she was sick. And so -she went out of the garden, and she went straight to her father, and -there she took him apart by himself, and then she said, "O father, now -have I need of your help, and but if that ye help me, farewell my good -days for ever." - -"What is that, daughter?" said King Pelles. - -"Sir," she said, "thus is it: in your garden I went for to sport, and -there by the well I found Sir Launcelot du Lake sleeping." - -"I may not believe that," said King Pelles. - -"Sir," she said, "truly he is there, and me seemeth he should be -distract out of his wit." - -"Then hold you still," said the king, "and let me deal." - -Then the king called to him such as he most trusted, four persons, and -dame Elaine his daughter. And when they came to the well and beheld Sir -Launcelot, anon dame Brisen knew him. - -"Sir," said dame Brisen, "we must be wise how we deal with him, for -this knight is out of his mind, and if we awake him rudely, what he -will do we all know not. But ye shall abide, and I shall throw such an -enchantment upon him that he shall not awake within the space of an -hour." - -And so she did. Then within a little while after King Pelles commanded -that all people should avoid [_leave_], that none should be in that -way there as the king would come. And so when this was done, these four -men and these ladies laid hand on Sir Launcelot. And so they bare him -into a tower, and so into the chamber where as was the [Holy Grail], -and by force Sir Launcelot was laid by that holy vessel; and then there -came an holy man and uncovered the vessel, and so by miracle, and by -virtue of that holy vessel, Sir Launcelot was all healed and recovered. -And when he was awaked, he groaned, and sighed sore, and complained -greatly that he was passing sore. - -And when Sir Launcelot saw King Pelles and dame Elaine, he waxed -ashamed, and thus he said, "O good Lord Jesu, how came I here? for -God's sake, my lord, let me wit how I came here." - -"Sir," said dame Elaine, "into this country ye came like a mad man all -out of your wit, and here ye have been kept as a fool, and no creature -here knew what ye were till that by fortune a maid of mine brought -me unto you where as ye lay sleeping by a well side, and anon as I -verily beheld you I knew you; and then I told my father, and so ye were -brought before this holy vessel, and by the virtue of it thus were ye -healed." - -"O Jesu, mercy!" said Sir Launcelot, "if this be sooth, how many be -there that know of my woodness?" - -"So God me help," said dame Elaine, "no moe [_more_] but my father and -I and dame Brisen." - -"Now for Christ's love," said Sir Launcelot, "keep it secret, and let -no man know it in the world, for I am sore ashamed that I have been -thus miscarried, for I am banished out of the country of Logris for -ever, that is for to say the country of England." - -And so Sir Launcelot lay more than a fortnight, or ever that he might -stir for soreness. - - * * * * * - -And then after this King Pelles with ten knights, and dame Elaine and -twenty ladies, rode unto the castle of Bliant, that stood in an island -enclosed in iron, with a fair water, deep and large. And when they -were there Sir Launcelot let call it the Joyous Isle, and there was he -called none otherwise but Le Chevalier Mal Fait, _the knight that hath -trespassed_. Then Sir Launcelot let make him a shield all of sable, and -a queen crowned in the midst all of silver, and a knight, clean armed, -kneeling before her; and every day once, for any mirths that all the -ladies might make him, he would once every day look towards the realm -of Logris where King Arthur and Queen Guenever were, and then would -he fall upon weeping as though his heart should to-brast [_burst to -pieces_]. So it fell that time that Sir Launcelot heard of a jousting -fast by his castle, within three leagues. Then he called unto him a -dwarf, and he bade him go unto that jousting, "and, or ever the knights -depart, look thou make there a cry in the hearing of all the knights, -that there is one knight in the Joyous Isle, that is the castle Bliant, -and say that his name is Le Chevalier Mal Fait, that will joust against -knights that will come; and who that putteth that knight to the worst -shall have a fair maid and a gerfalcon." - -So when this cry was made, unto Joyous Isle drew knights to the number -of five hundred. And wit ye well there was never seen in Arthur's days -one knight that did so much deeds of arms as Sir Launcelot did three -days together. For he had the better of all the five hundred knights, -and there was not one slain of them. And after that Sir Launcelot made -them all a great feast. And in the meanwhile came Sir Percival de Galis -and Sir Ector de Maris under that castle that was called the Joyous -Isle. And as they beheld that gay castle they would have gone to that -castle, but they might not for the broad water, and bridge could they -find none. Then they saw on the other side a lady with a sperhawk in -her hand, and Sir Percival called unto her, and asked that lady who was -in that castle. - -"Fair knight," she said, "here within this castle is the fairest lady -in this land, and her name is Elaine. Also we have in this castle the -fairest knight and the mightiest man that is, I dare say, living, and -he calleth himself Le Chevalier Mal Fait." - -"How came he into these marches?" said Sir Percival. - -"Truly," said the damsel, "he came into this country like a mad man, -with dogs and boys chasing him through the city of Corbin; and by the -Holy Grail he was brought into his wit again, but he will not do battle -with no knight but by underne [_nine in the morning_] or by noon. And -if ye list to come into the castle, ye must ride unto the farther side -of the castle, and there shall ye find a vessel that will bear you and -your horse." - -Then they departed and came unto the vessel. And then Sir Percival -alighted and said unto Sir Ector de Maris, "Ye shall abide me here, -until I know what manner of knight he is, for it were a great shame -unto us, inasmuch as he is but one knight, and we should both do battle -with him." - -"Do as ye list," said Sir Ector de Maris, "here shall I abide you until -that I hear of you again." - -Then Sir Percival passed the water; and when he came unto the castle -gate, he said to the porter, "Go thou unto the good knight within the -castle, and tell him that here is come an errant knight to joust with -him." - -"Sir," said the porter, "ride ye within the castle, and there shall ye -find a common place for jousting, that lords and ladies may behold you." - -So anon as Sir Launcelot had warning, he was soon ready. And there Sir -Percival and Sir Launcelot encountered with such a might, and their -spears were so rude, that both the horses and the knights fell to the -ground. And then they avoided their horses, and drew out their swords, -and hewed away cantels [_pieces_] of their shields, and hurled together -with their shields like two wild boars, and either wounded other -passing sore. And at the last Sir Percival spake first, when they had -fought more than two hours. - -"Fair knight," said Sir Percival, "I require thee tell me thy name, for -I met never with such a knight as ye are." - -"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "my name is Le Chevalier Mal Fait. Now tell -me your name," said Sir Launcelot, "I require you, as ye are a gentle -knight." - -"Truly," said Sir Percival, "my name is Sir Percival de Galis, which is -brother unto the good knight Sir Lamorak de Galis, and King Pellinore -was our father, and Sir Agloval is my brother." - -"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "what have I done, to fight with you that -are a knight of the Round Table, that some time was your fellow in King -Arthur's court?" - -And therewithal Sir Launcelot kneeled down upon his knees, and threw -away his shield and his sword from him. When Sir Percival saw him do -so, he marvelled what he meant. And then thus he said, "Sir knight, -whatsoever thou be, I require thee upon the high order of knighthood, -tell me thy true name." - -Then he said, "Truly my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son -of Benoy." - -"Alas!" said Sir Percival, "what have I done! I was sent by the queen -for to seek you, and so I have sought you nigh this two year; and -yonder is Sir Ector de Maris your brother abideth me on the other side -of the yonder water. Now I pray you forgive me mine offence that I have -here done." - -"It is soon forgiven," said Sir Launcelot. - -Then Sir Percival sent for Sir Ector de Maris. And when Sir Launcelot -had a sight of him, he ran unto him and took him in his arms, and then -Sir Ector kneeled down and either wept upon other, that all had pity -to behold them. Then came dame Elaine, and she there made them great -cheer as might lie in her power; and there she told Sir Ector and Sir -Percival how and in what manner Sir Launcelot came into that country, -and how he was healed. And there it was known how long Sir Launcelot -was with Sir Bliant and with Sir Seliaunt, and how he first met with -them, and how he departed from them because of a boar; and how the -hermit healed Sir Launcelot of his great wound, and how that he came to -Corbin. - - * * * * * - -"Sir," said Sir Ector, "I am your own brother, and ye are the man in -the world that I love most, and, if I understood that it were your -disworship, ye may right well understand that I would never counsel -you thereto; but King Arthur and all his knights, and in especial -Queen Guenever, made such dole and sorrow that it was marvel to hear -and see. And ye must remember the great worship and renown that ye be -of, how that ye have been more spoken of than any other knight that -is now living, for there is none that beareth the name now but ye and -Sir Tristram. Therefore, brother," said Sir Ector, "make you ready to -ride unto the court with us, and I dare well say there was never knight -better welcome unto the court than ye. And I wot well and can make it -good," said Sir Ector, "it hath cost my lady the queen twenty thousand -pound the seeking of you." - -"Well, brother," said Sir Launcelot, "I will do after your counsel and -ride with you." - -So then they took their horses, and made them ready, and took their -leave of King Pelles and of dame Elaine; and when Sir Launcelot should -depart, dame Elaine made great sorrow. - -Then they departed, and within five days' journey they came to Camelot, -which is called, in English, Winchester. And when Sir Launcelot was -come among them, the king and all the knights made great joy of him; -and there Sir Percival de Galis and Sir Ector de Maris began to tell -of all the adventures, how Sir Launcelot had been out of his mind all -the time of his absence, how he called himself Le Chevalier Mal Fait, -as much as to say the knight that had trespassed, and in three days Sir -Launcelot smote down five hundred knights. And ever as Sir Ector and -Sir Percival told these tales of Sir Launcelot, Queen Guenever wept as -she would have died; then afterward the queen made great joy. - -"O Jesu!" said King Arthur, "I marvel for what cause ye, Sir Launcelot, -went out of your mind?" - -"My lord," said Sir Launcelot, "if I did any folly, I have found that I -sought." - -And so the king held him still, and spake no more; but all Sir -Launcelot's kin knew for whom he went out of his mind. And then there -were great feasts made and great joy, and many great lords and ladies, -when they heard that Sir Launcelot was come to the court again, made -great joy. - - - - - BOOK III - - OF SIR GARETH OF ORKNEY - - -When Arthur held his Round Table most fully, it fortuned that he -commanded that the high feast of Pentecost should be holden at a city -and a castle, the which in those days was called King-Kenadon, upon -the sands that marched [_bordered_] nigh Wales. So ever the king had a -custom that at the feast of Pentecost, in especial afore other feasts -in the year, he would not go that day to meat until he had heard or -seen of a great marvel. And for that custom all manner of strange -adventures came before Arthur as at that feast before all other feasts. -And so Sir Gawaine, a little tofore noon of the day of Pentecost, -espied at a window three men upon horseback and a dwarf on foot. And so -the three men alighted, and the dwarf kept their horses, and one of the -three men was higher than the other twain by a foot and a half. Then -Sir Gawaine went unto the king and said, "Sir, go to your meat, for -here at hand come strange adventures." - -So Arthur went unto his meat with many other kings. And there were -all the knights of the Round Table, save those that were prisoners or -slain at a rencounter. Then at the high feast evermore they should -be fulfilled the whole number of an hundred and fifty, for then was -the Round Table fully accomplished. Right so came into the hall two -men well beseen and richly, and upon their shoulders there leaned the -goodliest young man and the fairest that ever they all saw, and he -was large and long, and broad in the shoulders, and well visaged, and -the fairest and the largest handed that ever man saw, but he fared as -though he might not go nor bear himself but if he leaned upon their -shoulders. Anon as Arthur saw him, there was made peace [_silence_] -and room, and right so they went with him unto the high dais, without -saying of any words. Then this big young man pulled him aback, and -easily stretched up straight, saying, "King Arthur, God you bless, and -all your fair fellowship, and in especial the fellowship of the Table -Round. And for this cause I am come hither, to pray you and require -you to give me three gifts, and they shall not be unreasonably asked, -but that ye may worshipfully and honorably grant them me, and to you -no great hurt nor loss. And as for the first gift I will ask now, and -the other two gifts I will ask this day twelvemonth wheresoever ye hold -your high feast." - -"Now ask," said Arthur, "and ye shall have your asking." - -"Now, sir, this is my petition for this feast, that ye will give me -meat and drink sufficiently for this twelvemonth, and at that day I -will ask mine other two gifts." - -"My fair son," said Arthur, "ask better, I counsel thee, for this is -but a simple asking, for my heart giveth me to thee greatly that thou -art come of men of worship, and greatly my conceit faileth me but thou -shalt prove a man of right great worship." - -"Sir," said he, "thereof be as it may, I have asked that I will ask." - -"Well," said the king, "ye shall have meat and drink enough, I never -defended that none, neither my friend nor my foe. But what is thy name -I would wit?" - -"I cannot tell you," said he. - -"That is marvel," said the king, "that thou knowest not thy name, and -thou art the goodliest young man that ever I saw." - -Then the king betook him to Sir Kay, the steward, and charged him that -he should give him of all manner of meats and drinks of the best, and -also that he had all manner of finding as though he were a lord's son. - -"That shall little need," said Sir Kay, "to do such cost upon him; -for I dare undertake he is a villain born, and never will make man, -for and he had come of gentlemen he would have asked of you horse and -armor, but such as he is, so he asketh. And since he hath no name, I -shall give him a name: that shall be Beaumains, that is Fairhands, and -into the kitchen I shall bring him, and there he shall have fat browis -[_broth_] every day, that he shall be as fat by the twelvemonth's end -as a pork hog." - -Right so the two men departed, and left him to Sir Kay, that scorned -him and mocked him. - - * * * * * - -Thereat was Sir Gawaine wroth, and in especial Sir Launcelot bade Sir -Kay leave his mocking, "for I dare lay my head he shall prove a man of -great worship." - -"Let be," said Sir Kay, "it may not be, by no reason, for as he is, so -hath he asked." - -"Beware," said Sir Launcelot; "so ye gave the good knight Brewnor, Sir -Dinadan's brother, a name, and ye called him La Cote Mal Taile, and -that turned you to anger afterward." - -"As for that," said Sir Kay, "this shall never prove none such; for -Sir Brewnor desired ever worship, and this desireth bread and drink, -and broth; upon pain of my life he was fostered up in some abbey, and, -howsoever it was, they failed meat and drink, and so hither he is come -for his sustenance." - -And so Sir Kay bade get him a place and sit down to meat, so Beaumains -went to the hall door, and set him down among boys and lads, and there -he eat sadly. And then Sir Launcelot after meat bade him come to his -chamber, and there he should have meat and drink enough. And so did -Sir Gawaine, but he refused them all; he would do none other but as -Sir Kay commanded him, for no proffer. But as touching Sir Gawaine, he -had reason to proffer him lodging, meat, and drink, for that proffer -came of his blood, for he was nearer kin to him than he wist. But that -Sir Launcelot did was of his great gentleness and courtesy. So thus he -was put into the kitchen, and lay nightly as the boys of the kitchen -did. And so he endured all that twelvemonth, and never displeased -man nor child, but always he was meek and mild. But ever when he saw -any jousting of knights, that would he see and he might. And ever -Sir Launcelot would give him gold to spend, and clothes, and so did -Sir Gawaine. And where were any masteries done thereat would he be, -and there might none cast the bar or stone to him by two yards. Then -would Sir Kay say, "How like you my boy of the kitchen?" So it passed -on till the feast of Pentecost, and at that time the king held it at -Caerleon, in the most royallest wise that might be, like as yearly -he did. But the king would eat no meat on the Whitsunday till he had -heard of some adventure. And then came there a squire to the king, and -said, "Sir, ye may go to your meat, for here cometh a damsel with some -strange adventure." Then was the king glad, and set him down. Right so -there came in a damsel, and saluted the king, and prayed him for succor. - -"For whom?" said the king: "what is the adventure?" - -"Sir," said she, "I have a lady of great worship and renown, and she is -besieged with a tyrant, so that she may not go out of her castle, and -because that here in your court are called the noblest knights of the -world, I come unto you and pray you for succor." - -"What call ye your lady, and where dwelleth she, and who is he and what -is his name that hath besieged her?" - -"Sir king," said she, "as for my lady's name, that shall not be known -for me as at this time; but I let you wit she is a lady of great -worship, and of great lands. And as for the tyrant that besiegeth her -and destroyeth her land, he is called the Red Knight of the Red Lawns." - -"I know him not," said the king. - -"Sir," said Sir Gawaine, "I know him well, for he is one of the -perilous knights of the world; men say that he hath seven men's -strength, and from him I escaped once full hard with my life." - -"Fair damsel," said the king, "there be knights here that would do -their power to rescue your lady, but because ye will not tell her name -nor where she dwelleth, therefore none of my knights that be here now -shall go with you by my will." - -"Then must I speak further," said the damsel. - - * * * * * - -Then with these words came before the king Beaumains, while the damsel -was there; and thus he said: "Sir king, God thank you, I have been this -twelve months in your kitchen, and have had my full sustenance, and now -I will ask my two gifts that be behind." - -"Ask upon my peril," said the king. - -"Sir, these shall be my two gifts: first, that ye will grant me to have -this adventure of the damsel, for it belongeth to me." - -"Thou shalt have it," said the king; "I grant it thee." - -"Then, sir, this is now the other gift: that ye shall bid Sir Launcelot -du Lake to make me a knight, for of him I will be made knight, and else -of none; and when I am passed, I pray you let him ride after me, and -make me knight when I require him." - -"All this shall be done," said the king. - -"Fie on thee," said the damsel; "shall I have none but one that is your -kitchen page?" - -Then was she wroth, and took her horse and departed. And with that -there came one to Beaumains, and told him that his horse and armor -was come for him, and there was a dwarf come with all things that him -needed in the richest manner. Thereat all the court had much marvel -from whence came all that gear. So when he was armed, there was none -but few so goodly a man as he was. And right so he came into the hall, -and took his leave of King Arthur and of Sir Gawaine, and of Sir -Launcelot, and prayed him that he would hie after him; and so departed -and rode after the damsel. - - * * * * * - -But there went many after to behold how well he was horsed and trapped -in cloth of gold, but he had neither shield nor spear. Then Sir Kay -said openly in the hall: "I will ride after my boy of the kitchen, for -to wit [_know_] whether he will know me for his better." - -Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine said, "Yet abide at home." - -So Sir Kay made him ready, and took his horse and his spear, and rode -after him. And right as Beaumains overtook the damsel, right so came -Sir Kay, and said, "Beaumains, what sir, know ye not me?" - -Then he turned his horse, and knew it was Sir Kay, that had done him -all the despite as ye have heard afore. - -"Yea," said Beaumains, "I know you for an ungentle knight of the court, -and therefore beware of me." - -Therewith Sir Kay put his spear in the rest and ran straight upon him, -and Beaumains came as fast upon him with his sword in his hand; and so -he put away his spear with his sword, and with a foin [_feint_] thrust -him through the side, that Sir Kay fell down as he had been dead, and -he alighted down and took Sir Kay's shield and his spear, and started -upon his own horse, and rode his way. All that saw Sir Launcelot, and -so did the damsel. And then he bade his dwarf start upon Sir Kay's -horse, and so he did. By that Sir Launcelot was come. Then he proffered -Sir Launcelot to joust, and either made them ready, and came together -so fiercely that either bare down other to the earth, and sore were -they bruised. Then Sir Launcelot arose and helped him from his horse. -And then Beaumains threw his shield from him, and proffered to fight -with Sir Launcelot on foot, and so they rushed together like boars, -tracing, racing, and foining, to the mountenance [_amount_] of an hour, -and Sir Launcelot felt him so big that he marvelled of his strength, -for he fought more like a giant than a knight, and that his fighting -was durable and passing perilous. For Sir Launcelot had so much ado -with him that he dreaded himself to be shamed, and said, "Beaumains, -fight not so sore, your quarrel and mine is not so great but we may -leave off." - -"Truly, that is truth," said Beaumains, "but it doth me good to feel -your might, and yet, my lord, I showed not the uttermost." - - * * * * * - -"Well," said Sir Launcelot, "for I promise you by the faith of my body -I had as much to do as I might to save myself from you unshamed, and -therefore have ye no doubt of none earthly knight." - -"Hope ye so that I may any while stand a proved knight?" said Beaumains. - -"Yea," said Launcelot, "do ye as ye have done, and I shall be your -warrant." - -"Then, I pray you," said Beaumains, "give me the order of knighthood." - -"Then must ye tell me your name," said Launcelot, "and of what kin ye -be born." - -"Sir, so that ye will not discover me I shall," said Beaumains. - -"Nay," said Sir Launcelot, "and that I promise you by the faith of my -body, until it be openly known." - -"Then, Sir," he said, "my name is Gareth, and brother unto Sir Gawaine, -of father and mother." - -"Ah! Sir," said Launcelot, "I am more gladder of you than I was, for -ever me thought ye should be of great blood, and that ye came not to -the court neither for meat nor for drink." - -And then Sir Launcelot gave him the order of knighthood. And then Sir -Gareth prayed him for to depart, and let him go. So Sir Launcelot -departed from him and came to Sir Kay, and made him to be borne home -upon his shield, and so he was healed hard with the life, and all men -scorned Sir Kay, and in especial Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot said it -was not his part to rebuke [any] young man, for full little knew he of -what birth he is come, and for what cause he came to this court. And so -we leave off Sir Kay and turn we unto Beaumains. When he had overtaken -the damsel anon she said, "What dost thou here? thou stinkest all of -the kitchen, thy clothes be foul of the grease and tallow that thou -gainedst in King Arthur's kitchen; weenest thou," said she, "that I -allow thee for yonder knight that thou killedst? Nay truly, for thou -slewest him unhappily and cowardly, therefore return again, kitchen -page. I know thee well, for Sir Kay named thee Beaumains. What art thou -but a turner of broaches and a washer of dishes!" - -"Damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "say to me what ye list, I will not go -from you whatsoever ye say, for I have undertaken of King Arthur for to -achieve your adventure, and I shall finish it to the end, or I shall -die therefor." - -"Fie on thee, kitchen knave. Wilt thou finish mine adventure? thou -shalt anon be met withal, that thou wouldest not, for all the broth -that ever thou suppest, once look him in the face." - -"I shall assay," said Beaumains. So as they thus rode in the wood, -there came a man flying all that he might. - -"Whither wilt thou?" said Beaumains. - -"O lord," said he, "help me, for hereby in a slade are six thieves -which have taken my lord and bound him, and I am afraid lest they will -slay him." - -"Bring me thither," said Sir Beaumains. - -And so they rode together till they came there as the knight was bound; -and then he rode unto the thieves, and struck one at the first stroke -to death, and then another, and at the third stroke he slew the third -thief; and then the other three fled, and he rode after and overtook -them, and then those three thieves turned again and hard assailed Sir -Beaumains; but at the last he slew them; and then returned and unbound -the knight. And the knight thanked him, and prayed him to ride with him -to his castle there a little beside, and he should worshipfully reward -him for his good deeds. - -"Sir," said Sir Beaumains, "I will no reward have; I was this day made -knight of the noble Sir Launcelot, and therefore I will have no reward, -but God reward me. And also I must follow this damsel." - -And when he came nigh her, she bade him ride from her, "for thou -smellest all of the kitchen. Weenest thou that I have joy of thee? for -all this deed that thou hast done is but mishappened thee. But thou -shalt see a sight that shall make thee to turn again, and that lightly." - - * * * * * - -[Then all the next day] this Beaumains rode with that lady till -even-song time, and ever she chid him and would not rest. And then they -came to a black lawn, and there was a black hawthorn, and thereon hung -a black banner, and on the other side there hung a black shield, and by -it stood a black spear and a long, and a great black horse covered with -silk, and a black stone fast by it. - -There sat a knight all armed in black harness, and his name was the -Knight of the Black Lawns. When the damsel saw the black knight, she -bade Sir Beaumains flee down the valley, for his horse was not saddled. - -"I thank you," said Sir Beaumains, "for always ye will have me a -coward." - -With that the black knight came to the damsel, and said, "Fair damsel, -have ye brought this knight from King Arthur's court to be your -champion?" - -"Nay, fair knight," said she, "this is but a kitchen knave, that hath -been fed in King Arthur's kitchen for alms." - -"Wherefore cometh he in such array?" said the knight: "it is great -shame that he beareth you company." - -"Sir, I cannot be delivered of him," said the damsel, "for with me he -rideth maugre [_in spite of_] mine head; would to God ye would put him -from me, or else to slay him if ye may, for he is an unhappy knave, and -unhappy hath he done to-day through misadventure; for I saw him slay -two knights at the passage of the water, and other deeds he did before -right marvellous, and all through unhappiness." - -"That marvelleth me," said the black knight, "that any man the which is -of worship will have to do with him." - -"Sir, they know him not," said the damsel, "and because he rideth with -me they think he is some man of worship born." - -"That may be," said the black knight, "howbeit, as ye say that he be -no man of worship, he is a full likely person, and full like to be a -strong man; but thus much shall I grant you," said the black knight, -"I shall put him down upon his feet, and his horse and his harness he -shall leave with me, for it were shame to me to do him any more harm." - -When Sir Beaumains heard him say thus, he said, "Sir knight, thou art -full liberal of my horse and my harness. I let thee wit it cost thee -nought, and whether it liketh thee or not this lawn will I pass, maugre -thine head, and horse nor harness gettest thou none of me, but if thou -win them with thy hands; and therefore let see what thou canst do." - -"Sayst thou that?" said the black knight, "now yield thy lady from -thee, for it beseemeth never a kitchen page to ride with such a lady." - -"Thou liest," said Beaumains, "I am a gentleman born, and of more high -lineage than thou, and that will I prove on thy body." - -Then in great wrath they departed with their horses, and came together -as it had been the thunder; and the black knight's spear brake, and -Beaumains thrust him through both his sides, and therewith his spear -brake, and the truncheon left still in his side. But nevertheless the -black knight drew his sword, and smote many eager strokes and of great -might, and hurt Beaumains full sore. But at the last the black knight -within an hour and a half he fell down off his horse in a swoon, and -there he died. And then Beaumains saw him so well horsed and armed, -then he alighted down, and armed him in his armor, and so took his -horse, and rode after the damsel. When she saw him come nigh, she -said, "Away, kitchen knave, out of the wind, for the smell of thy foul -clothes grieveth me. Alas," she said, "that ever such a knave as thou -art should by mishap slay so good a knight as thou hast done, but all -this is thine unhappiness. But hereby is one shall pay thee all thy -payment, and therefore yet I counsel thee, flee." - -"It may happen me," said Beaumains, "to be beaten or slain, but I warn -you, fair damsel, I will not flee away for him, nor leave your company -for all that ye can say; for ever ye say that they slay me or beat -me, but how soever it happeneth I escape, and they lie on the ground, -and therefore it were as good for you to hold you still, than thus to -rebuke me all day, for away will I not till I feel the uttermost of -this journey, or else I will be slain or truly beaten; therefore ride -on your way, for follow you I will, whatsoever happen." - - * * * * * - -Thus as they rode together they saw a knight come driving by them all -in green, both his horse and his harness, and when he came nigh the -damsel he asked of her, "Is that my brother, the black knight, that ye -have brought with you?" - -"Nay, nay," said she, "this unhappy kitchen knave hath slain your -brother through unhappiness." - -"Alas!" said the green knight, "that is great pity that so noble a -knight as he was should so unhappily be slain, and namely of a knave's -hand, as ye say he is. Ah, traitor!" said the green knight, "thou shalt -die for slaying of my brother; he was a full noble knight, and his name -was Sir Periard." - -"I defy thee," said Sir Beaumains, "for I let thee to wit I slew him -knightly, and not shamefully." - -Therewithal the green knight rode unto an horn that was green, and it -hung upon a thorn, and there he blew three deadly notes, and there came -three damsels that lightly armed him. And then took he a great horse, -and a green shield and a green spear. And then they ran together with -all their mights, and brake their spears unto their hands. And then -they drew their swords, and gave many sad strokes, and either of them -wounded other full ill. And at the last at an overthwart Beaumains' -horse struck the green knight's horse upon the side [that] he fell -to the earth. And then the green knight avoided his horse lightly, -and dressed him upon foot. That saw Beaumains, and therewithal he -alighted, and they rushed together like two mighty champions a long -while, and sore they bled both. With that came the damsel and said, "My -lord the green knight, why for shame stand ye so long fighting with the -kitchen knave? Alas, it is shame that ever ye were made knight, to see -such a lad match such a knight as the weed overgrew the corn." - -Therewith the green knight was ashamed, and therewithal he gave a great -stroke of might, and clave his shield through. When Beaumains saw his -shield cloven asunder he was a little ashamed of that stroke, and of -her language; and then he gave him such a buffet upon the helm that he -fell on his knees; and so suddenly Beaumains pulled him upon the ground -grovelling. And then the green knight cried him mercy, and yielded him -unto Sir Beaumains, and prayed him to slay him not. - -"All is in vain," said Beaumains, "for thou shalt die, but if this -damsel that came with me pray me to save thy life." - -And therewithal he unlaced his helm, like as he would slay him. - -"Fie upon thee, false kitchen page, I will never pray thee to save his -life, for I never will be so much in thy danger." - -"Then shall he die," said Beaumains. - -"Not so hardy, thou foul knave," said the damsel, "that thou slay him." - -"Alas," said the green knight, "suffer me not to die, for a fair word -may save my life. O fair knight," said the green knight, "save my life, -and I will forgive the death of my brother, and for ever to become thy -man, and thirty knights that hold of me for ever shall do you service." - -Said the damsel, "That such a kitchen knave should have thee and thirty -knights' service!" - -"Sir knight," said Sir Beaumains, "all this availeth not, but if my -damsel speak with me for thy life." - -And therewithal he made resemblance to slay him. - -"Let be," said the damsel, "thou knave, slay him not, for if thou do, -thou shalt repent it." - -"Damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "your charge is to me a pleasure, and at -your commandment his life shall be saved, and else not." - -Then he said, "Sir knight with the green arms, I release thee quit -[_acquitted_] at this damsel's request, for I will not make her wroth, -I will fulfil all that she chargeth me." - -And then the green knight kneeled down and did him homage with his -sword. - - * * * * * - -And always the damsel rebuked Sir Beaumains. And so that night they -went unto rest, and all that night the green knight commanded thirty -knights privily to watch Beaumains, for to keep him from all treason. -And so on the morn they all arose, and heard their mass and brake their -fast, and then they took their horses and rode on their way, and the -green knight conveyed them through the forest, and there the green -knight said, "My lord Beaumains, I and these thirty knights shall be -alway at your summons, both early and late, at your calling, and where -that ever ye will send us." - -"It is well said," said Beaumains; "when that I call upon you ye must -yield you unto King Arthur and all your knights." - -"If that ye so command us, we shall be ready at all times," said the -green knight. - -"Fie, fie upon thee," said the damsel, "that any good knights should be -obedient unto a kitchen knave." - -So then departed the green knight and the damsel. And then she said -unto Beaumains, "Why followest thou me, thou kitchen boy, cast away thy -shield and thy spear and flee away, yet I counsel thee betimes, or thou -shalt say right soon, Alas!" - - * * * * * - -"Damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "ye are uncourteous so to rebuke me -as ye do, for meseemeth I have done you great service, and ever ye -threaten me for I shall be beaten with knights that we meet, but ever -for all your boast they lie in the dust or in the mire, and therefore -I pray you rebuke me no more; and when ye see me beaten or yielden as -recreant, then may ye bid me go from you shamefully, but first I let -you wit I will not depart from you, for I were worse than a fool and I -would depart from you all the while that I win worship." - -"Well," said she, "right soon there shall meet a knight shall pay thee -all thy wages, for he is the most man of worship of the world, except -King Arthur." - -"I will well," said Beaumains; "the more he is of worship the more -shall be my worship to have ado with him." - -Then anon they were ware where was before them a city rich and fair. -And betwixt them and the city a mile and a half there was a fair meadow -that seemed new mown, and therein were many pavilions fair to behold. - -"Lo," said the damsel, "yonder is a lord that owneth yonder city, and -his custom is when the weather is fair to lie in this meadow to joust -and tourney; and ever there be about him five hundred knights and -gentlemen of arms, and there be all manner of games that any gentleman -can devise." - -"That goodly lord," said Beaumains, "would I fain see." - -"Thou shalt see him time enough," said the damsel. - -And so as she rode near she espied the pavilion where he was. - -"Lo," said she, "seest thou yonder pavilion, that is all of the color -of Inde, and all manner of thing that there is about, men and women, -and horses trapped, shields and spears, all of the color of Inde, and -his name is Sir Persant of Inde, the most lordliest knight that ever -thou lookedst on." - -"It may well be," said Beaumains, "but be he never so stout a knight, -in this field I shall abide till that I see him under his shield." - -"Ah, fool," said she, "thou wert better flee betimes." - -"Why," said Beaumains, "and he be such a knight as ye make him, he will -not set upon me with all his men, or with his five hundred knights. For -and there come no more but one at once, I shall him not fail whilst my -life lasteth." - -"Fie, fie," said the damsel, "that ever such a dirty knave should blow -such a boast." - -"Damsel," he said, "ye are to blame so to rebuke me, for I had liever -do five battles than so to be rebuked; let him come, and then let him -do his worst." - -"Sir," she said, "I marvel what thou art, and of what kin thou art -come: boldly thou speakest, and boldly thou hast done, that have I -seen: therefore I pray thee save thyself and thou mayest, for thy horse -and thou have had great travail, and I dread we dwell over long from -the siege, for it is but hence seven mile, and all perilous passages we -are past, save all only this passage, and here I dread me sore lest ye -shall catch some hurt, therefore I would ye were hence, that ye were -not bruised nor hurt with this strong knight. But I let you wit this -Sir Persant of Inde is nothing of might nor strength unto the knight -that laid the siege about my lady." - -"As for that," said Sir Beaumains, "be it as it may; for since I am -come so nigh this knight I will prove his might or [_ere_] I depart -from him, and else I shall be shamed and [_if_] I now withdraw me -from him. And therefore, damsel, have ye no doubt by the grace of God -I shall so deal with this knight, that within two hours after noon I -shall deliver him, and then shall we come to the siege by daylight." - -"Oh, mercy, marvel have I," said the damsel, "what manner a man ye be, -for it may never be otherwise but that ye be come of a noble blood, for -so foul and shamefully did never woman rule a knight as I have done -you, and ever courteously ye have suffered me, and that came never but -of a gentle blood." - -"Damsel," said Beaumains, "a knight may little do that may not -suffer a damsel; for whatsoever ye said unto me I took none heed to -your words, for the more ye said the more ye angered me, and my wrath -I wreaked upon them that I had ado withal. And therefore all the -missaying that ye missayed me furthered me in my battle, and caused -me to think to show and prove myself at the end what I was; for -peradventure though I had meat in King Arthur's kitchen, yet I might -have had meat enough in other places; but all that I did for to prove -my friends; and whether I be a gentleman born or no, fair damsel, I -have done you gentleman's service, and peradventure better service yet -will I do you or [_before_] I depart from you." - -"Alas," said she, "fair Beaumains, forgive me all that I have missaid -and misdone against you." - -"With all my heart," said Sir Beaumains, "I forgive it you, for ye did -nothing but as ye ought to do, for all your evil words pleased me; and, -damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "sith [_since_] it liketh you to speak -thus fair to me, wit ye well it gladdeth greatly mine heart; and now -meseemeth there is no knight living but I am able enough for him." - - * * * * * - -With this Sir Persant of Inde had espied them, as they hoved -[_hovered_] in the field, and knightly he sent to them to know whether -he came in war or in peace. - -"Say unto thy lord," said Sir Beaumains, "I take no force,[14] but -whether as him list[15] himself." - -[Footnote 14: "I take no force," _I care not_.] - -[Footnote 15: "Him list," _he wishes, he pleases_.] - -So the messenger went again unto Sir Persant, and told him all his -answer. - -"Well," said he, "then will I have ado with him to the uttermost;" and -so he purveyed him [_prepared himself_], and rode against him. And when -Sir Beaumains saw him, he made him ready, and there they met with all -the might that their horses might run, and brake their spears either -in three pieces, and their horses rashed so together that both their -horses fell dead to the earth; and lightly they avoided their horses, -and put their shields before them, and drew their swords, and gave each -other many great strokes, that sometime they so hurled together that -they fell both grovelling on the ground. Thus they fought two hours and -more, that their shields and their hauberks were all forhewen [_hewn to -pieces_] and in many places they were sore wounded. So at the last Sir -Beaumains smote him through the cost [_rib part_] of the body, and then -he retrayed him [_drew back_] here and there, and knightly maintained -his battle long time. And at the last Sir Beaumains smote Sir Persant -on the helm that he fell grovelling to the earth, and then he leaped -overthwart [_across_] upon him, and unlaced his helm for to have slain -him. Then Sir Persant yielded him, and asked him mercy. With that came -the damsel and prayed him to save his life. - -"I will well," said Sir Beaumains, "for it were pity that this noble -knight should die." - -"Gramercy," said Sir Persant, "gentle knight and damsel, for certainly -now I know well it was you that slew the black knight my brother at the -blackthorn; he was a full noble knight, his name was Sir Periard. Also -I am sure that ye are he that won mine other brother the green knight: -his name was Sir Pertolope. Also ye won the red knight, my brother, Sir -Perimones. And now, sir, sith ye have won these knights, this shall I -do for to please you: ye shall have homage and fealty of me, and an -hundred knights to be always at your command, to go and ride where ye -will command us." - -And so they went unto Sir Persant's pavilion, and there he drank wine -and eat spices. And afterward Sir Persant made him to rest upon a bed -till it was supper time, and after supper to bed again. And so we leave -him there till on the morrow. - - * * * * * - -Now leave we the knight and the dwarf, and speak we of Beaumains, that -all night lay in the hermitage, and upon the morn he and the damsel -Linet heard their mass, and brake their fast. And then they took their -horses and rode throughout a fair forest, and then they came to a -plain, and saw where were many pavilions and tents, and a fair castle, -and there was much smoke and great noise. And when they came near the -siege Sir Beaumains espied upon great trees, as he rode, how there hung -full goodly armed knights by the neck, and their shields about their -necks with their swords, and gilt spurs upon their heels, and so there -hung shamefully nigh forty knights with rich arms. Then Sir Beaumains -abated his countenance, and said, "What thing meaneth this?" - -"Fair sir," saith the damsel, "abate not your cheer for all this sight, -for ye must encourage yourself, or else ye be all shent [_ruined_], for -all these knights came hither unto this siege to rescue my sister dame -Lyoness, and when the red knight of the red lawns had overcome them, -he put them to this shameful death, without mercy and pity, and in the -same wise he will serve you, but if ye quit [_acquit_] you the better." - -"Now Jesu defend me," said Sir Beaumains, "from such a villanous death -and shenship [_disgrace_] of arms! for rather than thus I should fare -withal, I would rather be slain manfully in plain battle." - -"So were ye better," said the damsel, "trust not in him, for in him -is no courtesy, but all goeth to the death or shameful murder, and -that is great pity, for he is a full likely man and well made of body, -and a full noble knight of prowess, and a lord of great lands and -possessions." - -"Truly," said Sir Beaumains, "he may well be a good knight, but he -useth shameful customs, and it is great marvel that he endureth so -long, that none of the noble knights of my lord King Arthur's court -have not dealt with him." - -And then they rode unto the ditches, and saw them double ditched with -full strong walls, and there were lodged many great estates and lords -nigh the walls, and there was great noise of minstrels, and the sea -beat upon the one side of the walls, where as were many ships and -mariners' noise with hale and how.[16] And also there was fast by a -sycamore tree, and thereon hung an horn, the greatest that ever they -saw, of an elephant's bone. - -[Footnote 16: "Hale and how," _haul and ho_: the sailors' cries in -hoisting away, &c.] - -"And this knight of the red lawns hath hanged it up there, that if -there come any errant knight, he must blow that horn, and then will -he make him ready, and come to him to do battle. But sir, I pray you," -said the damsel Linet, "blow ye not the horn till it be high noon, for -now it is about prime, and now increaseth his might, that, as men say, -he hath seven men's strength." - -"Ah, fie for shame, fair damsel, say ye never so more to me, for, and -he were as good a knight as ever was, I shall never fail him in his -most might, for either I will win worship worshipfully, or die knightly -in the field." - -And therewith he spurred his horse straight to the sycamore tree -and blew the horn so eagerly that all the siege and the castle rang -thereof. And then there leaped our knights out of their tents and -pavilions, and they within the castle looked over the walls and out at -windows. Then the red knight of the red lawns armed him hastily, and -two barons set on his spurs upon his heels, and all was blood-red, his -armor, spear, and shield. And an earl buckled his helm upon his head, -and then they brought him a red spear and a red steed, and so he rode -into a little vale under the castle, that all that were in the castle -and at the siege might behold the battle. - - * * * * * - -"Sir," said the damsel Linet unto Sir Beaumains, "look ye be glad and -light, for yonder is your deadly enemy, and at yonder window is my lady -my sister, dame Lyoness." - -"Where?" said Beaumains. - -"Yonder," said the damsel, and pointed with her finger. - -"That is truth," said Beaumains. "She seemeth afar the fairest lady -that ever I looked upon, and truly," he said, "I ask no better quarrel -than now for to do battle, for truly she shall be my lady, and for her -I will fight." - -And ever he looked up to the window with glad countenance. And the lady -Lyoness made courtesy to him down to the earth, with holding up both -her hands. With that the red knight of the red lawns called to Sir -Beaumains, "Leave, sir knight, thy looking, and behold me, I counsel -thee, for I warn thee well she is my lady, and for her I have done many -strong battles." - -"If thou have so done," said Beaumains, "meseemeth it was but waste -labor, for she loveth none of thy fellowship, and thou to love that -loveth not thee, is a great folly. For if I understood that she were -not glad of my coming, I would be advised or I did battle for her, -but I understand by the besieging of this castle she may forbear thy -company. And therefore wit thou well, thou red knight of the red lawns, -I love her and will rescue her, or else die in the quarrel." - -"Sayest thou that?" said the red knight; "me seemeth thou ought of -reason to beware by yonder knights that thou sawest hang upon yonder -great elms." - -"Fie, fie, for shame," said Sir Beaumains, "that ever thou shouldest -say or do so evil and such shamefulness, for in that thou shamest -thyself and the order of knighthood, and thou mayst be sure there will -no lady love thee that knoweth thy detestable customs. And now thou -weenest [_thinkest_] that the sight of these hanged knights should fear -[_scare_] me and make me aghast, nay truly not so, that shameful sight -causeth me to have courage and hardiness against thee, more than I -would have had against thee and if thou be a well ruled knight." - -"Make thee ready," said the red knight of the red lawns, "and talk no -longer with me." - -Then Sir Beaumains bade the damsel go from him, and then they put their -spears in their rests, and came together with all the might they had, -and either smote other in the midst of their shields, that the paytrels -[_breast-plates_], surcingles, and cruppers burst, and fell both to -the ground with the reins of their bridles in their hands, and so they -lay a great while sore astonied, and all they that were in the castle -and at the siege wend [_thought_] their necks had been broken, and -then many a stranger and other said that the strange knight was a big -man and a noble jouster, "for or [_ere_] now we saw never no knight -match the red knight of the red lawns;" thus they said both within the -castle and without. Then they lightly avoided their horses and put -their shields afore them, and drew their swords and ran together like -two fierce lions, and either gave other such buffets upon their helms -that they reeled both backward two strides; and then they recovered -both, and hewed great pieces from their harness and their shields that -a great part fell in the fields. - - * * * * * - -And then thus they fought till it was past noon and never would stint -till at last they lacked wind both, and then they stood wagging and -scattering, panting, blowing and bleeding, that all that beheld them -for the most part wept for pity. So when they had rested them a while -they went to battle again, tracing, racing, foining [_feinting_], as -two boars. And at some time they took their run as it had been two -rams, and hurtled together that sometimes they fell grovelling to the -earth; and at some time they were so amazed that either took other's -sword instead of his own. - -Thus they endured till even-song time [_vespers_], that there was -none that beheld them might know whether was like to win the battle; -and their armor was so far hewn that men might see their naked sides, -and in other places they were naked, but ever the naked places they -did defend. And the red knight was a wily knight of war, and his wily -fighting taught Sir Beaumains to be wise; but he abought [_paid for_] -it full sore ere he did espy his fighting. And thus by assent of them -both, they granted either other to rest; and so they set them down upon -two mole-hills there beside the fighting place, and either of them -unlaced his helm, and took the cold wind, for either of their pages was -fast by them, to come when they called to unlace their harness and to -set it on again at their command. And then when Sir Beaumains' helm was -off, he looked up unto the window, and there he saw the fair lady dame -Lyoness. And she made to him such countenance that his heart was light -and joyful. And therewith he started up suddenly, and bade the red -knight make him ready to do the battle to the uttermost. - -"I will well," said the red knight. - -And then they laced up their helms, and their pages avoided [_got out -of the way_], and they stepped together and fought freshly. But the red -knight of the red lawns awaited him, and at an overthwart [_crosswise_] -smote him within the hand, that his sword fell out of his hand; and -yet he gave him another buffet on the helm that he fell grovelling to -the earth, and the red knight fell over him for to hold him down. - -Then cried the maiden Linet on high, "O Sir Beaumains, where is thy -courage become! Alas, my lady my sister beholdeth thee, and she sobbeth -and weepeth, that maketh mine heart heavy." - -When Sir Beaumains heard her say so, he started up with a great might -and gat him upon his feet, and lightly he leaped to his sword and -griped it in his hand, and doubled his pace unto the red knight, and -there they fought a new battle together. But Sir Beaumains then doubled -his strokes, and smote so thick that he smote the sword out of his -hand, and then he smote him upon the helm that he fell to the earth, -and Sir Beaumains fell upon him, and unlaced his helm to have slain -him; and then he yielded him and asked mercy, and said with a loud -voice, "O noble knight, I yield me to thy mercy." - -Then Sir Beaumains bethought him upon the knights that he had made to -be hanged shamefully, and then he said, "I may not with my worship -save thy life, for the shameful deaths thou hast caused many full good -knights to die." - -"Sir," said the red knight of the red lawns, "hold your hand, and ye -shall know the causes why I put them to so shameful a death." - -"Say on," said Sir Beaumains. - -"Sir, I loved once a lady, a fair damsel, and she had her brother -slain, and she said it was Sir Launcelot du Lake, or else Sir Gawaine, -and she prayed me as that I loved her heartily that I would make her a -promise by the faith of my knighthood for to labor daily in arms until -I met with one of them, and all that I might overcome I should put -them unto a villanous death; and this is the cause that I have put all -these knights to death, and so I ensured her to do all the villany unto -King Arthur's knights, and that I should take vengeance upon all these -knights. And, sir, now I will thee tell that every day my strength -increaseth till noon, and all this time have I seven men's strength." - - * * * * * - -Then came there many earls, and barons, and noble knights, and prayed -that knight to save his life, and take him to your prisoner: and all -they fell upon their knees and prayed him of mercy, and that he would -save his life, and, "Sir," they all said, "it were fairer of him to -take homage and fealty, and let him hold his lands of you, than for to -slay him: by his death ye shall have none advantage, and his misdeeds -that be done may not be undone; and therefore he shall make amends to -all parties, and we all will become your men, and do you homage and -fealty." - -"Fair lords," said Beaumains, "wit you well I am full loth to slay -this knight, nevertheless he hath done passing ill and shamefully. But -insomuch all that he did was at a lady's request, I blame him the less, -and so for your sake I will release him, that he shall have his life -upon this covenant, that he go within the castle and yield him there to -the lady, and if she will forgive and quit [_acquit_] him, I will well; -with this that he make her amends of all the trespass he hath done -against her and her lands. And also, when that is done, that ye go unto -the court of King Arthur, and there that ye ask Sir Launcelot mercy, -and Sir Gawaine, for the evil will ye have had against them." - -"Sir," said the red knight of the red lawns, "all this will I do as ye -command, and certain assurance and sureties ye shall have." - -And so then when the assurance was made, he made his homage and fealty, -and all those earls and barons with him. And then the maiden Linet came -to Sir Beaumains and unarmed him, and searched his wounds, and stinted -his blood, and in likewise she did to the red knight of the red lawns. -And so they sojourned ten days in their tents. And the red knight made -his lords and servants to do all the pleasure that they might unto Sir -Beaumains. - -And within a while after, the red knight of the red lawns went unto the -castle and put him in the lady Lyoness' grace, and so she received him -upon sufficient sureties, and all her hurts were well restored of all -that she could complain. And then he departed and went unto the court -of King Arthur, and there openly the red knight of the red lawns put -him in the mercy of Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine, and there he told -openly how he was overcome, and by whom, and also he told of all the -battles, from the beginning to the ending. - -"Jesus, mercy," said King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, "we marvel much of -what blood he is come, for he is a full noble knight." - -"Have ye no marvel," said Sir Launcelot, "for ye shall right well -wit that he is come of a full noble blood, and, as for his might and -hardiness, there be but few now living that is so mighty as he is and -so noble of prowess." - -"It seemeth by you," said King Arthur, "that ye know his name, and from -whence he is come, and of what blood he is." - -"I suppose I do so," said Sir Launcelot, "or else I would not have -given him the order of knighthood; but he gave me at that time such -charge that I should never discover him until he required me, or else -it be known openly by some other." - -Now return we unto Sir Beaumains, which desired of the damsel Linet -that he might see her sister his lady. - -"Sir," said she, "I would fain ye saw her." - -Then Sir Beaumains armed him at all points, and took his horse and his -spear, and rode straight to the castle. And when he came to the gate, -he found there many men armed, that pulled up the drawbridge and drew -the port close. Then marvelled he why they would not suffer him to -enter in. And then he looked up to the window, and there he saw the -fair lady dame Lyoness, that said on high: "Go thy way, Sir Beaumains, -for as yet thou shalt not wholly have my love, until the time thou be -called one of the number of the worthy knights; and therefore go and -labor in arms worshipfully these twelve months, and then ye shall hear -new tidings; and perdé [_per dieu, truly_] a twelvemonth will be soon -gone, and trust you me, fair knight, I shall be true unto you, and -shall never betray you, but unto my death I shall love you and none -other." - -And therewithal she turned her from the window. And Sir Beaumains rode -away from the castle in making great moan and sorrow; and so he rode -here and there, and wist not whither he rode, till it was dark night; -and then it happened him to come to a poor man's house, and there he -was harbored all that night. But Sir Beaumains could have no rest, but -wallowed and writhed for the love of the lady of the castle. And so on -the morrow he took his horse and his armor, and rode till it was noon; -and then he came unto a broad water, and thereby was a great lodge, -and there he alighted to sleep, and laid his head upon his shield, and -betook his horse to the dwarf, and commanded him to watch all night. - -Now turn we to the lady of the castle, that thought much upon Sir -Beaumains; and then she called unto her Sir Gringamor her brother, and -prayed him in all manner, as he loved her heartily, that he would ride -after Sir Beaumains, "and ever have him in a wait [_look after him_] -till that ye may find him sleeping, for I am sure in his heaviness he -will alight down in some place and lie down to sleep, and therefore -have your watch upon him, and, in the priviest wise [_softest way_] -that ye can, take his dwarf from him, and go your way with him as fast -as ever ye may or Sir Beaumains awake; for my sister Linet hath showed -me that the dwarf can tell of what kindred he is come, and what his -right name is; and in the meanwhile I and my sister will ride to your -castle to await when ye shall bring with you this dwarf, and then when -ye have brought him to your castle, I will have him in examination -myself; unto the time I know what his right name is, and of what -kindred he is come, shall I never be merry at my heart." - -"Sister," said Sir Gringamor, "all this shall be done after your -intent." And so he rode all the other day and the night till that he -found Sir Beaumains lying by a water, and his head upon his shield, -for to sleep. And then when he saw Sir Beaumains fast on sleep, he -came stilly stalking behind the dwarf, and plucked him fast under his -arm, and so he rode away with him as fast as ever he might unto his -own castle. But ever as he rode with the dwarf towards his castle, he -cried unto his lord and prayed him of help. And therewith awoke Sir -Beaumains, and up he leaped lightly, and saw where Sir Gringamor rode -his way with the dwarf, and so Sir Gringamor rode out of his sight. - - * * * * * - -Then Sir Beaumains put on his helm anon, and buckled his shield, and -took his horse and rode after him all that ever he might ride, through -marshes and fields and great dales, that many times his horse and he -plunged over the head in deep mires, for he knew not the way, but he -took the next [_nearest_] way in that woodness [_madness_] that many -times he was like to perish. [And so he came following his dwarf to Sir -Gringamor's castle. But aforetime the lady Lyoness had come and had -the dwarf in examination; and the dwarf had told the lady how that Sir -Beaumains was the son of a king, and how his mother was sister to King -Arthur, and how his right name was Sir Gareth of Orkney.] - -[Illustration: _The lady Lyoness ... had the dwarf in examination_] - -And as they sat thus talking, there came Sir Beaumains at the gate -with an angry countenance, and his sword drawn in his hand, and cried -aloud that all the castle might hear it, saying, "Thou traitor, Sir -Gringamor, deliver me my dwarf again, or by the faith that I owe to the -order of knighthood, I shall do thee all the harm that I can." - -Then Sir Gringamor looked out at a window, and said, "Sir Gareth of -Orkney, leave thy boasting words, for thou gettest not thy dwarf again." - -"Thou coward knight," said Sir Gareth, "bring him with thee, and come -and do battle with me, and win him, and take him." - -"So will I do," said Sir Gringamor, "and me list [_if it please me_], -but for all thy great words thou gettest him not." - -"Ah, fair brother," said dame Lyoness, "I would he had his dwarf again, -for I would not he were wroth, for now he hath told me all my desire -I will no longer keep the dwarf. And also, brother, he hath done much -for me, and delivered me from the red knight of the red lawns, and -therefore, brother, I owe him my service afore all knights living; and -wit ye well I love him above all other knights, and full fain would I -speak with him, but in no wise I would he wist what I were, but that I -were another strange lady." - -"Well," said Sir Gringamor, "sith [_since_] that I know your will, I -will now obey unto him." - -And therewithal he went down unto Sir Gareth, and said, "Sir, I cry you -mercy, and all that I have misdone against your person I will amend it -at your own will, and therefore I pray you that you will alight, and -take such cheer as I can make you here in this castle." - -"Shall I then have my dwarf again?" said Sir Gareth. - -"Yea, sir, and all the pleasure that I can make you, for as soon as -your dwarf told me what ye were and of what blood that ye are come, -and what noble deeds ye have done in these marches [_borders_], then I -repent me of my deeds." - -And then Sir Gareth alighted down from his horse, and therewith came -his dwarf and took his horse. - -"O my fellow," said Sir Gareth, "I have had many evil adventures for -thy sake." - -And so Sir Gringamor took him by the hand, and led him into the hall, -and there was Sir Gringamor's wife. - -And then there came forth into the hall dame Lyoness arrayed like a -princess, and there she made him passing good cheer, and he her again. -And they had goodly language and lovely countenance together. And Sir -Gareth many times thought in himself, "Would to God that the lady of -the Castle Perilous were so fair as she is!" There were all manner of -games and plays, both of dancing and leaping; and ever the more Sir -Gareth beheld the lady, the more he loved her, and so he burned in love -that he was past himself in his understanding. And forth towards night -they went to supper, and Sir Gareth might not eat, for his love was -so hot that he wist not where he was. All these looks Sir Gringamor -espied, and after supper he called his sister dame Lyoness unto a -chamber, and said: "Fair sister, I have well espied your countenance -between you and this knight, and I will, sister, that ye wit that he is -a full noble knight, and if ye can make him to abide here, I will do to -him all the pleasure that I can, for and ye were better than ye be, ye -were well bestowed upon him." - -"Fair brother," said dame Lyoness, "I understand well that the knight -is good, and come he is of a noble house; notwithstanding I will assay -him better, for he hath had great labor for my love, and hath passed -many a dangerous passage." - -Right so Sir Gringamor went unto Sir Gareth, and said: "Sir, make ye -good cheer; for wist [know] ye well that she loveth you as well as ye -do her, and better if better may be." - -"And I wist that," said Sir Gareth, "there lived not a gladder man than -I would be." - -"Upon my worship," said Sir Gringamor, "trust unto my promise; and as -long as it liketh you ye shall sojourn with me, and this lady shall be -with us daily and nightly to make you all the cheer that she can." - -"I will well," said Sir Gareth, "for I have promised to be nigh this -country this twelvemonth. And well I am sure King Arthur and other -noble knights will find me where that I am within this twelvemonth. For -I shall be sought and found, if that I be on live." - -And then the noble knight Sir Gareth went unto the dame Lyoness, which -he then much loved, and kissed her many times, and either made great -joy of other. And there she promised him her love, certainly to love -him and none other the days of her life. Then this lady, dame Lyoness, -by the assent of her brother, told Sir Gareth all the truth what she -was, and how she was the same lady that he did battle for, and how she -was lady of the Castle Perilous. And there she told him how she caused -her brother to take away his dwarf, "For this cause, to know the -certainty what was your name, and of what kin ye were come." - -And then she let fetch before him Linet the damsel, which had ridden -with him many dreary ways. Then was Sir Gareth more gladder than he was -tofore. And then they troth plight[17] each other to love, and never to -fail while their life lasted. - -[Footnote 17: "Troth," _truth_, and "plight," _wove_: "troth plight," -_wove their truth together_.] - - - - - BOOK IV - - OF SIR TRISTRAM - - -There was a knight that hight Meliodas, and he was lord and king of the -country of Lyonesse, and this King Meliodas was as likely a man as any -was at that time living. And by fortune he wedded King Mark's sister of -Cornwall, whose name was Elizabeth, and she was a right fair lady and a -good. - -[And it befell on a day that a certain enchantress wrought as he rode -on hunting, for he was a great hunter, and made him chase an hart by -himself till that he came to an old castle, and there she took him -prisoner. Now when Queen Elizabeth missed her husband King Meliodas, -she was nigh out of her wit; and she took a gentlewoman with her and -ran far into the forest and took such cold that she might not recover. -And when she saw] that the deep draughts of death took her, that needs -she must die and depart out of this world [and] there was none other -boot [_aid, or hope_], she made great moan and sorrow, and said unto -her gentlewoman: "When ye see my lord King Meliodas, recommend me unto -him, and tell him what pains I endure for his love, and how I must die -here for his sake, and for default of good help, and let him wit that -I am full sorry to depart out of this world from him, therefore pray -him to be good friend unto my soul. And I charge thee, gentlewoman, -that thou beseech my lord King Meliodas, that when my son shall -be christened let him be named Tristram, that is as much to say as -sorrowful birth." - -And therewithal this Queen Elizabeth gave up her ghost, and died in the -same place. Then the gentlewoman laid her under the shadow of a great -tree. - - * * * * * - -[And it so happened that after seven years King Meliodas took him a -second wife, and wedded King Howell's daughter of Brittany. And the new -queen was jealous of young Tristram in the behalf of her own children, -and put poison for Tristram to drink. But by strange hap her own son -drank the poison and died. Then again she put poison in some drink for -Tristram; and] by fortune the King Meliodas her husband found the piece -[_cup_] with the wine whereas the poison was in, and he, that was most -thirsty, took the piece for to drink thereof, and as he would have -drunken thereof the queen espied him, and then she ran unto him and -pulled the piece from him suddenly. The king marvelled why she did so, -and remembered him how her son was suddenly slain with poison. And then -he took her by the hand, and thus said to her: "Thou false traitress, -thou shalt tell me what manner of drink this is, or else I shall slay -thee." And therewith he pulled out his sword, and swore a great oath -that he would slay her but if she told him truth. - -"Ah! mercy, my lord," said she, "and I shall tell you all." - -And then she told him why that she would have slain Tristram, because -her children should rejoice the land. - -"Well," said King Meliodas, "therefore shall ye have the law." - -And so she was damned [_condemned_] by the assent of the barons to be -burnt; and then there was made a great fire, and right as she was at -the fire for to take her execution, young Tristram kneeled down before -King Meliodas, his father, and besought him to give him a boon. - -"I will well," said the king. - -Then said young Tristram, "Give me the life of your queen, my -stepmother." - -"That is unrightfully asked," said his father, King Meliodas, "for she -would have slain thee with that poison and she might have had her will, -and for thy sake most is my cause that she should die." - -"Sir," said Tristram, "as for that I beseech you of your mercy that ye -will forgive it her, and as for my part, God forgive it her, and I do, -and so much it liketh your highness to grant me my boon, for God's love -I pray you hold your promise." - -"Sith it is so," said the king, "I will that ye have her life and give -her to you, and go ye to the fire and take her, and do with her what ye -will." - -So young Tristram went to the fire, and, by the command of the king, -delivered her from the death. - -And by the good means of young Tristram he made the king and her accord. - - * * * * * - -And then [King Meliodas] let ordain a gentleman that was well learned -and taught; his name was Gouvernail; and he sent young Tristram with -Gouvernail into France, to learn the language, and nurture, and deeds -of arms. And there was Tristram more than seven years. And then when -he well could speak the language, and had learned all that he might -learn in that country, then he came home to his father King Meliodas -again. And so Tristram learned to be an harper passing all other, -that there was none such called in no country, and so in harping and -on instruments of music he applied him in his youth for to learn. And -after as he grew in might and strength he laboured ever in hunting and -in hawking, so that never gentleman more, that ever we heard tell of. - - * * * * * - -Then it befell that King Anguish of Ireland sent to King Mark of -Cornwall for his truage [_tribute_], which Cornwall had paid many -winters afore time, and all that time King Mark was behind of the -truage for seven years. And King Mark and his barons gave unto the -messenger of Ireland this answer, and said that they would none pay, -and bade the messenger go unto his King Anguish and tell him, "that we -will pay him no truage; but tell your lord, and he will always have -truage of us of Cornwall, bid him send a trusty knight of his land -that will fight for his right, and we shall find another to defend our -right." With this answer the messenger departed into Ireland. And when -King Anguish understood the answer of the messenger, he was wondrous -wroth; and then he called unto him Sir Marhaus the good knight that was -nobly proved, and a knight of the Round Table. And this Sir Marhaus was -brother unto the Queen of Ireland. Then the king [prayed Sir Marhaus -that he would go and fight for his truage of Cornwall]. - -"Sir," said Sir Marhaus, "wit [_know_] ye well that I shall not be loth -to do battle in the right of you and your land with the best knight of -the Round Table, for I know what their deeds be, and for to increase my -worship [_worth-ship_] I will right gladly go to this journey for our -right." - -So in all haste there was made purveyance for Sir Marhaus, and so he -departed out of Ireland, and arrived up in Cornwall, even fast by the -castle of Tintagil. And when King Mark understood that he was there -arrived to fight for Ireland, then made King Mark great sorrow. For -they knew no knight that durst have ado with him. For at that time Sir -Marhaus was called one of the famousest and renowned knights of the -world. - -And thus Sir Marhaus abode in the sea, and every day he sent unto King -Mark for to pay the truage that was behind of seven year, or else to -find a knight to fight with him for the truage. Then they of Cornwall -let make cries in every place, that what knight would fight for to save -the truage of Cornwall he should be rewarded so that he should fare the -better the term of his life. Then some of the barons said to King Mark, -and counselled him to send to the court of King Arthur for to seek Sir -Launcelot du Lake. Then there were some other barons that counselled -the king not to do so, and said that it was labour in vain, because Sir -Marhaus was a knight of the Round Table, therefore any of them will be -loth to have ado with other. So the king and all his barons assented -that it was no boot [_help_] to seek any knight of the Round Table. -When young Tristram heard of this he was wroth and sore ashamed that -there durst no knight in Cornwall have ado with Sir Marhaus of Ireland. - - * * * * * - -Therewithal Sir Tristram went unto his father King Meliodas, and asked -him counsel what was best to do for to recover the country of Cornwall -for truage. "For as me seemeth," said Sir Tristram, "it were shame that -Sir Marhaus, the queen's brother of Ireland, should go away, unless -that he were not fought withal." - -"As for that," said King Meliodas, "wit ye well, my son Tristram, that -Sir Marhaus is called one of the best knights of the world, and knight -of the Round Table, and therefore I know no knight in this country that -is able to match with him." - -"Alas!" said Sir Tristram, "that I am not made knight, and if Sir -Marhaus should thus depart into Ireland, God let me never have worship; -and I were made knight I should match him; and sir," said Sir Tristram, -"I pray you to give me leave to ride unto mine uncle King Mark, and so -ye be not displeased, of King Mark will I be made knight." - -"I will well," said King Meliodas, "that ye be ruled as your courage -will rule you." - -And then Sir Tristram thanked his father much, and so made him ready -to ride into Cornwall. And in the mean while there came a messenger -with letters of love from the daughter of King Faramon of France, unto -Sir Tristram, that were full piteous letters, and in them were written -many complaints of love. But Sir Tristram had no joy of her letters, -nor regard unto her. Also she sent him a little brachet [_hunting -hound_] that was passing fair. But when the king's daughter understood -that Tristram would not love her, she died for sorrow. So this young -Sir Tristram rode unto his uncle King Mark of Cornwall. And when he -came there he heard say that there would no knight fight with Sir -Marhaus. Then went Sir Tristram unto his uncle and said,-- - -"Sir, if ye will give me the order of knighthood I will do battle with -Sir Marhaus." - -"What are ye?" said the king, "and from whence be ye come?" - -"Sir," said Tristram, "I come from King Meliodas that wedded your -sister, and a gentleman wit ye well I am." - -King Mark beheld Sir Tristram, and saw that he was but a young man of -age, but he was passingly well made and big. - -"Fair sir," said the king, "what is your name, and where were ye born?" - -"Sir," said he again, "my name is Tristram, and in the country of -Lyonesse was I born." - -"Ye say well," said the king, "and if ye will do this battle I shall -make you knight." - -"Therefore I come to you," said Sir Tristram, "and for none other -cause." - -But then King Mark made him knight. And therewithal anon as he had made -him knight, he sent a messenger unto Sir Marhaus with letters that said -that he had found a young knight ready for to take the battle to the -uttermost. - -"It may well be," said Sir Marhaus; "but tell unto King Mark that I -will not fight with no knight but if he be of blood royal, that is to -say either king's son or queen's son, born of a prince or princess." - -When King Mark understood that, he sent for Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, -and told him what was the answer of Sir Marhaus. Then said Sir -Tristram,-- - -"Since he sayeth so, let him wit that I am come of father's side and -mother's side of as noble blood as he is. For, sir, now shall ye know -that I am King Meliodas' son, born of your own sister dame Elizabeth, -that died in the forest in the birth of me." - -"Yea!" said King Mark, "ye are welcome fair nephew to me." - -Then in all the haste the king let horse Sir Tristram and arm him in -the best manner that might be had or gotten for gold or silver. And -then King Mark sent unto Sir Marhaus, and did him to wit [_let him -know_] that a better born man than he was himself should fight with -him, and his name is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, [son of] King Meliodas, -and born of King Mark's sister. Then was Sir Marhaus glad and blithe -that he should fight with such a gentleman. And so by the assent of -King Mark and Sir Marhaus they let ordain that they should fight within -an island nigh Sir Marhaus' ships; and so was young Sir Tristram put -into a little vessel, both his horse and he, and all that to him -belonged both for his body and for his horse, so that Sir Tristram -lacked no manner thing. And when King Mark and his barons of Cornwall -beheld how young Sir Tristram departed with such a carriage [_that is, -carrying himself so bravely_] to fight for the right of Cornwall, wit -ye well there was neither man nor woman of worship but they wept for to -see so young a knight jeopard himself for their right. - - * * * * * - -For to make short this tale, that when Sir Tristram was arrived within -the island, then he looked to the further side, and there he saw at an -anchor six ships nigh to the land, and under the shadow of the ships, -upon the land, there hoved [_hovered_] the noble knight Sir Marhaus of -Ireland. And then Sir Tristram commanded his servant Gouvernail for to -bring his horse to the land, and dress his harness at all manner of -rights. And when he had so done, he mounted upon his horse. And when -he was in his saddle well apparelled, and his shield dressed upon his -shoulder, Sir Tristram asked Gouvernail, "Where is this knight that I -shall have to do withal?" - -"Sir," said his servant Gouvernail, "see ye him not? I wend ye had seen -him, yonder he hoveth under the shadow of his ships upon horseback, and -his spear in his hand, and his shield upon his shoulder." - -"It is truth," said Sir Tristram, "now I see him well enough." - -And then he commanded his servant Gouvernail to go again unto his -vessel, and commend him "unto mine uncle King Mark, and pray him that -if I be slain in this battle, for to bury my body as him seemeth -best, and, as for me, let him wit that I will never yield me for no -cowardice, and if I be slain and flee not, then have they lost no -truage for me. And if so be that I flee or yield me as recreant, bid -mine uncle never bury me in Christian burials. And upon my life," said -Sir Tristram to Gouvernail, "come thou not nigh this island till thou -see me overcome or slain, or else that I win yonder knight." - -And so either departed from other weeping. - - * * * * * - -And then Sir Marhaus perceived Sir Tristram, and thus said unto him: -"Young knight Sir Tristram, what doest thou here? Me sore repenteth of -thy courage, for wit thou well I have matched with the best knights of -the world, and therefore by my counsel return again to thy ship." - -"Fair knight and well proved knight," said Sir Tristram, "thou shalt -well wit that I may not forsake thee in this quarrel, for I am for -thy sake made knight, and thou shalt well wit that I am a king's son -born, and such promise have I made at mine uncle's request and mine own -seeking, that I shall fight with thee unto the uttermost, to deliver -Cornwall from the old truage. Also wit ye well, Sir Marhaus, that -for ye are called one of the best renowned knights of the world, and -because of that noise and fame that ye have, it will do me good to -have to do with you, for never yet sith [_since_] that I was born of -my mother was I proved with a good knight, and also sith I have taken -the high order of knighthood this day, I am right well pleased that I -may have to do with so good a knight as ye are. And now wit ye well, -Sir Marhaus of Ireland, that I cast me to win worship on thy body, I -trust to God I shall be worshipfully proved upon thy body and for to -deliver the country of Cornwall forever from all manner of truage from -Ireland." - -And when the good knight Sir Marhaus had heard him say what him list, -then said he thus again: "Fair knight, sith it is so that thou castest -thee to win worship on me, I let thee wit that no worship maist thou -leese [_lose_] by me, if thou mayst stand me three strokes, for I let -you wit that for my noble deeds, proved and seen, King Arthur made me -knight of the Table Round." Then they began to feuter [_place in rest_] -their spears, and they met so fiercely together that they smote either -other down both horse and all. But Sir Marhaus smote Sir Tristram -a great wound in the side with his spear, and then they avoided -their horses, and pulled out their swords, and threw their shields -afore them, and then they lashed together as men than were wild and -courageous. And when they had stricken so together long, then they left -their strokes, and foined [_thrust, in feinting_]; and when they saw -that that might not prevail them, then they hurtled together like rams -to bear either other down. Thus they fought still more than half a day, -and either were wounded passing sore, that the blood ran down freshly -from them upon the ground. By then Sir Tristram waxed more fresher than -Sir Marhaus, and better winded and bigger, and with a mighty stroke he -smote Sir Marhaus upon the helm such a buffet, that it went through his -helm, and through the coif of steel, and through the brain-pan, and the -sword stuck so fast in the helm and in his brain-pan that Sir Tristram -pulled thrice at his sword or ever he might pull it out from his head, -and there Marhaus fell down on his knees, [and a piece of] the edge of -Tristram's sword [was] left in his brain-pan. And suddenly Sir Marhaus -rose grovelling, and threw his sword and his shield from him, and -so ran to his ships and fled his way, and Sir Tristram had ever his -shield and his sword. And when Sir Tristram saw Sir Marhaus withdraw -him, he said, "Ah, sir knight of the Round Table, why withdrawest thou -thee; thou doest thyself and thy kin great shame, for I am but a young -knight, or now I was never proved, and rather than I should withdraw -me from thee, I had rather be hewn in an hundred pieces." Sir Marhaus -answered no word, but went his way sore groaning. - - * * * * * - -Anon Sir Marhaus and his fellowship departed into Ireland. And as -soon as he came to the king his brother he let search his wounds. And -when his head was searched, a piece of Sir Tristram's sword was found -therein, and might never be had out of his head for no surgeons, and so -he died of Sir Tristram's sword, and that piece of the sword the queen -his sister kept it for ever with her, for she thought to be revenged -and she might. - -Now turn we again unto Sir Tristram, that was sore wounded, and full -sore bled, that he might not within a little while when he had taken -cold scarcely stir him of his limbs. And then he set him down softly -upon a little hill, and bled fast. Then anon came Gouvernail his man -with his vessel, and the king and his barons came with procession, and -when he was come to the land, King Mark took him in both his arms, and -the king and Sir Dinas the seneschal led Sir Tristram into the castle -of Tintagil, and then were his wounds searched in the best manner, and -laid in bed. And when King Mark saw all his wounds, he wept right -heartily, and so did all his lords. - -"So God me help," said King Mark, "I would not for all my lands that my -nephew died." - -So Sir Tristram lay there a month and more, and was like to have died -of the stroke that Sir Marhaus had given him first with his spear. For, -as the French book saith, that spear's head was envenomed, that Sir -Tristram might not be whole thereof. Then was King Mark and all his -barons passing heavy, for they deemed none other but that Sir Tristram -should not recover. So the king let send after all manner of leeches -and surgeons, both men and women, and there was none that would warrant -him his life. Then came there a lady, which was a full wise lady, and -she said plainly unto King Mark and unto Sir Tristram and unto all the -barons, that he should never be whole, but if Sir Tristram went into -the same country that the venom came from, and in that country should -he be holpen or else never. When King Mark had well heard what the -lady said, forthwith he let purvey for Sir Tristram a fair vessel, and -well victualled it, and therein was put Sir Tristram and Gouvernail -with him, and Sir Tristram took his harp with him, and so he was put -to sea, for to sail into Ireland, and so by good fortune he arrived up -into Ireland even fast by a castle where the king and the queen were, -and at his arriving he sat and harped in his bed a merry lay, such one -had they never heard in Ireland afore that time. And when it was told -the king and the queen of such a knight that was such a harper, anon -the king sent for him, and let search his wound, and then he asked him -what was his name. He answered and said, - -"I am of the country of Lyonesse, and my name is Tramtrist, [and I -have] been wounded in a battle as I fought for a lady's right." - -"Truly," said King Anguish, "ye shall have all the help in this land -that ye may have here. But I let you wit in Cornwall I had a great loss -as ever had king, for there I lost the best knight of the world, his -name was Marhaus, a full noble knight, and knight of the Table Round;" -and there he told Sir Tristram wherefore Sir Marhaus was slain. Sir -Tristram made semblant [_like_] as he had been sorry, and better knew -he how it was than the king. - - * * * * * - -Then the king for great favour made Tramtrist to be put in his -daughter's ward and keeping, because she was a noble surgeon. And -when she had searched his wound, she found in the bottom of his wound -that there was poison, and within a little while she healed him, and -therefore Tramtrist cast great love to la Belle Isolde, for she was -at that time the fairest lady of the world, and then Sir Tramtrist -[taught] her to harp, and she began to have a great fantasy unto Sir -Tramtrist. And at that time Sir Palamides, that was a Saracen, was in -that country, and was well cherished both of the king and the queen, -and he proffered her many great gifts, for he loved her passing well. -And all that espied right well Sir Tramtrist, and full well he knew Sir -Palamides for a noble knight and a mighty man. - -Thus was there great envy between Sir Tramtrist and Sir Palamides. -Then it befell that King Anguish let cry a great joust and a great -tournament for a lady which was called the lady of the lawns, and she -was nigh cousin unto the king, and what man that should win her should -wed her three days after, and have all her lands. This cry was made in -England, Wales, and Scotland, and also in France and in Britain. It -befell upon a day la Belle Isolde came to Sir Tramtrist and told him of -this tournament. - -"Ah! Tramtrist," said la Belle Isolde, "why will ye not have to do at -that tournament? well I wot Sir Palamides will be there and do what he -may, and therefore, Sir Tramtrist, I pray you to be there, for else Sir -Palamides is like to win the degree." - -"Madam," said Sir Tramtrist, "as for that he may do so, for he is a -proved knight, and I am but a young knight and late made, and the -first battle that I did it mishapped me to be sore wounded as ye see. -But and I wist [_if I knew_] that ye would be my better lady, at that -tournament I will be, so that ye will keep my counsel, and let no -creature have knowledge that I shall joust but yourself, and such as -ye will to keep your counsel; my poor person shall I jeopard there for -your sake, that peradventure Sir Palamides shall know when that I come." - -"Thereto," said la Belle Isolde, "do your best, and as I can," said la -Belle Isolde, "I shall purvey horse and armor for you at my devise." - -"As ye will so be it," said Sir Tramtrist, "I will be at your -commandment." - -So at the day of jousts there came Sir Palamides with a black shield, -and he overthrew many knights, that all the people had marvel of him. -For he put to the worse Sir Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, Bagdemagus, -Kay, Dodinas le Savage, Sagramor le Desirous, Gumret le Petit, and -Griflet le Fise de Dieu. All these the first day Sir Palamides strake -down to the earth. And then all manner of knights were adread of Sir -Palamides, and many called him the knight with the black shield. So -that day Sir Palamides had great worship. Then came King Anguish unto -Tramtrist and asked him why he would not joust. - -"Sir," said he, "I was but late hurt, and as yet I dare not adventure -me." - - * * * * * - -And so on the morn Sir Palamides made him ready to come into the field -as he did the first day. And there he smote down the king with the -hundred knights, and the King of Scotland. Then had la Belle Isolde -ordained and well arrayed Sir Tramtrist in white horse and harness. -And right so she let put him out at a privy postern, and so he came -into the field as it had been a bright angel. And anon Sir Palamides -espied him, and therewith he feutered [_laid in rest_] a spear unto Sir -Tramtrist, and he again unto him. And there Sir Tristram smote down Sir -Palamides unto the earth. And then there was a great noise of people: -some said Sir Palamides had a fall, some said the knight with the black -shield had a fall. And wit you well la Belle Isolde was passing glad. -And then Sir Gawaine and his fellows nine had marvel what knight it -might be that had smitten down Sir Palamides. Then would there none -joust with Tramtrist, but all that were there forsook him, most and -least. And when Sir Palamides had received this fall, wit ye well he -was sore ashamed; and as privily as he might he withdrew him out of -the field. All that espied Sir Tristram, and lightly he rode after Sir -Palamides, and overtook him, and bade him turn, for better he would -assay him or ever he departed. Then Sir Palamides turned him, and -either lashed at other with their swords. But at the first stroke Sir -Tristram smote down Palamides, and gave him such a stroke upon the head -that he fell to the earth. So then Tristram bade yield him and do his -commandment, or else he would slay him. And when Sir Palamides beheld -his countenance, he dread sore his buffets, so that he granted him all -his asking. - -"Well," said Sir Tristram unto him, "this shall be your charge. First, -upon pain of your life, that ye forsake my lady la Belle Isolde, and in -no manner of wise that ye draw unto her, and also these twelve months -and a day that ye bear none armor nor in like wise no harness of war. -Now promise me this, or here shalt thou die." - -"Alas!" said Sir Palamides, "now am I for ever shamed." - -And then he swore as Sir Tristram had commanded him. Then for great -despite and anger, Sir Palamides cut off his harness and threw it away. - -And then Sir Tristram rode privily unto the postern where la Belle -Isolde kept him, and then she made him good cheer, and thanked God of -his good speed. - - * * * * * - -Thus was Sir Tramtrist long there well cherished with the king and -queen and namely [_likewise_] with la Belle Isolde. So upon a day the -queen and la Belle Isolde made a bayne [_bath_] for Sir Tramtrist, and -when he was in his bayne, the queen and her daughter la Belle Isolde -roamed up and down in the chamber, and there whiles Gouvernail and -Hebes attended upon Tramtrist, and the queen beheld his sword whereas -it lay upon his bed. And then by unhap the queen drew out his sword -and beheld it a long while, and both they thought it a passing fair -sword, but within a foot and an half of the point there was a great -piece broken out of the edge. And when the queen espied that gap in -the sword, she remembered of a piece of a sword that was found in the -brain-pan of the good knight Sir Marhaus that was her brother. - -"Alas!" said she then to her daughter la Belle Isolde. "This is the -same traitorous knight that slew my brother thine uncle." - -When la Belle Isolde heard her say so, she was then passing sore -abashed, for she loved Sir Tramtrist passingly well, and right well she -knew the cruelness of her mother the queen. And so anon therewith the -queen went in all the haste that she might unto her own chamber, and -then she sought in a coffer that she had, and there she found and took -out the piece of the sword that was taken out of her brother's head Sir -Marhaus, after that he was dead. And then anon she ran with the same -piece of iron unto Sir Tramtrist's sword which lay upon the bed, and -so when she put the same piece of steel and iron unto the same sword, -it was then as fit as ever it might be when it was first new broken. -And so forthwith the queen caught that sword fiercely in her hand, and -with all her might she ran straight unto Tramtrist where he sat in a -bayne, and there she had run him through had not Sir Hebes gotten her -in his arms and pulled the sword from her, and else she had thrust him -through. When she was thus letted of her evil will, she ran to King -Anguish her husband, and fell on her knees before him, saying, "Oh, my -lord and husband, here have ye in your house that traitor knight that -slew my brother and your servant, that noble knight Sir Marhaus." - -"Who is that," said King Anguish, "and where is he?" - -"Sir," said she, "it is Sir Tramtrist, the same knight that my daughter -hath healed." - -"Alas!" said King Anguish, "therefore am I right neavy, for he is a -full noble knight as ever I saw in field, but I charge you," said the -king to the queen, "that ye have not to do with this knight, but let me -deal with him." - -Then the king went into the chamber to Sir Tramtrist, that then was -gone unto his chamber, and then the king found him all armed, ready -to mount upon his horse. And when the king saw him all ready armed to -mount on horseback, the king said, "Nay, Tramtrist, it will not avail -thee to compare against me. But thus much will I do for my worship, -and for thy love: in so much as thou art within this court, it were no -worship for me to slay thee, therefore upon this condition I will give -thee leave to depart from this court in safety, so that thou wilt tell -me who is thy father, and what is thy name, and if thou slew my brother -Sir Marhaus." - - * * * * * - -"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "now shall I tell you all the truth; my -father's name is Meliodas, King of Lyonesse, and my mother hight -Elizabeth, that was sister unto King Mark of Cornwall, and my mother -died of me in the forest, and because thereof she commanded or she died -that when I were christened that they should name me Tristram, and -because I would not be known in this country, I turned my name, and let -call me Tramtrist; and for the truage of Cornwall, I fought for mine -uncle's sake, and for the right of Cornwall that ye had possessed many -years. And wit ye well," said Tristram unto the king, "I did the battle -for the love of mine uncle King Mark, and for the love of the country -of Cornwall, and for to increase mine honor. For that same day that I -fought with Sir Marhaus I was made knight, and never or then did I know -battle with no knight, and from me he went alive, and left his shield -and his sword behind." - -"Truly," said the king, "I may not say but ye did as a knight should, -and it was your part to do for your quarrel, and to increase your -worship as a knight should; howbeit I may not maintain you in this -country with my worship, unless that I should displease my barons, and -my wife, and her kin." - -"Sir," said Tristram, "I thank you of your good lordship that I have -had with you here, and the great goodness my lady your daughter hath -showed me, and therefore," said Sir Tristram, "it may so happen that ye -shall win more by my life than by my death, for in the parts of England -it may happen I may do you service at some season that ye shall be glad -that ever ye showed me your good lordship. With more I promise you as I -am true knight, that in all places I shall be my lady your daughter's -servant and knight in right and in wrong, and I shall never fail her to -do as much as a knight may do. Also I beseech your good grace that I -may take my leave at my lady your daughter, and at all the barons and -knights." - -"I will well," said the king. - -Then Sir Tristram went unto la Belle Isolde, and took his leave of her. -And then he told her all, what he was, and how he had changed his name -because he would not be known, and how a lady told him that he should -never be whole till he came into this country where the poison was -made: "Wherethrough I was near my death, had not your ladyship been." - -"Oh, gentle knight," said la Belle Isolde, "full woe am I of thy -departing, for I saw never man that I owed so good will to." And -therewithal she wept heartily. - -"Madam," said Sir Tristram, "ye shall understand that my name is Sir -Tristram de Lyonesse, and I promise you faithfully that I shall be all -the days of my life your knight." - -"Sir, gramercy," said la Belle Isolde, "and there again I promise you -that I shall not be married of this seven year but if it be by your -assent, and to whom ye will I shall be married, him shall I have, if he -will have me, if ye will consent." - -And then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she gave him another, and -therewith he departed from her, leaving her making full great moan and -lamentation, and he went straight unto the court among all the barons, -and there he took his leave of most and least, and openly among them -all he said: "Fair lords, now it is so that I must depart from hence, -if there be any man here that I have offended unto, or that any man -be with me grieved, let him complain here before me or I depart from -hence, and I shall amend it unto my power. And if there be any that -will proffer me wrong, or to say of me wrong or shame behind my back, -say it now or never, and here is my body to make it good, body against -body." - -And all they stood still, there was not one that would say one word, -yet were there some knights which were of the queen's blood and of Sir -Marhaus' blood, but they would not meddle with him. - -So Sir Tristram departed and took the sea, and with good wind he -arrived up at Tintagil in Cornwall. And when King Mark was whole and in -his prosperity, there came tidings that Sir Tristram was arrived and -whole of his wound, whereof King Mark was passing glad, and so were -all the barons. And when he saw his time, he rode unto his father King -Meliodas, and there he had all the cheer that the king and the queen -could make him. And then largely King Meliodas and his queen parted of -their lands and goods unto Sir Tristram. So then by the license [leave] -of King Meliodas his father, he returned again unto the court of King -Mark, and there he lived in great joy long time, until at the last -there befell a jealousy and an unkindness between King Mark and Sir -Tristram. - - * * * * * - -Then King Mark cast always in his heart how he might destroy Sir -Tristram. And then he imagined in himself to send Sir Tristram -into Ireland for la Belle Isolde. For Sir Tristram had so praised -her beauty and her goodness that King Mark said he would wed her, -whereupon he prayed Sir Tristram to take his way into Ireland for him -on message. And all this was done to the intent to slay Sir Tristram. -Notwithstanding, Sir Tristram would not refuse the message for no -danger nor peril that might fall for the pleasure of his uncle, but to -go he made him ready in the most goodliest wise that might be devised. -So Sir Tristram departed and took the sea with all his fellowship. And -anon as he was in the broad sea, a tempest took him and his fellowship -and drove them back into the coast of England, and there they arrived -fast by Camelot, and full fain they were to take the land. And when -they were landed Sir Tristram set up his pavilion upon the land of -Camelot, and there he let hang his shield upon the pavilion. - - * * * * * - -Then when Sir Tristram was in his rich pavilion, Gouvernail his man -came and told him how King Anguish of Ireland was come there, and how -he was put in great distress; and there Gouvernail told to Sir Tristram -how King Anguish of Ireland was summoned and accused of murder. - -"So God me help," said Sir Tristram, "these be the best tidings that -ever came to me this seven year, for now shall the King of Ireland have -need of my help, for I dare say there is no knight in this country that -is not of King Arthur's court dare do no battle with Sir Blamor de -Ganis; and for to win the love of the King of Ireland, I shall take the -battle upon me; and therefore, Gouvernail, I charge thee to bring me to -the king." - -And so Gouvernail went unto King Anguish of Ireland, and saluted him -fair. The king welcomed him, and asked him what he would. - -"Sir," said Gouvernail, "here is a knight near hand which desireth to -speak with you; and he bade me say that he would do you service." - -"What knight is he?" said the king. - -"Sir," said he, "it is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, that for the good -grace that ye showed unto him in your land, he will reward you in this -country." - -"Come on, good fellow," said the king, "with me, and show me Sir -Tristram." - -So the king took a little hackney and a little company with him, until -he came unto Sir Tristram's pavilion. And when Sir Tristram saw King -Anguish, he ran unto him, and would have holden his stirrup. But anon -the king leapt lightly from his horse, and either halsed [_embraced_] -other in their arms. - -"My gracious lord," said Sir Tristram, "gramercy of your great goodness -that ye showed to me in your marches and lands. And at that time I -promised you to do you service and ever it lay in my power." - -"Ah, worshipful knight," said the king unto Sir Tristram, "now have I -great need of you; for never had I so great need of no knight's help." - -"How so, my good lord?" said Sir Tristram. - -"I shall tell you," said King Anguish; "I am summoned and appealed -from my country for the death of a knight that was kin unto the good -knight Sir Launcelot, wherefore Sir Blamor de Ganis, brother to Sir -Bleoberis, hath appealed me to fight with him, other [_or else_] to -find a knight in my stead. And well I wot," said the king, "these that -are come of King Ban's blood, as Sir Launcelot and these other, are -passing good knights, and hard men for to win in battle as any that I -know now living." - -"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "for the good lordship ye showed me in -Ireland, and for my lady your daughter's sake, la Belle Isolde, I -will take the battle for you upon this condition that ye shall grant -me two things: that one is, that ye shall swear to me that ye are in -the right, that ye were never consenting to the knight's death; sir, -then," said Sir Tristram, "when that I have done this battle, if God -give me grace that I speed, that ye shall give me a reward, what thing -reasonable that I will ask of you." - -"Truly," said the king, "ye shall have whatsoever ye will ask." - -"It is well said," said Sir Tristram. - - * * * * * - -Then were the lists made ready, and Sir Tristram and Sir Blamor de -Ganis, in the presence of the kings, judges, and knights, feutered -[_laid in rest_] their spears and came together as it had been thunder, -and there Sir Tristram through great might smote down Sir Blamor and -his horse to the earth. Then anon Sir Blamor avoided his horse, and -pulled out his sword and threw his shield afore him, and bade Sir -Tristram alight; "for though an horse hath failed me, I trust the earth -will not fail me." - -And then Sir Tristram alighted and dressed him unto battle, and there -they lashed together strongly as racing and tracing, foining and -dashing many sad strokes, that the kings and knights had great wonder -that they might stand, for ever they fought like two wild men, so -that there were never knights seen fight more fiercely than they did; -for Sir Blamor was so hasty that he would have no rest, that all men -wondered that they had breath to stand on their feet; all the place -was bloody that they fought in. And at the last Sir Tristram smote Sir -Blamor such a buffet upon the helm that he fell down upon his side, and -Sir Tristram stood and beheld him. - -Then when Sir Blamor might speak, he said thus:-- - -"Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, I require thee, as thou art a noble knight, -and the best knight that ever I found, that thou wilt slay me out of -hand [_straightway_], for I had liever die with worship than live -with shame, and needs, Sir Tristram, thou must slay me, or else thou -shalt never win the field, for I will never say the loth word [_of -surrender_]; and therefore, if thou dare slay me, slay me, I require -thee." - -And when Sir Tristram heard him say so knightly, he wist not what to -do with him. And then Sir Tristram started aback and went to the kings -which were judges; and there he kneeled down before them, and besought -them for their worship, and for King Arthur and Sir Launcelot's sake, -that they would take this matter in their hands: - -"For, fair lords," said Sir Tristram, "it were shame and pity that this -noble knight that yonder lieth should be slain, for ye may well hear -that shamed he will not be, and I pray to God that he never be slain -nor shamed for me. And as for the king for whom I do this battle, I -shall require him, as I am his true champion and true knight in this -field, that he will have mercy upon this good knight." - -"So God me help," said King Anguish to Sir Tristram, "I will be ruled -for your sake as ye will have me. For I know you for my true knight, -and therefore I will heartily pray the kings that be here as judges for -to take it into their hands." - -And then the kings which were judges called Sir Bleoberis unto them and -demanded his advice. - -"My lord," said Sir Bleoberis, "though that my brother be beaten and -both the worse through might of arms, I dare well say though Sir -Tristram hath beaten his body he hath not beaten his heart; I thank -God he is not shamed this day. And rather than he should be shamed, I -require you," said Sir Bleoberis, "let Sir Tristram slay him out of -hand [_immediately_]." - -"It shall not be so," said the kings, "for his adverse party, both the -king and the champion, hath pity of Sir Blamor's knighthood." - -"My lords," said Sir Bleoberis, "I will right well as ye will." - -Then the kings called to them the King of Ireland, and found him good -and treatable [_willing to agree_]. And then by all their advices Sir -Tristram and Sir Bleoberis took up Sir Blamor. And the two brethren -were accorded with King Anguish; and kissed each other and were made -friends for ever. And then Sir Blamor and Sir Tristram kissed each -other, and then the two brethren made their oaths that they would -never fight with Sir Tristram. And Sir Tristram made the same oath. -And for that gentle battle all the blood of Sir Launcelot loved Sir -Tristram for ever more. Then King Anguish and Sir Tristram took their -leave and sailed into Ireland with great joy and nobleness. So when -they were in Ireland, the king let make it be known throughout all the -land how and in what manner Sir Tristram had done for him. And then the -queen and all the estates that were there made as much of him as ever -they might make; but the joy that la Belle Isolde made of Sir Tristram, -that might no tongue tell, for of men living she loved him most. - - * * * * * - -Then upon a day King Anguish asked Sir Tristram why he asked not his -boon, for whatsoever he had promised him he should have it without fail. - -"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "now is it time, this is all that I will -desire, that ye will give me la Belle Isolde, your daughter, not for -myself, but for mine uncle King Mark, that shall have her to wife, for -so have I promised him." - -"Alas," said the king, "I had liever than all the land that I have ye -would wed her yourself." - -"Sir, and I did, then were I shamed for ever in this world, and false -of my promise. Therefore," said Sir Tristram, "I pray you hold your -promise that ye promised me, for this is my desire, that ye will give -me la Belle Isolde to go with me into Cornwall, for to be wedded to -King Mark mine uncle." - -"As for that," said King Anguish, "ye shall have her with you, to do -with her what it please you, that is for to say if that ye list to wed -her yourself, that is to me lievest, and if ye will give her unto King -Mark your uncle, that is in your choice." - -So to make a short conclusion, la Belle Isolde was made ready to go -with Sir Tristram, and dame Bragwaine went with her for her chief -gentlewoman, with many other. - -And anon they were richly wedded with great nobleness. But ever Sir -Tristram and la Belle Isolde loved ever together. - -Then was there great jousts and great tourneying, and many lords and -ladies were at that feast, and Sir Tristram was most praised of all -other. - - * * * * * - -[Then, as time passed by, Sir Tristram grieved sorely in his heart that -la Belle Isolde was wedded to King Mark, till that he became as a wood -man, and mounted his horse and rode forth into the forest away from -Tintagil. So Sir Palamides sent a damsel to inquire after Sir Tristram.] - -And she went to the lady of [a certain] castle, and told her of the -misadventure of Sir Tristram. - -"Alas," said the lady of that castle, "where is my lord Sir Tristram?" - -"Right here by your castle," said the damsel. - -"In good time," said the lady, "is he so nigh me: he shall have meat -and drink of the best, and a harp I have of his whereupon he taught -me,--for of goodly harping he beareth the prize in the world." - -So this lady and the damsel brought him meat and drink, but he eat -little thereof. Then upon a night he put his horse from him, and -then he unlaced his armor, and then Sir Tristram would go into the -wilderness, and burst down the trees and boughs; and otherwhile, when -he found the harp that the lady sent him, then would he harp and play -thereupon and weep together. And sometime when Sir Tristram was in the -wood, that the lady wist not where he was, then would she sit her down -and play upon that harp; then would Sir Tristram come to that harp and -hearken thereto, and sometime he would harp himself. Thus he there -endured a quarter of a year. Then at the last he ran his way, and she -wist not where he was become. And then was he naked, and waxed lean -and poor of flesh, and so he fell into the fellowship of herdmen and -shepherds, and daily they would give him of their meat and drink. And -when he did any shrewd deed they would beat him with rods, and so they -clipped him with shears and made him like a fool. - - * * * * * - -And upon a day Sir Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, came into Cornwall, -with two squires with him, and as they rode through the forest they -came by a fair well where Sir Tristram was wont to be, and the weather -was hot, and they alighted to drink of that well, and in the meanwhile -their horses brake loose. Right so Sir Tristram came unto them, and -first he soused Sir Dagonet in that well, and after his squires, and -thereat laughed the shepherds, and forthwithal he ran after their -horses, and brought them again one by one, and right so, wet as they -were, he made them leap up and ride their ways. Thus Sir Tristram -endured here an half year naked, and would never come in town nor -village. - -And there was a giant in that country that hight Tauleas, and for -fear of Sir Tristram more than seven years he durst not much go out at -large, but for the most part he kept him in a sure castle of his own. -And so this Sir Tauleas heard tell that Sir Tristram was dead by the -noise of the court of King Mark, and then Sir Tauleas went daily at -large. And so it happened upon a day he came to the herdmen wandering -and lingering, and there he set him down to rest among them. The -meanwhile there came a knight of Cornwall that led a lady with him, -and his name was Sir Dinant. And when the giant saw him, he went from -the herdmen and hid him under a tree. And so the knight came to the -well, and there he alighted to rest him. And as soon as he was from his -horse, the giant Sir Tauleas came between the knight and his horse, and -leaped upon him. So forthwith he rode unto Sir Dinant, and took him by -the collar, and drew him before him on his horse, and there would have -stricken off his head. Then the herdmen said unto Sir Tristram, "Help -yonder knight." - -"Help ye him," said Sir Tristram. - -"We dare not," said the herdmen. - -Then Sir Tristram was ware of the sword of the knight where it lay, and -thither he ran and took up the sword, and smote off Sir Tauleas' head, -and so went his way to the herdmen again. - - * * * * * - -Then the knight took up the giant's head, and bare it with him unto -King Mark, and told him what adventure betid him in the forest, and how -a naked man rescued him from the grimly giant Tauleas. - -"Where had ye this adventure?" said King Mark. - -"Forsooth," said Sir Dinant, "at the fair fountain in your forest, -where many adventurous knights meet, and there is the mad man." - -"Well," said King Mark, "I will see that mad man." - -So within a day or two King Mark commanded his knights and his hunters -that they should be ready on the morrow for to hunt. And on the morrow -he went unto the forest. And when the king came to the well, he found -there lying by that well a fair naked man, and a sword by him. Then the -king blew and screked [_called shrilly_] and therewith his knights came -to him. And then the king commanded his knights to take that naked man -with fairness, "and bring him to my castle." So they did softly and -fair, and cast mantles upon Sir Tristram, and so led him unto Tintagil; -and there they bathed him and washed him, and gave him hot suppings, -till they had brought him well to his remembrance. But all this while -there was no creature that knew Sir Tristram, nor what man he was. So -it fell upon a day that the queen la Belle Isolde heard of such a man -that ran naked in the forest, and how the king had brought him home -to the court. Then la Belle Isolde called unto her dame Bragwaine, -and said, "Come on with me, for we will go see this man that my lord -brought from the forest the last day." - -So they passed forth, and asked where was the sick man. And then a -squire told the queen that he was in the garden taking his rest, -and reposing him against the sun. So when the queen looked upon Sir -Tristram she was not remembered of [_did not remember_] him. But -ever she said unto dame Bragwaine, "Me seemeth I should have seen him -heretofore in many places." - -But as soon as Sir Tristram saw her he knew her well enough, and then -he turned away his visage and wept. Then the queen had always a little -brachet with her, that Sir Tristram gave her the first time that ever -she came into Cornwall, and never would that brachet depart from her, -but if Sir Tristram was nigh there as was la Belle Isolde; and this -brachet was sent from the king's daughter of France unto Sir Tristram -for great love. And anon as this little brachet felt a savor of Sir -Tristram, she leaped upon him, and licked his learis [_cheeks_] and his -ears, and then she whined and quested, and she smelled at his feet and -at his hands, and on all parts of his body that she might come to. - -"Ah, my lady," said dame Bragwaine unto la Belle Isolde, "alas, alas!" -said she, "I see it is mine own lord Sir Tristram." - -And thereupon Isolde fell down in a sowne [_swoon_], and so lay a great -while; and when she might speak, she said: "My lord Sir Tristram, -blessed be God ye have your life, and now I am sure ye shall be -discovered by this little brachet, for she will never leave you; and -also I am sure that as soon as my lord King Mark shall know you, he -will banish you out of the country of Cornwall, or else he will destroy -you. For God's sake, mine own lord, grant King Mark his will, and then -draw you unto the court of King Arthur, for there are ye beloved." - -Then la Belle Isolde departed, but the brachet would not from him. And -therewith came King Mark, and the brachet set upon him, and bayed at -them all. And therewith Sir Andret spake and said: "Sir, this is Sir -Tristram, I see by the brachet." - -"Nay," said the king, "I cannot suppose that it is he." - -So the king asked him upon his faith what he was, and what was his name. - -"So God help," said he, "my name is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, and now -ye may do with me what ye list." - -And so, by the advice of them all, Sir Tristram was banished out of the -country of Cornwall for ten year, and thereupon he took his oath. - -And then were many barons brought him into his ship. And when Sir -Tristram was in the ship, he said thus: "Greet well King Mark and all -mine enemies, and tell them I will come again when I may. And well I -am rewarded for the fighting with Sir Marhaus, and delivering all the -country from servage [_subjection_]. And well I am rewarded for the -fetching and costs of la Belle Isolde out of Ireland, and the danger -that I was in first and last, and by the way coming home what danger I -had to bring again Queen Isolde from the castle. And well I am rewarded -when I fought with Sir Bleoberis for Sir Segwarides' wife. And well am -I rewarded when I fought with Sir Blamor de Ganis for King Anguish, -father unto la Belle Isolde. And well am I rewarded when I smote down -the good knight Sir Lamorak de Galis at King Mark's request. And well -am I rewarded when I fought with the king with the hundred knights, -and the King of Northgalis, and both these would have put his land in -servage, and by me they were put to a rebuke. And well am I rewarded -for the slaying of Tauleas the mighty giant, and many moe deeds have I -done for him, and now have I my guerdon. And tell the King Mark that -many noble knights of the Round Table have spared the barons of this -country for my sake. Also I am not well rewarded when I fought with -the good knight Sir Palamides, and rescued Queen Isolde from him. And -at that time King Mark said before all his barons I should have been -better rewarded." And therewith he took the sea. - - * * * * * - -[In those days was holden a great tournament at the Castle of Maidens, -and thereto came Sir Tristram, for King Arthur was there, with his -knights, and a goodly press of other kings, lords and ladies. And Sir -Tristram let make him a black shield, and therewith was he ever to be -known in the midst of the knights. And Sir Tristram overthrew eleven -knights of Sir Launcelot's kin in one day, and jousted with King Arthur -and with Sir Launcelot in such wise that all men wondered. And at the -last Sir Tristram was sore wounded, and rode away into a forest. But -Sir Launcelot held away the stour [_fight_] like as a man enraged that -took no heed to himself.] And because Sir Launcelot was the last in -the field the prize was given him. But Sir Launcelot would neither for -king, queen, nor knight have the prize; but when the cry was cried -through the field, "Sir Launcelot. Sir Launcelot, hath won the field -this day!" Sir Launcelot let make another cry contrary to that cry: -"Sir Tristram hath won the field, for he began first, and last he hath -endured, and so hath he done the first day, the second, and the third -day." - -[And so King Arthur and Sir Launcelot and more knights rode forth for -to find Sir Tristram. And after many adventures it happened that Sir -Launcelot passed by the tomb of Sir Lanceor (him that was slain by -Balin) and his lady Colombe. And by that same tomb came Sir Tristram: -and neither knew the other, but Sir Tristram weened it to have been -Sir Palamides. Then they two fought, and each wounded other wonderly -sore, that the blood ran out upon the grass. And thus they fought the -space of four hours. And at the last either knew other. Then cried Sir -Launcelot,] "Oh, what adventure is befallen me!" - -And therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled down and yielded him up his -sword. And therewithal Sir Tristram kneeled adown, and yielded him up -his sword. And so either gave other the degree. And then they both -forthwithal went to the stone, and set them down upen it, and took off -their helms to cool them, and either kissed other an hundred times. And -then anon after they took their helms and rode to Camelot. And there -they met with Sir Gawaine and with Sir Gaheris that had made promise -to Arthur never to come again to the court till they had brought Sir -Tristram with them. - -Then King Arthur took Sir Tristram by the hand, and led him unto the -Round Table. Then came Queen Guenever, and many ladies with her, and -all these ladies said, all with one voice, "Welcome, Sir Tristram;" -"welcome," said the damsels; "welcome," said the knights; "welcome," -said King Arthur, "for one of the best knights and gentlest of the -world, and knight of the most worship; for of all manner of hunting -thou bearest the prize, and of all measures of blowing thou art the -beginner, and of all the terms of hunting and hawking ye are the -beginner; of all instruments of music ye are the best. Therefore, -gentle knight," said King Arthur, "ye are right heartily welcome unto -this court. And also I pray you," said King Arthur, "grant me a boon." - -"It shall be at your commandment," said Sir Tristram. - -"Well," said King Arthur, "I will desire of you that ye will abide in -my court." - -"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "thereto am I loth, for I have to do in many -countries." - -"Not so," said King Arthur, "ye have promised it me, ye may not say -nay." - -"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "I will as ye will." - -Then went King Arthur unto the sieges about the Round Table, and looked -in every siege which were void that lacked knights. And the king then -saw in the siege of Marhaus letters that said:-- - -"This is the siege of the noblest knight Sir Tristram." - -And then King Arthur made Sir Tristram knight of the Round Table, with -great nobleness and great feast as might be thought. - - * * * * * - -Then King Mark had great despite of the renown of Sir Tristram. So -he sent on his part men to espy what deeds he did. And when the -messengers were come home, they told the truth as they heard, that he -passed all other knights but if it were the noble knight Sir Launcelot. -Then in great despite he took with him two good knights and two -squires, and disguised himself, and took his way into England, to the -intent to slay him. - -[And it happened that Sir Dinadan met King Mark, and began to mock -him for a Cornish knight of no worship. And] right as they stood thus -talking together, they saw come riding to them over a plain six knights -of the court of King Arthur, well armed at all points. And there by -their shields Sir Dinadan knew them well. The first was the good knight -Sir Uwaine, the son of King Uriens; the second was the noble knight Sir -Brandiles; the third was Ozanna le Cure Hardy; the fourth was Uwaine -les Adventurous; the fifth was Sir Agravaine; the sixth Sir Mordred, -brother to Sir Gawaine. When Sir Dinadan had seen these six knights, he -thought in himself he would bring King Mark by some wile to joust with -one of them. - -"Lo," said Sir Dinadan, "yonder are knights errant that will joust with -us." - -"God forbid," said King Mark, "for they be six, and we but two." - -"As for that," said Sir Dinadan, "let us not spare, for I will assay -the foremost." - -And therewith he made him ready. When King Mark saw him do so, as fast -as Sir Dinadan rode toward them King Mark rode from them with all his -menial company. So when Sir Dinadan saw King Mark was gone, he set the -spear out of the rest, and threw his shield upon his back, and came -riding to the fellowship of the Table Round. And anon Sir Uwaine knew -Sir Dinadan, and welcomed him, and so did all his fellowship. - -"What knight is that," said Sir Brandiles, "that so suddenly departed -from you, and rode over yonder field?" - -"Sir," said he, "it was a knight of Cornwall, and the most horrible -coward that ever bestrode horse." - -"What is his name?" said all the knights. - -"I wot not," said Sir Dinadan. - -Said Sir Griflet, "Here have I brought Sir Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, -that is the best fellow and the merriest in the world." - -[Then said Sir Mordred,] "Put my shield and my harness upon Sir -Dagonet, and let him set upon the Cornish knight." - -"That shall be done," said Sir Dagonet, "by my faith." - -Then anon was Dagonet armed in Mordred's harness and his shield, and he -was set on a great horse and a spear in his hand. - -"Now," said Dagonet, "show me the knight, and I trow I shall bear him -down." - -So all these knights rode to a woodside, and abode till King Mark came -by the way. Then they put forth Sir Dagonet, and he came on all the -while his horse might run, straight upon King Mark. And when he came -nigh King Mark, he cried as he were wood, and said, "Keep thee, knight -of Cornwall, for I will slay thee." - -Anon as King Mark beheld his shield he said to himself, "Yonder is Sir -Launcelot: alas, now am I destroyed." - -And therewithal he made his horse to run as fast as it might through -thick and thin. And ever Sir Dagonet followed King Mark crying and -rating him as a wood man through a great forest. When Sir Uwaine and -Sir Brandiles saw Dagonet so chase King Mark, they laughed all as they -were wood. And then they took their horses and rode after to see how -Sir Dagonet sped. For they would not for no good that Sir Dagonet were -hurt, for King Arthur loved him passing well, and made him knight with -his own hands. - -When Sir Uwaine and Sir Brandiles with his fellows came to the court of -King Arthur, they told the king, Sir Launcelot, and Sir Tristram how -Sir Dagonet the fool chased King Mark through the forest. There was -great laughing and jesting at King Mark and at Sir Dagonet. - - * * * * * - -King Arthur on a day said unto King Mark,-- - -"Sir, I pray you to give me a gift that I shall ask you." - -"Sir," said King Mark, "I will give you whatsoever ye desire, and it be -in my power." - -"Sir, gramercy," said King Arthur, "this I will ask you, that ye be a -good lord unto Sir Tristram, for he is a man of great honor; and that -ye will take him with you into Cornwall, and let him see his friends, -and there cherish him for my sake." - -"Sir," said King Mark, "I promise you by the faith of my body, and by -the faith I owe to God and to you, I shall worship him for your sake in -all that I can or may." - -"Sir," said Arthur, "and I will forgive you all the evil will that -ever I owed you, and so be that ye swear that upon a book afore me." - -"With a good will," said King Mark. - -And so he there sware upon a book afore him and all his knights, and -therewith King Mark and Sir Tristram took either other by the hands -hard knit together. But for all this King Mark thought falsely, as -it proved after, for he put Sir Tristram in prison, and cowardly -would have slain him. Then soon after King Mark took his leave to -ride into Cornwall, and Sir Tristram made him ready to ride with him, -wherefore the most part of the Round Table were wroth and heavy; and -in especial Sir Launcelot, and Sir Lamorak, and Sir Dinadan were wroth -out of measure. For well they wist King Mark would slay or destroy Sir -Tristram. - - * * * * * - -Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that, as he rode on hunting, he met with -Sir Dinadan, that was come into that country for to seek Sir Tristram. -Then Sir Dinadan told Sir Tristram his name, but Sir Tristram would not -tell his name; wherefor Sir Dinadan was wroth. - -"For such a foolish knight as ye are," said Sir Dinadan, "I saw but -late to-day lying by a well, and he fared as he had slept, and there -he lay like a fool grinning and would not speak, and his shield lay by -him, and his horse stood by him, and well I wot he was a lover." - -"Ah, fair sir," said Sir Tristram, "are ye not a lover?" - -"Marry, fie upon that craft," said Sir Dinadan. - -"That is evil said," quoth Sir Tristram, "for a knight may never be of -prowess, but if he be a lover." - -"It is well said," quoth Sir Dinadan; "now tell me your name, sith ye -be a lover, or else I shall do battle with you." - -"As for that," said Sir Tristram, "it is no reason to fight with me but -I tell you my name; as for that, my name shall ye not know as at this -time." - -"Fie for shame," said Sir Dinadan, "art thou a knight and darest not -tell me thy name? therefore I will fight with thee." - -"As for that," said Sir Tristram, "I will be advised, for I will not -fight but if me list; and if I do battle," said Sir Tristram, "ye are -not able for to withstand me." - -"Fie on thee, coward," said Sir Dinadan. - -And thus as they still hoved, they saw a knight come riding against -them. - -"Lo," said Sir Tristram, "see where cometh a knight riding that will -joust with you." - -Anon, as Sir Dinadan beheld him, he said, "It is the same doting knight -that I saw lie by the well neither sleeping nor waking." - -"Well," said Sir Tristram, "I know that knight full well with the -covered shield of azure; he is the king's son of Northumberland, his -name is Epinegris, and he is as great a lover as I know, and he loveth -the king's daughter of Wales, a full fair lady. And now I suppose," -said Sir Tristram, "and ye require him he will joust with you; and then -shall ye prove whether a lover be a better knight or ye that will not -love no lady." - -"Well," said Sir Dinadan, "now shalt thou see what I shall do." - -Therewithal Sir Dinadan spake on high and said, "Sir knight, make thee -ready to joust with me, for it is the custom of errant knights one to -joust with the other." - -"Sir," said Epinegris, "is it the rule of you errant knights for to -make a knight to joust will he or nill?" - -"As for that," said Dinadan, "make thee ready, for here is for me." - -And therewithal they spurred their horses, and met together so hard -that Epinegris smote down Sir Dinadan. Then Sir Tristram rode to Sir -Dinadan, and said, "How now? me seemeth the lover hath right well sped." - -"Fie upon thee, coward," said Sir Dinadan, "and if thou be any good -knight, now revenge my shame." - -"Nay," said Sir Tristram, "I will not joust as at this time, but take -your horse and let us go from hence." - -"God defend me," said Sir Dinadan, "from thy fellowship, for I never -sped well sith I met with thee." - -And so they departed. - -"Well," said Sir Tristram, "peradventure I could tell you tidings of -Sir Tristram." - -"God defend me," said Sir Dinadan, "from thy fellowship, for Sir -Tristram were much the worse and he were in thy company." - -And then they departed. - -"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "yet it may happen that I shall meet with you -in other places." - -And so Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there heard in that town -great noise and cry. - -"What meaneth this noise?" said Sir Tristram. - -"Sir," said they, "here is a knight of this castle which hath been long -among us, and right now he is slain with two knights, and for none -other cause but that our knight said that Sir Launcelot was a better -knight than was Sir Gawaine." - -"That was but a simple cause," said Sir Tristram, "to slay a good -knight because he said well by his master." - -"That is but a little remedy unto us," said the men of the town; "for -if Sir Launcelot had been here, soon we should have been revenged upon -those false knights." - -When Sir Tristram heard them say so, incontinent he sent for his shield -and for his spear, and lightly within a little while he had overtaken -them, and bade them turn and amend that they had misdone. - -"What amends wouldst thou have?" said that one knight. - -And therewith they took their course, and either met other so hard, -that Sir Tristram smote down that knight over his horse's crupper. Then -the other knight dressed him unto Sir Tristram, and in the same wise as -he served the first knight, so he served him. And then they gat them -upon their feet as well as they might, and dressed their shields and -their swords to do their battle unto the uttermost. - -"Knights," said Sir Tristram, "ye shall tell me of whence ye are and -what be your names." - -"Wit thou well, sir knight," said they, "we fear us not to tell thee -our names, for my name is Sir Agravaine, and my name is Gaheris, -brethren unto the good knight Sir Gawaine, and we be nephews unto King -Arthur." - -"Well," said Sir Tristram, "for King Arthur's sake I shall let you pass -as at this time. But it is shame," said Sir Tristram, "that Sir Gawaine -and ye that be come of so great a blood, that ye four brethren are so -named as ye be. For ye be called the greatest destroyers and murderers -of good knights that be now in this realm; for it is but as I heard -say, that Sir Gawaine and ye slew among you a better knight than ever -ye were, that was the noble knight Sir Lamorak de Galis; and it had -pleased God," said Sir Tristram, "I would I had been by Sir Lamorak at -his death." - -"Then shouldest thou have gone the same way," said Sir Gaheris. - -"Fair knight," said Sir Tristram, "there must have been many more -knights than ye are." - -And therewithal Sir Tristram departed from them towards Joyous Gard. -And when he was departed they took their horses, and the one said -to the other, "We will overtake him and be revenged upon him in the -despite of Sir Lamorak." - - * * * * * - -So when they had overtaken Sir Tristram, Sir Agravaine bade him, "Turn, -traitor knight." - -"That is evil said," said Sir Tristram; and therewith he pulled out -his sword, and smote Sir Agravaine such a buffet upon the helm that he -tumbled down off his horse in a swoon, and he had a grievous wound. And -then he turned to Gaheris, and Sir Tristram smote his sword and his -helm together with such a might that Gaheris fell out of his saddle; -and so Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there he alighted and -unarmed him. So Sir Tristram told la Belle Isolde of all his adventure -as ye have heard tofore. And when she heard him tell of Sir Dinadan, -"Sir," she said, "is not that he that made the song by King Mark?" - -"That same is he," said Sir Tristram, "for he is the best joker and -jester, and a noble knight of his hands, and the best fellow that I -know, and all good knights love his fellowship." - -"Alas, sir," said she, "why brought ye not him with you?" - -"Have ye no care," said Sir Tristram, "for he rideth to seek me in this -country, and therefore he will not away till he have met with me." - -And there Sir Tristram told la Belle Isolde how Sir Dinadan held -against all lovers. Right so there came in a varlet and told Sir -Tristram how there was come an errant knight into the town with such -colors upon his shield. - -"That is Sir Dinadan," said Sir Tristram. "Wit ye what ye shall do?" -said Sir Tristram; "send ye for him, my lady Isolde, and I will not be -seen, and ye shall hear the merriest knight that ever ye spake withal, -and the maddest talker, and I pray you heartily that ye make him good -cheer." - -Then anon la Belle Isolde sent into the town, and prayed Sir Dinadan -that he would come into the castle and rest him there with a lady. - -"With a good will," said Sir Dinadan; and so he mounted upon his horse, -and rode into the castle; and there he alighted, and was unarmed and -brought into the castle. Anon la Belle Isolde came unto him, and either -saluted other. Then she asked him of whence he was. - -"Madam," said Sir Dinadan, "I am of King Arthur's court, and knight of -the Round Table, and my name is Sir Dinadan." - -"What do ye in this country?" said la Belle Isolde. - -"Madam," said he, "I seek the noble knight Sir Tristram, for it was -told me that he was in this country." - -"It may well be," said la Belle Isolde, "but I am not ware of him." - -"Madam," said Sir Dinadan, "I marvel of Sir Tristram and moe other -lovers, what aileth them to be so mad and so assotted upon women." - -"Why," said la Belle Isolde, "are ye a knight and be ye no lover? it is -a shame unto you; wherefore ye may not be called a good knight, but if -that ye make a quarrel for a lady." - -"God defend me," said Sir Dinadan, "for the joy of love is too short, -and the sorrow and what cometh thereof endureth over long." - -"Ah!" said la Belle Isolde, "say ye not so, for here fast by was the -good knight Sir Bleoberis, which fought with three knights at once for -a damsel's sake, and he won her before the King of Northumberland." - -"It was so," said Sir Dinadan, "for I know him well for a good knight -and a noble, and come of noble blood; for all be noble knights of whom -he is come of, that is Sir Launcelot du Lake." - -"Now I pray you," said la Belle Isolde, "tell me will ye fight for my -love with three knights that did me great wrong? and insomuch as ye be -a knight of King Arthur's court, I require you to do battle for me." - -Then Sir Dinadan said, "I shall say unto you, ye are as fair a lady as -ever I saw any, and much fairer than is my lady Queen Guenever; but wit -ye well at one word that I will not fight for you with three knights, -Jesu defend me." - -Then Isolde laughed, and had good game at him. So he had all the cheer -that she might make him; and there he lay all that night. And on the -morn early Sir Tristram armed him, and la Belle Isolde gave him a good -helm; and then he promised her that he would meet with Sir Dinadan, and -they two would ride together unto Lonazep, where the tournament should -be, "and there shall I make ready for you, where ye shall see the -tournament." Then departed Sir Tristram with two squires that bare his -shield and his spears that were great and long. - - * * * * * - -Then after that, Sir Dinadan departed and rode his way a great pace -until he had overtaken Sir Tristram. And when Sir Dinadan had overtaken -him, he knew him anon, and he hated the fellowship of him above all -other knights. - -"Ah," said Sir Dinadan, "art thou that coward knight that I met with -yesterday, keep thee, for thou shalt joust with me, maugre thy head." - -"Well," said Sir Tristram, "and I am loth to joust." - -And so they let their horses run, and Sir Tristram missed of him a -purpose, and Sir Dinadan brake a spear upon Sir Tristram; and therewith -Sir Dinadan dressed himself to draw out his sword. - -"Not so," said Sir Tristram, "why are ye so wroth? I will not fight." - -"Fie on thee, coward," said Sir Dinadan, "thou shamest all knights." - -"As for that," said Sir Tristram, "I care not, for I will wait upon you -and be under your protection, for because ye are so good a knight ye -may save me." - -"The devil deliver me of thee," said Sir Dinadan, "for thou art as -goodly a man of arms and of thy person as ever I saw, and the most -coward that ever I saw. What wilt thou do with those great spears that -thou carriest with thee?" - -"I shall give them," said Sir Tristram, "to some good knight when I -come to the tournament; and if I see you do best I shall give them to -you." - -So thus as they rode talking they saw where came an errant knight afore -them dressing him for to joust. - -"Lo," said Sir Tristram, "yonder is one will joust; now dress thee to -him." - -"Ah! shame betide thee!" said Sir Dinadan. - -"Nay, not so," said Sir Tristram, "for that knight seemeth a shrew." - -"Then shall I," said Sir Dinadan. - -And so they dressed their shields and their spears, and they met -together so hard that the other knight smote down Sir Dinadan from his -horse. - -"Lo," said Sir Tristram, "it had been better that ye had left." - -"Fie on thee, coward!" said Sir Dinadan. - -Then Sir Dinadan started up, and gat his sword in his hand, and -proffered to do battle on foot. - -"Whether in love or in wrath?" said the other knight. - -"Let us do battle in love," said Sir Dinadan. - -"What is your name?" said that knight, "I pray you tell me." - -"Wit ye well my name is Sir Dinadan." - -"Ah, Sir Dinadan," said that knight, "and my name is Sir Gareth, the -youngest brother unto Sir Gawaine." - -Then either made of other great joy, for this Sir Gareth was the best -knight of all those brethren, and he proved a full good knight. Then -they took their horses, and there they spake of Sir Tristram, how he -was such a coward. And every word Sir Tristram heard, and laughed them -to scorn. Then were they ware where there came a knight before them -well horsed and well armed. - -"Fair knights," said Sir Tristram, "look between you who shall joust -with yonder knight, for I warn you I will not have to do with him." - -"Then shall I," said Sir Gareth. - -And so they encountered together, and there that knight smote down Sir -Gareth over his horse's crupper. - -"How now?" said Sir Tristram unto Sir Dinadan, "dress thee now, and -revenge the good knight Sir Gareth." - -"That shall I not," said Sir Dinadan, "for he hath stricken down a much -bigger knight than I am." - -"Ah!" said Sir Tristram, "now Sir Dinadan, I see and perceive full well -that your heart faileth you, therefore now shall ye see what I shall -do." - -And then Sir Tristram hurled unto that knight, and smote him quite from -his horse. And when Sir Dinadan saw that, he marvelled greatly, and -then he deemed in himself that it was Sir Tristram. Then this knight -that was on foot pulled out his sword to do battle. - -"What is your name?" said Sir Tristram. - -"Wit ye well," said the knight, "my name is Sir Palamides." - -"What knight hate ye most?" said Sir Tristram. - -"Sir knight," said he, "I hate Sir Tristram to the death, for and I may -meet with him the one of us shall die." - -"Ye say well," said Sir Tristram, "and wit ye well that I am Sir -Tristram de Lyonesse, and now do your worst." - -When Sir Palamides heard him say so he was astonished, and then he -said thus, "I pray you, Sir Tristram, forgive me all mine evil will, -and if I live I shall do you service above all other knights that be -living, and there as I have owed you evil will me sore repenteth. I -wot not what aileth me, for me seemeth that ye are a good knight, and -none other knight that named himself a good knight should not hate you; -therefore I require you, Sir Tristram, take no displeasure at mine -unkind words." - -"Sir Palamides," said Sir Tristram, "ye say well, and well I wot ye are -a good knight, for I have seen you proved, and many great enterprises -have ye taken upon you, and well achieved them; therefore," said Sir -Tristram, "and ye have any evil will to me, now may ye right it, for I -am ready at your hand." - -"Not so, my lord Sir Tristram; I will do you knightly service in all -things as ye will command." - -"And right so I will take you," said Sir Tristram. - -And so they rode forth on their ways, talking of many things. - -"Oh my lord Sir Tristram," said Dinadan, "foul have ye mocked me, for -truly I came into this country for your sake, and by the advice of -my lord Sir Launcelot, and yet would not Sir Launcelot tell me the -certainty of you, where I should find you." - -"Truly," said Sir Tristram, "Sir Launcelot wist well where I was, for I -abode within his own castle." - - * * * * * - -Thus they rode until they were ware of the Castle of Lonazep, and then -were they ware of four hundred tents and pavilions, and marvellous -great ordinance. "So God me help," said Sir Tristram, "yonder I see the -greatest ordinance that ever I saw." - -"Sir," said Sir Palamides, "me seemeth there was as great an ordinance -at the Castle of Maidens upon the rock, where ye won the prize, for I -saw myself where ye forjousted thirty knights." - -"Sir," said Sir Dinadan, "and in Surluse, at that tournament that Sir -Galahalt of the long isles made, the which lasted seven days, was as -great a gathering as is here, for there were many nations." - -"Who was the best?" said Sir Tristram. - -"Sir, it was Sir Launcelot du Lake, and the noble knight Sir Lamorak de -Galis; Sir Launcelot won the degree." - -"I doubt not," said Sir Tristram, "but he won the degree, so that -he had not been overmatched with many knights. And of the death of -Sir Lamorak," said Sir Tristram, "it was over great pity, for I dare -say that he was the cleanest mighted man, and the best winded of his -age that was on live, for I knew him that he was the biggest knight -that ever I met withal, but if it were Sir Launcelot. Alas!" said Sir -Tristram, "full woe is me of his death, and, if they were all the -cousins of my lord King Arthur that slew him, they should die for it, -and all those that were consenting to his death. And for such things," -said Sir Tristram, "I fear to draw unto the court of my lord King -Arthur. I will that ye wit it," said Sir Tristram to Sir Gareth. - -"Sir, I blame you not," said Sir Gareth, "for well I understand the -vengeance of my brethren Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and -Sir Mordred; but for me," said Gareth, "I meddle not of their matters, -therefore there is none of them that loveth me, and, for I understand -they be murderers of good knights, I left their company, and would God -I had been by," said Sir Gareth, "when the noble knight Sir Lamorak was -slain." - -"Now as Jesu be my help," said Sir Tristram, "it is well said of you, -for I had liever than all the gold between this and Rome I had been -there." - -"Truly," said Sir Palamides, "I would I had been there, and yet I had -never the degree at no jousts there as he was, but he put me to the -worse on foot or on horseback, and that day that he was slain he did -the most deeds of arms that ever I saw knight do all the days of my -life. And when the degree was given him by my lord King Arthur, Sir -Gawaine and his three brethren, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir -Mordred, set upon Sir Lamorak in a privy place, and there they slew his -horse, and so they fought with him on foot more than three hours, both -before him and behind him. And Sir Mordred gave him his death wound -behind him at his back, and all to-hewed him; for one of his squires -told me that saw it." - -[Illustration: "_They fought with him on foot more than three hours, -both before him and behind him_"] - -"Fie upon treason," said Sir Tristram, "for it killeth my heart to hear -this tale." - -"So doth it mine," said Sir Gareth; "brethren as they be mine, I shall -never love them nor draw me to their fellowship for that deed." - -"Now speak we of other deeds," said Sir Palamides, "and let him be, for -his life ye may not get again." - -"That is the more pity," said Sir Dinadan, "for Sir Gawaine and his -brethren (except you, Sir Gareth) hate all the good knights of the -Round Table for the most part; for well I wot, and they might privily, -they hate my lord Sir Launcelot and all his kin, and great privy -despite they have at him, and that is my lord Sir Launcelot well ware -of, and that causeth him to have the good knights of his kindred about -him." - - * * * * * - -"Sir," said Palamides, "let us leave off this matter, and let us see -how we shall do at this tournament. By mine advice," said Palamides, -"let us four hold together against all that will come." - -"Not by my counsel," said Sir Tristram, "for I see by their pavilions -there will be four hundred knights, and doubt ye not," said Sir -Tristram, "but there will be many good knights, and be a man never -so valiant nor so big yet he may be overmatched. And so I have seen -knights done many times: and when they wend best to have won worship -they lost it. For manhood is not worth but if it be meddled [_mingled_] -with wisdom: and as for me," said Sir Tristram, "it may happen I shall -keep mine own head as well as another." - -So thus they rode until that they came to Humber bank, where they heard -a cry and a doleful noise. Then were they ware in the wind where came -a rich vessel covered over with red silk, and the vessel landed fast -by them. Therewith Sir Tristram alighted and his knights. And so Sir -Tristram went afore and entered into that vessel. And when he came -within, he saw a fair bed richly covered, and thereupon lay a dead -seemly knight, all armed, save the head was all bebled, with deadly -wounds upon him: the which seemed to be a passing good knight. - -"How may this be," said Sir Tristram, "that this knight is thus slain?" -Then Sir Tristram was ware of a letter in the dead knight's hand. -"Master mariners," said Sir Tristram, "what meaneth that letter?" - -"Sir," said they, "in that letter ye shall hear and know how he was -slain, and for what cause, and what was his name; but, sir," said the -mariners, "wit ye well that no man shall take that letter and read it -but if he be a good knight, and that he will faithfully promise to -revenge his death, else shall there no knight see that letter open." - -"Wit ye well," said Sir Tristram, "that some of us may revenge his -death as well as others; and if it be as ye say it shall be revenged." -And therewith Sir Tristram took the letter out of the knight's hand, -and it said thus: "Hermance, king and lord of the Red City, I send -to all knights errant recommendation, and unto you, noble knights of -King Arthur's court, I beseech them all among them to find one knight -that will fight for my sake with two brethren, that I brought up of -nought, and feloniously and traitorously they have slain me, wherefore -I beseech one good knight to revenge my death; and he that revengeth my -death I will that he have my Red City and all my castles." - -"Sir," said the mariners, "wit ye well this king and knight that here -lieth was a full worshipful man, and of full great prowess, and full -well he loved all manner of knights errant." - -"Truly," said Sir Tristram, "here is a piteous case, and full fain I -would take this enterprise upon me, but I have made such a promise that -needs I must be at this great tournament or else I am shamed. For well -I wot for my sake in especial my lord Arthur let make this jousts and -tournament in this country; and well I wot that many worshipful people -will be there at that tournament for to see me. Therefore I fear me to -take this enterprise upon me, that I shall not come again betimes to -this jousts." - -"Sir," said Palamides, "I pray you give me this enterprise, and ye -shall see me achieve it worshipfully, or else I shall die in this -quarrel." - -"Well," said Sir Tristram, "and this enterprise I give you, with this -that ye be with me at this tournament, that shall be as at this day -seven night." - -"Sir," said Palamides, "I promise you that I shall be with you by that -day if I be unslain or unmaimed." - - * * * * * - -Then departed Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Sir Dinadan, and left Sir -Palamides in the vessel; and so Sir Tristram beheld the mariners how -they sailed along Humber. And when Sir Palamides was out of their -sight, they took their horses, and beheld about them. And then were -they ware of a knight that came riding against them unarmed, and -nothing about him but a sword. And when this knight came nigh them he -saluted them, and they him again. - -"Fair knights," said that knight, "I pray you insomuch as ye be knights -errant, that ye will come and see my castle, and take such as ye find -there; I pray you heartily." - -And so they rode with him into his castle; and there they were brought -to the hall, that was well apparelled, and so they were unarmed and set -at a board. And when this knight saw Sir Tristram, anon he knew him; -and then this knight waxed pale and wroth at Sir Tristram. When Sir -Tristram saw his host make such cheer, he marvelled greatly, and said, -"Sir mine host, what cheer make ye?" - -"Wit thou well," said he, "I fare much the worse for thee; for I know -thee well, Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, thou slewest my brother, and -therefore I give thee summons that I will slay thee and I may get thee -at large." - -"Sir knight," said Sir Tristram, "I am not advised that ever I slew -any brother of yours; and if ye say that I did it, I will make you -amends unto my power." - -"I will none of your amends," said the knight, "but keep thee from me." - -So when he had dined, Sir Tristram asked his arms and departed; and so -they rode forth on their way. And within a little while Sir Dinadan saw -where came a knight riding all armed and well horsed without shield. - -"Sir Tristram," said Sir Dinadan, "take heed to yourself, for I -undertake that yonder cometh your host that will have to do with you." - -"Let him come," said Sir Tristram, "I shall abide him as well as I may." - -Anon that knight when he came nigh Sir Tristram he cried to him, and -bade him abide and keep him well. So they hurled together, but Sir -Tristram smote the other knight so sore that he bare him to the ground. -And that knight arose lightly, and took his horse again, and so rode -fiercely to Sir Tristram, and smote him twice full hard upon the helm. -"Sir knight," said Sir Tristram, "I pray you to leave off and smite me -no more, for I would be loth to deal with you and I might choose, for -I have your meat and your drink within my body." For all that he would -not leave; and then Sir Tristram gave him such a buffet upon the helm -that he tumbled upside down from his horse, that the blood brast out at -the ventails of his helm; and there he lay still likely to have died. -Then Sir Tristram said, "Me repenteth sore of this buffet that I smote -so sore, for, as I suppose, he is dead." - -And so they departed and rode forth on their way. So they had not -ridden but a while but they saw coming against them two full likely -knights, well armed and horsed, and goodly servants about them. The -one was called the king with the hundred knights, and that other was -Sir Segwarides, which were renowned two noble knights. So as they -came either by other, the king looked upon Sir Dinadan, which at that -time had Sir Tristram's helm upon his shoulder, which helm the king -had seen before with the Queen of Northwales, and that helm the Queen -of Northwales had given unto la Belle Isolde, and the Queen la Belle -Isolde gave it unto Sir Tristram. - -"Sir knight," said [the king], "where had ye that helm?" - -"What would ye?" said Sir Dinadan. - -"For I will have ado with thee," said the king, "for the love of her -that owned that helm, and therefore keep you." - -So they departed and came together with all the mights of their horses; -and there the king with the hundred knights smote Sir Dinadan, horse -and all, to the earth; and then he commanded his servant, "Go and take -thou his helm off, and keep it." - -So the varlet went to unbuckle his helm. - -"What helm? What wilt thou do?" said Sir Tristram; "leave that helm." - -"To what intent," said the king, "will ye, sir knight, meddle with that -helm?" - -"Wit you well," said Sir Tristram, "that helm shall not depart from me, -or it be dearer bought." - -"Then make you ready," said [the king] unto Sir Tristram. - -So they hurtled together, and there Sir Tristram smote him down over -his horse's tail. And then the king arose lightly, and gat his horse -lightly again, and then he struck fiercely at Sir Tristram many great -strokes. And then Sir Tristram gave [the king] such a buffet upon the -helm that he fell down over his horse, sore stunned. - -"Lo," said Sir Dinadan, "that helm is unhappy to us twain, for I had a -fall for it, and now, sir king, have ye another fall." - -Then Segwarides asked, "Who shall joust with me?" - -"I pray thee," said Sir Gareth unto Dinadan, "let me have this jousts." - -"Sir," said Dinadan, "I pray you take it as for me." - -"That is no reason," said Tristram, "for this jousts should be yours." - -"At a word," said Sir Dinadan, "I will not thereof." - -Then Gareth dressed him to Sir Segwarides, and there Sir Segwarides -smote Sir Gareth and his horse to the earth. - -"Now," said Sir Tristram to Dinadan, "joust with yonder knight." - -"I will not thereof," said Dinadan. - -"Then will I," said Sir Tristram. - -And then Sir Tristram ran to him and gave him a fall, and so they left -them on foot. And Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there Sir -Gareth would not of his courtesy have gone into the castle, but Sir -Tristram would not suffer him to depart; and so they alighted, and -unarmed them, and had there great cheer. But when Sir Dinadan came -afore la Belle Isolde, he cursed the time that ever he bare the helm of -Sir Tristram, and there he told her how Sir Tristram had mocked him. -Then was there good laughing and sport at Sir Dinadan, that they wist -not what to do to keep them from laughing. - - * * * * * - -Now will we leave them merry within Joyous Gard, and speak we of Sir -Palamides. Then Sir Palamides sailed even along Humber unto the coast -of the sea, where was a fair castle, and at that time it was early in -the morning afore day. Then the mariners went unto Sir Palamides, that -was fast on sleep: "Sir knight," said the mariners, "ye must arise, for -here is a castle into the which ye must go." - -"I assent me thereto," said Sir Palamides. - -And therewithal he arrived; and then he blew his horn, the which the -mariners had given him. And when they that were within the castle heard -that horn, they put forth many knights, and there they stood upon the -walls and said with one voice, "Welcome be ye to this castle." And then -it waxed clear day, and Sir Palamides entered into the castle. And -within a while he was served with many divers meats. Then Sir Palamides -heard about him much weeping and great dole. "What may this mean?" said -Sir Palamides: "I love not to hear such a sorrow, and fain I would know -what it meaneth." - -Then there came afore him one whose name was Sir Ebel, that said thus, -"Wit ye well, sir knight, this dole and sorrow is here made every day, -and for this cause: we had a king that hight Hermance, and he was King -of the Red City, and this king that was lord was a noble knight, large -and liberal of his expense. And in the world he loved nothing so much -as he did errant knights of King Arthur's court, and all jousting, -hunting, and all manner of knightly games; for so kind a king and -knight had never the rule of poor people as he was; and because of his -goodness and gentleness we bemoan him and ever shall. And all kings -and estates may beware by our lord, for he was destroyed in his own -default, for had he cherished them of his blood he had yet lived with -great riches and rest; but all estates may beware of our king. But -alas," said Ebel, "that we shall give all other warning by his death." - -"Tell me," said Palamides, "in what manner was your lord slain, and by -whom?" - -"Sir," said Sir Ebel, "our king brought up of children two men that -now are perilous knights, and these two knights our king had so in -charity, that he loved no man nor trusted no man of his blood, nor -none other that was about him. And by these two knights our king was -governed, and so they ruled him peaceably, and his lands, and never -would they suffer none of his blood to have no rule with our king. And -also he was so free and so gentle, and they so false and deceivable, -that they ruled him peaceably; and that espied the lords of our king's -blood, and departed from him unto their own livelihood. Then when these -two traitors understood that they had driven all the lords of his -blood from him, they were not pleased with that rule, but then they -thought to have more, as ever it is an old saw, Give a churl rule, and -thereby he will not be sufficed; for whatsoever he be that is ruled -by a villain born, and the lord of the soil to be a gentleman born, -the same villain shall destroy all the gentlemen about him; therefore -all estates and lords beware whom ye take about you. And if ye be a -knight of King Arthur's court, remember this tale, for this is the end -and conclusion. My lord and king rode unto the forest by the advice of -these false traitors, and there he chased at the red deer, all armed -of all pieces, full like a good knight; and so for labor he waxed dry, -and then he alighted and drank at a well. And when he was alighted, -by the assent of these two false traitors, the one that hight Helius -suddenly smote our king through the body with a spear, and so they left -him there; and when they were departed, then by fortune I came unto -the well and found my lord and king wounded unto the death; and when -I heard his complaint, I let bring him to the water side, and in that -same ship I put him alive. And when my lord King Hermance was in that -vessel, he required me for the true faith that I owed unto him for to -write a letter in this manner:-- - - * * * * * - -"'Recommending unto King Arthur and unto all the knights errant, -beseeching them all in so much as I, King Hermance, King of the Red -City, thus am slain by felony and treason, through two knights of mine -own, and of mine own bringing up and of mine own making, that some -worshipful knight will revenge my death, in so much as I have been ever -to my power well willing unto King Arthur's court; and who that will -adventure his life with these two traitors for my sake in one battle, -I, King Hermance, King of the Red City, freely give all my lands and -tenements that ever I possessed in all my life.' This letter," said -Sir Ebel, "I wrote by my lord's commandment, and then he received his -Maker [_took the Holy Communion_]. And when he was dead, he commanded -me, or ever he were cold, to put this letter fast in his hand; and then -he commanded me to put forth that same vessel down Humber, and I should -give these mariners in commandment never to stint until that they came -unto Logris, where all the noble knights shall assemble at this time, -'and there shall some good knight have pity on me to revenge my death, -for there was never king nor lord falselier ne traitorlier slain than I -am here to my death.'" - -Thus was the complaint of our king Hermance. - -"Now," said Sir Ebel, "ye know all how our lord was betrayed, we -require you for God's sake have pity upon his death, and worshipfully -revenge his death, and then may ye hold all these lands. For we all wit -well that, and ye may slay these two traitors, the Red City and all -those that be therein will take you for their lord." - -"Truly," said Sir Palamides, "it grieveth my heart for to hear you tell -this doleful tale. And to say the truth, I saw the same letter that ye -speak of; and one of the best knights on the earth read that letter -to me, and by his commandment I came hither to revenge your king's -death; and therefore have done, and let me wit where I shall find those -traitors, for I shall never be at ease in my heart till that I be in -hands with them." - -"Sir," said Sir Ebel, "then take your ship again, and that ship must -bring you unto the Delectable Isle, fast by the Red City, and we in -this castle shall pray for you and abide your again-coming; for this -same castle, and ye speed well, must needs be yours; for our king -Hermance let make this castle for the love of the two traitors, and so -we kept it with strong hand, and therefore full sore are we threated." - -"Wot ye what ye shall do," said Sir Palamides; "whatsoever come of me, -look ye keep well this castle. For, and it misfortune me so to be slain -in this quest, I am sure there will come one of the best knights of the -world for to revenge my death, and that is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, or -else Sir Launcelot du Lake." - -Then Sir Palamides departed from that castle. And as he came nigh unto -the city, there came out of a ship a goodly knight all armed against -him, with his shield upon his shoulder, and his hand upon his sword; -and anon as he came nigh Sir Palamides, he said, "Sir knight, what seek -ye here in this country? leave this quest, for it is mine, and mine it -was or it was yours, and therefore I will have it." - -"Sir knight," said Sir Palamides, "it may well be that this quest -was yours or it was mine, but when the letter was taken out of the -dead king's hand, at that time by likelihood there was no knight had -undertaken to revenge the death of King Hermance; and so at that time I -promised to revenge his death, and so I shall, or else I am shamed." - -"Ye say well," said the knight, "but wit ye well then will I fight -with you, and he that is the better knight of us both let him take the -battle in hand." - -"I assent me," said Sir Palamides. - -And then they dressed their shields, and drew out their swords, and -lashed together many a sad stroke, as men of might, and thus they -fought more than an hour. And at the last Sir Palamides waxed big and -better winded, so that then he smote that knight such a stroke that he -made him to kneel upon both his knees. Then that knight spoke on high -and said, "Gentle knight, hold thy hand." - -Sir Palamides was courteous and withdrew his hand. - -Then this knight said, "Wit ye well, sir knight, that ye be better -worthy to have this battle than I, and I require thee of thy knighthood -to tell me thy name." - -"Sir, my name is Sir Palamides, a knight of King Arthur's court and of -the Round Table, that hither am come to revenge the death of this dead -king." - - * * * * * - -"Ah, well be ye found," said the knight unto Sir Palamides, "for of all -knights that be now living (except three) I had lievest have you. The -first is Sir Launcelot du Lake, the second is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, -and the third Sir Lamorak de Galis; and I am brother unto King Hermance -that is dead, and my name is Sir Hermind." - -"It is well said," quoth Sir Palamides, "and ye shall see how I shall -speed; and if I be there slain, go ye unto my lord Sir Launcelot or -unto my lord Sir Tristram, and pray them to revenge my death, for as -for Sir Lamorak, him shall ye never see in this world." - -"Alas," said Sir Hermind, "how may that be?" - -"He is slain," said Sir Palamides, "by Sir Gawaine and his brethren." - -"Truly," said Hermind, "there was not one for one that slew him." - -"That is truth," said Sir Palamides, "for they were four dangerous -knights that slew him, as Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and -Sir Mordred; but Sir Gareth, the fifth brother, was away, the best -knight of them all." - -And so Sir Palamides told Hermind all the manner, and how they slew -Sir Lamorak all only by treason. So Sir Palamides took his ship, and -arrived up at the Delectable Isle. And in the meanwhile Sir Hermind, -that was the king's brother, he arrived up at the Red City, and there -he told them how there was come a knight of King Arthur's to avenge -King Hermance's death; and his name is Sir Palamides the good knight. -Then all the city made great joy. For mickle had they heard of Sir -Palamides, and of his noble prowess. So let they ordain a messenger and -sent unto the two brethren, and bade them to make them ready, for there -was a knight come that would fight with them both. So the messenger -went unto them where they were at a castle there beside. And there he -told them how there was a knight come of King Arthur's court to fight -with them both at once. - -"He is welcome," said they. "But tell us, we pray you, if it be Sir -Launcelot, or any of his blood." - -"He is none of that blood," said the messenger. - -"Then we care the less," said the two brethren, "for with none of the -blood of Sir Launcelot we keep not to have to do withal." - -"Wit ye well," said the messenger, "that his name is Sir Palamides, -the which is not yet christened, a noble knight." - -"Well," said they, "and if he be now unchristened, he shall never be -christened." - -So they appointed for to be at the city within two days. And when Sir -Palamides was come unto the city, they made passing great joy of him. -And when they beheld him, [they] saw that he was well made, cleanly and -bigly, and unmaimed of his limbs, and neither too young nor too old, -and so all the people praised him; and though he was not christened, -yet he believed in the best manner, and was faithful and true of his -promise, and also well conditioned; and because he made his avow never -to take full christendom unto the time that he had done seven battles -within the lists. - -So within the third day there came to this city these two brethren, the -one hight Sir Helius, and that other hight Sir Helake, the which were -men of great prowess, howbeit they were false and full of treason, and -but poor men born, yet were they noble knights of their hands. - -And with them they brought forty knights, to the intent they should -be big enough for the Red City. Thus came the two brethren with great -bobance [_boasting_] and pride, for they had put the Red City in fear -and damage. Then they were brought into the lists; and Sir Palamides -came into the place, and thus he said, "Be ye the two brethren, Sir -Helius and Sir Helake, that slew your king and lord Sir Hermance by -felony and treason, for whom I am come hither for to revenge his -death?" - -"Wit thou well," said Sir Helius and Sir Helake, "that we are the same -knights that slew King Hermance. And wit thou well, Sir Palamides, -Saracen, that we shall handle thee so or thou depart that thou shalt -wish that thou werest christened." - -"It may well be," said Sir Palamides, "for yet I would not die or I -were christened, and yet so am I not afeared of you both, but I trust -to God that I shall die a better Christian man than any of you both; -and doubt ye not," said Sir Palamides, "either ye or I shall be left -dead in this place." - - * * * * * - -Then they departed, and the two brethren came against Sir Palamides, -and he against them, as fast as their horses might run. And by fortune -Sir Palamides smote Helake through his shield, and through the breast -more than a fathom. All this while Sir Helius held up his spear, and -for pride and presumption he would not smite Sir Palamides with his -spear. But when he saw his brother lie on the earth, and saw he might -not help himself, then he said unto Sir Palamides, "Help thyself": and -therewith he came hurtling unto Sir Palamides with his spear, and smote -him quite from his saddle. Then Sir Helius rode over Sir Palamides -twice or thrice. And therewith Sir Palamides was ashamed, and gat the -horse of Sir Helius by the bridle, and therewithal the horse areared, -and Sir Palamides helped after, and so they fell both to the earth, but -anon Sir Helius started up lightly, and there he smote Sir Palamides -a mighty stroke upon the helm, so that he kneeled upon his own knee. -Then they lashed together many sad strokes, and traced and traversed, -now backward, now sideling, hurtling together like two boars, and that -same time they fell both grovelling to the earth. Thus they fought -still without any reposing two hours, and never breathed, and then Sir -Palamides waxed faint and weary, and Sir Helius waxed passing strong, -and doubled his strokes, and drove Sir Palamides overthwart and endlong -all the field, that they of the city, when they saw Sir Palamides in -this case, they wept and cried, and made a sorrowful dole; and that -other party made great joy. "Alas," said the men of the city, "that -this noble knight should thus be slain for our king's sake!" - -And as they were thus weeping and crying [for] Sir Palamides that had -endured well an hundred strokes, that it was wonder that he stood upon -his feet, at the last Sir Palamides beheld as well as he might the -common people how they wept for him. And then he said unto himself, -"Ah, fie for shame, Sir Palamides, wherefore hangest thou thy head so -low?" And therewith he bare up his shield, and looked Sir Helius in -the visage, and smote him a great stroke upon the helm, and after that -another, and another. And then he smote Sir Helius with such a might, -that he fell upon the ground grovelling; and then he started lightly -to him, and rashed off his helm from his head, and there he smote him -such a buffet that he departed his head from the body. And then were -the people of the city the joyfullest people that might be. So they -brought him unto his lodging with great solemnity, and there all the -people became his men; and then Sir Palamides prayed them all for to -take heed unto the lordship of King Hermance. "For, fair sirs, wit -ye well, I may not at this time abide with you, for I must in all the -haste be with my lord King Arthur at the Castle of Lonazep, which I -have promised." - -So then were the people full heavy of his departing; for all that city -proffered Sir Palamides the third part of their goods so that he would -abide with them; but in no wise at that time he would abide; and so -Sir Palamides departed. And then he came unto the castle whereas Sir -Ebel was lieutenant; and when they that were in the castle knew how Sir -Palamides had sped, there was a joyful meyny [_household_]. And Sir -Palamides departed, and came to the Castle of Lonazep. And when he wist -that Sir Tristram was not there, he took his way unto Humber, and came -unto Joyous Gard, whereas Sir Tristram was and la Belle Isolde. So it -had been commanded that what knight errant came within the Joyous Gard, -as in the town, that they should warn Sir Tristram. So there came a man -of the town, and told Sir Tristram how there was a knight in the town, -a passing goodly man. - -"What manner of man is he?" said Sir Tristram, "and what sign beareth -he?" - -So the man told Sir Tristram all the tokens of him. - -"That is Palamides," said Dinadan. - -"It may well be," said Sir Tristram: "go ye to him," said Sir Tristram -unto Dinadan. - -So Dinadan went unto Sir Palamides, and there either made of other -great joy, and so they lay together that night, and on the morn early -came Sir Tristram and Sir Gareth, and took them in their beds, and so -they arose and brake their fast. - - * * * * * - -[And so, having done many great deeds of arms, after many days it -happened that Sir Tristram rode forth for to rescue Sir Palamides, but -Sir Launcelot, in disguise, had already rescued him or [_before_] that -Sir Tristram could come. And then Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides went -with the unknown knight to his castle, which was Sir Launcelot's castle -of Joyous Gard.] - -And when they were come within Joyous Gard, they alighted, and their -horses were led into a stable, and then they unarmed them. And when -Sir Launcelot had put off his helm, Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides -knew him. Then Sir Tristram took Sir Launcelot in his arms; and Sir -Palamides kneeled down upon his knees and thanked Sir Launcelot. When -Sir Launcelot saw Sir Palamides kneel, he lightly took him up, and -said,-- - -"Wit thou well, Sir Palamides, I and any knight in this land of worship -ought of very right succor and rescue so noble a knight as ye are -proved and renowned throughout all this realm, endlong and overthwart." - -Then Sir Launcelot within three or four days departed; and with him -rode Sir Ector de Maris; and Dinadan and Sir Palamides were there -left with Sir Tristram a two months and more. But ever Sir Palamides -faded and mourned, that all men had marvel wherefore he faded so away. -So upon a day, in the dawning Sir Palamides went into the forest by -himself alone, and there he found a well. And therewithal he laid him -down by the well. And then he began to make a rhyme of la Belle Isolde -and him. And in the meanwhile Sir Tristram was that same day ridden -into the forest to chase the hart of greese [_the fat hart_]. And so -as Sir Tristram rode into that forest up and down, he heard one sing -marvellously loud; and that was Sir Palamides, that lay by the well. -And then Sir Tristram rode softly thither, for he deemed there was some -knight errant that was at the well. - -And when Sir Tristram came nigh him, he descended down from his horse, -and tied his horse fast to a tree, and then he came near him on foot. -And anon he was ware where lay Sir Palamides by the well. And ever -the complaints were of that noble queen la Belle Isolde, the which -was marvellously and wonderfully well made and full dolefully and -piteously. And all the whole song the noble knight Sir Tristram heard -from the beginning to the ending, the which grieved and troubled him -sore. But then at last, when Sir Tristram had heard all Sir Palamides' -complaints, he was wroth out of measure, and thought for to slay -him there as he lay. Then Sir Tristram remembered himself that Sir -Palamides was unarmed, and of the noble name that Sir Palamides had, -and the noble name that himself had, and then he made a restraint of -his anger, and so he went unto Sir Palamides a soft pace, and said,-- - -"Sir Palamides, I have heard your complaint, and of thy treason that -thou hast owed me so long. And wit thou well therefore thou shalt die. -And if it were not for shame of knighthood thou shouldest not escape my -hands, for now I know well thou hast awaited me with treason. Tell me," -said Sir Tristram, "how thou wilt acquit thee." - -"Sir," said Palamides, "thus I will acquit me: as for queen la Belle -Isolde, ye shall wit well that I love her above all other ladies of -the world; and well I wot it shall befall me as for her love as befell -to the noble knight Sir Kehidius, that died for the love of la Belle -Isolde; and now, Sir Tristram, I will that ye wit that I have loved la -Belle Isolde many a day, and she hath been the causer of my worship. -And else I had been the most simplest knight in the world. For by -her, and because of her, I have won the worship that I have: for when -I remembered me of la Belle Isolde, I won the worship wheresoever I -came, for the most part; and yet had I never reward nor bounty of her -the days of my life, and yet have I been her knight guerdonless; and -therefore, Sir Tristram, as for any death I dread not, for I had as -lief die as to live. And if I were armed as thou art, I should lightly -do battle with thee." - -"Well have ye uttered your treason," said Sir Tristram. - -"I have done to you no treason," said Sir Palamides, "for love is free -for all men, and though I have loved your lady she is my lady as well -as yours; and yet shall I love her to the uttermost days of my life as -well as ye." - - * * * * * - -"Then," said Sir Tristram, "I will fight with you unto the uttermost." - -"I grant," said Sir Palamides, "for in a better quarrel keep I never -to fight, for and I die of your hands, of a better knight's hands may -I not be slain. And sithen [_since_] I understand that I shall never -rejoice the queen la Belle Isolde, I have as good a will to die as to -live." - -"Then set ye a day of battle," said Sir Tristram. - -"This day fifteen days," said Sir Palamides, "will I meet with you -hereby in the meadow under Joyous Gard." - -"Fie for shame!" said Sir Tristram, "will ye set so long a day? let us -fight to-morrow." - -"Not so," said Sir Palamides, "for I am feeble and lean, and have been -long sick for the love of la Belle Isolde, and therefore I will rest me -till that I have my strength again." - -So then Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides promised faithfully to meet at -the well as that day fifteen days. - -Right so departed Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides; and so Sir Palamides -took his horse and his harness, and rode unto King Arthur's court, and -there Sir Palamides gat him four knights and three sergeants of arms; -and so he returned again towards Joyous Gard. And in the meanwhile Sir -Tristram chased and hunted at all manner of venery [_game_]; and about -a three days afore that the battle should be, as Sir Tristram chased an -hart, there was an archer shot at the hart, and by misfortune he smote -Sir Tristram in the thickest of the thigh and wounded him right sore, -and the arrow slew Sir Tristram's horse; and when Sir Tristram was so -sore hurt, he was passing heavy, and wit ye well he bled sore. And -then he took another horse, and rode unto Joyous Gard with full great -heaviness. - - * * * * * - -Then when the fifteenth day was come, Sir Palamides came to the well -with four knights with him of King Arthur's court, and three sergeants -of arms. And the one sergeant brought his helm, the other his spear, -and the third his sword. So Sir Palamides came into the field, and -there he abode nigh two hours, and then he sent a squire unto Sir -Tristram, and desired him to come into the field for to hold his -promise. When the squire was come to Joyous Gard, and that Sir Tristram -heard of his coming, he commanded that the squire should come to his -presence there as he lay in his bed. - -"My lord Sir Tristram," said Palamides' squire, "wit you well, my lord -Palamides abideth you in the field, and he would wit whether ye would -do battle or not." - -"Ah, my fair brother," said Sir Tristram, "wit thou well that I am -right heavy for these tidings, therefore tell Sir Palamides and I were -well at ease I would not lie here, nor he should have no need to send -for me, and I might either ride or go: and for thou shalt say that I -am no liar," Sir Tristram showed him his thigh, that the wound was six -inches deep:--"and now thou hast seen my hurt, tell thy lord that this -is no feigned matter; and tell him that I had liever than all the gold -of King Arthur that I were whole; and tell Sir Palamides, as soon as I -am whole I shall seek him endlong and overthwart, and that I promise -you as I am true knight; and if ever I may meet with him he shall have -battle of me his fill." - -And with this the squire departed. And then departed Sir Palamides -where as fortune led him. And within a month Sir Tristram was whole of -his hurt. And then he took his horse, and rode from country to country, -and all strange adventures he achieved wheresoever he rode, and always -he inquired for Sir Palamides. - - * * * * * - -[When Sir Tristram was returned, he heard how there should be a great -feast at King Arthur's court on the Pentecost next following. And so -when that day was nigh Sir Tristram set forth unarmed towards Camelot.] - -And within a mile after, Sir Tristram saw before him where Sir -Palamides had stricken down a knight, and had almost wounded him to -death. Then Sir Tristram repented him that he was not armed, and then -he hoved still. With that Sir Palamides knew Sir Tristram, and cried on -high: "Sir Tristram, now be we met, for or we depart we will redress -our old sores." - -"As for that," said Sir Tristram, "there was never yet Christian man -that might make his boast that ever I fled from him, and wit thou well, -Sir Palamides, thou that art a Saracen shall never make thy boast that -Sir Tristram de Lyonesse shall flee from thee." - -And therewithal Sir Tristram made his horse to run with all his might, -came he straight upon Sir Palamides, and brake his spear upon him in -an hundred pieces, and forthwith Sir Tristram drew his sword, and then -he turned his horse and struck at Sir Palamides six great strokes upon -his helm. And then Sir Palamides stood still, and beheld Sir Tristram, -and marvelled of his woodness and of his great folly; and then Sir -Palamides said to himself, "And Sir Tristram were armed it were hard to -cease him of this battle, and if I turn again and slay him I am shamed -wheresoever that I go." - -Then Sir Tristram spake and said, "Thou coward knight, what castest -thou to do? why wilt thou not do battle with me, for have thou no doubt -I shall endure all thy malice." - -"Ah, Sir Tristram," said Sir Palamides, "full well thou wottest I may -not fight with thee for shame, for thou art here naked, and I am -armed, and if I slay thee dishonor shall be mine. And well thou wottest -I know thy strength and thy hardiness to endure against a good knight." - -"That is truth," said Sir Tristram, "I understand thy valiantness well." - -"Ye say well," said Sir Palamides, "now I require you tell me a -question that I shall say to you." - -"Tell me what it is," said Sir Tristram, "and I shall answer you the -truth." - -"I put the case," said Sir Palamides, "that ye were armed at all rights -as well as I am, and I naked as ye be, what would ye do to me now by -your true knighthood?" - -"Ah," said Sir Tristram, "now I understand thee well, Sir Palamides, -for now must I say my own judgment, and, as God me bless, that I shall -say shall not be said for no fear that I have of thee. But this is all; -wit, Sir Palamides, as at this time thou shouldest depart from me, for -I would not have ado with thee." - -"No more will I," said Sir Palamides, "and therefore ride forth on thy -way." - -"As for that I may choose," said Sir Tristram, "either to ride or to -abide. But Sir Palamides," said Sir Tristram, "I marvel of one thing, -that thou that art so good a knight, that thou will not be christened, -and thy brother Sir Safere hath been christened many a day." - - * * * * * - -"As for that," said Sir Palamides, "I may not yet be christened for one -avow that I have made many years agone; howbeit in my heart I believe -in Jesus Christ and his mild mother Mary; but I have but one battle to -do, and when that is done I will be baptized with a good will." - -"By my head," said Sir Tristram, "as for one battle thou shalt not -seek it no longer. For God defend," said Sir Tristram, "that through -my default thou shouldest longer live thus a Saracen. For yonder is a -knight that ye, Sir Palamides, have hurt and smitten down; now help me -that I were armed in his armor, and I shall soon fulfil thine avows." - -"As ye will," said Sir Palamides, "so it shall be." - -So they rode unto that knight that sat upon a bank, and then Sir -Tristram saluted him, and he weakly saluted him again. - -"Sir knight," said Sir Tristram, "I require you tell me your right -name." - -"Sir," he said, "my name is Sir Galleron of Galway, and knight of the -Table Round." - -"Truly," said Sir Tristram, "I am right heavy of your hurts: but this -is all, I must pray you to lend me all your whole armor, for ye see I -am unarmed, and I must do battle with this knight." - -"Sir," said the hurt knight, "ye shall have it with a good will; but ye -must beware, for I warn you that knight is wight [_strong_]. Sir," said -Galleron, "I pray you tell me your name, and what is that knight's name -that hath beaten me." - -"Sir, as for my name, it is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, and as for the -knight's name that hath hurt you, it is Sir Palamides, brother unto the -good knight Sir Safere, and yet is Sir Palamides unchristened." - -"Alas," said Sir Galleron, "that is pity that so good a knight and so -noble a man of arms should be unchristened." - -"Truly," said Sir Tristram, "either he shall slay me, or I him, but -that he shall be christened or ever we depart in sunder." - -"My lord Sir Tristram," said Sir Galleron, "your renown and worship is -well known through many realms and God save you this day from shame." - -Then Sir Tristram unarmed Galleron, the which was a noble knight and -had done many deeds of arms, and he was a large knight of flesh and -bone. And when he was unarmed he stood upon his feet, for he was -bruised in the back with a spear; yet, so as Sir Galleron might, -he armed Sir Tristram. And then Sir Tristram mounted upon his own -horse, and in his hand he gat Sir Galleron's spear. And therewithal -Sir Palamides was ready, and so they came hurtling together, and -either smote other in the midst of their shields, and therewithal Sir -Palamides' spear brake, and Sir Tristram smote down the horse; and then -Sir Palamides, as soon as he might, avoided his horse, and dressed his -shield, and pulled out his sword. That saw Sir Tristram, and therewith -he alighted, and tied his horse to a tree. - - * * * * * - -And then they came together as two wild boars, lashing together, -tracing and traversing as noble men that oft had been well proved in -battle; but ever Sir Palamides dreaded the might of Sir Tristram, and -therefore he suffered him to breathe him. Thus they fought more than -two hours; and often Sir Tristram smote such strokes at Sir Palamides -that he made him to kneel; and Sir Palamides brake and cut away many -pieces of Sir Tristram's shield, and then Sir Palamides wounded Sir -Tristram, for he was a well fighting man. Then Sir Tristram was wood -wrath out of measure, and rashed upon Sir Palamides with such a might -that Sir Palamides fell grovelling to the earth, and therewithal he -leapt up lightly upon his feet, and then Sir Tristram wounded Sir -Palamides sore through the shoulder. And ever Sir Tristram fought -still in like hard, and Sir Palamides failed not, but gave him many -sad strokes. And at the last Sir Tristram doubled his strokes, and by -fortune Sir Tristram smote Sir Palamides' sword out of his hand, and if -Sir Palamides had stooped for his sword, he had been slain. Then Sir -Palamides stood still and beheld his sword with a sorrowful heart. - -"How now," said Sir Tristram unto Sir Palamides, "now have I thee at -advantage as thou hadst me this day, but it shall never be said in no -court, nor among good knights, that Sir Tristram shall slay any knight -that is weaponless, and therefore take thou thy sword, and let us make -an end of this battle." - -"As for to do this battle," said Sir Palamides, "I dare right well end -it; but I have no great lust to fight no more, and for this cause, mine -offence to you is not so great but that we may be friends. All that I -have offended is and was for the love of la Belle Isolde. And as for -her, I dare say she is peerless above all other ladies, and also I -proffered her never no dishonor; and by her I have gotten the most part -of my worship, and sithen I offended never as to her own person. And -as for the offence that I have done, it was against your own person, -and for that offence ye have given me this day many sad strokes, and -some I have given you again; and now I dare say I felt never man of -your might, nor so well breathed, but if it were Sir Launcelot du Lake. -Wherefore I require you, my lord, forgive me all that I have offended -unto you. And this same day have me to the next church, and first let -me be clean confessed, and after see you now that I be truly baptized. -And then will we all ride together unto the court of Arthur, that we be -there at the high feast." - -"Now take your horse," said Sir Tristram, "and as ye say, so it shall -be; and all your evil will God forgive it you, and I do. And here, -within this mile, is the suffragan of Carlisle, that shall give you the -sacrament of baptism." - -Then they took their horses, and Sir Galleron rode with them. And when -they came to the suffragan Sir Tristram told him their desire. Then the -suffragan let fill a great vessel with water. And when he had hallowed -it, he then confessed clean Sir Palamides, and Sir Tristram and Sir -Galleron were his god-fathers. And then soon after they departed, -riding towards Camelot, where King Arthur and Queen Guenever was, and -for the most part all the knights of the Round Table. And so the king -and all the court were glad that Sir Palamides was christened. And Sir -Tristram returned again towards Joyous Gard. - - * * * * * - -[And so, after years, and many mighty deeds of arms, the] traitor King -Mark slew the noble knight Sir Tristram as he sat harping before his -lady la Belle Isolde, with a trenchant glaive; for whose death was much -bewailing of every knight in Arthur's days. And la Belle Isolde died -swooning upon the corpse of Sir Tristram, whereof was great pity. And -all that were with King Mark consenting to the death of Sir Tristram -were slain. - -[Illustration: _King Mark slew the noble knight Sir Tristram as he sat -harping before his lady la Belle Isolde_] - - - - - BOOK V - - OF SIR GALAHAD AND SIR PERCIVAL AND THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL - - -At the vigil of Pentecost, when all the fellowship of the Round Table -were come unto Camelot, and there they all heard their service, and -all the tables were covered, ready to set thereon the meat, right -so entered into the hall a full fair gentlewoman on horseback, that -had ridden full fast, for her horse was all to-besweat; [and she -besought Sir Launcelot that he would come forth with her into the -forest for to dub a knight.] Right so departed Sir Launcelot with the -gentlewoman, and rode till they came into a forest, and into a great -valley, where he saw an abbey of nuns; and there was a squire ready to -open the gates. And so there came in twelve nuns, which brought with -them Galahad, the which was passing fair and well made, that unneth -[_hardly_] men in the world might not find his match; and all those -ladies wept. - -"Sir," said the ladies, "we bring here this child, the which we have -nourished, and we pray you for to make him a knight; for of a more -worthier man's hand may he not receive the order of knighthood." - -Sir Launcelot beheld that young squire, and saw he was seemly and -demure as a dove, with all manner of good features, that he wend of -his age never to have seen so fair a man of form. - -Then said Sir Launcelot, "Cometh this desire of himself?" - -He and all they said, "Yea." - -"Then shall he," said Sir Launcelot, "receive the high order of -knighthood as to-morrow at the reverence of the high feast." - -That night Sir Launcelot had passing good cheer, and on the morrow -at the hour of prime, at Galahad's desire, he made him knight; and -said, "God make him a good man, for beauty faileth him not as any that -liveth." - -So when the king and all the knights were come from service, the barons -espied in the sieges of the Round Table, all about written with gold -letters: "Here ought to sit" he, and he "ought to sit here." And thus -they went so long until that they came to the Siege Perilous, where -they found letters newly written of gold, that said: "Four hundred -winters and fifty-four accomplished after the passion of our Lord Jesu -Christ ought this siege to be fulfilled." - -Then all they said, "This is a marvellous thing, and an adventurous." - -"In the name of God," said Sir Launcelot; and then he accounted the -term of the writing, from the birth of our Lord unto that day. - -"It seemeth me," said Sir Launcelot, "this siege ought to be fulfilled -this same day, for this is the feast of Pentecost after the four -hundred and four and fifty year; and if it would please all parties, I -would none of these letters were seen this day, till he be come that -ought to achieve this adventure." - -Then made they to ordain a cloth of silk for to cover these letters in -the Siege Perilous. Then the king bade haste unto dinner. - -"Sir," said Sir Kay the steward, "if ye go now unto your meat, ye shall -break your old custom of your court. For ye have not used on this day -to sit at your meat or that ye have seen some adventure." - -"Ye say sooth," said the king, "but I had so great joy of Sir Launcelot -and of his cousins, which be come to the court whole and sound, that I -bethought me not of my old custom." - -So as they stood speaking, in came a squire, and said unto the king, -"Sir, I bring unto you marvellous tidings." - -"What be they?" said the king. - -"Sir, there is here beneath at the river a great stone, which I saw -fleet [_float_] above the water, and therein saw I sticking a sword." - -The king said, "I will see that marvel." - -So all the knights went with him, and when they came unto the river, -they found there a stone fleeting, as it were of red marble, and -therein stuck a fair and a rich sword, and in the pommel thereof were -precious stones, wrought with subtle letters of gold. Then the barons -read the letters, which said in this wise: "Never shall man take me -hence, but only he by whom I ought to hang, and he shall be the best -knight of the world." - -When the king had seen these letters, he said unto Sir - -Launcelot, "Fair sir, this sword ought to be yours, for I am sure that -ye be the best knight of the world." - -Then Sir Launcelot answered soberly, "Certainly, sir, it is not my -sword. Also, sir, wit ye well I have no hardiness to set my hand to it, -for it belongeth not to hang by my side. Also, who assayeth for to take -that sword, and faileth of it, he shall receive a wound by that sword -that he shall not be whole long after. And I will that ye wit that this -same day will the adventures of the Sancgreal (that is called the holy -vessel) begin." - - * * * * * - -So when they were served, and all the sieges fulfilled save only the -Siege Perilous, anon there befell a marvellous adventure, that all -the doors and the windows of the palace shut by themselves, but for -all that the hall was not greatly darked, and therewith they were all -abashed both one and other. Then King Arthur spake first, and said, -"Fair fellows and lords, we have seen this day marvels, but or night I -suppose we shall see greater marvels." - -In the meanwhile came in a good old man and an ancient, clothed all -in white; and there was no knight that knew from whence he came. And -with him he brought a young knight, both on foot, in red arms, without -sword or shield, save a scabbard hanging by his side; and these words -he said, "Peace be with you, fair lords." Then the old man said unto -King Arthur, "Sir, I bring you here a young knight that is of king's -lineage, and of the kindred of Joseph of Arimathea, whereby the marvels -of this court and of strange realms shall be fully accomplished." - -The king was right glad of his words, and said unto the good man, "Sir, -ye be right heartily welcome, and the young knight with you." - -Then the old man made the young knight to unarm him; and he was in -a coat of red sendall, and bare a mantle upon his shoulder that was -furred with fine ermines, and put that upon him. And the old man said -unto the young knight, "Sir, follow after." - -And anon he led him unto the Siege Perilous, where beside sat Sir -Launcelot; and the good man lifted up the cloth, and found there -letters that said thus: "This is the siege of Galahad the haut [_high_] -prince." - -Then all the knights of the Table Round marvelled them greatly of Sir -Galahad, that he durst sit there in that Siege Perilous, and was so -tender of age, and wist not from whence he came, but all only by God, -and said, This is he by whom the Sancgreal shall be achieved, for there -sat never none but he, but he were mischieved. Then Sir Launcelot -beheld his son, and had great joy of him. - -Then came King Arthur unto Sir Galahad, and said, "Sir, ye be welcome, -for ye shall move many good knights unto the quest of the Sancgreal, -and ye shall achieve that never knight might bring to an end." - -Then the king took him by the hand, and went down from the palace to -show Sir Galahad the adventure of the stone. - -The queen heard thereof, and came after with many ladies, and showed -them the stone where it hoved on the water. "Sir," said the king unto -Sir Galahad, "here is a great marvel as ever I saw, and right good -knights have assayed and failed." - -"Sir," said Galahad, "that is no marvel, for this adventure is not -theirs, but mine, and for the surety of this sword I brought none with -me; for here by my side hangeth the scabbard." - -And anon he laid his hand on the sword, and lightly drew it out of the -stone, and put it in the sheath, and said unto the king, "Now it goeth -better than it did aforehand." - -"Sir," said the king, "a shield God shall send you." - -"Now have I," said Sir Galahad, "that sword that sometime was the good -knight's Balin le Savage, and he was a passing good man of his hands. -And with this sword he slew his brother Balan, and that was great pity, -for he was a good knight, and either slew other through a dolorous -stroke that Balan gave unto my grandfather King Pelles, the which is -not yet whole, nor not shall be till I heal him." - -Therewith the king and all espied where came riding down the river a -lady on a white palfrey towards them. Then she saluted the king and the -queen, and asked if that Sir Launcelot was there? And then he answered -himself, "I am here, fair lady." - -Then she said, all with weeping, "How your great doing is changed sith -this day in the morn." - -"Damsel, why say ye so?" said Launcelot. - -"I say you sooth," said the damsel, "for ye were this day the best -knight of the world, but who should say so now should be a liar, -for there is now one better than ye. And well it is proved by the -adventures of the sword whereto ye durst not set your hand, and that -is in remembrance, that ye shall not ween from henceforth that ye be -the best knight of the world." - -"As touching that," said Sir Launcelot, "I know well I was never the -best." - -"Yes," said the damsel, "that were ye, and yet are of any sinful man -of the world; and, sir king, Nacien the hermit sendeth thee word that -to thee shall befall the greatest worship that ever befell king in -Britain, and I shall tell you wherefore, for this day the Sancgreal -appeared in this thy house, and fed thee and all thy fellowship of the -Round Table." - -And so the damsel took her leave, and departed the same way that she -came. - - * * * * * - -Then the king [caused that Queen Guenever should see Sir Galahad] in -the visage; and when she beheld him she said, "Soothly I dare well say -that he is Sir Launcelot's son, for never two men resembled more in -likeness, therefore it is no marvel though he be of great prowess." - -So a lady that stood by the queen said: "Madam, for God's sake, ought -he of right to be so good a knight?" - -"Yea, forsooth," said the queen, "for he is of all parties come of -the best knights of the world, and of the highest lineage, for Sir -Launcelot is come but of the eighth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, -and Sir Galahad is of the ninth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, -therefore I dare well say that they be the greatest gentlemen of all -the world." - -And then the king and all the estates went home unto Camelot, and so -went to even-song to the great minster; and so after that they went to -supper, and every knight sat in their place as they were beforehand. -Then anon they heard cracking and crying of thunder, that them thought -the place should all to-rive [_burst_]; in the midst of the blast -entered a sunbeam more clear by seven times than ever they saw day, -and all they were alighted of the grace of the Holy Ghost. Then began -every knight to behold other, and either saw other by their seeming -fairer than ever they saw afore, [and] there was no knight that might -speak one word a great while, and so they looked every man on other, -as they had been dumb. Then there entered into the hall the Holy Grail -covered with white samite, but there was none might see it, nor who -bare it. And there was all the hall full filled with good odors, and -every knight had such meats and drinks as he best loved in this world; -and when the Holy Grail had been borne through the hall, then the holy -vessel departed suddenly, that they wist not where it became. Then had -they all breath to speak. And then the king yielded thankings unto God -of His good grace that He had sent them. - -"Now," said Sir Gawaine, "we have been served this day of what meats -and drinks we thought on, but one thing beguiled us, we might not see -the Holy Grail, it was so preciously covered: wherefore I will make -here avow, that to-morn, without longer abiding, I shall labor in the -quest of the Sancgreal, that I shall hold me out a twelvemonth and a -day, or more if need be, and never shall I return again unto the court -till I have seen it more openly than it hath been seen here: and if I -may not speed, I shall return again as he that may not be against the -will of our Lord Jesu Christ." - -When they of the Table Round heard Sir Gawaine say so, they arose up -the most part, and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made. - -Anon as King Arthur heard this he was greatly displeased, for he wist -well that they might not gainsay their avows. - -"Alas!" said King Arthur unto Sir Gawaine, "ye have nigh slain me with -the avow and promise that ye have made. For through you ye have bereft -me of the fairest fellowship and the truest of knighthood that ever -were seen together in any realm of the world. For when they depart from -hence, I am sure they all shall never meet more in this world, for they -shall die many in the quest. And so it forethinketh [_repenteth_] me a -little, for I have loved them as well as my life, wherefore it shall -grieve me right sore the departing of this fellowship. For I have had -an old custom to have them in my fellowship." - - * * * * * - -And therewith the tears fell into his eyes, and he said: "Sir Gawaine, -Sir Gawaine, ye have set me in great sorrow, for I have great doubt -that my true fellowship shall never meet more here again." - -When the queen, ladies, and gentlewomen wist these tidings, they had -such sorrow and heaviness that no tongue might tell it, for those -knights had holden them in honor and charity, but among all other, -Queen Guenever made great sorrow. "I marvel," said she, "my lord will -suffer them to depart from him." Thus was all the court troubled, -because those knights should depart. - -After this the queen came unto Sir Galahad, and asked him of whence he -was, and of what country; he told her of whence he was, and son unto -Sir Launcelot she said he was. - -And then they went to rest them; and in the honor of the highness of -Sir Galahad he was led into King Arthur's chamber, and there he rested -him in his own bed; and as soon as it was daylight the king arose, for -he had taken no rest of all that night for sorrow. - -So anon Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine commanded their men to bring -their arms; and when they [were all armed, then the king would know -how many they were, and they found by tale [_count_] that they were an -hundred and fifty, and all knights of the Round Table.] - -And so they mounted their horses, and rode through the streets of -Camelot, and there was weeping of the rich and poor, and the king -turned away and might not speak for weeping. - -So within a while they came to a city and a castle that hight [_was -named_] Vagon; there they entered into the castle, and the lord of that -castle was an old man that hight Vagon, and he was a good man of his -living, and set open the gates, and made them all the good cheer that -he might. - -And then they departed on the morrow with weeping and mourning cheer, -and every knight took the way that him best liked. - - * * * * * - -Now rideth Sir Galahad yet without shield; and so he rode four days -without any adventure, and at the fourth day after even-song he came -to a white abbey, and there he was received with great reverence, and -led to a chamber; and there he was unarmed, and then was he ware of two -knights of the Round Table, one was King Bagdemagus, and that other was -Sir Uwaine. And when they saw him, they went unto him and made of him -great solace, and so they went to supper. - -"Sirs," said Sir Galahad, "what adventure brought you hither?" - -"Sir," said they, "it is told us that within this place is a shield -that no man may bear about his neck but if that he be mischieved or -dead within three days, or else maimed forever." - -"Ah, sir," said King Bagdemagus, "I shall bear it to-morrow for to -assay this strange adventure." - -"In the name of God," said Sir Galahad. - -"Sir," said King Bagdemagus, "and I may not achieve the adventure of -this shield, ye shall take it upon you, for I am sure ye shall not -fail." - -"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "I agree right well thereto, for I have no -shield." - -So on the morrow they arose and heard mass. Then King Bagdemagus asked -where the adventurous shield was; anon a monk led him behind an altar, -where the shield hung as white as any snow, but in the midst was a red -cross. - -"Sir," said the monk, "this shield ought not to be hanged about no -knight's neck, but he be the worthiest knight of the world, and -therefore I counsel you knights to be well advised." - -"Well," said King Bagdemagus, "I wot well that I am not the best knight -of the world, but yet shall I assay to bear it." - -And so he bare it out of the monastery; and then he said unto Sir -Galahad, "If it will please you, I pray you abide here still, till ye -know how I shall speed." - -"I shall abide you here," said Galahad. - -Then King Bagdemagus took with him a squire, the which should bring -tidings unto Sir Galahad how he sped. Then when they had ridden a two -mile, and came in a fair valley afore an hermitage, then they saw a -goodly knight come from that part in white armor, horse and all, and -he came as fast as his horse might run with his spear in the rest, and -King Bagdemagus dressed his spear against him, and brake it upon the -white knight; but the other struck him so hard that he brake the mails, -and thrust him through the right shoulder, for the shield covered him -not as at that time, and so he bare him from his horse, and therewith -he alighted and took the white shield from him, saying, "Knight, thou -hast done thyself great folly, for this shield ought not to be borne -but by him that shall have no peer that liveth." - -And then he came to King Bagdemagus' squire and said, "Bear this shield -unto the good knight Sir Galahad, that thou left in the abbey, and -greet him well from me." - -And the squire went unto Bagdemagus and asked him whether he were sore -wounded or not? - -"Yea, forsooth," said he, "I shall escape hard from the death." - -Then he fetched his horse, and brought him with great pain unto an -abbey. Then was he taken down softly, and unarmed, and laid in a bed, -and there was looked to his wounds. And he lay there long, and escaped -hard with the life. - - * * * * * - -"Sir Galahad," said the squire, "that knight that wounded Bagdemagus -sendeth you greeting, and bade that ye should bear this shield, -wherethrough great adventures should befall." - -"Now blessed be God and fortune," said Sir Galahad. - -And then he asked his arms, and mounted upon his horse, and hung the -white shield about his neck, and commended them unto God. And Sir -Uwaine said he would bear him fellowship, if it pleased him. - -"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "that may ye not, for I must go alone, save -this squire that shall bear me fellowship." And so departed Sir Uwaine. - -Then within a while came Sir Galahad there as the white knight abode -him by the hermitage, and every each saluted other courteously. - -"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "by this shield been fall many marvels." - -"Sir," said the knight, "it befell, after the passion of our Lord -Jesu Christ thirty year, that Joseph of Arimathea, the gentle knight -that took down our Lord from the cross, at that time he departed from -Jerusalem with a great part of his kindred with him, and so they -labored till they came to a city that hight Sarras. And at that same -hour that Joseph came unto Sarras, there was a king that hight Evelake, -that had great war against the Saracens, and in especial against one -Saracen, the which was King Evelake's cousin, a rich king and a mighty, -the which marched nigh this land, and his name was called Tollome le -Feintes. So upon a day these two met to do battle. Then Joseph, the -son of Joseph of Arimathea, went unto King Evelake, and told him that -he would be discomfited and slain but if he left his believe of the -old law and believe upon the new law. And then he showed him the right -believe of the Holy Trinity, the which he agreed with all his heart, -and there this shield was made for King Evelake, in the name of Him -that died upon the cross; and then through his good believe he had the -better of King Tollome. For when King Evelake was in the battle, there -was a cloth set afore the shield, and when he was in the greatest peril -he let put away the cloth, and then anon his enemies saw a figure of -a man upon the cross, wherethrough they were discomfited. And so it -befell that a man of King Evelake's had his hand smitten off, and bare -his hand in his other hand, and Joseph called that man unto him, and -bade him go with good devotion and touch the cross; and as soon as that -man had touched the cross with his hand it was as whole as ever it was -before. Not long after that, Joseph was laid in his death bed, and when -King Evelake saw that, he made great sorrow, and said: 'For thy love I -have left my country, and sith [_since_] thou shalt out of this world, -leave me some token that I may think on thee.' 'That will I do right -gladly,' said Joseph. 'Now bring me the shield that I took you when ye -went into the battle against King Tollome.' Then Joseph bled sore that -he might not by no means be stanched, and there upon that same shield -he made a cross of his own blood. 'Now ye shall never see this shield -but that ye shall think on me, and it shall be always as fresh as it -is now, and never shall no man bear this shield about his neck but he -shall repent it, unto the time that Galahad the good knight bear it, -and the last of my lineage shall have it about his neck, that shall do -many marvellous deeds.' 'Now,' said King Evelake, 'where shall I put -this shield, that this worthy knight may have it?' 'Ye shall leave it -there as Nacien the hermit shall be put after his death. For thither -shall that good knight come the fifteenth day after that he shall -receive the order of knighthood. And so that day that they set is this -time that ye have his shield. And in the same abbey lieth Nacien the -hermit.'" - -And then the white knight vanished away. Anon, as the squire had heard -these words, he alighted off his hackney, and kneeled down at Galahad's -feet, and prayed him that he might go with him till he had made him -knight. So Sir Galahad granted him, and turned again unto the abbey -there they came from. And there men made great joy of Sir Galahad. - - * * * * * - -Then as Sir Galahad heard this, he thanked God, and took his horse, -and he had not ridden but half a mile, he saw in a valley before him -a strong castle with deep ditches, and there ran beside a fair river, -the which hight Sevarne; and there he met with a man of great age, and -either saluted other, and Sir Galahad asked him what was the castle's -name. - -"Fair sir," said he, "it is the Castle of Maidens." - -"That is a cursed castle," said Sir Galahad, "and all they that been -conversant therein, for all pity is out thereof, and all hardiness and -mischief is therein." - -"Therefore I counsel you, sir knight," said the old man, "to return -again." - -"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "wit ye well I shall not return again." - -Then looked Sir Galahad on his armor that nothing failed him, and then -he put his shield afore him; and anon there met him seven maidens, that -said unto him, "Sir knight, ye ride here in a great folly, for ye have -the waters for to pass over." - -"Why should I not pass the water?" said Sir Galahad. - -So rode he away from them, and met with a squire that said, "Knight, -those knights in the castle defy you, and forbid you ye go no further -till that they wit what ye would." - -"Fair sir," said Galahad, "I come for to destroy the wicked custom of -this castle." - -"Sir, and ye will abide by that, ye shall have enough to do." - -"Go you now," said Galahad, "and haste my needs." - -Then the squire entered into the castle. And anon after there came out -of the castle seven knights, and all were brethren. And when they saw -Galahad, they cried, "Knight, keep thee, for we assure thee nothing but -death." - -"Why," said Galahad, "will ye all have ado with me at once?" - -"Yea," said they, "thereto mayest thou trust." - -Then Galahad put forth his spear, and smote the foremost to the earth, -that near he brake his neck. And therewith all the other smote him on -his shield great strokes, so that their spears brake. Then Sir Galahad -drew out his sword, and set upon them so hard that it was marvel to see -it, and so, through great force, he made them to forsake the field; and -Galahad chased them till they entered into the castle, and so passed -through the castle at another gate. And there met Sir Galahad an old -man clothed in religious clothing, and said, "Sir, have here the keys -of this castle." - -Then Sir Galahad opened the gates, and saw so much people in the -streets that he might not number them, and all said, "Sir, ye be -welcome, for long have we abiden here our deliverance." - -Then came to him a gentlewoman, and said, "These knights be fled, but -they will come again this night, and here to begin again their evil -custom." - -"What will ye that I shall do?" said Galahad. - -"Sir," said the gentlewoman, "that ye send after all the knights hither -that hold their lands of this castle, and make them to swear for to use -the customs that were used heretofore of old time." - -"I will well," said Galahad. - -And there she brought him an horn of ivory, bounden with gold, and -said, "Sir, blow ye this horn, which will be heard two mile about this -castle." - -And when Sir Galahad had blown the horn, he set him down upon a bed. -Then came there a priest unto Sir Galahad, and said, "Sir, it is -past a seven year that these seven brethren came into this castle, -and herborowed [_harbored_] with the lord of this castle, which hight -the duke Lianour; and he was lord of all this country. And so when -they espied the duke's daughter that was a fair woman, then by their -false covin [_conspiracy_] they slew him and his eldest son, and then -they took the maiden and the treasure of the castle. And then by great -force they held all the knights of this castle against their will -under their obeisance, and in great servage and truage, robbing and -pulling [_pillaging_] the poor common people of all that they had. So -it happened upon a day that the duke's daughter said, 'Ye have done -to me great wrong to slay mine own father and my brother, and thus -to hold our lands; not for then,' said she, 'ye shall not hold this -castle for many years; for by one knight ye shall be overcome.' Thus -she prophesied seven year before. 'Well,' said the seven knights, -'sithence [_since_] ye say so, there shall never lady nor knight pass -this castle, but they shall abide mauger [_spite of_] their heads, or -die therefore, till that knight be come by whom we shall leese [_lose_] -this castle.' And therefore it is called the maidens' castle, for they -have devoured many maidens." - -"Now," said Sir Galahad, "is she here for whom this castle was lost." - -"Nay," said the priest, "she died within three nights after, and -sithence have they kept her young sister, which endureth great pain, -with moe other ladies." - -By this were the knights of the country come. And then he made them do -homage and fealty to the duke's daughter, and set them in great ease -of heart. And in the morn there came one to Galahad, and told him how -that Gawaine, Gareth, and Uwaine had slain the seven brethren. - -"I suppose well," said Sir Galahad: and took his armor and his horse, -and commended them unto God. - - * * * * * - -So when Sir Galahad was departed from the Castle of Maidens, he rode -till he came to a waste forest, and there he met with Sir Launcelot and -Sir Percival, but they knew him not, for he was new disguised. Right -so, Sir Launcelot his father dressed his spear, and brake it upon Sir -Galahad, and Sir Galahad smote him so again, that he smote down horse -and man. And then he drew his sword, and dressed him unto Sir Percival, -and smote him so on the helm that it rove to the coif of steel, and had -not the sword swerved Sir Percival had been slain, and with the stroke -he fell out of his saddle. This joust was done before the hermitage -where a recluse dwelled. And when she saw Sir Galahad ride, she said, -"God be with thee, best knight of the world. Ah, certes," said she -all aloud, that Launcelot and Percival might hear it, "and yonder two -knights had known thee as well as I do, they would not have encountered -with thee." - -When Sir Galahad heard her say so he was sore adread to be known: -therewith he smote his horse with his spurs, and then rode a great pace -froward them. Then perceived they both that he was Galahad, and up they -gat on their horses, and rode fast after him, but in a while he was out -of their sight. - - * * * * * - -[Then it fell that Sir Percival's horse was slain; and he gat him a -hackney from a yeoman that he met, and the hackney was slain. Then -Sir Percival cast away his helm and sword, and said, "Now am I a very -wretch, cursed, and most unhappy above all other knights."] - -So in this sorrow he abode all that day, till it was night, and then he -was faint, and laid him down and slept till it was midnight. And then -he awaked, and saw afore him a woman which said unto him, "Abide me -here, and I shall go fetch you an horse." - -And so she came soon again, and brought an horse with her that was -black. When Sir Percival beheld that horse, he marvelled that it was so -great and so well apparelled; and for then he was so hardy, he leaped -upon him, and took none heed of himself. And so anon as he was upon -him he thrust to him with his spurs, and so rode by a forest, and the -moon shone clear. And within an hour and less, he bare him four days' -journey thence, till he came to a rough water the which roared, and his -horse would have borne him into it. - -And when Sir Percival came nigh the brim, and saw the water so -boisterous, he doubted to overpass it. And then he made the sign of the -cross in his forehead. When the fiend felt him so charged, he shook off -Sir Percival, and he went into the water, crying and roaring, making -great sorrow; and it seemed unto him that the water burnt. Then Sir -Percival perceived it was a fiend, the which would have brought him -unto his perdition. - -And so he prayed all that night, till on the morn that it was day. Then -he saw that he was in a wild mountain the which was closed with the sea -nigh all about, that he might see no land about him which might relieve -him, but wild beasts. And then he went into a valley, and there he -saw a young serpent bring a young lion by the neck, and so he came by -Sir Percival. With that came a great lion crying and roaring after the -serpent. And as fast as Sir Percival saw this, he marvelled, and hied -him thither, but anon the lion had overtaken the serpent, and began -battle with him. And then Sir Percival thought to help the lion, for he -was the more natural beast of the two; and therewith he drew his sword, -and set his shield afore him, and there gave the serpent such a buffet -that he had a deadly wound. When the lion saw that, he made no semblant -to fight with him, but made him all the cheer that a beast might make a -man. Then Sir Percival perceived that, and cast down his shield, which -was broken, and then he did off his helm for to gather wind, for he was -greatly enchafed with the serpent. And the lion went alway about him -fawning as a spaniel. And then he stroked him on the neck and on the -shoulders. And then he thanked God of the fellowship of that beast. And -about noon, the lion took his little whelp, and trussed him, and bare -him there he came from. Then was Sir Percival alone. - -Thus when Sir Percival had prayed, he saw the lion come towards him, -and then he couched down at his feet. And so all that night the lion -and he slept together; and when Sir Percival slept he dreamed a -marvellous dream, that there two ladies met with him, and that one sat -upon a lion, and that other sat upon a serpent, and that one of them -was young, and the other was old, and the youngest him thought said, -"Sir Percival, my lord saluteth thee, and sendeth thee word that thou -array thee and make thee ready, for to-morrow thou must fight with the -strongest champion of the world." - - * * * * * - -[Then, after many great deeds, it befell on a certain day that as the -good knight Galahad rode, he was met by a damsel on a palfrey, and -she led him towards the sea. And so at the seaside they found a ship -wherein they entered, and Sir Bors and Sir Percival being in that ship -greeted them with joy.] - -By then the ship went from the land of Logris, and by adventure it -arrived up betwixt two rocks passing great and marvellous, but there -they might not land, for there was a swallow of the sea, save there was -another ship, and upon it they might go without danger. - -"Go we thither," said the gentlewoman, "and there shall we see -adventures, for so is our Lord's will." - -And when they came thither, they found the ship rich enough, but they -found neither man nor woman therein. But they found in the end of -the ship two fair letters written, which said a dreadful word and a -marvellous:-- - -"Thou man which shall enter into this ship, beware thou be in steadfast -belief, for I am faith, and therefore beware how thou enterest, for and -thou fail I shall not help thee." - -Then said the gentlewoman, "Percival, wot ye what I am?" - -"Certainly," said he, "not to my witting." - -"Wit ye well," said she, "I am thy sister, that am daughter of King -Pellinore, and therefore wit ye well that ye are the man in the world -that I most love; and if ye be not in perfect belief, enter not in no -manner of wise, for then should ye perish in the ship, for it is so -perfect it will suffer no sin in it." - -And when Sir Percival knew that she was his sister, he was inwardly -glad, and said, "Fair sister, I shall enter therein, for if I be a -miss-creature or an untrue knight, there shall I perish." - -In the meanwhile Sir Galahad blessed him, and entered therein, and then -next the gentlewoman, and then Sir Bors and Sir Percival. And when they -were therein, they found it so marvellous fair and rich, that they had -great marvel thereof. And in the midst of the ship was a fair bed, and -Sir Galahad went thereto, and found there a crown of silk, and at the -feet was a sword rich and fair, and it was drawn out of the sheath half -a foot and more, and the sword was of divers fashions, and the pommel -was of stone, and there was in him all manner of colors that any man -might find, and every each of the colors had divers virtues, and the -scales of the haft were of two ribs of divers beasts. The one beast was -a serpent, which was conversant in Calidone, and is called the serpent -of the fiend. And the bone of him is of such a virtue, that there is -no hand that handleth him shall never be weary nor hurt. And the other -beast is a fish which is not right great, and haunteth the flood of -Eufrates; and that fish is called Ertanax, and his bones be of such a -manner of kind, that who that handleth them shall have so much will -that he shall never be weary, and he shall not think on joy nor sorrow -that he hath had, but only that thing that he beholdeth before him. -And as for this sword there shall never man begripe it at the handle -but one, but he shall pass all other. - -"In the name of God," said Sir Percival, "I shall essay to handle it." - -So he set his hand to the sword, but he might not begripe it. - -"By my faith," said he, "now have I failed." - -Sir Bors set his hand thereto and failed. Then Sir Galahad beheld the -sword, and saw the letters like blood, that said, "Let see who shall -assay to draw me out of my sheath, but if he be more hardier than -other, and who that draweth me, wit ye well that he shall never fail of -shame of his body, or to be wounded to the death." - -"By my faith," said Galahad, "I would draw this sword out of the -sheath, but the offending is so great that I shall not set my hand -thereto." - -"Now sir," said the gentlewoman, "wit ye well that the drawing of this -sword is forbidden to all men, save all only unto you. Also this ship -arrived in the realm of Logris [_England_], and that time was deadly -war between King Labor, which was father unto the maimed king, and King -Hurlame, which was a Saracen. But then was he newly christened, so that -men held him afterwards one of the wittiest men of the world. And so -upon a day it befell that King Labor and King Hurlame had assembled -their folk upon the sea, where this ship was arrived, and there King -Hurlame was discomfit, and his men slain, and he was afeared to be -dead, and fled to his ship, and there found this sword, and drew -it, and came out and found King Labor, the man in the world of all -Christendom in whom was then the greatest faith. And when King Hurlame -saw King Labor, he dressed this sword, and smote him upon the helm -so hard, that he clave him and his horse to the earth with the first -stroke of his sword. And it was in the realm of Logris; and so befell -great pestilence and great harm to both realms. For sith increased -corn nor grass, nor well nigh no fruit, nor in the water was no fish, -wherefore men call it the lands of the two marches, the waste land for -the dolorous stroke. And when King Hurlame saw that this sword was so -kerving [_sharp_], he returned again to fetch the scabbard, and so came -into this ship, and entered and put the sword into the scabbard; and as -soon as he had done so, he fell down dead before the bed. Thus was the -sword proved, that none that drew it but he were dead or maimed." - - * * * * * - -"Sir," said she, "there was a king that hight Pelles the Maimed King. -And while he might ride, he supported much Christendom, and holy -Church. So upon a day he hunted in a wood of his which lasted unto the -sea, and at the last he lost his hounds and his knights, save only one; -and there he and his knight went till that they came toward Ireland, -and there he found the ship. And when he saw the letters and understood -them, yet he entered, for he was right perfect of his life; but his -knight had none hardiness to enter, and there found he this sword, -and drew it out as much as ye may see. So therewith entered a spear, -wherewith he was smitten through both the thighs, and never sith might -he be healed, nor nought shall, tofore we come to him. Thus, said she, -was King Pelles, your grandsire, maimed for his hardiness." - -"In the name of God, damsel," said Galahad. - -So they went toward the bed to behold all about it, and above the head -there hung two swords. Also there were two spindles which were as white -as any snow, and other that were as red as blood, and other above green -as any emerald: of these three colors were the spindles, and of natural -color within, and without any painting. - -"These spindles," said the damsel, "were when sinful Eve came to -gather fruit, for which Adam and she were put out of paradise, she -took with her the bough on which the apple hung. Then perceived she -that the branch was fair and green, and she remembered her the loss -which came from the tree, then she thought to keep the branch as long -as she might; and because she had no coffer to keep it in, she put it -into the ground. So by the will of our Lord the branch grew to a great -tree within a little while, and was as white as any snow, branches, -boughs, and leaves, that it was a token a maid planted it. And anon -the tree, that was white, became as green as any grass, and all that -came of it. And so it befell many days after, under the same tree, Cain -slew his brother Abel, whereof befell full great marvel; for anon as -Abel had received the death under the green tree, it lost the green -color and became red, and that was in tokening of the blood; and anon -all the plants died thereof, but the tree grew and waxed marvellous -fair, and it was the fairest tree and the most delectable that any -man might behold: and so died the plants that grew out of it before -the time that Abel was slain under it. So long endured the tree till -that Solomon, King David's son, reigned and held the land after his -father. This Solomon was wise and knew the virtues of stones and of -trees, and so he knew the course of the stars, and many other things. -This King Solomon had an evil wife, wherethrough he wend that there -had never been no good woman; and so he despised them in his books. So -a voice answered him once, 'Solomon, if heaviness come unto a man by -a woman, ne reck thou never; for yet shall there come a woman whereof -there shall come greater joy unto man an hundred times more than this -heaviness giveth sorrow, and that woman shall be born of thy lineage.' -Then when Solomon heard these words, he held himself but a fool, and -the truth he perceived by old books. Also the Holy Ghost showed him the -coming of the glorious Virgin Mary. Then asked he of the voice if it -should be in the end of his lineage. 'Nay,' said the voice, 'but there -shall come a man which shall be a [pure man] of your blood, and he -shall be as good a knight as Duke Josua thy brother-in-law. - - * * * * * - -'Now have I certified thee of that thou stoodst in doubt.' Then was -Solomon glad that there should come any such of his lineage, but ever -he marvelled and studied who that should be, and what his name might -be. His wife perceived that he studied, and thought that she would -know it at some season, and so she waited her time, and asked of him -the cause of his studying, and there he told her altogether how the -voice told him. 'Well,' said she, 'I shall let make a ship of the best -wood and most durable that men may find.' So Solomon sent for all -the carpenters of the land and the best. And when they had made the -ship, the lady said to Solomon, 'Sir,' said she, 'since it is so that -this knight ought to pass all other knights of chivalry which have -been tofore him, and shall come after him, moreover I shall tell you,' -said she, 'ye shall go into our Lord's temple, whereas is King David's -sword, your father, the which is the marvellousest and sharpest that -ever was taken in any knight's hand. Therefore take that, and take off -the pommel, and thereto make ye a pommel of precious stones, that it be -so subtilly made that no man perceive it but that they be all one. And -after make there an hilt so marvellously and wonderly that no man may -know it; and after make a marvellous sheath; and when you have made all -this, I shall let make a girdle thereto, such as shall please you.' All -this King Solomon let make as she devised, both the ship and all the -remnant. And when the ship was ready in the sea for to sail, the lady -let make a great bed and marvellous rich, and set her upon the bed's -head covered with silk, and laid the sword at the bed's feet; and the -girdles were of hemp. And therewith was the king angry. 'Sir, wit ye -well,' said she, 'that I have none so high a thing that were worthy to -sustain so big a sword, and a maid shall bring other knights thereto, -but I wot not when it shall be, nor what time.' And there she let make -a covering to the ship, of cloth of silk that shall never rot for no -manner of weather. Yet went that lady and made a carpenter to come to -that tree which Abel was slain under. 'Now,' said she, 'carve me out -of this tree as much wood as will make me a spindle.' 'Ah! madam,' -said the carpenter, 'this is the tree the which our first mother -planted.' 'Do it,' said she, 'or else I shall destroy thee.' Anon, as -the carpenter began to work, there came out drops of blood, and then -would he have left, but she would not suffer him. And so he took away -as much wood as might well make a spindle; and so she made him to take -as much of the green tree and of the white tree. And when these three -spindles were shapen, she made them to be fastened on the bed. When -Solomon saw this he said to his wife, 'Ye have done marvellously, for -though all the world were here now, they could not tell wherefore all -this was made, but our Lord himself, and thou that hast done it wottest -not what it shall betoken.' 'Now let it be,' said she, 'for ye shall -hear tidings sooner than ye ween.' - - * * * * * - -That night lay King Solomon before the ship with a small fellowship. -And when King Solomon was on sleep, him thought there came from heaven -a great company of angels, and alighted into the ship and took water -which was brought by an angel in a vessel of silver, and besprent -[_besprinkled_] all the ship; and after he came to the sword, and drew -letters on the hilt. And after went to the ship's board, and wrote -there other letters, which said: 'Thou man that wilt enter within me, -beware that thou be full within the faith, for I ne [_not_] am but -faith and belief.' When Solomon espied these letters he was abashed, so -that he durst not enter, and so drew him aback, and the ship was anon -shoven in the sea, and he went so fast that he lost sight of him within -a little while. And then a little voice said, 'Solomon, the last -knight of thy lineage shall rest in this bed.' Then went Solomon and -awaked his wife and told her of the adventures of the ship. - -Now a great while the three fellows [_Galahad, and his two friends_] -beheld the bed and the three spindles. Then they were at certain that -they were of natural colors, without painting. Then they lifted up a -cloth which was above the ground, and there they found a rich purse by -seeming. And Percival took it, and found therein a writ, and so he read -it, and devised the manner of the spindles, and of the ship, whence it -came, and by whom it was made. - -"Now," said Galahad, "where shall we find the gentlewoman that shall -make new girdles to the sword?" - -"Fair sir," said Percival's sister, "dismay you not, for by the leave -of God I shall let make a girdle to the sword, such one as shall belong -thereto." - -And then she opened a box, and took out girdles which were seemly -wrought with golden threads, and thereupon were set full of precious -stones, and a rich buckle of gold. - -"Lo, lords," said the gentlewoman, "here is a girdle that ought to be -set about the sword; and wit ye well that the greatest part of this -girdle was made of my hair, the which I loved full well while I was -a woman of the world; but as soon as I wist that this adventure was -ordained me, I clipped off my hair, and made this girdle in the name of -God." - -"Ye are well found," said Sir Bors, "for truly ye have put us out of a -great pain, wherein we should have entered ne had your teaching been." - -Then went the gentlewoman and set it upon the girdle of the sword. - -"Now," said the three fellows, "what is the right name of the sword, -and what shall we call it?" - -"Truly," said she, "the name of the sword is the Sword with the Strange -Girdles, and the scabbard, Mover of Blood; for no man that hath blood -in him shall never see the one part of the scabbard which was made of -the tree of life." - -Then they said unto Sir Galahad, "In the name of Jesu Christ, we pray -you that ye gird you with this sword, which hath been so much desired -in the realm of Logris." - -"Now let me begin," said Sir Galahad, "to grip this sword for to give -you courage; but wot ye well that it belongeth no more to me than it -doth to you." - -And then he gripped about it with his fingers a great deal, and then -she girded him about the middle with the sword. - -"Now reck I not though I die, for now I hold me one of the blessed -maidens of the world, which hath made thee the worthiest knight of the -world." - -"Fair damsel," said Sir Galahad, "ye have done so much that I shall be -your knight all the days of my life." - -Then they went from that ship, and went into the other ship; and anon -the wind drove them into the sea a great pace, but they had no victual. -But it happened that they came on the morrow to a castle which men -call Courteloise that was in the marches of Scotland. And when they -had passed the port, the gentlewoman said, "Lords, here be men arriven -that, and they wist that ye were of King Arthur's court, ye should be -assailed anon." - -"Damsel," said Galahad, "he that cast us out of the rock shall deliver -us from them." - -[And it happened after that Sir Percival's sister of her own wish died -for the healing of a certain lady, and the lady was healed. Then, as -she had desired beforehand, Sir Percival laid her in a barge and] -covered it with silk; and the wind arose and drove the barge from land, -and all knights beheld it till it was out of their sight. - - * * * * * - -When Sir Launcelot was come to the water of Mortaise, he was in great -peril, and so he laid him down and slept, and took his adventure that -God would send him. So when he was asleep, there came a vision unto -him, and said, "Launcelot, arise up and take thine armor, and enter -into the first ship that thou shalt find." - -And when he had heard these words, he started up, and saw a great -clearness about him; and then he lifted up his hand and blessed him, -and so took his armor, and made him ready. And by adventure he came by -a strand, and found a ship the which was without sail or oars; and as -soon as he was within the ship, there he felt the most sweetest savor -that ever he felt, and he was fulfilled with all things that he thought -on or desired. And so in this joy he lay him down on the ship-board, -and slept till daylight. And when he awoke, he found there a fair bed, -and therein lying a gentlewoman dead, the which was Sir Percival's -sister. And as Sir Launcelot beheld her, he espied in her right hand -a writing, the which he read, wherein he found all the adventures as -ye have heard before, and of what lineage she was come. So with this -gentlewoman Sir Launcelot was a month and more. - -So upon a night he went to play him by the water's side, for he was -somewhat weary of the ship, and then he listened, and heard an horse -come, and one riding upon him. And when he came nigh he seemed a -knight. And so he let him pass, and went there as the ship was, and -there he alighted, and took the saddle and the bridle and put the horse -from him, and went into the ship. And then Launcelot dressed unto him -and said, "Ye be welcome." - -And he answered and saluted him again, and asked him, "What is your -name? for much my heart giveth unto you." - -"Truly," said he, "my name is Launcelot du Lake." - -"Sir," said he, "then be ye welcome, for ye were the beginner of me in -this world." - -"Ah," said he, "are ye Galahad?" - -"Yea forsooth," said he. - -And so he kneeled down and asked him his blessing, and after took off -his helm and kissed him. And there was great joy between them, for -there is no tongue can tell the joy that they made either of other, -and many a friendly word spoken between, as kind [_nature_] would, -the which is no need here to be rehearsed. And there every each told -other of their adventures and marvels that were befallen to them in -many journeys, sith that they departed from the court. Anon as Galahad -saw the gentlewoman dead in the bed, he knew her well enough, and told -great worship of her, and that she was the best maid living, and it was -great pity of her death. But when Launcelot heard how the marvellous -sword was gotten, and who made it, and all the marvels rehearsed -afore, then he prayed Galahad his son that he would show him the sword, -and so he did. And anon he kissed the pommel, and the hilts, and the -scabbard. - -"Truly," said Launcelot, "never erst knew I of so high adventures -done, and so marvellous and strange." So dwelled Launcelot and Galahad -within that ship half a year, and served God daily and nightly with -all their power. And often they arrived in isles far from folk, where -there repaired none but wild beasts; and there they found many strange -adventures and perilous, which they brought to an end. - - * * * * * - -[Then on a certain day, a knight in white called to Sir Galahad from -the shore to leave that ship and fare on his quest, and Sir Galahad -departed from his father Sir Launcelot, and rode off upon the shore. -But Sir Launcelot drove a month through the sea, ever praying for news -of the Sancgreal.] - -So it befell on a night, at midnight he arrived afore a castle, on the -back side, which was rich and fair. And there was a postern opened -towards the sea, and was open without any keeping, save two lions kept -the entry; and the moon shone clear. Anon Sir Launcelot heard a voice -that said, "Launcelot, go out of this ship, and enter into the castle, -where thou shalt see a great part of thy desire." Then he ran to his -arms, and so armed him, and so he went to the gate, and saw the lions. -Then set he hand to his sword, and drew it. Then there came a dwarf -suddenly, and smote him on the arm so sore that the sword fell out of -his hand. Then took he again his sword, and put it up in his sheath, -and make a cross in his forehead, and came to the lions, and they made -semblant to do him harm. Notwithstanding he passed by them without -hurt, and entered into the castle to the chief fortress, and there were -they all at rest. Then Launcelot entered in so armed, for he found -no gate nor door but it was open. And at the last he found a chamber -whereof the door was shut, and he set his hand thereto to have opened -it, but he might not. - -Then he enforced him mickle [_much_] to undo the door. Then he -listened, and heard a voice which sang so sweetly that it seemed none -earthly thing. Then Sir Launcelot kneeled down before the chamber, -for well wist he that there was the Sancgreal within that chamber. -Then said he, "Fair sweet Father Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that -pleased the Lord, for thy pity have me not in despite for my sins done -aforetime, and that thou show me something of that I seek!" - -And with that he saw the chamber door open, and there came out a great -clearness, that the house was as bright as all the torches of the world -had been there. So came he to the chamber door, and would have entered. -And anon a voice said to him, "Flee, Launcelot, and enter not, for thou -oughtest not to do it: and if thou enter thou shalt forthink it." Then -he withdrew him aback right heavy. Then looked he up in the midst of -the chamber, and saw a table of silver, and the holy vessel covered -with red samite, and many angels about it. - -Right soon he entered into the chamber, and came towards the table -of silver; and, when he came nigh, he felt a breath, that him thought -was entermedled [_mingled_] with fire, which smote him so sore in the -visage, that him thought it all to-burnt his visage, and therewith he -fell to the ground, and had no power to arise. Then felt he many hands -about him, which took him up, and bare him out of the chamber without -any amending of his sowne [_swoon_], and left him there seeming dead -to all the people. So on the morrow, when it was fair daylight, they -within were arisen, and found Sir Launcelot lying before the chamber -door: all they marvelled how he came in. And so they took him by every -part of the body, and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in a rich -bed far from all folk. - -[Thus lay Sir Launcelot twenty-four days and nights, like as it were a -punishment for the twenty-four years that he had been a sinner. And at -the last he recovered himself.] - -So Sir Launcelot departed, and took his armor, and said that he would -go see the realm of Logris, "which I have not seen in a twelvemonth." -And therewith he [took his leave and] rode through many realms. And -he turned unto Camelot, where he found King Arthur and the queen. But -many of the knights of the Round Table were slain and destroyed, more -than half. And so three were come home, Ector, Gawaine, and Lionel, and -many other that need not to be rehearsed. And all the court was passing -glad of Sir Launcelot; and the king asked him many tidings of his son -Galahad. And there Launcelot told the king of his adventures that had -befallen him since he departed. And also he told him of the adventures -of Galahad, Percival, and Bors, which that he knew by the letter of the -dead damsel, and as Galahad had told him. - -"Now, God would," said the king, "that they were all three here." - -"That shall never be," said Launcelot, "for two of them shall ye never -see, but one of them shall come again." - - * * * * * - -[Now Sir Galahad rode many journeys in vain, and afterward, meeting -with Sir Bors and Sir Percival, they knew many wonders and adventures; -till on a certain day they came down into a ship, and in the midst -thereof they found a table of silver and the Holy Grail all covered -with white samite. And the Holy Grail wrought many miracles, comforting -them in prison, feeding them, and healing the sick. And it befell that -the Paynim king who had cast them in prison died, and the people by one -accord chose Sir Galahad to be king, and he reigned there a year. And -on a certain morning Sir Galahad, having risen early, and come unto the -palace, saw before him the Holy Grail, and a man kneeling, and about -him a great fellowship of angels. Then Sir Galahad knew that his hour -was come. And he] went to Sir Percival, and kissed him and commended -him to God; and he went to Sir Bors, and kissed him and commended him -to God, and said, "Fair lord, salute me to my lord Sir Launcelot, my -father." - -And therewith he kneeled down before the table and made his prayers; -and then suddenly his soul departed, and a great multitude of angels -bare his soul up to heaven. Also the two fellows saw come from heaven -an hand, but they saw not the body; and then it came to the [Holy -Grail] and took it, and the spear, and so bare it to heaven. - -Since was there never man so hardy to say that he had seen the Holy -Grail. - - * * * * * - -[Then after a year and two months, Sir Percival, having lived a holy -life in a hermitage, departed away from this world. And having buried -him by his sister and Sir Galahad, Sir Bors entered into a ship and -came at last to Logris, and rode fast to Camelot where King Arthur was. -And there was great joy made of him, for they weened he had been dead.] - -And anon Sir Bors said to Sir Launcelot, "Galahad, your own son saluted -you by me, and after you King Arthur, and all the court, and so did Sir -Percival: for I buried them with mine own hands in the city of Sarras. -Also, Sir Launcelot, Galahad prayeth you to remember of this uncertain -world, as ye behight him when ye were together more than half a year." - -"This is true," said Launcelot; "now I trust to God his prayer shall -avail me." - -Then Launcelot took Sir Bors in his arms, and said, "Gentle cousin, ye -are right welcome to me, and all that ever I may do for you and for -yours, ye shall find my poor body ready at all times whiles the spirit -is in it, and that I promise you faithfully, and never to fail. And wit -ye well, gentle cousin Sir Bors, that ye and I will never depart in -sunder whilst our lives may last." - -"Sir," said he, "I will as ye will." - - - - - BOOK VI - - OF THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT - - -SO after the quest of the Sanc Greal was fulfilled, and all knights -that were left on live were come again to the Table Round, then was -there great joy, and in especial King Arthur and Queen Guenever made -great joy of the remnant that were come home. - -And then the queen let make a dinner in London unto the knights of the -Round Table. All at that dinner she had Sir Gawaine and his brethren, -that is to say, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir Gareth, and Sir -Mordred. Also there was Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Blamor de Ganis, Sir -Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir -Lionel, Sir Palamides, Sir Safere his brother, Sir La Cote Mal Taile, -Sir Persant, Sir Ironside, Sir Brandiles, Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir -Mador de la Porte, Sir Patrice, a knight of Ireland, [Sir] Aliduke, Sir -Astomore, and Sir Pinel le Savage, the which was cousin to Sir Lamorak -de Galis, the good knight that Sir Gawaine and his brethren slew by -treason. And so these four and twenty knights should dine with the -queen, and there was made a great feast of all manner of dainties. But -Sir Gawaine had a custom that he used daily at dinner and at supper, -that he loved well all manner of fruit, and in especial apples and -pears. And therefore whosoever dined or feasted Sir Gawaine would -commonly purvey for good fruit for him; and so did the queen for to -please Sir Gawaine, she let purvey for him of all manner of fruit, for -Sir Gawaine was a passing hot knight of nature. And this Pinel hated -Sir Gawaine because of his kinsman Sir Lamorak de Galis, and therefore -for pure envy and hate Sir Pinel enpoisoned certain apples, for to -enpoison Sir Gawaine. And so this was well unto the end of the meat; -and so it befell by misfortune a good knight named Patrice, cousin -unto Sir Mador de la Porte, to take a poisoned apple. And when he had -eaten it he swelled so till he burst, and there Sir Patrice fell down -suddenly dead among them. Then every knight leaped from the board -ashamed and enraged for wrath, nigh out of their wits. For they wist -not what to say: considering Queen Guenever made the feast and dinner, -they all had suspicion unto her. - -"My lady, the queen," said Gawaine, "wit ye well, madam, that this -dinner was made for me: for all folks that know my conditions -understand that I love well fruit; and now I see well I had near been -slain; therefore, madam, I dread lest ye will be shamed." - -Then the queen stood still, and was sore abashed, that she wist not -what to say. - -"This shall not so be ended," said Sir Mador de la Porte, "for here -have I lost a full noble knight of my blood, and therefore upon this -shame and despite I will be revenged to the uttermost." - -And thereupon Sir Mador appealed Queen Guenever of the death of -his cousin Sir Patrice.[18] Then stood they all still, that none of -them would speak a word against him, for they had a great suspection -[_suspicion_] unto Queen Guenever, because she let make the dinner. And -the queen was so sore abashed that she could none otherwise do but wept -so heartily that she fell in a swoon. With this noise and sudden cry -came unto them King Arthur, and marvelled greatly what it might be; and -when he wist of their trouble, and the sudden death of that good knight -Sir Patrice, he was a passing heavy man. - -[Footnote 18: We have here the beginning of that series of quarrels -which presently arrays Sir Gawaine and King Arthur (who with many -protests allows himself to be guided by Sir Gawaine) on one side, -against Queen Guenever and Sir Launcelot (who has taken the queen's -part) on the other, and which ends with the great battle in which -Arthur is slain and the Round Table broken up for ever.] - - * * * * * - -And ever Sir Mador stood still before King Arthur, and ever he appealed -Queen Guenever of treason; for the custom was such at that time that -all manner of shameful death was called treason. - -"Fair lords," said King Arthur, "me repenteth sore of this trouble, but -the cause is so we may not have to do in this matter, for I must be -a rightful judge, and that repenteth me that I may not do battle for -my wife, for, as I deem, this deed came never of her; and therefore I -suppose we shall not all be destitute, but that some good knight shall -put his body in jeopardy for my queen rather than she should be brent -[_burnt_] in a wrong quarrel; and therefore, Sir Mador, be not so -hasty, for it may happen she shall not be all friendless, and therefore -desire thou the day of battle, and she shall purvey her of some good -knight which shall answer you, or else it were to me great shame, and -unto all my court." - -"My gracious lord," said Sir Mador, "ye must hold me excused, for -though ye be our king, in that degree ye are but a knight as we are, -and ye are sworn unto knighthood as well as we, and therefore I pray -you that ye will not be displeased; for there is none of the twenty -knights that were bidden for to come unto this dinner, but all they -have great suspection unto the queen. What say you all, my lords?" said -Sir Mador. - -Then they answered by and by, and said they could not excuse the queen, -for why she made the dinner, and either it must come by her or by her -servants. - -"Alas," said the queen, "I made this dinner for a good intent, and -never for none evil; so Almighty God help me in my right." - -"My lord the king," said Sir Mador, "I require you, as ye be a -righteous king, give me a day that I may have justice." - -"Well," said the king, "I give the day this day fifteen days, that thou -be ready armed on horseback in the meadow beside Westminster. And if it -so fall that there be any knight to encounter with you, there mayest -thou do the best, and God speed the right. And if it so fall that there -be no knight at that day, then must my queen be burnt, and there shall -she be ready to have her judgment." - -"I am answered," said Sir Mador; and every knight went where it liked -him. - -So when the king and queen were together, the king asked the queen how -this case befell? - -The queen answered, "So God me help, I wot not how, nor in what manner." - -"Where is Sir Launcelot?" said King Arthur, "and he were here, he would -not grudge to do battle for you." - -"Sir," said the queen, "I wot not where he is, but his brother and his -kinsmen deem that he is not within this realm." - -[For, within a little while before, it happened on a day that Queen -Guenever was displeased with Sir Launcelot and forbade him the court, -and that Sir Launcelot full sadly left the court and departed into his -country and dwelt with the hermit Sir Brasias.] - -"That me repenteth," said King Arthur, "for and he were here he would -soon stint this strife. Then I will counsel you," said the king, "that -ye go unto Sir Bors, and pray him to do that battle for you for Sir -Launcelot's sake, and upon my life he will not refuse you; for right -well I perceive that none of all these twenty knights that were with -you in fellowship at your dinner will do battle for you: [which would -be] great slander for you in this court." - -"Alas!" said the queen, "I cannot do withal; but now I miss Sir -Launcelot, for, and he were here, he would put me full soon unto my -heart's ease." - -"Now go your way," said the king unto the queen, "and require Sir Bors -to do battle for you for Sir Launcelot's sake." - - * * * * * - -So the queen departed from the king, and sent for Sir Bors into her -chamber; and when he was come, she besought him of succor. - -"Madam," said he, "what would ye that I do? for I may not with my -worship have to do in this matter, because I was at that same dinner, -for dread that any of those knights would have me in suspection; also, -madam," said Sir Bors, "now miss ye Sir Launcelot, for he would not -have failed you, neither in right nor yet in wrong, as ye have well -proved when ye have been in danger, and now have ye driven him out -of this country, by whom ye and we all were daily worshipped.[19] -Therefore, madam, I greatly marvel me how ye dare for shame require me -to do any thing for you, in so much as ye have chased him out of your -country by whom we were borne up and honored." - -[Footnote 19: "Worshipped" _made of worth, honored_.] - -"Alas! fair knight," said the queen, "I put me wholly in your grace, -and all that is done amiss I will amend as ye will counsel me." - -And therewith she kneeled down upon both her knees, and besought Sir -Bors to have mercy upon her, "or I shall have a shameful death, and -thereto I never offended." - -Right so came King Arthur, and found the queen kneeling afore Sir -Bors. Then Sir Bors pulled her up, and said, "Madam, ye do to me great -dishonor." - -"Ah, gentle knight," said the king, "have mercy upon my queen, -courteous knight, for I am now in certain she is untruly defamed. And -therefore, courteous knight," said the king, "promise her to do battle -for her: I require you, for the love of Sir Launcelot." - -"My lord," said Sir Bors, "ye require me the greatest thing that any -man may require me; and wit ye well, if I grant to do battle for -the queen I shall wrath many of my fellowship of the Table Round; -but as for that," said Bors, "I will grant my lord, for my lord Sir -Launcelot's sake, and for your sake, I will at that day be the queen's -champion, unless that there come by adventure a better knight than I am -to do battle for her." - -"Will ye promise me this," said the king, "by your faith?" - -"Yea sir," said Sir Bors, "of that will I not fail you, nor her both, -but if that there come a better knight than I am, and then shall he -have the battle." - -Then was the king and the queen passing glad, and so departed, and -thanked him heartily. So then Sir Bors departed secretly upon a day, -and rode unto Sir Launcelot, there as he was with the hermit Sir -Brasias, and told him of all their adventure. - -"Ah," said Sir Launcelot, "this is come happily as I would have it, -and therefore I pray you make you ready to do battle, but look that ye -tarry till ye see me come, as long as ye may. For I am sure Mador is -an hot knight, when he is enchafed, for the more ye suffer him, the -hastier will he be to battle." - -"Sir," said Sir Bors, "let me deal with him; doubt ye not ye shall have -all your will." - -Then departed Sir Bors from him, and came to the court again. Then -was it noised in all the court that Sir Bors should do battle for the -queen: wherefore many knights were displeased with him, that he would -take upon him to do battle in the queen's quarrel, for there were but -few knights in the court but they deemed the queen was in the wrong, -and that she had done that treason. So Sir Bors answered thus unto his -fellows of the Table Round: "Wit ye well, my fair lords, it were shame -to us all, and we suffered to see the most noble queen of the world to -be shamed openly, considering her lord and our lord is the man of most -worship in the world, and most christened, and he hath ever worshipped -us all, in all places." - -Many answered him again: "As for our most noble King Arthur, we love -him and honor him as well as ye do; but as for Queen Guenever, we love -her not, for because she is a destroyer of good knights." - -"Fair lords," said Sir Bors, "me seemeth ye say not as ye should say, -for never yet in all my days knew I nor heard say that ever she was -a destroyer of any good knight; but at all times, as far as I ever -could know, she was always a maintainer of good knights, and alway she -hath been large and free of her goods to all good knights, and the -most bounteous lady of her gifts and her good grace that ever I saw -or heard speak of; and therefore it were great shame," said Sir Bors, -"unto us all to our most noble king's wife, if we suffer her to be -shamefully slain. And wit ye well," said Sir Bors, "I will not suffer -it, for I dare say so much, the queen is not guilty of Sir Patrice's -death, for she ought [_owed_] him never none evil will, nor none of the -twenty-four knights that were at that dinner; for I dare well say that -it was for good love she had us to dinner, and not for no mal engine -[_bad design_], and that I doubt not shall be proved hereafter, for, -howsoever the game goeth, there was treason among some of us." - -Then some said to Sir Bors, "We may well believe your words." - -And so some of them were well pleased, and some were not pleased. - - * * * * * - -The day came on fast until the even that the battle should be. Then the -queen sent for Sir Bors, and asked him how he was disposed. - -"Truly, madam," said he, "I am disposed in likewise as I promised you, -[and I will not] fail you, unless by adventure there come a better -knight than I to do battle for you; then, madam, I am discharged of my -promise." - -Then the queen went unto the king, and told him the answer of Sir Bors. - -"Have ye no doubt," said the king, "of Sir Bors, for I call him now one -of the best knights of the world, and the most profitable man." - -And thus it passed on until the morn. And the king and the queen, and -all manner of knights that were there at that time, drew them unto the -meadow beside Westminster, where the battle should be. And so when the -king was come with the queen, and many knights of the Round Table, then -the queen was put there in the constable's ward, and a great fire made -about an iron stake, that, and Sir Mador de la Porte had the better, -she should be burnt. Such custom was used in those days, that neither -for favor, neither for love, nor affinity, there should be none other -but righteous judgment, as well upon a king as upon a knight, and as -well upon a queen as upon another poor lady. So in this meanwhile -came in Sir Mador de la Porte, and took his oath before the king, That -the queen did this treason unto his cousin Sir Patrice, and unto his -oath he would prove it with his body, hand for hand, who that would -say the contrary. Right so came in Sir Bors, and said, that as for -Queen Guenever, she is in the right, "and that will I make good with my -hands, that she is not culpable of this treason that is put upon her." - -"Then make thee ready," said Sir Mador, "and we shall prove whether -thou be in the right or I." - -"Sir Mador," said Sir Bors, "wit thou well I know you for a good -knight: but I trust unto almighty God I shall be able to withstand -your malice: but thus much have I promised my lord King Arthur, and -my lady the queen, that I shall do battle for her in this case to -the uttermost, unless that there come a better knight than I am, and -discharge me." - -"Is that all?" said Sir Mador; "either come thou off, and do battle -with me, or else say nay." - -"Take your horse," said Sir Bors, "and, as I suppose, ye shall not -tarry long but that ye shall be answered." - -Then either departed to their tents, and made them ready to mount upon -horseback as they thought best. And anon Sir Mador de la Porte came -into the field with his shield on his shoulder, and a spear in his -hand; and so rode about the place, crying unto King Arthur, "Bid your -champion come forth, and he dare." - -Then was Sir Bors ashamed, and took his horse, and came to the lists' -end. And then was he ware where as came out of a wood, there fast by, -a knight all armed at all points upon a white horse, with a strange -shield, and of strange arms; and he came riding all that he might run; -and so he came to Sir Bors, and said, "Fair knight, I pray you be not -displeased, for here must a better knight than ye are have this battle; -therefore I pray you to withdraw you, for I would ye knew I have had -this day a right great journey, and this battle ought to be mine, and -so I promised you when I spake with you last, and with all my heart I -thank you of your good will." - -Then Sir Bors rode unto King Arthur, and told him how there was a -knight come that would have the battle for to fight for the queen. - -"What knight is he?" said the king. - -"I wot not," said Sir Bors, "but such covenant he made with me to be -here this day. Now my lord," said Sir Bors, "here am I discharged." - - * * * * * - -Then the king called to that knight, and asked him if he would fight -for the queen. Then he answered to the king, "Therefore came I hither, -and therefore, Sir king," he said, "tarry me no longer, for I may not -tarry. For anon as I have finished this battle I must depart hence, for -I have ado many matters elsewhere. For wit you well," said that knight, -"this is dishonor to you all knights of the Round Table, to see and -know so noble a lady and so courteous a queen as Queen Guenever is thus -to be rebuked and shamed amongst you." - -Then they all marvelled what knight that might be that so took the -battle upon him, for there was not one that knew him, but if it were -Sir Bors. Then said Sir Mador de la Porte unto the king, "Now let me -wit with whom I shall have ado withal." - -And then they rode to the lists' end, and there they couched their -spears, and ran together with all their mights. And Sir Mador's spear -brake all to pieces, but the other's spear held, and bare Sir Mador's -horse and all backward to the earth a great fall. But mightily and -suddenly he avoided his horse, and put his shield afore him, and then -drew his sword, and bade the other knight alight and do battle with -him on foot. Then that knight descended from his horse lightly like -a valiant man, and put his shield afore him, and drew his sword, and -so they came eagerly unto battle, and either gave other many great -strokes, tracing and traversing, raising and foining, and hurtling -together with their swords, as it were wild boars. Thus were they -fighting nigh an hour, for this Sir Mador was a strong knight, and -mightily proved in many strong battles. But at last this knight smote -Sir Mador grovelling upon the earth, and the knight stepped near him to -have pulled Sir Mador flatling upon the ground; and therewith suddenly -Sir Mador arose, and in his rising he smote that knight through the -thick of the thighs, that the blood ran out fiercely. And when he felt -himself so wounded, and saw his blood, he let him arise upon his feet; -and then he gave him such a buffet upon the helm that he fell to the -earth flatling, and therewith he strode to him for to have pulled off -his helm off his head. And then Sir Mador prayed that knight to save -his life, and so he yielded him as overcome, and released the queen of -his quarrel. - -[Illustration: _Sir Mador's spear brake all to pieces, but the other's -spear held_] - -"I will not grant thee thy life," said that knight, "only that thou -freely release the queen forever, and that no mention be made upon Sir -Patrice's tomb that ever Queen Guenever consented to that treason." - -"All this shall be done," said Sir Mador, "I clearly discharge my -quarrel forever." - -Then the knights parters of the lists [_knights who parted the -combatants_] took up Sir Mador and led him to his tent, and the other -knight went straight to the stair foot whereas King Arthur sat, and by -that time was the queen come unto the king, and either kissed other -lovingly. And when the king saw that knight, he stooped down unto him -and thanked him, and in likewise did the queen. And then the king -prayed him to put off his helm and to rest him, and to take a sop of -wine; and then he put off his helm to drink, and then every knight knew -that he was the noble knight Sir Launcelot. As soon as the king wist -that, he took the queen by the hand, and went unto Sir Launcelot, and -said, "Gramercy of your great travel that ye have had this day for me -and for my queen." - -"My lord," said Sir Launcelot, "wit ye well that I ought of right -ever to be in your quarrel, and in my lady the queen's quarrel, to do -battle, for ye are the man that gave me the high order of knighthood, -and that day my lady your queen did me great worship, or else I had -been shamed. For that same day ye made me knight, through my hastiness -I lost my sword, and my lady your queen found it, and lapped it in her -train, and gave me my sword when I had need thereof, or else had I -been shamed among all knights. And therefore, my lord King Arthur, I -promised her at that day ever to be her knight in right or in wrong." - -"Gramercy," said King Arthur, "for this journey; and wit you well," -said King Arthur, "I shall acquit you of [_repay you for_] your -goodness." - -And ever the queen beheld Sir Launcelot, and wept so tenderly that she -sank almost down upon the ground for sorrow, that he had done to her so -great goodness, whereas she had showed him great unkindness. Then the -knights of his blood drew unto him, and there either of them made great -joy of other; and so came all the knights of the Round Table that were -there at that time, and he welcomed them. And then Sir Mador was had to -leechcraft [_surgery_]; and Sir Launcelot was healed of his wound. And -then was there made great joy and mirth in the court. - - * * * * * - -And so it befell that the damsel of the lake, which was called Nimue, -the which wedded the good knight Sir Pelleas, and so she came to the -court, for ever she did great goodness unto King Arthur and to all his -knights, through her sorcery and enchantments. And so when she heard -how the queen was [endangered] for the death of Sir Patrice, then she -told it openly that she was never guilty; and there she disclosed by -whom it was done, and named him Sir Pinel, and for what cause he did -it; there it was openly disclosed, and so the queen was excused, and -the knight Sir Pinel fled into his country. Then was it openly known -that Sir Pinel empoisoned the apples of the feast, to the intent to -have destroyed Sir Gawaine, because Sir Gawaine and his brethren -destroyed Sir Lamorak de Galis, whom Sir Pinel was cousin unto. - -And then Sir Mador sued daily and long to have the queen's good grace; -and so, by the means of Sir Launcelot, he caused him to stand in the -queen's grace, and all was forgiven. Thus it passed forth until our -Lady Day the Assumption; within fifteen days of that feast King [Arthur -let cry a great tournament] at Camelot, that is, Winchester, [where] -he and the King of Scotland would joust against all that would come -against them. And when this cry was made, thither came many knights. So -there came thither the King of Northgalis, and King Anguish of Ireland, -and the king with the hundred knights, and Sir Galahalt the haut -prince, and the King of Northumberland, and many other noble dukes and -earls of divers countries. So King Arthur made him ready to depart to -these jousts, and would have had the queen with him; but at that time -she would not, she said, for she was sick and might not ride at that -time. - -"That me repenteth," said the king, "for this seven year ye saw not -such a fellowship together, except at Whitsuntide when Galahad departed -from the court." - -"Truly," said the queen to the king, "ye must hold me excused: I may -not be there, and that me repenteth." - - * * * * * - -And so upon the morn early Sir Launcelot heard mass, and brake his -fast, and so took his leave of the queen, and departed. And then he -rode so much until he came to Astolat, that is Gilford; and there it -happed him in the eventide he came to an old baron's place, that hight -Sir Bernard of Astolat. And as Sir Launcelot entered into his lodging, -King Arthur espied him as he did walk in a garden beside the castle, -how he took his lodging, and knew him full well. - -"It is well," said King Arthur unto the knights that were with him -in that garden beside the castle, "I have now espied one knight that -will play his play at the jousts to the which we be gone towards, I -undertake he will do marvels." - -"Who is that, we pray you tell us," said many knights that were there -at that time. - -"Ye shall not wit for me," said the king, "at this time." - -And so the king smiled, and went to his lodging. So when Sir Launcelot -was in his lodging, and unarmed him in his chamber, the old baron came -unto him, making his reverence, and welcomed him in the best manner; -but the old knight knew not Sir Launcelot. - -"Fair sir," said Sir Launcelot to his host, "I would pray you to lend -me a shield that were not openly known, for mine is well known." - -"Sir," said his host, "ye shall have your desire, for me seemeth ye -be one of the likeliest knights of the world, and therefore I shall -show you friendship. Sir, wit ye well I have two sons which were but -late made knights, and the eldest hight Sir Tirre, and he was hurt the -same day that he was made knight, that he may not ride, and his shield -ye shall have, for that is not known, I dare say, but here, and in no -place else. And my youngest son hight Sir Lavaine, and if it please you -he shall ride with you unto those jousts; and he is of his age strong -and mighty, for much my heart giveth unto you that ye should be a noble -knight, therefore I beseech you tell me your name," said Sir Bernard. - -"As for that," said Sir Launcelot, "ye must hold me excused as at this -time, and if God give me grace to speed well at the jousts, I shall -come again and tell you; but I pray you heartily," said Sir Launcelot, -"in any wise let me have your son Sir Lavaine with me, and that I may -have his brother's shield." - -"Also this shall be done," said Sir Bernard. - -This old baron had a daughter that time that was called the fair maid -of Astolat, and ever she beheld Sir Launcelot wonderfully; and she cast -such a love unto Sir Launcelot that she could not withdraw her love, -wherefore she died; and her name was Elaine la Blanche. So thus as she -came to and fro, she besought Sir Launcelot to wear upon him at the -jousts a token of hers. - -"Fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "and if I grant you that, ye may say -I do more for your love than ever I did for lady or damsel." - -Then he remembered him that he would ride unto the jousts disguised, -and for because he had never before that time borne no manner of token -of no damsel, then he bethought him that he would bear one of hers, -that none of his blood thereby might know him. And then he said, "Fair -damsel, I will grant you to wear a token of yours upon my helmet, and -therefore what it is show me." - -"Sir," said she, "it is a red sleeve of mine, of scarlet well -embroidered with great pearls." - -And so she brought it him. So Sir Launcelot received it, and said, -"Never or this time did I so much for no damsel." - -And then Sir Launcelot betook [_gave_] the fair damsel his shield in -keeping, and prayed her to keep it until he came again. And so that -night he had merry rest and great cheer; for ever the fair damsel -Elaine was about Sir Launcelot all the while that she might be suffered. - - * * * * * - -So upon a day in the morning, King Arthur and all his knights departed, -for the king had tarried there three days to abide his knights. And so -when the king was ridden, Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine made them ready -for to ride, and either of them had white shields, and the red sleeve -Sir Launcelot let carry with him. And so they took their leave of Sir -Bernard the old baron, and of his daughter the fair maid of Astolat. -And then they rode so long till that they came to Camelot, which now -is called Winchester. And there was great press of knights, dukes, -earls, and barons, and many noble knights; but there was Sir Launcelot -privily lodged by the means of Sir Lavaine with a rich burgess, that -no man in that town was ware what they were. And so they sojourned -there till our Lady Day the Assumption, as the great feast should be. -So then trumpets began to blow unto the field, and King Arthur was -set on high upon a scaffold to behold who did best. But King Arthur -would not suffer Sir Gawaine to go from him, for never had Sir Gawaine -the better if Sir Launcelot were in the field. And many times was Sir -Gawaine rebuked when Sir Launcelot came to any jousts disguised. Then -some of the kings, as King Anguish of Ireland and the King of Scotland, -were at that time turned upon King Arthur's side. And then upon the -other side was the King of Northgalis, and the king with the hundred -knights, and the King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahalt the haut -prince. But these three kings and this one duke were passing weak to -hold against King Arthur's party; for with him were the noblest knights -of the world. So then they withdrew them either party from other, and -every man made him ready in his best manner to do what he might. Then -Sir Launcelot made him ready, and put the red sleeve upon his head, and -fastened it fast; and so Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine departed out -of Winchester privily, and rode until [_unto_] a little leaved wood, -behind the party that held against King Arthur's party, and there they -held them still till the parties smote together. And then came in the -King of Scots and the King of Ireland on Arthur's party; and against -them came the King of Northumberland; and the king with the hundred -knights smote down the King of Northumberland, and also the king with -the hundred knights smote down King Anguish of Ireland. Then Sir -Palamides, that was on Arthur's party, encountered with Sir Galahalt, -and either of them smote down other, and either party holp their lords -on horseback again. So there began a strong assail upon both parties. -And then there came in Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramor le Desirous, Sir -Dodinas le Savage, Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu, -Sir Mordred, Sir Meliot de Logris, Sir Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir -Safere, Sir Epinegris, and Sir Galleron of Galway. All these fifteen -knights were knights of the Table Round. So these with more others came -in together, and beat back the King of Northumberland, and the King -of North Wales. When Sir Launcelot saw this, as he hoved in a little -leaved wood, then he said unto Sir Lavaine, "See yonder is a company -of good knights, and they hold them together as boars that were chafed -with dogs." - -"That is truth," said Sir Lavaine. - - * * * * * - -"Now," said Sir Launcelot, "and ye will help me a little, ye shall see -yonder fellowship which chaseth now these men in our side, that they -shall go as fast backward as they went forward." - -"Sir, spare not," said Sir Lavaine, "for I shall do what I may." - -Then Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came in at the thickest of the -press, and there Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramor, -Sir Dodinas, Sir Kay, Sir Griflet, and all this he did with one spear. -And Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Lucan le Butler, and Sir Bedivere. And -then Sir Launcelot gat another spear, and there he smote down Sir -Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, and Sir Meliot de Logris. And -Sir Lavaine smote down Ozanna le Cure Hardy: and then Sir Launcelot -drew his sword, and there he smote on the right hand and on the left -hand, and by great force he unhorsed Sir Safere, Sir Epinegris, and Sir -Galleron. And then the knights of the Table Round withdrew them aback, -after they had gotten their horses as well as they might. - -"Oh, mercy," said Sir Gawaine, "what knight is yonder, that doth so -marvellous deeds of arms in that field?" - -"I wot what he is," said King Arthur, "but as at this time I will not -name him." - -"Sir," said Sir Gawaine, "I would say it were Sir Launcelot, by his -riding and his buffets that I see him deal: but ever me seemeth it -should be not he, for that he beareth the red sleeve upon his head, for -I wist him never bear token, at no jousts, of lady nor gentlewoman." - -"Let him be," said King Arthur, "he will be better known and do more or -ever he depart." - -Then the party that were against King Arthur were well comforted, and -then they held them together, that beforehand were sore rebuked. Then -Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Lionel, called unto them the -knights of their blood, as Sir Blamor de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir -Aliduke, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Bellangere le Beuse, so these -nine knights of Sir Launcelot's kin thrust in mightily, for they were -all noble knights. And they, of great hate and despite that they had -unto him, thought to rebuke that noble knight Sir Launcelot, and Sir -Lavaine, for they knew them not. And so they came hurtling together, -and smote down many knights of Northgalis and of Northumberland. And -when Sir Launcelot saw them fare so, he gat a spear in his hand, and -there encountered with them all at once; Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, -and Sir Lionel smote him all at once with their spears. - -And with force of themselves they smote Sir Launcelot's horse unto the -ground; and by misfortune Sir Bors smote Sir Launcelot through the -shield into the side, and the spear brake, and the head abode still -in the side. When Sir Lavaine saw his master lie upon the ground, he -ran to the King of Scotland and smote him to the ground, and by great -force he took his horse and brought him to Sir Launcelot, and mauger -[_in spite of_] them all he made him to mount upon that horse. And -then Sir Launcelot gat him a great spear in his hand, and there he -smote Sir Bors both horse and man to the ground; and in the same wise -he served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel; and Sir Lavaine smote down Sir -Blamor de Ganis. And then Sir Launcelot began to draw his sword, for he -felt himself so sore hurt, that he wend there to have had his death; -and then he smote Sir Bleoberis such a buffet upon the helm that he -fell down to the ground in a swoon; and in the same wise he served Sir -Aliduke and Sir Galihud. And Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Bellangere, -that was the son of Sir Alisander Lorphelin. And by that time Sir Bors -was horsed; and then he came with Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, and they -three smote with their swords upon Sir Launcelot's helmet; and when -he felt their buffets, and his wound that was so grievous, then he -thought to do what he might whiles he might endure; and then he gave -Sir Bors such a buffet that he made him to bow his head passing low; -and therewithal he razed off his helm, and might have slain him, and so -pulled him down. And in the same manner of wise he served Sir Ector and -Sir Lionel, for he might have slain them. But when he saw their visages -his heart might not serve him thereto, but left them there lying. And -then after he hurled in among the thickest press of them all, and did -there marvellous deeds of arms that ever any man saw or heard speak -of. And alway the good knight Sir Lavaine was with him; and there Sir -Launcelot with his sword smote and pulled down moe [_more_] than thirty -knights, and the most part were of the Round Table. And Sir Lavaine -did full well that day, for he smote down ten knights of the Round -Table. - - * * * * * - -"Ah mercy, Jesu," said Sir Gawaine unto King Arthur, "I marvel what -knight he is with the red sleeve." - -"Sir," said King Arthur, "he will be known or he depart." - -And then the king let blow unto lodging, and the prize was given by -heralds to the knight with the white shield and that bare the red -sleeve. Then came the king with the hundred knights, the King of -Northgalis, and the King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahalt the haut -prince, and said unto Sir Launcelot, "Fair knight, God thee bless, for -much have ye done this day for us, therefore we pray you that ye will -come with us that ye may receive the honor and the prize, as ye have -worshipfully deserved it." - -"My fair lords," said Sir Launcelot, "wit ye well, if I have deserved -thanks, I have sore bought it, for I am like never to escape with my -life; therefore I pray you that ye will suffer me to depart where me -liketh, for I am sore hurt; I had liever [_rather_] to rest me than -to be lord of all the world." And therewith he groaned piteously, and -rode a great gallop away from them until he came to a wood side, and -when he saw that he was from the field nigh a mile, that he was sure -he might not be seen, then said he with a high voice, "O gentle knight -Sir Lavaine, help me that this truncheon were out of my side, for it -sticketh so sore that it nigh slayeth me." - -"O mine own lord," said Sir Lavaine, "I would fain do that might -please you, but I dread me sore, and I draw out the truncheon, that ye -shall be in peril of death." - -"I charge you," said Sir Launcelot, "as ye love me draw it out." - -And therewithal he descended from his horse, and right so did Sir -Lavaine, and forthwith Sir Lavaine drew the truncheon out of his side. -And he gave a great shriek, and a marvellous grisly groan, and his -blood brast [_burst_] out nigh a pint at once, that at last he sank -down, and so swooned pale and deadly. - -"Alas," said Sir Lavaine, "what shall I do?" - -And then he turned Sir Launcelot into the wind, but so he lay there -nigh half an hour as he had been dead. And so at the last Sir Launcelot -cast up his eyes, and said, "O Lavaine, help me that I were on my -horse, for here is fast by within this two mile a gentle hermit, that -sometime was a full noble knight and a great lord of possessions; and -for great goodness he hath taken him to wilful poverty, and forsaken -many lands, and his name is Sir Baldwin of Brittany, and he is a -full noble surgeon, and a good leech. Now let see, help me up that I -were there. For ever my heart giveth me that I shall never die of my -cousin-german's hands." - -And then with great pain Sir Lavaine holp him upon his horse; and then -they rode a great gallop together, and ever Sir Launcelot bled that it -ran down to the earth. And so by fortune they came to that hermitage, -which was under a wood, and a great cliff on the other side, and a fair -water running under it. And then Sir Lavaine beat on the gate with the -butt of his spear, and cried fast, "Let in, for Jesu's sake." - -And there came a fair child to them, and asked them what they would? - -"Fair son," said Sir Lavaine, "go and pray thy lord the hermit for -God's sake to let in here a knight that is full sore wounded, and this -day tell thy lord that I saw him do more deeds of arms than ever I -heard say that any man did." - -So the child went in lightly, and then he brought the hermit, the which -was a passing good man. So when Sir Lavaine saw him, he prayed him for -God's sake of succor. - -"What knight is he?" said the hermit, "is he of the house of King -Arthur or not?" - -"I wot not," said Sir Lavaine, "what is he, nor what is his name, but -well I wot I saw him do marvellously this day, as of deeds of arms." - -"On whose party was he?" said the hermit. - -"Sir," said Sir Lavaine, "he was this day against King Arthur, and -there he won the prize of all the knights of the Round Table." - -"I have seen the day," said the hermit, "I would have loved him the -worse because he was against my lord King Arthur, for sometime I was -one of the fellowship of the Round Table, but I thank God now I am -otherwise disposed. But where is he? let me see him." - -Then Sir Lavaine brought the hermit to him. - - * * * * * - -And when the hermit beheld him as he sat leaning upon his saddle-bow, -ever bleeding piteously, [then] alway the knight hermit thought that -he should know him, but he could not bring him to knowledge, because he -was so pale for bleeding. - -"What knight are ye," said the hermit, "and where were ye born?? - -"Fair lord," said Sir Launcelot, "I am a stranger and a knight -adventurous, that laboreth throughout many realms for to win worship." - -Then the hermit advised him better [_looked more closely_], and saw by -a wound on the cheek that he was Sir Launcelot. - -"Alas!" said the hermit, "mine own lord, why hide ye your name from me? -forsooth I ought to know you of right, for ye are the most noble knight -of the world, for well I know you for Sir Launcelot." - -"Sir," said he, "sith ye know me, help me, and [_if_] ye may, for -Christ's sake, for I would be out of this pain at once, either to death -or to life." - -"Have ye no doubt," said the hermit, "ye shall live and fare right -well." - -And so the hermit called to him two of his servants; and so he and his -servants bare him into the hermitage, and lightly unarmed him, and laid -him in his bed. And then anon the hermit stanched the blood; and then -he made him to drink good wine; so by that Sir Launcelot was right well -refreshed, and came to himself again. For in those days it was not the -guise of hermits as it now is in these days, for there were no hermits -in those days but that they had been men of worship and of prowess, and -those hermits held great households, and refreshed people that were in -distress. - -Now turn we unto King Arthur, and leave we Sir Launcelot in the -hermitage. - -So when the kings were come together on both parties, and the great -feast should be holden, King Arthur asked the King of Northgalis and -their fellowship where was that knight that bare the red sleeve: "Bring -him before me, that he may have his laud and honor and the prize, as it -is right." - -Then spake Sir Galahalt the haut prince and the king with the hundred -knights: "We suppose that knight is mischieved, and that he is never -like to see you, nor none of us all, and that is the greatest pity that -ever we wist of any knight." - -"Alas," said King Arthur, "how may this be? is he so hurt? What is his -name?" - -"Truly," said they all, "we know not his name, nor from whence he came, -nor whither he would." - -"Alas," said the king, "these be to me the worst tidings that came to -me this seven year: for I would not for all the lands I hold, to know -and wit it were so that that noble knight were slain." - -"Know ye him?" said they all. - -"As for that," said King Arthur, "whether I know him or know him not, -ye shall not know for me what man he is, but Almighty Jesu send me good -tidings of him." - -And so said they all. - -"By my head," said Sir Gawaine, "if it be so, that the good knight be -so sore hurt, it is great damage and pity to all this land, for he is -one of the noblest knights that ever I saw in a field handle a spear -or a sword; and if he may be found, I shall find him, for I am sure -that he is not far from this town." - -"Bear you well," said King Arthur, "that ye may find him, without that -he be in such a plight that he may not bestir himself." - -"Jesu defend," said Sir Gawaine, "but I shall know what he is and if I -may find him." - -Right so Sir Gawaine took a squire with him, and rode upon two hackneys -all about Camelot within six or seven mile; but as he went so he came -again, and could hear no word of him. Then within two days King Arthur -and all the fellowship returned to London again; and so as they rode by -the way, it happened Sir Gawaine at Astolat to lodge with Sir Bernard, -whereas Sir Launcelot was lodged. And so as Sir Gawaine was in his -chamber for to take his rest, Sir Bernard the old baron came to him, -and also his fair daughter Elaine, for to cheer him, and to ask him -what tidings he knew, and who did best at the tournament at Winchester. - -"So God help me," said Sir Gawaine, "there were two knights which bare -two white shields, but the one of them bare a red sleeve upon his head, -and certainly he was one of the best knights that ever I saw joust in -field; for I dare make it good," said Sir Gawaine, "that one knight -with the red sleeve smote down forty valiant knights of the Round -Table, and his fellow did right well and right worshipfully." - -"Now blessed be God," said the fair maid of Astolat, "that the good -knight sped so well, for he is the man in the world the which I first -loved, and truly he shall be the last man that ever after I shall love." - -"Now, fair maid," said Sir Gawaine, "is that good knight your love?" - -"Certainly," said she; "wit ye well he is my love." - -"Then know ye his name?" said Sir Gawaine. - -"Nay, truly," said the maid, "I know not his name, nor from whence he -came; but to say that I love him, I promise God and you that I love -him." - -"How had ye knowledge of him first?" said Sir Gawaine. - - * * * * * - -Then she told him as ye have heard before, and how her father betook -[_intrusted_] him her brother to do him service, and how her father -lent him her brother Sir Tirre's shield, "and here with me he left his -own shield." - -"For what cause did he so?" said Sir Gawaine. - -"For this cause," said the damsel, "for his shield was too well known -among many noble knights." - -"Ah, fair damsel," said Sir Gawaine, "please it you let me have a sight -of that shield." - -"Sir," said she, "it is in my chamber covered with a case, and if it -will please you to come in with me ye shall see it." - -"Not so," said Sir Bernard unto his daughter; "let send for it." - -So when the shield was come, Sir Gawaine took off the case, and when he -beheld that shield he knew anon that it was Sir Launcelot's shield, and -his own arms. - -"Ah Jesu, mercy!" said Sir Gawaine, "now is my heart more heavier than -ever it was before." - -"Why?" said the damsel Elaine. - -"For I have a great cause," said Sir Gawaine; "is that knight that -oweth that shield your love?" - -"Yea, truly," said she, "my love he is, God would that I were his love." - -"So God me speed," said Sir Gawaine, "fair damsel, ye love the most -honorable knight of the world, and the man of most worship." - -"So me thought ever," said the damsel, "for never or that time for no -knight that ever I saw loved I never none erst." - -"God grant," said Sir Gawaine, "that either of you may rejoice other, -but that is in a great adventure; but truly," said Sir Gawaine unto the -damsel, "ye may say ye have a fair grace, for why I have known that -noble knight this fourteen years, and never or that day I or none other -knight, I dare make it good, saw nor heard that ever he bare token or -sign of no lady, gentlewoman, nor maid, at no jousts nor tournament; -and therefore, fair maid," said Sir Gawaine, "ye are much beholden to -give him thanks; but I dread me," said Sir Gawaine, "ye shall never -see him in this world, and that is great pity as ever was of earthly -knight." - -"Alas!" said she, "how may this be? is he slain?" - -"I say not so," said Sir Gawaine, "but wit ye well that he is -grievously wounded by all manner of signs, and by men's sight more -likelier to be dead than to be alive, and wit ye well he is the noble -knight Sir Launcelot, for by his shield I know him." - -"Alas!" said the fair maid Elaine, "how may it be? what was his hurt?" - -"Truly," said Sir Gawaine, "the man in the world that loveth him best -hurt him so; and I dare say, and that knight that hurt him knew the -very certainty that he had hurt Sir Launcelot, it would be the most -sorrow that ever came to his heart." - -"Now, fair father," said then Elaine, "I require you give me leave to -ride and to seek him, or else I wot well I shall go out of my mind, for -I shall never stint [_stop_] till that I find him and my brother Sir -Lavaine." - -"Do as it liketh you," said her father, "for me right sore repenteth of -the hurt of that noble knight." - -So the king and all came to London, and there Sir Gawaine openly -disclosed to all the court that it was Sir Launcelot that jousted best. - - * * * * * - -So as the fair maid Elaine came to Winchester, she sought there all -about, and by fortune Sir Lavaine was ridden to play him and to enchafe -his horse. And anon, as fair Elaine saw him, she knew him, and then she -cried aloud unto him; and when he heard her, anon he came unto her. And -then she asked her brother, "How fareth my lord Sir Launcelot?" - -"Who told you, sister, that my lord's name was Sir Launcelot?" - -Then she told him how Sir Gawaine by his shield knew him. So they rode -together till they came unto the hermitage, and anon she alighted; so -Sir Lavaine brought her unto Sir Launcelot. And when she saw him lie so -sick and pale in his bed, she might not speak, but suddenly she fell -unto the ground in a swoon, and there she lay a great while. And when -she was relieved, she sighed and said, "My lord Sir Launcelot, alas! -why go ye in this plight?" and then she swooned again. And then Sir -Launcelot prayed Sir Lavaine to take her up and to bring her to him. -And when she came to herself, Sir Launcelot kissed her, and said, "Fair -maiden, why fare ye thus? Ye put me to pain; wherefore make ye no more -such cheer for, and ye be come to comfort me, ye be right welcome, and -of this little hurt that I have, I shall be right hastily whole, by the -grace of God. But I marvel," said Sir Launcelot, "who told you my name." - -Then the fair maiden told him all how Sir Gawaine was lodged with her -father. "And there by your shield he discovered your name." - -"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "that me repenteth, that my name is known, -for I am sure it will turn unto anger." - -So this maiden, Elaine, never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched him -day and night and did such attendance to him that there was never woman -did more kindlier for man than she did. Then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir -Lavaine to make espies in Winchester for Sir Bors if he came there, and -told him by what token he should know him by a wound in his forehead. - -"For well I am sure," said Sir Launcelot, "that Sir Bors will seek me, -for he is the good knight that hurt me." - -Now turn we unto Sir Bors de Ganis, that came to Winchester to seek -after his cousin Sir Launcelot. And so when he came to Winchester, anon -there were men that Sir Lavaine had made to lie in watch for such a -man, and anon Sir Lavaine had warning thereof. And then Sir Lavaine -came to Winchester and found Sir Bors. And so they departed, and came -unto the hermitage where Sir Launcelot was; and when Sir Bors saw Sir -Launcelot lie in his bed all pale and discolored, anon Sir Bors lost -his countenance, and for kindness and for pity he might not speak, but -wept full tenderly a great while. And then when he might speak, he said -unto him thus, "Alas! that ever such a caitiff knight as I am should -have power by unhappiness to hurt the most noblest knight of the world. -Where I so shamefully set upon you and overcharged you, and where ye -might have slain me, ye saved me, and so did not I: for I, and your -blood, did to you our uttermost I marvel that my heart or my blood -would serve me, wherefore, my lord Sir Launcelot, I ask your mercy." - -"Fair cousin," said Sir Launcelot, "I would with pride have overcome -you all, and there in my pride I was near slain, and that was in mine -own default, for I might have given you warning of my being there. -Therefore, fair cousin," said Sir Launcelot, "let this speech overpass, -and all shall be welcome that God sendeth; and let us leave off this -matter, and let us speak of some rejoicing; for this that is done may -not be undone, and let us find a remedy how soon that I may be whole." - -And so upon a day they took their horses and took Elaine la Blanche -with them; and when they came to Astolat, there they were well lodged -and had great cheer of Sir Bernard the old baron and of Sir Tirre his -son. And so on the morrow, when Sir Launcelot should depart, fair -Elaine brought her father with her and her two brethren Sir Tirre and -Sir Lavaine, and thus she said: - - * * * * * - -"My lord Sir Launcelot, now I see that ye will depart; fair and -courteous knight, have mercy upon me, and suffer me not to die for your -love." - -"What would ye that I did?" said Sir Launcelot. - -"I would have you unto my husband," said the maid Elaine. - -"Fair damsel, I thank you," said Sir Launcelot; "but certainly," said -he, "I cast me never to be married." - -"Alas!" said she, "then must I needs die for your love." - -"Ye shall not," said Sir Launcelot, "for wit ye well, fair damsel, that -I might have been married and I had would, but I never applied me to be -married; but because, fair damsel, that ye will love me as ye say ye -do, I will, for your good love and kindness, show you some goodness, -and that is this: that wheresoever ye will set your heart upon some -good knight that will wed you, I shall give you together a thousand -pound yearly to you and to your heirs; thus much will I give you, fair -maid, for your kindness, and alway while I live to be your own knight." - -"Of all this," said the damsel, "I will none, for, but if you will wed -me, wit you well, Sir Launcelot, my good days are done." - -"Fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "of [this] ye must pardon me." - -Then she shrieked shrilly, and fell down in a swoon; and then women -bare her into her chamber, and there she made overmuch sorrow. And then -Sir Launcelot would depart; and there he asked Sir Lavaine what he -would do. - -"What should I do," said Sir Lavaine, "but follow you, but if ye drive -me from you, or command me to go from you?" - -Then came Sir Bernard to Sir Launcelot, and said to him, "I cannot see -but that my daughter Elaine will die for your sake." - -"I may not do withal," said Sir Launcelot, "for that me sore repenteth; -for I report me to yourself that my proffer is fair, and me repenteth," -said Sir Launcelot, "that she loveth me as she doth: I was never the -causer of it, for I report me to your son, I early nor late proffered -her bounty nor fair behests; and I am right heavy of her distress, for -she is a full fair maiden, good, and gentle, and well taught." - -"Father," said Sir Lavaine, "she doth as I do, for since I first saw my -lord Sir Launcelot I could never depart from him, nor nought I will and -I may follow him." - -Then Sir Launcelot took his leave, and so they departed, and came -unto Winchester. And when King Arthur wist that Sir Launcelot was -come, whole and sound, the king made great joy of him, and so did Sir -Gawaine, and all the knights of the Round Table except Sir Agravaine -and Sir Mordred. - -Now speak we of the fair maiden of Astolat, that made such sorrow day -and night, that she never slept, eat, nor drank; and ever she made -her complaint unto Sir Launcelot. So when she had thus endured a ten -days, that she feebled so that she must needs pass out of this world, -then she shrived her clean, and received her Creator [_took the Holy -Communion_]. Then her ghostly father bade her leave such thoughts. -Then she said, "Why should I leave such thoughts? am I not an earthly -woman? and all the while the breath is in my body I may complain me, -for my belief is I do none offence though I love an earthly man, and I -take God to my record I never loved none but Sir Launcelot du Lake, nor -never shall. For our sweet Saviour Jesu Christ," said the maiden, "I -take thee to record I was never greater offender against thy laws but -that I loved this noble knight Sir Launcelot out of all measure, and of -myself, good Lord, I might not withstand the fervent love wherefore I -have my death." - -And then she called her father Sir Bernard, and her brother Sir Tirre, -and heartily she prayed her father that her brother might write a -letter like as she would indite it. And so her father granted her. And -when the letter was written word by word like as she had devised, then -she prayed her father that she might be watched until she were dead, -"And while my body is whole, let this letter be put into my right hand, -and my hand bound fast with the letter until that I be cold, and let me -be put in a fair bed with all the richest clothes that I have about me, -and so let my bed and all my rich clothes be laid with me in a chariot -to the next place whereas the Thames is, and there let me be put in a -barge, and but one man with me, such as ye trust, to steer me thither, -and that my barge be covered with black samite over and over. Thus, -father, I beseech you let me be done." - -So her father granted her faithfully that all this thing should be done -like as she had devised. Then her father and her brother made great -dole, for, when this was done, anon she died. And so when she was dead, -the corpse and the bed and all was led the next day unto the Thames, -and there a man and the corpse and all were put in a barge on the -Thames, and so the man steered the barge to Westminster, and there he -rowed a great while to and fro or any man espied it. - - * * * * * - -So by fortune King Arthur and Queen Guenever were speaking together at -a window; and so as they looked into the Thames, they espied the black -barge, and had marvel what it might mean. - -Then the king called Sir Kay, and showed him it. - -"Sir," said Sir Kay, "wit ye well that there is some new tidings." - -"Go ye thither," said the king unto Sir Kay, "and take with you Sir -Brandiles and Sir Agravaine, and bring me ready word what is there." - -Then these three knights departed, and came to the barge, and went in; -and there they found the fairest corpse lying in a rich bed that ever -they saw, and a poor man sitting in the end of the barge, and no word -would he speak. So these three knights returned unto the king again, -and told him what they had found. - -"That fair corpse will I see," said King Arthur. - -And then the king took the queen by the hand and went thither. Then the -king made the barge to be holden fast; and then the king and the queen -went in, with certain knights with them, and there they saw a fair -gentlewoman lying in a rich bed, covered unto her middle with many rich -clothes, and all was of cloth of gold; and she lay as though she had -smiled. Then the queen espied the letter in the right hand, and told -the king thereof. Then the king took it in his hand, and said, "Now I -am sure this letter will tell what she was, and why she is come hither." - -Then the king and the queen went out of the barge; and the king -commanded certain men to wait upon the barge; and so when the king was -come within his chamber, he called many knights about him, and said -that he would wit openly what was written within that letter. Then the -king brake it, and made a clerk to read it; and this was the intent of -the letter: "Most noble knight, Sir Launcelot, now hath death made us -two at debate for your love; I was your lover, that men called the fair -maid of Astolat; therefore unto all ladies I make my moan; yet pray for -my soul, and bury me at the least, and offer ye my mass-penny. This is -my last request. Pray for my soul, Sir Launcelot, as thou art a knight -peerless." - -This was all the substance in the letter. And when it was read, the -king, the queen, and all the knights wept for pity of the doleful -complaints. Then was Sir Launcelot sent for. And when he was come, King -Arthur made the letter to be read to him; and when Sir Launcelot heard -it word by word, he said, "My lord Arthur, wit ye well I am right heavy -of the death of this fair damsel. God knoweth I was never causer of her -death by my willing, and that will I report me to her own brother; -here he is, Sir Lavaine. I will not say nay, but that she was both fair -and good, and much I was beholden unto her, but she loved me out of -measure." - -"Ye might have showed her," said the queen, "some bounty and -gentleness, that might have preserved her life." - -"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "she would none other way be answered, but -that she would be my wife, and of [this] I would not grant her; but I -proffered her, for her good love that she showed me, a thousand pound -yearly to her and to her heirs, and to wed any manner knight that she -could find best to love in her heart. For, madam," said Sir Launcelot, -"I love not to be constrained to love; for love must arise of the -heart, and not by no constraint." - -"That is truth," said the king, and many knights: "love is free in -himself, and never will be bounden; for where he is bounden he looseth -himself." - -Then said the king unto Sir Launcelot, "It will be your worship that ye -oversee that she be buried worshipfully." - -"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "that shall be done as I can best devise." - -And so many knights went thither to behold the fair dead maid. And -on the morrow she was richly buried; and Sir Launcelot offered her -mass-penny, and all the knights of the Round Table that were there at -that time offered with Sir Launcelot. And then when all was done, the -poor man went again with the barge. - - - - - BOOK VII - - OF THE DEATH OF ARTHUR[20] - -[Footnote 20: This event--the death of King Arthur--gave name to the -whole series of stories with some of the old editors: Caxton, for -example, the first printer of Sir Thomas Malory's book, issued it under -the title "La Mort Darthur," that is, _la mort_ (French, _the death_) -_d'Arthur_ (_of Arthur_).] - - -[But ever in these days the enemies of Sir Launcelot and of Queen -Guenever lay in wait to do them harm, in especial Sir Mordred and Sir -Agravaine. So it befell that the queen was again appealed of treason -and was condemned to the fire, while Sir Launcelot was away. But when -Sir Launcelot heard thereof, he came suddenly with his kindred and -attacked them that guarded about the queen whereas she stood at the -stake about to be burnt.] - -Then was there spurring and plucking up of horses and right so they -came to the fire, and who that stood against them there they were -slain, there might none withstand Sir Launcelot. And in this rashing -and hurling, as Sir Launcelot thrang [_rushed_] here and there, it -mishappened him to slay Sir Gaheris and the noble knight Sir Gareth, -for they were unarmed and unaware; for Sir Launcelot smote Sir Gareth -and Sir Gaheris upon the brain-pans, wherethrough they were both slain -in the field; howbeit in very truth Sir Launcelot saw them not, and -so were they found dead among the thickest of the press. Then when -Sir Launcelot had thus done, and had put them to flight all they -that would withstand him, then he rode straight unto Queen Guenever, -and made a kirtle and a gown to be cast upon her, and then he made -her to be set behind him, and prayed her to be of good cheer. Wit you -well that the queen was glad when she escaped from death; and then -she thanked God and Sir Launcelot. And so he rode his way with the -queen unto Joyous Gard, and there he kept her as a noble knight should -do, and many great lords and some kings sent Sir Launcelot many good -knights; and many noble knights drew unto Sir Launcelot. When this was -known openly, that King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were at debate, many -knights were glad of their debate, and many knights were sorry of their -debate. - -[Illustration: _He rode his way with the queen unto Joyous Gard_] - -[Then King Arthur made moan out of measure, for he knew that the Round -Table was foredoomed and that great wars must come of these matters.] - -"And now I dare say," said the king, "that there was never Christian -king that held such a fellowship together. Alas! that ever Sir -Launcelot and I should be at debate. Ah! Agravaine, Agravaine," said -the king, "Jesu forgive it thy soul! for thine evil will that thou and -thy brother Sir Mordred had unto Sir Launcelot hath caused all this -sorrow." - -And ever among these complaints King Arthur wept and swooned. Then -there came one unto Sir Gawaine, and told him how the queen was led -away with Sir Launcelot, and nigh twenty-four knights slain. - -"Truly," said the man, "your two brethren, Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris, -be slain." - -"Who slew [them]?" said Sir Gawaine. - -"Sir," said the man, "Sir Launcelot slew them both." - -"Alas!" said Sir Gawaine, "now is all my joy gone." - -And then he fell down in a swoon, and long he lay there as he had -been dead; and then when he arose out of his swoon, he cried out so -ruefully, and said, "Alas!" And right so Sir Gawaine ran unto the king, -crying and weeping: "Oh! King Arthur mine uncle, my good brother Sir -Gaheris is slain, and my brother Sir Gareth also, the which were two -noble knights." - -"I know not how it was," said the king, "but so it is said, Sir -Launcelot slew them both in the thickest of the press, and knew them -not." - -[Then fell Sir Gawaine into bitter hatred against Sir Launcelot and -never stinted therein till the day of his death.] - -"My most gracious lord and my uncle," said Sir Gawaine, "wit you well -that now I shall make you a promise, the which I shall hold by my -knighthood, that from this day I shall never fail Sir Launcelot, until -the one of us hath slain the other; and therefore I require you, my -lord and my king, dress you unto the war, for wit you well I shall be -revenged upon Sir Launcelot. For I promise unto God," said Sir Gawaine, -"for the death of my brother Sir Gareth I shall seek Sir Launcelot -throughout seven kings' realms but I shall slay him, or else he shall -slay me." - -"Ye shall not need to seek him so far," said the king, "for, as I hear -say, Sir Launcelot will abide me and you in the Joyous Gard, and much -people draweth unto him as I hear say." - -Then came King Arthur and Sir Gawaine with an huge host, and laid a -siege about Joyous Gard, both at the town and at the castle; and there -they made full strong war on both parties. But in no wise Sir Launcelot -would not ride out nor go out of the castle of a long time, neither he -would suffer none of his good knights to issue out, neither none of the -town nor of the castle, until fifteen weeks were past. - - * * * * * - -So it befell on a day in harvest that Sir Launcelot looked over the -walls and spake on high to King Arthur and Sir Gawaine: "My lords both, -wit ye well it is in vain that ye labor at this siege, for here win ye -no worship but dishonor." - -"Come forth," said King Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, "and thou darest, -and I promise thee I shall meet thee in the midst of the field." - -"God defend me," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever I should encounter with -the most noble king that made me knight." - -"Fie upon thy fair language," said the king, "for wit you well, and -trust it, I am thy mortal foe, and ever will to my death day, for thou -hast slain my good knights and full noble men of my blood, that I shall -never recover again: also thou hast dishonored my queen, and holden her -many winters, and like a traitor taken her from me by force." - -"My most noble lord and king," said Sir Launcelot, "ye may say what ye -will, for ye wot well with yourself I will not strive, but there as ye -say I have slain your good knights, I wot well that I have done so, and -that me sore repenteth, but I was enforced to do battle with them, in -saving of my life, or else I must have suffered them to have slain me. -And as for my lady Queen Guenever, ofttimes, my lord, ye have consented -that she should be burnt and destroyed in your heat, and then it -fortuned me to do battle for her, and or I departed from her adversary -they confessed their untruth, and she full worshipfully excused. And -at such times, my lord Arthur," said Sir Launcelot, "ye loved me, and -thanked me when I saved your queen from the fire, and then ye promised -me for ever to be my good lord, and now me thinketh ye reward me full -ill. For sithence I have done battles for your queen in other quarrels -than in mine own, me seemeth now I had more right to do battle for her -in a right quarrel. And therefore my good and gracious lord," said Sir -Launcelot, "take your queen unto your good grace, for she is both fair, -true, and good." - -"Fie on thee, false recreant knight," said Sir Gawaine, "I let thee to -wit that my lord mine uncle King Arthur shall have his queen and thee -maugre [_in spite of_] thy visage, and slay you both whereas it shall -please him." - -"It may well be," said Sir Launcelot; "but wit ye well, my lord Sir -Gawaine, and me list to come out of this castle, ye should win me and -the queen more harder than ever ye won a strong battle." - -"Fie upon thy proud words," said Sir Gawaine, "as for my lady the -queen, I will never say of her shame. Ah! thou false recreant knight," -said Sir Gawaine, "what cause hadst thou to slay my good brother Sir -Gareth, that loved thee more than all thy kin? Alas! thou madest him -knight with thine own hands, why slewest thou him that loved thee so -well?" - -"For to excuse me," said Sir Launcelot, "it helpeth me not. But, by -Jesu," said Sir Launcelot, "and by the faith that I owe unto the high -order of knighthood, I should with as good a will have slain my nephew -Sir Bors de Ganis at that time. But alas! that ever I was so unhappy," -said Sir Launcelot, "that I had not seen Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris." - -"Thou liest, false recreant knight," said Sir Gawaine, "thou slewest -him in despite of me, and therefore wit thou well that I shall make war -unto thee all the while that I may live." - -"That me sore repenteth," said Sir Launcelot, "for well I understand -that it helpeth me not to seek for none accordment whiles that ye, Sir -Gawaine, are so mischievously set; and if ye were not, I would not -doubt to have the good grace of my lord King Arthur." - -[Then Sir Launcelot's kinsmen besought him that he would go out and do -battle for the slanders that Sir Gawaine and his knights did put upon -him.] - -"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "for to ride out of this castle and do -battle, I am full loth to do it." - -Then Sir Launcelot spake on high unto King Arthur and Sir Gawaine: -"My lords, I require you and beseech you, sith I am thus required and -conjured to ride into the field, that neither you, my lord King Arthur, -nor you, Sir Gawaine, come not into the field." - -"What shall we do then?" said Sir Gawaine; "is not this the king's -quarrel with thee to fight? and it is my quarrel to fight with thee, -Sir Launcelot, because of the death of my brother Sir Gareth." - -"Then must I needs unto battle," said Sir Launcelot. - -And always Sir Launcelot charged all his knights in any wise to save -King Arthur and Sir Gawaine. - -And on the morrow at underne [_nine o'clock_] King Arthur was ready in -the field with three great hosts. And then Sir Launcelot's fellowship -came out at three gates in full good array, and Sir Lionel came in the -foremost battle, and Sir Launcelot came in the middle battle, and Sir -Bors came out at the third gate. - -[Then was there spurring and thrusting and many strokes.] - -And ever King Arthur was nigh about Sir Launcelot to have slain him, -and Sir Launcelot suffered him, and would not strike again. So Sir Bors -encountered with King Arthur, and there with a spear Sir Bors smote him -down; and so he alighted and drew his sword, and said to Sir Launcelot, -"Shall I make an end of this war?" and that he meant to have slain King -Arthur. - -"Not so hardy," said Sir Launcelot, "upon pain of thy head, that thou -touch him no more: for I will never see that most noble king, that made -me knight, neither slain ne shamed." - -And therewithal Sir Launcelot alighted off his horse, and took up the -king and horsed him again, and said thus, "My lord Arthur, for God's -love stint this strife." - -And when King Arthur was again on horseback, he looked upon Sir -Launcelot, and then the tears burst out of his eyes thinking on the -great courtesy that was in Sir Launcelot more than in any other man. -And therewith the king rode forth his way, and might no longer behold -him, and said to himself, "Alas! that ever this war began." And then -either parties of the battles withdrew them for to rest them, and -buried the dead bodies, and to the wounded men they laid soft salves; -and thus they endured that night till on the morrow. And on the morrow, -by underne, they made them ready to do battle, and then Sir Bors -led them forward. So on the morrow came Sir Gawaine as grim as any -bear, with a spear in his hand. And when Sir Bors saw him [they rode -furiously together and either gave the other a great wound]. Then Sir -Launcelot rescued Sir Bors, and sent him into the castle; but neither -Sir Gawaine nor Sir Bors died not of their wounds, for they were both -holpen. - -"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "I have no heart to fight against my lord -King Arthur; for always me seemeth I do not as I ought to do." - -"My lord," said Sir Palamides, "though ye spare them all this day, they -will never con you thank; and if they may get you at any vantage, ye -are but dead." - -So then Sir Launcelot understood well that they told him truth, and -then he strained himself more. And then within a little while, by -even-song time, Sir Launcelot and his party better stood, for their -horses went in blood past the fetlocks, there was so much people -slain. And then, for pity, Sir Launcelot withheld his knights, and -suffered King Arthur's party for to withdraw them one side. And then -Sir Launcelot's party withdrew them into his castle, and either party -buried the dead bodies and put salve unto the wounded men. So when Sir -Gawaine was hurt, they on King Arthur's party were not so orgulous -[_arrogantly eager_] as they were beforehand to do battle. Of this war -was noised through all christendom, and at the last it was noised afore -the Pope; and he considering the great goodness of King Arthur [let -send letters to Sir Launcelot how that he should bring the queen back -to King Arthur. And so, when King Arthur had carried his host back to -his own country, came Sir Launcelot to King Arthur's court and gave him -again his queen]. - - * * * * * - -[And then while Sir Launcelot was at court he strove hard to be -accorded with Sir Gawaine, for he bore no malice neither to Sir Gawaine -nor to King Arthur. But Sir Gawaine would not be accorded, and ever let -King Arthur from being accorded, that would right gladly have received -again his old faithful knight, Sir Launcelot. And ever more bitter grew -Sir Gawaine: till at the last he said to Sir Launcelot:] "In this land -thou shalt not abide past fifteen days, such warning I give thee. So -the king and we were consented and accorded or thou camest hither; and -else," said Sir Gawaine, "wit thou well that thou shouldst not have -come hither, but if it were maugre thy head. And if that it were not -for the Pope's commandment, I should do battle with my body against thy -body, and prove it unto thee that thou hast been false unto mine uncle -King Arthur and to me both, and that shall I prove upon thy body when -thou art departed from hence, wheresoever I find thee." - -Then Sir Launcelot sighed, and therewith the tears fell on his cheeks, -and then he said these words: "Alas! most noble Christian realm, -whom I have loved above all other realms, and in thee have I gotten -a great part of my worship, and now I shall depart in this wise. -Truly me repenteth that ever I came into this realm, that should be -thus shamefully banished undeserved and causeless. But fortune is so -variable and the wheel so mutable, there is no constant abiding, and -that may be proved by many old chronicles of noble Hector, and Troilus, -and Alisander the mighty conqueror, and many other moe [_more_]; when -they were most in their royalty, they alighted lowest. And so fareth -by me," said Sir Launcelot, "for in this realm I have had worship, and -by me and mine all the whole Round Table hath been increased, more in -worship by me and my blood than by any other. And therefore wit you -well, Sir Gawaine, I may live as well upon my lands as any knight that -is here. And if ye, my most renowned king, will come upon my lands with -your nephew Sir Gawaine for to war upon me, I must endure you as well -as I may; but as for you Sir Gawaine, if that ye come there, I pray you -charge me not with treason nor felony, for, and ye do, I must answer -you." - -"Do thou thy best," said Sir Gawaine, "therefore hie thee fast that -thou were gone, and wit thou well we shall soon come after, and break -the strongest castle that thou hast upon thy head." - -"That shall not need," said Sir Launcelot, "for and I were as orgulous -set as ye are, wit ye well I should meet with you in midst of the -field." - -"Make thou no more language," said Sir Gawaine, "but deliver the queen -from thee, and pike thee lightly out of this court." - -And then Sir Launcelot said unto Queen Guenever, in hearing of the -king and them all, "Madam, now I must depart from you and this noble -fellowship for ever; and sithen it is so, I beseech you to pray for -me, and say me well, and if ye be hard bestead by any false tongues, -lightly, my lady, let send me word, and if any knight's hands may -deliver you by battle, I shall deliver you." - -And therewithal Sir Launcelot kissed the queen, and then he said all -openly, "Now let see what he be in this place, that dare say the queen -is not true unto my lord Arthur: let see who will speak, and he dare -speak." - -And therewith he brought the queen to the king, and then Sir Launcelot -took his leave and departed; and there was neither king, duke ne earl, -baron ne knight, lady nor gentlewoman, but all they wept as people out -of their mind, except Sir Gawaine; and when the noble Sir Launcelot -took his horse, to ride out of Carlisle, there was sobbing and weeping -for pure dole of his departing; and so he took his way unto Joyous -Gard. And afterwards he called it Dolorous Gard. And thus Sir Launcelot -departed from the court for ever. - -So leave we Sir Launcelot in his lands, and his noble knights with -him, and return we again unto King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, that made a -great host ready, to the number of threescore thousand, and all thing -was ready for their shipping to pass over the sea. And so they shipped -at Cardiff. And there King Arthur made Sir Mordred chief ruler of all -England; and also he put Queen Guenever under his governance. And so -King Arthur passed over the sea, and landed upon Sir Launcelot's land, -and there he burnt and wasted, through the vengeance of Sir Gawaine, -all that they might overrun. - -Then spake King Bagdemagus unto Sir Launcelot, "Sir, your courtesy will -shend [_ruin_] us all, and your courtesy hath caused all this sorrow; -for and they thus override our lands, they shall by process of time -bring us all to nought, whilst we thus hide us in holes." - -Then said the good knight Sir Galihud to Sir Launcelot, "Sir, here be -knights come of kings' blood, that will not long droop and they were -without the walls; therefore give us leave, as we are knights, to meet -them in the field, and we shall slay them, that they shall curse the -time that ever they came into this country." - -Then spake the seven brethren of North Wales, and they were seven noble -knights as a man might seek in seven kings' lands, or he might find -such seven knights, then they spake all with one voice, "Sir Launcelot, -for Christ's sake let us ride out with Sir Galihud, for we been never -wont to cower in castles nor in towns." - -Then speake Sir Launcelot, which was master and governor of them all, -"My fair lords, howbeit we will as at this time keep our strong walls, -and I shall send a messenger unto my lord King Arthur, desiring him to -take a treaty; for better is peace than always war." - -So Sir Launcelot sent forth a damsel and a dwarf with her, requiring -King Arthur to leave his war upon his lands. And so she started upon a -palfrey, and the dwarf ran by her side. - -[But Sir Gawaine would have no peace nor treaties, and sent vile -messages back to Sir Launcelot, and presently led the host to Sir -Launcelot's castle.] - -So thus they endured well half a year, and much slaughter of people -there was on both parties. Then it befell upon a day that Sir Gawaine -came before the gates armed at all pieces upon a great courser, with a -great spear in his hand; and then he cried with a loud voice, "Where -art thou now, thou false traitor Sir Launcelot? why dost thou hide -thyself within holes and walls like a coward? look out now, thou false -traitor knight, and here I shall revenge upon thy body the death of my -three brethren." - -All this language heard Sir Launcelot, and his kin every deal; and -then his knights drew about him, and they said all at once unto Sir -Launcelot, "Sir Launcelot, now ye must defend you like a knight, or -else ye be shamed for ever; for now ye be called upon treason, it is -time for you to stir, for ye have slept over long, and suffered over -much." - -"So God me help," said Sir Launcelot, "I am right heavy of Sir -Gawaine's words, for now he chargeth me with a great charge; and -therefore I wot it as well as ye that I must defend me, or else to be a -recreant knight." - -Then Sir Launcelot commanded to saddle his strongest horse, and bade -fetch his armor, and bring all unto the gate of the tower. And then Sir -Launcelot spake on high unto King Arthur, and said, "My lord and noble -king which made me knight, wit you well that I am right heavy for your -sake, that ye thus sue upon me, and always I forbare you; for, and I -would have been revengeable, I might have met you in the midst of the -field, and there to have made your boldest knights full tame; and now I -have forborne you half a year, and have suffered you and Sir Gawaine to -do what ye would, and now I may endure it no longer; now must I needs -defend myself, in so much as Sir Gawaine hath appealed me of treason, -the which is greatly against my will, that ever I should fight against -any of your blood; but now I may not forsake it, I am driven thereto as -a beast to a bay." - -And so the covenant was made, there should no man nigh them, nor deal -with them, till the one were dead or yielden. - - * * * * * - -Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot departed a great way in sunder, and -then they came together with all their horses' might as they might -run, and either smote other in midst of their shields, but the knights -were so strong, and their spears so big, that their horses might not -endure their buffets, and so the horses fell to the earth. And then -they avoided their horses, and dressed their shields afore them. Then -they stood together, and gave many sad strokes on divers places of -their bodies, that the blood brast out on many sides and places. Then -had Sir Gawaine such a grace and gift that an holy man had given to -him, that every day in the year, from underne till high noon, his might -increased those three hours as much as thrice his strength, and that -caused Sir Gawaine to win great honor. [And] there were but few knights -that time living that knew this advantage that Sir Gawaine had, but -King Arthur all only. Thus Sir Launcelot fought with Sir Gawaine, and -when Sir Launcelot felt his might evermore increase, Sir Launcelot -wondered, and dread him sore to be shamed. For Sir Launcelot wend, -when he felt Sir Gawaine double his strength, that he had been a fiend -and no earthly man, wherefore Sir Launcelot traced and traversed, -and covered himself with his shield, and kept his might during three -hours: and that while Sir Gawaine gave him many sad brunts and many sad -strokes, that all the knights that beheld Sir Launcelot marvelled how -he might endure him, but full little understood they that travail that -Sir Launcelot had for to endure him. And then when it was past noon, -Sir Gawaine had no more but his own might. Then Sir Launcelot felt him -so come down; then he stretched him up, and stood near Sir Gawaine, and -said thus, "My lord Sir Gawaine, now I feel ye have done, now my lord -Sir Gawaine, I must do my part, for many great and grievous strokes I -have endured you this day with great pain." - -Then Sir Launcelot doubled his strokes, and gave Sir Gawaine such a -buffet on the helmet, that he fell down on his side, and Sir Launcelot -withdrew him from him. - -"Why withdrawest thou thee?" said Sir Gawaine; "now turn again, false -traitor knight, and slay me; for and thou leave me thus, when I am -whole I shall do battle with thee again." - -"Sir, I shall endure you by the grace of God," said Sir Launcelot; "but -wit you well, Sir Gawaine, I will never smite a felled knight." - -And so Sir Launcelot went into the city, and Sir Gawaine was borne into -one of King Arthur's pavilions; and anon there was leeches brought to -him, which searched his wound, and salved it with soft ointments. And -then Sir Launcelot said, "Now have good day, my lord the king, for wit -ye well ye shall win no worship at these walls; and if I would bring -out my knights, there should many a man die. Therefore, my lord King -Arthur, remember you of old kindness, and howsoever I fare, Jesu be -your guide in all places." - - * * * * * - -"Alas," said the king, "that ever this unhappy war was begun, for ever -Sir Launcelot forbeareth me in all places, and in likewise my kin, and -that is seen well this day by my nephew Sir Gawaine." - -Then King Arthur fell sick for sorrow of Sir Gawaine, that he was sore -hurt, and because of the war betwixt him and Sir Launcelot. So then -they on King Arthur's party kept the siege with little war and small -force, and they within kept their walls, and defended them when need -was. Thus Sir Gawaine lay sick about three weeks in his tents, with -all manner of leechcraft that might be had; and as soon as Sir Gawaine -might go and ride, he armed him at all points, and started upon a -courser, and gat a spear in his hand, and so he came riding afore the -chief gate of Benwick, and there he cried on high, "Where art thou, Sir -Launcelot? come forth, thou false traitor knight, and recreant, for I -am here, Sir Gawaine, will prove this that I say on thee." - -All this language Sir Launcelot heard, and then he said thus, "Sir -Gawaine, me repenteth of your foul saying, that ye will not cease of -your language, for wit ye well, Sir Gawaine, I know your might, and all -that ye may do, and well ye wot, Sir Gawaine, ye may not greatly hurt -me." - -"Come down, traitor knight," said he, "and make it good the contrary -with thy hands; for it mishapped me the last battle to be hurt of thy -hands, therefore wit thou well, that I am come this day to make amends, -for I ween this day to lay thee as low as thou laidest me." - -"Defend me," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever I be so far in your danger -as ye have been in mine, for then my days were done. But Sir Gawaine," -said Sir Launcelot, "ye shall not think that I tarry long; but sithence -that ye so unknightly call me of treason, ye shall have both your hands -full of me." - -And then Sir Launcelot armed him at all points, and mounted upon his -horse, and gat him a great spear in his hand, and rode out at the -gate. And both the hosts were assembled of them without and of them -within, and stood in array full manly; and both parties were charged -for to hold them still to see and behold the battle of these two noble -knights. And then they laid their spears in their rests, and they ran -together as thunder. And Sir Gawaine brake his spear upon Sir Launcelot -in an hundred pieces unto his hand. And Sir Launcelot smote him with a -greater might, that Sir Gawaine's horse's feet raised, and so the horse -and he fell to the earth. Then Sir Gawaine full quickly avoided his -horse, and put his shield before him, and eagerly drew his sword, and -bade Sir Launcelot "alight, traitor knight! for though this mare's son -hath failed me, wit thou well that a king's son and a queen's son shall -not fail thee." - -Then Sir Launcelot avoided his horse, and dressed his shield before -him, and drew his sword. And so they stood together and gave many -sad strokes, that all men on both parties had thereof passing great -wonder. But when Sir Launcelot felt Sir Gawaine's might so marvellously -increased, he then withheld his courage and his wind, and kept himself -wondrous covert of his might, and under his shield he traced and -traversed here and there for to break Sir Gawaine's strokes and his -courage. And Sir Gawaine enforced him with all his might and power to -destroy Sir Launcelot, for ever as Sir Gawaine's might increased, right -so increased his wind and his evil will. Thus Sir Gawaine did great -pain unto Sir Launcelot three hours continually, that Sir Launcelot -had great pain to defend himself. And after that the three hours were -passed, then Sir Launcelot felt verily that Sir Gawaine was come to his -own proper might and strength, and that his great power was done. Then -Sir Launcelot said unto Sir Gawaine, "Now have I well proved you twice, -that ye are a full dangerous knight, and a wonderful man of your might, -and many wonderful deeds have you done in your days: for by your might -increasing you have deceived many a full noble and valiant knight; and -now I feel that ye have done your mighty deeds. Now wit you well I must -do my deeds." - -And then Sir Launcelot stood near Sir Gawaine, and then Sir Launcelot -doubled his strokes, and Sir Gawaine defended him mightily. But -nevertheless Sir Launcelot smote such a stroke upon Sir Gawaine's helm, -and upon the old wound, that Sir Gawaine sank down upon his one side in -a swoon. And anon as he was awake, he waved and foined at Sir Launcelot -as he lay, and said, "Traitor knight, wit thou well I am not yet -slain: come thou near me, and perform this battle unto the uttermost." - -"I will no more do than I have done," said Sir Launcelot; "for when I -see you on foot I will do battle upon you all the while I see you stand -on your feet; but for to smite a wounded man that may not stand, God -defend me from such a shame." - -And then he turned him and went his way towards the city, and Sir -Gawaine evermore calling him traitor knight, and said, "Wit thou well, -Sir Launcelot, when I am whole, I shall do battle with thee again; for -I shall never leave thee till that one of us be slain." - -Thus as this siege endured, and as Sir Gawaine lay sick near a month, -and when he was well recovered and ready within three days to do battle -again with Sir Launcelot, right so came tidings unto King Arthur from -England, that made King Arthur and all his host to remove. - - * * * * * - -As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England, he caused letters to be made -as though they came from beyond the sea, and the letters specified -that King Arthur was slain in battle with Sir Launcelot; wherefore Sir -Mordred made a parliament, and called the lords together, and there -he made them to choose him king. And so he was crowned at Canterbury, -and held a feast there fifteen days. And afterwards he drew him to -Winchester, and there he took Queen Guenever, and said plainly that he -would wed her which was his uncle's wife; and so he made ready for the -feast, and a day prefixed that they should be wedded. Wherefore Queen -Guenever was passing heavy; but she durst not discover her heart, but -spake fair and agreed to Sir Mordred's will. Then she desired of Sir -Mordred for to go to London for to buy all manner thing that belonged -unto the wedding; and because of her fair speech, Sir Mordred trusted -her well enough, and gave her leave to go. And when she came to London, -she took the Tower of London, and suddenly in all haste possible she -stuffed it with all manner of victual and well filled it with men, and -so kept it. Then when Sir Mordred wist how he was beguiled, he was -passing wroth out of measure. And, a short tale for to make, he went -and laid a mighty siege about the Tower of London, and made many great -assaults thereat, and threw many great engines unto them, and shot -great guns. But all might not prevail Sir Mordred, for Queen Guenever -would never for fair speech nor for foul trust to come in his hands -again. And then came the bishop of Canterbury, the which was a noble -clerk and an holy man, and thus he said to Sir Mordred: "Sir, what will -ye do, will ye first displease God, and sithen shame yourself and all -knighthood? Is not King Arthur your uncle, no further but your mother's -brother? Leave this opinion, or else I shall curse you with book, and -bell, and candle." - -"Do thou thy worst," said Sir Mordred, "wit thou well I shall defy -thee." - -"Sir," said the bishop, "and wit you well I shall not fear me to do -that me ought to do. Also where ye noise where my lord Arthur is slain, -and that is not so, and therefore ye will make a foul work in this -land." - -"Peace, thou false priest," said Sir Mordred, "for, and thou chafe me -any more, I shall make strike off thy head." - -So the bishop departed, and did the curse in the most orgulous -wise that might be done. And then Sir Mordred sought the bishop of -Canterbury for to have slain him. Then the bishop fled, and took part -of his goods with him, and went nigh unto Glastonbury, and there he was -as priest hermit in a chapel, and lived in poverty and in holy prayers: -for well he understood that mischievous war was at hand. Then Sir -Mordred sought on Queen Guenever by letters and by fair means and foul -means, for to have her to come out of the Tower of London, but all this -availed not, for she answered him shortly, openly and privily, that she -had liever slay herself than to be married with him. Then came word to -Sir Mordred that King Arthur had raised the siege from Sir Launcelot, -and that he was coming homeward with a great host, for to be avenged -upon Sir Mordred. Wherefore Sir Mordred made to write letters unto all -the barony of this land, and much people drew unto him; for then was -the common voice among them, that with King Arthur was none other life -but war and strife, and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss. Thus -was King Arthur depraved and evil said of, and many there were that -King Arthur had made up of nought, and had given them lands, might not -say of him then a good word. - -Lo, we all Englishmen see what a mischief here was; for he that was the -noblest king and knight of the world, and most loved the fellowship of -noble knights and men of worship, and by him they were all upholden, -now might not we Englishmen hold us content with him. Lo, this was the -old custom and usage of this land. And also men say that we of this -land have not yet lost nor forgotten the custom and usage. Alas! alas! -this is a great default of us Englishmen, for there may nothing please -us no term. And so fared the people at that time. For they were better -pleased with Sir Mordred than they were with King Arthur, and much -people drew unto Sir Mordred, and said they would abide with him for -better and for worse. And so Sir Mordred drew with a great host towards -Dover, for there he heard say that King Arthur would arrive. And the -most part of all England held with Sir Mordred, the people were so -new-fangled. - - * * * * * - -And so, as Sir Mordred was at Dover with his host, there came King -Arthur with a great navy of ships, galleys, and carracks. And there was -Sir Mordred ready awaiting upon his landing, to let [_hinder_] his own -[uncle] to land upon the land that he was king over. Then there was -launching of great boats and small, and full of noble men of arms, and -there was much slaughter of gentle knights, and many a full bold baron -was laid full low on both parties. But King Arthur was so courageous, -that there might no manner of knights let him to land, and his knights -fiercely followed him. And so they landed, maugre Sir Mordred and all -his power, and put Sir Mordred aback, that he fled and all his people. -So when this battle was done, King Arthur let bury his people that were -dead, and then was the noble knight Sir Gawaine found in a great boat -lying more than half dead. When Sir Arthur wist that Sir Gawaine was -laid so low, he went unto him, and there the king made sorrow out of -measure, and took Sir Gawaine in his arms, and thrice he there swooned. -And when he awaked he said, "Alas, Sir Gawaine, my sister's son, here -now thou liest, the man in the world that I loved most, and now is my -joy gone: for now, my nephew Sir Gawaine, I will discover me unto your -person; in Sir Launcelot and you I most had my joy, and mine affiance, -and now have I lost my joy of you both, wherefore all mine earthly joy -is gone from me." - -"Mine uncle King Arthur," said Sir Gawaine, "wit you well, my death day -is come, and all is through mine own hastiness and wilfulness, for I -am smitten upon the old wound the which Sir Launcelot gave me, on the -which I feel well I must die, and had Sir Launcelot been with you as -he was, this unhappy war had never begun, and of all this am I causer, -for Sir Launcelot and his blood through their prowess held all your -cankered enemies in subjection and danger: and now," said Sir Gawaine, -"ye shall miss Sir Launcelot. But, alas, I would not accord with him, -and therefore," said Sir Gawaine, "I pray you, fair uncle, that I may -have paper, pen, and ink, that I may write unto Sir Launcelot a letter -with mine own hands." - -And when paper and ink was brought, Sir Gawaine was set up weakly by -King Arthur, for he had been shriven a little before; and he wrote thus -unto Sir Launcelot: "Flower of all noble knights that ever I heard of -or saw in my days; I, Sir Gawaine, King Lot's son of Orkney, sister's -son unto the noble King Arthur, send unto thee greeting, and let thee -have knowledge, that the tenth day of May I was smitten upon the old -wound which thou gavest me before the city of Benwick, and through the -same wound that thou gavest me I am come unto my death day, and I will -that all the world wit that I Sir Gawaine, knight of the Round Table, -sought my death, and not through thy deserving, but it was mine own -seeking; wherefore I beseech thee, Sir Launcelot, for to return again -unto this realm and see my tomb, and pray some prayer more or less for -my soul. Also, Sir Launcelot, for all the love that ever was between -us, make no tarrying, but come over the sea in all the haste that thou -mayest with thy noble knights, and rescue that noble king that made -thee knight, that is my lord and uncle King Arthur, for he is full -straitly bestood [_sore beset_] with a false traitor, which is my half -brother Sir Mordred, and he hath let crown himself king, and he would -have wedded my lady Queen Guenever, and so had he done, if she had not -put herself in the Tower of London. And so the tenth day of May last -past, my lord and uncle King Arthur and we all landed upon them at -Dover, and there we put that false traitor Sir Mordred to flight. And -there it misfortuned me for to be stricken upon thy stroke. And at the -date of this letter was written but two hours and half before my death, -written with mine own hand, and so subscribed with part of my heart's -blood. And I require thee, most famous knight of all the world, that -thou wilt see my tomb." - -And then Sir Gawaine wept, and King Arthur wept. And the king made Sir -Gawaine to receive his Saviour. And then Sir Gawaine prayed the king -to send for Sir Launcelot, and to cherish him above all other knights. -And so at the hour of noon, Sir Gawaine yielded up the spirit. And -then the king let inter him in a chapel within Dover Castle; and there -yet all men may see the skull of him, and the same wound is seen that -Sir Launcelot gave him in battle. Then was it told King Arthur that -Sir Mordred had pitched a new field upon Barendoune [_Barham Down_]. -And upon the morn the king rode thither to him, and there was a great -battle betwixt them, and much people were slain on both parties. But at -the last King Arthur's party stood best, and Sir Mordred and his party -fled into Canterbury. - - * * * * * - -And then the king let search all the towns for his knights that were -slain, and interred them; and salved them with soft salves that so -sore were wounded. Then much people drew unto King Arthur. And then -they said that Sir Mordred warred upon King Arthur wrongfully. And -then King Arthur drew him with his host down by the sea side, westward -unto Salisbury, and there was a day assigned between King Arthur and -Sir Mordred, that they should meet upon a down beside Salisbury, and -not far from the sea side, and this day was assigned on a Monday after -Trinity Sunday, whereof King Arthur was passing glad, that he might be -avenged upon Sir Mordred. Then Sir Mordred raised much people about -London, for they of Kent, Southsex [_Sussex_], and Southery [_Surrey_], -Estsex [_Essex_], and Southfolk [_Suffolk_], and of Northfolk -[_Norfolk_], held the most party with Sir Mordred, and many a full -noble knight drew unto Sir Mordred and to the king; but they that loved -Sir Launcelot drew unto Sir Mordred. - -So upon Trinity Sunday at night King Arthur dreamed a wonderful dream, -and that was this, that him seemed he sat in a chair, and the chair was -fast unto a wheel, and thereupon sat King Arthur in the richest cloth -of gold that might be made. And the king thought there was under him, -far from him, a hideous and a deep black water, and therein was all -manner of serpents and worms, and wild beasts foul and horrible; and -suddenly the king thought that the wheel turned upside down, and that -he fell among the serpents and wild beasts, and every beast took him by -a limb; and then the king cried, as he lay in his bed and slept, "Help!" - -And then knights, squires, and yeomen awaked the king; and then he -was so amazed that he wist not where he was; and then he fell in a -slumbering again, not sleeping nor thoroughly waking. So King Arthur -thought that there came Sir Gawaine unto him verily, with a number -of fair ladies with him; and so when King Arthur saw him, he said, -"Welcome, my sister's son, I wend thou hadst been dead, and now I see -thee alive, much am I beholden unto almighty Jesu; oh, fair nephew and -my sister's son, what be these ladies that be come hither with you?" - -"Sir," said Sir Gawaine, "all these be the ladies for whom I have -fought when I was man living: and all these are those that I did battle -for in righteous quarrel. And God hath given them that grace at their -great prayer, because I did battle for them, that they should bring -me hither unto you for to warn you of your death; for and ye fight as -to-morrow with Sir Mordred, as ye both have assigned, doubt ye not ye -must be slain, and the most part of your people on both parties. For -within a month shall come Sir Launcelot, with all his noble knights, -and rescue you worshipfully, and slay Sir Mordred and all that ever -will hold with him." Then Sir Gawaine and all the ladies vanished. - - * * * * * - -So then were they condescended that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should -meet between both their hosts, and every each of them should bring -fourteen persons. And they came with this word unto King Arthur, and -then said he, "I am glad that this is done." And so he went into the -fields; and when King Arthur should depart, he warned all his host -that, and they saw any sword drawn, "look that ye come on fiercely, and -slay that traitor Sir Mordred, for I in no wise trust him." - -In like wise Sir Mordred did warn his host that "if ye see any manner -of sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that -ever standeth before you, for in no wise I will not trust for this -treatise, for I know well that my [uncle] will be avenged upon me." - -And so they met as their appointment was, and were agreed and accorded -thoroughly, and wine was fet [_fetched_] and they drank. Right so came -an adder out of a little heath bush, and it stung a knight on the foot; -and when the knight felt him stung, he looked down and saw the adder, -and then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of none -other harm. And when the hosts on both parties saw that sword drawn, -they blew trumpets and horns, and shouted grimly. And so both hosts -dressed them together, and King Arthur took his horse, and said, "Alas, -this unhappy day!" and so rode he to his party. And so Sir Mordred -did in like wise; and never was there seen a more dolefuller battle -in no Christian land, for there was but rashing and riding, foining -and striking, and many a grim word was there spoken either to other, -and many a deadly stroke. And ever they fought still till it was nigh -night, and by that time was there an hundred thousand laid dead upon -the down. Then was King Arthur wroth out of measure, when he saw his -people so slain from him. Then the king looked about him, and then was -he ware that of all his host, and of all his good knights, were left -no more alive but two knights, that was Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir -Bedivere his brother, and they were right sore wounded. - -"Jesu mercy!" said King Arthur, "where are all my noble knights become? -Alas! that ever I should see this doleful day; for now," said King -Arthur, "I am come unto mine end; but would to God that I wist where -that traitor Sir Mordred is, which hath caused all this mischief." - -Then was King Arthur ware where Sir Mordred leaned upon his sword among -a great heap of dead men. - -"Now give me my spear," said King Arthur to Sir Lucan, "for yonder I -have espied the traitor which hath wrought all this woe." - -"Sir, let him be," said Sir Lucan, "for he is unhappy; and if ye -pass this unhappy day ye shall be right well revenged upon him. My -good lord, remember well your dream that ye had this night, and what -the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you this night; yet God of his great -goodness hath preserved you hitherto, therefore, for God's sake, my -lord, leave off by this, for blessed be God ye have won the field; for -here we be three on live, and with Sir Mordred is none alive. And if ye -leave off now, this wicked day of destiny is done." - -"Betide me death, betide me life," said the king, "now I see him yonder -alone he shall never escape my hands, for at a better vantage shall I -never have him." - -"God speed you well," said Sir Bedivere. - -Then the king gat his spear in both his hands, and ran towards Sir -Mordred, crying, "Traitor, now is thy death day come." - -And when Sir Mordred heard King Arthur, he ran unto him with his sword -drawn in his hand. And then King Arthur smote Sir Mordred under the -shield with a foin of his spear throughout the body more than a fathom. -And when Sir Mordred felt that he had his death's wound, he thrust -himself, with the might that he had, up to the bur of King Arthur's -spear. And right so he smote [the king] with his sword holden in both -his hands, on the side of the head, that the sword pierced the helmet -and the brain-pan. And therewithal Sir Mordred fell stark dead to the -earth. And the noble Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth, and there he -swooned ofttimes. And Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir Bedivere ofttimes -heaved him up, and so weakly they led him betwixt them both to a little -chapel not far from the sea side. And when the king was there, he -thought him well eased. Then heard they people cry in the field. - -"Now go thou, Sir Lucan," said the king, "and do me to wit what -betokens that noise in the field." - -So Sir Lucan departed, and he was grievously wounded in many places. -And so as he went, he saw and hearkened by the moonlight, how the -pillers [_pillagers_] and robbers were come into the field to pill and -to rob many a full noble knight of broaches and beads, of many a good -ring, and of many a rich jewel; and who that were not dead all out -[_entirely_], there they slew them for their harness and their riches. -When Sir Lucan understood this work, he came to the king as soon as he -might, and told him all what he had heard and seen. - -"Therefore by mine advice," said Sir Lucan, "it is best that we bring -you to some town." - -"I would it were so," said the king. - - * * * * * - -"But I may not stand. Ah, Sir Launcelot," said King Arthur, "this day -have I sore missed thee. Alas, that ever I was against thee, for now -have I my death, whereof Sir Gawaine me warned in my dream." - -Then Sir Lucan took up the king the one part, and Sir Bedivere the -other part, and in the lifting, the king swooned, and Sir Lucan fell in -a swoon with the lift, and therewith the noble knight's heart brast. -And when King Arthur came to himself again, he beheld Sir Lucan how he -lay foaming at the mouth. - -"Alas," said the king, "this is unto me a full heavy sight to see this -noble duke so die for my sake, for he would have holpen me, that had -more need of help than I. Alas, he would not complain him, his heart -was so set to help me. Now Jesu have mercy upon his soul." - -Then Sir Bedivere wept for the death of his brother. - -"Leave this mourning and weeping," said the king, "for all this will -not avail me: for, wit thou well, and I might live myself the death -of Sir Lucan would grieve me evermore; but my time hieth fast," said -the king. "Therefore," said King Arthur, "take thou Excalibur, my good -sword, and go with it to yonder water side, and when thou comest there, -I charge thee throw my sword in that water, and come again, and tell me -what thou shalt see there." - -"My lord," said Sir Bedivere, "your command shall be done, and lightly -bring you word again." - -And so Sir Bedivere departed; and by the way he beheld that noble sword -where the pommel and the haft were all of precious stones, and then he -said to himself, "If I throw this rich sword into the water, thereof -shall never come good, but harm and loss." - -And then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibur under a tree, and as soon as he -might he came again unto King Arthur, and said he had been at the -water, and had thrown the sword into the water. - -"What sawest thou there?" said the king. - -"Sir," said he, "I saw nothing but waves and wind." - -"That is untruly said of thee," said King Arthur, "therefore go thou -lightly and do my command, as thou art to me lief [_beloved_] and dear; -spare not, but throw it in." - -Then Sir Bedivere returned again, and took the sword in his hand; and -then him thought it sin and shame to throw away that noble sword. And -so he hid the sword, and returned again and told to the king that he -had been at the water and done his command. - -"What saw ye there?" said the king. - -"Sir," said he, "I saw nothing but the water wap and waves wane."[21] - -[Footnote 21: "Water wap and waves wane," _water lap and waves ebb_.] - -"Ah, traitor untrue!" said King Arthur, "now hast thou betrayed me two -times. Who would have wend that thou that hast been unto me so self -[_loved like myself_] and dear, and thou art named a noble knight, and -wouldest betray me for the rich sword? But now go again lightly, for -thy long tarrying putteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have -taken cold; and but if thou do as I command thee, and if ever I may see -thee, I shall slay thee with my own hands, for thou wouldst for my rich -sword see me dead." - -Then Sir Bedivere departed, and went to the sword, and lightly took it -up, and went to the water's side; and there he bound the girdle about -the hilts, and then he threw the sword into the water as far as he -might; and there came an arm and an hand above the water, and met it -and caught it, and so shook it thrice and brandished. - -And then the hand vanished away with the sword in the water. So Sir -Bedivere came again to the king, and told him what he had seen. - -"Alas!" said the king, "help me from hence, for I dread me I have -tarried over long." - -Then Sir Bedivere took King Arthur upon his back, and so went with him -to the water's side. And when they were at the water's side, even fast -by the bank hoved a little barge, with many fair ladies in it, and -among them all was a queen, and all they had black hoods, and they wept -and shrieked when they saw King Arthur. - -"Now put me into the barge," said the king; and so he did softly; and -there received him three queens with great mourning, and so these three -queens [whereof one was King Arthur's sister Morgan le Fay, the other -was the queen of Northgalis, and the third was the queen of the waste -lands] set them down, and in one of their laps King Arthur laid his -head. And then that queen said, "Ah! dear brother, why have ye tarried -so long from me? Alas! this wound on your head hath taken overmuch -cold." - -And so then they rowed from the land, and Sir Bedivere beheld all those -ladies go from him; then Sir Bedivere cried, "Ah! my lord Arthur, what -shall become of me now ye go from me, and leave me here alone among -mine enemies?" - -"Comfort thyself," said King Arthur, "and do as well as thou mayest, -for in me is no trust for to trust in; for I will into the vale of -Avalon for to heal me of my grievous wound; and if thou never hear more -of me, pray for my soul." - -But evermore the queens and the ladies wept and shrieked that it was -pity for to hear them. And as soon as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight -of the barge, he wept and wailed, and so took the forest; and so he -went all the night, and in the morning he was ware between two hills of -a chapel and an hermitage. - - * * * * * - -Then was Sir Bedivere glad, and thither he went; and when he came into -the chapel, he saw where lay an hermit grovelling upon all four there -fast by a tomb newly graven. When the hermit saw Sir Bedivere, he knew -him well, for he was, but a little before, [the] bishop of Canterbury -that Sir Mordred banished away. - -"Sir," said Sir Bedivere, "what man is there that ye pray so fast for?" - -"Fair son," said the hermit, "I wot not verily, but by deeming, but -this night, at midnight, here came a great number of ladies, and -brought hither a dead corpse, and prayed me to bury him; and here they -offered an hundred tapers and gave me an hundred besants." - -"Alas," said Sir Bedivere, "that was my lord King Arthur, that here -lieth buried in this chapel!" - -Then Sir Bedivere swooned, and when he awoke he prayed the hermit he -might abide with him still there, to live with fasting and prayers. -"For from hence will I never go," said Sir Bedivere, "by my will, but -all the days of my life here to pray for my lord Arthur." - -"Ye are welcome to me," said the hermit, "for I know you better than ye -ween that I do. Ye are the bold Bedivere, and the full noble duke Sir -Lucan the Butler was your brother." - -Then Sir Bedivere told the hermit all as ye have heard before. So there -bode Sir Bedivere with the hermit, and there Sir Bedivere put upon -him poor clothes, and served the hermit full lowly in fasting and in -prayers. And when the Queen Guenever understood that King Arthur was -slain, and all the noble knights, Sir Mordred and all the remnant, then -the queen stole away, and five ladies with her, and so she went to -Almesbury, and there she let make herself a nun and wore white clothes -and black. And great penance she took as ever did sinful lady in this -land; and never creature could make her merry, but lived in fastings, -prayers, and alms deeds, that all manner of people marvelled how -virtuously she was changed. Now leave we Queen Guenever in Almsbury, -that was a nun in white clothes and black; and there she was abbess -and ruler, as reason would. And turn we from her, and speak we of Sir -Launcelot du Lake. - - * * * * * - -And when he heard in his country that Sir Mordred was crowned king -in England, and made war against King Arthur, and would not let him -to land in his own land; also it was told Sir Launcelot how that Sir -Mordred had laid siege about the Tower of London, because the queen -would not wed him; then was Sir Launcelot wondrous wroth. - -Then they made them ready in all the haste that might be, with ships -and galleys, with Sir Launcelot and his host for to pass into England. -And so he passed over the sea, and arrived at Dover, and there he -landed with seven kings, and their number was hideous to behold. Then -Sir Launcelot inquired of the men of Dover where King Arthur was become. - -Then the people told him how that he was slain, with Sir Mordred, and -an hundred thousand died upon a day, and how Sir Mordred gave King -Arthur there the first battle at his landing, and there was the good -knight Sir Gawaine slain; and on the morrow Sir Mordred fought with -King Arthur upon Barendoune, and there King Arthur put Sir Mordred to -the worst. - -"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "this is the heaviest tidings that ever -came to me. Now fair sirs," said Sir Launcelot, "I beseech you show me -the tomb of Sir Gawaine." - -And then certain people of the town brought him to the castle of Dover, -and showed him the tomb of Sir Gawaine. Then Sir Launcelot kneeled -down, and wept, and prayed full heartily for his soul. And that night -he made a dole, and all they that would come had as much flesh and -fish, wine and ale, as they might eat and drink, and every man and -woman had twelve pence, come who would. - -Then on the third day Sir Launcelot called to the kings, dukes, earls, -and barons, and said thus: "My fair lords, I thank you all of your -coming into this country with me. But we come too late, and that shall -repent me while I live. But sithen it is so, I will myself ride and -seek my lady Queen Guenever, for as I hear say she hath great pain and -much disease, and I heard say that she is fled into the west country, -therefore ye all abide me here, and but if I come within fifteen days, -then take your ships and your fellowship, and depart into your country." - - * * * * * - -Then came Sir Bors de Ganis, and said, "My lord Sir Launcelot, what -think ye for to do, now to ride in this realm? wit thou well, ye shall -find few friends." - -"Be as be may," said Sir Launcelot, "keep you still here, for I will -forth on my journey, and no man nor child shall go with me." - -So it was no boot to strive, but he departed and rode westerly, and -there he sought a seven or eight days, and at the last he came unto -a nunnery. And then was Queen Guenever ware of Sir Launcelot as she -walked in the cloister; and when she saw him there, she swooned three -times, that all the ladies and gentlewomen had work enough for to -hold the queen up. So when she might speak, she called ladies and -gentlewomen unto her, and said, "Ye marvel, fair ladies, why I make -this cheer. Truly," said she, "it is for the sight of yonder knight -which yonder standeth; wherefore I pray you all to call him unto me." -And when Sir Launcelot was brought unto her, then she said: "Sir -Launcelot, I require thee and beseech thee heartily, for all the love -that ever was between us two, that thou never look me more in the -visage. And furthermore I command thee on God's behalf right straitly, -that thou forsake my company, and that unto thy kingdom shortly thou -return again, and keep well thy realm from war and wreck. For as well -as I have loved thee, Sir Launcelot, now mine heart will not once serve -me to see thee. Therefore, Sir Launcelot, go thou unto thy realm, and -there take thee a wife, and live with her in joy and bliss. And I -beseech you heartily, pray for me unto our Lord God, that I may amend -my misliving." - -"Now, sweet madam," said Sir Launcelot, "would ye that I should now -return again into my country, and there to wed a lady? Nay, madam, wit -you well that shall I never do: but the same destiny that ye have taken -you to, I will take me unto, for to please Jesu, and ever for you I -cast me specially to pray. And if I had found you now so disposed, I -had cast me to have had you into mine own realm." - -[Then] there was lamentation as they had been stung by spears, and the -ladies bare the queen to her chamber. - -And Sir Launcelot took his horse and rode all that day and all that -night in a forest, weeping. And at last he was ware of a hermitage and -a chapel between two cliffs, and then he heard a little bell ring to -mass. - -[And it was here that the bishop and Sir Bedivere had served God -together; and they knew Sir Launcelot, and told him all, and his heart -was nearly brast for sorrow. And Sir Launcelot threw abroad his armor, -and was shriven, and took the habit upon him, and abode at that chapel. - -And there came Sir Bors, who had gone forth for to seek Sir Launcelot. -And Sir Bors took the habit upon him. And within half a year there was -also come] Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Villiers, Sir -Clarrus, and Sir Gahalantine. So these seven knights abode there still. -And when they saw that Sir Launcelot had taken him unto such perfection -they had not list [_desire_] to depart, but took such an habit as he -had, and their horses went where they would. - -Thus they endured in great penance six years, and then Sir Launcelot -took the habit of priesthood, and twelve months he sung the mass. [And -he used] such abstinence that he waxed full lean. And thus upon a night -there came a vision to Sir Launcelot, and charged him, in remission of -his sins, to haste him unto Almesbury, "And by then thou come there, -thou shalt find Queen Guenever dead: and therefore take thy fellows -with thee, and purvey them of an horse-bier, and fetch thou the corpse -of her, and bury her by her husband the noble King Arthur." So this -vision came to Launcelot thrice in one night. - - * * * * * - -Then Sir Launcelot rose up or day, and told the hermit. - -"It were well done," said the hermit, "that ye made you ready, and that -you disobey not the vision." - -Then Sir Launcelot took his seven fellows with him, and on foot they -went from Glastonbury to Almesbury, the which is little more than -thirty miles. And thither they came within two days, for they were weak -and feeble to go. And when Sir Launcelot was come to Almesbury, within -the nunnery, Queen Guenever died but half an hour before. - -Then Sir Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not greatly, but sighed; -and so he did all the observance of the mass himself, both the dirige -[_dirge_] at night and the mass on the morrow. - -[Illustration: _Then Sir Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not -greatly, but sighed_] - -[And so with many holy rites, Queen Guenever was wrapped thirty-fold -in cloth of Rheims, and put in a web of lead, and after in a coffin of -marble. And when she was put in the earth Sir Launcelot swooned.] - - * * * * * - -Then Sir Launcelot never after eat but little meat, nor drank, till -he was dead; for then he sickened more and more, and dried and dwined -[_dwindled_] away; for the bishop nor none of his fellows might not -make him to eat, and little he drank; for evermore day and night he -prayed, but sometime he slumbered a broken sleep, and ever he was -lying grovelling on the tomb of King Arthur and Queen Guenever. And -there was no comfort that the bishop, nor Sir Bors, nor none of his -fellows could make him, it availed nothing. - -Oh, ye mighty and pompous lords, shining in the glory transitory of -this unstable life, as in reigning over great realms and mighty great -countries, fortified with strong castles and towers, edified with -many a rich city; ye also, ye fierce and mighty knights, so valiant -in adventurous deeds of arms; behold, behold, see how this mighty -conqueror King Arthur, whom in his human life all the world doubted -[_praised_], see also the noble Queen Guenever, which sometime sat -in her chair adorned with gold, pearls, and precious stones, now lie -full low in obscure fosse or pit, covered with clods of earth and -clay; behold also this mighty champion Sir Launcelot, peerless of all -knighthood, see now how he lieth grovelling upon the cold mould, now -being so feeble and faint that sometime was so terrible. How and in -what manner ought ye to be so desirous of worldly honor so dangerous! -Therefore me thinketh this present book is right necessary often to -be read, for in it shall ye find the most gracious, knightly, and -virtuous war of the most noble knights of the world, whereby they gat -praising continually. Also me seemeth, by the oft reading thereof, -ye shall greatly desire to accustom yourself in following of those -gracious knightly deeds, that is to say, to dread God, and to love -righteousness, faithfully and courageously to serve your sovereign -prince; and the more that God hath given you the triumphal honor, the -meeker ye ought to be, ever fearing the unstableness of this deceitful -world. And so I pass over and turn again unto my matter. - -So within six weeks after Sir Launcelot fell sick, and lay in his bed; -and then he sent for the bishop that there was hermit, and all his true -fellows. Then Sir Launcelot said with dreary steeven [_voice_], "Sir -bishop, I pray you give to me all my rights that longeth to a Christian -man." - -"It shall not need you," said the hermit and all his fellows, "it is -but heaviness of your blood: ye shall be well amended by the grace of -God to-morn." - -"My fair lords," said Sir Launcelot, "wit you well, my careful body -will into the earth. I have warning more than now I will say, therefore -give me my rights." - -So when he had all that a Christian man ought to have, he prayed the -bishop that his fellows might bear his body unto Joyous Gard. - -"Howbeit," said Sir Launcelot, "me repenteth sore, but I made mine avow -sometime that in Joyous Gard I would be buried, and because of breaking -of mine avow, I pray you all lead me thither." - -Then there was weeping and wringing of hands among all his fellows. So -at the season of night they went all to their beds, for they lay all in -one chamber. So after midnight against day, the bishop that was hermit, -as he lay in his bed asleep, he fell on a great laughter; and therewith -the fellowship awoke, and came unto the bishop, and asked him what he -ailed. - -"Ah, Jesu, mercy," said the bishop, "why did you awake me? I was never -in all my life so merry and well at ease." - -"Why, wherefore?" said Sir Bors. - -"Truly," said the bishop, "here was Sir Launcelot with me, with more -angels than ever I saw men upon one day; and I saw the angels heave up -Sir Launcelot towards heaven; and the gates of heaven opened against -him." - -"It is but dretching [_fantasy_] of swevens [_dreams_]," said Sir Bors; -"for I doubt not Sir Launcelot aileth nothing but good." - -"It may well be," said the bishop. "Go to his bed, and then shall ye -prove the sooth." - -So when Sir Bors and his fellows came to his bed, they found him stark -dead, and he lay as he had smiled, and the sweetest savor about him -that ever they smelled. Then was there weeping and wringing of hands, -and the greatest dole they made that ever made men. And on the morrow -the bishop sung his mass of requiem; and after the bishop and all -those nine knights put Sir Launcelot in the same horse-bier that Queen -Guenever was laid in before that she was buried. - -And so the bishop and they all together went with the corpse of Sir -Launcelot daily till they came unto Joyous Gard, and ever they had an -hundred torches burning about him. - -And so within fifteen days they came to Joyous Gard; and there they -laid his corpse in the body of the choir, and sung and read many -psalters and prayers over him and about him; and ever his visage was -laid open and naked, that all folk might behold him, for such was the -custom in those days that all men of worship should so lie with open -visage till that they were buried. And right thus as they were at their -service, there came Sir Ector de Maris, that had sought seven year all -England, Scotland, and Wales, seeking his brother Sir Launcelot. - - * * * * * - -And when Sir Ector de Maris heard such noise and light in the choir of -Joyous Gard, he alighted, and put his horse away from him, and came -into the choir; and there he saw men sing and weep. And all they knew -Sir Ector, but he knew not them. Then went Sir Bors unto Sir Ector, and -told him how there lay his brother Sir Launcelot dead. And then Sir -Ector threw his shield, sword, and helm from him; and when he beheld -Sir Launcelot's visage he fell down in a swoon. And when he awaked it -were hard any tongue to tell the doleful complaints that he made for -his brother. - -"Ah, Sir Launcelot," he said, "thou were head of all Christian knights; -and now I dare say," said Sir Ector, "that Sir Launcelot, there thou -liest, thou were never matched of none earthly knight's hands; and thou -were the courtliest knight that ever bare shield; and thou were the -truest friend to thy lover that ever bestrode horse; and thou were the -truest lover, of a sinful man, that ever loved woman; and thou were the -kindest man that ever struck with sword; and thou were the goodliest -person that ever came among press [_crowd_] of knights; and thou were -the meekest man and the gentlest that ever ate in hall among ladies; -and thou were the sternest knight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear -in the rest." - -Then there was weeping and dolor out of measure. - -Thus they kept Sir Launcelot's corpse above the ground fifteen days, -and then they buried it with great devotion. And then at leisure they -went all with the bishop of Canterbury to his hermitage, and there -they were together more than a month. Then Sir Constantine, that was -Sir Cador's son, of Cornwall, was chosen king of England; and he was a -full noble knight, and worshipfully he ruled this realm. And then this -King Constantine sent for the bishop of Canterbury, for he heard say -where he was; and so he was restored unto his bishopric, and left that -hermitage; and Sir Bedivere was there ever still hermit to his life's -end. Then Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Gahalantine, Sir -Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Blamor, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Villiers le -Valiant, Sir Clarrus of Claremount, all these knights drew them to -their countries, howbeit King Constantine would have had them with him, -but they would not abide in this realm; and there they lived in their -countries as holy men. - -Here is the end of the whole book of King Arthur and of his noble -knights of the Round Table, that when they were whole together there -was ever an hundred and forty. Also, here is the end of the death of -King Arthur. I pray you all, gentlemen and gentlewomen, that read this -book of King Arthur and his knights from the beginning to the ending, -pray for me while I am alive, that God send me good deliverance. - -And when I am dead, I pray you all pray for my soul. For this book was -finished the ninth year of the reign of King Edward the Fourth, by Sir -Thomas Maleor [_Malory_] knight, as Jesu help me for his great might, -as he is the servant of Jesu both day and night. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Boy's King Arthur</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0;'>Sir Thomas Malory's History of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Sidney Lanier</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: N.C. Wyeth</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: October 21, 2021 [eBook #66585]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR ***</div> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR</h1> - -<p>SIR THOMAS MALORY'S HISTORY<br /> -OF<br /> -KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE</p> - -<p>EDITED FOR BOYS<br /> -BY<br /> -SIDNEY LANIER</p> - -<p>ILLUSTRATED BY N. C. WYETH</p> - -<p><i>Copyright by Charles Scribner's Sons</i></p> - -<p>NEW YORK<br /> -CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS<br /> -1929</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1880, by</span><br /> -CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1908, 1922, by</span><br /> -MARY DAY LANIER</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1917, by</span><br /> -CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS</p> - -<p>Printed in the United States of America</p> - -<p>In this edition of Mr. Lanier's classic "Boy's King Arthur" omission -has been made of some minor passages and introductory matter—all the -greater tales, those of Arthur, Launcelot, Tristram, Gareth, Galahad, -Percival, and the Holy Grail, being retained.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table summary="contents"> -<tr><td><a href="#BOOK_I">BOOK I</a></td><td>Of King Arthur</td></tr> -<tr><td><a href="#BOOK_II">BOOK II</a></td><td>Of Sir Launcelot du Lake</td></tr> -<tr><td><a href="#BOOK_III">BOOK III</a></td><td>Of Sir Gareth of Orkney</td></tr> -<tr><td><a href="#BOOK_IV">BOOK IV</a></td><td>Of Sir Tristram</td></tr> -<tr><td><a href="#BOOK_V">BOOK V</a></td><td>Of Sir Galahad and Sir Percival, and the Quest of the Holy Grail</td></tr> -<tr><td><a href="#BOOK_VI">BOOK VI</a></td><td>Of the Fair Maid of Astolat</td></tr> -<tr><td><a href="#BOOK_VII">BOOK VII</a></td><td>Of the Death of Arthur</td></tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> - -<p><a href="#illus1">And when they came to the sword that the hand held, King Arthur took it up</a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus2">"I am Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of Benwick, and knight of the Round Table"</a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus3">And lived by fruit and such as he might get</a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus4">The lady Lyoness ... had the dwarf in examination</a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus5">"They fought with him on foot more than three hours, both before him and behind him"</a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus6">King Mark slew the noble knight Sir Tristram as he sat harping before his lady la Belle Isolde</a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus7">Sir Mador's spear brake all to pieces, but the other's spear held</a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus8">He rode his way with the queen unto Joyous Gard</a></p> - -<p><a href="#illus9">Then Sir Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not greatly, but sighed</a></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a id="BOOK_I" name="BOOK_I"></a>BOOK I</h2> - -<p class="ph1">OF KING ARTHUR</p> - - -<p>It befell in the days of the noble Utherpendragon, when he was King of -England, [that there was born to him a son who in after time was King -Arthur. Howbeit the boy knew not he was the king's son. For when he was -but a babe] the king commanded two knights and two ladies to take the -child bound in rich cloth of gold, "and deliver him to what poor man -you meet at the postern gate of the castle." So the child was delivered -unto Merlin, and so he bare it forth unto Sir Ector, and made an holy -man to christen him, and named him Arthur; and so Sir Ector's wife -nourished him. Then within two years King Uther fell sick of a great -malady; [and thereof he died]. Then stood the realm in great [danger] a -long while, for every lord made him strong, and many weened [<i>thought</i>] -to have been king. [And so, by Merlin's counsel, all the lords of -England came together in the greatest church of London on Christmas -morn before it was day, to see if God would not show by some miracle -who should be king.] And when the first mass was done there was seen -in the church-yard, against the high altar, a great stone four-square, -like to a marble stone, and in the midst thereof was an anvil of steel, -a foot of height, and therein stuck a fair sword naked by the point, -and letters of gold were written about the sword that said thus: -<span class="smcap">Who so pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise -king born of England</span>.</p> - -<p>So when all the masses were done, all the [lords] went for to behold -the stone and the sword. And when they saw the scripture, some assayed -[<i>tried</i>] such as would have been king. But none might stir the sword -nor move it.</p> - -<p>"He is not yet here," said the archbishop, "that shall achieve the -sword, but doubt not God will make him to be known. But this is my -counsel," said the archbishop, "that we let purvey [<i>provide</i>] ten -knights, men of good fame, and they to keep this sword."</p> - -<p>And upon New Year's day the barons let make a tournament for to keep -the lords together, for the archbishop trusted that God would make -him known that should win the sword. So upon New Year's day when the -service was done the barons rode to the field.</p> - -<p>And so it happened that Sir Ector rode to the jousts, and with him rode -Sir Kay, his son, and young Arthur that was his nourished brother. -[But Sir] Kay had lost his sword, for he had left it at his father's -lodging, and so he prayed young Arthur to ride for his sword. "I will -with a good will," said Arthur, and rode fast after the sword; and when -he came home, the lady and all were gone out to see the jousting. Then -was Arthur wroth, and said to himself, "I will ride to the church-yard -and take the sword with me that sticketh in the stone, for my brother -Sir Kay shall not be without a sword this day." And so when he came to -the church-yard Arthur alighted, and tied his horse to the stile, and -so went to the tent, and found no knights there, for they were all at -the jousting; and so he handled the sword by the handles, and lightly -and fiercely he pulled it out of the stone, and took his horse and rode -his way till he came to his brother Sir Kay, and delivered him the -sword. And as soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he wist [<i>knew</i>] well that -it was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his father, Sir Ector, -and said: "Sir, lo here is the sword of the stone; wherefore I must be -king of this land." When Sir Ector beheld the sword, he returned again -and came to the church, and there they alighted, all three, and went -into the church, and anon he made Sir Kay to swear upon a book how he -came to that sword.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Kay, "by my brother Arthur, for he brought it to me."</p> - -<p>"How gate [<i>got</i>] you this sword?" said Sir Ector to Arthur.</p> - -<p>"Sir, I will tell you. When I came home for my brother's sword, I found -nobody at home for to deliver me his sword, and so I thought my brother -Sir Kay should not be swordless, and so I came thither eagerly and -pulled it out of the stone without any pain."</p> - -<p>"Found ye any knights about this sword?" said Sir Ector.</p> - -<p>"Nay," said Arthur.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Sir Ector to Arthur, "I understand that you must be king of -this land."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore I?" said Arthur.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Ector, "for there should never man have drawn out this -sword but he that shall be rightwise king of this land. Now let me see -whether ye can put the sword there as it was and pull it out again."</p> - -<p>"That is no mastery," said Arthur; and so he put it in the stone. -Therewith Sir Ector assayed to pull out the sword, and failed.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Now assay," said Sir Ector to Sir Kay. And anon he pulled at the sword -with all his might but it would not be. "Now shall ye assay," said Sir -Ector to Arthur.</p> - -<p>"I will well," said Arthur, and pulled it out easily. And therewithal -Sir Ector kneeled down to the earth, and Sir Kay.</p> - -<p>"Alas," said Arthur, "mine own dear father and brother, why kneel ye to -me?"</p> - -<p>"Nay, nay, my lord Arthur, it is not so: I was never your father nor -of your blood, but I wote [<i>know</i>] well ye are of an higher blood than -I weened [<i>thought</i>] ye were." And then Sir Ector told him all. Then -Arthur made great moan when he understood that Sir Ector was not his -father.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Ector unto Arthur, "will ye be my good and gracious lord -when ye are king?"</p> - -<p>"Else were I to blame," said Arthur, "for ye are the man in the world -that I am most beholding [<i>obliged</i>] to, and my good lady and mother -your wife, that as well as her own hath fostered and kept me. And if -ever it be God's will that I be king, as ye say, ye shall desire of me -what I may do, and I shall not fail you."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Ector, "I will ask no more of you but that you will -make my son, your fostered brother Sir Kay seneschal of all your -lands."</p> - -<p>"That shall be done, sir," said Arthur, "and more by the faith of my -body; and never man shall have that office but he while that he and I -live."</p> - -<p>Therewithal they went unto the archbishop, and told him how the sword -was achieved, and by whom. And upon the twelfth day all the barons -came thither for to assay to take the sword. But there afore them all, -there might none take it out but only Arthur; wherefore there were many -great lords wroth, and said, "It was great shame unto them all and the -realm to be governed with a boy of no high blood born." And so they -fell out at that time, that it was put off till Candlemas, and then all -the barons should meet there again. But always the ten knights were -ordained for to watch the sword both day and night; and so they set a -pavilion over the stone and the sword, and five always watched. And at -Candlemas many more great lords came thither for to have won the sword, -but none of them might prevail. And right as Arthur did at Christmas he -did at Candlemas, and pulled out the sword easily, whereof the barons -were sore aggrieved, and put it in delay till the high feast of Easter. -And as Arthur sped afore, so did he at Easter; and yet there were some -of the great lords had indignation that Arthur should be their king, -and put it off in delay till the feast of Pentecost.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And at the feast of Pentecost all manner of men assayed to pull at the -sword that would assay, and none might prevail; but Arthur pulled it -out afore all the lords and commons that were there, wherefore all the -commons cried at once: "We will have Arthur unto our king; we will -put him no more in delay; for we all see that it is God's will that he -shall be our king, and who that holdeth against it we will slay him." -And therewithal they kneeled down all at once, both rich and poor, and -cried Arthur mercy, because they had delayed him so long. And Arthur -forgave it them, and took the sword between both his hands, and offered -it upon the altar where the archbishop was, and so was he made knight -of<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> the best man that was there. And so anon was the coronation made, -and there was he sworn to the lords and commons for to be a true king, -to stand with true justice from thenceforth all the days of this life. -Also then he made all lords that held of the crown to come in, and to -do service as they ought to do. And many complaints were made unto King -Arthur of great wrongs that were done since the death of King Uther, of -many lands that were bereaved of lords, knights, ladies and gentlemen. -Wherefore King Arthur made the lands to be given again unto them that -owned them. When this was done that the king had stablished all the -countries about London, then he let make Sir Kay seneschal of England; -and Sir Baudwin of Britain was made constable; and Sir Ulfius was made -chamberlain; and Sir Brasias was made warden to wait upon the north -from Trent forwards, for it was that time for the most part enemy to -the king.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then on a day there came into the court a squire on horseback, leading -a knight before him wounded to the death, and told him there was a -knight in the forest that had reared up a pavilion by a well [<i>spring</i>] -side, "and hath slain my master, a good knight, and his name was Miles; -wherefore I beseech you that my master may be buried, and that some -good knight may revenge my master's death." Then was in the court great -noise of the knight's death, and every man said his advice. Then came -Griflet, that was but a squire, and he was but young, of the age of -King Arthur, so he besought the king, for all his service that he had -done, to give him the order of knighthood.</p> - -<p>"Thou art full young and tender of age," said King Arthur, "for to take -so high an order upon thee."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Griflet, "I beseech you to make me a knight."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Merlin, "it were pity to leese [<i>lose</i>] Griflet, for he -will be a passing good man when he cometh to age, abiding with you the -term of his life; and if he adventure his body with yonder knight at -the fountain, he shall be in great peril if<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> ever he come again, for -he is one of the best knights of the world, and the strongest man of -arms."</p> - -<p>"Well," said King Arthur. So, at the desire of Griflet, the king made -him knight.</p> - -<p>"Now," said King Arthur to Sir Griflet, "sithen [<i>since</i>] that I have -made thee knight, thou must grant me a gift."</p> - -<p>"What ye will, my lord," said Sir Griflet.</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt promise me, by the faith of thy body, that when thou hast -jousted with the knight at the fountain, whether it fall [<i>happen</i>] -that ye be on foot or on horseback, that in the same manner ye shall -come again unto me without any question or making any more debate."</p> - -<p>"I will promise you," said Griflet, "as ye desire." Then Sir Griflet -took his horse in great haste, and dressed his shield, and took a great -spear in his hand, and so he rode a great gallop till he came to the -fountain, and thereby he saw a rich pavilion, and thereby under a cloth -stood a fair horse well saddled and bridled, and on a tree a shield -of divers colors, and a great spear. Then Sir Griflet smote upon the -shield with the end of his spear, that the shield fell down to the -ground.</p> - -<p>With that came the knight out of the pavilion, and said, "Fair knight, -why smote ye down my shield?"</p> - -<p>"For I will joust with you," said Sir Griflet.</p> - -<p>"It were better ye did not," said the knight, "for ye are but young and -late made knight, and your might is nothing to mine."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Griflet, "I will joust with you."</p> - -<p>"That is me loth," said the knight, "but sith [<i>since</i>] I must needs, I -will dress me thereto; but of whence be ye?" said the knight.</p> - -<p>"Sir, I am of King Arthur's court." So they ran together that Sir -Griflet's spear all to-shivered [<i>shivered all to pieces</i>], and -therewithal he smote Sir Griflet through the shield and the left side, -and brake the spear, that the truncheon stuck in his body, that horse -and knight fell down.</p> - -<p>When the knight saw him lie so on the ground he alighted, and was -passing heavy, for he wend [<i>weened</i>] he had slain him, and then he -unlaced his helm and got him wind, and so with the truncheon he set -him on his horse, and betook him to God, and said he had a mighty -heart, and if he might live he would prove a passing good knight. And -so Sir Griflet rode to the court, whereas great moan was made for him. -But through good leeches [<i>surgeons</i>] he was healed and his life saved.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And King Arthur was passing wroth for the hurt of Sir Griflet. And -by and by he commanded a man of his chamber that his best horse and -armor "be without the city or [<i>before</i>] to-morrow day." Right so in -the morning he met with his man and his horse, and so mounted up and -dressed his shield, and took his spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry -there till he came again. And so King Arthur rode but a soft pace till -it was day, and then was he ware of three churls which chased Merlin, -and would have slain him. Then King Arthur rode unto them a good pace, -and cried to them: "Flee, churls." Then were they afraid when they saw -a knight, and fled away. "O Merlin," said King Arthur, "here hadst thou -been slain for<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> all thy craft, had I not been."</p> - -<p>"Nay," said Merlin, "not so, for I could save myself if I would, and -thou art more near thy death than I am, for thou goest towards thy -death, and<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> God be not thy friend."</p> - -<p>So, as they went thus talking, they came to the fountain, and the rich -pavilion by it. Then King Arthur was ware where a knight sat all armed -in a chair. "Sir knight," said King Arthur, "for what cause abidest -thou here? That there may no knight ride this way but if he do joust -with thee?" said the king. "I rede [<i>advise</i>] thee leave that custom," -said King Arthur.</p> - -<p>"This custom," said the knight, "have I used and will use, maugre [<i>in -spite of</i>] who saith nay; and who is grieved with my custom, let him -amend it that will."</p> - -<p>"I will amend it," said King Arthur.</p> - -<p>"And I shall defend it," said the knight. Anon he took his horse, and -dressed his shield, and took a spear, and they met so hard either on -other's shield, that they all to-shivered [<i>shivered all to pieces</i>] -their spears. Therewith King Arthur drew his sword. "Nay, not so," said -the knight, "it is fairer that we twain run more together with sharp -spears."</p> - -<p>"I will well," said King Arthur, "and [<i>if</i>] I had any mo [<i>more</i>] -spears."</p> - -<p>"I have spears enough," said the knight. So there came a squire, and -brought two good spears, and King Arthur took one and he another. So -they spurred their horses, and came together with all their mights, -that either brake their spears to their hands. Then Arthur set hand -on his sword. "Nay," said the knight, "ye shall do better; ye are a -passing good jouster as ever I met withal, and for the love of the high -order of knighthood let us joust once again."</p> - -<p>"I assent me," said King Arthur. Anon there were brought two great -spears, and every knight gat a spear, and therewith they ran together -that Arthur's spear all to-shivered. But the other knight hit him so -hard in midst of the shield that horse and man fell to the earth, and -therewith Arthur was eager, and pulled out his sword, and said, "I -will assay thee, Sir knight, on foot, for I have lost the honor on -horseback."</p> - -<p>"I will be on horseback," said the knight. Then was Arthur wroth, and -dressed his shield towards him with his sword drawn. When the knight -saw that, he alight, for him thought no worship to have a knight at -such avail, he to be on horseback, and he on foot, and so he alight and -dressed his shield unto Arthur. And there began a strong battle with -many great strokes, and so hewed with their swords that the cantels -[<i>pieces, of armor or of flesh</i>] flew in the fields, and much blood -they bled both, that all the place there as they fought was over-bled -with blood, and thus they fought long, and rested them, and then they -went to the battle again, and so hurtled together like two rams that -either fell to the earth. So at the last they smote together, that both -their swords met even together. But the sword of the knight smote King -Arthur's sword in two pieces, wherefore he was heavy. Then said the -knight unto Arthur, "Thou art in my danger whether me list to save thee -or slay thee, and but thou yield thee as overcome and recreant thou -shalt die."</p> - -<p>"As for death," said King Arthur, "welcome be it when it cometh, but -as to yield me to thee as recreant, I had liever die than to be so -shamed." And there withal the king leapt unto Pellinore, and took him -by the middle, and threw him down, and raced<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> off his helm. When the -knight felt that, he was adread, for he was a passing big man of might, -and anon he brought King Arthur under him, and raced off his helm, and -would have smitten off his head.</p> - -<p>Therewithal came Merlin, and said: "Knight, hold thy hand, for and -[<i>if</i>] thou slay that knight, thou puttest this realm in the greatest -damage that ever realm was in, for this knight is a man of more worship -than thou wottest of."</p> - -<p>"Why, who is he?" said the knight.</p> - -<p>"It is King Arthur."</p> - -<p>Then would he have slain him for dread of his wrath, and heaved up his -sword, and therewith Merlin cast an enchantment on the knight, that he -fell to the earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin took up King Arthur, -and rode forth upon the knight's horse. "Alas," said King Arthur, "what -hast thou done, Merlin? hast thou slain this good knight by thy crafts? -There lived not so worshipful a knight as he was; I had liever than the -stint [<i>loss</i>] of my land a year, that he were on<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> live."</p> - -<p>"Care ye not," said Merlin, "for he is wholer than ye, for he is but -on<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> sleep, and will awake within three hours. I told you," said -Merlin, "what a knight he was; here had ye been slain had I not been. -Also, there liveth not a better knight than he is, and he shall do you -hereafter right good service, and his name is Pellinore, and he shall -have two sons, that shall be passing good men."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Right so the king and he departed, and went unto an hermit that was a -good man and a great leech. So the hermit searched all his wounds and -gave him good salves; and the king was there three days, and then were -his wounds well amended that he might ride and go. So Merlin and he -departed, and as they rode, Arthur said, "I have no sword."</p> - -<p>"No force,"<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> said Merlin, "hereby is a sword that shall be yours, and -[<i>if</i>] I may." So they rode till they came to a lake, which was a fair -water and a broad, and in the middest of the lake King Arthur was ware -of an arm clothed in white samite, that held a fair sword in the hand. -"Lo," said Merlin, "yonder is that sword that I spake of." With that -they saw a damsel going upon the lake.</p> - -<p>"What damsel is that?" said Arthur.</p> - -<p>"That is the Lady of the Lake," said Merlin; "and this damsel will come -to you anon, and then speak ye fair to her that she will give you that -sword." Anon withal came the damsel unto Arthur and saluted him, and he -her again.</p> - -<p>"Damsel," said Arthur, "what sword is that, that yonder the arm holdeth -above the water? I would it were mine, for I have no sword."</p> - -<p>"Sir king," said the damsel, "that sword is mine, and if ye will give -me a gift when I ask it you, ye shall have it."</p> - -<p>"By my faith," said Arthur, "I will give you what gift ye will ask."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the damsel, "go ye into yonder barge and row yourself to -the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you, and I will ask my -gift when I see my time."</p> - -<p>So King Arthur and Merlin alighted and tied their horses to two trees, -and so they went into the ship, and when they came to the sword that -the hand held, King Arthur took it up by the handles, and took it with -him. And the arm and the hand went under the water; and so they came -unto the land and rode forth. And then King Arthur saw a rich pavilion: -"What signifieth yonder pavilion?"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <a name="illus1" id="illus1"></a> - <img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>And when they came to the sword that the hand held, King Arthur took it up</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"It is the knight's pavilion," said Merlin, "that ye fought with last, -Sir Pellinore, but he is out, he is not there; he hath ado with a -knight of yours, that hight [<i>was named</i>] Egglame, and they have fought -together, but at the last Egglame fled, and else he had been dead, and -he hath chased him to Caerleon, and we shall anon meet with him in the -high way."</p> - -<p>"It is well said," quoth King Arthur, "now have I a sword, and now will -I wage battle with him and be avenged on him."</p> - -<p>"Sir, ye shall not do so," said Merlin, "for the knight is weary of -fighting and chasing, so that ye shall have no worship to have ado with -him; also he will not lightly be matched of one knight living; and -therefore my counsel is that ye let him pass, for he shall do you good -service in short time, and his sons after his days. Also ye shall see -that day in short space, that ye shall be right glad to give him your -sister to wife."</p> - -<p>"When I see him," said King Arthur, "I will do as ye advise me."</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur looked upon the sword and liked it passing well.</p> - -<p>"Whether liketh you better," said Merlin, "the sword or the scabbard?"</p> - -<p>"Me liketh better the sword," said King Arthur.</p> - -<p>"Ye are more unwise," said Merlin, "for the scabbard is worth ten of -the sword, for while ye have the scabbard upon you ye shall leese -[<i>lose</i>] no blood be ye never so sore wounded, therefore keep well the -scabbard alway with you."</p> - -<p>So they rode on to Caerleon, and by the way they met with Sir -Pellinore. But Merlin had done such a craft that Pellinore saw not -Arthur, and so he passed by without any words.</p> - -<p>"I marvel," said the king, "that the knight would not speak."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Merlin, "he saw you not, for and [<i>if</i>] he had seen you he -had not lightly departed."</p> - -<p>So they came unto Caerleon, whereof the knights were passing glad; and -when they heard of his adventures, they marvelled that he would jeopard -his person so alone. But all men of worship said it was merry to be -under such a chieftain that would put his person in adventure as other -poor knights did.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It befell on a time that King Arthur said to Merlin: "My barons will -let me have no rest, but needs they will have that I take a wife, and I -will none take but by thy counsel and by thine advice."</p> - -<p>"It is well done," said Merlin, "that ye take a wife, for a man of your -bounty and nobleness should not be without a wife. Now is there any -fair lady that ye love better than another?"</p> - -<p>"Yea," said King Arthur, "I love Guenever, the king's daughter -Leodegrance<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> of the land of Cameliard, which Leodegrance holdeth in -his house the Table Round that ye told he had of my father Uther. And -this damsel is the most gentlest and fairest lady that I know living, -or yet that ever I could find."</p> - -<p>And Merlin went forth to King Leodegrance of Cameliard, and told him -of the desire of the king, that he would have to his wife Guenever his -daughter.</p> - -<p>"That is to me," said King Leodegrance, "the best tidings that ever I -heard, that so worthy a king of prowess and of nobleness will wed my -daughter. And as for my lands I will give him, wished I that it might -please him, but he hath lands enough, he needeth none; but I shall -send him a gift that shall please him much more, for I shall give him -the Table Round, the which Utherpendragon gave me; and when it is full -complete, there is an hundred knights and fifty, and as for an hundred -good knights I have myself, but I lack fifty, for so many have been -slain in my days."</p> - -<p>And so King Leodegrance delivered his daughter Guenever unto Merlin, -and the Table Round with the hundred knights; and so they rode freshly -with great royalty, what by water and what by land, till they came that -night unto London.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>When King Arthur heard of the coming of Guenever and the hundred -knights with the Table Round, he made great joy for their coming, and -said openly, "This fair lady is passing welcome to me, for I loved -her long, and therefore there is nothing so pleasing to me. And these -knights with the Round Table please me more than right great riches."</p> - -<p>Then in all haste the king did ordain for the marriage and the -coronation in the most honorablest wise that could be devised.</p> - -<p>"Now Merlin," said King Arthur, "go thou and espy me in all this land -fifty knights which be of most prowess and worship."</p> - -<p>Within short time Merlin had found such knights that should fulfil -twenty and eight knights, but no more he could find. Then the bishop of -Canterbury was fetched, and he blessed the sieges [<i>seats</i>] with great -royalty and devotion, and there set the eight and twenty knights in -their sieges.</p> - -<p>And when this was done Merlin said, "Fair sirs, ye must all arise and -come to King Arthur for to do him homage; he will have the better will -to maintain you."</p> - -<p>And so they arose and did their homage. And when they were gone Merlin -found in every siege letters of gold that told the knights' names that -had sitten therein. But two sieges were void.</p> - -<p>"What is the cause," said King Arthur, "that there be two places void -in the sieges?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Merlin, "there shall no man sit in those places but they -that shall be of most worship. But in the Siege Perilous there shall no -man sit therein but one, and if there be any so hardy to do it he shall -be destroyed, and he that shall sit there shall have no fellow."</p> - -<p>And therewith Merlin took King Pellinore by the hand, and, in the -one hand next the two sieges and the Siege Perilous, he said in open -audience, "This is your place, and best ye be worthy to sit therein of -any that is here."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a id="BOOK_II" name="BOOK_II"></a>BOOK II</h2> - -<p class="ph1">OF SIR LAUNCELOT DU LAKE</p> - - -<p>Anon after that the noble and worthy King Arthur was come from Rome -into England, all the knights of the Round Table resorted unto the -king, and made many jousts and tournaments, and some there were that -were good knights, which increased so in arms and worship that they -passed all their fellows in prowess and noble deeds, and that was well -proved on many, but especially it was proved on Sir Launcelot du Lake. -For in all tournaments and jousts and deeds of arms, both for life and -death, he passed all knights, and at no time he was never overcome, but -it were by treason or enchantment. Wherefore Queen Guenever had him in -great favor above all other knights, and certainly he loved the queen -again above all other ladies and damsels all the days of his life, and -for her he did many great deeds of arms, and saved her from the fire -through his noble chivalry. Thus Sir Launcelot rested him a long while -with play and game; and then he thought to prove himself in strange -adventures. Then he bade his brother Sir Lionel to make him ready, "for -we two will seek adventures."</p> - -<p>So they mounted upon their horses armed at all points, and rode into -a deep forest; and after they came into a great plain, and then the -weather was hot about noon, and Sir Launcelot had great list [<i>desire</i>] -to sleep.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Lionel espied a great apple tree that stood by an hedge, and -said: "Brother, yonder is a fair shadow, there may we rest us and our -horses."</p> - -<p>"It is well said, fair brother," said Sir Launcelot; "for of all this -seven year I was not so sleepy as I am now."</p> - -<p>And so they there alighted and tied their horses under sundry trees, -and so Sir Launcelot laid him down under an apple tree, and his helm -he laid under his head. And Sir Lionel waked while he slept. So Sir -Launcelot was asleep passing fast. And in the mean while there came -three knights riding, as fast fleeing as ever they might ride. And -there followed them three but one knight. And when Sir Lionel saw -him, him thought he saw never so great a knight nor so well faring a -man, neither so well apparelled unto all rights. So within a while -this strong knight had overtaken one of these knights, and there he -smote him to the cold earth that he lay still. And then he rode unto -the second knight, and smote him so that man and horse fell down. And -then straight to the third knight he rode, and he smote him behind his -horse's tail a spear's length. And then he alighted down, and reined -his horse on the bridle, and bound all the three knights fast with -the reins of their own bridles. When Sir Lionel saw him do thus, he -thought to assay him, and made him ready, and stilly and privily he -took his horse, and thought not for to awake Sir Launcelot. And when -he was mounted upon his horse he overtook this strong knight and bade -him turn: and the other smote Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man -he bare to the earth, and so he alighted down and bound him fast, and -threw him overthwart his own horse, and so he served them all four, and -rode with them away to his own castle. And when he came there, he made -unarm them, and beat them with thorns all naked, and after put them in -a deep prison where there were many more knights that made great dolor.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>When Sir Ector de Maris wist that Sir Launcelot was past out of the -court to seek adventures he was wroth with himself, and made him ready -to seek Sir Launcelot, and as he had ridden long in a great forest, he -met with a man that was like a forester. "Fair fellow," said Sir Ector, -"knowest thou in this country any adventures that be here nigh hand?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the forester, "this country know I well, and hereby within -this mile is a strong manor, and well diked, and by that manor, on the -left hand, there is a fair ford for horses to drink of, and over that -ford there groweth a fair tree, and thereon hangeth many fair shields -that wielded sometime good knights: and at the hole of the tree hangeth -a basin of copper and laton [<i>brass</i>], and strike upon that basin -with the butt of thy spear thrice, and soon after thou shalt hear new -tidings, and else hast thou the fairest grace that many a year had ever -knight that passed through this forest."</p> - -<p>"Gramercy," [<i>thanks</i>] said Sir Ector, and departed and came to the -tree, and saw many fair shields, and among them he saw his brother's -shield, Sir Lionel, and many more that he knew that were his fellows -of the Round Table, the which grieved his heart, and he promised to -revenge his brother. Then anon Sir Ector beat on the basin as he were -wood [<i>crazy</i>], and then he gave his horse drink at the ford: and -there came a knight behind him and bade him come out of the water and -make him ready; and Sir Ector anon turned him shortly, and in fewter -cast<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> his spear, and smote the other knight a great buffet that his -horse turned twice about.</p> - -<p>"This was well done," said the strong knight, "and knightly thou hast -stricken me:" and therewith he rushed his horse on Sir Ector and caught -him under his right arm, and bare him clean out of the saddle, and rode -with him away into his own hall, and threw him down in the midst of the -floor. The name of this knight was Sir Turquine. Then he said unto Sir -Ector, "For thou hast done this day more unto me than any knight did -these twelve years, now will I grant thee thy life, so thou wilt be -sworn to be my prisoner all thy life-days."</p> - -<p>"Nay," said Sir Ector, "that will I never promise thee, but that I will -do mine advantage."</p> - -<p>"That me repenteth," said Sir Turquine.</p> - -<p>And then he made to unarm him, and beat him with thorns all naked, -and after put him down in a deep dungeon, where he knew many of his -fellows. But when Sir Ector saw Sir Lionel, then made he great sorrow.</p> - -<p>"Alas, brother," said Sir Ector, "where is my brother Sir Launcelot?"</p> - -<p>"Fair brother, I left him on sleep when that I from him went, under an -apple tree, and what is become of him I cannot tell you."</p> - -<p>"Alas," said the knights, "but Sir Launcelot help us we may never be -delivered, for we know now no knight that is able to match our master -Turquine."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now leave we these knights prisoners, and speak we of Sir Launcelot -du Lake that lieth under the apple tree sleeping. Even about the noon -there came by him four queens of great estate; and, for the heat of the -sun should not annoy them, there rode four knights about them and bare -a cloth of green silk on four squares, betwixt them and the sun, and -the queens rode on four white mules.</p> - -<p>Thus as they rode they heard by them a great horse grimly neigh, and -then were they ware of a sleeping knight that lay all armed under an -apple tree; anon as these queens looked on his face they knew that it -was Sir Launcelot. Then they began for to strive for that knight; every -one said she would have him to her love.</p> - -<p>"We shall not strive," said Morgan le Fay that was King Arthur's -sister; "I shall put an enchantment upon him that he shall not awake in -six hours, and then I will lead him away unto my castle, and when he is -surely within my hold I shall take the enchantment from him, and then -let him choose which of us he will have for his love."</p> - -<p>So this enchantment was cast upon Sir Launcelot, and then they laid -him upon his shield, and bare him so on horseback betwixt two knights, -and brought him unto the castle Chariot, and there they laid him in a -chamber cold, and at night they sent unto him a fair damsel with his -supper ready dight. By that the enchantment was past, and when she came -she saluted him, and asked him what cheer?</p> - -<p>"I cannot say, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "for I wot not how I -came into this castle but it be by an enchantment."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "ye must make good cheer, and if ye be such a knight -as is said ye be, I shall tell you more to-morn [<i>to-morrow</i>] by prime -[<i>the first hour</i>] of the day."</p> - -<p>"Gramercy, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "of your good will I -require you."</p> - -<p>And so she departed. And there he lay all that night without comfort of -anybody.</p> - -<p>And on the morn early came these four queens, passingly well beseen, -all they bidding him good morn, and he them again.</p> - -<p>"Sir knight," the four queens said, "thou must understand thou art -our prisoner, and we here know thee well, that thou art Sir Launcelot -du Lake, King Ban's son. And truly we understand your worthiness that -thou art the noblest knight living; and therefore thee behoveth now -to choose one of us four. I am the Queen Morgan le Fay, Queen of the -land of Gore, and here is the Queen of Northgalis, and the Queen of -Eastland, and the Queen of the Out Isles; now choose ye one of us which -thou wilt have to thy love, for thou mayst not choose or else in this -prison to die."</p> - -<p>"This is an hard case," said Sir Launcelot, "that either I must die -or else choose one of you, yet had I liever to die in this prison -with worship, than to have one of you to my love maugre my head. And -therefore ye be answered, for I will have none of you, for ye be false -enchantresses."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the queens, "is this your answer, that you will refuse us?"</p> - -<p>"Yea, upon my life," said Sir Launcelot, "refused ye be of me."</p> - -<p>So they departed, and left him there alone that made great sorrow.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Right so at noon came the damsel to him, and brought him his dinner, -and asked him what cheer.</p> - -<p>"Truly, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "in all my life-days never so -ill."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "that me repenteth; but and ye will be ruled by me, -I shall help you out of this distress, and ye shall have no shame nor -villany, so that ye hold me a promise."</p> - -<p>"Fair damsel, that I will grant you, and sore I am afeared of these -queen's witches, for they have destroyed many a good knight."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "that is sooth, and for the renown and bounty they -hear of you, they would have your love, and, sir, they say that your -name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, the flower of all the knights that been -living, and they been passing wroth with you that ye have refused them; -but, sir, and ye would promise me for to help my father on Tuesday -next coming, that hath made a tournament between him and the King of -Northgalis; for the Tuesday last past my father lost the field through -three knights of King Arthur's court, and if ye will be there upon -Tuesday next coming and help my father, to-morrow or [<i>ere</i>] prime, by -the grace of God, I shall deliver you clean."</p> - -<p>"Fair maiden," said Sir Launcelot, "tell me what is your father's name, -and then shall I give you an answer."</p> - -<p>"Sir knight," said the damsel, "my father is King Bagdemagus, that was -foully rebuked at the last tournament."</p> - -<p>"I know your father well," said Sir Launcelot, "for a noble king and a -good knight, and by the faith of my body, ye shall have my body ready -to do your father and you service at that day."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the damsel, "gramercy, and to-morrow await that ye be ready -betimes, and I shall deliver you; and take you your armor and your -horse, shield, and spear; and hereby within these ten miles is an abbey -of white monks, and there I pray you to abide, and thither shall I -bring my father unto you."</p> - -<p>"All this shall be done," said Sir Launcelot, "as I am a true knight."</p> - -<p>And so she departed, and came on the morrow early and found him ready. -Then she brought him out of twelve locks, and brought him unto his -armor. And when he was all armed and arrayed, she brought him unto his -own horse, and lightly he saddled him, and took a great spear in his -hand, and so rode forth, and said, "Fair damsel, I shall not fail you, -by the grace of God."</p> - -<p>And so he rode into a great forest all that day, and in no wise could -he find any highway, and so the night fell on him, and then was he ware -in a slade [<i>glade</i>] of a pavilion of red sendall.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> "By my faith," -said Sir Launcelot, "in that pavilion will I lodge all this night." -And so there he alighted down, and tied his horse to the pavilion, and -there he unarmed him, and found there a rich bed and laid him therein, -and anon he fell on sleep.</p> - -<p>So thus within a while the night passed and the day appeared, and then -Sir Launcelot armed him and mounted upon his horse, and took his leave, -and they showed him the way towards the abbey, and thither they rode -within the space of two hours.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As soon as Sir Launcelot came within the abbey yard, King Bagdemagus' -daughter heard a great horse go on the pavement. And then she arose and -went unto a window, and there she saw that it was Sir Launcelot, and -anon she made men hastily to go to him, which took his horse and led -him into a stable, and himself was led into a fair chamber, and there -he unarmed him, and the lady sent to him a long gown, and anon she -came herself. And then she made Sir Launcelot passing good cheer, and -she said he was the knight in the world that was most welcome to her. -Then she in all the haste sent for her father King Bagdemagus, that was -within twelve miles of that abbey, and before even he came with a fair -fellowship of knights with him. And when the king was alighted from -his horse, he went straight unto Sir Launcelot's chamber, and there -found his daughter, and then the king embraced Sir Launcelot in his -arms, and either made other good cheer. Anon Sir Launcelot made his -complaint unto the king how he was betrayed, and how his brother Sir -Lionel was departed from him he wist not whither, and how his daughter -had delivered him out of prison, "wherefore I shall while I live do her -service and all her friends and kindred."</p> - -<p>"Then am I sure of your help," said the king, "now on Tuesday next -coming?"</p> - -<p>"Ye, sir," said Sir Launcelot, "I shall not fail you, for so have I -promised unto my lady, your daughter. As I hear say that the tournament -shall be within this three mile of this abbey, ye shall send unto -me three knights of yours such as ye trust, and look that the three -knights have all white shields, and I also, and no painture on the -shields, and we four will come out of a little wood in the midst of -both parties, and we shall fall in the front of our enemies and grieve -them that we may; and thus shall I not be known what knight I am." So -they took their rest that night, and this was on the Sunday. And so the -king departed, and sent unto Sir Launcelot three knights, with the four -white shields.</p> - -<p>And on the Tuesday they lodged them in a little leaved wood beside -where the tournament should be. And there were scaffolds that lords -and ladies might behold, and to give the prize. Then came into the -field the King of Northgalis with eightscore helms. And then the three -knights of Arthur stood by themselves. Then came into the field King -Bagdemagus with fourscore of helms. And then they fewtred [<i>placed -in rest</i>] their spears, and came together with a great dash, and -there were slain of knights, at the first encounter, twelve of King -Bagdemagus' party, and six of the King of Northgalis' party, and King -Bagdemagus' party was far set aback.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>With that came Sir Launcelot du Lake, and he thrust in with his spear -in the thickest of the press, and there he smote down with one spear -five knights, and of four of them he brake their backs. And in that -throng he smote down the King of Northgalis, and brake his thigh in -that fall. All this doing of Sir Launcelot saw the three knights of -Arthur.</p> - -<p>"Yonder is a shrewd guest," said Sir Mador de la Porte, "therefore have -here once at him."</p> - -<p>So they encountered, and Sir Launcelot bare him down horse and man, so -that his shoulder went out of joint.</p> - -<p>"Now befalleth it to me to joust," said Mordred, "for Sir Mador hath a -sore fall."</p> - -<p>Sir Launcelot was ware of him, and gat a great spear in his hand, and -met him, and Sir Mordred brake a spear upon him, and Sir Launcelot -gave him such a buffet that the bow of his saddle brake, and so he -flew over his horse's tail, that his helm went into the earth a foot -and more, that nigh his neck was broken, and there he lay long in a -swoon. Then came in Sir Gahalantine with a spear, and Launcelot against -him, with all their strength that they might drive, that both their -spears to-brast [<i>burst to pieces</i>] even to their hands, and then they -flung out with their swords, and gave many a grim stroke. Then was Sir -Launcelot wroth out of measure, and then he smote Sir Gahalantine on -the helm, that his nose burst out on blood, and ears and mouth both, -and therewith his head hung low. And therewith his horse ran away with -him, and he fell down to the earth.</p> - -<p>Anon therewithal Sir Launcelot gat a great spear in his hand, and, or -[<i>ere</i>] ever that great spear brake, he bare down to the earth sixteen -knights, some horse and man, and some the man and not the horse, and -there was none but that he hit surely. He bare none arms [<i>no device -to be known by</i>] that day. And then he gat another great spear, and -smote down twelve knights, and the most part of them never throve -after. And then the knights of the King of Northgalis would joust no -more, and there the prize was given unto King Bagdemagus. So either -party departed unto his own place, and Sir Launcelot rode forth with -King Bagdemagus unto his castle, and there he had passing good cheer -both with the king and with his daughter, and they proffered him great -gifts. And on the morn he took his leave, and told King Bagdemagus that -he would go and seek his brother Sir Lionel, that went from him when -that he slept. So he took his horse, and betaught [<i>commended</i>] them -all to God. And there he said unto the king's daughter, "If ye have -need any time of my service, I pray you let me have knowledge, and I -shall not fail you, as I am a true knight."</p> - -<p>And so Sir Launcelot departed, and by adventure he came into the same -forest where he was taken sleeping. And in the midst of an highway he -met a damsel riding on a white palfrey, and there either saluted other.</p> - -<p>"Fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "know ye in this country any -adventures?"</p> - -<p>"Sir knight," said that damsel, "here are adventures near hand, and -[<i>if</i>] thou durst prove them."</p> - -<p>"Why should I not prove adventures?" said Sir Launcelot; "for that -cause came I hither."</p> - -<p>"Well," said she, "thou seemest well to be a good knight, and if thou -dare meet with a good knight, I shall bring thee where is the best -knight and the mightiest that ever thou foundest, so thou wilt tell me -what is thy name, and what knight thou art."</p> - -<p>"Damsel, as for to tell thee my name, I take no great force: truly, my -name is Sir Launcelot du Lake."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <a name="illus2" id="illus2"></a> - <img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>"<i>I am Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of Benwick, and knight of the Round Table</i>"</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Sir, thou beseemest well, here be adventures by that fall for thee, -for hereby dwelleth a knight that will not be overmatched for no man -that I know, unless ye overmatch him, and his name is Sir Turquine. -And, as I understand, he hath in his prison of Arthur's court good -knights threescore and four that he hath won with his own hands. But -when ye have done that day's work ye shall promise me as ye are a true -knight for to go with me, and to help me and other damsels that are -distressed daily with a false knight."</p> - -<p>"All your intent, damsel, and desire I will fulfil, so ye will bring me -unto this knight."</p> - -<p>"Now, fair knight, come on your way."</p> - -<p>And so she brought him unto the ford, and unto the tree where hung the -basin. So Sir Launcelot let his horse drink, and then he beat on the -basin with the butt of his spear so hard with all his might till the -bottom fell out, and long he did so, but he saw nothing. Then he rode -along the gates of that manor nigh half an hour. And then was he ware -of a great knight that drove an horse afore him, and overthwart the -horse there lay an armed knight bound. And ever as they came near and -near, Sir Launcelot thought he should know him; then Sir Launcelot was -ware that it was Sir Gaheris, Gawaine's brother, a knight of the Table -Round.</p> - -<p>"Now, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "I see yonder cometh a knight -fast bound that is a fellow of mine, and brother he is unto Sir -Gawaine. And at the first beginning I promise you, by the leave of God, -to rescue that knight; and unless his master sit better in the saddle -I shall deliver all the prisoners that he hath out of danger, for I am -sure that he hath two brethren of mine prisoners with him."</p> - -<p>By that time that either had seen other they gripped their spears unto -them.</p> - -<p>"Now, fair knight," said Sir Launcelot, "put that wounded knight off -the horse, and let him rest awhile, and let us two prove our strengths. -For as it is informed me, thou doest and hast done great despite and -shame unto knights of the Round Table, and therefore now defend thee."</p> - -<p>"And [<i>if</i>] thou be of the Table Round," said Turquine, "I defy thee -and all thy fellowship."</p> - -<p>"That is overmuch said," said Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And then they put their spears in the rests, and came together with -their horses as fast as they might run, and either smote other in the -midst of their shields, that both their horses' backs brast under -them, and the knights were both astonied, and as soon as they might -avoid their horses they took their shields afore them, and drew out -their swords, and came together eagerly, and either gave other many -strong strokes, for there might neither shields nor harness hold their -strokes. And so within a while they had both grimly wounds, and bled -passing grievously. Thus they fared two hours or more, trasing and -rasing [<i>feinting and thrusting</i>] either other where they might hit -any bare place. Then at the last they were breathless both, and stood -leaning on their swords.</p> - -<p>"Now, fellow," said Sir Turquine, "hold thy hand awhile, and tell me -what I shall ask thee."</p> - -<p>"Say on."</p> - -<p>Then Turquine said, "Thou art the biggest man that ever I met withal, -and the best breathed, and like one knight that I hate above all other -knights; so be it that thou be not he I will lightly accord with thee, -and for thy love I will deliver all the prisoners that I have, that is -threescore and four, so thou wilt tell me thy name. And thou and I will -be fellows together, and never to fail the while that I live."</p> - -<p>"It is well said," said Sir Launcelot, "but since it is so that I may -have thy friendship, what knight is he that thou so hatest above all -other?"</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Turquine, "his name is Launcelot du Lake, for he slew -my brother Sir Carados at the Dolorous Tower, which was one of the best -knights then living, and therefore him I except of all knights, for -and [<i>if</i>] I may once meet with him, that one of us shall make an end -of another, and do that I make a vow. And for Sir Launcelot's sake I -have slain an hundred good knights, and as many I have utterly maimed, -that never after they might help themselves, and many have died in my -prison, and yet I have threescore and four, and all shall be delivered, -so that thou wilt tell me thy name, and so it be that thou be not Sir -Launcelot."</p> - -<p>"Now see I well," said Sir Launcelot, "that such a man I might be I -might have peace, and such a man I might be there should be between -us two mortal war; and now, sir knight, at thy request, I will that -thou wit and know that I am Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of -Benwick, and knight of the Round Table. And now I defy thee do thy -best."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Sir Turquine, "Launcelot, thou art unto me most welcome, as -ever was any knight, for we shall never depart till the one of us be -dead."</p> - -<p>And then hurtled they together as two wild bulls, rashing and lashing -with their shields and swords, that sometime they fell both on their -noses. Thus they fought still two hours and more, and never would rest, -and Sir Turquine gave Sir Launcelot many wounds that all the ground -there as they fought was all besprinkled with blood.</p> - -<p>Then at last Sir Turquine waxed very faint, and gave somewhat back, and -bare his shield full low for weariness. That soon espied Sir Launcelot, -and then leaped upon him fiercely as a lion, and got him by the banner -of his helmet, and so he plucked him down on his knees, and anon he -rased [<i>tore off</i>] his helm, and then he smote his neck asunder.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So on the third day he rode over a long bridge, and there started -upon him suddenly a passing foul churl, and he smote his horse on the -nose that he turned about, and asked him why he rode over that bridge -without his license.</p> - -<p>"Why should I not ride this way?" said Sir Launcelot. "I may not ride -beside."</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt not choose," said the churl, and lashed at him with a great -club shod with iron. Then Sir Launcelot drew a sword, and put the -stroke aback, and clave his head unto the breast. At the end of the -bridge was a fair village, and all the people men and women cried on -Sir Launcelot, and said, "A worse deed didst thou never for thyself, -for thou hast slain the chief porter of our castle."</p> - -<p>Sir Launcelot let them say what they would, and straight he went into -the castle; and when he came into the castle he alighted, and tied his -horse to a ring on the wall; and there he saw a fair green court, and -thither he dressed himself, for there him thought was a fair place to -fight in. So he looked about, and saw much people in doors and windows, -that said, "Fair knight, thou art unhappy."</p> - -<p>Anon withal came there upon him two great giants, well armed all save -the heads, with two horrible clubs in their hands. Sir Launcelot put -his shield afore him, and put the stroke away of the one giant, and -with his sword he clave his head asunder. When his fellow saw that, he -ran away as he were wood [<i>crazy</i>], for fear of the horrible strokes, -and Sir Launcelot after him with all his might, and smote him on the -shoulder, and clave him to the middle. Then Sir Launcelot went into the -hall, and there came afore him threescore ladies and damsels, and all -kneeled unto him, and thanked God and him of their deliverance.</p> - -<p>"For, sir," said they, "the most part of us have been here this seven -year their prisoners, and we have worked all manner of silk works for -our meat, and we are all great gentlewomen born, and blessed be the -time, knight, that ever thou wert born; for thou hast done the most -worship that ever did knight in the world, that will we bear record, -and we all pray you to tell us your name, that we may tell our friends -who delivered us out of prison."</p> - -<p>"Fair damsels," he said, "my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake."</p> - -<p>"Ah, sir," said they all, "well mayest thou be he, for else save -yourself, as we deemed, there might never knight have the better of -these two giants, for many fair knights have assayed it, and here have -ended, and many times have we wished after you, and these two giants -dread never knight but you."</p> - -<p>"Now may ye say," said Sir Launcelot, "unto your friends, how and who -hath delivered you, and greet them all from me, and if that I come -in any of your marches [<i>boundaries</i>] show me such cheer as ye have -cause; and what treasure that there is in this castle I give it you for -a reward for your grievance: and the lord that is the owner of this -castle I would that he received it as is right."</p> - -<p>"Fair sir," said they, "the name of this castle is Tintagil and a duke -owned it some time that had wedded fair Igraine, and after wedded her -Utherpendragon."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Sir Launcelot, "I understand to whom this castle -belongeth."</p> - -<p>And so he departed from them and betaught [<i>commended</i>] them unto God. -And then he mounted upon his horse, and rode into many strange and wild -countries and through many waters and valleys, and evil was he lodged. -And at the last by fortune him happened against a night to come to a -fair curtilage [<i>enclosure</i>], and therein he found an old gentlewoman -that lodged him with a good will, and there he had good cheer for him -and his horse. And when time was, his host brought him into a fair -garret over the gate to his bed. There Sir Launcelot unarmed him, and -set his harness by him, and went to bed, and anon he fell on sleep. -So soon after there came one on horseback, and knocked at the gate in -great haste. And when Sir Launcelot heard this he arose up, and looked -out at the window, and saw by the moonlight three knights came riding -after one man, and all three lashed on him at once with swords, and -that one knight turned on them knightly again and defended him.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Launcelot, "yonder one knight shall I help, for it -were shame for me to see three knights on one, and if he be slain I am -partner of his death."</p> - -<p>And therewith he took his harness and went out at a window by a sheet -down to the four knights, and then Sir Launcelot said on high [<i>in a -loud voice</i>], "Turn you knights unto me, and leave your fighting with -that knight."</p> - -<p>And then they all three left Sir Kay, and turned unto Sir Launcelot, -and there began great battle, for they alighted all three, and struck -many great strokes at Sir Launcelot, and assailed him on every side. -Then Sir Kay dressed him for to have holpen Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<p>"Nay, sir," said he, "I will none of your help, therefore as ye will -have my help let me alone with them."</p> - -<p>Sir Kay for the pleasure of the knight suffered him to do his will, -and so stood aside. And then anon within six strokes Sir Launcelot had -stricken them to the earth.</p> - -<p>And then they all three cried, "Sir knight, we yield us unto you as man -of might matchless."</p> - -<p>"As to that," said Sir Launcelot, "I will not take your yielding unto -me, but so that ye yield you unto Sir Kay the seneschal; on that -covenant I will save your lives and else not."</p> - -<p>"Fair knight," said they, "that were we loath to do; for as for Sir Kay -we chased him hither, and had overcome him had not ye been; therefore -to yield us unto him it were no reason."</p> - -<p>"Well, as to that," said Sir Launcelot, "advise you well, for ye may -choose whether ye will die or live, for and [<i>if</i>] ye be yielden it -shall be unto Sir Kay."</p> - -<p>"Fair knight," then they said, "in saving our lives we will do as thou -commandest us."</p> - -<p>"Then shall ye," said Sir Launcelot, "on Whitsunday next coming go -unto the court of King Arthur, and there shall ye yield you unto Queen -Guenever, and put you all three in her grace and mercy, and say that -Sir Kay sent you thither to be her prisoners."</p> - -<p>"Sir," they said, "it shall be done by the faith of our bodies, and we -be living."</p> - -<p>And there they swore, every knight upon his sword. And so Sir Launcelot -suffered them so to depart. And then Sir Launcelot knocked at the gate -with the pommel of his sword, and with that came his host, and in they -entered, Sir Kay and he.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said his host, "I wend ye had been in your bed."</p> - -<p>"So I was," said Sir Launcelot, "but I arose and leaped out at my -window for to help an old fellow of mine."</p> - -<p>And so when they came nigh the light Sir Kay knew well that it was Sir -Launcelot, and therewith he kneeled down and thanked him of all his -kindness that he hath holpen him twice from the death.</p> - -<p>"Sir," he said, "I have done nothing but that I ought to do, and ye are -welcome, and here shall ye repose you and take your rest."</p> - -<p>So when Sir Kay was unarmed he asked after meat, so there was meat -fetched him, and he ate strongly. And when he had supped they went -to their beds, and were lodged together in one bed. On the morn Sir -Launcelot arose early, and left Sir Kay sleeping: and Sir Launcelot -took Sir Kay's armor and his shield and armed him: and so he went to -the stable and took his horse, and took his leave of his host, and so -he departed. Then soon after arose Sir Kay and missed Sir Launcelot: -and then he espied that he had his armor and his horse.</p> - -<p>"Now, by my faith, I know well that he will grieve some of King -Arthur's court: for on him knights will be bold, and deem that it is I, -and that will beguile them; and because of his armor and shield, I am -sure that I shall ride in peace." And then soon after departed Sir Kay, -and thanked his host.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now let us speak of Sir Launcelot, that rode a great while in a deep -forest, where he saw a black brachet [<i>small hound</i>], seeking in -manner as it had been in the fealty [<i>track</i>] of an hurt deer, and -therewith he rode after the brachet; and he saw lie on the ground a -large fealty of blood, and then Sir Launcelot rode after, and ever -the brachet looked behind her. And so she went through a great marish -[<i>marsh</i>], and ever Sir Launcelot followed; and then was he ware of -an old manor, and thither ran the brachet, and so over the bridge. -So Sir Launcelot rode over the bridge, that was old and feeble. And -when he came into the midst of a great hall, there saw he lie a dead -knight, that was a seemly man, and that brachet licked his wounds. And -therewith came out a lady weeping and wringing her hands, and she said, -"O knight, too much sorrow hast thou brought me."</p> - -<p>"Why say ye so?" said Sir Launcelot, "I did never this knight no harm, -for hither by track of blood this brachet brought me; and therefore, -fair lady, be not displeased with me, for I am full sore aggrieved of -your grievance."</p> - -<p>"Truly, sir," she said, "I trow it be not ye that have slain my -husband, for he that did that deed is sore wounded, and he is never -likely to recover, that shall I ensure him."</p> - -<p>"What was your husband's name?" said Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "his name was called Sir Gilbert, one of the best -knights of the world, and he that hath slain him I know not his name."</p> - -<p>"Now God send you better comfort," said Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<p>And so he departed and went into the forest again, and there he met -with a damsel, the which knew him well, and she said aloud, "Well be -ye found, my lord; and now I require thee on thy knighthood help my -brother that is sore wounded, and never stinteth bleeding, for this -day fought he with Sir Gilbert and slew him in plain battle, and there -was my brother sore wounded, and there is a lady a sorceress that -dwelleth in a castle here beside, and this day she told me my brother's -wounds should never be whole till I could find a knight that would go -into the Chapel Perilous, and there he should find a sword and a bloody -cloth that the wounded knight was lapped in, and a piece of that cloth -and sword should heal my brother's wounds, so that his wounds were -searched [<i>touched</i>] with the sword and the cloth."</p> - -<p>"This is a marvellous thing," said Sir Launcelot, "but what is your -brother's name?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "his name is Sir Meliot de Logres."</p> - -<p>"That me repenteth," said Sir Launcelot, "for he is a fellow of the -Table Round, and to his help I will do my power."</p> - -<p>"Then, sir," said she, "follow even this highway, and it will bring you -unto the Chapel Perilous, and here I shall abide till God send you here -again, and but you speed I know no knight living that may achieve that -adventure."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Right so Sir Launcelot departed, and when he came unto the Chapel -Perilous he alighted down, and tied his horse to a little gate. And as -soon as he was within the church-yard he saw on the front of the chapel -many fair rich shields turned up so down [<i>upside down</i>], and many of -the shields Sir Launcelot had seen knights bear beforehand. With that -he saw by him stand there thirty great knights, more by a yard than -any man that ever he had seen, and all those grinned and gnashed at -Sir Launcelot. And when he saw their countenance he dread him sore, -and so put his shield afore him, and took his sword in his hand ready -unto battle; and they were all armed in black harness, ready with their -shields and their swords drawn. And when Sir Launcelot would have gone -throughout them, they scattered on every side of him, and gave him the -way, and therewith he waxed all bold and entered into the chapel, and -then he saw no light but a dim lamp burning, and then was he ware of a -corpse covered with a cloth of silk. Then Sir Launcelot stooped down -and cut a piece away of that cloth, and then it fared under him as -the earth had quaked a little; therewithal he feared. And then he saw -a fair sword lie by the dead knight, and that he gat in his hand and -hied him out of the chapel. Anon as ever he was in the chapel-yard all -the knights spake to him with a grimly voice, and said, "Knight, Sir -Launcelot, lay that sword from thee, or else thou shalt die."</p> - -<p>"Whether I live or die," said Sir Launcelot, "will no great word get it -again, therefore fight for it and ye list."</p> - -<p>Then right so he passed throughout them, and beyond the chapel-yard -there met him a fair damsel, and said, "Sir Launcelot, leave that sword -behind thee, or thou wilt die for it."</p> - -<p>"I leave it not," said Sir Launcelot, "for no entreaties."</p> - -<p>"No," said she, "and thou didst leave that sword, Queen Guenever should -ye never see."</p> - -<p>"Then were I a fool and I would leave this sword," said Launcelot.</p> - -<p>"Now, gentle knight," said the damsel, "I require thee to kiss me but -once."</p> - -<p>"Nay," said Sir Launcelot, "that God me forbid."</p> - -<p>"Well, sir," said she, "and thou hadst kissed me thy life-days had -been done, but now alas," she said, "I have lost all my labor, for I -ordained this chapel for thy sake. And, Sir Launcelot, now I tell thee, -I have loved thee this seven year. But since I may not have [thee] -alive, I had kept no more joy in this world but to have [thee] dead. -Then would I have balmed [thee] and preserved [thee], and so have kept -[thee] my life-days, and daily I should have kissed thee."</p> - -<p>"Ye say well," said Sir Launcelot, "God preserve me from your subtle -crafts."</p> - -<p>And therewithal he took his horse and so departed from her. And when -Sir Launcelot was departed she took such sorrow that she died within a -fourteen night [<i>fortnight</i>], and her name was Hellawes the sorceress, -lady of the castle Nigramous. Anon Sir Launcelot met with the damsel, -Sir Meliot's sister. And when she saw him she clapped her hands and -wept for joy, and then they rode unto a castle thereby, where Sir -Meliot lay. And anon as Sir Launcelot saw him he knew him, but he was -pale as the earth for bleeding. When Sir Meliot saw Sir Launcelot, he -kneeled upon his knees and cried on high: "O lord Sir Launcelot help -me!" Anon Sir Launcelot leaped unto him, and touched his wounds with -Sir Gilbert's sword, and then he wiped his wounds with a part of the -bloody cloth that Sir Gilbert was wrapped in, and anon a wholer man -in his life was he never. And then there was great joy between them, -and they made Sir Launcelot all the cheer that they might, and so on -the morn Sir Launcelot took his leave, and bade Sir Meliot hie him -to the court of my lord Arthur, "for it draweth nigh to the feast of -Pentecost, and there, by the grace of God, ye shall find me." And -therewith they departed.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Sir Launcelot came home two days afore the feast of Pentecost. And -King Arthur and all the court were full glad of his coming. And when -Sir Gawaine, Sir Ewaine, Sir Sagramor, and Sir Ector de Maris saw Sir -Launcelot in Sir Kay's armor, then they wist well it was he that smote -them down all with one spear. Then there was laughing and smiling among -them. And ever now and then came all the knights home that Sir Turquine -had taken prisoners, and they all honored and worshipped Sir Launcelot. -When Sir Gaheris heard them speak, he said: "I saw all the battle, from -the beginning to the ending."</p> - -<p>And there he told King Arthur all how it was, and how Sir Turquine was -the strongest knight that ever he saw except Sir Launcelot; there were -many knights bare him record, nigh threescore. Then Sir Kay told the -king how Sir Launcelot had rescued him when he was in danger to have -been slain, and how "he made the knights to yield them to me, and not -to him." And there they were, all three, and bare record. "And," said -Sir Kay, "because Sir Launcelot took my harness, and left me his, I -rode in good peace, and no man would have to do with me." Then anon -therewithal came the three knights that fought with Sir Launcelot at -the long bridge, and there they yielded them unto Sir Kay, and Sir Kay -forsook them, and said he fought never with them; "but I shall ease -your hearts," said Sir Kay, "yonder is Sir Launcelot that overcame -you." When they understood that, they were glad. And then Sir Meliot -de Logres came home, and told King Arthur how Sir Launcelot had saved -him from the death. And all his deeds were known, how four queens, -sorceresses, had him in prison, and how he was delivered by King -Bagdemagus' daughter. Also there were told all the great deeds of arms -that Sir Launcelot did betwixt the two kings, that is to say, the King -of Northgalis and King Bagdemagus. All the truth Sir Gahalatine did -tell, and Sir Mador de la Porte, and Sir Mordred, for they were at that -same tournament. Then came in the lady that knew Sir Launcelot when -that he wounded Sir Belleus at the pavilion. And there at the request -of Sir Launcelot, Sir Belleus was made knight of the Round Table.</p> - -<p>And so at that time Sir Launcelot had the greatest name of any knight -of the world, and most he was honored of high and low.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[On a day, that might be a matter of two years before that feast of -Pentecost whereof it will be told in the Book of Sir Tristram, it -happened that Queen Guenever was angered with Sir Launcelot, yet truly -for no fault of his, but only because a certain enchantress had wrought -that Sir Launcelot seemed to have shamed his knighthood.</p> - -<p>Then the queen was nigh out of her wit, and then she writhed and -weltered as a mad woman; and at the last the queen met with Sir -Launcelot, and thus she said,] "False traitor knight that thou art, -look thou never abide in my court, and not so hardy, thou false traitor -knight that thou art, that ever thou come in my sight."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot: and therewith he took such an heartly -sorrow at her words that he fell down to the floor in a swoon. And -therewithal Queen Guenever departed. And when Sir Launcelot awoke of -his swoon he leaped out at a bay window into a garden, and there with -thorns he was all to-scratched in his visage and his body, and so he -ran forth he wist not whither, and was wild wood [<i>insane</i>] as ever was -man.</p> - -<p>"Wit ye well," said dame Elaine<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> to Sir Bors, "I would lose my life -for him rather than he should be hurt; but alas, I cast me never for to -see him; and the chief causer of this is dame Guenever."</p> - -<p>"Madam," said dame Brisen, the which had made the enchantment before -betwixt Sir Launcelot and her, "I pray you heartily let Sir Bors -depart and hie him with all his might, as fast as he may, to seek Sir -Launcelot. For I warn you he is clean out of his mind, and yet he shall -be well holpen, and but by miracle."</p> - -<p>Then wept dame Elaine, and so did Sir Bors de Ganis, and so they -departed; and Sir Bors rode straight unto Queen Guenever, and when she -saw Sir Bors she wept as she were wood.</p> - -<p>"Fie on your weeping," said Sir Bors, "for ye weep never but when -there is no boot. Alas!" said Sir Bors, "that ever Sir Launcelot's -kin saw you. For now have ye lost the best knight of our blood, and -he that was all our leader and our succor. And I dare say and make -it good, that all kings, Christian nor heathen, may not find such a -knight, for to speak of his nobleness and courtesy with his beauty and -his gentleness. Alas," said Sir Bors, "what shall we do that be of his -blood?"</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Ector de Maris.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Lionel.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And when the queen heard them say so, she fell to the ground in a -deadly sound [<i>swoon</i>]; and then Sir Bors took her, and [roused] her, -and when she was come to herself again she kneeled afore the three -knights, and held up both her hands, and besought them to seek him, and -not to spare for no goods but that he be found, "for I wot well he is -out of his mind." And Sir Bors, Sir Ector, Sir Lionel, departed from -the queen, for they might not abide no longer for sorrow: and then the -queen sent them treasure enough for their expenses, and so they took -their horses and their armor, and departed. And then they rode from -country to country, in forests and in wildernesses and in wastes, and -ever they laid watch as well both at forests and at all manner of men -as they rode, to hearken and to inquire after him, as he that was a -naked man in his shirt, with a sword in his hand. And thus they rode -well nigh a quarter of a year, endlong and overthwart,<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> in many -places, forests and wildernesses, and oftentimes were evil lodged for -his sake, and yet for all their labor and seeking could they never hear -word of him. And wit ye well these three knights were passing sorry.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine, Sir Uwaine, Sir Sagramor le Desirous, Sir Agloval, -and Sir Percival de Galis, took upon them by the great desire of King -Arthur, and in especial by the queen, to seek throughout all England, -Wales, and Scotland, to find Sir Launcelot. And with them rode eighteen -knights more to bear them fellowship. And wit ye well they lacked no -manner of spending: and so were they three and twenty knights.</p> - -<p>And thus as these noble knights rode together, they by one assent -departed, and then they rode by two, by three, and by four, and by -five; and ever they assigned where they should meet.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And now leave we a little of Sir Ector and Sir Percival, and speak we -of Sir Launcelot, that suffered and endured many sharp showers, which -ever ran wild wood, from place to place, and lived by fruit and such -as he might get, and drank water, two years; and other clothing had he -but little, save his shirt and his breeches. And thus, as Sir Launcelot -wandered here and there, he came into a fair meadow where he found a -pavilion, and there upon a tree hung a white shield and two swords -hung thereby, and two spears there leaned against a tree; and when Sir -Launcelot saw the swords, anon he leaped to the one sword, and took it -in his hand, and drew it out, and then he lashed at the shield that all -the meadow rang of the dints that he gave with such a noise as ten -knights had fought together. Then there came forth a dwarf, and leaped -unto Sir Launcelot, and would have had the sword out of his hand; -and then Sir Launcelot took him by both the shoulders and threw him -to the ground upon his neck, that he had almost broken his neck; and -therewithal the dwarf cried for help. Then came forth a likely knight, -and well apparelled in scarlet, furred with miniver. And anon as he saw -Sir Launcelot, he deemed that he should be out of his wit: and then -he said with fair speech, "Good man, lay down that sword, for, as me -seemeth, thou hast more need of sleep, and of warm clothes, than to -wield that sword."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <a name="illus3" id="illus3"></a> - <img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>And lived by fruit and such as he might get</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Launcelot, "come not too nigh; for, and thou -do, wit thou well I will slay thee."</p> - -<p>And when the knight of the pavilion saw that, he started backward -within the pavilion. And then the dwarf armed him lightly, and so the -knight thought by force and might to take the sword from Sir Launcelot, -and so he came stepping out, and when Sir Launcelot saw him come so -all armed with his sword in his hand, then Sir Launcelot flew to him -with such a might and hit him upon the helm such a buffet that the -stroke troubled his brains, and therewith the sword brake in three. And -the knight fell to the earth as he had been dead, the blood bursting -out of his mouth, nose, and ears. And then Sir Launcelot ran into the -pavilion, and rushed even into the warm bed.</p> - -<p>Then the knight awaked out of his swoon, and looked up weakly with his -eyes, and then he asked where was that mad man that had given him such -a buffet? "for such a buffet had I never of man's hand."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the dwarf, "it is not worship to hurt him, for he is a man -out of his wit, and doubt ye not he hath been a man of great worship, -and for some heartly sorrow that he hath taken he is fallen mad; and -me seemeth he resembleth much unto Sir Launcelot; for him I saw at the -great tournament beside Lonazep."</p> - -<p>"Jesu defend," said that knight, "that ever that noble knight Sir -Launcelot should be in such a plight. But whatsoever he be, harm will I -none do him."</p> - -<p>And this knight's name was Sir Bliant. Then he said unto the dwarf, -"Go thou in all haste on horseback unto my brother Sir Seliaunt, that -is at the Castle Blanche, and tell him of mine adventure, and bid him -bring with him an horse-litter and then will we bear this knight unto -my castle."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So the dwarf rode fast, and came again, and brought Sir Seliaunt -with him, and six men with an horse-litter; and so they took up the -feather-bed with Sir Launcelot, and so carried all with them to the -Castle Blanche, and he never wakened until he was within the castle; -and then they bound his hands and his feet, and gave him good meats and -good drinks, and brought him again to his strength and his fairness; -but in his wit they could not bring him again, nor to know himself. -Thus Sir Launcelot was there more than a year and a half.</p> - -<p>Then upon a day this lord of that castle, Sir Bliant, took his arms on -horseback with a spear to seek adventures, and as he rode in a forest -there met him two knights adventurous; the one was Sir Breuse sans -Pitie, and his brother Sir Bertlot. And these two ran both at once -upon Sir Bliant, and brake both their spears upon his body, and then -they drew out their swords and made a great battle and fought long -together; but at the last Sir Bliant was sore wounded, and felt himself -faint, and then he fled on horseback towards his castle. And as they -came hurling under the castle, where Sir Launcelot lay in a window and -saw two knights laid upon Sir Bliant with their swords, and when Sir -Launcelot saw that, yet as wood [<i>crazy</i>] as he was, he was sorry for -his lord Sir Bliant; and then Sir Launcelot brake his chains from his -legs.</p> - -<p>And so Sir Launcelot ran out at a postern, and there he met with the -two knights that chased Sir Bliant, and there he pulled down Bertlot -with his bare hands from his horse, and therewithal he writhed his -sword out of his hands, and so he leaped unto Sir Breuse, and gave him -such a buffet upon the head that he tumbled backward over his horse's -crupper. And when Sir Bertlot saw his brother have such a fall, he gat -a spear in his hand, and would have run Sir Launcelot through. That saw -Sir Bliant, and struck off the hand of Sir Bertlot; and then Sir Breuse -and Sir Bertlot gat their horses and fled away. When Sir Seliaunt came, -and saw what Sir Launcelot had done for his brother, then he thanked -God, and so did his brother, that ever they did him any good. But when -Sir Bliant saw that Sir Launcelot was hurt with the breaking of his -chains, then he was sorry that he had bound him. "Bind him no more," -said Sir Seliaunt, "for he is happy and gracious." Then they made great -joy of Sir Launcelot, and they bound him no more; and so he abode -there half a year and more. And in a morning early Sir Launcelot was -ware where came a great boar, with many hounds nigh him; but the boar -was so big that there might no hounds tear him, and the hunters came -after blowing their horns both on horseback and on foot; and at the -last Sir Launcelot was ware where one of them alighted and tied his -horse to a tree, and leaned his spear against the tree.</p> - -<p>So came Sir Launcelot and found the horse bound to a tree, and a -spear leaning against a tree, and a sword tied unto the saddle-bow. -And then Sir Launcelot leaped into the saddle, and gat that spear in -his hand, and then he rode after the boar; and then Sir Launcelot was -ware where the boar set his back to a tree, fast by an hermitage. Then -Sir Launcelot ran at the boar with his spear. And therewith the boar -turned him nimbly, and rove [<i>gashed</i>] out the lungs and the heart of -the horse, so that Sir Launcelot fell to the earth, and or ever Sir -Launcelot might get from the horse, the boar rove him on the brawn of -the thigh, up to the hough bone. And then Sir Launcelot was wroth, -and up he gat upon his feet, and drew his sword, and he smote off the -boar's head at one stroke. And therewithal came out the hermit, and -saw him have such a wound; then the hermit came to Sir Launcelot and -bemoaned him, and would have had him home unto his hermitage. But when -Sir Launcelot heard him speak, he was so wroth with his wound that he -ran upon the hermit to have slain him, and the hermit ran away, and -when Sir Launcelot might not overget him he threw his sword after him, -for Sir Launcelot might go no farther for bleeding. Then the hermit -turned again, and asked Sir Launcelot how he was hurt.</p> - -<p>"Fellow," said Sir Launcelot, "this boar hath bitten me sore."</p> - -<p>"Then come with me," said the hermit, "and I shall heal you."</p> - -<p>"Go thy way," said Sir Launcelot, "and deal not with me."</p> - -<p>Then the hermit ran his way, and there he met with a good knight with -many men.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the hermit, "here is fast by my place the goodliest man -that ever I saw, and he is sore wounded with a boar, and yet he hath -slain the boar. But well I wot and he be not holpen, that goodly man -shall die of that wound, and that were great pity."</p> - -<p>Then that knight, at the desire of the hermit, gat a cart, and in that -cart that knight put the boar and Sir Launcelot, for Sir Launcelot -was so feeble that they might right easily deal with him. And so -Sir Launcelot was brought unto the hermitage, and there the hermit -healed him of his wound. But the hermit might not find Sir Launcelot's -sustenance, and so he impaired and waxed feeble, both of his body and -of his wit, for the default of his sustenance, and waxed more wood than -he was aforehand. And then, upon a day, Sir Launcelot ran his way into -the forest; and by adventure came into the city of Corbin, where dame -Elaine was.</p> - -<p>And so when he was entered into the town, he ran through the town -to the castle; and then all the young men of the city ran after Sir -Launcelot, and there they threw turfs at him, and gave him many sad -strokes; and as Sir Launcelot might reach any of them, he threw them -so that they would never more come in his hands, for of some he brake -their legs, and some their arms, and so fled into the castle. And then -came out knights and squires for to rescue Sir Launcelot, and when -they beheld him and looked upon his person, they thought they saw -never so goodly a man; and when they saw so many wounds upon him, they -all deemed that he had been a man of worship. And then they ordained -clothes unto his body, and straw underneath him, and a little house, -and then every day they would throw him meat, and set him drink, but -there were few or none that would bring meat to his hands.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So it befell that King Pelles had a nephew whose name was Castor, and -he desired of the king his uncle for to be made knight; and so at -the request of this Castor, the king made him knight at the feast of -Candlemas. And when Castor was made knight, that same day he gave many -gowns; and so Sir Castor sent for the fool, that was Sir Launcelot, and -when [Sir Launcelot] saw his time, he went into the garden and there -laid him down by a well and slept. And in the afternoon dame Elaine and -her maidens went into the garden for to play them; and as they roamed -up and down, one of dame Elaine's maidens espied where lay a goodly man -by the well sleeping, and anon showed him to dame Elaine.</p> - -<p>"Peace," said dame Elaine, "and say no word."</p> - -<p>And then she brought dame Elaine where he lay. And when that she -beheld him, anon she fell in remembrance of him, and knew him verily -for Sir Launcelot, and therewithal she fell on weeping so heartily that -she sank even to the earth. And when she had thus wept a great while, -then she arose and called her maidens, and said she was sick. And so -she went out of the garden, and she went straight to her father, and -there she took him apart by himself, and then she said, "O father, now -have I need of your help, and but if that ye help me, farewell my good -days for ever."</p> - -<p>"What is that, daughter?" said King Pelles.</p> - -<p>"Sir," she said, "thus is it: in your garden I went for to sport, and -there by the well I found Sir Launcelot du Lake sleeping."</p> - -<p>"I may not believe that," said King Pelles.</p> - -<p>"Sir," she said, "truly he is there, and me seemeth he should be -distract out of his wit."</p> - -<p>"Then hold you still," said the king, "and let me deal."</p> - -<p>Then the king called to him such as he most trusted, four persons, and -dame Elaine his daughter. And when they came to the well and beheld Sir -Launcelot, anon dame Brisen knew him.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said dame Brisen, "we must be wise how we deal with him, for -this knight is out of his mind, and if we awake him rudely, what he -will do we all know not. But ye shall abide, and I shall throw such an -enchantment upon him that he shall not awake within the space of an -hour."</p> - -<p>And so she did. Then within a little while after King Pelles commanded -that all people should avoid [<i>leave</i>], that none should be in that -way there as the king would come. And so when this was done, these four -men and these ladies laid hand on Sir Launcelot. And so they bare him -into a tower, and so into the chamber where as was the [Holy Grail], -and by force Sir Launcelot was laid by that holy vessel; and then there -came an holy man and uncovered the vessel, and so by miracle, and by -virtue of that holy vessel, Sir Launcelot was all healed and recovered. -And when he was awaked, he groaned, and sighed sore, and complained -greatly that he was passing sore.</p> - -<p>And when Sir Launcelot saw King Pelles and dame Elaine, he waxed -ashamed, and thus he said, "O good Lord Jesu, how came I here? for -God's sake, my lord, let me wit how I came here."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said dame Elaine, "into this country ye came like a mad man all -out of your wit, and here ye have been kept as a fool, and no creature -here knew what ye were till that by fortune a maid of mine brought -me unto you where as ye lay sleeping by a well side, and anon as I -verily beheld you I knew you; and then I told my father, and so ye were -brought before this holy vessel, and by the virtue of it thus were ye -healed."</p> - -<p>"O Jesu, mercy!" said Sir Launcelot, "if this be sooth, how many be -there that know of my woodness?"</p> - -<p>"So God me help," said dame Elaine, "no moe [<i>more</i>] but my father and -I and dame Brisen."</p> - -<p>"Now for Christ's love," said Sir Launcelot, "keep it secret, and let -no man know it in the world, for I am sore ashamed that I have been -thus miscarried, for I am banished out of the country of Logris for -ever, that is for to say the country of England."</p> - -<p>And so Sir Launcelot lay more than a fortnight, or ever that he might -stir for soreness.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And then after this King Pelles with ten knights, and dame Elaine and -twenty ladies, rode unto the castle of Bliant, that stood in an island -enclosed in iron, with a fair water, deep and large. And when they -were there Sir Launcelot let call it the Joyous Isle, and there was he -called none otherwise but Le Chevalier Mal Fait, <i>the knight that hath -trespassed</i>. Then Sir Launcelot let make him a shield all of sable, and -a queen crowned in the midst all of silver, and a knight, clean armed, -kneeling before her; and every day once, for any mirths that all the -ladies might make him, he would once every day look towards the realm -of Logris where King Arthur and Queen Guenever were, and then would -he fall upon weeping as though his heart should to-brast [<i>burst to -pieces</i>]. So it fell that time that Sir Launcelot heard of a jousting -fast by his castle, within three leagues. Then he called unto him a -dwarf, and he bade him go unto that jousting, "and, or ever the knights -depart, look thou make there a cry in the hearing of all the knights, -that there is one knight in the Joyous Isle, that is the castle Bliant, -and say that his name is Le Chevalier Mal Fait, that will joust against -knights that will come; and who that putteth that knight to the worst -shall have a fair maid and a gerfalcon."</p> - -<p>So when this cry was made, unto Joyous Isle drew knights to the number -of five hundred. And wit ye well there was never seen in Arthur's days -one knight that did so much deeds of arms as Sir Launcelot did three -days together. For he had the better of all the five hundred knights, -and there was not one slain of them. And after that Sir Launcelot made -them all a great feast. And in the meanwhile came Sir Percival de Galis -and Sir Ector de Maris under that castle that was called the Joyous -Isle. And as they beheld that gay castle they would have gone to that -castle, but they might not for the broad water, and bridge could they -find none. Then they saw on the other side a lady with a sperhawk in -her hand, and Sir Percival called unto her, and asked that lady who was -in that castle.</p> - -<p>"Fair knight," she said, "here within this castle is the fairest lady -in this land, and her name is Elaine. Also we have in this castle the -fairest knight and the mightiest man that is, I dare say, living, and -he calleth himself Le Chevalier Mal Fait."</p> - -<p>"How came he into these marches?" said Sir Percival.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said the damsel, "he came into this country like a mad man, -with dogs and boys chasing him through the city of Corbin; and by the -Holy Grail he was brought into his wit again, but he will not do battle -with no knight but by underne [<i>nine in the morning</i>] or by noon. And -if ye list to come into the castle, ye must ride unto the farther side -of the castle, and there shall ye find a vessel that will bear you and -your horse."</p> - -<p>Then they departed and came unto the vessel. And then Sir Percival -alighted and said unto Sir Ector de Maris, "Ye shall abide me here, -until I know what manner of knight he is, for it were a great shame -unto us, inasmuch as he is but one knight, and we should both do battle -with him."</p> - -<p>"Do as ye list," said Sir Ector de Maris, "here shall I abide you until -that I hear of you again."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Percival passed the water; and when he came unto the castle -gate, he said to the porter, "Go thou unto the good knight within the -castle, and tell him that here is come an errant knight to joust with -him."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the porter, "ride ye within the castle, and there shall ye -find a common place for jousting, that lords and ladies may behold you."</p> - -<p>So anon as Sir Launcelot had warning, he was soon ready. And there Sir -Percival and Sir Launcelot encountered with such a might, and their -spears were so rude, that both the horses and the knights fell to the -ground. And then they avoided their horses, and drew out their swords, -and hewed away cantels [<i>pieces</i>] of their shields, and hurled together -with their shields like two wild boars, and either wounded other -passing sore. And at the last Sir Percival spake first, when they had -fought more than two hours.</p> - -<p>"Fair knight," said Sir Percival, "I require thee tell me thy name, for -I met never with such a knight as ye are."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "my name is Le Chevalier Mal Fait. Now tell -me your name," said Sir Launcelot, "I require you, as ye are a gentle -knight."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Percival, "my name is Sir Percival de Galis, which is -brother unto the good knight Sir Lamorak de Galis, and King Pellinore -was our father, and Sir Agloval is my brother."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "what have I done, to fight with you that -are a knight of the Round Table, that some time was your fellow in King -Arthur's court?"</p> - -<p>And therewithal Sir Launcelot kneeled down upon his knees, and threw -away his shield and his sword from him. When Sir Percival saw him do -so, he marvelled what he meant. And then thus he said, "Sir knight, -whatsoever thou be, I require thee upon the high order of knighthood, -tell me thy true name."</p> - -<p>Then he said, "Truly my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son -of Benoy."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Percival, "what have I done! I was sent by the queen -for to seek you, and so I have sought you nigh this two year; and -yonder is Sir Ector de Maris your brother abideth me on the other side -of the yonder water. Now I pray you forgive me mine offence that I have -here done."</p> - -<p>"It is soon forgiven," said Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Percival sent for Sir Ector de Maris. And when Sir Launcelot -had a sight of him, he ran unto him and took him in his arms, and then -Sir Ector kneeled down and either wept upon other, that all had pity -to behold them. Then came dame Elaine, and she there made them great -cheer as might lie in her power; and there she told Sir Ector and Sir -Percival how and in what manner Sir Launcelot came into that country, -and how he was healed. And there it was known how long Sir Launcelot -was with Sir Bliant and with Sir Seliaunt, and how he first met with -them, and how he departed from them because of a boar; and how the -hermit healed Sir Launcelot of his great wound, and how that he came to -Corbin.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Ector, "I am your own brother, and ye are the man in -the world that I love most, and, if I understood that it were your -disworship, ye may right well understand that I would never counsel -you thereto; but King Arthur and all his knights, and in especial -Queen Guenever, made such dole and sorrow that it was marvel to hear -and see. And ye must remember the great worship and renown that ye be -of, how that ye have been more spoken of than any other knight that -is now living, for there is none that beareth the name now but ye and -Sir Tristram. Therefore, brother," said Sir Ector, "make you ready to -ride unto the court with us, and I dare well say there was never knight -better welcome unto the court than ye. And I wot well and can make it -good," said Sir Ector, "it hath cost my lady the queen twenty thousand -pound the seeking of you."</p> - -<p>"Well, brother," said Sir Launcelot, "I will do after your counsel and -ride with you."</p> - -<p>So then they took their horses, and made them ready, and took their -leave of King Pelles and of dame Elaine; and when Sir Launcelot should -depart, dame Elaine made great sorrow.</p> - -<p>Then they departed, and within five days' journey they came to Camelot, -which is called, in English, Winchester. And when Sir Launcelot was -come among them, the king and all the knights made great joy of him; -and there Sir Percival de Galis and Sir Ector de Maris began to tell -of all the adventures, how Sir Launcelot had been out of his mind all -the time of his absence, how he called himself Le Chevalier Mal Fait, -as much as to say the knight that had trespassed, and in three days Sir -Launcelot smote down five hundred knights. And ever as Sir Ector and -Sir Percival told these tales of Sir Launcelot, Queen Guenever wept as -she would have died; then afterward the queen made great joy.</p> - -<p>"O Jesu!" said King Arthur, "I marvel for what cause ye, Sir Launcelot, -went out of your mind?"</p> - -<p>"My lord," said Sir Launcelot, "if I did any folly, I have found that I -sought."</p> - -<p>And so the king held him still, and spake no more; but all Sir -Launcelot's kin knew for whom he went out of his mind. And then there -were great feasts made and great joy, and many great lords and ladies, -when they heard that Sir Launcelot was come to the court again, made -great joy.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a id="BOOK_III" name="BOOK_III"></a>BOOK III</h2> -<p class="ph1">OF SIR GARETH OF ORKNEY</p> - - -<p>When Arthur held his Round Table most fully, it fortuned that he -commanded that the high feast of Pentecost should be holden at a city -and a castle, the which in those days was called King-Kenadon, upon -the sands that marched [<i>bordered</i>] nigh Wales. So ever the king had a -custom that at the feast of Pentecost, in especial afore other feasts -in the year, he would not go that day to meat until he had heard or -seen of a great marvel. And for that custom all manner of strange -adventures came before Arthur as at that feast before all other feasts. -And so Sir Gawaine, a little tofore noon of the day of Pentecost, -espied at a window three men upon horseback and a dwarf on foot. And so -the three men alighted, and the dwarf kept their horses, and one of the -three men was higher than the other twain by a foot and a half. Then -Sir Gawaine went unto the king and said, "Sir, go to your meat, for -here at hand come strange adventures."</p> - -<p>So Arthur went unto his meat with many other kings. And there were -all the knights of the Round Table, save those that were prisoners or -slain at a rencounter. Then at the high feast evermore they should -be fulfilled the whole number of an hundred and fifty, for then was -the Round Table fully accomplished. Right so came into the hall two -men well beseen and richly, and upon their shoulders there leaned the -goodliest young man and the fairest that ever they all saw, and he -was large and long, and broad in the shoulders, and well visaged, and -the fairest and the largest handed that ever man saw, but he fared as -though he might not go nor bear himself but if he leaned upon their -shoulders. Anon as Arthur saw him, there was made peace [<i>silence</i>] -and room, and right so they went with him unto the high dais, without -saying of any words. Then this big young man pulled him aback, and -easily stretched up straight, saying, "King Arthur, God you bless, and -all your fair fellowship, and in especial the fellowship of the Table -Round. And for this cause I am come hither, to pray you and require -you to give me three gifts, and they shall not be unreasonably asked, -but that ye may worshipfully and honorably grant them me, and to you -no great hurt nor loss. And as for the first gift I will ask now, and -the other two gifts I will ask this day twelvemonth wheresoever ye hold -your high feast."</p> - -<p>"Now ask," said Arthur, "and ye shall have your asking."</p> - -<p>"Now, sir, this is my petition for this feast, that ye will give me -meat and drink sufficiently for this twelvemonth, and at that day I -will ask mine other two gifts."</p> - -<p>"My fair son," said Arthur, "ask better, I counsel thee, for this is -but a simple asking, for my heart giveth me to thee greatly that thou -art come of men of worship, and greatly my conceit faileth me but thou -shalt prove a man of right great worship."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "thereof be as it may, I have asked that I will ask."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the king, "ye shall have meat and drink enough, I never -defended that none, neither my friend nor my foe. But what is thy name -I would wit?"</p> - -<p>"I cannot tell you," said he.</p> - -<p>"That is marvel," said the king, "that thou knowest not thy name, and -thou art the goodliest young man that ever I saw."</p> - -<p>Then the king betook him to Sir Kay, the steward, and charged him that -he should give him of all manner of meats and drinks of the best, and -also that he had all manner of finding as though he were a lord's son.</p> - -<p>"That shall little need," said Sir Kay, "to do such cost upon him; -for I dare undertake he is a villain born, and never will make man, -for and he had come of gentlemen he would have asked of you horse and -armor, but such as he is, so he asketh. And since he hath no name, I -shall give him a name: that shall be Beaumains, that is Fairhands, and -into the kitchen I shall bring him, and there he shall have fat browis -[<i>broth</i>] every day, that he shall be as fat by the twelvemonth's end -as a pork hog."</p> - -<p>Right so the two men departed, and left him to Sir Kay, that scorned -him and mocked him.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Thereat was Sir Gawaine wroth, and in especial Sir Launcelot bade Sir -Kay leave his mocking, "for I dare lay my head he shall prove a man of -great worship."</p> - -<p>"Let be," said Sir Kay, "it may not be, by no reason, for as he is, so -hath he asked."</p> - -<p>"Beware," said Sir Launcelot; "so ye gave the good knight Brewnor, Sir -Dinadan's brother, a name, and ye called him La Cote Mal Taile, and -that turned you to anger afterward."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Kay, "this shall never prove none such; for -Sir Brewnor desired ever worship, and this desireth bread and drink, -and broth; upon pain of my life he was fostered up in some abbey, and, -howsoever it was, they failed meat and drink, and so hither he is come -for his sustenance."</p> - -<p>And so Sir Kay bade get him a place and sit down to meat, so Beaumains -went to the hall door, and set him down among boys and lads, and there -he eat sadly. And then Sir Launcelot after meat bade him come to his -chamber, and there he should have meat and drink enough. And so did -Sir Gawaine, but he refused them all; he would do none other but as -Sir Kay commanded him, for no proffer. But as touching Sir Gawaine, he -had reason to proffer him lodging, meat, and drink, for that proffer -came of his blood, for he was nearer kin to him than he wist. But that -Sir Launcelot did was of his great gentleness and courtesy. So thus he -was put into the kitchen, and lay nightly as the boys of the kitchen -did. And so he endured all that twelvemonth, and never displeased -man nor child, but always he was meek and mild. But ever when he saw -any jousting of knights, that would he see and he might. And ever -Sir Launcelot would give him gold to spend, and clothes, and so did -Sir Gawaine. And where were any masteries done thereat would he be, -and there might none cast the bar or stone to him by two yards. Then -would Sir Kay say, "How like you my boy of the kitchen?" So it passed -on till the feast of Pentecost, and at that time the king held it at -Caerleon, in the most royallest wise that might be, like as yearly -he did. But the king would eat no meat on the Whitsunday till he had -heard of some adventure. And then came there a squire to the king, and -said, "Sir, ye may go to your meat, for here cometh a damsel with some -strange adventure." Then was the king glad, and set him down. Right so -there came in a damsel, and saluted the king, and prayed him for succor.</p> - -<p>"For whom?" said the king: "what is the adventure?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "I have a lady of great worship and renown, and she is -besieged with a tyrant, so that she may not go out of her castle, and -because that here in your court are called the noblest knights of the -world, I come unto you and pray you for succor."</p> - -<p>"What call ye your lady, and where dwelleth she, and who is he and what -is his name that hath besieged her?"</p> - -<p>"Sir king," said she, "as for my lady's name, that shall not be known -for me as at this time; but I let you wit she is a lady of great -worship, and of great lands. And as for the tyrant that besiegeth her -and destroyeth her land, he is called the Red Knight of the Red Lawns."</p> - -<p>"I know him not," said the king.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Gawaine, "I know him well, for he is one of the -perilous knights of the world; men say that he hath seven men's -strength, and from him I escaped once full hard with my life."</p> - -<p>"Fair damsel," said the king, "there be knights here that would do -their power to rescue your lady, but because ye will not tell her name -nor where she dwelleth, therefore none of my knights that be here now -shall go with you by my will."</p> - -<p>"Then must I speak further," said the damsel.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then with these words came before the king Beaumains, while the damsel -was there; and thus he said: "Sir king, God thank you, I have been this -twelve months in your kitchen, and have had my full sustenance, and now -I will ask my two gifts that be behind."</p> - -<p>"Ask upon my peril," said the king.</p> - -<p>"Sir, these shall be my two gifts: first, that ye will grant me to have -this adventure of the damsel, for it belongeth to me."</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt have it," said the king; "I grant it thee."</p> - -<p>"Then, sir, this is now the other gift: that ye shall bid Sir Launcelot -du Lake to make me a knight, for of him I will be made knight, and else -of none; and when I am passed, I pray you let him ride after me, and -make me knight when I require him."</p> - -<p>"All this shall be done," said the king.</p> - -<p>"Fie on thee," said the damsel; "shall I have none but one that is your -kitchen page?"</p> - -<p>Then was she wroth, and took her horse and departed. And with that -there came one to Beaumains, and told him that his horse and armor -was come for him, and there was a dwarf come with all things that him -needed in the richest manner. Thereat all the court had much marvel -from whence came all that gear. So when he was armed, there was none -but few so goodly a man as he was. And right so he came into the hall, -and took his leave of King Arthur and of Sir Gawaine, and of Sir -Launcelot, and prayed him that he would hie after him; and so departed -and rode after the damsel.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>But there went many after to behold how well he was horsed and trapped -in cloth of gold, but he had neither shield nor spear. Then Sir Kay -said openly in the hall: "I will ride after my boy of the kitchen, for -to wit [<i>know</i>] whether he will know me for his better."</p> - -<p>Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine said, "Yet abide at home."</p> - -<p>So Sir Kay made him ready, and took his horse and his spear, and rode -after him. And right as Beaumains overtook the damsel, right so came -Sir Kay, and said, "Beaumains, what sir, know ye not me?"</p> - -<p>Then he turned his horse, and knew it was Sir Kay, that had done him -all the despite as ye have heard afore.</p> - -<p>"Yea," said Beaumains, "I know you for an ungentle knight of the court, -and therefore beware of me."</p> - -<p>Therewith Sir Kay put his spear in the rest and ran straight upon him, -and Beaumains came as fast upon him with his sword in his hand; and so -he put away his spear with his sword, and with a foin [<i>feint</i>] thrust -him through the side, that Sir Kay fell down as he had been dead, and -he alighted down and took Sir Kay's shield and his spear, and started -upon his own horse, and rode his way. All that saw Sir Launcelot, and -so did the damsel. And then he bade his dwarf start upon Sir Kay's -horse, and so he did. By that Sir Launcelot was come. Then he proffered -Sir Launcelot to joust, and either made them ready, and came together -so fiercely that either bare down other to the earth, and sore were -they bruised. Then Sir Launcelot arose and helped him from his horse. -And then Beaumains threw his shield from him, and proffered to fight -with Sir Launcelot on foot, and so they rushed together like boars, -tracing, racing, and foining, to the mountenance [<i>amount</i>] of an hour, -and Sir Launcelot felt him so big that he marvelled of his strength, -for he fought more like a giant than a knight, and that his fighting -was durable and passing perilous. For Sir Launcelot had so much ado -with him that he dreaded himself to be shamed, and said, "Beaumains, -fight not so sore, your quarrel and mine is not so great but we may -leave off."</p> - -<p>"Truly, that is truth," said Beaumains, "but it doth me good to feel -your might, and yet, my lord, I showed not the uttermost."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Well," said Sir Launcelot, "for I promise you by the faith of my body -I had as much to do as I might to save myself from you unshamed, and -therefore have ye no doubt of none earthly knight."</p> - -<p>"Hope ye so that I may any while stand a proved knight?" said Beaumains.</p> - -<p>"Yea," said Launcelot, "do ye as ye have done, and I shall be your -warrant."</p> - -<p>"Then, I pray you," said Beaumains, "give me the order of knighthood."</p> - -<p>"Then must ye tell me your name," said Launcelot, "and of what kin ye -be born."</p> - -<p>"Sir, so that ye will not discover me I shall," said Beaumains.</p> - -<p>"Nay," said Sir Launcelot, "and that I promise you by the faith of my -body, until it be openly known."</p> - -<p>"Then, Sir," he said, "my name is Gareth, and brother unto Sir Gawaine, -of father and mother."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Sir," said Launcelot, "I am more gladder of you than I was, for -ever me thought ye should be of great blood, and that ye came not to -the court neither for meat nor for drink."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Launcelot gave him the order of knighthood. And then Sir -Gareth prayed him for to depart, and let him go. So Sir Launcelot -departed from him and came to Sir Kay, and made him to be borne home -upon his shield, and so he was healed hard with the life, and all men -scorned Sir Kay, and in especial Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot said it -was not his part to rebuke [any] young man, for full little knew he of -what birth he is come, and for what cause he came to this court. And so -we leave off Sir Kay and turn we unto Beaumains. When he had overtaken -the damsel anon she said, "What dost thou here? thou stinkest all of -the kitchen, thy clothes be foul of the grease and tallow that thou -gainedst in King Arthur's kitchen; weenest thou," said she, "that I -allow thee for yonder knight that thou killedst? Nay truly, for thou -slewest him unhappily and cowardly, therefore return again, kitchen -page. I know thee well, for Sir Kay named thee Beaumains. What art thou -but a turner of broaches and a washer of dishes!"</p> - -<p>"Damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "say to me what ye list, I will not go -from you whatsoever ye say, for I have undertaken of King Arthur for to -achieve your adventure, and I shall finish it to the end, or I shall -die therefor."</p> - -<p>"Fie on thee, kitchen knave. Wilt thou finish mine adventure? thou -shalt anon be met withal, that thou wouldest not, for all the broth -that ever thou suppest, once look him in the face."</p> - -<p>"I shall assay," said Beaumains. So as they thus rode in the wood, -there came a man flying all that he might.</p> - -<p>"Whither wilt thou?" said Beaumains.</p> - -<p>"O lord," said he, "help me, for hereby in a slade are six thieves -which have taken my lord and bound him, and I am afraid lest they will -slay him."</p> - -<p>"Bring me thither," said Sir Beaumains.</p> - -<p>And so they rode together till they came there as the knight was bound; -and then he rode unto the thieves, and struck one at the first stroke -to death, and then another, and at the third stroke he slew the third -thief; and then the other three fled, and he rode after and overtook -them, and then those three thieves turned again and hard assailed Sir -Beaumains; but at the last he slew them; and then returned and unbound -the knight. And the knight thanked him, and prayed him to ride with him -to his castle there a little beside, and he should worshipfully reward -him for his good deeds.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Beaumains, "I will no reward have; I was this day made -knight of the noble Sir Launcelot, and therefore I will have no reward, -but God reward me. And also I must follow this damsel."</p> - -<p>And when he came nigh her, she bade him ride from her, "for thou -smellest all of the kitchen. Weenest thou that I have joy of thee? for -all this deed that thou hast done is but mishappened thee. But thou -shalt see a sight that shall make thee to turn again, and that lightly."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[Then all the next day] this Beaumains rode with that lady till -even-song time, and ever she chid him and would not rest. And then they -came to a black lawn, and there was a black hawthorn, and thereon hung -a black banner, and on the other side there hung a black shield, and by -it stood a black spear and a long, and a great black horse covered with -silk, and a black stone fast by it.</p> - -<p>There sat a knight all armed in black harness, and his name was the -Knight of the Black Lawns. When the damsel saw the black knight, she -bade Sir Beaumains flee down the valley, for his horse was not saddled.</p> - -<p>"I thank you," said Sir Beaumains, "for always ye will have me a -coward."</p> - -<p>With that the black knight came to the damsel, and said, "Fair damsel, -have ye brought this knight from King Arthur's court to be your -champion?"</p> - -<p>"Nay, fair knight," said she, "this is but a kitchen knave, that hath -been fed in King Arthur's kitchen for alms."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore cometh he in such array?" said the knight: "it is great -shame that he beareth you company."</p> - -<p>"Sir, I cannot be delivered of him," said the damsel, "for with me he -rideth maugre [<i>in spite of</i>] mine head; would to God ye would put him -from me, or else to slay him if ye may, for he is an unhappy knave, and -unhappy hath he done to-day through misadventure; for I saw him slay -two knights at the passage of the water, and other deeds he did before -right marvellous, and all through unhappiness."</p> - -<p>"That marvelleth me," said the black knight, "that any man the which is -of worship will have to do with him."</p> - -<p>"Sir, they know him not," said the damsel, "and because he rideth with -me they think he is some man of worship born."</p> - -<p>"That may be," said the black knight, "howbeit, as ye say that he be -no man of worship, he is a full likely person, and full like to be a -strong man; but thus much shall I grant you," said the black knight, -"I shall put him down upon his feet, and his horse and his harness he -shall leave with me, for it were shame to me to do him any more harm."</p> - -<p>When Sir Beaumains heard him say thus, he said, "Sir knight, thou art -full liberal of my horse and my harness. I let thee wit it cost thee -nought, and whether it liketh thee or not this lawn will I pass, maugre -thine head, and horse nor harness gettest thou none of me, but if thou -win them with thy hands; and therefore let see what thou canst do."</p> - -<p>"Sayst thou that?" said the black knight, "now yield thy lady from -thee, for it beseemeth never a kitchen page to ride with such a lady."</p> - -<p>"Thou liest," said Beaumains, "I am a gentleman born, and of more high -lineage than thou, and that will I prove on thy body."</p> - -<p>Then in great wrath they departed with their horses, and came together -as it had been the thunder; and the black knight's spear brake, and -Beaumains thrust him through both his sides, and therewith his spear -brake, and the truncheon left still in his side. But nevertheless the -black knight drew his sword, and smote many eager strokes and of great -might, and hurt Beaumains full sore. But at the last the black knight -within an hour and a half he fell down off his horse in a swoon, and -there he died. And then Beaumains saw him so well horsed and armed, -then he alighted down, and armed him in his armor, and so took his -horse, and rode after the damsel. When she saw him come nigh, she -said, "Away, kitchen knave, out of the wind, for the smell of thy foul -clothes grieveth me. Alas," she said, "that ever such a knave as thou -art should by mishap slay so good a knight as thou hast done, but all -this is thine unhappiness. But hereby is one shall pay thee all thy -payment, and therefore yet I counsel thee, flee."</p> - -<p>"It may happen me," said Beaumains, "to be beaten or slain, but I warn -you, fair damsel, I will not flee away for him, nor leave your company -for all that ye can say; for ever ye say that they slay me or beat -me, but how soever it happeneth I escape, and they lie on the ground, -and therefore it were as good for you to hold you still, than thus to -rebuke me all day, for away will I not till I feel the uttermost of -this journey, or else I will be slain or truly beaten; therefore ride -on your way, for follow you I will, whatsoever happen."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Thus as they rode together they saw a knight come driving by them all -in green, both his horse and his harness, and when he came nigh the -damsel he asked of her, "Is that my brother, the black knight, that ye -have brought with you?"</p> - -<p>"Nay, nay," said she, "this unhappy kitchen knave hath slain your -brother through unhappiness."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said the green knight, "that is great pity that so noble a -knight as he was should so unhappily be slain, and namely of a knave's -hand, as ye say he is. Ah, traitor!" said the green knight, "thou shalt -die for slaying of my brother; he was a full noble knight, and his name -was Sir Periard."</p> - -<p>"I defy thee," said Sir Beaumains, "for I let thee to wit I slew him -knightly, and not shamefully."</p> - -<p>Therewithal the green knight rode unto an horn that was green, and it -hung upon a thorn, and there he blew three deadly notes, and there came -three damsels that lightly armed him. And then took he a great horse, -and a green shield and a green spear. And then they ran together with -all their mights, and brake their spears unto their hands. And then -they drew their swords, and gave many sad strokes, and either of them -wounded other full ill. And at the last at an overthwart Beaumains' -horse struck the green knight's horse upon the side [that] he fell -to the earth. And then the green knight avoided his horse lightly, -and dressed him upon foot. That saw Beaumains, and therewithal he -alighted, and they rushed together like two mighty champions a long -while, and sore they bled both. With that came the damsel and said, "My -lord the green knight, why for shame stand ye so long fighting with the -kitchen knave? Alas, it is shame that ever ye were made knight, to see -such a lad match such a knight as the weed overgrew the corn."</p> - -<p>Therewith the green knight was ashamed, and therewithal he gave a great -stroke of might, and clave his shield through. When Beaumains saw his -shield cloven asunder he was a little ashamed of that stroke, and of -her language; and then he gave him such a buffet upon the helm that he -fell on his knees; and so suddenly Beaumains pulled him upon the ground -grovelling. And then the green knight cried him mercy, and yielded him -unto Sir Beaumains, and prayed him to slay him not.</p> - -<p>"All is in vain," said Beaumains, "for thou shalt die, but if this -damsel that came with me pray me to save thy life."</p> - -<p>And therewithal he unlaced his helm, like as he would slay him.</p> - -<p>"Fie upon thee, false kitchen page, I will never pray thee to save his -life, for I never will be so much in thy danger."</p> - -<p>"Then shall he die," said Beaumains.</p> - -<p>"Not so hardy, thou foul knave," said the damsel, "that thou slay him."</p> - -<p>"Alas," said the green knight, "suffer me not to die, for a fair word -may save my life. O fair knight," said the green knight, "save my life, -and I will forgive the death of my brother, and for ever to become thy -man, and thirty knights that hold of me for ever shall do you service."</p> - -<p>Said the damsel, "That such a kitchen knave should have thee and thirty -knights' service!"</p> - -<p>"Sir knight," said Sir Beaumains, "all this availeth not, but if my -damsel speak with me for thy life."</p> - -<p>And therewithal he made resemblance to slay him.</p> - -<p>"Let be," said the damsel, "thou knave, slay him not, for if thou do, -thou shalt repent it."</p> - -<p>"Damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "your charge is to me a pleasure, and at -your commandment his life shall be saved, and else not."</p> - -<p>Then he said, "Sir knight with the green arms, I release thee quit -[<i>acquitted</i>] at this damsel's request, for I will not make her wroth, -I will fulfil all that she chargeth me."</p> - -<p>And then the green knight kneeled down and did him homage with his -sword.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And always the damsel rebuked Sir Beaumains. And so that night they -went unto rest, and all that night the green knight commanded thirty -knights privily to watch Beaumains, for to keep him from all treason. -And so on the morn they all arose, and heard their mass and brake their -fast, and then they took their horses and rode on their way, and the -green knight conveyed them through the forest, and there the green -knight said, "My lord Beaumains, I and these thirty knights shall be -alway at your summons, both early and late, at your calling, and where -that ever ye will send us."</p> - -<p>"It is well said," said Beaumains; "when that I call upon you ye must -yield you unto King Arthur and all your knights."</p> - -<p>"If that ye so command us, we shall be ready at all times," said the -green knight.</p> - -<p>"Fie, fie upon thee," said the damsel, "that any good knights should be -obedient unto a kitchen knave."</p> - -<p>So then departed the green knight and the damsel. And then she said -unto Beaumains, "Why followest thou me, thou kitchen boy, cast away thy -shield and thy spear and flee away, yet I counsel thee betimes, or thou -shalt say right soon, Alas!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "ye are uncourteous so to rebuke me -as ye do, for meseemeth I have done you great service, and ever ye -threaten me for I shall be beaten with knights that we meet, but ever -for all your boast they lie in the dust or in the mire, and therefore -I pray you rebuke me no more; and when ye see me beaten or yielden as -recreant, then may ye bid me go from you shamefully, but first I let -you wit I will not depart from you, for I were worse than a fool and I -would depart from you all the while that I win worship."</p> - -<p>"Well," said she, "right soon there shall meet a knight shall pay thee -all thy wages, for he is the most man of worship of the world, except -King Arthur."</p> - -<p>"I will well," said Beaumains; "the more he is of worship the more -shall be my worship to have ado with him."</p> - -<p>Then anon they were ware where was before them a city rich and fair. -And betwixt them and the city a mile and a half there was a fair meadow -that seemed new mown, and therein were many pavilions fair to behold.</p> - -<p>"Lo," said the damsel, "yonder is a lord that owneth yonder city, and -his custom is when the weather is fair to lie in this meadow to joust -and tourney; and ever there be about him five hundred knights and -gentlemen of arms, and there be all manner of games that any gentleman -can devise."</p> - -<p>"That goodly lord," said Beaumains, "would I fain see."</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt see him time enough," said the damsel.</p> - -<p>And so as she rode near she espied the pavilion where he was.</p> - -<p>"Lo," said she, "seest thou yonder pavilion, that is all of the color -of Inde, and all manner of thing that there is about, men and women, -and horses trapped, shields and spears, all of the color of Inde, and -his name is Sir Persant of Inde, the most lordliest knight that ever -thou lookedst on."</p> - -<p>"It may well be," said Beaumains, "but be he never so stout a knight, -in this field I shall abide till that I see him under his shield."</p> - -<p>"Ah, fool," said she, "thou wert better flee betimes."</p> - -<p>"Why," said Beaumains, "and he be such a knight as ye make him, he will -not set upon me with all his men, or with his five hundred knights. For -and there come no more but one at once, I shall him not fail whilst my -life lasteth."</p> - -<p>"Fie, fie," said the damsel, "that ever such a dirty knave should blow -such a boast."</p> - -<p>"Damsel," he said, "ye are to blame so to rebuke me, for I had liever -do five battles than so to be rebuked; let him come, and then let him -do his worst."</p> - -<p>"Sir," she said, "I marvel what thou art, and of what kin thou art -come: boldly thou speakest, and boldly thou hast done, that have I -seen: therefore I pray thee save thyself and thou mayest, for thy horse -and thou have had great travail, and I dread we dwell over long from -the siege, for it is but hence seven mile, and all perilous passages we -are past, save all only this passage, and here I dread me sore lest ye -shall catch some hurt, therefore I would ye were hence, that ye were -not bruised nor hurt with this strong knight. But I let you wit this -Sir Persant of Inde is nothing of might nor strength unto the knight -that laid the siege about my lady."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Beaumains, "be it as it may; for since I am -come so nigh this knight I will prove his might or [<i>ere</i>] I depart -from him, and else I shall be shamed and [<i>if</i>] I now withdraw me -from him. And therefore, damsel, have ye no doubt by the grace of God -I shall so deal with this knight, that within two hours after noon I -shall deliver him, and then shall we come to the siege by daylight."</p> - -<p>"Oh, mercy, marvel have I," said the damsel, "what manner a man ye be, -for it may never be otherwise but that ye be come of a noble blood, for -so foul and shamefully did never woman rule a knight as I have done -you, and ever courteously ye have suffered me, and that came never but -of a gentle blood."</p> - -<p>"Damsel," said Beaumains, "a knight may little do that may not -suffer a damsel; for whatsoever ye said unto me I took none heed to -your words, for the more ye said the more ye angered me, and my wrath -I wreaked upon them that I had ado withal. And therefore all the -missaying that ye missayed me furthered me in my battle, and caused -me to think to show and prove myself at the end what I was; for -peradventure though I had meat in King Arthur's kitchen, yet I might -have had meat enough in other places; but all that I did for to prove -my friends; and whether I be a gentleman born or no, fair damsel, I -have done you gentleman's service, and peradventure better service yet -will I do you or [<i>before</i>] I depart from you."</p> - -<p>"Alas," said she, "fair Beaumains, forgive me all that I have missaid -and misdone against you."</p> - -<p>"With all my heart," said Sir Beaumains, "I forgive it you, for ye did -nothing but as ye ought to do, for all your evil words pleased me; and, -damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "sith [<i>since</i>] it liketh you to speak -thus fair to me, wit ye well it gladdeth greatly mine heart; and now -meseemeth there is no knight living but I am able enough for him."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>With this Sir Persant of Inde had espied them, as they hoved -[<i>hovered</i>] in the field, and knightly he sent to them to know whether -he came in war or in peace.</p> - -<p>"Say unto thy lord," said Sir Beaumains, "I take no force,<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> but -whether as him list<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> himself."</p> - -<p>So the messenger went again unto Sir Persant, and told him all his -answer.</p> - -<p>"Well," said he, "then will I have ado with him to the uttermost;" and -so he purveyed him [<i>prepared himself</i>], and rode against him. And when -Sir Beaumains saw him, he made him ready, and there they met with all -the might that their horses might run, and brake their spears either -in three pieces, and their horses rashed so together that both their -horses fell dead to the earth; and lightly they avoided their horses, -and put their shields before them, and drew their swords, and gave each -other many great strokes, that sometime they so hurled together that -they fell both grovelling on the ground. Thus they fought two hours and -more, that their shields and their hauberks were all forhewen [<i>hewn to -pieces</i>] and in many places they were sore wounded. So at the last Sir -Beaumains smote him through the cost [<i>rib part</i>] of the body, and then -he retrayed him [<i>drew back</i>] here and there, and knightly maintained -his battle long time. And at the last Sir Beaumains smote Sir Persant -on the helm that he fell grovelling to the earth, and then he leaped -overthwart [<i>across</i>] upon him, and unlaced his helm for to have slain -him. Then Sir Persant yielded him, and asked him mercy. With that came -the damsel and prayed him to save his life.</p> - -<p>"I will well," said Sir Beaumains, "for it were pity that this noble -knight should die."</p> - -<p>"Gramercy," said Sir Persant, "gentle knight and damsel, for certainly -now I know well it was you that slew the black knight my brother at the -blackthorn; he was a full noble knight, his name was Sir Periard. Also -I am sure that ye are he that won mine other brother the green knight: -his name was Sir Pertolope. Also ye won the red knight, my brother, Sir -Perimones. And now, sir, sith ye have won these knights, this shall I -do for to please you: ye shall have homage and fealty of me, and an -hundred knights to be always at your command, to go and ride where ye -will command us."</p> - -<p>And so they went unto Sir Persant's pavilion, and there he drank wine -and eat spices. And afterward Sir Persant made him to rest upon a bed -till it was supper time, and after supper to bed again. And so we leave -him there till on the morrow.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now leave we the knight and the dwarf, and speak we of Beaumains, that -all night lay in the hermitage, and upon the morn he and the damsel -Linet heard their mass, and brake their fast. And then they took their -horses and rode throughout a fair forest, and then they came to a -plain, and saw where were many pavilions and tents, and a fair castle, -and there was much smoke and great noise. And when they came near the -siege Sir Beaumains espied upon great trees, as he rode, how there hung -full goodly armed knights by the neck, and their shields about their -necks with their swords, and gilt spurs upon their heels, and so there -hung shamefully nigh forty knights with rich arms. Then Sir Beaumains -abated his countenance, and said, "What thing meaneth this?"</p> - -<p>"Fair sir," saith the damsel, "abate not your cheer for all this sight, -for ye must encourage yourself, or else ye be all shent [<i>ruined</i>], for -all these knights came hither unto this siege to rescue my sister dame -Lyoness, and when the red knight of the red lawns had overcome them, -he put them to this shameful death, without mercy and pity, and in the -same wise he will serve you, but if ye quit [<i>acquit</i>] you the better."</p> - -<p>"Now Jesu defend me," said Sir Beaumains, "from such a villanous death -and shenship [<i>disgrace</i>] of arms! for rather than thus I should fare -withal, I would rather be slain manfully in plain battle."</p> - -<p>"So were ye better," said the damsel, "trust not in him, for in him -is no courtesy, but all goeth to the death or shameful murder, and -that is great pity, for he is a full likely man and well made of body, -and a full noble knight of prowess, and a lord of great lands and -possessions."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Beaumains, "he may well be a good knight, but he -useth shameful customs, and it is great marvel that he endureth so -long, that none of the noble knights of my lord King Arthur's court -have not dealt with him."</p> - -<p>And then they rode unto the ditches, and saw them double ditched with -full strong walls, and there were lodged many great estates and lords -nigh the walls, and there was great noise of minstrels, and the sea -beat upon the one side of the walls, where as were many ships and -mariners' noise with hale and how.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> And also there was fast by a -sycamore tree, and thereon hung an horn, the greatest that ever they -saw, of an elephant's bone.</p> - -<p>"And this knight of the red lawns hath hanged it up there, that if -there come any errant knight, he must blow that horn, and then will -he make him ready, and come to him to do battle. But sir, I pray you," -said the damsel Linet, "blow ye not the horn till it be high noon, for -now it is about prime, and now increaseth his might, that, as men say, -he hath seven men's strength."</p> - -<p>"Ah, fie for shame, fair damsel, say ye never so more to me, for, and -he were as good a knight as ever was, I shall never fail him in his -most might, for either I will win worship worshipfully, or die knightly -in the field."</p> - -<p>And therewith he spurred his horse straight to the sycamore tree -and blew the horn so eagerly that all the siege and the castle rang -thereof. And then there leaped our knights out of their tents and -pavilions, and they within the castle looked over the walls and out at -windows. Then the red knight of the red lawns armed him hastily, and -two barons set on his spurs upon his heels, and all was blood-red, his -armor, spear, and shield. And an earl buckled his helm upon his head, -and then they brought him a red spear and a red steed, and so he rode -into a little vale under the castle, that all that were in the castle -and at the siege might behold the battle.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Sir," said the damsel Linet unto Sir Beaumains, "look ye be glad and -light, for yonder is your deadly enemy, and at yonder window is my lady -my sister, dame Lyoness."</p> - -<p>"Where?" said Beaumains.</p> - -<p>"Yonder," said the damsel, and pointed with her finger.</p> - -<p>"That is truth," said Beaumains. "She seemeth afar the fairest lady -that ever I looked upon, and truly," he said, "I ask no better quarrel -than now for to do battle, for truly she shall be my lady, and for her -I will fight."</p> - -<p>And ever he looked up to the window with glad countenance. And the lady -Lyoness made courtesy to him down to the earth, with holding up both -her hands. With that the red knight of the red lawns called to Sir -Beaumains, "Leave, sir knight, thy looking, and behold me, I counsel -thee, for I warn thee well she is my lady, and for her I have done many -strong battles."</p> - -<p>"If thou have so done," said Beaumains, "meseemeth it was but waste -labor, for she loveth none of thy fellowship, and thou to love that -loveth not thee, is a great folly. For if I understood that she were -not glad of my coming, I would be advised or I did battle for her, -but I understand by the besieging of this castle she may forbear thy -company. And therefore wit thou well, thou red knight of the red lawns, -I love her and will rescue her, or else die in the quarrel."</p> - -<p>"Sayest thou that?" said the red knight; "me seemeth thou ought of -reason to beware by yonder knights that thou sawest hang upon yonder -great elms."</p> - -<p>"Fie, fie, for shame," said Sir Beaumains, "that ever thou shouldest -say or do so evil and such shamefulness, for in that thou shamest -thyself and the order of knighthood, and thou mayst be sure there will -no lady love thee that knoweth thy detestable customs. And now thou -weenest [<i>thinkest</i>] that the sight of these hanged knights should fear -[<i>scare</i>] me and make me aghast, nay truly not so, that shameful sight -causeth me to have courage and hardiness against thee, more than I -would have had against thee and if thou be a well ruled knight."</p> - -<p>"Make thee ready," said the red knight of the red lawns, "and talk no -longer with me."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Beaumains bade the damsel go from him, and then they put their -spears in their rests, and came together with all the might they had, -and either smote other in the midst of their shields, that the paytrels -[<i>breast-plates</i>], surcingles, and cruppers burst, and fell both to -the ground with the reins of their bridles in their hands, and so they -lay a great while sore astonied, and all they that were in the castle -and at the siege wend [<i>thought</i>] their necks had been broken, and -then many a stranger and other said that the strange knight was a big -man and a noble jouster, "for or [<i>ere</i>] now we saw never no knight -match the red knight of the red lawns;" thus they said both within the -castle and without. Then they lightly avoided their horses and put -their shields afore them, and drew their swords and ran together like -two fierce lions, and either gave other such buffets upon their helms -that they reeled both backward two strides; and then they recovered -both, and hewed great pieces from their harness and their shields that -a great part fell in the fields.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And then thus they fought till it was past noon and never would stint -till at last they lacked wind both, and then they stood wagging and -scattering, panting, blowing and bleeding, that all that beheld them -for the most part wept for pity. So when they had rested them a while -they went to battle again, tracing, racing, foining [<i>feinting</i>], as -two boars. And at some time they took their run as it had been two -rams, and hurtled together that sometimes they fell grovelling to the -earth; and at some time they were so amazed that either took other's -sword instead of his own.</p> - -<p>Thus they endured till even-song time [<i>vespers</i>], that there was -none that beheld them might know whether was like to win the battle; -and their armor was so far hewn that men might see their naked sides, -and in other places they were naked, but ever the naked places they -did defend. And the red knight was a wily knight of war, and his wily -fighting taught Sir Beaumains to be wise; but he abought [<i>paid for</i>] -it full sore ere he did espy his fighting. And thus by assent of them -both, they granted either other to rest; and so they set them down upon -two mole-hills there beside the fighting place, and either of them -unlaced his helm, and took the cold wind, for either of their pages was -fast by them, to come when they called to unlace their harness and to -set it on again at their command. And then when Sir Beaumains' helm was -off, he looked up unto the window, and there he saw the fair lady dame -Lyoness. And she made to him such countenance that his heart was light -and joyful. And therewith he started up suddenly, and bade the red -knight make him ready to do the battle to the uttermost.</p> - -<p>"I will well," said the red knight.</p> - -<p>And then they laced up their helms, and their pages avoided [<i>got out -of the way</i>], and they stepped together and fought freshly. But the red -knight of the red lawns awaited him, and at an overthwart [<i>crosswise</i>] -smote him within the hand, that his sword fell out of his hand; and -yet he gave him another buffet on the helm that he fell grovelling to -the earth, and the red knight fell over him for to hold him down.</p> - -<p>Then cried the maiden Linet on high, "O Sir Beaumains, where is thy -courage become! Alas, my lady my sister beholdeth thee, and she sobbeth -and weepeth, that maketh mine heart heavy."</p> - -<p>When Sir Beaumains heard her say so, he started up with a great might -and gat him upon his feet, and lightly he leaped to his sword and -griped it in his hand, and doubled his pace unto the red knight, and -there they fought a new battle together. But Sir Beaumains then doubled -his strokes, and smote so thick that he smote the sword out of his -hand, and then he smote him upon the helm that he fell to the earth, -and Sir Beaumains fell upon him, and unlaced his helm to have slain -him; and then he yielded him and asked mercy, and said with a loud -voice, "O noble knight, I yield me to thy mercy."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Beaumains bethought him upon the knights that he had made to -be hanged shamefully, and then he said, "I may not with my worship -save thy life, for the shameful deaths thou hast caused many full good -knights to die."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the red knight of the red lawns, "hold your hand, and ye -shall know the causes why I put them to so shameful a death."</p> - -<p>"Say on," said Sir Beaumains.</p> - -<p>"Sir, I loved once a lady, a fair damsel, and she had her brother -slain, and she said it was Sir Launcelot du Lake, or else Sir Gawaine, -and she prayed me as that I loved her heartily that I would make her a -promise by the faith of my knighthood for to labor daily in arms until -I met with one of them, and all that I might overcome I should put -them unto a villanous death; and this is the cause that I have put all -these knights to death, and so I ensured her to do all the villany unto -King Arthur's knights, and that I should take vengeance upon all these -knights. And, sir, now I will thee tell that every day my strength -increaseth till noon, and all this time have I seven men's strength."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then came there many earls, and barons, and noble knights, and prayed -that knight to save his life, and take him to your prisoner: and all -they fell upon their knees and prayed him of mercy, and that he would -save his life, and, "Sir," they all said, "it were fairer of him to -take homage and fealty, and let him hold his lands of you, than for to -slay him: by his death ye shall have none advantage, and his misdeeds -that be done may not be undone; and therefore he shall make amends to -all parties, and we all will become your men, and do you homage and -fealty."</p> - -<p>"Fair lords," said Beaumains, "wit you well I am full loth to slay -this knight, nevertheless he hath done passing ill and shamefully. But -insomuch all that he did was at a lady's request, I blame him the less, -and so for your sake I will release him, that he shall have his life -upon this covenant, that he go within the castle and yield him there to -the lady, and if she will forgive and quit [<i>acquit</i>] him, I will well; -with this that he make her amends of all the trespass he hath done -against her and her lands. And also, when that is done, that ye go unto -the court of King Arthur, and there that ye ask Sir Launcelot mercy, -and Sir Gawaine, for the evil will ye have had against them."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the red knight of the red lawns, "all this will I do as ye -command, and certain assurance and sureties ye shall have."</p> - -<p>And so then when the assurance was made, he made his homage and fealty, -and all those earls and barons with him. And then the maiden Linet came -to Sir Beaumains and unarmed him, and searched his wounds, and stinted -his blood, and in likewise she did to the red knight of the red lawns. -And so they sojourned ten days in their tents. And the red knight made -his lords and servants to do all the pleasure that they might unto Sir -Beaumains.</p> - -<p>And within a while after, the red knight of the red lawns went unto the -castle and put him in the lady Lyoness' grace, and so she received him -upon sufficient sureties, and all her hurts were well restored of all -that she could complain. And then he departed and went unto the court -of King Arthur, and there openly the red knight of the red lawns put -him in the mercy of Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine, and there he told -openly how he was overcome, and by whom, and also he told of all the -battles, from the beginning to the ending.</p> - -<p>"Jesus, mercy," said King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, "we marvel much of -what blood he is come, for he is a full noble knight."</p> - -<p>"Have ye no marvel," said Sir Launcelot, "for ye shall right well -wit that he is come of a full noble blood, and, as for his might and -hardiness, there be but few now living that is so mighty as he is and -so noble of prowess."</p> - -<p>"It seemeth by you," said King Arthur, "that ye know his name, and from -whence he is come, and of what blood he is."</p> - -<p>"I suppose I do so," said Sir Launcelot, "or else I would not have -given him the order of knighthood; but he gave me at that time such -charge that I should never discover him until he required me, or else -it be known openly by some other."</p> - -<p>Now return we unto Sir Beaumains, which desired of the damsel Linet -that he might see her sister his lady.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "I would fain ye saw her."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Beaumains armed him at all points, and took his horse and his -spear, and rode straight to the castle. And when he came to the gate, -he found there many men armed, that pulled up the drawbridge and drew -the port close. Then marvelled he why they would not suffer him to -enter in. And then he looked up to the window, and there he saw the -fair lady dame Lyoness, that said on high: "Go thy way, Sir Beaumains, -for as yet thou shalt not wholly have my love, until the time thou be -called one of the number of the worthy knights; and therefore go and -labor in arms worshipfully these twelve months, and then ye shall hear -new tidings; and perdé [<i>per dieu, truly</i>] a twelvemonth will be soon -gone, and trust you me, fair knight, I shall be true unto you, and -shall never betray you, but unto my death I shall love you and none -other."</p> - -<p>And therewithal she turned her from the window. And Sir Beaumains rode -away from the castle in making great moan and sorrow; and so he rode -here and there, and wist not whither he rode, till it was dark night; -and then it happened him to come to a poor man's house, and there he -was harbored all that night. But Sir Beaumains could have no rest, but -wallowed and writhed for the love of the lady of the castle. And so on -the morrow he took his horse and his armor, and rode till it was noon; -and then he came unto a broad water, and thereby was a great lodge, -and there he alighted to sleep, and laid his head upon his shield, and -betook his horse to the dwarf, and commanded him to watch all night.</p> - -<p>Now turn we to the lady of the castle, that thought much upon Sir -Beaumains; and then she called unto her Sir Gringamor her brother, and -prayed him in all manner, as he loved her heartily, that he would ride -after Sir Beaumains, "and ever have him in a wait [<i>look after him</i>] -till that ye may find him sleeping, for I am sure in his heaviness he -will alight down in some place and lie down to sleep, and therefore -have your watch upon him, and, in the priviest wise [<i>softest way</i>] -that ye can, take his dwarf from him, and go your way with him as fast -as ever ye may or Sir Beaumains awake; for my sister Linet hath showed -me that the dwarf can tell of what kindred he is come, and what his -right name is; and in the meanwhile I and my sister will ride to your -castle to await when ye shall bring with you this dwarf, and then when -ye have brought him to your castle, I will have him in examination -myself; unto the time I know what his right name is, and of what -kindred he is come, shall I never be merry at my heart."</p> - -<p>"Sister," said Sir Gringamor, "all this shall be done after your -intent." And so he rode all the other day and the night till that he -found Sir Beaumains lying by a water, and his head upon his shield, -for to sleep. And then when he saw Sir Beaumains fast on sleep, he -came stilly stalking behind the dwarf, and plucked him fast under his -arm, and so he rode away with him as fast as ever he might unto his -own castle. But ever as he rode with the dwarf towards his castle, he -cried unto his lord and prayed him of help. And therewith awoke Sir -Beaumains, and up he leaped lightly, and saw where Sir Gringamor rode -his way with the dwarf, and so Sir Gringamor rode out of his sight.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then Sir Beaumains put on his helm anon, and buckled his shield, and -took his horse and rode after him all that ever he might ride, through -marshes and fields and great dales, that many times his horse and he -plunged over the head in deep mires, for he knew not the way, but he -took the next [<i>nearest</i>] way in that woodness [<i>madness</i>] that many -times he was like to perish. [And so he came following his dwarf to Sir -Gringamor's castle. But aforetime the lady Lyoness had come and had -the dwarf in examination; and the dwarf had told the lady how that Sir -Beaumains was the son of a king, and how his mother was sister to King -Arthur, and how his right name was Sir Gareth of Orkney.]</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <a name="illus4" id="illus4"></a> - <img src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>The lady Lyoness ... had the dwarf in examination</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>And as they sat thus talking, there came Sir Beaumains at the gate -with an angry countenance, and his sword drawn in his hand, and cried -aloud that all the castle might hear it, saying, "Thou traitor, Sir -Gringamor, deliver me my dwarf again, or by the faith that I owe to the -order of knighthood, I shall do thee all the harm that I can."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Gringamor looked out at a window, and said, "Sir Gareth of -Orkney, leave thy boasting words, for thou gettest not thy dwarf again."</p> - -<p>"Thou coward knight," said Sir Gareth, "bring him with thee, and come -and do battle with me, and win him, and take him."</p> - -<p>"So will I do," said Sir Gringamor, "and me list [<i>if it please me</i>], -but for all thy great words thou gettest him not."</p> - -<p>"Ah, fair brother," said dame Lyoness, "I would he had his dwarf again, -for I would not he were wroth, for now he hath told me all my desire -I will no longer keep the dwarf. And also, brother, he hath done much -for me, and delivered me from the red knight of the red lawns, and -therefore, brother, I owe him my service afore all knights living; and -wit ye well I love him above all other knights, and full fain would I -speak with him, but in no wise I would he wist what I were, but that I -were another strange lady."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Sir Gringamor, "sith [<i>since</i>] that I know your will, I -will now obey unto him."</p> - -<p>And therewithal he went down unto Sir Gareth, and said, "Sir, I cry you -mercy, and all that I have misdone against your person I will amend it -at your own will, and therefore I pray you that you will alight, and -take such cheer as I can make you here in this castle."</p> - -<p>"Shall I then have my dwarf again?" said Sir Gareth.</p> - -<p>"Yea, sir, and all the pleasure that I can make you, for as soon as -your dwarf told me what ye were and of what blood that ye are come, -and what noble deeds ye have done in these marches [<i>borders</i>], then I -repent me of my deeds."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Gareth alighted down from his horse, and therewith came -his dwarf and took his horse.</p> - -<p>"O my fellow," said Sir Gareth, "I have had many evil adventures for -thy sake."</p> - -<p>And so Sir Gringamor took him by the hand, and led him into the hall, -and there was Sir Gringamor's wife.</p> - -<p>And then there came forth into the hall dame Lyoness arrayed like a -princess, and there she made him passing good cheer, and he her again. -And they had goodly language and lovely countenance together. And Sir -Gareth many times thought in himself, "Would to God that the lady of -the Castle Perilous were so fair as she is!" There were all manner of -games and plays, both of dancing and leaping; and ever the more Sir -Gareth beheld the lady, the more he loved her, and so he burned in love -that he was past himself in his understanding. And forth towards night -they went to supper, and Sir Gareth might not eat, for his love was -so hot that he wist not where he was. All these looks Sir Gringamor -espied, and after supper he called his sister dame Lyoness unto a -chamber, and said: "Fair sister, I have well espied your countenance -between you and this knight, and I will, sister, that ye wit that he is -a full noble knight, and if ye can make him to abide here, I will do to -him all the pleasure that I can, for and ye were better than ye be, ye -were well bestowed upon him."</p> - -<p>"Fair brother," said dame Lyoness, "I understand well that the knight -is good, and come he is of a noble house; notwithstanding I will assay -him better, for he hath had great labor for my love, and hath passed -many a dangerous passage."</p> - -<p>Right so Sir Gringamor went unto Sir Gareth, and said: "Sir, make ye -good cheer; for wist [know] ye well that she loveth you as well as ye -do her, and better if better may be."</p> - -<p>"And I wist that," said Sir Gareth, "there lived not a gladder man than -I would be."</p> - -<p>"Upon my worship," said Sir Gringamor, "trust unto my promise; and as -long as it liketh you ye shall sojourn with me, and this lady shall be -with us daily and nightly to make you all the cheer that she can."</p> - -<p>"I will well," said Sir Gareth, "for I have promised to be nigh this -country this twelvemonth. And well I am sure King Arthur and other -noble knights will find me where that I am within this twelvemonth. For -I shall be sought and found, if that I be on live."</p> - -<p>And then the noble knight Sir Gareth went unto the dame Lyoness, which -he then much loved, and kissed her many times, and either made great -joy of other. And there she promised him her love, certainly to love -him and none other the days of her life. Then this lady, dame Lyoness, -by the assent of her brother, told Sir Gareth all the truth what she -was, and how she was the same lady that he did battle for, and how she -was lady of the Castle Perilous. And there she told him how she caused -her brother to take away his dwarf, "For this cause, to know the -certainty what was your name, and of what kin ye were come."</p> - -<p>And then she let fetch before him Linet the damsel, which had ridden -with him many dreary ways. Then was Sir Gareth more gladder than he was -tofore. And then they troth plight<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> each other to love, and never to -fail while their life lasted.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a id="BOOK_IV" name="BOOK_IV"></a>BOOK IV</h2> -<p class="ph1">OF SIR TRISTRAM</p> - - -<p>There was a knight that hight Meliodas, and he was lord and king of the -country of Lyonesse, and this King Meliodas was as likely a man as any -was at that time living. And by fortune he wedded King Mark's sister of -Cornwall, whose name was Elizabeth, and she was a right fair lady and a -good.</p> - -<p>[And it befell on a day that a certain enchantress wrought as he rode -on hunting, for he was a great hunter, and made him chase an hart by -himself till that he came to an old castle, and there she took him -prisoner. Now when Queen Elizabeth missed her husband King Meliodas, -she was nigh out of her wit; and she took a gentlewoman with her and -ran far into the forest and took such cold that she might not recover. -And when she saw] that the deep draughts of death took her, that needs -she must die and depart out of this world [and] there was none other -boot [<i>aid, or hope</i>], she made great moan and sorrow, and said unto -her gentlewoman: "When ye see my lord King Meliodas, recommend me unto -him, and tell him what pains I endure for his love, and how I must die -here for his sake, and for default of good help, and let him wit that -I am full sorry to depart out of this world from him, therefore pray -him to be good friend unto my soul. And I charge thee, gentlewoman, -that thou beseech my lord King Meliodas, that when my son shall -be christened let him be named Tristram, that is as much to say as -sorrowful birth."</p> - -<p>And therewithal this Queen Elizabeth gave up her ghost, and died in the -same place. Then the gentlewoman laid her under the shadow of a great -tree.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[And it so happened that after seven years King Meliodas took him a -second wife, and wedded King Howell's daughter of Brittany. And the new -queen was jealous of young Tristram in the behalf of her own children, -and put poison for Tristram to drink. But by strange hap her own son -drank the poison and died. Then again she put poison in some drink for -Tristram; and] by fortune the King Meliodas her husband found the piece -[<i>cup</i>] with the wine whereas the poison was in, and he, that was most -thirsty, took the piece for to drink thereof, and as he would have -drunken thereof the queen espied him, and then she ran unto him and -pulled the piece from him suddenly. The king marvelled why she did so, -and remembered him how her son was suddenly slain with poison. And then -he took her by the hand, and thus said to her: "Thou false traitress, -thou shalt tell me what manner of drink this is, or else I shall slay -thee." And therewith he pulled out his sword, and swore a great oath -that he would slay her but if she told him truth.</p> - -<p>"Ah! mercy, my lord," said she, "and I shall tell you all."</p> - -<p>And then she told him why that she would have slain Tristram, because -her children should rejoice the land.</p> - -<p>"Well," said King Meliodas, "therefore shall ye have the law."</p> - -<p>And so she was damned [<i>condemned</i>] by the assent of the barons to be -burnt; and then there was made a great fire, and right as she was at -the fire for to take her execution, young Tristram kneeled down before -King Meliodas, his father, and besought him to give him a boon.</p> - -<p>"I will well," said the king.</p> - -<p>Then said young Tristram, "Give me the life of your queen, my -stepmother."</p> - -<p>"That is unrightfully asked," said his father, King Meliodas, "for she -would have slain thee with that poison and she might have had her will, -and for thy sake most is my cause that she should die."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Tristram, "as for that I beseech you of your mercy that ye -will forgive it her, and as for my part, God forgive it her, and I do, -and so much it liketh your highness to grant me my boon, for God's love -I pray you hold your promise."</p> - -<p>"Sith it is so," said the king, "I will that ye have her life and give -her to you, and go ye to the fire and take her, and do with her what ye -will."</p> - -<p>So young Tristram went to the fire, and, by the command of the king, -delivered her from the death.</p> - -<p>And by the good means of young Tristram he made the king and her accord.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And then [King Meliodas] let ordain a gentleman that was well learned -and taught; his name was Gouvernail; and he sent young Tristram with -Gouvernail into France, to learn the language, and nurture, and deeds -of arms. And there was Tristram more than seven years. And then when -he well could speak the language, and had learned all that he might -learn in that country, then he came home to his father King Meliodas -again. And so Tristram learned to be an harper passing all other, -that there was none such called in no country, and so in harping and -on instruments of music he applied him in his youth for to learn. And -after as he grew in might and strength he laboured ever in hunting and -in hawking, so that never gentleman more, that ever we heard tell of.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then it befell that King Anguish of Ireland sent to King Mark of -Cornwall for his truage [<i>tribute</i>], which Cornwall had paid many -winters afore time, and all that time King Mark was behind of the -truage for seven years. And King Mark and his barons gave unto the -messenger of Ireland this answer, and said that they would none pay, -and bade the messenger go unto his King Anguish and tell him, "that we -will pay him no truage; but tell your lord, and he will always have -truage of us of Cornwall, bid him send a trusty knight of his land -that will fight for his right, and we shall find another to defend our -right." With this answer the messenger departed into Ireland. And when -King Anguish understood the answer of the messenger, he was wondrous -wroth; and then he called unto him Sir Marhaus the good knight that was -nobly proved, and a knight of the Round Table. And this Sir Marhaus was -brother unto the Queen of Ireland. Then the king [prayed Sir Marhaus -that he would go and fight for his truage of Cornwall].</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Marhaus, "wit [<i>know</i>] ye well that I shall not be loth -to do battle in the right of you and your land with the best knight of -the Round Table, for I know what their deeds be, and for to increase my -worship [<i>worth-ship</i>] I will right gladly go to this journey for our -right."</p> - -<p>So in all haste there was made purveyance for Sir Marhaus, and so he -departed out of Ireland, and arrived up in Cornwall, even fast by the -castle of Tintagil. And when King Mark understood that he was there -arrived to fight for Ireland, then made King Mark great sorrow. For -they knew no knight that durst have ado with him. For at that time Sir -Marhaus was called one of the famousest and renowned knights of the -world.</p> - -<p>And thus Sir Marhaus abode in the sea, and every day he sent unto King -Mark for to pay the truage that was behind of seven year, or else to -find a knight to fight with him for the truage. Then they of Cornwall -let make cries in every place, that what knight would fight for to save -the truage of Cornwall he should be rewarded so that he should fare the -better the term of his life. Then some of the barons said to King Mark, -and counselled him to send to the court of King Arthur for to seek Sir -Launcelot du Lake. Then there were some other barons that counselled -the king not to do so, and said that it was labour in vain, because Sir -Marhaus was a knight of the Round Table, therefore any of them will be -loth to have ado with other. So the king and all his barons assented -that it was no boot [<i>help</i>] to seek any knight of the Round Table. -When young Tristram heard of this he was wroth and sore ashamed that -there durst no knight in Cornwall have ado with Sir Marhaus of Ireland.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Therewithal Sir Tristram went unto his father King Meliodas, and asked -him counsel what was best to do for to recover the country of Cornwall -for truage. "For as me seemeth," said Sir Tristram, "it were shame that -Sir Marhaus, the queen's brother of Ireland, should go away, unless -that he were not fought withal."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said King Meliodas, "wit ye well, my son Tristram, that -Sir Marhaus is called one of the best knights of the world, and knight -of the Round Table, and therefore I know no knight in this country that -is able to match with him."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Tristram, "that I am not made knight, and if Sir -Marhaus should thus depart into Ireland, God let me never have worship; -and I were made knight I should match him; and sir," said Sir Tristram, -"I pray you to give me leave to ride unto mine uncle King Mark, and so -ye be not displeased, of King Mark will I be made knight."</p> - -<p>"I will well," said King Meliodas, "that ye be ruled as your courage -will rule you."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Tristram thanked his father much, and so made him ready -to ride into Cornwall. And in the mean while there came a messenger -with letters of love from the daughter of King Faramon of France, unto -Sir Tristram, that were full piteous letters, and in them were written -many complaints of love. But Sir Tristram had no joy of her letters, -nor regard unto her. Also she sent him a little brachet [<i>hunting -hound</i>] that was passing fair. But when the king's daughter understood -that Tristram would not love her, she died for sorrow. So this young -Sir Tristram rode unto his uncle King Mark of Cornwall. And when he -came there he heard say that there would no knight fight with Sir -Marhaus. Then went Sir Tristram unto his uncle and said,—</p> - -<p>"Sir, if ye will give me the order of knighthood I will do battle with -Sir Marhaus."</p> - -<p>"What are ye?" said the king, "and from whence be ye come?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Tristram, "I come from King Meliodas that wedded your -sister, and a gentleman wit ye well I am."</p> - -<p>King Mark beheld Sir Tristram, and saw that he was but a young man of -age, but he was passingly well made and big.</p> - -<p>"Fair sir," said the king, "what is your name, and where were ye born?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he again, "my name is Tristram, and in the country of -Lyonesse was I born."</p> - -<p>"Ye say well," said the king, "and if ye will do this battle I shall -make you knight."</p> - -<p>"Therefore I come to you," said Sir Tristram, "and for none other -cause."</p> - -<p>But then King Mark made him knight. And therewithal anon as he had made -him knight, he sent a messenger unto Sir Marhaus with letters that said -that he had found a young knight ready for to take the battle to the -uttermost.</p> - -<p>"It may well be," said Sir Marhaus; "but tell unto King Mark that I -will not fight with no knight but if he be of blood royal, that is to -say either king's son or queen's son, born of a prince or princess."</p> - -<p>When King Mark understood that, he sent for Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, -and told him what was the answer of Sir Marhaus. Then said Sir -Tristram,—</p> - -<p>"Since he sayeth so, let him wit that I am come of father's side and -mother's side of as noble blood as he is. For, sir, now shall ye know -that I am King Meliodas' son, born of your own sister dame Elizabeth, -that died in the forest in the birth of me."</p> - -<p>"Yea!" said King Mark, "ye are welcome fair nephew to me."</p> - -<p>Then in all the haste the king let horse Sir Tristram and arm him in -the best manner that might be had or gotten for gold or silver. And -then King Mark sent unto Sir Marhaus, and did him to wit [<i>let him -know</i>] that a better born man than he was himself should fight with -him, and his name is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, [son of] King Meliodas, -and born of King Mark's sister. Then was Sir Marhaus glad and blithe -that he should fight with such a gentleman. And so by the assent of -King Mark and Sir Marhaus they let ordain that they should fight within -an island nigh Sir Marhaus' ships; and so was young Sir Tristram put -into a little vessel, both his horse and he, and all that to him -belonged both for his body and for his horse, so that Sir Tristram -lacked no manner thing. And when King Mark and his barons of Cornwall -beheld how young Sir Tristram departed with such a carriage [<i>that is, -carrying himself so bravely</i>] to fight for the right of Cornwall, wit -ye well there was neither man nor woman of worship but they wept for to -see so young a knight jeopard himself for their right.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>For to make short this tale, that when Sir Tristram was arrived within -the island, then he looked to the further side, and there he saw at an -anchor six ships nigh to the land, and under the shadow of the ships, -upon the land, there hoved [<i>hovered</i>] the noble knight Sir Marhaus of -Ireland. And then Sir Tristram commanded his servant Gouvernail for to -bring his horse to the land, and dress his harness at all manner of -rights. And when he had so done, he mounted upon his horse. And when -he was in his saddle well apparelled, and his shield dressed upon his -shoulder, Sir Tristram asked Gouvernail, "Where is this knight that I -shall have to do withal?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said his servant Gouvernail, "see ye him not? I wend ye had seen -him, yonder he hoveth under the shadow of his ships upon horseback, and -his spear in his hand, and his shield upon his shoulder."</p> - -<p>"It is truth," said Sir Tristram, "now I see him well enough."</p> - -<p>And then he commanded his servant Gouvernail to go again unto his -vessel, and commend him "unto mine uncle King Mark, and pray him that -if I be slain in this battle, for to bury my body as him seemeth -best, and, as for me, let him wit that I will never yield me for no -cowardice, and if I be slain and flee not, then have they lost no -truage for me. And if so be that I flee or yield me as recreant, bid -mine uncle never bury me in Christian burials. And upon my life," said -Sir Tristram to Gouvernail, "come thou not nigh this island till thou -see me overcome or slain, or else that I win yonder knight."</p> - -<p>And so either departed from other weeping.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And then Sir Marhaus perceived Sir Tristram, and thus said unto him: -"Young knight Sir Tristram, what doest thou here? Me sore repenteth of -thy courage, for wit thou well I have matched with the best knights of -the world, and therefore by my counsel return again to thy ship."</p> - -<p>"Fair knight and well proved knight," said Sir Tristram, "thou shalt -well wit that I may not forsake thee in this quarrel, for I am for -thy sake made knight, and thou shalt well wit that I am a king's son -born, and such promise have I made at mine uncle's request and mine own -seeking, that I shall fight with thee unto the uttermost, to deliver -Cornwall from the old truage. Also wit ye well, Sir Marhaus, that -for ye are called one of the best renowned knights of the world, and -because of that noise and fame that ye have, it will do me good to -have to do with you, for never yet sith [<i>since</i>] that I was born of -my mother was I proved with a good knight, and also sith I have taken -the high order of knighthood this day, I am right well pleased that I -may have to do with so good a knight as ye are. And now wit ye well, -Sir Marhaus of Ireland, that I cast me to win worship on thy body, I -trust to God I shall be worshipfully proved upon thy body and for to -deliver the country of Cornwall forever from all manner of truage from -Ireland."</p> - -<p>And when the good knight Sir Marhaus had heard him say what him list, -then said he thus again: "Fair knight, sith it is so that thou castest -thee to win worship on me, I let thee wit that no worship maist thou -leese [<i>lose</i>] by me, if thou mayst stand me three strokes, for I let -you wit that for my noble deeds, proved and seen, King Arthur made me -knight of the Table Round." Then they began to feuter [<i>place in rest</i>] -their spears, and they met so fiercely together that they smote either -other down both horse and all. But Sir Marhaus smote Sir Tristram -a great wound in the side with his spear, and then they avoided -their horses, and pulled out their swords, and threw their shields -afore them, and then they lashed together as men than were wild and -courageous. And when they had stricken so together long, then they left -their strokes, and foined [<i>thrust, in feinting</i>]; and when they saw -that that might not prevail them, then they hurtled together like rams -to bear either other down. Thus they fought still more than half a day, -and either were wounded passing sore, that the blood ran down freshly -from them upon the ground. By then Sir Tristram waxed more fresher than -Sir Marhaus, and better winded and bigger, and with a mighty stroke he -smote Sir Marhaus upon the helm such a buffet, that it went through his -helm, and through the coif of steel, and through the brain-pan, and the -sword stuck so fast in the helm and in his brain-pan that Sir Tristram -pulled thrice at his sword or ever he might pull it out from his head, -and there Marhaus fell down on his knees, [and a piece of] the edge of -Tristram's sword [was] left in his brain-pan. And suddenly Sir Marhaus -rose grovelling, and threw his sword and his shield from him, and -so ran to his ships and fled his way, and Sir Tristram had ever his -shield and his sword. And when Sir Tristram saw Sir Marhaus withdraw -him, he said, "Ah, sir knight of the Round Table, why withdrawest thou -thee; thou doest thyself and thy kin great shame, for I am but a young -knight, or now I was never proved, and rather than I should withdraw -me from thee, I had rather be hewn in an hundred pieces." Sir Marhaus -answered no word, but went his way sore groaning.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Anon Sir Marhaus and his fellowship departed into Ireland. And as -soon as he came to the king his brother he let search his wounds. And -when his head was searched, a piece of Sir Tristram's sword was found -therein, and might never be had out of his head for no surgeons, and so -he died of Sir Tristram's sword, and that piece of the sword the queen -his sister kept it for ever with her, for she thought to be revenged -and she might.</p> - -<p>Now turn we again unto Sir Tristram, that was sore wounded, and full -sore bled, that he might not within a little while when he had taken -cold scarcely stir him of his limbs. And then he set him down softly -upon a little hill, and bled fast. Then anon came Gouvernail his man -with his vessel, and the king and his barons came with procession, and -when he was come to the land, King Mark took him in both his arms, and -the king and Sir Dinas the seneschal led Sir Tristram into the castle -of Tintagil, and then were his wounds searched in the best manner, and -laid in bed. And when King Mark saw all his wounds, he wept right -heartily, and so did all his lords.</p> - -<p>"So God me help," said King Mark, "I would not for all my lands that my -nephew died."</p> - -<p>So Sir Tristram lay there a month and more, and was like to have died -of the stroke that Sir Marhaus had given him first with his spear. For, -as the French book saith, that spear's head was envenomed, that Sir -Tristram might not be whole thereof. Then was King Mark and all his -barons passing heavy, for they deemed none other but that Sir Tristram -should not recover. So the king let send after all manner of leeches -and surgeons, both men and women, and there was none that would warrant -him his life. Then came there a lady, which was a full wise lady, and -she said plainly unto King Mark and unto Sir Tristram and unto all the -barons, that he should never be whole, but if Sir Tristram went into -the same country that the venom came from, and in that country should -he be holpen or else never. When King Mark had well heard what the -lady said, forthwith he let purvey for Sir Tristram a fair vessel, and -well victualled it, and therein was put Sir Tristram and Gouvernail -with him, and Sir Tristram took his harp with him, and so he was put -to sea, for to sail into Ireland, and so by good fortune he arrived up -into Ireland even fast by a castle where the king and the queen were, -and at his arriving he sat and harped in his bed a merry lay, such one -had they never heard in Ireland afore that time. And when it was told -the king and the queen of such a knight that was such a harper, anon -the king sent for him, and let search his wound, and then he asked him -what was his name. He answered and said,</p> - -<p>"I am of the country of Lyonesse, and my name is Tramtrist, [and I -have] been wounded in a battle as I fought for a lady's right."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said King Anguish, "ye shall have all the help in this land -that ye may have here. But I let you wit in Cornwall I had a great loss -as ever had king, for there I lost the best knight of the world, his -name was Marhaus, a full noble knight, and knight of the Table Round;" -and there he told Sir Tristram wherefore Sir Marhaus was slain. Sir -Tristram made semblant [<i>like</i>] as he had been sorry, and better knew -he how it was than the king.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then the king for great favour made Tramtrist to be put in his -daughter's ward and keeping, because she was a noble surgeon. And -when she had searched his wound, she found in the bottom of his wound -that there was poison, and within a little while she healed him, and -therefore Tramtrist cast great love to la Belle Isolde, for she was -at that time the fairest lady of the world, and then Sir Tramtrist -[taught] her to harp, and she began to have a great fantasy unto Sir -Tramtrist. And at that time Sir Palamides, that was a Saracen, was in -that country, and was well cherished both of the king and the queen, -and he proffered her many great gifts, for he loved her passing well. -And all that espied right well Sir Tramtrist, and full well he knew Sir -Palamides for a noble knight and a mighty man.</p> - -<p>Thus was there great envy between Sir Tramtrist and Sir Palamides. -Then it befell that King Anguish let cry a great joust and a great -tournament for a lady which was called the lady of the lawns, and she -was nigh cousin unto the king, and what man that should win her should -wed her three days after, and have all her lands. This cry was made in -England, Wales, and Scotland, and also in France and in Britain. It -befell upon a day la Belle Isolde came to Sir Tramtrist and told him of -this tournament.</p> - -<p>"Ah! Tramtrist," said la Belle Isolde, "why will ye not have to do at -that tournament? well I wot Sir Palamides will be there and do what he -may, and therefore, Sir Tramtrist, I pray you to be there, for else Sir -Palamides is like to win the degree."</p> - -<p>"Madam," said Sir Tramtrist, "as for that he may do so, for he is a -proved knight, and I am but a young knight and late made, and the -first battle that I did it mishapped me to be sore wounded as ye see. -But and I wist [<i>if I knew</i>] that ye would be my better lady, at that -tournament I will be, so that ye will keep my counsel, and let no -creature have knowledge that I shall joust but yourself, and such as -ye will to keep your counsel; my poor person shall I jeopard there for -your sake, that peradventure Sir Palamides shall know when that I come."</p> - -<p>"Thereto," said la Belle Isolde, "do your best, and as I can," said la -Belle Isolde, "I shall purvey horse and armor for you at my devise."</p> - -<p>"As ye will so be it," said Sir Tramtrist, "I will be at your -commandment."</p> - -<p>So at the day of jousts there came Sir Palamides with a black shield, -and he overthrew many knights, that all the people had marvel of him. -For he put to the worse Sir Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, Bagdemagus, -Kay, Dodinas le Savage, Sagramor le Desirous, Gumret le Petit, and -Griflet le Fise de Dieu. All these the first day Sir Palamides strake -down to the earth. And then all manner of knights were adread of Sir -Palamides, and many called him the knight with the black shield. So -that day Sir Palamides had great worship. Then came King Anguish unto -Tramtrist and asked him why he would not joust.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "I was but late hurt, and as yet I dare not adventure -me."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And so on the morn Sir Palamides made him ready to come into the field -as he did the first day. And there he smote down the king with the -hundred knights, and the King of Scotland. Then had la Belle Isolde -ordained and well arrayed Sir Tramtrist in white horse and harness. -And right so she let put him out at a privy postern, and so he came -into the field as it had been a bright angel. And anon Sir Palamides -espied him, and therewith he feutered [<i>laid in rest</i>] a spear unto Sir -Tramtrist, and he again unto him. And there Sir Tristram smote down Sir -Palamides unto the earth. And then there was a great noise of people: -some said Sir Palamides had a fall, some said the knight with the black -shield had a fall. And wit you well la Belle Isolde was passing glad. -And then Sir Gawaine and his fellows nine had marvel what knight it -might be that had smitten down Sir Palamides. Then would there none -joust with Tramtrist, but all that were there forsook him, most and -least. And when Sir Palamides had received this fall, wit ye well he -was sore ashamed; and as privily as he might he withdrew him out of -the field. All that espied Sir Tristram, and lightly he rode after Sir -Palamides, and overtook him, and bade him turn, for better he would -assay him or ever he departed. Then Sir Palamides turned him, and -either lashed at other with their swords. But at the first stroke Sir -Tristram smote down Palamides, and gave him such a stroke upon the head -that he fell to the earth. So then Tristram bade yield him and do his -commandment, or else he would slay him. And when Sir Palamides beheld -his countenance, he dread sore his buffets, so that he granted him all -his asking.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Sir Tristram unto him, "this shall be your charge. First, -upon pain of your life, that ye forsake my lady la Belle Isolde, and in -no manner of wise that ye draw unto her, and also these twelve months -and a day that ye bear none armor nor in like wise no harness of war. -Now promise me this, or here shalt thou die."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Palamides, "now am I for ever shamed."</p> - -<p>And then he swore as Sir Tristram had commanded him. Then for great -despite and anger, Sir Palamides cut off his harness and threw it away.</p> - -<p>And then Sir Tristram rode privily unto the postern where la Belle -Isolde kept him, and then she made him good cheer, and thanked God of -his good speed.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Thus was Sir Tramtrist long there well cherished with the king and -queen and namely [<i>likewise</i>] with la Belle Isolde. So upon a day the -queen and la Belle Isolde made a bayne [<i>bath</i>] for Sir Tramtrist, and -when he was in his bayne, the queen and her daughter la Belle Isolde -roamed up and down in the chamber, and there whiles Gouvernail and -Hebes attended upon Tramtrist, and the queen beheld his sword whereas -it lay upon his bed. And then by unhap the queen drew out his sword -and beheld it a long while, and both they thought it a passing fair -sword, but within a foot and an half of the point there was a great -piece broken out of the edge. And when the queen espied that gap in -the sword, she remembered of a piece of a sword that was found in the -brain-pan of the good knight Sir Marhaus that was her brother.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said she then to her daughter la Belle Isolde. "This is the -same traitorous knight that slew my brother thine uncle."</p> - -<p>When la Belle Isolde heard her say so, she was then passing sore -abashed, for she loved Sir Tramtrist passingly well, and right well she -knew the cruelness of her mother the queen. And so anon therewith the -queen went in all the haste that she might unto her own chamber, and -then she sought in a coffer that she had, and there she found and took -out the piece of the sword that was taken out of her brother's head Sir -Marhaus, after that he was dead. And then anon she ran with the same -piece of iron unto Sir Tramtrist's sword which lay upon the bed, and -so when she put the same piece of steel and iron unto the same sword, -it was then as fit as ever it might be when it was first new broken. -And so forthwith the queen caught that sword fiercely in her hand, and -with all her might she ran straight unto Tramtrist where he sat in a -bayne, and there she had run him through had not Sir Hebes gotten her -in his arms and pulled the sword from her, and else she had thrust him -through. When she was thus letted of her evil will, she ran to King -Anguish her husband, and fell on her knees before him, saying, "Oh, my -lord and husband, here have ye in your house that traitor knight that -slew my brother and your servant, that noble knight Sir Marhaus."</p> - -<p>"Who is that," said King Anguish, "and where is he?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "it is Sir Tramtrist, the same knight that my daughter -hath healed."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said King Anguish, "therefore am I right neavy, for he is a -full noble knight as ever I saw in field, but I charge you," said the -king to the queen, "that ye have not to do with this knight, but let me -deal with him."</p> - -<p>Then the king went into the chamber to Sir Tramtrist, that then was -gone unto his chamber, and then the king found him all armed, ready -to mount upon his horse. And when the king saw him all ready armed to -mount on horseback, the king said, "Nay, Tramtrist, it will not avail -thee to compare against me. But thus much will I do for my worship, -and for thy love: in so much as thou art within this court, it were no -worship for me to slay thee, therefore upon this condition I will give -thee leave to depart from this court in safety, so that thou wilt tell -me who is thy father, and what is thy name, and if thou slew my brother -Sir Marhaus."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "now shall I tell you all the truth; my -father's name is Meliodas, King of Lyonesse, and my mother hight -Elizabeth, that was sister unto King Mark of Cornwall, and my mother -died of me in the forest, and because thereof she commanded or she died -that when I were christened that they should name me Tristram, and -because I would not be known in this country, I turned my name, and let -call me Tramtrist; and for the truage of Cornwall, I fought for mine -uncle's sake, and for the right of Cornwall that ye had possessed many -years. And wit ye well," said Tristram unto the king, "I did the battle -for the love of mine uncle King Mark, and for the love of the country -of Cornwall, and for to increase mine honor. For that same day that I -fought with Sir Marhaus I was made knight, and never or then did I know -battle with no knight, and from me he went alive, and left his shield -and his sword behind."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said the king, "I may not say but ye did as a knight should, -and it was your part to do for your quarrel, and to increase your -worship as a knight should; howbeit I may not maintain you in this -country with my worship, unless that I should displease my barons, and -my wife, and her kin."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Tristram, "I thank you of your good lordship that I have -had with you here, and the great goodness my lady your daughter hath -showed me, and therefore," said Sir Tristram, "it may so happen that ye -shall win more by my life than by my death, for in the parts of England -it may happen I may do you service at some season that ye shall be glad -that ever ye showed me your good lordship. With more I promise you as I -am true knight, that in all places I shall be my lady your daughter's -servant and knight in right and in wrong, and I shall never fail her to -do as much as a knight may do. Also I beseech your good grace that I -may take my leave at my lady your daughter, and at all the barons and -knights."</p> - -<p>"I will well," said the king.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Tristram went unto la Belle Isolde, and took his leave of her. -And then he told her all, what he was, and how he had changed his name -because he would not be known, and how a lady told him that he should -never be whole till he came into this country where the poison was -made: "Wherethrough I was near my death, had not your ladyship been."</p> - -<p>"Oh, gentle knight," said la Belle Isolde, "full woe am I of thy -departing, for I saw never man that I owed so good will to." And -therewithal she wept heartily.</p> - -<p>"Madam," said Sir Tristram, "ye shall understand that my name is Sir -Tristram de Lyonesse, and I promise you faithfully that I shall be all -the days of my life your knight."</p> - -<p>"Sir, gramercy," said la Belle Isolde, "and there again I promise you -that I shall not be married of this seven year but if it be by your -assent, and to whom ye will I shall be married, him shall I have, if he -will have me, if ye will consent."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she gave him another, and -therewith he departed from her, leaving her making full great moan and -lamentation, and he went straight unto the court among all the barons, -and there he took his leave of most and least, and openly among them -all he said: "Fair lords, now it is so that I must depart from hence, -if there be any man here that I have offended unto, or that any man -be with me grieved, let him complain here before me or I depart from -hence, and I shall amend it unto my power. And if there be any that -will proffer me wrong, or to say of me wrong or shame behind my back, -say it now or never, and here is my body to make it good, body against -body."</p> - -<p>And all they stood still, there was not one that would say one word, -yet were there some knights which were of the queen's blood and of Sir -Marhaus' blood, but they would not meddle with him.</p> - -<p>So Sir Tristram departed and took the sea, and with good wind he -arrived up at Tintagil in Cornwall. And when King Mark was whole and in -his prosperity, there came tidings that Sir Tristram was arrived and -whole of his wound, whereof King Mark was passing glad, and so were -all the barons. And when he saw his time, he rode unto his father King -Meliodas, and there he had all the cheer that the king and the queen -could make him. And then largely King Meliodas and his queen parted of -their lands and goods unto Sir Tristram. So then by the license [leave] -of King Meliodas his father, he returned again unto the court of King -Mark, and there he lived in great joy long time, until at the last -there befell a jealousy and an unkindness between King Mark and Sir -Tristram.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then King Mark cast always in his heart how he might destroy Sir -Tristram. And then he imagined in himself to send Sir Tristram -into Ireland for la Belle Isolde. For Sir Tristram had so praised -her beauty and her goodness that King Mark said he would wed her, -whereupon he prayed Sir Tristram to take his way into Ireland for him -on message. And all this was done to the intent to slay Sir Tristram. -Notwithstanding, Sir Tristram would not refuse the message for no -danger nor peril that might fall for the pleasure of his uncle, but to -go he made him ready in the most goodliest wise that might be devised. -So Sir Tristram departed and took the sea with all his fellowship. And -anon as he was in the broad sea, a tempest took him and his fellowship -and drove them back into the coast of England, and there they arrived -fast by Camelot, and full fain they were to take the land. And when -they were landed Sir Tristram set up his pavilion upon the land of -Camelot, and there he let hang his shield upon the pavilion.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then when Sir Tristram was in his rich pavilion, Gouvernail his man -came and told him how King Anguish of Ireland was come there, and how -he was put in great distress; and there Gouvernail told to Sir Tristram -how King Anguish of Ireland was summoned and accused of murder.</p> - -<p>"So God me help," said Sir Tristram, "these be the best tidings that -ever came to me this seven year, for now shall the King of Ireland have -need of my help, for I dare say there is no knight in this country that -is not of King Arthur's court dare do no battle with Sir Blamor de -Ganis; and for to win the love of the King of Ireland, I shall take the -battle upon me; and therefore, Gouvernail, I charge thee to bring me to -the king."</p> - -<p>And so Gouvernail went unto King Anguish of Ireland, and saluted him -fair. The king welcomed him, and asked him what he would.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Gouvernail, "here is a knight near hand which desireth to -speak with you; and he bade me say that he would do you service."</p> - -<p>"What knight is he?" said the king.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "it is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, that for the good -grace that ye showed unto him in your land, he will reward you in this -country."</p> - -<p>"Come on, good fellow," said the king, "with me, and show me Sir -Tristram."</p> - -<p>So the king took a little hackney and a little company with him, until -he came unto Sir Tristram's pavilion. And when Sir Tristram saw King -Anguish, he ran unto him, and would have holden his stirrup. But anon -the king leapt lightly from his horse, and either halsed [<i>embraced</i>] -other in their arms.</p> - -<p>"My gracious lord," said Sir Tristram, "gramercy of your great goodness -that ye showed to me in your marches and lands. And at that time I -promised you to do you service and ever it lay in my power."</p> - -<p>"Ah, worshipful knight," said the king unto Sir Tristram, "now have I -great need of you; for never had I so great need of no knight's help."</p> - -<p>"How so, my good lord?" said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"I shall tell you," said King Anguish; "I am summoned and appealed -from my country for the death of a knight that was kin unto the good -knight Sir Launcelot, wherefore Sir Blamor de Ganis, brother to Sir -Bleoberis, hath appealed me to fight with him, other [<i>or else</i>] to -find a knight in my stead. And well I wot," said the king, "these that -are come of King Ban's blood, as Sir Launcelot and these other, are -passing good knights, and hard men for to win in battle as any that I -know now living."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "for the good lordship ye showed me in -Ireland, and for my lady your daughter's sake, la Belle Isolde, I -will take the battle for you upon this condition that ye shall grant -me two things: that one is, that ye shall swear to me that ye are in -the right, that ye were never consenting to the knight's death; sir, -then," said Sir Tristram, "when that I have done this battle, if God -give me grace that I speed, that ye shall give me a reward, what thing -reasonable that I will ask of you."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said the king, "ye shall have whatsoever ye will ask."</p> - -<p>"It is well said," said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then were the lists made ready, and Sir Tristram and Sir Blamor de -Ganis, in the presence of the kings, judges, and knights, feutered -[<i>laid in rest</i>] their spears and came together as it had been thunder, -and there Sir Tristram through great might smote down Sir Blamor and -his horse to the earth. Then anon Sir Blamor avoided his horse, and -pulled out his sword and threw his shield afore him, and bade Sir -Tristram alight; "for though an horse hath failed me, I trust the earth -will not fail me."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Tristram alighted and dressed him unto battle, and there -they lashed together strongly as racing and tracing, foining and -dashing many sad strokes, that the kings and knights had great wonder -that they might stand, for ever they fought like two wild men, so -that there were never knights seen fight more fiercely than they did; -for Sir Blamor was so hasty that he would have no rest, that all men -wondered that they had breath to stand on their feet; all the place -was bloody that they fought in. And at the last Sir Tristram smote Sir -Blamor such a buffet upon the helm that he fell down upon his side, and -Sir Tristram stood and beheld him.</p> - -<p>Then when Sir Blamor might speak, he said thus:—</p> - -<p>"Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, I require thee, as thou art a noble knight, -and the best knight that ever I found, that thou wilt slay me out of -hand [<i>straightway</i>], for I had liever die with worship than live -with shame, and needs, Sir Tristram, thou must slay me, or else thou -shalt never win the field, for I will never say the loth word [<i>of -surrender</i>]; and therefore, if thou dare slay me, slay me, I require -thee."</p> - -<p>And when Sir Tristram heard him say so knightly, he wist not what to -do with him. And then Sir Tristram started aback and went to the kings -which were judges; and there he kneeled down before them, and besought -them for their worship, and for King Arthur and Sir Launcelot's sake, -that they would take this matter in their hands:</p> - -<p>"For, fair lords," said Sir Tristram, "it were shame and pity that this -noble knight that yonder lieth should be slain, for ye may well hear -that shamed he will not be, and I pray to God that he never be slain -nor shamed for me. And as for the king for whom I do this battle, I -shall require him, as I am his true champion and true knight in this -field, that he will have mercy upon this good knight."</p> - -<p>"So God me help," said King Anguish to Sir Tristram, "I will be ruled -for your sake as ye will have me. For I know you for my true knight, -and therefore I will heartily pray the kings that be here as judges for -to take it into their hands."</p> - -<p>And then the kings which were judges called Sir Bleoberis unto them and -demanded his advice.</p> - -<p>"My lord," said Sir Bleoberis, "though that my brother be beaten and -both the worse through might of arms, I dare well say though Sir -Tristram hath beaten his body he hath not beaten his heart; I thank -God he is not shamed this day. And rather than he should be shamed, I -require you," said Sir Bleoberis, "let Sir Tristram slay him out of -hand [<i>immediately</i>]."</p> - -<p>"It shall not be so," said the kings, "for his adverse party, both the -king and the champion, hath pity of Sir Blamor's knighthood."</p> - -<p>"My lords," said Sir Bleoberis, "I will right well as ye will."</p> - -<p>Then the kings called to them the King of Ireland, and found him good -and treatable [<i>willing to agree</i>]. And then by all their advices Sir -Tristram and Sir Bleoberis took up Sir Blamor. And the two brethren -were accorded with King Anguish; and kissed each other and were made -friends for ever. And then Sir Blamor and Sir Tristram kissed each -other, and then the two brethren made their oaths that they would -never fight with Sir Tristram. And Sir Tristram made the same oath. -And for that gentle battle all the blood of Sir Launcelot loved Sir -Tristram for ever more. Then King Anguish and Sir Tristram took their -leave and sailed into Ireland with great joy and nobleness. So when -they were in Ireland, the king let make it be known throughout all the -land how and in what manner Sir Tristram had done for him. And then the -queen and all the estates that were there made as much of him as ever -they might make; but the joy that la Belle Isolde made of Sir Tristram, -that might no tongue tell, for of men living she loved him most.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then upon a day King Anguish asked Sir Tristram why he asked not his -boon, for whatsoever he had promised him he should have it without fail.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "now is it time, this is all that I will -desire, that ye will give me la Belle Isolde, your daughter, not for -myself, but for mine uncle King Mark, that shall have her to wife, for -so have I promised him."</p> - -<p>"Alas," said the king, "I had liever than all the land that I have ye -would wed her yourself."</p> - -<p>"Sir, and I did, then were I shamed for ever in this world, and false -of my promise. Therefore," said Sir Tristram, "I pray you hold your -promise that ye promised me, for this is my desire, that ye will give -me la Belle Isolde to go with me into Cornwall, for to be wedded to -King Mark mine uncle."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said King Anguish, "ye shall have her with you, to do -with her what it please you, that is for to say if that ye list to wed -her yourself, that is to me lievest, and if ye will give her unto King -Mark your uncle, that is in your choice."</p> - -<p>So to make a short conclusion, la Belle Isolde was made ready to go -with Sir Tristram, and dame Bragwaine went with her for her chief -gentlewoman, with many other.</p> - -<p>And anon they were richly wedded with great nobleness. But ever Sir -Tristram and la Belle Isolde loved ever together.</p> - -<p>Then was there great jousts and great tourneying, and many lords and -ladies were at that feast, and Sir Tristram was most praised of all -other.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[Then, as time passed by, Sir Tristram grieved sorely in his heart that -la Belle Isolde was wedded to King Mark, till that he became as a wood -man, and mounted his horse and rode forth into the forest away from -Tintagil. So Sir Palamides sent a damsel to inquire after Sir Tristram.]</p> - -<p>And she went to the lady of [a certain] castle, and told her of the -misadventure of Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"Alas," said the lady of that castle, "where is my lord Sir Tristram?"</p> - -<p>"Right here by your castle," said the damsel.</p> - -<p>"In good time," said the lady, "is he so nigh me: he shall have meat -and drink of the best, and a harp I have of his whereupon he taught -me,—for of goodly harping he beareth the prize in the world."</p> - -<p>So this lady and the damsel brought him meat and drink, but he eat -little thereof. Then upon a night he put his horse from him, and -then he unlaced his armor, and then Sir Tristram would go into the -wilderness, and burst down the trees and boughs; and otherwhile, when -he found the harp that the lady sent him, then would he harp and play -thereupon and weep together. And sometime when Sir Tristram was in the -wood, that the lady wist not where he was, then would she sit her down -and play upon that harp; then would Sir Tristram come to that harp and -hearken thereto, and sometime he would harp himself. Thus he there -endured a quarter of a year. Then at the last he ran his way, and she -wist not where he was become. And then was he naked, and waxed lean -and poor of flesh, and so he fell into the fellowship of herdmen and -shepherds, and daily they would give him of their meat and drink. And -when he did any shrewd deed they would beat him with rods, and so they -clipped him with shears and made him like a fool.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And upon a day Sir Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, came into Cornwall, -with two squires with him, and as they rode through the forest they -came by a fair well where Sir Tristram was wont to be, and the weather -was hot, and they alighted to drink of that well, and in the meanwhile -their horses brake loose. Right so Sir Tristram came unto them, and -first he soused Sir Dagonet in that well, and after his squires, and -thereat laughed the shepherds, and forthwithal he ran after their -horses, and brought them again one by one, and right so, wet as they -were, he made them leap up and ride their ways. Thus Sir Tristram -endured here an half year naked, and would never come in town nor -village.</p> - -<p>And there was a giant in that country that hight Tauleas, and for -fear of Sir Tristram more than seven years he durst not much go out at -large, but for the most part he kept him in a sure castle of his own. -And so this Sir Tauleas heard tell that Sir Tristram was dead by the -noise of the court of King Mark, and then Sir Tauleas went daily at -large. And so it happened upon a day he came to the herdmen wandering -and lingering, and there he set him down to rest among them. The -meanwhile there came a knight of Cornwall that led a lady with him, -and his name was Sir Dinant. And when the giant saw him, he went from -the herdmen and hid him under a tree. And so the knight came to the -well, and there he alighted to rest him. And as soon as he was from his -horse, the giant Sir Tauleas came between the knight and his horse, and -leaped upon him. So forthwith he rode unto Sir Dinant, and took him by -the collar, and drew him before him on his horse, and there would have -stricken off his head. Then the herdmen said unto Sir Tristram, "Help -yonder knight."</p> - -<p>"Help ye him," said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"We dare not," said the herdmen.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Tristram was ware of the sword of the knight where it lay, and -thither he ran and took up the sword, and smote off Sir Tauleas' head, -and so went his way to the herdmen again.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then the knight took up the giant's head, and bare it with him unto -King Mark, and told him what adventure betid him in the forest, and how -a naked man rescued him from the grimly giant Tauleas.</p> - -<p>"Where had ye this adventure?" said King Mark.</p> - -<p>"Forsooth," said Sir Dinant, "at the fair fountain in your forest, -where many adventurous knights meet, and there is the mad man."</p> - -<p>"Well," said King Mark, "I will see that mad man."</p> - -<p>So within a day or two King Mark commanded his knights and his hunters -that they should be ready on the morrow for to hunt. And on the morrow -he went unto the forest. And when the king came to the well, he found -there lying by that well a fair naked man, and a sword by him. Then the -king blew and screked [<i>called shrilly</i>] and therewith his knights came -to him. And then the king commanded his knights to take that naked man -with fairness, "and bring him to my castle." So they did softly and -fair, and cast mantles upon Sir Tristram, and so led him unto Tintagil; -and there they bathed him and washed him, and gave him hot suppings, -till they had brought him well to his remembrance. But all this while -there was no creature that knew Sir Tristram, nor what man he was. So -it fell upon a day that the queen la Belle Isolde heard of such a man -that ran naked in the forest, and how the king had brought him home -to the court. Then la Belle Isolde called unto her dame Bragwaine, -and said, "Come on with me, for we will go see this man that my lord -brought from the forest the last day."</p> - -<p>So they passed forth, and asked where was the sick man. And then a -squire told the queen that he was in the garden taking his rest, -and reposing him against the sun. So when the queen looked upon Sir -Tristram she was not remembered of [<i>did not remember</i>] him. But -ever she said unto dame Bragwaine, "Me seemeth I should have seen him -heretofore in many places."</p> - -<p>But as soon as Sir Tristram saw her he knew her well enough, and then -he turned away his visage and wept. Then the queen had always a little -brachet with her, that Sir Tristram gave her the first time that ever -she came into Cornwall, and never would that brachet depart from her, -but if Sir Tristram was nigh there as was la Belle Isolde; and this -brachet was sent from the king's daughter of France unto Sir Tristram -for great love. And anon as this little brachet felt a savor of Sir -Tristram, she leaped upon him, and licked his learis [<i>cheeks</i>] and his -ears, and then she whined and quested, and she smelled at his feet and -at his hands, and on all parts of his body that she might come to.</p> - -<p>"Ah, my lady," said dame Bragwaine unto la Belle Isolde, "alas, alas!" -said she, "I see it is mine own lord Sir Tristram."</p> - -<p>And thereupon Isolde fell down in a sowne [<i>swoon</i>], and so lay a great -while; and when she might speak, she said: "My lord Sir Tristram, -blessed be God ye have your life, and now I am sure ye shall be -discovered by this little brachet, for she will never leave you; and -also I am sure that as soon as my lord King Mark shall know you, he -will banish you out of the country of Cornwall, or else he will destroy -you. For God's sake, mine own lord, grant King Mark his will, and then -draw you unto the court of King Arthur, for there are ye beloved."</p> - -<p>Then la Belle Isolde departed, but the brachet would not from him. And -therewith came King Mark, and the brachet set upon him, and bayed at -them all. And therewith Sir Andret spake and said: "Sir, this is Sir -Tristram, I see by the brachet."</p> - -<p>"Nay," said the king, "I cannot suppose that it is he."</p> - -<p>So the king asked him upon his faith what he was, and what was his name.</p> - -<p>"So God help," said he, "my name is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, and now -ye may do with me what ye list."</p> - -<p>And so, by the advice of them all, Sir Tristram was banished out of the -country of Cornwall for ten year, and thereupon he took his oath.</p> - -<p>And then were many barons brought him into his ship. And when Sir -Tristram was in the ship, he said thus: "Greet well King Mark and all -mine enemies, and tell them I will come again when I may. And well I -am rewarded for the fighting with Sir Marhaus, and delivering all the -country from servage [<i>subjection</i>]. And well I am rewarded for the -fetching and costs of la Belle Isolde out of Ireland, and the danger -that I was in first and last, and by the way coming home what danger I -had to bring again Queen Isolde from the castle. And well I am rewarded -when I fought with Sir Bleoberis for Sir Segwarides' wife. And well am -I rewarded when I fought with Sir Blamor de Ganis for King Anguish, -father unto la Belle Isolde. And well am I rewarded when I smote down -the good knight Sir Lamorak de Galis at King Mark's request. And well -am I rewarded when I fought with the king with the hundred knights, -and the King of Northgalis, and both these would have put his land in -servage, and by me they were put to a rebuke. And well am I rewarded -for the slaying of Tauleas the mighty giant, and many moe deeds have I -done for him, and now have I my guerdon. And tell the King Mark that -many noble knights of the Round Table have spared the barons of this -country for my sake. Also I am not well rewarded when I fought with -the good knight Sir Palamides, and rescued Queen Isolde from him. And -at that time King Mark said before all his barons I should have been -better rewarded." And therewith he took the sea.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[In those days was holden a great tournament at the Castle of Maidens, -and thereto came Sir Tristram, for King Arthur was there, with his -knights, and a goodly press of other kings, lords and ladies. And Sir -Tristram let make him a black shield, and therewith was he ever to be -known in the midst of the knights. And Sir Tristram overthrew eleven -knights of Sir Launcelot's kin in one day, and jousted with King Arthur -and with Sir Launcelot in such wise that all men wondered. And at the -last Sir Tristram was sore wounded, and rode away into a forest. But -Sir Launcelot held away the stour [<i>fight</i>] like as a man enraged that -took no heed to himself.] And because Sir Launcelot was the last in -the field the prize was given him. But Sir Launcelot would neither for -king, queen, nor knight have the prize; but when the cry was cried -through the field, "Sir Launcelot. Sir Launcelot, hath won the field -this day!" Sir Launcelot let make another cry contrary to that cry: -"Sir Tristram hath won the field, for he began first, and last he hath -endured, and so hath he done the first day, the second, and the third -day."</p> - -<p>[And so King Arthur and Sir Launcelot and more knights rode forth for -to find Sir Tristram. And after many adventures it happened that Sir -Launcelot passed by the tomb of Sir Lanceor (him that was slain by -Balin) and his lady Colombe. And by that same tomb came Sir Tristram: -and neither knew the other, but Sir Tristram weened it to have been -Sir Palamides. Then they two fought, and each wounded other wonderly -sore, that the blood ran out upon the grass. And thus they fought the -space of four hours. And at the last either knew other. Then cried Sir -Launcelot,] "Oh, what adventure is befallen me!"</p> - -<p>And therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled down and yielded him up his -sword. And therewithal Sir Tristram kneeled adown, and yielded him up -his sword. And so either gave other the degree. And then they both -forthwithal went to the stone, and set them down upen it, and took off -their helms to cool them, and either kissed other an hundred times. And -then anon after they took their helms and rode to Camelot. And there -they met with Sir Gawaine and with Sir Gaheris that had made promise -to Arthur never to come again to the court till they had brought Sir -Tristram with them.</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur took Sir Tristram by the hand, and led him unto the -Round Table. Then came Queen Guenever, and many ladies with her, and -all these ladies said, all with one voice, "Welcome, Sir Tristram;" -"welcome," said the damsels; "welcome," said the knights; "welcome," -said King Arthur, "for one of the best knights and gentlest of the -world, and knight of the most worship; for of all manner of hunting -thou bearest the prize, and of all measures of blowing thou art the -beginner, and of all the terms of hunting and hawking ye are the -beginner; of all instruments of music ye are the best. Therefore, -gentle knight," said King Arthur, "ye are right heartily welcome unto -this court. And also I pray you," said King Arthur, "grant me a boon."</p> - -<p>"It shall be at your commandment," said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"Well," said King Arthur, "I will desire of you that ye will abide in -my court."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "thereto am I loth, for I have to do in many -countries."</p> - -<p>"Not so," said King Arthur, "ye have promised it me, ye may not say -nay."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "I will as ye will."</p> - -<p>Then went King Arthur unto the sieges about the Round Table, and looked -in every siege which were void that lacked knights. And the king then -saw in the siege of Marhaus letters that said:—</p> - -<p>"This is the siege of the noblest knight Sir Tristram."</p> - -<p>And then King Arthur made Sir Tristram knight of the Round Table, with -great nobleness and great feast as might be thought.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then King Mark had great despite of the renown of Sir Tristram. So -he sent on his part men to espy what deeds he did. And when the -messengers were come home, they told the truth as they heard, that he -passed all other knights but if it were the noble knight Sir Launcelot. -Then in great despite he took with him two good knights and two -squires, and disguised himself, and took his way into England, to the -intent to slay him.</p> - -<p>[And it happened that Sir Dinadan met King Mark, and began to mock -him for a Cornish knight of no worship. And] right as they stood thus -talking together, they saw come riding to them over a plain six knights -of the court of King Arthur, well armed at all points. And there by -their shields Sir Dinadan knew them well. The first was the good knight -Sir Uwaine, the son of King Uriens; the second was the noble knight Sir -Brandiles; the third was Ozanna le Cure Hardy; the fourth was Uwaine -les Adventurous; the fifth was Sir Agravaine; the sixth Sir Mordred, -brother to Sir Gawaine. When Sir Dinadan had seen these six knights, he -thought in himself he would bring King Mark by some wile to joust with -one of them.</p> - -<p>"Lo," said Sir Dinadan, "yonder are knights errant that will joust with -us."</p> - -<p>"God forbid," said King Mark, "for they be six, and we but two."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Dinadan, "let us not spare, for I will assay -the foremost."</p> - -<p>And therewith he made him ready. When King Mark saw him do so, as fast -as Sir Dinadan rode toward them King Mark rode from them with all his -menial company. So when Sir Dinadan saw King Mark was gone, he set the -spear out of the rest, and threw his shield upon his back, and came -riding to the fellowship of the Table Round. And anon Sir Uwaine knew -Sir Dinadan, and welcomed him, and so did all his fellowship.</p> - -<p>"What knight is that," said Sir Brandiles, "that so suddenly departed -from you, and rode over yonder field?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "it was a knight of Cornwall, and the most horrible -coward that ever bestrode horse."</p> - -<p>"What is his name?" said all the knights.</p> - -<p>"I wot not," said Sir Dinadan.</p> - -<p>Said Sir Griflet, "Here have I brought Sir Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, -that is the best fellow and the merriest in the world."</p> - -<p>[Then said Sir Mordred,] "Put my shield and my harness upon Sir -Dagonet, and let him set upon the Cornish knight."</p> - -<p>"That shall be done," said Sir Dagonet, "by my faith."</p> - -<p>Then anon was Dagonet armed in Mordred's harness and his shield, and he -was set on a great horse and a spear in his hand.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Dagonet, "show me the knight, and I trow I shall bear him -down."</p> - -<p>So all these knights rode to a woodside, and abode till King Mark came -by the way. Then they put forth Sir Dagonet, and he came on all the -while his horse might run, straight upon King Mark. And when he came -nigh King Mark, he cried as he were wood, and said, "Keep thee, knight -of Cornwall, for I will slay thee."</p> - -<p>Anon as King Mark beheld his shield he said to himself, "Yonder is Sir -Launcelot: alas, now am I destroyed."</p> - -<p>And therewithal he made his horse to run as fast as it might through -thick and thin. And ever Sir Dagonet followed King Mark crying and -rating him as a wood man through a great forest. When Sir Uwaine and -Sir Brandiles saw Dagonet so chase King Mark, they laughed all as they -were wood. And then they took their horses and rode after to see how -Sir Dagonet sped. For they would not for no good that Sir Dagonet were -hurt, for King Arthur loved him passing well, and made him knight with -his own hands.</p> - -<p>When Sir Uwaine and Sir Brandiles with his fellows came to the court of -King Arthur, they told the king, Sir Launcelot, and Sir Tristram how -Sir Dagonet the fool chased King Mark through the forest. There was -great laughing and jesting at King Mark and at Sir Dagonet.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>King Arthur on a day said unto King Mark,—</p> - -<p>"Sir, I pray you to give me a gift that I shall ask you."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said King Mark, "I will give you whatsoever ye desire, and it be -in my power."</p> - -<p>"Sir, gramercy," said King Arthur, "this I will ask you, that ye be a -good lord unto Sir Tristram, for he is a man of great honor; and that -ye will take him with you into Cornwall, and let him see his friends, -and there cherish him for my sake."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said King Mark, "I promise you by the faith of my body, and by -the faith I owe to God and to you, I shall worship him for your sake in -all that I can or may."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Arthur, "and I will forgive you all the evil will that -ever I owed you, and so be that ye swear that upon a book afore me."</p> - -<p>"With a good will," said King Mark.</p> - -<p>And so he there sware upon a book afore him and all his knights, and -therewith King Mark and Sir Tristram took either other by the hands -hard knit together. But for all this King Mark thought falsely, as -it proved after, for he put Sir Tristram in prison, and cowardly -would have slain him. Then soon after King Mark took his leave to -ride into Cornwall, and Sir Tristram made him ready to ride with him, -wherefore the most part of the Round Table were wroth and heavy; and -in especial Sir Launcelot, and Sir Lamorak, and Sir Dinadan were wroth -out of measure. For well they wist King Mark would slay or destroy Sir -Tristram.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that, as he rode on hunting, he met with -Sir Dinadan, that was come into that country for to seek Sir Tristram. -Then Sir Dinadan told Sir Tristram his name, but Sir Tristram would not -tell his name; wherefor Sir Dinadan was wroth.</p> - -<p>"For such a foolish knight as ye are," said Sir Dinadan, "I saw but -late to-day lying by a well, and he fared as he had slept, and there -he lay like a fool grinning and would not speak, and his shield lay by -him, and his horse stood by him, and well I wot he was a lover."</p> - -<p>"Ah, fair sir," said Sir Tristram, "are ye not a lover?"</p> - -<p>"Marry, fie upon that craft," said Sir Dinadan.</p> - -<p>"That is evil said," quoth Sir Tristram, "for a knight may never be of -prowess, but if he be a lover."</p> - -<p>"It is well said," quoth Sir Dinadan; "now tell me your name, sith ye -be a lover, or else I shall do battle with you."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Tristram, "it is no reason to fight with me but -I tell you my name; as for that, my name shall ye not know as at this -time."</p> - -<p>"Fie for shame," said Sir Dinadan, "art thou a knight and darest not -tell me thy name? therefore I will fight with thee."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Tristram, "I will be advised, for I will not -fight but if me list; and if I do battle," said Sir Tristram, "ye are -not able for to withstand me."</p> - -<p>"Fie on thee, coward," said Sir Dinadan.</p> - -<p>And thus as they still hoved, they saw a knight come riding against -them.</p> - -<p>"Lo," said Sir Tristram, "see where cometh a knight riding that will -joust with you."</p> - -<p>Anon, as Sir Dinadan beheld him, he said, "It is the same doting knight -that I saw lie by the well neither sleeping nor waking."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Sir Tristram, "I know that knight full well with the -covered shield of azure; he is the king's son of Northumberland, his -name is Epinegris, and he is as great a lover as I know, and he loveth -the king's daughter of Wales, a full fair lady. And now I suppose," -said Sir Tristram, "and ye require him he will joust with you; and then -shall ye prove whether a lover be a better knight or ye that will not -love no lady."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Sir Dinadan, "now shalt thou see what I shall do."</p> - -<p>Therewithal Sir Dinadan spake on high and said, "Sir knight, make thee -ready to joust with me, for it is the custom of errant knights one to -joust with the other."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Epinegris, "is it the rule of you errant knights for to -make a knight to joust will he or nill?"</p> - -<p>"As for that," said Dinadan, "make thee ready, for here is for me."</p> - -<p>And therewithal they spurred their horses, and met together so hard -that Epinegris smote down Sir Dinadan. Then Sir Tristram rode to Sir -Dinadan, and said, "How now? me seemeth the lover hath right well sped."</p> - -<p>"Fie upon thee, coward," said Sir Dinadan, "and if thou be any good -knight, now revenge my shame."</p> - -<p>"Nay," said Sir Tristram, "I will not joust as at this time, but take -your horse and let us go from hence."</p> - -<p>"God defend me," said Sir Dinadan, "from thy fellowship, for I never -sped well sith I met with thee."</p> - -<p>And so they departed.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Sir Tristram, "peradventure I could tell you tidings of -Sir Tristram."</p> - -<p>"God defend me," said Sir Dinadan, "from thy fellowship, for Sir -Tristram were much the worse and he were in thy company."</p> - -<p>And then they departed.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "yet it may happen that I shall meet with you -in other places."</p> - -<p>And so Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there heard in that town -great noise and cry.</p> - -<p>"What meaneth this noise?" said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said they, "here is a knight of this castle which hath been long -among us, and right now he is slain with two knights, and for none -other cause but that our knight said that Sir Launcelot was a better -knight than was Sir Gawaine."</p> - -<p>"That was but a simple cause," said Sir Tristram, "to slay a good -knight because he said well by his master."</p> - -<p>"That is but a little remedy unto us," said the men of the town; "for -if Sir Launcelot had been here, soon we should have been revenged upon -those false knights."</p> - -<p>When Sir Tristram heard them say so, incontinent he sent for his shield -and for his spear, and lightly within a little while he had overtaken -them, and bade them turn and amend that they had misdone.</p> - -<p>"What amends wouldst thou have?" said that one knight.</p> - -<p>And therewith they took their course, and either met other so hard, -that Sir Tristram smote down that knight over his horse's crupper. Then -the other knight dressed him unto Sir Tristram, and in the same wise as -he served the first knight, so he served him. And then they gat them -upon their feet as well as they might, and dressed their shields and -their swords to do their battle unto the uttermost.</p> - -<p>"Knights," said Sir Tristram, "ye shall tell me of whence ye are and -what be your names."</p> - -<p>"Wit thou well, sir knight," said they, "we fear us not to tell thee -our names, for my name is Sir Agravaine, and my name is Gaheris, -brethren unto the good knight Sir Gawaine, and we be nephews unto King -Arthur."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Sir Tristram, "for King Arthur's sake I shall let you pass -as at this time. But it is shame," said Sir Tristram, "that Sir Gawaine -and ye that be come of so great a blood, that ye four brethren are so -named as ye be. For ye be called the greatest destroyers and murderers -of good knights that be now in this realm; for it is but as I heard -say, that Sir Gawaine and ye slew among you a better knight than ever -ye were, that was the noble knight Sir Lamorak de Galis; and it had -pleased God," said Sir Tristram, "I would I had been by Sir Lamorak at -his death."</p> - -<p>"Then shouldest thou have gone the same way," said Sir Gaheris.</p> - -<p>"Fair knight," said Sir Tristram, "there must have been many more -knights than ye are."</p> - -<p>And therewithal Sir Tristram departed from them towards Joyous Gard. -And when he was departed they took their horses, and the one said -to the other, "We will overtake him and be revenged upon him in the -despite of Sir Lamorak."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So when they had overtaken Sir Tristram, Sir Agravaine bade him, "Turn, -traitor knight."</p> - -<p>"That is evil said," said Sir Tristram; and therewith he pulled out -his sword, and smote Sir Agravaine such a buffet upon the helm that he -tumbled down off his horse in a swoon, and he had a grievous wound. And -then he turned to Gaheris, and Sir Tristram smote his sword and his -helm together with such a might that Gaheris fell out of his saddle; -and so Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there he alighted and -unarmed him. So Sir Tristram told la Belle Isolde of all his adventure -as ye have heard tofore. And when she heard him tell of Sir Dinadan, -"Sir," she said, "is not that he that made the song by King Mark?"</p> - -<p>"That same is he," said Sir Tristram, "for he is the best joker and -jester, and a noble knight of his hands, and the best fellow that I -know, and all good knights love his fellowship."</p> - -<p>"Alas, sir," said she, "why brought ye not him with you?"</p> - -<p>"Have ye no care," said Sir Tristram, "for he rideth to seek me in this -country, and therefore he will not away till he have met with me."</p> - -<p>And there Sir Tristram told la Belle Isolde how Sir Dinadan held -against all lovers. Right so there came in a varlet and told Sir -Tristram how there was come an errant knight into the town with such -colors upon his shield.</p> - -<p>"That is Sir Dinadan," said Sir Tristram. "Wit ye what ye shall do?" -said Sir Tristram; "send ye for him, my lady Isolde, and I will not be -seen, and ye shall hear the merriest knight that ever ye spake withal, -and the maddest talker, and I pray you heartily that ye make him good -cheer."</p> - -<p>Then anon la Belle Isolde sent into the town, and prayed Sir Dinadan -that he would come into the castle and rest him there with a lady.</p> - -<p>"With a good will," said Sir Dinadan; and so he mounted upon his horse, -and rode into the castle; and there he alighted, and was unarmed and -brought into the castle. Anon la Belle Isolde came unto him, and either -saluted other. Then she asked him of whence he was.</p> - -<p>"Madam," said Sir Dinadan, "I am of King Arthur's court, and knight of -the Round Table, and my name is Sir Dinadan."</p> - -<p>"What do ye in this country?" said la Belle Isolde.</p> - -<p>"Madam," said he, "I seek the noble knight Sir Tristram, for it was -told me that he was in this country."</p> - -<p>"It may well be," said la Belle Isolde, "but I am not ware of him."</p> - -<p>"Madam," said Sir Dinadan, "I marvel of Sir Tristram and moe other -lovers, what aileth them to be so mad and so assotted upon women."</p> - -<p>"Why," said la Belle Isolde, "are ye a knight and be ye no lover? it is -a shame unto you; wherefore ye may not be called a good knight, but if -that ye make a quarrel for a lady."</p> - -<p>"God defend me," said Sir Dinadan, "for the joy of love is too short, -and the sorrow and what cometh thereof endureth over long."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said la Belle Isolde, "say ye not so, for here fast by was the -good knight Sir Bleoberis, which fought with three knights at once for -a damsel's sake, and he won her before the King of Northumberland."</p> - -<p>"It was so," said Sir Dinadan, "for I know him well for a good knight -and a noble, and come of noble blood; for all be noble knights of whom -he is come of, that is Sir Launcelot du Lake."</p> - -<p>"Now I pray you," said la Belle Isolde, "tell me will ye fight for my -love with three knights that did me great wrong? and insomuch as ye be -a knight of King Arthur's court, I require you to do battle for me."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Dinadan said, "I shall say unto you, ye are as fair a lady as -ever I saw any, and much fairer than is my lady Queen Guenever; but wit -ye well at one word that I will not fight for you with three knights, -Jesu defend me."</p> - -<p>Then Isolde laughed, and had good game at him. So he had all the cheer -that she might make him; and there he lay all that night. And on the -morn early Sir Tristram armed him, and la Belle Isolde gave him a good -helm; and then he promised her that he would meet with Sir Dinadan, and -they two would ride together unto Lonazep, where the tournament should -be, "and there shall I make ready for you, where ye shall see the -tournament." Then departed Sir Tristram with two squires that bare his -shield and his spears that were great and long.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then after that, Sir Dinadan departed and rode his way a great pace -until he had overtaken Sir Tristram. And when Sir Dinadan had overtaken -him, he knew him anon, and he hated the fellowship of him above all -other knights.</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Sir Dinadan, "art thou that coward knight that I met with -yesterday, keep thee, for thou shalt joust with me, maugre thy head."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Sir Tristram, "and I am loth to joust."</p> - -<p>And so they let their horses run, and Sir Tristram missed of him a -purpose, and Sir Dinadan brake a spear upon Sir Tristram; and therewith -Sir Dinadan dressed himself to draw out his sword.</p> - -<p>"Not so," said Sir Tristram, "why are ye so wroth? I will not fight."</p> - -<p>"Fie on thee, coward," said Sir Dinadan, "thou shamest all knights."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Tristram, "I care not, for I will wait upon you -and be under your protection, for because ye are so good a knight ye -may save me."</p> - -<p>"The devil deliver me of thee," said Sir Dinadan, "for thou art as -goodly a man of arms and of thy person as ever I saw, and the most -coward that ever I saw. What wilt thou do with those great spears that -thou carriest with thee?"</p> - -<p>"I shall give them," said Sir Tristram, "to some good knight when I -come to the tournament; and if I see you do best I shall give them to -you."</p> - -<p>So thus as they rode talking they saw where came an errant knight afore -them dressing him for to joust.</p> - -<p>"Lo," said Sir Tristram, "yonder is one will joust; now dress thee to -him."</p> - -<p>"Ah! shame betide thee!" said Sir Dinadan.</p> - -<p>"Nay, not so," said Sir Tristram, "for that knight seemeth a shrew."</p> - -<p>"Then shall I," said Sir Dinadan.</p> - -<p>And so they dressed their shields and their spears, and they met -together so hard that the other knight smote down Sir Dinadan from his -horse.</p> - -<p>"Lo," said Sir Tristram, "it had been better that ye had left."</p> - -<p>"Fie on thee, coward!" said Sir Dinadan.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Dinadan started up, and gat his sword in his hand, and -proffered to do battle on foot.</p> - -<p>"Whether in love or in wrath?" said the other knight.</p> - -<p>"Let us do battle in love," said Sir Dinadan.</p> - -<p>"What is your name?" said that knight, "I pray you tell me."</p> - -<p>"Wit ye well my name is Sir Dinadan."</p> - -<p>"Ah, Sir Dinadan," said that knight, "and my name is Sir Gareth, the -youngest brother unto Sir Gawaine."</p> - -<p>Then either made of other great joy, for this Sir Gareth was the best -knight of all those brethren, and he proved a full good knight. Then -they took their horses, and there they spake of Sir Tristram, how he -was such a coward. And every word Sir Tristram heard, and laughed them -to scorn. Then were they ware where there came a knight before them -well horsed and well armed.</p> - -<p>"Fair knights," said Sir Tristram, "look between you who shall joust -with yonder knight, for I warn you I will not have to do with him."</p> - -<p>"Then shall I," said Sir Gareth.</p> - -<p>And so they encountered together, and there that knight smote down Sir -Gareth over his horse's crupper.</p> - -<p>"How now?" said Sir Tristram unto Sir Dinadan, "dress thee now, and -revenge the good knight Sir Gareth."</p> - -<p>"That shall I not," said Sir Dinadan, "for he hath stricken down a much -bigger knight than I am."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Sir Tristram, "now Sir Dinadan, I see and perceive full well -that your heart faileth you, therefore now shall ye see what I shall -do."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Tristram hurled unto that knight, and smote him quite from -his horse. And when Sir Dinadan saw that, he marvelled greatly, and -then he deemed in himself that it was Sir Tristram. Then this knight -that was on foot pulled out his sword to do battle.</p> - -<p>"What is your name?" said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"Wit ye well," said the knight, "my name is Sir Palamides."</p> - -<p>"What knight hate ye most?" said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"Sir knight," said he, "I hate Sir Tristram to the death, for and I may -meet with him the one of us shall die."</p> - -<p>"Ye say well," said Sir Tristram, "and wit ye well that I am Sir -Tristram de Lyonesse, and now do your worst."</p> - -<p>When Sir Palamides heard him say so he was astonished, and then he -said thus, "I pray you, Sir Tristram, forgive me all mine evil will, -and if I live I shall do you service above all other knights that be -living, and there as I have owed you evil will me sore repenteth. I -wot not what aileth me, for me seemeth that ye are a good knight, and -none other knight that named himself a good knight should not hate you; -therefore I require you, Sir Tristram, take no displeasure at mine -unkind words."</p> - -<p>"Sir Palamides," said Sir Tristram, "ye say well, and well I wot ye are -a good knight, for I have seen you proved, and many great enterprises -have ye taken upon you, and well achieved them; therefore," said Sir -Tristram, "and ye have any evil will to me, now may ye right it, for I -am ready at your hand."</p> - -<p>"Not so, my lord Sir Tristram; I will do you knightly service in all -things as ye will command."</p> - -<p>"And right so I will take you," said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>And so they rode forth on their ways, talking of many things.</p> - -<p>"Oh my lord Sir Tristram," said Dinadan, "foul have ye mocked me, for -truly I came into this country for your sake, and by the advice of -my lord Sir Launcelot, and yet would not Sir Launcelot tell me the -certainty of you, where I should find you."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Tristram, "Sir Launcelot wist well where I was, for I -abode within his own castle."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Thus they rode until they were ware of the Castle of Lonazep, and then -were they ware of four hundred tents and pavilions, and marvellous -great ordinance. "So God me help," said Sir Tristram, "yonder I see the -greatest ordinance that ever I saw."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Palamides, "me seemeth there was as great an ordinance -at the Castle of Maidens upon the rock, where ye won the prize, for I -saw myself where ye forjousted thirty knights."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Dinadan, "and in Surluse, at that tournament that Sir -Galahalt of the long isles made, the which lasted seven days, was as -great a gathering as is here, for there were many nations."</p> - -<p>"Who was the best?" said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"Sir, it was Sir Launcelot du Lake, and the noble knight Sir Lamorak de -Galis; Sir Launcelot won the degree."</p> - -<p>"I doubt not," said Sir Tristram, "but he won the degree, so that -he had not been overmatched with many knights. And of the death of -Sir Lamorak," said Sir Tristram, "it was over great pity, for I dare -say that he was the cleanest mighted man, and the best winded of his -age that was on live, for I knew him that he was the biggest knight -that ever I met withal, but if it were Sir Launcelot. Alas!" said Sir -Tristram, "full woe is me of his death, and, if they were all the -cousins of my lord King Arthur that slew him, they should die for it, -and all those that were consenting to his death. And for such things," -said Sir Tristram, "I fear to draw unto the court of my lord King -Arthur. I will that ye wit it," said Sir Tristram to Sir Gareth.</p> - -<p>"Sir, I blame you not," said Sir Gareth, "for well I understand the -vengeance of my brethren Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and -Sir Mordred; but for me," said Gareth, "I meddle not of their matters, -therefore there is none of them that loveth me, and, for I understand -they be murderers of good knights, I left their company, and would God -I had been by," said Sir Gareth, "when the noble knight Sir Lamorak was -slain."</p> - -<p>"Now as Jesu be my help," said Sir Tristram, "it is well said of you, -for I had liever than all the gold between this and Rome I had been -there."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Palamides, "I would I had been there, and yet I had -never the degree at no jousts there as he was, but he put me to the -worse on foot or on horseback, and that day that he was slain he did -the most deeds of arms that ever I saw knight do all the days of my -life. And when the degree was given him by my lord King Arthur, Sir -Gawaine and his three brethren, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir -Mordred, set upon Sir Lamorak in a privy place, and there they slew his -horse, and so they fought with him on foot more than three hours, both -before him and behind him. And Sir Mordred gave him his death wound -behind him at his back, and all to-hewed him; for one of his squires -told me that saw it."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <a name="illus5" id="illus5"></a> - <img src="images/illus5.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>"<i>They fought with him on foot more than three hours, both before him and behind him</i>"</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Fie upon treason," said Sir Tristram, "for it killeth my heart to hear -this tale."</p> - -<p>"So doth it mine," said Sir Gareth; "brethren as they be mine, I shall -never love them nor draw me to their fellowship for that deed."</p> - -<p>"Now speak we of other deeds," said Sir Palamides, "and let him be, for -his life ye may not get again."</p> - -<p>"That is the more pity," said Sir Dinadan, "for Sir Gawaine and his -brethren (except you, Sir Gareth) hate all the good knights of the -Round Table for the most part; for well I wot, and they might privily, -they hate my lord Sir Launcelot and all his kin, and great privy -despite they have at him, and that is my lord Sir Launcelot well ware -of, and that causeth him to have the good knights of his kindred about -him."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Sir," said Palamides, "let us leave off this matter, and let us see -how we shall do at this tournament. By mine advice," said Palamides, -"let us four hold together against all that will come."</p> - -<p>"Not by my counsel," said Sir Tristram, "for I see by their pavilions -there will be four hundred knights, and doubt ye not," said Sir -Tristram, "but there will be many good knights, and be a man never -so valiant nor so big yet he may be overmatched. And so I have seen -knights done many times: and when they wend best to have won worship -they lost it. For manhood is not worth but if it be meddled [<i>mingled</i>] -with wisdom: and as for me," said Sir Tristram, "it may happen I shall -keep mine own head as well as another."</p> - -<p>So thus they rode until that they came to Humber bank, where they heard -a cry and a doleful noise. Then were they ware in the wind where came -a rich vessel covered over with red silk, and the vessel landed fast -by them. Therewith Sir Tristram alighted and his knights. And so Sir -Tristram went afore and entered into that vessel. And when he came -within, he saw a fair bed richly covered, and thereupon lay a dead -seemly knight, all armed, save the head was all bebled, with deadly -wounds upon him: the which seemed to be a passing good knight.</p> - -<p>"How may this be," said Sir Tristram, "that this knight is thus slain?" -Then Sir Tristram was ware of a letter in the dead knight's hand. -"Master mariners," said Sir Tristram, "what meaneth that letter?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said they, "in that letter ye shall hear and know how he was -slain, and for what cause, and what was his name; but, sir," said the -mariners, "wit ye well that no man shall take that letter and read it -but if he be a good knight, and that he will faithfully promise to -revenge his death, else shall there no knight see that letter open."</p> - -<p>"Wit ye well," said Sir Tristram, "that some of us may revenge his -death as well as others; and if it be as ye say it shall be revenged." -And therewith Sir Tristram took the letter out of the knight's hand, -and it said thus: "Hermance, king and lord of the Red City, I send -to all knights errant recommendation, and unto you, noble knights of -King Arthur's court, I beseech them all among them to find one knight -that will fight for my sake with two brethren, that I brought up of -nought, and feloniously and traitorously they have slain me, wherefore -I beseech one good knight to revenge my death; and he that revengeth my -death I will that he have my Red City and all my castles."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the mariners, "wit ye well this king and knight that here -lieth was a full worshipful man, and of full great prowess, and full -well he loved all manner of knights errant."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Tristram, "here is a piteous case, and full fain I -would take this enterprise upon me, but I have made such a promise that -needs I must be at this great tournament or else I am shamed. For well -I wot for my sake in especial my lord Arthur let make this jousts and -tournament in this country; and well I wot that many worshipful people -will be there at that tournament for to see me. Therefore I fear me to -take this enterprise upon me, that I shall not come again betimes to -this jousts."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Palamides, "I pray you give me this enterprise, and ye -shall see me achieve it worshipfully, or else I shall die in this -quarrel."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Sir Tristram, "and this enterprise I give you, with this -that ye be with me at this tournament, that shall be as at this day -seven night."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Palamides, "I promise you that I shall be with you by that -day if I be unslain or unmaimed."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then departed Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Sir Dinadan, and left Sir -Palamides in the vessel; and so Sir Tristram beheld the mariners how -they sailed along Humber. And when Sir Palamides was out of their -sight, they took their horses, and beheld about them. And then were -they ware of a knight that came riding against them unarmed, and -nothing about him but a sword. And when this knight came nigh them he -saluted them, and they him again.</p> - -<p>"Fair knights," said that knight, "I pray you insomuch as ye be knights -errant, that ye will come and see my castle, and take such as ye find -there; I pray you heartily."</p> - -<p>And so they rode with him into his castle; and there they were brought -to the hall, that was well apparelled, and so they were unarmed and set -at a board. And when this knight saw Sir Tristram, anon he knew him; -and then this knight waxed pale and wroth at Sir Tristram. When Sir -Tristram saw his host make such cheer, he marvelled greatly, and said, -"Sir mine host, what cheer make ye?"</p> - -<p>"Wit thou well," said he, "I fare much the worse for thee; for I know -thee well, Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, thou slewest my brother, and -therefore I give thee summons that I will slay thee and I may get thee -at large."</p> - -<p>"Sir knight," said Sir Tristram, "I am not advised that ever I slew -any brother of yours; and if ye say that I did it, I will make you -amends unto my power."</p> - -<p>"I will none of your amends," said the knight, "but keep thee from me."</p> - -<p>So when he had dined, Sir Tristram asked his arms and departed; and so -they rode forth on their way. And within a little while Sir Dinadan saw -where came a knight riding all armed and well horsed without shield.</p> - -<p>"Sir Tristram," said Sir Dinadan, "take heed to yourself, for I -undertake that yonder cometh your host that will have to do with you."</p> - -<p>"Let him come," said Sir Tristram, "I shall abide him as well as I may."</p> - -<p>Anon that knight when he came nigh Sir Tristram he cried to him, and -bade him abide and keep him well. So they hurled together, but Sir -Tristram smote the other knight so sore that he bare him to the ground. -And that knight arose lightly, and took his horse again, and so rode -fiercely to Sir Tristram, and smote him twice full hard upon the helm. -"Sir knight," said Sir Tristram, "I pray you to leave off and smite me -no more, for I would be loth to deal with you and I might choose, for -I have your meat and your drink within my body." For all that he would -not leave; and then Sir Tristram gave him such a buffet upon the helm -that he tumbled upside down from his horse, that the blood brast out at -the ventails of his helm; and there he lay still likely to have died. -Then Sir Tristram said, "Me repenteth sore of this buffet that I smote -so sore, for, as I suppose, he is dead."</p> - -<p>And so they departed and rode forth on their way. So they had not -ridden but a while but they saw coming against them two full likely -knights, well armed and horsed, and goodly servants about them. The -one was called the king with the hundred knights, and that other was -Sir Segwarides, which were renowned two noble knights. So as they -came either by other, the king looked upon Sir Dinadan, which at that -time had Sir Tristram's helm upon his shoulder, which helm the king -had seen before with the Queen of Northwales, and that helm the Queen -of Northwales had given unto la Belle Isolde, and the Queen la Belle -Isolde gave it unto Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"Sir knight," said [the king], "where had ye that helm?"</p> - -<p>"What would ye?" said Sir Dinadan.</p> - -<p>"For I will have ado with thee," said the king, "for the love of her -that owned that helm, and therefore keep you."</p> - -<p>So they departed and came together with all the mights of their horses; -and there the king with the hundred knights smote Sir Dinadan, horse -and all, to the earth; and then he commanded his servant, "Go and take -thou his helm off, and keep it."</p> - -<p>So the varlet went to unbuckle his helm.</p> - -<p>"What helm? What wilt thou do?" said Sir Tristram; "leave that helm."</p> - -<p>"To what intent," said the king, "will ye, sir knight, meddle with that -helm?"</p> - -<p>"Wit you well," said Sir Tristram, "that helm shall not depart from me, -or it be dearer bought."</p> - -<p>"Then make you ready," said [the king] unto Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>So they hurtled together, and there Sir Tristram smote him down over -his horse's tail. And then the king arose lightly, and gat his horse -lightly again, and then he struck fiercely at Sir Tristram many great -strokes. And then Sir Tristram gave [the king] such a buffet upon the -helm that he fell down over his horse, sore stunned.</p> - -<p>"Lo," said Sir Dinadan, "that helm is unhappy to us twain, for I had a -fall for it, and now, sir king, have ye another fall."</p> - -<p>Then Segwarides asked, "Who shall joust with me?"</p> - -<p>"I pray thee," said Sir Gareth unto Dinadan, "let me have this jousts."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Dinadan, "I pray you take it as for me."</p> - -<p>"That is no reason," said Tristram, "for this jousts should be yours."</p> - -<p>"At a word," said Sir Dinadan, "I will not thereof."</p> - -<p>Then Gareth dressed him to Sir Segwarides, and there Sir Segwarides -smote Sir Gareth and his horse to the earth.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Sir Tristram to Dinadan, "joust with yonder knight."</p> - -<p>"I will not thereof," said Dinadan.</p> - -<p>"Then will I," said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>And then Sir Tristram ran to him and gave him a fall, and so they left -them on foot. And Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there Sir -Gareth would not of his courtesy have gone into the castle, but Sir -Tristram would not suffer him to depart; and so they alighted, and -unarmed them, and had there great cheer. But when Sir Dinadan came -afore la Belle Isolde, he cursed the time that ever he bare the helm of -Sir Tristram, and there he told her how Sir Tristram had mocked him. -Then was there good laughing and sport at Sir Dinadan, that they wist -not what to do to keep them from laughing.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now will we leave them merry within Joyous Gard, and speak we of Sir -Palamides. Then Sir Palamides sailed even along Humber unto the coast -of the sea, where was a fair castle, and at that time it was early in -the morning afore day. Then the mariners went unto Sir Palamides, that -was fast on sleep: "Sir knight," said the mariners, "ye must arise, for -here is a castle into the which ye must go."</p> - -<p>"I assent me thereto," said Sir Palamides.</p> - -<p>And therewithal he arrived; and then he blew his horn, the which the -mariners had given him. And when they that were within the castle heard -that horn, they put forth many knights, and there they stood upon the -walls and said with one voice, "Welcome be ye to this castle." And then -it waxed clear day, and Sir Palamides entered into the castle. And -within a while he was served with many divers meats. Then Sir Palamides -heard about him much weeping and great dole. "What may this mean?" said -Sir Palamides: "I love not to hear such a sorrow, and fain I would know -what it meaneth."</p> - -<p>Then there came afore him one whose name was Sir Ebel, that said thus, -"Wit ye well, sir knight, this dole and sorrow is here made every day, -and for this cause: we had a king that hight Hermance, and he was King -of the Red City, and this king that was lord was a noble knight, large -and liberal of his expense. And in the world he loved nothing so much -as he did errant knights of King Arthur's court, and all jousting, -hunting, and all manner of knightly games; for so kind a king and -knight had never the rule of poor people as he was; and because of his -goodness and gentleness we bemoan him and ever shall. And all kings -and estates may beware by our lord, for he was destroyed in his own -default, for had he cherished them of his blood he had yet lived with -great riches and rest; but all estates may beware of our king. But -alas," said Ebel, "that we shall give all other warning by his death."</p> - -<p>"Tell me," said Palamides, "in what manner was your lord slain, and by -whom?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Ebel, "our king brought up of children two men that -now are perilous knights, and these two knights our king had so in -charity, that he loved no man nor trusted no man of his blood, nor -none other that was about him. And by these two knights our king was -governed, and so they ruled him peaceably, and his lands, and never -would they suffer none of his blood to have no rule with our king. And -also he was so free and so gentle, and they so false and deceivable, -that they ruled him peaceably; and that espied the lords of our king's -blood, and departed from him unto their own livelihood. Then when these -two traitors understood that they had driven all the lords of his -blood from him, they were not pleased with that rule, but then they -thought to have more, as ever it is an old saw, Give a churl rule, and -thereby he will not be sufficed; for whatsoever he be that is ruled -by a villain born, and the lord of the soil to be a gentleman born, -the same villain shall destroy all the gentlemen about him; therefore -all estates and lords beware whom ye take about you. And if ye be a -knight of King Arthur's court, remember this tale, for this is the end -and conclusion. My lord and king rode unto the forest by the advice of -these false traitors, and there he chased at the red deer, all armed -of all pieces, full like a good knight; and so for labor he waxed dry, -and then he alighted and drank at a well. And when he was alighted, -by the assent of these two false traitors, the one that hight Helius -suddenly smote our king through the body with a spear, and so they left -him there; and when they were departed, then by fortune I came unto -the well and found my lord and king wounded unto the death; and when -I heard his complaint, I let bring him to the water side, and in that -same ship I put him alive. And when my lord King Hermance was in that -vessel, he required me for the true faith that I owed unto him for to -write a letter in this manner:—</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"'Recommending unto King Arthur and unto all the knights errant, -beseeching them all in so much as I, King Hermance, King of the Red -City, thus am slain by felony and treason, through two knights of mine -own, and of mine own bringing up and of mine own making, that some -worshipful knight will revenge my death, in so much as I have been ever -to my power well willing unto King Arthur's court; and who that will -adventure his life with these two traitors for my sake in one battle, -I, King Hermance, King of the Red City, freely give all my lands and -tenements that ever I possessed in all my life.' This letter," said -Sir Ebel, "I wrote by my lord's commandment, and then he received his -Maker [<i>took the Holy Communion</i>]. And when he was dead, he commanded -me, or ever he were cold, to put this letter fast in his hand; and then -he commanded me to put forth that same vessel down Humber, and I should -give these mariners in commandment never to stint until that they came -unto Logris, where all the noble knights shall assemble at this time, -'and there shall some good knight have pity on me to revenge my death, -for there was never king nor lord falselier ne traitorlier slain than I -am here to my death.'"</p> - -<p>Thus was the complaint of our king Hermance.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Sir Ebel, "ye know all how our lord was betrayed, we -require you for God's sake have pity upon his death, and worshipfully -revenge his death, and then may ye hold all these lands. For we all wit -well that, and ye may slay these two traitors, the Red City and all -those that be therein will take you for their lord."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Palamides, "it grieveth my heart for to hear you tell -this doleful tale. And to say the truth, I saw the same letter that ye -speak of; and one of the best knights on the earth read that letter -to me, and by his commandment I came hither to revenge your king's -death; and therefore have done, and let me wit where I shall find those -traitors, for I shall never be at ease in my heart till that I be in -hands with them."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Ebel, "then take your ship again, and that ship must -bring you unto the Delectable Isle, fast by the Red City, and we in -this castle shall pray for you and abide your again-coming; for this -same castle, and ye speed well, must needs be yours; for our king -Hermance let make this castle for the love of the two traitors, and so -we kept it with strong hand, and therefore full sore are we threated."</p> - -<p>"Wot ye what ye shall do," said Sir Palamides; "whatsoever come of me, -look ye keep well this castle. For, and it misfortune me so to be slain -in this quest, I am sure there will come one of the best knights of the -world for to revenge my death, and that is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, or -else Sir Launcelot du Lake."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Palamides departed from that castle. And as he came nigh unto -the city, there came out of a ship a goodly knight all armed against -him, with his shield upon his shoulder, and his hand upon his sword; -and anon as he came nigh Sir Palamides, he said, "Sir knight, what seek -ye here in this country? leave this quest, for it is mine, and mine it -was or it was yours, and therefore I will have it."</p> - -<p>"Sir knight," said Sir Palamides, "it may well be that this quest -was yours or it was mine, but when the letter was taken out of the -dead king's hand, at that time by likelihood there was no knight had -undertaken to revenge the death of King Hermance; and so at that time I -promised to revenge his death, and so I shall, or else I am shamed."</p> - -<p>"Ye say well," said the knight, "but wit ye well then will I fight -with you, and he that is the better knight of us both let him take the -battle in hand."</p> - -<p>"I assent me," said Sir Palamides.</p> - -<p>And then they dressed their shields, and drew out their swords, and -lashed together many a sad stroke, as men of might, and thus they -fought more than an hour. And at the last Sir Palamides waxed big and -better winded, so that then he smote that knight such a stroke that he -made him to kneel upon both his knees. Then that knight spoke on high -and said, "Gentle knight, hold thy hand."</p> - -<p>Sir Palamides was courteous and withdrew his hand.</p> - -<p>Then this knight said, "Wit ye well, sir knight, that ye be better -worthy to have this battle than I, and I require thee of thy knighthood -to tell me thy name."</p> - -<p>"Sir, my name is Sir Palamides, a knight of King Arthur's court and of -the Round Table, that hither am come to revenge the death of this dead -king."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Ah, well be ye found," said the knight unto Sir Palamides, "for of all -knights that be now living (except three) I had lievest have you. The -first is Sir Launcelot du Lake, the second is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, -and the third Sir Lamorak de Galis; and I am brother unto King Hermance -that is dead, and my name is Sir Hermind."</p> - -<p>"It is well said," quoth Sir Palamides, "and ye shall see how I shall -speed; and if I be there slain, go ye unto my lord Sir Launcelot or -unto my lord Sir Tristram, and pray them to revenge my death, for as -for Sir Lamorak, him shall ye never see in this world."</p> - -<p>"Alas," said Sir Hermind, "how may that be?"</p> - -<p>"He is slain," said Sir Palamides, "by Sir Gawaine and his brethren."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Hermind, "there was not one for one that slew him."</p> - -<p>"That is truth," said Sir Palamides, "for they were four dangerous -knights that slew him, as Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and -Sir Mordred; but Sir Gareth, the fifth brother, was away, the best -knight of them all."</p> - -<p>And so Sir Palamides told Hermind all the manner, and how they slew -Sir Lamorak all only by treason. So Sir Palamides took his ship, and -arrived up at the Delectable Isle. And in the meanwhile Sir Hermind, -that was the king's brother, he arrived up at the Red City, and there -he told them how there was come a knight of King Arthur's to avenge -King Hermance's death; and his name is Sir Palamides the good knight. -Then all the city made great joy. For mickle had they heard of Sir -Palamides, and of his noble prowess. So let they ordain a messenger and -sent unto the two brethren, and bade them to make them ready, for there -was a knight come that would fight with them both. So the messenger -went unto them where they were at a castle there beside. And there he -told them how there was a knight come of King Arthur's court to fight -with them both at once.</p> - -<p>"He is welcome," said they. "But tell us, we pray you, if it be Sir -Launcelot, or any of his blood."</p> - -<p>"He is none of that blood," said the messenger.</p> - -<p>"Then we care the less," said the two brethren, "for with none of the -blood of Sir Launcelot we keep not to have to do withal."</p> - -<p>"Wit ye well," said the messenger, "that his name is Sir Palamides, -the which is not yet christened, a noble knight."</p> - -<p>"Well," said they, "and if he be now unchristened, he shall never be -christened."</p> - -<p>So they appointed for to be at the city within two days. And when Sir -Palamides was come unto the city, they made passing great joy of him. -And when they beheld him, [they] saw that he was well made, cleanly and -bigly, and unmaimed of his limbs, and neither too young nor too old, -and so all the people praised him; and though he was not christened, -yet he believed in the best manner, and was faithful and true of his -promise, and also well conditioned; and because he made his avow never -to take full christendom unto the time that he had done seven battles -within the lists.</p> - -<p>So within the third day there came to this city these two brethren, the -one hight Sir Helius, and that other hight Sir Helake, the which were -men of great prowess, howbeit they were false and full of treason, and -but poor men born, yet were they noble knights of their hands.</p> - -<p>And with them they brought forty knights, to the intent they should -be big enough for the Red City. Thus came the two brethren with great -bobance [<i>boasting</i>] and pride, for they had put the Red City in fear -and damage. Then they were brought into the lists; and Sir Palamides -came into the place, and thus he said, "Be ye the two brethren, Sir -Helius and Sir Helake, that slew your king and lord Sir Hermance by -felony and treason, for whom I am come hither for to revenge his -death?"</p> - -<p>"Wit thou well," said Sir Helius and Sir Helake, "that we are the same -knights that slew King Hermance. And wit thou well, Sir Palamides, -Saracen, that we shall handle thee so or thou depart that thou shalt -wish that thou werest christened."</p> - -<p>"It may well be," said Sir Palamides, "for yet I would not die or I -were christened, and yet so am I not afeared of you both, but I trust -to God that I shall die a better Christian man than any of you both; -and doubt ye not," said Sir Palamides, "either ye or I shall be left -dead in this place."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then they departed, and the two brethren came against Sir Palamides, -and he against them, as fast as their horses might run. And by fortune -Sir Palamides smote Helake through his shield, and through the breast -more than a fathom. All this while Sir Helius held up his spear, and -for pride and presumption he would not smite Sir Palamides with his -spear. But when he saw his brother lie on the earth, and saw he might -not help himself, then he said unto Sir Palamides, "Help thyself": and -therewith he came hurtling unto Sir Palamides with his spear, and smote -him quite from his saddle. Then Sir Helius rode over Sir Palamides -twice or thrice. And therewith Sir Palamides was ashamed, and gat the -horse of Sir Helius by the bridle, and therewithal the horse areared, -and Sir Palamides helped after, and so they fell both to the earth, but -anon Sir Helius started up lightly, and there he smote Sir Palamides -a mighty stroke upon the helm, so that he kneeled upon his own knee. -Then they lashed together many sad strokes, and traced and traversed, -now backward, now sideling, hurtling together like two boars, and that -same time they fell both grovelling to the earth. Thus they fought -still without any reposing two hours, and never breathed, and then Sir -Palamides waxed faint and weary, and Sir Helius waxed passing strong, -and doubled his strokes, and drove Sir Palamides overthwart and endlong -all the field, that they of the city, when they saw Sir Palamides in -this case, they wept and cried, and made a sorrowful dole; and that -other party made great joy. "Alas," said the men of the city, "that -this noble knight should thus be slain for our king's sake!"</p> - -<p>And as they were thus weeping and crying [for] Sir Palamides that had -endured well an hundred strokes, that it was wonder that he stood upon -his feet, at the last Sir Palamides beheld as well as he might the -common people how they wept for him. And then he said unto himself, -"Ah, fie for shame, Sir Palamides, wherefore hangest thou thy head so -low?" And therewith he bare up his shield, and looked Sir Helius in -the visage, and smote him a great stroke upon the helm, and after that -another, and another. And then he smote Sir Helius with such a might, -that he fell upon the ground grovelling; and then he started lightly -to him, and rashed off his helm from his head, and there he smote him -such a buffet that he departed his head from the body. And then were -the people of the city the joyfullest people that might be. So they -brought him unto his lodging with great solemnity, and there all the -people became his men; and then Sir Palamides prayed them all for to -take heed unto the lordship of King Hermance. "For, fair sirs, wit -ye well, I may not at this time abide with you, for I must in all the -haste be with my lord King Arthur at the Castle of Lonazep, which I -have promised."</p> - -<p>So then were the people full heavy of his departing; for all that city -proffered Sir Palamides the third part of their goods so that he would -abide with them; but in no wise at that time he would abide; and so -Sir Palamides departed. And then he came unto the castle whereas Sir -Ebel was lieutenant; and when they that were in the castle knew how Sir -Palamides had sped, there was a joyful meyny [<i>household</i>]. And Sir -Palamides departed, and came to the Castle of Lonazep. And when he wist -that Sir Tristram was not there, he took his way unto Humber, and came -unto Joyous Gard, whereas Sir Tristram was and la Belle Isolde. So it -had been commanded that what knight errant came within the Joyous Gard, -as in the town, that they should warn Sir Tristram. So there came a man -of the town, and told Sir Tristram how there was a knight in the town, -a passing goodly man.</p> - -<p>"What manner of man is he?" said Sir Tristram, "and what sign beareth -he?"</p> - -<p>So the man told Sir Tristram all the tokens of him.</p> - -<p>"That is Palamides," said Dinadan.</p> - -<p>"It may well be," said Sir Tristram: "go ye to him," said Sir Tristram -unto Dinadan.</p> - -<p>So Dinadan went unto Sir Palamides, and there either made of other -great joy, and so they lay together that night, and on the morn early -came Sir Tristram and Sir Gareth, and took them in their beds, and so -they arose and brake their fast.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[And so, having done many great deeds of arms, after many days it -happened that Sir Tristram rode forth for to rescue Sir Palamides, but -Sir Launcelot, in disguise, had already rescued him or [<i>before</i>] that -Sir Tristram could come. And then Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides went -with the unknown knight to his castle, which was Sir Launcelot's castle -of Joyous Gard.]</p> - -<p>And when they were come within Joyous Gard, they alighted, and their -horses were led into a stable, and then they unarmed them. And when -Sir Launcelot had put off his helm, Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides -knew him. Then Sir Tristram took Sir Launcelot in his arms; and Sir -Palamides kneeled down upon his knees and thanked Sir Launcelot. When -Sir Launcelot saw Sir Palamides kneel, he lightly took him up, and -said,—</p> - -<p>"Wit thou well, Sir Palamides, I and any knight in this land of worship -ought of very right succor and rescue so noble a knight as ye are -proved and renowned throughout all this realm, endlong and overthwart."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot within three or four days departed; and with him -rode Sir Ector de Maris; and Dinadan and Sir Palamides were there -left with Sir Tristram a two months and more. But ever Sir Palamides -faded and mourned, that all men had marvel wherefore he faded so away. -So upon a day, in the dawning Sir Palamides went into the forest by -himself alone, and there he found a well. And therewithal he laid him -down by the well. And then he began to make a rhyme of la Belle Isolde -and him. And in the meanwhile Sir Tristram was that same day ridden -into the forest to chase the hart of greese [<i>the fat hart</i>]. And so -as Sir Tristram rode into that forest up and down, he heard one sing -marvellously loud; and that was Sir Palamides, that lay by the well. -And then Sir Tristram rode softly thither, for he deemed there was some -knight errant that was at the well.</p> - -<p>And when Sir Tristram came nigh him, he descended down from his horse, -and tied his horse fast to a tree, and then he came near him on foot. -And anon he was ware where lay Sir Palamides by the well. And ever -the complaints were of that noble queen la Belle Isolde, the which -was marvellously and wonderfully well made and full dolefully and -piteously. And all the whole song the noble knight Sir Tristram heard -from the beginning to the ending, the which grieved and troubled him -sore. But then at last, when Sir Tristram had heard all Sir Palamides' -complaints, he was wroth out of measure, and thought for to slay -him there as he lay. Then Sir Tristram remembered himself that Sir -Palamides was unarmed, and of the noble name that Sir Palamides had, -and the noble name that himself had, and then he made a restraint of -his anger, and so he went unto Sir Palamides a soft pace, and said,—</p> - -<p>"Sir Palamides, I have heard your complaint, and of thy treason that -thou hast owed me so long. And wit thou well therefore thou shalt die. -And if it were not for shame of knighthood thou shouldest not escape my -hands, for now I know well thou hast awaited me with treason. Tell me," -said Sir Tristram, "how thou wilt acquit thee."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Palamides, "thus I will acquit me: as for queen la Belle -Isolde, ye shall wit well that I love her above all other ladies of -the world; and well I wot it shall befall me as for her love as befell -to the noble knight Sir Kehidius, that died for the love of la Belle -Isolde; and now, Sir Tristram, I will that ye wit that I have loved la -Belle Isolde many a day, and she hath been the causer of my worship. -And else I had been the most simplest knight in the world. For by -her, and because of her, I have won the worship that I have: for when -I remembered me of la Belle Isolde, I won the worship wheresoever I -came, for the most part; and yet had I never reward nor bounty of her -the days of my life, and yet have I been her knight guerdonless; and -therefore, Sir Tristram, as for any death I dread not, for I had as -lief die as to live. And if I were armed as thou art, I should lightly -do battle with thee."</p> - -<p>"Well have ye uttered your treason," said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"I have done to you no treason," said Sir Palamides, "for love is free -for all men, and though I have loved your lady she is my lady as well -as yours; and yet shall I love her to the uttermost days of my life as -well as ye."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Then," said Sir Tristram, "I will fight with you unto the uttermost."</p> - -<p>"I grant," said Sir Palamides, "for in a better quarrel keep I never -to fight, for and I die of your hands, of a better knight's hands may -I not be slain. And sithen [<i>since</i>] I understand that I shall never -rejoice the queen la Belle Isolde, I have as good a will to die as to -live."</p> - -<p>"Then set ye a day of battle," said Sir Tristram.</p> - -<p>"This day fifteen days," said Sir Palamides, "will I meet with you -hereby in the meadow under Joyous Gard."</p> - -<p>"Fie for shame!" said Sir Tristram, "will ye set so long a day? let us -fight to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Not so," said Sir Palamides, "for I am feeble and lean, and have been -long sick for the love of la Belle Isolde, and therefore I will rest me -till that I have my strength again."</p> - -<p>So then Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides promised faithfully to meet at -the well as that day fifteen days.</p> - -<p>Right so departed Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides; and so Sir Palamides -took his horse and his harness, and rode unto King Arthur's court, and -there Sir Palamides gat him four knights and three sergeants of arms; -and so he returned again towards Joyous Gard. And in the meanwhile Sir -Tristram chased and hunted at all manner of venery [<i>game</i>]; and about -a three days afore that the battle should be, as Sir Tristram chased an -hart, there was an archer shot at the hart, and by misfortune he smote -Sir Tristram in the thickest of the thigh and wounded him right sore, -and the arrow slew Sir Tristram's horse; and when Sir Tristram was so -sore hurt, he was passing heavy, and wit ye well he bled sore. And -then he took another horse, and rode unto Joyous Gard with full great -heaviness.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then when the fifteenth day was come, Sir Palamides came to the well -with four knights with him of King Arthur's court, and three sergeants -of arms. And the one sergeant brought his helm, the other his spear, -and the third his sword. So Sir Palamides came into the field, and -there he abode nigh two hours, and then he sent a squire unto Sir -Tristram, and desired him to come into the field for to hold his -promise. When the squire was come to Joyous Gard, and that Sir Tristram -heard of his coming, he commanded that the squire should come to his -presence there as he lay in his bed.</p> - -<p>"My lord Sir Tristram," said Palamides' squire, "wit you well, my lord -Palamides abideth you in the field, and he would wit whether ye would -do battle or not."</p> - -<p>"Ah, my fair brother," said Sir Tristram, "wit thou well that I am -right heavy for these tidings, therefore tell Sir Palamides and I were -well at ease I would not lie here, nor he should have no need to send -for me, and I might either ride or go: and for thou shalt say that I -am no liar," Sir Tristram showed him his thigh, that the wound was six -inches deep:—"and now thou hast seen my hurt, tell thy lord that this -is no feigned matter; and tell him that I had liever than all the gold -of King Arthur that I were whole; and tell Sir Palamides, as soon as I -am whole I shall seek him endlong and overthwart, and that I promise -you as I am true knight; and if ever I may meet with him he shall have -battle of me his fill."</p> - -<p>And with this the squire departed. And then departed Sir Palamides -where as fortune led him. And within a month Sir Tristram was whole of -his hurt. And then he took his horse, and rode from country to country, -and all strange adventures he achieved wheresoever he rode, and always -he inquired for Sir Palamides.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[When Sir Tristram was returned, he heard how there should be a great -feast at King Arthur's court on the Pentecost next following. And so -when that day was nigh Sir Tristram set forth unarmed towards Camelot.]</p> - -<p>And within a mile after, Sir Tristram saw before him where Sir -Palamides had stricken down a knight, and had almost wounded him to -death. Then Sir Tristram repented him that he was not armed, and then -he hoved still. With that Sir Palamides knew Sir Tristram, and cried on -high: "Sir Tristram, now be we met, for or we depart we will redress -our old sores."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Tristram, "there was never yet Christian man -that might make his boast that ever I fled from him, and wit thou well, -Sir Palamides, thou that art a Saracen shall never make thy boast that -Sir Tristram de Lyonesse shall flee from thee."</p> - -<p>And therewithal Sir Tristram made his horse to run with all his might, -came he straight upon Sir Palamides, and brake his spear upon him in -an hundred pieces, and forthwith Sir Tristram drew his sword, and then -he turned his horse and struck at Sir Palamides six great strokes upon -his helm. And then Sir Palamides stood still, and beheld Sir Tristram, -and marvelled of his woodness and of his great folly; and then Sir -Palamides said to himself, "And Sir Tristram were armed it were hard to -cease him of this battle, and if I turn again and slay him I am shamed -wheresoever that I go."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Tristram spake and said, "Thou coward knight, what castest -thou to do? why wilt thou not do battle with me, for have thou no doubt -I shall endure all thy malice."</p> - -<p>"Ah, Sir Tristram," said Sir Palamides, "full well thou wottest I may -not fight with thee for shame, for thou art here naked, and I am -armed, and if I slay thee dishonor shall be mine. And well thou wottest -I know thy strength and thy hardiness to endure against a good knight."</p> - -<p>"That is truth," said Sir Tristram, "I understand thy valiantness well."</p> - -<p>"Ye say well," said Sir Palamides, "now I require you tell me a -question that I shall say to you."</p> - -<p>"Tell me what it is," said Sir Tristram, "and I shall answer you the -truth."</p> - -<p>"I put the case," said Sir Palamides, "that ye were armed at all rights -as well as I am, and I naked as ye be, what would ye do to me now by -your true knighthood?"</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Sir Tristram, "now I understand thee well, Sir Palamides, -for now must I say my own judgment, and, as God me bless, that I shall -say shall not be said for no fear that I have of thee. But this is all; -wit, Sir Palamides, as at this time thou shouldest depart from me, for -I would not have ado with thee."</p> - -<p>"No more will I," said Sir Palamides, "and therefore ride forth on thy -way."</p> - -<p>"As for that I may choose," said Sir Tristram, "either to ride or to -abide. But Sir Palamides," said Sir Tristram, "I marvel of one thing, -that thou that art so good a knight, that thou will not be christened, -and thy brother Sir Safere hath been christened many a day."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Palamides, "I may not yet be christened for one -avow that I have made many years agone; howbeit in my heart I believe -in Jesus Christ and his mild mother Mary; but I have but one battle to -do, and when that is done I will be baptized with a good will."</p> - -<p>"By my head," said Sir Tristram, "as for one battle thou shalt not -seek it no longer. For God defend," said Sir Tristram, "that through -my default thou shouldest longer live thus a Saracen. For yonder is a -knight that ye, Sir Palamides, have hurt and smitten down; now help me -that I were armed in his armor, and I shall soon fulfil thine avows."</p> - -<p>"As ye will," said Sir Palamides, "so it shall be."</p> - -<p>So they rode unto that knight that sat upon a bank, and then Sir -Tristram saluted him, and he weakly saluted him again.</p> - -<p>"Sir knight," said Sir Tristram, "I require you tell me your right -name."</p> - -<p>"Sir," he said, "my name is Sir Galleron of Galway, and knight of the -Table Round."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Tristram, "I am right heavy of your hurts: but this -is all, I must pray you to lend me all your whole armor, for ye see I -am unarmed, and I must do battle with this knight."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the hurt knight, "ye shall have it with a good will; but ye -must beware, for I warn you that knight is wight [<i>strong</i>]. Sir," said -Galleron, "I pray you tell me your name, and what is that knight's name -that hath beaten me."</p> - -<p>"Sir, as for my name, it is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, and as for the -knight's name that hath hurt you, it is Sir Palamides, brother unto the -good knight Sir Safere, and yet is Sir Palamides unchristened."</p> - -<p>"Alas," said Sir Galleron, "that is pity that so good a knight and so -noble a man of arms should be unchristened."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Tristram, "either he shall slay me, or I him, but -that he shall be christened or ever we depart in sunder."</p> - -<p>"My lord Sir Tristram," said Sir Galleron, "your renown and worship is -well known through many realms and God save you this day from shame."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Tristram unarmed Galleron, the which was a noble knight and -had done many deeds of arms, and he was a large knight of flesh and -bone. And when he was unarmed he stood upon his feet, for he was -bruised in the back with a spear; yet, so as Sir Galleron might, -he armed Sir Tristram. And then Sir Tristram mounted upon his own -horse, and in his hand he gat Sir Galleron's spear. And therewithal -Sir Palamides was ready, and so they came hurtling together, and -either smote other in the midst of their shields, and therewithal Sir -Palamides' spear brake, and Sir Tristram smote down the horse; and then -Sir Palamides, as soon as he might, avoided his horse, and dressed his -shield, and pulled out his sword. That saw Sir Tristram, and therewith -he alighted, and tied his horse to a tree.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And then they came together as two wild boars, lashing together, -tracing and traversing as noble men that oft had been well proved in -battle; but ever Sir Palamides dreaded the might of Sir Tristram, and -therefore he suffered him to breathe him. Thus they fought more than -two hours; and often Sir Tristram smote such strokes at Sir Palamides -that he made him to kneel; and Sir Palamides brake and cut away many -pieces of Sir Tristram's shield, and then Sir Palamides wounded Sir -Tristram, for he was a well fighting man. Then Sir Tristram was wood -wrath out of measure, and rashed upon Sir Palamides with such a might -that Sir Palamides fell grovelling to the earth, and therewithal he -leapt up lightly upon his feet, and then Sir Tristram wounded Sir -Palamides sore through the shoulder. And ever Sir Tristram fought -still in like hard, and Sir Palamides failed not, but gave him many -sad strokes. And at the last Sir Tristram doubled his strokes, and by -fortune Sir Tristram smote Sir Palamides' sword out of his hand, and if -Sir Palamides had stooped for his sword, he had been slain. Then Sir -Palamides stood still and beheld his sword with a sorrowful heart.</p> - -<p>"How now," said Sir Tristram unto Sir Palamides, "now have I thee at -advantage as thou hadst me this day, but it shall never be said in no -court, nor among good knights, that Sir Tristram shall slay any knight -that is weaponless, and therefore take thou thy sword, and let us make -an end of this battle."</p> - -<p>"As for to do this battle," said Sir Palamides, "I dare right well end -it; but I have no great lust to fight no more, and for this cause, mine -offence to you is not so great but that we may be friends. All that I -have offended is and was for the love of la Belle Isolde. And as for -her, I dare say she is peerless above all other ladies, and also I -proffered her never no dishonor; and by her I have gotten the most part -of my worship, and sithen I offended never as to her own person. And -as for the offence that I have done, it was against your own person, -and for that offence ye have given me this day many sad strokes, and -some I have given you again; and now I dare say I felt never man of -your might, nor so well breathed, but if it were Sir Launcelot du Lake. -Wherefore I require you, my lord, forgive me all that I have offended -unto you. And this same day have me to the next church, and first let -me be clean confessed, and after see you now that I be truly baptized. -And then will we all ride together unto the court of Arthur, that we be -there at the high feast."</p> - -<p>"Now take your horse," said Sir Tristram, "and as ye say, so it shall -be; and all your evil will God forgive it you, and I do. And here, -within this mile, is the suffragan of Carlisle, that shall give you the -sacrament of baptism."</p> - -<p>Then they took their horses, and Sir Galleron rode with them. And when -they came to the suffragan Sir Tristram told him their desire. Then the -suffragan let fill a great vessel with water. And when he had hallowed -it, he then confessed clean Sir Palamides, and Sir Tristram and Sir -Galleron were his god-fathers. And then soon after they departed, -riding towards Camelot, where King Arthur and Queen Guenever was, and -for the most part all the knights of the Round Table. And so the king -and all the court were glad that Sir Palamides was christened. And Sir -Tristram returned again towards Joyous Gard.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[And so, after years, and many mighty deeds of arms, the] traitor King -Mark slew the noble knight Sir Tristram as he sat harping before his -lady la Belle Isolde, with a trenchant glaive; for whose death was much -bewailing of every knight in Arthur's days. And la Belle Isolde died -swooning upon the corpse of Sir Tristram, whereof was great pity. And -all that were with King Mark consenting to the death of Sir Tristram -were slain.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <a name="illus6" id="illus6"></a> - <img src="images/illus6.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>King Mark slew the noble knight Sir Tristram as he sat harping before his lady la Belle Isolde</i></p> - </div> -</div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a id="BOOK_V" name="BOOK_V"></a>BOOK V</h2> - -<p class="ph1">OF SIR GALAHAD AND SIR PERCIVAL AND THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL</p> - - -<p>At the vigil of Pentecost, when all the fellowship of the Round Table -were come unto Camelot, and there they all heard their service, and -all the tables were covered, ready to set thereon the meat, right -so entered into the hall a full fair gentlewoman on horseback, that -had ridden full fast, for her horse was all to-besweat; [and she -besought Sir Launcelot that he would come forth with her into the -forest for to dub a knight.] Right so departed Sir Launcelot with the -gentlewoman, and rode till they came into a forest, and into a great -valley, where he saw an abbey of nuns; and there was a squire ready to -open the gates. And so there came in twelve nuns, which brought with -them Galahad, the which was passing fair and well made, that unneth -[<i>hardly</i>] men in the world might not find his match; and all those -ladies wept.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the ladies, "we bring here this child, the which we have -nourished, and we pray you for to make him a knight; for of a more -worthier man's hand may he not receive the order of knighthood."</p> - -<p>Sir Launcelot beheld that young squire, and saw he was seemly and -demure as a dove, with all manner of good features, that he wend of -his age never to have seen so fair a man of form.</p> - -<p>Then said Sir Launcelot, "Cometh this desire of himself?"</p> - -<p>He and all they said, "Yea."</p> - -<p>"Then shall he," said Sir Launcelot, "receive the high order of -knighthood as to-morrow at the reverence of the high feast."</p> - -<p>That night Sir Launcelot had passing good cheer, and on the morrow -at the hour of prime, at Galahad's desire, he made him knight; and -said, "God make him a good man, for beauty faileth him not as any that -liveth."</p> - -<p>So when the king and all the knights were come from service, the barons -espied in the sieges of the Round Table, all about written with gold -letters: "Here ought to sit" he, and he "ought to sit here." And thus -they went so long until that they came to the Siege Perilous, where -they found letters newly written of gold, that said: "Four hundred -winters and fifty-four accomplished after the passion of our Lord Jesu -Christ ought this siege to be fulfilled."</p> - -<p>Then all they said, "This is a marvellous thing, and an adventurous."</p> - -<p>"In the name of God," said Sir Launcelot; and then he accounted the -term of the writing, from the birth of our Lord unto that day.</p> - -<p>"It seemeth me," said Sir Launcelot, "this siege ought to be fulfilled -this same day, for this is the feast of Pentecost after the four -hundred and four and fifty year; and if it would please all parties, I -would none of these letters were seen this day, till he be come that -ought to achieve this adventure."</p> - -<p>Then made they to ordain a cloth of silk for to cover these letters in -the Siege Perilous. Then the king bade haste unto dinner.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Kay the steward, "if ye go now unto your meat, ye shall -break your old custom of your court. For ye have not used on this day -to sit at your meat or that ye have seen some adventure."</p> - -<p>"Ye say sooth," said the king, "but I had so great joy of Sir Launcelot -and of his cousins, which be come to the court whole and sound, that I -bethought me not of my old custom."</p> - -<p>So as they stood speaking, in came a squire, and said unto the king, -"Sir, I bring unto you marvellous tidings."</p> - -<p>"What be they?" said the king.</p> - -<p>"Sir, there is here beneath at the river a great stone, which I saw -fleet [<i>float</i>] above the water, and therein saw I sticking a sword."</p> - -<p>The king said, "I will see that marvel."</p> - -<p>So all the knights went with him, and when they came unto the river, -they found there a stone fleeting, as it were of red marble, and -therein stuck a fair and a rich sword, and in the pommel thereof were -precious stones, wrought with subtle letters of gold. Then the barons -read the letters, which said in this wise: "Never shall man take me -hence, but only he by whom I ought to hang, and he shall be the best -knight of the world."</p> - -<p>When the king had seen these letters, he said unto Sir</p> - -<p>Launcelot, "Fair sir, this sword ought to be yours, for I am sure that -ye be the best knight of the world."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot answered soberly, "Certainly, sir, it is not my -sword. Also, sir, wit ye well I have no hardiness to set my hand to it, -for it belongeth not to hang by my side. Also, who assayeth for to take -that sword, and faileth of it, he shall receive a wound by that sword -that he shall not be whole long after. And I will that ye wit that this -same day will the adventures of the Sancgreal (that is called the holy -vessel) begin."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So when they were served, and all the sieges fulfilled save only the -Siege Perilous, anon there befell a marvellous adventure, that all -the doors and the windows of the palace shut by themselves, but for -all that the hall was not greatly darked, and therewith they were all -abashed both one and other. Then King Arthur spake first, and said, -"Fair fellows and lords, we have seen this day marvels, but or night I -suppose we shall see greater marvels."</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile came in a good old man and an ancient, clothed all -in white; and there was no knight that knew from whence he came. And -with him he brought a young knight, both on foot, in red arms, without -sword or shield, save a scabbard hanging by his side; and these words -he said, "Peace be with you, fair lords." Then the old man said unto -King Arthur, "Sir, I bring you here a young knight that is of king's -lineage, and of the kindred of Joseph of Arimathea, whereby the marvels -of this court and of strange realms shall be fully accomplished."</p> - -<p>The king was right glad of his words, and said unto the good man, "Sir, -ye be right heartily welcome, and the young knight with you."</p> - -<p>Then the old man made the young knight to unarm him; and he was in -a coat of red sendall, and bare a mantle upon his shoulder that was -furred with fine ermines, and put that upon him. And the old man said -unto the young knight, "Sir, follow after."</p> - -<p>And anon he led him unto the Siege Perilous, where beside sat Sir -Launcelot; and the good man lifted up the cloth, and found there -letters that said thus: "This is the siege of Galahad the haut [<i>high</i>] -prince."</p> - -<p>Then all the knights of the Table Round marvelled them greatly of Sir -Galahad, that he durst sit there in that Siege Perilous, and was so -tender of age, and wist not from whence he came, but all only by God, -and said, This is he by whom the Sancgreal shall be achieved, for there -sat never none but he, but he were mischieved. Then Sir Launcelot -beheld his son, and had great joy of him.</p> - -<p>Then came King Arthur unto Sir Galahad, and said, "Sir, ye be welcome, -for ye shall move many good knights unto the quest of the Sancgreal, -and ye shall achieve that never knight might bring to an end."</p> - -<p>Then the king took him by the hand, and went down from the palace to -show Sir Galahad the adventure of the stone.</p> - -<p>The queen heard thereof, and came after with many ladies, and showed -them the stone where it hoved on the water. "Sir," said the king unto -Sir Galahad, "here is a great marvel as ever I saw, and right good -knights have assayed and failed."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Galahad, "that is no marvel, for this adventure is not -theirs, but mine, and for the surety of this sword I brought none with -me; for here by my side hangeth the scabbard."</p> - -<p>And anon he laid his hand on the sword, and lightly drew it out of the -stone, and put it in the sheath, and said unto the king, "Now it goeth -better than it did aforehand."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the king, "a shield God shall send you."</p> - -<p>"Now have I," said Sir Galahad, "that sword that sometime was the good -knight's Balin le Savage, and he was a passing good man of his hands. -And with this sword he slew his brother Balan, and that was great pity, -for he was a good knight, and either slew other through a dolorous -stroke that Balan gave unto my grandfather King Pelles, the which is -not yet whole, nor not shall be till I heal him."</p> - -<p>Therewith the king and all espied where came riding down the river a -lady on a white palfrey towards them. Then she saluted the king and the -queen, and asked if that Sir Launcelot was there? And then he answered -himself, "I am here, fair lady."</p> - -<p>Then she said, all with weeping, "How your great doing is changed sith -this day in the morn."</p> - -<p>"Damsel, why say ye so?" said Launcelot.</p> - -<p>"I say you sooth," said the damsel, "for ye were this day the best -knight of the world, but who should say so now should be a liar, -for there is now one better than ye. And well it is proved by the -adventures of the sword whereto ye durst not set your hand, and that -is in remembrance, that ye shall not ween from henceforth that ye be -the best knight of the world."</p> - -<p>"As touching that," said Sir Launcelot, "I know well I was never the -best."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the damsel, "that were ye, and yet are of any sinful man -of the world; and, sir king, Nacien the hermit sendeth thee word that -to thee shall befall the greatest worship that ever befell king in -Britain, and I shall tell you wherefore, for this day the Sancgreal -appeared in this thy house, and fed thee and all thy fellowship of the -Round Table."</p> - -<p>And so the damsel took her leave, and departed the same way that she -came.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then the king [caused that Queen Guenever should see Sir Galahad] in -the visage; and when she beheld him she said, "Soothly I dare well say -that he is Sir Launcelot's son, for never two men resembled more in -likeness, therefore it is no marvel though he be of great prowess."</p> - -<p>So a lady that stood by the queen said: "Madam, for God's sake, ought -he of right to be so good a knight?"</p> - -<p>"Yea, forsooth," said the queen, "for he is of all parties come of -the best knights of the world, and of the highest lineage, for Sir -Launcelot is come but of the eighth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, -and Sir Galahad is of the ninth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, -therefore I dare well say that they be the greatest gentlemen of all -the world."</p> - -<p>And then the king and all the estates went home unto Camelot, and so -went to even-song to the great minster; and so after that they went to -supper, and every knight sat in their place as they were beforehand. -Then anon they heard cracking and crying of thunder, that them thought -the place should all to-rive [<i>burst</i>]; in the midst of the blast -entered a sunbeam more clear by seven times than ever they saw day, -and all they were alighted of the grace of the Holy Ghost. Then began -every knight to behold other, and either saw other by their seeming -fairer than ever they saw afore, [and] there was no knight that might -speak one word a great while, and so they looked every man on other, -as they had been dumb. Then there entered into the hall the Holy Grail -covered with white samite, but there was none might see it, nor who -bare it. And there was all the hall full filled with good odors, and -every knight had such meats and drinks as he best loved in this world; -and when the Holy Grail had been borne through the hall, then the holy -vessel departed suddenly, that they wist not where it became. Then had -they all breath to speak. And then the king yielded thankings unto God -of His good grace that He had sent them.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Sir Gawaine, "we have been served this day of what meats -and drinks we thought on, but one thing beguiled us, we might not see -the Holy Grail, it was so preciously covered: wherefore I will make -here avow, that to-morn, without longer abiding, I shall labor in the -quest of the Sancgreal, that I shall hold me out a twelvemonth and a -day, or more if need be, and never shall I return again unto the court -till I have seen it more openly than it hath been seen here: and if I -may not speed, I shall return again as he that may not be against the -will of our Lord Jesu Christ."</p> - -<p>When they of the Table Round heard Sir Gawaine say so, they arose up -the most part, and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made.</p> - -<p>Anon as King Arthur heard this he was greatly displeased, for he wist -well that they might not gainsay their avows.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said King Arthur unto Sir Gawaine, "ye have nigh slain me with -the avow and promise that ye have made. For through you ye have bereft -me of the fairest fellowship and the truest of knighthood that ever -were seen together in any realm of the world. For when they depart from -hence, I am sure they all shall never meet more in this world, for they -shall die many in the quest. And so it forethinketh [<i>repenteth</i>] me a -little, for I have loved them as well as my life, wherefore it shall -grieve me right sore the departing of this fellowship. For I have had -an old custom to have them in my fellowship."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And therewith the tears fell into his eyes, and he said: "Sir Gawaine, -Sir Gawaine, ye have set me in great sorrow, for I have great doubt -that my true fellowship shall never meet more here again."</p> - -<p>When the queen, ladies, and gentlewomen wist these tidings, they had -such sorrow and heaviness that no tongue might tell it, for those -knights had holden them in honor and charity, but among all other, -Queen Guenever made great sorrow. "I marvel," said she, "my lord will -suffer them to depart from him." Thus was all the court troubled, -because those knights should depart.</p> - -<p>After this the queen came unto Sir Galahad, and asked him of whence he -was, and of what country; he told her of whence he was, and son unto -Sir Launcelot she said he was.</p> - -<p>And then they went to rest them; and in the honor of the highness of -Sir Galahad he was led into King Arthur's chamber, and there he rested -him in his own bed; and as soon as it was daylight the king arose, for -he had taken no rest of all that night for sorrow.</p> - -<p>So anon Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine commanded their men to bring -their arms; and when they [were all armed, then the king would know -how many they were, and they found by tale [<i>count</i>] that they were an -hundred and fifty, and all knights of the Round Table.]</p> - -<p>And so they mounted their horses, and rode through the streets of -Camelot, and there was weeping of the rich and poor, and the king -turned away and might not speak for weeping.</p> - -<p>So within a while they came to a city and a castle that hight [<i>was -named</i>] Vagon; there they entered into the castle, and the lord of that -castle was an old man that hight Vagon, and he was a good man of his -living, and set open the gates, and made them all the good cheer that -he might.</p> - -<p>And then they departed on the morrow with weeping and mourning cheer, -and every knight took the way that him best liked.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now rideth Sir Galahad yet without shield; and so he rode four days -without any adventure, and at the fourth day after even-song he came -to a white abbey, and there he was received with great reverence, and -led to a chamber; and there he was unarmed, and then was he ware of two -knights of the Round Table, one was King Bagdemagus, and that other was -Sir Uwaine. And when they saw him, they went unto him and made of him -great solace, and so they went to supper.</p> - -<p>"Sirs," said Sir Galahad, "what adventure brought you hither?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said they, "it is told us that within this place is a shield -that no man may bear about his neck but if that he be mischieved or -dead within three days, or else maimed forever."</p> - -<p>"Ah, sir," said King Bagdemagus, "I shall bear it to-morrow for to -assay this strange adventure."</p> - -<p>"In the name of God," said Sir Galahad.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said King Bagdemagus, "and I may not achieve the adventure of -this shield, ye shall take it upon you, for I am sure ye shall not -fail."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "I agree right well thereto, for I have no -shield."</p> - -<p>So on the morrow they arose and heard mass. Then King Bagdemagus asked -where the adventurous shield was; anon a monk led him behind an altar, -where the shield hung as white as any snow, but in the midst was a red -cross.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the monk, "this shield ought not to be hanged about no -knight's neck, but he be the worthiest knight of the world, and -therefore I counsel you knights to be well advised."</p> - -<p>"Well," said King Bagdemagus, "I wot well that I am not the best knight -of the world, but yet shall I assay to bear it."</p> - -<p>And so he bare it out of the monastery; and then he said unto Sir -Galahad, "If it will please you, I pray you abide here still, till ye -know how I shall speed."</p> - -<p>"I shall abide you here," said Galahad.</p> - -<p>Then King Bagdemagus took with him a squire, the which should bring -tidings unto Sir Galahad how he sped. Then when they had ridden a two -mile, and came in a fair valley afore an hermitage, then they saw a -goodly knight come from that part in white armor, horse and all, and -he came as fast as his horse might run with his spear in the rest, and -King Bagdemagus dressed his spear against him, and brake it upon the -white knight; but the other struck him so hard that he brake the mails, -and thrust him through the right shoulder, for the shield covered him -not as at that time, and so he bare him from his horse, and therewith -he alighted and took the white shield from him, saying, "Knight, thou -hast done thyself great folly, for this shield ought not to be borne -but by him that shall have no peer that liveth."</p> - -<p>And then he came to King Bagdemagus' squire and said, "Bear this shield -unto the good knight Sir Galahad, that thou left in the abbey, and -greet him well from me."</p> - -<p>And the squire went unto Bagdemagus and asked him whether he were sore -wounded or not?</p> - -<p>"Yea, forsooth," said he, "I shall escape hard from the death."</p> - -<p>Then he fetched his horse, and brought him with great pain unto an -abbey. Then was he taken down softly, and unarmed, and laid in a bed, -and there was looked to his wounds. And he lay there long, and escaped -hard with the life.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Sir Galahad," said the squire, "that knight that wounded Bagdemagus -sendeth you greeting, and bade that ye should bear this shield, -wherethrough great adventures should befall."</p> - -<p>"Now blessed be God and fortune," said Sir Galahad.</p> - -<p>And then he asked his arms, and mounted upon his horse, and hung the -white shield about his neck, and commended them unto God. And Sir -Uwaine said he would bear him fellowship, if it pleased him.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "that may ye not, for I must go alone, save -this squire that shall bear me fellowship." And so departed Sir Uwaine.</p> - -<p>Then within a while came Sir Galahad there as the white knight abode -him by the hermitage, and every each saluted other courteously.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "by this shield been fall many marvels."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the knight, "it befell, after the passion of our Lord -Jesu Christ thirty year, that Joseph of Arimathea, the gentle knight -that took down our Lord from the cross, at that time he departed from -Jerusalem with a great part of his kindred with him, and so they -labored till they came to a city that hight Sarras. And at that same -hour that Joseph came unto Sarras, there was a king that hight Evelake, -that had great war against the Saracens, and in especial against one -Saracen, the which was King Evelake's cousin, a rich king and a mighty, -the which marched nigh this land, and his name was called Tollome le -Feintes. So upon a day these two met to do battle. Then Joseph, the -son of Joseph of Arimathea, went unto King Evelake, and told him that -he would be discomfited and slain but if he left his believe of the -old law and believe upon the new law. And then he showed him the right -believe of the Holy Trinity, the which he agreed with all his heart, -and there this shield was made for King Evelake, in the name of Him -that died upon the cross; and then through his good believe he had the -better of King Tollome. For when King Evelake was in the battle, there -was a cloth set afore the shield, and when he was in the greatest peril -he let put away the cloth, and then anon his enemies saw a figure of -a man upon the cross, wherethrough they were discomfited. And so it -befell that a man of King Evelake's had his hand smitten off, and bare -his hand in his other hand, and Joseph called that man unto him, and -bade him go with good devotion and touch the cross; and as soon as that -man had touched the cross with his hand it was as whole as ever it was -before. Not long after that, Joseph was laid in his death bed, and when -King Evelake saw that, he made great sorrow, and said: 'For thy love I -have left my country, and sith [<i>since</i>] thou shalt out of this world, -leave me some token that I may think on thee.' 'That will I do right -gladly,' said Joseph. 'Now bring me the shield that I took you when ye -went into the battle against King Tollome.' Then Joseph bled sore that -he might not by no means be stanched, and there upon that same shield -he made a cross of his own blood. 'Now ye shall never see this shield -but that ye shall think on me, and it shall be always as fresh as it -is now, and never shall no man bear this shield about his neck but he -shall repent it, unto the time that Galahad the good knight bear it, -and the last of my lineage shall have it about his neck, that shall do -many marvellous deeds.' 'Now,' said King Evelake, 'where shall I put -this shield, that this worthy knight may have it?' 'Ye shall leave it -there as Nacien the hermit shall be put after his death. For thither -shall that good knight come the fifteenth day after that he shall -receive the order of knighthood. And so that day that they set is this -time that ye have his shield. And in the same abbey lieth Nacien the -hermit.'"</p> - -<p>And then the white knight vanished away. Anon, as the squire had heard -these words, he alighted off his hackney, and kneeled down at Galahad's -feet, and prayed him that he might go with him till he had made him -knight. So Sir Galahad granted him, and turned again unto the abbey -there they came from. And there men made great joy of Sir Galahad.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then as Sir Galahad heard this, he thanked God, and took his horse, -and he had not ridden but half a mile, he saw in a valley before him -a strong castle with deep ditches, and there ran beside a fair river, -the which hight Sevarne; and there he met with a man of great age, and -either saluted other, and Sir Galahad asked him what was the castle's -name.</p> - -<p>"Fair sir," said he, "it is the Castle of Maidens."</p> - -<p>"That is a cursed castle," said Sir Galahad, "and all they that been -conversant therein, for all pity is out thereof, and all hardiness and -mischief is therein."</p> - -<p>"Therefore I counsel you, sir knight," said the old man, "to return -again."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "wit ye well I shall not return again."</p> - -<p>Then looked Sir Galahad on his armor that nothing failed him, and then -he put his shield afore him; and anon there met him seven maidens, that -said unto him, "Sir knight, ye ride here in a great folly, for ye have -the waters for to pass over."</p> - -<p>"Why should I not pass the water?" said Sir Galahad.</p> - -<p>So rode he away from them, and met with a squire that said, "Knight, -those knights in the castle defy you, and forbid you ye go no further -till that they wit what ye would."</p> - -<p>"Fair sir," said Galahad, "I come for to destroy the wicked custom of -this castle."</p> - -<p>"Sir, and ye will abide by that, ye shall have enough to do."</p> - -<p>"Go you now," said Galahad, "and haste my needs."</p> - -<p>Then the squire entered into the castle. And anon after there came out -of the castle seven knights, and all were brethren. And when they saw -Galahad, they cried, "Knight, keep thee, for we assure thee nothing but -death."</p> - -<p>"Why," said Galahad, "will ye all have ado with me at once?"</p> - -<p>"Yea," said they, "thereto mayest thou trust."</p> - -<p>Then Galahad put forth his spear, and smote the foremost to the earth, -that near he brake his neck. And therewith all the other smote him on -his shield great strokes, so that their spears brake. Then Sir Galahad -drew out his sword, and set upon them so hard that it was marvel to see -it, and so, through great force, he made them to forsake the field; and -Galahad chased them till they entered into the castle, and so passed -through the castle at another gate. And there met Sir Galahad an old -man clothed in religious clothing, and said, "Sir, have here the keys -of this castle."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Galahad opened the gates, and saw so much people in the -streets that he might not number them, and all said, "Sir, ye be -welcome, for long have we abiden here our deliverance."</p> - -<p>Then came to him a gentlewoman, and said, "These knights be fled, but -they will come again this night, and here to begin again their evil -custom."</p> - -<p>"What will ye that I shall do?" said Galahad.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the gentlewoman, "that ye send after all the knights hither -that hold their lands of this castle, and make them to swear for to use -the customs that were used heretofore of old time."</p> - -<p>"I will well," said Galahad.</p> - -<p>And there she brought him an horn of ivory, bounden with gold, and -said, "Sir, blow ye this horn, which will be heard two mile about this -castle."</p> - -<p>And when Sir Galahad had blown the horn, he set him down upon a bed. -Then came there a priest unto Sir Galahad, and said, "Sir, it is -past a seven year that these seven brethren came into this castle, -and herborowed [<i>harbored</i>] with the lord of this castle, which hight -the duke Lianour; and he was lord of all this country. And so when -they espied the duke's daughter that was a fair woman, then by their -false covin [<i>conspiracy</i>] they slew him and his eldest son, and then -they took the maiden and the treasure of the castle. And then by great -force they held all the knights of this castle against their will -under their obeisance, and in great servage and truage, robbing and -pulling [<i>pillaging</i>] the poor common people of all that they had. So -it happened upon a day that the duke's daughter said, 'Ye have done -to me great wrong to slay mine own father and my brother, and thus -to hold our lands; not for then,' said she, 'ye shall not hold this -castle for many years; for by one knight ye shall be overcome.' Thus -she prophesied seven year before. 'Well,' said the seven knights, -'sithence [<i>since</i>] ye say so, there shall never lady nor knight pass -this castle, but they shall abide mauger [<i>spite of</i>] their heads, or -die therefore, till that knight be come by whom we shall leese [<i>lose</i>] -this castle.' And therefore it is called the maidens' castle, for they -have devoured many maidens."</p> - -<p>"Now," said Sir Galahad, "is she here for whom this castle was lost."</p> - -<p>"Nay," said the priest, "she died within three nights after, and -sithence have they kept her young sister, which endureth great pain, -with moe other ladies."</p> - -<p>By this were the knights of the country come. And then he made them do -homage and fealty to the duke's daughter, and set them in great ease -of heart. And in the morn there came one to Galahad, and told him how -that Gawaine, Gareth, and Uwaine had slain the seven brethren.</p> - -<p>"I suppose well," said Sir Galahad: and took his armor and his horse, -and commended them unto God.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So when Sir Galahad was departed from the Castle of Maidens, he rode -till he came to a waste forest, and there he met with Sir Launcelot and -Sir Percival, but they knew him not, for he was new disguised. Right -so, Sir Launcelot his father dressed his spear, and brake it upon Sir -Galahad, and Sir Galahad smote him so again, that he smote down horse -and man. And then he drew his sword, and dressed him unto Sir Percival, -and smote him so on the helm that it rove to the coif of steel, and had -not the sword swerved Sir Percival had been slain, and with the stroke -he fell out of his saddle. This joust was done before the hermitage -where a recluse dwelled. And when she saw Sir Galahad ride, she said, -"God be with thee, best knight of the world. Ah, certes," said she -all aloud, that Launcelot and Percival might hear it, "and yonder two -knights had known thee as well as I do, they would not have encountered -with thee."</p> - -<p>When Sir Galahad heard her say so he was sore adread to be known: -therewith he smote his horse with his spurs, and then rode a great pace -froward them. Then perceived they both that he was Galahad, and up they -gat on their horses, and rode fast after him, but in a while he was out -of their sight.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[Then it fell that Sir Percival's horse was slain; and he gat him a -hackney from a yeoman that he met, and the hackney was slain. Then -Sir Percival cast away his helm and sword, and said, "Now am I a very -wretch, cursed, and most unhappy above all other knights."]</p> - -<p>So in this sorrow he abode all that day, till it was night, and then he -was faint, and laid him down and slept till it was midnight. And then -he awaked, and saw afore him a woman which said unto him, "Abide me -here, and I shall go fetch you an horse."</p> - -<p>And so she came soon again, and brought an horse with her that was -black. When Sir Percival beheld that horse, he marvelled that it was so -great and so well apparelled; and for then he was so hardy, he leaped -upon him, and took none heed of himself. And so anon as he was upon -him he thrust to him with his spurs, and so rode by a forest, and the -moon shone clear. And within an hour and less, he bare him four days' -journey thence, till he came to a rough water the which roared, and his -horse would have borne him into it.</p> - -<p>And when Sir Percival came nigh the brim, and saw the water so -boisterous, he doubted to overpass it. And then he made the sign of the -cross in his forehead. When the fiend felt him so charged, he shook off -Sir Percival, and he went into the water, crying and roaring, making -great sorrow; and it seemed unto him that the water burnt. Then Sir -Percival perceived it was a fiend, the which would have brought him -unto his perdition.</p> - -<p>And so he prayed all that night, till on the morn that it was day. Then -he saw that he was in a wild mountain the which was closed with the sea -nigh all about, that he might see no land about him which might relieve -him, but wild beasts. And then he went into a valley, and there he -saw a young serpent bring a young lion by the neck, and so he came by -Sir Percival. With that came a great lion crying and roaring after the -serpent. And as fast as Sir Percival saw this, he marvelled, and hied -him thither, but anon the lion had overtaken the serpent, and began -battle with him. And then Sir Percival thought to help the lion, for he -was the more natural beast of the two; and therewith he drew his sword, -and set his shield afore him, and there gave the serpent such a buffet -that he had a deadly wound. When the lion saw that, he made no semblant -to fight with him, but made him all the cheer that a beast might make a -man. Then Sir Percival perceived that, and cast down his shield, which -was broken, and then he did off his helm for to gather wind, for he was -greatly enchafed with the serpent. And the lion went alway about him -fawning as a spaniel. And then he stroked him on the neck and on the -shoulders. And then he thanked God of the fellowship of that beast. And -about noon, the lion took his little whelp, and trussed him, and bare -him there he came from. Then was Sir Percival alone.</p> - -<p>Thus when Sir Percival had prayed, he saw the lion come towards him, -and then he couched down at his feet. And so all that night the lion -and he slept together; and when Sir Percival slept he dreamed a -marvellous dream, that there two ladies met with him, and that one sat -upon a lion, and that other sat upon a serpent, and that one of them -was young, and the other was old, and the youngest him thought said, -"Sir Percival, my lord saluteth thee, and sendeth thee word that thou -array thee and make thee ready, for to-morrow thou must fight with the -strongest champion of the world."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[Then, after many great deeds, it befell on a certain day that as the -good knight Galahad rode, he was met by a damsel on a palfrey, and -she led him towards the sea. And so at the seaside they found a ship -wherein they entered, and Sir Bors and Sir Percival being in that ship -greeted them with joy.]</p> - -<p>By then the ship went from the land of Logris, and by adventure it -arrived up betwixt two rocks passing great and marvellous, but there -they might not land, for there was a swallow of the sea, save there was -another ship, and upon it they might go without danger.</p> - -<p>"Go we thither," said the gentlewoman, "and there shall we see -adventures, for so is our Lord's will."</p> - -<p>And when they came thither, they found the ship rich enough, but they -found neither man nor woman therein. But they found in the end of -the ship two fair letters written, which said a dreadful word and a -marvellous:—</p> - -<p>"Thou man which shall enter into this ship, beware thou be in steadfast -belief, for I am faith, and therefore beware how thou enterest, for and -thou fail I shall not help thee."</p> - -<p>Then said the gentlewoman, "Percival, wot ye what I am?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said he, "not to my witting."</p> - -<p>"Wit ye well," said she, "I am thy sister, that am daughter of King -Pellinore, and therefore wit ye well that ye are the man in the world -that I most love; and if ye be not in perfect belief, enter not in no -manner of wise, for then should ye perish in the ship, for it is so -perfect it will suffer no sin in it."</p> - -<p>And when Sir Percival knew that she was his sister, he was inwardly -glad, and said, "Fair sister, I shall enter therein, for if I be a -miss-creature or an untrue knight, there shall I perish."</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile Sir Galahad blessed him, and entered therein, and then -next the gentlewoman, and then Sir Bors and Sir Percival. And when they -were therein, they found it so marvellous fair and rich, that they had -great marvel thereof. And in the midst of the ship was a fair bed, and -Sir Galahad went thereto, and found there a crown of silk, and at the -feet was a sword rich and fair, and it was drawn out of the sheath half -a foot and more, and the sword was of divers fashions, and the pommel -was of stone, and there was in him all manner of colors that any man -might find, and every each of the colors had divers virtues, and the -scales of the haft were of two ribs of divers beasts. The one beast was -a serpent, which was conversant in Calidone, and is called the serpent -of the fiend. And the bone of him is of such a virtue, that there is -no hand that handleth him shall never be weary nor hurt. And the other -beast is a fish which is not right great, and haunteth the flood of -Eufrates; and that fish is called Ertanax, and his bones be of such a -manner of kind, that who that handleth them shall have so much will -that he shall never be weary, and he shall not think on joy nor sorrow -that he hath had, but only that thing that he beholdeth before him. -And as for this sword there shall never man begripe it at the handle -but one, but he shall pass all other.</p> - -<p>"In the name of God," said Sir Percival, "I shall essay to handle it."</p> - -<p>So he set his hand to the sword, but he might not begripe it.</p> - -<p>"By my faith," said he, "now have I failed."</p> - -<p>Sir Bors set his hand thereto and failed. Then Sir Galahad beheld the -sword, and saw the letters like blood, that said, "Let see who shall -assay to draw me out of my sheath, but if he be more hardier than -other, and who that draweth me, wit ye well that he shall never fail of -shame of his body, or to be wounded to the death."</p> - -<p>"By my faith," said Galahad, "I would draw this sword out of the -sheath, but the offending is so great that I shall not set my hand -thereto."</p> - -<p>"Now sir," said the gentlewoman, "wit ye well that the drawing of this -sword is forbidden to all men, save all only unto you. Also this ship -arrived in the realm of Logris [<i>England</i>], and that time was deadly -war between King Labor, which was father unto the maimed king, and King -Hurlame, which was a Saracen. But then was he newly christened, so that -men held him afterwards one of the wittiest men of the world. And so -upon a day it befell that King Labor and King Hurlame had assembled -their folk upon the sea, where this ship was arrived, and there King -Hurlame was discomfit, and his men slain, and he was afeared to be -dead, and fled to his ship, and there found this sword, and drew -it, and came out and found King Labor, the man in the world of all -Christendom in whom was then the greatest faith. And when King Hurlame -saw King Labor, he dressed this sword, and smote him upon the helm -so hard, that he clave him and his horse to the earth with the first -stroke of his sword. And it was in the realm of Logris; and so befell -great pestilence and great harm to both realms. For sith increased -corn nor grass, nor well nigh no fruit, nor in the water was no fish, -wherefore men call it the lands of the two marches, the waste land for -the dolorous stroke. And when King Hurlame saw that this sword was so -kerving [<i>sharp</i>], he returned again to fetch the scabbard, and so came -into this ship, and entered and put the sword into the scabbard; and as -soon as he had done so, he fell down dead before the bed. Thus was the -sword proved, that none that drew it but he were dead or maimed."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "there was a king that hight Pelles the Maimed King. -And while he might ride, he supported much Christendom, and holy -Church. So upon a day he hunted in a wood of his which lasted unto the -sea, and at the last he lost his hounds and his knights, save only one; -and there he and his knight went till that they came toward Ireland, -and there he found the ship. And when he saw the letters and understood -them, yet he entered, for he was right perfect of his life; but his -knight had none hardiness to enter, and there found he this sword, -and drew it out as much as ye may see. So therewith entered a spear, -wherewith he was smitten through both the thighs, and never sith might -he be healed, nor nought shall, tofore we come to him. Thus, said she, -was King Pelles, your grandsire, maimed for his hardiness."</p> - -<p>"In the name of God, damsel," said Galahad.</p> - -<p>So they went toward the bed to behold all about it, and above the head -there hung two swords. Also there were two spindles which were as white -as any snow, and other that were as red as blood, and other above green -as any emerald: of these three colors were the spindles, and of natural -color within, and without any painting.</p> - -<p>"These spindles," said the damsel, "were when sinful Eve came to -gather fruit, for which Adam and she were put out of paradise, she -took with her the bough on which the apple hung. Then perceived she -that the branch was fair and green, and she remembered her the loss -which came from the tree, then she thought to keep the branch as long -as she might; and because she had no coffer to keep it in, she put it -into the ground. So by the will of our Lord the branch grew to a great -tree within a little while, and was as white as any snow, branches, -boughs, and leaves, that it was a token a maid planted it. And anon -the tree, that was white, became as green as any grass, and all that -came of it. And so it befell many days after, under the same tree, Cain -slew his brother Abel, whereof befell full great marvel; for anon as -Abel had received the death under the green tree, it lost the green -color and became red, and that was in tokening of the blood; and anon -all the plants died thereof, but the tree grew and waxed marvellous -fair, and it was the fairest tree and the most delectable that any -man might behold: and so died the plants that grew out of it before -the time that Abel was slain under it. So long endured the tree till -that Solomon, King David's son, reigned and held the land after his -father. This Solomon was wise and knew the virtues of stones and of -trees, and so he knew the course of the stars, and many other things. -This King Solomon had an evil wife, wherethrough he wend that there -had never been no good woman; and so he despised them in his books. So -a voice answered him once, 'Solomon, if heaviness come unto a man by -a woman, ne reck thou never; for yet shall there come a woman whereof -there shall come greater joy unto man an hundred times more than this -heaviness giveth sorrow, and that woman shall be born of thy lineage.' -Then when Solomon heard these words, he held himself but a fool, and -the truth he perceived by old books. Also the Holy Ghost showed him the -coming of the glorious Virgin Mary. Then asked he of the voice if it -should be in the end of his lineage. 'Nay,' said the voice, 'but there -shall come a man which shall be a [pure man] of your blood, and he -shall be as good a knight as Duke Josua thy brother-in-law.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>'Now have I certified thee of that thou stoodst in doubt.' Then was -Solomon glad that there should come any such of his lineage, but ever -he marvelled and studied who that should be, and what his name might -be. His wife perceived that he studied, and thought that she would -know it at some season, and so she waited her time, and asked of him -the cause of his studying, and there he told her altogether how the -voice told him. 'Well,' said she, 'I shall let make a ship of the best -wood and most durable that men may find.' So Solomon sent for all -the carpenters of the land and the best. And when they had made the -ship, the lady said to Solomon, 'Sir,' said she, 'since it is so that -this knight ought to pass all other knights of chivalry which have -been tofore him, and shall come after him, moreover I shall tell you,' -said she, 'ye shall go into our Lord's temple, whereas is King David's -sword, your father, the which is the marvellousest and sharpest that -ever was taken in any knight's hand. Therefore take that, and take off -the pommel, and thereto make ye a pommel of precious stones, that it be -so subtilly made that no man perceive it but that they be all one. And -after make there an hilt so marvellously and wonderly that no man may -know it; and after make a marvellous sheath; and when you have made all -this, I shall let make a girdle thereto, such as shall please you.' All -this King Solomon let make as she devised, both the ship and all the -remnant. And when the ship was ready in the sea for to sail, the lady -let make a great bed and marvellous rich, and set her upon the bed's -head covered with silk, and laid the sword at the bed's feet; and the -girdles were of hemp. And therewith was the king angry. 'Sir, wit ye -well,' said she, 'that I have none so high a thing that were worthy to -sustain so big a sword, and a maid shall bring other knights thereto, -but I wot not when it shall be, nor what time.' And there she let make -a covering to the ship, of cloth of silk that shall never rot for no -manner of weather. Yet went that lady and made a carpenter to come to -that tree which Abel was slain under. 'Now,' said she, 'carve me out -of this tree as much wood as will make me a spindle.' 'Ah! madam,' -said the carpenter, 'this is the tree the which our first mother -planted.' 'Do it,' said she, 'or else I shall destroy thee.' Anon, as -the carpenter began to work, there came out drops of blood, and then -would he have left, but she would not suffer him. And so he took away -as much wood as might well make a spindle; and so she made him to take -as much of the green tree and of the white tree. And when these three -spindles were shapen, she made them to be fastened on the bed. When -Solomon saw this he said to his wife, 'Ye have done marvellously, for -though all the world were here now, they could not tell wherefore all -this was made, but our Lord himself, and thou that hast done it wottest -not what it shall betoken.' 'Now let it be,' said she, 'for ye shall -hear tidings sooner than ye ween.'</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>That night lay King Solomon before the ship with a small fellowship. -And when King Solomon was on sleep, him thought there came from heaven -a great company of angels, and alighted into the ship and took water -which was brought by an angel in a vessel of silver, and besprent -[<i>besprinkled</i>] all the ship; and after he came to the sword, and drew -letters on the hilt. And after went to the ship's board, and wrote -there other letters, which said: 'Thou man that wilt enter within me, -beware that thou be full within the faith, for I ne [<i>not</i>] am but -faith and belief.' When Solomon espied these letters he was abashed, so -that he durst not enter, and so drew him aback, and the ship was anon -shoven in the sea, and he went so fast that he lost sight of him within -a little while. And then a little voice said, 'Solomon, the last -knight of thy lineage shall rest in this bed.' Then went Solomon and -awaked his wife and told her of the adventures of the ship.</p> - -<p>Now a great while the three fellows [<i>Galahad, and his two friends</i>] -beheld the bed and the three spindles. Then they were at certain that -they were of natural colors, without painting. Then they lifted up a -cloth which was above the ground, and there they found a rich purse by -seeming. And Percival took it, and found therein a writ, and so he read -it, and devised the manner of the spindles, and of the ship, whence it -came, and by whom it was made.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Galahad, "where shall we find the gentlewoman that shall -make new girdles to the sword?"</p> - -<p>"Fair sir," said Percival's sister, "dismay you not, for by the leave -of God I shall let make a girdle to the sword, such one as shall belong -thereto."</p> - -<p>And then she opened a box, and took out girdles which were seemly -wrought with golden threads, and thereupon were set full of precious -stones, and a rich buckle of gold.</p> - -<p>"Lo, lords," said the gentlewoman, "here is a girdle that ought to be -set about the sword; and wit ye well that the greatest part of this -girdle was made of my hair, the which I loved full well while I was -a woman of the world; but as soon as I wist that this adventure was -ordained me, I clipped off my hair, and made this girdle in the name of -God."</p> - -<p>"Ye are well found," said Sir Bors, "for truly ye have put us out of a -great pain, wherein we should have entered ne had your teaching been."</p> - -<p>Then went the gentlewoman and set it upon the girdle of the sword.</p> - -<p>"Now," said the three fellows, "what is the right name of the sword, -and what shall we call it?"</p> - -<p>"Truly," said she, "the name of the sword is the Sword with the Strange -Girdles, and the scabbard, Mover of Blood; for no man that hath blood -in him shall never see the one part of the scabbard which was made of -the tree of life."</p> - -<p>Then they said unto Sir Galahad, "In the name of Jesu Christ, we pray -you that ye gird you with this sword, which hath been so much desired -in the realm of Logris."</p> - -<p>"Now let me begin," said Sir Galahad, "to grip this sword for to give -you courage; but wot ye well that it belongeth no more to me than it -doth to you."</p> - -<p>And then he gripped about it with his fingers a great deal, and then -she girded him about the middle with the sword.</p> - -<p>"Now reck I not though I die, for now I hold me one of the blessed -maidens of the world, which hath made thee the worthiest knight of the -world."</p> - -<p>"Fair damsel," said Sir Galahad, "ye have done so much that I shall be -your knight all the days of my life."</p> - -<p>Then they went from that ship, and went into the other ship; and anon -the wind drove them into the sea a great pace, but they had no victual. -But it happened that they came on the morrow to a castle which men -call Courteloise that was in the marches of Scotland. And when they -had passed the port, the gentlewoman said, "Lords, here be men arriven -that, and they wist that ye were of King Arthur's court, ye should be -assailed anon."</p> - -<p>"Damsel," said Galahad, "he that cast us out of the rock shall deliver -us from them."</p> - -<p>[And it happened after that Sir Percival's sister of her own wish died -for the healing of a certain lady, and the lady was healed. Then, as -she had desired beforehand, Sir Percival laid her in a barge and] -covered it with silk; and the wind arose and drove the barge from land, -and all knights beheld it till it was out of their sight.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>When Sir Launcelot was come to the water of Mortaise, he was in great -peril, and so he laid him down and slept, and took his adventure that -God would send him. So when he was asleep, there came a vision unto -him, and said, "Launcelot, arise up and take thine armor, and enter -into the first ship that thou shalt find."</p> - -<p>And when he had heard these words, he started up, and saw a great -clearness about him; and then he lifted up his hand and blessed him, -and so took his armor, and made him ready. And by adventure he came by -a strand, and found a ship the which was without sail or oars; and as -soon as he was within the ship, there he felt the most sweetest savor -that ever he felt, and he was fulfilled with all things that he thought -on or desired. And so in this joy he lay him down on the ship-board, -and slept till daylight. And when he awoke, he found there a fair bed, -and therein lying a gentlewoman dead, the which was Sir Percival's -sister. And as Sir Launcelot beheld her, he espied in her right hand -a writing, the which he read, wherein he found all the adventures as -ye have heard before, and of what lineage she was come. So with this -gentlewoman Sir Launcelot was a month and more.</p> - -<p>So upon a night he went to play him by the water's side, for he was -somewhat weary of the ship, and then he listened, and heard an horse -come, and one riding upon him. And when he came nigh he seemed a -knight. And so he let him pass, and went there as the ship was, and -there he alighted, and took the saddle and the bridle and put the horse -from him, and went into the ship. And then Launcelot dressed unto him -and said, "Ye be welcome."</p> - -<p>And he answered and saluted him again, and asked him, "What is your -name? for much my heart giveth unto you."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said he, "my name is Launcelot du Lake."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "then be ye welcome, for ye were the beginner of me in -this world."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said he, "are ye Galahad?"</p> - -<p>"Yea forsooth," said he.</p> - -<p>And so he kneeled down and asked him his blessing, and after took off -his helm and kissed him. And there was great joy between them, for -there is no tongue can tell the joy that they made either of other, -and many a friendly word spoken between, as kind [<i>nature</i>] would, -the which is no need here to be rehearsed. And there every each told -other of their adventures and marvels that were befallen to them in -many journeys, sith that they departed from the court. Anon as Galahad -saw the gentlewoman dead in the bed, he knew her well enough, and told -great worship of her, and that she was the best maid living, and it was -great pity of her death. But when Launcelot heard how the marvellous -sword was gotten, and who made it, and all the marvels rehearsed -afore, then he prayed Galahad his son that he would show him the sword, -and so he did. And anon he kissed the pommel, and the hilts, and the -scabbard.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Launcelot, "never erst knew I of so high adventures -done, and so marvellous and strange." So dwelled Launcelot and Galahad -within that ship half a year, and served God daily and nightly with -all their power. And often they arrived in isles far from folk, where -there repaired none but wild beasts; and there they found many strange -adventures and perilous, which they brought to an end.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[Then on a certain day, a knight in white called to Sir Galahad from -the shore to leave that ship and fare on his quest, and Sir Galahad -departed from his father Sir Launcelot, and rode off upon the shore. -But Sir Launcelot drove a month through the sea, ever praying for news -of the Sancgreal.]</p> - -<p>So it befell on a night, at midnight he arrived afore a castle, on the -back side, which was rich and fair. And there was a postern opened -towards the sea, and was open without any keeping, save two lions kept -the entry; and the moon shone clear. Anon Sir Launcelot heard a voice -that said, "Launcelot, go out of this ship, and enter into the castle, -where thou shalt see a great part of thy desire." Then he ran to his -arms, and so armed him, and so he went to the gate, and saw the lions. -Then set he hand to his sword, and drew it. Then there came a dwarf -suddenly, and smote him on the arm so sore that the sword fell out of -his hand. Then took he again his sword, and put it up in his sheath, -and make a cross in his forehead, and came to the lions, and they made -semblant to do him harm. Notwithstanding he passed by them without -hurt, and entered into the castle to the chief fortress, and there were -they all at rest. Then Launcelot entered in so armed, for he found -no gate nor door but it was open. And at the last he found a chamber -whereof the door was shut, and he set his hand thereto to have opened -it, but he might not.</p> - -<p>Then he enforced him mickle [<i>much</i>] to undo the door. Then he -listened, and heard a voice which sang so sweetly that it seemed none -earthly thing. Then Sir Launcelot kneeled down before the chamber, -for well wist he that there was the Sancgreal within that chamber. -Then said he, "Fair sweet Father Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that -pleased the Lord, for thy pity have me not in despite for my sins done -aforetime, and that thou show me something of that I seek!"</p> - -<p>And with that he saw the chamber door open, and there came out a great -clearness, that the house was as bright as all the torches of the world -had been there. So came he to the chamber door, and would have entered. -And anon a voice said to him, "Flee, Launcelot, and enter not, for thou -oughtest not to do it: and if thou enter thou shalt forthink it." Then -he withdrew him aback right heavy. Then looked he up in the midst of -the chamber, and saw a table of silver, and the holy vessel covered -with red samite, and many angels about it.</p> - -<p>Right soon he entered into the chamber, and came towards the table -of silver; and, when he came nigh, he felt a breath, that him thought -was entermedled [<i>mingled</i>] with fire, which smote him so sore in the -visage, that him thought it all to-burnt his visage, and therewith he -fell to the ground, and had no power to arise. Then felt he many hands -about him, which took him up, and bare him out of the chamber without -any amending of his sowne [<i>swoon</i>], and left him there seeming dead -to all the people. So on the morrow, when it was fair daylight, they -within were arisen, and found Sir Launcelot lying before the chamber -door: all they marvelled how he came in. And so they took him by every -part of the body, and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in a rich -bed far from all folk.</p> - -<p>[Thus lay Sir Launcelot twenty-four days and nights, like as it were a -punishment for the twenty-four years that he had been a sinner. And at -the last he recovered himself.]</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot departed, and took his armor, and said that he would -go see the realm of Logris, "which I have not seen in a twelvemonth." -And therewith he [took his leave and] rode through many realms. And -he turned unto Camelot, where he found King Arthur and the queen. But -many of the knights of the Round Table were slain and destroyed, more -than half. And so three were come home, Ector, Gawaine, and Lionel, and -many other that need not to be rehearsed. And all the court was passing -glad of Sir Launcelot; and the king asked him many tidings of his son -Galahad. And there Launcelot told the king of his adventures that had -befallen him since he departed. And also he told him of the adventures -of Galahad, Percival, and Bors, which that he knew by the letter of the -dead damsel, and as Galahad had told him.</p> - -<p>"Now, God would," said the king, "that they were all three here."</p> - -<p>"That shall never be," said Launcelot, "for two of them shall ye never -see, but one of them shall come again."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[Now Sir Galahad rode many journeys in vain, and afterward, meeting -with Sir Bors and Sir Percival, they knew many wonders and adventures; -till on a certain day they came down into a ship, and in the midst -thereof they found a table of silver and the Holy Grail all covered -with white samite. And the Holy Grail wrought many miracles, comforting -them in prison, feeding them, and healing the sick. And it befell that -the Paynim king who had cast them in prison died, and the people by one -accord chose Sir Galahad to be king, and he reigned there a year. And -on a certain morning Sir Galahad, having risen early, and come unto the -palace, saw before him the Holy Grail, and a man kneeling, and about -him a great fellowship of angels. Then Sir Galahad knew that his hour -was come. And he] went to Sir Percival, and kissed him and commended -him to God; and he went to Sir Bors, and kissed him and commended him -to God, and said, "Fair lord, salute me to my lord Sir Launcelot, my -father."</p> - -<p>And therewith he kneeled down before the table and made his prayers; -and then suddenly his soul departed, and a great multitude of angels -bare his soul up to heaven. Also the two fellows saw come from heaven -an hand, but they saw not the body; and then it came to the [Holy -Grail] and took it, and the spear, and so bare it to heaven.</p> - -<p>Since was there never man so hardy to say that he had seen the Holy -Grail.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[Then after a year and two months, Sir Percival, having lived a holy -life in a hermitage, departed away from this world. And having buried -him by his sister and Sir Galahad, Sir Bors entered into a ship and -came at last to Logris, and rode fast to Camelot where King Arthur was. -And there was great joy made of him, for they weened he had been dead.]</p> - -<p>And anon Sir Bors said to Sir Launcelot, "Galahad, your own son saluted -you by me, and after you King Arthur, and all the court, and so did Sir -Percival: for I buried them with mine own hands in the city of Sarras. -Also, Sir Launcelot, Galahad prayeth you to remember of this uncertain -world, as ye behight him when ye were together more than half a year."</p> - -<p>"This is true," said Launcelot; "now I trust to God his prayer shall -avail me."</p> - -<p>Then Launcelot took Sir Bors in his arms, and said, "Gentle cousin, ye -are right welcome to me, and all that ever I may do for you and for -yours, ye shall find my poor body ready at all times whiles the spirit -is in it, and that I promise you faithfully, and never to fail. And wit -ye well, gentle cousin Sir Bors, that ye and I will never depart in -sunder whilst our lives may last."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "I will as ye will."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a id="BOOK_VI" name="BOOK_VI"></a>BOOK VI</h2> - -<p class="ph1">OF THE FAIR MAID OF ASTOLAT</p> - - -<p>SO after the quest of the Sanc Greal was fulfilled, and all knights -that were left on live were come again to the Table Round, then was -there great joy, and in especial King Arthur and Queen Guenever made -great joy of the remnant that were come home.</p> - -<p>And then the queen let make a dinner in London unto the knights of the -Round Table. All at that dinner she had Sir Gawaine and his brethren, -that is to say, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir Gareth, and Sir -Mordred. Also there was Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Blamor de Ganis, Sir -Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir -Lionel, Sir Palamides, Sir Safere his brother, Sir La Cote Mal Taile, -Sir Persant, Sir Ironside, Sir Brandiles, Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir -Mador de la Porte, Sir Patrice, a knight of Ireland, [Sir] Aliduke, Sir -Astomore, and Sir Pinel le Savage, the which was cousin to Sir Lamorak -de Galis, the good knight that Sir Gawaine and his brethren slew by -treason. And so these four and twenty knights should dine with the -queen, and there was made a great feast of all manner of dainties. But -Sir Gawaine had a custom that he used daily at dinner and at supper, -that he loved well all manner of fruit, and in especial apples and -pears. And therefore whosoever dined or feasted Sir Gawaine would -commonly purvey for good fruit for him; and so did the queen for to -please Sir Gawaine, she let purvey for him of all manner of fruit, for -Sir Gawaine was a passing hot knight of nature. And this Pinel hated -Sir Gawaine because of his kinsman Sir Lamorak de Galis, and therefore -for pure envy and hate Sir Pinel enpoisoned certain apples, for to -enpoison Sir Gawaine. And so this was well unto the end of the meat; -and so it befell by misfortune a good knight named Patrice, cousin -unto Sir Mador de la Porte, to take a poisoned apple. And when he had -eaten it he swelled so till he burst, and there Sir Patrice fell down -suddenly dead among them. Then every knight leaped from the board -ashamed and enraged for wrath, nigh out of their wits. For they wist -not what to say: considering Queen Guenever made the feast and dinner, -they all had suspicion unto her.</p> - -<p>"My lady, the queen," said Gawaine, "wit ye well, madam, that this -dinner was made for me: for all folks that know my conditions -understand that I love well fruit; and now I see well I had near been -slain; therefore, madam, I dread lest ye will be shamed."</p> - -<p>Then the queen stood still, and was sore abashed, that she wist not -what to say.</p> - -<p>"This shall not so be ended," said Sir Mador de la Porte, "for here -have I lost a full noble knight of my blood, and therefore upon this -shame and despite I will be revenged to the uttermost."</p> - -<p>And thereupon Sir Mador appealed Queen Guenever of the death of -his cousin Sir Patrice.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> Then stood they all still, that none of -them would speak a word against him, for they had a great suspection -[<i>suspicion</i>] unto Queen Guenever, because she let make the dinner. And -the queen was so sore abashed that she could none otherwise do but wept -so heartily that she fell in a swoon. With this noise and sudden cry -came unto them King Arthur, and marvelled greatly what it might be; and -when he wist of their trouble, and the sudden death of that good knight -Sir Patrice, he was a passing heavy man.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And ever Sir Mador stood still before King Arthur, and ever he appealed -Queen Guenever of treason; for the custom was such at that time that -all manner of shameful death was called treason.</p> - -<p>"Fair lords," said King Arthur, "me repenteth sore of this trouble, but -the cause is so we may not have to do in this matter, for I must be -a rightful judge, and that repenteth me that I may not do battle for -my wife, for, as I deem, this deed came never of her; and therefore I -suppose we shall not all be destitute, but that some good knight shall -put his body in jeopardy for my queen rather than she should be brent -[<i>burnt</i>] in a wrong quarrel; and therefore, Sir Mador, be not so -hasty, for it may happen she shall not be all friendless, and therefore -desire thou the day of battle, and she shall purvey her of some good -knight which shall answer you, or else it were to me great shame, and -unto all my court."</p> - -<p>"My gracious lord," said Sir Mador, "ye must hold me excused, for -though ye be our king, in that degree ye are but a knight as we are, -and ye are sworn unto knighthood as well as we, and therefore I pray -you that ye will not be displeased; for there is none of the twenty -knights that were bidden for to come unto this dinner, but all they -have great suspection unto the queen. What say you all, my lords?" said -Sir Mador.</p> - -<p>Then they answered by and by, and said they could not excuse the queen, -for why she made the dinner, and either it must come by her or by her -servants.</p> - -<p>"Alas," said the queen, "I made this dinner for a good intent, and -never for none evil; so Almighty God help me in my right."</p> - -<p>"My lord the king," said Sir Mador, "I require you, as ye be a -righteous king, give me a day that I may have justice."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the king, "I give the day this day fifteen days, that thou -be ready armed on horseback in the meadow beside Westminster. And if it -so fall that there be any knight to encounter with you, there mayest -thou do the best, and God speed the right. And if it so fall that there -be no knight at that day, then must my queen be burnt, and there shall -she be ready to have her judgment."</p> - -<p>"I am answered," said Sir Mador; and every knight went where it liked -him.</p> - -<p>So when the king and queen were together, the king asked the queen how -this case befell?</p> - -<p>The queen answered, "So God me help, I wot not how, nor in what manner."</p> - -<p>"Where is Sir Launcelot?" said King Arthur, "and he were here, he would -not grudge to do battle for you."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the queen, "I wot not where he is, but his brother and his -kinsmen deem that he is not within this realm."</p> - -<p>[For, within a little while before, it happened on a day that Queen -Guenever was displeased with Sir Launcelot and forbade him the court, -and that Sir Launcelot full sadly left the court and departed into his -country and dwelt with the hermit Sir Brasias.]</p> - -<p>"That me repenteth," said King Arthur, "for and he were here he would -soon stint this strife. Then I will counsel you," said the king, "that -ye go unto Sir Bors, and pray him to do that battle for you for Sir -Launcelot's sake, and upon my life he will not refuse you; for right -well I perceive that none of all these twenty knights that were with -you in fellowship at your dinner will do battle for you: [which would -be] great slander for you in this court."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said the queen, "I cannot do withal; but now I miss Sir -Launcelot, for, and he were here, he would put me full soon unto my -heart's ease."</p> - -<p>"Now go your way," said the king unto the queen, "and require Sir Bors -to do battle for you for Sir Launcelot's sake."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So the queen departed from the king, and sent for Sir Bors into her -chamber; and when he was come, she besought him of succor.</p> - -<p>"Madam," said he, "what would ye that I do? for I may not with my -worship have to do in this matter, because I was at that same dinner, -for dread that any of those knights would have me in suspection; also, -madam," said Sir Bors, "now miss ye Sir Launcelot, for he would not -have failed you, neither in right nor yet in wrong, as ye have well -proved when ye have been in danger, and now have ye driven him out -of this country, by whom ye and we all were daily worshipped.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> -Therefore, madam, I greatly marvel me how ye dare for shame require me -to do any thing for you, in so much as ye have chased him out of your -country by whom we were borne up and honored."</p> - -<p>"Alas! fair knight," said the queen, "I put me wholly in your grace, -and all that is done amiss I will amend as ye will counsel me."</p> - -<p>And therewith she kneeled down upon both her knees, and besought Sir -Bors to have mercy upon her, "or I shall have a shameful death, and -thereto I never offended."</p> - -<p>Right so came King Arthur, and found the queen kneeling afore Sir -Bors. Then Sir Bors pulled her up, and said, "Madam, ye do to me great -dishonor."</p> - -<p>"Ah, gentle knight," said the king, "have mercy upon my queen, -courteous knight, for I am now in certain she is untruly defamed. And -therefore, courteous knight," said the king, "promise her to do battle -for her: I require you, for the love of Sir Launcelot."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said Sir Bors, "ye require me the greatest thing that any -man may require me; and wit ye well, if I grant to do battle for -the queen I shall wrath many of my fellowship of the Table Round; -but as for that," said Bors, "I will grant my lord, for my lord Sir -Launcelot's sake, and for your sake, I will at that day be the queen's -champion, unless that there come by adventure a better knight than I am -to do battle for her."</p> - -<p>"Will ye promise me this," said the king, "by your faith?"</p> - -<p>"Yea sir," said Sir Bors, "of that will I not fail you, nor her both, -but if that there come a better knight than I am, and then shall he -have the battle."</p> - -<p>Then was the king and the queen passing glad, and so departed, and -thanked him heartily. So then Sir Bors departed secretly upon a day, -and rode unto Sir Launcelot, there as he was with the hermit Sir -Brasias, and told him of all their adventure.</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Sir Launcelot, "this is come happily as I would have it, -and therefore I pray you make you ready to do battle, but look that ye -tarry till ye see me come, as long as ye may. For I am sure Mador is -an hot knight, when he is enchafed, for the more ye suffer him, the -hastier will he be to battle."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Bors, "let me deal with him; doubt ye not ye shall have -all your will."</p> - -<p>Then departed Sir Bors from him, and came to the court again. Then -was it noised in all the court that Sir Bors should do battle for the -queen: wherefore many knights were displeased with him, that he would -take upon him to do battle in the queen's quarrel, for there were but -few knights in the court but they deemed the queen was in the wrong, -and that she had done that treason. So Sir Bors answered thus unto his -fellows of the Table Round: "Wit ye well, my fair lords, it were shame -to us all, and we suffered to see the most noble queen of the world to -be shamed openly, considering her lord and our lord is the man of most -worship in the world, and most christened, and he hath ever worshipped -us all, in all places."</p> - -<p>Many answered him again: "As for our most noble King Arthur, we love -him and honor him as well as ye do; but as for Queen Guenever, we love -her not, for because she is a destroyer of good knights."</p> - -<p>"Fair lords," said Sir Bors, "me seemeth ye say not as ye should say, -for never yet in all my days knew I nor heard say that ever she was -a destroyer of any good knight; but at all times, as far as I ever -could know, she was always a maintainer of good knights, and alway she -hath been large and free of her goods to all good knights, and the -most bounteous lady of her gifts and her good grace that ever I saw -or heard speak of; and therefore it were great shame," said Sir Bors, -"unto us all to our most noble king's wife, if we suffer her to be -shamefully slain. And wit ye well," said Sir Bors, "I will not suffer -it, for I dare say so much, the queen is not guilty of Sir Patrice's -death, for she ought [<i>owed</i>] him never none evil will, nor none of the -twenty-four knights that were at that dinner; for I dare well say that -it was for good love she had us to dinner, and not for no mal engine -[<i>bad design</i>], and that I doubt not shall be proved hereafter, for, -howsoever the game goeth, there was treason among some of us."</p> - -<p>Then some said to Sir Bors, "We may well believe your words."</p> - -<p>And so some of them were well pleased, and some were not pleased.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The day came on fast until the even that the battle should be. Then the -queen sent for Sir Bors, and asked him how he was disposed.</p> - -<p>"Truly, madam," said he, "I am disposed in likewise as I promised you, -[and I will not] fail you, unless by adventure there come a better -knight than I to do battle for you; then, madam, I am discharged of my -promise."</p> - -<p>Then the queen went unto the king, and told him the answer of Sir Bors.</p> - -<p>"Have ye no doubt," said the king, "of Sir Bors, for I call him now one -of the best knights of the world, and the most profitable man."</p> - -<p>And thus it passed on until the morn. And the king and the queen, and -all manner of knights that were there at that time, drew them unto the -meadow beside Westminster, where the battle should be. And so when the -king was come with the queen, and many knights of the Round Table, then -the queen was put there in the constable's ward, and a great fire made -about an iron stake, that, and Sir Mador de la Porte had the better, -she should be burnt. Such custom was used in those days, that neither -for favor, neither for love, nor affinity, there should be none other -but righteous judgment, as well upon a king as upon a knight, and as -well upon a queen as upon another poor lady. So in this meanwhile -came in Sir Mador de la Porte, and took his oath before the king, That -the queen did this treason unto his cousin Sir Patrice, and unto his -oath he would prove it with his body, hand for hand, who that would -say the contrary. Right so came in Sir Bors, and said, that as for -Queen Guenever, she is in the right, "and that will I make good with my -hands, that she is not culpable of this treason that is put upon her."</p> - -<p>"Then make thee ready," said Sir Mador, "and we shall prove whether -thou be in the right or I."</p> - -<p>"Sir Mador," said Sir Bors, "wit thou well I know you for a good -knight: but I trust unto almighty God I shall be able to withstand -your malice: but thus much have I promised my lord King Arthur, and -my lady the queen, that I shall do battle for her in this case to -the uttermost, unless that there come a better knight than I am, and -discharge me."</p> - -<p>"Is that all?" said Sir Mador; "either come thou off, and do battle -with me, or else say nay."</p> - -<p>"Take your horse," said Sir Bors, "and, as I suppose, ye shall not -tarry long but that ye shall be answered."</p> - -<p>Then either departed to their tents, and made them ready to mount upon -horseback as they thought best. And anon Sir Mador de la Porte came -into the field with his shield on his shoulder, and a spear in his -hand; and so rode about the place, crying unto King Arthur, "Bid your -champion come forth, and he dare."</p> - -<p>Then was Sir Bors ashamed, and took his horse, and came to the lists' -end. And then was he ware where as came out of a wood, there fast by, -a knight all armed at all points upon a white horse, with a strange -shield, and of strange arms; and he came riding all that he might run; -and so he came to Sir Bors, and said, "Fair knight, I pray you be not -displeased, for here must a better knight than ye are have this battle; -therefore I pray you to withdraw you, for I would ye knew I have had -this day a right great journey, and this battle ought to be mine, and -so I promised you when I spake with you last, and with all my heart I -thank you of your good will."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bors rode unto King Arthur, and told him how there was a -knight come that would have the battle for to fight for the queen.</p> - -<p>"What knight is he?" said the king.</p> - -<p>"I wot not," said Sir Bors, "but such covenant he made with me to be -here this day. Now my lord," said Sir Bors, "here am I discharged."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then the king called to that knight, and asked him if he would fight -for the queen. Then he answered to the king, "Therefore came I hither, -and therefore, Sir king," he said, "tarry me no longer, for I may not -tarry. For anon as I have finished this battle I must depart hence, for -I have ado many matters elsewhere. For wit you well," said that knight, -"this is dishonor to you all knights of the Round Table, to see and -know so noble a lady and so courteous a queen as Queen Guenever is thus -to be rebuked and shamed amongst you."</p> - -<p>Then they all marvelled what knight that might be that so took the -battle upon him, for there was not one that knew him, but if it were -Sir Bors. Then said Sir Mador de la Porte unto the king, "Now let me -wit with whom I shall have ado withal."</p> - -<p>And then they rode to the lists' end, and there they couched their -spears, and ran together with all their mights. And Sir Mador's spear -brake all to pieces, but the other's spear held, and bare Sir Mador's -horse and all backward to the earth a great fall. But mightily and -suddenly he avoided his horse, and put his shield afore him, and then -drew his sword, and bade the other knight alight and do battle with -him on foot. Then that knight descended from his horse lightly like -a valiant man, and put his shield afore him, and drew his sword, and -so they came eagerly unto battle, and either gave other many great -strokes, tracing and traversing, raising and foining, and hurtling -together with their swords, as it were wild boars. Thus were they -fighting nigh an hour, for this Sir Mador was a strong knight, and -mightily proved in many strong battles. But at last this knight smote -Sir Mador grovelling upon the earth, and the knight stepped near him to -have pulled Sir Mador flatling upon the ground; and therewith suddenly -Sir Mador arose, and in his rising he smote that knight through the -thick of the thighs, that the blood ran out fiercely. And when he felt -himself so wounded, and saw his blood, he let him arise upon his feet; -and then he gave him such a buffet upon the helm that he fell to the -earth flatling, and therewith he strode to him for to have pulled off -his helm off his head. And then Sir Mador prayed that knight to save -his life, and so he yielded him as overcome, and released the queen of -his quarrel.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <a name="illus7" id="illus7"></a> - <img src="images/illus7.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>Sir Mador's spear brake all to pieces, but the other's spear held</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"I will not grant thee thy life," said that knight, "only that thou -freely release the queen forever, and that no mention be made upon Sir -Patrice's tomb that ever Queen Guenever consented to that treason."</p> - -<p>"All this shall be done," said Sir Mador, "I clearly discharge my -quarrel forever."</p> - -<p>Then the knights parters of the lists [<i>knights who parted the -combatants</i>] took up Sir Mador and led him to his tent, and the other -knight went straight to the stair foot whereas King Arthur sat, and by -that time was the queen come unto the king, and either kissed other -lovingly. And when the king saw that knight, he stooped down unto him -and thanked him, and in likewise did the queen. And then the king -prayed him to put off his helm and to rest him, and to take a sop of -wine; and then he put off his helm to drink, and then every knight knew -that he was the noble knight Sir Launcelot. As soon as the king wist -that, he took the queen by the hand, and went unto Sir Launcelot, and -said, "Gramercy of your great travel that ye have had this day for me -and for my queen."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said Sir Launcelot, "wit ye well that I ought of right -ever to be in your quarrel, and in my lady the queen's quarrel, to do -battle, for ye are the man that gave me the high order of knighthood, -and that day my lady your queen did me great worship, or else I had -been shamed. For that same day ye made me knight, through my hastiness -I lost my sword, and my lady your queen found it, and lapped it in her -train, and gave me my sword when I had need thereof, or else had I -been shamed among all knights. And therefore, my lord King Arthur, I -promised her at that day ever to be her knight in right or in wrong."</p> - -<p>"Gramercy," said King Arthur, "for this journey; and wit you well," -said King Arthur, "I shall acquit you of [<i>repay you for</i>] your -goodness."</p> - -<p>And ever the queen beheld Sir Launcelot, and wept so tenderly that she -sank almost down upon the ground for sorrow, that he had done to her so -great goodness, whereas she had showed him great unkindness. Then the -knights of his blood drew unto him, and there either of them made great -joy of other; and so came all the knights of the Round Table that were -there at that time, and he welcomed them. And then Sir Mador was had to -leechcraft [<i>surgery</i>]; and Sir Launcelot was healed of his wound. And -then was there made great joy and mirth in the court.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And so it befell that the damsel of the lake, which was called Nimue, -the which wedded the good knight Sir Pelleas, and so she came to the -court, for ever she did great goodness unto King Arthur and to all his -knights, through her sorcery and enchantments. And so when she heard -how the queen was [endangered] for the death of Sir Patrice, then she -told it openly that she was never guilty; and there she disclosed by -whom it was done, and named him Sir Pinel, and for what cause he did -it; there it was openly disclosed, and so the queen was excused, and -the knight Sir Pinel fled into his country. Then was it openly known -that Sir Pinel empoisoned the apples of the feast, to the intent to -have destroyed Sir Gawaine, because Sir Gawaine and his brethren -destroyed Sir Lamorak de Galis, whom Sir Pinel was cousin unto.</p> - -<p>And then Sir Mador sued daily and long to have the queen's good grace; -and so, by the means of Sir Launcelot, he caused him to stand in the -queen's grace, and all was forgiven. Thus it passed forth until our -Lady Day the Assumption; within fifteen days of that feast King [Arthur -let cry a great tournament] at Camelot, that is, Winchester, [where] -he and the King of Scotland would joust against all that would come -against them. And when this cry was made, thither came many knights. So -there came thither the King of Northgalis, and King Anguish of Ireland, -and the king with the hundred knights, and Sir Galahalt the haut -prince, and the King of Northumberland, and many other noble dukes and -earls of divers countries. So King Arthur made him ready to depart to -these jousts, and would have had the queen with him; but at that time -she would not, she said, for she was sick and might not ride at that -time.</p> - -<p>"That me repenteth," said the king, "for this seven year ye saw not -such a fellowship together, except at Whitsuntide when Galahad departed -from the court."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said the queen to the king, "ye must hold me excused: I may -not be there, and that me repenteth."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And so upon the morn early Sir Launcelot heard mass, and brake his -fast, and so took his leave of the queen, and departed. And then he -rode so much until he came to Astolat, that is Gilford; and there it -happed him in the eventide he came to an old baron's place, that hight -Sir Bernard of Astolat. And as Sir Launcelot entered into his lodging, -King Arthur espied him as he did walk in a garden beside the castle, -how he took his lodging, and knew him full well.</p> - -<p>"It is well," said King Arthur unto the knights that were with him -in that garden beside the castle, "I have now espied one knight that -will play his play at the jousts to the which we be gone towards, I -undertake he will do marvels."</p> - -<p>"Who is that, we pray you tell us," said many knights that were there -at that time.</p> - -<p>"Ye shall not wit for me," said the king, "at this time."</p> - -<p>And so the king smiled, and went to his lodging. So when Sir Launcelot -was in his lodging, and unarmed him in his chamber, the old baron came -unto him, making his reverence, and welcomed him in the best manner; -but the old knight knew not Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<p>"Fair sir," said Sir Launcelot to his host, "I would pray you to lend -me a shield that were not openly known, for mine is well known."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said his host, "ye shall have your desire, for me seemeth ye -be one of the likeliest knights of the world, and therefore I shall -show you friendship. Sir, wit ye well I have two sons which were but -late made knights, and the eldest hight Sir Tirre, and he was hurt the -same day that he was made knight, that he may not ride, and his shield -ye shall have, for that is not known, I dare say, but here, and in no -place else. And my youngest son hight Sir Lavaine, and if it please you -he shall ride with you unto those jousts; and he is of his age strong -and mighty, for much my heart giveth unto you that ye should be a noble -knight, therefore I beseech you tell me your name," said Sir Bernard.</p> - -<p>"As for that," said Sir Launcelot, "ye must hold me excused as at this -time, and if God give me grace to speed well at the jousts, I shall -come again and tell you; but I pray you heartily," said Sir Launcelot, -"in any wise let me have your son Sir Lavaine with me, and that I may -have his brother's shield."</p> - -<p>"Also this shall be done," said Sir Bernard.</p> - -<p>This old baron had a daughter that time that was called the fair maid -of Astolat, and ever she beheld Sir Launcelot wonderfully; and she cast -such a love unto Sir Launcelot that she could not withdraw her love, -wherefore she died; and her name was Elaine la Blanche. So thus as she -came to and fro, she besought Sir Launcelot to wear upon him at the -jousts a token of hers.</p> - -<p>"Fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "and if I grant you that, ye may say -I do more for your love than ever I did for lady or damsel."</p> - -<p>Then he remembered him that he would ride unto the jousts disguised, -and for because he had never before that time borne no manner of token -of no damsel, then he bethought him that he would bear one of hers, -that none of his blood thereby might know him. And then he said, "Fair -damsel, I will grant you to wear a token of yours upon my helmet, and -therefore what it is show me."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "it is a red sleeve of mine, of scarlet well -embroidered with great pearls."</p> - -<p>And so she brought it him. So Sir Launcelot received it, and said, -"Never or this time did I so much for no damsel."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Launcelot betook [<i>gave</i>] the fair damsel his shield in -keeping, and prayed her to keep it until he came again. And so that -night he had merry rest and great cheer; for ever the fair damsel -Elaine was about Sir Launcelot all the while that she might be suffered.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So upon a day in the morning, King Arthur and all his knights departed, -for the king had tarried there three days to abide his knights. And so -when the king was ridden, Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine made them ready -for to ride, and either of them had white shields, and the red sleeve -Sir Launcelot let carry with him. And so they took their leave of Sir -Bernard the old baron, and of his daughter the fair maid of Astolat. -And then they rode so long till that they came to Camelot, which now -is called Winchester. And there was great press of knights, dukes, -earls, and barons, and many noble knights; but there was Sir Launcelot -privily lodged by the means of Sir Lavaine with a rich burgess, that -no man in that town was ware what they were. And so they sojourned -there till our Lady Day the Assumption, as the great feast should be. -So then trumpets began to blow unto the field, and King Arthur was -set on high upon a scaffold to behold who did best. But King Arthur -would not suffer Sir Gawaine to go from him, for never had Sir Gawaine -the better if Sir Launcelot were in the field. And many times was Sir -Gawaine rebuked when Sir Launcelot came to any jousts disguised. Then -some of the kings, as King Anguish of Ireland and the King of Scotland, -were at that time turned upon King Arthur's side. And then upon the -other side was the King of Northgalis, and the king with the hundred -knights, and the King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahalt the haut -prince. But these three kings and this one duke were passing weak to -hold against King Arthur's party; for with him were the noblest knights -of the world. So then they withdrew them either party from other, and -every man made him ready in his best manner to do what he might. Then -Sir Launcelot made him ready, and put the red sleeve upon his head, and -fastened it fast; and so Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine departed out -of Winchester privily, and rode until [<i>unto</i>] a little leaved wood, -behind the party that held against King Arthur's party, and there they -held them still till the parties smote together. And then came in the -King of Scots and the King of Ireland on Arthur's party; and against -them came the King of Northumberland; and the king with the hundred -knights smote down the King of Northumberland, and also the king with -the hundred knights smote down King Anguish of Ireland. Then Sir -Palamides, that was on Arthur's party, encountered with Sir Galahalt, -and either of them smote down other, and either party holp their lords -on horseback again. So there began a strong assail upon both parties. -And then there came in Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramor le Desirous, Sir -Dodinas le Savage, Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu, -Sir Mordred, Sir Meliot de Logris, Sir Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir -Safere, Sir Epinegris, and Sir Galleron of Galway. All these fifteen -knights were knights of the Table Round. So these with more others came -in together, and beat back the King of Northumberland, and the King -of North Wales. When Sir Launcelot saw this, as he hoved in a little -leaved wood, then he said unto Sir Lavaine, "See yonder is a company -of good knights, and they hold them together as boars that were chafed -with dogs."</p> - -<p>"That is truth," said Sir Lavaine.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Now," said Sir Launcelot, "and ye will help me a little, ye shall see -yonder fellowship which chaseth now these men in our side, that they -shall go as fast backward as they went forward."</p> - -<p>"Sir, spare not," said Sir Lavaine, "for I shall do what I may."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came in at the thickest of the -press, and there Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramor, -Sir Dodinas, Sir Kay, Sir Griflet, and all this he did with one spear. -And Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Lucan le Butler, and Sir Bedivere. And -then Sir Launcelot gat another spear, and there he smote down Sir -Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, and Sir Meliot de Logris. And -Sir Lavaine smote down Ozanna le Cure Hardy: and then Sir Launcelot -drew his sword, and there he smote on the right hand and on the left -hand, and by great force he unhorsed Sir Safere, Sir Epinegris, and Sir -Galleron. And then the knights of the Table Round withdrew them aback, -after they had gotten their horses as well as they might.</p> - -<p>"Oh, mercy," said Sir Gawaine, "what knight is yonder, that doth so -marvellous deeds of arms in that field?"</p> - -<p>"I wot what he is," said King Arthur, "but as at this time I will not -name him."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Gawaine, "I would say it were Sir Launcelot, by his -riding and his buffets that I see him deal: but ever me seemeth it -should be not he, for that he beareth the red sleeve upon his head, for -I wist him never bear token, at no jousts, of lady nor gentlewoman."</p> - -<p>"Let him be," said King Arthur, "he will be better known and do more or -ever he depart."</p> - -<p>Then the party that were against King Arthur were well comforted, and -then they held them together, that beforehand were sore rebuked. Then -Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Lionel, called unto them the -knights of their blood, as Sir Blamor de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir -Aliduke, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Bellangere le Beuse, so these -nine knights of Sir Launcelot's kin thrust in mightily, for they were -all noble knights. And they, of great hate and despite that they had -unto him, thought to rebuke that noble knight Sir Launcelot, and Sir -Lavaine, for they knew them not. And so they came hurtling together, -and smote down many knights of Northgalis and of Northumberland. And -when Sir Launcelot saw them fare so, he gat a spear in his hand, and -there encountered with them all at once; Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, -and Sir Lionel smote him all at once with their spears.</p> - -<p>And with force of themselves they smote Sir Launcelot's horse unto the -ground; and by misfortune Sir Bors smote Sir Launcelot through the -shield into the side, and the spear brake, and the head abode still -in the side. When Sir Lavaine saw his master lie upon the ground, he -ran to the King of Scotland and smote him to the ground, and by great -force he took his horse and brought him to Sir Launcelot, and mauger -[<i>in spite of</i>] them all he made him to mount upon that horse. And -then Sir Launcelot gat him a great spear in his hand, and there he -smote Sir Bors both horse and man to the ground; and in the same wise -he served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel; and Sir Lavaine smote down Sir -Blamor de Ganis. And then Sir Launcelot began to draw his sword, for he -felt himself so sore hurt, that he wend there to have had his death; -and then he smote Sir Bleoberis such a buffet upon the helm that he -fell down to the ground in a swoon; and in the same wise he served Sir -Aliduke and Sir Galihud. And Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Bellangere, -that was the son of Sir Alisander Lorphelin. And by that time Sir Bors -was horsed; and then he came with Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, and they -three smote with their swords upon Sir Launcelot's helmet; and when -he felt their buffets, and his wound that was so grievous, then he -thought to do what he might whiles he might endure; and then he gave -Sir Bors such a buffet that he made him to bow his head passing low; -and therewithal he razed off his helm, and might have slain him, and so -pulled him down. And in the same manner of wise he served Sir Ector and -Sir Lionel, for he might have slain them. But when he saw their visages -his heart might not serve him thereto, but left them there lying. And -then after he hurled in among the thickest press of them all, and did -there marvellous deeds of arms that ever any man saw or heard speak -of. And alway the good knight Sir Lavaine was with him; and there Sir -Launcelot with his sword smote and pulled down moe [<i>more</i>] than thirty -knights, and the most part were of the Round Table. And Sir Lavaine -did full well that day, for he smote down ten knights of the Round -Table.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Ah mercy, Jesu," said Sir Gawaine unto King Arthur, "I marvel what -knight he is with the red sleeve."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said King Arthur, "he will be known or he depart."</p> - -<p>And then the king let blow unto lodging, and the prize was given by -heralds to the knight with the white shield and that bare the red -sleeve. Then came the king with the hundred knights, the King of -Northgalis, and the King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahalt the haut -prince, and said unto Sir Launcelot, "Fair knight, God thee bless, for -much have ye done this day for us, therefore we pray you that ye will -come with us that ye may receive the honor and the prize, as ye have -worshipfully deserved it."</p> - -<p>"My fair lords," said Sir Launcelot, "wit ye well, if I have deserved -thanks, I have sore bought it, for I am like never to escape with my -life; therefore I pray you that ye will suffer me to depart where me -liketh, for I am sore hurt; I had liever [<i>rather</i>] to rest me than -to be lord of all the world." And therewith he groaned piteously, and -rode a great gallop away from them until he came to a wood side, and -when he saw that he was from the field nigh a mile, that he was sure -he might not be seen, then said he with a high voice, "O gentle knight -Sir Lavaine, help me that this truncheon were out of my side, for it -sticketh so sore that it nigh slayeth me."</p> - -<p>"O mine own lord," said Sir Lavaine, "I would fain do that might -please you, but I dread me sore, and I draw out the truncheon, that ye -shall be in peril of death."</p> - -<p>"I charge you," said Sir Launcelot, "as ye love me draw it out."</p> - -<p>And therewithal he descended from his horse, and right so did Sir -Lavaine, and forthwith Sir Lavaine drew the truncheon out of his side. -And he gave a great shriek, and a marvellous grisly groan, and his -blood brast [<i>burst</i>] out nigh a pint at once, that at last he sank -down, and so swooned pale and deadly.</p> - -<p>"Alas," said Sir Lavaine, "what shall I do?"</p> - -<p>And then he turned Sir Launcelot into the wind, but so he lay there -nigh half an hour as he had been dead. And so at the last Sir Launcelot -cast up his eyes, and said, "O Lavaine, help me that I were on my -horse, for here is fast by within this two mile a gentle hermit, that -sometime was a full noble knight and a great lord of possessions; and -for great goodness he hath taken him to wilful poverty, and forsaken -many lands, and his name is Sir Baldwin of Brittany, and he is a -full noble surgeon, and a good leech. Now let see, help me up that I -were there. For ever my heart giveth me that I shall never die of my -cousin-german's hands."</p> - -<p>And then with great pain Sir Lavaine holp him upon his horse; and then -they rode a great gallop together, and ever Sir Launcelot bled that it -ran down to the earth. And so by fortune they came to that hermitage, -which was under a wood, and a great cliff on the other side, and a fair -water running under it. And then Sir Lavaine beat on the gate with the -butt of his spear, and cried fast, "Let in, for Jesu's sake."</p> - -<p>And there came a fair child to them, and asked them what they would?</p> - -<p>"Fair son," said Sir Lavaine, "go and pray thy lord the hermit for -God's sake to let in here a knight that is full sore wounded, and this -day tell thy lord that I saw him do more deeds of arms than ever I -heard say that any man did."</p> - -<p>So the child went in lightly, and then he brought the hermit, the which -was a passing good man. So when Sir Lavaine saw him, he prayed him for -God's sake of succor.</p> - -<p>"What knight is he?" said the hermit, "is he of the house of King -Arthur or not?"</p> - -<p>"I wot not," said Sir Lavaine, "what is he, nor what is his name, but -well I wot I saw him do marvellously this day, as of deeds of arms."</p> - -<p>"On whose party was he?" said the hermit.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Lavaine, "he was this day against King Arthur, and -there he won the prize of all the knights of the Round Table."</p> - -<p>"I have seen the day," said the hermit, "I would have loved him the -worse because he was against my lord King Arthur, for sometime I was -one of the fellowship of the Round Table, but I thank God now I am -otherwise disposed. But where is he? let me see him."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Lavaine brought the hermit to him.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And when the hermit beheld him as he sat leaning upon his saddle-bow, -ever bleeding piteously, [then] alway the knight hermit thought that -he should know him, but he could not bring him to knowledge, because he -was so pale for bleeding.</p> - -<p>"What knight are ye," said the hermit, "and where were ye born??</p> - -<p>"Fair lord," said Sir Launcelot, "I am a stranger and a knight -adventurous, that laboreth throughout many realms for to win worship."</p> - -<p>Then the hermit advised him better [<i>looked more closely</i>], and saw by -a wound on the cheek that he was Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said the hermit, "mine own lord, why hide ye your name from me? -forsooth I ought to know you of right, for ye are the most noble knight -of the world, for well I know you for Sir Launcelot."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "sith ye know me, help me, and [<i>if</i>] ye may, for -Christ's sake, for I would be out of this pain at once, either to death -or to life."</p> - -<p>"Have ye no doubt," said the hermit, "ye shall live and fare right -well."</p> - -<p>And so the hermit called to him two of his servants; and so he and his -servants bare him into the hermitage, and lightly unarmed him, and laid -him in his bed. And then anon the hermit stanched the blood; and then -he made him to drink good wine; so by that Sir Launcelot was right well -refreshed, and came to himself again. For in those days it was not the -guise of hermits as it now is in these days, for there were no hermits -in those days but that they had been men of worship and of prowess, and -those hermits held great households, and refreshed people that were in -distress.</p> - -<p>Now turn we unto King Arthur, and leave we Sir Launcelot in the -hermitage.</p> - -<p>So when the kings were come together on both parties, and the great -feast should be holden, King Arthur asked the King of Northgalis and -their fellowship where was that knight that bare the red sleeve: "Bring -him before me, that he may have his laud and honor and the prize, as it -is right."</p> - -<p>Then spake Sir Galahalt the haut prince and the king with the hundred -knights: "We suppose that knight is mischieved, and that he is never -like to see you, nor none of us all, and that is the greatest pity that -ever we wist of any knight."</p> - -<p>"Alas," said King Arthur, "how may this be? is he so hurt? What is his -name?"</p> - -<p>"Truly," said they all, "we know not his name, nor from whence he came, -nor whither he would."</p> - -<p>"Alas," said the king, "these be to me the worst tidings that came to -me this seven year: for I would not for all the lands I hold, to know -and wit it were so that that noble knight were slain."</p> - -<p>"Know ye him?" said they all.</p> - -<p>"As for that," said King Arthur, "whether I know him or know him not, -ye shall not know for me what man he is, but Almighty Jesu send me good -tidings of him."</p> - -<p>And so said they all.</p> - -<p>"By my head," said Sir Gawaine, "if it be so, that the good knight be -so sore hurt, it is great damage and pity to all this land, for he is -one of the noblest knights that ever I saw in a field handle a spear -or a sword; and if he may be found, I shall find him, for I am sure -that he is not far from this town."</p> - -<p>"Bear you well," said King Arthur, "that ye may find him, without that -he be in such a plight that he may not bestir himself."</p> - -<p>"Jesu defend," said Sir Gawaine, "but I shall know what he is and if I -may find him."</p> - -<p>Right so Sir Gawaine took a squire with him, and rode upon two hackneys -all about Camelot within six or seven mile; but as he went so he came -again, and could hear no word of him. Then within two days King Arthur -and all the fellowship returned to London again; and so as they rode by -the way, it happened Sir Gawaine at Astolat to lodge with Sir Bernard, -whereas Sir Launcelot was lodged. And so as Sir Gawaine was in his -chamber for to take his rest, Sir Bernard the old baron came to him, -and also his fair daughter Elaine, for to cheer him, and to ask him -what tidings he knew, and who did best at the tournament at Winchester.</p> - -<p>"So God help me," said Sir Gawaine, "there were two knights which bare -two white shields, but the one of them bare a red sleeve upon his head, -and certainly he was one of the best knights that ever I saw joust in -field; for I dare make it good," said Sir Gawaine, "that one knight -with the red sleeve smote down forty valiant knights of the Round -Table, and his fellow did right well and right worshipfully."</p> - -<p>"Now blessed be God," said the fair maid of Astolat, "that the good -knight sped so well, for he is the man in the world the which I first -loved, and truly he shall be the last man that ever after I shall love."</p> - -<p>"Now, fair maid," said Sir Gawaine, "is that good knight your love?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said she; "wit ye well he is my love."</p> - -<p>"Then know ye his name?" said Sir Gawaine.</p> - -<p>"Nay, truly," said the maid, "I know not his name, nor from whence he -came; but to say that I love him, I promise God and you that I love -him."</p> - -<p>"How had ye knowledge of him first?" said Sir Gawaine.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then she told him as ye have heard before, and how her father betook -[<i>intrusted</i>] him her brother to do him service, and how her father -lent him her brother Sir Tirre's shield, "and here with me he left his -own shield."</p> - -<p>"For what cause did he so?" said Sir Gawaine.</p> - -<p>"For this cause," said the damsel, "for his shield was too well known -among many noble knights."</p> - -<p>"Ah, fair damsel," said Sir Gawaine, "please it you let me have a sight -of that shield."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "it is in my chamber covered with a case, and if it -will please you to come in with me ye shall see it."</p> - -<p>"Not so," said Sir Bernard unto his daughter; "let send for it."</p> - -<p>So when the shield was come, Sir Gawaine took off the case, and when he -beheld that shield he knew anon that it was Sir Launcelot's shield, and -his own arms.</p> - -<p>"Ah Jesu, mercy!" said Sir Gawaine, "now is my heart more heavier than -ever it was before."</p> - -<p>"Why?" said the damsel Elaine.</p> - -<p>"For I have a great cause," said Sir Gawaine; "is that knight that -oweth that shield your love?"</p> - -<p>"Yea, truly," said she, "my love he is, God would that I were his love."</p> - -<p>"So God me speed," said Sir Gawaine, "fair damsel, ye love the most -honorable knight of the world, and the man of most worship."</p> - -<p>"So me thought ever," said the damsel, "for never or that time for no -knight that ever I saw loved I never none erst."</p> - -<p>"God grant," said Sir Gawaine, "that either of you may rejoice other, -but that is in a great adventure; but truly," said Sir Gawaine unto the -damsel, "ye may say ye have a fair grace, for why I have known that -noble knight this fourteen years, and never or that day I or none other -knight, I dare make it good, saw nor heard that ever he bare token or -sign of no lady, gentlewoman, nor maid, at no jousts nor tournament; -and therefore, fair maid," said Sir Gawaine, "ye are much beholden to -give him thanks; but I dread me," said Sir Gawaine, "ye shall never -see him in this world, and that is great pity as ever was of earthly -knight."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said she, "how may this be? is he slain?"</p> - -<p>"I say not so," said Sir Gawaine, "but wit ye well that he is -grievously wounded by all manner of signs, and by men's sight more -likelier to be dead than to be alive, and wit ye well he is the noble -knight Sir Launcelot, for by his shield I know him."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said the fair maid Elaine, "how may it be? what was his hurt?"</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Sir Gawaine, "the man in the world that loveth him best -hurt him so; and I dare say, and that knight that hurt him knew the -very certainty that he had hurt Sir Launcelot, it would be the most -sorrow that ever came to his heart."</p> - -<p>"Now, fair father," said then Elaine, "I require you give me leave to -ride and to seek him, or else I wot well I shall go out of my mind, for -I shall never stint [<i>stop</i>] till that I find him and my brother Sir -Lavaine."</p> - -<p>"Do as it liketh you," said her father, "for me right sore repenteth of -the hurt of that noble knight."</p> - -<p>So the king and all came to London, and there Sir Gawaine openly -disclosed to all the court that it was Sir Launcelot that jousted best.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So as the fair maid Elaine came to Winchester, she sought there all -about, and by fortune Sir Lavaine was ridden to play him and to enchafe -his horse. And anon, as fair Elaine saw him, she knew him, and then she -cried aloud unto him; and when he heard her, anon he came unto her. And -then she asked her brother, "How fareth my lord Sir Launcelot?"</p> - -<p>"Who told you, sister, that my lord's name was Sir Launcelot?"</p> - -<p>Then she told him how Sir Gawaine by his shield knew him. So they rode -together till they came unto the hermitage, and anon she alighted; so -Sir Lavaine brought her unto Sir Launcelot. And when she saw him lie so -sick and pale in his bed, she might not speak, but suddenly she fell -unto the ground in a swoon, and there she lay a great while. And when -she was relieved, she sighed and said, "My lord Sir Launcelot, alas! -why go ye in this plight?" and then she swooned again. And then Sir -Launcelot prayed Sir Lavaine to take her up and to bring her to him. -And when she came to herself, Sir Launcelot kissed her, and said, "Fair -maiden, why fare ye thus? Ye put me to pain; wherefore make ye no more -such cheer for, and ye be come to comfort me, ye be right welcome, and -of this little hurt that I have, I shall be right hastily whole, by the -grace of God. But I marvel," said Sir Launcelot, "who told you my name."</p> - -<p>Then the fair maiden told him all how Sir Gawaine was lodged with her -father. "And there by your shield he discovered your name."</p> - -<p>"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "that me repenteth, that my name is known, -for I am sure it will turn unto anger."</p> - -<p>So this maiden, Elaine, never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched him -day and night and did such attendance to him that there was never woman -did more kindlier for man than she did. Then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir -Lavaine to make espies in Winchester for Sir Bors if he came there, and -told him by what token he should know him by a wound in his forehead.</p> - -<p>"For well I am sure," said Sir Launcelot, "that Sir Bors will seek me, -for he is the good knight that hurt me."</p> - -<p>Now turn we unto Sir Bors de Ganis, that came to Winchester to seek -after his cousin Sir Launcelot. And so when he came to Winchester, anon -there were men that Sir Lavaine had made to lie in watch for such a -man, and anon Sir Lavaine had warning thereof. And then Sir Lavaine -came to Winchester and found Sir Bors. And so they departed, and came -unto the hermitage where Sir Launcelot was; and when Sir Bors saw Sir -Launcelot lie in his bed all pale and discolored, anon Sir Bors lost -his countenance, and for kindness and for pity he might not speak, but -wept full tenderly a great while. And then when he might speak, he said -unto him thus, "Alas! that ever such a caitiff knight as I am should -have power by unhappiness to hurt the most noblest knight of the world. -Where I so shamefully set upon you and overcharged you, and where ye -might have slain me, ye saved me, and so did not I: for I, and your -blood, did to you our uttermost I marvel that my heart or my blood -would serve me, wherefore, my lord Sir Launcelot, I ask your mercy."</p> - -<p>"Fair cousin," said Sir Launcelot, "I would with pride have overcome -you all, and there in my pride I was near slain, and that was in mine -own default, for I might have given you warning of my being there. -Therefore, fair cousin," said Sir Launcelot, "let this speech overpass, -and all shall be welcome that God sendeth; and let us leave off this -matter, and let us speak of some rejoicing; for this that is done may -not be undone, and let us find a remedy how soon that I may be whole."</p> - -<p>And so upon a day they took their horses and took Elaine la Blanche -with them; and when they came to Astolat, there they were well lodged -and had great cheer of Sir Bernard the old baron and of Sir Tirre his -son. And so on the morrow, when Sir Launcelot should depart, fair -Elaine brought her father with her and her two brethren Sir Tirre and -Sir Lavaine, and thus she said:</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"My lord Sir Launcelot, now I see that ye will depart; fair and -courteous knight, have mercy upon me, and suffer me not to die for your -love."</p> - -<p>"What would ye that I did?" said Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<p>"I would have you unto my husband," said the maid Elaine.</p> - -<p>"Fair damsel, I thank you," said Sir Launcelot; "but certainly," said -he, "I cast me never to be married."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said she, "then must I needs die for your love."</p> - -<p>"Ye shall not," said Sir Launcelot, "for wit ye well, fair damsel, that -I might have been married and I had would, but I never applied me to be -married; but because, fair damsel, that ye will love me as ye say ye -do, I will, for your good love and kindness, show you some goodness, -and that is this: that wheresoever ye will set your heart upon some -good knight that will wed you, I shall give you together a thousand -pound yearly to you and to your heirs; thus much will I give you, fair -maid, for your kindness, and alway while I live to be your own knight."</p> - -<p>"Of all this," said the damsel, "I will none, for, but if you will wed -me, wit you well, Sir Launcelot, my good days are done."</p> - -<p>"Fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "of [this] ye must pardon me."</p> - -<p>Then she shrieked shrilly, and fell down in a swoon; and then women -bare her into her chamber, and there she made overmuch sorrow. And then -Sir Launcelot would depart; and there he asked Sir Lavaine what he -would do.</p> - -<p>"What should I do," said Sir Lavaine, "but follow you, but if ye drive -me from you, or command me to go from you?"</p> - -<p>Then came Sir Bernard to Sir Launcelot, and said to him, "I cannot see -but that my daughter Elaine will die for your sake."</p> - -<p>"I may not do withal," said Sir Launcelot, "for that me sore repenteth; -for I report me to yourself that my proffer is fair, and me repenteth," -said Sir Launcelot, "that she loveth me as she doth: I was never the -causer of it, for I report me to your son, I early nor late proffered -her bounty nor fair behests; and I am right heavy of her distress, for -she is a full fair maiden, good, and gentle, and well taught."</p> - -<p>"Father," said Sir Lavaine, "she doth as I do, for since I first saw my -lord Sir Launcelot I could never depart from him, nor nought I will and -I may follow him."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot took his leave, and so they departed, and came -unto Winchester. And when King Arthur wist that Sir Launcelot was -come, whole and sound, the king made great joy of him, and so did Sir -Gawaine, and all the knights of the Round Table except Sir Agravaine -and Sir Mordred.</p> - -<p>Now speak we of the fair maiden of Astolat, that made such sorrow day -and night, that she never slept, eat, nor drank; and ever she made -her complaint unto Sir Launcelot. So when she had thus endured a ten -days, that she feebled so that she must needs pass out of this world, -then she shrived her clean, and received her Creator [<i>took the Holy -Communion</i>]. Then her ghostly father bade her leave such thoughts. -Then she said, "Why should I leave such thoughts? am I not an earthly -woman? and all the while the breath is in my body I may complain me, -for my belief is I do none offence though I love an earthly man, and I -take God to my record I never loved none but Sir Launcelot du Lake, nor -never shall. For our sweet Saviour Jesu Christ," said the maiden, "I -take thee to record I was never greater offender against thy laws but -that I loved this noble knight Sir Launcelot out of all measure, and of -myself, good Lord, I might not withstand the fervent love wherefore I -have my death."</p> - -<p>And then she called her father Sir Bernard, and her brother Sir Tirre, -and heartily she prayed her father that her brother might write a -letter like as she would indite it. And so her father granted her. And -when the letter was written word by word like as she had devised, then -she prayed her father that she might be watched until she were dead, -"And while my body is whole, let this letter be put into my right hand, -and my hand bound fast with the letter until that I be cold, and let me -be put in a fair bed with all the richest clothes that I have about me, -and so let my bed and all my rich clothes be laid with me in a chariot -to the next place whereas the Thames is, and there let me be put in a -barge, and but one man with me, such as ye trust, to steer me thither, -and that my barge be covered with black samite over and over. Thus, -father, I beseech you let me be done."</p> - -<p>So her father granted her faithfully that all this thing should be done -like as she had devised. Then her father and her brother made great -dole, for, when this was done, anon she died. And so when she was dead, -the corpse and the bed and all was led the next day unto the Thames, -and there a man and the corpse and all were put in a barge on the -Thames, and so the man steered the barge to Westminster, and there he -rowed a great while to and fro or any man espied it.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So by fortune King Arthur and Queen Guenever were speaking together at -a window; and so as they looked into the Thames, they espied the black -barge, and had marvel what it might mean.</p> - -<p>Then the king called Sir Kay, and showed him it.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Kay, "wit ye well that there is some new tidings."</p> - -<p>"Go ye thither," said the king unto Sir Kay, "and take with you Sir -Brandiles and Sir Agravaine, and bring me ready word what is there."</p> - -<p>Then these three knights departed, and came to the barge, and went in; -and there they found the fairest corpse lying in a rich bed that ever -they saw, and a poor man sitting in the end of the barge, and no word -would he speak. So these three knights returned unto the king again, -and told him what they had found.</p> - -<p>"That fair corpse will I see," said King Arthur.</p> - -<p>And then the king took the queen by the hand and went thither. Then the -king made the barge to be holden fast; and then the king and the queen -went in, with certain knights with them, and there they saw a fair -gentlewoman lying in a rich bed, covered unto her middle with many rich -clothes, and all was of cloth of gold; and she lay as though she had -smiled. Then the queen espied the letter in the right hand, and told -the king thereof. Then the king took it in his hand, and said, "Now I -am sure this letter will tell what she was, and why she is come hither."</p> - -<p>Then the king and the queen went out of the barge; and the king -commanded certain men to wait upon the barge; and so when the king was -come within his chamber, he called many knights about him, and said -that he would wit openly what was written within that letter. Then the -king brake it, and made a clerk to read it; and this was the intent of -the letter: "Most noble knight, Sir Launcelot, now hath death made us -two at debate for your love; I was your lover, that men called the fair -maid of Astolat; therefore unto all ladies I make my moan; yet pray for -my soul, and bury me at the least, and offer ye my mass-penny. This is -my last request. Pray for my soul, Sir Launcelot, as thou art a knight -peerless."</p> - -<p>This was all the substance in the letter. And when it was read, the -king, the queen, and all the knights wept for pity of the doleful -complaints. Then was Sir Launcelot sent for. And when he was come, King -Arthur made the letter to be read to him; and when Sir Launcelot heard -it word by word, he said, "My lord Arthur, wit ye well I am right heavy -of the death of this fair damsel. God knoweth I was never causer of her -death by my willing, and that will I report me to her own brother; -here he is, Sir Lavaine. I will not say nay, but that she was both fair -and good, and much I was beholden unto her, but she loved me out of -measure."</p> - -<p>"Ye might have showed her," said the queen, "some bounty and -gentleness, that might have preserved her life."</p> - -<p>"Madam," said Sir Launcelot, "she would none other way be answered, but -that she would be my wife, and of [this] I would not grant her; but I -proffered her, for her good love that she showed me, a thousand pound -yearly to her and to her heirs, and to wed any manner knight that she -could find best to love in her heart. For, madam," said Sir Launcelot, -"I love not to be constrained to love; for love must arise of the -heart, and not by no constraint."</p> - -<p>"That is truth," said the king, and many knights: "love is free in -himself, and never will be bounden; for where he is bounden he looseth -himself."</p> - -<p>Then said the king unto Sir Launcelot, "It will be your worship that ye -oversee that she be buried worshipfully."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "that shall be done as I can best devise."</p> - -<p>And so many knights went thither to behold the fair dead maid. And -on the morrow she was richly buried; and Sir Launcelot offered her -mass-penny, and all the knights of the Round Table that were there at -that time offered with Sir Launcelot. And then when all was done, the -poor man went again with the barge.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a id="BOOK_VII" name="BOOK_VII"></a>BOOK VII</h2> - -<p class="ph1">OF THE DEATH OF ARTHUR<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> - - -<p>[But ever in these days the enemies of Sir Launcelot and of Queen -Guenever lay in wait to do them harm, in especial Sir Mordred and Sir -Agravaine. So it befell that the queen was again appealed of treason -and was condemned to the fire, while Sir Launcelot was away. But when -Sir Launcelot heard thereof, he came suddenly with his kindred and -attacked them that guarded about the queen whereas she stood at the -stake about to be burnt.]</p> - -<p>Then was there spurring and plucking up of horses and right so they -came to the fire, and who that stood against them there they were -slain, there might none withstand Sir Launcelot. And in this rashing -and hurling, as Sir Launcelot thrang [<i>rushed</i>] here and there, it -mishappened him to slay Sir Gaheris and the noble knight Sir Gareth, -for they were unarmed and unaware; for Sir Launcelot smote Sir Gareth -and Sir Gaheris upon the brain-pans, wherethrough they were both slain -in the field; howbeit in very truth Sir Launcelot saw them not, and -so were they found dead among the thickest of the press. Then when -Sir Launcelot had thus done, and had put them to flight all they -that would withstand him, then he rode straight unto Queen Guenever, -and made a kirtle and a gown to be cast upon her, and then he made -her to be set behind him, and prayed her to be of good cheer. Wit you -well that the queen was glad when she escaped from death; and then -she thanked God and Sir Launcelot. And so he rode his way with the -queen unto Joyous Gard, and there he kept her as a noble knight should -do, and many great lords and some kings sent Sir Launcelot many good -knights; and many noble knights drew unto Sir Launcelot. When this was -known openly, that King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were at debate, many -knights were glad of their debate, and many knights were sorry of their -debate.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <a name="illus8" id="illus8"></a> - <img src="images/illus8.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>He rode his way with the queen unto Joyous Gard</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>[Then King Arthur made moan out of measure, for he knew that the Round -Table was foredoomed and that great wars must come of these matters.]</p> - -<p>"And now I dare say," said the king, "that there was never Christian -king that held such a fellowship together. Alas! that ever Sir -Launcelot and I should be at debate. Ah! Agravaine, Agravaine," said -the king, "Jesu forgive it thy soul! for thine evil will that thou and -thy brother Sir Mordred had unto Sir Launcelot hath caused all this -sorrow."</p> - -<p>And ever among these complaints King Arthur wept and swooned. Then -there came one unto Sir Gawaine, and told him how the queen was led -away with Sir Launcelot, and nigh twenty-four knights slain.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said the man, "your two brethren, Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris, -be slain."</p> - -<p>"Who slew [them]?" said Sir Gawaine.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the man, "Sir Launcelot slew them both."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Gawaine, "now is all my joy gone."</p> - -<p>And then he fell down in a swoon, and long he lay there as he had -been dead; and then when he arose out of his swoon, he cried out so -ruefully, and said, "Alas!" And right so Sir Gawaine ran unto the king, -crying and weeping: "Oh! King Arthur mine uncle, my good brother Sir -Gaheris is slain, and my brother Sir Gareth also, the which were two -noble knights."</p> - -<p>"I know not how it was," said the king, "but so it is said, Sir -Launcelot slew them both in the thickest of the press, and knew them -not."</p> - -<p>[Then fell Sir Gawaine into bitter hatred against Sir Launcelot and -never stinted therein till the day of his death.]</p> - -<p>"My most gracious lord and my uncle," said Sir Gawaine, "wit you well -that now I shall make you a promise, the which I shall hold by my -knighthood, that from this day I shall never fail Sir Launcelot, until -the one of us hath slain the other; and therefore I require you, my -lord and my king, dress you unto the war, for wit you well I shall be -revenged upon Sir Launcelot. For I promise unto God," said Sir Gawaine, -"for the death of my brother Sir Gareth I shall seek Sir Launcelot -throughout seven kings' realms but I shall slay him, or else he shall -slay me."</p> - -<p>"Ye shall not need to seek him so far," said the king, "for, as I hear -say, Sir Launcelot will abide me and you in the Joyous Gard, and much -people draweth unto him as I hear say."</p> - -<p>Then came King Arthur and Sir Gawaine with an huge host, and laid a -siege about Joyous Gard, both at the town and at the castle; and there -they made full strong war on both parties. But in no wise Sir Launcelot -would not ride out nor go out of the castle of a long time, neither he -would suffer none of his good knights to issue out, neither none of the -town nor of the castle, until fifteen weeks were past.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So it befell on a day in harvest that Sir Launcelot looked over the -walls and spake on high to King Arthur and Sir Gawaine: "My lords both, -wit ye well it is in vain that ye labor at this siege, for here win ye -no worship but dishonor."</p> - -<p>"Come forth," said King Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, "and thou darest, -and I promise thee I shall meet thee in the midst of the field."</p> - -<p>"God defend me," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever I should encounter with -the most noble king that made me knight."</p> - -<p>"Fie upon thy fair language," said the king, "for wit you well, and -trust it, I am thy mortal foe, and ever will to my death day, for thou -hast slain my good knights and full noble men of my blood, that I shall -never recover again: also thou hast dishonored my queen, and holden her -many winters, and like a traitor taken her from me by force."</p> - -<p>"My most noble lord and king," said Sir Launcelot, "ye may say what ye -will, for ye wot well with yourself I will not strive, but there as ye -say I have slain your good knights, I wot well that I have done so, and -that me sore repenteth, but I was enforced to do battle with them, in -saving of my life, or else I must have suffered them to have slain me. -And as for my lady Queen Guenever, ofttimes, my lord, ye have consented -that she should be burnt and destroyed in your heat, and then it -fortuned me to do battle for her, and or I departed from her adversary -they confessed their untruth, and she full worshipfully excused. And -at such times, my lord Arthur," said Sir Launcelot, "ye loved me, and -thanked me when I saved your queen from the fire, and then ye promised -me for ever to be my good lord, and now me thinketh ye reward me full -ill. For sithence I have done battles for your queen in other quarrels -than in mine own, me seemeth now I had more right to do battle for her -in a right quarrel. And therefore my good and gracious lord," said Sir -Launcelot, "take your queen unto your good grace, for she is both fair, -true, and good."</p> - -<p>"Fie on thee, false recreant knight," said Sir Gawaine, "I let thee to -wit that my lord mine uncle King Arthur shall have his queen and thee -maugre [<i>in spite of</i>] thy visage, and slay you both whereas it shall -please him."</p> - -<p>"It may well be," said Sir Launcelot; "but wit ye well, my lord Sir -Gawaine, and me list to come out of this castle, ye should win me and -the queen more harder than ever ye won a strong battle."</p> - -<p>"Fie upon thy proud words," said Sir Gawaine, "as for my lady the -queen, I will never say of her shame. Ah! thou false recreant knight," -said Sir Gawaine, "what cause hadst thou to slay my good brother Sir -Gareth, that loved thee more than all thy kin? Alas! thou madest him -knight with thine own hands, why slewest thou him that loved thee so -well?"</p> - -<p>"For to excuse me," said Sir Launcelot, "it helpeth me not. But, by -Jesu," said Sir Launcelot, "and by the faith that I owe unto the high -order of knighthood, I should with as good a will have slain my nephew -Sir Bors de Ganis at that time. But alas! that ever I was so unhappy," -said Sir Launcelot, "that I had not seen Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris."</p> - -<p>"Thou liest, false recreant knight," said Sir Gawaine, "thou slewest -him in despite of me, and therefore wit thou well that I shall make war -unto thee all the while that I may live."</p> - -<p>"That me sore repenteth," said Sir Launcelot, "for well I understand -that it helpeth me not to seek for none accordment whiles that ye, Sir -Gawaine, are so mischievously set; and if ye were not, I would not -doubt to have the good grace of my lord King Arthur."</p> - -<p>[Then Sir Launcelot's kinsmen besought him that he would go out and do -battle for the slanders that Sir Gawaine and his knights did put upon -him.]</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "for to ride out of this castle and do -battle, I am full loth to do it."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot spake on high unto King Arthur and Sir Gawaine: -"My lords, I require you and beseech you, sith I am thus required and -conjured to ride into the field, that neither you, my lord King Arthur, -nor you, Sir Gawaine, come not into the field."</p> - -<p>"What shall we do then?" said Sir Gawaine; "is not this the king's -quarrel with thee to fight? and it is my quarrel to fight with thee, -Sir Launcelot, because of the death of my brother Sir Gareth."</p> - -<p>"Then must I needs unto battle," said Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<p>And always Sir Launcelot charged all his knights in any wise to save -King Arthur and Sir Gawaine.</p> - -<p>And on the morrow at underne [<i>nine o'clock</i>] King Arthur was ready in -the field with three great hosts. And then Sir Launcelot's fellowship -came out at three gates in full good array, and Sir Lionel came in the -foremost battle, and Sir Launcelot came in the middle battle, and Sir -Bors came out at the third gate.</p> - -<p>[Then was there spurring and thrusting and many strokes.]</p> - -<p>And ever King Arthur was nigh about Sir Launcelot to have slain him, -and Sir Launcelot suffered him, and would not strike again. So Sir Bors -encountered with King Arthur, and there with a spear Sir Bors smote him -down; and so he alighted and drew his sword, and said to Sir Launcelot, -"Shall I make an end of this war?" and that he meant to have slain King -Arthur.</p> - -<p>"Not so hardy," said Sir Launcelot, "upon pain of thy head, that thou -touch him no more: for I will never see that most noble king, that made -me knight, neither slain ne shamed."</p> - -<p>And therewithal Sir Launcelot alighted off his horse, and took up the -king and horsed him again, and said thus, "My lord Arthur, for God's -love stint this strife."</p> - -<p>And when King Arthur was again on horseback, he looked upon Sir -Launcelot, and then the tears burst out of his eyes thinking on the -great courtesy that was in Sir Launcelot more than in any other man. -And therewith the king rode forth his way, and might no longer behold -him, and said to himself, "Alas! that ever this war began." And then -either parties of the battles withdrew them for to rest them, and -buried the dead bodies, and to the wounded men they laid soft salves; -and thus they endured that night till on the morrow. And on the morrow, -by underne, they made them ready to do battle, and then Sir Bors -led them forward. So on the morrow came Sir Gawaine as grim as any -bear, with a spear in his hand. And when Sir Bors saw him [they rode -furiously together and either gave the other a great wound]. Then Sir -Launcelot rescued Sir Bors, and sent him into the castle; but neither -Sir Gawaine nor Sir Bors died not of their wounds, for they were both -holpen.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "I have no heart to fight against my lord -King Arthur; for always me seemeth I do not as I ought to do."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said Sir Palamides, "though ye spare them all this day, they -will never con you thank; and if they may get you at any vantage, ye -are but dead."</p> - -<p>So then Sir Launcelot understood well that they told him truth, and -then he strained himself more. And then within a little while, by -even-song time, Sir Launcelot and his party better stood, for their -horses went in blood past the fetlocks, there was so much people -slain. And then, for pity, Sir Launcelot withheld his knights, and -suffered King Arthur's party for to withdraw them one side. And then -Sir Launcelot's party withdrew them into his castle, and either party -buried the dead bodies and put salve unto the wounded men. So when Sir -Gawaine was hurt, they on King Arthur's party were not so orgulous -[<i>arrogantly eager</i>] as they were beforehand to do battle. Of this war -was noised through all christendom, and at the last it was noised afore -the Pope; and he considering the great goodness of King Arthur [let -send letters to Sir Launcelot how that he should bring the queen back -to King Arthur. And so, when King Arthur had carried his host back to -his own country, came Sir Launcelot to King Arthur's court and gave him -again his queen].</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>[And then while Sir Launcelot was at court he strove hard to be -accorded with Sir Gawaine, for he bore no malice neither to Sir Gawaine -nor to King Arthur. But Sir Gawaine would not be accorded, and ever let -King Arthur from being accorded, that would right gladly have received -again his old faithful knight, Sir Launcelot. And ever more bitter grew -Sir Gawaine: till at the last he said to Sir Launcelot:] "In this land -thou shalt not abide past fifteen days, such warning I give thee. So -the king and we were consented and accorded or thou camest hither; and -else," said Sir Gawaine, "wit thou well that thou shouldst not have -come hither, but if it were maugre thy head. And if that it were not -for the Pope's commandment, I should do battle with my body against thy -body, and prove it unto thee that thou hast been false unto mine uncle -King Arthur and to me both, and that shall I prove upon thy body when -thou art departed from hence, wheresoever I find thee."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot sighed, and therewith the tears fell on his cheeks, -and then he said these words: "Alas! most noble Christian realm, -whom I have loved above all other realms, and in thee have I gotten -a great part of my worship, and now I shall depart in this wise. -Truly me repenteth that ever I came into this realm, that should be -thus shamefully banished undeserved and causeless. But fortune is so -variable and the wheel so mutable, there is no constant abiding, and -that may be proved by many old chronicles of noble Hector, and Troilus, -and Alisander the mighty conqueror, and many other moe [<i>more</i>]; when -they were most in their royalty, they alighted lowest. And so fareth -by me," said Sir Launcelot, "for in this realm I have had worship, and -by me and mine all the whole Round Table hath been increased, more in -worship by me and my blood than by any other. And therefore wit you -well, Sir Gawaine, I may live as well upon my lands as any knight that -is here. And if ye, my most renowned king, will come upon my lands with -your nephew Sir Gawaine for to war upon me, I must endure you as well -as I may; but as for you Sir Gawaine, if that ye come there, I pray you -charge me not with treason nor felony, for, and ye do, I must answer -you."</p> - -<p>"Do thou thy best," said Sir Gawaine, "therefore hie thee fast that -thou were gone, and wit thou well we shall soon come after, and break -the strongest castle that thou hast upon thy head."</p> - -<p>"That shall not need," said Sir Launcelot, "for and I were as orgulous -set as ye are, wit ye well I should meet with you in midst of the -field."</p> - -<p>"Make thou no more language," said Sir Gawaine, "but deliver the queen -from thee, and pike thee lightly out of this court."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Launcelot said unto Queen Guenever, in hearing of the -king and them all, "Madam, now I must depart from you and this noble -fellowship for ever; and sithen it is so, I beseech you to pray for -me, and say me well, and if ye be hard bestead by any false tongues, -lightly, my lady, let send me word, and if any knight's hands may -deliver you by battle, I shall deliver you."</p> - -<p>And therewithal Sir Launcelot kissed the queen, and then he said all -openly, "Now let see what he be in this place, that dare say the queen -is not true unto my lord Arthur: let see who will speak, and he dare -speak."</p> - -<p>And therewith he brought the queen to the king, and then Sir Launcelot -took his leave and departed; and there was neither king, duke ne earl, -baron ne knight, lady nor gentlewoman, but all they wept as people out -of their mind, except Sir Gawaine; and when the noble Sir Launcelot -took his horse, to ride out of Carlisle, there was sobbing and weeping -for pure dole of his departing; and so he took his way unto Joyous -Gard. And afterwards he called it Dolorous Gard. And thus Sir Launcelot -departed from the court for ever.</p> - -<p>So leave we Sir Launcelot in his lands, and his noble knights with -him, and return we again unto King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, that made a -great host ready, to the number of threescore thousand, and all thing -was ready for their shipping to pass over the sea. And so they shipped -at Cardiff. And there King Arthur made Sir Mordred chief ruler of all -England; and also he put Queen Guenever under his governance. And so -King Arthur passed over the sea, and landed upon Sir Launcelot's land, -and there he burnt and wasted, through the vengeance of Sir Gawaine, -all that they might overrun.</p> - -<p>Then spake King Bagdemagus unto Sir Launcelot, "Sir, your courtesy will -shend [<i>ruin</i>] us all, and your courtesy hath caused all this sorrow; -for and they thus override our lands, they shall by process of time -bring us all to nought, whilst we thus hide us in holes."</p> - -<p>Then said the good knight Sir Galihud to Sir Launcelot, "Sir, here be -knights come of kings' blood, that will not long droop and they were -without the walls; therefore give us leave, as we are knights, to meet -them in the field, and we shall slay them, that they shall curse the -time that ever they came into this country."</p> - -<p>Then spake the seven brethren of North Wales, and they were seven noble -knights as a man might seek in seven kings' lands, or he might find -such seven knights, then they spake all with one voice, "Sir Launcelot, -for Christ's sake let us ride out with Sir Galihud, for we been never -wont to cower in castles nor in towns."</p> - -<p>Then speake Sir Launcelot, which was master and governor of them all, -"My fair lords, howbeit we will as at this time keep our strong walls, -and I shall send a messenger unto my lord King Arthur, desiring him to -take a treaty; for better is peace than always war."</p> - -<p>So Sir Launcelot sent forth a damsel and a dwarf with her, requiring -King Arthur to leave his war upon his lands. And so she started upon a -palfrey, and the dwarf ran by her side.</p> - -<p>[But Sir Gawaine would have no peace nor treaties, and sent vile -messages back to Sir Launcelot, and presently led the host to Sir -Launcelot's castle.]</p> - -<p>So thus they endured well half a year, and much slaughter of people -there was on both parties. Then it befell upon a day that Sir Gawaine -came before the gates armed at all pieces upon a great courser, with a -great spear in his hand; and then he cried with a loud voice, "Where -art thou now, thou false traitor Sir Launcelot? why dost thou hide -thyself within holes and walls like a coward? look out now, thou false -traitor knight, and here I shall revenge upon thy body the death of my -three brethren."</p> - -<p>All this language heard Sir Launcelot, and his kin every deal; and -then his knights drew about him, and they said all at once unto Sir -Launcelot, "Sir Launcelot, now ye must defend you like a knight, or -else ye be shamed for ever; for now ye be called upon treason, it is -time for you to stir, for ye have slept over long, and suffered over -much."</p> - -<p>"So God me help," said Sir Launcelot, "I am right heavy of Sir -Gawaine's words, for now he chargeth me with a great charge; and -therefore I wot it as well as ye that I must defend me, or else to be a -recreant knight."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot commanded to saddle his strongest horse, and bade -fetch his armor, and bring all unto the gate of the tower. And then Sir -Launcelot spake on high unto King Arthur, and said, "My lord and noble -king which made me knight, wit you well that I am right heavy for your -sake, that ye thus sue upon me, and always I forbare you; for, and I -would have been revengeable, I might have met you in the midst of the -field, and there to have made your boldest knights full tame; and now I -have forborne you half a year, and have suffered you and Sir Gawaine to -do what ye would, and now I may endure it no longer; now must I needs -defend myself, in so much as Sir Gawaine hath appealed me of treason, -the which is greatly against my will, that ever I should fight against -any of your blood; but now I may not forsake it, I am driven thereto as -a beast to a bay."</p> - -<p>And so the covenant was made, there should no man nigh them, nor deal -with them, till the one were dead or yielden.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot departed a great way in sunder, and -then they came together with all their horses' might as they might -run, and either smote other in midst of their shields, but the knights -were so strong, and their spears so big, that their horses might not -endure their buffets, and so the horses fell to the earth. And then -they avoided their horses, and dressed their shields afore them. Then -they stood together, and gave many sad strokes on divers places of -their bodies, that the blood brast out on many sides and places. Then -had Sir Gawaine such a grace and gift that an holy man had given to -him, that every day in the year, from underne till high noon, his might -increased those three hours as much as thrice his strength, and that -caused Sir Gawaine to win great honor. [And] there were but few knights -that time living that knew this advantage that Sir Gawaine had, but -King Arthur all only. Thus Sir Launcelot fought with Sir Gawaine, and -when Sir Launcelot felt his might evermore increase, Sir Launcelot -wondered, and dread him sore to be shamed. For Sir Launcelot wend, -when he felt Sir Gawaine double his strength, that he had been a fiend -and no earthly man, wherefore Sir Launcelot traced and traversed, -and covered himself with his shield, and kept his might during three -hours: and that while Sir Gawaine gave him many sad brunts and many sad -strokes, that all the knights that beheld Sir Launcelot marvelled how -he might endure him, but full little understood they that travail that -Sir Launcelot had for to endure him. And then when it was past noon, -Sir Gawaine had no more but his own might. Then Sir Launcelot felt him -so come down; then he stretched him up, and stood near Sir Gawaine, and -said thus, "My lord Sir Gawaine, now I feel ye have done, now my lord -Sir Gawaine, I must do my part, for many great and grievous strokes I -have endured you this day with great pain."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot doubled his strokes, and gave Sir Gawaine such a -buffet on the helmet, that he fell down on his side, and Sir Launcelot -withdrew him from him.</p> - -<p>"Why withdrawest thou thee?" said Sir Gawaine; "now turn again, false -traitor knight, and slay me; for and thou leave me thus, when I am -whole I shall do battle with thee again."</p> - -<p>"Sir, I shall endure you by the grace of God," said Sir Launcelot; "but -wit you well, Sir Gawaine, I will never smite a felled knight."</p> - -<p>And so Sir Launcelot went into the city, and Sir Gawaine was borne into -one of King Arthur's pavilions; and anon there was leeches brought to -him, which searched his wound, and salved it with soft ointments. And -then Sir Launcelot said, "Now have good day, my lord the king, for wit -ye well ye shall win no worship at these walls; and if I would bring -out my knights, there should many a man die. Therefore, my lord King -Arthur, remember you of old kindness, and howsoever I fare, Jesu be -your guide in all places."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Alas," said the king, "that ever this unhappy war was begun, for ever -Sir Launcelot forbeareth me in all places, and in likewise my kin, and -that is seen well this day by my nephew Sir Gawaine."</p> - -<p>Then King Arthur fell sick for sorrow of Sir Gawaine, that he was sore -hurt, and because of the war betwixt him and Sir Launcelot. So then -they on King Arthur's party kept the siege with little war and small -force, and they within kept their walls, and defended them when need -was. Thus Sir Gawaine lay sick about three weeks in his tents, with -all manner of leechcraft that might be had; and as soon as Sir Gawaine -might go and ride, he armed him at all points, and started upon a -courser, and gat a spear in his hand, and so he came riding afore the -chief gate of Benwick, and there he cried on high, "Where art thou, Sir -Launcelot? come forth, thou false traitor knight, and recreant, for I -am here, Sir Gawaine, will prove this that I say on thee."</p> - -<p>All this language Sir Launcelot heard, and then he said thus, "Sir -Gawaine, me repenteth of your foul saying, that ye will not cease of -your language, for wit ye well, Sir Gawaine, I know your might, and all -that ye may do, and well ye wot, Sir Gawaine, ye may not greatly hurt -me."</p> - -<p>"Come down, traitor knight," said he, "and make it good the contrary -with thy hands; for it mishapped me the last battle to be hurt of thy -hands, therefore wit thou well, that I am come this day to make amends, -for I ween this day to lay thee as low as thou laidest me."</p> - -<p>"Defend me," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever I be so far in your danger -as ye have been in mine, for then my days were done. But Sir Gawaine," -said Sir Launcelot, "ye shall not think that I tarry long; but sithence -that ye so unknightly call me of treason, ye shall have both your hands -full of me."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Launcelot armed him at all points, and mounted upon his -horse, and gat him a great spear in his hand, and rode out at the -gate. And both the hosts were assembled of them without and of them -within, and stood in array full manly; and both parties were charged -for to hold them still to see and behold the battle of these two noble -knights. And then they laid their spears in their rests, and they ran -together as thunder. And Sir Gawaine brake his spear upon Sir Launcelot -in an hundred pieces unto his hand. And Sir Launcelot smote him with a -greater might, that Sir Gawaine's horse's feet raised, and so the horse -and he fell to the earth. Then Sir Gawaine full quickly avoided his -horse, and put his shield before him, and eagerly drew his sword, and -bade Sir Launcelot "alight, traitor knight! for though this mare's son -hath failed me, wit thou well that a king's son and a queen's son shall -not fail thee."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot avoided his horse, and dressed his shield before -him, and drew his sword. And so they stood together and gave many -sad strokes, that all men on both parties had thereof passing great -wonder. But when Sir Launcelot felt Sir Gawaine's might so marvellously -increased, he then withheld his courage and his wind, and kept himself -wondrous covert of his might, and under his shield he traced and -traversed here and there for to break Sir Gawaine's strokes and his -courage. And Sir Gawaine enforced him with all his might and power to -destroy Sir Launcelot, for ever as Sir Gawaine's might increased, right -so increased his wind and his evil will. Thus Sir Gawaine did great -pain unto Sir Launcelot three hours continually, that Sir Launcelot -had great pain to defend himself. And after that the three hours were -passed, then Sir Launcelot felt verily that Sir Gawaine was come to his -own proper might and strength, and that his great power was done. Then -Sir Launcelot said unto Sir Gawaine, "Now have I well proved you twice, -that ye are a full dangerous knight, and a wonderful man of your might, -and many wonderful deeds have you done in your days: for by your might -increasing you have deceived many a full noble and valiant knight; and -now I feel that ye have done your mighty deeds. Now wit you well I must -do my deeds."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Launcelot stood near Sir Gawaine, and then Sir Launcelot -doubled his strokes, and Sir Gawaine defended him mightily. But -nevertheless Sir Launcelot smote such a stroke upon Sir Gawaine's helm, -and upon the old wound, that Sir Gawaine sank down upon his one side in -a swoon. And anon as he was awake, he waved and foined at Sir Launcelot -as he lay, and said, "Traitor knight, wit thou well I am not yet -slain: come thou near me, and perform this battle unto the uttermost."</p> - -<p>"I will no more do than I have done," said Sir Launcelot; "for when I -see you on foot I will do battle upon you all the while I see you stand -on your feet; but for to smite a wounded man that may not stand, God -defend me from such a shame."</p> - -<p>And then he turned him and went his way towards the city, and Sir -Gawaine evermore calling him traitor knight, and said, "Wit thou well, -Sir Launcelot, when I am whole, I shall do battle with thee again; for -I shall never leave thee till that one of us be slain."</p> - -<p>Thus as this siege endured, and as Sir Gawaine lay sick near a month, -and when he was well recovered and ready within three days to do battle -again with Sir Launcelot, right so came tidings unto King Arthur from -England, that made King Arthur and all his host to remove.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England, he caused letters to be made -as though they came from beyond the sea, and the letters specified -that King Arthur was slain in battle with Sir Launcelot; wherefore Sir -Mordred made a parliament, and called the lords together, and there -he made them to choose him king. And so he was crowned at Canterbury, -and held a feast there fifteen days. And afterwards he drew him to -Winchester, and there he took Queen Guenever, and said plainly that he -would wed her which was his uncle's wife; and so he made ready for the -feast, and a day prefixed that they should be wedded. Wherefore Queen -Guenever was passing heavy; but she durst not discover her heart, but -spake fair and agreed to Sir Mordred's will. Then she desired of Sir -Mordred for to go to London for to buy all manner thing that belonged -unto the wedding; and because of her fair speech, Sir Mordred trusted -her well enough, and gave her leave to go. And when she came to London, -she took the Tower of London, and suddenly in all haste possible she -stuffed it with all manner of victual and well filled it with men, and -so kept it. Then when Sir Mordred wist how he was beguiled, he was -passing wroth out of measure. And, a short tale for to make, he went -and laid a mighty siege about the Tower of London, and made many great -assaults thereat, and threw many great engines unto them, and shot -great guns. But all might not prevail Sir Mordred, for Queen Guenever -would never for fair speech nor for foul trust to come in his hands -again. And then came the bishop of Canterbury, the which was a noble -clerk and an holy man, and thus he said to Sir Mordred: "Sir, what will -ye do, will ye first displease God, and sithen shame yourself and all -knighthood? Is not King Arthur your uncle, no further but your mother's -brother? Leave this opinion, or else I shall curse you with book, and -bell, and candle."</p> - -<p>"Do thou thy worst," said Sir Mordred, "wit thou well I shall defy -thee."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the bishop, "and wit you well I shall not fear me to do -that me ought to do. Also where ye noise where my lord Arthur is slain, -and that is not so, and therefore ye will make a foul work in this -land."</p> - -<p>"Peace, thou false priest," said Sir Mordred, "for, and thou chafe me -any more, I shall make strike off thy head."</p> - -<p>So the bishop departed, and did the curse in the most orgulous -wise that might be done. And then Sir Mordred sought the bishop of -Canterbury for to have slain him. Then the bishop fled, and took part -of his goods with him, and went nigh unto Glastonbury, and there he was -as priest hermit in a chapel, and lived in poverty and in holy prayers: -for well he understood that mischievous war was at hand. Then Sir -Mordred sought on Queen Guenever by letters and by fair means and foul -means, for to have her to come out of the Tower of London, but all this -availed not, for she answered him shortly, openly and privily, that she -had liever slay herself than to be married with him. Then came word to -Sir Mordred that King Arthur had raised the siege from Sir Launcelot, -and that he was coming homeward with a great host, for to be avenged -upon Sir Mordred. Wherefore Sir Mordred made to write letters unto all -the barony of this land, and much people drew unto him; for then was -the common voice among them, that with King Arthur was none other life -but war and strife, and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss. Thus -was King Arthur depraved and evil said of, and many there were that -King Arthur had made up of nought, and had given them lands, might not -say of him then a good word.</p> - -<p>Lo, we all Englishmen see what a mischief here was; for he that was the -noblest king and knight of the world, and most loved the fellowship of -noble knights and men of worship, and by him they were all upholden, -now might not we Englishmen hold us content with him. Lo, this was the -old custom and usage of this land. And also men say that we of this -land have not yet lost nor forgotten the custom and usage. Alas! alas! -this is a great default of us Englishmen, for there may nothing please -us no term. And so fared the people at that time. For they were better -pleased with Sir Mordred than they were with King Arthur, and much -people drew unto Sir Mordred, and said they would abide with him for -better and for worse. And so Sir Mordred drew with a great host towards -Dover, for there he heard say that King Arthur would arrive. And the -most part of all England held with Sir Mordred, the people were so -new-fangled.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And so, as Sir Mordred was at Dover with his host, there came King -Arthur with a great navy of ships, galleys, and carracks. And there was -Sir Mordred ready awaiting upon his landing, to let [<i>hinder</i>] his own -[uncle] to land upon the land that he was king over. Then there was -launching of great boats and small, and full of noble men of arms, and -there was much slaughter of gentle knights, and many a full bold baron -was laid full low on both parties. But King Arthur was so courageous, -that there might no manner of knights let him to land, and his knights -fiercely followed him. And so they landed, maugre Sir Mordred and all -his power, and put Sir Mordred aback, that he fled and all his people. -So when this battle was done, King Arthur let bury his people that were -dead, and then was the noble knight Sir Gawaine found in a great boat -lying more than half dead. When Sir Arthur wist that Sir Gawaine was -laid so low, he went unto him, and there the king made sorrow out of -measure, and took Sir Gawaine in his arms, and thrice he there swooned. -And when he awaked he said, "Alas, Sir Gawaine, my sister's son, here -now thou liest, the man in the world that I loved most, and now is my -joy gone: for now, my nephew Sir Gawaine, I will discover me unto your -person; in Sir Launcelot and you I most had my joy, and mine affiance, -and now have I lost my joy of you both, wherefore all mine earthly joy -is gone from me."</p> - -<p>"Mine uncle King Arthur," said Sir Gawaine, "wit you well, my death day -is come, and all is through mine own hastiness and wilfulness, for I -am smitten upon the old wound the which Sir Launcelot gave me, on the -which I feel well I must die, and had Sir Launcelot been with you as -he was, this unhappy war had never begun, and of all this am I causer, -for Sir Launcelot and his blood through their prowess held all your -cankered enemies in subjection and danger: and now," said Sir Gawaine, -"ye shall miss Sir Launcelot. But, alas, I would not accord with him, -and therefore," said Sir Gawaine, "I pray you, fair uncle, that I may -have paper, pen, and ink, that I may write unto Sir Launcelot a letter -with mine own hands."</p> - -<p>And when paper and ink was brought, Sir Gawaine was set up weakly by -King Arthur, for he had been shriven a little before; and he wrote thus -unto Sir Launcelot: "Flower of all noble knights that ever I heard of -or saw in my days; I, Sir Gawaine, King Lot's son of Orkney, sister's -son unto the noble King Arthur, send unto thee greeting, and let thee -have knowledge, that the tenth day of May I was smitten upon the old -wound which thou gavest me before the city of Benwick, and through the -same wound that thou gavest me I am come unto my death day, and I will -that all the world wit that I Sir Gawaine, knight of the Round Table, -sought my death, and not through thy deserving, but it was mine own -seeking; wherefore I beseech thee, Sir Launcelot, for to return again -unto this realm and see my tomb, and pray some prayer more or less for -my soul. Also, Sir Launcelot, for all the love that ever was between -us, make no tarrying, but come over the sea in all the haste that thou -mayest with thy noble knights, and rescue that noble king that made -thee knight, that is my lord and uncle King Arthur, for he is full -straitly bestood [<i>sore beset</i>] with a false traitor, which is my half -brother Sir Mordred, and he hath let crown himself king, and he would -have wedded my lady Queen Guenever, and so had he done, if she had not -put herself in the Tower of London. And so the tenth day of May last -past, my lord and uncle King Arthur and we all landed upon them at -Dover, and there we put that false traitor Sir Mordred to flight. And -there it misfortuned me for to be stricken upon thy stroke. And at the -date of this letter was written but two hours and half before my death, -written with mine own hand, and so subscribed with part of my heart's -blood. And I require thee, most famous knight of all the world, that -thou wilt see my tomb."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Gawaine wept, and King Arthur wept. And the king made Sir -Gawaine to receive his Saviour. And then Sir Gawaine prayed the king -to send for Sir Launcelot, and to cherish him above all other knights. -And so at the hour of noon, Sir Gawaine yielded up the spirit. And -then the king let inter him in a chapel within Dover Castle; and there -yet all men may see the skull of him, and the same wound is seen that -Sir Launcelot gave him in battle. Then was it told King Arthur that -Sir Mordred had pitched a new field upon Barendoune [<i>Barham Down</i>]. -And upon the morn the king rode thither to him, and there was a great -battle betwixt them, and much people were slain on both parties. But at -the last King Arthur's party stood best, and Sir Mordred and his party -fled into Canterbury.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And then the king let search all the towns for his knights that were -slain, and interred them; and salved them with soft salves that so -sore were wounded. Then much people drew unto King Arthur. And then -they said that Sir Mordred warred upon King Arthur wrongfully. And -then King Arthur drew him with his host down by the sea side, westward -unto Salisbury, and there was a day assigned between King Arthur and -Sir Mordred, that they should meet upon a down beside Salisbury, and -not far from the sea side, and this day was assigned on a Monday after -Trinity Sunday, whereof King Arthur was passing glad, that he might be -avenged upon Sir Mordred. Then Sir Mordred raised much people about -London, for they of Kent, Southsex [<i>Sussex</i>], and Southery [<i>Surrey</i>], -Estsex [<i>Essex</i>], and Southfolk [<i>Suffolk</i>], and of Northfolk -[<i>Norfolk</i>], held the most party with Sir Mordred, and many a full -noble knight drew unto Sir Mordred and to the king; but they that loved -Sir Launcelot drew unto Sir Mordred.</p> - -<p>So upon Trinity Sunday at night King Arthur dreamed a wonderful dream, -and that was this, that him seemed he sat in a chair, and the chair was -fast unto a wheel, and thereupon sat King Arthur in the richest cloth -of gold that might be made. And the king thought there was under him, -far from him, a hideous and a deep black water, and therein was all -manner of serpents and worms, and wild beasts foul and horrible; and -suddenly the king thought that the wheel turned upside down, and that -he fell among the serpents and wild beasts, and every beast took him by -a limb; and then the king cried, as he lay in his bed and slept, "Help!"</p> - -<p>And then knights, squires, and yeomen awaked the king; and then he -was so amazed that he wist not where he was; and then he fell in a -slumbering again, not sleeping nor thoroughly waking. So King Arthur -thought that there came Sir Gawaine unto him verily, with a number -of fair ladies with him; and so when King Arthur saw him, he said, -"Welcome, my sister's son, I wend thou hadst been dead, and now I see -thee alive, much am I beholden unto almighty Jesu; oh, fair nephew and -my sister's son, what be these ladies that be come hither with you?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Gawaine, "all these be the ladies for whom I have -fought when I was man living: and all these are those that I did battle -for in righteous quarrel. And God hath given them that grace at their -great prayer, because I did battle for them, that they should bring -me hither unto you for to warn you of your death; for and ye fight as -to-morrow with Sir Mordred, as ye both have assigned, doubt ye not ye -must be slain, and the most part of your people on both parties. For -within a month shall come Sir Launcelot, with all his noble knights, -and rescue you worshipfully, and slay Sir Mordred and all that ever -will hold with him." Then Sir Gawaine and all the ladies vanished.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So then were they condescended that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should -meet between both their hosts, and every each of them should bring -fourteen persons. And they came with this word unto King Arthur, and -then said he, "I am glad that this is done." And so he went into the -fields; and when King Arthur should depart, he warned all his host -that, and they saw any sword drawn, "look that ye come on fiercely, and -slay that traitor Sir Mordred, for I in no wise trust him."</p> - -<p>In like wise Sir Mordred did warn his host that "if ye see any manner -of sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that -ever standeth before you, for in no wise I will not trust for this -treatise, for I know well that my [uncle] will be avenged upon me."</p> - -<p>And so they met as their appointment was, and were agreed and accorded -thoroughly, and wine was fet [<i>fetched</i>] and they drank. Right so came -an adder out of a little heath bush, and it stung a knight on the foot; -and when the knight felt him stung, he looked down and saw the adder, -and then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of none -other harm. And when the hosts on both parties saw that sword drawn, -they blew trumpets and horns, and shouted grimly. And so both hosts -dressed them together, and King Arthur took his horse, and said, "Alas, -this unhappy day!" and so rode he to his party. And so Sir Mordred -did in like wise; and never was there seen a more dolefuller battle -in no Christian land, for there was but rashing and riding, foining -and striking, and many a grim word was there spoken either to other, -and many a deadly stroke. And ever they fought still till it was nigh -night, and by that time was there an hundred thousand laid dead upon -the down. Then was King Arthur wroth out of measure, when he saw his -people so slain from him. Then the king looked about him, and then was -he ware that of all his host, and of all his good knights, were left -no more alive but two knights, that was Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir -Bedivere his brother, and they were right sore wounded.</p> - -<p>"Jesu mercy!" said King Arthur, "where are all my noble knights become? -Alas! that ever I should see this doleful day; for now," said King -Arthur, "I am come unto mine end; but would to God that I wist where -that traitor Sir Mordred is, which hath caused all this mischief."</p> - -<p>Then was King Arthur ware where Sir Mordred leaned upon his sword among -a great heap of dead men.</p> - -<p>"Now give me my spear," said King Arthur to Sir Lucan, "for yonder I -have espied the traitor which hath wrought all this woe."</p> - -<p>"Sir, let him be," said Sir Lucan, "for he is unhappy; and if ye -pass this unhappy day ye shall be right well revenged upon him. My -good lord, remember well your dream that ye had this night, and what -the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you this night; yet God of his great -goodness hath preserved you hitherto, therefore, for God's sake, my -lord, leave off by this, for blessed be God ye have won the field; for -here we be three on live, and with Sir Mordred is none alive. And if ye -leave off now, this wicked day of destiny is done."</p> - -<p>"Betide me death, betide me life," said the king, "now I see him yonder -alone he shall never escape my hands, for at a better vantage shall I -never have him."</p> - -<p>"God speed you well," said Sir Bedivere.</p> - -<p>Then the king gat his spear in both his hands, and ran towards Sir -Mordred, crying, "Traitor, now is thy death day come."</p> - -<p>And when Sir Mordred heard King Arthur, he ran unto him with his sword -drawn in his hand. And then King Arthur smote Sir Mordred under the -shield with a foin of his spear throughout the body more than a fathom. -And when Sir Mordred felt that he had his death's wound, he thrust -himself, with the might that he had, up to the bur of King Arthur's -spear. And right so he smote [the king] with his sword holden in both -his hands, on the side of the head, that the sword pierced the helmet -and the brain-pan. And therewithal Sir Mordred fell stark dead to the -earth. And the noble Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth, and there he -swooned ofttimes. And Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir Bedivere ofttimes -heaved him up, and so weakly they led him betwixt them both to a little -chapel not far from the sea side. And when the king was there, he -thought him well eased. Then heard they people cry in the field.</p> - -<p>"Now go thou, Sir Lucan," said the king, "and do me to wit what -betokens that noise in the field."</p> - -<p>So Sir Lucan departed, and he was grievously wounded in many places. -And so as he went, he saw and hearkened by the moonlight, how the -pillers [<i>pillagers</i>] and robbers were come into the field to pill and -to rob many a full noble knight of broaches and beads, of many a good -ring, and of many a rich jewel; and who that were not dead all out -[<i>entirely</i>], there they slew them for their harness and their riches. -When Sir Lucan understood this work, he came to the king as soon as he -might, and told him all what he had heard and seen.</p> - -<p>"Therefore by mine advice," said Sir Lucan, "it is best that we bring -you to some town."</p> - -<p>"I would it were so," said the king.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"But I may not stand. Ah, Sir Launcelot," said King Arthur, "this day -have I sore missed thee. Alas, that ever I was against thee, for now -have I my death, whereof Sir Gawaine me warned in my dream."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Lucan took up the king the one part, and Sir Bedivere the -other part, and in the lifting, the king swooned, and Sir Lucan fell in -a swoon with the lift, and therewith the noble knight's heart brast. -And when King Arthur came to himself again, he beheld Sir Lucan how he -lay foaming at the mouth.</p> - -<p>"Alas," said the king, "this is unto me a full heavy sight to see this -noble duke so die for my sake, for he would have holpen me, that had -more need of help than I. Alas, he would not complain him, his heart -was so set to help me. Now Jesu have mercy upon his soul."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere wept for the death of his brother.</p> - -<p>"Leave this mourning and weeping," said the king, "for all this will -not avail me: for, wit thou well, and I might live myself the death -of Sir Lucan would grieve me evermore; but my time hieth fast," said -the king. "Therefore," said King Arthur, "take thou Excalibur, my good -sword, and go with it to yonder water side, and when thou comest there, -I charge thee throw my sword in that water, and come again, and tell me -what thou shalt see there."</p> - -<p>"My lord," said Sir Bedivere, "your command shall be done, and lightly -bring you word again."</p> - -<p>And so Sir Bedivere departed; and by the way he beheld that noble sword -where the pommel and the haft were all of precious stones, and then he -said to himself, "If I throw this rich sword into the water, thereof -shall never come good, but harm and loss."</p> - -<p>And then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibur under a tree, and as soon as he -might he came again unto King Arthur, and said he had been at the -water, and had thrown the sword into the water.</p> - -<p>"What sawest thou there?" said the king.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "I saw nothing but waves and wind."</p> - -<p>"That is untruly said of thee," said King Arthur, "therefore go thou -lightly and do my command, as thou art to me lief [<i>beloved</i>] and dear; -spare not, but throw it in."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere returned again, and took the sword in his hand; and -then him thought it sin and shame to throw away that noble sword. And -so he hid the sword, and returned again and told to the king that he -had been at the water and done his command.</p> - -<p>"What saw ye there?" said the king.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "I saw nothing but the water wap and waves wane."<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p> - -<p>"Ah, traitor untrue!" said King Arthur, "now hast thou betrayed me two -times. Who would have wend that thou that hast been unto me so self -[<i>loved like myself</i>] and dear, and thou art named a noble knight, and -wouldest betray me for the rich sword? But now go again lightly, for -thy long tarrying putteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have -taken cold; and but if thou do as I command thee, and if ever I may see -thee, I shall slay thee with my own hands, for thou wouldst for my rich -sword see me dead."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere departed, and went to the sword, and lightly took it -up, and went to the water's side; and there he bound the girdle about -the hilts, and then he threw the sword into the water as far as he -might; and there came an arm and an hand above the water, and met it -and caught it, and so shook it thrice and brandished.</p> - -<p>And then the hand vanished away with the sword in the water. So Sir -Bedivere came again to the king, and told him what he had seen.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said the king, "help me from hence, for I dread me I have -tarried over long."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere took King Arthur upon his back, and so went with him -to the water's side. And when they were at the water's side, even fast -by the bank hoved a little barge, with many fair ladies in it, and -among them all was a queen, and all they had black hoods, and they wept -and shrieked when they saw King Arthur.</p> - -<p>"Now put me into the barge," said the king; and so he did softly; and -there received him three queens with great mourning, and so these three -queens [whereof one was King Arthur's sister Morgan le Fay, the other -was the queen of Northgalis, and the third was the queen of the waste -lands] set them down, and in one of their laps King Arthur laid his -head. And then that queen said, "Ah! dear brother, why have ye tarried -so long from me? Alas! this wound on your head hath taken overmuch -cold."</p> - -<p>And so then they rowed from the land, and Sir Bedivere beheld all those -ladies go from him; then Sir Bedivere cried, "Ah! my lord Arthur, what -shall become of me now ye go from me, and leave me here alone among -mine enemies?"</p> - -<p>"Comfort thyself," said King Arthur, "and do as well as thou mayest, -for in me is no trust for to trust in; for I will into the vale of -Avalon for to heal me of my grievous wound; and if thou never hear more -of me, pray for my soul."</p> - -<p>But evermore the queens and the ladies wept and shrieked that it was -pity for to hear them. And as soon as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight -of the barge, he wept and wailed, and so took the forest; and so he -went all the night, and in the morning he was ware between two hills of -a chapel and an hermitage.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then was Sir Bedivere glad, and thither he went; and when he came into -the chapel, he saw where lay an hermit grovelling upon all four there -fast by a tomb newly graven. When the hermit saw Sir Bedivere, he knew -him well, for he was, but a little before, [the] bishop of Canterbury -that Sir Mordred banished away.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Sir Bedivere, "what man is there that ye pray so fast for?"</p> - -<p>"Fair son," said the hermit, "I wot not verily, but by deeming, but -this night, at midnight, here came a great number of ladies, and -brought hither a dead corpse, and prayed me to bury him; and here they -offered an hundred tapers and gave me an hundred besants."</p> - -<p>"Alas," said Sir Bedivere, "that was my lord King Arthur, that here -lieth buried in this chapel!"</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere swooned, and when he awoke he prayed the hermit he -might abide with him still there, to live with fasting and prayers. -"For from hence will I never go," said Sir Bedivere, "by my will, but -all the days of my life here to pray for my lord Arthur."</p> - -<p>"Ye are welcome to me," said the hermit, "for I know you better than ye -ween that I do. Ye are the bold Bedivere, and the full noble duke Sir -Lucan the Butler was your brother."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Bedivere told the hermit all as ye have heard before. So there -bode Sir Bedivere with the hermit, and there Sir Bedivere put upon -him poor clothes, and served the hermit full lowly in fasting and in -prayers. And when the Queen Guenever understood that King Arthur was -slain, and all the noble knights, Sir Mordred and all the remnant, then -the queen stole away, and five ladies with her, and so she went to -Almesbury, and there she let make herself a nun and wore white clothes -and black. And great penance she took as ever did sinful lady in this -land; and never creature could make her merry, but lived in fastings, -prayers, and alms deeds, that all manner of people marvelled how -virtuously she was changed. Now leave we Queen Guenever in Almsbury, -that was a nun in white clothes and black; and there she was abbess -and ruler, as reason would. And turn we from her, and speak we of Sir -Launcelot du Lake.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And when he heard in his country that Sir Mordred was crowned king -in England, and made war against King Arthur, and would not let him -to land in his own land; also it was told Sir Launcelot how that Sir -Mordred had laid siege about the Tower of London, because the queen -would not wed him; then was Sir Launcelot wondrous wroth.</p> - -<p>Then they made them ready in all the haste that might be, with ships -and galleys, with Sir Launcelot and his host for to pass into England. -And so he passed over the sea, and arrived at Dover, and there he -landed with seven kings, and their number was hideous to behold. Then -Sir Launcelot inquired of the men of Dover where King Arthur was become.</p> - -<p>Then the people told him how that he was slain, with Sir Mordred, and -an hundred thousand died upon a day, and how Sir Mordred gave King -Arthur there the first battle at his landing, and there was the good -knight Sir Gawaine slain; and on the morrow Sir Mordred fought with -King Arthur upon Barendoune, and there King Arthur put Sir Mordred to -the worst.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "this is the heaviest tidings that ever -came to me. Now fair sirs," said Sir Launcelot, "I beseech you show me -the tomb of Sir Gawaine."</p> - -<p>And then certain people of the town brought him to the castle of Dover, -and showed him the tomb of Sir Gawaine. Then Sir Launcelot kneeled -down, and wept, and prayed full heartily for his soul. And that night -he made a dole, and all they that would come had as much flesh and -fish, wine and ale, as they might eat and drink, and every man and -woman had twelve pence, come who would.</p> - -<p>Then on the third day Sir Launcelot called to the kings, dukes, earls, -and barons, and said thus: "My fair lords, I thank you all of your -coming into this country with me. But we come too late, and that shall -repent me while I live. But sithen it is so, I will myself ride and -seek my lady Queen Guenever, for as I hear say she hath great pain and -much disease, and I heard say that she is fled into the west country, -therefore ye all abide me here, and but if I come within fifteen days, -then take your ships and your fellowship, and depart into your country."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then came Sir Bors de Ganis, and said, "My lord Sir Launcelot, what -think ye for to do, now to ride in this realm? wit thou well, ye shall -find few friends."</p> - -<p>"Be as be may," said Sir Launcelot, "keep you still here, for I will -forth on my journey, and no man nor child shall go with me."</p> - -<p>So it was no boot to strive, but he departed and rode westerly, and -there he sought a seven or eight days, and at the last he came unto -a nunnery. And then was Queen Guenever ware of Sir Launcelot as she -walked in the cloister; and when she saw him there, she swooned three -times, that all the ladies and gentlewomen had work enough for to -hold the queen up. So when she might speak, she called ladies and -gentlewomen unto her, and said, "Ye marvel, fair ladies, why I make -this cheer. Truly," said she, "it is for the sight of yonder knight -which yonder standeth; wherefore I pray you all to call him unto me." -And when Sir Launcelot was brought unto her, then she said: "Sir -Launcelot, I require thee and beseech thee heartily, for all the love -that ever was between us two, that thou never look me more in the -visage. And furthermore I command thee on God's behalf right straitly, -that thou forsake my company, and that unto thy kingdom shortly thou -return again, and keep well thy realm from war and wreck. For as well -as I have loved thee, Sir Launcelot, now mine heart will not once serve -me to see thee. Therefore, Sir Launcelot, go thou unto thy realm, and -there take thee a wife, and live with her in joy and bliss. And I -beseech you heartily, pray for me unto our Lord God, that I may amend -my misliving."</p> - -<p>"Now, sweet madam," said Sir Launcelot, "would ye that I should now -return again into my country, and there to wed a lady? Nay, madam, wit -you well that shall I never do: but the same destiny that ye have taken -you to, I will take me unto, for to please Jesu, and ever for you I -cast me specially to pray. And if I had found you now so disposed, I -had cast me to have had you into mine own realm."</p> - -<p>[Then] there was lamentation as they had been stung by spears, and the -ladies bare the queen to her chamber.</p> - -<p>And Sir Launcelot took his horse and rode all that day and all that -night in a forest, weeping. And at last he was ware of a hermitage and -a chapel between two cliffs, and then he heard a little bell ring to -mass.</p> - -<p>[And it was here that the bishop and Sir Bedivere had served God -together; and they knew Sir Launcelot, and told him all, and his heart -was nearly brast for sorrow. And Sir Launcelot threw abroad his armor, -and was shriven, and took the habit upon him, and abode at that chapel.</p> - -<p>And there came Sir Bors, who had gone forth for to seek Sir Launcelot. -And Sir Bors took the habit upon him. And within half a year there was -also come] Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Villiers, Sir -Clarrus, and Sir Gahalantine. So these seven knights abode there still. -And when they saw that Sir Launcelot had taken him unto such perfection -they had not list [<i>desire</i>] to depart, but took such an habit as he -had, and their horses went where they would.</p> - -<p>Thus they endured in great penance six years, and then Sir Launcelot -took the habit of priesthood, and twelve months he sung the mass. [And -he used] such abstinence that he waxed full lean. And thus upon a night -there came a vision to Sir Launcelot, and charged him, in remission of -his sins, to haste him unto Almesbury, "And by then thou come there, -thou shalt find Queen Guenever dead: and therefore take thy fellows -with thee, and purvey them of an horse-bier, and fetch thou the corpse -of her, and bury her by her husband the noble King Arthur." So this -vision came to Launcelot thrice in one night.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot rose up or day, and told the hermit.</p> - -<p>"It were well done," said the hermit, "that ye made you ready, and that -you disobey not the vision."</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot took his seven fellows with him, and on foot they -went from Glastonbury to Almesbury, the which is little more than -thirty miles. And thither they came within two days, for they were weak -and feeble to go. And when Sir Launcelot was come to Almesbury, within -the nunnery, Queen Guenever died but half an hour before.</p> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not greatly, but sighed; -and so he did all the observance of the mass himself, both the dirige -[<i>dirge</i>] at night and the mass on the morrow.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <a name="illus9" id="illus9"></a> - <img src="images/illus9.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>Then Sir Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not greatly, but sighed</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>[And so with many holy rites, Queen Guenever was wrapped thirty-fold -in cloth of Rheims, and put in a web of lead, and after in a coffin of -marble. And when she was put in the earth Sir Launcelot swooned.]</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then Sir Launcelot never after eat but little meat, nor drank, till -he was dead; for then he sickened more and more, and dried and dwined -[<i>dwindled</i>] away; for the bishop nor none of his fellows might not -make him to eat, and little he drank; for evermore day and night he -prayed, but sometime he slumbered a broken sleep, and ever he was -lying grovelling on the tomb of King Arthur and Queen Guenever. And -there was no comfort that the bishop, nor Sir Bors, nor none of his -fellows could make him, it availed nothing.</p> - -<p>Oh, ye mighty and pompous lords, shining in the glory transitory of -this unstable life, as in reigning over great realms and mighty great -countries, fortified with strong castles and towers, edified with -many a rich city; ye also, ye fierce and mighty knights, so valiant -in adventurous deeds of arms; behold, behold, see how this mighty -conqueror King Arthur, whom in his human life all the world doubted -[<i>praised</i>], see also the noble Queen Guenever, which sometime sat -in her chair adorned with gold, pearls, and precious stones, now lie -full low in obscure fosse or pit, covered with clods of earth and -clay; behold also this mighty champion Sir Launcelot, peerless of all -knighthood, see now how he lieth grovelling upon the cold mould, now -being so feeble and faint that sometime was so terrible. How and in -what manner ought ye to be so desirous of worldly honor so dangerous! -Therefore me thinketh this present book is right necessary often to -be read, for in it shall ye find the most gracious, knightly, and -virtuous war of the most noble knights of the world, whereby they gat -praising continually. Also me seemeth, by the oft reading thereof, -ye shall greatly desire to accustom yourself in following of those -gracious knightly deeds, that is to say, to dread God, and to love -righteousness, faithfully and courageously to serve your sovereign -prince; and the more that God hath given you the triumphal honor, the -meeker ye ought to be, ever fearing the unstableness of this deceitful -world. And so I pass over and turn again unto my matter.</p> - -<p>So within six weeks after Sir Launcelot fell sick, and lay in his bed; -and then he sent for the bishop that there was hermit, and all his true -fellows. Then Sir Launcelot said with dreary steeven [<i>voice</i>], "Sir -bishop, I pray you give to me all my rights that longeth to a Christian -man."</p> - -<p>"It shall not need you," said the hermit and all his fellows, "it is -but heaviness of your blood: ye shall be well amended by the grace of -God to-morn."</p> - -<p>"My fair lords," said Sir Launcelot, "wit you well, my careful body -will into the earth. I have warning more than now I will say, therefore -give me my rights."</p> - -<p>So when he had all that a Christian man ought to have, he prayed the -bishop that his fellows might bear his body unto Joyous Gard.</p> - -<p>"Howbeit," said Sir Launcelot, "me repenteth sore, but I made mine avow -sometime that in Joyous Gard I would be buried, and because of breaking -of mine avow, I pray you all lead me thither."</p> - -<p>Then there was weeping and wringing of hands among all his fellows. So -at the season of night they went all to their beds, for they lay all in -one chamber. So after midnight against day, the bishop that was hermit, -as he lay in his bed asleep, he fell on a great laughter; and therewith -the fellowship awoke, and came unto the bishop, and asked him what he -ailed.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Jesu, mercy," said the bishop, "why did you awake me? I was never -in all my life so merry and well at ease."</p> - -<p>"Why, wherefore?" said Sir Bors.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said the bishop, "here was Sir Launcelot with me, with more -angels than ever I saw men upon one day; and I saw the angels heave up -Sir Launcelot towards heaven; and the gates of heaven opened against -him."</p> - -<p>"It is but dretching [<i>fantasy</i>] of swevens [<i>dreams</i>]," said Sir Bors; -"for I doubt not Sir Launcelot aileth nothing but good."</p> - -<p>"It may well be," said the bishop. "Go to his bed, and then shall ye -prove the sooth."</p> - -<p>So when Sir Bors and his fellows came to his bed, they found him stark -dead, and he lay as he had smiled, and the sweetest savor about him -that ever they smelled. Then was there weeping and wringing of hands, -and the greatest dole they made that ever made men. And on the morrow -the bishop sung his mass of requiem; and after the bishop and all -those nine knights put Sir Launcelot in the same horse-bier that Queen -Guenever was laid in before that she was buried.</p> - -<p>And so the bishop and they all together went with the corpse of Sir -Launcelot daily till they came unto Joyous Gard, and ever they had an -hundred torches burning about him.</p> - -<p>And so within fifteen days they came to Joyous Gard; and there they -laid his corpse in the body of the choir, and sung and read many -psalters and prayers over him and about him; and ever his visage was -laid open and naked, that all folk might behold him, for such was the -custom in those days that all men of worship should so lie with open -visage till that they were buried. And right thus as they were at their -service, there came Sir Ector de Maris, that had sought seven year all -England, Scotland, and Wales, seeking his brother Sir Launcelot.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And when Sir Ector de Maris heard such noise and light in the choir of -Joyous Gard, he alighted, and put his horse away from him, and came -into the choir; and there he saw men sing and weep. And all they knew -Sir Ector, but he knew not them. Then went Sir Bors unto Sir Ector, and -told him how there lay his brother Sir Launcelot dead. And then Sir -Ector threw his shield, sword, and helm from him; and when he beheld -Sir Launcelot's visage he fell down in a swoon. And when he awaked it -were hard any tongue to tell the doleful complaints that he made for -his brother.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Sir Launcelot," he said, "thou were head of all Christian knights; -and now I dare say," said Sir Ector, "that Sir Launcelot, there thou -liest, thou were never matched of none earthly knight's hands; and thou -were the courtliest knight that ever bare shield; and thou were the -truest friend to thy lover that ever bestrode horse; and thou were the -truest lover, of a sinful man, that ever loved woman; and thou were the -kindest man that ever struck with sword; and thou were the goodliest -person that ever came among press [<i>crowd</i>] of knights; and thou were -the meekest man and the gentlest that ever ate in hall among ladies; -and thou were the sternest knight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear -in the rest."</p> - -<p>Then there was weeping and dolor out of measure.</p> - -<p>Thus they kept Sir Launcelot's corpse above the ground fifteen days, -and then they buried it with great devotion. And then at leisure they -went all with the bishop of Canterbury to his hermitage, and there -they were together more than a month. Then Sir Constantine, that was -Sir Cador's son, of Cornwall, was chosen king of England; and he was a -full noble knight, and worshipfully he ruled this realm. And then this -King Constantine sent for the bishop of Canterbury, for he heard say -where he was; and so he was restored unto his bishopric, and left that -hermitage; and Sir Bedivere was there ever still hermit to his life's -end. Then Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Gahalantine, Sir -Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Blamor, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Villiers le -Valiant, Sir Clarrus of Claremount, all these knights drew them to -their countries, howbeit King Constantine would have had them with him, -but they would not abide in this realm; and there they lived in their -countries as holy men.</p> - -<p>Here is the end of the whole book of King Arthur and of his noble -knights of the Round Table, that when they were whole together there -was ever an hundred and forty. Also, here is the end of the death of -King Arthur. I pray you all, gentlemen and gentlewomen, that read this -book of King Arthur and his knights from the beginning to the ending, -pray for me while I am alive, that God send me good deliverance.</p> - -<p>And when I am dead, I pray you all pray for my soul. For this book was -finished the ninth year of the reign of King Edward the Fourth, by Sir -Thomas Maleor [<i>Malory</i>] knight, as Jesu help me for his great might, -as he is the servant of Jesu both day and night.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> "Of" was often used for the modern <i>by</i> in Sir Thomas -Malory's time, and is still so used upon occasion. "Made knight of the -best man" thus means <i>made knight by the best man</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> "If" here means <i>whether</i>. "In great peril if ever he come -again," <i>in great danger of never getting back</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> "For" here means <i>in spite of</i>; as still used, in certain -phrases.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> "And" means <i>if</i>, here. In later times it becomes -contracted into "an," when used in this sense.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> "Raced" off: <i>violently tore off</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> "On live": old form of <i>alive</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> "On sleep," <i>asleep</i>: as just above "on live," <i>alive</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> "No force," <i>no matter</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> "The king's daughter Leodegrance," <i>King Leodegrance's -daughter</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> "In fewter cast his spear," <i>in rest placed his spear</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> "Sendall," <i>a kind of silk</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> This is not Elaine, the maid of Astolat—whom we shall -meet hereafter—but another Elaine.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> "Endlong and overthwart," <i>lengthways and erossways</i> of -the land.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> "I take no force," <i>I care not</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> "Him list," <i>he wishes, he pleases</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> "Hale and how," <i>haul and ho</i>: the sailors' cries in -hoisting away, &c.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> "Troth," <i>truth</i>, and "plight," <i>wove</i>: "troth plight," -<i>wove their truth together</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> We have here the beginning of that series of quarrels -which presently arrays Sir Gawaine and King Arthur (who with many -protests allows himself to be guided by Sir Gawaine) on one side, -against Queen Guenever and Sir Launcelot (who has taken the queen's -part) on the other, and which ends with the great battle in which -Arthur is slain and the Round Table broken up for ever.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> "Worshipped" <i>made of worth, honored</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> This event—the death of King Arthur—gave name to the -whole series of stories with some of the old editors: Caxton, for -example, the first printer of Sir Thomas Malory's book, issued it under -the title "La Mort Darthur," that is, <i>la mort</i> (French, <i>the death</i>) -<i>d'Arthur</i> (<i>of Arthur</i>).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> "Water wap and waves wane," <i>water lap and waves ebb</i>.</p></div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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